Savón once again gave an outstanding performance. Photo: Armando Hernández Photo: Armando HernándezIn the first-rate Copper Box Arena in London, the Caribbeans got the party started with young Joahnys Argilagos, who has matured in action, and completed their victory with Andy Cruz, Yasnier Toledo, Arlen López and Erislandy Savón.
"What happened corresponds with what we planned, taking into account the condition of our team and the level of our opponents, but we knew they would put up a fight, as they did," head coach Rolando Acebal told JIT.
"Although we had already accomplished our first major objective we always insist on working hard until the end, and that's how it will be against the Ukrainians in Havana," he added after conversing with representatives of the Cuban diplomatic mission in the European nation who attended the fight.
Light flyweight Argilagos defeated debutant Joseph Maphosa 2-1 to secure his fifth success in seven outings to set the pace for the Domadores in an evening witnessed by AIBA President Dr. Ching-Kuo Wu.
With the necessary composure to rise to the challenge and slow the momentum of his opponent, the 18-year-old once again capitalized on his mobility and fast hands.
Bantamweight Cruz also needed to up his game in the intermediate round.
After losing the first and having only secured a minimal advantage in the second round, the Cuban proved too much for Sean McGoldrick who had only enjoyed one win previous to this fight.
The judges ended up voting 3-0 in favor of Cruz given his strong combination of offense and defense in the last rounds to secure his fifth consecutive victory, in a competition in which he had not been expected to stand out.
Cuban Light welterweight Toledo put things in order from the start, reminding the Lionheart's Sam Maxwell of his two-time AIBA World Championships ranking, with a technical knockout in the concluding assault when he increased the power shots against his opponent.
Refusing to be outdone and equally motivated by the possibility of achieving the qualification quota for the Olympics, Middleweight Arlen made Troy Williamson's debut an agony, easily beating him 3-0.
The outcome left him with a record of 6-1, positioned at the top of his weight category, which like that of Toledo, has been assigned two Rio 2016 slots.
Heavyweight Savón again displayed the power of his right hand, with a terrific right uppercut in the second round against the Romanian reinforcement for the British team, Jitaru Ionut-Mirel, who fell to the mat and suffered a knockout.
"I never go out simply looking for a hit, but even as I concentrated on doing my job I knew that winning in this way would increase my chances of qualifying and I bore that in mind to take advantage of every opportunity," the Cuban star explained.
Cuba's Domadores have 39 points following 58 wins and just seven defeats, and will host the Ukraine Ottomans in the next match.
Cuba 50 