Top rank sues yuriorkis gamboa; blames unidentified "poachers"

Claiming it invested millions of dollars in the career of Yuriorkis Gamboa, boxing promoter Top Rank, Inc. sued the Cuban featherweight in federal court for breach of an agreement to face lightweight Brandon Rios on April 14th. A key allegation, that if true, would be very damaging to Gamboa, is Top Rank's claim to have made an advance payment to Gamboa when he agreed to the fight. Top Rank believes that after Gamboa took the advance, he was convinced by another promoter-- or multiple promoters-- to pull out of the Rios bout. However Top Rank's court filing did not name the alleged culprit(s). The complaint coyly alleged, "Why Gamboa decided to breach his contracts with Top Rank is irrelevant. Breach of contract does not require a bad intent. However, upon information, Top Rank believes one or more rival boxing promotion companies and unknown individuals associated with them are at the root of Gamboa's wrongful conduct. These 'poachers' see what everyone sees-- a gifted boxer platformed by Top Rank for superstardom-- and they want to unfairly capitalize on what Top Rank orchestrated and built. Upon information and belief, the rival promoters and others promised Gamboa that if he breaches his contract with Top Rank, they will promote his fights." b o x i n g t a l k dot c o m