On October 31st the World Boxing Association (WBA) spearheaded a campaign to bring boxing to the local community in Medellin.  A long list of champions traveled with President Mendoza and other members of the WBA to the La Honda neighborhood – a very poor local community – in order to kick off the outreach program.

This outreach initiative was announced by Mendoza as he unveiled a local grassroots campaign called “Path to the Ring” where the association is looking to focus on its influence into the local neighborhoods to help guide youth down the correct path through boxing.

The neighborhood walk took place in the morning and into the afternoon on October 31st and was a huge success, with a large majority of the community coming out to take part in the planned activities.

A very long list of champions came out to the event that included Oscar De La Hoya, Bernard Hopkins, Roy Jones Jr., Ricardo Finito Lopez, John Ruiz, Chris Algieri, Jorge Linares, and many others.

Overall the local outreach was something that can positively influence and benefit the youth in an area that needs role models to look up to for hope and inspiration – as Bernard Hopkins pointed out in his speech.

This initiative is something that the WBA President Mendoza is looking to sustain over the coming years instead of being a one time event for the press.  Mendoza firmly believes that this type of social initiative is what can truly help communities that need it while also growing boxing simultaneously.