Havana, Cuba will be hosting the central celebration of International Boxing Day on 27 August 2024. The highlight of the event will feature IBA Champions’ Night with top Cuban boxers participating to include two titles at stake at Coliseo de la Ciudad Deportiva arena.

This prestigious event will bring together athletes, coaches, officials and fans from around the globe to celebrate the sport’s rich history and vibrant future. National Federations are preparing to celebrate worldwide with online and offline activities.

IBA’s premier product, Champions’ Night, will feature the IBA Pro World Champion fight in 92kg between Cuban Julio La Cruz and Enmanuel Reyes Pla from Spain. In the co-main event, Arlen Lopez from Cuba and Aliaksei Alfiorau from Belarus will meet to determine the IBA Pro World Champion at 80kg.

Umar Kremlev, President of IBA, stated that ’Cuba has an unprecedented legendary boxing heritage, and we are thrilled to host the central celebration of International Boxing Day in Havana. This event is an opportunity to honour the athletes who dedicate their lives to the sport and to inspire the next generation of boxers worldwide. With an impressive fight card, Champions’ Night promises to be one of the most inspiring events of the year with two titles at stake.’ 

IBA Secretary General and CEO Chris Roberts OBE stressed that he is looking forward to a great event in Havana. ‘As was announced, 2024 is the Year of the Americas, and our presence on the continent is a key to ensuring the success of this project. With such a great fight card and great efforts of the Cuban Boxing Federation, the event promises to be unforgettable,’ he said.

The event will also mark the very first unified Referee and Judges course module that will bring both IBA and WBA together as a featured course for the future.

International Boxing Day will coincide with the 50th anniversary of the first-ever edition of the IBA Men’s World Boxing Championships held in 1974 in Havana.

Cuban Boxing Federation President Alberto Puig de la Barca expressed his confidence that IBA Champions’ Night will be a truly spectacular show.

‘I am certain that the 14,000 fans arena will be fully booked, as the best boxers from Cuba are going to take part in the IBA Champions’ Night. The date of this 50th anniversary celebrated at the birthplace of the IBA World Championships is significant for us, especially because it is celebrated in the same setup and the same date. Each boxing club in Cuba will organize some activities to enjoy the delights of International Boxing Day. Meanwhile, we are preparing for the two World titles, with Julio La Cruz, the world’s most successful boxer, and world and double Olympic champion Arlen Lopez. We hope that they will show their best in front of the home crowd,’ he said.

 You can watch IBA Champions’ Night live at iba.sport.

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