Ctnow.com. Associated
Press. January 08, 2001.
HAVANA - Felix Savon, one of the greatest boxers in Olympic history, retired
and will become coach of the Cuban national boxing team.
The retirement of the three-time heavyweight Olympic champ was announced
Sunday by the Cuban Boxing Federation and the official Prensa Latina news
agency.
No reason was given for the decision. But international boxing rules
stipulate that a fighter cannot compete in the Olympics or world championships
after 34. Savon is 33.
Savon won his third Olympic gold medal in Sydney last year. He joined
compatriot Teofilo Stevenson and Hungary's Lazlo Papp as the only Olympic
fighters to win three gold medals.
He was bleeding badly after his gold-medal victory in Sydney against
Russia's Sultanahmed Ibzagimov. But the 6-foot-6 fighter danced in the ring,
waving a Cuban flag in victory.
"I dedicate this to the people of Cuba," he said at the time.
Savon won his other gold medals in 1992 and 1996 and is a six-time world
amateur champion.
Jose Barrientos, president of the Cuban Boxing Federation, also announced
the retirements of boxers Juan Hernandez Sierra, Enrique Carrion and Hector
Vinent, state media reported. All three will train younger Cuban boxers. | 