Boxing in Havana

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Kid Chocolate in Havana Cuba Eligio Sardinas Montalbo better known as KID CHOCOLATE
was Cuba's first world champion lightweight in 1931, he died in 1988.

"Boxing is a popular sport
everyone knows
Kid Chocolate"

After the Revolution in the early sixties professional boxing was prohibited by the Government. Dozens of professionals left the island for Miami Florida. The Cuban diaspora spread to Spain, Mexico and Jamaica but the most popular destination was Miami.

The country has a long tradition of boxing sports, in the early thirties the famous Kid Chocolate was the first Cuban to hold a world boxing title. Among the other boxers are famous names like Kid Chocolate and Kid Gavilan but also Luis Rodriguez, Ultimo Sugar Ramos, José Napoles, Kid Paret, Nino Valdez and Teofilo Stevenson.
In Central Havana opposite the Capitolio on the Paseo del Prado between Brasil and San Martin streets, the Sala Polivalente Kid Chocolate (Sports Hall) is still used for boxing matches.

Kid Chocolate sports hall in Central Havana

Kid Chocolate boxing hall in Central Havana

Pictures of the entrance at the Sports Hall





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