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REMEMBERING GILBERTO MENDOZA SR.

CANASTOTA, NY - MARCH 14, 2016 - The International Boxing Hall of Fame joins the worldwide boxing community in mourning the loss of World Boxing Association (WBA) president Gilberto Mendoza Sr., who passed away on Friday, March 11th at age 72 in Caracas, Venezuela after a long battle with cancer.


Gilberto Mendoza (right) with Hall of Famer Carlos Ortiz during a Hall of Fame Weekend in Canastota
Gilberto Mendoza (right) with Hall of Famer Carlos Ortiz during a Hall of Fame Weekend in Canastota

“Gilberto Mendoza Sr. dedicated his life to the sport of boxing,” said Hall director Ed Brophy. “We were saddened to learn the news of his passing and we offer our condolences to his family.”


Mendoza Sr. in the 2007 Hall of Fame Weekend 5K Race / Fun Run
Mendoza Sr. in the 2007 Hall of Fame Weekend 5K Race / Fun Run

A former amateur boxer in Venezuela during his youth, Mendoza Sr. was elected president of the WBA in 1982. He served in that capacity until December 2015 when he resigned due to poor health. During his 33-year tenure as president, he was a fixture on the international fight scene. 


“Mendoza was a long-time supporter of the International Boxing Hall of Fame’s mission to preserve boxing history,” said Brophy. “He visited Canastota several times for the annual Hall of Fame Weekend and participated in the many events.”






 
 
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