Wilfredo Gomez Dies as Puerto Rico Boxing Legend at 69

Former three division world champion Wilfredo Gomez died Saturday night at age 69 in Puerto Rico, his son Wilfredo Gomez Jr. confirmed. The boxing figure passed away around 9:00 p.m. after being hospitalized for two weeks with respiratory complications, according to Telemundo PR.

Gomez became one of Puerto Rico most recognized athletes through championships in the super bantamweight, featherweight and super featherweight divisions. According to Primera Hora, he finished his professional career with 44 wins, three losses and one draw, including 42 victories by knockout.

His first world title came on May 21, 1977, when the 20 year old defeated South Korean Dong Kyun Yum by knockout at Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, according to Telemundo PR. Gomez recovered from an early knockdown before stopping Yum in the 12th round.

After winning the World Boxing Council super bantamweight championship, Gomez defended the title 17 times and won every defense by knockout, a record highlighted by Telemundo PR and Primera Hora. His first professional defeat came in 1981 against Mexican boxer Salvador Sanchez.

Before his professional success, Gomez represented Puerto Rico at the 1972 Munich Olympics at age 15. Telemundo PR reported that he later won gold at the 1974 Central American and Caribbean Games and captured another gold medal at the first World Amateur Boxing Championships in Havana, Cuba.

Gomez began his professional career on November 16, 1974, with a draw against Jacinto Fuentes in Panama, according to Telemundo PR. He then won 15 consecutive fights by knockout before challenging Yum for the world title.

The boxer was recognized internationally after entering the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1995 in Canastota, New York, following earlier recognition by the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1989, according to Telemundo PR. In recent years, he faced health issues linked to his long boxing career.

Gomez Jr. said his family would provide additional details about the death on Sunday. Primera Hora reported that his son had previously asked for prayers for his father health before the former champion passed away.