DEVIN HANEY VS.
YURIORKIS GAMBOA
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO
KNOW ABOUT THE BIG FIGHT
When: Saturday, Nov. 7
Start time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT
Where: Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, Fla.
TV: DAZN
Division: Lightweight (12 rounds)
At stake: Haney’s WBC secondary 135-pound title (not recognized by Boxing Junkie)
Odds: Haney 14½-1 (BetMGM)
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DEVIN HANEY BIO
Record: 24-0, 15 KOs
Current titles: WBC secondary lightweight (2019)
Other titles: None
Home country: United States (Las Vegas)
Age: 21
Pro debut: 2015
Pro rounds: 126
Height: 5 feet, 8 inches (173 cm)
Reach: 71 inches (180 cm)
Stance: Orthodox
Trainer: Bill Haney (father)
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GAMBOA BIO
Record: 30-3, 18 KOs
Current titles: None
Other titles: IBF and WBA featherweight (2010-11)
Home country: Cuba (lives in Miami)
Age: 38
Pro debut: 2007
Pro rounds: 207
Height: 5 feet, 5½ inches (166 cm)
Reach: 65 inches (165 cm)
Stance: Orthodox
Trainer: Pedro Roque Otano
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WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH
Haney is one of the most-gifted young fighters in the world and a potential pound-for-pounder. He’s a step away from a showdown with top 135-pounders like Teofimo Lopez, Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia, whom he has been calling out. He’s definitely one to watch. And while Gamboa is 38 and past his prime, the 2004 Olympic champion seems to have a little left in the tank. He was surprisingly resilient in his 12th-round knockout loss against Davis in December, his most-recent fight, even though he reportedly fought with a torn Achilles tendon from the second round on.
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FIVE KEY QUESTIONS
Has Haney recovered from his shoulder injury? Apparently so. Haney suffered a dislocated right shoulder in his last fight, a decision over Alfredo Santiago in November of last year. He had surgery the following month and has had plenty of time to heal and rehab.
Has Gamboa recovered from his Achilles tendon injury? Same. Gamboa had surgery to repair the damage early this year and insists he’s healthy.
How much does Gamboa have left? Some. He had fought well before the Davis fight — showing much of his old fire in four consecutive victories — but he turns 39 next month. He’s slowing down.
How important is it for Haney to give a strong performance? Important. Rivals Teofimo Lopez, Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia are among the hottest fighters in the world. The last thing he wants is to give a flat performance.
What’s next for Haney if he wins? The WBC has ordered the winner of the Dec. 5 Garcia-Luke Campbell fight to face Haney but nothing has been settled. Lopez holds all four major 135-pound belts.
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WHY HANEY WILL WIN
The 21-year-old is a complete fighter — quick, skillful, powerful — and he has the hunger and passion of youth. He doesn’t have the experience of Gamboa but he had a successful amateur career, which provided a solid springboard to the pros, and he has evolved quickly in 24 professional bouts. He fights with the poise of an older man. A younger version of Gamboa probably would’ve given Haney hell. This version of the Cuban simply won’t be able to cope with Haney’s natural gifts and ability to use them to his advantage. In other words: He’s too young and too good for Gamboa.
WHY GAMBOA WILL WIN
The experience factor shouldn’t be underestimated. Gamboa was able to survive as long as he did against Davis in part because of his guile; he has a high ring IQ. And he has shown glimpses of his old explosiveness, most notably in a second-round knockout of durable Roman Martinez in July of last year. Again, he has some fight left in him. If he’s on the absolute top of his game and Haney isn’t quite as evolved as we think he is — and if he avoids getting caught with a big shot — Gamboa could spring a major surprise.
PREDICTION
Haney is a whopping 14½-1 favorite for a reason. The younger man will outbox Gamboa from the opening bell, landing quick, hard punches and taking little in return from his frustrated opponent. He will gradually wear down Gamboa both physically and emotionally, forcing him to shift into a survival mode around mid-fight. The Cuban will hear the final bell but lose a one-sided unanimous decision.
Haney UD
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