Photo: Roberto Morejón (JIT)
Havana, June 25 (RHC)-- Billy Rodriguez and Carlos Castillo won the first championships of the 59th Playa Giron National Boxing Tournament, which will end today in the city of Camaguey, eastern Cuba, with a program featuring Olympic and world stars.
Billy (HAB-48 kg) defeated Delvis Abreu (CFG) 5-0 and retained the crown achieved in the previous edition, organized in the same Rafael Fortun Sports Palace, where he now showed his growth as an athlete.
"He expected me to look for the melee, but the decision was not to fall into that plan," he told JIT after imposing respect based on quick entries and exits tinged by an offensive work never deciphered by Abreu, of greater reach and stature.
"I thank all those who have contributed to this new step," said the continental king, who is waiting for his debut in professional circuits after a recently frustrated attempt due to rival defaults.
For his part, Castillo (HAB-+91 kg) celebrated his debut at the top of these lides with a 5-0 success at the expense of Yoel Duvergel (ART), who found no tools to avoid the effects of his hooks and swings.
"The continued work of the advanced hand fulfilled its objective, because he is fast and taller than me, and I always felt superior", commented the capital, who considered this laurels "prize to the many years of sacrifice".
The other bouts of the card put at stake the pending quotas for the Saturday definition and had among their winners the two-time champions under the five rings Roniel Iglesias (PRI-69 kg), Arlen Lopez (GTM-81 kg) and Julio Cesar La Cruz (CMG-91 kg).
All of them responded to the demands, as did three-time world champion Lazaro Alvarez (PRI-60 kg) and the current leader at that level Yoenlis Hernandez (CMG-75 kg).
The latter, applauded by his fans, found opposition in Jorge Cuellar (SSP), but again exhibited an action adorned by the richness of the punch, delivered with force and from different angles, to deserve a 5-0 decision.
Based on solidity and the mastery that characterizes him, Arlen solved Arlen before the perseverance of Jorge Soto (HOL), who signed the merit of exchanging all the time in confrontation voted 4-1.
La Cruz, local idol, made the task easy against Yurizán Cutiño (LTU). He converted the jab into punishment, hit at all distances and imposed the pace at will for the 5-0 expected against an unknown who surrendered with nobility.
This Saturday, there will be nine bouts in the morning card that will begin at the same time and will have among its attractions the duel between Yosbany Veitía (SSP) and Damián Arce (CMG) in the 52 kilograms division.
It will also be the culmination of the fight by provinces, now headed by Sancti Spíritus (17 points), Santiago de Cuba (15) and Guantánamo (14).
