According to El nuevo herald Gamboa-Rios is official!(President of Arena box confirms

JORGE EBRO jebro@elnuevoherald.com Esta puede ser la pelea del año. Cuanto parecía que el choque entre Yuriorkis Gamboa y Brandon Ríos estaba condenada al fracaso, una fuerte negociación de última hora logró que ambos púgiles llegaran a un acuerdo que los subirá a un ring en Las Vegas el 14 de abril para determinar, sin faja por el medio, quién es el mejor en las 135 libras. José Pérez, representante de Arena Box en los Estados Unidos, confirmó en exclusiva a El Nuevo Herald que el pacto se concretó el miércoles en horas de la madrugada con la mediación de Bob Arum, el presidente de la empresa Top Rank, quien vino a Miami para impulsar a los campamentos de ambos boxeadores hacia un punto común. “Estamos muy contentos de que se haya firmado este pacto, porque estamos hablando de una pelea que todos los fanáticos quieren ver y vienen pidiendo desde hace rato’’, expresó Pérez. “Con la presencia de Arum se limaron todas las diferencias y no podemos estar más complacidos’’. Aunque se venía rumorando hacía tiempo de un posible encuentro entre Gamboa (21-0, 16 KO) y Ríos (29-0-1, 22 KO), en los corrillos del boxeo se comentaba que el mexicoamericano había puesto su atención en un futuro enfrentamiento con el legendario Juan Manuel Márquez. Por otra parte, los problemas de Ríos para mantenerse en la división –de hecho perdió su título mundial por pasarse de las 135 libras en su choque contra John Murray- hicieron dudar a muchos de que pudiera mantenerse en el peso y esperar por la llegada del explosivo fajador de Guantánamo. El plan inicial era colocarlos a ambos en la misma cartelera, aunque ante rivales distintos y de menor calidad, pero Top Rank y la cadena de televisión HBO consideraron que se había perdido mucho tiempo desde el principio de año y decidieron enfrentarlos de una vez y por todas el 14 de abril. “Para Yuri es el mayor reto de su carrera, de eso no cabe duda, porque estamos hablando de un campeón y un hombre de recursos encima del ring’’, agregó Pérez. “Pero Yuri no quiere esperar más y ese día va a demostrar que dominará las 135 libras como lo hizo en las 126. Barrerá con todos en su nueva división’’. Con el objetivo de asumir su compromiso sin dificultades, Ríos ha contratado a un especialista en nutrición, y con una estatura de 5.8 pies, pudiera ofrecer varios peligros para el guerrero cubano, quien contará en la esquina por primera vez con el reconocido entrenador Emmanuel Steward. Recientemente, Ríos comentó a medios de prensa en Oxnard, California –donde entrena bajo la dirección de Robert García-, que la única razón por la cual se mantenía en las 135 libras era por la paliza que le pronosticaba a Gamboa, lo cual es discutible y sólo se sabrá el 14 de abril. Lo único que está garantizado con un choque entre ambos es una sola cosa: el espectáculo Read more here: http://www.elnuevoherald.com/2012/02/16/1129209/al-fin-es-oficial-yuriorkis-gamboa.html#storylink=cpy#storylink=cpy http://www.elnuevoherald.com/2012/02/16/1129209/al-fin-es-oficial-yuriorkis-gamboa.html#storylink=cpy

Comments (20)

Some people favour big underdogs, I personally felt both guys was made for him. I knew Murray would do a bit better than expected too. Styles make fights and I truly believe Gamboa will use Rios as a Punchbag. He is just so slow both hand and foot and he really has no ability to get inside unless you lay on the ropes or try go toe to toe with him. I see this almost as Margarito v Pacquaio all over again except I would say Margarito actually is technically superior to Rios lol margarito doesnt have that power though, rios hits like a mule. I also think rios has underrated defense he catches alot of shots on his gloves. but its gonna be a great fight im a fan of both fighters.

14y ago

4Corners

Am a big fan of both but.......Gamboa baby!!! All the way.

14y ago

AntonTheMeh

*marv albert voice* YES!

14y ago

mathed

Rios will have a size advantage but imagine Gamboa with more weight on him, he is going to hit hard as hell. I think Gamboa peppers Rios' face all night until the final bell.

14y ago

dan_cov

Rios is garbage?? thats a little too far. ALOT of people had acosta beating rios and some even had antillon beating him. Pressure busts pipes, rios doesnt take a backwards step and thats physically and mentally exhausting for an oppenent especially in the later rounds. not to mention his hooks and uppercuts are brutal. Hes gonna be a bull by fight night. i got rios as a very slight favorite because of the size advantage and he supposedly has a nutritionist now Some people favour big underdogs, I personally felt both guys was made for him. I knew Murray would do a bit better than expected too. Styles make fights and I truly believe Gamboa will use Rios as a Punchbag. He is just so slow both hand and foot and he really has no ability to get inside unless you lay on the ropes or try go toe to toe with him. I see this almost as Margarito v Pacquaio all over again except I would say Margarito actually is technically superior to Rios lol

14y ago

Hougigo

It's super official now that he posted it on facebook

14y ago

CubanGuyNYC

Here's a translation of the posted article, for those that don't speak Spanish: This could be the fight of the year. When it appeared that the clash between Yuriorkis Gamboa and Brandon Rios was doomed to failure, both fighters managed to reach an agreement in heavy last-minute negotiations that they will will enter the ring in Las Vegas on April 14 to determine, without a belt at stake, who is the best at 135 lbs. Jose Perez, representative of Arena Box in the United States, confirmed exclusively to The Herald that the deal was finalized Wednesday in the early morning hours with the mediation of Bob Arum, the president of Top Rank, who came to Miami to encourage both fighters' camps to reach common ground. "We are very pleased that this agreement is signed, because we are talking about a fight that all the fans want to see and have been asking for for a while,'' said Perez. "With the mediation of Arum all the differences have been ironed out and we cannot be more pleased.'' Although a possible meeting between Gamboa (21-0, 16 KO) and Rios (29-0-1, 22 KO) has been long-rumored in the corridors of boxing, it's been mentioned that the Mexican-American had turned his attention to a future confrontation with the legendary Juan Manuel Marquez. Besides that, Rios's problems staying in the division, where he'd lost his world title by exceeding the 135 lb. limit in his clash with John Murray, made many doubt he could make the weight and await the arrival of the explosive puncher from Guantanamo . The initial plan was to place them both on the same card, although with different opponents of lower quality, but Top Rank and HBO felt that too much time was lost since the beginning of the year and decided to match them up once and for all on April 14. "For Yuri this is the biggest challenge of his career, that's for sure, because we are talking about a champion and a man of resources in the ring,'' said Perez. "But Yuri does not want to wait any longer and he will show on that day that he will dominate the 135 lb. division as he did 126. He'll sweep away all those in his new division.'' With the objective of meeting his commitments without difficulty Rios has hired a nutritionist, and with a height of 5'8" could offer various perils to the Cuban warrior who will count in his corner for the first time the renowned trainer Emmanuel Steward . Recently, Rios told the media in Oxnard, California, where he trains under the direction of Robert Garcia, the only reason he stayed at 135 lbs. was for the beating he predicted for Gamboa, which is debatable and will only be known on April 14. The only thing that is guaranteed in a clash between them is one thing: the show.

14y ago

Southpawology

Rios is garbage like Gamboa is going to let this yop plod into the pocket. He is going to outbox Rios and make this gobsh1te look stupid. All he is fit for is picking on C level bums and pint sized fighters, equivalent of a woman beater. Well he's picked a fight with the wrong little en this time I tell ya. Taking bets if any Rios fans wanna drop me a Pm. Rios is garbage?? thats a little too far. ALOT of people had acosta beating rios and some even had antillon beating him. Pressure busts pipes, rios doesnt take a backwards step and thats physically and mentally exhausting for an oppenent especially in the later rounds. not to mention his hooks and uppercuts are brutal. Hes gonna be a bull by fight night. i got rios as a very slight favorite because of the size advantage and he supposedly has a nutritionist now

14y ago

FJRod

Taking into consideration Rios should not be fighting at 135 (although he is a beast) and Gamboa has great speed and nice power this will be very interesting. I can't really predict this but it is Rios fight, it's hard to say how Gamboa will do at 135 plus the fact that Gamboa looks chiny at times. Well I will just say it I favor Rios 70 to 30. I hope Gamboa wins tho'.

14y ago

dan_cov

14y ago

CubanGuyNYC

Rios has nothing to gain, if he wins he'd beaten a guy that is jumping two weight classes and is fighting way out of his natural weight. You're right. Gamboa has everything to gain (too bad Brandon isn't holding a strap anymore) and nothing to lose. I think Rios took this fight only because he's the kind of guy that just doesn't turn down a challenge.

14y ago

CubanGuyNYC

once rios gets him against the ropes,, GOODNIGHT I'm afraid you're right...if Rios ever gets him against the ropes.

14y ago

cotto1p4p

Rios has nothing to gain, if he wins he'd beaten a guy that is jumping two weight classes and is fighting way out of his natural weight.

14y ago

CubanGuyNYC

Gamboa isn't going to stay in the pocket with Rios, he knows it would be his downfall if he choose to. Gamboa has never had to call on all his talent and ability. Its time to see what he can do when pushed to the brink. I think Gamboa's game-plan is going to be to out-box Brandon from the outside. He'll open up a large points lead. However, in the later rounds, Yuri might finally be tracked down by the bigger Rios. That's where things will really get interesting....

14y ago

Evil_Abed

Gamboa and his team (including Emanuel Steward) don't seem to think so. I'm concerned about the size difference, but I have to trust their judgement. They must believe Yuri's speed, athleticism and skill-set will overcome Brandon's size, strength and toughness. It's going to be exciting to find out if they're right! Gamboa has never had to call on all his talent and ability. Its time to see what he can do when pushed to the brink.

14y ago

Carpe_Diem

Gamboa isn't going to stay in the pocket with Rios, he knows it would be his downfall if he choose to.

14y ago

CubanGuyNYC

am i the only one who thinks this fight is all wrong for gamboa? Gamboa and his team (including Emanuel Steward) don't seem to think so. I'm concerned about the size difference, but I have to trust their judgement. They must believe Yuri's speed, athleticism and skill-set will overcome Brandon's size, strength and toughness. It's going to be exciting to find out if they're right!

14y ago

Carpe_Diem

Gamboa all the way. Place your bets if you want to.

14y ago

Carpe_Diem

Let's get it on. Potential candidate for fight of the year.

14y ago

Southpawology

is going to be vegas niceee :boxing::boxing:

14y ago