Title/Author:
“A Cuban Boxer’s Journey:
Guillermo Rigondeaux – From Castro’s Traitor to America’s Champion” by Brin-Jonathan Butler
Tags:
Boxing, history, professional, politics
Publish date:
June 3, 2014
Length:
192 pages
Rating:
4 of 5 stars (very good)
Review:
Guillermo Rigondeaux
was a two-time Olympic boxing champion for Cuba who decided to take a shot at
the big money of professional boxing in America. Unlike the boxer to whom he was often
compared, Teofilo Stevenson, he didn’t believe that just the admiration of his
countrymen was the best he could do in the sport. Rigondeaux’s tale of pursing the American
Dream and what his cost to him and his family is chronicled in this enjoyable
work by Brin-Jonathan Butler.
After Fidel Castro
called Rigondeaux a “traitor” after the latter’s failed defection to Brazil in
2007, the young boxer became a “canary in a coal mine” as he later hopped
aboard smuggler’s boat and fought in the United
States, including on the undercard of a Manny Pacquio fight held at Cowboys
Stadium in Dallas where he performed well in front of the largest crowd he had
seen.
While the coverage of
Rigondeaux’s boxing matches and career is interesting and makes a good book by
itself, Butler’s work shines even brighter when he writes about the struggles
of the young man in both Cuba and the United States and how the two cultures
can share in the difficulties in his decision to turn professional. There are
also interviews with other Cuban boxers to give the reader a good picture of
the Cuban boxing culture and the stories of struggles by Rigondeaux in both
nations and how he overcame them are gripping and the best part of this
book. It is one that is recommended by
anyone who enjoys reading about boxing, politics and different cultures.
Book Format Read:
E-book (Nook)
Buying Links:
No comments:
Post a Comment