So as of yesterday, Cuba has approved professional boxing events to occur in Cuban for the first time in 60 years.

An agreement reached by the Federacion Cubano de Boxeo (FCB) will see boxers fighting in the pro ranks represented by Golden Ring Promotions.

So fans of Andy Cruz, Julio Cesar La Cruz and Arlen Lopez, all Olympians, will now be able to see where they go, but what does this mean truly?

A Marketplace

One of the issues with Cuban boxing was the rejection of capitalism. Pro boxing is possibly the best example of capitalism in America. So, with no TV rights deals, and it being very hard, if not impossible for Cubans to travel to America to support a fighter, and often, being taught a style that was effecting at scoring points in the amateurs, but not so much entertaining 15,000+ arenas of fans, many Cuban boxers were talented, but avoided or afterthoughts.

We have yet to see a generational Cuban boxer, as of yet, who takes over the sport of boxing as a pro, yet we can name nearly 20 of them in the amateurs. Having some form of an ability to legally fight, while leaving in Cuba, and not having to defect from Cuba, creates at the very least, more leverage for the said fighters.

Who To Watch

I would keep my eye on lightweight Andy Cruz, who for the past six years, has been thought to be the best amateur in the world. Cruz beat Keyshawn Davis to win the gold medal in the 2020 Olympics, and with the news, Davis took to Twitter to talk about a future fight with Cruz. To my eyes, Cruz has a lot of flaws that need to be converted to be an effective pro, but he also has a lot of generational traits that make him a can’t miss prospect.

In short, Cruz is the Chet Holmgren of boxing. Holmgren, a center at Gonzaga, who is a top-3, NBA pick in this year’s draft is thought of as either a Kevin Durant-type generational player, or a major bust, with no in between. Cruz will either be a legend, or look foolish. I know that sounds harsh.

My personal favorite of the bunch is middleweight Arlen Lopez, who seems to be the most “pro-ready”, as he is able to fight on the inside as well as any Cuban fighter I have ever seen. This is a major factor for me, because in fights Cuban fighters have lost, the inside or lack of fighting in the pocket, which is a major element of the professional game, have been what cost them. Lopez can control distance, but is also a skilled fighter on the inside, which to me means his floor his higher then the rest on this list.

Who Could Have A Rough Go

Julio De La Cruz is a beloved multiple time Olympic gold medalist, but I see his fight against Khalil Coe, as how his pro career will go as he was KO’ed by Coe. De La Cruz uses his god given gifts along with timing and speed to outpoint his opponents. That being said, he loves to pull straight back, and I see the 32-year-old, being too good at being an amateur and not well suited for being a pro, but I could be wrong as well.

Out of all the Cuban fighters, I have the lowest expecatations for him.

Overview

With this happening we will now get to see high-level Cuban amateurs compete as world-class pros in their primes moving forward, and some Cuban amateurs who may have never went pro, will now answer some questions we had about them.

I think the big thing is…don’t expect the same success overnight. Cuban could dominate the pro-game, but they’re also 60 years behind the pro game.