CUBA would of had the Greatest Boxers better then Puerto Rico...

[Phantasm]

Cuba certainly does have a respectable boxing program, hell both Mike Tyson and Muhammed Ali went there to check it out for themselves.

Aw, there's no question the cuban boxing program is among the elite in the world. But making the comparison between amateurs and pros are two different things. The argument here is whether cuban amateurs given the opportunity to turn pro, would be as successful as Puerto Ricans who do likewise. And while I think they would have had some great pros (I'm in the minority who thinks both Stevenson and Savon would have been very successful in the pro ranks), it would not have been superior to the Boricua champs. I know I'll probably get lots of heat for saying so because I am boricua, but I'm putting patriotism aside here and being as honest as possible. Just as Puerto Ricos amateur program doesnt rank on the same level as Cuba's. It's 2 different fight games and the small exception are those who excel in both, especially the last 10-15 years.

[PunchDrunk]

Cubans have the best amateur boxing team in the whole world, and they've had it for a while. Their discipline is incredible, these guys look like they're in some damn boot camp, different than anywhere else in the world, not to mention the only way they can do better for themselves and their families is becoming the best boxers they can be, there's a LOT of competition there.

They ARE in bootcamp most of the year. Plus they box and incredible number of fights per year, compared to other amateurs.

Other than that, they're actually not that disciplined as individuals. They all smoke and drink.

Here's a vid of a kid I train, sparring welterweight world champion Erislandi Lara, at the Ahmet Cömert Tournament in Turkey a few weeks ago:

[SquareCircle]

good vid, punch. your kid the white guy?

[PunchDrunk]

good vid, punch. your kid the white guy?

Thanks. Yeah, my kids a whitey.

[Underboss]

Cuba certainly does have a respectable boxing program, hell both Mike Tyson and Muhammed Ali went there to check it out for themselves.

didnt mike tyson went to cuba and knocked someone out? i heard something like that years ago.

[Underboss]

Practice scenery of boxing CUBA



boxing in cuba

[MasterODisaster]

Many forget that while yes Tefilio was great, in his later years he was a man fighting boys right? I mean not being able to fight as a pro, so going to the Olympics as a 26-30 year old and fighting a dude from another country that is a teen or in his ealry 20's is a bit of at LEAST A SLIGHT ADVANTAGE right???? I'm not saying the Cubans aren't great fighters, but show me the next Cuban that dominates boxing on an even level playing field.

I hate the guy more than than anyone, but look at a PBF, how'd he do in the Olympics, tell me ANY Cuban near his weight clas would touch him as a pro...LOL!

There is a HUGE difference between pro and Am's, look at the Cubans that have come over that were great as Am's, have they really shown themselves to be great pro's....NOT even close!!!!!!!!!!!

[wmute]

if if if...

bah more, less, equal... who knows?

For sure they put out a lot of smooth, skilled mf's in that island.

Did anyone mention Jose Napoles, Welterweight champion until age 35?

[Phantasm]

if if if...

bah more, less, equal... who knows?

For sure they put out a lot of smooth, skilled mf's in that island.

Did anyone mention Jose Napoles, Welterweight champion until age 35?

I always thought Napoles was Mexican...didnt know he was actually cuban. But yes, he should be considerd one of their all time greats.

[wmute]

I always thought Napoles was Mexican...didnt know he was actually cuban. But yes, he should be considerd one of their all time greats.

I think Napoles actually turned pro before Castro got to power, then he moved to the mexico.