Known as ?El Ciclon De Guantanamo,? or the cyclone, Yuriorkis Gamboa 21-0 (16 KO?s), unlike his namesake, looked anything but in a bout that would result in a technical decision win over the slower ring veteran and former super bantam and featherweight titlist Daniel Ponce De Leon 41-4 (34 KO?s). Halted at 1:24 of the eighth round due to an accidental clash of heads that left a cut on Ponce De Leon? forehead above his eye, Gamboa would be up on the scorecards comfortably by tallies of 80-72 twice, and 79-73 in front of 2,000 fans at Atlantic City?s Boardwalk Hall on Saturday night to remain undefeated. However, it was the way that Gamboa retained his unblemished record that had fight fans wondering why the deviation from throwing his usual swarming punches in bunches that come at the speed of light, which would have perhaps put away his opponent much earlier.
Gamboa?s response, ?it was important for me to fight more than three or four rounds. I recognized early in the fight that he is not in my league and couldn?t even hit me if I didn?t let him. Still I wanted to enjoy the time in the ring and use it to gain more experience. If the fight hadn?t been stopped due to the cut I would have knocked him out in the later rounds.? So there you have it, as in this one sided affair the Cuban fighter was very elusive defensively and would only occasionally throw in combination, preferring to rather pot shot for the majority of the bout to then move out of range of his opponent Ponce De Leon, who couldn?t find him at all after the first few rounds.
In further response to Yuriorkis not pressing the action, his promoter Ahmet Oner would chime in, ?of course people expect fireworks from Gamboa whenever he enters the ring. His style is so unique and spectacular that everybody wants to see the big KO?s. But I liked the fact that Yuri focused on controlling the fight instead of risking too much in pure offensive flurry. From what I saw, this was again another step for Gamboa en route to become a more complete fighter.? From my perspective, and even though it is understandable that Yuriorkis get in some rounds from time to time, perhaps team Gamboa would be better served by giving boxing fans what they pay for and allow their charge to get his rounds in at training camp like other fighters.
As for his future plans, Gamboa stated, ?I?m done at 126. There?s nothing left for me to prove. I want to fight the best boxers in the world. Living legends like Manny Pacquiao. To be the best you have to beat the best. That is what I did at featherweight, and that is exactly what I want to continue doing. So bring on the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world.? My concern with Gamboa? statement regarding fighting the best and moving up is that one of the best in Nonito Donaire, number 3 on the pound for pound list is coming his way. Is the Gamboa camp avoiding this match up? Will he come back down or fight at a catch weight to fight Nonito in what has the makings of a tremendous match up? Even a rematch with Orlando Salido, whom Yuriorkis couldn?t do what he wanted to against in their previous fight would perhaps be a welcome prospect, especially after Salido handed ?Jaunma? Lopez a decisive defeat.
In calling out Manny Pacquiao, and even though Gamboa is a sensational fighter to watch in his current weight class, he forgot to mention all the challenges that lie in between. Challenges that would not only put him to the test, but challenges that would in all likelihood exploit his technical flaws and derail plans from him perhaps ever making it to face the ?Pacman.? Fighters in the lightweight and junior welterweight divisions like Juan Manuel Marquez, Robert Guerrero, Brandon Rios, Tim Bradley, Amir Khan, and Marcos Maidana. Gamboa couldn?t be looking past these fighters, many of whom are in line themselves for a shot at Manny. If he is, then he may be in for a wake up call as no doubt the jury is still out on how competitive Yuriorkis will be against the aforementioned fighters. So before clamoring for a shot at the pound for pound king, which is a bout not out of the question, ?El Ciclon? definitely has his work cut out for him with the many formidable obstacles yet ahead.
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Photo: Tom Briglia-Top Rank
