Havana, October 24 (JIT) -- Fernando Arzola (+92 kg) today raised to four the medals secured by Cuba in the men's segment of the boxing tournament of the Pan American Games of Santiago 2023.

Five days after making his debut due to the no-show of his opponent, the world runner-up defeated Canadian Marcel Jerome Mouafo 5-0 for bronze and will join Saidel Horta (57 kg), Arlen Lopez (80 kg) and Julio Cesar La Cruz (92 kg) in Thursday's semifinal.

Good use of the left jab was key to keep at bay the champion of this year's continental competition, who was more impetus than resources on the ring installed at the Olympic Training Center.

"After some time without fighting, I tried to find the rhythm and I felt good in terms of speed, which allowed me to keep him at a distance", explained the Antillean about the constant attempts to approach the northern fighter, inferior in height and reach.

At the gates of a phase in which he will earn Olympic quotas (two per division among men), the boy from the Island said he is very motivated by what it would represent in his career, but he made it clear that his goal goes beyond that.

"Even if I qualify for Paris I have in mind that the competition ends with the discussion of the gold, which is my goal, to make my mom happy, my dad, who is with me wherever he is, and my people," he said.

His next opponent will be Joshua Timothy Edwards from the United States, who has not won any top-level prizes but has had experience in many international competitions.

On Wednesday, Cuba's only representative will be Legnis Calá (57 kg), who needs to beat Venezuela's Omailyn Alcalá to become the first woman from her country to win a medal in these competitions.