WBC lightweight champion Devin Haney completely dominated Yuriorkis Gamboa at Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood, Fla. Saturday night.
Scores were 118-109, and 120-107 twice for Haney.
Maxboxing scored the fight 120-107 for Haney.
In round one, the super quick Haney, and former two-time champion Gamboa, studied each other. Haney, with advantages in height and reach, moved to his left and snapped his jab. Gamboa tried to find range but was short with most of his punches.
Haney (25-0, 14 KOs) worked up and down in round two. His jab was on point. The right would be coming. Getting close enough to land continued to be a problem for Gamboa. He did absorb a left hook without issue. Haney landed his right in round three. He also landed to the ribs of Gamboa.
The 21-year-old Haney had easily banked the first three rounds. He was boxing well. Gamboa, 38, needed to do something to slow Haney down. Haney’s spearing jab snapped Gamboa’s head back in round four. He also connected with a right and left hook. And an uppercut. Gamboa was frustrated. He punched on the break.
Gamboa (30-4, 18 KOs) tried to punch more in round five. He landed a right to the body. Haney kept pumping out his left, Gamboa tried to counter. Haney fired a combination in round six. He worked the body. Gamboa received a tongue lashing in round six. Haney landed two left hooks in round seven. Gamboa, down 11 times in his last nine bouts, took them without an incident.
Haney was more aggressive in round eight. He clipped Gamboa with a right and left. In round nine, Haney continued his dominance. He punished Gamboa’s face. Gamboa connected with a couple of punches on the inside. Haney had won every round on this writer’s scorecard as the match entered round 10. Haney caught Gamboa with two check hooks. A combination scored. Gamboa shook his head.
Rounds 11 and 12 were more of the same. Haney was completely in control. Gamboa fought back. Haney smacked Gamboa with quick hooks. Gamboa held on, something he did a lot during the fight. The referee deducted a point. Told by his trainer-father to go for a knockout in the 12th and final round, Haney staggered Gamboa with a sweeping right hook. He connected with an uppercut. Gamboa was hurt and exhausted.