Gamboa back with more clout

Yuriorkis Gamboa has been missing in action, mostly of his own doing.

Gamboa, who last fought Sept. 10, 2011, was supposed to fight Brandon Rios in April. But he pulled out because he was unhappy with the terms of the contract.

Since then, he has signed with rap mogul 50 Cent, who now is a boxing promoter. His SMS Promotions stable includes IBF featherweight champion Billy Dib and super middleweight Andre Dirrell.

Gamboa (21-0, 16 knockouts), a former world featherweight champion, ends his self-imposed hiatus Saturday when he meets Michael Farenas (34-3-4, 26 KOs) for the WBA interim super featherweight title on the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez fight at the MGM Grand Garden.

Gamboa-Farenas is one of three title fights on the card. Javier Fortuna (20-0, 15 KOs) faces Patrick Hyland (27-0, 12 KOs) for the WBA interim featherweight title, and Miguel Vazquez (32-3, 13 KOs) defends his IBF lightweight belt against Mercito Gesta (26-0-1, 14 KOs).

In his last fight, Gamboa won an eight-round technical decision over Daniel Ponce De Leon after De Leon suffered a cut over his left eye and the ringside physician stopped the fight. Then came the 15-month hiatus.

"It was the best thing that ever happened to me," Gamboa said. "It allowed me to work in the gym, stay fresh and add some things to what I already do."

When Gamboa signed with 50 Cent in June, Floyd Mayweather Jr. was supposed to co-promote Gamboa as part of TMT (The Money Team) Promotions. But Mayweather never came up with his share of the funding, and 50 Cent, whose given name is Curtis Jackson, decided to go it alone. The Nevada Athletic Commission recently licensed Jackson as a promoter.

"My career was in dire need of this," the 30-year-old Gamboa said of his association with 50 Cent. "It's going to make me a marquee name. He has some great ideas and a great marketing plan. I'm very excited to be working with him."

Of the fighters 50 Cent has, Gamboa is the biggest name. He believes he can make the Cuba native a bigger star.

"I can offer Gamboa an audience and a demographic that's not necessarily tuned in to boxing," he said. "He's an exciting fighter and has a great personality.

"My entire business is brand recognition, and the Gamboa brand is going to be big, really big."

Gamboa promises to pick up where he left off in 2011 against the 28-year-old Farenas, who is from the Philippines.

"I'm ready to get back in the ring and do what I do best - win," Gamboa said. "I kept myself in shape the entire time I was off, and it's time to get back to work."

The HBO Pay Per View telecast, which will include all three title fights on the undercard, begins at 6 p.m.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.