By Jake Donovan
VERONA, NY -- Former super bantamweight and featherweight titlist Yuriorkis Gamboa made a long overdue return to the ring, putting in work in outpointing Hylon Williams Jr. over 10 rounds Saturday evening at Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, New York.
Scores were 98-92 (twice) and 96-94 in their non-title fight, which will air via tape-delay on HBO Latino.
Gamboa - inactive since last November - appeared to be well on his way to an early knockout, rocking Williams in round one and constantly beating the Houston native to the punch. When the power began to fade, Williams was able to box his way back into the fight.
Referee Charlie Fitch was forced to put in work with constant clinching and occasional hitting on the break from Gamboa. Warnings were issued but without penalty even though there was potential to deduct at least one point.
With the fight seemingly in the balance, both boxers came out with fists blazing for the 10th and final round. In the end, Gamboa's power advantage was the difference in the eyes of the three judges, as he moves to 25-1 (17KOs).
“It feels good to be back in the ring. I trained in Cuba, and I feel that all the hard paid off,” said Gamboa. “I was faster and stronger in the ring. I know I dominated the action tonight, I made sure he knew I was in control from the first round.
“Once I established control I let him run around. I am not upset that this fight went all 10 rounds, in fact I am glad because I know everyone was able to see my power.”
Williams falls to 16-2-1 (3KOs), with all three career blemishes coming in his last four starts.
“I felt good about the pace of the fight, I know I hurt him a few times but I am fine,” Williams Jr. said of the fight. “I don’t feel hurt at all. I think this fight should have gone my way, I feel I was ahead. I just want to thank 50 Cent and SMS Promotions for the opportunity.”
The fight was Gamboa's first since last November and just his second fight back since a thrilling knockout loss to Terence Crawford last June. The Miami-based Cuban recently renewed his promotional deal with 50 Cent's SMS Promotions, which is undergoing a corporate restructure after filing for bankruptcy earlier this year.
It remains to be seen if the new deal will result in greater activity level for Gamboa, who turns 34 on Wednesday.
NON-TELEVISED UNDERCARD
Steve Martinez ended a 53-week hiatus with a second round knockout of Jorge Melendez in the evening's curtain raiser.
Martinez - from Bronx, NY by way of Bayamon, Puerto Rico - scored the bout's lone knockdown, putting Melendez flat on his back midway through round two. Melendez beat the count, but quickly found himself under siege absorbing punishment before referee Benjy Esteves stopped the contest.
The official time was 1:33 of round two. Martinez advances to 16-2 (13KOs), picking up his first win since May '14, with his last fight resulting in a decision loss to Chris Pearson last December. Melendez heads back to Vega Baja, Puerto Rico with his third loss in his past four fights in falling to 29-6-1 (27KOs).
Jake Donovan is the managing editor of krikya360.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox