The first USA vs. Cuba amateur boxing event on American soil, sanctioned by the International Boxing Association (AIBA), will take place Saturday night, April 12 as World Series of Boxing (WSB) makes its New England debut, featuring USA Knockouts versus Cuba Domadores, at Rockingham Park in Salem, New Hampshire.
Cuba qualified for the WSB Playoffs on top of Group B with a 9-1 record, while USA came in fourth in Group B at 4-6.
“It’s always good, once again, to bring back elite boxing such as the World Series of Boxing, Cuba versus USA event on Saturday, April 12 to Rockingham Park,” said Bobby Stephens, Chairman of the New Hampshire Boxing & Wrestling Commission. “Rockingham Park for many years has had great entertainment in the sport of boxing. This event will provide New Hampshire’s boxing fans with a great evening of boxing.”
“We are very excited to bring World Series of Boxing to New Hampshire,” WSB CEO Karim Bouzidi commented. “USA versus Cuba is a major event worldwide, especially in America where it’s never been held before under AIBA sanctioning. Our shows are known for their entertaining matches and finally New England will also be able to enjoy this amazing experience.”
Many of the leading stars of the Cuban Olympic Boxing squad are part of the Domadores, whose logo pays homage to the late three-time Olympic gold medalist and World Champion Teofilo Stevenson. Scheduled to compete against the USA Knockouts on Apr. 12 are two of the best contemporary boxers in the world, heavyweight sensation Erislandy Savon (5-0) and decorated light welterweight (3-1) Yanier Toledo.
Savon’s uncle is three-time Olympic gold medalist Felix Savon, who was also a Cuban heavyweight. The 23-year-old lefthander captured a gold medal at the 2008 World Youth Amateur Boxing Championships and 2009 Pan-American Games.
After fighting in the shadows of Cuban great Guillermo Rigondeaux for many years, Toledo has established himself as a world-class boxer, highlighted by his bronze medal performance at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. The slick southpaw won the 2011 Pan-Am champion, as well as a two-time silver medalist at the World Championships.
USA Knockouts vs. Cuba Domadores will air (9-11 p.m. ET) on Univision, in addition to being viewed around the world in 80 different countries.
Ticket prices are $50.00 for VIP reserved ringside (first two rows), $20 general admission, and are on sale at the Rockingham Park box office.
Before that, both teams will have already fought each other this Friday April 4 (8:30pm local time) at the 16’000-seats Ciudad Deportiva of Havana. The line-up for this first match is as follows:
Flyweight (52kg)
Gerardo CERVANTES (Cuba Domadores) vs. Eros CORREA (USA Knockouts)
Lightweight (60kg)
Lazaro ALVAREZ (Cuba Domadores) vs. Luis Martin ARCON DIAZ (USA Knockouts)
Welterweight (69kg)
Roniel IGLESIAS SOTOLONGO (Cuba Domadores) vs. Gabriel MAESTRE (USA Knockouts)
Light Heavyweight (81kg)
Emilio CORREA (Cuba Domadores) vs. Michel BORGES DE SOUZA (USA Knockouts)
Super Heavyweight (91+kg)
Yoandi TOIRAC (Cuba Domadores) vs. Mohamed SALLAH (USA Knockouts)
