Good move Juanma Lopez.

[studentofthegam]

I dont know what your take is on the Gamboa interview co-starring Juanma but mine is this. Deep down he knows Gamboa has the skills to move up and make a huge name for himself without him. So when he heard Gamboa say I'll be looking for belts in higher weight classes he rushed to make a public showing of interest. This will buy Arum more time to bull**** around. I think it will stall Yuri for a fight or two. Its simple, Lopez has the bigger following right now but Gamboa will be the bigger future star.

[Cafe]

Most noticably by me was, that gamboa greeted Juanma, like they were friends, and they hugged each other.

[CubanGuyNYC]

Most noticably by me was, that gamboa greeted Juanma, like they were friends, and they hugged each other.

It's pretty clear that Yuri and JuanMa have met before and probably hung out, at least in the gym. The obvious affection that they showed towards each other somewhat surprised me. Talk of a fight is strictly business and friendly competition between these two.

[studentofthegam]

Most noticably by me was, that gamboa greeted Juanma, like they were friends, and they hugged each other.

Thats fine and dandy but Lopez coming into the ring had nothing to do with them being pals(which is cool). To me it was strategy on Juanmas part and not wanting his huge payday to slip away. It was a smart way to buy time. If Gamboa makes that first leap to 130 without fighting him he'll have the upper hand in negotiations and the luxury of adjusting to the weight class first. It was almost like please dont leave me behind.

[Russian Crushin]

Thats fine and dandy but Lopez coming into the ring had nothing to do with them being pals(which is cool). To me it was strategy on Juanmas part and not wanting his huge payday to slip away. It was a smart way to buy time. If Gamboa makes that first leap to 130 without fighting him he'll have the upper hand in negotiations and the luxury of adjusting to the weight class first. It was almost like please dont leave me behind.

How? By fighting Boner? Maybe Litziu?

Juanma will always be a bigger draw

[studentofthegam]

How? By fighting Boner? Maybe Litziu?

Juanma will always be a bigger draw

Ricans follow their guys which I applaud them for. But Gamboa is special and special fighters get it in the end. Its similar to Mayweather. He wasnt a huge draw early on. But his skills were so dynamic that we knew "if we build him they will come". Not that Gamboa and Floyd fight alike but their paths will be similar as far as boxing. Gamboa will do some "impossible things in boxing". Who wont love a miniature Mike Tyson with Mayweather footwork. Its not the opponents he'll face at 130 its how he disposes of them. It wouldnt be long before he sees 135 either. I could see him beating Rios in a few.

[Russian Crushin]

Ricans follow their guys which I applaud them for. But Gamboa is special and special fighters get it in the end. Its similar to Mayweather. He wasnt a huge draw early on. But his skills were so dynamic that we knew "if we build him they will come". Not that Gamboa and Floyd fight alike but their paths will be similar as far as boxing. Gamboa will do some "impossible things in boxing". Who wont love a miniature Mike Tyson with Mayweather footwork. Its not the opponents he'll face at 130 its how he disposes of them. It wouldnt be long before he sees 135 either. I could see him beating Rios in a few.

Mayweather was actually very hyped up from the amateurs and into his pro career.

Gamboa is Cuban and doesnt have much of a following, whereas Floyd is american.

Plus Juanma is neck and neck with Juanma. Also Rios will be at 147 in a few years

[CubanGuyNYC]

Ricans follow their guys which I applaud them for. But Gamboa is special and special fighters get it in the end. Its similar to Mayweather. He wasnt a huge draw early on. But his skills were so dynamic that we knew "if we build him they will come". Not that Gamboa and Floyd fight alike but their paths will be similar as far as boxing. Gamboa will do some "impossible things in boxing". Who wont love a miniature Mike Tyson with Mayweather footwork. Its not the opponents he'll face at 130 its how he disposes of them. It wouldnt be long before he sees 135 either. I could see him beating Rios in a few.

Most people back the fighters they can relate to the most. It's natural that Puerto Ricans would back JuanMa. But, while Lopez is very good, Gamboa is special. Fighters like Yuri transcend nationality. They just don't come along very often, otherwise they wouldn't inspire. As it is, JuanMa's support is his sizable PR fan-base. If Gamboa stays undefeated, and continues to electrify, he'll gain many more fans than Lopez.

[studentofthegam]

Mayweather was actually very hyped up from the amateurs and into his pro career.

Gamboa is Cuban and doesnt have much of a following, whereas Floyd is american.

Plus Juanma is neck and neck with Juanma. Also Rios will be at 147 in a few years

Now we all know Gamboa was a decorated amateur too. Floyd didnt have a true following like a Cotto coming into the pros. Floyd earned people with big wins. And was still gettin baby money early. Floyd is an American that has less of an American following than some foreigners right now. Americans today in boxing are not patriotic when it comes to American fighters. Please dont argue that point. Gamboa fights out of a big city in Miami and its not a better time to be in Miami as far as popularity. After that Acosta match I dont think Rios is skipping past 140 too fast. Atleast not faster than Gamboa moving up. I cant see Gamboa staying at 130 too long either because as you mentioned the comp is not there.

[Chief2ndzOnly!]

How? By fighting Boner? Maybe Litziu?

Juanma will always be a bigger draw

Not true, as sted last night gamboa is learning english. He's doin that so that he can cross over, and become a bigger draw. His style is more eye-catching than JuanMa, and he's fighting comp that is on par with JuanMa and doing a better job ie. Mtagwa. JuanMa saw this, and made a move to secure publicity and peak intrest in a future match-up. If he didnt get in the ring last night he would be fielding countless questions about weither or not he's duckin Gamboa. It was a smart move by JuanMa, he cant treat Gamboa like he did Caba.