Olympic heroes, No 2: Teofilo Stevenson

TEOFILO Stevenson, who died yesterday at the age of 60, was one of the greatest amateur boxers of all-time and a true Olympic great, becoming one of only three fighters to win three gold medals alongside Hungary’s László Papp and fellow Cuban Félix Savón.

Stevenson first won gold in 1972 in Munich and followed that up in 1976 in Montreal and 1980 in Moscow. Known affectionately by Cubans as “Pirolo,” Stevenson was famous for his punishing right, flawless technique, clever hands and footwork, and his sportsmanship. Boxing fans around the globe were desperate to see what could have been a “fight of the century” against Muhammad Ali. But Cuba insisted that he not lose his amateur status and the route to Olympics. It prompted a famous Sports Illustrated headline: “He’d rather be red than rich.”

Stevenson later served as vice president of Cuba’s boxing federation.