A Fire Burns Within: The Miraculous Journey of Wilfredo ’Bazooka’ Gomez

Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez found his love of boxing as he fought off bullies while walking the streets of San Juan. Showing great promise in the ring, he soon rose to prominence, and in the late 1970s and early 1980s set a blistering pace that few boxers could equal. The three-time world title winner is remembered for his 17 consecutive title fight defenses--but his story runs much deeper. Including interviews with Gomez, those close to him, the fighters he fought, and those who watched his career unfold, this book details Gomez's dramatic rise to fame, but also tells of the struggles he faced after his fight career ended.

Christian Giudice is the author of Hands of Stone: The Life and Legend of Roberto Duran and Beloved Warrior: The Rise and Fall of Alexis Arguello. He writes for boxing.com, covers boxing in Latin America, and teaches English at Parkwood High School in North Carolina.