Havana, December 15 (RHC) -- Cuban Rolando Martinez will cross gloves, this Friday, with Kazakhstan's Makhmud Sabyrkhan, world titleholder at 57 kilograms, at the International Boxing Association's Night of Champions, in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan.

Martinez will have a strong test in a six-round bout and it will be the third fight in a seven-round day.

The Cuban will fight as the only representative of the largest Antillean Island, although initially Osvaldo Díaz in the same weight and Jorge Cuéllar in the 71 kilos (kg) were announced.

According to the organizers, all the duels will feature home stars, including the also holder of the orb Sanzhar Tashkenbay, monarch of the 48 kg in Tashkent 2023, and rival of Uzbekistan's Nodirjon Mirzakhmedov.

Cuba has made five incursions in competitions of this type, with successes by Lázaro Álvarez (60 kg) and Roniel Iglesias (71 kg), and setbacks by Fernando Arzola (over 92 kg), Julio César la Cruz (92 kg) and Arlen López (80 kg).

Two-time Olympic champion La Cruz will face Nigerian Austine Nnamdi tomorrow in a 10-round bout to be held in Conakri, capital of Guinea, for an international title of the World Boxing Association.

The fight will put the five-time world champion against an opponent who celebrated his six wins by knockout in those circuits, although he also has four defeats. (Source: Prensa Latina)