The WBA interim featherweight world champion, he is a former international amateur. He was the 2004 Olympic and 2003 Pan American Games gold medalist at 112 pounds, a four-time Cuban National Amateur Champion, and the gold medalist in two international tournaments in Cuba, as well. He won the WBA interim title in his last fight in April, 2009. After the fight, Dan Rafael wrote on ESPN.com: "The thrilling Gamboa, a 2004 Cuban Olympic gold medalist who later defected, looked excellent, totally shutting down a solid fighter with a lot of experience, including a technical draw and decision loss to [WBA featherweight world champion Chris] John in title bouts. He cut Venezuela's Rojas, over the right eye in the first round and dropped him in the fifth. Finally, referee Russell Mora called off the one-sided beating midway through the 10th round with Rojas' eye nearly closed. Gamboa, whose speed is ridiculous, showed better defense than he has in recent fights and more discipline. If he can continue improving in those areas, he'll be even scarier than he already is." In less 3 short years as a proffesional, Yuriorkis Gamboa has ascended to the top echelon of the featherweight division.
