Cuban boxers Yampier Hernandez and Julio La Cruz will participate in Guatemala City's pre-olympic tournament on April 25-30 where they will seek to obtain two boxing passes for the 2008 Olympic Games.

Cuban Boxing Federation's secretary-general Jose Barrientos confirmed on Tuesday that Hernandez will fight in the 48 kilograms category, while La Cruz will compete in the 91 kilograms category.

This will be La Cruz's 2nd opportunity, since he lost in his 2nd fight during the region's 1st elimination tournament held in Trinidad and Tobago in March.

Hernandez will substitute Ivan Perez (mini flyweight), who also lost in Trinidad and Tobago.

The organizing committee for the pre Olympics in Guatemala City, Guatemala's capital, reported that 137 boxers from 27 countries aim to fight for the Beijing Olympics passes in this competition.

Cuba has obtained almost 50 percent of its Olympic Games medals through boxing, since boxing has given it 32 of its 66 olympic medals.

(Xinhua News Agency April 23, 2008)