New Rivalry? Cuba vs Mexico

[CubanGuyNYC]

I don't know about that, these fighters were produced by a very different environment, it won't be easy to revive that pro boxing culture.

Those fighters were produced by a hungry environment, in a time when there was far less movement, communication and money in the world at-large. They became great because they were born with the qualities to become so and the opportunities to do so. If they did it, other Cubans will.

The communist system took boys who showed promise and taught them what they needed to know to become successful at the amateur level. But greatness is born, not made. When Cuba opens up, the athletes who are truly born to fight will rise top the top, as they have in other countries.

[Cuauhtémoc1520]

It's a double edged sword, if Cuba's politics change then we will probably see the decline of their amateur system.

Yes but we will see more Cuban fighter leave and train with pro trainers.

Mexico will have the advantage still. Most Cuban fighters get lost after the get freedom and find the night life. Mexicano's are harder workers and more down to earth.

Cubans are not American, They come from a hard country and are hard workers as well. I think IF Cuba does change, the fighters coming from Cuba will still have that work ethic because Cuba won't be a 1st world economy.

I've always wondered what might happen to Cuban boxing when freedom finally arrives on the island. With no major governmental support, the amateur system will take a serious hit. With less amateurs to draw from, the potential pro stock will also decline. Cuba has a long history of great professional boxers. For as long as boxing exists, there will be great Cuban fighters; but the numbers might actually decline once communism is dead.

The professional sport that will take off for Cubans is baseball. There is so much money and opportunity in that sport that the vast Cuban pool of ballplayers will overtake probably even the numbers of Dominicans in MLB. Little Cuban kids with boxing potential will be lured away to the promise of bigger and easier money in baseball. Even now, with the island in chains, there is a noticeable number of terrific Cuban ballplayers in MLB. The future will make them seem like a drop in the bucket.

I agree somewhat but I think boxing is in the blood of the Cuban people. I believe they will mix in with pro trainers, and even many will go to Mexico to get proper pro training the way we are seeing with Gamboa going to Mexico now and many other Cuban fighters before him.

[ASR10]

Mexico vs Puerto Rico was the status quo for latin rivalry as of recent.

Much has changed with the sudden rise of defecting Cuban exiles successfully translating to the pros.

It seems the landscape is shifting.

The high quantity/mediocre quality of Mexican fighters might be endangered with the presence of the high quality/low quantity Cuban fighters.

Your thoughts.

this guy!..... "mediocre" get outta here. You must be cuban or puerto rican.

[CubanGuyNYC]

This is the way I envision it: The amateur boxing system will survive, because the framework is there and because it's existed for so long, but it won't be anywhere near it's once formidable potency. Cuba will cease to be the amateur powerhouse she once was. Many Cuban boxers will start to move outside the amateur system, as with Mexico. There won't be nearly as much incentive to pursue an amateur career.

With so little reward in an amateur boxing career, only the hungriest fighters will continue to pursue the sport. Those fighters will go pro relatively early. There will be a decline in the number of Cuban pros, even from this point, but the ones that make it will be top-notch. They will be the ones that weren't fed the sport from an early age. They'll be the ones that fight because they love to, and are hungry enough to strive and sacrifice.

There might be fewer Cuban pros in the future, but I think the atmosphere will produce more bona fide stars. It will be just another example of quality over quantity.

[Cuauhtémoc1520]

This is the way I envision it: The amateur boxing system will survive, because the framework is there and because it's existed for so long, but it won't be anywhere near it's once formidable potency. Cuba will cease to be the amateur powerhouse she once was. Many Cuban boxers will start to move outside the amateur system, as with Mexico. There won't be nearly as much incentive to pursue an amateur career.

With so little reward in an amateur boxing career, only the hungriest fighters will continue to pursue the sport. Those fighters will go pro relatively early. There will be a decline in the number of Cuban pros, even from this point, but the ones that make it will be top-notch. They will be the ones that weren't fed the sport from an early age. They'll be the ones that fight because they love to, and are hungry enough to strive and sacrifice.

There might be fewer Cuban pros in the future, but I think the atmosphere will produce more bona fide stars. It will be just another example of quality over quantity.

Yea but you are making it out to be that if amateur boxing isn't big, then there won't be good pro's...

Mexicans are the best boxers in the world IMO and Mexico's amateur system is terrible. Nobody gives a **** about amateur boxing in Mexico.

The pro game is so different than the amateur game, I think most fans don't understand that. Of course the amateur game can help you, but it's like comparing preparing for a sprint, or a marathon.

It's that different.

[apocalypto]

Once cubans hit miami their hunger leaves.

[Cuauhtémoc1520]

Once cubans hit miami their hunger leaves.

You could say the same about Mexicans raised in the U.S. Listening to Victor Ortiz and Juan Manuel Marquez, you would think they are discussing a completely different sport.

One is ready to die, another says it's "just something he does".

[CubanGuyNYC]

Yea but you are making it out to be that if amateur boxing isn't big, then there won't be good pro's...

Mexicans are the best boxers in the world IMO and Mexico's amateur system is terrible. Nobody gives a **** about amateur boxing in Mexico.

The pro game is so different than the amateur game, I think most fans don't understand that. Of course the amateur game can help you, but it's like comparing preparing for a sprint, or a marathon.

It's that different.

That's not what I'm saying. On the contrary, I think there might be even better pros, albeit fewer of them. What I'm saying is that in Cuba's specific case, once the amateur system breaks down, the pool of potential pros will shrink significantly.

Mexico and Cuba have different cultures, economic situations and populations. With Mexico's vast population, she can produce thousands of professional boxers. Of those multitudes, there are bound to be a few really good pros. Cuba can't keep up. The reason why you're seeing a disproportionately large number of good Cuban pro boxers is as of a direct result of the amateur system. If communism didn't exist, there might be a Rigondeaux, but not necessarily a Lara or Yoan Pablo Hernandez.

Only the very best Cuban boxers will go pro in the future. I don't know how familiar you are with life in Cuba or with the Cuban mind-set, but I would bet that, once communism dies, many of the guys that might've been amateur boxers will be seeking jobs in the tourism industry on the island. With the coming interest and the size of the land, tourism related jobs and industries will be an easy road to take for many young Cuban men.

[jri9d0]

Pardon my frankness, but as long as Cubans maintain that limited style of amateur/Olympic fighting in the pro's they will always be second-rate fighters at best...

[jri9d0]

Oh, and until Cubans support boxing and build and maintain a following where they would travel to either coast to support their fighter I doubt they would supersede/overshadow a boxing rivalry in which spanned decades between Mexico and PR.

Mexico and PR has set the president to cultural rivalries and forever made a lasting mark on this sport.

Cuba has a LONG way to go...