07.05.08 – by James Slater: This article asks who would win would if Amir Khan and Yuriorkis Gamboa – together the two finest unbeaten prospects in world boxing right now in the eyes of many observers – were to meet. And though such a superb fight is extremely unlikely not only for today, but for further down the road also, it doesn’t stop us debating. In fact, this one looks likely to be forever confined to the mythical match-ups stakes.. With the talented but seemingly protected Khan being thrown used up fighters such as Michael Gomez, there is simply no way the Olympic silver medallist would be permitted to face such an equally talented and gifted fighter as the Cuban who actually went one better than Khan and captured gold when he represented his country at the Olympics. At least not until the lightweight from Bolton has won his first world title, anyway (should he actually do so).
Even then, if Gamboa has done likewise and captured a world title also, it’s unlikely Khan will ever face the quite sensational Cuban defector. The fight is one that could be made, however. Yes, Gamboa is currently campaigning at super-featherweight, but, hell, isn’t Khan used to feasting on smaller guys anyway? Not only that, but Gamboa has boxed as high as 134 pounds in his pro career. Khan’s heaviest weight so far in his pro years has been 138. So why not make the fight? Yes, Khan is the taller man by five inches or so, but I’d be willing to bet a week’s wages that Gamboa would take the fight in a heartbeat. Nowhere near as protected as Khan clearly has been/is being, the 26 year old who now lives in Miami has faced only fighters with wining records right from his pro debut on. Khan, on the other hand, fought four guys with losing records before he boxed a live opponent.
Quite simply, in terms of how each fighter has been moved, there is really no comparison. And Gamboa (or his managerial team) is not fearful of going in with a puncher – something Khan (or his managerial team) seems reluctant to do. For barring the totally shot Graham Earl, Khan has fought no fighter with a dangerous punch. Gamboa, though, has met fighters like Adailton De Jesus, who had 17 KO’s from his 19 wins going in with the Cuban, and Gamboa also fought the 13-1-1(7) Johnnie Edwards in his last fight – destroying him in one round. Not only that, but Gamboa is fighting guys HIS OWN SIZE. In fact, the Cuban has even faced an opponent who came down from welterweight to face him! And consider, Gamboa has had nine fights in only 10 months. Khan has had 17 bouts in just less than three years. There is no question, Gamboa’s people are far more confident in their investment than are Khan’s team in theirs.
This article may come across as an anti-Khan piece to some readers. And I admit, I have been more than somewhat disappointed, most of the time, with the choice of opponents for the 21 year old talent. Gamboa, in comparison, is an ambitious and self believing fighter one cannot help but be impressed with – competition and all. So, who would win were these two prospects to meet in, say, three or four months time?
Gamboa’s chin is proven, Kahn’s is not. Gamboa has fought nothing but live opponents, Khan has not. Gamboa is steadily improving the quality of his opposition, Khan – judging by his next foe in Michael Gomez – is not. In terms of style, both men are fast and powerful, but Gamboa, though he is a super-featherweight at the moment ( he has spoken of his desire to eventually move up and win world titles at not only lightweight, but light-welterweight also) looks the harder hitter to this writer. Blessed with great balance, speed and power, the 26 year old also has proven he can take a good shot – from De Jesus, who managed to catch the Cuban with a couple of decent blows. Khan, though, has been decked and almost stopped by the light-punching Willie Limond.
You can bet your life Amir Khan never goes anywhere near Yuriorkis Gamboa. In fact, I’d bet his promotional team will be banking on the fact that the overwhelming majority of Khan’s fans have never even heard of his current number one rival, prospect-wise. But if this is actually the case, and many of Khan’s fans are unaware of Gamboa, things will almost certainly change soon, considering the Cuban’s excellent chances of winning at least one world title in the next 12 months or less. Will Khan, once Gamboa moves up to lightweight, then get it on with him? Or will the risk be one his team will hope to avoid/ignore? Time will tell, but in an ideal world there would be no reason for these two talented fighters not to meet one day.
For the record, and to answer the question posed in the title of this article, I’d pick Gamboa to knock Khan out inside 8 or 9 rounds, were they to meet at lightweight this year.