Boxer Yaquelín Estornell wins her first professional fight by technical knockout

April 12, 2025

Boxer Yaquelín Estornell became the first Cuban woman to win a professional fight, on a card organized on the island under the sanction of the World Boxing Association (WBA) that marked the debut of island women in professional boxing.

"I feel very proud," said Estornell, 38 years old, at the end of the "Cuban Fight Night" event, held Friday night at the Varadero beach resort, according to statements released this Saturday by Cuban television.

In the opening fight of the card, sponsored by German promoter Agon Sports with the WBA's sanction, the Cuban won by technical knockout in the second round against Dominican Lina Tejada, to claim the Latin belt at 147 pounds (66.6 kg).

"I came out to give everything for my victory. I wasn't worried about the number of fights she had won," added Estornell, who made history by becoming the first member of the local team to win a professional fight since Cuba authorized its women to enter the ring in 2022, after decades of prohibition.

From the opening bell, the Cuban, bronze medalist at the 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games in San Salvador, dominated the fight landing several combinations against Tejada (13-5-1), who had arrived on the island as favorite.

To date, the Cuban team had competed without distinction at the San Salvador games, the 2023 Chile Pan American Games, the 2024 Italy Olympic qualifier, and the 2025 Serbia World Championships.

Cuba, a powerhouse in men's boxing, abolished professional boxing in 1962, but resumed it in 2013. Nine years later, Cuban boxers began participating in professional circuits outside the country, although none has yet won a title in major arenas.

Also on Friday's card, Paris-2024 champion Erislandy Alvarez won by knockout, as did two-time Olympic champion Julio César La Cruz, both by stoppage, as well as two-time Olympic champion Arlen López, and three-time world champion Lázaro Alvarez.

The WBA is one of the four major organizations that sanction professional boxing matches worldwide.