Kid Gavilian

[Uncle Dekka]

Kid Gavilan

Former world welterweight champion.



Kid Gavilan is probably best known for the bolo punch, a flashy half-uppercut, half hook that rarely failed to excite the crowd. Gavilan claimed to have perfected the motion of the punch after years of using a machete on sugar plantations in his native Cuba.

Born in Camaguey on January 26, 1926, the Cuban Hawk was a colourful performer and his all-action style endeared him to fight fans though he was not a particularly heavy puncher. He began life as humble Gerardo Gonzalez, but assumed the name of Kid Gavilan as a fighter, losing only twice in his first 27 fights before moving to America in 1946.

His crowd-pleasing style made him a firm favourite and the Kid gained a reputation for always being in a good fight. His first world title shot came in July 1941 against the peerless Sugar Ray Robinson and, unsurprisingly, he lost a brave welterweight title bid on points after 15 rounds in Philadelphia.

Gavilan kept busy and worked his way back into contention and eventually won the welterweight crown in May 1951 with a points win over Johnny Bratton in New York. He held the title for three years and made seven successful defences before Johnny Saxton outpointed him in Philadelphia in October 1954.

A previous bid for Carl “Bobo” Olson’s world middleweight crown also resulted in defeat in Chicago in April 1954 though the Kid continued to compete in good class before his retirement in 1958. He later went blind.

Kid Gavilan: Fights 143, Wins 107 Losses 30 Draws 6 (Knockouts 27).

By Mark G. Butcher

http://www.secondsout.com/Legends/bi...cs=235&cs=8586