The Future of CUBA in the Pros, by Weightclasses. (List Inside) ***UPDATED/VIDEO***

ShoBox on April 17: Gamboa vs Rojas; Aydin vs Ouali

photos by Rick Pineda - On April 17th Yuriorkis Gamboa has the big chance to become the first world champion for ARENA Box-Promotion. “El Ciclon” (14-0, 12 kos) faces WBA #1 Jose “Cheo” Rojas (15-6-1, 17 kos) for the WBA interim featherweight title at the “Star of the Desert Arena” at Primm Valley Casino Resorts in Primm, Nevada featured live on “ShoBox: The Next Generation” (8pm PT; 11pm ET). “I am very proud and honoured to fight for my first world title”, says Gamboa. “This is what I turned professional for: to fight big fights and collect championship belts. I thank everybody for this opportunity. I will not underestimate Rojas – but I will beat him..”

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The fight will certainly be Gamboa’s toughest challenge so far. Rojas has gone the distance with WBA super champion Chris John in March 2007 and also got a technical draw with John in his record when their fight in December 2004 had to be stopped after a head clash.

Gamboa and his team are already in training camp in Nevada for their final preparations.

“Everything is going according to plans” states trainer Ismael Salas. “We have great sparring partners. Yuri is very focused and very determined. He knows what he has to do and he will do it on April 17th.”
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Thursday April 02 2009
ENTERPRISING Cork promoter Gary Hyde has signed professional forms with Cuba's two-time Olympic bantamweight champion Guillermo Rigondeaux.
Hyde already has three unbeaten Cubans in his camp, heavyweight Mike Perez, super-middle Luis Garcia and superbantam Alexei Acosta. The talented trio looked impressive in their most recent outings, which was in Newcastle four weeks ago.

 

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Cuban boxer Guillermo Rigondeax is fully trained in Miami for his professional debut. C. M. Guerrero / El Nuevo Herald

 

Video of Rigondeaux, Despaigne, Johnson and Dorticos training.

http://www.elnuevoherald.com/438/index.html?media_id=3795329&genre_id=5137

 

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Cuban boxers forsake possible medals for the lure of professional purses.

But Rancel Barthelemy has taken a different path. A year after leaving his native Cuba, Barthelemy, 23, is preparing for the national Golden Gloves Tournament May 3-10 in Salt Lake City. Barthelemy qualified for the nationals after winning the state championship.

''I was not planning to box again,'' Barthelemy said in Spanish. ``I had already made requests for my high school transcript from Cuba so I could start college here in the United States.''

``But I was encouraged to give boxing a try again.''

Barthelemy's older brother, Yan, defected along with his teammates and fellow 2004 Olympic gold medalists Yuriorkis Gamboa and Odlanier Solis in December 2006. When Yan defected, Rancel's career on the island also ended.

''I was virtually shut out from the boxing system because of my brother's decision to leave,'' said Rancel y, who boxed in more than 200 amateur bouts in Cuba. ``I couldn't train or visit any gym.''

Despite being denied an opportunity to box in Cuba, Barthelemy supported his older brother's decision to leave Cuba.

''Our family felt the impact when Yan left,'' Barthelemy said. ``Those first few days, [Cuban] state security visited and wanted us to contact him and tell him it was not too late for him to change his mind and return.

``We talked about it and realized that he made the right choice in leaving.''

Rancel and other family members eventually followed Yan to the United States.

With the urging from Miami-based trainer Eric ''El Tigre'' Castano, Barthelemy returned to the ring and entered the state Golden Gloves tournament in March. Barthelemy won his first two bouts and captured the 132-pound title.

In addition to Barthelemy, other South Florida-based boxers who will compete in the national Golden Gloves tournament: Kabir Rodriguez (112 pounds), Bryan Smith (141) and Joseph White (201). Mark Streisand, president of the Florida Golden Gloves, said Barthelemy was allowed to compete in this year's tournament after the national governing body allowed the participation of non-U.S. citizens.

Barthelemy's extensive amateur career in Cuba exempted him from the required minimum five-bout novice division.