Why has Cuba, historically, underperformed when it comes to the pro's

[edgarg]

lara has that grit and what do you know he’s the last Cuban standing

Well Rigondeaux is still around, maybe floating bit I think...standing.

[SN!PER]

Two great fights the world never got to see.

Teofilo Stevenson vs. Larry Holmes

Felix Savon vs. Lennox Lewis

[Eff Pandas]

Amateur boxing & pro boxing are almost whole different sports. Obviously they are similar enough that a high level amateur will rarely translate into a losing record pro. But they are still different enough that every high level amateur won't translate into a top 20 level pro.

One issue I think Cubans specifically have that other high level amateur countries fighters don't deal with is a overwhelming amount of choices to deal with when they leave Cuba. I think their life & boxing routine are pretty structured while in Cuba. But once they leave for a more democracy oriented country they easily get unfocused & side tracked.

[RomanReigns]

Cubans style are only good in the amateurs, and they turn pro in their mid to late 20's

[Eff Pandas]

As a white guy from the Midwest I feel qualified to answer this, too much freedom. But in all seriousness I wanna say some guys do suffer mentally since they have to basically ditch their family to defect? Also point only style and wear and tear of hundreds of fights play a part.

Oh yea that would kinda have to fook you up on some level.

Lara had a wife & a kid or two in Cuba iirc & then he got with that big booty hoe when he got here. She left him once he started getting past prime recently doe. Bet he's missing wife #1 now.

[Rick Taylor]

for being arguably the best amateur boxing country in the world, they historically have underperformed in the professional ranks. You would think they would be pumping out beasts one by one.

Compare them to say the Post-Soviet countries (Eastern Europe plus Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan etc. ) that tend to have similar amateur programs like Cuba, but they seem to have more success in the pros

its weird

Not enough experience with the rough stuff and gritty opponents.

cubans are used to bullying kids and part time boxers.

different kettle of fish going up against real fighters.

cubans are soft

[garfios]

for being arguably the best amateur boxing country in the world, they historically have underperformed in the professional ranks. You would think they would be pumping out beasts one by one.

Compare them to say the Post-Soviet countries (Eastern Europe plus Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan etc. ) that tend to have similar amateur programs like Cuba, but they seem to have more success in the pros

its weird

Let me recall a few Champs after castro. From the amateur ranks. Hurtado, Casamayor, JC Gomez, Yoan P. Hernandez, Dorticos, Lara, Gamboa, Rigondeaux, Matellon, Ugas, Barthelemy. I don't know if another escape my memory but I think it should be enough for what I have to say. All eastern european fighters can come and go as they pleased. Cubans have to defect, sometimes on a raft, being smuggled or going thru the South/Central america jungle. And they coming to have a better life not for the glory of the sport. How many more boxers from Easter Europe and how many from Cuba that had left the country? No matter how you look at it. It is a numbers game. More fighters from Europe can compete in the professional ranks and still have their family with them. Cubans a lot less with a different mind set and no family. I think anyone reading this can draw their own conclusion. For Cubans is an struggle from the star to the finish line. And they don't defect young, most of the time is closer to 30+ than to 20 years old. But we getting better, Morell Jr., Bruzon, Gomez and a few others all over the world are competing. You will be hear from them soon. Stay safe.

[Lenharvey]

Heavies eat too much when they see all the American food in Miami

[pesticid]

Because they aren't turning professional as often as other countries do. It's the same reason why Soviets didn't have any pro success. Cuba has had 17 professional champions which is more than Kazakhstan or Uzbekistan. Ukraine and Russia would be a better comparison. Only a small fraction of Cuba's top amateurs have the opportunity to turn pro. Cuba currently only has 50 or so professional fighters and only maybe 6 or 7 who were successful amateurs. Russia and Ukraine has something like 500 pros each and almost all of their elite level amateurs become professionals instead of 1 or 2 per Olympic cycle like the Cubans seem to do. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan both have atleast a couple hundred profighters and most of their World/Olympic medalists turn professional as well

great post

[pesticid]

Let me recall a few Champs after castro. From the amateur ranks. Hurtado, Casamayor, JC Gomez, Yoan P. Hernandez, Dorticos, Lara, Gamboa, Rigondeaux, Matellon, Ugas, Barthelemy. I don't know if another escape my memory but I think it should be enough for what I have to say. All eastern european fighters can come and go as they pleased. Cubans have to defect, sometimes on a raft, being smuggled or going thru the South/Central america jungle. And they coming to have a better life not for the glory of the sport. How many more boxers from Easter Europe and how many from Cuba that had left the country? No matter how you look at it. It is a numbers game. More fighters from Europe can compete in the professional ranks and still have their family with them. Cubans a lot less with a different mind set and no family. I think anyone reading this can draw their own conclusion. For Cubans is an struggle from the star to the finish line. And they don't defect young, most of the time is closer to 30+ than to 20 years old. But we getting better, Morell Jr., Bruzon, Gomez and a few others all over the world are competing. You will be hear from them soon. Stay safe.

nice post, thank you!