Al Bello - Getty Images
Brandon Rios will fight one more time at lightweight against Yuriorkis Gamboa on April 14. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
The rumor winds were correct: Brandon Rios will face Yuriorkis Gamboa on April 14 on HBO, from the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. This is from Rios' official Facebook page:
Boxing fans I would like to officially announce my next fight! April 14, 2012, Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada vs. Yuriorkis Gamboa at 135lb. Team Rios thanks for always showing me love and support. I love this sport and all the support is what drives me to train harder! Here we go Team Rios! Countdown to April 14th has begun!
As we said earlier, this is the ultimate style clash of skilled boxer vs determined brawler, both exceptional at what they do, and both in their primes and still rising as star fighters. This is a fight fan's dream matchup.
Rios (29-0-1, 22 KO) had a big 2011, winning fights over Miguel Acosta, Urbano Antillon, and John Murray. Each fight featured spectacular, brutal action, and Rios stopped every one of his foes.
Gamboa (21-0, 16 KO) won a pair of fights last year, decimating Jorge Solis in March, and pretty easily beating Daniel Ponce De Leon in September. He made a lot of challenges -- including one to Manny Pacquiao -- and is now putting his money where his mouth is, moving up two weight classes for a big-time fight against Rios.
Rios says that this will be his final fight at 135 pounds, after which he'll move up to 140. He missed weight despite a desperate attempt in December against Murray, and though they've brought in a nutritionist to help him work on his training and his habits, the move was inevitable.
Katy, bar the door. Rios vs Gamboa is real.
0 recs | 60 comments
Hell yeah. Boxing fans deserve this one. Massive props to Gamboa for stepping up and taking this fight. Rios too, but I really admire Gamboa’s show of spine in moving up two classes to face a guy like Rios. Between this and Berto vs Ortiz getting rescheduled, spring is looking up.
Matt Miller - February 16, 2012
I love Brandon Rios as a fighter, but backing Gamboa big to win this one. Opinions seem split – lots of people favoring Rios’ size, and it’s certainly a good thing to favor. LOVE this fight. THIS is a great fight.
Scott Christ - February 16, 2012
I think Gamboa’s speed and skill can and will neutralize Rios’ size and strength.
Sammlung - February 17, 2012
I’m one of them and I am picking Rios in this, although I believe Gamboa is a better fighter. You just can’t expect a featherweight to beat a welterweight, it’s that simple.
Having said that, I am very excited about the fight and I’m glad it’s happening so that Rios can move on to the 140 and 147 pound scene. As long as he was waiting for Gamboa he was going to be stuck at 135.
I am SO looking forward to see Rios fight in a weightclass where his size is no longer a factor. I am looking forward to his next loss :)
Radu - February 17, 2012
hmm
Scott Christ - February 17, 2012
thumbs up for that one scott
Vicmatic1 - February 17, 2012
I do agree, as can be easily pointed out, that Manny took his time going up in weight, etc. — my main point is that Gamboa is a serious, serious talent, very fast, and while short, he’s not a slight man, and he’s fought well over 126 earlier in his pro career. Rios is a big lightweight (perhaps too big, as my biggest fear is he’s not going to make weight and the fight will be called off), but he’s also slow (extremely slow in comparison to Gamboa), plods forward, and could have a serious issue with Gamboa’s hand speed and craftiness.
Or maybe he wears him down and beats the crap out of him. That’s why this is a truly great fight.
Scott Christ - February 17, 2012
Going for Gamboa. Thinking rios will struggle to make weight.
Frank Lee - February 17, 2012
This…is…awesome.
lcollins1 - February 16, 2012
You can’t see it right now but I’m gushing.
Rios seems like a phonebooth fighter. You think Gamboa will get tired during the later rounds. Only fight I saw him he coasted for 4 rounds
Krimson - February 17, 2012 via mobile
Unless Rios is completly drained from making weight I will pick him to win. I think he is going to make Gamboa extrmely uncomfortable.
Kory Kitchen - February 17, 2012
This is one of those fights where you can recruit new boxing fans. I give Gamboa the slight edge but he’s been knocked down by lesser fighters. Should be awesome to see him fight a dangerous guy that will push him.
Tysox88 - February 17, 2012
I think Gamboa knows how dangerous Rios is and will fight a very disciplined fight. I also think Rios will bring the best out of him because he’ll pressure him like crazy.
Sammlung - February 17, 2012
The question that decides this fight: we saw Miguel Acosta give Rios hell for several rounds until Rios’ power and pressure wore him down. Gamboa is a better boxer, with faster hands and better power, than Acosta. Can he get a tough-as-hell Rios out of there before Rios can grind him down? I think he has a good chance, but Rios is a hell of a live dog.
Verklemptomaniac - February 17, 2012
It's questionable if Gamboa has better power than Acosta
Don’t forget, Gamboa has been fighting at a much lower weight class
Brickhaus - February 17, 2012
Point taken
Another reason Rios is a live dog.
Verklemptomaniac - February 17, 2012
Great fight
Gamboa has the speed, skill and wheels to win it, but we’ve seen him hit the canvas on single shots before, so he has to be near perfect to avoid getting knocked out by the heaviest hitter he’s ever been in with.
12 rounds is a long time when you’re in against a big, powerful guy who is willing to walk through anything you throw at him.
Interesting fight. Their styles and advantages seem to match up very well.
Lee Payton - February 17, 2012
+1
My initial thoughts are the same
pakinpower - February 17, 2012
I see Rios walking in at 155 and Gamboa no more than 145. However, the deciding factor is that Gamboa is fast is as hell, and I don’t see him tiring or getting hit a lot. This could very well look like Pacquiao vs. Margarito. I don’t think Rios will hit has as much as he hit Acosta. Gamboa is slicker, and Acosta LIKES his opponents to corner him and put him agst the ropes so he can throw those unorthodox counter. Gamboa will move his feet more, dodge and slip shots and return fire and move. Gamboa by a Floyd vs. Baldomir like decision. Well, more exciting than that. Banking on Gamboa delivering a clinic. Pc!
cylee1180 - February 17, 2012
Man my verbs and plural/singular agreement is off, wth? Is this the late night or the excitement of a good fight?
cylee1180 - February 17, 2012
Big Question
Is whether Gamboa’s power based on speed can carry itself up two weight classes.
pakinpower - February 17, 2012
I know I"mg onna watch this fight. Fuck all this modern matchmaking. This is a REAL fight man! I mean Gamboa could have hand picked opponents at 130 and 135 for 2-3 years, then hand pick big money fights for 2-3 more years (coasting as pple call it, or “Business decisions” as Arum calls it, or “I do whatever my promoter says” as Pacquiao puts it…). Nope! He’s gonna fight the biggest and 2nd best lightweight in the world instead! No more of this Berto (fighting 140lbers. for ridiculous amounts of money and publicity) or Ortiz (fighting softies for a whole year), or Floyd (fighting the Old, the Small, and the Green), or JCC Jr. (Fighting all the cab drivers and their grandma too!). This is Prime Prime time baby!
cylee1180 - February 17, 2012
Nothing like asmaller man challenging himself and a top opponent to a fight.
Especially men of this caliber
pakinpower - February 17, 2012
Yep, that’s a big question I have. And will Rios make weight comfortably.
I love it when fighters aren’t afraid of being the best. WAR boxing!
DPlainview - February 17, 2012
Major kudos to both guys for making this fight happen
I’m seriously in shock that they didn’t wait like 1-2 years to let this “marinate”, like they usually do with fights that fans actually want to see.
So, sooooo damn excited for this fight.
ozymandius1024 - February 17, 2012
Absolutely stoked about this!
tylerj19 - February 17, 2012 via Android app
Can not wait till Rios decimates that bastard. I’d like to see him try that cocky sergio-martinez shit on bam bam.
battle axe of doom - February 17, 2012 via mobile
Wait
Gamboa is the bastard? Rios is a total &*^%$
Flashpacker - February 17, 2012
rios is a piece of shit human being but he’s a fun fighter to watch. i hate watching gamboa, and therefore will root for rios
battle axe of doom - February 17, 2012
This is probably mildly strong
Scott Christ - February 17, 2012
Wow, real props to DuBoef for making this happen and for the fighters for stepping up to a big challenge!
I really would like Gamboa to win this (Gamboa’s cocky, but Rios is as an asshole, so I’ll take cocky over asshole), but Rios is no joke and he will be a lot bigger on fight night. We have to wait and see how Gamboa’s skills translate going up two weight classes.
Apprentice - February 17, 2012
If Gamboa goes up two weight classes and decimates Rios, dare I say that’s some Manny Pac shit right there! We could be looking at the next boxing phenom.
Apprentice - February 17, 2012
Flintstone Vitamins!
erod - February 17, 2012
This is a win win for Top Rank
If Gamboa wins they have a bona fide boxer they can try to turn into a superstar. If he loses than can then match him up against Lopez IF Lopez can get past Salido.
If Rios wins you have a star on the rise. If Rios loses you have a Mexican star on the rise where wins and losses don’t matter if you entertain. Shrewd matchmaking.
tacklerford - February 17, 2012
I havn't even thought about who would win
I always like Speed in a fight like this, but Two weight classes….. Gamboa will have to do well to neutrilize Bam Bam’s strength and determination
Love this. If BN or Sky Sports doesn’t pick this up I will be horrified
Sweet science - February 17, 2012
Unrelated
Apparntly Chisora has slapped Vitali at the weigh in…… Oh dear
Sweet science - February 17, 2012
Dammit. Just saw the pictures. Is it too late to change my pick em?
tacklerford - February 17, 2012
Nice. Chisora is nuts enough to go to war!
DPlainview - February 17, 2012
Here it is
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63SDXMfPAzI&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Boss Man - February 17, 2012
Holy shit…….that was nasty. Easily the most exciting thing I’ve seen in this pathetic division in 10 years.
He just pissed off the meaner Klit…………can’t wait.
DPlainview - February 17, 2012
Any word if this is being shopped as PPV?
Seems like folks like us would gladly buy it but have these guys built up enough name value for the casual fan to pull the trigger?
Pops Daniels - February 17, 2012
Nope, regular HBO.
Scott Christ - February 17, 2012
Lovely.
Pops Daniels - February 17, 2012
how’s about any undercard rumors? pretty early for undercard talks, but were any other TR fighters planning on fighting in april?
battle axe of doom - February 17, 2012
wow, did not expect this to happen
This should be a GREAT fight. I really like both these guys. My first thought was Gamboa should easily win, but going up 2 weight classes, especially against Rios’s power, I may take Rios with a late round ko? The fact this isnt a PPV is a big plus too.
rpm0003 - February 17, 2012
Mega blast. Let's get it on. I like Rios in this one.
Boss Man - February 17, 2012
Chris John and JuanMa Lopez Weren't Going to Fight Gamboa
So, the Cuban Dynamo is moving up TWO weight classes to face Rios, a guy who will weigh in for the fight above 145. Big-time cojones. All the credit to Gamboa for taking such a risky fight. If he wins, it’s this type of fight that makes him a boxing star.
rantcatrat - February 17, 2012
rios-size chin agressor
gamboa-hand speed foot work boxing ability
im on the fence and then we have garcia vs steward,,,i like this fight alot! fingers cross no one gets hurt and this goes as planned because im still waiting for morales garcia and berto ortiz 2
Vicmatic1 - February 17, 2012
This is a great fight for Rios. A win will put him in the competitive Light Welterweight division, and though I don’t see him faring too well, it’s where he can get some even better fights. Rios v Bradley? Khan? Peterson? All good scraps IMHO.
RyanSexton - February 17, 2012
Khan is with Golden Boy, that fight wouldn’t happen…
Radu - February 17, 2012 via mobile
Yeah, which is really unfortunate. I almost fell into a trap and said “Plus I don’t think Khan would fight him,” but that’s bullshit. Khan fought Maidana when everyone thought he wouldn’t. Khan doesn’t really lack for balls, despite some of his personality ticks.
Scott Christ - February 17, 2012
Let me be clear
Scott knows this.
This fight is made because Todd dB made it. Gamboa had said he wanted it but after almost six weeks of getting Rios contracred, Gamboa (for very legitimate but dissappointing reasons) balked.
It took the last weeks of flying back and forth, finally to Miami, to get the brave Gamboa to follow up on HIS request for the fight.
Credit to all involved.
pakinpower - February 17, 2012
My point is fights dont 'just happen"
They are made.
pakinpower - February 17, 2012
Right, which is why many of us are pissed all the time about the great fights that could be made but are not. This, however, deserves all the props in the world. This is an awesome fight.
Apprentice - February 17, 2012
Sometimes Apprentice
It’s the fighters who don’t want them.
Other times the promoters.
But let’s celebrate two men who WANT to fight.
pakinpower - February 17, 2012
I am surprised and can't wait
I don’t see Rios forcing Gamboa to stall and exchange. The deciding factor is can he carry his power to that weight class.
honorablecbm - February 17, 2012 via iPhone app
One of the few
Honestly, I’m probably one of very few who don’t like this fight. I think Rios is starting to leave too much on the scale, and would like to see him start his campaign at 140 (at least). Gamboa! is a force to be reckoned with and a worn down, already slower Rios might turn out to be easy pickings for Gamboa.
It might turn out ot be a great fight, but personally I would have liked Gamboa-Broner at 135 and Rios-Maidana at 140 much more.
edub001 - February 17, 2012
well
Scott Christ - February 17, 2012
Dreamer
Well they say I am a dreamer…
edub001 - February 17, 2012
This sounds bad but when Arum dies does the GB and Top Rank rift die with him?
Manuwar - February 18, 2012
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