Erislandy Álvarez wins 65 kg gold in China as Cuba collects six titles in Zunyi

November 12, 2026

Paris 2024 Olympic champion Erislandy Álvarez won the 65-kilogram gold medal at the China Open boxing tournament in Zunyi, defeating Russia's Lion Nikiforov by a 5-0 unanimous decision, according to Radio Cadena Agramonte (text and photo from Granma) and the Cuban News Agency (ACN). It was his third win of the event, which marked his return to competition after several months out following surgery.

Álvarez had opened on November 8 with a second-round knockout of a local opponent that guaranteed him at least a bronze. His gold led a Cuban delegation that ended with six titles, two silver medals and one bronze. Ángel Sober (50 kg), Deivis Abreu (55), Keilor García (80), Fredisney Morales (90) and Joel Duvergel (+90) also won their finals, all by unanimous decision.

The silvers went to Rolando Martínez (60 kg), who could not contest his final because of a cut, and Dayira Mesa (70 kg), who withdrew with a knee ligament injury while ahead; Carysney García (54 kg) lost her final by unanimous decision, a verdict the Cuban delegation said it disagreed with. Naybel Morado added a bronze at 75 kg. According to Granma, the haul beats the previous edition, when Cuba took three titles and two bronzes.