Cuban Attains Perfect Mark in PanAmerican Boxing
Guadalajara, Mexico, Oct 27. -The high quality of Cuban boxing at the 16th PanAmerican Games, Guadalajara-2011, has been confirmed with its nine-member squad reaching the finals.The most emotive match was that of 69kg between Carlos Banteur and veteran Brazilian Myke Carvalho, where a final decision relied on the Judges to break a 14-point tie.
A deaf ear to the noisy stands in Expo Guadalajara helped Robeisis Ramirez (52kg) and Yasniel Toledo (60) eliminate Mexicans Braulio Avila by 20-7 and Angel Jordan Gutierrez 13-7.
Cuban team captain Julio Cesar La Cruz (81kg) reached the finals, scoring 19-9 against Ecuadorian Carlos Gongora, being Cuba's best performance in the ring on Wednesday.
Cuba will only be absent in the maximum 91kg+ category, because its boxer in that division, Erislandy Savón, who received an RSCH (referee stopping contest for head injuries) verdict at the World Championship and medical rules impose 30-day rest.
In an electrifying match, Ecuadorian Italo Pereira (91kg +) gave the first KO of the Games to Puerto Rican Gerardo Bisbal.
The other favorites vindicated the forecasts: Brazilian Robson Conceicao (60) and Florentino Yamaguchi (81), Mexican Oscar molina (69) and Juan Isidro Hiracheta (91+), among others.
In female boxing, 60kg Mexican Erika Cruz and Puerto Rican Kiria Tapia plus 75kg Dominican Yenebier Guillen and Canadian Mary Elizabeth Spencer will fight for the Gold.
Boxing will have a rest this Thursday and the first six matches for gold, five of males and one of females, are set for Friday. (Prensa Latina)