SYDNEY – The convict was no match for the communist.
Michael Bennett, who had come to prominence as the arm robber who found redemption in the ring, only found a boxing lesson in there today. Two-time defending heavyweight gold medalist Felix Savon of Cuba badly outmaneuvered, outpunched and plain outboxed Bennett in a bout stopped in the third round for the mercy rule. In a quarterfinal match, Savon went up 23-8 with three seconds left in the third round. If a boxer is up by 15 points in Olympic competition, the match is stopped.
“Savon was the better warrior today,” Bennett said.
Bennett, 29, served seven years in prison for robbing a toy store in 1991. It was while incarcerated that he learned to box under the tutelage of other inmates. He was released July 28, 1998. He worked as a deliveryman by night and trained in the ring by day, pointing toward Sydney.
Last year, he became world champion, but never had to fight Savon. Angered at an earlier decision, Savon refused to fight the final against Bennett, who thus won on a walkover. But the only one walked over yesterday was Bennett, who was unable to compensate against Savon’s superior reach and experience.
Savon gave Bennett a Cuban flag before the fight and a lesson during it. The six-time world champion proved too elusive for Bennett in a Round 1 he won 7-3. Savon battered Bennett throughout Round 2. Midway through the round, he rocked Bennett with an uppercut and responded by taunting Bennett by spreading his arm wide and performing a minor shuffle. Savon won the round 10-4.
With chants of “Cuba, Cuba” coming from vocal compatriots, Savon again showed his experience, keeping Bennett missing. But midway through the round, Bennett did put together a combination that staggered Savon momentarily into the ropes. Savon quickly recovered to gain the points sufficient to get the 15-point lead.
“I think I did my best and did what a lot of men and women wish they could do,” Bennett said of coming to the Olympics.
Following his elimination, Bennett did not say what his plans would be, but everyone expects him to turn pro. Savon, 33, has never wanted such a thing. Instead, his quest is to tie Olympic great Teofilo Stevenson with a third gold medal.