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Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
‘Stop this atrocity' – Boxing sensation aged 12 has pro debut CANCELLED as WBC president personally intervenes
Read on to find out why the WBC had to step in to make sure the fight was cancelled FIGHT BLOCK 'Stop this atrocity' – Boxing sensation aged 12 has pro debut CANCELLED as WBC president personally intervenes A 12-YEAR-OLD boxing prodigy's controversial professional debut in Mexico has been cancelled after the World Boxing Council stepped in to block the fight. Romina 'La Bambita' Castan - fresh out of primary school - was due to make history on Saturday night in Veracruz by becoming the youngest professional boxer ever. 3 Sulaiman personally cancelled the fight Credit: AFP 3 The WBC chief branded the move an 'atrocity' given the age of the girl Credit: Getty Images - Getty 3 Canelo Alvarez made his professional boxing debut aged 15 Credit: AP The fight scheduled for four rounds at atomweight (102lbs/46kg) was billed as a world-record-breaking event. But the plans have sparked international outcry with WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman branding the move an 'atrocity' and personally intervening to prevent it. Sulaiman said in a statement: 'The WBC is absolutely against a proposed fight in which a 12-year-old girl is to make her pro debut. 'We all thought it was a joke, we will fight to the bitter end to stop this atrocity.' He said he contacted the event promoter directly and accused Castan's father, former boxer Isaac 'Bamba' Castan of issuing 'all kinds of threats' to push the fight through. The WBC confirmed late Friday that the bout had been officially cancelled, with Sulaiman pledging to support Castan's future in the amateur ranks and guide her boxing journey responsibly. He added: '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.' Tigre's Boxing Promotions who organised the event also confirmed the cancellation and thanked Sulaiman for stepping in. The company said in a statement: 'We appreciate the intervention of Mauricio Sulaiman and the support he will provide to the young boxer. 'Romina Castan Lara continues her boxing career with our promoter and now with the full support of the WBC.' Tyson Fury leaps to Daniel Dubois' defence after Oleksandr Usyk defeat Castan began boxing at the age of eight and has already fought over 50 amateur bouts. But while professional debuts under 18 are banned in the UK and US, some fighters have turned pro earlier in countries like Mexico and Thailand. Mexican superstar Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez made his debut at 15. Critics have argued 12 is far too young for the pro ranks, with concerns over safety and ethics taking centre stage. The WBC's intervention now looks set to prevent Castan's entry into the record books- at least for now.
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘Stop this atrocity' – Boxing sensation aged 12 has pro debut CANCELLED as WBC president personally intervenes
A 12-YEAR-OLD boxing prodigy's controversial professional debut in Mexico has been cancelled after the World Boxing Council stepped in to block the fight. Romina 'La Bambita' Castan - fresh out of primary school - was due to make history on Saturday night in Veracruz by becoming the youngest professional boxer ever. 3 Sulaiman personally cancelled the fight Credit: AFP 3 The WBC chief branded the move an 'atrocity' given the age of the girl Credit: Getty Images - Getty 3 Canelo Alvarez made his professional boxing debut aged 15 Credit: AP The fight scheduled for four rounds at atomweight (102lbs/46kg) was billed as a world-record-breaking event. But the plans have sparked international outcry with WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman branding the move an 'atrocity' and personally intervening to prevent it. Sulaiman said in a statement: 'The WBC is absolutely against a proposed fight in which a 12-year-old girl is to make her pro debut. 'We all thought it was a joke, we will fight to the bitter end to stop this atrocity.' READ MORE IN BOXING He said he contacted the event promoter directly and accused Castan's father, former boxer Isaac 'Bamba' Castan of issuing 'all kinds of threats' to push the fight through. The WBC confirmed late Friday that the bout had been officially cancelled, with Sulaiman pledging to support Castan's He added: '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.' Most read in Boxing Tigre's Boxing Promotions who organised the event also confirmed the cancellation and thanked Sulaiman for stepping in. The company said in a statement: 'We appreciate the intervention of Mauricio Sulaiman and the support he will provide to the young boxer. 'Romina Castan Lara continues her boxing career with our promoter and now with the full support of the WBC.' Tyson Fury leaps to Daniel Dubois' defence after Oleksandr Usyk defeat Castan began boxing at the age of eight and has already fought over 50 amateur bouts. But while professional debuts under 18 are banned in the UK and US, some fighters have turned pro earlier in countries like Mexico and Thailand . Mexican superstar Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez made his debut at 15. Critics have argued 12 is far too young for the pro ranks, with concerns over safety and ethics taking centre stage. The WBC's intervention now looks set to prevent Castan's entry into the record books- at least for now.
Metro
2 days ago
- Sport
- Metro
'Atrocious' plans for 12-year-old girl to make boxing debut halted
Boxing officials have scuppered 'atrocious' plans for a schoolgirl aged just 12 to make her professional boxing debut in Mexico this weekend. 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. MORE: Mystery illness outbreak sweeps through Royal Caribbean cruise and leaves 134 sick MORE: Mystery illness sweeps through cruise ship and leaves 134 passengers throwing up MORE: Passengers stranded in airport for 17 hours after couple smoke on London-bound flight
The Hindu
20-07-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Fundora batters Tszyu to retain WBC superwelter crown
Sebastian Fundora defeated Australia's Tim Tszyu by technical knockout to retain his World Boxing Council super-welterweight crown in Las Vegas on Saturday. A bruising, action-packed scrap at the MGM Grand Garden Arena ended when a bloodied Tszyu failed to come out for the eighth round. Fundora -- who had beaten Tszyu in their first meeting last year -- once again used his towering 6ft 6in (1.98m) frame and huge reach advantage to dominate the short, stocky Australian. Tszyu was quickly in trouble, knocked down by Fundora in the first round by a crisp left hand, and finished the second round with a nasty cut over his right eye. Although Tszyu battled bravely, jolting Fundora with some shuddering right hands in the middle rounds, the American continued to land damaging punches. The end came after the seventh, when a weary Tszyu declined to come out for the next round. ALSO READ: Usyk vs Dubois 2 — Oleksandr knocks out opponent to become world heavyweight champion again 'I gave it everything, but I just couldn't do it,' Tszyu said afterwards. 'Victory belongs to Sebastian Fundora -- he's the best 154-pounder on the planet right now. 'He was the better man. He's very hard to land, and he's tall ... I felt like I was shadow boxing with myself at times. It is what it is.' Fundora, 27, who improved to 23-1-1, with 15 knockouts, said he had been determined to exploit his advantages of height and reach. 'I felt like obviously I'm the bigger guy, and everyone's calling me a bully -- so you know what, let's start bullying these guys,' Fundora said. Related Topics WBC
Los Angeles Times
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
At 46, Manny Pacquiao is determined to prove his doubters wrong: ‘I can still fight'
In his return to boxing after four years without a fight, Manny Pacquiao says he has more 'passion and determination' than ever. The 46-year-old Filipino star says his disciplined training regimen will help him shine in the ring Saturday and defeat World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight champion Mario Barrios — a fighter 16 years Pacquiao's junior — in the main event at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas (5 p.m. PDT, Prime Video). The 30-year-old champion Barrios is known for his effective counter-punching and is in the prime of his career. But the most important opponent for 'Pacman' will be weathering Father Time. The last time Pacquiao was in a competitive fight was when he lost in late 2021 by unanimous decision to Cuba's Yordenis Ugas, throwing a lot of punches, but connecting on few. 'It's my passion, and the fire in my heart, in my mind is still there,' Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs) said in an interview with The Times at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood. 'I can still work hard in training and I can still fight.' If he wins, Pacquiao would make history in many categories: he would become the second oldest champion in boxing history, after Bernard Hopkins became the oldest world champion at 46 years and 126 days by beating Jean Pascal in 2011. He would also be the oldest oldest champion in a division below light heavyweight and the only active champion to be part of the Boxing Hall of Fame. Pacquiao noted that one of his goals in his return to boxing is to become the oldest fighter in boxing alongside trainer Freddie Roach, extending an illustrious career in which he has won titles in eight different divisions. The Filipino is the only boxer to conquer and retain titles during each of the past four decades. 'He's having very good combinations, his power is still there,' said Roach, who first met Pacquiao in 2001. 'My goal is to be the oldest champion and retire as champion,' said Pacquiao, who expects to participate in two or three more fights, including some exhibition bouts. Prior to this fight against Barrios, Pacquiao held two exhibition fights against South Korean DK Yoo in 2022 and kickboxer Rukiya Anpo in 2024. Pacquiao said that despite going four years without fighting competitively, he maintained a strict training regimen for this contest. 'Sometimes my trainers ask me to stop,' Pacquiao acknowledged. 'They don't want me to overtrain. They want me to give my body time to rest, give me time to recover.' Pacquiao received a lot of criticism for being a direct contender for a world title after such a long break and being given a shot at the world championship without any recent bouts. 'All I can say is, like, I'm different than fighters to prepare for a fight. When I prepare for a fight like this, I'm seriously 100% disciplined and I work hard,' Pacquiao noted. Barrios, known as 'El Azteca,' is not only 16 years younger than Pacquiao, he also has a seven-inch height advantage. The Mexican-American won his title by defeating Ugas by unanimous decision in 2023 after knocking him down twice. He defended his crown twice in 2024 by beating Fabian Maidana and recently had a draw with Abel Ramos on the same bill as the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson showdown in November. 'I've been working with the mindset that I'm facing a legend. At the end of the day, it's another man trying to take my title. I respect what he's done in the sport and the person he is, but come fight night, that respect won't be there,' Barrios said at his camp in Las Vegas. 'When they proposed the fight to me, I didn't know whether to take it as disrespect or respect because he wanted me. But it doesn't matter, I'm the champion for a reason and I'm going to show why I have the WBC belt.' Also on the bill, Pacquiao's eldest son, Emmanuel, 24, will be making his professional debut, despite having limited amateur experience. According to Pacquiao, Emmanuel's arrival in professional boxing by sharing an evening with him is a 'blessing from God.' 'My advice to him is to work hard, look at my training, the way I prepare, the way I punish myself, the way I focus on training,' Pacquiao said. The Las Vegas card will also feature WBC super welterweight world champion Sebastian 'The Towering Inferno' Fundora taking on Australian Tim Tszyu in a rematch of the 2024 bout won by Fundora. Former world champion Isaac Cruz will now square off against Omar Salcido Gamez in a 12-round super lightweight bout after Angel Fierro withdrew from the event on Friday due to health concerns. Also, former two-division world champion Brandon Figueroa will battle Joet Gonzalez in a 10-round featherweight showdown. This article was first published in Spanish via L.A. Times en Español.
