The date of April 14th was originally set for a doubleheader that would feature former WBA lightweight champion Brandon Rios and featherweight star Yuriorkis Gamboa in separate tantalizing bouts. Both rising superstars were expected in matchups that would similarly involve a rise in weight with Gamboa moving up to super featherweight and Rios aiming a catchweight for his eventual transition to 140.
Although it was shaping out to hold a Brandon Rios-John Molina matchup alongside a Yuriorkis Gamboa-Rocky Martinez clash, both bouts fell through leaving both superstars without an adversary. Minus the detail of a fighter in the opposing corner, the date and venue still are the likely and expected options for both Rios and Gamboa. For both teams, the search for another opponent may be as simple as looking at the other open slot on the suggested April 14th fight card.
Though it could provide a much-needed battle of rising stars, the window is subtly closing on this possible war from taking place. With Rios venturing up to light welterweight in the near future and Gamboa slightly scratching the surface of the super featherweight division, a clash would have to take place soon before the weight discrepancies become impractical.
Destiny is essentially yearning for this fight to happen and neither fighter is willing to resist the possible fate of this colossal showdown.
?Let?s make this fight happen!? Rios exclaimed to 8 Count News on the possibility of facing Gamboa. ?Let?s give the fans what they want.?
Brandon ?Bam Bam? Rios has become one of the sport?s successful crowd pleasers due to his electrifying skirmishes in the lightweight trenches, a territory that Gamboa has not yet trekked through.
?My power will be too much for him,? claimed the bigger Rios. ?I?m more than happy to give what you[Gamboa], your trainer, and your team want. You want to fight me, let?s do it. Let?s fight and let?s get it on.?
With a current record of 29-0-1 and 22 knockouts, Rios has been applauded for his power and relentless search-and-destroy tactics. His latest conquest came by way of an 11th round knockout victory over Englishman John Murray in a bout that featured a physically drained Rios that fans were not familiar with.
?I wasn?t myself and I wasn?t 100%,? admitted Rios. ?I did good but other than that, the weight loss sucked. I felt strong but not as strong as usual. It did feel good to get the victory.?
When asked about what he would do differently in preparation for a possible Gamboa matchup, Rios commented ?I hired a nutritionist to make sure I?m doing everything right. I?ve been working a lot with him and my weight has been going great. We?re still going to try 135 one more time.?
Clearly Rios is the much bigger opponent who is even outgrowing his lightweight shoes. Among other elements, he stands two and a half inches taller and has more knockouts than Gamboa does wins. Rios is familiar with what will work in the ring against an opponent like the Cuban Olympic medalist.
?I bring toughness. I bring pressure. And I love to fight. Let?s see what he thinks he can do to me,? challenged Rios. ?I?m ready, 100%, and I?m sure they?ll be ready too. Let?s give everybody a good fight.?
