By Ryan Burton

MGM Grand, LAS VEGAS - Former unified featherweight champion Yuriorkis Gamboa is excited to be getting back in the ring on Friday against Robinson Castellanos. The fight will headline an ESPN card on the eve of the Canelo Alvarez-Julio Cesar Chavez pay-per-view showdown that takes at the at-Mobile Arena and will be distributed by HBO.

The 35-year-old Cuban broke a 15 month inactive streak with a lackluster unanimous decision victory over Rene Alvarado in March and is very excited to have such a quick return to the ring.

"This is what we wanted. It is rejuvenating and a breathe of fresh air to fight so fast after my last fight. My body is responding very well and feeling a lot better," said Gamboa. "It is exactly what my body needed, to be more active when it comes to boxing. This fight will be a lot better than my last fight."

Gamboa (26-1, 17 KOs) believes that after he finishes off Castellanos and gets in camp for his next fight, that he will be back to the level he was at in 2010-2011 when he defeated the likes of Orlando Salido, Daniel Ponce De Leon, and Jorge Solis.

"I feel a lot better than my last few fights but it hasn't been at the level I was at before. I think that this fight along with my previous fight and the preparation for my next fight will get me back to where I was in the sport before," Gamboa told BoxingScene.com.

ESPN’s coverage will be headlined by a May 5th presentation of Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN tripleheader featuring Yuriorkis “El Ciclón de Guantánamo” Gamboa (26-1, 17 KOs) against Robinson “Robin Hood” Castellanos (21-11, 13 KOs) of Celaya, Mexico.  The event will air live on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes Friday, May 5 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT from the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Coverage will also be available on WatchESPN. 

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