Despite their impressive heights and muscles, requirements for any super heavyweight boxer, José Ángel Larduet and Yoandi Toirac feel small compared to the pride they show for belonging to the team representing Cuba in the fourth edition of the World Series of Boxing. Both are overwhelmed by the urge to get into the ring at every opportunity they get to help the Domadores to win in its first participation in the event of higher quality organized by the International Boxing Association (amateur)(AIBA ) .
However, fate had to do with the fact that two such impetuous fighters coincide in time and space in the same division, what, along perhaps other coincidences like that Larduet is from Santiago and Toirac from Havana, explosive combination in Cuba when it comes to sports showdown, has motivated both fighters recognize each other as their main adversary, regardless of the quality and merits foreign rivals might have.
Clashes between them from last year to date have brought show to a division many already dismissed as boring because ended in hugs and grips between two sweaty behemoths that just moved and threw very little.
Toirac transferred from juvenile to adult category with overwhelming path, defeating far more experienced heavyweights as Erislandy Savon and the very José Ángel Larduet. He became National champion in the senior category and already won the national tournaments Giraldo Cordova Cardin and the Roberto Balado Cup, competitions in which he defeated his archrival , along with the gold obtained in the Pan American Championships in Chile and Magadan tournament Russia , merits which earned him being named as the best rookie of the Cuban sports movement in 2013.
But in the fifty-second Playa Girón National Boxing Tournament, held in Sancti Spiritus last December, Larduet made him pay for his bravery and unanimously beat him for the title that he had won the previous year. This last victory undoubtedly must have contributed for Larduet to recover his self-confidence and now he claims he is the first figure of the national team at +91 kg, although many specialists think Toirac should have such distinction.
In this World Series, the performances of both fighters are not enough to decline the balance either. If we want to make an objective comparison then we must await the outcome of the fight on Wednesday between Toirac and Russian Maxim Babanin in the last match of the qualifying stage for both to have a pair of presentations in the WSB. So far Larduet’s balance is a victory against Mexican Guerrero Gerardo Miguel Bisbal and a loss by TKO against the Croatian Filip Hrgovic, member of the Kazakhstan’s Astana Arlans . This action placed him in the fifteenth spot of the AIBA ranking while Toirac ranks ninth thanks to his only fight in the series when he had a TKO victory against Ukrainian Sergiy Werwejko fighting for the Polish Hussars.
The rivalry between these super heavyweights, their alternating wins and the lack of an absolute domination of one over the other, were special incentive for our recent visit to the National School of Boxing in Wajay where we talked to both asked them for their expectations in the World Series and their views on the high temperature of the division.
What do you think of the Domadores in this World Series and specifically of your performance?
We are a pretty young but eager team and craving for a good result in the tournament and to get as far as possible. We were placed in the Death Group and yet we are going leading it because we have the drive, strength and enough quality to beat our opponents.
We are having a good preparation and designed a good strategy before fighting with each team. We long passing smoothly these quarterfinals that is of sudden death and we will not stop until will win the competition.
In my specific case, from the Playa Giron tournament I have been with an injury that has been bothering me a lot and prevent me from training to train me one hundred percent. Now I’m in recovery and I will not participate in the next match against Russia to be in perfect condition for the quarter-final against the United States.
What differences do you notice between this type of boxing you are facing in the World Series and the one you were accustomed to with headgear, fewer rounds and different scoring system?
For me it’s basically the same boxing but with some peculiarities. This requires more training and dedication from us. Psychologists and physicians work hard with us because the preparation has to be very comprehensive and we should be good both physically and mentally to be level with the rest of the boxers who have more experience than us in this type of tournament.
The super heavyweight division is for many one of the closest in the national team for the rivalry between Yoandi Toirac and you. What do you think about it?
Since I boxed in 81 kg I have had have great rivals in the country. I’ve never had it easy because we have always been the two fighting to be the number one. Now in this division, that is happening to me with Toirac.
I’ve been lucky, because I see it as a good thing, to have quality fighters in my division. Toirac and I won interchangeably and you can count on both of us to face any tournament at the same level. Both are able to give the best and we do our best every time we climb into the ring to bring victory.
Is that sports rivalry affects your personal relationships or the day to day life here at school?
We really do not have the best friendship that people could imagine. But whenever one needs some help we two are ready to help. We greeted each other with no problem and we have no personal grudge. We know that our rivalry is in the ring, where the best wins, and not out of it.
For example, now to the match with Russia I talk with him without problems. I’d say, “Look, get ready because I am injured, you’ll fight a quality fighter, and you should get the win.” So we help each other.
And beyond Toirac and you, how are the relationships among all Domadores here in the school?
We all get along. We are very young and we are always having fun, telling stories and laughing. Sometimes when we go out together when training gives us chance. Most fighters know each other since they were children and studied in EIDE1 and ESPA2. The friendship we have is pretty good.
What does it mean to participate in this World Series of Boxing for Toirac?
For me it is an honor to be participating in a tournament of this level despite my youth. I’ve had other international experiences but this World Series is one that requires the most from us and motivates us. We get to face quality fighters in a quite spectacular competitive system.
What differences do you see between this boxing series and other competitions in which you had participated?
It is a completely different boxing that when we were doing three rounds. In earlier competitions the score was blow for blow and while you were scoring you were going out, you could play with the score. Now you have to put forth all the time if you want to win and maintain consistency throughout the fight even if you think you’re winning.
Then how do you prepare to face this system?
I still basing mainly on leg movements to not lose speed because this is a key win in this division, where the norm is heavy and slow fighters. If you move and you manage to beat them in quickly, have an important percentage to your advantage to take the win. I am working hard on my punch.
For many your division still remains without a definitive leader. Now is shared between you and Larduet How do you characterize the rivalry between you?
It is true that our division is very hot and there is much rivalry, but we know that in the ring is one thing and another when we are out, so we get along just fine. The relationship between us is like everything, sometimes good, sometimes better and sometimes a bit tense. There may be friction over due to competitiveness but in general we don’t let sports results interfere in personal relationships.
You’re going to the match with Russia on Wednesday do you have any information on your opponent; you’ve drawn a specific strategy?
I’m going to Russia with the same winning mentality that I always get in the ring with. Although I have no information on my hand and I could not see his fights so far, I’m getting ready to give everything as if I were to fight the best in the world.
How is everyday at school in the middle of a competition like this?
I have been a little over a year in school and I’ve always felt good, but in these days of World Series relations between us are better because in addition to the personal and training, we can speak of our actions and get advice.
Training as a rule occupies most of our time, is the fundamental whether there competencies or not. Leaves no room for other things but we always find time to share with us and fulfill our family obligations.
And the Domadores in general what are expectations or goals in the tournament?
We, Domadores, are aware that we have to go for it, and tear our opponents heads off if necessary, even more from the quarterfinals when facing America. We all want to help the team get the first place. We must succeed.
1 Sports Initiation School.
2 Superior School for Athletic Performance.
By: Gabriel Rodriguez
Author
Redacción OnCuba
