Skilled boxer-puncher Juan Carlos Gomez won the WBC cruiserweight title and made 10 defenses in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He is regarded as one of the best in that weight class but was unable to find the same success up at heavyweight.

One of 11 children, Gomez was born in the Cuban capital, Havana, on July 26, 1973.

"I came from a big family, my dad, who was a heavy machinery operator, wouldn't come home for three or four days, sometimes weeks, to be able to be able to give us our daily bread," Gomez told The Ring via translator. "Thankfully, we were disciplined and all of us really respected our mum and older brothers to make sure we went to school and were disciplined at home."

Gomez didn't take up boxing because he wanted to, it was more necessity.

"I started boxing when I was eight out of punishment," he recalled. "I started because I went to defend my brother. I was at school playing ball, and my brother was having issues with an older kid. Somebody told me, 'Hey, somebody is fighting your brother.' I dropped what I was doing and ran over there and saw somebody on top of my brother beating him up. Without even thinking, I gave this guy a left and knocked him out.

"As punishment they said, 'You're going to go to a different school or learn to box.' They pretty much forced me to box."

However, he found he was actually pretty talented and quickly excelled.

"At age 15 and 16, I was a national champion," he said. "I won many small tournaments at that age. I was told, if I won a tournament, I'd be able to go to the Pan-American games in Mar Del Plata and the World Championships in Berlin, but they went back on their word and took Dihoshany Vega.

"They tried to use the excuse I was too young, that's why they took Vega. I was bothered and upset by that because imagine all the sacrifice and training that I did and being away from my family was very tough for me."

However, Gomez did go to Halle, Germany, for the Chemistry Cup. It was during that time he made a life-changing decision.

"[Defecting] wasn't really a thought, it was more that that, I did it without planning," he said. "I was talking with my trainers and ate at the restaurant. I got my gloves and boots, and I said bye to team and friends."

Gomez, who went 158-12 as an amateur, signed with Klaus-Peter Kohl's Universum and made his debut in May 1995. After a few wins Gomez had his head turned by going to America.

Contractual issues, however, forced him to return to Germany.

The southpaw resumed his career there and won his first 22 fights, claiming a regional WBC title along the way, while positioning himself for a world title shot.

For that opportunity, Gomez had to travel to Mar Del Plata, Argentina, far away from the bright lights of the capital of Buenos Airies to face the rugged Marcelo Dominguez in February 1998.

Although it was the toughest fight at the time, he was a step ahead and won a hard fought but 12-round unanimous decision.

"That was like a dream come true. My dad had always told me that I was born to be a champion, and I always believed him and fought until the end and achieved my dream," he said.

Gomez, 52, has eight children and lives in Hamburg and works as a trainer.

"I work with young people, who are just practicing the sport," he said. "They pay to work with me and what it feels like to train with a champion for 12 rounds, you come and train with Juan Carlos Gomez."

He spoke to The Ring about the best he fought in 10 key categories.

Marcelo Dominguez: "Well, he had a very fast jab, and he repeated it constantly, which made it difficult for me to organize my attacks and counter attacks."

Dominguez: "His defense was difficult, like every round we boxed, but we had his details saved. I kept at a long distance, and he invited me to counter-hit, thinking that I was moving backwards but I surprised him, and we gave such a good fight that it was considered the Best of the Year in 1998 by the WBC."

Pietro Aurino: "He started fast and I had to show him that I am "The Black Panther" and you have to respect me. I don't know if it was because I had to lose a lot of weight but his handspeed seemed quick to me."

None: "Me. I don't remember any one of my opponents."

Jorge Castro: "He was stronger in his attacks, but Marcelo Dominguez was very demanding and on the defensive all the time."

Vitali Klitschko: "Vitali was like a robot. Very strong."

Castro: "Although [I stopped him] it was due to technical knockout. Marcelo Dominguez was a true cruiserweight. We fought 24 rounds. Marcelo deserves the respect and the honor of being a true champion and king who defended his title until the end."

Oliver McCall: "He does hit hard. With Vitali it wasn't so much the strength of his punches. What made me win over McCall was I was prepared. My legs went numb [against McCall], but thanks to my experience I knew how to trick him and I was able to recover without problems or additional blows."

Castro: "He made a lot of mess in the fight that seemed very complicated to me. Thanks to my team, they realized it and told me not to let myself be fooled by his attempts to make me tired or dizzy and confuse me like he did with John David Jackson."

Dominguez: "Vitali was strong and good but l think Dominguez. We fought 24 rounds and he always fought until the end, and we never gave up that's why I respect him. I give Dominguez merit as the best fighter."