Cruz, who won lightweight gold at Tokyo 2020, told ESPN that he was planning to turn professional.

"Thank God, I am already taking this great step that many expected," he said.

"I am here ready to face this great challenge that lies ahead of me and I plan to do great things in professional boxing."

Cruz was expelled from competing for Cuba in July after what the Cuban Boxing Federation claimed was an attempt to "illegally leave the country" a month earlier.

In May, he was pulled from making his professional debut with other Cuban fighters in Mexico, after the country's Government had paved the way for professional boxers to be sanctioned for the first time in more than 60 years.

Cruz said his relationship with Cuba was "good" after he got what he described as "an out from the national team."

Cruz added that preparations for his professional debut were going well and he was looking forward to making the step up.

"I'm starting to take my first steps, I'm already in action, I'm already training," he said.

"I am going to forge a new stage in my career now, in professional boxing."

Earlier this month, Cuba also allowed women to box officially for the first time in its history, although it was not confirmed whether this would be sanctioned at a professional level as it was for the men.

Among other Cuban athletes to defect from the nation this year were Olympic discus bronze medallist Yaime Pérez, Olympic wrestling gold medallist Ismael Borrero and Tokyo 2020 canoe sprint champion Fernando Jorge.

An economic crisis in Cuba was cited as the reason behind the increase in defections, although hundreds of Cuban athletes have defected since a ban on professional sport in the country was introduced in 1962, although restrictions have gradually been eased.

Cruz won light-welterweight world titles in 2017, 2019 and 2021, as well as the Olympicgold last year.