2007 Pan Am Games

boxmel · Post by **boxmel** » 10 Jul 2007, 13:42

Found the following report on the Cubans....

Cuba a Force in Boxing and Baseball at Pan American Games
07-10-2007 2:15 AM
By ANNE-MARIE GARCIA, Associated Press Writer

HAVANA (Associated Press) -- Still the main challenger to the United States in the Pan American Games medals race, Cuba suddenly has some doubts about one of its strongest sports.

Although the Cubans are favored to win the most boxing medals at the games, which begin Friday, an air of uncertainty surrounds the squad. How will the relatively inexperienced fighters perform going into the first international tournament after the stunning blow Cuban boxing sustained in December with the desertion of Olympic and Pan American medalists Yan Barthelemy, Yuriolkis Gamboa and Odlanier Solis?

"The objective cannot be less than the six gold medals we won six years ago," Cuba boxing coach Pedro Roque said. "We are counting on various athletes with little experience, but that's our reality and their training was designed with that in mind."

Roque said he was not alarmed by several losses in the Dominican Republic in May.

Flyweight Yampier Hernandez and super heavyweight Robert Alfonso lost because of their lack of experience, the coach said. The defeat of world lightweight champion Yordanis Ugas to Dominican Jonathan Batista was "a slip," Roque claimed.

Guillermo Rigondeaux, who holds the dual titles of Olympic and world champion in the bantamweight class will head the team, along with Ugas and welterweight Erislandy Lara. The agile Rigondeaux became Cuba's top competitive boxer with the retirement of Mario Kindelan in 2004.

"The Pan American Games will not be a stroll because the competitors have prepared very well," said the 26-year-old Rigondeaux, who is hoping for his third continental crown.

In 1999, Cuba won nine gold and three bronze medals in boxing. In 2003, it went home with six gold medals, three silver and one bronze.

By comparison, the United States sends a relatively inexperienced group and won't be favored for medals in nearly as many classes as the Cubans.

Overall, Cuba's sports leaders expect the nation to once again be runner-up to the Americans in the medals table. The United States has led in 13 of the 14 editions of the Pan American Games, and Cuba has been No. 2 since 1971.

"We don't want to try to determine how many gold medals we will win beforehand, but we have the conviction that we will retain second place," Christian Jimenez, president of Cuba's National Institute of Sports, said.

Cuba is sending 483 athletes to Rio de Janeiro, more than the 403 it sent to Santo Domingo in 2003, when it came home with 72 golds, 41 silvers and 39 bronzes.

"The delegation has an average age of 23 years because we are looking toward the Olympic Games in 2008," Jimenez said.

Cuba's communist government finances competitive sports in rudimentary training facilities where athletes train under a giant image of revolutionary hero Che Guevara and the patriotic slogan of "honor and dignity."

"We don't have all the best, but we have what is necessary," when it comes to facilities and equipment, Jimenez said.

Cuba's strong cards for the games include wrestling, track and field, cycling, diving, kayak, and rowing.

Not to be forgotten, of course, is baseball, "the national sport, that we carry in our blood, passion and culture," Jimenez said.

Several of the young Cubans admit they are under pressure to succeed on the world stage.

"For a Cuban baseball player defeat doesn't exist," 22-year-old pitcher Yulieski Gourriel said. "People expect so much of you.

"It won't take me by surprise like the World Baseball Classic did, when we lived difficult and bitter moments," Gourriel added. Japan beat Cuba in the classic's final.

Major league scouts are interested in Gourriel, who said during the classic that one offered him $50 million.

"I felt strange, I'm not used to this," he said. "I've always said that I wouldn't accept any proposition, whatever the price. I won't play another kind of baseball. I feel very good here, with my marvelous family, and a nation that loves me."

boxmel · Post by **boxmel** » 11 Jul 2007, 09:04

The IOC is not scrapping the computer scoring system. AIBA is working on a new system, but it won't be ready until after Beijing. All systems can be manipulated - at least with the computer you can see who's doing the manipulating and do something about it. I'm guessing the Pan Ams will use the Brazilian system which, I hear, is excellent. Have no idea why other countries would want the Cubans to win at their expense.

emile · Post by **emile** » 11 Jul 2007, 10:52

So, the US qualified a fighter at every weight except 132? That's what the USAboxing website suggests on its TV schedule - ESPN Deportes will be showing the boxing.

I'll be rooting for Del Valle and Dargan I guess. While it would probably be better for the team if someone going to the box-offs was going to be fighting, it is a nice way to presumably send them off before their pro careers start.

ESPN Deportes Boxing Coverage
July 20: 3-8 p.m. EST
July 21: 4-7 p.m. EST
July 22: 3-7 p.m. EST
July 23: 7-9 p.m. EST
July 24: 6-8:30 p.m. EST (semifinals)
July 25: 5-6:30 p.m. EST (semifinals)
9-10 p.m. EST
July 27: 4-5:30 p.m. EST (finals)
July 28: 4-5:30 p.m. EST (finals)

boxmel · Post by **boxmel** » 11 Jul 2007, 12:02

So, the US qualified a fighter at every weight except 132? That's what the USAboxing website suggests on its TV schedule

Yep - Terence Crawford lost to Yordenis Ugas, Cuba, in the first qualifier.

- ESPN Deportes will be showing the boxing.

Costing me $12 for a month just for the boxing - but, hey! That's worth it.

Unfortunately, I'll have to do mostly time-recording. :( But I'll be checking results from work.

emile · Post by **emile** » 11 Jul 2007, 12:07

Why didn't Terrance fight at the second qualifier? He could use this experience. Also, based on the USA Boxing results, I don't understand why Crawford didn't make it and Dargan, Porter, and Del Valle did - since they all seem to have lost in the semis at the first qualifier.

boxmel · Post by **boxmel** » 11 Jul 2007, 12:19

Why didn't Terrance fight at the second qualifier? He could use this experience. Also, based on the USA Boxing results, I don't understand why Crawford didn't make it and Dargan, Porter, and Del Valle did - since they all seem to have lost in the semis at the first qualifier.

Okay - trying to track down a mystery (maybe Dennis knows the answer). Crawford DID qualify for the Pan Ams in the first Americas qualifier. He also lost in the semis at the US Championships. Maybe he (1) was injured or (2) decided to not go and be ready for the Trials/Box-offs???

Dennis · Post by **Dennis** » 11 Jul 2007, 22:56

boxmel wrote:
Why didn't Terrance fight at the second qualifier? He could use this experience. Also, based on the USA Boxing results, I don't understand why Crawford didn't make it and Dargan, Porter, and Del Valle did - since they all seem to have lost in the semis at the first qualifier.
Okay - trying to track down a mystery (maybe Dennis knows the answer). Crawford DID qualify for the Pan Ams in the first Americas qualifier. He also lost in the semis at the US Championships. Maybe he (1) was injured or (2) decided to not go and be ready for the Trials/Box-offs???

Sorry, but I don't know the answer.

boxmel · Post by **boxmel** » 11 Jul 2007, 23:49

I tried finding out and it would have necessitated a phone call to Dan Campbell in Rio. I decided it wasn't worth bothering him about.

Dennis · Post by **Dennis** » 12 Jul 2007, 11:57

This is the exact reason I do not agree with the process of qualifying a particular athlete. If Crawford's qualifying would qualify the country in that particular weight class, then the US could send a different boxer when Crawford pulled out. It wouldn't matter what his reasons were - sickness, injury, saving himself, etc. The US would still be able to send a full team. I could see it happening for the Olympics too.

boxmel · Post by **boxmel** » 12 Jul 2007, 13:03

I most definitely understand the reasoning behind qualifying a weight class instead of a boxer. However, and I'm taking a wild stab, I think it doesn't happen because of the paperwork involved to send a delegation to a major tournament. Registration deadlines have to be met, visas obtained, blah, blah, blah. Switching at the last minute would create a huge administrative headache.

Dennis · Post by **Dennis** » 14 Jul 2007, 15:27

Mel - sometimes there is plenty of time. For instance with the Olympics. If a boxer qualifies at the World Championships or one of the later qualifiers and then has a major illness, injury or worse, there would still be plenty of time to select a replacement. Things happen. I know of boxers who aren't boxing because of health reasons - one suffers from seizures, the other has cancer. You and I both know of a boxer who died in a car crash last year. I would rather try to deal with the headaches of the paperwork than having a weight class left empty.

boxmel · Post by **boxmel** » 14 Jul 2007, 21:21

Gotcha - but as long as AIBA makes the rules, we abide.

Dennis · Post by **Dennis** » 15 Jul 2007, 00:30

boxmel wrote:Gotcha - but as long as AIBA makes the rules, we abide.

Unfortunate but true.

locoxelbox · Post by **locoxelbox** » 20 Jul 2007, 01:19

The boxing competition at the 15th Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil starts today friday with the cuban team heavily favored to win gold at most weights. Last time out in Santo Domingo 2003 the cubans suffered a setback winning "only" six gold medals. This time their team will probably suffer the defections of olympic champions Yan Bartelemy, Yuriolkis Gamboa and Odlanier Solis but we can expect some seven or eight gold medals for them. The only reigning champion participating is bantamweight Guillermo Rigondeaux who looks to extend his winning streak of 102 victories since 2003.
Host nation Brazil fields an experienced team with three Athens olympians and they should be able to snatch one gold medal with help from home support. Their best cards are Davi Souza, Myke Carvalho and Washington Silva.

Weight by weight predicitions:

48:
Cuban newcomer Yampier Hernandez won the first qualifier but a loss to dominican veteran Winston Mendez may indicate his lack of international experience may hurt him.
Pick for gold: Yampier Hernandez (CUB)
Runner-Up: Patricio Calero (ECU)

51:
A strong weight class with three strong candidates for gold. Juan Carlos Payano (DOM) was a silver medalist at the 2003 Pan Ams and is 2-1 up against cuban Yoandry Salinas but lost last time they met. McWilliam Arroyo (PUR) won gold at the CAC Games last year at 48, beating Bartelemy, and looks to have the tools to dominate at his weight too.
Pick for gold: McWilliam Arroyo (PUR)
Runner-Up: Yoandry Salinas (CUB)

54:
Guillermo Rigondeaux is the worlds No 1 P4P boxer and hasn't lost a bout for over four years. Rigo hasn't showed his best form this year though and close wins over Hector Manzanilla (VEN) and Claudio Marrero (DOM) may indicate he'll have to work hard for his second Pan Am title.
Pick for gold: Guillermo Rigondeaux (CUB)
Runner-Up: Hector Manzanilla (VEN)

57:
Brazils Davi Souza holds a win over Idel Torriente (CUB) and showed good form in the european tour this year. Despite his relative little international experience he remains one of the host nations best bet for gold. Mexican Francisco Vargas has dropped down one division and looked good at the qualifiers.
Pick for gold: Idel Torriente (CUB)
Runner-Up: Davi Souza (BRA)

60:
Another strong weigh class with world champion Yordenis Ugas (CUB) a clear favorite despite a loss against Jonathan Batista (DOM). Venezuelas hard punchiong Lisandro Bolivar, Colombias Darley Perez and Brazil´s slick counter-puncher Everton Lopes should go far.
Pick for gold: Yordenis Ugas (CUB)
Runner-Up: Lisandro Bolivar (VEN)

64:
World bronze medalist Inocente Fiss is the slight favorite in an open division. Brazil´s Myke Carvalho as well as Domionican Felix Diaz Guzman and USA:s Karl Dargan have the experience to score an upset.
Pick for gold: Inocnete Fiss (CUB)
Runner-Up: Myke Carvalho (BRA)

69:
World champion Erislandy Lara is a clear favorite to win here but should look out for USA:s Demetrius Andrade who probably is the american teams best boxer. Other quality fighters are Jean Carlso Prada (VEN), Pedro Lima (BRA), Anthony Mosqueara (MEX), Jaime Cortez (ECU) and Diego Chaves (ARG).
Pick for gold: Erislandy Lara (CUB)
Runner-Up: Demetrius Andrade (USA)

75:
Mexican Marco Anotnio Periban upset cuban world bronze medalist Emilio Correa at hte 2nd qualifier (somewhat controversial decision) and could repeat but also Venezuelas Alfonso Blanco holds an outsiders chance to win. Correa is one of the weakest cubans and my guess is he'll be beaten.
Pick for gold: Alfonso Blanco (VEN)
Runner-Up: Marco Antonio Periban (MEX)

81:
Look out for three names in this order: Yusiel Napoles (CUB), Carlos Negron (PUR) and Washington Silva (BRA), who is back after a year of injuries.
Pick for gold: Yusiel Napoles (CUB)
Runner-Up: Carlos Negron (PUR)

91:
Jose Payares (VEN) and Rafael Lima (BRA) should be the ones who can trouble favorite Osmay Acosta at this weight.
Pick for gold: Osmay Acosta (CUB)
Runner-Up: Jose Payares (VEN)

+91:
Robert Alfonso should have gotten the right experience to win this weak weight class. Only potential upsets come from canadian Didier Bence and colombian Oscar Rivas.
Pick for gold: Robert Alfonso (CUB)
Runner-Up: Didier Bence (CAN)

emile · Post by **emile** » 20 Jul 2007, 09:07

Great preview loco, thanks.

boxmel · Post by **boxmel** » 20 Jul 2007, 09:13

Yes, I ordered ESPN Deportes and yes, I'm taping! Yippee!!!!!

NYboxing · Post by **NYboxing** » 20 Jul 2007, 12:53

programing alert - espn2 is showing one hour of boxing from the pan am games begining at 11:00 pm EDT Friday night and also again next Friday.

Also, espndeportes.com is streaming the pan am games on its website for people in the US. Not sure what time is boxing is on - USA boxing lists times, but you never know.

For international folks - check our terra.com - they have been showing selective live events and having been posting videos.

Enjoy!!

jtyson · Post by **jtyson** » 20 Jul 2007, 14:50

The website isnt posting the draw sheets accept for todays matches. Here is who the US team drew first.

106 - Luiz Yanez vs. Paulo Carvalho (Brazil)
112 - Qa'id Muhammad vs. Juan Carlos Payano (Dominican Republic)
119 - Roberto Marroquin vs. Claudio Marrero (Dominican Republic)
125 - Luis Del Ville vs. Franklin Manzanilla Rangel (Venezula)
141 - Karl Dargan vs. Carlos Hernandez (El Salvador)
152 - Demetrius Andrade vs. John Jackson (Virgin Islands)
165 - Shawn Porter vs. Emilio Correa (Cuba)
178 - Christopher Downs vs. Washington Silva (Brazil)
201 - Adam Willett vs. Julio Payares (Venezuela)
201+ - Mike Wilson vs. Didier Bence (Canada)

Porter probably got the worst draw, having to face the Cuban first.

Willett's opponent from Venzuela is tough

Wilson lost to Bence in the Pan American Games Quailifier

NYboxing · Post by **NYboxing** » 20 Jul 2007, 14:57

FYI - Draw and results are on this link:

http://www.rio2007.org.br/data/pages/8C ... 7F2E3F.htm

emile · Post by **emile** » 20 Jul 2007, 15:03

Good opportunity for Porter to show he's improved since the qualifiers. As loco pointed out, Correa is beatable. Qa'id Muhammad also has a very tough draw against Payano, as does Downs. Wilson needs to beat Bence - didn't he lose by one point to him last time?

boxing4life · Post by **boxing4life** » 21 Jul 2007, 08:27

emile wrote:Why didn't Terrance fight at the second qualifier?

Terrance didnt go to the pan man cuz of his conduct(he did qualify)...he has several problem at camp then got into a fight wit jorge diaz at venezuela at the boxing venue and in the last traning camp he got in another fight wit gary russel jr.....coach dan campbell took him out of the team cuz he made the trials and he want to show him dat no matter wat team he qualify for...he will get kick out if he dont work wit his disipline....

locoxelbox · Post by **locoxelbox** » 21 Jul 2007, 16:04

Two boxers qualified and scheduled to fight didn't make the weight and thus missed the opportunity to compete at the Pan Ams. Hector Manzanilla (VEN), one of Venezuelas best hopes and the main challenger of cuban star Guillermo Rigondeaux at bantamweight, failed by 100 grams and is out. Thus I will change my prediction of Manzanilla grabbing silver and I replace him with Claudio Marrero of Dominican Republic.
Also Hugo Moolenar of Virgin Islands failed to make the light welterweight limit. Moolenar was a silver medalist at the 2006 Central American & Caribbean Games.

zorndeslammes · Post by **zorndeslammes** » 21 Jul 2007, 18:08

interesting note: the Antonio Noguiera listed for Brazil at 91+ is Antonio Rogerio Noguiera, who typically competes in MMA at the weight of 205, where he's a top 10 fighter. He's the twin brother of recent UFC signing Antonio Rodrigo Noguiera, and has been training over the last few years with the Cuban national team.

boxmel · Post by **boxmel** » 21 Jul 2007, 18:55

Interesting - the Pan Am decision was a KO loss for Shawn Porter; in AIBA language that means an H. The USAB web site shows it as RSC. I saw the bout and, frankly, Porter got clocked. Saving grace might have been that he wasn't down long, but for the referee to say "KO" tells me he saw something that would cause him to impose a restriction period. I just hope we're doing the safe thing for Shawn.

Onekrazyrican · Post by **Onekrazyrican** » 22 Jul 2007, 16:11

I read that Rigodoneaux and Erislandy Lara didnt show up for the weighting today and are missing. Anyone heard anything about it?