Boxing celebrates International Day in tribute to Havana World Championship

Havana, August 27 (RHC/PL)-- The International Boxing Day is celebrated Friday as a tribute to the First World Championship of that combat sport, held from August 17 to 30, 1974 in Havana.
 

The International Boxing Association (AIBA) established this day for that reason given the success of that event 47 years ago, in which the Cuban school of the discipline ratified its class by winning five of the 11 titles at stake.

The date 'is dedicated to a very special event in the history of AIBA', said the president of the organization, Umar Kremlev, who said that 'this day is a great promotion for our sport around the world'.

Therefore, and according to the official website of the Association, promotes among the boxing family and in general the boxing lovers around the world a massive participation to remember what he called an unforgettable event.

The main program will take place in Belgrade, as the capital of Serbia will host the XXI World Championship from October 26 to November 6, where the activities this Friday include training and exhibition bouts outdoors in the main square of the city led by a master of the sport.

As more than 50 national federations from several continents are involved in supporting this commemorative effort, officials, celebrities and champions of the specialty will replicate these practices in different countries.

According to Kremlev for the website, the organization held several media events prior to the date to continue the presentations on the progress of AIBA and its plans for the future social development of boxing, and therefore gave greater relevance to this International Day.

It is an opportunity, he said, to be together in this celebration, because 'boxing is beautiful, diverse and unifying', and added that he hoped that 'every year, on this day (it is planned to be celebrated annually), we will be together to share our love and passion for this universal sport'.

In that inaugural event, Cuba's fighters topped the medal table with five gold, one silver and two bronze medals, followed by those of the then Soviet Union (2-2-4), the United States (1-2-1), Yugoslavia (1-0-2), Puerto Rico (1-0-1) and Uganda (1-0-1).

Other countries on the trophy table were Romania (0-2-1), Venezuela (0-2-0), Bulgaria (0-1-1), Kenya (0-1-0), German Democratic Republic (0-0-3), Spain, France, Ghana, Nigeria, Panama and Poland, all with 0-0-1.