Félix Savón Fabre (September 22, 1967) is a Cuban boxer, a winner of three gold medals at the Olympics.
Born in San Vicente , Savón began his boxing career in 1980. During his career, in which he did not turn professional, he reportedly contested 582 bouts, of which he lost only 19 - although numbers vary.
He won his first important titles in 1985. Besides winning the Cuban heavyweight title (which he would win each year until his retirement), he won the Junior World Championships.
This set off his career, in which he would win 6 World Championships and three Olympic gold medals. The latter feat is shared with only two other boxers, László Papp and compatriot Teófilo Stevenson. Savon was intentionally kept away from the heavyweight division by his trainers on fear that he would not be able to keep the same competitive level against more serious contenders.
His 1997 World Championship title came only after the tournament, as Savón's victor, the Uzbekistani Ruslan Chagayev were disqualified for having signed a pro contract before the championship. Savón's only silver medal at the World Championships followed at the next tournament in 1999, when he and all other Cubans withdrew from the tournament in protest of referee decisions.
After winning his third Olympic gold at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Savón announced his retirement at age 33.
In February of the following year with Fidel Castro also present, Savón had the song "You Love Us" dedicated to him by the Manic Street Preachers who became the first western rock band to play in Cuba.
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Last updated: 05-07-2005 10:57:30
Last updated: 05-13-2005 07:56:04
