Yuniel Dorticós vs. Andrew Tabiti

This content is protected

Coming back stronger: Yuniel Dorticos interview

How a boxer rebounds from the first major setback of their career invariably offers an invaluable insight into their mental strength.

Cuban cruiserweight and former WBA champion Yuniel Dorticos certainly hasn’t chosen an easy route as he seeks to regain his status as a world title holder.

The 33-year-old’s first bout after a bruising loss to Murat Gassiev in last season’s thrilling World Boxing Super Series semi-finals saw him take on Poland’s durable and dangerous Mateusz Masternak in October 2018 in Orlando, Florida.

It is a measure of Dorticos’ ambition that with this fight – which he won via unanimous points decision – he returned for a second season in the highly competitive WBSS

“In life it’s not how you lose or get knocked down but how you bounce back that counts … and the KO Doctor is back!” an upbeat Dorticos a couple of months after his winning return, through translator Louis Fonseca, of his promoters Caribe.

“The Gassiev fight was a great experience that taught me a lot,” Dorticos continued. “Sometimes in life you have to lose to come back stronger and bigger than ever – that’s what makes a great champion.

“I was selected once again for the WBSS because I earned it and I’m a world-class boxer that puts up a show, comes to fight and leaves everything in the ring.

“This is what fight fans want to see and that’s why I’m part of the second season. My victory was well earned against Masternak. He is a skilful, strong fighter. He came to fight and we gave the fans a great show.”

The fact Dorticos has immediately returned for another crack at the Muhammad Ali trophy is no surprise when you consider the adversity that the Cuban exile has had to conquer throughout his life.

Born amid the faded, battered colonial splendour of the Cuban capital Havana in 1986, daily life was a struggle for Dorticos growing up, as his family – and the island as a whole – battled with the instability caused by the break-up of the Soviet Union, which had previously provided Cuba with extensive economic and military aid.

During the post-Soviet era - referred to by then Cuban leader Fidel Castro somewhat euphemistically as a “special period” - life in Cuba was characterised by food and energy shortages, frequent electrical blackouts and economic turmoil.

“I came from a very humble and poor family,” Dorticos told Boxing Monthly. “We had to go through a lot to survive, but with the support and hard work of my dad, grandpa and family we were able to sustain ourselves.”

As has been the case for other talented athletes from the Caribbean island -which remains one of only five nations on earth still classified as a communist state - sport offered something of an escape route for the young Dorticos.

“I used to be a baseball player but one of the boxing coaches asked me: ‘why don’t you box?’ I was ten years old and I immediately liked the aggressiveness of boxing – that’s why I switched sports.”

Dorticos trained at the legendary La Finca facility, the jewel in the crown of the highly successful Cuban amateur boxing system, campaigning as a middleweight as a junior and then a light heavyweight in the senior ranks.

A World Cup team gold medal in 2005 was among the highlights of a successful spell in the unpaid ranks, which spanned more than 250 contests.
However, although grateful for the technical and physical grounding in the pugilistic arts afforded him by the formidably effective Cuban coaching system, Dorticos admits he became frustrated at what he saw as the lack of a meritocratic dimension to selection procedures for the national team.

“I admire all Cuban boxers because of all the hard work, sacrifice and dedication we had to endure,” he says. “But I was very disappointed by not being selected to be part of the Olympic team and participate in the 2008 Olympics.

“I wasn’t allowed to go to the Olympic Games because of the seniority of other team mates over me. That was a low point.”

A desire for more rapid career advancement was the main motivation for Dorticos’ decision to defect in 2009 and pursue a professional career in the United States.

He was part of a major flood of premier Cuban amateur talent to leave the country in the first decade of the 21st century.

Remarkably, among those who defected to the United States and Europe during this time there were no less than six future world title holders: Dorticos himself, Yoan Pablo Hernandez, Yuriorkis Gamboa, Rances Barthelemy, Erislandy Lara and Guillermo Rigondeaux.

(We aren’t counting Luis Ortiz’s WBA heavyweight title, which was merely an ‘interim’ crown or Richar Abril’s WBA lightweight title - Abril isn’t a defector, rather he won a lottery which allows him to travel back and forth from Cuba officially).

The decision to defect was not one that Dorticos took lightly, and it was also a move fraught with risk and danger. Since Castro-led rebels overthrew Fulgencio Batista in 1959 it is thought that over one million Cubans have left the island, but this process often requires considerable bravery and subterfuge.

Many have perished in the 103 miles that separate Cuba from the Florida coast, while failed defectors who have ended up back in Cuba have almost invariably faced arrest or social ostracism.

Dorticos himself escaped in 2009, settling in Miami, joining a community of around 1.2 million ex-pat Cubans in ‘The Magic City’.

“It was a difficult experience leaving Cuba but it was the best decision,” Dorticos reflected. “It is always hard to leave all your family behind, not knowing what the future holds for you – especially when you leave the country you were born in with only what you’re wearing, and not even a toothbrush.”

The traditionally frosty relations between Cuba and the United States thawed somewhat under President Barack Obama, leading to hopes that the United States’ long running financial, commercial and economic embargo of the country (known in Cuba as el bloqueo) might be relaxed.

However, Donald Trump’s accession to the presidency, has seen these possibilities recede. As a consequence, almost a decade after he left, Dorticos, like many of his exiled compatriots, is not in a position to return to his homeland. “I can’t wait to be able to go back to visit my family in Cuba,” he confirmed, somewhat wistfully.

 

Dorticos makes it clear that family is his primary motivating factor. He dotes on his wife and two children, and has spoken passionately about how he views boxing as the best means at his disposal to ensure financial security for his loved ones.

“My family is everything and they are the driving force behind my hard work, sacrifice and dedication,” he explains. “My family and my team Caribe Promotions, Warriors Boxing and Team Knockout is why I am the person and fighter I am today. I fight for them.”

Dorticos possesses an impressive work ethic and his fistic style does not adhere to the stereotypes that are often – perhaps unfairly – attached to Cuban boxers who have come through their Eastern European influenced amateur system.

The likes of Erislandy Lara and Guillermo Rigondeaux have often been criticised for their perceived excessive ‘caution’. However, this is certainly not an accusation that could be levelled at the powerful and attacking Dorticos, who won his first 17 pro fights inside the distance and has only been extended to points twice in 23 victories (the defeat against Gassiev is his sole professional reverse).

“I’m a skilful and strong fighter with power in both hands,” is how Dorticos characterised his own abilities. “If I catch you it’s a wrap - you’re going to sleep. I have always been an aggressive fighter since I was young and I love to put on a show for my fans.”

Dorticos’ formidable power is also the source of his ‘KO Doctor’ nickname.

“It came from a joke within my team,” he explained. “Since I always knock everyone out they said I was like a doctor giving my opponents a prescription of anaesthesia - so the name came out – The KO Doctor!”

Dorticos’ WBSS semi-final date against relatively untested but big punching Andrew Tabiti could prove a thriller. Nevertheless, despite his opponent’s unblemished 17-0 (13 KOs) record, Dorticos radiates confidence about the prospect of squaring off against the American of Nigerian extraction.

“I’m going to destroy Andrew Tabiti – he’s in my way and waiting for an ass-kicking in the semi-finals!

“I am the best cruiserweight left in the tournament and I will show it in the semi-finals against Tabiti and in the final. To be a great champion sometimes you have to fall and get back up, it has made me who I am today. I have the skill set, experience, heart, passion and knowledge that makes me the best out there!

“All the boxers on the tournament are great and that’s why the World Boxing Super Series is the best thing that has happened to boxing, but I will walk away with the Ali Trophy and clean out the cruiserweight division.

“I have the best team in the world and nothing will stop me from winning. This time around the trophy is mine!”

In a similar vein, when asked for his assessment of tournament favourite, the Latvian Mairis Briedis, Dorticos’ response is scathing.

“To be honest Briedis didn’t impress me one bit against Noel Mikaelian and now he has a hard fight in the semi-finals against Krzysztof Glowacki. Should Briedis win and advance to the finals I will knock him out the same way I will Tabiti.”

Beyond the WBSS, Dorticos admits that one fight appeals to him above all others – namely the chance to face Oleksandr Usyk. In contrast to the fierce words directed towards Tabiti and Briedis, his tone when talking about the Ukrainian is no less confident but more respectful.

“My dream fight would be against [Oleksandr] Usyk because he is the unified and undisputed cruiserweight world champion, he also won the Ali Trophy in Season 1.

“He is a complete and special fighter, I have respect for him. But I am also a special fighter that can box and has power in both hands, I know that if anybody can beat him it would be me.

“I know he’s moving up to the heavyweight division. Maybe once I win the tournament and also clean out the cruiserweight division I will go to heavyweight and then we can fight.”

Dorticos also reveals a further respectful side to his personality when I quiz him about a memorable moment that occurred at the post-fight press conference after his loss to Murat Gassiev.

Having just engaged in a titanic battle with the Ossetian, which saw him knocked down three times in the final round prior to being stopped with just seconds remaining, a visibly devastated Dorticos dissolved into tears when faced with a phalanx of cameras and reporters.

At this point Gassiev rose from his seat and offered a consoling hug to the man he had just exchanged over 1,200 heavy and hurtful punches with.

More than a year on from that thrilling night at the Bolshoy Ice Dome in Sochi, Dorticos admits it was a moment that enhanced his respect for Gassiev.

“Gassiev is a great boxer and very humble,” the Miami-based Cuban told Boxing Monthly. “He showed me great sportsmanship and respect by doing that. He is a true gentleman.”

Ever the fighter though, Dorticos makes it clear that this respect does not preclude the fact he thirsts for a chance to gain his revenge against Gassiev.
“I need a rematch against Gassiev to redeem myself from my only loss – it’s not a dream fight, but a reality that must happen.”

 

Eh... not so sure about that as far as Glowacki is concerned, I think he can easily beat Tabiti, but he'd be drawn into a war with Dorticos, and I doubt it would end well for him, it would probably go roughly the same way as the Kalenga match. A back and forth war, most rounds close, but eventually Dorticos would wear KG down and stop him late. If Huck can almost get him out of there, Dorticos can finish him off.

 

I doubt it, I think he's another J'Leon. His power isn't all that impressive, nor is his footwork. Fayfer doesn't cut the ring off nearly as good as Dorticos, and he had Tabiti backing up and clinching from start to finish. He doesn't have the physical strength to overpower Dorticos in the clinches or power to keep him off of him. I think Yuniel wears him down and stops him in 5 or 6.

 

Yeah, he handled Gassiev for 12 and flush, he's that rare breed of Cuban, like Ortiz and Lara, the iron chinned variety. By the way, Ortiz and Lara are Aries, and Dorticos is a Pisces, with a hard dominant Aries Moon, Mercury, Venus. Coincidence... I think not.

 

Totally agree, the Tapia fight was ridiculously close, the ease with which Mike Perez manhandled him is a true indication of Tapia's level, and Tabiti struggled. Without the point deduction, Fayfer could have arguably edged that one as well, it was anything but decisive. Hell, Dorticos looked haggard and bad against Masternak, but Masternak's string of recent wins is more impressive than Tabiti's quite frankly. With the exception of Cunningham, who's partially retired at this point.

 

While I was a fan of Dorticos' I did have my doubts on his chin as well, probably due to the stereotypical Cuban glass tag we usually nail them with. But based on that match, the Kalenga match and the Masternak match, he's got one of the most solid sets of Cuban whiskers I've seen. He has a Lebedev like chin, maybe even better, hell... Denis didn't go to war and have a slugfest with Murat.