07.10.08 – by James Slater – Michael Gomez, the exciting, never-in-a-bad-fight 31-year-old,climbs back into the ring this coming Friday evening in Motherwell, Scotland. Only twelve days after his last fight – a quick, 2nd-round win over the 3-22-2 Chris Brophy – “The Predator” takes another tune-up style bout while he hopes for one more big fight..
Back in June, Gomez decked and, he feels, came close to upsetting Amir Khan (in Khan’s fight before meeting Breidis Prescott), and now he wants to go out a winner before his hugely colourful career is over. Gomez, from Manchester, has been in his share of wars, often losing them, but one man he did defeat is Scotland’s “Amazing” Alex Arthur. Should he do as expected and get past former foe Baz Carey on Friday night, Gomez hopes it will line him up for a return bout with the man he sensationally flattened back in October of 2003.
One would think it would be Arthur yearning for a rematch, having been beaten in 5-rounds the last time he and Gomez met, but it is the teak-tough 31 year-old with the 36-9(25) record that has been doing all the shouting. Without a doubt, a return fight of one of 2003’s best action fights would be a good seller and one to watch – the question is, would Arthur want to risk going back in with the ring-worn but still highly dangerous slugger?
“I would love that fight,” Gomez told Setanta Sports News last week when speaking about an Arthur return. “He’s kept avoiding me. I’ve spoken to him since. I’d love to come to Edinburgh [to fight him] or even better Glasgow. He [Arthur] said when he fought (and lost to) Nicky Cook it should be a trilogy, but there’s no excitement there, they’re both good fighters but with Michael Gomez-Alex Arthur it was a war. I’ll take him on now, not a problem. I’ve got Alex Arthur’s number. I’m getting old but I still believe I would beat Alex Arthur because my passion inside will not let me lose.”
Of course, Gomez HAS lost, some nine times, but he may be correct when he says he has Arthur’s number. Styles make fights, and it may be that Gomez’s style beats Arthur’s every day of the week. There’s only one way to find out, and it seems the ball is in Arthur’s court. Should Gomez do away with the 11-37 Carey (only stopped three times) in Motherwell on Friday there would be nothing to stop a potential rematch of a truly great fight.
“The Predator” threw down one final challenge to Arthur last week.
“Come beat the man who knocked you spark out and who put you in hospital last time. Let’s fight again and give the public what they want.”
It is to be hoped the two warriors do just that.