Cuban rising stars Yuriorkis Gamboa, Odlanier Solis and Erislandy Lara looked focused but also relaxed at the press conference for their fights on Friday at Terrible’s Primm Valley Casino Resorts in Primm, Nevada.

“We had a great preparation, everything went according to plans”, stated “El Ciclon” Gamboa. “Of course, it is hard to work over Christmas and New Year’s but I love what I’m doing and I know that I have to make certain sacrifices to become champion of the world.”

Gamboa, 12-0 (10), is very close to fulfilling his great dream. If he can beat Roger Gonzalez, 27-2 (18), on Friday his next fight will be for the WBC interim featherweight championship.

Heavyweight sensation Solis, 12-0 (8), will have to wait a little longer for his first title shot. But by defending his WBC international championship against Kevin “Big Man” Burnett, 13-1-1 (8), “La Sombra” could take another important step towards the top of the world.

“I am happy to have the chance to show the US fans what I am made of”, said Solis. “I want to prove that I am the next big thing in the heavyweight division. I want to become champion of the world as soon as possible.”

Like Solis, fellow Cuban and 2005 world amateur champion Erislandy Lara, 2-0 (1), will give his US debut on Friday in Primm. Lara faces Rodrigo Aguiar, 5-3 (3), from Las Vegas .

ESPN2 will broadcast the show as season premiere for “Friday Night Fights”. There will be seven fights in total. Doors open at 5.00pm. Some tickets are still available for US$ 35.00 and US$ 10.00 (plus fees); call 1-800-FUN-STOP or visit www.primmvalleyresorts.com.

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