Puerto Rican unified WBO and WBA light flyweight champion René “El Chulo” Santiago will experience one of the most meaningful moments of his career outside the ring this coming Thursday, May 14, when a boxing gym bearing his name is officially inaugurated in his hometown of Humacao.
The project, focused on promoting the development of boxing and providing athletic opportunities for children and young people in the community, was made possible through the support of the World Boxing Organization (WBO) and its president Gustavo Olivieri, along with the Boxing Bullies initiative led by Jake Paul. The program has already helped establish other community boxing gyms across Puerto Rico and also carries the approval of the Recreation and Sports Department.
“First and foremost, I’m grateful to God, to my organization the World Boxing Organization, our president Gustavo Olivieri Miranda, Francisco ‘Paco’ Valcárcel, and all the members of the WBO for believing in this project,” Santiago wrote on social media.
Santiago has established himself as one of the most recognizable athletes from Humacao, carrying Puerto Rico’s name onto major boxing stages around the world. Now, the champion hopes to turn that recognition into a platform for the next generation, using the gym as a space to develop young talent and create athletic opportunities for youth in the region — something that for many years was difficult to achieve in the area.
