Maybe time we put some respect on the coach's name. He is probably among the best trainers whose name hardly anyone besides diehards even knew until this weekend. Here is his résumé: Fought in the amateurs - in the sink or swim Cuban system, mind you, and notably in Guantanamo, a well-known hotbed of pugilistic talent - in the 1970's, amassing himself a very respectable 46-5 record. Became the head coach of Cuba's national team for most of the 1980's, and cornered 4 gold medalists at the Olympics. Has trained about two dozen world champions in the pros (I'm not sure the number exactly, but it was at 19 already when he trained Linares to victory over Anthony Crolla) Trained not one but two fighters to victory over Manny Pacquiao, in both his early and late career, 22 years apart: Medgoen Singsurat via KO3 in 1999 and Yordenis Ugás via UD in 2021. Has trained Kazuto Ioka since 2018. Over this period, Ioka has returned from retirement and infused new vitality into his career, going 4-1 in a new weight class (the loss, to Nietes, a robbery) and capturing a historic fourth division world championship. Brought out the best in countrymen Rigondeaux and Gamboa, serving as their chief second during arguably each man's peak in the pros (versus Rico Ramos for the former, and the whole undefeated run at the beginning of the latter's career) Pulled a hot Japanese waifu during his time based in Asia, while already middle-aged. You've got your Nacho, your Freddie, your Ronnie, your Roberto, your Roger and your Emanuel (RIP)...but it probably is high time we add Ismael onto the shortlist of top shelf masterminds of the active/recent generation.
