Gomez stops veteran Phulaikhao, wins ABF belt

HERLAN Gomez scored the biggest win of his budding career after knocking out former world title challenger Wicha Phulaikhao in the fourth round on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023 at the Spaceplus Bangkok RCA in Bangkok, Thailand.

The 23-year-old Gomez dropped Phulaikhao four times and ended his night at the 39-second mark of the fourth round.

The 41-year-old Phulaikhao came into the fight with a fifth round technical knockout defeat in the hands of Zhi Gang Zhang Wednesday night.

Phulaikhao challenged for a world title twice in his career. He fought fellow Thai Ekkawit Songnui in 2010 for the World Boxing Association (WBA) minimumweight belt and lost via split decision in Thailand. He then challenged then WBA minimumweight champion Hekkie Budler in 2014 and lost via an eighth round knockout in Monaco.

Gomez is one of the most promising young prospects from the Philippines. He suffered his first career defeat last year via an eighth round technical knockout in the hands of Yutappong Tongdee in Thailand.

He, however, bounced back with a second round stoppage of Tanachai Khamoon last Jan. 25.

Gomez won the Asian Boxing Federation (ABF) bantamweight belt and improved to 7-1 with four knockouts, while Phulaikhao dropped to 64-20-2 with 28 knockouts. /