China seeking four titles in Cuban boxing tournament

HAVANA - Four Chinese boxers have reached the finals of the Cuban 43rd International Boxing Tournament Giraldo Cordova Cardin, which ends Sunday in Havana after almost one week of fights.

Li Bing, from the 49-kilogram category, Wen Yinhang, from the 75-kg, Wang Xuanxuan, from the 91-kg and Zhang Zhilei, from the over 91-kg, will go up the boxing ring searching for victory on Sunday.

Li defeated Venezuelan Ronald Chacon in a close fight while Wen was much better than Karl Heel from Bahamas. Wang won by disqualification of Colombian Deivi Blanco and super heavyweight Zhang easily won by default of his teammate Gu Guangming.

The other Chinese boxer in semifinals, Men Fanlong, from the 81-kg division, lost to Cuban world champion Julio Cesar La Cruz, who showed more offensive effectiveness, as well as mastery to shun and shift.

One of the most expected final fights is the one between Zhang, Olympic runner-up in Beijing 2008, and Yoandi Toirac, who is considered Cuba's currently greatest boxer.

Wang will face Cuban boxer Erislandy Savon, while Wen takes on Russian Petya Khamukov and Li meets Cuban Yosbani Veitia.