Bernard Dunne's RTÉ documentary on Irish fighter Michael Gomez is essential listening
This stunning Documentary On One charts the rise of Gomez from a difficult upbringing through murder charges, drug addiction and inter-continental titles, to giving up mid-fight in the National Stadium.
‘IT STARTED OFF as a joke’ says Michael Gomez of his adopted surname.
But there is little to make you break your sides laughing when listening to the story of the Irish fighter, born Armstrong in a car on the side of a Longford road.
The production is the result of Bernard Dunne’s trip to Moston in Manchester to speak with the man with whom he once shared an infamous card in the National Stadium. But if you still need further convincing, read on.
A training photo-shoot with Gomez in 2000. Tom Honan / INPHO
Tom Honan / INPHO / INPHO
Manchester has been Armstrong’s home since he was nine years old, the family having upped sticks after his sister Louise died in Dublin. In England, Armstrong was left behind as his brother and mother ran off a neighbour each.
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Tom Honan / INPHO
Tom Honan / INPHO / INPHO
Armstrong himself fell for Alison, ‘a pretty good shop-lifter’ at the age of 13 and was a father before his 18th birthday.
At 19 years of age, and now going by the name Gomez, he claimed a life. ‘A big left hook that just went terribly wrong’ outside of a night club, he tells Dunne.
The charges against him dropped from premeditated murder to manslaughter before Gomez was found not guilty, but after an impressive career as a super featherweight, Gomez still sounds haunted by the name Sam Powell to this day.
Tom Honan / INPHO
Tom Honan / INPHO / INPHO
On his way to three titles, Gomez now admits he was drinking heavily, doing amphetamines and cocaine within weeks of professional bouts.
‘It encouraged me to party more,” Gomez tells Dunne. And so the downward spiral was at full speed.
In 2006, Gomez fought Peter McDonagh in the National Stadium and, in the fifth round, he appeared to give up. Letting his hands drop as McDonagh landed punch after punch and floored Gomez.
“It was just mad. There’s no other way to say it – something that will haunt me for the rest of my life.
Bernard Dunne's RTÉ documentary on Irish fighter Michael Gomez is essential listening
‘IT STARTED OFF as a joke’ says Michael Gomez of his adopted surname.
But there is little to make you break your sides laughing when listening to the story of the Irish fighter, born Armstrong in a car on the side of a Longford road.
You really should listen to the extraordinary ‘Documentary On One — Michael Gomez: The Irish Mexican on RTÉ.
The production is the result of Bernard Dunne’s trip to Moston in Manchester to speak with the man with whom he once shared an infamous card in the National Stadium. But if you still need further convincing, read on.
Manchester has been Armstrong’s home since he was nine years old, the family having upped sticks after his sister Louise died in Dublin. In England, Armstrong was left behind as his brother and mother ran off a neighbour each.
Armstrong himself fell for Alison, ‘a pretty good shop-lifter’ at the age of 13 and was a father before his 18th birthday.
At 19 years of age, and now going by the name Gomez, he claimed a life. ‘A big left hook that just went terribly wrong’ outside of a night club, he tells Dunne.
The charges against him dropped from premeditated murder to manslaughter before Gomez was found not guilty, but after an impressive career as a super featherweight, Gomez still sounds haunted by the name Sam Powell to this day.
On his way to three titles, Gomez now admits he was drinking heavily, doing amphetamines and cocaine within weeks of professional bouts.
‘It encouraged me to party more,” Gomez tells Dunne. And so the downward spiral was at full speed.
In 2006, Gomez fought Peter McDonagh in the National Stadium and, in the fifth round, he appeared to give up. Letting his hands drop as McDonagh landed punch after punch and floored Gomez.
“It was just mad. There’s no other way to say it – something that will haunt me for the rest of my life.
“I just don’t know what happened.”
Take 40 minutes to listen to the documentary for yourself here
‘That was real life, it’s not a story.”
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Bernard Dunne Boxing Doc on One Michael armstrong michael gomez RTÉ that was real life