Why do Cubans get lazy when they come to America?

I wouldn't say "LAZY"...probably get TOO COMFORTABLE though...ESPECIALLY IN MIAMI! Just because you Turn Pro and your making Money now does not mean "YOU MADE IT"...must people in America don't know about their LEGENDARY AMATEUR CAREERS nor do they care so your basically starting OVER If I was a Manager or Trainer or Promoter I would get my Fighter the hell out of Miami for one, it is just too much going on in Miami, HOW CAN YOU STAY FOCUSED...ESPECIALLY WITH ALL THE WOMEN IN MIAMI lol To some Cubans, just arriving on American shores means they've "made it". Then reality sets in and they realize things aren't just handed to them. Some learn to work the system (not exclusive to Cubans); some decide they want to "make good". Talented Cuban athletes have a built-in opportunity to make really good money really fast. Add to that the environment in Miami, and the general buzz surrounding some of them, and it can be a real challenge to stay focused.

I wouldn't say "LAZY"...probably get TOO COMFORTABLE though...ESPECIALLY IN MIAMI! Just because you Turn Pro and your making Money now does not mean "YOU MADE IT"...must people in America don't know about their LEGENDARY AMATEUR CAREERS nor do they care so your basically starting OVER If I was a Manager or Trainer or Promoter I would get my Fighter the hell out of Miami for one, it is just too much going on in Miami, HOW CAN YOU STAY FOCUSED...ESPECIALLY WITH ALL THE WOMEN IN MIAMI lol

asians,europeans,etc...can get work visas & leave their respective countries to go work as temporary foreign workers....we have boat loads of them in canada,many eastern europeans speak several languages & can move from country to country....cubans can leave if they are married or have someone to sponsor them which puts the sponsor on the hook for 5 years here in canada....not easy to leave cuba...why do you think they DEFECT on rafts & speed boats or through international competitions where they vanish fromtheir hotels? sorry your arguement is not as valid as you think....khmel

i dont think its pathetic at all...different people adapt to new enviorments differently.many of the asian & eastern european men had to do military service(not all countries)so they at least develope discipline through that.ibragimov,maskaev,etc...they were able to maintain their discipline throughout their careers where as guys like solis,jorge luis gonzalez,juan carlos gomez were unable to maintain a high level of discipline because they enjoyed the fastlane lifestyle that they were not exposed to in cuba.not everyone handles the spotlight well & some get too complacent & think they can get by alone on talent(solis & gomez). the klitschkos are from the old soviet regime which helped mold them into the athletes they are today.its a little different in the caribbean then in eastern europe... You're implying that Cubans don't? I googled it and it says they do (2 years) which is what i thought..... and guys from Eastern Europe, Asia, South America were exposed to glitz and glamour and the 'fastlane' before coming to America unlike Cubans? You're doing a horrible job trying to argue your position. the differences you're trying to highlight simply don't exist or certianly not to the extent you're claiming.

Life in Cuba is hard. In the USA, hard work, relentless focus and determination can get a good life. Not a wealthy or a rich one but a good nice life. In Cuba, u aint ammounting to sh*t with their government. Living there and then coming here is like a different world. Its like not being allowed to have sex and being a 25 year old virgin and then going to a place where u gettin some good, good p*ssy every other day. A dude will not know how to act after been deprieved of it for so long u feel me. Word up....

didnt russian guys have to do military service? 2 years. Was changed to 18 months i think a couple years ago. Hence why guys like Vitali were World Military Champions in Boxing. Agreed. The Cuban amateur style is much more geared to winning medals. It's all about points. That approach just doesn't work in the pros, unless you're preternaturally gifted like Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (Even Floyd is more inclined to engage than some of these Cubans.) It only makes the transition to pro more difficult. I'm not familiar with the careers of many of the men you mention. Did many of them start their pro careers in their mid to late twenties, even thirties? most around 25. Tszyu & Jirov were 22. Volodymyr 20 but most like Arbachakov, Nazarov, Korobov, Vitali, Golovkin, Bute, Ibragimov were 23-26

Virtually all of these things can be said about fighters from Eastern Europe (or Asia, South America and alot of other places) yet i don't see them being completely undisciplined, becoming obese, or simply giving up on their one meal ticket once it's right in front of them with so many of their athletes. Joe Strong's 'poor kid from the ghetto' excuse is particularly pathetic. Pacquiao's poverty > Tyson's. Russian poverty in the 90's > Tyson's.i dont think its pathetic at all...different people adapt to new enviorments differently.many of the asian & eastern european men had to do military service(not all countries)so they at least develope discipline through that.ibragimov,maskaev,etc...they were able to maintain their discipline throughout their careers where as guys like solis,jorge luis gonzalez,juan carlos gomez were unable to maintain a high level of discipline because they enjoyed the fastlane lifestyle that they were not exposed to in cuba.not everyone handles the spotlight well & some get too complacent & think they can get by alone on talent(solis & gomez). the klitschkos are from the old soviet regime which helped mold them into the athletes they are today.its a little different in the caribbean then in eastern europe...

I half agree and half disagree with you. I mentioned Eastern Europe especially due to the Amateur similarities. I disagree because it isn't the fact that they have vast amateur experience, it's the fact that they have vast amateur experience with a non pro, pitty pat amateur style. You don't have to have that style to be a top amateur and alot of top amateurs don't. Look at pros like Golovkin, Korobov, Bute, Jirov, Tszyu, Chakhkiev, Adamek who were all extremely accomplished and experienced amateurs but have 'pro' styles. Or current amateurs who are at the top of their weighclass like Lomachenko, Usyk, Mekhontsev, Beterbiev, etc. Cubans amateurs are more likely to fight in a saftey first style. Guys like Tszyu, Korobov, Lomachenko are exceptionally gifted in terms of their athleticism in addition to their technical skills yet are all more than willing, even thrive, on actually fighting rather on soley relying on their natural gifts. Agreed. The Cuban amateur style is much more geared to winning medals. It's all about points. That approach just doesn't work in the pros, unless you're preternaturally gifted like Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (Even Floyd is more inclined to engage than some of these Cubans.) It only makes the transition to pro more difficult. I'm not familiar with the careers of many of the men you mention. Did many of them start their pro careers in their mid to late twenties, even thirties?

Virtually all of these things can be said about fighters from Eastern Europe (or Asia, South America and alot of other places) yet i don't see them being completely undisciplined, becoming obese, or simply giving up on their one meal ticket once it's right in front of them with so many of their athletes. Joe Strong's 'poor kid from the ghetto' excuse is particularly pathetic. Pacquiao's poverty > Tyson's. Russian poverty in the 90's > Tyson's. didnt russian guys have to do military service?

I think they loose focus and become complacent. It would be ironic if they left Cuba to make money off their boxing talent, only to come to the USA have the talent erode because of the change in lifestyle. The thing i don't like about a lot of Cuban fighters is how full of them selves they are. I hate to say it, but I see the same thing. I cringe. Some of these men seem to think, "These guys are beneath me. They're not in my league. They couldn't hold my jock in the amateurs. I was just being held back because of the dictatorship in my country. Now I'm going to take what rightfully belongs to me." *NEWS FLASH*: Nothing belongs to you until you earn it. That goes for everyone. And, even when you've earned it, it doesn't give you license to be arrogant.

No question about it. Most of these Cuban fighters defect at a relatively late age. Gamboa had his first pro bout at 25. His career is on the fast track, yet he turns thirty in December. Who would argue that Yuri isn't still improving as a pro? Luckily for him, his style is very suited to the professional game. Rigondeaux defected at age 27. His talent has been almost completely wasted in the amateurs. In Guillermo's case, his handlers are trying desperately to save what's left of his good years. Most professional boxers have limited amateur experience. These Cuban Olympians have hundreds of amateur bouts. When an athlete has stayed too long in a particular system, habits become so ingrained that they're nearly impossible to completely overcome. It's human nature. These men have experienced complete success in their world. Now, after years of honing what they needed for success, they're being asked to change. Easier said than done. I half agree and half disagree with you. I mentioned Eastern Europe especially due to the Amateur similarities. I disagree because it isn't the fact that they have vast amateur experience, it's the fact that they have vast amateur experience with a non pro, pitty pat amateur style. You don't have to have that style to be a top amateur and alot of top amateurs don't. Look at pros like Golovkin, Korobov, Bute, Jirov, Tszyu, Chakhkiev, Adamek who were all extremely accomplished and experienced amateurs but have 'pro' styles. Or current amateurs who are at the top of their weighclass like Lomachenko, Usyk, Mekhontsev, Beterbiev, etc. Cubans amateurs are more likely to fight in a saftey first style. Guys like Tszyu, Korobov, Lomachenko are exceptionally gifted in terms of their athleticism in addition to their technical skills yet are all more than willing, even thrive, on actually fighting rather on soley relying on their natural abilties.

My problem with Gamboa, as well as a lot of these up and comers, is that they still have an amateur mentality. They throw quick pitter patter punches just to score points but don't put heat on them. I agree with your basic idea. But I don't think what you say applies to Gamboa. In fact, I think the Cuban most suited to the pros is Yuriorkis. Gamboa throws his punches with bad intentions. As he's said himself, he goes for the KO, but won't risk a loss going for it. Rigondeaux has fought with the amateur mentality in the past, but he destroyed Willie Casey in one round in his last fight. Looks like Guillermo is quickly learning what it takes for success at the pro level.

I think they loose focus and become complacent. It would be ironic if they left Cuba to make money off their boxing talent, only to come to the USA have the talent erode because of the change in lifestyle. The thing i don't like about a lot of Cuban fighters is how full of them selves they are.

I don't think it's that they are lazy. I think it's more on the lines is amateur boxing isn't pro boxing. You don't get hit the same in amateur boxing, it doesn't feel the same in pro boxing, your heart is tested more, the way a fighter reacts to having no head gear and overall the amateur game is a lot less talented now. All these things factor into the difference between pro and am's. TBH, they are almost different sports. No question about it. Most of these Cuban fighters defect at a relatively late age. Gamboa had his first pro bout at 25. His career is on the fast track, yet he turns thirty in December. Who would argue that Yuri isn't still improving as a pro? Luckily for him, his style is very suited to the professional game. Rigondeaux defected at age 27. His talent has been almost completely wasted in the amateurs. In Guillermo's case, his handlers are trying desperately to save what's left of his good years. Most professional boxers have limited amateur experience. These Cuban Olympians have hundreds of amateur bouts. When an athlete has stayed too long in a particular system, habits become so ingrained that they're nearly impossible to completely overcome. It's human nature. These men have experienced complete success in their world. Now, after years of honing what they needed for success, they're being asked to change. Easier said than done.

My problem with Gamboa, as well as a lot of these up and comers, is that they still have an amateur mentality. They throw quick pitter patter punches just to score points but don't put heat on them.

Virtually all of these things can be said about fighters from Eastern Europe (or Asia, South America and alot of other places) yet i don't see them being completely undisciplined, becoming obese, or simply giving up on their one meal ticket once it's right in front of them with so many of their athletes. Joe Strong's 'poor kid from the ghetto' excuse is particularly pathetic. Pacquiao's poverty > Tyson's. Russian poverty in the 90's > Tyson's. You're right, poverty alone doesn't explain it. I'm more inclined to believe that deprivation, combined with the amateur submersion I speak of, are to blame for the Cubans' relative lack of success. I say "lack of success," because I'm not sure laziness is exactly what's amiss here. Anyway, as I've said before, I don't want to make excuses for these guys. They deserve what they earn, good or bad. I'm just searching for an explanation....

Man, I hate excuses. I try to avoid them in my own life. I'm not a fan of making them for others, either. I can only offer theories as to why some of these guys don't seem as successful as they should be. Cuban athletes are selected from a young age to train in a particular sport. The programs are all about success in the amateur system. Cubans are the best amateur boxers in the world. The problem is, when you're in your mid-twenties to early thirties, and all you've ever known is the amateur system, it's hard to change. In short: you can't teach an old dog new tricks. To top it off, these Cuban boxers are so used to beating everyone they fight that some have difficulty believing it's even possible to lose. From a psychological perspective, these young men have been deprived of a lifestyle that many Americans take for granted. Nice clothes, good food, party money, etc. These are all things that Cubans go nuts on because they don't get them on the island. And, let's not forget the most important thing that most Americans take for granted: FREEDOM. You take a young man that's never had these things and you give them more than even most Americans have...it's like having too much candy.... cuba is an extremely poor country & once they hit the states they are surrounded by good food,women,big parties,basically the fast lane lifestyle.there are many distractions in america.they make money fast & have never had it so they can sometimes spend it foolishly.no different then americans or any athlete at that came from the ghetto.ask mike tyson what money does to a poor kid....its easy to have discipline when you have nothing but once the fridge is full sometimes that discipline can deteriorate fast... Virtually all of these things can be said about fighters from Eastern Europe (or Asia, South America and alot of other places) yet i don't see them being completely undisciplined, becoming obese, or simply giving up on their one meal ticket once it's right in front of them with so many of their athletes. Joe Strong's 'poor kid from the ghetto' excuse is particularly pathetic. Pacquiao's poverty > Tyson's. Russian poverty in the 90's > Tyson's.

cuba is an extremely poor country & once they hit the states they are surrounded by good food,women,big parties,basically the fast lane lifestyle.there are many distractions in america.they make money fast & have never had it so they can sometimes spend it foolishly.no different then americans or any athlete at that who came from the ghetto.ask mike tyson what money does to a poor kid....its easy to have discipline when you have nothing but once the fridge is full sometimes that discipline can deteriorate fast...we are all guilty of spending foolishly & living beyond our means...one note gamboa sold his olympic gold medal to pay for his daughters first bday party.i thought that was great & i think he is the one cuban who may have his head on straight & isnt destracted by the big city lights of the states...

In my honest opinion. I think he was WAYY to lazy. He has good fundamentals and has great skills. But it doesnt seem like he knows how to fight in the pros. All I saw from him was head hunting , looking for the one lucky shot. He was being bullied. When this fight started you could tell who was the most skilled and more athletic guy , and also who had the better boxing. Molina made him fight his fight. Lara couldnt adjust. He needs to be more active , specially when you dont have that inside game. You better keep your opponent away. He had the right tools to do so. Just cant accept why he couldnt do it. I guess your right. He wasnt exposed. maybe not the the fullest. But a part of him was. A part of his style was. His lack of inside game is going to get him killed against a good pressure fighter. Ala Angulo or Kirkland. He's going to end up like Cordington when he fight Bika if he's not careful.

Hey man, if that's how you feel about it, fair enough. When I compare his performance with his past bouts, it looks to me like he had an off night. People aren't machines man, it happens. He was not "Exposed" though. The only thing you might be able to say is that his inside game is lacking, which I'll definitely agree and is recognized as something not built up in the amateur program, which just 16 fights ago, Lara only experienced. So yeah, a fighter ducking and weaving in to hold every 10 seconds is probably something Lara hasn't seen yet. And as far as the english thing goes. I'm not using it as a reason for his performance tonight, but it definitely doesn't help. I guess I am crazy for thinking it is a bad idea. In my honest opinion. I think he was WAYY to lazy. He has good fundamentals and has great skills. But it doesnt seem like he knows how to fight in the pros. All I saw from him was head hunting , looking for the one lucky shot. He was being bullied. When this fight started you could tell who was the most skilled and more athletic guy , and also who had the better boxing. Molina made him fight his fight. Lara couldnt adjust. He needs to be more active , specially when you dont have that inside game. You better keep your opponent away. He had the right tools to do so. Just cant accept why he couldnt do it. I guess your right. He wasnt exposed. maybe not the the fullest. But a part of him was. A part of his style was.