Gilberto Mendoza
| Gilberto Mendoza | |
|---|---|
| President of the World Boxing Association | |
|
In office October 7, 1982 – December 14, 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Rodrigo Sanchez |
| Succeeded by | Gilberto Mendoza, Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Francisco Gilberto Mendoza March 30, 1943 Barquisimeto, Lara State, Venezuela |
| Died |
March 11, 2016 (aged 72) Caracas, Capital District, Venezuela |
| Alma mater |
Andrés Bello Catholic University University of Toledo |
Gilberto Mendoza (March 30, 1943 – March 11, 2016) was the President of the World Boxing Association (WBA), the oldest of the four major boxing organizations. He served from 1982 until stepping down in December 2015. He later served as President Emeritus until his death.
Biography
Mendoza was born in Barquisimeto, Venezuela. He grew up under difficult circumstances and found success playing baseball and soccer. However, it was in boxing, where he passion lie. He was a bantamweight amateur fighter for three years, while attending college in Caracas. He moved from Venezuela to the United States, to pursue his master's degree at the University of Toledo, graduating with two.
After the death of then WBA President Rodrigo Sanchez in 1982, Mendoza became a candidate to succeed him. He prevailed over deputy commissioner of the New Jersey Athletic Commission, Bob Lee, in a 41 to 32 vote, taking office shortly after.
Death
He stepped down as President in December 2015 because of ill health. His son, Gilberto Jesús Mendoza, who had previously taken on many of the President's duties, succeeded his father. By unanimous decision, Mendoza was elected President Emeritus, serving until his death in March 2016.