Is Gamboa overhyped or not, what do you think?

No, the problem is not that Gamboa is lauded as the most exciting prospect in boxing for a while. He is! I cannot wait to see his fights because I know I will see great action, great skills, almost certainly a KO, and that there's a small chance it's going to be Gamboa who gets KOed! Gamboa is great for boxing! Absolutely a godsent!

But I felt almost as excited watchin Khan, after the Limond fight, before he levelled off and stagnated. And I wasn't excited because I thought Khan would one day be one of the best, etc., but because it was an all out action fight and because Khan himself could be dropped or even stopped any minute! Khan was great for boxing too; it brought many fans to "the sport". But he was overhyped!

The problem is that Gamboa is seriously hyped as the best prospect in boxing for a while! This is ridiculous! Many prospects and fighters could be almost as exciting as Gamboa if they took he risks he takes and if they fought the way he does, but that wouldn't make them the best.

You're right we cannot ignore Gamboa and we certainly shouldn't. But one thing is to look forward to his fights like nothing else and another to say he is by far the best and p4p No 1 potential, on the basis of his performances so far.

Take Haye, for example; he is much more proven than Gamboa, obviously, very exciting, and he takes risks too! You know you're very likely to see a KO in his fights, and that he might get KOed himself, so Haye fights are always very exciting. But Haye fans are realistic about how good he is, you don't hear them going on about how he will be p4p No 1. They would be happy if he wins a belt at HW and proves to be one of the best. They don't hype him at all. They're just looking forward to his fights.

With Gamboa though, things are very different. Just look at what PowerPuncher wrote a couple of minutes ago!

 

I didn't say any old prospect could be as exciting as Gamboa just by being reckless. I said many prospects (the good ones, obviously) AND fighters (contenders, champions, etc.) could be ALMOST as exciting (not as exciting because many have a (much) better chin, defence and footwork, so it's not quite as likely that they themselves would get KOed, but, granted, also because not many would be as exciting coming forward and throwing combos even if they were reckless, because Gamboa has truly special skills.

 

First things first. Gamboa has never been in with a puncher, nevermind a world class fighter who can punch, or even worse, a world class fighter who is also a world class puncher. For all we know, Prescott could be a massive puncher. We just don't know yet.

Secondly, I have no problem with Gamboa being called the most exciting prospect (i.e. he is a prospect and his fights are very exciting, mostly because he brings a lot of exciting skills and a very exciting style). But saying he is the best prospect out there by far, the best prospect for years (overall quality wise), I think is to overhype him quite a lot! And many people here, who should know better, don't just do the former, but the latter too, and to be frank with you, because we're ESB buddies, I think you do too!:good

 

Bute fights can be rather dull at times, because he is so risk averse and because he doesn't finish them off when he has them hurt, prolonging their agony instead, but he's no Ottke or Inkin either. Gamboa is obviously much more exciting, his offensive skills much better and his fights, much more entertaining. Bute isn't that unique at all, but he is a proven world class fighter. If he beats Andrade, I'd say he was as good as B+ already. Yeah, we talk a lot about Bute here because he has some hard-core fans, but Bute isn't overrated as a future p4p star or anything. Nor should he be!

I, personally, would be very happy if it turned out Gamboa becomes a p4p star, because he takes so many risks to give us what we really want - exciting fights. Bute doesn't take those risks; he is happy just making sure he win and gives a good performance. Gamboa deserves our support more than Bute, as a result. BUT, I just wish we allowed Gamboa to prove himself as a world class fighter before we proclaimed him as a p4p star in the making, on top of "the most exciting fighter out there".

 

Gamboa has better speed and throws nicer combos than anyone out there bar none. But that's not everything you need to make it, is it? To become a B+ level or better, that is certainly not enough, because when you come in against a B level tough, iron chinned fighter who can punch, you Lacy him for 10 rounds and then in the 11th, he catches you and you are out for the count. Quite a few prospects out there might not have his offensive skills, but they have an overall better mix, which means they'll never be half as exciting, but they'll end up beating better quality opposition.