Triple Olympic champion Félix Savón on parole after six years in prison

Félix Savón, one of the greatest icons of Cuban boxing and a three-time Olympic champion, was released on parole after serving six years in prison for a sexual offense.

The former champion of the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, 1996 Atlanta, and 2000 Sydney was released at the end of 2024, according to various sources confirmed to the independent portal CubaNet.

Savón, who also holds six world titles, was arrested in 2018 after being accused of sexually abusing a 12-year-old boy.

Despite the significance of his case, the sanction and the judicial process were never officially disclosed by the Cuban authorities, which sparked speculation about the exact circumstances of his incarceration.

For example, it is not known for certain when or where his trial took place, nor whether he had legal representation during the proceedings.

Rather, Savón's case was shrouded in notable secrecy by the regime, and the sanction he received was never officially communicated to the island's population.

However, the isolation did not prevent his situation from becoming known, with various rumors about his health and behavior in prison.

"He had about two years left on his sentence when he was released, but he looks 'groggy'," said a former boxer from the Cuban national team, who preferred to remain anonymous.

In boxing slang, the term "grogui" refers to a state of daze, which could allude to the physical and mental decline that Savón may have experienced during his time in prison.

It is still unknown whether parole was requested by Savón himself or by his representatives. The regime has not officially reported the matter, not even in the context of other releases that occurred last week.

The news of his release broke when Savón was seen in family photos posted on his daughter's social media, where he was spotted during the Christmas festivities.

Close sources also indicated that he had occasionally been seen at his home in the Fontanar neighborhood, in the municipality of Boyeros, during periods when he would have been granted "passes" from the penitentiary where he was detained, known as a "farm" for former officials serving time.

Félix Savón was a figure of admiration in Cuba and one of the most prominent boxers in the country, known not only for his skill in the ring but also for his close relationship with the late dictator Fidel Castro.

After retiring from boxing after winning his third Olympic gold medal at the Sydney 2000 Games, Savón devoted part of his time to painting and art exhibitions, although it is unknown if he continued with his hobby while he was incarcerated.

In his career, Savón amassed 342 victories and 17 defeats, excelling not only in the Olympic Games but also in the AIBA World Championships, where he won six consecutive titles.

In addition, his victory in Cuban national tournaments was impressive, with 13 titles between 1985 and 1998. Among his most notable victories are those achieved over professional champions such as Ray Mercer, Shannon Briggs, Lamon Brewster, and Ruslan Chagaev.

However, his legacy as one of the greatest boxers in history was marred by the accusation that led to his imprisonment and has overshadowed his athletic achievements.

No one imagined that the Cuban athlete, idolized by generations, would be involved in one of the darkest and most controversial cases in national sports, after being accused of sexually abusing a 12-year-old boy.

Frequently asked questions about Félix Savón and his current situation