By Alden “The Kid” Chodash, AldenBoxing.com: Despite having professionally debuted in April of last year, Yuriorkis Gamboa, the most impressive member of a trio consisting of Cuban defectors (and 2004 Olympic Gold Medalists), is making a solid case in being the most accomplished fighter to come out of Athens four years ago.. Though the number of his professional bouts hasn’t reached double digits, Gamboa’s resume (9-0, 8 KO’s) already consists of former world title challengers, legitimate contenders, and experienced veterans. Not only has Gamboa remained unbeaten through such a flock of opponents, but he was only pressed the distance once, in his debut.
In his most recent appearance, on a nationally televised ESPN card, Gamboa was pitted against trial horse, Johnnie Edwards, who brought an impressive 13-1-1 record to the stage. Gamboa, who was obviously expected to be given a stern test, blasted Edwards within 1:34 of the bout. Performances like those, to say the least, are hard to ignore. HBO couldn’t. As early as three months following his breakthrough outing, Gamboa will step into the ring once more, this time headlining the May 17th HBO Boxing After Dark triple-header. His opponent, Darling Jimenez, is definitely a worthy one, coming off a third round demolition of former world champion Mike Anchondo. This bout could help do what his previous ESPN showing couldn’t do, help us find the answer to Gamboa’s feedback under adversity. That is what most hope for, in terms of any prospect at this stage in his career. However, a decisive victory over his plodding adversary is almost all too likely for a fighter on the astounding level of Gamboa.
The only question for the former ’04 Gold Medalist is whether he is being rushed. Incidentally, Gamboa is already booked for a bout in Vegas (against solid veteran Jose Rojas) a month following what should be his toughest test. Over the course of a year, Gamboa opponents have a combined record of 146-29-6, and Gamboa’s management has yet to give him more than two months (with the exception of his upcoming HBO bout in which he is still being given only three months to recover) to regroup between fights. In that sense, it’s somewhat amazing to conceive of how consistently impressive Gamboa has been against such opposition. If his current schedule will finally catch up with him in his first defining bout this month is an inevitable, dangerous question because despite whatever Jimenez lacks in terms of handspeed, he can easily make up for it with his proven punching power which was on display for us when he impressively starched Mike Anchondo last year.
To his credit, Gamboa is definitely a crowd pleaser. Although his bouts have lacked competitiveness, Gamboa’s quick hands, talent, and punching power has made him a must-see prospect. Those who haven’t seen Gamboa should definitely watch his upcoming bout against Darling Jimenez but you won’t want to blink.