Gilberto Mendoza (March 30, 1943 – March 11, 2016) was a Venezuelan-Panamanian former amateur boxer and sports executive who served as president of the World Boxing Association (WBA), the oldest of the four major professional boxing world championship recognizing organizations.
During this time, he led the committee in writing the Norms and Procedures for Ratings, which established rules for the sport.
[4] Sanchez died in 1982, and Mendoza was elected President over deputy commissioner of the New Jersey Athletic Commission, Bob Lee, in a 41 to 32 vote.
[5] During his time as WBA President, Mendoza created KO Drugs, a substance abuse program aimed at helping young people find a better future via boxing.
Mendoza had been fighting cancer for nearly a decade, although he served as WBA President Emeritus until his death.