The Cuban boxing team reached the semifinals of the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games with 10 representatives —five men and five women— making this discipline one of the main hopes of the delegation to improve their standing in the overall medal tally at Santo Domingo 2026.
According to the state sports media JIT from the Dominican capital, each team lost only one boxer on their way to the bronze medals, which secure a place on the podium. Monday's victories completed the semifinal lineup with performances from Danaybis de las Nieves (51 kg), Carisney García (54 kg), Keylor García (80 kg), and Yusnier Sorsano (80 kg).
Danaybis overcame a challenging first round to win 3-2 against the Panamanian Yuliett Hinestroza, champion of the Central American Games in Guatemala 2025. "I followed the advice from my corner, which was to increase my activity and start the attacks," the boxer stated after the match, and added: "I'm happy, for sure, because this is an important step that required a lot of sacrifice, and I am grateful to everyone who helped make this dream come true."
Carisney faced no complications and defeated the Puerto Rican Angelyris López 5-0. Keylor repeated his victory over the Colombian Diego Motoa with the same score, although he acknowledged that the opponent posed challenges at times: “He caught me off guard at moments when I didn’t know how to control him, but thanks to the guidance of my coaches and the support of my teammates, the result came through.” Sorsano, for his part, needed to go into the final round tied before ultimately winning 4-1 against the Panamanian Eduardo Beckford.
The bitter note of the day was set by Saidel Horta, the world runner-up from Tashkent 2023 in the 60 kg category. The Cuban entered the ring with a previous injury near his right eye, failed to counter the pressure from the Venezuelan Wilson Solórzano, and suffered a second cut on his forehead. The doctor stopped the fight in the second round, and the judges confirmed the defeat with a unanimous decision of 5-0, leaving Horta out of the tournament without a medal.
This Wednesday, Cuba will host six semifinal matches. In the women's division, Magda Massó (57 kg) faces the Venezuelan Omailyn Alcalá, Dayira Mesa (70 kg) competes against the Venezuelan Génesis Palma, and Yoana Rodríguez (75 kg) clashes with the Mexican Lorien Alonso. In the men's division, Alejandro Claro (52 kg) fights against the Barbadian Jabali Breedi, Keylor García (80 kg) takes on the Dominican Noel Pacheco, and Julio César La Cruz (90 kg) contests his semifinal against the Venezuelan Alfonso Blanco.
La Cruz, flagbearer of Cuba alongside Leyanis Pérez at these Games and a double Olympic champion, arrives as the overwhelming favorite for the men's team. The light heavyweight won gold in Veracruz 2014, Barranquilla 2018, and San Salvador 2023, and in Santo Domingo, he is pursuing his fourth consecutive regional title.
Cuban boxing arrived at these Games with 13 qualified spots in the tournament in Guadalajara, although the preparation was impacted by the absence of the Olympic champion from Paris 2024 Erislandy Álvarez, who had to undergo surgery for an inguinal hernia and a cyst on his back, with no substitute available.
Cuba ranks third in the overall medal standings of the Games at the end of the tenth day, with 31 golds, 26 silvers, and 35 bronzes, behind Mexico and Colombia. The results of boxing this Wednesday will be crucial for the Cuban delegation to solidify or improve that position before the Games conclude on August 8.
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