Connect with us

Featured Articles

Where Will Boxing Be 10 Years from Today? A New TSS Quarterly Survey

Published

on

Where-Will-Boxing-Be-10-Years-from-Today?-a-New-TSS-Survey

The question for the third quarterly survey of 2019 was “Where do you see the sport/business of boxing 10 years from now?”

Thirty-six noted boxing buffs shared their thoughts. The respondents are listed alphabetically.

RUSS ANBER — trainer, elite cornerman, and owner of Rival Boxing Equipment: Around 1935, as Joe Louis was on his way to being a star, newspapers of the day and media in general, begged the question, “Can Louis save a dying sport?” Boxing is, and always has been cyclical. The success and popularity of boxing has ALWAYS depended on which fighter is carrying the sport. The success, popularity and visibility of the sport has always rested on the shoulders of its biggest stars. Seek out the greatest fighters of any era and you will find an era filled with promise and popularity. Robinson, Louis, Marciano, Ali, Leonard, Tyson are just a few examples. If 2029 blesses us with a fighter who captures the sport’s attention and imagination, we will experience another great time in boxing. If not, we will love it and wait till the next star comes along. Like we always do!

MATT ANDRZEJEWSKI — TSS writer: Boxing will be thriving in 2029 but the landscape will be much different from today. For one, the sanctioning bodies we see today won’t exist. They will finally have been pushed out of the sport after more outlandish acts and replaced by one central ratings system comprised of a panel of experts. And I think we see one dedicated boxing streaming network that broadcasts the sport 24/7, showing thousands of live events each year. The bigger fights will still find their way to traditional outlets (ESPN, etc) while the rest of the sport is covered through this one dedicated streaming outlet.

DAVID AVILA — TSS West Coast Bureau Chief: It’s one of the most pivotal and mysterious moments in boxing history right now. The introduction of streaming and the departure of HBO’s interest in the sport has opened the door to either a massive explosion of growth or an implosion that could send boxing spinning without a foundation.

BOB BENOIT — former pro boxer and now professional referee: it will be going down the drain.

STEVE CANTON — the face of boxing in South Florida: I see things about the same but becoming a little less relevant in the U.S. and more popular on a world-wide basis. As our state commissions continue to over-regulate our sport and make it more expensive and harder to promote events, we will have fewer and fewer shows. As new training techniques and procedures continue to cause boxers to become less proficient in the science of boxing, it might make for semi-exciting bouts with unskilled boxers wailing away on each other. The great teachers have or are dying off and the good athletes today are competing with athletic skills but not boxing skills.

ANTHONY CARDINALE, esq. — longtime legal advisor to many boxers: Thriving, if all title holders were mandatory challengers for other organization’s title holders in a playoff style tournament like the WSB format.

JILL DIAMOND — WBC International Secretary and chairperson and global ambassador for “WBC Cares”: Boxing is a traditional sport. It has gotten safer (and thank the WBC for this), but little else has changed. What has changed are the delivery systems and the subsequent plus and minus issues that result. My hope is that we have unified champions, more validation for the women, and greater opportunities for the boxers, based on ability rather than deal making.

CHARLIE DWYER — former fighter and professional referee: Boxing will continue for better or worse.

BERNARD FERNANDEZTSS mainstay and lifetime Member of the BWAA: With the introduction of DAZN and ESPN+, you have to wonder how much further technology — the means by which we see the fights — can go. Will there be more such ways of bringing the action to viewers? Better, to my way of thinking, of getting the various streaming systems, more standard (as of now) television outlets and promotional concerns and to find a way to play nice and put on the very best fights instead of erecting more barriers to hinder such matchups. Also, the various alphabet organizations need to curb their insatiable appetite for creating more extraneous and unnecessary awards and titles, such as the WBCs new “franchise” championship for Canelo Alvarez. You’d think they were spending money faster than U.S. politicians, which would be a pretty neat trick. Actually, the alphabet groups are more about generating money, for themselves, than spending it. They want FANS to spend it.

LEE GROVES — writer, author, and wizard of CompuBox: Streaming services will make up the vast majority of boxing telecasts, and, with the introduction of the WBC’s “Franchise Champion” belt in addition to the subordinate titles created by the other sanctioning bodies, initiate unprecedented business for those companies charged with making those belts. Hopefully, the fighters and the fights will continue to serve as the solid foundation that has, to this point, kept the sport’s chaotic administrative and political side from sinking it.

HENRY HASCUP — historian; President of the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame: Hopefully I am wrong but I see the BIG getting BIGGER and the SMALL getting SMALLER or even worse in 10 years. Meaning the big promoters will run out the small guys and that is terrible because boxing needs the little guy to develop the fighters that don’t have the Big backing of the Big guys!

CHUCK HASSON — noted boxing historian and co-author of Philadelphia’s Boxing Heritage: I think 10 years from now things in boxing will be pretty much like now, going through peaks and valleys like it always has with good exciting fights plus lousy promoters who focus on building their fighters and don’t worry about making good fights for the fans.

JACK HIRSCH — former President and now life time member of the BWAA: Great question and one that is hard to predict. My feeling is that with the advanced technology boxing will continue to thrive, but of course it all depends on who the major players will be.

BRUCE KIELTY — booking agent; boxing historian: Unless the television networks (and streaming services, promoters, boxers, etc.) realize that the sanctioning body system isn’t working, boxing will continue to diminish about 1 or 2 % a year. Unlike sports run by professional executives/player representatives (MLB, NFL, NBA, etc.), boxing remains in the Stone Age.

STUART KIRSCHENBAUM — Boxing Commissioner Emeritus, Michigan: For boxing to be significant as a sport and no less a business ten years from now there needs to be an influx of participants. Without a skilled work force …that being boxers…the sport will fade away and be a footnote on a Google search. In Detroit…budget cuts closed the majority of these facilities such as Kronk. Aspiring trainers have tried to open up storefronts but the reality of paying rent and keeping the utilities turned on have become a challenge and a formula for closure in most cases. The young ethnic minority has always been the feeder to the success of boxing but too many quicker paths to financial success, whether legal or not, has changed things. I sadly predict the demise of boxing as we know it now. But then again, Floyd Mayweather Jr. will be making another comeback, so who knows?

JIM LAMPLEY — linchpin of the HBO announcing team for 31 years; 2015 IBHOF inductee: Just as has been the case for the past 128 years, boxing will arrive at its 138th birthday as a perpetually troubled, under-organized, constantly under-achieving but unusually thrilling and surprising public attraction. Its unique adventure as the most entrepreneurial of all sports will not yield to intelligent unification. The overwhelming bulk of its highest quality performers will remain largely anonymous compared to their peers in more conventional sports. Its putative competitor, MMA, will by then have a demonstrably larger audience and greater day to day impact.  But once or twice a year, as has always been the case, boxing will momentarily unify a global audience for a must-see event, and occasionally those events will produce incomparable and unforgettable drama. Unique drama, because at its best, Boxing is still the best.

images

                           Boxing Will Never Die Because of its Fraternity—Anonymous

ARNE LANGTSS editor-in-chief, author, historian: Two quick thoughts: (1) Boxing is resilient; if you had a quarter for every time that someone wrote that boxing was on the ropes, you would have a big mound of quarters. (2) By some measures, boxing is healthier today than it has been in quite some time. Having said that, I don’t believe that boxing will ever have the pull that it once had among the English-speaking people of North America without more ethnic diversity….and that’s something that you shouldn’t wish for as it would likely mean that the economy had gone to pieces, enfeebling all economic groups.

JIMMY LANGE — former fighter (appeared on the “Contender” series) and promoter: Nowadays fighters want to be spectacular, but with no substance. It doesn’t work like that. To be great goes WAY beyond the 36 minutes under the lights. It’s a lifestyle. I don’t see hunger these days. I see kids, men, contenders, taking a second to readjust their headphones while they are shadow boxing. The powers that be will continue with the newest way to market and the newest mediums to get eyes on the product. The product will be fine. Venues will fill, viewers will tune in, and it will be lucrative for all. However, the product will continue to be diminished. The public doesn’t care, because they don’t know the difference.

RON LIPTONNJ Boxing Hall of Fame, former fighter, retired police officer, pro referee:  Boxing will flourish 10 years from now or a hundred years from now as it always has. There are ups and downs as in all sports but the inherent lure in our blood still resonates the electric excitement of a good fight. All you need to help it are great fights with top talent facing each other. If the rival promoters and the fighters are willing to make matches that the public wants, then boxing will always flourish. Dynamic buildups of the big punchers like Tyson, rugged solid fighters like Canelo, defensive brash talent like Mayweather, and the type of boxer who will fight anyone and bring in the fans like Ali did are all it takes. You have to have a guy who loves to fight, that is the main thing I know after all my years in professional boxing. We must preserve the fight teachers who can pass on what we know and then the ground remains fertile for more abounding talent to emerge.

ADEYINKA MAKINDEU.K. barrister, author and contributor to the Cambridge Companion to Boxing: I prefer to give an idealist’s vision rather than a pessimistic one. Therefore, I see boxing gravitating towards elimination competitions which put belts at stake with the objective being the unification of divisions: a best-case scenario assuming that the sanctioning bodies will not wither away. I also foresee rigorous Olympic-style testing for PEDs and same day weigh-ins. Time to begin a crusade for logos in boxing: a rejection of the persistent chaotic state of the sport and an insistence on sanity and a correct order of organizing the sport for the benefit of its participants and the fans.

SCOOP MALINOWSKI — boxing writer, author, Mr. “Biofile”:  In America I see it becoming WWF, certain designated manufactured stars who will be protected to maximize earnings. Mayweather, Canelo and next Wilder – the first three major protected counterfeit franchises. The other side of the matrix will be the real authentic unprotected champions – Loma, GGG, Usyk, Crawford, Pacquiao. Curious to see how the two matrix sides blend – or divide.

DAVID MARTINEZ — historian, www.dmboxing.com:  It will be like wrestling was back in the day before Vince McMahon brought in the WWE – promoters governing their own fighters, champions, territories!

LARRY MERCHANT – HBO boxing commentator emeritus; 2009 IBHOF inductee: I’m 88. Where do you think I’ll be in 10 years?

ROBERT MLANDINICH — former NYPD detective, author and boxing writer: I think it will be fine if the broadcast entities make it easier for technophobes to watch the fights. Many fans have no idea how to access DAZN or ESPN+. Also, if Andy Ruiz Jr. can string together a few good wins, he will help create a new legion of fans that could last for 10 years. He is such a breath of fresh air and a guy that casual fans can relate to.

ERNEST MORALES — former fighter: Honestly, being ‘old school’ I can’t see it getting any better, in fact WORSE. The game is being held HOSTAGE, in the hands for the millionaires: promoters, streaming outfits, managers. Fighters pick and choose who they won’t/will fight. Weight clauses, titles becoming worthless and actually thrown back in the faces of the ABC orgs because “champions” refuse to fight well deserved mandatory challengers. It isn’t going to get any better in ten years, nor twenty, unless the fans take a stand, which it seems they won’t.

CHARLIE NORKUSPresident, Ring 8, Veteran Boxers Association: On the surface, boxing looks to be a vibrant sports entity today. The heavyweight division alone has produced some intriguing match-ups lately with boxing fans filling the various houses. The business side looks promising too as the newcomer on the block, DAZN, has signed some talent for their pool. But the lower tier of local boxing cards has taken a hit. New rules in New York governing insurance for fighters has caused somewhat of a drop in the local card shows, but thankfully they still exist. I would like to think that 10 years from now fight cards won’t be so cost-prohibitive as to prevent them from showcasing the young talent in this area. Boxing has always been said to be on the ropes for one reason or another over its many eras, and I am sure it would still remain the status quo. The real threat just might be the surging MMA cards taking control over the remaining boxing crowd.

RUSSELL PELTZvenerable Philadelphia boxing promoter and 2004 IBHOF inductee: There will be more fighters with belts than without belts.

             If everyone wins a belt, then no one wins. – Anonymous

FRED ROMANO — boxing historian, author and former HBO Boxing consultant: For generations they have been saying that boxing is a dying sport. However, boxing is the Rasputin of sports. I expect it to continue to thrill fans throughout the world regardless of deficiencies in governing bodies, the existence of fractured titles and an ever- changing demographic and technological landscape.

LEE SAMUELS — Top Rank publicist emeritus; 2019 IBHOF inductee: Years ago we asked Bob Arum “will there always be fighters and great fights?” and he said, “absolutely: there will always be those who want to get into the ring and box and there will always be fans who want to see the big fights.”

TED SARES — TSS writer: Absolutely the same as Lee Groves, to wit: “Streaming services will make up the vast majority of boxing telecasts, and, with the introduction of the WBC’s “Franchise Champion” belt, in addition to the subordinate titles created by the other sanctioning bodies, initiate unprecedented business for those companies charged with making those belts.”

ICEMAN JOHN SCULLY — manager, trainer, commentator, writer, historian, former boxer: In 10 years from now the sanctioning bodies will have decimated the World Championships to the extent that nobody will know who the Champions are and even people in the boxing game such as myself won’t even care anymore.

MIKE SILVER — author, writer, historian: Boxing is in a transition stage and it does not bode well for the future. The demented circus that is professional boxing today will only get worse. Technology combined with a completely unregulated sport will make for even more confusion. Boxing will actually become even more dumbed-down than it is today. In 2029 every boxer who wins his first pro bout will be awarded some kind of title belt. So figure about 500 new champions per year. What is so absurd and disheartening is that the media and the clueless fans will still accept the garbage being thrown at them, just as they do now. You can see the handwriting on the wall with the announcement that Canelo has just been named the new “Franchise” champion by the WBC, for the sole purpose that he can now fight whoever he wants and remain champion until he is ready for an assisted living facility. This kind of outlandish corruption and stupidity is breathtaking. Why are we still paying attention to this crap? But a fight is a fight, right? So what the hell. Bottom line: It can’t get better.

MICHAEL STEWART — former professional fighter and “Contender” series contestant: I think fewer young people will go into the amateurs as there will be more options for them. This will impact boxing ten years from now in a somewhat negative way.

ALAN SWYER — filmmaker, writer, and producer of the acclaimed El Boxeo: My hope is that ten years from now boxing will be even more of a worldwide sport, with the heavyweight division strong again and the Olympics assuming the importance it had when it spawned the likes of Ali, Oscar, and Sugar Ray Leonard. My fear is that it will continue to accept its position as a niche sport not even covered by most major newspapers.

GARY “DIGITAL” WILLIAMSthe voice of “Boxing on the Beltway”: Boxing ten years from now may be in a little bit of trouble. The issues that AIBA is having with the International Olympic Committee may end up having a ripple effect when it comes to harvesting new talent. Fortunately, there should be established pro talent that may lead the way.

PETER WOOD — author, writer and former fighter: This is a good question. I hope this article will be dug up and read in the year 2029 — and that I’m one of those reading it…Boxing will be revered more than ever in the future. Why? Because the more elevated and sophisticated society becomes, the more it’s need will be to counterbalance itself with its primal origin.

Observations:

This time around, more ex-fighters responded and, like the others, there was a good dose of cynicism in their posts. A major complaint involved too many belts for too many titles with Canelo’s new WBC “Franchise Title” receiving particular scorn.

But there was a good deal of optimism as well. David Avila’s savvy response sounded a balanced warning, to wit: “The introduction of streaming and the departure of HBO’s interest in the sport has opened the door to either a massive explosion of growth or an implosion that could send boxing spinning without a foundation.”

Now it’s your turn: Where do you see Boxing ten years from now?

Ted Sares is a member of Ring 8, a lifetime member of Ring 10, and a member of Ring 4 and its Boxing Hall of Fame. He also is an Auxiliary Member of the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA). He is an active power lifter and Strongman competitor in the Master Class.

Check out more boxing news on video at The Boxing Channel

To comment on this story in The Fight Forum CLICK HERE

Share The Sweet Science experience!

Featured Articles

Avila Perspective, Chap. 297: Callum Walsh in Dublin, Anthony Joshua and More

Published

on

Avila-Perspective-Chap-297-Callum-Walsh-in-Dublin-Anthony-Joshua-and-More

Avila Perspective, Chap. 297: Callum Walsh in Dublin, Anthony Joshua and More

All eyes point toward the British Isles this weekend and the American wild west.

In back-to-back days, several of that European region’s best pugilists headline cards in Dublin then in London.

It all begins with super welterweight contender Callum Walsh, the Irish fighter from Cork who trains in Hollywood, Calif. with one of the masters, Freddie Roach.

On Friday, Sept. 20, Walsh (11-0, 9 KOs) meets Poland’s Przemyslaw Runowski (22-2-1, 6 KOs) at 3Arena Dublin in Dublin, Ireland for a regional super welterweight title. UFC Fight Pass will stream the 360 Promotions card at 9:30 a.m. Pacific Time.

Straight from the sweaty gyms of Hollywood, Ireland’s Walsh (pictured on the left) returns home to native soil where he intends to showcase the ever-growing skills learned from Southern California’s hotbed of pro boxing.

On any given day a number of veteran fighters can be found to spar and learn.

Walsh, also known as King Callum, has been one of many Irish fighters who uprooted themselves from the comforts of home and moved to Southern California to find a myriad of styles from boxers coming from all parts of the world.

The hard-charging Walsh finally returns to perform in the heart of Ireland. His speed, power and skills have enabled him to eliminate nine of 11 opponents via knockout.

Dana White, his manager, will be attending the fight.

“Love the fact that he’s not fighting guys to pad his record, like the typical boxing model. This is a kid who really believes in himself and his potential to become a world champion,” said White the president of the UFC organization. “I also love the fact that one of the greatest trainers in the history of the sport, Freddie Roach, believes in him. I am very invested in this fight in Dublin and I’m really excited to not only bring a fight back to Ireland but to be sitting ringside to see Callum fight in his home country.”

Poland’s Runowski has never been stopped and has a string of victories against top competition. This match will prove who moves on toward elite competition.

Saturday in London

In London, England on Saturday, top heavyweights Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois lead an impressive Matchroom Boxing fight card at Wembley Stadium. DAZN will stream the card.

Joshua (28-3, 25 KOs) and Dubois (21-2, 20 KOs) fight for the IBF heavyweight title. Both have recently looked in peak form. Look for a stoppage in this fight between knockout experts.

Dubois only lost to Okesandr Usyk and should have been ruled the winner when he floored the champion with a body shot a year ago. The referee erroneously ruled it a low blow. The titles should have been given to Dubois at that moment. Instead, Usyk rallied and stopped the British fighter in the ninth.

Since that loss, Dubois knocked out Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic.

Former champion Joshua has never looked better and recently destroyed MMA star Francis Ngannou who gave Tyson Fury fits when they fought. Not so against Joshua who mercilessly blew him out in two rounds.

Also featured on the card are Hamzah Sheeraz, who recently defeated Ammo Williams via knockout plus Josh Warrington, Josh Kelly and undefeated Joshua Buatsi. It’s a front-loaded boxing card.

Wild West USA

Mexico’s former champion Jaime Munguia (43-1, 34 KOs) makes his debut on a Top Rank card against undefeated Armenian super middleweight Erik Bazinyan (32-0-1, 23 KOs) on Friday Sept. 20, at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. ESPN will televise the Top Rank card.

It’s Munguia’s first fight since losing to boxing kingpin Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. No shame in that. But he is facing another Canadian prospect who has never lost. Recently, that country has been developing some very good pugilists like another super middleweight Christian Mbilli.

The Top Rank card is loaded with highly-regarded prospects such as Richard Torrez Jr., Emiliano Vargas, Alan “Kid Kansas” Garcia and others.

LA Area

A half dozen undefeated fighters including Daniel Cruz (7-0) against Recky Dulay (11-9) meet on Friday Sept. 20, for KO Fight Night at Farallon Event Center in Lynwood, Calif.

Among the undefeated fighters on the House of Pain fight card are Mathias Radcliffe, DeAngelo Evans, Luis Rubalvaca, and Jose Casillas.

Doors open at 6 p.m.

Fights to Watch  (all times Pacific Time)

Fri. UFC Fight Pass 9:30 a.m. Callum Walsh (11-0) vs Przemyslaw Runowski (22-2-1)

Fri. ESPN 7:30 p.m. Jaime Munguia (43-1) vs Erik Bazinyan (32-0-1).

Sat. DAZN 10 a.m. Anthony Joshua (28-3) and Dubois (21-2).

Photo courtesy of Zuffa

To comment on this story in the Fight Forum CLICK HERE

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading

Featured Articles

Mikaelian vs Rozicki POSTPONED Amidst Rumors that Promoter Don King is Ailing

Published

on

Mikaelian-vs-Rozicki-Postponed-Amidst-Rumors-that Promoter-Don-King-is-Ailing

The WBC world cruiserweight title fight between Ryan Rozicki and Noel Mikaelian, slated for Sept. 28 at Miami Casino Jai Alai in Miami, Florida has been postponed. A terse press release attributed to Don King Promotions, Three Lion Promotions (Rozicki’s promoter) and the WBC was issued today. No reason was given for the postponement. It merely said, “we are working diligently to set a new date and should have a new date to announce in the days to come.”

An Armenian who has done most of his fighting in Germany and now lives and trains in Miami, Mikaelian (aka Noel Gevor) sports a 27-2 (12 KOs) record and would be making the first defense of the title he won with a third-round stoppage of Ilunga Makabu on a Don King card in Miami in November of last year. Canada’s Rozicki (20-1, 19 KOs) suffered his lone defeat at the hands of Oscar Rivas in October of 2021. That match, which went the full 12 rounds, is recognized by the WBC as the first Bridgerweight title fight. Plagued with chronic eye problems, Rivas would never fight again.

This is the second time that the Mikaelian-Rozicki match has been postponed. They were originally scheduled to fight on June 7 at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino and Resort in Hollywood, Florida, but Mikaelian (pictured on the left) suffered an eye injury just days before the fight and the match evaporated. Mikaelian’s injury bumped the welterweight contest between Blair Cobbs and Adrien Broner into the main event. Cobbs won a 10-round unanimous decision.

The news of this second postponement spawned talk in online chat rooms to the effect that Don King had fallen seriously ill. According to one private correspondence shared with this reporter this morning at a local boxing gym, King had suffered a near-death experience and would be stepping away from boxing for one year.

This allegation could not be substantiated. More than that, reliable sources say it should be dismissed as an UNFOUNDED rumor. Considering all the misinformation on social media, perhaps I was remiss in not keeping it under my hat.

At one time the most powerful boxing promoter in the world, Don King turned 93 last month.

To comment on this story in the Fight Forum CLICK HERE

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading

Featured Articles

Reflections on Yoenli Hernandez and the New Wave of Outstanding Cuban Boxers

Published

on

Reflections-on-Yoenli-Hernandez-and-the-New-Wave-of-Outstanding-Cuban-Boxers

Reflections on Yoenli Hernandez and the New Wave of Outstanding Cuban Boxers

Cuban boxers were 2-0 at the T-Mobile Arena on Mexican Independence Day weekend in Las Vegas. Erislandy Lara toyed with listless Danny Garcia for nine rounds before Garcia’s corner stopped the bout. Yoenli Hernandez improved to 5-0 with his fifth knockout, dismissing his Mexican opponent in the second round.

Lara, who was appearing his nineteenth 12-round fight, is 41 years old. Yoenli Hernandez (pictured) is 27. However, although separated by only 14 years, they effectively represent two different generations of Cuban boxers. Hernandez is part of the new wave that includes super-hot prospects Arlen Lopez and Andy Cruz.

A light heavyweight, Lopez, 31, was an Olympic gold medalist in Rio and in Tokyo, but came up short in his bid to become only the fourth boxer (and third Cuban) to achieve the Olympic hat trick, losing a split decision to Ukraine’s Oleksandr Khyzhniak in the semi-final round of the recent Paris Games. As a pro, he’s 3-0 (2 KOs).

A lightweight, Andy Cruz, 29, was 4-for-4 against Keyshawn Davis as an amateur, with the last of those four wins coming in the gold medal round of the Tokyo Olympiad. He’s 4-0 (2 KOs) as a pro with all four of those wins coming against experienced opponents in matches slated for 10 rounds.

Yoenli Hernandez (sometimes identified as Yoenlis Feliciano) wasn’t an Olympian, but he was a World Amateur Champion who finished his amateur career with 26 straight wins. He turned pro along with Arlen Lopez and four other elite Cuban amateurs on May 20, 2022 in Aguascalientes, Mexico, an historic day in the history of Cuban boxing as it was the first time that members of the Cuban National Team competed as pros with the blessing of the Cuban government.

Cuba has spawned a number of notable boxers over the years. Kid Gavilan, the Cuban Hawk, master of the bolo punch, won the world welterweight title in 1951 with a unanimous decision over Johnny Bratton at Madison Square Garden and successfully defended it seven times. By some accounts, he was Cuba’s first true world title-holder. Kid Chocolate (Eligio Sardinas) captured world titles as a featherweight and a junior lightweight in the early 1930’s, but neither title was recognized overseas — the junior lightweight division then lacked traction and his featherweight diadem was the New York State version of it.

Kid Gavilan and Kid Chocolate have plaques in the International Boxing Hall of Fame as does Luis Rodriguez who captured the world welterweight title at LA’s Dodger Stadium in 1963 in his second of four meetings with arch-rival Emile Griffith. Rodriguez and his compatriot Florentino Fernandez, a world title challenger as a middleweight, both had their first U.S. fights in 1959, the year that Fidel Castro’s rebels  overthrew the Batista regime. They trained at Chris Dundee’s iconic Miami Beach gym alongside the fighter who would take the name Muhammad Ali.

Two future greats — featherweight Ultiminio “Sugar” Ramos and welterweight Jose “Mantequilla” Napoles — left Cuba a bit later and settled in Mexico. Although they won world titles in U.S. rings, they never left their adopted home. Both were residents of Mexico City at the time of their passing.

As is well known, Fidel Castro abolished professional sports. Moreover, there was a long lag after he came to power before elite Cuban boxers had the temerity to defect.

Cuban boxers dominated the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, sending nine of a possible 12 boxers to the gold medal round, seven of whom emerged victorious. Of the medal winners, only bantamweight Joel Casamayor left for the United States, and he did not defect until four years later on the eve of the Atlanta Summer Games. Eventually 12 other Cuban boxers – several who arrived in the U.S. before him — would join Casamayor in a stable that took the name Team Freedom. Casamayor was the best of the bunch, winning world titles as a pro at 130 and 135 pounds.

Team Freedom evolved into Warriors Boxing. The South Florida agency, run by Luis De Cubas Sr. and Leon Margules, is the dominant force in the Cuban-American boxing community. De Cubas, who once owned a piece of Roberto Duran, was born in Cuba and spent his formative years in Minnesota before settling in Miami at age 24. His business partner Margules is a Fort Lauderdale attorney.

Yoenli Hernandez’s manager of record is Providence, Rhode Island businessman Robert Valle, but Warriors Boxing, which also controls WBA (regular) light heavyweight champion David Morrell, has its fingers in the pie. Virtually every boxer who defected from Cuba during the Castro years was helped along the way by Luis De Cubas and his associates. His name now appears on the ballot for the International Boxing Hall of Fame and it’s a fair guess that he will go in with the next class of inductees.

In many ways, things have gotten worse in Cuba since Fidel Castro passed away in 2016. More than a million Cubans – roughly 10 percent of the population – left the island nation between 2022 and 2023, the largest wave of out-migration in Cuba’s history. Of that number, more than 400,000 settled in the Unites States, mostly in the Miami area.

Within that diaspora were many of Cuba’s most talented boxers. Those that leave for greener pastures are no longer stamped an enemy of the state. Restrictions have been eased for people traveling back and forth between the two countries.

Cuban boxers were well-represented on the rosters of the teams in the newfangled Team Combat League where men compete in one-round matches across six weight categories. One doesn’t have to like the concept to appreciate the fact that the TCL has been a godsend to boxers who would otherwise have trouble staying busy while also putting a few dollars in their pocket to help pay the bills during the lacuna between conventional prizefights.

The novice professionals from Cuba who have competed in these events tend to be younger than their predecessors who left Cuba to launch their pro careers. To take but two examples, light heavyweight Brayon Leon and welterweight Darian Castro, both strong prospects who excelled at the TCL brand of fisticuffing (a combined 22-2) are 22 and 21 years old respectively.

The takeaway is that we will be hearing a lot more about Cuban boxers in the next few years. And if Yoenli Hernandez becomes a big name in the sport, remember that you heard it here first.

To comment on this story in the Fight Forum CLICK HERE

 

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement
A-Closer-Look-at-Jordan-Plant-One-Jalf-of-Boxing's-Power-Couple
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Closer Look at Jordan Plant, One-Half of Boxing’s ‘Power Couple’

Boxing-Notes-and-Nuggets-from-Thomas-Hauser
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Boxing Notes and Nuggets from Thomas Hauser

Avils-Perspective-Chap-29`1-Mayweather-Chronicles
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 291: Mayweather Chronicles

Jarrett-Hurd-and-Jeison-Rosario-Fight-to-a-Draw-in-Plant-City
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Jarrett Hurd and Jeison Rosario Fight to a Draw in Plant City

Nikita-Tszyu-Overcomes-Adversity-TKOs-Mazoudier-in-a-Sydney-Sizzler
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Nikita Tszyu Overcomes Adversity, TKOs Mazoudier in a Sydney Sizzler

Canelo-Ptoves-too-Canny-and-Tough-for-Edgar-Berlanga-in-Las-Vegas
Featured Articles5 days ago

Canelo Proves Too Canny and Tough for Edgar Berlanga in Las Vegas

Results-and-Recaps-from-Mexico-City-where-Picasso-Upended-Hovhannisyan
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Mexico City where Picasso Upended Hovhannisyan

Tomoki-Kameda-Japan's-Little-Mexican-and-the-Glory-Days-of-Japanese-Boxing
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Tomoki Kameda, Japan’s “Little Mexican,” and the Glory Days of Japanese Boxing

Results-and-Recaps-from-LA_where-Pacheco-KOed-Sulecki-with-a-Body-Punch
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from LA where Pacheco KOed Sulecki with a Body Punch

Canelo-vs-Berlanga-Battles-the-UFC-Hopefully-No-Repeat-of-the-2019-Fiasco
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Canelo vs Berlanga Battles the UFC: Hopefully No Repeat of the 2019 Fiasco

Niyomtrong-Proves-a-Bridge-Too-Far-for-Alex-Winwood-in-Australia
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Niyomtrong Proves a Bridge Too Far for Alex Winwood in Australia

Avila-Perspective-Chap-294-Southern-California-Battles
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 294: Southern California Battles

Catching-Up-with-Nico-Ali-Walsh-who-Doubles-Down-on-his-Aversion-to-Jake-Paul
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Catching Up with Nico Ali Walsh who Doubles Down on his Aversion to Jake Paul

Avila-Perspective-Chap-296-Canelo-vs-Berlanga-and-More
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 296: Canelo vs Berlanga and More

60-Years-Ago-This-Month-the-Curtain-Fell-on-the-Golden-Era-of-TV-Boxing.jpg
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

60 Years Ago This Month, the Curtain Fell on the Golden Era of TV Boxing

The-Monster-Keeps-on-Trucking-Inoue-Stops-Doheny-in-the-7th-Round
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

The ‘Monster’ Keeps on Trucking: Inoue Stops Doheny in the 7th Round

Avila-Perspective-Chap-295-Callum-Walsh-Pechanga-Casino-Fights-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 295: Callum Walsh, Pechanga Casino Fights and More

Canelo-Berlanga-Postscript
Featured Articles4 days ago

Canelo – Berlanga Postscript

Reflections-on-Yoenli-Hernandez-and-the-New-Wave-of-Outstanding-Cuban-Boxers
Featured Articles3 days ago

Reflections on Yoenli Hernandez and the New Wave of Outstanding Cuban Boxers

Rocky-Hernandez-Improves-to-36-2-with-a-Controversial-TD-in-Hermosillo
Featured Articles7 days ago

Rocky Hernandez Improves to 36-2 with a Controversial TD in Hermosillo

Avila-Perspective-Chap-297-Callum-Walsh-in-Dublin-Anthony-Joshua-and-More
Featured Articles19 hours ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 297: Callum Walsh in Dublin, Anthony Joshua and More

Mikaelian-vs-Rozicki-Postponed-Amidst-Rumors-that Promoter-Don-King-is-Ailing
Featured Articles20 hours ago

Mikaelian vs Rozicki POSTPONED Amidst Rumors that Promoter Don King is Ailing

Reflections-on-Yoenli-Hernandez-and-the-New-Wave-of-Outstanding-Cuban-Boxers
Featured Articles3 days ago

Reflections on Yoenli Hernandez and the New Wave of Outstanding Cuban Boxers

Canelo-Berlanga-Postscript
Featured Articles4 days ago

Canelo – Berlanga Postscript

Canelo-Ptoves-too-Canny-and-Tough-for-Edgar-Berlanga-in-Las-Vegas
Featured Articles5 days ago

Canelo Proves Too Canny and Tough for Edgar Berlanga in Las Vegas

Stephen-Fulton-Nips-Carlos-Castro-in-a-Prelude-to-Canelo-vs-Berlanga
Featured Articles6 days ago

Stephen Fulton Nips Carlos Castro in a Prelude to Canelo vs Berlanga

Rocky-Hernandez-Improves-to-36-2-with-a-Controversial-TD-in-Hermosillo
Featured Articles7 days ago

Rocky Hernandez Improves to 36-2 with a Controversial TD in Hermosillo

Avila-Perspective-Chap-296-Canelo-vs-Berlanga-and-More
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 296: Canelo vs Berlanga and More

Canelo-vs-Berlanga-Battles-the-UFC-Hopefully-No-Repeat-of-the-2019-Fiasco
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Canelo vs Berlanga Battles the UFC: Hopefully No Repeat of the 2019 Fiasco

Niyomtrong-Proves-a-Bridge-Too-Far-for-Alex-Winwood-in-Australia
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Niyomtrong Proves a Bridge Too Far for Alex Winwood in Australia

Avila-Perspective-Chap-295-Callum-Walsh-Pechanga-Casino-Fights-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 295: Callum Walsh, Pechanga Casino Fights and More

60-Years-Ago-This-Month-the-Curtain-Fell-on-the-Golden-Era-of-TV-Boxing.jpg
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

60 Years Ago This Month, the Curtain Fell on the Golden Era of TV Boxing

Boxing-Notes-and-Nuggets-from-Thomas-Hauser
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Boxing Notes and Nuggets from Thomas Hauser

The-Monster-Keeps-on-Trucking-Inoue-Stops-Doheny-in-the-7th-Round
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

The ‘Monster’ Keeps on Trucking: Inoue Stops Doheny in the 7th Round

A-Closer-Look-at-Jordan-Plant-One-Jalf-of-Boxing's-Power-Couple
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Closer Look at Jordan Plant, One-Half of Boxing’s ‘Power Couple’

Results-and-Recaps-from-LA_where-Pacheco-KOed-Sulecki-with-a-Body-Punch
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from LA where Pacheco KOed Sulecki with a Body Punch

Catching-Up-with-Nico-Ali-Walsh-who-Doubles-Down-on-his-Aversion-to-Jake-Paul
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Catching Up with Nico Ali Walsh who Doubles Down on his Aversion to Jake Paul

Avila-Perspective-Chap-294-Southern-California-Battles
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 294: Southern California Battles

Nikita-Tszyu-Overcomes-Adversity-TKOs-Mazoudier-in-a-Sydney-Sizzler
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Nikita Tszyu Overcomes Adversity, TKOs Mazoudier in a Sydney Sizzler

Tomoki-Kameda-Japan's-Little-Mexican-and-the-Glory-Days-of-Japanese-Boxing
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Tomoki Kameda, Japan’s “Little Mexican,” and the Glory Days of Japanese Boxing

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending

Advertisement