Caracas could not be left behind in the First Boxing Festival Gilberto Mendoza, and on Tuesday was the capital’s turn to paid tribute to the emeritus president of the World Boxing Association.  

As part of this week’s activities prepared as posthumous homage to the WBA leader, whose first death anniversary will be on Saturday, March 11, there was an amateur boxing card (14-16 years) at the Brigido Iriarte Gym with four fights and one exhibition. 

Jesus Cedeno, (48 kg), was the most outstanding boxer of the day defeating Yosvany Gonzalez. Aaron Vegas also made a great demonstration to defeat Anthony Polaco, and   Jose Hernandez and Misael Paredes also defeated their opponents.

Local authorities, amateur trainers and managers attended the event, as well as former world champions like Bernardo Pinango, Ernesto Espana, Jesus “Kiki” Rojas and WBA present female champion Mayerlin Rivas.

“Gilberto was one of a kind leader, a man focused on helping athletes to know their true value, making sure the boxers collected all the purse money as well as receive all the benefits they deserve. We all respected him”, said Espana.  

Rigoberto Marcano, International referee and former professional boxer, also had something to say about Mendoza: “He helped me a lot, as he did with many boxers. He had me make the international judge and referee course and gave me many opportunities, for that I am so grateful to him.” 

The Gilberto Mendoza Festival will run throughout the week and will go through more than 20 states of Venezuela with more than 100 battles.