Olympic Champion Set for Bare-Knuckle Debut
Olympic gold medallist and former multi-weight world boxing champion Yuriorkis Gamboa has officially signed a multi-fight, multi-year agreement with BKB Bare Knuckle in what is being described as one of the promotion’s biggest signings to date. The Cuban veteran, known for his explosive style, is expected to make his bare-knuckle debut in the coming months as he pursues another world title and aims to extend his already decorated combat sports legacy.
A Storied Career in Professional Boxing
Known as “El Ciclón de Guantánamo” (The Cyclone of Guantánamo) for his fast-paced and explosive style, Gamboa enters the organisation with an extensive résumé spanning both amateur and professional ranks. Born on December 23, 1981, Gamboa was 44 years old at the time of his signing with BKB. His amateur career was highly successful, culminating in an Olympic gold medal at the 2004 Athens Games in the flyweight division.
After defecting from Cuba in 2006, Gamboa turned professional in 2007, quickly establishing himself as a formidable force. He captured the WBA featherweight world title in 2009, holding it until 2011. In 2010, he unified the WBA belt with the IBF title, marking a significant milestone as the first Cuban boxer to secure an IBF world championship. Throughout his professional career, which officially ran until 2022, Gamboa compiled an impressive record of 30 wins, 5 losses, and 0 draws, with 18 of his victories coming by way of knockout.
Beyond his featherweight dominance, Gamboa also claimed interim world titles at both super featherweight and lightweight. His professional journey saw him share the ring with elite names in boxing, including Terence Crawford, Devin Haney, Gervonta Davis, and Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz. His 2014 bout against Terence Crawford, where Gamboa famously hurt Crawford, is often cited as one of his most memorable performances. However, the later stages of his career were marked by tough challenges against top-tier opponents, resulting in a three-fight losing streak leading up to his BKB signing. He suffered a twelfth-round technical knockout loss to Gervonta Davis in December 2019, followed by a unanimous decision defeat to Devin Haney in November 2020. His last professional boxing match was a fifth-round technical knockout loss to Isaac Cruz on April 16, 2022.
Inspired by the Bare-Knuckle Stage
Gamboa’s move into bare-knuckle boxing follows his attendance at a recent BKB event, where he was reportedly impressed by the scale of the production, the crowd energy, and the overall presentation of the sport. The former champion has expressed strong enthusiasm about competing in what he views as boxing’s original format and is determined to prove he can reach the summit once again. He stated, “Bare knuckle boxing is the oldest form of boxing. After winning an Olympic gold medal, world championships in boxing, now I’m focused and excited to become BKB Bare Knuckle World Champion. I’m going to showcase my skills and show why I belong at the very top of this sport.”
BKB executives have welcomed the deal, describing Gamboa as a high-impact addition whose Olympic pedigree, championship experience, and battles against top-tier opponents significantly raise the promotion’s global profile. BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing, founded in 2015 by Dhafir “Dada 5000” Harris and Mike Vazquez, has steadily grown its reach domestically and internationally, hosting events in various locations and utilizing its patented “Trigon” ring. Gamboa’s arrival adds further star power to a roster that already includes several well-known boxers who have successfully transitioned into bare-knuckle competition, such as British Olympic gold medallist James DeGale, former world champion Paulie Malignaggi, and Lee Selby, with Victor Ortiz also recently signing with the promotion.
Anticipation Builds for Bare-Knuckle Debut
The signing of Yuriorkis Gamboa is being seen as another milestone in BKB’s continued growth and its increasing ability to attract established names from traditional boxing. While the multi-fight, multi-year agreement was announced in early February 2026, official details regarding Gamboa’s bare-knuckle debut bout and future event appearances are still eagerly anticipated. As of mid-May 2026, his first bare-knuckle fight has not yet been formally scheduled or announced.
However, Gamboa remains active in combat sports. He is currently slated for a gloved boxing match against Alexander Espinoza on Saturday, May 30, 2026, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This indicates his continued commitment to fighting as fans await his highly anticipated entry into the bare-knuckle arena. His transition to BKB is expected to bring a unique blend of Olympic-level boxing skill and raw power to the “Trigon,” potentially setting a new standard for former professional boxers entering the bare-knuckle sport and further elevating the profile of BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing.
