Boris Nikolayevich Lagutin (Russian: Бори́с Ни́колаевич Ла́гутин; 24 June 1938 – 4 September 2022) was a Soviet and Russian amateur boxer who competed in the light middleweight (71 kg) division. He is best known for winning two Olympic gold medals, at the 1964 Tokyo Games and the 1968 Mexico City Games, and a bronze medal at the 1960 Rome Games. Lagutin also secured multiple titles at the European Amateur Boxing Championships (1961, 1963, 1965, 1967) and claimed the inaugural World Amateur Boxing Championships gold medal in 1974, representing the Soviet Union throughout his career.
Early life and amateur career
Born in Moscow, Soviet Union, Lagutin began boxing in his teenage years, joining the Dynamo sports society. He quickly rose through the Soviet boxing ranks, winning his first national title in 1959.
Olympic achievements
- 1960 Rome Olympics – Bronze medal in light middleweight, after losing in the semifinals to Wilbert McClure of the United States.
- 1964 Tokyo Olympics – Gold medal, defeating Cosimo Pinto (Italy) in the final.
- 1968 Mexico City Olympics – Gold medal, defeating Armando Duarte (Cuba) in the final.
Other major competitions
Lagutin earned four consecutive European titles (1961, 1963, 1965, 1967) and was a dominant figure in Soviet national championships, winning multiple titles between 1959 and 1974. He retired from competition after the 1974 World Championships, where at age 36 he captured the gold medal, becoming the oldest boxer to win a world amateur title at that time.
Post‑competition career
Following retirement, Lagutin served as a boxing coach and sports official within the Russian Boxing Federation. He was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labour and later the Order of Friendship for his contributions to sport.
Legacy
Lagutin is regarded as one of the most successful Soviet boxers of the 20th century. His two Olympic gold medals and sustained excellence over more than a decade have secured his place in boxing history. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame’s amateur wing in 1995.