Havana Travel Forum

Hi

Does anyone know where there is a good place to watch and also to train boxing in Havana?

I fancy spending a week seeing how the cubans train.

I previously trained in New York and Bangkok so it would be intersting to see how there style contrasts I noticed they have different footwork to all the other latin boxers.

Many Thanks

I don't know the answer to your question, but I have a friend over there who would know as he boxes himself and watches it whenever he gets a chance. You could make contact with him when you are over there, but Cubans having contact with tourists causes all sorts of problems, unless they have a legitimate reason (ie are casa owners, tour guides etc).

That's a good point I'd completlety forgot about the tourist seperation bit.
I guess I'll have to settle for the hotel gym.

I'll ask my friend when I email him next. It might be possible for him to meet up with you, but I don't want to cause problems for him. There is a law in Cuba against Cubans hassling tourists. The police often use it to give out hefty on the spot fines if they see Cubans talking to tourists (they earn between 200 to 400 Cuban pesos per month and the fines are 600 pesos or more). This is more likely if the Cuban is black, as my friend is. I'm just explaining why I was hesitant in suggesting he could help you find out about boxing there.

I understand, on both points I here the Cuban police are really corrupt, as I spend 3 months of every year in Thailand it will be intersting to see who is the most corrupt.

I grew up in Apartide South Africa it's a shame in life that sort of sh*t stills goes on. But in Thailand it's funny it's the white guy that gets stopped for no reason and asked for a bribe, same ugly act different culture.