The World Boxing Association (WBA) regrets the death of Colombian boxing legend Bernardo Caraballo, who passed away on Thursday, January 20 at the age of 80. 

The family reported the death to the Colombian press after Caraballo spent several days hospitalized for heart problems in a clinic in Cartagena, his city of birth. 

Caraballo was the first Colombian fighter to fight for a world title. On November 27, 1964 he faced Eder Jofre in Bogota and although he lost by knockout in the seventh round, he scored a point in the history of boxing in his country. 

Although he was not a world champion, Caraballo marked great moments and had great fights in several continents. He was always close to the WBA and participated in the pioneering body in the Medellin 2017 convention, where he received recognition and accompanied great legends in attendance.

The WBA regrets the departure of a great friend and a great athlete, an example for an entire country that knew how to represent it in boxing. May he rest in peace.