Boxing La Cruz

Havana, March 28 (JIT) - The Cuba-France boxing match agreed for next April 5 in Varadero will have eight fights, one more than initially planned.

The news was reported on Wednesday from the Brisas del Caribe hotel, which will host the event as the culmination of a preparation base involving stars from those and other countries.

Alberto Puig, president of the Cuban Boxing Federation, explained that there will be two fights in the 57-kilogram division, with the Island represented by universal silver medalist Saidel Horta and Cologne 2023 World Cup king Rolando Martinez.

Horta will remain as the opponent of European runner-up Lounes Hanraou, and Martinez will be the opponent of Samuel Kistohurry, bronze medalist at the Belgrade 2021 World Cup, the other French contender for an Olympic berth at that weight.

The director confirmed the remaining bouts, among which the one between the local silver medalist Erislandy Alvarez and the star Sofiane Oumiha, the sub titlist under the five rings and triple king at that level, who was his victimizer last year, generates special interest.

Cuba also registered two-time Olympic champions Julio Cesar La Cruz (92 kg) and Arlen Lopez (80 kg), the world number two Saidel Horta (57 kg) and the third at that level Alejandro Claro (51 kg), already qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Puig added that other home exponents, led by two-time national champion Nelson Williams, will be present in an evening of six duels scheduled for the previous day at the same tourist facility.

THE PROGRAM FOR APRIL 5

51 kg: Alejandro Claro (CUB) vs. Billal Bennama (FRA)

57 kg: Saidel Horta (CUB) vs. Lounes Hanraou (FRA)

57 kg: Rolando Martínez (CUB) vs. Samuel Kistohurry (FRA)

71 kg: Jorge Cuellar (CUB) vs. Makan Traoré (FRA)

80 kg: Arlen López (CUB) vs. César Yorelin (FRA)

92 kg: Julio César La Cruz (CUB) vs. Soheb Bouafia (FRA)

+92 kg: Fernando Arzola (CUB) vs. Djamili Aboudou (FRA)

63,5 kg: Erislandy Alvarez (CUB) vs. Sofiane Oumiha (FRA)

THE PROGRAM OF APRIL 4

75 kg: Yoana Rodriguez (CUB) vs. Atheyna Bibeishi Bylon (PAN)             

57 kg: Shudai Harada (JAP) vs. Vasile Armando Usturot (BEL)

67 kg: Julio Collazo (MTZ) vs. Hugo Robert Grau (FRA) 

71 kg: Bruno M. Fernandes (POR) vs. Swarete Quincy (JAP)                             

80 kg: Brice Romaric (BUR) vs. Leonel Pedroso (MTZ)                             

92 kg: Nelson Williams (CUB)vs. Victor Ilunga (BEL)