Tuesday, September 26, 2000
Heavyweight showdown turns into Cuban showcase
By Paul Daugherty
The Cincinnati Enquirer
SYDNEY — The Cuban didn't come in for an interview. The Cubans rarely do. Their boxing team leads the world in victories and intimidation. Also, arrogance.
After two-time Olympic heavyweight champion Felix Savon outclassed American Michael Bennett, 23-8 in the quarterfinals Tuesday, Savon bounced out of the ring and down a hallway, fists raised. The referee had stopped the fight with three seconds left in the third of four rounds. The most-anticipated fight of these Games ended without fanfare.
“I'm not ashamed of my performance,” Bennett said later. “I dug down deep.”
The loss ended Bennett's rags-to-Olympics story. Barely two years ago, Bennett, 29, was released from prison, after serving seven years for robbing a toy store. He walked out of prison and into a Chicago gym. A year later, he won the world amateur heavyweight title. Ironically, he would have fought Savon for the title, but the Cuban declined to fight, in protest of what the Cubans felt was suspect judging.
Savon took his revenge Tuesday. At 6-foot-5, Savon towered over the 6-foot Bennett. The American's only chance was to fight inside, but Savon's reach prevented that.
“I should have been able to cut that reach factor off (but) I was a step too slow,” Bennett said.
Savon blunted Bennett's attacks with straight right hands, and an occasional uppercut. Bennett trailed 7-2 after Round 1 and 17-6 after Round 2.
“I stood in front of him. I gave up too many easy shots. I let my heart take over,” Bennett said.
Savon rolls on, seemingly as indestructible as his famous heavyweight predecessor, Teofilo Stevenson. Stevenson won three consecutive golds for Cuba between 1972 and 1980. Savon, who might be going for his fourth gold had Cuba not boycotted the '88 Games, seems likely to fight for the title Oct. 1, the last day of the Olympics.
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