Cuban sports authorities today expressed their condolences over the death of former boxer Orlando Martinez Romero

Havana, September 22 (RHC)-- Cuban sports authorities today expressed their condolences over the death of former boxer Orlando Martinez Romero, the first Olympic champion of the revolutionary sport.

"It hurts to learn of the death of Orlando Martínez Romero, our beloved Orlandito, the first Olympic champion boxer of the revolutionary sport, in Munich 1972.  He shone in other fights and was undefeated monarch of loyalty to his people. Condolences from #InderCuba to family and friends".

This is what Inder president Osvaldo Vento Montiller wrote on his Twitter social network account, shortly after learning of his unfortunate death at the age of 75 and after suffering from Alzheimer's disease.  

"His death, which we deeply regret, is not enough to undo the imprint he carved as a symbol of the sport to which he gave himself to the fullest. Orlandito Martinez will continue with us as the champion he is. Our embrace to the family, friends and followers of the great boxer", commented the head of the Cuban Olympic Committee Roberto Leon Richards.

Orlandito was born on September 2, 1946 in the Havana neighborhood of Juanelo. His beginnings in boxing date back to 1963 at the Luyanó Moderno gymnasium.

He attended the Olympic Games of Mexico 1968, Munich 1972 and Montreal 1976, was Pan American champion in Mexico 1975 and bronze medalist in the Central American Games of Santo Domingo 1974, in all cases at 54 kilos. He reigned three times in the Giraldo Córdova Cardín international tournaments and was national champion several times.

After retiring from active sport, he dedicated himself to the noble task of teaching the younger generations, in which he also deserved praise. 

Orlandito's body will be watched over at the Santa Catalina Funeral Home and the burial is expected to take place at 5 p.m. in the pantheon of the glories of the sport in the Necropolis of Colon.