..YURIORKIS GAMBOA: Is It Too Damn Late?...

[THe TRiNiTY]

I gotta be honest, I like the kid. He's an exciting fighter, drips confidence and has a way of seeming like he REALLY would fight the best at any moment.

The problem with this is that if he did that at this particular moment, or any moment for that matter, but fought like his last couple of outings, he'd have an even weirder looking face.

The plus side is obvious.

- Quick, of hand, foot and movement (most of the times).
- Pressure fighter with slicker than average moves and loves to press the action.
- Always looks for the knockout.
- Supremely confident.
- Marketable with his gold metal and easy transition to the pro ranks.
- Fights often, so he HAS room to improve, gain more fans, get more rounds and just sharpen up, overall.
- Beautiful combinations when he's in rhythm.
- Doesn't seem to have stamina problems.

Now.. the negatives.

- Has a tendancy to rely to heavily on his power.
- Doesn't have the strongest chin, even though he seems to recooperate rather quickly and come back to try and hurt the guy as quickly as possible.
- Abandons his boxing skills.
- Fights as if he'd be shocked by the sheer mention of him using a jab.
- Doesn't seem to be getting enough rounds on the books.
- Has a piss poor defense when he goes in for the kill.
- His trainer doesn't seem to notice any of this enough to want to truly enforce a change. (I realize a fighter has to be willing, but damn.)

So, the question remains. Is it too late for THIS guy to relearn some things, sharpen up on others, stick with the positives that don't come with a negative and forget some of the bad all together? Or does HE have a chance to turn it around and dramatically better his chances of success at the top of his chosen division?

Vote. Discuss.

[ACHlLLES]

So, if he does lose. Will everyone on this forum **** on him? He is taking on the best out there, win or lose he has balls.

[Silencers]

I don't think keeping his hands up will ever be second nature to him so I think it's too late for him to change that, I think he can be made to be more patient and to be less reckless when he's on the attack but keeping his hands up probably won't be something he'll be doing. I think he can sharpen up his positives but his negatives will always be there IMO, and it'll be more apparant as he gets older when his reflexes go and when he slows down.

[THe TRiNiTY]

So, if he does lose. Will everyone on this forum **** on him? He is taking on the best out there, win or lose he has balls.

I feel the same way. But, thats' not how boxing fans think.

Losing means, you got exposed. You don't have bad nights as a boxer.

These people want action heroes not professional prize fighters.

[Vasyl’s dad]

I think hes perfect just the way he is.

With his skills and flaws, he'll make some very exciting fights.


Being too perfect is kind of boring.

[Vasyl’s dad]

I feel the same way. But, thats' not how boxing fans think.

Losing means, you got exposed. You don't have bad nights as a boxer.

These people want action heroes not professional prize fighters.

Boxing fans don't think like that, fighter fans do.

Miguel Cotto just lost for the first time and the only thing that got exposed is that Antonio Margarito is one tough bastard.

Cotto beats anyone else that night.

[THe TRiNiTY]

I don't think keeping his hands up will ever be second nature to him so I think it's too late for him to change that, I think he can be made to be more patient and to be less reckless when he's on the attack but keeping his hands up probably won't be something he'll be doing. I think he can sharpen up his positives but his negatives will always be there IMO, and it'll be more apparant as he gets older when his reflexes go and when he slows down.

Good points. I've noticed something about when he gets knocked down also. When he goes down, he doesn't even like to be patient about getting up. He reall does like to fight. In a tough one, however, I can see that being more ****** than charming.

[Vasyl’s dad]

Good points. I've noticed something about when he gets knocked down also. When he goes down, he doesn't even like to be patient about getting up. He reall does like to fight. In a tough one, however, I can see that being more ****** than charming.

But, thats why his fights are going to be very entertaining.

Hes Tito like in that aspect. He goes down, then he wants to rip your head off.


That made for some great drama in Titos fights.

[Silencers]

Good points. I've noticed something about when he gets knocked down also. When he goes down, he doesn't even like to be patient about getting up. He reall does like to fight. In a tough one, however, I can see that being more ****** than charming.

Yeah, it's something a lot of young fighters do, he hasn't gotten hurt that badly yet but if he does get hurt badly, popping straight up like he does would be a bad idea.

Makes for exciting fights when he does get knocked down though because he seems to get insulted that he got hit and put down, he then goes on the attack right away, in the future with better opponents, that could definitely work against him.

[THe TRiNiTY]

Boxing fans don't think like that, fighter fans do.

Miguel Cotto just lost for the first time and the only thing that got exposed is that Antonio Margarito is one tough bastard.

Cotto beats anyone else that night.

When I talk about REAL fans, I say purists. Any other time, I'm talking about the people who fill the seats. The people who fill the seats, 9 out of 10 times, go for the guy who is undefeated and will follow that guys career more often. And popularity, fair or not, often dictates how successful a person can be in this game.

You can point out an Arturo Gatti, but for every Gatti, and I can pull out pull out 20 Jason Litzaus, Jeff Lacys and Amir Khans. Khan just happens to have a big time promoter behind him that is willing to invest. For obvious reasons.