Cuban Boxers Batter U.S. Team Again, 10-2

Cuba, showing it could be a force to reckoned with if it attends the Olympic Games, continued its domination of the U.S. boxing team Saturday by posting a 10-2 victory in their dual meet at Atlantic City, N.J.

It marked the 15th consecutive time the Cubans have beaten the United States since Fidel Castro came to power in 1959. Cuba defeated the United States, 9-1, in their last meeting in December at Cuba.

The Cubans won 7 of the first 8 bouts. The most impressive Cubans were 1987 World Cup champion 165-pounder Angel Espinosa, who scored a technical knockout over Jerome James in the second round, and super-heavyweight Jorge Gonzalez, who needed just 30 seconds to knock out Kermit Fitzpatrick.

The only U.S. victories were by 156-pounder Tim Littles, who beat Jose Hernandez on a 2-1 decision, and by Andrew Maynard, who took a 2-1 decision from Orlando Despaigne at 178 pounds.

Meanwhile, Raul Villanueva, president of the Cuban Boxing Federation, said his country would forgo its announced boycott and attend the Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, if South Korea allows North Korea to play host to some events, a member of the Cuban Olympic Committee said.

Cuba and five other countries have announced plans to boycott the Games because all the events are being held in South Korea. The deadline for entering the Summer Games has passed, but Juan Antonio Samaranch, president of the International Olympic Committee, reportedly has been asking the Cubans to reconsider their decision.