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Box in Cuba With A Boxing Legend

It’s not often life throws you an incredible opportunity. But when it does grab it.   If you have an interest in boxing you now have that chance.   Xtreme Gap Year has pioneered incredible martial arts programmes all over the world since the beginning and with our new Cuba boxing programme we believe we have created the best one yet.

Now in Cuba boxing is king.   World-class boxers have come out of Cuba throughout the years.

Probably the most famous is Kid Chocolate.  But there are others who may have slipped below your radar, with incredible fight records.

They are alive and well and continuing to train young Cubans in boxing and now due to recent changes in the country you can train with them as well.

An exclusive Xtreme Gap Programme: Training with a world champion

Hector Vincent has an impressive record.  Two times Olympic champion: (Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996) two times world champion: (Tampere 1993, Berlin 1995) juvenile world champion (Lima 1990) and six times Cuban national champion between 1992 and 1998.  The guy was good and fast, incredibly fast.

Hector Vincent Charon is our man in Havana who is arguably one of the best experienced practising boxing coaches in the world.

The trappings of wealth and success that Western boxers would enjoy, don’t apply in Cuba. It’s  very harsh, but it is the world we live in. And for that reason you can train with Hector Vincent. With our pioneering programme you can take full advantage of this incredible boxing opportunity.

Morning training

Every morning, before breakfast you will be escorted to the gym by our Xtreme Gap Year representative.  Before the oppressive heat of the Cuban sun takes hold, you will walk through the old town of Havana, boxing gloves in hand commuting to the most surreal an amazing training experience of your life.

Once you reach the gym, you will discover a place so run down you would not know or suspect that it had trained incredible calibres of boxers for decades.

Some of the worlds top boxers coming out of Cuba started here. Blink and you would miss it, entering through a narrow doorway with one small sign outside you will instantly discover an incredible atmosphere inside the gym.   It’s open air, wedged in between crumbling buildings, but it has an undeniable sense of history about it.

The smell of sweat, the 40-year-old Punch bags and the ring which has seen much better days (probably in the 50s) all that to the incredible experience of training in Cuba.

This is not about training with the best facilities, this is about training with the best trainers.  The raw atmosphere just adds to that through and through.

Technique technique technique

Whether you are boxing veteran, or new to the sport you will get an incredible education in boxing technique.  Cuban boxers are very successful because technique is so important in Cuban boxing.   If you want to become the best, you need to train and learn from the best. Which is exactly how Hector Vincent started when he was 12 (he became national champion by the age of 16).

You will learn all about the correct form and techniques, and you will face down and spar with Cubans as your skills develop. You will train hard, there are no easy free rides for Westerners, you will be treated as an equal and you will be expected to train hard.

Cultural differences

As you can expect in Cuba there are significant cultural differences you will need to deal with, overcome or accept.   This is a completely unique destination in the world, and that comes at a price.   Westerners are not allowed to talk to Cubans or hang around with them unless this is specific to tourism.   There are certain rules you will need to follow, and we will make sure that you are aware of these and well catered for with our support team on the ground.

Once you are aware of this, and you are familiar with the way the system works, it becomes quite natural. It also gives you a greater insight into why Cubans are so dedicated to their sports.  In a country where there is little opportunity, the ability to become great comes to training, hard work and dedication.

There are little luxuries in Cuba, everything has to be imported.  And that includes boxing gear.

As part of this programme, you will be expected to donate some kit that you will need to bring with you from your home country.

Where you stay

Throughout the duration of the Cuban boxing training programme you will stay in downtown Havana, at a Casa. These are guesthouses run by families, and our one is located in the perfect location.   From the top balcony, or the roof terrace you will hear the sights and sounds synonymous with Cuba.   The sound of 1950s cars rolling past the pot holes in the road, the hustle and bustle of the city that seems to never sleep.   It’s all on your doorstep, but the casa itself provides you with a marvellous sanctuary from the craziness of the city.

So what does that actually mean?  Well take a look at this video and give you a great idea.

Free time

Boxing takes place five days a week Monday to Friday, leaving you free to go and explore or visit other destinations throughout Cuba on the weekend.   Our local Xtreme Gap Year team can put you in touch with other contacts running other guesthouses in other cities.   And why not, go visit Santiago, and get a more rounded it insight into this incredible island.   There are beaches, city scenes and incredible landscapes waiting to be explored.   We can give you advice as to where to go and what to do each weekend locally.

It might be that you want to just stay in Havana and soak it up, not  a problem there is plenty to do.

• Go have a Mojito in the Bodega Del Medio, (it will cost you about £1.50) and you can sit at the same tables where Hemingway used to go drink.
• Check out the old town, with its capital building similar to the capitol in Washington making an impressive site for all to see.
• Hire a 1950s car, and be driven around all sites and you will not forget the experience.
• Our team on the ground will give you a proper introduction and tell you where the best places to go during your free time.

Learning Spanish

While your main purpose there will be to box with a living legend, a little Spanish goes a long way in Cuba. For that reason we include basic Spanish classes, taken in the sitting-room at the Casa that will give you enough phrases and words to get by.  Even if you don’t speak any Spanish, you can still train as you will follow by example, but it is helpful to be up to communicate a little bit. 5 times 2 hours of Spanish in the first week, focused on boxing and daily life

Long-term goals of the boxing programme

While you will no doubt advantage from the arrangement of training in Havana.   This is not a one-sided venture. The long-term goal the Xtreme Gap Year boxing programme is to help reinvest and reinvigorate the gym.   The gym trains hundreds of local kids, and aims to increase and continue to promote the boxing pedigree of Cuba.   But this is hard to do when it is impossible to secure new boxing gear due to the American embargo of Cuba.   Simple essentials like paint is very hard to come by or impossibly expensive in Cuba.   By participating in this program not only will you have a once-in-a-lifetime experience.   And improve your boxing skills.   You will also help provide much-needed revenue to fund the upkeep and renovation of the gym.

Finally

This program would not have been possible last year, it is only due to the recent opening up of some of the restrictions on Cuba that we can offer this.   We do not know whether this will be the case for long, things are changing fast in Cuba and not always in the right way.   If you want to take advantage of this act now as we may not be up to offer this next year.   If you have any further questions about what it is like to train boxing in Havana, or any questions about this program contact our team through the contact form we will be very happy to help answer your questions.

We hope you take this opportunity.

The Spanish Part

To get the most out of this programme you need to be able  to communicate with the trainers effectively. So we include Spanish lessons in the mornings and do Boxing in the afternoon.

The Spanish you will be given 10 hours of Spanish lessons month. Don’t worry though, it’s not like school. The lessons are informal and delivered by local teachers!

The lessons are tailored to your level as well, with a test at the beginning of the programme used to established what you need to be taught. You’ll be in small classes too, with about 6-8 pupils being the maximum.

You won’t just be learning the language in Havana though. You’ll be learning the culture and traditions as well, and what is more Cuban than throwing your hair back and taking to the dance floor? You will also be learning Spanish by practising at the boxing gym as well, and there’s nothing like proper cultural immersion to help develop those language skills.

Accommodation

While in Cuba, you will be staying with real Cuban families, understanding what it is like to live in this country on a day to day basis. As already mentioned, you’ll stay in a  casa particular  while in Havana, and some of the main features of these are:

• Run by local families, therefore providing a window into the life of Cubans
• Twin rooms with air conditioning
• All rooms have on en-suite bathroom
• Breakfast and lunch included within the price
• Located in Habana Vieja, the most authentic part of the city
• Owner of the  casa particular  is a doctor, should any medical problems arise
• Family speaks some English, making the transition to Cuban life easier

Trip Frequently Asked Questions

Dates

• First  Monday of  the month