Terence Crawford 23-0 (16) battles Yuriorkis Gamboa 23-0 (16). While these fighters boast the same record, their paths into this fight has been anything but similar.Crawford has been active and honing his skills.
Fighting three times in 2013 and once already this calendar year. Crawford's star is on the rise. Gamboa, however, who was once a rising star has been fighting in relative obscurity and has not laced up the boxing gloves in over a year.
Gamboa has also developed the tag of a “ducker” since his meteoric rise in 2011. On record saying he was not interested in fighting Brandon Rios, and blamed for the inability to land a fight with Mikey Garcia.
It is unfair to put all the blame on him for not fighting Garcia, there is plenty of blame to go around there. It is evident; however, that Gamboa's career has made a turn for the worst since signing with promoter 50 Cent.
You would be hard pressed to name the two fighters Gamboa has actually faced in the last two years. Gamboa is now in the biggest fight of his life, on the B side, against a rising star, in his hometown. Can somebody say mismanagement?
The good new is if Gamboa wins, not even the G- Unit rapper can spoil such a sweet victory.
It kind of reminds me of John Travolta, who was once the biggest star in the world, and disappeared, mostly due to poor career choices. Travolta gained a second chance as an A list celebrity when director Quenten Trantino snatched up the “washed up” Travolta, to play Vincent Vega. The former Saturday Night Fever star grabbed the opportunity by the horns and never looked backed. Proving he was anything but washed up.
Gamboa is not washed up either and could be very dangerous Saturday night in Omaha.
Terence Crawford finds himself in a peculiar role for a boxer, returning home.
When a boxer who fights in front of his hometown it often turns out to be tumultuous instead of glorious.
Evander Holyfield suffered his first knockdown as a pro when he returned to Atlanta to fight the less regarded Bert Cooper. Devon Alexander had a tough time, with a very lackluster effort, against underdog Andriy Kotelnik when he fought in his stomping grounds of Missouri.
Both fighters won on the record, but lost a lot of luster to their star status after these performances.
Alexander, who was given a gift decision in the eyes of a lot of observers, spoke to me about the pressures of wanting to look spectacular in front of a frenzied crowd who would elect you for Mayor if your name appeared on the ballot.
Alexander also cited a week of annoyances that would not be present if not fighting in your own backyard.
So if you are team Crawford, buyer before. While it may seem like gravy fighting in front of your adored home crowd (especially after having to travel all the way to Scotland in your last fight) the gravy might be spoiled and taste more like sandy mud.
This fight will be determined on how Crawford handles the intangibles that come with returning home and, if Gamboa has enough spices in his own pantry to spoil the head chef’s broth.
There is enough intrigue in this fight for all to tune in and find out which dish will be best served.
The smart pick is Crawford here. He has been more active and has faced the tougher opposition and will likely get the benefit of the doubt with the judges in close rounds.
However, there is a little man inside me who keeps telling me Gamboa is going to seize the moment and showcase his brilliant skills and put him back in the fray of boxing stardom.
Although, I must cite another buyer beware, as the little man inside of me has not be as golden as the one of the legendary Edward G. Robinson.
Whenever two top flight boxers risk there O against each other it is always a treat for the boxing fans, who, often have to eat a mud sandwich of their own, at the expense of the business of boxing.
