Puerto Rican boxer legend Wilfredo Gomez, who won world titles in three weight classes, died on Saturday at the age of 69.
Former WBO president Paco Valcarcel confirmed the news on social media.
“He passed away a few hours ago, the one to whom I owe the great family of the International Champion. Rest in peace, my eternal champion Wilfredo “Bazuka” Gomez.”
Gomez had struggled with health problems in recent years and brain damage tied to a 15-year professional boxing career.
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He was admitted to the hospital due to breathing problems and was hospitalized for about fifteen days due to respiratory complications. The official cause of death has not yet been confirmed.
Gomez (44-3-1, 42 KOs), a 1972 Olympian for Puerto Rico, began his professional career in 1974. He won his first world title – the WBC super bantamweight crown – in 1977. Gomez held the championship for almost six years, making 17 successful title defenses and winning them all by knockout.
Gomez, after defeating Salvador Sanchez in 1981 for the WBC featherweight title, became a two-division champion in 1984 and won the belt in the third super-bantamweight division in 1985.
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The Puerto Rican was famous for his power hitting. He retired in 1989 and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1995.
He left a memorable legacy and will be remembered as one of the greatest fighters and greatest champions in the history of the sport.