Cuba today outlined its next path in professional and semi-professional boxing, with simultaneous presence in Chile, Serbia and Spain, in a bet that combines experience, titles and youth.
As if moving pieces on several boards at once, the Cuban team will alternate blows in South America and in notoriously demanding European venues.
The first round of this itinerary will take place tomorrow in Santiago, Chile, where the undefeated Erislandy Álvarez (6-0), Lázaro Álvarez (10-0), and Yusnier Sorsano (2-0) will step into the ring in 10-round bouts, with World Boxing Association belts on the line.
Erislandy, the Olympic champion in Paris 2024, will put his Latin American continental title in the 63.5 kg weight class on the line against Panama’s José Núñez (17-0-2), in a duel that promises precision and power.
Meanwhile, Lázaro Álvarez, with a illustrious career in amateur boxing, will defend his continental title in the 61.3 kg weight class against Brazilian Jackson Furtado (12-3), while Sorsano, still developing his skills, will face a more challenging bout against Argentinian Jonathan Wilson Sánchez (26-8-1) in the 69.8 kg weight class.
At the same time, attention is focused on Europe. From May 14 to 17, Belgrade will host the Winners Tournament, where Cuba will compete with a team comprised of Deibys Abreu (55 kg), Luis Enrique Vinent (65 kg), Jorge Cuéllar (70 kg), Nelson Williams (90 kg), and Yoel Duvergel (+90 kg).
The team will travel on the 26th to complete a training camp in the Serbian capital, under the guidance of coaches Fermín Espinoza and Jorge Gómez.
The European boxing schedule expands on May 1st in Palma de Mallorca, where two-time Olympic champion Arlen López (6-0) will face undefeated Argentinian Leonel Eduardo Ávila (12-0) in a 10-round bout.
On the same card, featherweight Saidel Horta (1-0) and flyweight Alejandro Claro (1-0) will face off in eight-round fights against Venezuelan Fernando José Toro (11-0) and Colombian Edinson Martínez (15-7-3), respectively.
