by Geoffrey Ciani – Yuriokis Gamboa and Juan Manuel Lopez both scored impressive victories on HBO’s “Boxing After Dark”. For Lopez, it was a nice way to bounce back after a closely contested victory against Rogers Mtagwa that nearly saw him knocked out in the final rounds, and for Gamboa, it was business as usual as he thoroughly dominated the very same man who caused Lopez so much trouble just three short months ago.
That Mtagwa caused Lopez so much difficulty led many to wonder if Lopez had an off night. In the fight against Lopez, Mtagwa weathered the early storm before coming on strong late in a fight many people thought he may have deserved to win. Yuriokis Gamboa never gave him a chance. From the opening bell, it was clear that Gamboa was a cut above Mtagwa. The 28 year old Cuban defector displayed great patience and ring savvy. He waited for countering opportunities and was successful in finding openings, particularly with his left hook. Mtagwa never saw them coming. Gamboa was simply too fast and powerful. A nice hook caught Mtagwa on the top of the head near the end of the first round and dropped him. This was not the most vicious punch landed by Gamboa in the round, but it was a good punch and it caught him off balance. In the second round, it was more of the same as Gamboa continued finding the mark with his power shots. Mtagwa would be dropped twice more in the second before the fight was waved off by referee Steve Smoger..
In the main event Juan Manuel Lopez made the jump up to featherweight to take on WBO champion Steve Luevano. The fight started out as a tactical contest with each southpaw exchanging jabs in a feeling out phase. As the fight progressed, Lopez began opening up more and finding the mark with his power shots. Lopez did a good job mixing up his punching variety and was especially successful with his right hook. Through six rounds, Lopez was in control and the momentum was clearly gaining in his favor. Luevano’s punches were simply ineffective against his faster, younger, stronger challenger. Early in the seventh, Luevano was staggered by a blistering blow from Lopez that may have represented the beginning of the end. Later in the round, a vicious combination sent Luevano crashing to the canvas. He beat the count, but referee Benjy Esteves had seen enough and waved it off.
Following these impressive victories, it now appears that Gamboa and Lopez are headed on a collision course sometime this year. That should make for a very interesting clash of styles. Right now a lot of fans are jumping on the Gamboa bandwagon and not without good reason. After all, Gamboa just made quick work of the man who went life and death with Lopez in October. Given their efforts against a common foe, it is easy to see why so many are so quick to back Gamboa. On the other hand, this is boxing and styles make fights. Gamboa is fast, patient, and combines tremendous power with outstanding counterpunching technique. Questions still remain, however, regarding how well he can take a punch from a world class puncher. Lopez is fast, explosive, and is also strong and powerful. He likes working behind his jab to get into midrange where he can open up his power shots. He has a proven ability to overcome adversity, and his longer reach and superior height are something which could pose problems for Gamboa. It will be very interesting to see which fighter is more versatile in the battle of adjustments.
Regardless, it appears Gamboa and Lopez are headed on for a showdown and this is good news for boxing fans.
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