Yuriorkis Gamboa to Train With Emanuel Steward

by Scott Christ on Oct 27, 2011 12:44 AM EDT in Boxing News Analysis

When Yuriorkis Gamboa returns to the ring, Emanuel Steward will be in his corner. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)

Hall of Fame trainer Emanuel Steward will be the new man handling Cuban star Yuriorkis Gamboa, according to promoter Ahmet Ohner via RingTV.com:

"Emanuel Steward is one of the best trainers in the world. With Gamboa, he now has one of the best fighters in the world. I am very happy with this solution, and I hope that Steward will take Gamboa to the next level," said Oner.

"Yuri is already a complete fighter, but it doesn’t matter how good you are. A great trainer will always find a way to make you even better."

Gamboa (21-0, 16 KO) is contemplating a move up in weight after disposing of Jorge Solis and Daniel Ponce de Leon at featherweight this year. A dream match with Nonito Donaire is high on a lot of wish lists, but may be a long way off if Gamboa does go up to 130 or higher. He also called out Manny Pacquiao earlier this year, which Pacquiao basically smiled at nicely in return.

I don't know what Steward really does for Gamboa, but it's not like it's going to hurt him or anything. Probably, anyway. Steward has recently parted ways with Chad Dawson and Miguel Cotto (though in neither case due to his own work), so this is the first good news we've heard about his training career recently.

Gamboa has no next fight set, but likely will be back in the first quarter of 2012.

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Too bad they decided to wait for the JuanMa fight. That would have been good too.

by cyke on Oct 27, 2011 9:06 AM EDT reply actions

This seems like a horrible pairing to me.

Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."

by Brickhaus on Oct 27, 2011 9:12 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

Yea, I’m not sure how Steward’s strengths as a trainer can help Gamboa’s weaknesses as a fighter.

I’m guessing Steward will try and make Gamboa a more controlled fighter (like Lee,Cotto and Klit), but Gamboa’s unpredictability is one of his strengths.

by DPlainview on Oct 27, 2011 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions

One focus Steward has that could be beneficial is his emphasis on balance.

by Nick_ on Oct 27, 2011 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions

Also, Steward can scream and curse at Gamboa in the corner to stop toying with overmatched fighters and put them away like he did with Lennox and Wlad.

by Verklemptomaniac on Oct 27, 2011 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions

first thing that popped into my head when i read this.

by The Twillness on Oct 27, 2011 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Like how he let Mtagwaand Solis stick around?

And Solis is actually pretty good

Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."

by Brickhaus on Oct 27, 2011 9:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Yep

Get him focused

Boxing at the very top is not just about winning. It is about winning and entertaining. When you hold back you deny what most come to see; one man beating another.

"Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer"
---- Muhammed Ali

by pakinpower on Oct 28, 2011 12:17 AM EDT up reply actions

Steward loves him some lethargic fighters.

by glatin1982 on Oct 27, 2011 11:49 AM EDT reply actions

Change in corner

I think he will soon find out like other boxers that Emmanuel has a flooded schedule that impacts how effective he can train the fighter almost to a neglect and irresponsible point. I just read that Cotto wanted Emmanuel to train him for 8 weeks going to the Dec 3 fight and Emmanuel said 6 weeks was good enough. Knowing he was pack with Lee and the Wlad you can see Cotto would not have got the bang for his buck going to one of the most important fights in his career. To prove he was cheated by potential loaded gloves. The same happen with Cintron. He was not happy that Emmanuel could not be dedicated to him 100% for his fights. Gamboa will soon open his eyes if he receives the same treatment and move on, proving that Emmanuel does not have his whole heart on the figthers interest and ambitions.

by Manuel Perez on Oct 27, 2011 12:43 PM EDT reply actions