Kid Gavilán

Gerardo González (January 6, 1926 – February 13, 2003), better known in the boxing world as Kid Gavilan, was a World Welterweight Champion from Camagüey, Cuba.[2][3] Boxing Writers Association of America named him Fighter of the Year in 1953, Gavilán was voted by The Ring magazine as the 26th greatest fighter of the last 80 years.[4]

Kid Gavilán
Statistics
Real nameGerardo González[1]
Nickname(s)Kid Gavilán
The Cuban Hawk
Weight(s)Welterweight
NationalityCuban
Born(1926-01-06)January 6, 1926
Berrocal, Camagüey, Cuba
DiedFebruary 13, 2003(2003-02-13) (aged 77)
Miami, Florida
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights143
Wins108
Wins by KO28
Losses30
Draws5
No contests0

Early career

Gavilan was managed by Yamil Chade, a boxing manager (based in Puerto Rico) who also directed the careers of Wilfredo Gómez, Wilfred Benítez, Carlos De León and Félix Trinidad among others. He started as a professional boxer on the evening of June 5, 1943, when he beat Antonio Diaz by a decision in four rounds in Havana. His first ten bouts were in Havana, and then he had one in Cienfuegos, but soon he returned to Havana for three more wins. After 14 bouts, he left Cuba for his first fight abroad, and he beat Julio César Jimenez by a decision in 10 rounds in his first of three consecutive fights in Mexico City. It was there that he suffered his first defeat, at the hands of Carlos Macalara by a decision. They had an immediate rematch, this time in Havana, and Gavilan avenged that loss, winning by decision too. Gavilan had a record of 25 wins, 2 losses and 1 draw already when he had his first fight on American soil. This happened on November 1, 1946, when he beat Johnny Ryan by a knockout in five rounds at New York City.

Move to the United States

He would split his time between the Eastern coast of the United States and Havana in 1947, a year in which he went 11-1-1 with 3 knockouts. However, by 1948 he had decided to stay in the United States indefinitely. That year, he met some very important fighters, like former world champion Ike Williams, who beat him by decision in ten, Tommy Bell, against whom Gavilan won by decision, Sugar Ray Robinson, who beat him by decision in ten, and Tony Pellone, with Gavilan obtaining a decision against Pellone.[5]

After beating Williams twice by decision, he met Robinson with Robinson's world Welterweight title on the line. He lost his first title try, when Robinson won a decision in 15 rounds. Back to the drawing board, he beat Rocky Castellani, the then lightweight world champion Beau Jack, and Laurent Dauthuille (the latter of whom fought Gavilan in Montreal, Quebec, Canada). All of them were beaten by decision in ten. In 1950, he went 10-4-1, beating Billy Graham, Sonny Horne, Robert Villemain, Eugene Hairston, and Tony Janiro among others.

World champion

In 1951 after beating Tommy Ciarlo twice, once in Caracas, Venezuela, and Hairston once again, he finally became a world champion when he beat Johnny Bratton for the world Welterweight title by a decision in 15 on May 18. He defended that title for the first time against Graham, winning by a decision, and promptly made four non-title bouts before the end of the year, including another win over Janiro and a draw in ten with Bratton.

In 1952 he defended the title with success against Bobby Dykes, Gil Turner, and with Graham in a third encounter between the two. All those fights were won by decision in 15. He also had five non-title bouts, including three that were a part of an Argentinian tour. His third fight with Graham was his first world title defense in Havana and his fight with Dykes marked the first time that a black man and a white man had a boxing fight in then-segregated Miami, Florida. In 1953, Gavilan retained the title by a knockout in ten against Chuck Davey, by a decision in 15 against Carmen Basilio and by a decision in 15 against Bratton. He had seven non-title bouts, losing to Danny Womber, but beating Ralph Tiger Jones. In 1954 Gavilan went up in weight. After two more points wins, he challenged world Middleweight champion Bobo Olson for the world title, but lost a decision in 15. Then, he went down in weight, and lost his world Welterweight championship, by a decision in 15 to Johnny Saxton. That same year, he appeared on a Telemundo Puerto Rico poster that promoted that country's first television transmission.

Personal life

Gavilan's wife, Leonor, gave birth to his daughter, Victoria, in 1954.[6] After retiring from boxing Gavilán became a Jehovah's Witness and was jailed under the Castro regime for preaching. In the 1980s he made a living selling sausages in Chicago.[7][8]

Later career and retirement

From that point until 1958, when he retired, he had a career of ups and downs. He lost to Dykes, Jones, Eduardo Lausse, former world champion Tony DeMarco, Vince Martinez and Gaspar Ortega, but he also beat Ortega, Jones and Chico Vejar, among others. After losing to Yama Bahama by decision in ten on June 18, 1958, he never fought again, announcing his retirement on September 11 of that year. Gavilan was one of the few boxers never knocked out in their professional careers. Gavilán was a 1966 inductee to The Ring magazine's Boxing Hall of Fame (disbanded in 1987), and was an inaugural 1990 inductee to the International Boxing Hall of Fame. He had a record of 107 wins, 30 losses and 6 draws, with one no contest and 27 wins by knockout in a career that spanned 143 professional fights.[9][10]

Death

Gavilan died in Miami, Florida of a heart attack at age 77.[11]


Professional boxing record
Professional record summary
143 fights 108 wins 30 losses
By knockout 28 0
By decision 80 30
Draws 5
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
143 Loss 108–30–5 Yama Bahama UD 10 Jun 18, 1958 Auditorium, Miami Beach
142 Win 108–29–5 Ralph Jones SD 10 Apr 04, 1958 Arena, Philadelphia
141 Loss 107–29–5 Ralph Jones SD 10 Feb 19, 1958 Carillon Hotel, Miami Beach
140 Win 107–28–5 Walter Byars UD 10 Nov 20, 1957 Chicago Stadium, Chicago
139 Loss 106–28–5 Gaspar Ortega SD 12 Oct 22, 1957 Wrigley Field, Los Angeles
138 Win 106–27–5 Gaspar Ortega UD 10 Jul 31, 1957 Auditorium, Miami Beach
137 Loss 105–27–5 Vince Martinez PTS 10 Jun 17, 1957 Roosevelt Stadium, Jersey City
136 Loss 105–26–5 Del Flanagan UD 10 Apr 24, 1957 Auditorium, Saint Paul
135 Loss 105–25–5 Vince Martinez PTS 10 Feb 26, 1957 Armory, Newark
134 Loss 105–24–5 Ramon Fuentes SD 10 Dec 20, 1956 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles
133 Loss 105–23–5 Walter Byars SD 10 Dec 04, 1956 Mechanics Building, Boston
132 Win 105–22–5 Chico Vejar UD 10 Nov 13, 1956 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles
131 Loss 104–22–5 Tony DeMarco UD 10 Oct 13, 1956 Boston Garden, Boston
130 Win 104–21–5 Jimmy Beecham SD 10 Aug 28, 1956 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
129 Draw 103–21–5 Louis Trochon PTS 10 May 12, 1956 Palais des Sports, Marseille
128 Win 103–21–4 Peter Waterman PTS 10 Apr 24, 1956 Earls Court Arena, Kensington
127 Loss 102–21–4 Germinal Ballarin PTS 10 Mar 29, 1956 Palais des Sports, Paris
126 Loss 102–20–4 Peter Waterman PTS 10 Feb 07, 1956 Harringay Arena, Harringay
125 Loss 102–19–4 Dogomar Martinez PTS 10 Dec 03, 1955 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires
124 Loss 102–18–4 Eduardo Lausse PTS 12 Sep 03, 1955 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires
123 Win 102–17–4 Juan Bautista Burgues KO 7 (10) Aug 13, 1955 Palacio Peñarol, Montevideo
122 Win 101–17–4 Cirilo Gil PTS 10 Jul 24, 1955 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires
121 Win 100–17–4 Luigi Cemulini KO 3 (10) Jun 02, 1955 Arena, Santa Clara
120 Loss 99–17–4 Bobby Dykes UD 10 Mar 16, 1955 Miami Stadium, Miami
119 Loss 99–16–4 Hector Constance UD 10 Feb 23, 1955 Auditorium, Miami Beach
118 Win 99–15–4 Ernie Durando SD 10 Feb 04, 1955 Madison Square Garden, New York
117 Loss 98–15–4 Johnny Saxton UD 15 Oct 20, 1954 Convention Hall, Philadelphia Lost The Ring and lineal welterweight titles
116 Loss 98–14–4 Bobo Olson MD 15 Apr 02, 1954 Chicago Stadium, Chicago For The Ring and lineal middleweight titles
115 Win 98–13–4 Livio Minelli UD 10 Mar 08, 1954 Boston Garden, Boston
114 Win 97–13–4 Johnny Cunningham UD 10 Feb 23, 1954 Auditorium, Miami Beach
113 Win 96–13–4 Johnny Bratton UD 15 Nov 13, 1953 Chicago Stadium, Chicago Retained The Ring and lineal welterweight titles
112 Win 95–13–4 Carmen Basilio SD 15 Sep 18, 1953 War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse Retained The Ring and lineal welterweight titles
111 Win 94–13–4 Ralph Jones UD 10 Aug 26, 1953 Madison Square Garden, New York
110 Win 93–13–4 Ramon Fuentes UD 10 Jul 15, 1953 Arena, Milwaukee
109 Win 92–13–4 Italo Scortichini UD 10 Jun 10, 1953 Olympia Stadium, Detroit
108 Loss 91–13–4 Danny Womber UD 10 May 02, 1953 War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse
107 Win 91–12–4 Livio Minelli SD 10 Apr 14, 1953 Arena, Cleveland
106 Win 90–12–4 Chuck Davey TKO 10 (15) Feb 11, 1953 Chicago Stadium, Chicago Retained The Ring and lineal welterweight titles
105 Win 89–12–4 Vic Cardell UD 10 Jan 21, 1953 Uline Arena, Washington
104 Win 88–12–4 Aman Peck UD 10 Jan 13, 1953 Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa
103 Win 87–12–4 Billy Graham UD 15 Oct 05, 1952 Gran Estadio de La Habana, Havana Retained The Ring and lineal welterweight titles
102 Win 86–12–4 Eduardo Lausse PTS 10 Sep 13, 1952 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires
101 Win 85–12–4 Rafael Merentino TKO 9 (12) Sep 06, 1952 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires
100 Win 84–12–4 Mario Diaz MD 10 Aug 16, 1952 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires
99 Win 83–12–4 Gil Turner TKO 11 (15) Jul 07, 1952 Municipal Stadium, Philadelphia Retained The Ring and lineal welterweight titles
98 Win 82–12–4 Fritzie Pruden TKO 6 (10) May 28, 1952 Fairgrounds Coliseum, Indianapolis
97 Win 81–12–4 Ralph Zannelli UD 10 May 19, 1952 Rhode Island Auditorium, Providence
96 Win 80–12–4 Don Williams SD 10 Feb 28, 1952 Boston Garden, Boston
95 Win 79–12–4 Bobby Dykes SD 15 Feb 04, 1952 Miami Stadium, Miami Retained The Ring and lineal welterweight titles
94 Win 78–12–4 Walter Cartier TKO 10 (10) Dec 14, 1951 Madison Square Garden, New York
93 Draw 77–12–4 Johnny Bratton PTS 10 Nov 28, 1951 Chicago Stadium, Chicago
92 Win 77–12–3 Tony Janiro TKO 4 (10) Nov 07, 1951 Olympia Stadium, Detroit
91 Win 76–12–3 Bobby Rosado KO 7 (10) Oct 04, 1951 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
90 Win 75–12–3 Billy Graham SD 15 Aug 29, 1951 Madison Square Garden, New York Retained NBA and lineal welterweight titles
Won vacant The Ring welterweight title
89 Win 74–12–3 Fritzie Pruden UD 10 Jul 16, 1951 Arena, Milwaukee
88 Win 73–12–3 Johnny Bratton UD 15 May 18, 1951 Madison Square Garden, New York Won NBA and vacant lineal welterweight titles
87 Win 72–12–3 Aldo Minelli UD 10 Apr 20, 1951 St. Nicholas Arena, New York
86 Win 71–12–3 Gene Hairston UD 10 Mar 30, 1951 Madison Square Garden, New York
85 Win 70–12–3 Tommy Ciarlo TKO 8 (10) Mar 10, 1951 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
84 Win 69–12–3 Tommy Ciarlo PTS 10 Feb 19, 1951 Caracas
83 Win 68–12–3 Paddy Young MD 10 Jan 26, 1951 Madison Square Garden, New York
82 Win 67–12–3 Joe Miceli SD 10 Dec 22, 1950 Madison Square Garden, New York
81 Win 66–12–3 Tony Janiro UD 10 Dec 04, 1950 Arena, Cleveland
80 Win 65–12–3 Billy Graham MD 10 Nov 17, 1950 Madison Square Garden, New York
79 Loss 64–12–3 Gene Hairston SD 10 Oct 30, 1950 Watres Armory, Scranton
78 Draw 64–11–3 Tommy Ciarlo PTS 10 Oct 23, 1950 Arena, New Haven
77 Win 64–11–2 Johnny Greco KO 6 (10) Aug 16, 1950 Municipal Stadium, Omaha
76 Win 63–11–2 Phil Burton PTS 10 Jul 13, 1950 Delormier Stadium, Montreal
75 Win 62–11–2 Sonny Horne PTS 10 Jul 03, 1950 Coney Island Velodrome, Brooklyn
74 Win 61–11–2 Bobby Mann PTS 10 Jun 19, 1950 Auditorium, Hartford
73 Win 60–11–2 Mike Koballa UD 10 Jun 08, 1950 Dexter Park Arena, Woodhaven, Queens
72 Win 59–11–2 Georgie Small UD 10 May 26, 1950 Madison Square Garden, New York
71 Loss 58–11–2 George Costner MD 10 May 08, 1950 Arena, Philadelphia
70 Loss 58–10–2 Robert Villemain SD 10 Mar 20, 1950 Forum, Montreal
69 Win 58–9–2 Otis Graham SD 10 Mar 06, 1950 Arena, Philadelphia
68 Loss 57–9–2 Billy Graham SD 10 Feb 10, 1950 Madison Square Garden, New York
67 Win 57–8–2 Bobby Lee PTS 10 Dec 17, 1949 Gran Estadio de La Habana, Havana
66 Win 56–8–2 Laurent Dauthuille UD 10 Nov 21, 1949 Forum, Montreal
65 Loss 55–8–2 Lester Felton SD 10 Oct 21, 1949 Olympia Stadium, Detroit
64 Win 55–7–2 Beau Jack UD 10 Oct 14, 1949 Chicago Stadium, Chicago
63 Win 54–7–2 Rocky Castellani UD 10 Sep 09, 1949 Madison Square Garden, New York
62 Loss 53–7–2 Sugar Ray Robinson UD 15 Jul 11, 1949 Municipal Stadium, Philadelphia For The Ring and lineal welterweight titles
61 Win 53–6–2 Cliff Hart TKO 2 (10) Jun 02, 1949 MacArthur Stadium, Syracuse
60 Win 52–6–2 Al Priest UD 10 May 02, 1949 Boston Garden, Boston
59 Win 51–6–2 Ike Williams UD 10 Apr 01, 1949 Madison Square Garden, New York
58 Win 50–6–2 Ike Williams MD 10 Jan 28, 1949 Madison Square Garden, New York
57 Win 49–6–2 Abdeslam ben Buker PTS 10 Dec 11, 1948 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
56 Win 48–6–2 Tony Pellone UD 10 Nov 12, 1948 Madison Square Garden, New York
55 Win 47–6–2 Vinnie Rossano TKO 6 (10) Oct 21, 1948 Yankee Stadium, Bronx
54 Loss 46–6–2 Sugar Ray Robinson UD 10 Sep 23, 1948 Yankee Stadium, Bronx
53 Win 46–5–2 Buster Tyler UD 10 Aug 12, 1948 Madison Square Garden, New York
52 Win 45–5–2 Roman Alvarez UD 10 Jul 22, 1948 Madison Square Garden, New York
51 Win 44–5–2 Rocco Rossano KO 1 (10) May 28, 1948 Madison Square Garden, New York
50 Win 43–5–2 Tommy Bell SD 10 Apr 26, 1948 Arena, Philadelphia
49 Loss 42–5–2 Doug Ratford UD 10 Apr 13, 1948 Broadway Arena, Brooklyn
48 Loss 42–4–2 Ike Williams UD 10 Feb 27, 1948 Madison Square Garden, New York
47 Win 42–3–2 Vinnie Rossano UD 10 Feb 13, 1948 Madison Square Garden, New York
46 Win 41–3–2 Joe Curcio TKO 2 (10) Jan 23, 1948 St. Nicholas Arena, New York
45 Draw 40–3–2 Gene Burton PTS 10 Jan 12, 1948 St. Nicholas Arena, New York
44 Draw 40–3–1 Buster Tyler PTS 10 Dec 29, 1947 St. Nicholas Arena, New York
43 Win 40–3 Bee Bee Wright TKO 10 (10) Nov 03, 1947 Coliseum, Baltimore
42 Win 39–3 Billy Nixon UD 8 Oct 23, 1947 Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia
41 Win 38–3 Billy Justine UD 8 Sep 18, 1947 Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia
40 Win 37–3 Charley Milan TKO 1 (10) Sep 15, 1947 Coliseum, Baltimore
39 Loss 36–3 Doug Ratford PTS 10 Sep 02, 1947 Meadowbrook Bowl, Newark
38 Win 36–2 Bobby Lee UD 10 Aug 18, 1947 Coliseum, Baltimore
37 Win 35–2 Charley Williams KO 2 (10) Aug 11, 1947 Meadowbrook Bowl, Newark
36 Win 34–2 Vince Gambill KO 2 (10) Apr 26, 1947 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
35 Win 33–2 Nick Moran PTS 10 Mar 12, 1947 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
34 Win 32–2 Baby Coullimber PTS 10 Feb 22, 1947 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
33 Win 31–2 Jose Garvia Alvarez PTS 10 Feb 08, 1947 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
32 Win 30–2 Julio Pedroso PTS 10 Jan 25, 1947 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
31 Win 29–2 Johnny Williams PTS 10 Dec 13, 1946 Madison Square Garden, New York
30 Win 28–2 Johnny Williams UD 10 Dec 02, 1946 St. Nicholas Arena, New York
29 Win 27–2 Johnny Ryan TKO 5 (6) Nov 01, 1946 Madison Square Garden, New York
28 Win 26–2 Hankin Barrow PTS 10 Sep 07, 1946 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
27 Win 25–2 Jack Larrimore KO 3 (10) Aug 24, 1946 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
26 Win 24–2 Hankin Barrow KO 7 (10) Aug 03, 1946 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
25 Win 23–2 Chico Varona PTS 10 Jun 22, 1946 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
24 Loss 22–2 Tony Mar PTS 10 May 04, 1946 Plaza de Toros La Condesa, Mexico City
23 Win 22–1 Santiago Sosa PTS 10 Mar 09, 1946 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
22 Win 21–1 Jose Zorilla KO 4 (10) Mar 02, 1946 Bayamo
21 Win 20–1 Kid Bururu PTS 10 Feb 09, 1946 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
20 Win 19–1 Kid Bururu PTS 10 Jan 26, 1946 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
19 Win 18–1 Johnny Suarez PTS 10 Nov 17, 1945 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
18 Win 17–1 Carlos Malacara PTS 10 Nov 03, 1945 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
17 Loss 16–1 Carlos Malacara PTS 10 Sep 25, 1945 Arena Coliseo, Mexico City
16 Win 16–0 Pedro Ortega KO 6 (10) Sep 08, 1945 Arena Coliseo, Mexico City
15 Win 15–0 Julio Cesar Jimenez PTS 10 Aug 11, 1945 Arena Coliseo, Mexico City
14 Win 14–0 Joe Pedroso KO 4 (12) Jul 07, 1945 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
13 Win 13–0 Pedro Ortega PTS 10 Jun 23, 1945 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
12 Win 12–0 Julio Cesar Jimenez PTS 10 May 26, 1945 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
11 Win 11–0 Kid Bebo KO 4 (10) May 13, 1945 Cienfuegos
10 Win 10–0 Santiago Sosa KO 9 (10) Apr 21, 1945 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
9 Win 9–0 Joe Pedroso PTS 10 Mar 10, 1945 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
8 Win 8–0 Bombon Oriental PTS 10 Feb 10, 1945 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
7 Win 7–0 Miguel Acevedo PTS 10 Dec 23, 1944 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
6 Win 6–0 Bombon Oriental PTS 10 Nov 25, 1944 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
5 Win 5–0 Juan Villalba TKO 9 (10) Oct 01, 1944 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
4 Win 4–0 Sergio Prieto TKO 5 (6) Sep 11, 1943 Arena Cristal, Havana
3 Win 3–0 Nanito Kid Dustet PTS 6 Aug 07, 1943 Arena Cristal, Havana
2 Win 2–0 Bartolo Molina PTS 4 Jun 12, 1943 Arena Cristal, Havana
1 Win 1–0 Antonio Diaz PTS 6 Jun 05, 1943 Arena Cristal, Havana
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See also
  • List of welterweight boxing champions

References
  1. "Kid Gavilán". The Independent. Retrieved 2016-10-06.
  2. "The Lineal Welterweight Champs". Cyber Boxing Zone.
  3. Mike Lewis. "Obituary: Kid Gavilan | Sport". The Guardian. Retrieved 2016-10-06.
  4. Andrew Eisele. "Ring Magazine's 80 Best Fighters of the Last 80 Years". About.com Sports.
  5. Songalia, Ryan (2014-06-20). "Classic Columns: Kid Gavilan - The Ring". Ringtv.com. Retrieved 2016-10-06.
  6. "Jet - Google Books". Books.google.com. 1954-04-15. Retrieved 2016-10-06.
  7. Goldstein, Richard (15 February 2003). "Kid Gavilan, 77, Welterweight Champion in the Early 50s". New York Times. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  8. Friedman, Ian C. (2007). Latino Athletes. Orient Longman. pp. 97–98. ISBN 9788125028956. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  9. "Kid Gavilan". Telegraph. 2003-02-17. Retrieved 2016-10-06.
  10. "Kid Gavilan, 77; Flashy Boxer Held World Welterweight Crown in '50s - latimes". Articles.latimes.com. 2012-11-10. Retrieved 2016-10-06.
  11. New York Times obituary for Kid Gavilan, February 15, 2003; accessed January 19, 2014.
Achievements
Preceded by
Johnny Bratton		 NBA Welterweight Champion
May 18, 1951 - October 20, 1954		 Succeeded by
Johnny Saxton
Vacant
Title last held by
Sugar Ray Robinson		 Undisputed Welterweight Champion
February 4, 1952 - October 20, 1954
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