Cristian Javier Pinales has signed a long-term management agreement with Trifon Petrov and Split-T Management.
Pinales, a 2024 Olympic bronze medalist from La Romana, Dominican Republic, plans to make his professional debut at the start of 2025.
“I am very happy to have signed with [Split-T CEO] David McWater and Trifon Petrov,” Pinales said. “They represent many world champions, high-level contenders, and have great relationships in the sport of boxing. Working with them both will be a huge boost for my career.”
Pinales, who began boxing at the Silverio De Aza Boxing Club, flourished as an amateur and medalled at the Paris Games, which he called “the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
It also meant returning home to the Dominican to handle new levels of attention – and a new set of commitments.
“It was absolute madness – thousands of people were waiting at the airport to congratulate me,” Pinales said. “For the month to follow, I had daily media responsibilities all over the country, including meeting the president of the Dominican Republic, which was a huge honor for me.”
Pinales plans to relocate to the United States to train under coaches Chelo Betancourt and Indio Rodriguez in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, while also still training at the Silverio De Aza.
“After Pinales won a medal at the Paris Olympics, becoming a professional was the next logical step,” Betancourt said. “He’s had an extremely long and successful amateur career, and now it’s time to show the world what he can do as a professional.”