BraggingRightsCorner.com - Margarito crushes Gomez in devastating fashion ...by Mike Leanardi

Antonio Margarito (33-4, 24 KO’s) wanted to go out and make a statement tonight against title challenger Manuel “Shotgun” Gomez (28-11-2) and he did just that when he crushed Gomez with a right hand that sent Gomez to the canvas and caused referee Richard Steele to stop the bout at 1:14 of the very 1^st Round.

The defending WBO Welterweight Champion came out attempting to set the tone early, throwing hard and wide power shots; after landing a couple and slightly wobbling Gomez he was able to finish him off only seconds later.

It looks like this victory will finally set up the mega fight the WBO Champion has been looking for. During the post-fight press conference Margarito’s promoter Bob Arum, who is also the promoter for WBC Super Lightweight Champion Floyd Mayweather Jr., dropped a bombshell when he stated, “I have reserved July 29 at the Thomas and Mack Center for Margarito to fight the winner of Mayweather and (Zab) Judah. Hopefully Floyd will pull out the win because I know a fight between Mayweather and Margarito will be huge. It's a fight that everybody will want to see,” and indeed it would be. If Mayweather is successful against Judah on April 8^th that would apparently set up the Mayweather vs. Margarito unification fight that not only hardcore boxing fans, but also several members of the media have been clamoring for.

Of course Margarito seemed anxious at the prospect of fighting Mayweather saying, “I would love to be the man to give Mayweather his first loss.” Margarito stated that he thought Mayweather would be the victor against Judah, but also seemed open to the possibility of a match up against Judah when he said, “It will be a good fight but I know whoever I fight, whether it be Judah or Mayweather, you will see the truth as to who is the best.” It seems as though the annihilation of Gomez will finally net Margarito the super-fight he has been looking for; now we will have to just wait and see if he capitalizes on the opportunity.

2-18-2006