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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.
