Cockfighting in Cuba: clandestine venues, state arenas

Roosters fight at a cockfighting arena in Moron, central region of Ciego de Avila province, Cuba, February 16, 2017. REUTERS/Alexandre Meneghini

CIEGO DE AVILA (Reuters) - Cuban farmer Pascual Ferrel says his favourite fighting cock's prowess was "off the charts," so after it died of illness he had the black and red rooster preserved and displays it on his mantelpiece beside a television.

"He fought six times and was invincible," the 64-year old recalled fondly, talking over the crowing of 60 birds in his farmyard in the central Cuban region of Ciego de Avila.