There’s something slightly O Fenômeno about Cuba’s latest heavyweight talent, Jose Larduet (4-0, 3 KOs). That grinning, innocent face with a wide jaw line – enjoying success in his chosen sport and defying those who’d never believed in him – was refreshing to see.
Comparing Jose Larduet now to the outstanding Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima is a bit of a stretch when considering achievements in their respective sports, but equally, they both understand what it’s like to struggle chasing greatness. And it’s that smile painted across the face of the unbeaten heavyweight that looks familiar; it’s an unassuming mixture of passion and drive.
Ahead of Cuban prospect Larduet’s next contest on December 19th, he spoke to Boxing Social about life estranged from his family after his defection to Germany in 2019, and talked of climbing the rankings in boxing’s money division: “My childhood was very tough. My father died when I was only nine-years old, and so my mother had to work hard to support me and my two other brothers. I do everything for my mother, Isabel.
“I started boxing in Cuba through sports classes at school; I tried it and I immediately liked it. Boxing inspired me when I saw the Olympic finals on TV in 2000 in Sydney – Felix Savon won the gold medal there,” admitted Larduet, presumably like so many other Cuban boxers of his era.
Boxing is not just a ‘career’ in Havana, Guantanamo or Santiago – it’s an entire culture.
“My amateur career was actually very successful. I fought about 270 amateur fights, of which 238 were successful. Successes included being named three-time Cuban Junior Champion, three-time Cuban Adult Champion, winning gold at the Junior World Championship, bronze at the World Championships, finishing fifth at the Olympic Games in London, and having three wins at AIBA World Series of Boxing. That’s what really shaped my career.
That dazzling amateur tenure came to an abrupt halt during a training camp in September 2019, as the Cuban nation team prepared for the AIBA World Championships that were set to be held in Yekaterinburg, Russia. Larduet decided enough was enough, and risked losing the respect of his own people. Like so many successful Cuban amateurs before him, Jose was in search of professional success and financial stability; and there’s still a long way to go.
Now 30-years old and approaching his physical peak, Larduet is in no doubt that he’s made the right choice: “I played with the thought of leaving Cuba several times. I love my country, but I wanted to compete with the best boxers in the world. For that, I had to take the step away from Cuba since professional sports are prohibited there. Unfortunately, the Cuban Boxing Association does not support its boxers enough and the financial aspect [of living] is very difficult at home.
“I left my mother, brothers, friends and family behind. I had to shed a lot of tears when I started my life again in Germany. But I don’t regret doing it for a second. I have daily telephone contact with Cuba, and on Facetime I can see my family. I am very comforted by the fact that I can support them financially from Germany in order to enable them to live a better life.
“I was one of the best amateurs in the world in my class, but I had nothing in my pocket. It’s not fair. That’s why I wanted to give myself the chance to make my dream come true. And I can live this dream with Universum Boxing Promotions in Hamburg, Germany.
On December 19th, Larduet is set to fight Marcos Antonio Aumada; he is expected to win in dominant fashion. His opponent already has nine losses on his ledger, but at this stage, it’s about regular activity. Jose’s relationship with Hamburg-based Universum Boxing Promotions has eased his transition from amateur to professional, and from Cuba to Germany.
Universum had been the team backing Larduet’s trainer, and long-time cruiserweight world champion, Juan Carlos Gomez during his own professional career post-defection, also facilitating the transitions of former heavyweight world title challenger Odlanier Solis, and former featherweight world champion Yuriorkis Gamboa.
Matchmaker and manager Flavio Oleaga Mirabal has frequently referred to his younger Cuban charge as the company’s “future world champion,” and they certainly believe it. Wins over nameless professionals have afforded them the opportunity to build his profile, but soon, stiffer tests will be expected if boxing is to take serious notice.
“With Universum I found a new family,” said the 30-year old. “Universum opened the doors for me and made my dream possible; they made it reality. The whole team supports me and gives me the strength to develop further. Flavio plays the biggest role of all. He is my manager and my confidante.
“He brought me to Universum and negotiated, and he made everything possible there. He has worked for great Cuban champions like my trainer Juan Carlos Gomez, Yuriorkis Gamboa and Odlanier Solis. He does a great job and he is an important part of Universum. I wouldn’t be here without Flavio.
“My experience as an amateur helps me because I realise, I am very superior to many boxers. I see that in sparring and in my previous fights. It is very important to me to have a well-structured training team and strong sparring partners to develop myself further. I just have to learn to use the right tactics to manage my strength and stamina for additional rounds.
With an excellent team pushing him, and with a passion for boxing evident during the short time we’d spent talking, it seems that Jose Larduet is determined to make a dent as a heavyweight. Big fights are already queueing at the top of the division, but fighters leaving Cuba under the cover of darkness know better than most that patience is a virtue.
“I look from fight to fight. My goal is to climb the rankings next year. And from this path, I will slowly but surely approach the world champions. The moment will come when they can no longer avoid me.”