Gamboa, Salas Bury The Hatchet - May Work Together on 3/11

By Elisinio Castillo

Former world champion Yuriorkis Gamboa (25-1, 17 KOs) and Cuban coach Ismael Salas have buried the hatchet on their recent snafu from last December.

The two appeared in a video together, showing that they are once again on the same page with each other.

"I'm in the house of Ismael Salas and we're demonstrating the type of love and friendship that is found in the sport of boxing and also in human beings. We feel like a family and we always will," Gamboa said. "Those who had doubts and thought that there was a rift or a misunderstanding between us, here we are showing that we are together."

Although it is not completely confirmed that Salas will be at the corner of Gamboa for his March 11th return against René Alvarado, the video taken at the home of the renowned coach is a step in the right direction. The fight takes place at the Turning Stone Casino in Verona, New York as part of the Curtis Stevens vs. David Lemieux undercard.

Gamboa has lived out his best career moments in the hands of Salas, who has always been a part of the Gamboa family and met Yuriorkis since he was just a child.

The whole misunderstanding was due to the absence of Salas on December 17 in a fight that Gamboa had to make on Reunion Island, a French overseas territory in the Indian Ocean.

Salas and Gamboa had an argument over the travel arrangements, so the veteran coach did not show up.

To prepare for the fight, Gamboa received help from another technician, Pedro Diaz - but the fight was canceled at the last minute due to suspicions of steroid use by Malcom Klassen.

"There can not be any problems when we are here," Salas said. "We have been working together for many years and there may be misunderstandings as there may be in all parts of the world and in all families, but we have only one beginning."

This reconciliation sounds like a symphony to the ears of Gamboa fans. The Olympic gold medal winner recently signed a pact to relaunch his career with Golden Boy Promotions.

"The most important thing of all is to reconcile ourselves as a family and recognize the mistakes we made and go where the person is," Gamboa said.

"And I hope that before Valentine's Day those who are around and are not talking to someone can reconcile, take the example of Yuriorkis Gamboa and Ismael Salas and do the same."