The Neutral Corner

Yuriorkis Gamboa, former Olympic gold medalist and amateur world champion, will fight on the undercard of the IBF Jr. Welterweight title fight between champ Paulie Malignaggi and Herman Ngoudjo, Jan. 5 at Bally's in Atlantic City. The card will be televised on Showtime.

Gamboa defected in December 2006. He and fellow Olympic champions Yan Bartelemí and Odlanier Solis left a team training camp in Venezuela and ultimately wound up in Germany.

The junior welterweight is 7-0 with six knockouts and has already drawn comparisons to Hall-of-Famer Aaron Pryor. He made his U.S. debut in October and knocked out Adailton De Jesus, who came in with a record of 19-2. He takes another huge step up in A.C. when he fights former world champion Freddie Norwood (42-2-1, 23 KO's).

"An indication of how good this kid is and how much he has progressed, he'll be fighting former world champion Freddie Norwood in just his eighth pro fight," said promoter Lou DiBella. "I think this is going to be a great opportunity for people to see Gamboa, and I think Gamboa's a future star." -- CASSIDY