Cuban boxers to compete in Mohammed VI Cup in Morocco

A 10-member team of elite Cuban boxers will compete in the Mohammed VI Cup in Morocco from Oct. 12-18, Cuban sports news website Jit reported Monday.

Alberto Puig, president of the Cuban Boxing Federation, said the squad will compete in Morocco and various other tournaments in preparation for the upcoming Central American and Caribbean Games, hosted by Veracruz, Mexico in November.

"The goal is to add this experience to the work we are doing, so that we can make a good contribution to the (Cuban) delegation in Veracruz, where we hope to win a good number of titles," said Puig.

Cuba's Morocco boxing squad features the same 10 fighters who will represent the Caribbean island at the regional games, namely Olympic gold medal winners Robeisy Ramirez (56kg) and Roniel Iglesias (69), two-time world champions Lazaro Alvarez (60) and Julio Cesar La Cruz (81), and twice world silver medal winner Yasnier Toledo (64), as well as world junior boxing champion Erislandy Savon (91).

Boxing and other combat sports, such as judo and wrestling, are considered to provide Cuba with its best chances to garner Olympic and world titles.