What can Cuban fighters do to better promote themselves?

Its not that hard to leave Cuba... The fk? The stuff you hear around this place. It seems to be getting easier, don't you think? I don't think I was the first one to bring up Donaire and if I was Im too lazy to go check. What did Donaire do to get on the P4P? He had a cool little when he beat Darchi and stuff but I dont think he deserves to be there above Marquez, Ward or Dawson to name a few. Look at his recent run... Pure sh1t tbh. And I never seen Gamboa at 118 and I don't think he could make that weight even if he starved himself for a month. He's a thick dude but if he brings everything he had at 126 to 118 its hard not to pick Gamboa over Donaire. For one, he's beaten 2 ring top10 p4pers. Ward, Martinez, Dawson, Klitschko have collectively beat one. His pure sh1t run is better than Yuri's great run you quoted, or Rigo's, or even Sergio's.

Americans of all colors could identify with those guys much easier than with the Cubans, that's only normal. If you're not gonna speak english, you'll need a strong ethnic base, whether Mex, PR, Pinoy Power PPV, Adamek in Jersey/Chicago, even Vic was a minor attraction in Glendale. They gotta start in Florida, ideally with Gamboa, unfortunately he'll be doing Vegas mostly. Yeah. The language barrier was a good point that was bought up. F

This is just a call for a forum wide brainstorm. As most of you are familiar with many Cubans risk life and limb just to escape their homeland in hopes of more lucrative prospects in the United States. Cubans with rich amateur backgrounds in baseball have no problems establishing themselves as stars in their sport (or at least being paid as such). Boxing defectors are not afforded as easy a path to wealth and celebrity. My question to you as regular members of NSB, is what could be done to improve the public opinion of Cuban fighters? In terms of viability as opponents, risk/reward scenarios, even national rivalries. Have at least 2 cards in Miami with the "a side" in each fight be a cuban born fighter.Try to set up as many cuban vs PR fights in Miami as possible.

Back in Gavilan's days, it was possible to be a star because of the exposure. Naturally. But the reason the "Keed" got the exposure in the first place was due to his greatness and exciting style. As for Kid Chocolate, when a guy walking on the street saw his name on a flyer, all he could tell was that he was black. African American fans bought tickets thinking they were watching one of their own, and white racist fans went in wanting to watch a black fighter get beat. Boxers faking accents or ethnicities was frequently done in those days. Cocoa kid didn't even speak English at his press conferences/promotional meetings (despite having been raised in the U.S. and speaking perfect English), because he wanted to appeal to Puerto Rican audiences on the East Coast. I think you're making some assumptions here, some of which are not supported by historical accounts. Kid Chocolate was, to the best of my knowledge, not only popular in the ring, but outside of it. Saying that large groups of people didn't know where Chocolate hailed from would be accusing them of mass ignorance, especially since the Kid was also known as the "Cuban Bon Bon". Even if some African-Americans were confused about the Kid's background, they would not have accounted for his success. As for whites going to see him to watch him lose, that's conjecture based on a Jack Johnson-type scenario. Unlike Johnson, Kid Chocolate was a popular champion even beyond his own people. Puerto Rican fans filled up gyms when he trained in New York for Pipino Cuevas, and the Latin American media was all over him before he even fought Leonard. What made him a transcendent draw was beating a bigger draw... Leonard. But before then, he built a fan base among mostly Latin American people. Edit: and by fighting in Latin countries and making defenses there. I always saw Duran as a fighter who was embraced by all Latinos. (He's my all-time favorite boxer.) And I agree that fighting Leonard elevated his star to new heights. In fact, their rivalry benefited them both. A great fighter needs another great fighter to achieve his ultimate potential.

Back in Gavilan's days, it was possible to be a star because of the exposure. As for Kid Chocolate, when a guy walking on the street saw his name on a flyer, all he could tell was that he was black. African American fans bought tickets thinking they were watching one of their own, and white racist fans went in wanting to watch a black fighter get beat. Boxers faking accents or ethnicities was frequently done in those days. Cocoa kid didn't even speak English at his press conferences/promotional meetings (despite having been raised in the U.S. and speaking perfect English), because he wanted to appeal to Puerto Rican audiences on the East Coast. Puerto Rican fans filled up gyms when he trained in New York for Pipino Cuevas, and the Latin American media was all over him before he even fought Leonard. What made him a transcendent draw was beating a bigger draw... Leonard. But before then, he built a fan base among mostly Latin American people. Edit: and by fighting in Latin countries and making defenses there. You are talking about Duran, right?

well cuban fighters are nothing new to the sport, I think they should follow some of their countrymen and leave cuba before they are in their 30's of course... I know it aint that hard to leave cuba. a lot of them go to Mexico then cross over and get papers. as for rivalries its pretty much up to fighters to START one, and since cuban fighters are too few it is kinda hard. I think the closest thing to a rivalry ive seen is gamboa and juanma.... but that was more fan based imo Its not that hard to leave Cuba... The fk? The stuff you hear around this place. You're a good poster, except when it comes to Donaire. I don't get it, he's not hogging your guys limelight, he's earned his standing. The 4 Gamboa opponents you listed are not even as good as Donaire's standard fare p4p. They'd kill them h2h (I doubt even Donaire gets past Salido, much less Gamboa), but that doesn't count, how would Gamboa do against Donaire at 118? I don't think I was the first one to bring up Donaire and if I was Im too lazy to go check. What did Donaire do to get on the P4P? He had a cool little when he beat Darchi and stuff but I dont think he deserves to be there above Marquez, Ward or Dawson to name a few. Look at his recent run... Pure sh1t tbh. And I never seen Gamboa at 118 and I don't think he could make that weight even if he starved himself for a month. He's a thick dude but if he brings everything he had at 126 to 118 its hard not to pick Gamboa over Donaire.

In the 50s, Kid Gavilan fought regularly on television. He was a star. So was Kid Chocolate, back in the 30s, before television. They were major draws, despite being black Cubans in notoriously racist eras. Back in Gavilan's days, it was possible to be a star because of the exposure. As for Kid Chocolate, when a guy walking on the street saw his name on a flyer, all he could tell was that he was black. African American fans bought tickets thinking they were watching one of their own, and white racist fans went in wanting to watch a black fighter get beat. Boxers faking accents or ethnicities was frequently done in those days. Cocoa kid didn't even speak English at his press conferences/promotional meetings (despite having been raised in the U.S. and speaking perfect English), because he wanted to appeal to Puerto Rican audiences on the East Coast. Roberto Duran was a big star. He didn't need a major Panamanian fan-base that to make him so. Duran marshaled a general Hispanic fan-base, but he was transcendent. Greatness will always rise and be recognized. Puerto Rican fans filled up gyms when he trained in New York for Pipino Cuevas, and the Latin American media was all over him before he even fought Leonard. What made him a transcendent draw was beating a bigger draw... Leonard. But before then, he built a fan base among mostly Latin American people. Edit: and by fighting in Latin countries and making defenses there.

Sign with 50 Cent and be friends with Pauly D. Or get born in Miami

Why do fans of Cuban decent have to be the primary fanbase of a Cuban fighter? This is in response to people saying "There's not enough Cuban Americans to make a Cuban boxing star". Black boxing fans aren't the one's who made Roy Jones Jr., Floyd Mayweather, Bernard Hopkins, Andre Ward, Jermain Taylor, Winky Wright, etc. etc. into stars. They fought their way to the top and attracted fans of all races and ethnicities with their talent and success. Americans of all colors could identify with those guys much easier than with the Cubans, that's only normal. If you're not gonna speak english, you'll need a strong ethnic base, whether Mex, PR, Pinoy Power PPV, Adamek in Jersey/Chicago, even Vic was a minor attraction in Glendale. They gotta start in Florida, ideally with Gamboa, unfortunately he'll be doing Vegas mostly.

Aw **** here we go again. I see Donaire fans are still riding that win the same way he's milking it for his P4P status. The guy has 2 notable wins on his resume in 30 fights. While Gamboa in less than 20 was fighting Barros, Solis, Salido and Ponce. All back to back and was on his way to fighting Rios till the contractual issues popped up. Im not even gonna throw Mtagwa who gave Juanma hell cause I think he sux. But when was the last time Donaire fought some good opposition back to back? In 21 fights Gamboa was already P4P listed. Oh and btw, Gamboa whoops Donaire silly. Or you gonna tell me Donaire beats him the same way he beats Rigo? :lol1: You're a good poster, except when it comes to Donaire. I don't get it, he's not hogging your guys limelight, he's earned his standing. The 4 Gamboa opponents you listed are not even as good as Donaire's standard fare p4p. They'd kill them h2h (I doubt even Donaire gets past Salido, much less Gamboa), but that doesn't count, how would Gamboa do against Donaire at 118?

well cuban fighters are nothing new to the sport, I think they should follow some of their countrymen and leave cuba before they are in their 30's of course... I know it aint that hard to leave cuba. a lot of them go to Mexico then cross over and get papers. as for rivalries its pretty much up to fighters to START one, and since cuban fighters are too few it is kinda hard. I think the closest thing to a rivalry ive seen is gamboa and juanma.... but that was more fan based imo

I agree with the fact that Cuban fighters don't and shouldn't bet their success & marketability on a Cuban constituency. But all of the examples u just gave were American fighters who fought in America. In the 50s, Kid Gavilan fought regularly on television. He was a star. So was Kid Chocolate, back in the 30s, before television. They were major draws, despite being black Cubans in notoriously racist eras. Roberto Duran was a big star. He didn't need a major Panamanian fan-base that to make him so. Duran marshaled a general Hispanic fan-base, but he was transcendent. Greatness will always rise and be recognized.

I agree with the fact that Cuban fighters don't and shouldn't bet their success & marketability on a Cuban constituency. But all of the examples u just gave were American fighters who fought in America. I think the same principle can apply though. Fight locally (in this case, Miami, NJ, etc.), and build up a fanbase. With Roy Jones, 16 of his first 20 fights was in Pensacola/Alabama. Pernell Whitaker was fighting in little Norfolk, VA early in his career. Whereas, like I like I said in my other post, Lara fighting in Biloxi Mississippi after the breakthrough performance of his career? How did that move benefit his career? He could of fought at the Hard Rock or AA. The main disadvantage is the late starts to their careers which prevents them from getting 20 fights under their belt and slowly building up a following. With Rigo, he's in his prime with only 10 fights under his belt.

Why do fans of Cuban decent have to be the primary fanbase of a Cuban fighter? This is in response to people saying "There's not enough Cuban Americans to make a Cuban boxing star". Black boxing fans aren't the one's who made Roy Jones Jr., Floyd Mayweather, Bernard Hopkins, Andre Ward, Jermain Taylor, Winky Wright, etc. etc. into stars. They fought their way to the top and attracted fans of all races and ethnicities with their talent and success. I absolutely agree. Being a great, exciting fighter makes you a star. If you also happen to be charismatic the sky's the limit. It doesn't matter what race or nationality you happen to be. People will pay to see you. It's been proven time and again. If a Cuban superstar rises, he would not only enjoy widespread popularity, but he would spark interest in boxing within his own people. There would be fresh new fans and young athletes eager to become the next star from the community. Bottom line: What can Cuban fighters do to better promote themselves? Win. Repeatedly. And in spectacular fashion.

I was talking to a guy at the Mayweather-Cotto fight and he brought up the same exact point, when I was talking about how I couldn't figure out why a guy like Gamboa doesn't have a huge following in the Cuban community. He said the white Cubans won't support him because he's a black Cuban. That's a damn shame. They must be racist themselves I guess. One of the most retarded sh1t I've ever heard. He has won multiple featherweight belts -- even if they were eventually stripped from him -- and he is on his way to a major fight after what looked like an effortless performance in a dominant eighth-round technical decision against Daniel Ponce De Leon on Saturday night before a pro-Gamboa crowd of 2,085 at the Adrian Phillips Ballroom at Boardwalk Hall. 2000 people in just 21 fights. Only 14 of them being in the US. Oh btw, that was in Jersey. Not even in Florida.

Cubans can't gain any more traction here than Haitians, Thais, El Salvadorians, or Slovakians due to two reasons: 1) There isn't enough of an ethnic base there to market boxers to and make money. They can do shows in Florida and maybe do okay, but that's it. 2) This small base is squeezed even further because of division between black and white Cubans. Many white Cubans look down on black Cubans and don't want anything to do with them, let alone support them in boxing. Source: My white Cuban girlfriend.I was talking to a guy at the Mayweather-Cotto fight and he brought up the same exact point, when I was talking about how I couldn't figure out why a guy like Gamboa doesn't have a huge following in the Cuban community. He said the white Cubans won't support him because he's a black Cuban. That's a damn shame.

You have to take all the cubans from the 60's and 70'd out of the equation they dont relate to boxing and never did , the cubans that follow the sport are the ones that have gotten here in the last 20 years for the most part, we are probably talking about 400k people as the total cuban demographic pool that the fans are possibly coming out of. Yeah that's a drawback but I don't think that should prevent them from becoming mega stars. IMO their marketed all wrong. I don't believe anybody at Top Rank or Golden Boy knows or is willing to put the effort into marketing the Cuban talent on their roster. Perfect example, Erislandy Lara is fighting on a ShoBox card in Biloxi Mississippi after the breakthrough performance of his career. How is that helping to build Lara's fanbase? They got Rigo on Pacquiao undercards, but think about it. You throw a fight party with casual boxing fans what's the question they going to ask you? "What time does the main event start? OK I'll be over at 11". It's not really giving Rigo the exposure he needs to be a crossover star. He should be fighting in Miami against agressive come forward fighters that he can knock out and look good against. But hey, what do I know?

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Why do fans of Cuban decent have to be the primary fanbase of a Cuban fighter? This is in response to people saying "There's not enough Cuban Americans to make a Cuban boxing star". Black boxing fans aren't the one's who made Roy Jones Jr., Floyd Mayweather, Bernard Hopkins, Andre Ward, Jermain Taylor, Winky Wright, etc. etc. into stars. They fought their way to the top and attracted fans of all races and ethnicities with their talent and success. You have to take all the cubans from the 60's and 70'd out of the equation they dont relate to boxing and never did , the cubans that follow the sport are the ones that have gotten here in the last 20 years for the most part, we are probably talking about 400k people as the total cuban demographic pool that the fans are possibly coming out of.

Why do fans of Cuban decent have to be the primary fanbase of a Cuban fighter? This is in response to people saying "There's not enough Cuban Americans to make a Cuban boxing star". Black boxing fans aren't the one's who made Roy Jones Jr., Floyd Mayweather, Bernard Hopkins, Andre Ward, Jermain Taylor, Winky Wright, etc. etc. into stars. They fought their way to the top and attracted fans of all races and ethnicities with their talent and success.