TOP RANK AND GAMBOA SETTLE THEIR LEGAL DISPUTE
By Scott Shaffer

Is the settlement a precursor to Mayweather-Pacquiao talks?

Top Rank has filed papers in federal court in Nevada dismissing its lawsuit against Yuriorkis Gamboa.  The settlement clears the way for Gamboa to return to action, although it is not yet publicly known which promoter Gamboa intends to work with. The Top Rank-Gamboa dispute erupted earlier this year when Gamboa backed out of a Top Rank-promoted fight against Brandon Rios. Top Rank promptly sued for breach of contract and Gamboa soon began training at Floyd Mayweather, Jr.'s Las Vegas gym.   Mayweather even made some public remarks backing Gamboa as having been exploited by Top Rank. This led to speculation that Mayweather might sign Gamboa to a promotional contract when the lawsuit ended. Soon after, Top Rank seemed to ratchet up the rivalry by signing one of Mayweather's boxers, Jessie Vargas. But now that Top Rank has settled with Gamboa, insiders will be watching closely to see if Gamboa joins Mayweather Promotions and whether the Top Rank-Mayweather feud has calmed down. The guess here is that Mayweather Promotions and Top Rank are in a deal-making mood, which could lead to at least negotiations for a November bout between Mayweather and Top Rank's star, Manny Pacquiao. Of course, there is a huge x-factor, which is Mayweather's condition- both physical and mental-- after he gets out of jail later this summer.