Cuban boxer Robeisy Ramírez defeated Kenyan Benson Gicharu, yesterday June 23 in Baku, to win a ticket to the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games.
Ramírez, a 56-kg, filled the only space left on the Cuban team to participate in the Summer Games, thus completing the country's team to the event scheduled August 5-21
The Cuban won his fight against Gicharu 3-0, the fourth victory of the London 2012 Olympic 52kg champion.
With the bronze medal in his hands, Ramírez will fight in the semifinals Friday, against Ukrainian Mykola Butsenko, the event's main favorite.
The Cuban boxing team has not sent a complete team to the Olympics since Athens 2004. The country's 75kg representative did not qualify, and four years ago, in London, there were no Cubans competing in the 69 kg or 75 kg divisions.
Robeisy joins Joahnys Argilagos (49), Yosbany Veitía (52), Lázaro Álvarez (60), Yasnier Toledo (64), Roniel Iglesias (69), Arlen López (75), Julio Caesar La Cruz (81), Erislandy Savón (91) and Leinier Peró (+91), already assured via different routes.
Haiti's Richardson Hitchins, 64kg, also won an Olympic slot in Baku, defeating Greek boxer Alexandros Tsanikidis, 3-0.
