After being banned for more than six decades due to its association with "capitalist commercialism," professional boxing is making a comeback in Cuba. This revival is occurring despite the longstanding opposition from the communist regime.
Currently, with the national sports scene in crisis and an increasing exodus of athletes, the Cuban government is clinging to the few remaining talents still competing under the Cuban flag—even if it means embracing a format they once condemned.
Upcoming Matches in Varadero
On November 29, the Meliá International Hotel in Varadero, Matanzas, will host a professional boxing event featuring eight Cuban fighters. The card includes two title defenses, a second appearance, and four professional debuts, as reported by JIT.
Lázaro and Erislandy Álvarez: Pillars of Cuban Boxing
The main event will spotlight Lázaro Álvarez, a three-time world champion, and Erislandy Álvarez, the 2024 Paris Olympic champion. Both are undefeated in their professional careers. Lázaro (9-0) will defend his World Boxing Association (WBA) Continental Americas title against Mexico's Raúl Hernández (15-3-2), while Erislandy (5-0) will face Rogelio Jiménez (14-2-1) for the WBA Latin Continental title.
These titles were first claimed on April 11, during Cuba's inaugural state-sponsored professional card by Agon Sports, marking the symbolic end of the 1962 ban.
Newcomers and Challenges
The lineup also features Yusnier Sorsano (1-0) from Pinar del Río, aiming for his second professional win against Argentina's Nicolás Verón (11-14-1) after a knockout debut against Javier Castañeda. Four more Cubans, including world silver medalist Saidel Horta and bronze medalist Alejandro Claro, along with Nelson Williams and Keylor García, will make their professional debuts. Although experienced as amateurs, they face opponents with over 15 professional bouts.
The event will also include international bouts, such as Moroccan Moussa Gholam (24-1) versus Mexico's Ramiro Cesena (19-2) for the WBA Gold Continental Americas title.
The Dichotomy of State Policy
The return of professional boxing in Cuba highlights a pragmatic shift by the regime, which aims to rejuvenate a traditionally successful sport amid the collapse of its sports infrastructure and the annual migration of numerous talents.
For decades, professional boxing was equated with betrayal and ideological "deviation" in official narratives. Now, those who once censured the sport are attempting to capitalize on its profitability and international appeal, carving out a previously unimaginable niche in Cuban sports.
The Varadero event will be more than just a sporting occasion; it will symbolize how Cuban sports are reinventing themselves amid necessity and contradiction, striving to survive in a country where even the ring was once an ideological battleground.
Frequently Asked Questions about Professional Boxing in Cuba
Why was professional boxing banned in Cuba?
Professional boxing was banned in Cuba for over sixty years because it was viewed as a symbol of "capitalist commercialism," which conflicted with the communist regime's ideology.
Who are the key figures in this boxing revival in Cuba?
Key figures include Lázaro Álvarez, a three-time world champion, and Erislandy Álvarez, the Olympic champion from Paris 2024, both of whom are undefeated professionals.
How is the Cuban government involved in professional boxing now?
The Cuban government is supporting professional boxing through state sponsorship, notably through the promoter Agon Sports, marking a significant shift from its previous stance.