(ANSA) – AGUASCALIENTES (MEXICO), MAY 19 – After 60 years of absence among the professionals, Cuban boxers are back with a series of fights in Mexico, tomorrow, in Aguascalientes.
They will be able to pocket bonuses, after having ventured into the amateur categories since Fidel Castro abolished professional sport in 1962, three years after the victory of the Revolution.
But, even without the incentive to make money, the “Domadores” (tamers) took the colors of their country very high at both the world championships and the Olympic games. The Caribbean island collects 80 world titles among amateurs and 41 Olympic titles. On the other hand, in recent years many Cuban boxers have fled to seek their fortune abroad.
Boxing in Cuba started returning to the professional circuit in 2013, as did other sports (basketball, baseball, volleyball). For the fighting in Aguacalientes, the Cuban Federation signed a “representation contract” with the Mexican company Golden Ring. The Cuban delegation includes six boxers including three Olympic champions (Julio César La Cruz, Roniel Iglesias and Arlen López). They will cross the boxing gloves with Mexican boxers and a Colombian.
“Participating in professional leagues will increase our competitiveness. We will compete against boxers of the highest caliber, like us, and this will allow us to remain in the elite,” said Julio César La Cruz (heavyweight) at the announcement of the return of Cuban boxing to the professional competitions. (HANDLE).
Source: Ansa
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