Facts About Cubans in Professional Boxing

The following list of Cubans currently in pro boxing, by weight class, comes from Boxrec, so feel free to check my stated facts: Minimum Weight - None Light Flyweight - None Flyweight - None Super Flyweight - (One) Leonardo Sanchez (19 years old) 2-1-0 Bantamweight - (One) Yan Barthelemy 12-3 Super Bantamweight - (Three) Guillermo Rigondeaux, Yoandris Salinas 20-0-1, Hairon Socarras (19 years old) 6-0-1 Featherweight - (Two) Luis Franco 11-1 (fighting Billy Dib for his belt on March 1), Jessy Cruz 8-5-1 Super Featherweight - (Four) Including Yuriorkis Gamboa and Rances Barthelemy 18-0 Lightweight - (Seven) Including Richard Abril, Angelo Santana 14-0 (watch out for this kid), and Yoelvis Gamboa (Yuri’s brother) 8-1 Light Welterweight- (One) Michael Santander 3-0 (23 years old) Welterweight- (Three) Yordenis Ugas 13-1, (and two others, one 36 and the other 40) Light Middleweight- (Six) Erislandy Lara, Yudel Johnson (13-1), Inocente Fiz 15-0, Leosvy Mayedo 3-0 (and two others 40 and older) Middleweight - (Three) None really worth noting, unless you count “Kid Chocolate,” Peter Quillin, which would make four. Super Middleweight - (One) Julio Acosta 5-1 (38 years old) Light Heavyweight - (Four) Umberto Savigne 10-1 (34 years old) Miguel Velozo 15-1 (39 years old), Vilier Quinonez 5-0 ,Yordanis Despaigne 9-2 Cruiserweight- (Four) Yoan Pablo Hernandez, Pedro Rodriguez 13-1, Yasmany Consuegra 10-0, Yenisei Gonzalez 10-0 Heavyweight - (Nine) Odlanier Solis, Mike Perez 18-0, Juan Carlos Gomez (39) 51-3, Luis Ortiz 19-0, Glendy Hernandez, 9-0 and four others. Out of fifty named Cuban boxers on this list, there are six present or past champions: Gamboa, Rigo, Abril, Quillin, Gomez and Yoan Pablo Hernandez. Lara is top-ten. Many of the men on this list are either too young or inexperienced to have made a splash yet, or too old to ever make an impact. Even men like Gamboa, Rigo and Lara don’t have many fights, because they haven’t been free very long. Even a woeful underachiever like Solis has been ranked top-ten in the past. Guys like Angelo Santana aren’t very known yet, but they will be. Angelo is a bad young motherfucker. Fifty professional fighters spread throughout all categories…. Boxrec lists 89 Filipinos in the Super Bantamweight division alone! Mexicans? 239!! Even Puerto Rico, with her tiny population, boasts 25 fighters at 122! For a people that have been shut out of pro boxing for over a half-century, and only number about 1.6 million in the United States, Cubans have done pretty well. Certain ignoramuses on this site want to make themselves feel good by putting down Cuban fighters. God only knows how many Cuban champs there’d be if we had a population of 115 million. Truth always wins in the end.

Comments (20)

Viva el Che, Fidel y Cienfuegos

13y ago

CubanGuyNYC

It has nothing to do with that. It is more about all the talk some people have about the cubans boxers when they haven't accomplished much in pro boxing. You can see that most of their threads are bait thread to troll and infuriate a specifically fan base. And with all the talk about Rigo lately, there is a new target. They do it all the time to ricans, to Floyd fans, to AA that are fans of fighters of their skin color. You can see it is a game for them and they like to agitate people. That is why I told CubanGuy to ignore them, it is a trolling game. Thanks for your support. I've noticed the little game, but I wasn't gonna take it lying down. All some of these losers have in life is the fantasy that they're somehow genetically superior fighters to everyone else, regardless of race or nationality. The whole Mexico-P.R. "rivalry" is just an excuse for some mental midgets to feel better about their sorry little existences. They're not in here debating me because they don't have facts, just empty words and wishful thinking.

13y ago

jtcs1981

I noticed the hate for Cuban boxers from Mexicans fans lately, what's up with that, when did this hatred started? Because Abril beat Rios, and Gamboa beat Ponce De Leon? That's the only reason I can think of. It has nothing to do with that. It is more about all the talk some people have about the cubans boxers when they haven't accomplished much in pro boxing. You can see that most of their threads are bait thread to troll and infuriate a specifically fan base. And with all the talk about Rigo lately, there is a new target. They do it all the time to ricans, to Floyd fans, to AA that are fans of fighters of their skin color. You can see it is a game for them and they like to agitate people. That is why I told CubanGuy to ignore them, it is a trolling game.

13y ago

jtcs1981

Why cause I said something that's the truth? No it's not enough. Dominicans don't live with the restrictions that Cubans do. Sorry I hurt your feelings but it's my opinion. Pinche pendejo I'm giving Cubans some props. Ni sabes lo que hablas idiota. Truth? Dude PR being associate with US got nothing to do Cuba political issues. If they were a Democratic Republic instead of a Communist Republic they can go professional and fight outside of their country. But you like always have to bring a separate issue just because you like to hate on it. In reality, damn welfare have change the culture of PR for bad. We had world class athletes in the past that came out of poverty. Guys with discipline because they want a better life. But you cant understand that because you talk out of your a$$. Y se que respetas el boxeo cubano, no seas moron. Mi comentario iba dirigido al mojon que hizo el thread hablando mal de los cubanos y que agito a CubanGuy. Damn, when PR is not involve, you are very good poster.

13y ago

CubanGuyNYC

That's beyond the point, maybe he was or maybe he wasn't scared of Rios. But the fact is, Gamboa ducked him, and ducked him hard. One: Gamboa isn't afraid of Rios. I believe few professional fighters in his division would be. Two: Yuri didn't "duck" anyone. It's an irrefutable fact that Gamboa had contractual issues with his promoter, sought to be released from his contract and did so. That's very strong evidence that the reason he didn't carry out a match with Brandon is because he wanted out of his deal with Top Rank and Arena Box.

13y ago

alkalinemono

what about Alexei Collado at SBW?

13y ago

thuggery

You believe Yuri was afraid of Rios? Pffft... Gimme a break. That's beyond the point, maybe he was or maybe he wasn't scared of Rios. But the fact is, Gamboa ducked him, and ducked him hard.

13y ago

CubanGuyNYC

What attack? I know we feast on Gamboa;s Ducking of Rios!! But that's just facts!!! not Attack on Cubans!! This is just combat sports!! Not a world war!! Keep your shirt on, "Oracle." :lol1: I never accused you of attacking Cubans, but others have and I'm here to set this shit straight. And speaking of setting shit straight, that garbage about Gamboa ducking Rios is believed by only two kinds of people: children and nationalistic fanboys. Now, I know you're not Mexican, so that kid of narrows it down. You believe Yuri was afraid of Rios? Pffft... Gimme a break. A grown man that's been fighting his whole life is afraid of another fighter and they're both about to get it on at 135? Please. It's a fact that Gamboa wanted to get out of his contract with Top Rank and Arena Box. His career was on hold for months while he tried to get out from his promoters' clutches. But I suppose that's because he was so afraid of "Bam Bam" that he jeopardized over a year of his prime to "duck" him. :rolleyes: Grow up, "Oracle," stop believing the nonsense that the Rios fanboys are spoon-feeding you. Think for yourself.

13y ago

CubanGuyNYC

It's not our fault Cuba is Communist. An embargo closes doors on many fields. They brought it on themselves and you know it. So take your baby crying to Washington DC, yeah, overthere by Capitol Hill where if you are lucky enough, you will have someone hear your crying. We simply do not give a damn what nationality boxers are, all we care about is watching them face each other on the ring. The only thing about your post that makes any sense is the part about only wanting so see fighters "face each other in the ring," which is fine. The rest is utter gibberish from an individual who is trying to sound informed, but comes off as a fool. Stick to boxing, if you know anything about it....

13y ago

Pacdbest

I didn't just jump out of bed this morning pounding my chest, proud to be Cubano. As Illmaticfighter fighter rightfully points out, this thread is in response to a ridiculous and unwarranted attack on Cuban fighters started last night. What attack? I know we feast on Gamboa;s Ducking of Rios!! But that's just facts!!! not Attack on Cubans!! This is just combat sports!! Not a world war!!

13y ago

HeroBando

We simply do not give a damn what nationality boxers are, all we care about is watching them face each other on the ring. Yes but you and your pals count much less than all the top promoters, who can do much more with an American, Mexican, PR, German, Brit... The guys point wasn't to boast. There's another thread with haters ganging up on Cuban fighters. The TS has all the Cubans on ignore, so I guess they're shut out and it's a free for all there.

13y ago

damit305

Que bola mi herma?!!!...bro despierto a las 3 de la mañana..tu no duermes..lol Hehe... Las 2 mi bro. Y muchas chingonas andan despiertas en el west. :sombrero:

13y ago

damit305

Unbiased, factual boxing fans, regardless of race or nationality should understand great boxing comes from ANYWHERE. Not just power in numbers. :You_Rock_

13y ago

MODAPHUKA

Bro...lmao...is that a serious question? That wasn't a dig at Puerto Rico. It's customary and formal to refer to a country by the feminine, "she" or "her." One would refer to Cuba as "her" or "she." Ever hear the term "motherland?" Anyway, enough with the English lesson.... You've made some good points. You're certainly right about Olympic success. Cuba wouldn't have as many gold medals if her (lol) boxers could easily turn pro. That doesn't mean we wouldn't win any, though. It would, however, drastically cut the medal tally. You're also correct about "polished boxing skills," and the fact that you really don't see Cuban brawlers. It's mainly as a result of all those amateur bouts. The pro style, often featuring all-out action, doesn't translate well to the amateur ranks. But, it cuts both ways. A fighter that has spent too much time in the amateurs may suffer irrevocable harm to their professional potential. In my opinion, Guillermo Rigondeaux just might be such a fighter. Rigo was an amazing amateur. He possesses great skill and talent, but he got into the pro game way late and it shows. Did not know about the "her" thing. Thanks for clearing that out and yeah after I posted my comment I noticed yours a few before mine and it was pretty much what I had in mind.

13y ago

CubanGuyNYC

That's why i liked him the best of the two, he's style he makes it look easy which i'm sure it wasn't that Mongolian finals dude was a beast but once the kid figures someone out he's just fun to watch picking guys apart and enjoying it. He's a natural, in every sense of the word. Inside the ring and out. He was very at ease out there, a baby-faced killer. I hope he makes it out of Cuba within the next three years, preferably to the U.S.

13y ago

CubanGuyNYC

First of all , what's up with saying "her" when addressing P.R? Not cool , but I guess you mad. Anyways , to my point. I believe Cuban boxers are polished and over used in the am's. With a huge advantage by also not being able to turn pro which works in their favor in the Olympics. So if Cuban fighters were able to turn pro before , then all their Olympic merits and am's records wouldnt exist. Not only that , their talent wouldnt be the same. Do you think Rigo would have captured 2 gold medals and had 350+ fights if he would have turned pro at 18 or 19. Not very likely. Do you know what 350+ fights dominating less experience fighters allow you to do. Polish the shot out of your skills. At least IMO. That's why I think these Cuban fighters are so good at being pure boxers. You never see a brawler from Cuban. Or a slow fighter without good movement. Those fighters spend years tuning and polishing their skills. Then they take them to the Olympics and capture gold against real amateurs. So you can't have it both ways. Maybe if they were free and allowed to join the pro ranks earlier there would be more. Maybe with more heart too. And maybe you wouldn't have those gold medals. Bro...lmao...is that a serious question? That wasn't a dig at Puerto Rico. It's customary and formal to refer to a country by the feminine, "she" or "her." One would refer to Cuba as "her" or "she." Ever hear the term "motherland?" Anyway, enough with the English lesson.... You've made some good points. You're certainly right about Olympic success. Cuba wouldn't have as many gold medals if her (lol) boxers could easily turn pro. That doesn't mean we wouldn't win any, though. It would, however, drastically cut the medal tally. You're also correct about "polished boxing skills," and the fact that you really don't see Cuban brawlers. It's mainly as a result of all those amateur bouts. The pro style, often featuring all-out action, doesn't translate well to the amateur ranks. But, it cuts both ways. A fighter that has spent too much time in the amateurs may suffer irrevocable harm to their professional potential. In my opinion, Guillermo Rigondeaux just might be such a fighter. Rigo was an amazing amateur. He possesses great skill and talent, but he got into the pro game way late and it shows.

13y ago

DannYankee

Another thing about Rob is that he's a very likeable kid. He really gave you the impression that he was having fun in London. Like the proverbial kid in a candy store. Great energy. I think he would be very marketable in the U.S. That's why i liked him the best of the two, he's style he makes it look easy which i'm sure it wasn't that Mongolian finals dude was a beast but once the kid figures someone out he's just fun to watch picking guys apart and enjoying it.

13y ago

CubanGuyNYC

I saw both but was most impressed by Robeisy kid is a Pitbull Another thing about Rob is that he's a very likeable kid. He really gave you the impression that he was having fun in London. Like the proverbial kid in a candy store. Great energy. I think he would be very marketable in the U.S.

13y ago

CubanGuyNYC

Hello my friend...hope you are doing good... Bro..most of those cuban fighters are old more than 75 % of the ones listed in boxrec are older than 30..that leave little room for future but we have some good guys coming out soon..in the whole boxrec I found like 5 who are less than 24..even yoelbis Gamboa and sulivan barrera have 26 and 30 and I thought they were kids..only Socarras(19), Santana(24) Rances(26) and pedro Rodriguez (26) have some time for improvement...anyways..if you look at the win/loss ratio is so hight in wins..even in unknow fighters..somebody mention that this is because the ones who know that they know how to fight are the onlyones who risk but this is not like that...we had so much champion material there..so many ATG material who never go pro...do you imagine if the late 90's generation would have come over here...they were so many and so skillful.....Lorenzo Aragon, Arnaldo Mesa, Teofilo Stevenson, Enrique Carrion, Ariel Hernandez, Mario Kindelan, Felix Savon, Roberto Balado, Jorge Gutierrez, Maikro Romero, Daniel Regalado, Martinez fiz, Orlando Duvergel...and many more...somebody need to bring here Robeisis and Iglecias now that they still very young and they both olympic champ alredy and they are less than 20 years old... Hey, bro! Que bola? Doing good. Hope you are, too! :fing02: Yeah, a lot of our fighters are old, or getting old. I don't even want to think of the past; it's gone. We must look towards the future. Robeisy Ramirez is only 18. I would love to see how he would do with a top professional trainer at such a young age. He has a real future. He doesn't strike me as some kid that wouldn't adjust to the pros. He looked real good in London. It's too bad he's probably too young to pack up and set sail for freedom. Roniel Iglesias is 24. He's already pushing the envelope, age wise, if we're to see his best professional potential. Casamayor made it to U.S. shores and turned pro when he was 25. I think that embarking on a professional career in your mid-twenties is already a roll of the dice. By then, the amateur ways might be too ingrained. It all depends on the fighter, of course, but it's not something many should do by choice.

13y ago

MODAPHUKA

13y ago