Arlen Lopez in his professional debut
Aguascalientes, May 21 (JIT) - Domadores de Cuba's name was inscribed here in the books of professional boxing with a six-fight sweep of five knockouts.
"The boys showed willingness and good competitive conduct," head trainer Rolando Acebal assured JIT in the dressing room assigned to his team at the iconic Palenque of the San Marcos National Fair.
"They have proven the worthy preparation done to increase volumes," the coach said about the successes of Osvel Caballero, Yoenlis Feliciano, Lazaro Alvarez, Roniel Iglesias and Arlen Lopez, over locals, and Julio Cesar La Cruz, at the expense of a Colombian.
Only Lazaro needed to cover the six rounds, in a duel of the super lightweight division against the home idol Francisco Mercado, whom he let know about the rank with which he accumulates three world crowns and an equal number of Olympic bronze medals.
"I went into the ring to fight, round by round, to wear him down and connect cleanly, as it happened," he said after winning by unanimous vote (3-0) in a fight marked by his speed, good handling of the forward hand and the combinations to which he appealed at precise moments.
The remaining outcomes came before the limit, with a highlight for the one signed by Arlen who gave a technical dissertation by hitting the left swing in the face of the semi-complete Fernando Galvan in the same first episode.
"We went out to fulfill the purpose of making a good fight, not looking to finish it fast, but I found the moment after provoking the opponent and hence the result," explained the two-time Olympic champion.
"One of the most impressive knockouts of the year", said an ESPN commentator about the "missile" with which the Antillean sent Galvan to the canvas, shortly after Iglesias, also a double title holder under the five rings, solved the fight with his low blows.
A left hook put an end to the aspirations of super welter Brandon Perez in the second chapter, although the Caribbean did not value that option as a priority. "It was a punch that is telling when it's well placed," he maintained. "He opened his guard and I took advantage of it," he asserted.
Caballero, third in the world, was pure concentration. He maintained control, blocked with ease and hit hard to disarm super featherweight Joshman Reyes in four segments, making a mockery of his longer reach and stature.
"A wonderful experience, for what this presentation of ours means to me and to the people of Cuba," he expressed.
Equally solid was presented Yoenlis, universal leader who resolved in one less chapter against the medium Juan Carlos Raygosa.
"The bell prevented me from continuing my work when he was counted out of protection for a swing in the second round, but in the next round I set out to look for an accurate punch if I found the gap," he explained.
The climax came with the double Olympic gold medalist La Cruz, too much for the Colombian cruiser Deivis Cásseres, the most experienced of those summoned to face the Cubans.
A count in the first act became a prelude to the definition in the second, when the South American "kissed" the canvas and the referee stopped the actions.
"It has been a good debut, a sign for the professional world that there are Cuban boxers with enough conditions to seek top positions," he said while receiving congratulatory messages from the main directors of Inder and many fans.
