Yuriorkis Gamboa, former unified featherweight world champion boxer and 2004 Olympics gold medallist, is now imprisoned in Cuba following a fatal car accident which has caused the death of one person.
Gamboa is currently jailed after the incident that occurred on December 31st. The news was first mentioned by Boxeo Cubano, revealing that “The Cyclone from Guantanamo” is in custody after the road accident.
Without many details of what happened being known, the newspaper El Nuevo Herald reports that the incident took place in the Songo la Maya tunnel in Santiago de Cuba. While Gamboa was not under the influence of alcohol, he ran over a pedestrian on the road with poor lighting. It is also reported that boxer is already receiving legal assistance.
“[Legal] steps are already being taken to help Gamboa, although there are still many details to be clarified,” sources close to El Nuevo Herald cited, “What we want to clarify is that Gamboa was not under the influence of alcohol or any other illegal substance. Gamboa is a very religious person and does not consume alcohol or anything inappropriate.”
A gold medalist at the 2004 Athens Olympics, Yuriorkis Gamboa began his professional career in April 2007. A former world champion in the featherweight and lightweight divisions, he currently has a professional record of 30-5, 18 by knockout.
His last fight was on April 16th, when the Mexican Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz defeated him by technical knockout in five rounds. After a brilliant amateur and professional career, the 41-year-old boxer is seemingly getting closer to retirement, especially due to his recent performances, since he lost his three most recent fights.
