Professional boxing is returning to Cuba for the first time since before the Fidel Castro banned the sport there in 1962.

AGON Sports, a German promotional company fronted by Ingo Volckmann, will put on a five fight promotion that will see four Cuban Olympians, Julio Cesar la Cruz, Arlen Lopez, Erislandy Alvarez and Lazaro Alvarez, fight at the Meliá International hotel, Varadero, on Friday April 11.

Volckmann, a German businessman, who started the company in 2017 and currently promotes IBF super middleweight titlist William Scull, who is also Cuban, is proud to be promoting on the boxing rich Island.

"This is a historic moment for boxing," said Volckmann. "Never before has there been such an event on Cuban soil and it's a great honor for us to work with these absolute elite boxers.

"AGON Sports is setting a new standard for International professional boxing.

"We have the exclusive rights to these exceptional boxers in the professional arena and want to establish a long-term cooperation with the Cuban side."

One of the most decorated amateurs in history, Julio Cesar la Cruz (3-0, 2 knockouts), who has won two Olympic gold medals, five World Championships gold medals, will see action at in a 12-round bridgerweight contest

Meanwhile, hugely talented light heavyweight Arlen Lopez (2-0, 2 KOs), has also won two Olympic gold medals and a won one World Championship, will fight a 10-round light heavyweight bout.

Also tabbed to appear is Erislandy Alvarez (3-0, 1 KO), who is the reigning Olympic champion at lightweight, will fight a scheduled 10-round junior welterweight fight.

Three-time Olympic bronze medalist Lazaro Alvarez (6-0, 3 KOs) and three-time World Championship gold medalist, amongst the eight gold medals he has won in International competition. He will fight a 10-round lightweight fight.

Recent signee Moussa Gholam (22-1, 13 KOs), a fringe contender at junior lightweight, will make his first start for AGON in a 10-round contest.

Opponents will be announced for each fighter in due course and will be for WBA regional titles.