Tag Archives: Yurkioris Gamboa

Posted on 09/21/2020

By: Hans Themistode

Yuriorkis Gamboa’s latest performance may have resulted in a loss, but apparently he showed enough skill and will to earn him another shot on the big stage. 

Gamboa, 38, gave undefeated two weight world titlist Gervonta Davis all he could handle in December of 2019. After rupturing his Achilles in the second round and becoming a sitting duck for the hard hitting Davis, Gamboa not only showed tremendous heart for refusing to give up, but he also showed that he was extremely dangerous as he rocked Davis on several occasions. 

Despite that, the end resulted in a Gamboa knockout loss. 

Immediately following the defeat, the Cuban native had surgery to repair his Achilles and subsequently began working hard in rehab. While doing so, he waited patiently for the phone to ring. Once it did, it was the exact call he was hoping for. 

“Yuri always wanted this fight from the beginning,” said Gambia’s manager Jesse Rodriguez to George Ebro. “Other names emerged, but he always insisted on bumping into Haney. Now it’s going to be a reality. I spoke to Haney’s father and he assured me that everything is ready for November 7.”  

The target date for their matchup is reportedly November 7th. That would mark just under one year since Gamboa’s Achilles tear. But while some may pause to wonder whether or not the soon to be 39 year old will be physically able to compete, Rodriguez isn’t worried in the slightest. 

“He’s totally recovered, everyone will be able to see Gamboa in great physical and mental condition. It’s amazing how Gamboa’s name arouses interest every time it’s mentioned.”

Gamboa’s name may arouse interest considering he was a multiple division champion and former Olympic gold medalist, but for team Haney, he wasn’t their first choice. 

Current WBC featherweight titlist Gary Russell Jr. made waves about his commitment to moving up two weight classes. Instead of easing his way into a new division, Russell Jr. set his sights on Haney’s world title. 

The two sides yelled and argued through social media over contract details and things quickly fell apart. 

Fans may be pissed over their fall out, but Gamboa on the other hand, is happy as can be to get another shot at gold. 

“Yuri is very excited about this fight, now that he’s healthy and rejuvenated. We are waiting for the contract to be sent to us, but the main issues are resolved.”

Posted on 03/06/2012

By Hans Olson

In one of the more interesting (albeit confusing) scenarios we’ve seen recently, undefeated Cuban star Yuriorkis Gamboa looks to be jumping ship from Top Rank to Mayweather Promotions.

With a big fight on HBO coming up against Brandon Rios April 14, many are confused as to why…

Yesterday in Miami, Gamboa was strangely absent at a press conference to hype up the much anticipated April 14 clash. Brandon Rios, along with trainer Robert Garcia and the rest of his team were in attendance–but the presser being sans one half of the main event was what everyone was talking about.

Nobody knew why…

Here’s where Floyd Mayweather enters the picture.

There have been whispers around the boxing world recently that Gamboa could hook up with Mayweather Promotions…and a curiosity from last Thursday propelled the chatter.

In a news item from Boxing Scene’s Keith Idec, Floyd was quoted “Some day I want to hand the torch to another young fighter. It could be Yuri Gamboa. It could be Broner. We just don’t know, but I’d love to hand that throne to one of those fighters. I’ve seen Broner fight a few times. As of right now, he’s in a learning stage. Even though he’s a champion, it’s still a learning stage. Because fighters don’t understand that when it’s at this level, it’s different.”

Now, Floyd giving props to Adrien Broner, who fights under the banner of Golden Boy (who Floyd regularly does business with), isn’t a shock.

Some were rather taken aback though, at Floyd’s high praise of mentioning Gamboa…who fights under Floyd’s arch nemesis, Bob Arum’s Top Rank.

Further speculation ensued when this photo started circulating on Twitter yesterday:

Yuriorkis Gamboa training on Monday at the Mayweather Boxing Club in Las Vegas

This development establishes the idea that Gamboa has intentions to pull out of the fight with Rios, join Mayweather Promotions, and land a more lucrative deal that he currently has.

In a report by Boxing Scene’s Chris Robinson a few weeks back, Floyd’s uncle and trainer Roger Mayweather claimed Gamboa signed on with Mayweather Promotions. “He was with my nephew [Floyd Mayweather] said Roger. “He signed with my nephew. My nephew is going to promote him I guess. All I know is that he said he’s with my nephew.”

Gamboa, who is co-promoted by Ahmet Oner, appears to be locked in a contractual struggle with his current boss(es).

Oner told Boxing Scene’s Jake Donovan shortly after the aforementioned story broke that “Gamboa has a contract with Top Rank and me. Don’t put me in the mix like that and try to create problems with Top Rank. Yuri respects his contract with Top Rank.”

Does he?

We’ll know how much he respects it if he shows up at today’s presser in LA.

Sometimes the grass isn’t always greener on the other side of the fence, but in this case, the other side of the fence is Mayweather Promotions. The “money green” of the Money Team might be what ultimately sways the talented Cuban away to said greener pastures.

Boxing Insider’s Hans Olson can be reached at [email protected] Follow @hansolson