Boxer Mexican. My find: I bet on Mexican boxers

Hands work, eyes see!
Fly like a butterfly, sorry like a bee!
Mohammed Ali

What associations arise with the word "Mexico"? Mayan gold, Mexican border, maracas, sombreros, huge cacti, western ... distinctive features ordinary people might think. Amateurs, what else to say. However, few people know that in addition to Frida Kahlo, Mexico has presented the world with a considerable number of boxers known all over the world.

So why exactly Mexico and how did boxing take root in it? Speaking about Mexicans, it is enough to imagine their external type: short, rather puny. Initially, athletes will not be successful in sports such as football or basketball with such a complexion. However, it is no coincidence that they say “small and daring”. Mexican athletes, and especially boxers, are renowned for their endurance and punching power. From the beginning to the end of the fight, the boxers of this country are able to fight at the right pace.

Despite such positive factors in their body constitution, there are no Mexican heavyweight boxers in the history of boxing. However, this does not prevent Mexican boxers from being elevated to the rank of national heroes.

For Mexicans, boxing is not just beautiful and spectacular fights, no. For almost every boxer known to us in this country, sport was a chance to prove to everyone that he is the one who can do it. Indeed, persistence and diligence cannot be taken away from the Mexicans. For every boxer in this country, boxing is not just a sport. This is a chance to succeed in life.

If we talk about the popularity of boxing among Mexicans, and in general among residents of countries Latin America, it can only compete with football. Indeed, every resident of Mexico has watched the boxing performances of his compatriots with bated breath five times in his life. Traditionally, these broadcasts take place on weekends. Views of such events on television break all records. Victory is not just joy, the scale and sheer scope of the celebrations can sometimes boggle any imagination.

In order to have a general picture of the relationship between the concepts of "boxing" and "Mexico", one cannot but recall some of the outstanding stars of this sport. All of them were once ordinary inhabitants of Mexico. However, boxing took them into the framework of the first, bright and fearless.

One of the brightest - Reckardo Lopez... In the history of boxing, he was the second who left boxing without being defeated (the first was Rocky Marciano). Reckardo received the title of great boxer in 1997 after winning a fight with Alex Sanchez. Throughout his career, this boxer has spent 22 defenses of his title, and each of them was successful. During a press conference on Reckardo López's departure from boxing, all Mexican television stations stopped broadcasting just to broadcast the conference.

Mexican American Oscar De La Hoya also deserves special attention. This boxer is a favorite not only among Mexicans, but also among America. Oscar clearly proved that quickly gaining popularity, winning a sufficient number of victories is possible not only by being the owner good hit... Oscar De La Hoya was one of the few boxers who were "their own managers." Numerous interviews, work with the audience and the choice of opponents - these are the factors that have ensured the fame of this very outstanding and charismatic boxer. In 1992, during the Barcelona Olympics, Oscar won gold. This year can also be considered the starting point for the beginning of his professional career. But already in 2001, his career began to decline, and in 2004, De La Hoya lost 4 titles at once, losing in a fight with Bernard Hopkins.

Who it would be foolish not to mention is Julio Cesar Chavez... This Mexican boxer has remained in the history of world boxing for all time. Chavez defended the WBC title nine times, won this title twice famous boxer like Meldrick Taylor. And these are not all of his known victories. Fights with Greg Haugen, Edwin Rosario - this is only the smallest part of the names of opponents over whom the victory was won. Julio's star began to fade after the 1993 match with Pernell Whitaker, which ended in a draw, and in 2000 Julio Cesar lost the fight with Kostya Tszyu, who struck him by TKO.

It is worth noting that these are only three people who have left their mark on the history of Mexican boxing. All of them once created real boxing and left their sports careers long ago. However, there are those who do boxing now, in our days. Among them Jose Luis Castillo, who was once a simple sparring partner of Julio Cesar Chavez and became "Surprise of the Year" in 2000 with his first title fight.

Another modern boxer in Mexico - Rafael Marquez... Despite losing his debut fight, later this boxer was able to win the title of World Bantamweight Champion. A series of four-time series of fights "Marquez-Vazquez" Mexicans watched with bated breath during the broadcast. At the moment, Rafael has not announced his retirement from the sport, continuing to box and delight his fans.

01.04.2016

When people talk about the achievements of Mexico in sports, they primarily mean boxing . Over the past twenty years, Mexico has gifted the boxing community with dozens of names that will forever remain in boxing history.

Why boxing? It is believed that due to the fact that most Mexicans are short, they are initially less likely to play in some sports such as basketball and football. Even in boxing itself, there are no Mexican heavyweight athletes and the reason is again the Mexican constitution. On the other hand, all the famous Mexican boxers are famous for their speed, endurance, theywithstand strong blowsand know how to fight at a high pace from start to finish, prefer to box at close range.

Boxing for Mexicans is not just a spectacular sport. First of all, this is a unique chance to achieve a goal through hard work, a chance to get yourself and your relatives out of poverty. In Mexico, fist sports carries an enormous social burden.

Therefore, it is not surprising that boxers in Mexico are elevated to the rank of national heroes. Boxing broadcasts have incredible ratings... Almost every Saturday, all of Mexico gathers on television to watch boxing performances. Only in this country of Latin America does single combat successfully compete with football. And although in Mexico there are no other significant reasons to rejoice in their sports achievements, all this is more than made up for by the brilliant victories of Mexican boxers, more than a hundred of whom have already won world titles.

Few facts from history

The first boxing match took place in Mexico in the early 1900s. And in 1933, Jose Luis Flores became first Mexican world champion light welterweight. In the 70s, Mexican boxers make themselves known to the whole world, fighters Carlos Palomino and Jose Pipino Cuevas win world titles. Boxers take over Julio Cesar Chavez and Jose Luis Ramirez and also brought glory to their country in the 1980s and 1990s.

In Mexico it is not enough to be a professional boxer, you have to box in a certain style, to bequite tough and aggressiveto become a great boxer. Over the past 20 years, all lightweight divisions have tended to be below welterweight (147lbs), dominated by Mexicans.

The top 10 best Mexican boxers in this roundup certainly doesn't fit all the decent boxing representatives in Mexico. It can be supplemented for a long time. So: let's remember some of the most famous names in Mexican boxing over the past 20 years.

1. Julio Cesar Chavez - 115 (107, 86 KO)

Although his greatest achievements in sports are over 20 years old, Chávez still tops the list. the best Mexican boxers of our time... He won the WBC super semi title lightweight and defended it nine times, the WBC lightweight title and the WBC and IBF light welterweight titles. He won twice Meldrick Taylor In addition, his fights with Greg Haugen, Frankie Randall, Edwin Rosario, Jose Luis Ramirez, Roger Mayweather and many other top fighters ended in victory.

His career began to decline after scandalous decision The judges ended in a draw WBC title fight with Pernell Whitaker in 1993 (Whitaker dominated throughout the fight), then lost twice in a title fight to Golden Boy Oscar De La Hoya in 1996 and 1998, and then, in 2000, lost Konstantin Dzyu by technical knockout.

Interesting fact: when his sons Julio Cesar Jr. and Omar were born and grew up a little, he took them into the ring before each of his fights.

2. Ricardo Lopez - 52 (51, 38 KOs)

The second boxer in boxing history to leave the ring undefeated champions(first - Rocky Marciano). He spent 22 successful defenses his belt in the lowest possible weight, then received his second title in the first flyweight. Over the 16 years of his professional career, Lopez fought 51 fights, in which he won 50 wins (38 by knockout) and once brought the fight to a draw.

He owns loud victories over Rosendo Alvarez, Will Grigsby and many others. The title "great boxer" was awarded to him after defeating Puerto Rican Alex Sanchez in 1997. Lopez's last fight was in 2001 against South African Zolani Petelo and won by knockout in the 8th round. The press conference dedicated to his retirement from boxing was attended by the stars of both Mexican and world boxing. All local TV channels stopped broadcasting to broadcast this press conference.

Interesting fact: all of his best fights have often taken place on the undercard of the heavier weight divisions.

3. Oscar De La Hoya - 45 (39, 30 KOs)

The career of this beloved boxer in the States, Mexican American, took off not only thanks to the efforts in the ring. De La Hoya proved that managerial skills, "Work with the public" and right choice opponents can lead to glory faster than knocking out in the ring. Thanks to numerous interviews, he attracted the attention of people completely far from boxing, and his fights on a paid cable channel subscribed by millions of fans... Instead of the image of a "gorilla in the ring" with dubious mental abilities (with which boxers were compared before him), he created the image of a smiling, charming "neighbor guy" who is always ready to communicate with the public.

Prior to his professional career, his track record was 223 wins and 5 losses with an incredible number of knockouts - 153... He won lightweight gold at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, the same year he made his professional debut. His first opponent Lamar Williams could not resist even one round, losing by knockout.

1992-1999 years were his triumph, he crushes one foe after another, including the aged stars Pernell Whitaker and Julio Cesar Chavez, wins titles: WBO Lightweight, WBO Lightweight, IBF Lightweight, WBC Light Welterweight, WBC Welterweight.

At his fights, the audience simply went crazy, he bathed in the rays of glory, and advertisers and magazines themselves ran to him to sign multimillion-dollar contracts. His nickname GoldenBoy- Golden Boy was the best characterization of his ability to turn into money everything he touched.

Oscar inflicted his first defeat in the professional ring Felix Trinidad in 1999, taking the WBC welterweight title, which was a surprise for many, and for De La Hoya, the beginning of the decline. In 2000, he suffers a second defeat from Shane Moseley, then another one in a rematch. In 2004 he lost to Bernard Hopkins loses four titles IMMEDIATELY that were at stake. Further, De La Hoya's life looks more like a socialite, and not like life professional athlete... However, he returns to the ring twice. In 2007 he lost to Floyd Mayweather by split decision, and in 2008 he lost to Manny Pacquiao.

After that, he announces his retirement and focuses on his own promotion company. GoldenBoyPromotions which was founded in 2001.

Interesting fact: De la Hoya spent his third professional fight in Las Vegas. This usually takes many years for professionals.

Most of them start training in early childhood, followed by a quick and successful career in amateurs and debut in the professional ring. By the age of 30, Mexican boxing stars, in general, are already achieving world recognition, however, there are several representatives to whom fame came much later.

So:

4. Eric Morales - 61 (52, 36 KO)

Morales began training at the age of five, coached by his father, also a boxer. In amateurs, Morales had 114 fights, won 108 victories and was the champion of Mexico 11 times. In 1993, he made his professional boxing debut and knocked out an opponent in round 2, and two years later won the title of champion of Mexico and NABF title.

From 1993 to 1997, his career in the bantamweight division quickly took off, he won 26 fights, with 20 knockouts, including victories over ex-champions Kenny Mitchell and Hector Acero Sanchez. Then Morales won the first world champion belt in his career and began performing under the wing of promoter Bob Arum.

In the list of it loud victories there are victories over: Marco Antonio Barrera, Kevin Kelly, In-Jin Chi, Gati Espadas the Younger, Paulie Ayala, Jesus Chavez, Carlos Hernandez, Manny Pacquiao, Junior Jones.

A feature of Morales' style is that his defense can hardly be called the best, but at the same time he is able to withstand almost any blow, and delivers his own blows accurately and on time.

Morales became famous thanks to three fights with another popular Mexican Marco Antonio Barreroy... They first met in 2000, and Morales defended his ninth featherweight title for the ninth time. All 12 rounds of the fight were fought at a high pace, the fight was almost equal. Morales was knocked down in round 12. As a result, two judges gave the victory to Morales, which caused a loud controversy among experts and boxing fans. Many believed that Barrera deserved to win. After that, Morales met two more times with Barrera in the ring, but both times he was defeated.

After the first fight with Barrera, Morales moved to the next weight and in 2001, by unanimous decision of the judges, took the belt from Gati Espadas, reigning champion WBC Featherweight Champion. After successfully defending the title against In-Jin Chi, Morales lost it in a rematch with Barrera. However, due to disagreements between Barrera and the WBC leadership, the featherweight title was declared vacant.

After the fight with Ayala Morales regained the featherweight title and after two successful defenses, moved to the next weight. In 2004, Morales took the title from WBC champion Jesús Chavez, winning on points.

WITH Manny Pacquiao Morales also met three times (in 2005 and twice in 2006), the first time he defeated a Filipino boxer, and the second two fights he lost by knockout.

Of the last fights, Morales fought against Pablo Cesar Cano in 2011, who won by technical knockout, as well as two fights with American Danny Garcia in 2012, which ended in the defeat of Morales.

Interesting fact: Outside the ring, Morales is the manager of the Tijuana Parks and Recreation Authority.

5.Marco Antonio Barrera - 75 (67, 44 KOs)

Barrera did not remain in amateurs for long. After 56 victories and 5 Mexican championship titles, at the age of 15 (in 1989) he had his first professional fight against David Felix, who managed to resist only two rounds.

After 17 fights, he won the title fight and became the champion in his homeland in the first bantamweight. Barrera defended his title five times and won the NABF title in 1993.

In 1995, Barrera finally gets the opportunity to fight for the world title. His opponent was WBO featherweight champion Daniel Jimenez. Barrera led the entire fight and won unanimously on points.

In 1996, Barrera successfully defeated former IBF champion Kennedy McKinney and defended his title three times. This was followed by two fights with Junior Jones, Barrera lost the first fight by a crushing knockout, and lost the second on points.

In 1998, Barrera won the WBO featherweight title again, knocking out rival Richie Venton in round 3 and defending the title twice.

In 2000, Barrera faced off against fellow featherweight champion Eric Morales in the ring. The fight was to combine the titles of the WBC and WBO versions. This fight was extremely tense and controversial, in the end the victory was awarded to Morales, although he was knocked down in the last round. This fight became the fight of the year. The WBO contested the decision and went to incredible step in boxing history- left the WBO championship belt with Barrera, tk. considered that Barrera won this fight!

Thereafter, victories follow one another, including two victories over the undefeated Morales in rematch, and after defeating the "undefeated prince of boxing" Nasim Hamed in 2001, Barrera gains cult status at home.

The first sensational defeat Barrera suffers from Manny Pacquiao in 2003, his seconds had to stop the fight in the 11th round, then Barrera loses to Juan Manuel Marquez and again loses to Manny Pacquiao (this time on points).

Barrera's last fight took place in 2009, when he defeated Cuban Frodis Rojas, who struck his head in round 3 and was disqualified for it.

Interesting fact: In addition to being one of the best Mexican boxers of all time, Barrera also has the most unusual nickname in the ring: "The Baby Face Killer".

6. Juan Manuel Marquez - 62 (55, 40 KOs)

Marquez's career took off at the age of 30, at an age when many boxers are already considering retirement. At the same time, Marquez became 4th Mexican boxer who became world champion in four different weight categories. The first three were Barrera, Morales and Chavez.

In his debut professional featherweight bout in 1993, Marquez was disqualified in the first round and had to wait six years before title fight 1999 for the WBA Featherweight Championship. The fight with Freddie Norwood was equal, but the judges unanimously awarded Norwood the victory.

Only in 2003 did Marquez fight for the title again, he opposes Manuel Medina and gets the vacant IBF featherweight title... Two bouts later, he earns the WBA featherweight title by defeating Derrick Geyner by TKO in the seventh round.

Marquez was stripped of his IBF title in 2005 because no promoter was willing to put a minimum of $ 50,000 on the line for Marquez's mandatory title defense against little-known but somehow named "best" Rakkiatjim Faprakorb. This fight was not interesting to anyone. At the same time, Marquez was stripped of the WBA title.

Over the next few years, Marquez earned the WBO featherweight titles, the WBC featherweight title against Marco Barrera, the RingMagazine lightweight title against Joel Casamayor, and the vacant WBO and WBA Super lightweight titles after Diokout knocked out Juan. The fight with Diaz became "Fight of the Year" (2008).

However, the main achievement of his career was epic confrontation with Filipino Manny Pacquiao... They met four times. The first bout in 2004 ended in a draw, the second in 2008 was won by Pacquiao by split decision, and both times this caused a storm of protests from the team and fans of Marquez.

Before the third meeting with Pacquiao, Marquez suffers a crushing defeat on points to Floyd Mayweather (Marquez was a welterweight champion), then returns to a light weight and defends his titles in a rematch with Juan Diaz and in a duel with Michael Katsidis.

In 2011, Pacquiao and Marquez meet for the third time for the WBO welterweight title. Marquez loses the title again by majority decision. Once again, this decision was challenged. The fourth non-title fight of the longtime rivals took place in December 2012 and was named the "Fight for the title of Best Boxer of the Decade." Marquez and Pacquiao were welterweight. The fight ended with a victory for Marquez sensational knockout in round 6... Marquez finally celebrated an official victory over his main competitor.

Interesting fact: Before his fight with Floyd Mayweather in 2009, Marquez said that he drank his own urine: "It has a lot of protein and vitamins, why not drink them again." Before his third fight with Manny Pacquiao in 2011, Marquez said he stopped drinking his urine on the advice of a doctor and exercise coach.

Following the expiration of his contract with GoldenBoy in early 2011, Marquez is acting as a free agent under his own company, MarquezBoxingPromotions.

Michael Karbahal, Mexican American, has become a four-time world boxing champion. His nickname in the ring Small Stone Hands in honor of his favorite Panamanian boxer Roberto Duran Stone Hands.

After a brilliant amateur career, Karbahal competed for the United States in 1988 at Olympic Games in Seoul, where he took the silver medal, although many experts considered that he won the gold. In his first professional fight, Karbahal outboxed Will Grigsby, also the future world champion.

This was followed by a striking victory by knockout in the first round over Silviano Perez. Karbahal smashed one rival after another, and in his tenth fight he faced the former WBO world champion Pedro Feliciano, “making” him in 10 rounds. Four more victories followed and America realized that it had risen new star second bantamweight.

In 1990, Karbahal won the IBF bantamweight title. After six successful defenses, in 1993 Little Stone Hands faced WBC champion Umberto "Chiquita" Gonzalez in the ring. This "Fight of the Year" was tense, Karbahal was twice knocked down, but got up and stopped the opponent in the seventh round, with this victory he partially united the belts. After two successful title defenses, Karbahal faced Gonzalez again in 1994 in a rematch and lost by a controversial decision.

He then won the WBO second flyweight title and then lost again on points to Chiquita. Karbahal recovered from the loss and challenged Melchor Cob Castro to win the IBF title again. He defended the title twice before losing it to Mauricio Pastrano in 1997. However, he competed in another championship in 1999 and stopped Jorge Arce in the 11th round by TKO, winning the WBO flyweight title. After this successful performance, Karbahal retired from the sport.

Karbahal currently owns and operates a NinthStreet gym in hometown Phoenix.

Interesting fact: In 1994, despite losing to Gonzalez Chiquita and losing the belt, Karbahal became the first flyweight boxer to earn $ 1 million in a fight.

8. Israel Vasquez the Magnificent 49 (44, 32 KOs)

World Bantamweight Champion (IBF 2004-2005; WBC 2005-2007 and 2007 - present). The debut fight took place in 1995.

In 1997 Vasquez was knocked out in the first round undefeated Oscar Larios... 5 years later, in 2002, he again met with Larios in the ring. Vasquez was twice knocked down, and the second time (in the 12th round) the referee stopped the fight on the count of "four". After the fight, Vasquez protested the referee's decision.

In 2004, Vasquez fought for the vacant IBF flyweight title against Jose Luis Valbuena. Vasquez knocked out his opponent in the 12th round.

At the end of 2004, Vasquez also knocked out undefeated Artyom Simonyan in the 5th round.

In 2005, Vasquez entered the ring against Armando Guerera. In the first half of the battle, the challenger was in the lead, but the champion managed to turn the tide of the battle and the second half of the fight was behind him. Victory for Vasquez by unanimous decision.

2005 ended with the third fight between Vasquez and World Flyweight Champion Oscar Larios. Vasquez knocked out Larios in the 3rd round.

In 2006, Vasquez met in the ring with Johnny Gonzalez... Both contenders, champion and challenger, were knocked down twice when Gonzalez climbed to 9 in round 10, his corner threw a white towel.

2007 saw the first fight between Vasquez and former IBF World Bantamweight Champion Rafael Marquez. The fight was tense, Marquez was knocked down in round 3, but in the next round he answered all the blows of the opponent. During the break after round 7, Vasquez announced to his corner that he had broken his nose and could not breathe. The fight was stopped. Victory for Marquez by TKO.

In the same year, a rematch took place between Vasquez and Marquez. The referee stopped the fight in the 6th round. Vasquez's victory. The fight was declared "Fight of the Year", as well as the third meeting of the opponents in 2008. Vasquez won again. The fourth match in 2012 ended with the victory of Marquez.

9.Rafael Marquez - 49 (41, 37 KO)

World Bantamweight Champion (IBF, 2003-2006) and Second Bantamweight (WBC, 2007). Younger brother of Juan Manuel Marquez. In his debut fight in 1995, Rafael Marquez lost by knockout in the 8th round to the former WBC bantamweight champion Victor Rabanales. In 2001, Marquez competed against the American Mark Johnson, the champion in two weight categories. The fight was close, and the opinions of the judges were divided. However, on the same evening, it turned out that a mistake had occurred in the counting of votes, and after the next fight, Rafael Marquez was declared the winner.

In the next few fights, Rafael Marquez will confidently knock out his rivals - Mark Johnson, undefeated IBF World Bantamweight Champion Tim Austin, Peter Frissino, Heriberto Ruiz, Mauricio Pastranu, undefeated South African Silence Mabuzu.

In 2007, the fight between Marquez and IBF World Bantamweight Champion Israel Vasquez took place, marking the beginning fourfold series of their fights... Marquez won by TKO in the seventh round as Vasquez, due to a broken nose, could not breathe and announced the end of the fight. In the same year, the rivals met for the second time. The fight was very entertaining. In the 6th round, Rafael Marquez was knocked down, then got up and began to defend himself, retreating to the ropes. Vasquez wanted to finish him off, but Marquez was still standing. The fight was ended with the intervention of the referee. Later, Marquez challenged the referee's decision.

In 2008, the 3rd fight took place between Marquez and Vasquez. The fight was no less spectacular than the two previous ones. Both opponents were knocked down. However, as a result, the judges decided that Vasquez looked better.

After this loss, Marquez recovered for a year, and then in 2009 competed in featherweight against Jose Francisco Mendoza and won the third round by TKO. Soon, the fourth fight between Marquez-Vasquez was announced. Marquez won in the 3rd round by TKO and thus equalized the scores of wins and losses with his main opponent.

Rafael Marquez continues to box.

10. Jose Luis Castillo "El Temible" - 77 (64, 55 KOs)

He had his debut fight in 1990, but became famous only 10 years later, in 2000, having had 44 fights before that. Before that, he was only known as sparring partner of Julio Cesar Chavez with whom he worked for five years.

In 2000, Castillo got his first chance to win the championship belt against famed lightweight Stevie Johnston. The fight was fierce and the victory went to Castillo by a majority vote. Ring magazine awarded this fight the status "Surprise of the Year".

Just a couple of months later, Castillo and Johnston had a rematch that ended in a draw, thus Castillo retained his title.

In April 2002, Castillo met in the ring with Floyd Mayweather... Castillo was faster, but all the judges preferred Mayweather. Harold Lederman, who was an unofficial judge for HBO, believed that the victory was for Castillo. After such a scandalous refereeing, Mayweather did not hesitate with a revenge. In December of the same year, Castillo meets Mayweather again. Mayweather surpassed the speed of the opponent and confidently won.

In 2004, Castillo beat Juan Lazcano on points and beat fast-paced Cuban Joel Casamayor by split decision.

In 2005, he defeated Julio Diaz by knockout in the 10th round.

Also in 2005, Castillo opposed Diego Corrales... Both lightweights were very strong and no one wanted to give up. The victory was won by Corrales by TKO in round 10, but the fight itself was controversial. Corrales was twice knocked down and spat out a mouthguard twice after that, for which a point was removed from him. However, after that, Corrales got up again and scored Castillo. The fight was stopped. Its outcome was controversial, and the behavior of the referee and Corrales was severely criticized. The WBC management insisted on revenge, which took place a few months later. Castillo was unable to make weight. Because of this, the fight was declared non-title. Castillo knocked out Corrales in the 4th round.

The final third fight between Castillo and Corrales was supposed to take place in 2006. However, Castillo again failed to meet the weight limit. The fight was canceled.

In 2007, Castillo clashed with the undefeated Ricky Hatton. Hatton started to dominate from the first round and knocked out Castillo in the 4th round.

In 2008, Castillo and undefeated American Timothy Bradley were scheduled to meet in a qualifying fight for the WBC light welterweight title. However, Castillo did not make the weight and the fight was canceled, and Bradley became a contender for the title without a fight.

After losing in 2010 to Alfonso Gomez by knockout, Castillo announced his retirement, saying that he did not see his future in boxing, but returned the same year and won several victories, then defeated Sammy Ventura in 2011 and Ivan Popoka in 2012.

At the moment, the 39-year-old Mexican is thinking about leaving again. In the last fight in February 2013, he lost on points to Antoine Smith.

15 best Mexicans

We continue to remember the loudest victories of the great Mexican boxers. Most of them start training in early childhood, followed by a quick and successful career in amateurs and debut in the professional ring. By the age of 30, Mexican boxing stars, in general, are already achieving world recognition, however, there are several representatives to whom fame came much later.

4. Eric Morales - 61 (52, 36 KO)

The list of his high-profile victories includes victories over: Marco Antonio Barrera, Kevin Kelly, In-Jin Chi, Gati Espadas Jr., Paulie Ayala, Jesus Chavez, Carlos Hernandez, Manny Pacquiao, Junior Jones.

A feature of Morales' style is that his defense can hardly be called the best, but at the same time he is able to withstand almost any blow, and delivers his own blows accurately and on time.

After the first fight with Barrera, Morales moved to the next weight and in 2001, by unanimous decision, took the belt from Gati Espadas, the reigning WBC featherweight champion. After successfully defending the title against In-Jin Chi, Morales lost it in a rematch with Barrera. However, due to disagreements between Barrera and the WBC leadership, the featherweight title was declared vacant.

WITH Manny Pacquiao Morales also met three times (in 2005 and twice in 2006), the first time he defeated a Filipino boxer, and the second two fights he lost by knockout.

Of the last fights, Morales fought against Pablo Cesar Cano in 2011, who won by technical knockout, as well as two fights with American Danny Garcia in 2012, which ended in the defeat of Morales.

Interesting fact: Outside the ring, Morales is the manager of the Tijuana Parks and Recreation Authority.

5.Marco Antonio Barrera - 75 (67, 44 KOs)

After 17 fights, he won the title fight and became the champion in his homeland in the first bantamweight. Barrera defended his title five times and won the NABF title in 1993.

In 1995, Barrera finally gets the opportunity to fight for the world title. His opponent was WBO featherweight champion Daniel Jimenez. Barrera led the entire fight and won unanimously on points.

In 1998, Barrera won the WBO featherweight title again, knocking out rival Richie Venton in round 3 and defending the title twice.

Barrera's last fight took place in 2009, when he defeated Cuban Frodis Rojas, who hit his head in round 3 and was disqualified for it.

Interesting fact: In addition to being one of the best Mexican boxers of all time, Barrera also has the most unusual nickname in the ring: "The Baby Face Killer".

6. Juan Manuel Marquez - 62 (55, 40 KOs)

In his debut professional featherweight bout in 1993, Marquez was disqualified in the first round and had to wait six years for a 1999 WBA featherweight title fight. The fight with Freddie Norwood was equal, but the judges unanimously awarded Norwood the victory.

Over the next few years, Marquez earns the WBO featherweight titles, the WBC featherweight title against Marco Barrera, the Ring Magazine lightweight title against Joel Casamayor, and the vacant WBO and WBA Super lightweight titles after knocked out Juan Diaz... The fight with Diaz became "Fight of the Year" (2008).

Before the third meeting with Pacquiao, Marquez suffers a crushing defeat on points to Floyd Mayweather (Marquez was a welterweight champion), then returns to lightweight and defends his titles in a rematch with Juan Diaz and in a duel with Michael Katsidis.

Following the expiration of his contract with Golden Boy in early 2011, Marquez acts as a free agent under his own company, Marquez Boxing Promotions.

7. Michael Karbahal - 53 (49, 33KO)

Michael Karbahal, Mexican American, has become a four-time world boxing champion. His nickname in the ring Small Stone Hands in honor of his favorite Panamanian boxer Roberto Duran Stone Hands.

After a brilliant amateur career, Karbahal competed for the United States at the Seoul Olympics in 1988, where he won the silver medal, although many experts considered him to have won gold. In his first professional fight, Karbahal outboxed Will Grigsby, also the future world champion.

Karbahal currently owns and operates a Ninth Street Gym in his hometown of Phoenix.

Interesting fact: In 1994, despite losing to Gonzalez Chiquita and losing the belt, Karbahal became the first flyweight boxer to earn $ 1 million in a fight.

8. Israel Vasquez the Magnificent 49 (44, 32 KOs)

World Bantamweight Champion (IBF 2004-2005; WBC 2005-2007 and 2007 - present). The debut fight took place in 1995.

In 2004, Vasquez fought for the vacant IBF flyweight title against Jose Luis Valbuena. Vasquez knocked out his opponent in the 12th round.

At the end of 2004, Vasquez also knocked out undefeated Artyom Simonyan in the 5th round.

2005 ended with the third fight between Vasquez and World Flyweight Champion Oscar Larios. Vasquez knocked out Larios in the 3rd round.

In 2006, Vasquez met in the ring with Johnny Gonzalez... Both contenders, champion and challenger, were knocked down twice when Gonzalez climbed to 9 in round 10, his corner threw a white towel.

9.Rafael Marquez - 49 (41, 37 KO)

World Bantamweight Champion (IBF, 2003-2006) and Second Bantamweight (WBC, 2007). Younger brother of Juan Manuel Marquez. In his debut fight in 1995, Rafael Marquez lost by knockout in the 8th round to former WBC Bantamweight champion Victor Rabanales. In 2001, Marquez competed against the American Mark Johnson, the champion in two weight categories. The fight was close, and the opinions of the judges were divided. However, on the same evening, it turned out that a mistake had occurred in the counting of votes, and after the next fight, Rafael Marquez was declared the winner.

Rafael Marquez continues to box.

10. Jose Luis Castillo "El Temible" - 77 (64, 55 KOs)

Just a couple of months later, Castillo and Johnston had a rematch that ended in a draw, thus Castillo retained his title.

In 2004, Castillo beat Juan Lazcano on points and beat fast-paced Cuban Joel Casamayor by split decision.

In 2005, he defeated Julio Diaz by knockout in the 10th round.

The final third fight between Castillo and Corrales was supposed to take place in 2006. However, Castillo again failed to meet the weight limit. The fight was canceled.

In 2007, Castillo clashed with the undefeated Ricky Hatton. Hatton started to dominate from the first round and knocked out Castillo in the 4th round.

At the moment, the 39-year-old Mexican is thinking about leaving again. In the last fight in February 2013, he lost on points to Antoine Smith.

Much can be said about Mexican boxers, since this Latin American country has, is and is likely to have a lot of talents who, with their bright performances, attract millions of people to TV screens around the world. One of those who have already finished their sports career, but at the same time have not lost the love of the public, is Chavez Julio Cesar. This outstanding athlete will be discussed in this article.

Brief information about the person

Chavez Julio Cesar was born on July 12, 1962 in the Mexican state of Sonora, the city of Ciudad Obregon. His father was a railroad worker named Rodolfo Chavez. The future sports star spent his childhood in an abandoned carriage next to four brothers and five sisters. It is no secret that many fighters in life find success precisely because of their poor materially childhood, and our hero was no exception in this matter. It was because of the economic problems of his family that Chavez Julio Cesar became involved in boxing at an early age. Already at the age of 16, he begins to perform at amateur ring, where he was able to win 14 fights and only one defeat.

Professional career

At the age of seventeen, Chavez receives the status of a professional. In the first year of his professional fights, he has 11 fights. From the very beginning, it became visible characteristics: perseverance, fast pace battle, powerful blows to the body, endurance.

In the 12th battle, the Mexican was initially disqualified. In the fight against Miguel Ruiz, he struck after the gong. But later the result was changed: Chavez won by knockout. And all because his manager was a member of the local sports commission.

First title

After a couple of fights that were broadcast on American television, Chavez Julio Cesar, with his own record of 44-0, got the opportunity to compete for the WBC featherweight belt. This was made possible thanks to the release of the title by Hector Camacho. The Mexican did not miss his chance, and on September 13, 1984, he knocked out Mario Martinez in the eighth round, thereby obtaining the long-awaited champion belt.

Until 1987, Chavez successfully defended his title from the claims of challengers. Such eminent personalities as Juan La Porte, Danilo Cabrero, and others fell from his hands.

Moving to a new weight

In 1987, Chavez Julio Cesar, whose photo is shown below, rises to the next weight category, where in November of the same year he meets Edwin Rosario. The Puerto Rican said too much of all sorts of nasty things about the Mexican people, and therefore Chavez was motivated more than ever. The Mexican gave his opponent the most severe beating and eventually won by TKO in 11 rounds. With this victory, Julio became the WBA lightweight champion. Eleven months later, Chavez expected another success - he won the WBC belt, defeating the magnificent boxer, the legendary champion Jose Luis Ramirez. This also took Chavez 11 rounds.

One more step up

In 1989, the Mexican native again decides to move to a higher category. He ends up in light welterweight. In this division, he also becomes the champion, defeating Mayweather for the second time, after which he makes two successful defenses, but it is worth talking about the fight with the third challenger separately.

The Steadfast Meldrick Taylor

March 17, 1990. Las Vegas, USA. In the square of the ring, Chavez Julio Cesar Sr., a boxer who by that time was already at the top, met with the 1984 Olympic champion Meldrick Taylor. The American won on points during the fight, effectively using the jab and actively moving on his feet. However, in the 12th round, the champion drove the challenger into a corner and sent him to the canvas with his right side. After the knockdown, Taylor barely got up and to the referee's question: "Are you ready to continue?" said nothing. As a result, the Mexican was awarded a knockout victory. The decision was scandalous enough, and the fight itself was recognized the best fight of the year. For the sake of fairness, we note that after the contraction, Meldrick was hospitalized, where, as a result of a medical examination, he was diagnosed with bleeding in the kidneys, a fracture near his left eye, and a torn lip. Therefore, we can conclude that the referee did the right thing, since he kept the American health and maybe even life.

Commendation from the President

Chavez Julio Cesar, whose biography is rich bright events, in the fall of 1993 he had another significant fight for himself. This time he was opposed by the legendary Hector "Macho" Camacho. Chavez won convincingly by decision. After the end of the fight, a car was sent for him from the champion and was taken to an audience with the head of the country.

Scandalous draw

In September 1993, Chavez fought a unification battle with the American and acted actively and outside the box, which allowed him to completely neutralize the attacking power of the Mexican. But still, in the end, a draw was declared. This verdict of the judges caused a scandal, and many believed that Don King played an important role in this.

Belt loss

In early 1994, Julio Cesar Chavez (world-famous boxer) fought with Frankie Randall. The Mexican was twice fined for blows below the belt, and in the 11th round he was generally knocked down for the first time in his career. All this led to the fact that the judges were divided, and the victory was given to the American. But in the spring, the Mexican again met with his abuser and took a very unconvincing revenge.

The dramatic confrontation with Oscar De La Hoya for Chavez consisted of two fights, both times the Mexican lost, and ahead of schedule.

Last chance

In the summer of 2000, Chavez was already a fairly old fighter, so the opportunity to box for the world title was his last one. He understood that in case of defeat, the road to the top for him was forever closed, and in case of victory, he got the opportunity to hold out for some more time at the peak and earn good money.

In the fight with the Russian Tszyu, the Mexican did not succeed. Kostya was very cold-blooded and very calculating. He was able to quickly show who is the real boss in the ring and literally “bombed” the challenger with left jabs. In the fifth round, Tszyu knocked Chavez down with a combination of four punches. In the sixth round, the Russian again sent the Mexican legend to the floor, the judge stopped the fight, believing that it was a knockout. After the battle, Tszyu said that he had fought a great warrior worthy of respect, and Chavez understood that it was time to retire and make way for a new generation. Nevertheless its the last battle he spent in September 2005.

As for the family, it plays a special role for our hero. Chavez Julio Cesar (personal life is characterized by stability) has been married for many years, he has two sons: the first is called Julio Cesar Jr., and the second is Omar.

National Boxing Schools

Boxers from each of the leading boxing powers in the world have their own common distinctive features, by which they can be easily distinguished from athletes in other countries. This is called a school.

The boxing school represents stable differences and characteristic features (functional, tactical-technical, psychological) of boxers' behavior in the ring, which are formed due to certain factors. These include: the methodology of training fighters, focused on the maximum realization of the best qualities and skills of an athlete, which have their own characteristic specifics on a national scale; national mentality, which predetermines the behavioral archetypes of a person both in everyday life and in extreme conditions(including sports combat); vector towards the development of fist sports - amateur or professional; social burden on boxing, imposing or not additional load to boxing as a special and only chance to achieve anything in life; finally, the degree of popularity and development of boxing in the state and, as a consequence, the tactical and technical level of skill that the coaches of a particular school are able to instill. All these, as well as other accompanying factors, have a unique individual expression in every country, every region. Accordingly, the final “product” of the complex differs from all-round prerequisites that set the direction in the formation of a generalized boxing archetype called “a graduate of the national boxing school”. Just as the student is the fruit of the creative work of his teacher, so the boxer is the result of the functioning of his boxing school. With its strengths and weaknesses, which have become a projection of the national school in individual terms, certain features of tactics and technology. Below we will briefly consider this on the example of the leading modern boxing schools in the regions of America (USA, Cuba and Mexico) and Europe (Soviet school, Germany and England).

AMERICA

I. Boxing School USA

General features of the American boxing school:

The backbone of American boxing is made up of black athletes. To a large extent, this predetermines the peculiarities of the methodology of training boxers in the United States. The dark-skinned race as a whole has a number of physiological advantages over the Caucasian: they are more enduring, more flexible, faster, and naturally more athletic than the "white brothers". Consequently, it is these qualities that are subject to first-order development. "White" American fighters, especially in heavyweight, do not have such advantages, more often focusing on rough physics, as a result of which they significantly lose to black masters in the class. Johnson, Louis, Liston, Ali, Robinson, Leonard, Hagler, Hearns, Whitaker, Tyson, Holyfield, Johns, Hopkins: best boxers America is dark-skinned, with all their physiological benefits;

The national mentality of Americans is a fusion of adventurous conquerors of the Wild West with an iron will and a strong spirit of black people who have gone through all the circles of hell on the way to fight for their civil rights. Therefore, in general, Americans are very motivated to succeed in all their endeavors, which is reflected in boxing. For a long period of time, the US fighters represented an example of courage and uncompromising in the ring, which, combined with their high skill, brought them so many glorious achievements. The personnel crisis of the American school today pushed to the surface boxers who clearly did not meet the high standards of their predecessors;

Boxing in the USA - exclusively professional sports... Amateurism is practiced only as a preparation for performances at profirings. Accordingly, combat skills, tactics and technology are also sharpened. American boxers pros to the bone;

For a long time, boxing in an American society divided into "blacks" and "whites" remained almost the only chance for better life for objectionable "colored" or just immigrants without a social base under their feet. Boxing fed, boxing gave respect, boxing made famous and loved by thousands and millions. No other American national sport- neither local football, nor baseball, nor basketball, nor hockey, - did not provide such a combination of profitability and advancement up the social hierarchy. However, times are changing. Today, the level of profitability of the main sports as a whole has caught up and surpassed boxing, comparing favorably with it in the absence of the need to receive punches to the head. Today blacks no longer experience the former racial oppression with its barriers to life - Barack Obama is proof of this. The increased standard of living by the end of the twentieth century removed the previous urgency of the issue of survival in the expensive American world. The social burden on boxing in the United States has eased dramatically. And the influx of personnel into boxing gyms has dried up significantly;

Boxing in America is popular no matter what. Its development, infrastructure, the highest qualifications trainers can only be envied. But all this is a legacy of the past. Today, the huge potential of the American boxing school is not even half realized, losing from this the attention of the American public, disappointed with the endless defeats of their fighters.

The individual characteristics of the American boxing school are derived from its general characteristics:

American boxers are extremely motivated and mobilized to achieve the highest scores. Whether it is the Olympics as a pass to the world of professional boxing, whether it is qualifying or professional profiling championship fights. Laxity in their midst is a rare phenomenon and due to the existence of uncollected people as such;

The American school emphasizes the remarkable ability of coaches to develop to the utmost the best abilities of their boxers. If a boxer is mobile, he will be virtuoso in his movements; if the fighter has swipe- he will be furiously knocking out; if the boxer is dexterous and resourceful - his defense will be brought to the ideal, etc .;

The Americans in the ring are collected, economical in their movements, set up for an explosive attack. In general, they are well prepared technically, they have the most developed and diverse protection in the whole world of boxing, they move perfectly across the entire width of the ring, and not just a "shuttle";

They have the highest combat skills at medium and close ranges. Infighting in their performance is exemplary. Combinations of fast accented punches from static, uncomfortable, embarrassing positions performed by US fighters for a feast for the eyes. The skills of finishing off a shocked opponent ("killer instinct") are excellent - albeit in some cases. The number of American punchers is plummeting today;

In general, they are distinguished by good stamina, endurance, excellent physical form, although bodybuilding techniques are often overused to the detriment of building speed strength qualities... Unstressed pitching is a common phenomenon in America. Also, external effects include the craving of Americans for showman antics and posturing in the ring;

In the technical profile, they differ from representatives of other schools in the use of such techniques as virtuoso pendulum defense, rollback, cross blocking, excellent counter-punching, special emphasis on left hook, right cross and uppercuts.

M. Ali

II. Cuban Boxing School

General features of the Cuban Boxing School:

As in America, the core of Cuban boxing is made up of black fighters with similar physical qualities. The number of mulattoes is also great. Unlike the United States, there are much fewer boxers of other races in Cuba, and among the great ones there is a vacuum. Excellent plasticity, endurance, speed, physical data - the hallmark of the Cuban masters, one hundred percent implemented in their training methods;

On the national plane, the Cubans are a very original synthesis. More than half of them are Negroes brought by Spanish colonists from Africa, or mulattoes - children of mixed "black and white" marriages. The Spaniards, Catalans, French, Indians and other peoples and nationalities who have mixed in with them add to the motley national picture. To top it all, the "leading and guiding" role in shaping the mentality of the Cuban people was played by the now bankrupt communist movement, whose ideals of revolution and socialism are eroding from day to day. The projection of all this on the boxing ring has become the high patriotism of Cuban boxers, which has recently gone into decline, their resilience to difficulties, decisiveness in battle and stormy Latin temperament. The negative side mother is lazy, undermining the discipline of many people to eat and play with dark-skinned athletes;

Boxing in Cuba is an amateur sport. The state supplies its fighters with everything they need, gives them good livelihoods, but it is still unable to compensate for the lack of alluring temptations of profiboxing. The traditions of professionalism, established in Cuba even before the revolution of Fidel Castro in 1959, make themselves felt not only by the presence of the skills necessary for profiling, but also by the desire to get there. All this provoked an active outflow of the best Cuban amateurs to the USA and Europe, which sharply increased since the beginning of the 21st century. Odlanier Solis, Luis Ortiz, Mike Perez, Clear Consuegra, Yuriorkis Gamboa, Erislendi Lara, Guillermo Rigondo, Ian Barthelemi, Luis Garcia, Yordanis Despanier and many other top Cuban masters, deprived of the opportunity to start professional career at home in Cuba, were forced to leave their homeland and go to a contract with Western promoters. The migration process was especially active after the successful flight of the Solis - Gamboa - Barthelemy Olympians trio in 2007. As a result, stubborn uncontested amateurism cost Cuba serious personnel losses and, as a result, the loss of its former positions;

Cuba is not a wealthy state. Typical "Scoop on the road". With food and goods, things are not in the best way. Especially in comparison with its neighbors from the United States. Therefore, boxing - amateur - on Liberty Island does not carry a large social burden due to the lack of prospects for real social growth. Cuban boxing is related to the Soviet model until 1989 (professionalization of fist sports in the USSR), since it was formed in many respects by Soviet specialists, representing a sports and physical movement supported by the state. There is no big money in it and you cannot break out of rags to riches;

The situation with the popularity and development of boxing in Cuba is very similar to that of the American one - with the only difference that the influx of people into the state boxing gyms has significantly decreased, and in Cuba there have been fewer people wishing to stay at home among fans of boxing school graduates.

The individual characteristics of the Cuban boxing school due to the above are as follows:

Cuban fighters are extremely determined and ambitious. Having made an enviable habit of winning, they always set themselves only the highest goals. However, their temperament does not always allow to behave in a cold-blooded manner, and laziness in the conditions of profiling, in which the coaches and functionaries of the national team are not watching you around the clock, plays a cruel joke with them;

In general, the Cuban school is a fusion of African plasticity, European technology, Latin temperament and American explosiveness. The best Cuban masters of the recent past were perhaps the most comprehensively trained boxers of all major schools; generalists for whom there were no mysteries in fist sports. “Cuban Boxers Can Do Everything,” read the 1989 Soviet educational film;

The actions of the Cubans in the ring are skillful and not fussy, the movements are soft, the technical arsenal is diverse, which allows you to alternate techniques and not repeat. They are capable of waging a battle both to victory on points, and notably hacking to death in the exchange of blows, going on a furious assault;

Celebrity Cubans are distinguished by excellent physical fitness, speed, reaction, strength and power, an excellent blow delivered according to Soviet canons, and high functional readiness. However, the ability to take a punch among the Cubans in general is not outstanding;

The best Cuban masters stand out for their perfect technique, tactical literacy, excellent maneuverability, an excellent sense of distance and timing, the ability to act at all distances, improvise in the ring, find non-standard solutions, as well as artistry and ingenuity. In short, Cubans in boxing are like Brazilians in football. With a whole generation going to become a pro, the main thing is not to lose continuity in this;

In the technical profile, they are characterized by excellent movement and body protection, excellent counter-punching, possession of feints, and a balanced strike arsenal.

Teofilo Stevenson.

III. Mexican Boxing School

General features of the Mexican boxing school:

Mexicans are proud descendants of the Aztecs. Their incredible endurance and performance are worthy of the most flattering epithets. The pain tolerance is amazing. The strength of the body is proportional to the strength of the spirit. Naturally, the method of training boxers is based on these excellent qualities, tested by extreme natural conditions, military conflicts and boxing fights. Pace, stamina, strength and power - that's Mexican boxing;

The national mentality of the Mexicans was best illustrated by Jack London in his short story "The Mexican." Mexicans are a fairly integral, self-sufficient people, where traditions are not forgotten, and freedom was won not in negotiations, but in battle. Willpower, fortitude, contempt for pain and fear, incredible determination - that's strengths their mentality. At the same time, a penchant for easy money inclines many Mexicans to the path of crime, which does not contribute to the concentration of efforts on putting things in order in a country that is far from being the most prosperous. The best qualities of the Mexicans' nature in the ring are expressed in fights of incredible intensity, uncompromising cuttings, in which the strongest and most enduring fighter wins. Mexican boxers have never suffered from lack of will;

Mexican boxing is even more focused on profiling than American boxing. The fact is that the leading incentive to engage in fist sports in Mexico is the improvement of one's own and one's large family's financial situation, and therefore it is not accepted there to devote a lot of time to the "technical" stage of a boxing career - amateur boxing. On the contrary, many Mexican fighters manage to start playing as a pro before they come of age;

As stated above, boxing for Mexicans is much more than a sport and a show. First of all, this is a chance for a lifetime to achieve everything with our labor, to break out of poverty and pull our relatives out of it. The social burden on fist sports in Mexico is enormous, and boxing more than justifies it;

All of the above is what Jose Sulaiman, the patriarch of the Mexico-based WBC, has called a true cultural phenomenon. Contrary to the United States, its northern neighbors, the popularity of boxing in Mexico is incredible. Boxers here are national heroes. The ratings of boxing broadcasts are off the charts. Almost every Saturday, Mexico gathers in front of the TV screens to watch the next evening of boxing. Perhaps this is the only country in the Latin American region in which martial arts successfully compete with football. In the absence of other significant reasons to celebrate their accomplishments, the brilliant victories of Mexican boxers, more than a hundred of whom have already won world titles, largely support the pride and national dignity of Mexicans. As Jose Suleiman concluded, "Mexicans have boxing in their hearts." It is not surprising that boxing gyms in sultry Mexico are everywhere, where possible, and the active rotation of generations does not even allow the public to come to their senses. Eric Morales has not died out yet, and Saul Alvarez has already ascended.

The individual characteristics of the Mexican boxing school are as follows:

To say that Mexican fighters are highly motivated is to say nothing. Perhaps, today it is the most hungry boxing nation for victories, which has not lost its appetite despite the scattering of world champions. Passion, courage, courage in the ring are in the blood of the Mexicans, up to the bravado of the absence of fear of a hail of blows. But - not showmanship a la USA;

In general, the Mexican school can be called a fusion of tempoviks, infighters and security officials who tend to aggravate the situation and exert constant pressure on the enemy, not hesitating to enter into a tough exchange. It is these qualities that are brought up in the Mexicans first of all. The Mexican is a fighter, a warrior, and combat is a battle for him;

Wherein technical training the Mexicans are at a decent level. All the necessary skills for this style of boxing are provided: skillful movement around the ring, active body work, infighting, counter-punching, combinativeness, serial strikes. However, Mexicans often sin with tactical monotony;

The Mexicans are most effective at medium and close range, the ability to use an aggressive offensive manner of fighting at which is the best. Long distance and classic boxing for victory on points for them is already aerobatics, not characteristic of the warlike spirit of the Aztecs;

In general, Mexicans, as already mentioned, are distinguished by phenomenal endurance, very good resilience, which allows them to take a punch perfectly and quickly recover from missed punches, and excellent physical fitness. Since the Mexicans are oversized people, the main (and best) part of their boxers compete in the categories of "flies", and therefore, do not allow themselves to gain extra muscle mass without reference to the development of physical strength, than the same Americans sin;

In the technical profile, Mexicans stand out for their desire to deliver short punches and counterattacks, which are most practical for infighting and counter-punching; preference for a series of punches before betting on a one-hit knockout; the most active work on the body.

Juan Manuel Marquez.

EUROPE

I. Soviet boxing school

General features of the Soviet boxing school:

Unified, scientifically grounded methods of training the Soviet school were instilled throughout the vast expanse Soviet Union... The training programs were standardized and taught in the same vein from Kaliningrad to Kamchatka. Therefore, there is no national basis in the Soviet school. The emphasis was on a scientific approach and practical experience - not on features in the physics and psychology of any ethnic group, since it does not seem realistic to bring the Slavs, the peoples of the Baltic, the Caucasus and Central Asia to a common denominator. This is where the versatility, symmetry, versatility as a strategy for the development of boxers in the USSR come from. Russians, Ukrainians and Belarusians have some peculiarities, Georgians and Armenians have others, Kazakhs and Uzbeks have a third, and Lithuanians have their own specificity. All these basic boxing peoples of the Union constituted the living tissue of the fruits of the science and practice of the Soviet school of boxing;

Accordingly, in place of the national mentality as a distinctive feature of the boxing school, a unified upbringing of the personality of a Soviet citizen was built in as a patriotic, hardworking, obedient, executive, faithful to the ideals of Marxism-Leninism, respectful to elders, civilly active, unassuming of money and material benefits of a sportsman and athlete. Criteria that none of the state and republican leaders met. Of course, there was also a purely Slavic slackness and Caucasian temperament, but they did not play a decisive role. The upbringing of civic qualities in boxers, it must be admitted, gave its result, expressed in victories on a world and continental scale;

The Soviet school was entirely formed for amateur boxing, since the pros were allowed already at the very end of the empire. Boxing was introduced from the West at the end of the 19th century, due to the fact that their own fists did not give any development to the sport. The October Revolution burst out, socialism came, capitalism was declared a fiend of hell, and after it everything that was connected with it. Professional boxing including. And the amateur has its own rules, which require skills other than professional to win. At first, Soviet boxing moved along a tempo, power path, but after the collapse of the national team at the 1956 Olympics, a complete revision of the strategy for the development of fist sports in the USSR took place. It was during the 1960s that the foundations of the Soviet school were laid, designed for use in amateurs with an emphasis on tactical and technical advantage instead of the previous power one;

In the USSR, as in the socialist Cuba that followed its example, the social burden on boxing was not imposed. Boxing was not a means of earning bread. Instead, boxing took on an educational function for young people as a means of developing strength, courage, self-confidence, sports patriotism, and respect for universal moral and ethical principles. Boxing is a dangerous, difficult, but fair sport, sporting and universal norms of behavior in which they themselves were put at the service of the development of a healthy personality;

The popularity, development, government support and the quality of boxing teaching in the USSR were beyond praise. Soviet boxing was so progressive and solid in its foundation that the baggage of the Soviet school, with small cosmetic additives as a result of the assimilation of new professional experience, is still enough for performances at the world level. At the same time, in the countries-heirs of the Soviet school of boxing, there has been an obvious stagnation in the development of the Soviet foundation, which, from the author's point of view, is an unacceptable luxury in conditions of the possibility of adopting the experience of the best foreign masters. Still, the Soviet school has its own, still amateurish shortcomings in the system of training boxers.

Individual characteristics of the Slavic pupils of the Soviet boxing school:

On the whole, Slavic boxers are quite ambitious and motivated, which is especially clearly visible in the amateur ring, where the Soviet tactical and technical base is enough headlong. Emotional problems happen during the profiling. A fighter can simply not withstand the pressure, burn out, perform below his capabilities. The moral and strong-willed qualities of Slavic boxers against the background of the same Mexicans are often not at all impressive, although a special place was given to their development in the Soviet system;

First of all, the Soviet school is distinguished from others by versatility in the training of fighters, rational, competent technique, tactical versatility, the obligatory staging of an accented strike, a combination of high combat skills with excellent physical training. Most Soviet boxers by Western classification were puncher boxers - i.e. representatives of the most effective style of boxing profiling;

A special hobbyhorse of the Soviet school was the well-developed niche of original boxers, in whose technique the individual characteristics of the execution of standard techniques and techniques were organically developed. Such fighters are unpredictable and extremely uncomfortable for opponents;

The actions of the masters of the Soviet school in the ring are distinguished by clarity, rationality, intelligence, not emotions, caution, the refusal of the Soviet school itself to exchange blows, fraught with unmotivated missed punches. The flip side is the poorly developed "killer instinct" - instantly finishing off a shocked opponent. There is also a noticeable lack of flexibility and plasticity, but this problem is a common European one;

The approach to the choice of the boxing distance is purely individual, but the fighters of the Soviet school show themselves best at medium and long distances. Infighting is a flaw in the tactical and technical base of the Soviet boxing school. For maximum effective action at close range, there are not enough skills of lateral movement in the ring, cool body work, the ability to apply cross blocking to protect against uppercuts;

Generally best fighters Soviet schools are distinguished by good physical and functional training. Not being particularly hardy by nature, thanks to hard training, Slavic boxers achieve excellent athletic performance. Heroic traditions are not forgotten here;

In the technical profile of the Soviet school of boxing, there is a noticeable emphasis on direct actions: both vertical movements ("shuttle"), and the stake in the shock arsenal on direct punches and their bundles, which is generally characteristic of European schools. Striking technique is generally better developed than defensive technique.

Kostya Tszyu.

II. German boxing school

General features German school boxing:

The Germans are not endowed with any outstanding physiological advantages. Typical Europeans with a lack of flexibility, plasticity and dexterity, never famous for their heroic strength, in contrast to the same Slavs. The main weapon of the Germans is their kampfgeist, fighting spirit. It is a rare case when mental characteristics are more important than physical ones, including in sports. German boxing is a German national mentality;

It was not without reason that Carl Jung, a German by birth with a Swiss passport, became the founder of the doctrine of archetypes in analytical psychology. A more vividly outlined mental profile than that of his German brothers is difficult to imagine. The Germans are order, discipline, hard work, diligence, pedantry, foresight, a tendency to plan their actions from A to Z, faith in success and perseverance in achieving it. A reflection of these qualities in sports was the motto "order beats class", which has been repeatedly and with excellent results worked in various competitions from football to boxing. Thanks to this mentality of the nation, Germany has become one of the most prosperous countries in the world. Another characteristic of the Germans is a strong, unseen patriotism. The honor of a nation, political or sports, is not an empty phrase for them. The actions of the boxers of the German school are literally saturated with all this. However, what the Germans absolutely lack are inventions and fantasies;

Despite the fact that before the unification of the capitalist FRG with the socialist GDR in 1990, German boxing existed in parallel in two forms - professional in the West and amateur in the East of Germany - the Eastern Ossi did not have any problems with acclimatization to the pros. The traditions of German boxing were established long before the partition of Germany after the Second World War, and their identification was found both in the amateur ring and in the professional one. Moreover, being in the orbit of the Soviet Union allowed the Germans of the East to maximize their experience of confrontations with the advanced Soviet school;

Germany is one of the richest and most socially prosperous countries in the world. Having risen from the ashes of the Hitlerite empire, the Germans, having received American financial support, chose not to plunder it, like their neighbors-Slavs, international loans, but to use it to restore the economy, industry and infrastructure. The results speak for themselves. Therefore, boxing in Germany does not carry a special social burden. There are enough opportunities to find a worthy place in life. Boxing for the Germans is, first of all, a favorite national sport and a means of expressing their warlike nature. Boxing in Germany is also a well-developed sports business industry. Not the Mexican battle for a piece of bread or the obsolete Soviet physical culture "pioneering";

The popularity of boxing in Germany is proportional to the development of its excellent infrastructure. The international experience of the German school is extremely rich. However, the peculiarities of the German national mentality play the role of a limiting factor in the development of the tactical and technical base of fist sports in Germany. German boxers and foreign students of the German school have a number of shortcomings that do not allow them to jump over their heads and force local managers to be extremely selective in the selection of opposition to their wards. Similar German boxing does not paint.

Individual characteristics of the pupils of the German boxing school:

Typical pupils of the German school are distinguished by a high motivation for success and good stamina in battle, patience and endurance. However, the ability to act through “I can’t”, to reverse the unsuccessful course of the fight, to rebuild is not always enough for them. Fighting spirit is capable of providing stamina and survivability, but it is not able to compensate for the limited tactical and technical arsenal of combat skills. Boxing is not football, where quality deficiencies are covered up by the zeal of quantity. This is a one-to-one sport;

The German boxing school, as precisely noted in the Soviet educational film "Peculiarities of National Boxing Schools", is distinguished by "a high degree of automatism in the techniques performed. They (the German boxers) seem to be programmed for the whole fight. " Unswerving adherence to the tactical pattern chosen for battle, on the one hand, allows German boxers to conduct a tight, well-thought-out battle, but on the other hand, it limits tactical maneuver and deprives the ability to adapt to a changeable situation in the ring and a non-standard opponent. Being under the guidance of German coaches inevitably affects the boxing style of any fighter, adding to it a share of mechanism and monotony;

Representatives of the German school box boxing mainly at a long distance, which allows you to safely fight from under a high closed rack and avoid force majeure situations of infighting and counter-punching;

A positive quality of the German school is German pedantry, accuracy in the techniques used, perfection in the given maneuvers, perseverance in the ring despite the resistance. The disadvantage is the extreme limitation of the arsenal, monotony and repetition in the techniques, and therefore their predictability. The Germans lack the ability to improvise as such, including in boxing;

A characteristic feature of the fighters of the German school is good physical fitness and functional readiness, although they are generally not called first-class athletes;

The technical profile of the German school is very poor: straightforward movement in the ring, limited, closed passive defenses, a bet on direct punches connected in the simplest combinations, bad body work and the general absence of feints.

Felix Sturm.

III.English boxing school

General features of the English boxing school:

The British are arguably the most athletic nation on the planet. Physical exercises and all sorts sport competitions up to the most seemingly frivolous, this is something without which it is simply impossible to imagine the Anglo-Saxons. It is not surprising that it was the British who showed the world football and boxing, which they adopted from the ancient Roman wild cruelty and brought to mind. The British are hardy, physically strong, athletic people who know a lot about a good fight. Passion and cockiness are in their blood. Therefore, all these qualities simply could not but form the basis oldest school boxing, which has been continuously counting for more than four centuries;

The modern English nation is the product of complex and contradictory historical processes, in the course of which Anglo-Saxon practicality and Viking courage, Norman discipline and Celtic romance were mixed. England is the birthplace of such wonderful concepts as a knight and a gentleman, but the same England is a country of thugs and robbers from the high road. All this is cemented by traditionalism and conservatism, effectively repelling outside influences. English boxers are no less paradoxical. Real knights without fear and reproach like Bob Fitzsimmons, Henry Cooper or Lennox Lewis on the one hand, and furious bullies and brawlers from pubs on the other. All of them share a passion for sports matches and a strong character, not allowing to give up;

England is the birthplace of modern professional and amateur boxing. Both the one and the other enjoy deserved respect and attention in Foggy Albion, in contrast to America, which is closed on profiling. These are links of one continuous chain of a boxer's development, not opposed to the detriment of each other, but complementary;

Despite the fact that England is a fairly wealthy country, the working class and the gopnic element in it are quite significant. This is mixed with numerous migrants from Africa, Asia and the former imperial colonies, arriving in search of a means of earning a living. For this reason, the social burden in English boxing is quite in demand. The local boxing community is rich with pub patrons like Ricky Hatton and ex-criminals like Richard Towers, immigrants like Amir Khan and gentlemen like David Price. All of them are driven both by love for fist sports and by the benefits that it brings;

Boxing has enjoyed unwavering popularity in Britain since the days of James Figg, the founder of the first modern championship lineup. English boxing tradition is second to none. The infrastructure is great. The English coaching corps is one of the most experienced and highly qualified. All this makes the English boxing school one of the leading and progressive in Europe and the world.

Individual features of the English boxing school:

English boxers are tough and courageous fighters, on top of that they are correct. They do not always have enough innate talent, like the dark-skinned masters of America and Cuba, or the instinct of a predator, like the Mexicans, but they have no character. Foreign pupils of the English school may show some slack in this, but even among them willpower is usually absorbed by purely English;

The English school is built on typical European advantages: good physical data, athleticism, perseverance, tactical and technical skill. There is no Cuban or American extravaganza in it, however, it is also devoid of German mechanism and monotony. In the Old World, the English school is, in general terms, the closest to the Soviet one. Its dark-skinned pupils are distinguished by such additional advantages as flexibility, dexterity, plasticity, acute reaction;

The British act in the ring in a collected manner, calmly, preferring a long distance, if it is available due to physical data, or an average one. Hard exchanges of blows in infighting are usually avoided. They move well, possess good body protections;

A separate group of boxers that fall out of the common distinctive features of the English school are strong black punchers, who, to the detriment of their technical skill, prefer to attack in chaotic series of sweeping accented punches. They are Herbie Hyde, David Haye, Derek Chisora, Larry Olubamivo, Mike Perez, who trains in Britain;

White English boxers cannot always boast of brilliant athleticism, periodically suffering from a love of beer and delicious food, unlike their dark-skinned counterparts, however, their stamina, endurance and physical strength compensate for this disadvantage;

The technical profile is twofold: the basis of the English school is direct strikes and their combinations, with well-placed hooks and uppercuts, the technique as a whole is balanced and rational, while many dark-skinned "strikers" prefer sweeping spurts and chaotic finishing moves, set an order of magnitude weaker than the American standard ...

Calzaghe.