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The Cuban boxing delegation faced a tough setback this Wednesday at the IBA World Championship in Dubai, where three of its four representatives were eliminated in the quarterfinals.
With these results, only the Guantanamo native Arlen López, a two-time Olympic champion, remains in the tournament and has already secured a bronze medal, amid the collapse of boxing on the island.
Julio César La Cruz falls, his opponent brought him to the mat
The two-time Olympic champion and five-time world champion Julio César La Cruz (92 kg) was defeated 1-4 by the Uzbek Turabek Khabibullaev, therefore he is out of the medal contention, reported the state journalist Guillermo Rodríguez on Facebook.
La Cruz, one of the most iconic names in boxing from the largest of the Antilles, could not impose his style against a rival who was more effective in exchanges, even managing to knock him down during the fight.
Defeat also for Giorvis Salfrán and Fernando Arzola
The fellow Guantanamo native Giorvis Salfrán (51 kg) lost his match against Ruldolf Garboyan from Armenia and was unable to advance to the semifinals. Salfrán couldn't decipher his opponent's defense and pace, falling just short of the podium.
In the super heavyweight division, the Santiago native Fernando Arzola (+92 kg) lost by unanimous decision (0-5) to the Uzbek Arman Makhanof, despite having delivered a standing eight-count in the third round. His effort was not enough against the opponent's final push and the judges' criteria.
Arlen López, the only Cuban with a guaranteed medal
The good news for Cuba came through López (80 kg), who won a closely contested match against the Tajik Nekruz Salimov, result that guarantees him at least a bronze medal and a place in the tournament semifinals.
López thus becomes the sole survivor of the Cuban squad, which arrived in Dubai with four Domadores in competition and is now placing all its hopes on the fighter from Guantánamo.
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