Cuban team is in Venezuela

[Venceremos]

Cuban team is now in Venezuela for the Batalla de Carabobo Tournament, that will be in Valencia, June 20-25, 2005:

Yan Bartelemí (48 kg)
Andry Laffita (51)
Guillermo Rigondeaux (54)
Yuriolkis Gamboa (57)
Yordanis Ugás (60)
Carlos Banteaux (64)
Erislandi Lara (69)
Yordanis Despaigne (75)
Yusier Nápoles (81)
Luis Ortiz (91)
Odlanier Solís (+91)
Michel López (+91)

Also, is expected the participation of Khazajstan, Bahamas, Russia, Brazil, Romania, Botswana, Ecuador, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Nicaragua and Puerto Rico.

[Chopping Right]

Why do they have two boxers at +91kg? As discussed on this forum recently there seems to be some confusion about who is the top guy at the weight in Cuba now. I assume Solis could not make 91kg anymore.

[Venceremos]

Exactly.

The Cubans had planificated at least two fights between Solis and Lopez before Moscow Boxing World Cup that start in July 12th. After Venezuelan tournament, they will fight at Cuba-U.K. Dual Meet in Havana around June 27th.

Solis can't make the weight at 91, but he must beats Lopez at +91 for take his ticket to Moscow.

[Chopping Right]

Interesting, from a Cuban perspective it might be better if Solis can establish himself at +91, because they have not enjoyed much success at that weight for a long time. He is a proven winner, but is not a tall guy so maybe he will struggle at +91.

I take it Mario Kindelan is all done now? He's still only around 33, I would have thought he might have stayed until Moscow. Seems to have gone out on a very quiet performance v Amir Khan.

[Venceremos]

Kindelan is retired. He did not participates in Cuban National Championship nor in the Cordova Cardin International Tournament, and he will not fight more. The Cuban press said that his 2005's fights in UK has been a "parentheses" of his retirement.

Kindelan will not fight at Cuba-UK Dual Meet of end of June, although Amir Khan will be in Havana in June 27th. In this moment, Mario aspires to obtain a contract for being a trainer in a London boxing club.

[Chopping Right]

...Mario aspires to obtain a contract for being a trainer in a London boxing club.

Yes, there has been mention of that here in the UK. I'd be interested to know how that would work given the political situation in Cuba, presumably he would have to get permission to work in the UK temporarily? I'm not sure how much freedom of movement Cuban nationals have.

[Venceremos]

Yes, he could do it with a permission of work of the Cuban Sport Ministry. I knew that exists Cuban boxing trainers in Thailand and others countries.

[Chopping Right]

...........although Amir Khan will be in Havana in June 27th.

Are you sure about that? If Khan is there he won't be boxing, he makes his pro debut in hometown Bolton on July 16th.

[Venceremos]

Batalla de Carabobo Tournament
Date: June 20-24.
Venue: Jorge Romero Celis Gym, Valencia, Venezuela.

Countries confirmed: Brazil (8), Bostwana (2), Colombia (16), Dominican Republic (11), Cuba (12), Puerto Rico, Argentina and Venezuela.

Countries unconfirmed: Romania, Russia and Kazajstan.

Venezuelian Team:

Miguel Miranda (48 kg),
Héctor Manzanilla (51),
Marlon Almagro (54),
Lizandro Bolívar (57),
Danny Rodríguez (60),
Kenin Betancourt (60),
John Ortega (60),
Derwin Medina (64),
Johnny Sanchez (64),
Jan Carlos Prada (69),
Omar Coffi (75),
Walfredo Rivero (81),
Edgar Muñoz (91),
José Payares (+91).

[boxmel]

Ahhhhh - some new names on the Cuban team. The boxing program definitely has a great deal of depth!

If there is any way to post the results of the tournament, or a web site, where they will be available, please let me know.