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Why did Cuba become a leading country in amateur boxing after professional sports were banned?
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boxing
Manny Pacquiao (right) and Floyd Mayweather, Jr., in their 2015 welterweight bout; Mayweather won in a unanimous decision.
Following the 1959 revolution, the Cuban government under Fidel Castro abolished all professional sports, including boxing.123
Cuba became a preeminent nation in amateur boxing primarily because its most talented boxers remained in the amateur ranks for the duration of their careers rather than transitioning to professional competition. By focusing exclusively on the amateur system, the country was able to concentrate its athletic talent and resources, allowing its boxers to dominate international tournaments, including the Olympic Games.24
This shift solidified Cuba's status as a global powerhouse in the sport, exemplified by legendary figures such as Teófilo Stevenson and Felix Savón, who each secured multiple Olympic gold medals.54