BoxRec

A Cuban amateur turning pro entails great risk not only to himself but to his family too. Fidel Castro's government come down heavily on those seeking a better life abroad.

Jumping on a boat to the USA is a very hazardous, risky mission. Strong currents and dangerous weather often mean failure and death.

The only realistic way to do it is to wait until the boxer is selected for a multi-nations tournament abroad, then defect, i.e. claim political asylum.

However, regarding the amateurs, I can't think of a better system anywhere in the world that matches Cuba. These guys train like pros and they start young. Just getting on the Cuban national team is an achievement, and the boxers are treated like royalty. Win the world championships or the Olympic Games and you are a demi-god.

Although we have had some good results with Harrison and Khan, the fact of the matter is that we have only 1 or 2 guys on the team when really we should be fielding more. Everyone else does.

There's no point in saying "well Europe is the hardest place to qualify" bcuz everyone else in Europe manages to send a decent-size squad. Why are we the ones to fall short in assembling a proper team? Thailand hired a Cuban coach and they have benefited, (i.e. more boxers, more in the last stages etc).

We'll always be like this unless the ABA make some changes. A Cuban coach would be good.

P.S. Has anyone ever been to train or watch boxing in Cuba? I'd be interested if there any travel organisations that do it. It would be a memorable experience.

Cuba is only good for 3 things...

1) Cigars

2) Boxers

3) Women


And please please, dont anyone say Juan Carlos Gomez...

By the way, I was having a few beers in the house one weekend night and flicked through the digital channels and stumbled across a one hour documentary called 'Boxeo Cuba'.

It was on a weird channel, Travel and Leisure or something that usually deals with holidays. This had nothing to do with hols.

Focused on the boxing culture and the kids. Good stuff, keep your eyes peeled for it.

Boxingmad wrote:A Cuban amateur turning pro entails great risk not only to himself but to his family too. Fidel Castro's government come down heavily on those seeking a better life abroad.

Jumping on a boat to the USA is a very hazardous, risky mission. Strong currents and dangerous weather often mean failure and death.

The only realistic way to do it is to wait until the boxer is selected for a multi-nations tournament abroad, then defect, i.e. claim political asylum.

However, regarding the amateurs, I can't think of a better system anywhere in the world that matches Cuba. These guys train like pros and they start young. Just getting on the Cuban national team is an achievement, and the boxers are treated like royalty. Win the world championships or the Olympic Games and you are a demi-god.

Although we have had some good results with Harrison and Khan, the fact of the matter is that we have only 1 or 2 guys on the team when really we should be fielding more. Everyone else does.

There's no point in saying "well Europe is the hardest place to qualify" bcuz everyone else in Europe manages to send a decent-size squad. Why are we the ones to fall short in assembling a proper team? Thailand hired a Cuban coach and they have benefited, (i.e. more boxers, more in the last stages etc).

We'll always be like this unless the ABA make some changes. A Cuban coach would be good.

P.S. Has anyone ever been to train or watch boxing in Cuba? I'd be interested if there any travel organisations that do it. It would be a memorable experience.

There is a book you would love. In the Red Corner - the story of Cuban Boxing.

Bya British guy - brilliant, brilliant boook.

Razor wrote:Cuba is only good for 3 things...

1) Cigars

2) Boxers

3) Women


And please please, dont anyone say Juan Carlos Gomez...

Add to that fantastic weather and cheap rum and it sounds a terrible place.

yeah Ive seen that too Ian, very impfromative, its the discovery channel package, by that I mean its repeated on any of the channels that come with Dscivery channel, travel and liesiure, history, national geo etc...speaking of which did everyone see that Louis /Scmeling Doc on Sat night.

Very entertaining.

J wrote:yeah Ive seen that too Ian, very impfromative, its the discovery channel package, by that I mean its repeated on any of the channels that come with Dscivery channel, travel and liesiure, history, national geo etc...speaking of which did everyone see that Louis /Scmeling Doc on Sat night.

Very entertaining.

J - watched it yesterday evening (the joys of Sky plus). About to finish Max's autobiography - an illuminating read.

I really want to go to Cuba soon.

jamesmcdonnell wrote:I really want to go to Cuba soon.

i want to retire there. im 34 now and want to retire by the time im 35 (next march). any ideas how i can do that on a nurses wage?

Do you have the keys to the pharmacy?

neil r wrote:

jamesmcdonnell wrote:I really want to go to Cuba soon.

i want to retire there. im 34 now and want to retire by the time im 35 (next march). any ideas how i can do that on a nurses wage?

Spend it all on smack. That's where the profit margins are...

jamesmcdonnell wrote:I really want to go to Cuba soon.

It's great, i got a 2 week deal in December 2002 for £635...4 star hotel, all inclusive meals and booze!! Plus activities, like diving, jet ski's, sailing etc

A great holiday! I also visited Havana...la la la Coooooba

DavidPayne wrote:There is a book you would love. In the Red Corner - the story of Cuban Boxing.

Bya British guy - brilliant, brilliant boook.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASI ... 52-9866040

Link to buy off Amazon, i got my copy ordered

steve689 wrote:

DavidPayne wrote:There is a book you would love. In the Red Corner - the story of Cuban Boxing.

Bya British guy - brilliant, brilliant boook.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASI ... 52-9866040

Link to buy off Amazon, i got my copy ordered

i bought this a couple of years ago. can recommend it highly.