Cuban boxing faced a demanding night this Friday, April 24, in Santiago, Chile, as part of the “KO a las Drogas” card organized by the World Boxing Association (WBA). The spotlight was firmly on Paris Olympic champion Erislandy Álvarez, who headlined the co-feature against Panama’s José “El Magnífico” Núñez.
What was expected to be another step forward for the Cuban instead ended in a shocking and decisive defeat, stripping him of both his unbeaten record and the aura he carried as an Olympic gold medalist.
Álvarez started in control. Using his trademark distance management and a sharp left jab, he dictated the pace early and scored a knockdown with a well-timed right hand. At that stage, he appeared firmly in command.
The fight, however, shifted dramatically in the second round. Núñez, fighting out of the southpaw stance, made key adjustments and began finding his range. After a questionable sequence that was not ruled a knockdown, the Panamanian landed a perfectly timed and powerful left cross to the chin, sending Álvarez to the canvas.
Although the Cuban beat the count, he was visibly hurt. The referee, recognizing his condition, waved off the contest, awarding Núñez a second round technical knockout victory. With the win, Núñez captures the WBA Continental Americas title and improves to 18 wins, marking a strong start to his 2026 campaign.
For Álvarez, a native of Cienfuegos, the loss represents a significant setback. He drops his undefeated record since turning professional in 2023 and raises questions about the recent development and preparation of Cuba’s top tier talents transitioning into the pro ranks.
Elsewhere on the card, Argentina’s Jhonatan Wilson Sánchez claimed the vacant WBA Fedelatin super welterweight title with a split decision win over Cuba’s Yusnier Sorsano, rallying after a technical early deficit with sustained pressure and work rate. Meanwhile, three time Olympic medalist Lázaro Álvarez (11-0, 6 KOs) remained unbeaten, stopping Brazil’s Jackson Furtado in the fourth round with a composed and technically sound performance.
The event, held at Gimnasio Club de Boxeo México in Santiago, ultimately centered on the unexpected defeat of one of Cuba’s leading boxing figures. As a broader takeaway, these fighters are currently aligned with AGON Sports, yet remain under significant influence from the Cuban Federation a dynamic that continues to impact performance. Less than a month ago, several of them competed in a three-round amateur tournament in Mexico serving as a qualifier for the Central American Games.
That constant shift between amateur and professional formats, combined with ongoing training camps in Cuba where optimal conditions are not always guaranteed and limited professional experience within their coaching teams, continues to take a toll at higher levels of competition.