Gilberto J. Mendoza visits Colombia

April 25, 2008 - World Boxing Association (WBA) Executive Vice President Gilberto Jesús Mendoza made on Friday his long awaited visit to Cartagena de Indias, where he had a meeting with Bolívar state governor Joaco Berrío Villarreal.

Mendoza also offered a press conference during which the WBA paid tribute to two great idols of Colombian boxing, Rodrigo Valdez y Fidel Bassa. Following up what it was done last month, when the WBA donated boxing implements to Magangue’s Municipal Gym, Mendoza ratified on Friday the WBA’s intention of strengthening its relationship with Colombian boxing through different activities.

Mendoza said that the WBA is seriously considering Cartagena as the venue for the WBA annual Convention next September or October, when the traditional “KO to Drugs” Festival would also be held.

In that sense, Mendoza met Governor Berrío Villarreal and next Monday will meet COLDEPORTES National Director Evert Bustamante.

“Colombia has quite an important place in both the world’s and the WBA’s history. We are here to make our relationship stronger, which we can make possible through holding transcendent events,” Mendoza said before the large number of attendees at the Yellow Room in the Governor House.

Meanwhile, Governor Berrío Villarreal saluted the idea and publicly compromised his support to the WBA’s activities. “Among other things my government is known for its great support to sports. That’s why we’re very pleased with the visit of Mendoza and high ranked members of the WBA. I promised to support the WBA as Cartagena and Bolivar state deserve to have international events of this caliber”, he said.

Mendoza was joined by the three historical WBA officials from Colombia, Jorge Humberto Klee, Francisco Piña, and Rodolfo Fortich, and also by Sebastián Contursi. Also present were Colombian Boxing Federation coordinator Manuel Pérez Tafur and Bolivar Sports Institute (IDERBOL) Director, Dumek Turbay.

The press conference ended in an emotional way as Mendoza delivered super belts to former WBA world champions Rodrigo “Rocky” Valdez and Fidel Bassa, two of the greatest idols of Colombian boxing. Also, Mendoza handed a plaque to Governor Berrío Villarreal for his support of sports.