WILFREDO GOMEZ IN CRITICAL CONDITION

Gomez.

Former world champion considered the best Puerto Rican fighter of all-time, Wilfredo Gomez is in critical condition in a hospital after respiratory failure.

Supersport quoted a family spokesman, Erick Rodriguez, as saying Wednesday the 56-year-old Gomez is struggling to recover from a lung infection.

Rodriguez said "The next 72 hours are going to be crucial.He's in danger of contracting pneumonia."

Gomez's sister-in-law, Nydia Hernandez, said the former boxer is under sedation in an intensive care unit and is breathing with the assistance of a tube.

Gomez won WBA and WBC titles at super-bantamweight, featherweight and junior lightweight. He retired in 1989 with a 44-3 record, including one draw and 42 knockouts.

Nicknamed "Bazooka," Gomez had a reputation for taking out opponents quickly, averaging less than four rounds a fight.

He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1995, becoming only the fifth fighter to be elected in his first year of eligibility.

He lived mostly in South Florida but frequently visited Puerto Rico, where he had several run-ins with the law, including being charged with cocaine possession and domestic violence. He moved to Puerto Rico last year.