In what was supposed to be the most onerous fight of his young career this past July, Frankie Gomez disassembled Vernon Paris via 10-round unanimous decision at the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California.
The fast hands and power were simply too much for Paris to handle, who was beaten to the punch all night, even tasting the canvas in the fourth round.
On 26, January, Golden Boy Promotions president Oscar De La Hoya announced that Frankie Gomez would return on the undercard of Vargas-Tomlinson. Questions have been raised about Gomez following his victory over Paris, particularly why he did not knock out a guy he was clearly outclassing.
Was Gomez simply too compassionate, or did he lack the power late in the fight? It will be difficult to find a definitive answer on 12 March, as an opponent has yet to be announced for Gomez.
It is unusual to find the biggest and greatest opponents on short notice, but we have seen some surprises; like Manny Pacquiao fighting Lehlo Ledwaba, in 2001, albeit the chances of seeing something similar, are very slim.
By the statistics, this is second longest layoff for the soon to be 23-year old fighter, who took an 11-month layoff after taking on James Hope, in 2011. Which ended in a third round knockout, but it did not seem to bother Gomez, who proceeded to stop Manuel Leyva in three rounds, as well.
Gomez should have a painless bout come 12 March, perhaps another early knockout, but it will not be a performance that will ameliorate his stock. If Gomez wants to become a world champion; which all fighters do, he will have to avoid these long layoffs, especially at his young age.
