Ferdous, De Los Santos and Fernandez won top finals at the Independence Cup

The finals of the Independence Cup, the Copa Independencia all concluded in the city of Santiago de los Caballeros, in the Dominican Republic.  

Several strong nations competed in the Independence Cup in Santiago de los Caballeros this year including Cuba, host Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Trinidad & Tobago, Ecuador, and Panama.

Bangladesh sent one boxer to the Independence Cup for the very first time and their US-based Zinnat Ferdous won the women’s light flyweight (50kg) in Santiago de los Caballeros. The Asian Games competitor was better than Dominican Republic’s Helen Robles and she earned her first major international tournament title.

Trinidad & Tobago’s Tianna Guy is in top shape and she advanced to the final of the women’s lightweight (60kg) but a local girl, Katerine Veras was slightly better in their meeting. Dominican Republic’s native talent at the women’s middleweight (75kg), Keily Paredes stopped her final opponent in the first round.

Dominican Republic’s experienced Mario Lavegar is trying to regain his place in the elite national team and he made a strong step on this road when he defeated Keuris Alcantara at the flyweight (51kg) final.

Jose Luis De Los Santos is only 21-year-old but he the strong strategy against one of the local veterans, Rodrigo Marte in the final of the featherweight (57kg). Marte was gold medallist at the 2019 Panamerican Games but the younger De Los Santos claimed this important title in Santiago de los Caballeros.

Alexis Miguel De La Cruz, the World Championships bronze medallist, is the most decorated boxer from the Dominican Republic who defeated a Cuban opponent in the final of the men’s light welterweight (63.5kg), Rogelandy Delis Munoz.

Another national team member from the Dominican Republic, Jonny Fernandez knocked out Cuba’s 19-year-old Jorge Daniel Forcades at the light middleweight (71kg). Cuba’s strong duo, Manuel Soto (80kg) and Nelson Williams (92kg) won their weight classes in the Independence Cup.