"I have been pretty much the smaller fighter in all of my fights, so I don't think it will have much of an affect. I know how to adjust and I know how to come in with a game plan. It's just something I have dealt with since I was an amateur – I have always been the smaller guy," stated undefeated interim WBA lightweight champion Yuriorkis Gamboa, who spoke during a conference call to promote his upcoming clash this Saturday with fellow undefeated WBO lightweight champion Terence Crawford. Check out what else he had to say!
YURIORKIS GAMBOA...
Gamboa, you are shorter than most of your opponents, but this seems more soÂ…
YURIORKIS GAMBOA: I answer that question by going back to all of the fights in my professional career. I have been pretty much the smaller fighter in all of my fights, so I don't think it will have much of an affect. I know how to adjust and I know how to come in with a game plan. It's just something I have dealt with since I was an amateur – I have always been the smaller guy.
Will the layoff affect you – you fought once in 2012 and once in 2013?
YURIORKIS GAMBOA: Basically no, not as long as I am focused. I have stayed active – maybe not in the ring but I have done what I need to do outside of the ring to be prepared for Saturday night. I have remained active in the gym.
Do you feel this is a career-defining fight for you?
YURIORKIS GAMBOA: Like in any career, obviously it is a defining moment and I plan to take full advantage.
Where does Yuri feel that Terence falls talent-wise?
YURIORKIS GAMBOA: Until I fight him on Saturday I really can't answer that question.
What type of challenge does Terence pose to you?
YURIORKIS GAMBOA: It's part of the sport. Obviously you are going to fight guys that can switch up on you. Some can master either the southpaw or orthodox stance, but it's something you have to deal with. You have to prepare to face that challenge.
When was the last time you went to fight in someone's back yard – or as the B-side of the promotion?
YURIORKIS GAMBOA: In Kazakhstan is the last time I can remember, in 2006.
Who made the decision to take this fight against Crawford?
YURIORKIS GAMBOA: I think it is well known that the dialogue and conversation between my team and Top Rank was a fight with Mikey Garcia, but that was not going to happen – there are some legalities between them that wouldn't let the fight take place, and that's when Top Rank suggested we make this fight happen and we decided that was a good option as well.
What one thing that you will bring to the table will get you the victory?
YURIORKIS GAMBOA: I would say that my boxing IQ I think is very high – that is one thing that a lot of people underestimate in me. My boxing abilities give me an advantage in a lot of fights that I go into. My speed and my reflexes – a combination of a lot of those things I think will lead me to a victory on Saturday.
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World Championship Boxing returns to Omaha for the first time in 42 years! Undefeated world champions TERENCE CRAWFORD, the Pride of Omaha, and Cuban sensation YURIORKIS GAMBOA, who boast identical 23-0 (16 KOs) professional ring records, will be battling for Crawford's newly-won World Boxing Organization (WBO) lightweight title This Saturday! June 28, at the the CenturyLink Center in Omaha (455 North 10th St., Omaha, Neb. 68102). This will be the first world championship fight Omaha has hosted since Joe Frazier successfully defended his heavyweight title against Nebraska's-own Ron Stander on May 25, 1972. It will also be a professional homecoming for Crawford, who has not fought in his home state since 2011. The fight will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark®, in its first-ever visit to Omaha, beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. The telecast will open with undefeated Top-Five contenders MATT KOROBOV and JOSE UZCATEGUI battling in a 10-round rumble for the vacant WBO Inter-Continental middleweight title.
This exciting all-action doubleheader features four undefeated gladiators with a combined record of 91-0, 63 KOs.
Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with SMS Promotions, PS4 and Tecate, remaining tickets to Crawford vs. Gamboa, priced at $27, $52 and $102, can be purchased at the CenturyLink Center Omaha box office and all Ticketmaster outlets. To charge-by-phone call 800-745-3000. To order online, visit Ticketmaster.com.
For fight updates go to www.toprank.com, or www.hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo, or facebook.com/hboboxing, and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, or twitter.com/hboboxing. Use the Hashtag #CrawfordGamboa to join the conversation on Twitter.