Some Thoughts On Gamboa Versus Ponce De Leon

[AntDawg]

No, I don't want him to be more reckless. But fighting the way he did last night isn't suited to his style and abilities. Yes, he needs to tighten up a little, but he tried his best Floyd Mayweather imitation versus Ponce. It made for a winning but boring approach.

There were at least two times when Gamboa had Ponce up against the ropes and completely at a loss. (I'm pretty sure I even saw Dan close his eyes.) Yuri took his foot off the gas pedal and backed off. There are many times when attacking is the absolutely correct thing to do. Sometimes it's the best defense. Gamboa was so focused on defense last night that he missed opportunities to put Ponce away.

Idk man seemed like Ponce wanted him to come in when he was against the ropes so he could counter and I believe Gamboa's trainer was telling him that so he would back off. There were times where he would come in and throw a flurry but get countered. I have nothing against his defensive style last night.

[SonnyDempsey]

He fought a limited, dangerous puncher and beat him. He did exactly what he was supposed to do. What's the problem?

[CubanGuyNYC]

Am I the only one who thinks the criminally overrated Freddie Roach would be an excellent trainer for Gamboa?
Like you said, Gamboa will never be a defensive, technical, master boxer. He fights in spurts and his defense is non existent. He is either moving around or lunging in with his punches, that's it. He is fundamentally unsound.
But he is an athletic freak who hits hard just like Pac (and Khan maybe?). With the JokeRoach, he'll learn angles, high guard defense, and other Roach-style-of-fighting bull****. That in/out, volume punching, Pacman esque style would suit him fine imo.

I think what you say about Roach being good for Gamboa is on point. I've been thinking for a while that Yuri will need a new trainer soon. Gamboa is being loyal to his old trainer from Cuba, Ismael Salas. It's a laudable thing, but Yuri is a major talent that needs to flourish. Salas has relatively limited experience training professional fighters. I hate to say it, but it's time for Gamboa to part ways with his old mentor.

[Ray*]

Ponce is still a hard hitter whose power has to be respected and I think gamboa paid him that ultimate respect by fighting the way he did.

[CubanGuyNYC]

Ponce is still a hard hitter whose power has to be respected and I think gamboa paid him that ultimate respect by fighting the way he did.

That would seem to be the case. It was somewhat funny, though, how Ponce seemed even more wary of Yuri's speed and power.

[CubanGuyNYC]

Idk man seemed like Ponce wanted him to come in when he was against the ropes so he could counter and I believe Gamboa's trainer was telling him that so he would back off. There were times where he would come in and throw a flurry but get countered. I have nothing against his defensive style last night.

Maybe you're right. It didn't seem that way to me. I thought Ponce looked overwhelmed, TBH. It's good to know that you had no problem with Gamboa's approach. But it'll make me happy if Yuri returns to his old "Ciclon" self in his next outing (albeit with tighter defense).