Julio Cesar La Cruz is the most decorated active amateur boxer in the world.
The gifted Cuban has won gold at the 2016 and 2020 Olympics, as well as a hugely impressive five World Championships gold medals.
The 34-year-old welcomes the opportunity to add to his already impressive haul when he heads to Paris for the upcoming 2024 Olympics.
“My fourth Olympic Games will put me together with my teammate Roniel Iglesias as the only boxers with four Olympic games [from Cuba,”] La Cruz told The Ring through Geraldo Saldivar.
“To win the third Olympic gold medal will be an honor, to be standing next to our champions, Felix Savon and Teofilo Stevenson, the biggest boxers in amateur boxing together with Laszlo Papp.”
During his 20 plus years on the amateur scene he has seen it all and won it all.
As well as the aforementioned titles he has claimed at least 11 national titles, four Pan American Games and three Central American and Caribbean Games amongst other accolades.
La Cruz, who has over 300 amateur fights, has fought twice as a professional in 2022. However, he’s never fully transitioned to the professional ranks like his countrymen Robeisy Ramirez, who won the WBO featherweight title, or the fast moving Andy Cruz, who has caught the eye.
“We will never forget or left behind what has makes our boxing great and known in history and that is Olympic boxing,” he aid alluding to largely sticking with amateur boxing.
“[It] has been a great experience [to] get involved in the so called professional boxing but we believe we have been professionals always as we train all year long and not only for a fight.”
While you’d expect this to be his final Olympics, he’s not clear on his future plans and is solely focused on the here and now.
“[The] future is uncertain, but my career in boxing will continue with the same hunger and desire of success,” he said.
Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at elraincoat@live.co.uk.
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