First and foremost I would like to thank you for taking the time to learn a little more about me. Here is a short biography about my life as a boxer. I hope you enjoy...

I was born Alfonso Salvador Gomez Becerra in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico on October 28, 1980. Growing up, I always wanted to make something of myself. Poverty was my motivator. My parents saw the potential in me and moved to the United States so that I could take advantage of the unlimited opportunities this country provides. Boxing was the first opportunity I found in my quest to make something of myself, and I haven't looked back.

I signed up for boxing to learn how to defend myself from the school bullies. Not too long into my first boxing course, my trainers saw that I had natural talent for the sport. What started as a self-defense class, turned into a career. Within 6 months I had my debut as a fighter.

I began entering tournaments and winning a lot of fights. During my 10 years as an amateur I accomplished a record of 80 wins and 10 losses. I also became National Champion in USA and Mexico. After this success, I took the challenge to the next level and tried out for the Olympics. Unfortunately, I came one fight short of achieving that goal.

Not making it to the Olympics made me question myself as a boxer and stopped boxing for a year. After coming out of retirement though I returned to the sport and four months later made my pro debut determined to become a champion. I fought a kid with 5 fights and with only 1 defeat.

The first three years as a professional fighter I faced the most challenging competitors. The local press dubbed me El Verdugo de los Invictos (The Executioner of the Undefeated), because without fear, I faced gladiators with records such as: 3-0 (3 KOs), 6-1 (5 KOs), 6-0 (5 KOs), 8-1 (7KOs), 9-0 (7KOs), 12-1 (4KOs).

Just when I thought that I was going to struggle to get my name out there I auditioned for the most successful boxing reality show ever "The Contender."  Proving that my victories over previous prospects were not a fluke, I beat the toughest boxer in The Contender Tournament, Peter Manfredo Jr., who at the time was ranked #3 in the World and undefeated with a record of 21-0 (10 KOs).  I followed that victory by beating a top European prospect with an impressive record of 18-1 (9 KOs).  Even thought I didn't win the tournament, I got third place by upsetting the Las Vegas odds against a heavier, more experienced, harder puncher in Jesse Brinkley (25-2- 17 KOs).  The Contenders gave me the exposure I had been seeking for a long time.  I came out of the Tournament with the amazing title of "Fan Favorite."

Right after the show, I was the first to get pinned up against an 'outsider' (name we called boxers outside The Contender show).  It was the first time also that I had to return to my original welterweight since entering the show 2 years ago.  I faced Luciano Perez who at the time had a tremendous record of 12 wins 11 KO's with only 2 defeats.  People speculated that he was going to drop me has he had his previous 11 opponents.  However, the tide turned when in the fourth round I caught him with clear unanswered combiantions until the fight was stopped.

The next time people saw me in the ring was against my long time nemesis, Jesse Feliciano.  We already had 1 victory each against each other, therefore, this third fight had to be the decisive one.  Unfortunatelly, we came out with a draw and with a sour taste in my teams mouth because we know we could have won that fight easily, but circumstances of life had me poorly prepared and thus the draw.

After the aweful performance against Feliciano, I came back with another KO against the well game Carson Jones.  I continued my KO streak when I flew to Europe for the first ever "Contender Challenge: USA vs UK."  I came back home with the medal, the money, and the KO vicotry, which assisted in me getting the biggest fight of my career against my idol, the long time super human hightlight, Arturo Gatti.  I prepared insainly for that fight.  I didn't take any shortcuts during training camp and I also came out with an spectacular upset, that I was nominated as "Upset of the Year" by HBO.

Folllowing the fight that retired Gatti, I expected a harder fight because I was now in the spotlight.  Now everybody wanted to be in the position I was.  The first challenge I received was from the never-tired Ben Tackie.  Again, I was up for the challenge both in the ring and in the gym.  I worked on lateral movements and ring dominance, which I executed with perfection the night of the fight.  I wasn't able to stop him but I dominated every round and demonstrated that I'm ready for the World Titles.

After 17 years of preparing myself for a moment like this, I can honestly say that it is here.  The big fights, the big money, the huge fanbase.  The only way I can repay such love from the fans is giving them spectacular fights, which I have done time and time again.  Now, I'm on my way to a World Title and none is going to stop me.

On April 12, 2008 I had the shot at the title for the WBA Belt against Miguel Cotto.  Everything was like I had Dreamed it.  FIghting a great event, against one of the best fighter, and televised in Mexico.  The only thing I did not dream was to have health complications before the fight.  This made my training camp less effective as it should have been. It was obvious in the fight as my first chance to accomplish a long time dream was cut short by the ringside Doctor after five rounds.  During those moments and the days to come, it seems like losing a fight you lose purpose.  The thought of not only a personal defeat, but a life defeat blinds you and creates a hase that blinds you and makes you think negatively.  But like most hazes, it starts to dissipate. Now, I see other doors opening. And I'm ready to walk into them and conquer that World Title that I have been fighting for so long to get.

Alfonso S Gomez