Gilberto Jesus Mendoza, president of the World Boxing Association (WBA), saw with good eyes the agreement reached by the Cuban Boxing Federation and Golden Ring so that Cuban boxers can participate in professional boxing. 

“It seems to me that it is a new opportunity for Cuban boxers who make a living in their country. They have the quality to fight for any world title. Everyone knows that Cuba is a power in our sport, that’s why I celebrate this agreement and they know that in the WBA the doors are open to them,” said the President of the pioneer organization. 

More than having open doors, the WBA has been home to great Cuban gladiators who have been able to fight for world championships or regional titles: “names like Ultiminio ‘Sugar’ Ramos, Mantequilla Napoles, Joel Casamayor, Luis Ortiz, Richard Abril, Yuriorkis Gamboa, Guillermo Rigondeaux, among other great WBA champions quickly come to mind. I remember Pablo Hernandez who lived in Germany and fought an interim. In addition to the large number of boxers who have fought for regional titles. We are the organization that has given more opportunities to Cuban fighters. The WBA is their home,” Mendoza said.

The WBA maximum leader also stated that the agreement made by the Cuban Boxing Federation and Golden Ring is part of the “One Boxing” plan that the pioneer organization has been promoting for a long time that allows the fighters to make a life in Olympic or professional boxing.