# Luis Mariano González, National Coach of the French Boxing Team

**Date:** 09/11/2023

The success of Iván Pedroso with his jumpers is undeniable, Olympic and world champions fill his trophy cases. A similar case is that of Luis Mariano González, national coach of the French boxing team, who has several medal winners under his command.

As soon as he took over the French squad in the distant 2007, French boxing exponents like Nordine Oubaali and John M'Bumba won a bronze medal. To this day, the Cuban coach has made 38 medals possible, ten of them gold, both women and men.

Recognized for his technical ability and tactical intelligence, Luis Mariano González is preparing all his arsenal for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and takes advantage, in passing, of the boom that this sport is experiencing in France.

"Boxing is like medicine for people. For me it is not only a pleasure to practice and teach boxing, but it is also health because it develops physical and mental work, it works on breathing, helps lower blood pressure, it is very important for people's health," he said to France 24.

A native of Pinar del Río, Luis Mariano González practiced pugilism as an athlete until his youth, but at 19 years old he became a coach, a profession that led him to know success later on. After a few years in Cuba, he decided to try his luck in countries like Azerbaijan, the United States, or Algeria.

Champions like Souleymane Cissokho, Elie Konki, Sofiane Oumiha and of course Tony Yoka, gold medalist at the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games, have passed through his hands, according to the source.

Facing the next meeting under the five rings, González told France 24, "the first ambition is to qualify between 5 and 6 boxers in the seven weight categories and achieve between two and three medals".

Regarding the progression of French pugilists, Luis Mariano referred to the qualitative change experienced by the French fighters and, above all, in their confidence when stepping between the ropes.

"Sofiane Oumiha won in two World Championship finals against Cubans, he has beaten them all, Lázaro Álvarez and Andy Cruz. I think that now we are not afraid of anyone because if you are afraid, you don't win," said the strategist to the aforementioned media.