This Saturday night in Columbus, Ohio, Luis “Cuba” Arias takes on power punching Gilberto Santos of Brazil in a bout scheduled for ten rounds under the direction of world class trainer, John David Jackson. Arias of Milwaukee, Wisconsin has a perfect record of 13-0 with six knockouts.
“Camp has been excellent. Things have been coming together nicely and on time. I get better and stronger every camp,” Said Arias. “I am not overlooking Santos as he’s a strong fighter who’s coming to win but this is my time and I want to make a statement in my first headliner.”
“Training with John David Jackson has been a great. Having someone with his level of experience has helped me develop as a fighter. He has helped take my game to another level. Him and Derik Santos have been a great fit for me. I feel I have the best training team in boxing.”
The 25 year-old came into the pro ranks with high aspirations after a stellar amateur career that saw him win two US National Championships and a National PAL title, in addition to numerous medals on the international level.
In Jackson, he has a trainer who has trained many world champions and is currently one of the hot cornermen in boxing due to his work with current Light Heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev.
“Luis has had a great camp he’s strong and on weight. He’s ready for his first headlining bout and wants to showcase his talent and show people that he’s the real deal,”said Jackson of his prized pupil,” said Jackson.
“For this camp we are stressing the body attack. Luis is a good boxer with excellent skills and power. We are trying to develop his all-around game so we are focusing more on working the body for this fight.”
Jackson does not feel Cuba Arias is just any boxer. He sees major things in the future for him.
“Luis has the potential to become a World Champion. He was a tremendous amateur, he’s tough, determined with excellent power and great all around skills. 2016 should be his breakout year. He has the skills and needs to be showcased on a bigger stage. It’s time to take the wraps off and let him prove himself. He can fight, he gets better each time out, he wants to test himself in bigger fights and is ready for the challenge.”
“After this fight, I want a real test for Luis, a good name fighter where he can be challenged and have to work. I know he can be great and will rise to the occasion so I just want him to get the opportunity to showcase his skills and show everyone what a great fighter he is.”
Arias, who is promoted by Roc Nation Sports and managed my Victory Sports & Entertainment, now has the complete team in place with the addition of the world class trainer.
Said Victory Sports & Entertainment’s Rick Torres, “2016 is the year where Cuba has to step up the level of competition and show everyone how great he is. This is his first headlining bout which is a big deal for him and we know Santos is a dangerous opponent with real punching power so this should be a good test for Cuba. After this fight we are looking forward to Roc Nation putting him on higher profile fights, TV fights where the world can see what we already know – that he’s one of the best young fighters in the world and a future Champion. With the right development Cuba can become a star attraction in the sport and we know Roc Nation can make this happen. We just want the opportunity and Cuba will handle the rest.”