:boxing: Boxing Bits ::04.20.09:: Gamboa Claims Championship

Yuriorkis Gamboa claimed his first major title after only fifteen fights (more on that below) and two champions fall by the wayside.


:Fri.04.17.09:
[C] (WBA Interim Featherweight Championship) Yuriorkis Gamboa TKO10 Jose Rojas [Showtime]
--Alright bout, though Rojas was outmatched by the younger, faster, and stronger Gamboa. There was some of the Cuban's trademark bullrush style early, but he was careful and pensive with his punching for the rest of the affair, perhaps due to Rojas' superb slick and fast manoeuvring and follow-up counterpunching. If he was younger, he would have had a good chance at besting Gamboa, but in the end he was absorbing too many punches and his output dwindled greatly as the fight bore on. Though he was throwing back, Rojas had no zip on his punches and the fight was mercifully stopped in the 10th.

With the win comes Gamboa's first major title (having won two minor ones previously) but I really have to question whether he deserved the opportunity after only 15 fights, even if he was undefeated. He may have the potential, the speed, and the power, but skill-wise, he still has a ways to go and has not faced a truly challenging or top-tier opponent to warrant a shot. In his defense, though, he has faced far better fighters than other hyped prospects and Olympic medalists have fought in double the bouts and there are a few major title holders in the lower weight classes with similar records. I don't see his chances being too good (as he is) against tough, world-class fighters, but for the meantime, he has a major belt and for his sake, his trainers will continue to hone his skills for those type of fights to inevitably come...


:Sat.04.18.09:
[C] Malcolm Klassen TKO7 IBF Super Featherweight Champion Cassius Baloyi

[NIXED] [C] (Vacant IBO Bantamweight Championship) Silence Mabuza vs Yonnhy Perez
--There is no news about this fight having taken place, despite being scheduled to, so I'll note this as being "nixed"...

Jason Litzau TKO5 Daniel Mitchell (Featherweight)

Matt Vanda MD(8) Tocker Pudwill (Middleweight)
--Interesting develop with the outcome, with Vanda leaving a rematch open for Pudwill following a controversial decision victory that supposedly shocked even him...

Wilton Hilario TKO5 Allen Litzau (Super Featherweight)


Not Previously Mentioned
:Fri.04.17.09: Alex Bunema TKO6 Mike McFail (Light Middleweight)
--With a name like "McFail"...
[C] :Sat.04.18.09: IBF, IBO Flyweight Champion Nonito Donaire TKO4 Raul Martinez
[C] :Sat.04.18.09: Brian Viloria KO11 IBF Light Flyweight Champion Ulises Solis
:Sat.04.18.09: Peter Manfredo Jr. KO7 Walid Smichet (Middleweight)