Sport
Cuban Olympic boxing great Teofilo Stevenson dies
Stevenson was born March 29, 1952, to a family of modest means, in Las Tunas province in eastern Cuba. He fought in his first match at the age of 14, and two years later won his first international title in the Central American and Caribbean championship.
As his accomplishments grew, boxing fans began salivating over the prospect of a “fight of the century” pitting him against Muhammad Ali. But Cuba insisted that he not lose his amateur status, and the bout never took place.
After Stevenson won his first world title in 1974, Sports Illustrated ran the headline: “He’d Rather Be Red Than Rich.”
Stevenson won world amateur titles again in 1978 and 1986, and was forced to pass up a shot at a fourth Olympic gold when Cuba did not attend the 1984 Games in Los Angeles. He retired in 1988 after Cuba decided to skip the Seoul Olympics as well.
Stevenson passed up millions by not leaving Communist-run Cuba to turn pro, but expressed no remorse.
“I prefer the affection of 8 million Cubans,” he once said.
In January, Stevenson spent 15 days in intensive care after doctors detected a clot in an artery near his heart. He was released in early February and was surprised at the outpouring of media reports that his condition was grave.
