Terence Crawford vs. Yuriorkis Gamboa
Lou Catalano, Staff Writer
Terence Crawford would appear to have all the pieces in place to keep his belt on Saturday night. He has been on a nice run of fights, he’s stayed busy, and he’s fighting in his hometown. Yuriorkis Gamboa on the other hand has fought infrequently, and when he has, he’s been as sleep-inducing as an Ambien with a whiskey chaser.
But, Gamboa has fantastic speed and power. The question is, can he put it all together again? Is the guy who exploded onto the scene a few years ago even there anymore?
At 32, I don’t think Gamboa is quite what he used to be. He just hasn’t looked that good lately, and Crawford’s height and reach advantages might be too much to overcome. Crawford will outwork Gamboa while surviving some rocky moments on his way to a hometown win.
Prediction: Crawford
Donte Brown, Owner of Donte’s Boxing Gym, Contributing Writer
I believe that the man that will win will need to get off first to make the action.
Both fighters are boxers who wait for the “perfect shot,” and are patient enough to wait to counter punch. Whoever can be more aggressive, land great combinations, and score the harder blows will win.
Being that the fight is taking place in Omaha (where Crawford is from), Gamboa will have to put on a GREAT performance to pull off the upset in the champions hometown. I think he can do it.
Prediction: Gamboa
Brendan Montenegro, Sr. Correspondent
This is a hard fight for me to predict, as Terence Crawford is coming off of a great win while Yuriorkis Gamboa is coming off a long layoff. Both fighter’s are in top condition and both want this win bad. Gamboa I believe has more to prove because he wants the big time fight against Mikey Garcia. At the end of the day who ever wins this fight may end up fighting Garcia. I like both fighter’s and as a fan I’d like to see Gamboa win, but as a correspondent I’d probably have to go with Crawford who is naturally bigger and possibly faster.
Prediction: Crawford
Brandon Glass, Contributing Writer/Vlogger
I am choosing Terence Crawford over Yuriorkis Gamboa. With a year layoff for Gamboa, he won his last fight, but he was not as impressive as most of his wins were at Featherweight. Crawford on the other hand, decisively won a title–though it was barely covered by any major sports media sites–a little over three months ago. He’s on the bubble.
Prediction: Crawford
Vincent Nolasco, Staff Writer
This is a very interesting and intriguing bout between the hometown WBO Lightweight champion, Terence Crawford and Yuriorkis Gamboa. I see this as a very difficult fight for both fighters. Crawford will have youth, height and the reach advantage.
For Gamboa, his inactivity will result in him having ring rust in the early rounds, however he will have a little bit more of a speed advantage. This is a very even fight for both of them. It’s very important for both fighters to establish their presence on the fight from the first round. From the start in the early rounds, Gamboa will want to press and bring the fight to Crawford. He will work the body and start to establish an offensive rhythm that will dictate the fight. Crawford will use his strengths with his right jab and his reach to keep Gamboa off of him.
Also, if Crawford counter’s very well against Gamboa, then it’s going to be a long night for Gamboa. I see Crawford in the middle of the rounds starting to pick apart Gamboa, by using his straight left hand. In order to win some rounds, Gamboa must be able to apply pressure and land some heavy body shots to slow the champion down in the middle of the fight.
If Gamboa can win some of the middle rounds, then it’s going to be an even fight in the championship rounds. At the end of the night, Crawford’s size, reach and good boxing skills will be a little too much for Gamboa.
Prediction: Crawford
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
This is a great matchup between two highly skilled fighters. Terence Crawford is fighting at home after winning his first world title, which as Mike Alvarado might tell you, is not always a blessing.
You have to love that Crawford went into the champion’s backyard to win his title–Glasgow, Scotland against Ricky Burns–and for his first title defense he is not looking for an easy opponent.
We’ve seen Yuriorkis Gamboa dazzle with speed, reflexes and legitimate power. But with all that being said, he’s been inactive and has shown a questionable chin against mostly sub-par opposition. I’ve been high on Crawford since he stepped as a replacement and dominated Breidis Prescott.
I think the Omaha, NE native will show on Saturday night that he should be considered one of boxing’s brightest stars with a convincing decision victory over Gamboa.
Prediction: Crawford
