Joan Guzman - Yuriorkis Gamboa

[Taeth]

Watch Guzman's footwork versus Barrios when he had the hurt hand and had to use his feet for most of the fight. Or watch versus Fernando Beltran where he uses a lot of footwork. Also, even when he doesn't move his feet a lot he still uses his feet to position himself for angles. He doesn't use it much but that doesn't mean he doesn't have it.

And I wouldn't automatically assume Gamboa is faster in the hands or feet, there is no way to tell unless they are in the ring against one another but whoever has the advantage it isn't by much.

Don't get me wrong, Guzman is fast, but he is not in Gamboa's league speedwise. Gamboa is quite clearly faster, especially in handspeed.

[:::PSL:::]

I thought the Barrios fight was closely contested but had Guzman winning by 2 or 3 rounds at least.

As for Guzman/ Marquez there is huge potential for this fight IMO. If Pacquiao decides to compete solely at 135 & relinquishes the Ring championship which is more than likely since he was starting to have trouble making the 130 pound limit; then a Guzman/ Marquez clash would be for the vacant championship. Pitting the #1 & #2 guys in the division against each other. It doesn't get much better than that

That'd be awesome.

[:::PSL:::]

GUZMAN'S BIRTHDAY WISH: "GET ME ARTHUR IN THE RING"

Undefeated World Boxing Organization Junior Lightweight Champion Joan Guzman will celebrate his thirty-second birthday today with family and friends at his home in Brooklyn, N.Y. "My real celebration was supposed to be this Saturday, but (Alex) Arthur is scared and running for the hills," said Guzman, referring to the postponement of his May 3 title fight against Arthur in Edinburgh, Scotland.

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[killersheep]

Guzman is brilliant when he's healthy, he's smart, fast, knows all the angles and can make anyone look bad, he is in fact what Ishe Smith THINKS of himself.

Yuriorkis, is definately being set up for the fast track, I seen great hand speed, a killer instinct and some genuine power in both hands, I've also seen him get tagged flush and drop his hands, against Guzman it certainly wouldn't be good night, but it's a quick way to lose rounds.

First and foremost before I make any further judgement on Gamboa, I need to see him in a fight that lasts more than 2 rounds, we all know he has skills, but how's his endurance?

[Taeth]

Watch his fight against Adailton De Jesus... if anything Yuriorkis picked up the pace as the fight went on, I think he is probably in fantastic shape, it is pretty evident just looking at him, and how he fights.

[CutMeMick]

This to me is as mythical as a fight can be.
We can't even think down the road cause we still don't know how good Gamboa is I mean we've seen him fight but we gotta acknowledge the opposition.

I mean we just saw what Wayne did to Yoan.
Let's not forget the Bojados, Grants, Bobicks, Hoyes.

The Jimenez bout should really show where he's at. Jimenez has seen world class so he will def. be a test for Gamboa.

[amat]

That's true Mick and I know Jiminez is good, I was very impressed with his win over Anchondo. But I see Gamboa winning that and I don't think it's to much longer after that that he starts going for the title. I don't think it will be more then a year before Gamboa is competing at the top, he's certainly not going the traditional 20 fights before a title shot, I'd be surprised if he got to 15-0 before he got a title shot.

[Taeth]

I agree with Amat... Gamboa is already 26, and turning 27 so he needs to get that title soon... I don't know how he will do against top opponents because in the pros he hasn't had to work hard against anyone yet.

[amat]

And I downloaded his pro career last night and I had thought maybe Guzman was faster but no way, the more I watch Gamboa the more I am impressed. A lot of people don't like how cocky he is in the ring but it's because he's not being tested and as an amateur he was very sound and can slip just about anything.

Can't wait for this Jiminez bout honestly. I think he is going to make a huge statement.