Cuban boxing champion leaves hospital after bullet removed

HAVANA - Two-time Cuban world boxing champion Julio Cesar La Cruz was discharged from a hospital in Havana after undergoing surgery to remove a bullet, the National Information Agency (ANI) said Thursday.

Dr. Manuel Jacas Torne, a cardiovascular thoracic surgeon at the Frank Pais Orthopedic Hospital, said the Pan American champion left hospital on Wednesday.

Jacas, who was head surgeon during the operation, said the results were "excellent" and the patient was recovering well.

"The suture is fine, there was no fever and he's in a great mood," said the specialist, adding La Cruz was discharged with precise instructions for a patient who needs to return to peak physical condition as soon as possible.

Doctors had first said it was best to leave the bullet, which was lodged above the hip, in its place, as it was small and presented no health threat, but Jacas said the surgery to remove the bullet was "essential."

La Cruz, 24, will be evaluated in three weeks, added Jacas, saying he was optimistic about the boxer's return to the ring.

La Cruz (81 kilograms) was held up at gunpoint on January 4 in his hometown of Camaguey by two men who were arrested a few days later.

The shooting caused La Cruz to miss several final matches in the 4th World Series of Boxing, in which he was competing as part of Cuba's Wranglers (Domadores) team.

The team is currently leading Group B in the series, which also includes Mexico, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Russia and Poland.

Considered an expert in counterattack, La Cruz was voted one of the best Cuban athletes of 2013.