Where Have All the Cuban World Champs Gone?

By Ken Hissner: I as soon as did an article on 3 Cuban welterweights who grew to become IBHOF inductees in “Child” Gavilan, Luis Manuel Rodriguez and Jose “Mantequilla” Napoles. First two fought out of Miami whereas Napoles out of Mexico.

As we speak there are some good Cuban prospects turning skilled equivalent to Tremendous Light-weight Lazaro Alvarez who was 208-36 within the amateurs and had his second professional bout final week on the age of 31. One other is Tremendous Welterweight Roniel Iglesias, 2-0, at 32 who was 309-44 within the amateurs. Julio Cesar la Cruz, 1-0, was 258-22 within the amateurs and a 32 year-old heavyweight with all preventing out of Mexico.

Cubans who’ve been right here for a while which can be nonetheless lively are former WBA Bantamweight and Tremendous Bantamweight world champion Guillermo “El Chacal The Jackal” Rigondeaux, 20-3, at age 41 dropping his title in 2020. 

The newest one to retire was former IBF Cruiserweight world champion Yoan Pablo Hernandez, 29-2 (14), got here again at heavyweight in 2020 and misplaced and at age 37 fought out of Germany giving up his title in 2014.

Getting again to lively boxers is present WBA World Middleweight Erislandy Lara, 29-3-3 (17), at age 39 preventing out of Houston, Texas, who gave up his Tremendous Welterweight titles in 2018. Gennadiy “GGG” Golovkin holds the Tremendous title.

Former IBF Tremendous Featherweight and Light-weight champion now at Tremendous Light-weight Rances Barthelemy, 29-1-1 (15), at age 37 is preventing out of Las Vegas, Nevada, and will probably be on Showtime this Saturday in opposition to Gary Antuanne Russell, 15-0 (15). He misplaced his title in 2018 and fought to a attract an try and win it again.

One other not lively is former IBF Light-weight champion Richar Abril, 20-3-1 (8), final fought in 2016 after giving up title in 2014 preventing out of Florida.

Nonetheless very a lot lively is former WBA Welterweight champion Yordenis “54 Milagros” Ugas, 27-5 (12), age 36 out of Miami, Florida, misplaced his title in April.

One other retired is former Cruiserweight Mike “The Insurgent” Perez, 27-3-1 (18), age 36 out of Cork, Eire, has gained his final 5 fights final preventing in March. His final loss was to Mairis Briedis in 2017. He final defended his WBC USNBC title in 2014 to a draw. In 2015 he misplaced preventing for the WBC Silver title in 2015.   

Nonetheless very a lot lively is former WBA Interim and Inter-Continental Heavyweight champion Luis “King Kong” Ortiz, 33-2 (28), out of Miami, Florida, at age 43 misplaced twice to WBC World champion Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder in difficult for the titles in 2018 and 2019. He’s scheduled to battle in September in opposition to former world champion Andy “Destroyer” Ruiz. 

The final to carry a world title if reminiscence serves me proper was former WBA Tremendous Featherweight and WBC Light-weight champion Joel “El Cepillo” Casamayor, 36-4-1 (22), dropping his title in 2008. His final battle was in 2011 preventing for the WBO Tremendous Light-weight title held by Tim Bradley.