By Reynaldo 'El Papi Chulo' Sanchez
Yuriorkis Gamboa 25-1-0 (17 KOs) recently returned to training with former coach Ismael Salas. Yuriorkis and Salas came together in Las Vegas more around three weeks ago to start the workouts, after a period of 6 months of inactivity.
Salas and Gamboa had previously worked together for a long time when Gamboa fought as a featherweight.
The experienced trainer spoke briefly with Ringsidefightingnews/BoxingScene on the development of the ongoing training, and discussed some of the possibilities for Gamboa is the future. One fight on the radar, and their goal, is WBO super featherweight champion Vasyl Lomachenko (6-1, 4KOs) - a fight that would match two decorated amateurs who won gold medals in the Olympics.
"We are working to recover the training system and discipline: that is the most important duties for all boxers who work with me. I think the footwork and explosiveness of Gamboa is the key and we are focused on that for now. He need to reach the level he previously had a long time ago. And then after some fights at super featherweight we'll be looking for Lomachenko and all of the best in this weight class," Salas said.
"My job as coach is to improve the skills of all my fighters. As a coach I have to discover their potential and work for them to use their offensive and defensive tools in their favor. "I think that fighting [Lomachenko] is the goal for Gamboa at 130 pounds. It's a big fight, Lomachenko is an elite fighter and this is one of the best fights out there today in the super featherweight class."
"Gamboa is focused in the gym to gradually reach the level he had before fighting [Terence] Crawford at 135 and he's yielding the benefits. Yuriorkis is a strong and fast super featherweight and I think in one or two fights at this weight - he’ll be ready to challenge Lomachenko in a big fight."
