Jorge Luis Romero

Former Cuban boxer prominent in the 1970s in the 54 kg division, participant in national championships Playa Girón, in the Giraldo Córdova Cardín International Boxing Tournament and medalist of the First World Boxing Championship.

He was born in La Lisa, Havana. He was a handsome boxer, fast, with good striking power for that division.

Since 1968 he has been a member of the national boxing team. In 1969 he wins the Giraldo Córdova Cardín International Tournament.

In 1972 he participates in a bilateral match against Czechoslovakia held in Usti, where he defeats Ivan Ondrej by points. That year he is a member of the pre-selection for the Munich Olympics, Germany.

In 1974 he wins a bronze medal in the Giraldo Córdova Cardín Tournament held in Camagüey. That year he takes part in the First World Boxing Championship held in Havana, where on his debut he defeats Dominican José Dolores by knockout in the first round, in the next fight, he triumphs over Ugandan John Byaruhanga.

In the quarterfinals he defeats Argentine Hugo Aguilera by points; in the semifinals he does so over Soviet David Torosian, to fall by knockout in the second round against Puerto Rican Wilfredo Gómez, achieving a silver medal. Gómez was later a world champion in professional boxing.

The Cuban, a boxer of good technique, made a mistake in his fighting strategy against Wilfredo Gómez, trying to cut off his path, seeking close-range fighting, when he should have fought from long distance and with counters. This error against the formidable Puerto Rican fighter cost him the world title.

After the end of the Havana world championship, he retires from active sport, settling in La Lisa, Havana, where he occasionally attended the gym in that municipality, collaborating with fellow former boxer Luis Felipe Martínez in training duties.

He died in Havana on August 15, 2020, following complications suffered with high blood pressure[1].