Yuriorkis Gamboa’s (21-0, 16 KOs) relied on his hand speed to pot shot and occasionally rip a game Daniel Ponce de Leon (41-4, 34 KOs) with combinations in route to an eighth round technical decision.
After a cautious first round from both which saw Ponce de Leon hold a slight advantage on activity, Gamboa took control in the second. The Cuban champion tested Ponce de Leon’s chin with blinding combinations, to which all the challenger could was cover. Ponce de Leon was not discouraged; he stopped Gamboa from overwhelming him wih well-timed overhand lefts.
Showing respect for Ponce de Leon’s power, Gamboa now focused his offense on potshot right hands and in and out flurries. Gamboa outpointed Ponce de Leon behind these tactics in rounds three and four, but was still sparingly caught with solid left hooks. Going into the fifth, Gamboa’s corner implored him to focus his offense at ring center when the much slower Ponce De Leon would be at a significant disadvantage trying to time Gamboa’s speed.
“When you’re in the middle of the ring you’re dominate,” his trainer said.
Gamboa elicited “ohhs” and “ahhs” from the crowd courtesy of several flush right hand counters in rounds five and six. Still, Ponce de Leon’s face retained a determined look as he continued stalking after Gamboa, who was now mocking his opponent by gingerly walking away with his hands down after landing a good shot.
After taking round seven behind some jarring left hook counters, Gamboa rushed in and clashed heads with Ponce de Leon, who suffered a deep, dripping cut above his left eye. The ringside doctor viewed the wound for several minutes before deciding to call off the bout, giving Yuriorkis Gamboa the technical decision by scores of 70-63 twice and 69-64. When asked about his inability to serious hurt Ponce de Leon, Gamboa claimed he was carrying his opponent to the later rounds.
“My purpose was to extend the fight beyond four rounds,” Gamboa told HBO analyst Max Kellerman. “Everyone said he’d knock me out if it went longer… I want to go for Manny Pacquiao because there’s no challenges at my weight.”
At the post-fight press conference, Yuriorkis Gamboa stated last night’s bout would be his final fight at featherweight.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 