BoxRec

As we discussed previously two Cuban stars Rigondeaux and Landa have defected and are currently in Brazil. The two plus a third man were arrested by police presumably for having no passports, Arena Boxing in Germany have already been in touch.

Fidel Castro has accused the pair of being traitors. Is Castro right?

Is his regime to blame for this incident? Why should two men not be allowed as a basic right to leave their own country and choose their own paths? And more importantly for us, will these stellar amateurs make a mark in the pro game if indeed they are allowed to travel to Germany as opposed to being sent home to Cuba? There life wouldn't be much fun if they were sent home!

I'm just interested to hear views on this situation.

EDIT: Sorry i didn't realise Real_Deal has bumped the old post back up with this story

You should never betray you country - ever.

boxingchat wrote:You should never betray you country - ever.

You ever lived in poverty? or lived under a dictator? its easy for us to say people should do this or that , when we live in relative luxury.

boxingchat wrote:You should never betray you country - ever.

if the same thing happened here - someone emigrating for a better job or life - that would not be betrayal - we should not regard it as such

This attempted defection will probably stop Cuba sending boxers to international competition for a while, might not see them before the Olympics next year, which will be deemed a safe place for them to go, as China wouldn't accept any defections from the boxers.

Gutted they didnt make it to Germany. You'd think Arena boxing wouldve gotten them out of Brazil a bit sharpish. Although rumour is they were scared for their families lives.

Didn't help that Rigondeaux and Landa ran up big hotel bills through partying , they couldn't pay them. So the hotel informed the authorities.

Article in todays Sun:

Fidel Castro may ban Cuba's boxers from the upcoming World Championships and other Olympic qualifierss to prevent them defecting to other nations.

The Dictator, 80, said: "Cuba will not sacrifice one bit of honour, or ideals, for Olypmic Gold medals".

HH

Rigondeaux and Landa boxing careers are also over. Castro has said they will be given jobs, but won't be boxing anymore

I used to love Cuban boxing, and still do admire the boxers. However, I'm beginning to realise that the romanticism surrounding their attitude to the sport is mere fantasy.

If you get a chance read 'In The Red Corner' by John Duncan

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Red-Corner-Jour ... 735&sr=1-1

All right calm down, I was only joking!

Fidel's an honest man

Old bones Ian wrote:If you get a chance read 'In The Red Corner' by John Duncan

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Red-Corner-Jour ... 735&sr=1-1

Fantastic book!

http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=T&ct ... 0QH7mJS5Dw

Seems to be confirmed now that Cuba will not be competing in Chicago.

Autobarn wrote:Fidel's an honest man

Twisted Transistor wrote:

Autobarn wrote:Fidel's an honest man

Actually, compared to the guy he replaced, Castro IS honest.

verballistic wrote:

Autobarn wrote:Fidel's an honest man

sure he is!!

if he says you will go to prison for speaking out against his regime, you WILL indeed go to prison!!

Thats happened In most Commie countries.

Yet they have views where you live for your fellow man.

verballistic wrote:

Autobarn wrote:Fidel's an honest man

sure he is!!

if he says you will go to prison for speaking out against his regime, you WILL indeed go to prison!!

that's what I meant!