Stand-out Cuban amateur Robeisy Ramirez has abandoned the Cuban national team at their base in Aguascalientes, Mexico it has been reported.
Ramirez, a two-time Olympic Gold medallist, rose to prominence in the famed Cuban amateur system, first claiming a gold medal at the London 2012 games in the flyweight category before capturing a second in 2016 as a bantamweight.
The news has come as a surprise to many inside boxing’s inner circle, with many expecting Ramirez to attempt to become a three-time Olympic champion at the 2020 games in Tokyo, Japan.
However, his defection has apparently to put pay to those plans, with Ramirez seemingly now intent on joining a long list of Cuban former-amateur stars to turn professional.
One of the most well-respected regimes in amateur boxing, the Cuban national team has bred such stars as Yuriorkis Gamboa, Guillermo Rigondeaux and Erislandy Lara – all of which have enjoyed immense success in the paid ranks.
Though many boxing fans may have limited exposure to Ramirez, the 24-year-old offers an interesting barometer from his time in the amateur system, besting unbeaten American prospect Shakur Stevenson in the final of the 2016 games.
