Cuban Boxing

Alongside baseball, boxing is one of the most popular sports in Cuba.

If you want to get to know a country, it’s important to see which sports its people are interested in. In Cuba, boxers are highly regarded and the sport is a huge part of the culture.

Youngsters train in local gyms with minimal resources, competing to become the best in their neighborhood, city and state. From here, they are sent to national competitions, and then on to international events such as the Olympics.

Cuba has traditionally won plenty of medals at Olympic boxing events, and that success is built in basic local gyms. Wander down to the Rafael Trejo gym in Old Havana to see how the next generation of Cuban boxers are being formed. You are allowed in to take photos, although you should leave a voluntary contribution if you do.

The Cuban boxing style is different from many others, prizing agility and grace over raw power. It has been said that to box in Cuba you have to know how to dance, so footwork is a major focus of training.

Whether you are a boxing fan or just intrigued to see how many Cubans spend their free time, visiting a boxing gym is an interesting experience.