Born to soon

Looking at former world junior lightweight boxing champion

Harold Gomes, you wouldn’t think he lived a hard life. He’s 70, going on 50. There are lines in his face but the cherubic features are intact.

Talking to Gomes, you realize why he’s aging so gracefully. He has an infectious sense of humor. He holds no grudges. He hates intrigue. He accepts whatever comes his way, whether good or bad fortune. He resists stress like the plague. And he lives a happy family life.

Although he lost his title to Flash Elorde, Gomes never took it against the Filipino legend. He was knocked out twice by Elorde— the second time on national TV which was an embarrassment because the rematch lasted only a round. But Gomes never lost sleep over it.

He described the second bout a disaster and laughed about it. No other fighter, past or present, took defeat so lightly. Not that he didn’t care. Gomes just didn’t let a setback get into his nerves. He didn’t mope. He didn’t sulk. He stared reality in the face and walked away with head unbowed. It’s all about taking stock of things rather than taking things in stride.

When he lost his last three fights by knockout, Gomes decided to hang up his gloves. The decision came a day after he was halted by Dave Charnley in a round in England in 1963. Before he announced his decision, Gomes spoke to his wife Arlene. She asked him if he was sure. It wouldn’t be fair to his fans and family if after a few weeks or months, he’d change his mind and make a comeback. Gomes said there was no doubt in his mind. He quit and never regretted it.

One thing he regrets in his life is being born too soon. Gomes said he would’ve enjoyed fighting today. The money’s better and the competition is tougher. In his prime, he said he was never exposed to trainers who knew the intricacies and nuances of the sweet science. He basically trained himself. Today, there are top-notch trainers who bring out the best in fighters.

Gomes is still active as a boxing judge. He is often invited to judge in world title fights all over the world. Last December, Gomes took a trip to Manchester for a World Boxing Organization championship fight only to be told the bout was scrapped due to an injury suffered by one of the protagonists. He didn’t get to do a fight but enjoyed the vacation anyway.

Once, in Yugoslavia before the civil war erupted, Gomes disqualified an Austrian fighter for hitting his opponent while he was down. It sparked a riot but Gomes stuck to his decision regardless of the crowd reaction.

Gomes has worked fights as judge or referee in Germany, Italy, England, South Africa, Argentina, Wales, France, Canada and in major US cities. Popo Freitas, Naseem Hamed, Johnny Tapia, Angel Manfredy, Harold Petty, Arthur Grigorjian and Marty Jakubowski were among the scrappers whose fights he officiated. Gomes continues to accept assignments although lately, only as a judge.

Among today’s fighters, Gomes said he likes Oscar de la Hoya. His wife said her all-time favorite is Roberto Duran. Next to Chubby? No, she replied. Duran was No. 1 in her book. Chubby is Gomes’ nickname.

The Gomes couple got married in 1955. They met in high school under funny circumstances. Arlene studied in a rival high school and bumped into Gomes during a football game. He was 16 and she was 14. She had a season’s pass to the games. Gomes didn’t. Somehow, Gomes managed to pry the pass out of Arlene’s possession. Gomes said he’d return the pass only after Arlene kissed him. She smacked him and in a flash, Gomes saw stars. Not unlike the stars Gomes saw when he was blasted by D’Flash in their two unforgettable meetings.

Gomes said his most prized possession is the National Boxing Association (forerunner of the World Boxing Association) junior lightweight championship belt he got for beating Paul Jorgensen in 1959.

Gomes said he was never a big spender and invested his ring earnings wisely. In bars, he would turn down fans asking for a free beer. Gomes didn’t throw his money away and kept it for his family. He had no hangers-on. He knew the value of money because he worked hard for every penny. He was a garbage collector, a recreation officer for a correctional facility and a collector for an electric company aside from being a boxer.

With his savings, he bought a house for his family and a property beside it–about an acre and a half–where he built a three-storey apartment building. He used to own a boxing gym.

Gomes said he gave up training fighters because of their lack of discipline.

What keeps the Gomeses busy is their apartment building which they personally maintain. Gomes said he plans to eventually sell their home and apartment building and move close to where his son Scott lives, fronting a beautiful beach in Connecticut. His son is in the construction business.

Gomes admitted he nearly backed out of coming here after the US government issued a travel advisory discouraging Americans from traveling to the Philippines. But he was determined to visit the country where he lost his crown 44 years ago and share a part of boxing history with his family.

Tonight, Gomes will receive the Gabriel (Flash) Elorde Memorial Trophy at the annual Boxing Awards Night at the Dusit Hotel in Makati. The trophy is given to an Elorde opponent who set a fine example as a fighter and private citizen. It is a citation that Gomes richly deserves.