#WSBV Acebal: “We always compete away at the key events, so our athletes have completely adapted to this. We completely trust the Referees and Judges”
17 June 2015
WSBV Cuba
Rolando Acebal has been widely regarded as one of the most successful boxing coaches in the world since he began his career in 1978. Acebal is the Head Coach of Cuba Domadores, and also the Technical Director of the Cuban Olympic National Team, which includes many of the Domadores squad.
Always keeping up to date with the latest developments in the sport, Acebal recertified as a Level 3 Coach during the AIBA World Boxing Championships Almaty 2013 in Kazakhstan.
Cuba’s championship victory in Season IV was expertly masterminded by Acebal, and he has led the Franchise to remain undefeated in Season V ahead of their second consecutive WSB Finals.
With just days to go until Cuba Domadores meet Astana Arlans Kazakhstan, WSB caught up the legendary boxing mastermind to get his thoughts on the upcoming Finals, and Cuba’s season so far.
First of all, congratulations on reaching the WSB Finals for the second consecutive Season. What does such a magnificent success mean for Cuba Domadores?
The return to the WSB Finals means that Cuban boxing is working the correct way in order to reconquer the glory of our previous generations. It also means that we can fulfil our duty for all of the people who give us a lot of support.
This Season we saw new faces in the Cuban team, including young Light flyweight (49 kg) Joahnys Argialgos Pérez (49 kg), and Bantamweight (56 kg) Andy Cruz. How do you feel they performed?
The young boxers have developed well this Season, and they represent the hard work we put in to ensure we always have quality in the team.
Yosbany Veitia surprisingly moved up a weight class before the start of Season V, and his move has been a successful one as he has remained undefeated. What do you think about the change?
There is a phrase which says that quality does not have a price, and Veitia has showed that he can fight well in the higher weight division.
During the Pre-Season we saw a clash between Astana Arlans and Cuba Domadores in Kazakhstan, which was won by Cuba. Will you be able to replicate that performance once more?
We have trained very well, and the result should be a positive one for us, especially because our boxers now have more experience.
How are you preparing for the Final with your team? Could we see any surprises?
The surprises should come in the overall fight performances, in the way the boxers compete during each match, and not in the ultimate result.
Cuba will compete away in Kazakhstan with Astana Arlans enjoying home advantage. Will that matter?
We always compete away at the key events, so our athletes have completely adapted to this. We completely trust the Referees and Judges.
One of the most highly anticipated matches in the Finals will be a clash between two of the best Heavyweight boxers in the world when Erislandy Savon and Vasilii Levit take to the ring. What we can expect from this contest?
The bout between Savon and Levit should be a great fight, and Savon should take the victory.
Which Kazakh boxers will be the most dangerous fighters to compete against in the Finals?
I think that they all are good, but we are well prepared to face them.
When did you start your career in boxing?
I started boxing with a group of friends when I was 12-years-old.
What does boxing mean for you and your life?
For me, boxing represents my entire professional life.
Which boxers from the past have inspired you the most? And which boxer that you have trained has given you the most pride?
The past boxer who inspired me most as a trainer was Félix Savon, and now I work with his nephew, Erislandy Savon which is special for me.
*Quick questions
- World Series of Boxing – The renaissance of boxing
- Astana Arlans Kazakhstan – A great opponent
- Cuba Domadores – The best team
- WSB Finals – Repeating the success
- Boxing is – The best
- My hero is – Teófilo Stevenson
- My favourite food is – Fish
- My favourite drink is – Beer
- How I see my future – To continue winning things
- A Knockout for me is – A show
- My dream is – To win all of the titles
