How good could Mario Kindelan of been?

Teofilio Stevenson lives in very small and humble house reminisent of most other Cubans, i agree the top athletes out there are looked after but the perks are humble. Stevenson, Savon and im sure other top amateur boxers were offered millions of dollars to turn over but didnt. As for them being basically professionals fighting amateurs, well, Amir khan was well looked after when he was amateur, had huge grants at his disposal and therefore did not have to worry about work, he was training full time so to all intents and purporses was a pro himself. Having visited Cuba several times and witnessed first hand at the lack of quality training equipment (some gloves must have been 30 years old!) its amazing how they have dominated the amateur game That's what I'm saying, the kids want to do it for Cuba not for money, yeah its not perfect but Stevensons comments regarding the love of cubans over dollars says it all. They'd have some brilliant pros, but whereas Khan was tempted out before China (and a gold) their guys stay for the whole of their careers. I haven't got a downer on Cuba per se, but because of the rule differences between pro and am, you won't get the same situation as Hockey and Basketball. There is something pure in their boxing, even if you hate the regime

The communist system in Cuba prevent s boxers from turning professional in the sense of the fighting under professional rules. However and this sort of addresses the question of the thread, boxers (like most sportspeople) in communist countries are propoganda figures, the state throws their weight behind them and basically supports them financially. The upshot of this is that Cuban boxers are professionals in all but name and the rules of the game, the state supports their families they don't have to worry about loosing their job if they train too much in the way a US or western european boxer has too. From the age of 12 any potential in boxing or athletics is spotted and those kids are spent to special schools that devote a large percentage of the ciriculum to that schools particular specialty sport. This gives an unbelievebly competitive youth competition culture, so the best that emerge are the very best. When you add in the constant brainwashing of the state that to compete is to show superiority of the Cuban political system (to quote Tefilio Stevenson why defect and turn pro? What is worth more millions of dollars or the love of millions of Cubans?) and the cars and flats you are given (ok not Money Mayweather pay, but big privileges compared to the average Cuban) an you basically have a professional fighting against amatuers. If you add in the natural talent for boxing pre Castro (Kid Chocolate, Kid Gavilan) it is not suprising that they dominate. Teofilio Stevenson lives in very small and humble house reminisent of most other Cubans, i agree the top athletes out there are looked after but the perks are humble. Stevenson, Savon and im sure other top amateur boxers were offered millions of dollars to turn over but didnt. As for them being basically professionals fighting amateurs, well, Amir khan was well looked after when he was amateur, had huge grants at his disposal and therefore did not have to worry about work, he was training full time so to all intents and purporses was a pro himself. Having visited Cuba several times and witnessed first hand at the lack of quality training equipment (some gloves must have been 30 years old!) its amazing how they have dominated the amateur game

Dream fight guys, Sugar Shane Mosley vs Mario Kindelan @ Lightweight :p I'm dribbiling here ;) oh yer both prime, that would be a quality fight.

Why did he not turn pro? The communist system in Cuba prevent s boxers from turning professional in the sense of the fighting under professional rules. However and this sort of addresses the question of the thread, boxers (like most sportspeople) in communist countries are propoganda figures, the state throws their weight behind them and basically supports them financially. The upshot of this is that Cuban boxers are professionals in all but name and the rules of the game, the state supports their families they don't have to worry about loosing their job if they train too much in the way a US or western european boxer has too. From the age of 12 any potential in boxing or athletics is spotted and those kids are spent to special schools that devote a large percentage of the ciriculum to that schools particular specialty sport. This gives an unbelievebly competitive youth competition culture, so the best that emerge are the very best. When you add in the constant brainwashing of the state that to compete is to show superiority of the Cuban political system (to quote Tefilio Stevenson why defect and turn pro? What is worth more millions of dollars or the love of millions of Cubans?) and the cars and flats you are given (ok not Money Mayweather pay, but big privileges compared to the average Cuban) an you basically have a professional fighting against amatuers. If you add in the natural talent for boxing pre Castro (Kid Chocolate, Kid Gavilan) it is not suprising that they dominate.

Equally as good, Teofilo Stevenson v Muhammed Ali. Although a bit younger than Ali, during Ali's reign Stevenson was the best Heavyweight Amateur on the planet and he could really punch. See the vid.

Dream fight guys, Sugar Shane Mosley vs Mario Kindelan @ Lightweight :p I'm dribbiling here ;)

Not sure have far he could've gone as a pro because we don't know how he would've adapted his style to suit the professional rankings but he did have a brilliant amateur career.

Why did he not turn pro? Most Cuban fighters stay amateurs because the Cuban government is Communist and does not allow professional sportsman. Therefore all Cuban sportsman who wish to turn pro must defect and therefore leave their home country and family.

He beat Felix Trinidad as well. His timing was brilliant, just there naturally.

Why did he not turn pro ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Cubans are'nt allowed to trn pro there are exceptions but generally they stay amatuer

Why did he not turn pro?

Mario Kindelan was one of the best amatuers the world has ever seen. You have to remember he was undefeated until his rematch with Khan, that takes some doing in the amatuers. He was not undefeated but he was a fantastic fighter (I agree with the paid to take a dive theory aainst khan) his record is around 358-22

He retired around 2005 I think.

You can say the same about many of the great Cuban fighters, Felix Savon and Teofilo Stevenson spring to mind. Some of the boxers defected so..... Your right though, a complete waste. What happened to him?

dont forget kindelan alot beat trinidad.

Mario Kindelan was one of the best amatuers the world has ever seen. You have to remember he was undefeated until his rematch with Khan, that takes some doing in the amatuers. And he wasn't the same in the rematch, kinda let Khan win.

He had wins over both Amir Khan (30-22) and Miguel Cotto (20-2) as an amateur along with other top pros today. He won the following:- 1998 World Cup Champion 1999 Pan-American Games Champion 1999 World Champion 2000 Olympic Gold Medalist 2001 World Champion 2003 World Champion 2003 Pan-American Games Champion 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist It's such a shame about Cuban boxers. You can say the same about many of the great Cuban fighters, Felix Savon and Teofilo Stevenson spring to mind. Some of the boxers defected so..... Your right though, a complete waste.