Havana, March 4 (JIT) - Cuban Legnis Calá (57 kg) lost by points (0-5) to China's Zichun Xu in the opening round of the pre-Olympic boxing tournament organized in the Italian city of Busto Arzizio.

The outcome was in line with the predictions, given the greater international tour of the Asian, but left positive comments on the delivery of the runner-up in the XXIV Central American and Caribbean Games of San Salvador 2023, who dominated the opening round.

That was the only presentation of the Island in the beginning of a fight that gathers 633 contestants from 115 teams and will grant quotas to all men semifinalists (four in the seven divisions) and 21 women: four in 50, 54, 66 and 75 kilograms, three in 60 kg and two in 57 kg.

The next Cuban in competition will be Jorge Cuellar (71 kg), who will compete on Tuesday against the winner of the current round between Guinea's Armando Bighafa and Tonga's Taufa Levemaau.

Cuba completes its squad with world runners-up Erislandy Alvarez (63.5 kg) and Fernando Arzola (+92 kg), bronze medalist at that level Alejandro Claro (51 kg) and the third Central Caribbean Yakelín Estornell (66 kg).

Their three already minted places were won by two-time Olympic champions Julio Cesar La Cruz (92 kg) and Arlen Lopez (80 kg), and the world number two Saidel Horta (57 kg).