Is Yuriorkis Gamboa the best promoted boxer in the United States?

[-EX-]

Yuriorkis Gamboa returned to the ring Friday night to knock out Walter Estrada within thirty-five seconds of the opening bell. The end came for Estrada when Gamboa unleashed a beautiful short right hook to the head.

Gamboa improves to 14-0, with 12 knock outs, and continues to draw the attention of boxing fans across the globe due to a lethal combination of speed and power, tinged with a vulnerable chin suspect to knock downs, which adds up to much see boxing television. Gamboa deserves the credit for putting his well-being on the line every single time he steps into the ring, but his promoter Arena Boxing - based out of Hamburg, Germany and run by former boxer Ahmet Oner- should be credited for the manner in which they have moved Gamboa's career.

Arena has kept Gamboa active since his professional debut following a defection from Cuba where he was a decorated amateur. Turning professional on April 27, 2007, Gamboa has fought a total of 14 times in 22 months, a high level activity in modern boxing. His first six bouts were staged in Europe, mainly Germany. Eventually Arena decided to bring the talented featherweight to the United States.

Since appearing on American soil Gamboa has fought on ESPN four times, once on Showtime and HBO twice. How many veterans, much less prospects with 14 professional contests, can say their promotional firm has provided them that much exposure?

Gamboa's talents garners the interest of television networks, that is clear, yet we have seen an endless parade of exciting boxers buried on the under cards of pay per views, off-television cards, or foreign broadcast events.

Many American-based promoters peddle their fights to the casino venue offering the highest site fee, no matter how illogical the event seems; remember Golden Boy Promotions featuring Ugandan born Kassim Ouma in a Southern California desert casino with the bout televised on Spanish language television?

Arena Boxing has been able to feature Gamboa in locations with a strong population of Cuban and Cuban American residents. Primm, Nevada, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Hollywood, Florida, and Atlantic City, New Jersey have all played host to Gamboa and are Cuban enclaves or within short distances of one. Selling or marketing a fighter to an ethnic fan base has been considered a solid strategy in boxing for years.

Hats off to Mr. Ahmet Oner for signing Yuriorkis Gamboa and then doing what few boxing impresarios seem to have the interest in doing...promoting a fighter.

by Ricardo Lois, LA Boxing Examiner

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Gamboa deff has been brought up well but another fight or 2 and I think he should be put up against fairly better opposition. Especially since he has great amateur experience.

[2 Legit 2 Quit]

He is defiantly getting good exposure. He'd be a bigger star if he spoke english, but he will be big.

[The Gambler1981]

I think he should fight more in the Miami (or Southern Florida area), as opposed to Primm, Nevada. The crowd last night was electric for him, but they have really got him out there in every possible way.


He could be huge in Miami.

[javelin_fangs]

I agree that the exposure on ESPN, Showtime and HBO as opposed to PPV undercards is what seperates Gamboa from most other prized prospects. People can watch him fight without having to dig extra deep before they even know what they're getting for digging that deep.

[Ryn0]

Yuriorkis Gamboa returned to the ring Friday night to knock out Walter Estrada within thirty-five seconds of the opening bell. The end came for Estrada when Gamboa unleashed a beautiful short right hook to the head.

Gamboa improves to 14-0, with 12 knock outs, and continues to draw the attention of boxing fans across the globe due to a lethal combination of speed and power, tinged with a vulnerable chin suspect to knock downs, which adds up to much see boxing television. Gamboa deserves the credit for putting his well-being on the line every single time he steps into the ring, but his promoter Arena Boxing - based out of Hamburg, Germany and run by former boxer Ahmet Oner- should be credited for the manner in which they have moved Gamboa's career.

Arena has kept Gamboa active since his professional debut following a defection from Cuba where he was a decorated amateur. Turning professional on April 27, 2007, Gamboa has fought a total of 14 times in 22 months, a high level activity in modern boxing. His first six bouts were staged in Europe, mainly Germany. Eventually Arena decided to bring the talented featherweight to the United States.

Since appearing on American soil Gamboa has fought on ESPN four times, once on Showtime and HBO twice. How many veterans, much less prospects with 14 professional contests, can say their promotional firm has provided them that much exposure?

Gamboa's talents garners the interest of television networks, that is clear, yet we have seen an endless parade of exciting boxers buried on the under cards of pay per views, off-television cards, or foreign broadcast events.

Many American-based promoters peddle their fights to the casino venue offering the highest site fee, no matter how illogical the event seems; remember Golden Boy Promotions featuring Ugandan born Kassim Ouma in a Southern California desert casino with the bout televised on Spanish language television?

Arena Boxing has been able to feature Gamboa in locations with a strong population of Cuban and Cuban American residents. Primm, Nevada, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Hollywood, Florida, and Atlantic City, New Jersey have all played host to Gamboa and are Cuban enclaves or within short distances of one. Selling or marketing a fighter to an ethnic fan base has been considered a solid strategy in boxing for years.

Hats off to Mr. Ahmet Oner for signing Yuriorkis Gamboa and then doing what few boxing impresarios seem to have the interest in doing...promoting a fighter.

by Ricardo Lois, LA Boxing Examiner

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Gamboa deff has been brought up well but another fight or 2 and I think he should be put up against fairly better opposition. Especially since he has great amateur experience.

Better opposition? Most prospects are being fed what Gamboa is facing into there 20th fight. He's being brought up super fast, that being said I think with a few most fights he can handle the titlests at featherweight.

[*Dinamita]

fighting on ESPN means they are not doing a good job promoting him, he needs to land on HBO or Showtime... *** espn

[The Gambler1981]

Better opposition? Most prospects are being fed what Gamboa is facing into there 20th fight. He's being brought up super fast, that being said I think with a few most fights he can handle the titlests at featherweight.

I think he could fight for a title tomorrow to be honest. He is sweet, but I have not really seen to much difference in his game in the last several fights. He is not getting any younger, and most reflex based fighters like Gamboa can only get worse.

Really except for Chris John, I would not avoid any of the 126 pound champs and that could change based on how he looks against Jaurez. Luevano I might not fight right away either but I would not be scared of him getting matched with Gamboa (if I was on their team), but Cristobal Cruz should be easy pickings, aswell as Oscar Larios (should he get out of Japan with his belt).

[thebowtod]

fighting on ESPN means they are not doing a good job promoting him, he needs to land on HBO or Showtime... *** espn

being MAIN EVENT on ESPN is not bad at all for tune up fights, he is just waiting for a title shot.

[ИATAS]

fighting on ESPN means they are not doing a good job promoting him, he needs to land on HBO or Showtime... *** espn

lol, what???? ESPN is great for an up & comer, you don't want a prospect solely on HBO and showtime. ESPN is free and more people have access to watch ESPN then HBO/Showtime. The fact he is being showcased on ALL THREE is great and the best possible exposure.

Besides, if you haven't noticed yet he's very active. He'll fight some bum or whatever on ESPN (like estrada and al seeger) but when he fights stronger opponents he's on HBO/Showtime. That's perfect. What more could you possibly want? You don't want him fighting bums or tune up fights on HBO, save that **** for ESPN.

[williamhvx1]

THE kid got talent, charisma and a little mike tison looks, but no a solid defensive would be disaster when he got to B+ boxers... he on D and C opposition now..