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Boxing's most exciting talent Yuriorkis Gamboa continued his march to a world title by stopping Roger Gonzalez in ten rounds, but once more exposed his vulnerability on the way.
Gamboa dominated the vast majority of the ten rounds before the referee stopped the bout 48 seconds before the final bell but suffered a flash knockdown in the second round when his American opponent (now 27-3, 18 KOs) caught him with a wild right hand.
The 2004 Olympic gold medallist (13-0, 11 KOs) showed his usual array of flashy combinations and by the tenth round Gonzalez was repeatedly getting his head rocked back, leading to the stoppage.
Currently ranked number two by the WBC, the Cuban seems certain to face champion Oscar Larios at some stage in 2009.
His heavyweight countryman Odlanier Solis, who also defected from Cuba two years after winning gold in Athens, looked less impressive stopping Kevin Burnett in eight rounds to defend his WBC International title.
Solis (13-0, 9 KOs) was a flabby 246lbs but still had too much for his opponent, who weighed half a stone heavier.
Although undoubtedly talented and still young enough at the age of 28 to make an impression at world level, Solis does not appear at this stage to have the necessary dedication to be the best professional heavyweight.
Although against very much a journeyman, he did look impressive in the last round when he let loose two of three flurries of punches that had Burnett in trouble and led to a stoppage in his favour.
Gamboa dominated the vast majority of the ten rounds before the referee stopped the bout 48 seconds before the final bell but suffered a flash knockdown in the second round when his American opponent (now 27-3, 18 KOs) caught him with a wild right hand.
The 2004 Olympic gold medallist (13-0, 11 KOs) showed his usual array of flashy combinations and by the tenth round Gonzalez was repeatedly getting his head rocked back, leading to the stoppage.
Currently ranked number two by the WBC, the Cuban seems certain to face champion Oscar Larios at some stage in 2009.
His heavyweight countryman Odlanier Solis, who also defected from Cuba two years after winning gold in Athens, looked less impressive stopping Kevin Burnett in eight rounds to defend his WBC International title.
Solis (13-0, 9 KOs) was a flabby 246lbs but still had too much for his opponent, who weighed half a stone heavier.
Although undoubtedly talented and still young enough at the age of 28 to make an impression at world level, Solis does not appear at this stage to have the necessary dedication to be the best professional heavyweight.
Although against very much a journeyman, he did look impressive in the last round when he let loose two of three flurries of punches that had Burnett in trouble and led to a stoppage in his favour.
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