The Cubans Julius Cesar La Cruz and Arlen López, both Olympic champions, will fight for the titles of their respective divisions at the stop of the World Tour of the International Association of Boxing (IBA), which with the category of Golden Belt Series is held in the city of Marrakech, Morocco.
In the 92-kilogram division, La Cruz repeated his victory in the Tokyo 2020 final over Russian Muslim Gadzhimagomedov, now with a 4-1 verdict in the semifinal match held this Wednesday, according to a note published by the sports portal Hit.
Two Cubans for belts in the World Tour of #Boxing 2023
Julio César la Cruz and Arlen López advanced this Wednesday to a final where they will have demanding opponents.https://t.co/aNa8b6Orgd pic.twitter.com/INHZgSrlFj— JIT Cuban Sport (@jit_digital) February 8, 2023
Rolando Acebal, head trainer of the Domadores de Cuba franchise, told the outlet that the boxer from Camagüey got the best out of a very tactical combat, with few effective blows, against a rival of a difficult level, owner of a universal crown.
For his part, Arlen secured a space in the title dispute in the 80-kilogram division after also beating Spaniard Gazimagomed Schamilov Jalidov Gafurova with a 4-1 vote, the report added.
Both fighters will have greater demands in their last presentations in this stop of the contest, given the quality of their opponents this Friday.
La Cruz will have the well-known Italian Aziz Abbes Mouhiidine in the opposite corner, who will try to take revenge for the setback suffered against the Cuban in the final of the 2021 Belgrade World Championship.
In turn, Arlen will have the Russian Iman Khataev on his way to the throne, who will arrive with the endorsement of having been a bronze medalist in the most recent Olympic event, held in the Japanese capital.
Arlen and La Cruz appear among the most successful figures in the ranks of the Tamers of Cuba, which since last year began to venture into professional circuits thanks to a representation agreement signed by the Cuban Boxing Federation and the Mexican promoter Golden Ring.
In addition, both ventured into the highest category of World Tour Boxing during an event held in the Mexican city of Guadalajara, where they won the scepter.
On that occasion, Arlen defeated Algerian Younes Nemouchi in the final without major setbacks, while La Cruz recovered from a bad start to lead local Carlos Antonio Rodríguez 3-1.
The World Boxing Tour is a circuit of four levels (Diamond, Gold, Silver and Bronze Belts) that, in addition to greater blank opportunities, provides boxers with more lucrative incentives, in particular the cash prize awarded to its medalists. , as well as the distribution of points for the ranking world.
