El Ciclon de Guantanamo

I watched the recent fight between Yuriorkis Gamboa and Roger Mtagwa this morning, and I was struck by the thought that it might have been a forecast of the upcoming Pacquiao-Clottey match. Much like Pacquiao, Gamboa is possessed of extraordinary athleticism, blurring hand speed and shocking knockout power. There are differences- Gamboa is right-handed, and fights in a style simultaneously more careless and more traditional than Pacquiao- but the similarities are profound. Each man is a combination puncher, each an offensive fighter, and each has a particular bearing and ring presence that is unmistakable.

Mtagwa also bears some resemblance to Clottey, as both depend primarily on toughness and force of will over technical mastery or explosiveness. And, much like Mtagwa, I believe that Clottey will be dominated and, ultimately, knocked out by his opponent. Pacquiao has too much talent, too much physical superiority, and too much momentum. There is no one this side of Mayweather who could even slow down the Pacquiao train at this point.

But that's not what this post is about. This is about Yuriorkis Gamboa, one of the most exciting young fighters in the world. This is about the otherworldly magnificence of his attack, and the effortlessness of his power. This is about the elegance and anger of his fighting, the smoothness of his motion, and the absolute confidence that he displays.

Gamboa does not load up his punches. That is the first, most important point I can make about him. With smooth, fluid combinations- and seemingly without strain- Gamboa produces exceptional results. He never once seemed to reach back for anything extra against Mtagwa, depending instead on his superior speed to bypass Mtagwa's defense and dropped him several times before the referee finally called the thing.

Gamboa resembles no one so much as Roy Jones. That is the second point. He has a particular arrogance that may end up undoing him- it was less evident in this fight, but, in the past, he has refused to keep his hands up- but, until it does, it makes his offensive artistry all the more spectacular. I don't know if I'm being hyperbolic or not, but he has an almost regal bearing in the ring. He looked firmly in command throughout.

Gamboa has no physical deficiencies that I can see. That is the last point. He has some of the heaviest hands I've ever seen (they must be granite, given how little strain goes into the knockout punches), he is cat quick, and moves slickly and smoothly. He has all the tools to be not only a transcendent boxer-puncher, but to be an excellent defender as well. We'll have to see whether the defense will come, but against Mtagwa he had no need.

It was an impressive display, and I think Gamboa might be what the lower weight classes need to reinvigorate them with what appears to be a permanent exodus by Pacquiao. Bienvenidos a the big time, Yuri.