Super featherweight phenomenon Yuriorkis Gamboa, 9-0 (8), has enjoyed two premieres recently. He stopped over in Las Vegas for the first time as he made his way to a scheduled bout this evening in Primm, Nevada, which also represents Gamboa's first appearance on HBO as the 2004 Olympic Gold Medallist will be featured on tonight's "Boxing After Dark" program.

“Las Vegas is definitely worth a trip”, states Gamboa. “All the lights and casinos – it just seems unreal. Of course, there’s nothing comparable to this in Cuba. I won’t want to live here, but I will hopefully be back soon for big fights in the MGM Grand or Mandalay Bay. I want to get my hands on the world championship belt as soon as possible.”

His promoter Ahmet Öner, CEO of Hamburg based ARENA Box-Promotion, is confident that his jewel from the Caribbean has what it takes to make it all the way to the top.

“Gamboa is already ranked on No. 4 in the WBC and No. 3 in the WBA”, explains Öner. “Of course, we have to start talking about a world title although it’s only his tenth professional fight coming up this Saturday.

"By the way, Gamboa made it faster to an HBO main event than Oscar De La Hoya, who needed 12 fights and Floyd Mayweather, who even needed 18 fights before grabbing HBO’s attention. Gamboa is an exceptional talent. I am convinced that he has what it takes to become world champion before the end of this year.”

It won’t be an easy way to the title however, starting with powerful Darling Jimenez, 23-2-2 (14) who knocked out no other than former world champion Mike Anchondo in his last fight in only three rounds.

“I will not underestimate this opponent”, says Gamboa. “But I won’t leave him any chance either. I didn’t come to Nevada for playing, but to win my next title and continue my way to the top.”

By beating Jimenez, reigning NABF champion Gamboa could win the WBC International championship which had been vacated by none other but Manny Pacquiao before ‘Pacman’ beat Juan Manuel Marquez for the WBC world championship on March 15.

Promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC and ARENA Box-Promotion, the “Night of the Rising Stars” at Terrible’s Primm Valley Casino Resorts features a tripleheader including Gamboa vs. Jimenez and the world class junior welterweight bouts James Kirkland vs. Eromosele Albert and Alfredo Angulo vs. Richard Gutierrez.

Share/Save | (0) comments | Add your comments
Click to read more boxing articles by Boxing Press

Discuss in Boxing Forum

---

Related Boxing Articles...

• Arena Boxing: Yuriorkis Gamboa Thrills With KO of Ramirez On American TV Giant HBO

  The Gamboa mania continues! In his second appearance on HBO’s Boxing After Dark, Yuriorkis Gamboa once more thrilled the audience with a spectacular knockout victory over previously unbeaten Marcos Ramirez, >
  
  

• Arena Boxing: Gamboa Destroys Seeger In First Round

  Once more, Cuban phenomenon Yuriorkis Gamboa backed up all experts who see him as one of the up and coming superstars in boxing. At the “Star of the Desert” Arena >
  
  

• Gamboa reaching for Pacman’s boxing title

  When unbeaten super featherweight phenomenon Yuriorkis Gamboa (9-0-0, 8 kos) steps into the ring against Darling Jimenez (23-2-2, 14 kos) this Saturday (May 17th) in Primm, Nevada, it will not >
  
  

• Arena Boxing: Red Hot Featherweight Gamboa Back In Action February 20

  

  Click for larger image © JC Rodriguez Arena’s fast rising featherweight superstar Yuriorkis Gamboa, 13-0 (11), will be back in action again on February 20 at the University Center Arena in >
  
  

• Boxing Weigh-In: Gamboa, Angulo, Kirkland And Opponents Ready To Go

  At 128.5 lb, super featherweight phenomenon Yuriorkis Gamboa showed himself in excellent condition for his shot at the vacant WBC international championship at today’s weigh-in at Terrible’s Primm Valley Casino >
  
  

• Boxing Update: Arena’s Oner Cuts Ties With Gary Shaw Productions

  Today Arena CEO Ahmet Öner announced that he will not continue his cooperation with Gary Shaw Productions in the US. Together, Arena and GSP had featured Cuban rising superstar Yuriorkis >
  
  

• Top Rank Boxing: Lopez, Gamboa, Duddy At MSG October 10

  Undefeated world champions Juan Manuel Lopez and Yuriorkis Gamboa defend their titles, in separate fights, headlining “Island Warriors: Latin Fury 12,” Saturday, October 10, from the “Mecca of Boxing,” Madison >
  
  

• New Boxing Trainer for Gamboa – Öner fires Osmiri Fernandez

  Olympic gold medallist back in action on June 27th “Rising Star” Yuriorkis Gamboa was shining bright when he beat Darling Jimenez from New York this Saturday in Primm, Nevada by unanimous >
  
  

• Arena Boxing: Gamboa, Solis Headline January 9 Nevada Show

  

  Click for larger image © JC photographs / ARENA Box-Promotion Arena CEO Ahmet Öner will present his next US show on January 9 in Primm, Nevada, which will be featured live >
  
  

• Top Rank Boxing Spotlight On Lopez And Gamboa

  Two title fights take place at New York's Madison Square Garden Saturday, October 10 as WBO junior feather champ Juan Manuel Lopez defends against Rogers Mtagwa and WBA feather titlist >
  
  

---

Boxing News Tags: Darling Jimenez, German Boxing, HBO Boxing, Manny Pacquiao, Pacman, WBC, Yuriorkis Gamboa