EVENTS
 Sportsman of the Year
 Heisman Trophy
 Swimsuit 2001

CNNSI.com GROUP
 Sports Illustrated
 Life of Reilly
 Television
 SI Women
 SI for Kids
 Press Room
 TBS/TNT Sports
 CNN Languages

COMMERCE
 SI Customer Service
 SI Media Kits
 Get into College
 Sports Memorabilia
 TeamStore

Click here for more on this story

Posted: Friday April 07, 2000 12:12 PM

Felix Savón, Cuba   Destination:   Donald Miralle/Allsport 2000 Sydney Olympics boxing competition Traveling from: San Vicente, Cuba Personal: Age: 32 Height: 6'5"   Felix Savón has been dominating boxing since 1986, when he won his first of six world heavyweight championships (although in reality he lost in 1997 to Rustam Chagayev of Uzbekistan. Chagayev was disqualified soon after due to violations of his amateur status). In 1999, Savón forfeited his chance for a seventh world title by refusing to fight Michael Bennett of the U.S. to protest a decision given to a fellow Cuban boxer in an earlier match. Achievements: 1999 World Championships, silver 1998 Goodwill Games, champion 1997 World Championships, champion 1996 Olympic Games, champion 1995 World Championships, champion 1995 Pan American Games, champion 1994 World Goodwill Games, champion 1993 World Championships, champion 1992 Olympic Games, champion 1991 World Championships, champion 1991 Pan American Games, champion 1990 Goodwill Games, champion 1989 World Championships, champion 1987 Pan American Games, champion 1986 World Championships, champion 1985 World Junior Championships, champion Currently: With a gold in Sydney, Savón can match the feat of countryman Teófilo Stevenson, the only fighter to win three Olympic boxing gold medals in the same weight class. He might have already done so, if not for the Cuban boycott of the 1988 Seoul Olympics. As the reigning world champion in 1987, Savón would have been a medal favorite. They Said It? "I do not like professional boxing. There is a tremendous difference between Olympic style and professional boxing. In the professional ranks the athlete is not protected at all, they don't take care of him at all and of course the main interest is earning money. It's a very dirty sport. In Olympic style boxing, the amateur sport is very clean and it's truly something that is good for the athlete," Savon says.

Copyright © 2000 CNN/Sports Illustrated A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved. Terms under which this service is provided to you. Read our privacy guidelines.