The 1972, 1976 and 1980 gold medallist was due to arrive at Heathrow yesterday on a trip organised by former world cruiserweight champion Glen McCrory.

Stevenson (pictured above, right) had been invited by London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe, a keen boxing fan, to attend the launch of the new logo.

He was then due to fly up to Newcastle to attend a black-tie dinner organised by McCrory as part of his efforts to help persuade the Cuban boxing team to base themselves in the North-East during the build-up to the 2012 Olympics.

"When I invited Teofilo he said he was extremely excited about coming here," McCrory said.

"I couldn't believe it when I got the news he wasn't allowed to travel.

"I felt sick.

"We were expecting 500 people next week - now I've had to cancel it."