Two-time world boxing champion Jose Legra has died.

Legendary Spanish boxer of Cuban origin, two-time world champion Jose Legra has died in Madrid at the age of 89. This was reported by the Marca newspaper on July 16.

The cause of death was an exacerbation of a serious illness that was recently diagnosed in the boxer. The athlete, who was one of the greatest athletes in Spain in the 1960s and 1970s, along with tennis player Manuel Santana and motorcycle racer Angel Nieto, passed away surrounded by family and friends.

Jose Legra, known as the Puma of Baracoa, came to Spain from Cuba at the end of 1963. He began his professional career back in 1960 in Havana, and officially received Spanish citizenship on November 30, 1966. Over the years, he has fought about 150 professional fights.

Legra won his first significant title in 1967, becoming the European featherweight champion after defeating Frenchman Yves Desmarais. On July 24, 1968, he became the WBC world champion for the first time, knocking out Howard Winston in the British Portcullis.

Despite the fact that six months later he lost his belt in a duel with Johnny Famechon, in 1972 the boxer triumphantly regained the world championship by defeating Mexican Clemente Sanchez in Monterrey.