Cuban Boxing Legend Yuriorkis Gamboa Wins Bare-Knuckle Boxing Debut in Miami

August 31, 2026

Former world champion Yuriorkis Gamboa scored a unanimous-decision win in his bare-knuckle boxing debut, defeating Venezuelan fighter Yesner "Cuajadita" Talavera at BKB 58, held Saturday, August 29, 2026, at the James L. Knight Center in Miami. All three judges scored the super lightweight bout 50-44 in the Cuban's favor.

Gamboa, an Olympic flyweight gold medalist from Athens 2004 and the first Cuban boxer to hold an IBF world title, which he unified with the WBA featherweight belt in 2010, was elevated to headline the card after the originally scheduled main event, featuring Mark O'Neil, fell through due to visa issues. The "Cyclone of Guantánamo," who carries a professional record of 30-5 with 18 knockouts, has faced elite opposition throughout his career, including Terence Crawford, Devin Haney, Gervonta Davis and Isaac "Pitbull" Cruz; Crawford has called him one of the toughest opponents he ever faced.

Boxing analysts noted Gamboa's clear technical edge over Talavera throughout the fight, though most agreed it remains unclear whether the bout marks the start of an ongoing bare-knuckle career or a one-off appearance for the veteran fighter.