Alcides Sagarra a trainer and a legend

Introduction :

We found various data on the Internet, including a very comprehensive interview, available at this address : http://www.efdeportes.com/efd101/sagarra.htm

Debut :

Alcides Sagarra was born in 1936 in Santiago de Cuba. He fought from 1951 to 1954, although his asthma problem. He would have fought 97 fights (47 amateur fights, including 10 losses in the featherweights). We have no found his record for professional fights in the excellent database boxrec. He was coach for such fighters as Gobin Antolin Sanchez and Carlos Kelly, as . amateurs and also as professionals.

Prohibition of professional boxing :

In 1959, Fidel Castro is the new president in Cuba and a law banning professional boxing is taken, based on the Communism's principles. This regulation was intended to prevent the exploitation of man by man and the corruption inherent in this activity. Remember that professional boxing in Cuba had given many champions, including the famous Kid Chocolate and some will leave the island to continue their careers, as the great Jose Napoles.

In the new Cuba, the sport depends now of the INDER, Instituto Nacional de Deportes, Educacion Fisica y Recreación. Elite athletes are attending the Escuela Superior del Perfeccionamientos Atléticco, ESPA.

Sagarra then resumed his studies, while working as a mechanic, and will receive later, the title of Bachelor of Physical Culture.

Coach :

In 1962, he became a boxing coach in the gym Agua Dulce, Cerro/La Habana.

In 1963, he trained the fighters in the province of Havana, for the Cuban championship.

Sagarra, with Teofilo Stevenson and Felix Savon

Before Sagarra :

It should be noted that before the arrival of Sagarra, as the coach of the Cuban boxing team, a fighter had already participated in the 1960 Olympics in Rome, Esteban Leiva Aguilera, without any results.

In 1962, at the Central American Games and the Caribbean, in Kingston/Jamaica, Felix Betancourt, Moises Vives, Osvaldo River and Leonardo Alcolea won the gold medal in their categories and Roberto Caminero the silver medal. It was the first major success for the Cuban amateur boxing.

In 1963, at the Pan American Games in Sao Paulo/Brazil, Roberto Caminero won the lightweight gold medal. Leonardo Alcolea won the silver medal. As a team, Cuba finished fourth, behind Brazil, USA and Argentina.

Sagarra period :

In 1964, Alcides Sagarra becomes coach of the Cuban national team. Andrei Chervonenko, a Soviet coach, has help him in his work. He received also help from Yevgeny Ogurenko and Vasili Romanov, other Soviet trainers on the Castro's island.

Sagarra also receives the help of Professor Kurt Rosentil, of East Germany, to assist him in his duty.

Following this collaboration and his own innovations, Sagarra brings many new features in the teaching of boxing, both technically and physically. According to the explanations given by the coach, we will mention the following points:

- 4 years training programs
- Annual cycle, with the general preparation, special preparation, competition and time of direct confrontation (PDC)
- Management of pics in the preparation
- Increased training quantity with calculation of its intensity and volume
- Reaching the highest point of preparation at the end of the fourth year cycle

For the 1964 Olympics, Cuba had 9 fights with 3 victories and 6 losses. No medals.

1967, the first medal for Cuba, possibly with Andres Molina

In the 1967 Pan American Games in Winnipeg/Canada, Enrique Requeiferos won the gold medal, as Andres Molina and Rolando Garbey.

At the 1968 Olympics in Mexico, Enrique Blanco Requeiferos, won the first silver medal in boxing for Cuba. He lost in the finals against Kulej/Poland, by 3-2.

Rolando Garbey fight in the -71kg, and lost in the finals against Boris Lagutin/USSR, by 0-5. He also won the silver medal. The debut of amateur boxing in Cuba are mentioned in an another article, in this blog.

Alcides Sagarra will also trained Teofilo Stevenson and Felix Savon, two heavyweights, whose incredible career are described in two other sections of this blog.

Teofilo Stevenson returned to his corner, with his trainer

Sagarra have had many problems with the judges and referees during tournaments.

Many informations have been published over Sagarra's results with the national team, but they are difficult to verify (32 Olympic gold medals and 63 gold medals at the world championships). For sure, Teofilo Stevenson, Felix Savon were each 3 times Olympic Champion and 3 times world champions.

The post-Sagarra :

In 2001, Sagarra resigned as the national coach. The new trainer is Sarbelio Fuentes.

Without Sagarra, the team will continue to dominate world amateur boxing until now and despite the coaching change.

Publications and Awards :

A book published about Sagarra

He has published two books, "Charlas between cuerdas" in 1991 and "El Boxeo PDC in the Escuela Cubana" in 1998 (PDC = Periodo Directo Competencia).

We found the following titles to his name:

Boxeo. Entrenamiento e instrucción técnica Equipo/A. P. Díaz y Sagarra. La Habana: Editorial el Deporte, 1995. 22 p.
The Escuela Cubana experiencia con el Boxeo en el Olímpico/A. Sagarra. La Habana: Editado por Raúl Villanueva Torres, Presidente de la Comisión Científica the AIBA.199? 11p.
La preparación para competencias fundamentales del boxeador/A. Sagarra. La Habana: Material Mimeografiado, 1995. 13 p.
Quien es el Segundo/A. Sagarra. p. 1-7. In Seminario Técnico Metodológico, Mayo 1992.
El período Directo Competencia, en el Boxeo Cubano, a método moderno del entrenamiento deportivo de Planificación/A. Sagarra. La Habana: Resumen the tesis por el grado para optar Doctor in Ciencias Pedagógica, 49 p
Reflexiones sobre la situación actual pedagógica/A. Sagarra. La Habana, ene. 1995. 8 p

In 1992, the University of la Havana awarded the title of Doctor of Science in Educational to Alcides Sagarra.

Since then, Dr. Sagarra has lectured extensively and conducted numerous workshops around the world to teach his knowledge.

Sagarra was awarded the title of "Hero of Socialist Labour" in Cuba and "Coach of the Century" from AIBA.

An excellent video about Sagarra's career is available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBWkYmrU9ZA

Conclusions :

Alcides Sagarra has to be considered as the father of the Escuela Cubana de Boxeo, the famous Cuban boxing school and as the coach who brought the most medals in Cuba.

The most impressive fact is that the Cuban school continued to be the best of the word after the leaving of Sagarra.

1988 : Olympic Games in Seoul and Boycott

Introduction :

The 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul and their boycott by Cuba will be the final article about a special event, in this blog.

This boycott was a sign of solidarity with North Korea, still at war against South Korea, which was organizing these Games, in Seoul.

Only the following countries participated in the boycott : Cuba, Albania, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Nicaragua and the Seychelles. Other countries of the East Block have participated in the OG. We did not find traces of alternative games, organized by the boycotting countries.

Before the Olympic Games :

1987 :

During the Giraldo Cordova Cardin 20th Tournament, super heavyweight Jorge Luis Gonzalez beats Isaac Barrientos/Puerto Rico, in the finals.

Stamps for the 1987 Pan Am Games

In the 10th Pan American Games, in Indianapolis/USA, for the semifinals, Michael Carbajal/USA beats Juan Torres Odelin, on points 5-0 (-48 kg).

In -81 kg, Pablo Romero beats Andrew Maynard/USA, by RSCI 2. In the +91 kg, Jorge Luis Gonzalez beats Riddick Bowe/USA, on point 3-2.

Jorge Luis Gonzalez in left facing Lennox Lewis

In the finals, Cuba wins 10 gold medals. Felix Savon beats Juan Antonio Diaz by KO in the second. Jorge Luis Gonzalez beats Lennox Lewis/Canada, on points 4-1. The video of the fight: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1wg8BCgDmE and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCap3m4hnE8&feature=related

At the North American Championships, in Toronto, in the finals, Cuba wins 10 gold medals. In -91 kg, Felix Savon beats Michael Bentt/USA on points 3-0 and Lennox Lewis/Canada beats Jorge Luis Gonzalez on points 3-2. Video of the fight: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgPnolc_kkw&feature=related and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26TQb6Yq2Es&feature=related

Felix Savon, on the left, opposite Michael Bentt

At the 5th World Cup in Belgrade, Cuba wins five gold and one silver medal. Felix Savon beats Arnold Vanderlyde/Netherlands, on points 4-1.

For the 18th Central American and Caribbean Championships, in Costa Rica, with a B team, Cuba wins nine gold and two silver medals.

During the duel Cuba-USA, in Cuba, the island wins eleven fights for a single defeat, against a USA B team. Michael Carbajal/USA beats Juan Torres Odelin, on points 3-2.

1988 :

During the USA-Cuba duel, in Atlantic City, Cuba wins 10 fights for two defeats.

In -48 kg, Rogelio Marcello beats Michael Carbajal/USA, on points. In -54 kg, Manuel Martinez beats Kennedy McKinney/USA, on points. In -91 kg, Felix Savon beats Ray Mercer/USA, on points.

The Olympics Games :

During the Olympics, in Seoul, Cuba boycotted the event.

The mascot of the boxing tournament in Seoul

Here are the most important results of these Games :

Michael Carbajal/USA loses in the finals, -48 kg.
Kennedy McKinney/USA, wins the finals, -54 kg.
Roy Jones/USA loses in the finals, -71 kg.
Ray Mercer/USA wins the finals, - 91 kg
Lennox Lewis/Canada wins the finals, +91 kg, against Riddick Bowe/USA.

Comparisons :

We repeat, it's impossible to determine who would have been the winner at the Olmpics, if Cuba had been there.

By comparing the 1987 and 1988 results, during the match against Cuba, we find that :

Michael Carbajal/USA has won and lost against his Cuban opponents.
Kennedy McKinney/USA loses in 1988 against Manuel Martinez.
We do not know a Cuban opponent for Roy Jones.
Ray Mercer/USA loses to Felix Savon in 1988.
Lennox Lewis/Canada wins and loses to Jose Luis Gonzalez, in 1987.

After the Olympic Games :

During the 19th Central American and Caribbean Championships, in Guatemala City, Cuba wins all the gold medals.

Where are they now :

Felix Savon will have a separate article in this blog.

Jorge Luis Gonzalez defects Cuba in April 1991, in Tampere/Finland, during a second-class tournament. Note that Roberto Ballado represented Cuba at the 1989 World Championships in Moscow. Gonzalez will become a pro fighter in the USA and will lose against Riddick Bowe for the heavyweight title, by ko in the 6th.

Conclusions :

The boycott of the 1988 OG is the latest in a series that began in 1980, with the USA boycott, and with the 1984 boycott from the East Block countries and Cuba. Since 1992, the opposition between these two countries can resume.

Felix Savon's stamps

Note that Teofilo Stevenson finally retired in 1987. Felix Savon, meanwhile, began his international career in 1986. It is therefore a milestone in the history of heavy and superheavyweight Cubans.

1986 Reno : 4th World Championships

Introduction :

After the 1984 Olympic Games and their boycott by the Eastern bloc, the World Championships in Reno/USA will be a new opportunity to confront USA and Cuba. Two years later, a new Cuban boycott at the Olympic Games in Seoul will impeach this sort of confrontation.

Once again, video or photography of this WC are very rare.

Preparation :

1985 :

During the 18th Giraldo Cordova Cardin Tournament, in June 1985, Cuba wins almost all the medals.

During the 16th Central American and Caribbean Championships, in Venezuela, in September 1985, Cuba wins 9 gold medals and 2 silver.

Cuban boxing team flag

1986 :

In the 19th Giraldo Cordova Cardin Tournament, in April 1986, Cuba again dominates every foreign competitors.

World Championships :

At the beginning of the Perestroika and Glasnost in USSR and the end of the cold war between USA and USSR, tension remains high between Cuba and America.

These Championships are held in a gambling city as Reno/Nevada, from 8th to 18th May, 1986.

Cuban Sports Stamps

Gold Medalists :

(-48 kg) Juan Torres Odelin wins the gold medal against Luis Roman Rolon/Puorto Rico, on points 5-0. The Puerto Rican will subsequently be disqualified after a drug test. Odelin has already won the 1984 Friendship Games, which replaced the 1984 Olympics Games for eastern countries. He left the Cuban Olympic and World team.

(-51 kg) Pedro Orlando Reyes beats David Grimani/Venezuela, on points 5-0. Previously, Reyes winsn his three preliminary fights. Orlando Reyes has already won the 1984 Friendship Games. He will win the bronze medal at the 1989 WC.

(-60 kg) Adolfo Horta beats Engels Pedroza/Venezuela, on points 3-2. Previously, Horta wins his 4 preliminary fights, including the semi-final against Orzubek Nazarov/USSR, on points 3-2. Adolfo Horta has become World Champion for the 3rd time, after Belgrade in 1978 and Munich in 1982. He was also silver medalist in the 1980 Olympic Games. He left the Cuban Olympic and World team. Nazarov will be European Amateur Champion in 1987. As a professional, he will become World Champion of the lightweights.

(-71 kg) Angel Espinosa beats Enrico Richter/West Germany, on points 4-1. Previously, Espinosa wins his 3 preliminary fights. Espinosa has already won the 1984 Friendship Games. He will win a silver medal at the 1989 WC.

Angel Espinosa

(-81 kg) Pablo Romero beats Loren Ross/USA, on points 4-1. Romero dominated the fight, but has given low blows and also hit his opponent after the round, without being warned by the referee (Lodi News-Sentine, May 19, 1986). Romero wins his first 3 preliminary fights. Romero has been gold medalist at the 1982 WC and will be silver medalist at the 1989 WC.

(-91 kg) Felix Savon beats Arnold Vanderlyde/Netherlands, on points 5-0. Previously, Savon wins his first 3 fights, including the semi-final against Svilen Rusinov/Bulgaria, by RSC in the 2nd round. The career of Felix Savon : 3 gold medals at the OG and 6 gold medals at the WC, this from 1986 to 1997. Vanderlyde will be 3 times bronze medalist at the OG, and also a silver medalist at the 1991 WC. Savon and Vanderlyde will fight 5 times, with 5 wins for the Cuban.

Felix Savon (left) vs Vanderlyde at the 1992 Olympic Games

(+91 kg) Teofilo Stevenson beats Angel Garcia/USA, by RSC in the 2nd. video of the fight : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAecmk5dV_s

Alex Garcia has only 17 wins and 1 defeat, after being released from prison in 1984. He will turn professional, but will never be a World Champion.

Alex Garcia (left) against Teofilo Stevenson

Before the final, Stevenson wins his first 3 fights, including a fight against Vyacheslav Yakovlev, the World Cup winner. Stevenson uses his jab and hits his opponent in the mid-section, to win the fight (Anchorage Daily News 17.05.1986). The Teofilo Stevenson career is the subject of an special article in this blog.

Silver Medalists :

(-57 kg) Kelci Banks/United States beats Jesus Sollet, on points 4-1. Sollet wins 3 fights before this defeat. Sollet has not fought other Olympic or World fights. Banks will turn professional, but will never be a World Champion.

(-67 kg) Kenneth Gould/USA beats Candelario Duvergel, on points 3-2. Previously, Duvergel wins his preliminary 4 fights. Duvergel has won the 1984 Friendship Tournament and will be 5th in the 1989 WC and 3rd at the 1991 WC. Gould will be a bronze medalist at the 1988 OG. He will be professional, but will never be a World Champion.

Bronze Medalist :

(-75 kg) Julio Quintana loses in the semifinals against Darrin Allen/USA. Quintana is counted after two rights in the head, during the second round. Allen wins 5-0. Allen, who had pledged to live in Cuba for 30 days if he didn't beat Quintana, said "I'm throwing my passport away" (Anchorage Daily News, 17.05.1986). Previously, Quintana wins his first three fights. He left the Cuban Olympic and World team.

Eliminated without medals :

(-54 kg) in the preliminaries, Arnaldo Mesa wins 3 fights before losing in the semi-finals against the Korean Sung Kil Moon, on points 2-3. Mesa will be a silver medalist at the 1996 OG and wins two bronze medals at the 1989 and 1991 WC.

(-63.5 kg) In the quarter-finals, Eduardo Correa (not to be confused with Emilio) loses vs Vailiy Shishov/USSR, on points 0-5. Previously, Correa wins his first two preliminary fights. He left the Cuban Olympic and World team.

Comparisons with other teams :

Cuba finishes first, with 7 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze medals. The USA are second and USSR third.

In direct confrontation, Cuba has 5 wins and 1 loss against the USSR.

Cuba has won 2 fights against the U.S. for 3 losses, a very surprising result.

Cuba has fought 48 fights, with 43 wins and 5 defeats, a victory ratio of 89.5%. This result is much better than the 3rd WC, in 1982, with 81.5%, the 2nd WC in 1978 with 86% and the 1st WC, in 1974 with 84%.

Concerning the general opposition, with the exception of Henry Maske (silver medalist in the -75 kg) and the Canadian Lennox Lewis (eliminated by Petar Stoymenov/Bulgaria in his first preliminary fight) no futur professional boxing star has participated in these World Championships.

Henry Maske (left) against Angel Espinosa, 1988

After the World Championships :

For the 15th Central American and Caribbean Games, held from June 24th to July 5th, 1986, in the Dominican Republic, Cuban wins 11 gold medals and 1 silver.

Cuba meets twice the US team. On 13th December, 1986, in Lake Tahoe/USA, Cuba wins 9 fights and loses 3 fights with a new team, including old and new fighters.

On 18th December, 1986, in Sacramento/USA, Cuba wins 7 fights for 2 losses.

During these 3 tournament, Felix Savon is now a part of the Cuban team.

Conclusions :

Reno 1986, with the last presence of Teofilo Stevenson and Adolfo Horta is a turning point for the Cuban boxing team.

At the same time, a new generation emerges with Felix Savon, who will dominate the heavyweights for nearly 14 years and Arnaldo Mesa, who will fight at the highest level until 1996.

1984 : Los Angeles and La Havana : Olympic Games and Friendship Games

Introduction :

The 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles and their boycott by the Eastern bloc, including Cuba, are an important date in the Cuban history of boxing.

The purpose of this article is to analyze the competitions in 1983 and 1984, and also the Friendship Games, the alternative to the Olympic Games.

Even if it is totally impossible to predict the outcome of a hypothetical confrontation between Cuba and the USA at the 1984 OG, we will also compare the fighters for both countries.

Boycott and Friendship Games :

In response to the 1980 boycott of a part of Western bloc (see: 1980 : Moscow Olympic Games), 14 Eastern countries have decided to boycott the 1984 OG.

The announcement was made in May 1984, citing security concerns and anti-Soviet sentiments in USA.

Cuban Stamps issued for the 1984 Olympics, before the boycott

These 14 countries have then organized the Friendship Games, or the Goodwill Games, also known in Russian as Druzhba, or the Juegos de Amistad in Spanish.

Russian Friendship Games logo

Russian Stamps issued for the Friendship Games

These games were held in various countries of the Eastern bloc. The boxing tournament was held in La Havana/Cuba, from the 19th to the 24th August 1984, just a couple of days after the Olympics.

Before the Olympics :

1983 :

During the 9th Panamerican Games held in Caracas, the finals are :
(-60 Kg) Pernell Whitaker/USA defeated Angel Herrera on points. Extract of the fight : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OPFL4Mai48

Whitaker (left) vs Herrera

(-63.5 kg) Candelario Duvergel beats Jerry Page/USA on points.
(-81 kg) Pablo Romero beats Evander Holyfield/USA on points.
(+81 kg) Jorge Luis Gonzalez wins the gold medal. Tyrell Biggs/USA, finishes 3rd.

During the North America championships, held in Houston/USA, in September 1983, Cuba wins 4 gold medals and 3 silver, with a team B, as the US team. In the -75 kg, Virgil Hill/USA beats Bernardo Comas, on points 5-0.

At the 14th Central American and Caribbean Championships, held in La Havana in December 1983, Cuba wins all the gold medals.

1984 :

During the duel between the USA and Cuba, on February 18th, 1984, in Reno/USA, the results are the following :
(-51 kg) Pedro Orlando Reyes beats Steve McCrory/USA, on points 5:0.
(-57 kg) Meldrick Taylor/USA beats Adolfo Horta, on points 3:2.
(-60 kg) Pernell Whitaker/USA beats Angel Herrera, on points 3:2.
(-71 kg) Frank Tate/USA beats Orestes Solano, on points 4:1.
(-75 kg) Bernardo Comas beats Michael Nunn/USA, by RSC 2.
(-81 kg) Pablo Romero beats Evander Holyfield/USA, on points.
(+91 kg) Teofilo Stevenson beats Tyrrell Biggs/USA, on points 3:2. Video of the fight : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTiqc8TaTnk

Cuba wins by 16 to 8, or 8 wins for 4 losses. All the Americans above mentioned will become Professional World Champion.

On April 13th, 1984, at the 2nd AIBA Challenge Matches in Los Angeles, the results are as follows :
(-51 kg) Pedro Orlando Reyes beats Steve McCrory/USA, by RSC 2.
(-57 kg) Adolfo Horta beats Bernard Gray/USA, by RSC 2.
(- 60 kg) Pernell Whitaker beats Ramon Goire/CUB, on points.
(+91 kg) Tyrrell Biggs beats Francesco Damiani USA/ITA, on points.

Friendship Games :

The Games take place from the 18th to the 24th August, 1984. The Soviet team is composed of USSR Champions, except for Yanoskiy (-65kg) who was a finalist and Shin (-81 kg).

(-48kg) Juan Torres Odelin wins the final against Karimzhan Abdrakhmanov/USSR, 3-2.

Odelin Juan Torres (right) at a DDR tournament in 1983

(-51 kg) Pedro Orlando Reyes def Zbigniew Raubo/Poland, by WO. In the quarter-finals, Reyes beats Yuriy Vilishchuk/USSR, by RSC in the 3rd.

(-54 kg) Ramon Ledon beats Yuriy Alexandrov/USSR, on points 3-2. Alexandrov won the 1982 WC and will participate in the 1986 OG.

Ramon Ledon (left) at a DDR tournament, in 1983

(-57 kg) Adolfo Horta beats Serik Nurkazoy/USSR, on points 3-2.

(-60 kg) Angel Herrera beats Enkhbat Nergui/Mongolia, on points 3-2. Nergui will be 3rd at the Olympic Games of 1988. In the quarter-finals, Herrera beats Nurlan Abdukalykov/USSR, on points 4-1.

(-65 kg) Candelario Duvergel beats Vyacheslav Yanovskiy/USSR, on points 3-2. Yanovskiy will become Olympic Champion in 1988.

(-67 kg) Jose Luis Hernandez loses vs Torsten Schmitz/GDR, on points 4-1. Schmitz has already lost the final against Hernandez at the 16th Giraldo Cordova Cardin Tournament, in 1983. Schmitz will be the 3rd at the 1986 WC. In the semi-finals, Jose Luis Hernandez beats Serik Konakbayev, on points 4-1. Konakbayev won the silver medals of the 1980 OG, losing vs Patrizio Oliva and of the 1982 WC, losing against the same Hernandez.

Torsten Schmitz during a fight at the Friendship Games

Jose Luis Hernandez second and Torsten Schmitz first, at the Friendship Games

(-71 kg) Angel Espinoza beats Andrey Akulov/USSR, on points 3-2, in the quarter-finals, and beats Mikhail Takov/Bulgaria, on points 4-1, in the finals.

(-75 kg) Bernardo Comas wins in finals against Henry Petrich/Poland, on points 4-1. The latter defeated Henry Maske/GDR, by 3-2 in the quarter-finals. Henry Maske will become a Professional World Champion. Comas beats Asylbek Kilimov/USSR, in the quarter-finals.

(-81 kg) Pablo Romero beats Vladimir Shin/USSR in the finals, on points 4-1.

(-91 kg) Hermenegildo Baez beats Alexandr Yagubkin/USSR, on points 3-2, in the semi-finals and Alvic Gyula/Hungary 3-2 in the finals. Yagubkin was a 1982 World Champion.

Teofilo Stevenson (red) against Abadzhyan

(+91 kg) Teofilo Stevenson def Valeriy Abadzhyan/USSR, in the finals, by retirement in the 3rd. Here a two excerpts of this fight, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULqfYxzxcd4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zERE7JN1gY

This tournament is a one-sided confrontation between the Soviets and Cubans, Cuba wins all these direct confrontations.

Comparisons :

We repeat, it is impossible to determine who would have been the gold medalist at the Olympics, if Cuba had been there.

By comparing the 1984 results, during the match against Cuba, we find that :

Reyes, winner of the Friendhsip Tournament, beats Steve Mc Crory, gold medal of the Olympics.

Pedro Orlando Reyes (left) at a DDR tournament in 1983

Ditto for Taylor, gold medal of the Olympics, facing Horta, winner of the FG.
Ditto for Whitaker gold medal of the Olympics, facing Herrera, winner of FG. Whitaker had already beaten Herrera in 1983, during the 1st AIBA Challenge.
Ditto for Romero, who won the FG against Holyfield, Olympic semi-finalist.
Ditto for Stevenson, winner of the FG against Biggs, gold medal of the Olympics.

In addition, Mark Breland, gold medal of the Olympics, beats Duvergel Candelario, winner of the FG, in a duel between the two countries in 1982.

Conclusions :

The 1984 boycott , following the US 1980 boycott and announcing the Cuban 1988 boycott, has impeach the Olympic boxing direct confrontations between the two countries from 1976 to 1992.

1982 : 3rd World Championshisp

Introduction :

The 1982 World Championships, organized by the AIBA, represent the latest worldwide confrontation for Cuba, before the 1984 Olympic Games boycott. After the triumph in Moscow, the Castro's island begins his isolation.

Remember that at this time, we are still in the sport Cold War. The last major tournaments have taken place mainly in the East block (La Havana in 1974, Belgrad in 1978 and Moscow in 1980) with the exception of Montreal, in 1976.

Preparation :

In the 14th Giraldo Cordova Cardin Tournament, in June 1981, Cuba wins the majority of the medals.

At the second World Cup in November 1981, in Montreal, Cubans win only 4 gold medals, with Omar Santiesteban, Adolfo Horta, Jose Herrera and Angel Gomez.

Omar Santiesteban, left in 1981

Ath the North American Championship in 1981, Cuba win 7 gold medals.

In November or December 1981, at the 12th American and Caribbean Championships in Santo Domingo, Cuba sends a B team and only wins 4 gold medals.

On February 28, 1982, Cuba meets the USA in La Havana. Cuba wins by 22 to 2, or 11 wins for a loss. This is an exceptional result.

(- 60 kg) Angel Herrera def Vinnie Pazienza/USA, on points 4-1.

(+91 Kg) Tyrrell Biggs/USA defeated Angel Milian, on points 3-2. It's the only American victory.

(+ 91 kg) Jorge Luis Gonzalez beats Pat Bagley/USA, by ko in 1st round.

In the 15th Giraldo Cordova Cardin Tournament from April 21st to 27th, 1982, Cuba wins 11 gold medals, out of 12 available.

The very talented -75 kg Jose Gomez (former gold medallist at the 1978 WC and 1980 OG) disappears from the Cuban team. He has won during the confrontation with the USA, but is not in the finals of the Cordova Cardin Tournament, won by Bernardo Comas. Jose Gomez will beat Comas in 1983.

World Championships :

These championships are held in Munich, West Germany, from 4th to 15th May, 1982.

Korean team flag, at these World Championships.

Eliminated without medal :

(- 48 kg) Hipolito Ramos loses during the preliminary fight, against Laureano Ramirez/Dominica, on points 2-3. Ramos, who won a silver medal in the 1980 OG, disappears from the Olympic and World Cuban team.

(- 51 kg) Omar Santiesteban loses against Michael Collins/USA, on points 2-3, during the quarter-finals. Michael Collins will win the silver medal. Omar Santiesteban disappears from the Olympic and World Cuban team.

(- 54 kg) Rafael Cardenas loses vs Klaus-Dieter Kirchstein/RDA, on points 1-4. Kirchstein will win the bronze medal. Cardenas disappears from the Olympic and World Cuban team.

(- 67 kg) Jose Luis Hernandez loses against Serik Konakbayev/USSR, on points 1-4, during the preliminary fight. Konakbayev (silver medal at the 1980 OG) is also a silver medallist at these WC, losing on points against against Mark Breland/USA, a future 1984 Olympic Champion and Welterweight Prof World Champion. Jose Luis Hernandez disappears from the Olympic and World Cuban team.

(91 kilograms) It's a big surprise. Teofilo Stevenson (see separate article in this blog) loses without discussion on points 5-0, during his first fight, for the quarter-final, against Italy's Francesco Damiani. Extract of the fight http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u50sovj4k1k

Damiani will be a silver medallist, losing the finals against Tyrrell Biggs. Damiani will win the silver medal at the Olympics of 1984 and will be the Heavyweight European Pro Champion. Damiani will beat Biggs, during their pro carreer.

Bronze Medals :

(- 91 kg) Hermenegildo Baez loses his semi-finals against Juergen Fanghaenel/GDR, on points 5-0. Previously, Baez won his first 2 fights. Baez disappears from the Olympic and World Cuban team.

Silver Medals :

(- 71 kg) Alexander Koshkin/USSR beats Armando Martinez, on points 3-2, in the finals. Martinez won his first 4 fights. It should be noted that this is the revenge of the 1980 Olympic final, during which Martinez has beaten Koshkin, on points 4-1. Martinez disappears from the Olympic and World Cuban team.

Armando Martinez, right, in 1981

Gold Medals :

(- 57 kg) During the finals, Adolfo Horta beats Rawsalyn Otgonbaya/Mongolia, on points 5-0. Previously, Horta won his first 4 fights. Horta won a gold medal at the 1978 WC and a silver medal at the 1980 OG. Horta will take part at the 1986 WC.

(- 60 kg) During the finals, Angel Herrara beats Pernell Whitaker, on points 3-2. Pernell Whitaker will become a 1984 OG gold medallist and a Pro World Champion. Previously, Herrera won his first 4 fights in theses WC. Herrera, who won two gold medals at the 1976 and 1980 OG and a gold medal at the 1979 WC, disappears from the Olympic and World Cuban team.

(- 63.5 kg) Carlos Garcia beats Dong Kil Kim/Korea, on points 5-0, during the finals. Previously, Garcia won his first 4 fights. He disappears from the Olympic and World Cuban team.

(- 75 kg) During the finals, Bernardo Comas beats Tarmo Uusivirta/Finland, by ko in the 3rd. Uusivirta has already won a silver medal at the 1978 WC and will be a pro fighter, without becoming a World Champion. Comas won his first 4 fights, including the semi-finals, defeating Iran Barkley/USA, on points 3-2. Barkley will become a Pro Middleweight World Champion middleweight, defeating Thomas Hearns. Comas disappears from the Olympic and World Cuban team.

Bernardo Comas, left in 1981.

(- 81 kg) During the finals, Pablo Romero def Skrecz Pawel/Poland, on points 5-0. Previously, Romero has won his first 2 fights. Pawel Skrecz has already won the silver medal at the 1980 OG. Romero will be present at the 1986 and 1989 WC.

Comparisons with other teams :

Cuba finishes first, with 5 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze medals. The USA are second with 3 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze medals. The USSR is third with 3 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze medals.

Cuba has to 2 wins and 2 losses vs the USSR. Cuba has 3 wins and 1 defeat against the USA.

Cuba has fought 38 fights, with 31 wins and 7 losses, a victories ratio of to 81.5%, as the ratio at the Montreal Olympics, but lower than during the other major international tournaments, since 1972.

After the World Championships :

From 7th to 18 August 1982, at the 14th Central American and Caribbean Games in La Havana, Cuba wins 11 gold medals. The only Cuban loss is the Angel Herrera's one, who loses in the quarter-finals by RSC1, against German Diaz/Puerto Rico.

Cuban medal for this American championships

On November 13th, 1982, Cuba meets the USA team in Reno/USA and wins by 16 to 8, 8 victories for 4 losses.

(- 60 kg) Pernell Whitaker/USA beats Angel Herrera, on points 4-1.

(-67 Kg) Mark Breland/USA def Candelorio Duvergel, on points 3-2. Extracts of the fight http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zlo2ZwR0ElI and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g09tQhAU1yA

(+ 91 kg) Teofilo Stevenson def Tyrrell Biggs by ko in the 2nd round. Biggs won the 1982 World Championships. Extract of the fight http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBw3mNg9D5E&feature=related

Tyrrell Biggs will be the 1984 OG Champion and the challenger for the world heavyweight title, against Mike Tyson, but without success.

Conclusions :

The year 1982 confirms the domination of Cuba on the USA, with the Cuban victories at the World Championships and during both direct confrontation.

1980 : Moscow Olympic Games

Introduction :

The USA 1980 Olympics boycott was an action to protest against the Soviet invasion of the Afghanistan. Other countries took part to this boycott, for example West Germany or Canada. Cuba will be deprived of US opposition and will only face the other Eastern countries and European countries as France and Great-Britain. Cubans fighters will win trust the podium.

1980 OG were the first to suffer from a large boycott for the boxing tournament and this situation will last until 1992.

Preparation :

1979 :

During the Cordova tournament, the Cubans win, as usual, all gold and silver medals.

During the confrontation between Cuba and the USA, on February 11th, 1979 in Havana, the Cubans win with 18 points to 6, or 9 wins and 3 defeats. ( - 60 kg) Johnny Bumphus/USA def Adolfo Horta on points. ( - 81 kg) Hermenegildo Baez beats Tony Tucker/USA on points and Teofilo Stevenson def Phil Brown/USA also on points (+ 81 kg).

In May 1979, the 12th Giraldo Cordova Cardin Tournament in Havana, Cubans win all the medals.

In July 1979, during the 8th Pan American Games in San Juan/Puerto Rico, Cuba win 5 gold and 2 bronze medals and the USA 4 gold, 3 silver and 1 bronze medals. The USA win 6 direct fights against Cuba, for 3 defeats. This was a real surprise, following the poor US performance in 1978, during the WC. In the quarter-finals, ( - 81 kg), Tony Tucker/USA beats Sixto Soria on points; (- 57 kg) Bernard Taylor/USA def Angel Herrera on points; (- 71 kg), James Shuler/USA def Luis Felipe Martinez on points. In the semi-finals (+ 81 kg), Teofilo Stevenson def Rufus Hadley/USA with a KO.

Angel Herrera right

1980 :

In February 1980, in Charlotte/USA, the USA lose by 10 to 14 against Cuba, or 5 wins for 7 losses. It was also an excellent result. ( - 57 kg) Angel Horta beats Bernard Taylor/USA on points. Teofilo Stevenson def Jimmy Clark/USA on points ( + 81 kg).

In June 1980, during the 13th Giraldo Cordova Cardin Tournament, Cuba win all the medals except one.

Boycott :

The USSR attacked Afghanistan in 1979. The USA gave a deadline to the USSR to withdraw, from this country, with the threat of a boycott of the Olympic Games in Moscow. The USA is supported by various boxing strong countries, including West Germany and Canada. Great-Britain and France supported the boycott, but allowed their athletes to go to Moscow. Italy and Spain were also represented.

Guinea boxing stamp for the Olympic Games in Moscow

62 countries did not participate in the Olympics, despite being invited (including African and South American countries).

Because of this boycott, the level of the boxing tournament was greatly diminished.

USA Team :

It is of course impossible to imagine the results of the confrontation between USA and Cuba at the 1980 Olympic Games. Take also notice that a boxing American selection died in a plane crash near Warsaw/Poland on May 14th, 1980. This selection came to Poland to compete in a tournament. Coach Thomas "Sarge" Johnson, who was in charge of the 1976 Olympic team, was in this selection. A total of 14 boxers died during this accident.

One of the victims, Lemuel Steeples, was the US 1979 Champion and was the 1979 Pan American Games gold medalist, after defeating, among others, Jose Aguilar, on points 5-0. Steeples had also lost the 1979 World Cup final against the Russian Serik Konakbayev, futur 1980 OG silver medalist. Kelvin Anderson, also a victim, had finished 2nd during the 1979 US Championships, losing against Tony Tucker. Anderson had also lost against Sixto Soria in 1978, on points 3-0, during a confrontation between the USA and Cuba.

According to the list of the other victims, no one was a 1979 US champion, or had taken part in the US selection, which met the USSR during a confrontation in the early 1980, or even participated in confrontation with Cuba. In conclusions, this team was not the best US team.

In May 1980, Richard Sandoval, Johnny Bumphus and Marvis Frazier, son of Joe Frazier , become US National Champions.

It is difficult to determine who would have been part of the Olympic boxing team. We have found a list with Richard Sandoval, Bernard Taylor, Johnny Bumphus, Donald Curry, James Shuler, Leroy Murphy and James Broad, who were either pro world champions or have had interesting careers.

The Olympic Games :

The tournament takes place in Moscow from July 19th to August 3rd, 1980.

Postcard of Moscow Olympic Games

Gold medals :

( -54 kg) Juan Bautista Hernandez wins the gold medal in the finals, and beats Pinango Bernardo/Venezuela, on points 5-0. Video of the fight : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ep0q6Mit8PsBernardo Pinango will become boxing pro World Champion in 1986 in the bantams and in 1988 in the super-bantams.

Juan Bautista Hernandez right

( - 60 kg) Angel Herrera defeats in the finals Viktor Demyanenko/USSR, by RSC in the 3rd round. Angel Herrera has already won a gold medal at the 1976 OG. He was gold medal at the 1978 WC and will be present at the 1982 WC. Video of the fight : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26IQsCPS0Ws

(- 63 kg) Andres Aldama beats John Mugabi/Uganda, in the finals, on points 4-1. Video of the fight : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVQxB9OuTwkAndres Aldama has already won the silver medal at the 1976 OG and did not win a medal at the 1978 WC. Mugabi had been eliminated in the second round of the 1978 WC. He will become a boxing pro World Champion, in the junior-middleweights in 1989, after losing against Marvin Hagler for the middleweight’s title, in 1986.

( - 71 kg) Armando Martinez wins the gold medal, against Russian Alexander Koshkin, on points 4-1. Martinez will be present at the 1982 WC. Video of the fight: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qEXNX4WHog

( - 75 kg) Jose Gomez wins the gold medal and beats Viktor Savchenko/USSR, on points 4-1. Video of the fight: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48prvGxSwb8 Jose Gomez won the gold medal at the 1978 WC. Savchenko won bronze at the 1976 OG and the gold medal at the 1978 WC, winning against Luis Felipe Martinez, ( - 71 kg).

Jose Gomez left

( 81 + kg) Teofilo Stevenson beats Petr Zayev/USSR, on points 4-1, (see Teofilo Stevenson’s article in this blog).

Stamp for the victory

Silver medals :

( - 48 kg) Hipolito Ramos wins the the silver medal, losing against Shamil Sabirov/USSR, on points 2-3. Ramos will be present at the 1982 WC. Sabirov was eliminated in the first round of the 1978 WC. Video of the fight : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAlPM3t_dp8

(- 57 kg) Adolfo Horta loses the final against the East German Rudy Fink, on points 1-4. Horta won a gold medal at the 1978 WC and will be present at the 1982 WC.

Bronze Medals :

( - 64 kg) José Aguilar wins the bronze medal. Aguilar loses in the semi-finals against Russian Serik Konakbayev, on points 4-1. Konakbayev loses in the finals against Patrizio Oliva/Italy. Patrizio Oliva will be a boxing pro World Champion, in the junior welterweights, in 1986.

(- 81 kg) Ricardo Rojas, wins the bronze medal. He loses in the semi-finals against Grzegorz Skrecz/Poland, on points 2-3. Skrecz lost in the preliminaries of the 1978 WC.

Eliminated without a medal :

( - 51 kg) Jorge Hernandez loses on points for his first fight against Miroshnichenko/USSR. Jorge Hernandez won the gold medal at the 1976 OG and 1974 WC, and won the silver medal at the 1978 WC. Miroshnichenko loses in the finals against the Bulgarian Petar lesov.

Because of the futur Cuban boycott, all the fighter from this island will disappear from the Olympic team.

Teams competition :

Cuba wins the team’s competition, with 6 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze medals, for an incredible total of 10 medals. The USSR is 2nd with 1 gold, 6 silver and 1 bronze medals. GDR comes third. The first Western country is Italy, with 1 gold medal.

Cuba wins 39 fights for 5 losses, a victories ratio of 88%, a record for this team.

1980 Olympic Postcard

In direct confrontations, Cuba gets 5 victories over the USSR, for 3 defeats.

Alternative Games :

Shortly before the Moscow Olympics, the United States organized alternative games for boycotting countries. For track and field, we found the results of the Liberty Bell Classic, but nothing about boxing.

The US boxing team meets West Germany in August 1980, with a B team.

After the Olympic Games :

Cuba has not taken part at other major competitions after the Olympic Games. This country was absent from the Golden Cup in Kenya, in September 1980. USA and Germany were present.

Misha, the fighting bear, 1980 Olympic Games

Conclusions :

Cuba has won many medals during these games, but against a poor opposition.

Moreover, after these Games, Cuba will be absent of the OG during 12 years. His return will take place only in 1992.

1978 : 2nd AIBA World Championships

Introduction :

The second World amateur boxing Championships organized by the AIBA are a "desert for the media". Only one video is available on this subject, not only for the Cuban team, but for all participants. We have only found this single photo of these Championships.

Teofilo Stevenson in the center and certainly
Dragomir Vujkovic left
It is the only photo available of this Championships

We will base our article on the records, without newspaper articles of the time.

Preparation of the Cuban Team :

In July 1977, during the 10th Giraldo Cordova Cardin tournament, Cuba wins almost all the medals available.

In August 1977, for the 8th Central American and Caribbean Championships, in Panama City, Cuba wins 8 gold and 2 silver medals. In the -67 kg finals, Michael McCallum/Jamaica beats Emilio Correa on points 4-1.

In November 1977, in Houston/USA, the USA meets Cuba. Cuba wins 7 fights for 4 losses.

(- 48 kg) Jorge Hernandez def Richard Sandoval on points 2-1.
(-54 Kg) Angel Herrera beats Rocky Lockridge on points 3-0.
(-71 Kg) Clinton Jackson beats Luis Felipe Martinez on points 3-0.
(+ 81 kg) Angel Milian beats Greg Page on points 2-1.

In February 1978, in La Havana, Cuba meets the USA. Cuba wins 8 fights for 3 defeats.

(-54 Kg) Rocky Lockridge def Adolfo Horta on points 2-1.
(-57 Kg) Angel Herrera def Johnny Bumphus on points 3-0.
(+ 81 kg) Teofilo Stevenson def Jimmy Clark on points 2-1.

The World Championships :

The 2nd World Championships take place in Belgrade/Yugoslavia, from the 6th to 20th May, 1978.

1978 World Championships Flag, in Belgrade

Eliminated without medal :

(- 60 kg). Bienvenido Lazo is defeated by Vladimir Sorokin/USSR in the quarter-finals, on points, 3-2. Lazo wins his first two fights. Lazo disappears from the Olympic team.

(- 63.5 kg) Andres Adalma is beaten by Veleriy Lvov/USSR, future gold medalist, on points 3-2, in the quarter-finals. Previously, he beats his two first opponents before the limit. Adalma, already a silver medalist in Montreal, will be at the 1980 OG.

Andres Aldama (left), during a competition unknown

(-67 Kg) Emilio Correa loses his second preliminary fight against Ernst Mueller/West Germany, future bronze medalist, by RSC in the 2nd. Emilio Correa was gold medal at the 1972 OG and 1974 WC, and lost in the preliminaries of the 1976 OG. He disappears from the Olympic team.

A picture of Valeriy Rachkov (rights ?) vs Miodrag Perunovic, finals of the -67 kg,
maybe during the World Championship

Silver Medals :

(-48 Kg) Jorge Hernandez loses in the finals against Stephen Muchoki/Kenya, on points 4-1. Previously, Jorge Hernandez beats Richard Sandoval/USA in the semi-finals, on points 4-1. Jorge Hernandez has already won the gold medal at the 1976 OG and 1974 WC. He will attend the 1980 OG. Richard Sandoval becomes a pro World Champion, in the bantams, and wins 29 fights for 1 defeat. Stephen Muchoki becomes a pro fighter, with 14 wins and 3 losses and will never be a World Champion.

(-51 Kg) Hector Ramirez loses in the finals against Henryk Srednicki/Poland. Previously, Ramirez has beaten his first three opponents. He disappears from the Olympic team.

(-71 Kg) Luis Felipe Martinez loses against Viktor Savchenko/USSR in the finals by 3-2. Previously, Martinez has won his first 4 fights, the first against Stéphane Ferrara/France, by 5-0. Martinez was a bronze medalist at the 1976 OG. He disappears from the Olympic team. Viktor Savchenko has won the bronze medal at the 1976 OG and will be at the 1980 OG.

Gold Medals :

(-54 Kg) Adolfo Horta wins the finals against Fazlija Sacirovic/YU, on points 3-2. The latter beats Rocky Lockridge/USA, on points 3-2, in the quarter-finals. Adolfo Horta wins his first 3 fights. Horta will attend the 1980 OG.

(-57 Kg) Angel Herrera beats Bratislav Ristic/YU, in the finals, on points 4 -1. Previously, Herrera has won his first 3 fights. Angel Herrera has already won the gold medal at the 1976 OG and will be present at the 1980 OG.

(-75 Kg) Jose Gomez def Slobodan Kacar/Yugoslavia, by RSC in the 2nd during the semi-finals and Tarmo Uusivirta/Finland on points 5-0, in the finals. Gomez will attend the 1980 OG. Slobodan Kacar will be 1980 Olympic Champion and a pro World Champion in the light-heavyweights.

Jose Gomez, left, during a competition unknown

(-81 Kg) Sixto Soria beats Tadija Kacar/Yugoslavia, on point 4-1, in the finals. Previously, Sixto Soria has defeated his opponents in his first 3 fights. According to the St. Petersburg Times, issued the 18th May, 1978, it has been difficult for Soria to beat the Australian Benjamin Pike, who has dominated the Cuban during the first two rounds. Soria reached his opponent only in the third round and the Australian was then counted by the referee. Soria was silver medalist at the 1976 OG and disappeared from the Olympic team. Tadija Kacar was silver medal at the 1976 Olympic.

(+ 81 kg) Teofilo Stevenson def Dragomir Vujkovic/Yugoslavia in the finals, by retirement in the 2nd. Video of the fight : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnD6_AKFWIE In the quarter-finals, Stevenson beats Tony Tubbs/USA on points 5-0 and Carlos Rivera/Venezuela, in the semi-finals, by RSC in the 2nd.

Teofilo Stevenson vs Dragomir Vujkovic

Tony Tubbs will become a heavyweight pro World Champion. Vujkovic has already lost in the semi-finals of the CM 1974 and was eliminated by Luis Felipe Martinez at the 1976 OG, in the middleweights. He is maybe an "inflated" heavyweight at these championships. The proof is that in February 1978, before the WC, Vujkovic fought against the USA in the light-heavyweights, and won against Charles Singleton. In February 1979, after the WC, Vujkovic also fought in the light-heavyweights, losing in the finals of the Yugoslav Championships, against Tadija Kacar. This change of weight category could be due to a lack of a reel Yugoslav heavyweight champion.

For Stevenson's career, see the article devoted to him in this blog.

Comparisons with other teams :

Cuban Team finishes first, with 5 gold and 3 silver medals. The USSR finishes second with 3 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze medals. Yugoslavia wins 6 silver medals, a big surprise. The USA wins only 2 bronze medals.

1978 World Championships Medal

Note the great weakness of the U.S. team. Only three members of this team will become professional champions, Tony Tubbs, Rocky Lockridge and Richard Sandoval. This reflects the great void created by the formidable 1976 American team. The majority of this "dream team " became professional after the 1976 OG.

In direct confrontation, Cuba beats once the USSR for 3 defeats. Cuba beats once the U.S. with zero loss.

Cuba has fought 44 fights with 38 wins and 6 losses, a victories ratio of 86%. This result is just less than in Munich (88%) but higher than in La Havana (84%) and Montreal (81%).

After the World Championships :

In July 1978, at the 13th Central American and Caribbean Games, Cuba wins 5 gold and 1 silver medals, with a team B, with the exception of Jose Gomez who wins the -75 kg category.

Cuban stamps for the XIIIth Central American and Carribean Games

In October 1978, in New York, the U.S. faces Cuba. Cuba wins 8 fights for 3 defeats.

(-57 Kg) Bernard Taylor beats Angel Herrera on points.
(-63.5 Kg) Jose Aguillar beats Don Curry on points.
(- 67 kg) Andres Aldama beats Clinton Jackson by RSC 1.
(+ 81 kg) Teofilo Stevenson def Jimmy Clark by RSC 3rd.

Conclusions of the USA – Cuba tests :

In the 3 direct confrontations, Cuba has always won with an average of 8 wins for 3 losses. This indicates a remarkably consistent level for the national team, despite many changes in it.