Joan Guzmán: Dominican Boxing Legend to the Hall of Fame
Santo Domingo – Joan Guzmán, an emblematic figure in Dominican sports and a pioneer in obtaining a Pan American gold medal in an individual discipline, is preparing to be honored with his induction into the Dominican Sports Hall of Fame in the Class of 2025. The organization announced that Guzman will become the twenty-second boxer to receive this prestigious recognition. The induction ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, November 16th, in the auditorium of the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center. Guzmán marked a milestone in the 1995 Pan American Games in Mar del Plata by winning the gold medal in boxing. This achievement represented the second gold for the Dominican Republic in a continental event, after the one obtained by the baseball team in Mexico 1955. Born on May 1, 1976, in the Guachupita neighborhood of Santo Domingo, Guzmán proved to be a symbol of dedication and perseverance. In his amateur stage, he participated in more than 300 fights, achieving victory in 310 of the 320 encounters. In addition, he obtained 21 gold medals in international events, including titles in the Central American Games of Ponce 1993 and the Pan American Games of Mar del Plata 1995. His outstanding career earned him the honor of being the flag bearer for the Dominican delegation at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, before starting his professional career in 1997. As a professional, he won the super bantamweight and super featherweight world titles of the World Boxing Organization (WBO), becoming the first Dominican boxer to be champion in two different categories. His professional record includes 34 victories, 21 of them by knockout, in 36 fights.Guzmán’s selection was the result of the vote of national sports reporters, who annually select two athletes for immortality. On this occasion, former Major League player Edwin Encarnación was also chosen. Alongside Guzman and Encarnacion, the Class of 2025 Hall of Fame inductees include Jose Offerman, Jose Reyes, the promoters Beato Miguel Cruz and Gonzalo Mejia, as well as businessman Manuel Estrella, who will serve as honorary president of the ceremony. With this exaltation, boxing consolidates its position of honor in Dominican sports history, by recognizing a man who, from Guachupita to the world stages, proudly defended the tricolor flag.“Joan Guzmán represents one of the greatest legacies of Dominican sports, an athlete who paved the way and brought glory to the country both on the Olympic and professional level,” highlighted Dionisio Guzmán, president of the Permanent Committee of the Hall of Fame.
Dionisio Guzmán
