Boxing President Halts Plans for 12-Year-Old Girl to Make Her Professional Debut in the Sport: ‘Stop This Atrocity’

The World Boxing Council (WBC) has put a stop to the plans for a 12-year-old girl, Romina “La Bambita” Castan, to make her professional boxing debut. The young boxer had been scheduled to fight in Mexico on July 26 in what was touted as a Guinness World Record-breaking event. However, following international criticism and outrage, Mauricio Sulaimán, the president of the WBC, stepped in to prevent the fight from taking place.

Sulaimán confirmed in a statement that Castan would not be participating in her first professional match, and instead, the WBC would provide guidance and support for her amateur career. The decision came after Sulaimán expressed on Instagram that the WBC was firmly against the proposed fight and was actively working to stop it. He also mentioned reaching out to the fight promoter to address the situation, emphasizing the importance of preventing such events from happening.

The fight involving the 12-year-old boxer was set to take place at the atom weight level, which is the lightest weight class in boxing for fighters weighing 102 pounds or less. The event garnered significant backlash, with concerns raised about the risks involved for someone as young as Romina competing at the professional level. Critics pointed out the potential for serious injuries, including permanent brain damage, and questioned the appropriateness of allowing a preteen to enter such a high-stakes competition.

Romina’s father, Isaac “Bamba” Castan, who was a former boxer himself, supported his daughter’s boxing aspirations. Starting her training at the age of 8, Romina has followed in her father’s footsteps in pursuing a career in boxing. While the young boxer will not be making her professional debut as originally planned, Sulaimán stated that she would receive the WBC’s support to debut when the time is right.

In the world of boxing, there have been instances of young boxers making their professional debuts at early ages. One notable example is Wilfred Benítez, who entered the professional boxing scene at the age of 15 in 1958. More recently, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez made his professional debut in Mexico at the age of 15 in 2005. In the United States, however, boxers must be over 18 years old to make their professional debut, as per the regulations of USA Boxing.

The intervention by the WBC in halting the 12-year-old Romina Castan’s professional debut has sparked discussions about the age limits and safety considerations in professional boxing. It has also highlighted the importance of ensuring the well-being and protection of young athletes in sports, particularly in high-impact disciplines like boxing. Moving forward, the boxing community remains vigilant in upholding standards that prioritize the welfare of athletes, especially those who are at a tender age and vulnerable to potential risks.

As the story unfolds, the spotlight shines on the regulations and ethics surrounding young athletes’ participation in professional sports, amplifying the need for stringent guidelines and oversight to safeguard their interests. The decision to prevent Romina from making her professional debut serves as a reminder of the responsibilities that sports organizations bear in ensuring a safe and nurturing environment for athletes, regardless of their age or level of competition.