After greater than six many years, skilled boxing is making a long-awaited return to Cuba. On April 11, the island will as soon as once more host a professional struggle card, marking a historic comeback sanctioned by the World Boxing Affiliation (WBA), with championship titles on the road. The occasion will happen on the Meliá Internacional Resort in Varadero, organized by AGON Sports activities in collaboration with the Cuban Boxing Federation and below the WBA’s official approval.
This return is nothing in need of a milestone. The final time skilled boxing graced Cuban soil was again in 1961. On October 27 of that yr, in Havana’s Palacio de los Deportes, Paul Díaz scored a fifth-round knockout over Julio Carreras in what would turn out to be the ultimate sanctioned professional bout within the nation—till now.
For over six many years, skilled boxing was banned in Cuba, forcing generations of Cuban fighters to make their mark completely within the novice ranks. And mark it they did—Cuban boxing has dominated the Olympic and novice world championship circuits, producing a number of the best skills the game has ever seen.
Nonetheless, with Cuba reopening the doorways to skilled boxing in 2022 and now securing this partnership with AGON Sports activities, the game is ready for a long-overdue revival on the island. This occasion is predicted to usher in a brand new period of thrilling battles, giving Cuban followers the possibility to see their homegrown expertise compete for prestigious WBA titles on dwelling turf.
The cardboard will showcase a few of Cuba’s most embellished fighters, together with Julio César La Cruz, Arlen López, Erislandy Álvarez, and Lázaro Álvarez. All of them have conquered the novice scene, amassing a number of Olympic and world championship medals. Now, they’re able to transition to the professional ranks and showcase their expertise below the intense lights of knowledgeable ring.
“It is a historic second for boxing,” mentioned Ingo Volckmann, president of AGON Sports activities. “It’s an important honor for us to work with a number of the most elite fighters on the planet and be a part of this new chapter for Cuban boxing.”
The wait is over—Cuba is again within the struggle sport.
