Quote Originally Posted by ykdadamaja View Post
But there is a reason why the Cuban and Khazak fighters clean up at the Olympics... and a good reason why they don't always make great pro's... and a reason why the USA was dominant at the pro-level in certain weight divisions for years... and why the Mexicans and Eastern Europeans are faring much better these days, much better years all around for Mexican fighters.

What I do not understand is that combat sports are HEAVY in Asia, but they have far fewer international fighters, comparatively speaking, and far fewer champions.
Yeah cause they mastered the scoring system since they had known nothing else. Imagine if Mongolia had US money for combat sports? Most of the best boxers from eastern Europe have some Mongolian ancestry. Britain has dominated boxing historically more then any other country. Its always intrigued me how a given generation can think they have been the only one. Its the ancestral home of the sport. I dont count Greece.

The Cuban least likely to succeed based on pro vs amateur fights absolutely dominated one of the top fighters in the world. Seems at least in his case those 400 amateur fights came in handy. I actually thought it might be his downfall. The golden age of Cuba died years ago buts its nice to see a diamond in the ruff like Rigo come along here and there and not witness the careers of underachievers like Gamboa.