Saidel Horta was crowned continental champion in the 60 kilograms category and became the only Cuban boxer to win the title during the final day of the Continental Boxing Championship held in Puebla, Mexico, this Saturday.
The fighter from Cienfuegos, world runner-up in Tashkent 2023, defeated the Dominican Ezequiel Medina in a final that was not completed: the match was interrupted in the first round due to injuries sustained by both boxers, and the five judges awarded the victory to the Cuban with a unanimous decision of 5-0, considering that he had dominated the actions up to that point.
With that triumph, Horta concluded his participation in the tournament held at the Miguel Hidalgo coliseum with a perfect record of four wins and no losses.
Cuba reached the final day with three representatives in the finals, but only Horta stepped onto the highest podium.
In the 70 kilograms category, Yusnier Sorsano faced off again against the Dominican Ricardo Cuello, who had already defeated him in the final of the Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo 2026. The match had a dramatic ending: all five judges scored it 28-28 at the end of the third round before issuing a final 5-0 decision in favor of the Dominican, leaving Sorsano with the silver medal.
Nelson Williams also took home the silver in the 90 kilograms category after losing by unanimous decision 5-0 to the Brazilian Isaías Filho, a competitor who combined mobility and technical skills to neutralize the Cuban's offensive actions throughout the entire match.
In addition to the three medals from the finals, Cuba added two bronzes: Luis Enrique Vinent in the men's 65 kg category and Dayira Mesa in the women's 70 kg category, who was the first Cuban to secure a spot for Lima 2027 at the start of the tournament.
In total, the Cuban delegation concluded the championship with five medals—one gold, two silver, and two bronze—and, which is equally significant, five spots for the Pan American Games in Lima 2027: Horta, Sorsano, Williams, Vinent, and Mesa.
The result comes at a time of recovery for Cuban boxing, which in Santo Domingo 2026 did not win any titles in the men's category for the first time in the history of the Central American and Caribbean Games, and the delegation finished third in the overall medal standings of that event.
The Puebla tournament was the first qualifier for Lima 2027, with a second opportunity scheduled for the first quarter of next year, which keeps the door open for more Cuban boxers to secure their spot in the Pan American Games.
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