Gavilan, Kid [Gerardo Gonzalez]
Boxing
b. Jan. 6, 1926, Camaguey, Cuba
d. Feb. 13, 2003
After turning professional in Cuba in 1943 and winning most of his fights there, Gavilan came to the United States late in 1946. He was matched against Sugar Ray Robinson for the world welterweight championship on July 11, 1949, but lost a 15-round decision.
The colorful Gavilan, known for his "bolo punch" (actually just a right uppercut), fought for the title again, this time against Johnny Bratton, who had won the National Boxing Association championship after Robinson became a middleweight. Gavilan decisioned Bratton in 15 rounds on May 18, 1951.
Charlie Humez was recognized as the welterweight champion in Europe, but he moved up to the middleweight class later in 1951 and Gavilan won world-wide recognition by beating Billy Graham in a 15-round decision on August 29.
He lost a bid for the middleweight title on April 2, 1954, when Carl "Bobo" Olson took a 15-round decision. In Gavilan's next fight, on October 20, he lost the welterweight championship to Johnny Saxton in another 15-round decision.
Gavilan fought for four more years, but he lost four of six fights in 1957 and he retired after losing two out of three in 1958. He had 143 professional bouts and won 107 of them, 27 by knockout. He lost 30 decisions, but was never knocked out. He also fought 6 draws and 1 no-contest.
