Gamboa vs Rios

Honestly, I have but not enough to form a credible opinion......but I can see that. Especially for a guy like Gamboa. Gamboa's weaknesses are Garcia's strengths. It's an insanely physically gifted but somewhat mentally immature fighter vs a born fighter with a mature style and a feel for the sport on a pro level. I agree, his style wouldn't be as effective without the power he has. It is weird you're right cause he's not a straight counter puncher but he's also not a shell guy that has trouble letting his hands go...he throws beautiful combinations. Patient is really the best way to describe him. And he's got the pop and aggressiveness to be a great finisher. Yea man, I watch him and want to call him a counter puncher but he's not one 100% because he does come forward and like you said, let's his hands go. He's also super smart in and out of the ring and from what I have read and seen of him in interviews, he's a really serious guy. He's really mature for his age and I think that helps him as a fighter. We are on the same page on this one man :biggthump

I don't know if you have ever fought or sparred but I HATE fighting the type of fighter Garcia is. I wouldn't say he's a counter puncher because he does come forward but he just waits for you, waits, waits and waits until you make a mistake. You get frustrated with his style come forward and then your in trouble. Garcia's power is his biggest asset with that style and I don't know if I would favor him over everyone but I definitely agree he is the toughest fight out there style wise. Honestly, I have but not enough to form a credible opinion......but I can see that. Especially for a guy like Gamboa. Gamboa's weaknesses are Garcia's strengths. It's an insanely physically gifted but somewhat mentally immature fighter vs a born fighter with a mature style and a feel for the sport on a pro level. I agree, his style wouldn't be as effective without the power he has. It is weird you're right cause he's not a straight counter puncher but he's also not a shell guy that has trouble letting his hands go...he throws beautiful combinations. Patient is really the best way to describe him. And he's got the pop and aggressiveness to be a great finisher.

I should dig up one of my old comments from another thread on that fight.....I've been saying the same thing. Gamboa can get a little wild and Mikey is just too seasoned for him. He'll stay in his envelope, not get caught with anything stupid, and he'll make Gamboa pay for a mistake. I favor Garcia over anyone from 122-130...right now. I don't know if you have ever fought or sparred but I HATE fighting the type of fighter Garcia is. I wouldn't say he's a counter puncher because he does come forward but he just waits for you, waits, waits and waits until you make a mistake. You get frustrated with his style come forward and then your in trouble. Garcia's power is his biggest asset with that style and I don't know if I would favor him over everyone but I definitely agree he is the toughest fight out there style wise.

Gamboa needs to train more on inside fighting if he wants to win this fight especially on a guy like Rios. Unleashing a few combinations alone here and there will not stop Rios from coming forward. Rio's usual determination to win would break Gamboa's will eventually.

Yea man, I also think Mikey Garcia is a bad fight for Gamboa because of his patience. Supposedly Rios has a nutritionist in his corner now for the first time in his career and is dropping the weight the right way so we will see. I should dig up one of my old comments from another thread on that fight.....I've been saying the same thing. Gamboa can get a little wild and Mikey is just too seasoned for him. He'll stay in his envelope, not get caught with anything stupid, and he'll make Gamboa pay for a mistake. I favor Garcia over anyone from 122-130...right now.

Exactly how I feel. I don't think Gamboa can stop Rios and if Brandon is OK at the weight, he should be able to walk Gamboa down. Gamboa isn't going to smartly clinch and move laterally all night, he's never had to really. I think this fight is a bad idea for Gamboa. Yea man, I also think Mikey Garcia is a bad fight for Gamboa because of his patience. rios is gonna kill him self wakin 135,,, but SIZE should not always be issue,, go back to pac/marg (not comparin the fighter but their similiar in height) gamboa bein the short one,,, and rios bein the tall one,,, I can see gamboa outboxin him to a UD (maybe late stoppage) a healthy rios might ko gamboa,, Supposedly Rios has a nutritionist in his corner now for the first time in his career and is dropping the weight the right way so we will see.

Dangerous fight for both fighters. It would be dangerous for Rios because of Gamboa's speed and quickness. He will get hit and hit often against a speed demon like Gamboa. I think the biggest question is how will Rios be able to take Gamboa's shots. It's dangerous for Gamboa because of the size and power advantage that Rios brings. He is also an excellent pressure fighter and is incredibly accurate inside. People really underestimate what Rios can do up close, his hooks and uppercuts are some of the best in the biz. I think Rios' size and pressure will win out personally. If Salido can go the distance with Gamboa, I think a bigger stronger Rios can. If Gamboa is to win, it would be an amazing display of boxing and moving, he wants nothing to do with Rios up close and personal. Exactly how I feel. I don't think Gamboa can stop Rios and if Brandon is OK at the weight, he should be able to walk Gamboa down. Gamboa isn't going to smartly clinch and move laterally all night, he's never had to really. I think this fight is a bad idea for Gamboa.

Dangerous fight for both fighters. It would be dangerous for Rios because of Gamboa's speed and quickness. He will get hit and hit often against a speed demon like Gamboa. I think the biggest question is how will Rios be able to take Gamboa's shots. It's dangerous for Gamboa because of the size and power advantage that Rios brings. He is also an excellent pressure fighter and is incredibly accurate inside. People really underestimate what Rios can do up close, his hooks and uppercuts are some of the best in the biz. I think Rios' size and pressure will win out personally. If Salido can go the distance with Gamboa, I think a bigger stronger Rios can. If Gamboa is to win, it would be an amazing display of boxing and moving, he wants nothing to do with Rios up close and personal.

I favor Rios by ko but I wonder if Rios struggling to make 135 will negate his size advantage over Gamboa.

yeah exactly. i'd rather much see gamboa face mikey garcia, the salido/lopez II winner, or the broner/perez winner. with rios, i'd rather see him move up to 140 and fight the top names there. with rios not even making weight in his last fight and gamboa being at 127 last time, i don't see how it can be that great of a fight for both guys. maybe in the future, like if gamboa blows right through or even skips 130 to get used to 135 and rios is still at 140, something could be worked out. I'd love to see Yuri versus Mikey, JuanMa or Broner. Been there, done that with regards to Salido. Broner and Lopez make the most sense because Adrian is at 130 and Lopez needs to move up to super-featherweight. The Rios fight seems like a lot of macho posturing by both men -- Gamboa with the challenge and Brandon with the acceptance. Whatever...I'll take it. lol

In a sense, Gamboa has nothing to lose and Rios has nothing to gain. yeah exactly. i'd rather much see gamboa face mikey garcia, the salido/lopez II winner, or the broner/perez winner. with rios, i'd rather see him move up to 140 and fight the top names there. with rios not even making weight in his last fight and gamboa being at 127 last time, i don't see how it can be that great of a fight for both guys. maybe in the future, like if gamboa blows right through or even skips 130 to get used to 135 and rios is still at 140, something could be worked out.

even though both teams have said they're down to do it, i'm still not fully on board with it. imo gamboa should fight at 130 or have a tuneup at 135 first than just jumping up 2 weight classes to fight the best lightweight who honestly should be moving up. most people predict rios pounding gamboa into a ko/tko due to his size advantage. that could very well happen, but with rios weight problems and lack of defense, gamboa has a slight chance of outboxing him and even stopping him late if he can carry his power/speed up to 135. i just don't like the idea of this matchup because if rios beats gamboa most won't give him credit for beating a smaller guy (i kind of feel that way). In a sense, Gamboa has nothing to lose and Rios has nothing to gain.

even though both teams have said they're down to do it, i'm still not fully on board with it. imo gamboa should fight at 130 or have a tuneup at 135 first than just jumping up 2 weight classes to fight the best lightweight who honestly should be moving up. most people predict rios pounding gamboa into a ko/tko due to his size advantage. that could very well happen, but with rios weight problems and lack of defense, gamboa has a slight chance of outboxing him and even stopping him late if he can carry his power/speed up to 135. i just don't like the idea of this matchup because if rios beats gamboa most won't give him credit for beating a smaller guy (i kind of feel that way).

I'm fairly confident in Rios winning this one. I think the size will be too much.

At the time of this writing, Rios is up 20-19. I don't know what to make of the poll results up to this point. I'm impressed. But I'm fairly surprised this many people are picking Gamboa to win. With the current sampling, it's clear that this will be a very welcome fight if it ever comes off. Bring it!

I pick Rios for early stoppage! Gamboa likes to get into exchanges in every fight, its in his make up as a fighter. When he stops to throw his usual 2-5 punch combo, standing flat footed, Rios will catch him and put his lights out. If Gamboa can stay patient and box for 12 rounds never standing still, and use his speed with in and out tactics he should win.

Interesting, Gamboa is a lot more flashy but he doesn't have good defense so Rios should be able to apply his size, strength and punching power which could really slow down Gamboa. I think you would have to favor Rios but Gamboa would be a real unknown, plus it seemed like Rios was having issues making 135 so maybe he comes in weak so there are certainly reasons to question Rios.

I totally don't know how I feel about this fight,I'm leaning toward Rios..Only because of the weight they fighting at,I also believe Rios conditioning and punching power is going to carry him in this fight..But I won't be surprised if Gamboa finds away to pull it out,he is a beast...

Like a master boxer with that footwork & blinding speed like Gamboa is going to let the 1-D Rios plod to him & stand in the pocket, slugging it out. Gamboa will outbox Rios with some ease. Win every single round & likely stop him whenever he damn pleases. Rios has nothing at all that would lead me to suggest he wins or even has a punchers chance. Garbage fighter & as overrated as they get. All the guy has is a remotely decent inside game, anybody that don't just stand there like a punchbag I.E John Murray will give Rios fits.

rios has more power imo