La Cruz: The gold of the undefeated
Whenever Julio César La Cruz Peraza raises his fists to his cheeks to defend himself on the ring, his opponents thank that it is a trick, an illusion created by the Cuban pugilist to mislead. And that’s because La Cruz, after countless victories, has turned temerity and dodging into an art, into a very individual hallmark.
Since Nov. 15, 2009, this man has not lost a fight in Cuba and, in the World Series of Boxing (WSB), he has built a record of nine victories, one defeat. That, along with the world titles and his feared speed on the canvas, today make him one of the fastest boxers in the world and the first in his category, 81 kilograms.
His last defeat came on March 12, 2014, in the Fourth World Series, against the Russian Nikita Ivanov, during the matchup between the Cuban Domadores and the Russian Boxing Team. One year later, La Cruz talks about the outlook for the Cuban franchise and its goals at the Olympics.
“Physically, I feel fine,” he says, “and this Fifth Series is a very important travel competition, because this year we also have the Pan American Games in Toronto and the World Championships in Doha, which will be the season’s top competition.”
In early 2014, you were out of the meets and some assumed that your recovery would be slower. Yet, you lost only one fight and after that you were unbeaten. How did that process go?
To return as soon as possible to competition, the support I got from my family and the will power me and my trainers combined were vital. They always had confidence in me. Besides, the people stayed informed about my recovery and that became a great commitment. Actually, getting all that attention forces you to do things right so as not to disappoint those beside you.
Let’s go back in time. In London in 2012, you arrived as a world champion and lost, surprisingly, to Brazilian Yamaguchi Falcão. What happened then?
That was one of the hardest blows I’ve ever received, particularly because that fight was considered to be one of the surest medals for the Cuban team, with a view to the Olympic Games. After that, it was a matter of learning from the mistake. To do so, defeats are indispensable, because while you’re winning you don’t worry about analyzing the experiences that you’re accumulating.
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Despite the hundreds of the times this fighter has stepped on a ring, he believes that each fight is like his first one, no matter who the rival is.
“I have learned not to underestimate any of my opponents,” he says. “Boxing has changed a lot and today the fighters study each other. That is why we also have to change the tactical plans greatly for each fight.”
When you talk about La Cruz, in addition to his control over the international stages, you always mention his boxing style. Much has been said about the effectiveness of his technique, characterized by his “carelessness” of his guard and sustained by the way he dodges from the waist, plus his ability to riposte.
In fact, there are many who reject that style, which apparently brings combat to a distance of a solid blow to the chin.
Yet, the results favor Julio César, Cuban champion in recent years, world monarch, and king of his division in the World Series. He has become an obligatory reference and consecrated stylist in the Cuban school of boxing.
About his technique, La Cruz insists that he feels extremely comfortable with it, while he keeps his opponents totally disconcerted.
“I’ve always done it this way,” he says. “I believe I can keep up this type of fight because I am versatile on the ring and control the distances well. That doesn’t mean that I neglect my defense for a second.”
Chatting with this man and his trainer, Raúl Fernández Liranza, we learn that Julio César works on variations but that he has not yet implemented them.
“It’s not that Julio stops fighting like he does today, but it’s good for him to have variants,” answers Liranza, when asked about a possible change in his pupil’s strategy. At the latest national championships at Playa Girón, La Cruz won but in one of his fights a sharp blow to the face dropped him. Although he recovered at once and went on to win the fight, that reminder of his vulnerability did not go unnoticed.
What is the current situation of your division in Cuba?
On the island, I’ve gone five years without a loss, but the standards are very high among competitors. Cuban boxing is a lot stronger for us, mainly because we train together and know one another better. That’s why national competitions are so even. Besides, today’s team has young men with a great desire to be champions, as I was in my time.
How do you assess the chances of second- and third-rated figures to be hired by foreign franchises in the WSB?
That possibility will be vital and will improve the level of our young men when they face the world’s best boxers. Today, the Cuban team has a very solid squad, with boxers who cannot fight as regulars. Those hirings will give them a chance to test their quality and talent.
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Julio César does not conceal it for a second: his major goal is the Olympic crown, which should be on his shelf right now. To that end, he trains every day, saying that “what’s most important is discipline in the daily workout. Only that way will I earn a gold medal in Rio in 2016.”
Twenty-fifteen and 2016 will be years with many competitions. If you had to describe your goals in terms of color, what would they be?
It’s always gold, and to get it I always remember what the father of Cuban boxing, Alcides Sagarra, told me: “The only sure way to achieve the gold medal is to remain undefeated.”
Photo: Ismael Francisco
