For the first time since 1962, Cuba will officially allow its boxers to compete in a pro-style boxing event. The newly formed Cuban World Series of Boxing (WSB) Franchise will take on the Mexico Guerreros in Mexico City on August 29th and 30th in a historic exhibition match.
The new Cuba WSB Franchise, officially named as the Cuba Domadores, came into being earlier last month in an exclusive agreement which will see the team make its pro boxing debut in the WSB’s Season IV which kicks off on November 15, 2013.
Following discussions between the WSB and the Cuban and Mexican Franchises, it was decided that a historic exhibition match would take place between the two Latin American powerhouse teams. This has now been scheduled for the 29th and 30th of August in Mexico City. The event will be a stern test for the Cubans. The Mexico Guerreros had another outstanding season last year, reaching the WSB semi-finals. The Guerreros also boasted an impressive home record losing only once in Mexico City during the entire campaign.
Added heat has been put on the match with the announcement that Cuba Domadores and the Mexico Guerreros have been drawn in the same group for the WSB Season IV. Clearly both teams will want to get the psychological advantage ahead of the two upcoming Regular Season matches they will contest against each other. It will also be an important warm up match for both teams since their group also includes current champions, Astana Arlans Kazakhstan, a tricky Azerbaijan Baku Fires team, a potentially lethal Russian outfit and a tough Hussars Poland, who will be eager to cause the larger teams difficulties.
WSB will be holding a press conference on July 31st at 11:00am local time (Mexico City), at which point the full list of boxers due to compete in the twenty man event will be announced. The Cuban side is expected to unveil a team that includes a line-up of World and Olympic champions that will really put the pressure on the local Mexico Guerreros side.
The contest will be fought across the ten weight categories which the WSB has adopted this season, moving it more in-line with AIBA Open Boxing (AOB) and AIBA Pro Boxing (APB) competitions and away from the five weight categories it has used in past three seasons.
“Not only it is very exciting to witness Cuba making such a historic move, but it is extremely rewarding that this decision has been made to the benefit of one of AIBA’s competition programs, the World Series of Boxing”, stated AIBA President Dr Wu. “Mexico is one of the most important boxing markets in the world and we are thrilled to see Cuban and Mexican boxers stepping onto the ring in such a significant territory”.
