Cuba in the 2008 Olympics?

El Raincoat · Post by **El Raincoat** » 27 Feb 2008, 13:18

What is there team looking like after the defects and bans of 5 of there top fighters?

Are they going to lose out to Russia and the other break away state's of the former USSR in running for the medals?

locoxelbox · Post by **locoxelbox** » 27 Feb 2008, 14:05

Their team for the upcoming qualifier is the following:

48: Iran Perez
51: Andry Laffita
54: Yankiel Leon
57: Idel Torriente
60: Yordenis Ugas
64: Rosniel Iglesias
69: Carlos Banteaux
75: Emilio Correa
81: Julio Cesar De La Cruz
91: Osmay Acosta
+91: Robert Alfonso

The three lightest boxers can find it hard to qualify first time around as there are good boxers at their weights. Cuba could change man if they fail to qualify at 48, 54, 57, 69 and 81. I wouldn't be surprised if Cuba fails to qualify one boxer.

They will certainly lose to Russia at the Olympics but should get comfortably at No 2. Have never seen De La Cruz but of the others only Ugas looks like a favourite for gold and he's in the toughest weight division with Alexey Tischenko and Frankie Gavin. I do think Rosniel Iglesias can be a dark horse.

emile · Post by **emile** » 27 Feb 2008, 14:13

How about Correa? Isn't he one of the more decorated guys left? Of course, Korobov will rule that weight class, but maybe a silver? I like the sound of De La Cruz, especially since 81kg is not a division with any dominant fighters right now. I'm wondering which young kids will strike from obscurity in Beijing, and he seems like a pretty interesting possibility.

ctill · Post by **ctill** » 27 Feb 2008, 15:37

Just wait until 2012...They will be allowed to turn pro after the 2008 Olympics, so the amatuer dominance will be hurt by that.

JMac · Post by **JMac** » 27 Feb 2008, 16:37

ctill wrote:Just wait until 2012...They will be allowed to turn pro after the 2008 Olympics, so the amatuer dominance will be hurt by that.

Do you say that because with Castro steping down, you think there will be big changes under the new regime? Or has that policy been stated somewhere?

With Raul in charge, I see some changes, but not a lot. I hope the US gov't makes changes as well with regards to Cuba. The embargo did not work. It just hurt the Cuban people. Americans should be aloud to travel freely to Cuba and hopefully Cubanos will be allowed to travel freely as well. I would like to see their boxers like Rigo turn pro without having to defect.

ctill · Post by **ctill** » 27 Feb 2008, 16:54

Yesterday I was in the gym and a well respected manager was there discussing that he and a well known promoter was in talks with several Cuban officials to allow them to turn pro after age 24. That way they can compete as amatuers and still have time for a decent pro career.

ogii3 · Post by **ogii3** » 27 Feb 2008, 17:57

Cubans weren't in the shape that i use to see them in "Strandja tournament" some weeks ago?
Santi, what is the reason about it. Lafita lost from Bulgarian veteran, who isn't champion of our country, but was in very good form, without help of judjes. Ugas was far away from what i saw when he become world champ. And most of the others......didn't seem to carry with them the best of world's supperior boxing school.

locoxelbox · Post by **locoxelbox** » 27 Feb 2008, 23:39

ctill wrote:Yesterday I was in the gym and a well respected manager was there discussing that he and a well known promoter was in talks with several Cuban officials to allow them to turn pro after age 24. That way they can compete as amatuers and still have time for a decent pro career.

That would be a great thing to do. However let me have my doubts. I don't believe it until I see it.

Cubans weren't in the shape that i use to see them in "Strandja tournament" some weeks ago?
What is the reason about it.

I couldn't really answer that. Probably they just don't have such a good team this time. They have lost five of their best six boxers in short time and it's been hard to find suitable replacements. I'm sure they will have a strong team for 2012, unless the defections continue of course.
Regarding Ugas I don't know what happened but he was suspended when he came home and wasn't selected for the Independence Cup. I'm sure he'll be in shape for the Olympics though.