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02-15-2003, 04:45 PM

I just heard that Kid Gavilan (Gerardo Gonzalez) died at age 77.

The Kid was a great fighter who gave Sugar Ray Robinson a very hard time when they met for the welterweight championship in 1949. The Kid lost a unanimous decision in 15, but had Robinson in trouble in the fourth. The Kid had a very good defense and a great chin. He wasn't a knockout puncher but he went to the body well. He popularized the bolo punch, which was later used by Sugar Ray Leonard.

The Kid eventually won the welterweight championship in 1951 against Johnny Bratton. He successfully defended it against several good fighters, Billy Graham (a controversial decision), Bobby Dykes, Gil Turner, Billy Graham again, Chuck Davey, Carmen Basilio and Johnny Bratton, before losing to Johnny Saxton. Most writers rate him among the top 10 all-time welterweights.

Kid Gavilan's overall record was 106-30, 6 draws and 1 no contest, with 27 KO's. The Kid was never knocked out.

02-15-2003, 04:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
60'sfan Guest Posts: n/a	Goodbye to the Kid I just heard that Kid Gavilan (Gerardo Gonzalez) died at age 77. The Kid was a great fighter who gave Sugar Ray Robinson a very hard time when they met for the welterweight championship in 1949. The Kid lost a unanimous decision in 15, but had Robinson in trouble in the fourth. The Kid had a very good defense and a great chin. He wasn't a knockout puncher but he went to the body well. He popularized the bolo punch, which was later used by Sugar Ray Leonard. The Kid eventually won the welterweight championship in 1951 against Johnny Bratton. He successfully defended it against several good fighters, Billy Graham (a controversial decision), Bobby Dykes, Gil Turner, Billy Graham again, Chuck Davey, Carmen Basilio and Johnny Bratton, before losing to Johnny Saxton. Most writers rate him among the top 10 all-time welterweights. Kid Gavilan's overall record was 106-30, 6 draws and 1 no contest, with 27 KO's. The Kid was never knocked out.