HAVANA, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) -- Cuban boxer Julio Cesar La Cruz received a heroic welcome on Saturday in the neighborhood where he was born, after winning a gold medal in the Rio Olympics.

La Cruz arrived in El Retiro neighborhood, in the central city of Camaguey, after midnight in a convertible jeep and a multitude of people were awaiting him in front of his house, reported local media.

"I feel very happy to be welcomed this way and for all the support the Cuban people have given me so that I could win this medal," said the 27-year-old boxer.

Regarding the Olympic boxing tournament, he said that it had been "the competition where I have developed most during my 20 years boxing."

He revealed that he took the competition as a bit of fun, a suggestion made to him by former Cuban volleyball player Yumilka Ruiz.

La Cruz, three-time world champion in the 81kg category, won the gold in Rio, completing his clean sweep of all the titles in the International Boxing Association (AIBA).