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Cuba continues to perform perfectly in the International Boxing Association (IBA) World Championship taking place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and has already achieved a record of 3-0, remaining undefeated at the start of the tournament.
The double Olympic champion Arlen López and the 2023 universal runner-up Fernando Arzola kicked off the island's victorious journey with two decisive wins in their respective divisions, while Giorvis Salfrán (51 kg) continued the winning streak.
In the 80-kilogram category, Arlen López defeated the Turkish fighter Bayram Malkan with a score of 4-1, in a match voted 30-26, 28-29, 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28. The fighter from Guantánamo imposed his pace and demonstrated a technical dominance that reaffirms him as one of the tournament's top favorites, reported Cubadebate.
In the super heavyweight division (+92 kg), Fernando Arzola, the world runner-up in Tashkent 2023, won his match by RSC-I in the first round against the Australian Joshua Cercarelli.
According to details provided to JIT by the president of the Cuban Boxing Federation, Alberto Puig de la Barca, the fight ended at 1:53 minutes due to a fall by the opponent, who also suffered an ankle injury that prevented him from continuing.
Meanwhile, Salfrán, runner-up in the 2023 World Cup in Cologne, defeated Azerbaijani Nijat Huseynov, a bronze medalist at the 2021 Youth World Championship and a two-time European champion.
Upcoming commitments and figures to watch
Arlen López will return to the ring on Monday to face Iraqi Ridha Talib Jabbar, while Arzola will compete against the Spanish Ayoub Ghadfa Drissi El Aissaoui, the Olympic runner-up in Paris 2024.
That same day, Julio César La Cruz (92 kg), a two-time Olympic champion and five-time world champion, will make his debut as the clear favorite against Senegalese Karamba Kebe in his quest to win a historic sixth crown.
A highly competitive World Cup
The event, held at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, brings together more than 420 boxers from 108 countries. The finals of each division are scheduled for Saturday the 13th.
With its flawless start of 3-0, Cuba seeks to uphold the tradition that has established it as a historical powerhouse in world boxing.
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