Roberto Balado
Jorge Luis Gonzalez
Felix Savon
Teofilo Stevenson
Odlanier Solis
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Roberto Balado
Jorge Luis Gonzalez
Felix Savon
Teofilo Stevenson
Odlanier Solis
Felix Savon
Teofilo Stevenson
Odlanier Solis
Roberto Balado
Jorge Luis Gonzalez
Teofilo Stevenson was the best and just imagine if he turned professional to fight Ali.
Teofilo Stevenson was the one I always remember with the most fondness, but Savon was also a pretty amazing guy, and I wouldn't argue against him either.
I don't want us to judge these guys based on the guys who went professional and had limited success. What if Stevenson went pro, or Savon and got beat up badly like Jorge Luis Gonzalez who beat Stevenson in the amateurs and has a better amateur record than all of them up there.
Balado never lost in international competition EVER.
And Solis beat Savon 2 out of 3 times, and had won the berth to the 2000 Olympics over Savon but they gave it to Savon anyway because they wanted Savon to tie the record for most Gold Medals at the Olympics set already by Lazlo Papp and, of course, Teofilo Stevenson.
Fantastic fighters, like most of the Cuban teams. Let's not kid ourselves that they weren't dedicated professionals.
Many of them ..... like so many gifted amateurs around the world ..... didn't transmit their success in the pros. Solis is a good example. But, a young guy, living away from home, being exploited by bad managers and promoters etc, it's no surprise really.
The ones who did well were the ones who stayed at home in the Cuban system, for better or worse.
In my opinion, Stevenson would have been competitive in the Ali/Frazier/Foreman/Norton era. I can think of no higher compliment for a heavyweight.
The Cubans, amateur and pro, have a pantheon of fighters that rivals anybody, ever, in history.
I always thought Solis was pretty great as an amateur after the 2001 amateur world championships. Hay had him in a bit of trouble early on n but he came back great to win. I guess he only one one Olympic gold but he won three amateur world titles and best of all he Turned pro and gained 70lbs.....amazing I think he really could have been great at pro level if he wasn't so lazy.
I would go Savon 1st and Teo 2nd, but those can be inter changeable because both were so damn good!
Very sad that we never got to see them go pro.
Tell us about yourself?Quote:
Originally Posted by Dannl99
Favourite boxer, fight, style, memory, quote etc...
Haha ohh you're putting me on the spot.Quote:
Originally Posted by MasterTell us about yourself?Quote:
Originally Posted by Dannl99
Favourite boxer, fight, style, memory, quote etc...
Marvelous Marvin Hagler is my favourite boxer ever. He was the ultimate destroyer, always worked his ass off.
Favourite fight would either be Ali/Frazier 1 or Gatti/Ward 1.
I'm quite fond of the boxer/punchers. I like guys who were very skilled, but also have a mean streak where they want to win in devastating fashion, which is why I root for guys like GGG, Bud Crawford, Matthysse, etc. But I have a deep appreciation for the technicians like Floyd, Rigo, Loma, etc.
Favourite quote... Muhammad Ali had some great ones but I'll have to go with Lamotta's "I fought Sugar Ray Robinson so many times I'm surprised I don't have diabetes" haha