FORT SILL, Okla., April 27, 2017 -- Thwack ... thwack, thwack thwack ... thwack, thwack, thwack.
Those are the sounds made by Spc. José Gomez as he squarely connects jabs to the padded hands of Louie Gibbs at Grady Brewer's Bad Boys Boxing and Fitness Center in Lawton during training.
Gomez, a supply specialist for E Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Air Defense Artillery, has been selected to attend the All-Army Boxing Trial Camp 2017. The camp, May 14 to June 17, is part of Army's World Class Athlete Program (WCAP) from at Fort Huachuca, Ariz.
"I feel honored that I got selected. I'm very motivated and excited to try out my skills," said Gomez. "I'm grateful to the Army for giving me this opportunity."
His commander said Gomez has potential in and out of the ring.
"I am definitely proud for Specialist Gomez and proud to have him represent the battery and the battalion as a member of the 'Enforcer Team,'" said Capt. Sao Xiong, E Company commander. "He showed up to my team very motivated, and it became apparent immediately. His competitive nature is always pushing him to do his best in and outside of his job."
Gomez started fighting three years ago after he watched his friend go toe-to-toe with an opponent and thought he could do something like this. So he started training. The more he trained, the more he fell in love with the sport. He has compiled a record of 8-2 in official amateur bouts but is looking to increase his winning record at the WCAP tryouts.
Gomez grew up in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, with his mother and two sisters who fully support his boxing interests. His mother came to see him fight in his first two bouts but in his second fight, Gomez suffered a broken nose.
The sight of her child's face bruised, swollen and misshapen had a lasting effect on his mother, though she still remains supportive.
"When I broke my nose, it didn't even hurt, but my mother saw all the blood and quit coming to my fights," Gomez said laughing. "I did learn to keep my hands up at all times."
From now to the day he departs for the trial camp, Gomez and his new personal coach, Gibbs, realize there is plenty of work to be done to make the team.
The boxing knowledge and skills that Gibbs will continue to pass down to Gomez started in 2003, when Gibbs became a two-time All-Army boxer, who twice placed third at the Armed Forces Boxing Championship.
"In the two weeks that I have been working with José, I have noticed he is a special fighter, he is smart and has skills," said Gibbs. "If he continues to train hard, I can see him making the team and winning the whole thing."
Gomez' training schedule consists of going to Bad Boys gym Mondays through Thurs-days. He gets an off day Fridays, then hits the road to work on his leg strength and stamina running Saturdays and Sundays.
"I love my Fridays," said Gomez smiling. "It is my only day off from training other than PT."
At his current weight of 147 pounds, Gomez fights in the welterweight division. He said he would like to drop down to 135 pounds and square off against opponents in the lightweight division by the end of the trials.
The only weakness Gibbs sees in Gomez, is his diet.
"He loves to eat," Gibbs said teasingly. "But his work ethic and drive will take him far."
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