(BBC) For Joanna Rodriguez, a recent rule change by the Cuban authorities to finally allow women to compete in boxing couldn’t come soon enough.
Already in her 30s, time was fast running out for her shot at an Olympic or world boxing title. Working as a bouncer at a bar at night, she felt she was being forced to choose between her sporting career and putting food on the table.
Now though, as the women’s leading heavyweight in Cuba, Joanna hopes her name might one day sit alongside those of Cuban boxing greats like Felix Savon or Teofilo Stevenson.