Cuba may no longer be the world champions in boxing, but they emphasised their superiority in the Americas by winning eight gold and one silver medal at the Pan American Games that were concluded in Guadalajara, Mexico last Sunday.

They participated in only nine of the 10 events for men, because their super heavyweight boxer Erislandy Savon, who had qualified for the Games, was not able to participate after being defeated on a RSCH decision at the World championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, a few weeks earlier, and was automatically medically disqualified for 30 days. One of the safety rules in amateur boxing is that if a boxer loses by knockout or by referee stopping the contest because of head blows (RSCH), the boxer is not allowed to spar or compete for a minimum of 30 days.

The Cubans were dominant throughout the tournament and their only loss in the finals was in the light flyweight division in which Mexico's brilliant young boxer Joselito Vasquez was too crafty and aggressive for their gold medal hopeful Yosbany Veitia. Vasquez won the bout on points 20-12.

hard-fought decision

After that loss, which was in the first event of the finals, they never looked back and dominated throughout. In the second bout of the night, it was Mexico versus Cuba once more, but Cuba's Lazaro Alvarez won a hard-fought decision 19-15 against Oscar Valdez with a thrilling performance.

Another impressive winner for them was middleweight Emilio Correa, who won a silver medal at the Beijing Olympic Games. He was always in control in his bout against Jaime Cortez of Ecuador and won 18-6. Light heavyweight Julio la Cruz was never bothered by his Brazilian opponent Florentino Yamacguchi and cruised to victory 20-12.

In the only men's final in which a Cuban did not participate, Ecuador's super heavyweight boxer Ytalo Perea had a hard-fought battle with Juan Hiracheta of Mexico, but held on in a very close third round to earn a 20-13 points victory.