The United States has a long and storied history in boxing at the Olympics, with a number of iconic moments. The most famous of these is probably the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” when the U.S. men’s hockey team defeated the Soviet Union in the gold medal game.
But the U.S. has also had success in other sports at the Olympics, including boxing. In fact, the United States is one of the most successful countries in Olympic boxing history, with 108 medals (52 gold, 27 silver, and 29 bronze).
USA vs Cuba Boxing Olympics
One of the biggest rivals for the United States in Olympic boxing has been Cuba. The two countries have met numerous times in Olympic competition, with some truly memorable bouts taking place.
Here are some of the most notable meetings between the United States and Cuba in Olympic boxing history:
1952 Helsinki Olympics: Bantamweight final – Pedro Chacón (CUB) def. Esteban de Jesús (USA)
1960 Rome Olympics: Light heavyweight final – Eduardo Corredor (CUB) def. Zbigniew Pietrzykowski (POL)
1984 Los Angeles Olympics: Light welterweight semifinal – Pernell Whitaker (USA) def. Roger Mayweather (USA)
1988 Seoul Olympics: Flyweight final – Kelvin Seabrooks (USA) def. Willie Pep (USA)
Cuba has Also had a Number of Standout Moments in Olympic Boxing, Most Notably Their Upset of the United States in the 1992 Olympics
Cuba has also had a number of standout moments in Olympic boxing, most notably their upset of the United States in the 1992 Olympics. Fidel Castro’s communist regime didn’t allow Cuban athletes to compete in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, so many of the country’s top boxers ended up defecting. The 1992 Games were held in Barcelona, just a few hundred miles from Cuba, and the Cuban team was able to hand the American squad its worst Olympic defeat ever.
The United States vs. Cuba in Boxing at the Olympics is Always a Highly Anticipated Matchup, and one That Often has Significant Implications for the Medal Count
The United States and Cuba have been two of the top boxing nations in the world for many years, and their rivalry has been well-documented. The two countries have met numerous times in international competitions, but perhaps the most highly anticipated matchup between them is at the Olympic Games.
The United States and Cuba have met in the boxing ring at the Olympics a total of seven times, with the United States holding a 5-2 record. The most recent meeting between the two nations was in 2012, when Claressa Shields won a gold medal for the United States in the women’s middleweight division.
The United States vs. Cuba in boxing at the Olympics is always a highly anticipated matchup, and one that often has significant implications for the medal count.
The United States Holds a Slight Edge in the all-time Series Between the two Countries, but Cuba has had Recent Success, Winning the Last Three Meetings
The United States holds a slight edge in the all-time series between the two countries, but Cuba has had recent success, winning the last three meetings. The most recent meeting was a rematch of the 1996 Olympic final, which the United States won 15-13. Cuba won the rematch 12-11.
The United States will Look to Regain the Edge in the all-time Series and add to Their Medal Count in Boxing at the Olympics When They Take on Cuba in the 2016 Olympics
The United States leads the all-time series against Cuba in boxing at the Olympics, 8-5. The United States has won five gold medals, one silver medal, and two bronze medals in boxing at the Olympics. Cuba has won three gold medals, one silver medal, and one bronze medal in boxing at the Olympics.