Yuriorkis Gamboa-Rocky Juarez: Can Gamboa Become The First Man To Stop Juarez?

Yuriokis GamboaBy James Slate – It looks like Cuban sensation Yuriorkis Gamboa will face experienced former world super-featherweight title challenger Rocky Juarez on March 3rd on HBO. The fight, up on Boxrec as happening at the lightweight limit, will put unbeaten Gamboa in a position to be able to become the first man to stop the tough 31-year-old from Houston, Texas. The fight looks like going down at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles.

29-year-old Gamboa, 21-0(16) is already a long-reigning featherweight champion (both the WBA and IBF 126-pound belts won), but the former Olympic gold medallist wants true superstardom. Reported to be close to a fight with lightweight star Brandon Rios (who has had weight problems at 135 and may have to move up, making the possible Gamboa fight a catch-weight affair), the Cuban defector has also called out the likes of Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Junior!

The fight with Juarez, 28-9-1(20) will be a decent 135-pound (or thereabouts – as the March fight, if it actually happens, may also be a catch-weight bout; at 133-pounds) test for Gamboa. If he can carry his incredible speed and withering power up with him, Gamboa could, in my opinion, make a statement by taking Juarez out in the middle rounds of the 12-rounder.

Juarez has faced some great fighters – including Marco Antonio Barrera (twice), Humberto Soto, Juan Manuel Marquez and Chris John (twice) – yet he has never once lost inside the distance. This could change come March 3rd.

Last seen dropping a ten-round decision to Vicente Escobedo in September, Juarez picked up his fifth loss in a row. Now having to take gambles to keep getting big fights, the likeable Texan goes in with the peaking Gamboa. A win for Juarez would completely turn his career around, but I can’t see it happening.

Gamboa looks something special indeed. Last seen winning a TD over the always-dangerous Daniel Ponce De Leon, also in September, Gamboa fans may have been disappointed due to not seeing a KO. Gamboa will provide one in March, I feel.

Look for Gamboa to get a game Juarez out of there around the 5th or 6th-round. Then, hopefully, 2012 will see “El Ciclon de Guantanamo” get himself a really big fight. Or maybe a few.