One is a top 2 PR fighter of all time, the other is a top 2-4 Mexican fighter of all time. Who was better and greater?
In my mind, Olivares is clearly greater. However, I can accept arguments that I perhaps underrate Gomez's title run and I play down his win over Zarate. It's no secret I'm not quite as impressed by Zarate as everyone else. However, the manner in which Gomez obliterated him is incredibly impressive and possibly one of the best performances between two all time greats I've ever seen. They were both aggressive monsters in their own right with Olivares perhaps having the more 'advanced' techniques but Gomez being smoother and more refined. Olivares' right was no joke, but it paled in comparison to his left. Gomez on the other hand could end anybody with any shot, at any time. Then usually hit them with six or seven of them just to make sure. Both had amazing footwork, again, Olivares perhaps being more technically proficient, whereas Gomez was more smooth and 'angelic' in the way he moved around the ring. I think where they differ is their approach to defence. Ruben often neglected his and tried to bulldoze through people and it let him down more than once. Gomez turned into this too, but much later on his career. His defence was far better than Olivares' and he used it much more frequently. Olivares' ability to jab and feint though, make up for this because he was a wizard when he showed his skill up at feather. I've seen few better boxers than Ruben from the Hafey rematch. I wish we could see the third Castillo fight to see a prime Olivares fight like this. Bujia said it a while back, but the thing that separates these two, is their attitude. Both were party animals but Gomez never lost that nasty chip on his shoulder. He had more spite than chin and it kept him going in places Ruben didn't. If almost everything else is equal - and IMO, that is the case - that's the key thing between them.
I don't know what to make of an Olivares vs Zarate MM at 118. Olivares was more dynamic, but Zarate had a more consistent bantamweight reign. Olivares rebounded from losses better though, as Zarate was never the same again after Gomez blitzed him. I think Jofre stops both, though he's not part of the topic.
I rewatched Gomez-Yum a few nights ago. After a shaky start, beginning in the middle rounds its absolutely masterful how Gomez took Yum apart. His footwork was phenomenal.
Arguably the greatest ever at 118 and inarguably the greatest ever at 122. I’d probably give Gomez the slight edge in greatness at their best weights just because he was unbeaten and possibly unbeatable and reigned without peer for more than 5 years - 18 title fights, 18 KOs. Just astonishing. He had lapses of focus at higher weights but always seemed on point at super bantam. His wins over Zarate and Pintor stand out but he had excellent wins against future titlists like Leo Cruz and Juan Meza as well. Olivares faced a generally higher level of opposition during his bantam title reign - an absolute murderer’s row of bantam challengers - and when he was on his game, was better than all of them but his peak was shorter and less even and his reign was split in two by Chuco Castillo. Both Gomez and Olivares were dominant but in different ways but I just don’t find anything I can pull Gomez up on at his super bantamweight peak, whereas there are things to pick at with Olivares. Above their best weights, I think Olivares has the clear edge. He was a small feather but won the world title twice and beat Bobby Chacon and nearly beat Alexis Arguello. Gomez got taken apart by Sal Sanchez, won the title against LaPorte and then lost to Nelson. Sure, Gomez also won the super featherweight title against Rocky Lockridge but it was a horrible decision and Olivares’ jump from bantam to feather was just more impressive. So I give Olivares’ the overall edge in greatness, even though I think Gomez was more consistently better than him and edges it peak v peak.
George and Jel pretty much hit the nail on the head. Gomez was more dominant and consistent and perhaps the harder fighter to beat while Olivares fought higher level opposition but was more prone to falter. Olivares was greater while Gomez was the better H2H fighter.
Basically agreed, only I see greatness as a wash. It depends in how you measure greatness. I think we're all in agreement that peak for peak Gomez was better.
