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TAKE THAT, JUANMA: Gamboa Demolishes Mtgawa
By Michael Woods
It was target practice at the Theater at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night, with poor Rogers Mtagwa being the designated victim who played punching bag.
In the TV opener of HBO's Boxing After Dark, Yuriorkis Gamboa (126; age 28; from Cuba; 17-0) met platinum journeyman Mtagwa (122 1/2; age 30; 26-14), the Tanzanian who was within one finishing blow from pulling the upset of 2009 when he scored the dickens out of Juan Manuel Lopez in October. But this night went off the rails from the opening bell for the African, who couldn't pick up Gamboa's tosses, and couldn't process them when they landed, which they did often and hard.
Gamboa clanged home lead rights high on Mtagwa's head from the start. A left hook wobbled the underdog, and Gamboa's confidence was sky high in the opening round. Mtagwa went down from a left hook with ten seconds left in the round and he went back to his corner knowing that Gamboa was a different animal than JuanMa. His hand speed and footwork is a step above.
In the second, Gamboa had Mtagwa backing up, pained and confused. A lead right had him teetering. A five punch set sent Mtagwa to the mat at the 1:10 mark. He fell on his butt after eating a parcel more, and the ref, Steve Smoger saw enough. He stepped in, and called it a night.
The end came at 2:35.
The stats: Gamboa went 53-107, with nearly everything being thrown with assaultive intent. Mtagwa went 10-57 on the abbreviated night.
SPEEDBAG I've been under the impression that his name is "Rogers" but HBO called him Roger. Did they eff up, or have I been under a mistaken impression? If HBO was off, then you have to feel that much worse for Matgwa; he got hammered like a nail, and they didn't even get his name right...
---Miguel Cotto said a June 12 fight Yuri Foreman isn't a done deal, after Bob Papa referred to the match as a certainty.
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Radam G:
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Gamboa and Lopez looked great. Enough said! Holla!
Saturday Jan 23, 2010 11:35:12 PM
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El MAROMERO:
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I was rooting for Luevano to pull of the upset but I knew that it would be hard. He didn't use his left hand and he would be open for hooks the whole time. Ive been watching Juanma since he smashed Ponce De Leon, I think he just wasn't focused against Mtagwa and thats why he almost lost but he is a solid fighter with great patience. The other winner looked like he had Mannys speed and good power in both hands but he looks a little wild.
Saturday Jan 23, 2010 11:45:35 PM
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Tu papa!!:
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Michael Woods quit hating on Juanma, Gamboa looked good but Lopez was better.
Saturday Jan 23, 2010 11:47:58 PM
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donputo69 somewhere by MSG:
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My boy juanma looked SOLID...so did gamboa...These two are due to meet up by early may....this fight could go either way...but you know who im rooting for...IS A NO BRAINER...lol...so now...lets see...everybody is gonna say that juanma almost lost to Mtagwa...and that gamboa destroyed him in 2 rounds...so?...does that mean that gamboa is gonna destroyed juanma?...I DONT THINK SO...dont get me wrong...gamboa could ko juanma if he lands a good one on the chin...but i very much doubt that will happen...gamboa can get wild and that will leave him wide open for juanma to land some dynamites...i see juanma winning by SD or UD...but i wouldnt be surprise i this fight ends by KO by either one of them...holla back!!!
Sunday Jan 24, 2010 12:01:19 AM
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gabe:
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I think Gamboa's destruction of Mtagwa does indeed presage a similar outcome in a Juanma match-up. Having been at the Garden tonight, I can say Juanma looked good but also slow. He is the sort of measured, come-forward puncher that Tito was -- a style which, requiring several rounds to become effective, can be easily negated by the speedy, sharp volume punching Gamboa effects in every second of every round. It took Lopez to the seventh to KO Luevano -- and all 12 rounds to defeat Mtagwa. I just don't see Gamboa giving Lopez that much time to build up steam. He's too quick and too precise not to land haymakers before then.
Sunday Jan 24, 2010 12:46:08 AM
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brownsugar:
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every thing Juanma does... Gamboa does better,.. he'll crush Juanma with ease...
Sunday Jan 24, 2010 12:56:22 AM
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oskar:
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Gamboa will ko Juan Ma but if Juan Ma got a good game plan he can upset Gamboa if they ever face in the ring. Juan Ma does have the skill but Gamboa got much power plus he's faster so... Gamboa will win.
Sunday Jan 24, 2010 02:25:58 AM
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The Saint:
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Imagine that. A discussion not involving Pacquiao or Mayweather! Before the Juanma-Mtagwa fight I thought that Juanma would demolish Gamboa. I saw Juanma a stechnically sound, cold and calculated, precise and surgical, tough as nails and a sharp puncher. Gamboa, on the other hand, was a ticking time bomb. He has explosive physical gifts and is the stuff of highlight reels. But he leaves himself wide open too often and his chin has been rattled by much lesser fighters than Juanma Lopez. I felt that Juanma would have little problem staying out of the way of Gamboa's flashy but looping punches and that it would only be a matter of time before Juanma clipped Gamboa's chin with something serious, perhaps a compact right hook inside Gamboa's wide left hook. Everyone has bad nights but Lopez seemed to just completely unravel against Mtagwa. Gamboa has matured in his last two fights and while he still takes on the gunslinger mentality once in a while, he has shown patience and discipline, opting to "walk down the hill" as opposed to running down it (from the movie, "Colors"). Lopez is a little too stationary for a quicksilver fighter like Gamboa. I'd love to see these two fight, but Gamboa would eat Lopez for breakfast.
Sunday Jan 24, 2010 03:02:47 AM
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oskar:
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I don't know if its just me but Gamboa looks big for a featherweight. I wonder how much he weighs on fight night.
Sunday Jan 24, 2010 04:05:50 AM
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DRMULLEN :
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Jaunma VS Gamboa is a big time fight.
Sunday Jan 24, 2010 06:13:57 AM
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DRMULLEN:
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Boxing don't work like that, just cuz Gamboa crushed the club fighter and juanma had a tough time late in the fight don't mean nothing. It should be a war!
Sunday Jan 24, 2010 06:16:54 AM
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Steve:
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Ever since I saw this kid fight in the amatuers for Cuba I knew he was destined for great things. Even with his defensive liabilities he will still rule the division eventually. Once he gets really close to holding a legitimate title and gets a scare or two, he'll sort out where his hands should be after throwing punches.
Sunday Jan 24, 2010 07:05:09 AM
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mortcola:
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Styles make fights. Gamboa is freaky-fast and busy. Mtagwa was completely made to order for a buzzsaw-KO. JuanMa is more methodical, not as explosive. But he also has better fundamentals and defense (when he's not tired and getting tagged by those S_L_O_W Mtagwa shots). Gamboa might have the leaky defense and chin he showed early on, in which case a disciplined JuanMa could be trouble for him. But this is a fine match-up of two very good young prospects.
Sunday Jan 24, 2010 09:32:07 AM
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The Saint:
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@oskar: I was thinking the same thing. Gamboa is short but he looks BIG. He could easily fight as lightweight in my opinion, but like I said in my other post, it is common practice now for fighters with superstar potential to fight at a lower weightclass to gain an unfair advantage.
Sunday Jan 24, 2010 09:55:59 AM
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The Saint:
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I think that Gamboa vs Lopez would be a war for as long as it lasts. I'm still going for the bigger, faster and more explosive fighter in Gamboa. But maybe at 126, Juanma is stronger since he doesn't have to drain himself as much. If Juanma gets his confidence back I think he has a good shot at Gamboa. I do hope that they fight each other next.
Sunday Jan 24, 2010 09:58:12 AM
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brownsugar:
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I've been saying for ther past year that Gamboa does everything better than JuanMa,.. and he can throw power shots ambidextriously for either side and from either foot,.. against MTagwa,.. he didn't even get to show one 10th of his abilities,.. on top of that he's got better speed,..stamina,... and technique,.. his KO's come from a combination of power and speed,.. the kind of power that shocks opponents because the punches land so quick,.. the opponents don't know what hit them....JuanMa had difficulty from a crafty,.. but one handed boxer,.. what will he do when punches rain down apon him from every angle... including the body???... JuanMa likes to engage his opponents,.. but he'll have to keep at a distance against Gamboa to have a chance to make it halfway thru the fight...Gamboa is a born and bred assassin in the ring,.. the better the competition,.. the better he performs...and the more focused he is... can't wait for this matchup,.. I've been looking forward to this matchup more than ANY fight on the horizen...too bad these guys couldn't earn $40 million for the show they're about to put on...
Sunday Jan 24, 2010 10:04:29 AM
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swift:
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@ Brownsugar, I agree with you! I have been saying the same thing for the last few years. He's getting better every fight. It's funny listening to some guys up here that keep saying he has a weak chin. Going down from a punch, doesn't mean you have a weak chin. Getting hurt a lot means you have a weak chin and I have yet to see him hurt in a fight. I used to watch Aaron Pryor get knocked down for the same reason Gamboa gets knocked down, he's so confident in his fire power that sometimes he can get a little overzealous. But when he gets up, it's lights out on his opponents. I think he would stop Juanma inside of 7 rounds! This kid is special and getting better with every fight!!
Sunday Jan 24, 2010 10:24:21 AM
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mortcola@swift:
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I think Gamboa's early knockdowns may have come from rushing - too much speed for his own good, at that point in his career - and some immaturity. His chin might not be weak at all, and he might be like a Pryor - able to be knocked down, but not really hurt. Not sure yet. But he needs to be really solid against a good technical fighter in his prime, because if they haven't plugged those leaks in camp, then guys as solid technically as JuanMa can exploit those few weaknesses. But I agree, he's a phenom, and if he matures well, then he's gonna be a true great. He has more explosiveness and creativity than JuanMa, and that's why he's a better pick in this fight.
Sunday Jan 24, 2010 10:31:39 AM
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swift:
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Juanma had a tough time with Mtagwa?? He was out on his feet in those last couple rounds, there is a big difference! Gamboa is to explosive for Juanma. I like Juanma, but he can be hit. The last three fights starting with the Penelosa fight, he has been hit a lot. If Gamboa clipped him like Luevano hit him last night, it will be a 3-4 round fight!
Sunday Jan 24, 2010 10:36:45 AM
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swift @mortcola:
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I agree! he's one of those guys who has supreme confidence in his abilities. I wanted to see if he learned anything last night and he has changed in a big way! One thing was his rush to exchange punches with someone so much slower, that's where a lot of his knockdowns come from. The other is fighting with his hands to his side. He actually looked like a professional last night and not just a talented fighter!
Sunday Jan 24, 2010 10:42:55 AM
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brownsugar@swift:
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thanks for the comments swift,....I can see Gamboa going down,... and have seen him visit the canvas briefly in past fights,.. but like you say,... his conditioning is superb,. and his focus is second to none,.. if he goes down he comes back up stronger... his kind of talent is rare in boxing,.. but as far as skills go JuanMa is officially outclassed against Gamboa,.. I hope nobody is betting their kids college fund on him. JuanMa is a great entertainer,... he proved it again last night,.. but he did get rather wreckless and sloppy in there,.. plus he was getting hit alot like you said,.. ........when. Gamboa dispatches JuanMa,.. I wonder if Caballero will move up to fight him??
Sunday Jan 24, 2010 10:53:14 AM
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El Maromero:
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@B sug. Gamboa is super athletic but Juan is crafty with ko power.I know Gamboa was landing bombs on Mtagwa but he did miss a lot of shots in those combinations that he was throwing.He is raw when it comes down to offense but we haven't seen him fight for 12 rounds yet and Juanma didn't look like he was about to slow down in the later rounds.I think its a 50/50 fight
Sunday Jan 24, 2010 11:41:55 AM
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Frank Z:
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got to see the gamboa mtagwa fight but not the juan ma fight. gamboa did show me some things i hadn't seen from him before, mostly ussing the open glove to parry punches and come over the top with his own shots, seemed to have better balance and better use of the ring. he was able to avoid shots while exchanging by throwing straighter punches. overall gamboa was typical gamboa, a pretty scary combination of speed and power at that weight. if he can continue to improve his use of angles, balance, and defense, no one south of 140 would be able to touch him. el ciclon is a fitting nickname.
Sunday Jan 24, 2010 12:53:55 PM
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ultimoshogun:
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Yeah, I agree with brownsugar and swift......Gamboa will be too explosive for Juanma...but Juanma will make it exciting for as long as it lasts...I'm guessing a late round stoppage for Gamboa.
Sunday Jan 24, 2010 01:32:29 PM
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Jason:
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You've got to marvel at the featherweights. These guys bring it. Gamboa looked outstanding last night. If that wasn't a performance worthy of P4P consideration, I don't know what is.
Sunday Jan 24, 2010 02:12:08 PM
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The Saint:
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Gamboa-Lopez needs to be made NOW befor either fighter loses to some bum (more likely to happen to Juanma). They are both risk takers.
Sunday Jan 24, 2010 05:04:53 PM
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brownsugar@El Maromero:
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El Maromero,.. a boxer that lands 66% of his powershots with the blinding speed and accuracy of Gamboa isn't raw,.. the Kid had more skills than 95% of all the fighters in the pro ranks when first he joined the Ranks.. I've seen Gamboa float effortlessly like he was defying gravity for twelve rounds(while he was volume punching) and he literally hardly broke a sweat,... compubox showed that Juanma landed 41% powershots against a tougher opponent,.. for sure,.... but Gamboa is both faster and stronger than Leuvano,..can't take nothing from JuanMa,.. because he'll test his skills against anyone,.. he's an engaging fighter who very busy in the ring and comes in with the intention of destroying his man,.. in fact Juanma is one of my faves,.. but I don't see how he'll beat Gamboa,.. a guy whose feet alone are fast enough for him to win going away in a boring dancefest if he chose to fight that way,... but thank God that Gamboa doesn't fight that way,.. it's going to be a special night when they finally hook up,.. it's also going to be a short one,.. JuanMa's fighting heart will be his downfall in my opinion... if you have time,.. check out Gamboa vs Darling Jimenez,.. Jimenez was a strong opponent,..and dropped Gamboa,.. but other than some minor embarassment,.. Gamboa got up and finished his work with flying colors,..amazing that Jimenez lasted the whole fight...
Sunday Jan 24, 2010 05:09:06 PM
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Radam G:
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Hmm! My God! My God! Both boxers look great -- for the opponents whom they fought -- but I doubt that Gamboa would be a maze or a puzzle for JuanMa. Looks are deceiving, and will give you an optical illusion. Seeing is receiving, and will stop confusion. Gamboa reaches in and overstep with his jab -- it is a BIG, BAD habit, more than a TINY flaw. JuanMa would tear him up with right uppercuts and hooks from the southpaw stance. JuanMa would torpedo a jumping-in Gamboa with left crosses and shift right hooks. Gamboa's habitual crowding himself and throwing of an overhand right bolo will be his quick downfall. For JuanMa is going to surely kayo him with a hook from either hand in quick fashion. LOOKING will LIE to YOU. SEEING will FLY to YOU. Holla!
Sunday Jan 24, 2010 05:18:55 PM
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mortcola:
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Radam says something I've been saying: Gamboa's chin hangs out there like a big VACANCY sign. The combination of truly brilliant speed and accuracy in his punching, with genuine defensive liabilities - both technical and temperamental - and at least an early-career tendency to get knocked down makes for a really interesting fighter. Can't wait to see how he develops.
Monday Jan 25, 2010 12:13:59 AM
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oskar:
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@The Saint... I agree with you I think Gamboa can pass as a lightweight with his built but if he can cut weight at feather with ease well its a big advantage for him I just hope he takes care all the business at feather fast so he can move up to lightweight. I think he can give Valero a run for his money if he's chin can hold up or better yet improve his defense.
Monday Jan 25, 2010 07:18:39 AM
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The Puncher:
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Man.....let the guys fight and see what happens. There is no doubt that Gamboa is fast and is physical with some "jazz" to his style. But he does not have good defense. Please remember that it was a 126 vs 122 fight and in the small divisions it does matter. Also remember that in Gamboa's last fight he went down BAD and was out on his feet saved by the bell.
Juan Ma is slower, better defense and is more calculated. Does not have the same punching power as Gamboa, but will tear you down if allowed. He seemed better at 126 and was able to wave the storm. He also was out on his feet in his last fight but also won.....plus did knock out the guy in his last fight.
The fight will be speed vs counter punching. Most time speed and power win, but I think Pac Man agree with that when he fought Marquez.
Monday Jan 25, 2010 09:58:05 AM
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Is It Only Money That Matters?
"Who refuses to take a drug test worth $40 million?" For the American psyche, money is everything. It transcends what is right or what is wrong. For a certain amount of money, I'll do anything. Manny is Filipino, and he cannot fathom that kind of thinking. Is that what capitalism should be? I can't understand why $40 million should dictate your personality. Simply put, Pacquiao has his own dignity and refuses to be manipulated into taking $40M and giving his (butt) to anyone who wants it." ---TSS reader "Tony" informs readers of a possible cultural difference which causes certain peoples to interpret Pacquiao's refusal to cater to Mayweather's testing demands (photo by Chris Cozzone)
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