Yuriorkis Gamboa wins bare knuckle boxing debut

Former Olympic gold medalist and world boxing champion Yuriorkis Gamboa successfully debuted in bare knuckle boxing at BKB 58 in Miami. Competing at the James L. Knight Center, Gamboa defeated Nicaraguan fighter Yesner 'Cuajadita' Talavera via unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the bout 50-44.

Gamboa, 44, has signed a multi-year contract with BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing and stated his intention to pursue a world title in the discipline. The event also featured heavyweight title defense by Gustavo Trujillo, who knocked out Mick Terrill in the second round.

The debut follows a period of legal challenges for Gamboa in Cuba, which resulted in him being detained for 18 months after a vehicle accident in late 2022. He was acquitted of those charges in August 2024.