Cuban boxer Loren Berto Alfonso, representing Azerbaijan in the Olympic boxing competition, defeated his fellow Cuban-turned-Spaniard Emmanuel Reyes this Sunday, leaving Reyes with a bronze medal and solidifying his status as the favorite in the 92-kilogram division for Paris 2024.
Fate had it that Alfonso had to overcome two compatriots on his path to glory. His split decision victory (4-1) over Reyes in the semifinals followed a resounding debut performance against Julio César la Cruz, the reigning champion from Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.
In the bout for a place in the gold medal match, Alfonso once again showcased his boxing prowess, sticking to his tactical plan and preventing “El Profeta” from dictating the pace in an extremely close contest that left Reyes dissatisfied.
"I don't know what fight they saw. The refereeing is ruining boxing. I felt like the winner despite the decision. I never thought they would give that verdict," Reyes told Galicia TV in statements published on the social network X.
For Reyes, however, the third place finish marks his first medal in an Olympic event, as he was eliminated by “La Sombra” Cruz in one of the most politicized matchups of the previous games in Japan.
The silver medal secured by Alfonso is the first for Cuban-born athletes competing under different flags in Paris, although more standout performances are expected. Notably, boxer Javier Ibáñez (57 kg) will compete in the semifinals, and a fierce competition is anticipated in the men's triple jump among Spain's Jordan Díaz, Portugal's Pedro Pablo Pichardo, and Italy's Andy Díaz.
Cuban Boxing Legacy and Future Prospects
As for the official delegation from Cuba, once the undisputed rulers in these boxing events, only one contender has made it to the final: Erislandy Álvarez, who will vie for the title against local favorite Sofiane Oumiha in the 63.5-kilogram division.
This outcome was set after Arlen López lost to Ukrainian Oleksandr Khyzhniak at the Paris North Arena. López, also a champion from Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, saw his undefeated streak in Olympic events come to an end against a boxer who finished as runner-up in Tokyo.
The Guantanamo native could not match the feats achieved by Hungarian Laszlo Papp (1948, 1952, 1956) and his fellow Cubans Teófilo Stevenson (1972, 1976, 1980) and Félix Savón (1992, 1996, 2000).
Key Moments and Insights into Cuban Boxers at Paris 2024
The participation of Cuban boxers under different flags has generated significant interest. Here are some frequently asked questions that shed light on this topic.
Why did Loren Berto Alfonso represent Azerbaijan instead of Cuba?
Loren Berto Alfonso chose to represent Azerbaijan due to better training opportunities and support that he could not find within the Cuban boxing federation.
What are the implications of Cuban athletes competing for other countries?
Cuban athletes competing for other countries highlight the issues within Cuba's sports institutions and the broader socio-political environment that drives talent to seek better opportunities abroad.
Who are the notable Cuban-born athletes to watch in Paris 2024?
Notable Cuban-born athletes include Loren Berto Alfonso (Azerbaijan, boxing), Javier Ibáñez (57 kg, boxing), Jordan Díaz (Spain, triple jump), Pedro Pablo Pichardo (Portugal, triple jump), and Andy Díaz (Italy, triple jump).