Two-time Olympic boxing champion lost in the first match of the 2024 Olympics

The Olympic boxing tournament has seen its first major upset. Two-time Olympic champion Julio Cesar La Cruz was eliminated in his first match. The favorite lost by split decision to Loren Alfonso, who, although also Cuban, competes for the Azerbaijan national team.

Julio Cesar La Cruz, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, is out of the running for medals at the boxing tournament in Paris, having lost in the 92 kg weight category. Previously, the boxer won gold medals in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 in the 81 kg weight class and in Tokyo in 2021 in the 92 kg category. Additionally, La Cruz is a five-time world champion in these weight classes.

Interestingly, Cuba still has another two-time Olympic champion competing in the tournament — Arlen Lopez (80 kg).