Former unified featherweight world champion Yuriorkis Gamboa suffered defeat in his comeback bout, dropping a decision to Ecuador’s Alexander Espinoza in Fort Lauderdale.

The 44-year-old Olympic gold medallist was fighting for the first time since his 2022 stoppage loss to Isaac Cruz and had previously shared the ring with elite names including Terence Crawford, Devin Haney and Gervonta Davis during a professional career that didn’t quite reach the levels his amateur success signalled it might.

Though he was eventually stopped in the ninth, Gamboa showed flashes of real danger against Crawford, even hurting the naturally bigger pound-for-pound great during his early periods of success. ‘Bud’ later described it as one of the toughest fights of his career.

This weekend, Gamboa touched the canvas once and ultimately lost a split decision to Espinoza, who now holds a record of 21-5-1.

Elsewhere on the card, fellow Cuban great Guillermo Rigondeaux returned to winning ways with a points victory over Chilean veteran Jose Velasquez. The two-time Olympic gold medallist controlled much of the eight-round contest as he continued his career resurgence at 45 years old.

The victory was Rigondeaux’s third since 2023, following a distinguished career including a famous win over Nonito Donaire and high-profile defeats against the likes of Vasiliy Lomachenko and John Riel Casimero.

Whilst Rigondeaux may well continue in boxing at this level, Gamboa’s next chapter seems set for another combat sport, recently signing a multi-fight agreement with BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing, where the Olympic gold medallist hopes to become a champion.