Juan Carlos Gomez

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Juan Carlos Gomez (born July 26, 1973 in Havana, Cuba) is a professional boxer. Gomez, a former Cuban amateur star, has boxed professionally out of both Germany and Miami, Florida.

On February 21, 1998, in Mar Del Plata, Argentina, Gomez wrested the WBC Cruiserweight crown from reigning champion, Marcelo Fabian Dominguez via a unanimous decision. Nicknamed "Black Panther", Gomez ruled the cruiserweight division from 1998-2001, successfully defending his WBC Cruiserweight Title twelve times, before finally vacating the title in February 2002 in order to move up to the Heavyweight ranks. Although many argued that he avoided a fight with IBF Cruiserweight title holder Vassiliy Jirov, Gomez fought several highly ranked contenders out of his adopted home country Germany and thus struggled to build a US fan base. Among his notable defenses were those against Imamu Mayfield and Jorge Castro (boxer).

In 2001 Gomez moved up to the heavyweight division and challenge fading Al Cole, a fight which Gomez won by TKO 6. Gomez then moved back down to defend his title against Pietro Aurino, and after defeating Aurino he moved up to heavyweight permanently after relinquishing his title. Gomez has had less success at heavyweight, capturing wins over Sinan Samil Sam and David Defiagbon, but was shockingly TKO'd by fellow Cuban Yanqui Diaz in the first round in 2004.

Most recently, Gomez defeated Don King promoted Oliver McCall via a ten round decision, a result which was changed shortly thereafter to a no contest after Gomez allegedly failed a post-fight drug test due to a presence of cocaine. Gomez vehemently denied the charge and backed this up by producing a positive test [1], but hasn't fought since.