In a hopeful sign for future goodwill, Golden Boy Promotions will assist Top Rank in promoting Yuriorkis Gamboa’s WBA featherweight title defense against former WBO titlist Daniel Ponce De Leon on September 10.
Due to rival Juan Manuel Lopez’s shocking upset defeat to Orlando Salido in April, Gamboa is now viewed by most as the featherweight division’s top fighter. In March, he scored an impressive, fourth round TKO blowout of contender Jorge Solis. Also in March, Ponce De Leon had his seven fight win streak snapped when Adrien Broner edged him in a close unanimous decision. The matchup will be Gamboa’s sixth title defense, and his third consecutive former champion, whose combined records before facing him was 115-15-4, with 89 KOs.
“I look forward to meeting Ponce de Leon. This will be the third straight world champion, or former world champion I have faced from México,” said Gamboa, who is undefeated in 20 fights. “I know that México has a great history of world champions, but so does Cuba. I welcome this chance I am getting to continue to prove I am one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. I will not disappoint my fans.”
Although an immense underdog, Ponce De Leon is confident his punching power and Gamboa’s well-documented spotty defense will give him openings for a knockout. Gamboa has been knocked down four times due to balance issues and the tendency of keeping his hands low.
“Gamboa is a good fighter and I know this is going to be a difficult fight,” Ponce De Leon admitted. “But I know this is a fight that I can win and I’m going to train hard in Los Angeles to leave the ring with my hand raised in victory. I will not leave any excuses for after the fight.”
Gamboa vs. Ponce De Leon will be a HBO Championship boxing event, airing live from Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall.
GAMBOA VS. SOLIS
PONCE DE LEON VS. BRONER
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 