Video of David Tua vs Felix Savon in the amateurs

[ChrisPontius]

Just a perfect counter right hand from Savon: (1991 fight)

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[Russell]

You've got to give Tua the benefit of the doubt that he wasn't the fighter he'd become later on, much like the Brigg's that Savon destroyed...

But god damned, regardless both fights were impressive.

[Vantage_West]

yeah teh savon hitlist conatain a half of all champions/contenders from the early 90's - today.

michael bentt gave savon alot of troubles in his day.

[Sakura]

Sultan Ibragimov vs savon

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[Jear]

Shows what Savon may have become, but he was a 24 years old who had been world champ since 86 or 87 against an 18 year old relative novice. Tua at the same age had taken out Ruiz, Izon, Wilson and Maskaev in the pros.

I find it very hard to legitimise the Cubans achievements due to the fact they are virtually men fighting boys. Gonzalez is a perfect example of how amateur prowess doesnt carry over to the pros.

That said due to the amateur rules at the time I can see Stevenson making a reasonably successful transition

[aj415]

In the second after the right hand from Savon, Tua doesn't look like hes going anywhere, but then there is the violent clash of heads to the temple, then Tua falls down.

I can't tell if it is the right hand that knocked Tua down -- in a delay effect, or if it is the clash of heads, or a combination of both.

[zadfrak]

I always looked at that shot tho & that, to me anyway, gave Tua very little shot when he fought Lewis. That and his footwork. Remember that Tua bandwagon before the Lewis fight? And then they disappear. But that right hand opening is there for an accurate right hand puncher & that's something Lennox--like Savon--brought to the table.

[ChrisPontius]

In the second after the right hand from Savon, Tua doesn't look like hes going anywhere, but then there is the violent clash of heads to the temple, then Tua falls down.

I can't tell if it is the right hand that knocked Tua down -- in a delay effect, or if it is the clash of heads, or a combination of both.
It was the right hand, delayed effect. Remember that Savon would've been equally hurt from the clash of heads.

How often have you seen a boxer go down and still be shaken after getting up from a clash of heads?

[fists of fury]

Does anyone know what size gloves they were using? (Nice video by the way)

[ChrisPontius]

I think it was 8 oz.

One thing, by the way, Savon always fought at heavyweight, which is 91kg- (200lbs-), so at 6'5" 200lbs he is somewhat "skinny". I would've liked to see Wlad Klitschko vs Savon in 1996 at superheavyweight.

[he grant]

I've seen this ... there is footage of Savon also stopping Shannon Briggs and Lamon Brewster ... the man was definately a killer puncher ...

[Mendoza]

I think it was 8 oz.

One thing, by the way, Savon always fought at heavyweight, which is 91kg- (200lbs-), so at 6'5" 200lbs he is somewhat "skinny". I would've liked to see Wlad Klitschko vs Savon in 1996 at superheavyweight.

Did Savon make weight at 201; re-hydrate 10-15 more pounds for the match?

[ChrisPontius]

Did Savon make weight at 201; re-hydrate 10-15 more pounds for the match?

I don't know; by looking at it, you would certainly say he weighs at least 210lbs, but then again, Tua wasn't the 225lbs beast that he would later be yet, either. Brewster, dito. A lot of his opponents were young heavyweights, for obvious reasons.

However, in the olympics, you have several matches in a few days time. Dehydrating, rehydrating and going back down would not only be dangerous, but perhaps physically impossible. Unless there's only one weigh-in beforehand.

Interesting point.:think

[punchy]

What is obvious is that Savon would have made a top pro, he fights like a pro in going with the big punch rather than trying to build up a lead over the other fighter.

[ChrisPontius]

What is obvious is that Savon would have made a top pro, he fights like a pro in going with the big punch rather than trying to build up a lead over the other fighter.

Well, that's also because he only had 3 round fights and not has to worry about running out of gas.

[gregor]

It was the right hand, delayed effect. Remember that Savon would've been equally hurt from the clash of heads.
Not necessarily. Remember Holyfield-Rahman? Rahman got another head growing, while Holy did not even look hurt.

So, if it was something like Savon's forehead vs. Tua's temple...

[Mendoza]

Savon was perhaps the best right-handed puncher I ever saw in the amateurs.

I saw him clip Briggs, Tua, Brewster, and many others in one round! Being a full time professional amateur, Savon had the experience and age advantage over many Americans in addition to a major skill edge.

Savon's weakness was he did not like pressure fighters, and had a suspect chin. Sultan Ibragmov would have KO'd Savon in the 2000 games gold medal math, as he rocked Savon and had him badly cut in the final round. As it was Savon won on points fair in square.

Blando was very impressive in the Olympics. He could have been even to or perhaps better than Savon or Stevenson. I saw the games. Blando rolled over Donald. Unlike Savon, Blando to me was not afraid to get hit. Sadly, Blando died young, so we really do not know if he was as good as Savon or Stevenson was.

[punchy]

Chris he had the size, athleticism and power to do well, you never know of course but these attributes are what is needed in a HW.

[ChrisPontius]

Not necessarily. Remember Holyfield-Rahman? Rahman got another head growing, while Holy did not even look hurt.

So, if it was something like Savon's forehead vs. Tua's temple...

Rahman's face was swollen to grotesque proportions, but he wasn't hurt, asin, knocked down and struggling to get up, as far as i remember.


Chris he had the size, athleticism and power to do well, you never know of course but these attributes are what is needed in a HW.

I'm not too sure about the size actually. He was 6'5 200lbs. He didn't look small because the fighters in front of him were barely more than teenage-heavyweights, but i think he'd be shoved around too easy at that weight. Maybe he put on a few pounds, but remember that he still made the 200lbs limit in his 30's.

[Russell]

They also looked small because two of them, Briggs and Brewster, had yet to roid themselves to ridiculous sizes.

Not like Tua didn't look small next to Lennox Lewis anyway.

[young griffo]

yeah teh savon hitlist conatain a half of all champions/contenders from the early 90's - today.

michael bentt gave savon alot of troubles in his day.
Michael Bennett beat him in the World Amateur Championships final in 1999,before Savon turned the tables via stoppage at the Sydney Olympics.

Michael Bentt gave Tommy Morrison a helluva lot of trouble in their WBO title fight in 1993 scoring a shock first round knockout,before being beaten by Herbie Hide.

Sorry to nitpick:good