Erislandy Álvarez from Cienfuegos (63.5 kilograms) became the fifth boxer who will represent Cuba in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, after beating the Kazakh Bazarbay Mukhammedsaby 3-2 yesterday, in the Bangkok Pre-Olympic Tournament , Thailand.
With this achievement, the Greater Antilles now has a secure presence of 39 athletes in the French capital. It was known that Álvarez would have a very difficult opponent in the ring, so he had to display intense boxing to gain a narrow advantage in the majority of the five judges’ votes.
The defeat of Jorge Cuéllar (71 kg) from Sancti Spiritus was surprising, falling 0-5 against the Polish Damián Durkacz, in his fifth appearance in the fight. However, today he will have the possibility of continuing with the Olympic dream, since his division is one of those that gives five direct places, so the four losers of the quarterfinals will compete to capture the last Olympic ticket. The yayabero will cross gloves with the Irishman Aidan Walsh. The forecast favors the European.
Also on Saturday, Santiago native Fernando Arzola (+92 kg) will perform against Mongolian Byeknur Khali. He is the favorite to win and, if he succeeds, he will be the sixth Cuban boxer present at the Olympic Games.
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