Arlen Lopez in the Paris 2024 podium. GETTY IMAGES

The International Boxing Association's (IBA) "Night of Champions" in Havana will treat the Cuban people to a mind-blowing evening of six fights, headlined by a quartet of Olympic champions. Up to $120,000 (€107,900) will be awarded to the winners.

Sports are considered a high priority in the Cuban system, and they are an integral part of the country's folklore. Perhaps not at the same level as music, but still highly influential among the younger generations. From the age of 12, the most promising prospects are distinguished from the rest and sent to specialized schools where they can fully maximize their talent. From there, they train and soar to success through a highly competitive youth program.

Alberto Puig, head of the Cuban Boxing Federation (FCB), reflected on the status of the sport in his beloved island: "In the 1950s, there were professional fights in Cuba," the president recalled as he began to share his memories. "But as a team, this will be the first time," he confessed during the press conference announcing the event that will electrify the capital on 27 August.




As a result of becoming the epicenter of a revolutionary movement that shook Latin America and the world, Cuba had to forgo several pillars of its society. This led to the eradication of professional sports in 1961, which were partially revived over a decade ago in 2013.

However, there has been no trace of any professional event in the Caribbean archipelago. It disappeared. But around 2022, a series of brave boxers, eager to rebuild their dreams—even if it meant leaving Cuba—ventured into professional circuits overseas.

The event will offer substantial prizes during the bouts, with most fights capped at six rounds, while the final two, the main attractions, will go up to 10 rounds to add more spice to the highly anticipated return of professional boxing to Cuba. The man responsible for overseeing the card and sharing the precise details was none other than Russian Kirill Shchekutyev, a renowned promoter within the IBA.



"In the last two bouts, the IBA world championship title will be at stake. The losers will receive $100,000, and the winners $120,000," said Shchekutyev, highlighting the powerful lure of the purse for the fighters. They won’t just be after the flashy briefcase, but the chance to raise the title to the Havana sky will be a significant bonus.

Julio César de la Cruz and Arlen López will be the main attractions for the local crowd in the IBA title bouts. The former, a fierce heavyweight, comes off the back of two gold medals hung around his neck, thanks to victories in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020. In the opposite corner of the ring, the hungry Madiyar Saydrakhimov from Uzbekistan will be waiting.

In the middleweight division, another Cuban star set to ignite the sparks is, naturally, Arlen López, the current bronze medalist from Paris 2024 with experience on the Olympic throne following his victories in the Japanese and Brazilian Olympic events, just like his compatriot. Aliaxei Alfiorau from Belarus will be looking to disappoint the home crowd.

Cuban superwelter champion, Erislandy Alvarez will also compete in 'Night of Champions'. GETTY IMAGES
Cuban superwelter champion, Erislandy Alvarez will also compete in 'Night of Champions'. GETTY IMAGES

"We are confident that this will be an event that will go down in the history of Cuba and in the history of world boxing, because in the six fights there will be four Cuban Olympic champions," added promoter Shchekutyev, who also emphasized the "great" relations between Cuba and Russia, two countries with a strong ideological connection in recent history.

Cuba will be the third Latin American country to host an IBA "Night of Champions" card since its creation in 2022. Before that, the event took place slightly further north, in Aguascalientes, Mexico. Not to mention that, precisely next weekend, La Guaira, Venezuela, will host this high-flying night.