Oct. 25, 2003: Arthur vs Gomez

In The Yr Of Our Lord 1298, the Battle of Falkirk passed off, a significant battle within the First Struggle Of Scottish Independence. On the outskirts of Edinburgh, the forces of King Edward I of England clashed with these of Sir William Wallace of Scotland. In a single day over 4 thousand males misplaced their lives, and when the mud lastly cleared from the chaotic scene, King Edward had secured victory for England. The Scottish forces had fought gallantly however have been merely outnumbered. Neither nation would ever be the identical and centuries of intermittent battle would comply with.

It might sound far-fetched, however the echoes of that historic conflict have been felt greater than seven centuries later when two modern-day warriors did battle, this time with a Latino twist, beneath Marquess of Queensberry guidelines and with the super-featherweight Lonsdale belt on the road. Make no mistake, for various that night time, Arthur vs Gomez was Scotland vs England. And all of the historic burdens of the previous have been on full show in an evening many U.Okay. struggle followers will always remember.

Scotland’s protagonist on this present day was their native son, “Superb” Alex Arthur, the media darling who, like Wallace, was a younger but savvy fighter, having honed his expertise coaching with the assumptive better of the day. The 25-year-old baby-faced pugilist was a extremely regarded prospect, his file 16-0 with fifteen knockouts.

The English antagonist of this vastly anticipated “Battle Of Britain” was the person they known as “The Predator,” Michael (Armstrong) Gomez. Upon coming into boxing, Armstrong, who was the truth is born in Eire, modified his final identify to honour his favourite fighter rising up, the little large from Puerto Rico, Wilfredo Gomez. He then later settled in Manchester and England adopted him as considered one of their very own, therefore considered one of his various monikers, “The Manchester Mexican.”

The 26-year-old former Lonsdale titlist, with a file of 28-5, appeared to show again the clock and use his tactical expertise to overwhelm the nonetheless wet-behind-the-ears Arthur. Like King Edward, Gomez had performed nicely the a part of the antagonist, culminating in his Latino-themed invasion of Edinburgh. And just like the Scots again on July twenty second, 1298, younger Arthur had no concept what lay in retailer for him.

Within the coronary heart of Edinburgh lies Meadowbank Sports activities Stadium and it turned a battlefield of contemporary instances on that memorable night time. The stands have been stuffed to capability with rabid Arthur supporters singing in unison outdated struggle songs as they awaited the melee. Sky Sports activities was in attendance, broadcasting stay to the entire of the UK, and former world light-weight champion Ken Buchanan couldn’t be missed ringside. Trying as dapper as ever, the person who stands second solely to Benny Lynch within the pantheon of the best Scottish boxers might hardly be heard over the frenzied crowd in his pre-fight interview.

“Want I used to be fifteen years youthful,” he remarked wryly, the glory days of his battles with Ismael Laguna, Carlos Ortiz and Roberto Duran little question recent in his thoughts. Having visited Scotland’s favourite in his dressing room minutes earlier than, the previous champion predicted an Arthur win within seven rounds, and Irishman and fellow former champion Barry McGuigan shared an analogous prediction in his pre-fight commentary. “Gomez could put him on the seat of his pants,” stated Barry, “[but] I count on Arthur to stand up and take him aside to earn a late spherical stoppage.”

The jaunty strains of mariachi music signaled the doorway of Gomez, the journeyman, the outsider, making his manner by means of the throng sporting his conventional sombrero and flanked by coach Billy Graham and fellow Manchester native Ricky Hatton. So as to add gas to the fireplace, Hatton had additionally donned a sombrero because the 1000’s in attendance booed and shouted profanities. And we notice the historic parallel as King Edward had additionally entered the fray at Falkirk with two generals at his facet, assuring the tactical benefit for England, whereas a lot of William Wallace’s most trusted advisors had stayed residence.

If the gang was already at fever pitch, it was despatched into an absolute frenzy when its hero, Alex Arthur, made his method to the ring in shiny gold and white apparel, the Scotsman dancing and smiling and absorbing the cheers of his compatriots. However an ominous second got here when Arthur and firm climbed the steps to the ring and locked eyes with a ready Gomez on the high of the steps, the second paying homage to the blistering phrases uttered by King Edward in Falkirk: “As God lives…. they needn’t pursue me, for I’ll meet them on this present day.”

And as soon as the bell rang, Gomez fulfilled the spirit of that ominous pledge as he got here ahead in a semi-crouch and barely twenty seconds into the struggle landed a heavy left hook adopted by what appeared like a innocent proper hand but it surely will need to have touched the spot, as a result of Arthur’s legs buckled as his boisterous followers have been shocked into silence. “The Predator” was now stuffed with confidence. Slipping and dodging Arthur’s forays with ease whereas utilizing angles and shifts to chop off the extra elusive fighter’s escapes, Michael Gomez was in management. The Scotsman appeared to his nook for assist as the primary spherical ended with the person from Manchester touchdown left hooks at will.

However the second spherical noticed a restored Arthur, smiling and composed, seemingly unconcerned with the battle-hardened warrior who simply gave him hell. It was that confidence, blended with good boxing, that gained Arthur the Lonsdale belt and it was with such moxy and expertise that he gained the higher hand in spherical two. Now Edinburgh rallied behind their star within the making, the gang roaring and chanting at a deafening pitch. Displaying a eager sense of ring presence, Arthur was boxing fantastically off the again foot and avoiding the relentless stress of the elder Gomez.

By the center of spherical three Gomez was lower and appeared to have misplaced each little bit of momentum he’d gained within the opening spherical, till Arthur made an abrupt choice that baffled everybody and determined the result. For causes unknown, the Scotsman, like a hunted lion who wearies of the chase and decides to show and struggle, abruptly got here ahead and went toe-to-toe with the British invader. The group shrieked as each males landed heavy blows, but it surely was Gomez sneaking thudding left hooks behind Arthur’s guard and staggering his opponent repeatedly. Blood was now seeping from the Scotman’s face, the din within the stadium so loud that Gomez failed to listen to the round-ending bell and landed a heavy proper hand after it rang.

Nobody would have argued a stoppage at this level, such was the punishment younger Arthur had absorbed, however his nook, coursing with warrior blood, each actually and figuratively, determined to push on. And in spherical 4 Arthur, to everybody’s shock, discovered the power to fireplace again along with his personal heavy blows, earlier than Gomez retaliated, touchdown extra flush left hooks and buckling the Scotman’s legs many times. Absolutely the struggle needed to be stopped, but it surely was not and it was toe-to-toe mayhem as in some way Arthur survived to listen to the bell.

Spherical 5 was his final stand. Like an injured William Wallace on that bloody day in Falkirk, he dug in and refused to give up. He won’t have been the higher man on this battle, however the star within the making knew he would stay to struggle one other day. His fellow Scots urged him on as his white trunks turned a vivid mash of crimson, after which, out of nowhere, Arthur bent his adversary over with a crippling physique shot. For a second it appeared Arthur may pull off a miracle, as Gomez, his power waning, retreated, earlier than the momentum turned as soon as once more and a sequence of exhausting blows from the Englishman culminated with a left hook that put Arthur on the ground.

Down and on his haunches, the Scotsman appeared about and, amazingly, flashed a smile of glee on the TV digicam earlier than rapidly pulling himself upright and bouncing from foot to foot, convincing the referee he might proceed. Moments later the courageous younger warrior was down a second time, however once more he sprang to his ft, the referee as soon as extra giving him the advantage of the doubt, earlier than a closing salvo of heavy blows to Arthur’s visage satisfied the third man within the ring that sufficient was sufficient. He waved his arms, signaling the tip, as as soon as extra Arthur crashed to the canvas.

Trying again on the violent slugfest that was Arthur vs Gomez, one can’t assist however surprise how shut we got here to a tragic final result, and contemplating the bloody historical past of battle between Scotland and England, how horrible a day it might need been had Alex Arthur been severely injured. It was testomony to his superb braveness and combating spirit that he simply saved getting up and battling again, regardless of all of the punishment he had absorbed.

However ultimately it was Michael Gomez, “The Manchester Mexican,” who as soon as once more might maintain aloft the Lonsdale belt after almost succumbing to the youthful warrior’s final stand within the type of a thunderous physique blow. As an alternative Gomez saved his composure and noticed by means of the decided ambush of the Scotsman, simply as King Edward did that tragic and bloody day in Falkirk a few years in the past.

“This was the best contest on these shores since Nigel Benn beat Gerald McClellan in 1995,” declared promoter Frank Warren, and nobody might argue the purpose. It solely lasted 5 rounds, however the crowd, the environment, the historical past, and the twists and turns of the thrilling slugfest that ensued, mark Arthur vs Gomez as one of many nice battles within the historical past of UK boxing.                  — Joseph Gallagher