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The name of the Cuban boxer Frank Zaldívar Santiesteban has taken a troubling and drastic turn, moving from the boxing ring to police headlines in South Florida. The 29-year-old athlete, a resident of Miami, was arrested on April 6 after a violent incident that left a man seriously injured and now places him before the courts facing extremely serious charges, according to information from local media.
According to official records, Zaldívar remains in custody without the right to bail as he faces charges of attempted murder with a deadly weapon and aggravated assault. The case, still under investigation, has shocked the Cuban community, especially those who were following his burgeoning career in professional boxing.
The incident occurred in the early morning hours of Sunday, and according to the victim's testimony, they engaged in a struggle during which the victim was able to disarm the aggressor and injure him in self-defense. The man was found in critical condition at a gas station on West Flagler Street, with chest wounds and a punctured lung, and was urgently transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital.
Hours later, authorities found Zaldívar near the intersection of Northwest 42nd Avenue and 7th Street, covered in blood and partially wrapped in a sheet. Initially, he refused to identify himself, so it was necessary to confirm his identity through fingerprints while he was receiving medical attention at Ryder Trauma Center.
During the interrogation, the boxer stated that everything began after an argument with “his brother, whom he loves very much,” and left a phrase that reflects his emotional state at that moment: “He doesn’t care what happens to him; only God can judge him,” according to the police report.
On Tuesday, he appeared before a judge via videoconference from a hospital bed, where his detention without bail was ordered. So far, his team has not issued any public statements, nor has it been revealed who is representing him legally.
Beyond the legal proceedings, the case also impacts his sporting future. Zaldívar was trying to make his way in the competitive world of professional boxing, with his last recorded fight taking place last year in Las Vegas, where he lost to the undefeated Curmel Moton.
The current arrest is not an isolated incident. Official documents show that in August 2025, he was detained in Key West on charges that included breaking and entering, drug possession, and tampering with evidence. A month earlier, he had been arrested for driving without a valid license. These past incidents illustrate a recent pattern of legal troubles that have now reached a critical point.
While the authorities review surveillance videos and gather testimonies, the case will be sent to the Prosecutor's Office to determine the formal charges and the direction of the judicial process.
Zaldívar, known in the boxing world as "El Perro", represented Cuba in the World Series of Boxing with the Domadores de Cuba in 2017 and participated in national tournaments such as Playa Girón between 2016 and 2018.
As a professional he has accumulated a record of five victories and two defeats, with three knockouts. His last known fight was on February 1, 2025, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, where he lost by technical knockout in the third round to Curmel Moton, an 18-year-old prospect from Mayweather Promotions, on the card of the event featuring David Benavidez against David Morrell Jr.
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