'Atrocious' plans for 12-year-old girl to make boxing debut halted
Romina 'La Bambita' Castan was set to make her professional debut on Saturday night in Veracruz – just a month after finishing primary school. The four round fight was scheduled to be fought at 'atomweight' – the smallest weight class in the sport with a limit of 7st 4 lbs.
Castan took up boxing at the age of eight, following in the footsteps of her father, former fighter Isaac 'Bamba' Castan, and has fought more than 50 times at various youth amateur events.
While Saturday's fight was sold as a historic occasion aiming to break the Guinness World Record for youngest ever professional boxer, the plans have now been halted by boxing authorities.
Mauricio Sulaiman, president of the World Boxing Council, one of the sport's four sanctioning bodies and the most influential, revealed on Friday he had personally intervened to try and stop the fight happening.
Sulaiman accused the fighter's father of 'making all kind of threats', labelling the situation an 'atrocity'.
'The WBC is absolutely against a proposed fight in which a 12 year old girl is to make her pro debut in Veracruz , Mexico,' he wrote.
'I personally called the promoter and he is dealing with the fighter's father who is making all kinds of threats. I will do everything possible to stop this from happening.
'We all thought it was a joke! We will fight to the bitter end to stop this atrocity.'
Hours later, Sulaiman confirmed the WBC had successfully stopped the fight from taking place, vowing to work with Castan and her father in guiding her career.
'I'm happy to inform that 12 year old Romina Castan will not fight tomorrow. The WBC will guide her father and support her amateur career.'
The boxing promotion behind Castan's planned debut has also confirmed tonight's plans have been shelved.
The promotion said in a statement: 'Tigre's Boxing Promotion reports to all media and public in general: regarding the facts that have occurred about the professional debut of our boxer Romina Castan this Saturday, July 26th at Benito Juarez Auditorium.
'We appreciate the intervention of Mauricio Suleiman and the support he will provide to the young boxer, being now part of the WBC family. More Trending
'In good time Romina Castan Lara the support in your career as a boxing woman continues with our promoter and now with full support of the WBC.'
In the UK and United States, boxers are not allowed to hold a professional licence until the age of 18. Young fighters are free to explore opportunities elsewhere however with Rianna Doforo making her debut at 15 against a 39-year-old opponent in Mexico in 2023.
16-year-old Callum Dan meanwhile made his debut in Thailand in April.
Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez, one of the biggest names in the sport, made his professional debut in Mexico at the age of 15.
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