Felix Savon’s record against future heavyweight titlists and title challengers

Does the “man against boys” narrative hold up?


17 vs 17 Golota (RET2)

19, 19 vs 21, 21 Bentt

20 vs 27 Mercer

22 vs 20 Schulz (WO)

23 vs 19 Briggs (RSC1)

24, 24 vs 19, 19 Kirk Johnson (RET2)

24 vs 18 Tua (KO22 seconds)

27 vs 21 Brewster (RET2)

27, 28, 28 vs 24, 24, 25 Krasniqi (RSC2, RET3, WO)

30 vs 30 Williamson (KO55 seconds)

31 vs 19 Ortiz (RET4)

29, 31, 31 vs 19, 20, 20 Chagaev

31, 32, 32 vs 18, 19, 20 Solis

32, 33 vs 24, 25 Ibragimov


19-4, 9 wins by stoppage, 2 wins by forfeit

1-2 with Chagaev and 1-2 with Solis, with Savon winning the 3rd bouts

According to U.S. media, pro-Castro Savon’s 1988 victory over U.S. army sergeant Mercer in Mercer’s hometown of New Jersey was marred by biased pro-Cuban officiating, though the inferior conditioning of Mercer was also cited as a key factor in his defeat

Savon (362-21, stopped 5 times between 1984-2000, retired at 33) being older than most of his opponents wasn’t entirely beneficial, given that limiting his weight to 91 KG starting from age 16 would have taken something out of him over time as a 6’4-6’4.5, 82 inch reach natural heavyweight

 

Though this doesn’t necessarily mean that he would have replicated his phenomenal amateur success in the pro ranks; Chagaev and Solis certainly didn’t, though Savon had size and power on his side. Savon’s durability (with 10 oz gloves and no headguard), stamina, mentality (fitness and mental toughness are tested far more over 12 rounds than over 3-5, the pros are more individualistic rather than more team-based and losses are generally far more costly in the professional code, increasing pressure to perform and the mental damage of defeats) and motivation (depending on his degree of amateur success before he turned pro and whether he could maintain his discipline in the West with a less frequent professional fight schedule) would be question marks.