Cuba's boxing team has begun preparing for Olympic Games by drawing up a shortlist for a warm-up event next Wednesday in Bulgarian city Strandzha, Cuba's Sunday media said.

 

Yordenis Ugas, lightweight world champion in 2005, will lead the squad. It also includes flyweight silver medalist Andry Laffita and middleweight bronze medalist Emilio Correa.

 

Other participants including Pan-American Games cruiserweight champions Osmay Acosta and super heavyweight Robert Alfonso; and welterweight Rosniel Iglesias, the junior world champion.

 

Also on the list are bantamweight Yasniel Toledo, light flyweight Yampier Hernandez, welterweight Carlos Banteur and light heavyweight Yunier Dorticos.

 

Pedro Roque, the squad's main trainer said the Bulgarian contest is part of the national team's preparation for February 12 Copa Independencia in the Dominican Republic and Olympic qualifiers in March.

 

Cuba's boxers aim to win a place in all 11 divisions, after Cuba skipped the 2007 world championships in United States city Chicago, citing security reasons.

 

Roque added that being in the first team did not guarantee a place in Cuba's national team for the Olympics.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 28, 2008)