06.10.08 – by James Slater – Sensational Cuban defector Yuriorkis Gamboa made it to 12-0(10) last night, as he got up from a 1st round knockdown that was aided by an errant elbow to stop previously unbeaten Marcos Ramirez at 1 min 41-secs of round number two. Once again, Gamboa was involved in a very exciting fight while looking at least a little bit vulnerable..
Hugely talented and very powerful, Gamboa again insisted on holding his hands low. Resting both gloves upon his prominent abdominal muscles, the 26-year-old showed the arrogance that has slowly become his trademark. Seemingly incapable of paying any of his opponents’ firepower the required respect, “El Ciclon de Guantanamo” took the third count of his short pro career last night in Temecula, California. Becoming a fighter more known for his ability to come back from a count and knock his opponent flat, as opposed to being a flawless talent, Gamboa is earning a reputation far different from the one his handlers will have hoped for.
Huge things are expected of the 2004 Olympic gold medallist, and the newly discovered flaws in his defensive abilities and in his overconfidence are not attributes that were expected. But, although Gamboa is not quite the watertight fighting machine he at first appeared to be, and although he will surely meet defeat unless he is somehow taught to keep his hands up when a rival, no matter how lesser he thinks he is, comes forward and unloads, he is still a momentously fabulous fighter to watch.
Yes, he has flaws that make his fans and handlers wince at times, but Gamboa has thus far made it clear there is no need to worry. In last night’s bout against the unbeaten Marcos Ramirez, Gamboa was as reckless as he has lately become known for being, and he paid the price in the opening round by being sent down by a good punch that was helped along by an unintentional elbow. Up instantly, the former Cuban got straight back to work and triumphed via KO in the very next round, however.
Either Gamboa is unable to realise when he has been hurt, or a knockdown that looks bad is nothing at all to this determined fighter. Much in the way Felix Trinidad was nothing but more dangerous when getting up from an alarming looking trip to the mat, Gamboa, it seems, simply receives a wakeup call if and when he is sent south. Woe betide his adversary if he sends the featherweight down but fails to finish him, in other words.
He may not quite reach the multi-weight world champion status he looked a lock to achieve after his initial seven or so pro fights, but Gamboa figures to be a world champion anyway; and a damned exciting one at that.
Gamboa may never achieve his goal of becoming the very best fighter to have ever come out of Cuba, but for however long he is fighting he looks sure to be hugely entertaining. Fundamentally flawed he may be, but Gamboa is still fabulous!