Yuriorkis Gamboa: record, next fight and profile →
Ryan Burton catches up with Olympic gold medal winner Yuriorkis Gamboa to discuss his upcoming HBO televised fight with WBO lightweight champion Terence Crawford, taking place on Saturday night from the champion's backyard in Omaha. Both fighters come in with an identical 23-0 record with 16 of those wins by knockout. Gamboa talks strategy, layoff and more.
Omaha, Nebraska --- Ryan Burton catches the final press conference for the upcoming battle between WBO Lightweight champion Terence Crawford of Omaha and Olympic gold medalist Yuriorkis Gamboa of Cuba, who spoke to the press about their upcoming world title fight on Saturday, June 28 at the Centurylink Center in Omaha. Both fighters share identical undefeated records of 23-0. This HBO Boxing After Dark televised fight will be the first world championship fight Omaha has hosted in 42 years. Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with SMS Promotions, PS4 and Tecate, tickets to Crawford vs. Gamboa start at just $27, with remaining tiers priced at $52 and $102, and are available at the CenturyLink Center Omaha box office and all Ticketmaster outlets.
Omaha,Nebraska --- (L-R) WBO Lightweight champion Terence Crawford of Omaha and Olympic gold medalist Yuriorkis Gamboa of Cuba pose during the final press conference Thursday for their upcoming world title fight, Saturday, June 28 at the Centurylink Center in Omaha. Both fighters share identical undefeated records of 23-0. This HBO Boxing After Dark televised fight will be the first world championship fight Omaha has hosted in 42 years.
According to WBO lightweight champion Terrence Crawford (23-0, 16KOs), his fight Saturday night against Yuriorkis Gamboa will likely be his last fight in the division. The 5'8" Crawford made his HBO debut last year when he moved up to 140 pounds and defeated Columbian slugger Breidis Prescott on short notice. Since that fight he has fought three times with all of those fights taking place at 135 pounds.
Ryan Burton catches up with WBO lightweight champion Terence Crawford to discuss his upcoming HBO televised showdown with Olympic gold medal winner Yuriorkis Gamboa, which takes place this coming Saturday night. Both fighters are undefeated with identical records, with Crawford making the first defense of his title and Gamboa looking to make a statement by winning another divisional title.
Terence Crawford is noticeably bigger than Yuriorkis Gamboa, about three inches taller than the challenger for his WBO lightweight title Saturday night. Neither fighter figures Crawford’s significant size advantage will make much difference, though, as they approach their HBO “Boxing After Dark” main event at CenturyLink Center in Crawford’s hometown of Omaha, Neb.
Omaha,Nebraska --- WBO Lightweight champion Terence Crawford of Omaha works out during media day Wednesday for his upcoming world title defense against powerful Olympic gold medalist Yuriorkis Gamboa of Cuba, Saturday, June 28 at the Centurylink Center in Omaha. Both fighters share identical undefeated records of 23-0. This HBO Boxing After Dark televised fight will be the first world championship fight Omaha has hosted in 42 years. Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with SMS Promotions, PS4 and Tecate, tickets to Crawford vs. Gamboa start at just $27, with remaining tiers priced at $52 and $102, and are available at the CenturyLink Center Omaha box office and all Ticketmaster outlets. --- Photos by Chris Farina/Top Rank.
Ring activity and marketability have been hard to come by in recent years for Yuriorkis Gamboa, but one thing the unbeaten former featherweight champ doesn’t lack is confidence. Few fighters in the sport would be as willing to step up in class following a year-long layoff, and against an opponent who differs in every way to the one he was expected to fight. Yet Gamboa doesn’t have a care in the world heading into his June 28 showdown with unbeaten lightweight titlist Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford, marching into his opponent’s hometown of Omaha, Nebraska for their HBO headliner.
By Jake Donovan - Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford was barely two years old by the time Bruce ‘The Mouse’ Strauss retired from the ring in 1989. The only common bond the two have is their ties to boxing and to Omaha, Nebraska. Strauss was a loveable loser in the ring, best known for being knocked out on more continents (five) than any other fighter in history. The list doesn’t extend to seven only because the middleweight never made it to Asia or Antarctica over the course of his journeyman career, nor did he ever enjoy any real success in the pro ranks. Through six years as a pro, Crawford has proven to be a bona fide winner. Yet it’s curious that when his upcoming showdown with Yuriorkis Gamboa was formally announced to take place in his hometown, the first thought that came to mind… was a loss. “2006, Jesus Mendez,” Crawford recalled when thinking back to his last fight in Omaha. “Man, I still ain’t forgot.” The fight with Mendez was for the National Golden Gloves championship in 2006, which happened to take place in Crawford’s hometown. The local favorite settled for the Silver medal that day, watching Mendez claim top honors in his own backyard.
Terence Crawford makes the first defense of his lightweight title versus unbeaten challenger Yuriorkis Gamboa in what serves as the first title fight for the Nebraska city of Omaha in more than 40 years. It's only fitting that such a unique experience comes with a fresh set of officials for both fighters involved. Veteran referee Geno Rodriguez has been tabbed as the third man for Saturday's headliner at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha, which will air live on HBO. The three ringside judges will be Levi Martinez, Dennis Nelson and Robert Hecko. All four officials are from the United States, and will be working their first fight involving either fighter.