The next chapter of Yuriorkis “The Cyclone of Guantanamo” Gamboa’s (23-1, 16 KOs) career starts November 15 as the 2004 Olympic gold medalist takes on upset-minded Joel Montes de Oca (18-3, 10 KOs) in the 10-round co-feature at Plaza de Toros in Cancon, Mexico.
The show is being promoted Jose Gomez’ Cancun Boxing, headlined by a 10-round featherweight fight between three-time super flyweight champion Cristian “El Diamente” Mijares (52-8-2, 25 KOs) and Lester Medrano (14-2-1, 9 KOs).
Gamboa will be in an unfamiliar position coming off the first loss as a professional, this past June 28 in Omaha, Nebraska to undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) lightweight champion Terence Crawford (24-0, 17 KOs). Gamboa was stopped in the ninth round but the four-time Cuban National amateur champion gained more respect than ever with his gutsy performance and entertaining style in a legitimate Fight of the Year candidate that aired live on HBO Boxing After Dark.
“I want my fans know that I feel great,” the 32-year-old Gamboa said from his home in Miami. “I’ve been training very hard for this fight, which I’m taking very serious because I know the importance of ending the year on a positive note. I’m very happy with my new team. I’m now fully focused on becoming ‘King’ of the lightweight division, as well as hopefully being much more active in 2015 with my goal to fight three or four times next year. I am honored to fight in Mexico and I plan to fight there again in 2015.”
Gamboa defected from his native Cuba in 2006. The dangerous puncher has captured two World featherweight titles, in addition to three Interim World championships in three different weight classes, ranging from featherweight through lightweight.
Excluding his loss to Crawford, Gamboa has defeated three world champions and seven world title challengers in his last 10 fights, including Orlando Salido, Daniel Ponce De Leon, Michael Farenas, Jorge Solis, Jonathan Victor Barros and Darleys Perez
Montes de Oca has never fought outside of his native Mexico, nor anybody in the same class as Gamboa. In his last fight this past May, Montes de Oca won a 10-round split decision over Daniel Evangelista Jr. (17-3-1), extending his winning streak to 14.
