The Dominican Republic is one of the only Latin nations I can think of that hasn't produced ANY all time great in boxing. I mean, for example, Brazil hasn't produced a plethora (it's far more of a football nation), but they have Eder Jofre. DR has produced some very GOOD fighters (Joan Guzman, Carlos Teo Cruz), but never a true great. I wonder why that is. I surmise it's because baseball is such a huge part of their culture, and boxing really isn't. Boxing is far more ingrained in the culture of say, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Panama. Thoughts?
if you go back and watch guzman fight, he looked the part. he just didn't get it done. did anyone dominate zorilla like him. would've loved to see him in there with pacquiao or morales. and he would've destoyed guys like jesus chavez. the guy was brilliant to watch.
Teo Cruz was an excellent fighter tbf. Very underrated and little discussed these days. I was never sold on Guzman though as some underachieving potential atg. He underachieved without question but his skill set and .natural talent get overegged in my eyes. A Dominican Kirkland Laing.
Leonardo Cruz was another good Dominican. Outclassed the very good Sergio Palma, and gave a spirted effort against Gomez, though getting hammered in the process.
