The "flagship" of Cuban sports shows no signs of slowing down. With their sights set on the upcoming Central American and Caribbean Games, the national boxing team is immersed in two training bases in Europe as part of a rigorous cycle that will eventually culminate on the Asian continent.

In Hungary, an elite quartet is training under the direction of Eulises Pouyot, technical head of the senior team, and the experienced Juan Hernández Sierra. At the facilities of the prestigious Vasas Sports Club, Olympic champion Erislandy Álvarez (65 kg) leads a group that includes world runner-up Saidel Horta (60 kg) and national champions Yusnier Sorsano (70 kg) and Keylor García (80 kg). The fighters will remain on Hungarian soil until May 29, focusing on polishing technical and tactical details.

According to information provided to Granma by National Commissioner Robinson Poll, the reigning Paris Olympic champion, Erislandy, will be able to compete in Santo Domingo 2026 without issues, despite his recent adverse result in the professional circuit.

Simultaneously, the Serbian capital of Belgrade is hosting another vanguard of the Cuban armada. This group is led by world super-heavyweight runner-up Fernando Arzola, who—alongside established figures such as Jorge Cuéllar, Nelson Williams, and Luis Enrique Vinent, as well as young talent Deivis Abreu—is following an intense training schedule. Coaches Jorge Gómez and Fermín Espinosa are in charge of this block.

Furthermore, it was recently reported that six members of the pre-selection team will participate in the Greifen Cup in Rostock, Germany, from May 15 to 17. The roster is notable for the presence of three female boxers with high aspirations: Dinaibys de las Nieves (51 kg), Carysney García (54 kg), and Magda Massó (57 kg). This contingent will be under the technical direction of Julián González Cedeño.

The women's team will be complemented by three young male boxers seeking to consolidate their competitive level: Julio Galloso (65 kg), Dairon Girado (70 kg), and Xavier Fernández (80 kg), under the tutelage of coach Aroldis Revé.

Once the European training bases and tournaments conclude, the National Commission plans to take the next step in the critical path toward the regional games. For the month of June, a training cycle is expected to take place in China, where the full delegation will remain for approximately a month and a half. This stay will be fundamental for reaching peak athletic form before the start of the Games.

In the realm of professional boxing, breaking news has emerged regarding the squad’s principal figure. Alberto Puig de la Barca, President of the Cuban Federation, informed that the professional bout for multi-champion Julio César La Cruz, where a world title was to be contested, has been postponed.

For the time being, "The Shadow," who will serve as the flag bearer at the Central American Games, remains focused on collective commitments and is training on the island with his national teammates while awaiting a new date for his professional debut.

With this international preparation strategy, Cuban boxing reaffirms its commitment to reclaiming hegemony in the Central American and Caribbean region and arriving in Santo Domingo with its key athletes in optimal physical condition.