January 13, 2004
January 13, 2004
CEBU, PHILIPPINES-Ex-WBA 105-pound champ Joma Gamboa (right photo), 30, Philippines, announced his retirement from the ring after he failed to win the WBC 108-pound belt on a second round knockout by Jorge gTraviesoh Arce last Saturday in Mexico City. His overall record was 33-8-2, 22 KOs. Gamboa, a hard-puncher with limited skill, was such a fortunate boxer to have been rendered many opportunities to fight for the world belts. Gamboa failed to win the WBC lightfly title, losing to Saman Sorjaturong in Thailand in 1996. He moved up to the WBA top rank thanks to his first round KO win over ex-WBA champ Carlos Murillo in Venezuela in 1997, but could not win the WBA 108-pound title from Pichit Sithbangprachan in 1999. The Filipino moved down to the 105-pound division, and fought Noel Arambulet for the vacant WBA 105-pound title only to lose on points in Venezuela that year. Gamboa fortunately acquired the WBA interim champ by knocking out Satoru Abe in 1999, and became the legitimate champ by beating Arambulet in a rematch in Tokyo in 2000. Gamboa lost the belt to Japanese speedster Keitaro Hoshino that year. The Filipino moved up to the 108-pound class to be given a chance to fight Arce only to be annihilated by Traviesofs solid shots. Gamboa will keep his hog raising business along with serving as an assistant for his long-time trainer Juanito Ablaca.
(1-13-04)