BARCELONA ’92 OLYMPICS / DAY 10 : Cuban Champion Nearly Upset by American

On paper, it shaped up as a mismatch: A 24-year-old former Chicago high school basketball player, in his 49th amateur bout, against a world champion Cuban heavyweight who has had hundreds.

But in one of the most exciting bouts in recent Olympic history, Danell Nicholson led in scoring after two rounds before losing a 13-11 decision to Cuba’s Felix Savon.

This one had about 2,000 cheering spectators in tiny Joventut Pavilion on their feet.

Nicholson was rocked repeatedly by the Cuban’s powerful right hand. But, surprisingly, Savon was similarly rocked by Nicholson.

“No excuses,” Nicholson said. “I thought I fought him good. I came up a little short. But I showed people I’m a man.”

Nicholson was rocked by several long rights by the 6-foot-4 Savon during the first round. But usually he came back with hard shots of his own.

Once, Savon landed a hard right on Nicholson’s left rib cage, but Nicholson countered with a short, jolting right to the head. With a minute left in the first round, it was apparent that Nicholson would not go quietly against the three-time world amateur champion.

And even though Savon had been much busier than Nicholson, the American had a 4-1 lead after the first round.

Nicholson went after Savon aggressively to start the second, and the two traded heavy punches for most of the round. When Savon landed a short, chopping right hand to the side of Nicholson’s head, it wobbled him.

Nicholson was rocked again with five seconds left in the round, but still the judges had Nicholson the leader after two, 8-6.

Early in the final round, Savon landed a long right that sent Nicholson into the ropes. But again, Nicholson fought back.

Then Savon hurt Nicholson again with a right, and referee Jack Poucher of Ireland gave him a standing-eight count.

Nicholson’s mouthpiece went flying midway through the round after a left-right combination by Savon. Nicholson got a breather when the mouthpiece was retrieved, and he needed it.

Now, it seemed, Nicholson surely would fade. He seemed exhausted. Yet with 28 seconds to go, Nicholson wobbled Savon with a solid left hook.

Nicholson wore tennis shoes during the bout and afterward complained that they had been too tight. According to one report, Nicholson forgot to bring his ring shoes.

But U.S. Coach Joe Byrd said he had wanted Nicholson in tennis shoes because he didn’t want Nicholson to back up against the aggressive Cuban; he wanted him flat on his feet.

“Boxing shoes make you light on your feet, and I didn’t want him dancing back, because Savon comes charging right at you when you back up,” Byrd said.

Nicholson’s effort, Byrd said, rallied the U.S. team, which still has six boxers in the tournament.

“Danell showed us what heart is tonight,” he said. “He brought us back together.”