The Cuban Loren Berto Alfonso, representative of Azerbaijan in Olympic boxing, eliminated his fellow countryman naturalized Spanish Enmanuel Reyes this Sunday, leaving him with a bronze medal and confirming himself as the favorite to dominate the 92-kilogram division in Paris 2024.
The coincidental chance wanted Alfonso to defeat two compatriots on his way to glory, because the divided victory over Reyes (4-1) in the semifinals was preceded by his standout performance in the debut against Julio César la Cruz, champion in Rio de Janeiro 2016 and Tokyo 2020.
In the fight for access to the discussion of gold, the Azerbaijani once again displayed his boxing skills, executed the tactical plan, and did not allow "The Prophet's" offense to dictate the pace in an extremely close bout that left the loser unsatisfied.
"I don't know what fight they watched. The refereeing is ruining boxing. I felt like a winner despite the decision. I never thought they would give that verdict," he stated to Galicia television in comments published on social media platform X.
For Reyes, however, third place represents his first medal in Olympic appearances, as he was eliminated by "La Sombra" Cruz in Japan, in one of the most politicized matches of that multi-sport event.
The silver secured by Alfonso represents the first for Cubans under other flags in Paris, although other standout performances are expected. In fact, the boxer Javier Ibáñez (57) will compete in the semifinals, and a great competition is anticipated in the men's triple jump among the Spaniard Jordan Díaz, the Portuguese Pedro Pablo Pichardo, and the Italian Andy Díaz.
As for the official delegation of the largest of the Antilles, once the undisputed queen in these Fistiana art contests, it barely classified one contender for the final: Erislandy Álvarez, who will contest the title against the local favorite Sofiane Oumiha in the 63.5 kilograms category.
The scene ended up that way after Arlen López's setback against the Ukrainian Oleksandr Khyzhniak in the ring located at the Paris Nord Arena.
López, also the champion of Rio de Janeiro 2016 and Tokyo 2020, said goodbye to his unbeaten record in Olympic events against a fighter who, in fact, was the runner-up in the capital of Japan.
The boxer from Guantanamo could not match the achievement of the Hungarian Laszlo Papp (1948, 1952, 1956) and his compatriots Teófilo Stevenson (1972, 1976, 1980) and Félix Savón (1992, 1996, 2000).
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