...to remember the example of Fransisco "Panchito" Bajado before they start talking, after only eight fights, about putting him into the ring against the likes of Jorge Linares. If you'll recall, at the end of 2001 after only nine fights, Bajado was pegged by the likes of the RING magazine to win a version of the lightweight title the following year. As it turned out, he was upset by Juan Carlos Rubio in his very next fight, and his career never really panned out after that. From what I've seen of Gamboa, he looks like he indeed might be a special fighter who, perhaps in the next couple of years will be ready to contend for a title. But, before we annoint him as the Next Big Thing, perhaps we should watch him develop against better opposition over the next year. Let's see how he handles going ten and twelve rounds, and how he'll handle fighters who aren't intimidated by his quite admittedly impressive blend of speed, skill and power. Certain fighters have won titles early in their career. Saensak Muansaurin won one in only his third fight, and Veeropol Sahaprom won one in his fourth. But, with the exception of Jeff Fenech, fighters who the title so quickly generally don't hold the title for very long. So...if fans of Gamboa want him to really, really make an impact on the game (and, from what I see, he certainly seems capaple of doing so), then I'm sure they can wait a little while, and let him get some more rounds under his belt before that happens. My .02...
Exactly.:thumbsup Couldn't have said it better myself. Yup, there's alot of fickle minded fans, bandwagon hoppers, and one too many who falls in love too fast. The way people put an untested Gamboa over a proven Linares is a lack of knowledge and it's desrespecful.
Yeah, he really should earn his spot for a championship fight - and I think he will just do hat over the following months. 2 fights in February is just the start. One more in late March and he would seem already to be thrown into an eliminator in May/June. Btw, I think Arena is doing all right with Gamboa to not have him fight every 3-4 weeks without a break. This max. 2 fights, a short break of about 2 weeks and 6 week training camp before his next couple of fights is a real good strategy for this kind of fighter. So he will just be ready to prepare for longer and harder fights...
Gamboa is a special fighter. He is mature, physically and mentally. You can not compare him with a kid like Bojado. Not at all I mean c'mon, bojado was a kid, Gamboa is man who fought the best of the best all over the world. He is not unbeatable of course. I agree, and also said in the other topic about him: He hasn't even fought past 6 rounds yet! The only thing he needs to work is stamina to go that 12 rounds, and the experience on how to use his energy.
The difference is that flaws even show against second/third tier opposition and Bojado showed plenty. Gamboa has a few, no doubt, but he likely has the intangibles to neutralize them to a point.
Only saw 1 fight with Gamboa, against de Jesus, and I'm already a fan. He's special. But what I also saw in that fight is that Gamboa is not yet ready for a title fight. He might have a lot of amateur experience, but not as a pro: he needs to stay focused, sometimes he gets a bit too cocky and underestimates his opponent. He keeps his hands low all the time, he ducks most of the punches but still gets hit. He needs to have at least one hand up, even RJJ had his right hand up by his chin most of the time. But that will be amended if he fights gradually tougher opposition, one day he will be champ.
bojado never showed me the same kind of talent that gamboa has. I am not worried about him sharing the same fate as bojado.
gamboa is an obvious world level fighter i think. i agree he needs to drop the cockyness though. :yep he might get chinned if he keeps blazing away like he does. :bbb
