Boxing: Khan cracks gutsy Gomez

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, Jun 22, 2008 | by STEVE ROYCE

GRIZZLED Michael Gomez gave Amir Khan the fright of his life - but the Bolton boy proved he's got the class for a world title shot.

Khan has made it clear he is desperate to meet either Manny Pacquiao or Danny Diaz this year to launch his career on a global stage.

This was supposed to be a final farewell to fights against hasbeens and never-will-bes.

But Gomez, the fighting Irishman born on the back seat of an Allegro, had other ideas.

A film about Gomez's colourful life is due out in November - and if this is the final scene, then it will end with dignity and courage. Before referee John Keane stopped it in the fifth, Gomez had given Khan, 21, an almighty scare that definitely wasn't in the script.

When Khan put Gomez down in the first round of the Commonwealth lightweight title fight after a lightning barrage of punches, the 31- year-old birthday boy looked like just another sacrificial victim.

But within seconds of the start of the second, it was Khan on his knees after a vicious left - and for the first time in his career, he was rocking.

Gomez used all his wiles, all his savvy to make this the fight he wanted. It was up close, it was scrappy - and it tested Khan to the limit. Even a deep cut above his left eye was not enough to stop the veteran Mancunian searching for the killer blow.

But Khan is not a flash in the pan. He is every inch the real deal. He dug deep and came out fighting.

The barrage of lefts and rights was back in the third and Gomez had no response. By the fourth, the veteran was out on his feet.

And when Khan produced a magnificent body shot in the fifth round, it was over.

"Gomez is fit and strong and a world class fighter," said Khan.

"He landed a good left hook but I didn't want to show him I was hurt. But when he stopped it I was just starting to find a second gear."