The Cuban Loren Berto Alfonso, representative of Azerbaijan at Paris 2024, dedicated emotional words this Sunday to the land that saw him born and develop as an athlete, while praising the quality of his compatriot Julio César la Cruz just minutes after defeating him by split decision.
"Everything I have achieved in boxing I owe to Cuba," he told the press accredited at the Olympic Games, in statements published by special envoy Guillermo Rodríguez on the social network Facebook.
On his 29th birthday, the bronze medalist at Tokyo 2020 achieved one of the most significant results of his career. "This victory is also for the Cuban people," added the 92-kilogram representative.
I arrived in Azerbaijan as a seasoned boxer. This time it was my turn to win, said the fighter born in Pinar del Río and world champion in the 86 kilograms.
Regarding his current rival, he stated: “La Cruz has always been my idol since I started in the sport, I have always wanted to be like him.”
He also described it as "the best of all time" and invited Cubans to follow his fights and support him on his way to Olympic glory, something that seems within his reach after his luxurious debut.
The ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel listened to the statements and did not hesitate to highlight them on the social network X.
La Cruz, for his part, said goodbye to the possibility of achieving his third title at this level, after winning in Rio de Janeiro 2016 and Tokyo 2020.
Although three years have passed, it is still remembered when "La Sombra" shouted "Homeland and Life no, Homeland or Death, We Will Overcome!" after defeating his compatriot Enmanuel Reyes Pla, who competed for Spain in Tokyo 2020.
By the twists of life, Reyes dominated the Chinese Han Xuezhen, advanced to the quarterfinals, and has the bronze medal in the aforementioned division within reach.
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