Mario Kindelán Mesa

He was born in Palma Soriano, Santiago de Cuba where he began his first steps in boxing at the prestigious Gimnasio Los Olmos, a breeding ground for numerous world and Olympic champions.

Some time later the family settled in Holguín, where he became a local idol due to his brilliant athletic career.

He was a universal boxer, capable of fighting well at all three distances, although due to his footwork speed he preferred the long and medium range.

At the Sydney, Australia Olympic Games, he fought four fights. In the first he defeated Thai boxer Wianguiest Phonget by points 14-8; the second was with Tigkran Ouzlian of Greece, in a fight stopped by the referee in the fourth round due to Cuban superiority.

In the semifinals he faced Russian Alexandr Maletin, a veteran who dominated at short distances and whom Kindelán defeated 27-15, imposing his footwork speed and his impeccable technique. For the gold he faced Ukrainian Andriv Kotelnik defeated easily 14-4. It was his first Olympic title.

He arrived at the Athens Olympics as the favorite of his weight class and did not disappoint his followers. This time there were five fights in pursuit of the gold medal, opening with Nigerian Ahmed Sadiq defeated by RSC; Pakistani Ali Shah fell by points 24-9. In the quarterfinals he faced the dangerous Azerbaijani Roshvan Husevnov, defeating him 23-11. The semifinals were with Russian Murat Khrachev defeated 20-10 and the final with the representative of Great Britain, Amir Khan defeated by points 30-22. His second Olympic gold medal at 32 years old, which meant he could not aspire to a third crown due to age limit.

Other honors achieved by this disciplined and beloved Cuban boxer were the World Championships in Houston, Texas (1999), Belfast, Northern Ireland (2001) and Bangkok, Thailand (2003). Two-time Pan American champion and one-time Central American champion.

Results in Olympic Games

Olympic Champion Sydney 2000
Sydney 2000

Defeated by decision 14-8 Wiangwisas Pongeit (TAI)
Defeated by RSC 4 Tigran Ouzlian (GRE)
Defeated by decision 27-15 Alexander Maletin (RUS)
Defeated by decision 14-4 Andrey Kotelnik (UCR)
Athens (2004)

Defeated by RSC 3 Ahmed Sadiq (NGR)
Defeated by decision 24-9 Ali Shah (PAK)
Defeated by decision 23-11 Roshvan Huseynov (AZE)
Defeated by decision 20-10 Murat Khrachev (RUS)
Defeated by decision 30-22 Amir Khan (GBR)
Retirement from Active Sport

In 2004 he arrived at almost 33 years old, the age limit to compete in Olympic Games, as stipulated by the International Amateur Boxing Federation (AIBA). Therefore, the Atlanta event in 1996 are already his last fights, which despite his age he does not lose the vigor and passion of his rivals at the event. The victories are relatively easy, including the final for the title.

Defeated by RSC-3 Nigerian Ahmed Sadiq, 24-9 Pakistani Ali Shah, 23-11 Azerbaijani Roshvan Husynov, 20-10 Russian Murat Khrachev and 30-23 fiery Englishman Amir Khan. He is awarded the Val Baker Cup for being the best boxer of the event.

Thus, with two Olympic titles and three world titles as main achievements, 309 victories and only 21 defeats, and all the titles conferred by AIBA, he decides to end his career and dedicate himself to training young prospects.

In 2005, already retired, he accepts a challenge from Amir Khan for a promotional fight for the Englishman to move to professional boxing. The fight takes place in May in the city of Bolton (GBR) where Amir Khan wins 19-13.

Mario Kindelán's official retirement occurs in January 2008 at the closing of the national Playa Girón tournament in Holguín. He is a graduate in Physical Culture and Sports, and currently works as a boxing commissioner in the province of Holguín. He is selected among the 100 best athletes of the 20th century in Cuba and the best, after Félix Savón, in recent times in his country.

He holds all AIBA titles. The most technical boxer among Cuban fighters and the best overall. Since 1998 he is almost unbeatable in Europe, Asia and Latin America. Selected in 1999 as one of the 10 best athletes in the country and nominated as one of the best athletes of the century in Cuba.