PARIS.- Alejandro Claro’s performance in his presentation dispelled in nine minutes any perception that the entry of professionalism is a threat to dominance Cuban in Olympic boxing.
Yes, Cuba lost its delegation’s flag bearer and two-time Olympic champion, Julio César la Cruz, at the first opportunity, but Claro, who is only 23 years old, is ready to assume the responsibility of keeping the island’s reputation intact.
That was on display on Tuesday at the Paris North Arena, where he dismantled Brazilian Michael Douglas Da Silva 5-0 to place himself on the threshold of the podium in the flyweight (51 kilograms) division.
“We regret the defeat of our team captain and standard-bearer, but there are now four athletes left who have to assume responsibility,” he said after his dominant performance. “One who is a two-time Olympic champion and is also going for his third crown (Arlén López) and three young athletes, who are in our first Olympics and now have to take the team on our shoulders to return with the results and continue to keep Cuban boxers on top.”
Of course he did what he should. All five judges gave him the win for each of the three rounds, in which he never seemed to be in trouble.
If there is one thing that the native of Peralejo, in the central part of the island, exudes, it is confidence.
“The key was to come out in the first round much more forward, to use speed and never to be overconfident,” he said calmly. “In the second and third rounds I went out to do my boxing, because I saw myself winning the fight by a wide margin.”
Opportunity for revenge
Riding a nine-fight winning streak, he will now face local star Billal Bennama, his most recent victim before beginning his Olympic adventure. Of course, he is aware that circumstances have changed, not inside the ring, but outside.
“You have to go out and box that fight because, first of all, it is in your country and the judges pay a lot of attention to that,” he said about the opponent who stands in his way to the podium. “He is a good rival, you can’t say he isn’t, he is a tough, strong rival and you have to go out and do our boxing, Cuban boxing, go out and fight and get that medal.”
And as for the presence of professionals, he doesn’t even seem to flinch.
“For me it is still the same, we are all well prepared,” he said. “We are the best in Cuba and we are going to give it our all.”
Source: AP