Sunday, November 5th, 2023.- One of the sports that always brings great joy to Cuba is boxing, and at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, that was repeated, with Julio César "La Sombra" La Cruz as the leading figure.

The 34-year-old boxer appeared almost invincible, with a track record that included gold medals in Guadalajara 2011, Toronto 2015, Lima 2019, and at the Chilean capital, he simply dominated.

At the Centro de Entrenamiento Olímpico in Ñuñoa, La Cruz's fists made life difficult for American Jamar Talley, Chilean Andrews Salgado, Ecuadorian Julio César Castillo, and Brazilian Keno Machado, his list of opponents on his path to gold.

"I'm very happy to achieve my fourth Pan American crown. I'm the only boxer in history to do so. I'm very happy to have come here, won the medal for Cuba, and put on a great show for the Chilean audience, who have come to support us day by day. That's what enriches the culture of nations," said the current Olympic champion in the heavyweight category.

Furthermore, "La Sombra" announced that he will be participating at the upcoming Olympic Games: "I have eight months to prepare. There is still a long road ahead, but with discipline, determination, and dedication, I want to go to Paris to defend my title."

Cuba won a total of 30 gold medals, with the sport that brought the most joy being wrestling, where they secured eight gold medals.

Written by Carlos Silva Rojas; translated by Rocio Rojas / Photosport

Photo by  Andrés Piña / Santiago 2023 / Photosport