His undefeated record and reputation has made him a high priority target for emerging talents, and when Mikey Garcia's troubles with his promoter closed the door on their potential fight, it opened the door for Omaha's own Terence Crawford to seize the opportunity. Crawford, who like Gamboa shares a 23-0 record, is one of the best fighters in the Lightweight division and is facing the most skilled and prestigious opponent of his young career, even though he hasn't fought in a year. The 0 has to go, but who will reign supreme in this clash of two high class tacticians?
Yuriorkis Gamboa (23-0, 16 KO) vs. Terence Crawford (23-0, 16 KO)
***WBO Lightweight Championship***
Crawford: First defense of title won from Ricky Burns (03/01)
Gamboa: Former champion at 126. First fight since June 2013 (UD12 Darley Perez)
Power: Crawford
Speed: Gamboa
Durability: Crawford
Recent Form: Crawford
X-Factor: Can Gamboa win a close decision in Crawford's backyard?
The first thing that needs to be addressed is the considerable disadvantage Gamboa finds himself in. Gamboa is at a three inch disadvantage in height, standing 5'5 to Crawford's 5'8, and gives up five inches in reach. Not to mention the fact that the once stunning Gamboa last fought a year ago, but one would have to look even further to his days at 126 where he looked like a champion.
Crawford is an emerging star, but he's by no means undercooked for this shot against the accomplished Cuban. His claim to fame was being a last minute substitute to fight Bredis Prescott at 140 pounds and he handled him with ease. Even more impressive was his lopsided beating of Burns in Scotland. The Lightweight division has been in the dark ages for some time now, but Crawford is showing the kind of talent that suggests he's going to have a good career.
Gamboa's best chance in this fight is to neutralize the physical disadvantages and go right to Crawford. His hands may not be as heavy as they were in the lower divisions, but he still retains his hand speed and is still sharp in his combination punching. Can Gamboa hurt Crawford? Probably not, but stealing rounds by staying busy has swayed many judges in the past.
Easier said than done. Crawford is physically stronger than Gamboa and he also has brains to match his brawn, he'll know how to use his size and look to test Gamboa's shaky chin with a healthy dose of right hands that he can throw from a safe distance. If Crawford wants to engage Gamboa, he has shown that he too can throw sharp combinations and would definitely win out in any exchanges they have, even if he doesn't land the last punch.
The deck is too stacked against Gamboa here, though only part of it is the man he's facing across the ring Saturday night. Inactivity as well as his deteriorating form due to that inactivity and that he's maybe one weight class too big is not going to do him any favors against the best fighter he's ever seen in his career. Though the fight is in front of Crawford's neighbors and fans, he won't need the judges to bail him out here.
Terence Crawford will retain his WBO Lightweight Title with his superior skill set, size and youth as he drops Gamboa on his way to a dominant decision victory.
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