Via Gav Duthie: Different paths, same goal. Veterans, candidates and prospects. The three Cuban heavyweights treated us all on the first day of 2022 with victories that went on to become the first world heavyweight champion from Cuba.
(Image source: Ryan Hafey / Premier Boxing Champions)
Veteran Luis Ortiz survived the push to stop former IBF world champion Charles Martin, Frank Sanchez easily knocking out Christian Hammer, and Lenier Pero beat compatriot Geovany Bruzon.
It was confirmed today that both Pero and Bruzon will be mentored by a Top Boxing Champion (PBC) alongside others giving everyone the best chance to achieve something no one else has ever had. However, if anyone would be the one to do it?
Cuban defectors
It is quite ironic that Cuba has never won the heavyweight world when its two greatest boxers of all time, Teofilo Stevenson and Felix Savon (3 golds each) are in that weight category. Unfortunately, neither of them ever turned professional. Today, more Cuban actors are defecting to turn professional than ever before. Nino Valdes was well-reviewed in the ’50s, and Jose Ribalta beat the likes of Leon Spinks and fought Mike Tyson in the ’80s. Latterly Odlandier Solis beat Vitaly Klitschko (WBC) 10 years ago, and Juan Carlos Gomez was the cruiser champion before failing in the topweight division, but overall Cuban heavyweights are few and far between.
Perhaps Fidel Castro’s death or just a change of times means that more Cubans, in general, are turning away from Communist boxing and turning professional. Yordenis Ugas is leading, but there are more and more serious contenders than ever before. Veterans, candidates and prospects.
Amateur scene
Sometimes being not the top Cuban amateur can work in your favor. It means a lot of them turn pro early. Perhaps the most interesting Cuban candidate/prospect at the moment is David Morrell Jr. He is only 23 years old and already a world champion because he has very little chance of representing Cuba at the Olympics because he is behind Julio Cesar La Cruz. The Olympics are the pinnacle of boxing in Cuba, so if you can’t make it, many will turn pro.
The situation is similar with Frank Sanchez. Frank is 20-0 (13), Lenier Pero is 6-0 (3) even though both are 29. Sanchez and Pero have fought six times in amateur matches, with Pero winning 5. As Frank is behind him and the likes of Erislandy Savon, he’s turned pro and is reaping the rewards.
This also applies to Luis Ortiz. Since he was 42 (or maybe older, as some say), he actually lost to the great Felix Savon in 1999 and several times to Odlandier Solis who won the gold medal at the 2004 Olympics. ; he’s not really motivated in the amateur game.
This can also be helpful as they are not engraved in an amateur style. Luis Ortiz is a favorite because, despite being technical, he’s not boxed like a Cuban. He has a killer instinct with the character of King Kong besides technical skill, so does Frank Sanchez.
Best chance?
Luis Ortiz 33-2 (28) – Veterans
At 42 years old, he definitely showed signs of aging compared to Charles Martin. It’s okay to be knocked down as a heavyweight, but the way he’s taken down is unsettling. He was brought down with a stab though he didn’t lose his balance as he charged. Even the left straight man glancing over the top of his head causing him to fall in the first half didn’t look right. Power is always the last thing left, and he showed a lot of it in stopping Martin, but his image of a saint has certainly been tarnished. Victory keeps him in the mix; he will get another title or, at least, a final disqualification. However, he won’t be able to avoid it now. The likes of Dillian Whyte, Joseph Parker, Andy Ruiz, Joe Joyce and Joseph Parker will be delighted to face him to navigate the title track.
The main options for PBC are pairing him with Frank Sanchez to change the guard fight or standing last if he wins. Filip Hrgovic is an option for the IBF final eliminator, and they have always respected their duties. Honestly, from what I saw on January 1st, I don’t think he beat another top boxer, but I love watching him and can’t wait to see him try to prove everyone wrong. .
Frank Sanchez 20-0 (13) – Competitor
Sanchez is ranked #6 with WBC and #5 with WBO. I’ve seen amazing improvements with Sanchez in every fight. As mentioned above, not too salty with the Cuban Olympic boxing, he has been in quite aggressive form since he was a professional. Eddie Reynoso mixed his prowess with the Cuban skill base to perfection to defeat Efe Ajagba in the Fury-Wilder lower division. His deft defense also means that Christian Hammer has dropped the fewest punches in history in 10 rounds with him.
It will be interesting to see how they guide him. In the house, they have Andy Ruiz Jr, who he may not be ready for, Robert Helenius, who is on high, and Luis Ortiz, which is a great fight for the fans. I think the next one could be Ortiz, and he has every opportunity to elevate his position and move towards a title.
Lenier Pero 6-0 (3) – Prospects
Fortunately for Frank, who lost to Pero five times, he wasn’t a big enough draw to take on Sanchez. It was a great fight against Bruzon, who was impressive enough to win favor with the PBC. At the 2016 Olympics, Pero lost to Filip Hrgovic in the Quarterfinals so he could not win a medal. His brother Dainier Pero also suffered the same fate at the 2020/21 Olympics when he lost to Richard Torrez Jr. The Pero are much more refined amateur fighters. To promote Lenier, they’ll need more of his style. Even to be famous, he’ll need to have more killer instincts like Ortiz, but he’s only 29, and as long as he’s kept busy by PBC, he’ll have time to do this.
Next for him could be a variety of fighters from Sunday’s card. I feel that Gerald Washington may retire, but he still has some questions to ask. It’s probably more likely to be Iago Kiladze, who can knock you down if you’re not careful, or Jonathon Rice, who feels he can contribute to boxing after two wins over Michael Coffie. Christian Hammer is always a challenge, and some other names you might remember include Lucas Browne, Robert Alfonso (Cuban), Kevin Johnson, Carlos Negron and Bogdan Dinu.
Pero is definitely one to watch, but there’s a long way to go.
And the new one?
Unfortunately, in this day and age, I would suspect that all of these guys may be just short of in their pursuit of heavyweight glory but based on what I’ve seen, Frank Sanchez has the biggest chance in the future. near future.
