The Cuban boxing community is in mourning this Wednesday following the passing of one of its most revered figures, the legendary Pedro Orlando Reyes Ponce, father of famed baseball player Rudy Reyes. Rudy Reyes confirmed the news of his father's death during a personal call to the digital platform Por la Goma, highlighting the impact his father had on fans with his courage and skill in the ring.
The Cuban Institute of Sports (INDER) expressed their condolences on social media, honoring Reyes Ponce as a "glory of #CubanSports." They celebrated him as a "star in our #boxing, a world champion and runner-up, as well as a Pan American monarch. He shone in many prestigious events." At the time of his passing, Reyes Ponce was working as a coach in Mexico.
Pedro Orlando, a true fighter both in and out of the ring, had been battling hypertension for several years, according to reports. His peers note that his departure marks the loss of one of the most iconic figures in Cuban pugilism during the 1970s and 1980s.
A Legacy of Excellence in the Boxing World
Born in Camagüey, Cuba, Pedro Orlando Reyes Ponce emerged as one of the brightest stars in the flyweight category (up to 51 kg) during the 1970s and 1980s. His career was adorned with numerous titles that established him as a sports icon both in Cuba and globally.
Among his most notable achievements were six national championships and five victories in the prestigious Córdova Cardín Tournament, a highlight of amateur Cuban boxing. He also claimed the World Cup in Italy in 1983 and the World Championship in Reno in 1986, securing his place among the elite in boxing.
Reyes Ponce reigned as a Pan American champion and five-time Central American champion, asserting his dominance in the region. He won a gold medal at the 1984 Friendship Tournament, the 1989 Challengers Match, and in the Spartakiads of Friendly Armies (1985 and 1989).
Under the guidance of the legendary coach Alcides Sagarra, Reyes Ponce was part of the Cuban boxing elite, a team that propelled the island’s name to the pinnacle of international sports. Although he never competed professionally due to Cuba's stringent sports policies, his legacy remains as one of the greatest in amateur boxing history.
More Than a Champion
Pedro Orlando Reyes was not only a champion inside the ring but also a man of principles, celebrated for his humility and dedication to the sport. His colleagues remember him as a paragon of discipline and courage, values that extended beyond his athletic career and made him a role model for new generations of boxers and all who knew him.
As the Cuban boxing community bids farewell to Pedro Orlando Reyes, they mourn the loss of one of its legendary figures.