Cuba may allow Professional Boxing

[Tarquin Tarpaulin IV]

Cuba is ready to ditch a draconian rule preventing boxers turning professional which has lasted more than 50 years so they can sign up to join the International Boxing Association's (AIBA) World Series of Boxing (WSB) and AIBA Pro Boxing (APB).

Professional boxing was effecitvely banned in Cuba in 1962 because the country's former leader Fidel Castro regarded it as both corrupt and corrupting, while authorities there deemed it is too dangerous and unsafe.

But amateur boxing has been one of the most popular and successful sports in the Caribbean island in recent years, and the country is the second most successful boxing nation at the Olympic Games, with an incredible 67 medals, including 34 golds, behind the United States.

But with AIBA looking to turn the sport professional, Cuba looks set to changes its laws to allow fighters to compete in the WSB, which was launched in 2010, and the APB, which will debut later this year.

Both competitions allow fighters to compete professionally while retaining their Olympic eligibility.

[JMac]

Professional boxing was effecitvely banned in Cuba in 1962 because the country's former leader Fidel Castro regarded it as both corrupt and corrupting, while authorities there deemed it is too dangerous and unsafe.

It's still corrupt but so is amateur boxing. Cuba just recently said it will now allow Cubans the opportunity to travel outside of Cuba. They know some will defect but hopefully people will want to return home. I hear the WSB might have a Miami franchise for the Cuban boxers. I hope they do and the boxers don't defect and get to keep some of the money they make and it not all go back to the government. Things are changing in Cuba, hopefully for the better and for the people there.

[Tarquin Tarpaulin V]

The Cubans won't allow their women to box which flies in the face of international human rights so it will be interesting if this happens.