By John Gabriel Thompson:Yuriorkis Gamboa (21-0, 16 KO’s) earned a near shutout over his opponent Daniel Ponce de Leon (41-4, 34 KO’s) at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey this evening on HBO World Championship Boxing. Gamboa was dominant in his performance winning a technical decision and proving again that he is the best featherweight
division.
Gamboa, who defected from Cuba to Miami, Florida, was the 2004 Flyweight Olympic Gold Medalist and winner of numerous international boxing competitions. Gamboa’s last bout was a fourth round TKO of Jorge Solis in March. De Leon, who competed in the 2000 Olympics, was the former WBO Super Bantamweight Champion, having lost that title to Juan Manuel Lopez via first round knockout in 2008. De Leon went on to win seven straight until his last bout in March, where he lost a close
but unanimous decision to undefeated Adrien Broner. Interestingly, de Leon lost to Lopez, who lost to Orlando Salido, who lost to Gamboa, which doesn’t necessarily mean anything in boxing.
The first round was close as Gamboa fought uncharacteristically cautiously. He came out more aggressive in the second, landing a combination which sent de Leon into the ropes. De Leon started coming forward, however, and was the aggressor for the remainder of the round. In the third, Gamboa was still cautious, but landed the cleaner
and more effective punches while making de Leon miss.
In the fourth both men traded combinations and taunts, though Gamboa’s fists were more effective. In the fifth Gamboa caught de Leon with a powerful right as he was off balance and de Leon stumbled backwards.
De Leon came on strong afterwards, trying to show he was not hurt, but Gamboa countered and moved well. By this point Gamboa’s speed advantage was evident.
Gamboa continued to control the next several rounds with his speed and accuracy, though with measured aggression and a mind for defense. Then in the eighth round an accidental headbutt during an exchange opened a
bad cut over de Leon’s left eye. The ringside doctor took a look and on his advice Referee Allen Huggins stopped the bout sending the fight
to the scorecards. Two judges scored it a shutout (as I did) at 70-63
and the other 69-64 all for Gamboa.