Lagutin, Boris Nikolayevich

▪ Soviet athlete

born June 24, 1938, Moscow, Russia, U.S.S.R.

      Soviet boxer who won medals in three consecutive Olympic Games, including gold medals in 1964 and 1968.

      Fighting as a light middleweight (156 pounds [71 kg]), Lagutin was awarded a bronze medal at the 1960 Olympics in Rome after losing a split decision to the eventual champion, American Wilbert “Skeeter” McClure, in the semifinal round. At the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo, Lagutin handily defeated Joseph Gonzales of France to win the first of his gold medals. At the age of 30, Lagutin captured his second gold medal at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City by defeating Rolando Garbey of Cuba in the final match.

      Lagutin was also light middleweight champion of Europe in 1961 and 1963 and was six times light middleweight champion of the U.S.S.R. between 1959 and 1968. He received degrees in biology and coaching from Moscow State University in 1971 and later became chairman of the U.S.S.R. Boxing Federation.

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