Cuban president receives IBA head

Havana, November 30 (RHC) - The president of the International Boxing Association (IBA), Umar Kremlev, met with Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, and both parties agreed on major steps for the development of boxing.

They also discussed close collaboration in boxing development and plans for next year.

The IBA president suggested that an International Boxing Day be held in Cuba in 2023, and Diaz-Canel gave his full support and instructed the government to start implementing the project; a working group will be created shortly. The Cuban President stressed that he is a great friend of boxing.

"Our sport has strong roots in Cuba, as the first World Boxing Championship was held in Havana in 1974, and we celebrate International Boxing Day remembering that event. Since then and now, Cuba has many outstanding boxers performing at the highest level, and we need to create better conditions for them," said the IBA president.

Kremlev, a 40-year-old former Russian boxer, also mentioned that a large boxing institute should be built in Cuba, as it is "one of the leading countries in the boxing world." The center will create opportunities for the education of trainers and officials, as well as the best conditions and special programs for the preparation of athletes.

It will also serve as a socialization tool for retired boxers and provide training for the coaching staff. New technologies will be implemented in the institute. Miguel Díaz-Canel assured governmental support for this project.

The idea of holding the World Boxing Tour event, Diamond Best Series, in Cuba was also among the opportunities discussed.

President Kremlev's first destination on his whirlwind visit to Cuba was a boxing school near Havana - Holveín Quesada - where he met young Cuban athletes who train there.

The fighters work out away from the noisy city, leaving fewer distractions for the camps. He presented the boxers with gloves and headgear and addressed them passionately.

"You are the future of boxing in Cuba, a country of legendary boxing champions. I see great potential in Cuban boxing for its further development. What we must do is to create the right conditions to find these gems and turn them into champions," Kremlev said.

In addition, President Kremlev agreed to support in the renovation of the boxing school for these children.

During his visit, Kremlev also gave a press conference, in which he pledged to deliver to the Cuban boxers this year the cash prizes they won at the last World Championship in Belgrade-2021, which they have not been able to collect because of the US blockade laws.

He criticized the blockade that Washington has maintained against the island since 1962 and recrudesced the administration of Donald Trump and said that "that pressure should not exist. It is unfair to everyone. It's not good people who do this."

He revealed that the prize money for the next world championship - in Uzbekistan-2023 - , which will amount to 200000 USD for the champions, is a sign of the steps taken by the IBA to help boxers.

 "The prize is so that they can invest in the future and in their family. So that they don't have to look for another way to earn their money," he explained.

He also expressed his satisfaction in complying with the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee in terms of governance, debts, renewal of its executive and arbitration.

"I believe that those who want to exclude boxing from the Olympic Games will not succeed, because it is a sport with many fans and we will do everything possible so that this does not happen," he said.