The Cuban team didn’t give the representatives of Mexico’s Guerreros the slightest chance, defeating them 10-0 in two meetings held May 21 and 22 in Havana’s Ciudad Deportiva in the first semi-final competition of the Fifth World Series of Boxing.
Frank Zaldívar made a successful debut against Orlando Huitzil, who arrived in Havana with four wins and two defeats, and demonstrated his effectiveness with relentless combinations marked by a myriad of hooks against a more experienced opponent, setting the Domadores on track to the final.
In the lightweight division, two-time world champion Lázaro Álvarez, remaining true to his style, skillfully executed left handed jabs and forced the pace to secure a well deserved 3-0 decision from the judges against Lindolfo Delgado, who lost for the second time in six appearances. In the welterweight division Olympic champion Roniel Iglesias defeated Héctor Reyes 3-0 by judges’ decision.
In the Super heavyweight category, Leinier Peró eliminated Ecuadorian Jorge Quiñones by technical knock out in the first round, after the reserve for the Mexican team suffered two previous countdowns; while in the 81 kilograms a no-show by another Ecuadorian reserve Carlos Mina, resulted in an automatic win for Julio César la Cruz.
Meanwhile, Joahnys Argilagos (49kg), defeated José Daniel Rojas by unanimous decision, a feat repeated by Robeisy Ramírez (56 kg) against Iván Delgado, and Yasnier Toledo (64 kg) against Roberto Zariñana.
Arlen López (75kg), thrashed Misael Rodríguez; and Erislandy Savón (91kg) from Guantanamo trounced third Ecuadorian reserve Julio Castillo, with an indisputable KO in the second round.
Thus Cuba’s Domadores will face Astana Arlans of Kazakhstan - who beat Russia 9-1 in the grand final.
