Cuba Will Field Boxing Team At World Series Of Boxing After Law-Imposed Absence

Nearly a half century after professional boxing was banned in Cuba, "the international participation of a Cuban boxing team became official" on Wednesday, according to Ernesto Rodriguez III of OLE. In '62, Cuba's Revolutionary Government eradicated professional boxing with Resolution 83-A, which forced eventual Cuban World Champions like Mantequilla Nápoles, Luis Rodríguez and José Legrá to leave Cuba. This barrier "has fallen 51 years later with the confirmation that the newly formed Cuba Lion Tamers team will participate in the Int'l Boxing Association (AIBA) World Series" (OLE, 7/1). The World Series of Boxing on Tuesday held its Season IV Official Draw in Lausanne, Switzerland. Defending champions Kazakhstan will take on Cuba. Joining Cuba and Kazakhstan in Group B will be Azerbaijan, Mexico, Russia and Poland (World Series Boxing).