BRAGGINGRIGHTSCORNER: “A History of Cuban Boxers: The Last Generation of Pro Fighters”, por Robert Cassidy (Part I)

Florentino Fernández closes his eyes and the vision still appears. He will feel a warm summer breeze or hear the ocean gently wash up on the sand, and suddenly it brings him home. Even after four decades, the beauty of his homeland remains vivid. The memories are both pleasant and painful, as they send him back to places and faces he wishes to see. But he knows that some wishes aren't meant to come true.
“I miss Cuba very much,” he said. “I miss the family and friends I left behind. I miss the beaches, the beautiful people, the view of Malecon (Havana's busiest street). I miss the Cuba of 42 years ago.”
Fernandez was among a few dozen professional fighters who left Cuba after Fidel Castro's rise to power. The lot included Luis Rodriguez, Benny Paret, Isaac Logart, Doug Vaillant, Sugar Ramos, Jose Legra and Jose Napoles. They represent the finest and —until some recent defections— the last generation of pro boxers the island nation has produced.