Rolando Acebal, head coach of the Cuban boxing squad, discusses details about the already imminent World Championship, starting next 4th September

From the Holveín Quesada National Boxing School have come 81 gold titles, 38 silver medals and 30 bronze, which magnify Cuba’s history in world championships.

There the training sessions begin very early and, amidst the silence preceding the sparring sessions and physical exercises, a clear message is captured: we must return to the top in Liverpool, the English city that will host the next global event from 4th to 14th September, the first under the baton of World Boxing.

Rolando Acebal, head coach, is clear: «The objective is to improve on what was done in Tashkent, two years ago.»

The guantanamero technician is the top person responsible for achieving that purpose. Standing in a corner of the ring, he observes everything, and lives boxing with the same passion as a fan.

«It is a great responsibility to be the head coach of the Cuban School. I know that on my shoulders rests a large part of the results of Cuban sport, and that is why I worry.»

Acebal keeps alive the teachings of master Alcides Sagarra. «Discipline, without it you achieve nothing. We have a very united collective, conscious that representing Cuba is an honour.»

Bow towards Liverpool

In recent years, Cuban boxing has experienced a decline. A single world title in Tashkent-2023, and one Olympic gold medal in Paris-2024, seem to deal it a standing eight count. «To return to the top we strive to make good recruitments from the base, and then, to work.»

To the forthcoming world event Cuba will go with a mix of novel and seasoned boxers, in what appears to be the start of a generational change.

The flagship will set its bow for the famous English port without an intermediate stop, since the planned preparation base in China, for the end of the month, did not materialise.

«Julio César La Cruz (+92 kg) and Erislandy Álvarez (65 kg) are our main gold medal aspirations. Alejandro Claro (50 kg), and Nelson Williams (90 kg), due to their experience, can also step onto the podium,» argued the coach.

Saidel Horta, world runner-up, is the main absentee. Regarding this, he explained that «he was not fit in this preparation cycle, due to an illness. Based on the results we had in the check-ups, he will soon start training. We took him to a tournament in China, so that he could get training, but we noticed he lacked preparation, and we decided not to rush him.»

Rolando Martínez (55 kg), Luis Enrique Vinent (65 kg), and José Soto (80 kg), who are national champions, will have the opportunity to debut; although their presence in the Domadores roster is not definitive. «We are evaluating them from the training, and then the competition will give us the final indicator,» he argued.

He expressed that «they have a very good technical-tactical arsenal, but they lack competition. Some of these boxers had tournaments in Europe and Asia, but it is not enough; although Soto, for example, has had the opportunity to train in another country,» he continued.

Liverpool is the first stop towards the summer event in Los Angeles, in 2028. «We want to attend the multidisciplinary games with the best team,» he assured.

«We are beginning a new Olympic cycle, which allows us to evaluate several figures we have in the base. This is the best moment, time is our ally to return to international glory.»