Cuban boxer Teofilo Stevenson dies
Teofilo Stevenson, who won three Olympic gold medals while boxing for Cuba and was considered one of the greatest heavyweights ever, died from a heart attack in Havana, Cuban state media reported Monday, according to CNN.
He was 60 years old.
Stevenson won gold medals in 1972, 1976 and 1980, but Stevenson did not fight in the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, when Cuba joined the Soviet Union in boycotting the Games. Duane Bobick was one of his victims in the 1972 Olympics, and John Tate was knocked out by Stevenson in 1976.
Many observers thought Stevenson could have become the heavyweight champion of the world as a pro, and he was offered millions of dollars to fight champions such as Muhammad Ali. But Stevenson never fought professionally.
Cuban athletes are not allowed to compete professionally, and their salaries are small compared to fighters from other countries.
Stevenson never voiced regrets about turning down a lot of money to remain an amateur, however.
"What is $1 million compared to the love of 8 million Cubans?" he once said.
