13.05.04 – WBU World Super-Featherweight Champion MICHAEL GOMEZ will now make the first defence of his title against the former Commonwealth Champion JUSTIN JUUKO on Saturday 22nd May at the Kingsway Sports Centre in Widnes. Gomez was scheduled to face Bouziane Oudji but the Frenchman withdrew from the fight due to injury and he now has a much tougher assignment against Juuko.
Originally from Uganda but now based in Las Vegas, Juuko has defeated a number of top domestic names including Charles Shepherd and Gary Thornhill. On the world scene he has been in with WBC Lightweight Champion Floyd Mayweather Jr., Diego Corrales the WBO World Super-Featherweight king, Carlos Hernandez the IBF ruler and light-welterweight prospect Miguel Cotto.
“Juuko is a dangerous fighter and is one of the roughest and toughest out there. He did a number on Thornhill and Shephard over here but he won’t be doing the same to me,” Said Gomez
He continued, “This is a make or break fight for Juuko he knows that if he gets beat he’s finished and if he beats me then he can go on to another big fight.”
“That’s why I believe he will be the most dangerous he’s ever been against me. This time I will show that I can be a smart fighter and not just a brave one. I have work hard on improving my jab, head movement and footwork and people will see a new Michael Gomez,”
Gomez, currently ranked number five in the WBO and WBA, is chasing a showdown with Corrales and will be looking to make a firm statement by stopping Juuko.
“Corrales stopped Juuko in the tenth round and Mayweather done him in the ninth. I believe I can hit than either of these two and will be looking to stop Juuko earlier than that to prove the point. Corrales is the one I want and I aim to get to the mandatory challenger position so he has to face me instead of avoiding me.” Finished Gomez.
The undercard features Preston welterweight MICHAEL JENNINGS, Pontypool light-welterweight TONY DOHERTY and Liverpool trio DERRY MATHEWS, MARK MORAN and TONY QUIGLEY.
Tickets, priced at £25 and £60, are available from the Sports Network Box Office on 01992 550 888 or Kingsway Sports Centre on 0151 495 2200.