The WBA strengthens ties with Colombian boxing

March 24, 2008- Aiming to renew its historical ties with the Colombian boxing, the World Boxing Association (WBA) made a visit to that country that included the donation of boxing supplies and meetings with government and boxing officials, and the local press.

The WBA representative was Sebastián Contursi, who visited the city of Cartagena de Indias, capital of the Bolívar state, and Magangué district.

The tour started with a press conference held at the Kid Pambelé hall of Bolivar’s Sports and Leisure Institute (IDERBOL) building with local authorities and boxing writers in attendance. All of them showed great interest in the strengthening of the relationship between the WBA and the Colombian boxing.

“On behalf of Mr. Gilberto and Mr. Gilberto Jesús Mendoza we are very proud of being here in order to renew our ties with the Colombian boxing. This is like two old friends meeting again after a few years. They hadn’t been in touch for a while, yet they did know that they could count on each other,” Contursi said.

“Colombia has always played such an important role in international boxing and the WBA knows it well. So here we are, to shake its hand. The first step will be a symbolic act as we will make a donation of boxing supplies to a municipal gym in Magangué,” he said.

“We’ve received an interesting proposal from the Mayor of Magangué as it coincides with the WBA principles that we carry out through the KO Drugs World Camping. The idea is not only to give opportunities to young talented boxers but, most importantly, to try for this sport to be the instrument to keep the youth away from many threats that are out there like drugs, alcohol, etc,” Contursi added.

The KO Drugs World Campaign, created by President Mendoza in 1990, includes social and benefic activities and the KO Drugs Festival that has been successfully held in different countries of Latin America since 1993.

Contursi also met with IDERBOL Vice-Director Fejed David Alí, Bolivar’s Boxing Commissioner Jairo Piña, and Bolivar’s Amateur Boxing League’s President Gustavo Morales, who gave their total support to the WBA’s purposes. Also attending the press conference was former Cruiserweight champion Marcelo Domínguez from Argentina, who was in Colombia to train hot prospect Santander Silgado.

Colombian Boxing Federation’s President Julio Torres Roca gave his support through the phone from Barranquilla.

All the Colombian boxing family emphasized on the importance of having the KO Drugs Festival held in their country as the conclusion of this process. In that regard there have been negotiations in the last few months aiming to make the KO Drugs Festival happen in Cartagena.

“It would be great for the WBA to have the KO Drugs Festival held in Cartagena as this beautiful city has it all for it. We’ve had some conversations with key local people about it. However, we have to be responsible and take all the necessary steps before making an announcement. But the WBA’s intentions are clear: we want to bring the KO Drugs Festival to Colombia at some point,” Contursi commented.

THE WBA DONATES BOXING SUPPLIES TO LOCAL GYM

The donation of boxing supplies was carried the next day in the Magangué district, about 230 kilometers from Cartagena. This site is considered a strategic one as it is located on short distance from Coast cities like Barranquilla, Montería, Cali and Cartagena, from which the most talented Colombian boxers have come from.

In an official ceremony that was presided by Bolivar state Vice-Governor Pedro Alí Alí and Magangué’s Mayor Anuar Arana Gechem, 16 pairs of training gloves, 16 pairs of heavy bags gloves, 16 head gears, 16 inguinal protectors, 4 heavy bags, 2 speed bags with their platforms, 2 double end bags, 16 skipping ropes, and 2 pairs of punch mitts were delivered and they will serve equip the local Municipal gym.

Also present at the ceremony were current Super Lightweight champion Ricardo “Mochuelo” Torres, National Senator Jamil Arana, and Colombian Boxing Federation Coordinator Manuel Pérez Tafur.

“We are extremely thankful to the WBA, especially to President Gilberto Mendoza and Executive Vice-President Gilberto Jesús Mendoza as they were generous enough to make this donation possible for a town that historically has suffered too much”, Mayor Arana Gechem said.

“I’m sure that this gym will not only be one of the best boxing gyms of Colombia but also will eventually become a training center for all kinds of people,” he added. “We know that this area has a tremendous potential to produce future world champions. The best example is ‘Mochuelo’ Torres. But we are sure that there are many like him out there. The WBA is willing to support their development,” Contursi said.

According to local authorities, the gym’s official inauguration will be within the next 90 days. The visit to Colombia ended with a professional boxing card that was a true popular fiesta with thousands of the local people in attendance to the Parque de las Américas, where Santander Silgado defeated José Chiquillo and thus became the new WBA FEDECARIBE Cruiserweight champion.