Maradona Will Play in Colombia Match For Peace

Colombian activist and former senator Piedad Cordoba announced Wednesday that Argentine soccer legend Diego Armando Maradona will play in a “Match for Peace” to promote the end to the country's armed conflict.

The match, set for April 10, comes the day after a nation-wide mobilization is planned in support of the Havana peace talks toward an end to Colombia's armed conflict.

Cordoba also revealed that the organizers are awaiting the confirmation that Colombian soccer stars Radamel Falcao — currently playing in Manchester United, England — and Real Madrid striker James Rodriguez will play in the match.
Another player expected to play in the historic match will be Carlos “El Pibe” Valderrama, Colombia's legendary striker. Maradona revealed in July last year that he was organizing the Match for Peace with Valderrama.

Maradona will also launch in Colombia the third edition of his show De Zurda Viajero, available through teleSUR, ahead of the Copa America 2015. The retired Colombian soccer player Ivan Ramiro Cordoba, who played for the Argentine club San Lorenzo, invited Pope Francis to visit Colombia after meeting with him in the Vatican.

The retired player gave the Pope — a San Lorenzo fan since childhood — a jersey from his former team.

Although Ivan Ramiro Cordoba is not linked to the Match for Peace organization efforts, he told the Pope his visit to Colombia would be crucial for backing the peace process.

The Pope had organized a soccer match where both Maradona and Valderrama played last year, calling for world peace.

Boxing: WSB

World Series of Boxing (WSB) Season IV Champions Cuba Domadores have won all ten of their matches in Season V, and did the same this time over China Dragons on Friday.

Mangrovetree Convention Center, in the Chinese city of Sanya, was the venue for this Group A clash, where the Domadores team had an outstanding performance 5-0 with their eleventh win in a row. They are leading Group A with 33 points.

Cuba’s Joahnys Oscar Argilagos Perez beat China’s fifth ranked He Junjun by a divided decision two to one.

Diao Jianhao had won both of his home matches in Season V but Cuban Andy Cruz Gomez did not care about that and defeated him by unanimous decision 3-0. This win sent Gomez up the rankings and now have better chances to qualify for Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Cuban Light welterweight (64 kg) Yasniel Toledo did not compete two weeks ago, which means the undefeated fighter was ranked fourth in his weight class. Only two points separated him from the top four fighters, however, he completed a convincing win over Sairike Tuoliaowutayi that launched Toledo back to the top of the rankings again.

Middleweight (75 kg) Arlen Lopez won 3-0 by unanimous decision over his Chinese contestant and WSB debutant Chao Gejiletu.

Erislandy Savon, WSB Season IV Boxer of the Year and recently named the American Boxing Confederation’s Men’s boxer of 2014, has won six consecutive fights this season, on Friday he defeated Jin Guo and is now ranked number one in the Heavyweight (91 kg) division.

54th Cuban Baseball Series: Playoffs

Pitcher Yander Guevara stopped Granma´s Alazanes in what could turn out to be a key game in the 2015 playoffs of the 54th Cuban Baseball Series for Ciego de Avila´s Los Tigres.

Guevara pitched six strong innings, and Los Tigres beat Alazanes 16-5 on Thursday night.

Ciego de Avila´s offensive was led by Ariel Borrero with 5 hits, driving in two runs and catcher Osvaldo Vázquez hit two homers and drove in three runs as shortstop Yeniet Pérez batted three hits, including a home run.

Los Tigres and Alazanes are now tied 1-1. The third game will take place Saturday night at José Ramón Cepero Stadium in Ciego de Avila.
Isla de la Juventud´s Piratas will play Matanzas´ Cocodrilos at Cristóbal Labra Stadium and resume a series which is also tied 1-1.