(COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.) – The United States’ 17-year-old light welterweight phenom Frankie Gomez (Los Angeles, Calif.) has boxed his way to the final round at the 2009 AIBA World Championships in Milan, Italy. Gomez recorded his fifth straight victory at the Mediolanum Forum, pulling out an 8-7 decision over the far more experienced two-time Olympian Gyula Kate of Hungary in their semifinal contest.
In a contrast to his previous bouts, Gomez took the first lead in the contest, and held a 2-0 edge after the opening round. Kate came back in the second round of boxing, pulling the bout to a 5-5 tie with one round remaining. Yet Gomez would not be deterred, the 17-year-old outscored Kate by a 3-2 margin in the final round to win an 8-7 victory over Kate, a bronze medalist in the 2003 World Championships, and move on to the championship round.
Gomez is the first U.S. light welterweight to win a medal in senior world championships action since the late Vernon Forrest. Forrest, a 1992 Olympian and professional world champion, claimed a silver medal in the 1991 World Championships, one year before Gomez was born.
With his fifth straight victory, Gomez is guaranteed at least a silver medal and will face Cuba’s Roniel Iglesias Sotolongo in final round action on Saturday at 2 p.m. Milan Time (8 a.m. EST). When he takes the ring in the light welterweight final on Saturday, Gomez will look to avenge the loss of fellow Los Angeles native and 2008 U.S. light welterweight Olympian Javier Molina. Sotolongo defeated Molina at the second Olympic qualifier in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
Universal Sports will be broadcasting all of the semifinal and final round action from Milan on www.universalsports.com. Friday’s semifinal bouts will be shown at approximately 6 p.m. EST.
Friday’s U.S. Results
141 lbs: Frankie Gomez, Broadway, Calif./USA dec. Gyula Kate, HUN, 8-7
Saturday’s U.S. Schedule
141 lbs: Frankie Gomez, Broadway, Calif./USA vs. Roniel Iglesias Sotolongo, CUB (8 a.m. EST
