Félix Savón

Lore & Background

Inspired by his countryman Teófilo Stevenson, Savón later became perceived by Western media as Stevenson's successor. Savón won three Olympic gold medals, a feat shared with only two other boxers (László Papp and Teófilo Stevenson), and could have been a four-time gold medalist had Cuba not boycotted the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

Reader's Guide

Félix Savón's significance lies in his dominance of amateur heavyweight boxing over two decades, winning three Olympic golds and six consecutive World Championships—a record unmatched in the sport. Critics noted his aggressive style as a puncher rather than a boxer, often risking losses by seeking knockouts even when ahead on points. U.S. The Cuban authorities never officially disclosed details of his trial and conviction.

Did You Know?

• Savón could have been a four-time Olympic gold medalist had Cuba not boycotted the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
• He rejected numerous multimillion-dollar offers to defect and fight Mike Tyson as a professional.
• The only boxers who got away with knockout victories over Savón unavenged were Soviet Usman Arsaliyev and North Korean Li Dal-Chen.