Cuban boxing begins closing of Olympic preparation

After fulfilling the objectives designed for the stage covered since last June 20 in the town of Tremblay-en-France, the Cuban boxing armada continues its pre-Olympic conditioning in a camp based in the city of Nancy.

Rolando Acebal, their head coach, told JIT from French soil that the "perfect condition of the whole team" is a priority, praised "the high level of preparation achieved" and was satisfied with the dedication to the gym that has characterized the stay.

He recalled that the initial phase, fruit of the Cuba-Cooperation France initiative, was mostly dedicated to increase physical and tactical skills, as a prelude to the current one, which they share with fighters from 17 other countries also qualified for the event under the five rings of Paris 2024.

"The goal now is to undertake a final competitive modeling that will ensure the readiness to face the Olympic Games," explained the strategist before highlighting the possibility of conducting five serial sparring sessions as part of the joint sessions.

"All athletes are in great shape, which we have proven with the results of the tests performed, and that tells us that the work has been used as demanded by the commitment to face," said Acebal.

Cuba will rely on a men's quintet headed by two-time Olympic champions Julio Cesar La Cruz (92) and Arlen Lopez (80 kg) and completed by the runners-up Saidel Horta (57 kg) and Erislandy Alvarez (63.5 kg), and the number three at that level Alejandro Claro (51 kg).

Julio, Arlen and Saidel will be among the eight "fixed" of their respective divisions, a condition that usually avoids initial fights between them, which means less complicated starts in a fight that will begin on July 27 and will end on August 10.