Billy Wolfe has visions of becoming a professional boxer.

The 16-year-old Worthington resident and Armstrong High School junior will learn where he stands next month in terms of his progress toward that goal.

Wolfe, 37-8 as an amateur and a longtime member of the Butler Cubs boxing program, will be one of 14 Pittsburgh-area amateurs flying to Cuba Feb. 20 for a series of bouts against Cuban fighters.

He will fight a Cuban opponent in a three-round bout Feb. 22 and return home two days later.

“Their amateur program is tremendous,” Cubs boxing trainer Don Spinetti said. “Billy fights in the Cadet class and because he may draw an opponent two years older than himself, he may face an open division fighter.”

Billy is good friends with Ellwood City boxer Charlie Clouston, who told him he was going to Cuba as part of this contingent. He encouraged Wolfe to phone Rich Donnelly, a Pittsburgh-based coach and the team coordinator.

Donnelly told Wolfe to have Spinetti give him a call.

“I called him and he simply said, 'Billy's on the team.' He's seen him fight before,” Spinetti said.

Donnelly said boxers were selected for the team “based on their reputation as a fighter, as a person, their reputation in the gym they come from.

“We know Billy has had a lot of fights and has done well.”

Wolfe is fighting at 141 pounds right now, He will enter the upcoming Pittsburgh Gold Gloves in the 145-pound division.

A contingent of Pittsburgh area fighters traveled to Ireland two years ago. Pittsburgh hosted 11 Cuban boxers July 30 and lost seven of the 11 bouts.

“But we were competitive, we held our own,” Donnelly said. “Cuba has the best amateur fighting organization in the world. There were three Olympic gold medalist boxers from Cuba helping to train our guys when they were here. They'll be doing the same thing down there.”

There were 5,000 fans at the July 30 show, which was broadcast back to Cuba and viewed by six million there.

The boxing trip is a goodwill event as part of “Bridging the Gap,” an attempt to build better relationships with Cuba.

“There are a lot of politicians involved in this and they're looking at a much bigger goal, obviously, than a bunch of boxers,” Donnelly said. “We're just going to make friends and learn.”

Former world boxing champions Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini and Steve Cunningham are among the coaches on the trip.

“I'm excited about this experience,” Wolfe said. “I've fought plenty of guys I've never seen before and know nothing about. I'm confident I can hold my own.”

His father, Bill Wolfe, is the Butler Cubs boxing coach. He had a couple of pro fights and won a Police Athletic League (PAL) national title as an amateur in 1988.

“Billy has worked hard at boxing his entire life,” Wolfe said. “To experience another country and another culture will be good for him.

“He's got a good jab. He's a pressure fighter who can throw combinations and follow up. He holds his hands high ... He's solid fundamentally.”

Wolfe will become the first fighter in the more than 50-year history of the Butler Cubs boxing program to fight outside of the United States. Fellow Cubs fighter Bobby Osterrider is an alternate for the Pittsburgh team.