Kid Gavilán

Kid Gavilan ( born January 6, 1926 in Berrocal, Camagüey Gerardo González, † February 13, 2003 in Miami ) was a Cuban boxer.

Professional career

It received its name from its manager Fernando Balido, the ( The sparrow-hawk ) had a cafe called " El Gavilan ". Gavilan began his career in 1943 in the featherweight, fought from 1946 but only in the welterweight division. He came into the limelight when he beat Tommy Bell and after a defeat in the first duel twice defeated the lightweight champion Ike Williams.

He was allowed on July 11, 1949 to challenge the world champion Sugar Ray Robinson, who had defeated him in a non-title bout on points, but had no chance again.

As Robinson, who was almost unbeatable at welterweight, middleweight and aufrückte into Johnny Bratton won the vacant NBA title, Gavilan could beat that on May 18, 1951 on points. Undisputed World Champion, he was on 2 February 1952 a premature victory against Bobby Dykes.

He defended the title in the next few years against the hard-hitting Gil Turner, Billy Graham, Chuck Davey, Carmen Basilio and Bratton.

He suggested in his career also Rocky Castellani, Beau Jack, Tony Janiro, Joe Miceli, Ralph Jones, won three and lost once against Billy Graham. In a perceived as a miscarriage of justice standings, he lost his title on April 2, 1954 to Carl " Bobo " Olson. In October 1954, he fought against Johnny Saxton one last time for the World Championship, but lost on points. He punched even further to 1958, but its great time was after his defeat against Saxon past.

1990 was Galivan induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

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