Predictions for Yuriorkis Gamboa vs. Brandon Rios @135

[Evil Abed]

I got Rios midway thru by TKO.

If Gamboa can win he hops up to the upper P4P list.

Taller order for the Cuban superstar.

[badass316]

If Gamboa can't hurt him then Rios will walk him down and stop him in the latter half of the fight. You need a good punch to keep someone like Rios at bay, I don't think anyone at 135 is going to derail him. What will be his undoing will be someone who can hurt him at 140 or 147 (if he moves up that far).

[sdcluser]

Rios by KO or Gamboa by UD with speed. If Gamboa can carry that speed (with decent pop) and move ALL night boxing instead trading shots at that weight, then he can win UD. It he gets caught on the rope....well....nitey nite. Since Manny is training with him, I would say he would at least give him sound strategy in terms of moving and boxing all night. Whether Gamboa follow that strategy remains to be seen. Rios is like terminator so you gotta make him move all night....granite chin and be partially neutralize with consistent movement ALL NIGHT. I see Gamboa with good chance if proper strategy is implemented. Again, whether he listens to Steward/ or if it is a good fit is another story.

[sdcluser]

It would be a mistake for Gamboa to aim for the KO early.

[CubanGuyNYC]

Rios by KO or Gamboa by UD with speed. If Gamboa can carry that speed (with decent pop) and move ALL night boxing instead trading shots at that weight, then he can win UD. It he gets caught on the rope....well....nitey nite. Since Manny is training with him, I would say he would at least give him sound strategy in terms of moving and boxing all night. Whether Gamboa follow that strategy remains to be seen. Rios is like terminator so you gotta make him move all night....granite chin and be partially neutralize with consistent movement ALL NIGHT. I see Gamboa with good chance if proper strategy is implemented. Again, whether he listens to Steward/ or if it is a good fit is another story.

Covering all bases, I see. lol

I have to agree, though: if Rios wins, it'll be by KO; if Gamboa wins, it'll be by decision. I'm rooting for Yuriorkis, but I don't see him avoiding a couple of big punches from the naturally bigger "Bam Bam" all night. I think the Ponce De Leon fight was practice for this sort of bout. But Brandon ain't Ponce. Ponce De Leon was just as concerned about getting sparked by Gamboa as Yuri was concerned about avoiding his power. The same situation will not present itself with Rios. Brandon will have no fear of "El Ciclon's" power and will seek to walk Gamboa down. Twelve rounds is a long time to avoid getting touched by a relentless, much bigger man.