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A Cuban Boxer's Journey: Guillermo Rigondeaux, from Castro's Traitor to American Champion
THE STORY OF CUBAN BOXER AND POLITICAL PARIAH GUILLERMO RIGONDEAUX’S HARROWING DECISION TO DEFECT IN HOPES OF REAPING THE REWARDS OF THE AMERICAN DREAM.“What is one million dollars compared to the love of eight million Cubans?”
This was the question posed by legendary boxer Teofilo Stevenson in the 1970s, crowned by many as the Muhammad Ali of Cuba, in response to an offer of five million dollars to leave his island to fight Ali. But not all Cubans have come to the same conclusion, let alone with such apparent ease. Guillermo Rigondeaux, the heir to Stevenson’s throne and two-time Olympic champion, sacrificed everything he had in his home country—his wife, his son, his government-subsidized car and house, as well as universal reverence among his fellow citizens—to try to make it in the mecca of big money boxing, the United States of America. But has the chance to make good in America been worth the loss of his national identity and the love of his countrymen? And to what extent has he been corrupted by the promise of untold riches?
In A Cuban Boxer’s Journey from Traitor to Champion, author, filmmaker and journalist Brin-Jonathan Butler chronicles the fascinating and tumultuous career of Rigondeaux—moody, driven, and almost mythically talented––as he attempts to capture the elusive and often punishing American Dream. See how this athlete’s most daunting challenge becomes how he can survive the complex forces outside of the ring.
This was the question posed by legendary boxer Teofilo Stevenson in the 1970s, crowned by many as the Muhammad Ali of Cuba, in response to an offer of five million dollars to leave his island to fight Ali. But not all Cubans have come to the same conclusion, let alone with such apparent ease. Guillermo Rigondeaux, the heir to Stevenson’s throne and two-time Olympic champion, sacrificed everything he had in his home country—his wife, his son, his government-subsidized car and house, as well as universal reverence among his fellow citizens—to try to make it in the mecca of big money boxing, the United States of America. But has the chance to make good in America been worth the loss of his national identity and the love of his countrymen? And to what extent has he been corrupted by the promise of untold riches?
In A Cuban Boxer’s Journey from Traitor to Champion, author, filmmaker and journalist Brin-Jonathan Butler chronicles the fascinating and tumultuous career of Rigondeaux—moody, driven, and almost mythically talented––as he attempts to capture the elusive and often punishing American Dream. See how this athlete’s most daunting challenge becomes how he can survive the complex forces outside of the ring.
- GenresSportsNonfiction
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 3, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 11, 2016
Like Vladk says, there is some stunning writing here. Butler doesn't take sides, but he has a lot of powerful insights about the bigger picture of these dying days of Cuba under Castro and the equally flawed American Dream, as experienced and symbolized by these Olympic boxers who risk it all to get to Miami and then find that in big ways, they've just exchanged nightmares.
I've followed Butler's other "sports" writing--it's much more than that--he got the last interview before Cuban champion Teofilo Stevenson died recently, and that interview breaks your heart. Butler had to get out of Cuba fast after that. So much passion and soul in this book, which may well be the last inside glimpse before everything changes in Cuba after Castro's gone. The writing here blew me away.
I've followed Butler's other "sports" writing--it's much more than that--he got the last interview before Cuban champion Teofilo Stevenson died recently, and that interview breaks your heart. Butler had to get out of Cuba fast after that. So much passion and soul in this book, which may well be the last inside glimpse before everything changes in Cuba after Castro's gone. The writing here blew me away.
January 3, 2015
Esta obra de Brin-Jonathan Butler no es solo una biografía de Guillermo Rigondeaux, es también un testimonio de los boxeadores cubanos, de aquellos en el exilio y de los que se quedaron en la Habana, de los que fueron una vez encumbrados como héroes de la revolución y que después fueron perseguidos y llevados hacia el ostracismo por ser, según las palabras del sátrapa, viles traidores a la patria. Si Teófilo Stevenson y Félix Savón habían rechazados ofertas millonarias para enfrentarse a Muhammad Ali y Mike Tyson respectivamente, Guillermo Rigondeaux no tardó en ser seducido por la oportunidad de triunfar no para una ideología sino para sí mismo.
August 25, 2014
For a first time author, this is a really good book. At some places the book feels like a personal blog post rather than a book and the accompanying pictures, taken by an amateur, reinforce this. However, this goes along well with aim of the book as I understood it. It was as much a journey for the author as it was for Rigondeaux and the book succeeds in this.
August 2, 2017
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.
http://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/201...
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.
http://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/201...
June 7, 2014
Great behind the scenes look into the finest boxer alive today, Rigo. Good back story about Cuba and defection. Excellent writing style as well. Very enjoyable read, hard to put down. I only wish there was more discussion about his methodical, technical style and training habits.
June 21, 2014
Butler brings out the paradoxes of being a fighter in Cuba and being confronted with decisions that no human being should have to make.
February 17, 2018
Brilliant account of the plight Cuban Boxers Face
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: book
From: Glen Sharp
Sent: Saturday, February 17, 2018, 9:30 AM
To: "glensharp33@gmail com"
CC:
"A Cuban Boxer's Journey" is the journalistic account of a human tragedy told with plots and subplots, less dramatic in presentation than something that might be seen on Broadway, but no less profound. With little innocence to be found among his cast of players, including the enigmatic protagonist and great boxer, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Butler soulfully describes the horrendous choices that Cuban boxers must make with the enticing "freedom" of America only a few miles away.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: book
From: Glen Sharp
Sent: Saturday, February 17, 2018, 9:30 AM
To: "glensharp33@gmail com"
CC:
"A Cuban Boxer's Journey" is the journalistic account of a human tragedy told with plots and subplots, less dramatic in presentation than something that might be seen on Broadway, but no less profound. With little innocence to be found among his cast of players, including the enigmatic protagonist and great boxer, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Butler soulfully describes the horrendous choices that Cuban boxers must make with the enticing "freedom" of America only a few miles away.
August 1, 2014
Butler se la jugó en grande: invirtió toda su fortuna y credibilidad periodística en escribir un libro sobre el boxeador que ha sido considerado por HBO, ESPN, The New Yorker y otra larga lista de medios, como el más aburrido del planeta Tierra. No sólo eso: él, o su editor, o ambos quizás, eligieron un título que, si bien podría atraer al sector de los lectores que disfrutan de las telenovelas del Sueño Americano, posiblemente aleje a todos los que no, que son muchos. Vaya apuesta.
Felizmente para Butler –y para el lector–, cuando uno recorre las páginas del libro, este dista de ser una historia hollywoodense de “un hombre hacia la libertad” y se convierte, más bien, en dos cosas: un entrañable reportaje sobre el mundo boxístico de Cuba y Estados Unidos, con todo y su fauna –boxeadores legendarios como Teófilo Stevenson y Félix Savón, en Cuba, gangsters de Miami, extraficantes de cocaína, boxeadoras que trabajan en su tiempo libre en un table dance de EU– y un candoroso recuento de las peripecias por las que tiene que pasar un periodista novato –el propio Butler– para hacer la investigación que se transformará en el libro sobre Rigondeaux y en un documental sobre el boxeo cubano, Split Decision.
Esto no quiere decir que, en el libro de Butler, la historia de Guillermo Rigondeaux pase a un segundo plano. Los admiradores del boxeador cubano podrán sentirse satisfechos con el nítido retrato que de él hace Butler mientras lo acompaña en una parte de su largo recorrido hacia el estrellato, desde La Habana en 2007, cuando Rigondeaux se encuentra en una virtual reclusión doméstica por haber intentado desertar del equipo nacional durante los Panamericanos de Brasil, pasando por su huida a los Estados Unidos en 2009, hasta su épica pelea contra Nonito Donaire en 2013, cuando Rigondeaux unifica los títulos supergallo de la AMB y la OMB. O puede que los admiradores no se sientan tan satisfechos, después de todo. El libro de Butler se puede comparar con algunas biografías que, por el modo en que acumulan atributos oscuros sobre el biografiado apagan el deseo en el lector de toparse algún día con este por las calles. “Materialista”, “triste”, “amargo”, son algunos de los epítetos con los que Butler caracteriza la personalidad de un hombre cuya última aspiración es, simple y llanamente, dejar de ser un símbolo de congruencia en su madre patria –como lo fueran Teófilo Stevenson y Félix Savón– y convertirse en un individuo y en un boxeador profesional. Volviendo a los admiradores de Rigondeaux, si bien podrán sentirse defraudados ante el hecho de que su héroe no tenga ni el ingenio de Muhammad Alí, el don de gentes que ostenta Pacquiao, ni la divertida bravuconería de Zab Judah, sí que tiene la determinación para lanzarse de bruces, como lo dice Butler en su libro, hacia el abismo capitalista. Y deberían sentirse agradecidos, también, con el autor del libro, quien no sucumbe a la tentación de matizar el carácter unidimensional del protagonista de la historia; en vez, se apega al viejo principio periodístico de la objetividad y le entrega al lector el trazado preciso de un hombre que desea, como cualquier otro, recibir buen dinero por un trabajo que hace estupendamente bien. Un mérito adicional para Butler, haber escrito un libro impecable a pesar de no contar con un sujeto de estudio carismático como lo tuvo, pongamos, David Remnick al escribir King of the World, su ya clásico libro sobre Muhammad Alí.
Emilio Sánchez
-Sigue leyendo: http://hermanocerdo.com/2014/07/guill...
Felizmente para Butler –y para el lector–, cuando uno recorre las páginas del libro, este dista de ser una historia hollywoodense de “un hombre hacia la libertad” y se convierte, más bien, en dos cosas: un entrañable reportaje sobre el mundo boxístico de Cuba y Estados Unidos, con todo y su fauna –boxeadores legendarios como Teófilo Stevenson y Félix Savón, en Cuba, gangsters de Miami, extraficantes de cocaína, boxeadoras que trabajan en su tiempo libre en un table dance de EU– y un candoroso recuento de las peripecias por las que tiene que pasar un periodista novato –el propio Butler– para hacer la investigación que se transformará en el libro sobre Rigondeaux y en un documental sobre el boxeo cubano, Split Decision.
Esto no quiere decir que, en el libro de Butler, la historia de Guillermo Rigondeaux pase a un segundo plano. Los admiradores del boxeador cubano podrán sentirse satisfechos con el nítido retrato que de él hace Butler mientras lo acompaña en una parte de su largo recorrido hacia el estrellato, desde La Habana en 2007, cuando Rigondeaux se encuentra en una virtual reclusión doméstica por haber intentado desertar del equipo nacional durante los Panamericanos de Brasil, pasando por su huida a los Estados Unidos en 2009, hasta su épica pelea contra Nonito Donaire en 2013, cuando Rigondeaux unifica los títulos supergallo de la AMB y la OMB. O puede que los admiradores no se sientan tan satisfechos, después de todo. El libro de Butler se puede comparar con algunas biografías que, por el modo en que acumulan atributos oscuros sobre el biografiado apagan el deseo en el lector de toparse algún día con este por las calles. “Materialista”, “triste”, “amargo”, son algunos de los epítetos con los que Butler caracteriza la personalidad de un hombre cuya última aspiración es, simple y llanamente, dejar de ser un símbolo de congruencia en su madre patria –como lo fueran Teófilo Stevenson y Félix Savón– y convertirse en un individuo y en un boxeador profesional. Volviendo a los admiradores de Rigondeaux, si bien podrán sentirse defraudados ante el hecho de que su héroe no tenga ni el ingenio de Muhammad Alí, el don de gentes que ostenta Pacquiao, ni la divertida bravuconería de Zab Judah, sí que tiene la determinación para lanzarse de bruces, como lo dice Butler en su libro, hacia el abismo capitalista. Y deberían sentirse agradecidos, también, con el autor del libro, quien no sucumbe a la tentación de matizar el carácter unidimensional del protagonista de la historia; en vez, se apega al viejo principio periodístico de la objetividad y le entrega al lector el trazado preciso de un hombre que desea, como cualquier otro, recibir buen dinero por un trabajo que hace estupendamente bien. Un mérito adicional para Butler, haber escrito un libro impecable a pesar de no contar con un sujeto de estudio carismático como lo tuvo, pongamos, David Remnick al escribir King of the World, su ya clásico libro sobre Muhammad Alí.
Emilio Sánchez
-Sigue leyendo: http://hermanocerdo.com/2014/07/guill...
May 7, 2017
Great book that shows the struggle that this phenomenal boxer had overcome to be the great world champion he is today; but also give us a profound insight of the conditions in Cuba about the regime and the athletes, how Téofilo Stevenson maintained his willingness to stay in Cuba even after the millions of dollas that were offered to him in order to fight Muhhamed Ali and why Félix Savón never accepted a similar offer to face Mike Tyson. The life of Rigondeaux has been full of difficult passages, from the poor conditions in which he lived in Cuba even though he was a 2 times olympic champion to the solitude he experienced once he arrived to the United States. Very enjoyable read.
November 28, 2015
I went into this thinking that the main character of the book was going to be the supremely talented cuban boxer Guillermo Rigondeaux. It was not. The main character of the book was the author, and that made for a frustrating reading experience. Too much of this book was the author's experience chasing Rigondeaux around the world, from Cuba to Mexico to Miami to New York City. I wanted more about Rigonduex's experience. When it comes time to tell the story about how Rigondeaux defected, we get a Q/A from Rigondeaux's seedy ass manager. That was weak. It made me realize that the author never got the correct access. Which means, this probably would have worked better as a long form magazine article, rather than an e-book.
Now, iI'll say this: before reading this book, I wasn't much of a fan of Rigondeauz. Picking a favorite boxer is an interesting experience. It's about making a connection. That connection usually comes in three forms: the style the fighter fights in; the country that fighter represent; or how that fighter represents himself outside of the ring. Rigondeaux is a cuban, safety first fighter who always came off as bitter in interviews. So yeah, there was no connection for me there. However, after reading about his plight, and the plight of other Cuban athletes, I found myself sympathizing with him deeply. And I find myself now rooting for Rigondeaux's success. I'm also rooting for Rigondeaux to one day get the biography he deserves.
Now, iI'll say this: before reading this book, I wasn't much of a fan of Rigondeauz. Picking a favorite boxer is an interesting experience. It's about making a connection. That connection usually comes in three forms: the style the fighter fights in; the country that fighter represent; or how that fighter represents himself outside of the ring. Rigondeaux is a cuban, safety first fighter who always came off as bitter in interviews. So yeah, there was no connection for me there. However, after reading about his plight, and the plight of other Cuban athletes, I found myself sympathizing with him deeply. And I find myself now rooting for Rigondeaux's success. I'm also rooting for Rigondeaux to one day get the biography he deserves.
December 30, 2015
I picked this up knowing very little about boxing, having read some of the author's #longform work on the Internets. I was entirely unfamiliar with Rigondeaux, and I'm not sure if I buy that he's as great as he's made out to be here (but like I said, I wouldn't know).
But it's definitely an interesting story, the way some of these Cuban athletes are (were?) forced to choose between balling out in the US and receiving a free Mitsubishi from Fidel Castro, one of the few modern-ish cars on the island at the time, in addition to the enduring love of their people (which has no monetary value).
And I appreciated the warts-and-all depiction of how fame went to Rigondeaux's head—leading him to leave his family behind, take up with a jumpoff, and duck interview requests once he had better things to do (namely, the jumpoff).
The author really did string this together by the skin of his teeth, or so he claims, and that made for an interesting sort of subplot, including some wildly irresponsibly attempts to fund his investigation via gambling.
But it's definitely an interesting story, the way some of these Cuban athletes are (were?) forced to choose between balling out in the US and receiving a free Mitsubishi from Fidel Castro, one of the few modern-ish cars on the island at the time, in addition to the enduring love of their people (which has no monetary value).
And I appreciated the warts-and-all depiction of how fame went to Rigondeaux's head—leading him to leave his family behind, take up with a jumpoff, and duck interview requests once he had better things to do (namely, the jumpoff).
The author really did string this together by the skin of his teeth, or so he claims, and that made for an interesting sort of subplot, including some wildly irresponsibly attempts to fund his investigation via gambling.
May 17, 2015
A brilliant book that transcends the sport genre and would appeal to those with even a less than passing interest in boxing. Full of larger than life characters ,Miami drug dealers,people traffickers, shady managers and ruined prize fighters, it reads like a film and my attention never wavered.
It faces head on human sacrifice-what are we willing to do to complete our goals and is it worth it in the end? We make our choices but can we live with them once their made?
My only gripe is it's too short. Perhaps one day when Rigondeaux's career is at at end Brin can go back finish his story?
It faces head on human sacrifice-what are we willing to do to complete our goals and is it worth it in the end? We make our choices but can we live with them once their made?
My only gripe is it's too short. Perhaps one day when Rigondeaux's career is at at end Brin can go back finish his story?
August 5, 2014
Amazing story, history, and reporting.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews