Yuriorkis Gamboa Sets Sights on World Title After Signing With Golden Boy
Yuriorkis Gamboa Sets Sights on World Title After Signing With Golden Boy
Former champion Yuroirkis Gamboa has signed a multi-fight deal with Golden Boy Promotions.
It’s been two years that Yuriorkis Gamboa (25-1) might want to forget.
After beginning his career with a scintillating record of 23-0, including four world titles in three different weight divisions, Gamboa fell short against Terence Crawford in June of 2014. Since then, his career has been a roller coaster of contractual disputes and cancelled fights. In 30 months since the Crawford bout, he’s only fought twice, neither of which came in the last 13 months.
But Gamboa fans need not worry; it looks as though the 35-year- old Cuban might finally be getting his career back on track.
On Monday, Golden Boy Promotions in association with ZR Entertainment announced via press release that they had signed Gamboa to a multi-fight deal. He is scheduled to debut in the co-main event of the David Lemieux vs. Curtis Stevens card from Verona, New York on March 11.
Gamboa’s opponent will be Rene Alvarado (24-7).
"When he is on his game, there are few better than Gamboa in the 126, 130, or 135 weight classes," said Oscar De La Hoya, Golden Boy Promotions CEO and Chairman via press release. "We are going to get him in the ring in a quality match as soon as possible, and then work with him to start his path back to championship glory."
The 2004 flyweight Olympic gold medalist boxer was once considered amongst the best fighters in the world and holds victories over Daniel Ponde de Leon, Orlando Salido and Darleys Perez. But inactivity has been the story of Gamboa’s career over the past six years, having only competed on five occasions since his September 2011 victory over Ponce de Lion.
"I am looking forward to winning yet another world title, and I know Golden Boy Promotions is the perfect place to help guide me," Gamboa said via press release. "Though I have recently had some long stretches of inactivity, that stops today, and I will take on anyone, anytime, to achieve my goal of recapturing a championship belt."
His opponent, Alvarado, is a journeyman being brought in for the purpose of helping Gamboa shake off the rust of inactivity. He has lost five of his last nine bouts, with his only fights of note being losses to former world title challenger Rocky Juarez and dangerous prospect JoJo Diaz.
With Crawford now at super lightweight, the road to a world title for Gamboa is not as difficult as it once may have appeared. Competitive fights are available at featherweight, super featherweight and lightweight that could put him in line for a championship opportunity.
If Gamboa can return to form, the boxing world should be on notice. One of the best fighters in the world is back.
After beginning his career with a scintillating record of 23-0, including four world titles in three different weight divisions, Gamboa fell short against Terence Crawford in June of 2014. Since then, his career has been a roller coaster of contractual disputes and cancelled fights. In 30 months since the Crawford bout, he’s only fought twice, neither of which came in the last 13 months.
But Gamboa fans need not worry; it looks as though the 35-year- old Cuban might finally be getting his career back on track.
On Monday, Golden Boy Promotions in association with ZR Entertainment announced via press release that they had signed Gamboa to a multi-fight deal. He is scheduled to debut in the co-main event of the David Lemieux vs. Curtis Stevens card from Verona, New York on March 11.
Gamboa’s opponent will be Rene Alvarado (24-7).
"When he is on his game, there are few better than Gamboa in the 126, 130, or 135 weight classes," said Oscar De La Hoya, Golden Boy Promotions CEO and Chairman via press release. "We are going to get him in the ring in a quality match as soon as possible, and then work with him to start his path back to championship glory."
The 2004 flyweight Olympic gold medalist boxer was once considered amongst the best fighters in the world and holds victories over Daniel Ponde de Leon, Orlando Salido and Darleys Perez. But inactivity has been the story of Gamboa’s career over the past six years, having only competed on five occasions since his September 2011 victory over Ponce de Lion.
"I am looking forward to winning yet another world title, and I know Golden Boy Promotions is the perfect place to help guide me," Gamboa said via press release. "Though I have recently had some long stretches of inactivity, that stops today, and I will take on anyone, anytime, to achieve my goal of recapturing a championship belt."
His opponent, Alvarado, is a journeyman being brought in for the purpose of helping Gamboa shake off the rust of inactivity. He has lost five of his last nine bouts, with his only fights of note being losses to former world title challenger Rocky Juarez and dangerous prospect JoJo Diaz.
With Crawford now at super lightweight, the road to a world title for Gamboa is not as difficult as it once may have appeared. Competitive fights are available at featherweight, super featherweight and lightweight that could put him in line for a championship opportunity.
If Gamboa can return to form, the boxing world should be on notice. One of the best fighters in the world is back.