PARIS.- Boxing, the flagship of Cuban Olympism, loses its way in the Paris Olympicsafter Alejandro Claro Fiz was eliminated in the flyweight quarterfinals, becoming the third of the five boxers from the island delegation who cannot access the medals.
Facing a skilled opponent and a hostile environment at the Paris North Arena, the Cuban star put in an action-packed fight against local star Billal Bennama, but it was not enough. Claro lost 3-2 when British judge Lee Innes gave the Frenchman the third round for a final score of 29-28 that decided the fight.
Claro Fiz joins his compatriots Saidel Horta and Julio Cesar la Cruz in falling before the semi-finals of the Olympic boxing tournament. Cuba’s medal hopes in boxing now rest with Erislandy Alvarez, who is already assured of a podium finish, and two-time Olympic champion Arlen Lopez, who was fighting later on Friday.
Cuba has won 78 medals in boxing throughout its history at the Olympic Games, by far the most decorated discipline in the island’s Olympics, above the 45 medals in athletics. Of its medals in the ring, it has 45 golds, 19 silvers and 18 bronzes. Only the United States has more medals than Cuba in Olympic boxing.
New stage
The island returned with medals from its five participants in Tokyo 2020, including 4 golds. Two of those champions returned to defend their titles, La Cruz and López, but both were eliminated at the first opportunity. Claro assures that it is not a reflection of a decline, but rather a generational change.
“Nothing is happening, everything is fine, we are training hard and we are young and very well prepared,” said the Cuban after his fight, refusing to answer any more questions. “We Cubans will continue to be the best and we will continue to give our all.”
Source: AP
