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The Olympic champion Erislandy Álvarez made a victorious debut this Monday as he commenced his participation in the XLV Independence Boxing Cup in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, marking one of his first international commitments in 2026.
According to the official site Cubadebate, Álvarez, who competes in the 65-kilogram division, faced off against the Dominican Miguel Ángel Encarnación, a member of the local team A, in an event held following the opening ceremony at the sports complex on Las Carreras Avenue.
Cuban delegation with prominent figures
Cuba participates in the competition with a delegation made up of eight boxers (four men and four women), in a team that blends youth and experience.
At the top of the lineup is the legendary Julio César La Cruz, a two-time Olympic champion and five-time world champion, who will compete in the super heavyweight division (+90 kg). Also noteworthy is the presence of Saidel Horta, world runner-up in Tashkent 2023 in the 60 kg category.
High-level competitive tournament
The Independence Cup brings together boxers from eight countries, including traditional powerhouses of amateur boxing such as Cuba and the United States, making the event an important test in preparation for future international commitments.
For Álvarez, the match represents his first appearance in this competition since being crowned at the Paris Olympic Games, where he reinforced his status as one of the leading figures in contemporary Cuban boxing.
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