Cuban boxer world champion Lazaro Alvarez passed from the 56 to the 60-kg category, which is the most significant change in Cuba's boxing team for the 2013 AIBA (International Boxing Association) World Amateur Boxing Championships to be held in Almaty, Kazakhstan, from Oct. 14 to 27.

Cuba's team coach Rolando Acebal told a press conference in Havana that the change of category of Alvarez, world champion in Baku 2011 and bronze medal winner in London 2012, was a support to Robeisy Ramirez of the 56-kg category, world champion in London 2012.

Ramirez, who won gold medal in the 52-kg category, now climbed to 56-kg. Therefore, both boxers shared the same category for several months, the coach said.

The change strengthened the Cuban team, whose goal is to regain the throne in World Amateur Boxing Championships, which they lost since Chicago 2007.

Besides Alvarez and Ramirez, other Cuban winners are included in the team, such as light heavyweight world champion Julio Cesar La Cruz and welterweight champion Yasnier Toledo, world runner-up two years ago and bronze medal winner in London 2012.

Other boxers with world championship experience are light flyweight Pan American championship Yosbany Veitia and cruiserweight Erislandy Savon, who fought as heavyweight in Milan 2009 and Baku 2011.

Heavyweight Yohandy Toirac, welterweight Arisnoidys Despaigne, flyweight Gerardo Cervantes and middleweight Ramon Luis will debut in this type of tournament.

Cuba ranked the second in the last two championships, falling behind Russia and Ukraine respectively. The Cuban team aims to win its tenth championship in Kazakhstan.