YURIORKIS GAMBOA SUSPECTED OF BEING ON PEDS WHEN HE FOUGHT FARENAS
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 30 Jan 2013
The Miami New Times reports that 2004 Cuban Olympic gold medalist Yuriorkis Gamboa was among a group of top athletes in different sports who were linked to an anti-aging company identified as Biogenesis that allegedly supplied anabolic steroids and human growth hormones.
Gamboa, the current WBA Interim super featherweight champion was given the fight of his life by Filipino southpaw Michael Farenas, a protege of former two-division world champion Gerry Penalosa who dropped Gamboa in the 9th round but was also sent to the canvas twice by the Olympian who hadn?t fought for 15 months.
The fight took place on the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez fourth fight at the MGM Grand last December 8 in which Pacquiao suffered a crushing 6th round knockout.
Also linked to the alleged scandal were Yankees baseball star Alex Rodriguez and Gio Gonzalez of the Washington Nationals who have already denied the allegations according to Kevin Iole of Yahoo Sports.
Gamboa was signed up by hip hop star Curtis Jackson known as ?50 Cent? of SMS Promotions but Iole reported that Jackson failed to return messages with his publicist while Gamboa couldn?t be reached for comment.
Penalosa told the Manila Standard that he felt if an investigation is conducted and Gamboa is found guilty, his victory over Farenas should be nullified.
In the meantime, Penalosa told us that Farenas is already in training and he will hire a strength and conditioning coach to work with him starting next week.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum told us he wants to put as many Filipinos as possible on the big April 6 fight card in Macau and would be happy to include Farenas and Dodie Boy Penalosa Jr in the card that will be headlined by two-time Olympic gold medalist Zou Shiming who recently signed up with Top Rank and will make his pro debut.
WBO/WBA flyweight champion Brian Viloria will defend his title against Juan Francisco Estrada who gave undefeated WBA minimum weight champion Roman ?Chocolatito? Gonzalez a tough fight on the same card where Viloria scored a spectacular 10th round TKO over Hernan ?Tyson? Marquez to win the WBC crown last November 17 at the Los Angeles Sports Arena.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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