Yuriorkis Gamboa Vs. Orlando Salido: “The Cyclone” Wreaks Havoc on Orlando

Yuriorkis “El Ciclon” Gamboa (18-0-15) is set to throw down with Orlando Salido (34-10-22) in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Palm Casino Resort on September 11, 2010.

Don’t let the record of Orlando Salido fool you. He is the current IBF Featherweight title holder and successfully defended his title against Cristobal Cruz in May. 

El Ciclon was born in Guantanamo, Cuba in 1981 and after just six professional bouts this destructive force set his sights on the shores of the US.  In April 2007 Gamboa had his first fight on US soil and has been an exciting rising star in the Featherweight division ever since.

Ten of Gamboa’s last 12 bouts in the United States have ended in knockout.

El Ciclon plans on doing the same to Salido in September, although like his moniker eludes the lead up to this fight was tumultuous. 

July 24, 2010 was the original date for Gamboa vs. Salido but an eye cut suffered in Salido’s May encounter with Cruz forced Salido to withdraw, citing additional time for healing as the cause.

Top Rank worked with Don King to secure WBC champion Elio Rojas who is ranked No. 6 in the world at Featherweight as a replacement for Salido and the bout was moved to September.

Then Rojas suffered a shoulder injury in training and had to withdraw from the fight.  With plenty of time for his eye to heal Salido was back in.

With 10 losses and five knockouts to Salido’s record, one of those coming from legendary Mexican boxer Juan Manuel Marquez, Gamboa is clearly viewed as the favorite here.

Although Yuriorkis handlers are not taking this fight lightly, “This will be Gamboa’s toughest test so far," says German promoter Ahmet Öner.

It’s been reported that Ismael Salas, Gamboa’s trainer, will have Gamboa spar for 120 rounds in camp to prepare for Salido.  “We know that this will be a real test so we have worked even harder than before,” says trainer Ismael Salas.

One lingering thought has stayed with me throughout this drama.  Has Gamboa over trained?  He has been training for a bout since June and over training could possibly cause Gamboa to tire prematurely.

Some ringside observers have stated that’s exactly what happened to Shane Mosley in his bout with Mayweather.

Mosley, who had been training for a fight against Andre Berto in January, remained in training when Berto withdrew and Mayweather challenged Mosley for a May showdown.  Mosley tired after just three rounds of boxing and looked visibly worn by round 12.

My gut tells me the lengthy training camp will yield few negative results on Gamboa, who is only 28 years of age.   I feel Gamboa’s speed and power will prove to be too much for Salido and Orlando will be left leveled in El Ciclon’s wake.