By Juan Francisco Arias

Gilberto Jesús Mendoza, President of the World Boxing Association (WBA), said he wishes for the best with former world champion Celestino “Pelenchín” Caballero.

As krikya360.com reported on Monday, the retired former Panamanian fighter received a replacement of his sentence of 5 years in prison -which he had been complying since 2016.

He now has to do community service in the municipality of Colón in Panama.

“I believe that the replacement of the sentence is positive for him (Caballero). ‘Pelenchín’ made a mistake and I believe that the community service will help him in the process of redeeming his mistake. He was an excellent sportsman and I can only wish the best for him, as I always have. That is why, through our KO Drugs program, we are also going to lend a hand, because that is the philosophy of the great WBA Family," said Mendoza.

Caballero, who was serving a sentence of 5 years in prison since 2016 for drug trafficking after being caught at a traffic stop with 10 kilos of cocaine hidden his vehicle, received on Monday a replacement sentence and immediately released.

Now, the Panamanian boxer will have to fulfill community service, started today.

He must perform his service every Tuesday and Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and will have to make a report about the work that was done, as the Public Ministry of Panama announced through their social media.

The District Attorney, Janell Acuña, agreed with the sentence that the former athlete will fulfill in the municipality of Colón.