Havana:Cuban former world champion and 1972 Olympic bronze medallist boxer Douglas Rodriguez passed away after suffering a cardiac arrest. He was 61.

Rodriguez died Sunday at home, a release from the National Sports and Recreation Institute (INDER) said Monday.

Born in the eastern city of Santiago de Cuba June 3, 1950, Rodriguez was very popular among Cuban boxing fans becauseof his combative style of fighting, trying to keep the initiative since the beginning, and his courage and persistence.

Rodriguez conquered the 51-kg world title at the First Amateur Boxing World Championship in Havana 1974, where he fought injured in three of his four combats, including the final in which he defeated Venezuelan Alfredo Perez 4-1, the INDER release recalled.

In his career, Rodriguez also got the bronze of the fly division at the Pan American Games in Cali 1971, the gold at the Central American tournament in Havana 1970, and the silver in Mexico 1973. (IANS)