By Joseph Herron: Tonight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, in the co-main event of the evening, Yuriorkis Gamboa (22-0, 16 KOs) became the interim WBA Super Featherweight Champion by defeating Michael Farenas (34-4-4, 26 KOs) in a surprisingly competitive twelve round unanimous decision.
Although the judges at ringside correctly scored the twelve round contest 117-109, 118-110, and 117-108, in favor of the former World Champion, Michael Farenas proved to be a game fighter who was worthy of competing for a major world title.
The commence the action, Yuriorkis established his speed and power while landing hard, compact shots from mid to long range. The former Top Rank fighter was intent on reminding the fight fans in attendance of what they had missed for fourteen months of political boxing drama and inactivity. The Cuban missile seemed sharp and energetic for the entire three minute round.
After being momentarily wobbled by a straight left hand from the Filipino fighter in the first minute of the second round, Gamboa stayed calm and composed, retaliating with hard combinations on the inside. The Cuban exile floored Farenas with ten seconds left in the round with a hard counter right hook on the inside. Although Farenas was up immediately, the hard punching Filipino was ostensibly shaken by the punch.
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