Cuba faced its second defeat in the Olympic boxing ring at the Paris 2024 Games this Wednesday, following Saidel Horta's loss to Munarbek Seitbek Uulu of Kyrgyzstan in the 57-kilogram division.
Horta, a universal silver medalist in 2023, was forced to exit the competition due to an unexpected situation—a cut on his face that prevented him from continuing the fight in the third and final round. The Cuban boxer dominated the first round, lost the second, and the injury led to the judges showing their scores after only a few moments of the decisive period.
The worst news came when four out of five judges saw the Eurasian boxer dominating, resulting in a split decision of 2-3 in favor of Seitbek Uulu, allowing him to advance in the quest for medals.
This leaves Cuba with only three remaining boxers in the competition, as Julio César La Cruz also fell in his debut against fellow Cuban Loren Berto Alfonso, who represents Azerbaijan. With several bouts still to come, Cuba's hopes now rest on Alejandro Claro (51 kg), Erislandy Álvarez (63.5 kg), and Arlen López, a two-time Olympic champion in Rio de Janeiro 2016 and Tokyo 2020.
Arlen López's Historic Quest
López aims to become the fourth boxer to win gold in three Olympic Games, a rare feat. It is worth noting that La Cruz was also pursuing this goal. Historically, this achievement has only been accomplished by Hungarian Laszlo Papp (1948, 1952, 1956) and Cubans Teófilo Stevenson (1972, 1976, 1980) and Félix Savón (1992, 1996, 2000).
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuba's Boxing Performance in Paris 2024
Here are some common questions and answers regarding Cuba's performance in Olympic boxing at the Paris 2024 Games.
Why did Saidel Horta have to leave the competition?
Saidel Horta had to leave the competition because of a cut on his face that prevented him from continuing his fight in the third round.
Who are the remaining Cuban boxers in Paris 2024?
The remaining Cuban boxers in Paris 2024 are Alejandro Claro (51 kg), Erislandy Álvarez (63.5 kg), and Arlen López.
What historic achievement is Arlen López pursuing?
Arlen López is aiming to become the fourth boxer to win gold in three different Olympic Games.