Kid Gavilán


Gerardo González, better known in the boxing world as Kid Gavilan, was a Cuban boxer. Gavilán was the former undisputed world welterweight champion from 1951 to 1954 having simultaneously held the NYSAC, WBA, and The Ring welterweight titles. The 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. Gavilán was a 1966 inductee to The Ring magazine's Boxing Hall of Fame, and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in the inaugural class of 1990.

Early career

Gavilan was managed by Yamil Chade, a boxing manager who directed the careers of Wilfredo Gómez, Wilfred Benítez, Carlos De León and Félix Trinidad. 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 10 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.
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. All of them were beaten by decision in 10. 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 their daughters, Elena 1950, Victoria 1954, and son Gerardo in 1953. After retiring from boxing Gavilán became one of Jehovah's Witnesses and was jailed under the Castro regime for preaching. In the 1980s he made a living selling sausages in Chicago.

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 never knocked out in his professional career. 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.

Death

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

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRoundDateLocationNotes
143LossYama BahamaUD10Jun 18, 1958Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
142Win108–29–5Ralph JonesSD10Apr 4, 1958Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
141Loss107–29–5Ralph JonesSD10Feb 19, 1958Carillon Hotel, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
140Win107–28–5Walter ByarsUD10Nov 20, 1957Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
139Loss106–28–5Gaspar OrtegaSD12Oct 22, 1957Wrigley Field, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
138Win106–27–5Gaspar OrtegaUD10Jul 31, 1957Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
137Loss105–27–5Vince MartinezPTS10Jun 17, 1957Roosevelt Stadium, Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.
136Loss105–26–5Del FlanaganUD10Apr 24, 1957Auditorium, Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
135Loss105–25–5Vince MartinezPTS10Feb 26, 1957Armory, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
134Loss105–24–5Ramon FuentesSD10Dec 20, 1956Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
133Loss105–23–5Walter ByarsSD10Dec 4, 1956Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
132Win105–22–5Chico VejarUD10Nov 13, 1956Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
131Loss104–22–5Tony DeMarcoUD10Oct 13, 1956Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
130Win104–21–5Jimmy BeechamSD10Aug 28, 1956Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
129Draw103–21–5Louis TrochonPTS10May 12, 1956Palais des Sports, Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône, France
128Win103–21–4Peter WatermanPTS10Apr 24, 1956Earls Court Arena, Kensington, London, England
127Loss102–21–4Germinal BallarinPTS10Mar 29, 1956Palais des Sports, Paris, Paris, France
126Loss102–20–4Peter WatermanPTS10Feb 7, 1956Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England
125Loss102–19–4Dogomar MartinezPTS10Dec 3, 1955Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal, Argentina
124Loss102–18–4Eduardo LaussePTS12Sep 3, 1955Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal, Argentina
123Win102–17–4Juan Bautista BurguesKO7 Aug 13, 1955Palacio Peñarol, Montevideo, Uruguay
122Win101–17–4Cirilo GilPTS10Jul 24, 1955Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal, Argentina
121Win100–17–4Luigi CemuliniKO3 Jun 2, 1955Arena, Santa Clara, Cuba
120Loss99–17–4Bobby DykesUD10Mar 16, 1955Miami Stadium, Miami, Florida, U.S.
119Loss99–16–4Hector ConstanceUD10Feb 23, 1955Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
118Win99–15–4Ernie DurandoSD10Feb 4, 1955Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
117Loss98–15–4Johnny SaxtonUD15Oct 20, 1954Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.Lost NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles
116Loss98–14–4Bobo OlsonMD15Apr 2, 1954Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.For NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring middleweight titles
115Win98–13–4Livio MinelliUD10Mar 8, 1954Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
114Win97–13–4Johnny CunninghamUD10Feb 23, 1954Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
113Win96–13–4Johnny BrattonUD15Nov 13, 1953Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles
112Win95–13–4Carmen BasilioSD15Sep 18, 1953War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, U.S.Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles
111Win94–13–4Ralph JonesUD10Aug 26, 1953Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
110Win93–13–4Ramon FuentesUD10Jul 15, 1953Arena, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
109Win92–13–4Italo ScortichiniUD10Jun 10, 1953Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
108Loss91–13–4Danny WomberUD10May 2, 1953War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, U.S.
107Win91–12–4Livio MinelliSD10Apr 14, 1953Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
106Win90–12–4Chuck DaveyTKO10 Feb 11, 1953Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles
105Win89–12–4Vic CardellUD10Jan 21, 1953Uline Arena, Washington, D.C., U.S.
104Win88–12–4Aman PeckUD10Jan 13, 1953Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, U.S.
103Win87–12–4Billy GrahamUD15Oct 5, 1952Gran Estadio de La Habana, Havana, CubaRetained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles
102Win86–12–4Eduardo LaussePTS10Sep 13, 1952Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal, Argentina
101Win85–12–4Rafael MerentinoTKO9 Sep 6, 1952Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal, Argentina
100Win84–12–4Mario DiazMD10Aug 16, 1952Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal, Argentina
99Win83–12–4Gil TurnerTKO11 Jul 7, 1952Municipal Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles
98Win82–12–4Fritzie PrudenTKO6 May 28, 1952Fairgrounds Coliseum, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
97Win81–12–4Ralph ZannelliUD10May 19, 1952Rhode Island Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S>
96Win80–12–4Don WilliamsSD10Feb 28, 1952Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
95Win79–12–4Bobby DykesSD15Feb 4, 1952Miami Stadium, Miami, Florida, U.S.Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles
94Win78–12–4Walter CartierTKO10 Dec 14, 1951Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
93Draw77–12–4Johnny BrattonPTS10Nov 28, 1951Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
92Win77–12–3Tony JaniroTKO4 Nov 7, 1951Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
91Win76–12–3Bobby RosadoKO7 Oct 4, 1951Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
90Win75–12–3Billy GrahamSD15Aug 29, 1951Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles
89Win74–12–3Fritzie PrudenUD10Jul 16, 1951Arena, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
88Win73–12–3Johnny BrattonUD15May 18, 1951Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.Won NBA, vacant NYSAC, and The Ring welterweight titles
87Win72–12–3Aldo MinelliUD10Apr 20, 1951St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
86Win71–12–3Gene HairstonUD10Mar 30, 1951Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
85Win70–12–3Tommy CiarloTKO8 Mar 10, 1951Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
84Win69–12–3Tommy CiarloPTS10Feb 19, 1951Caracas, Venezuela
83Win68–12–3Paddy YoungMD10Jan 26, 1951Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
82Win67–12–3Joe MiceliSD10Dec 22, 1950Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
81Win66–12–3Tony JaniroUD10Dec 4, 1950Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
80Win65–12–3Billy GrahamMD10Nov 17, 1950Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
79Loss64–12–3Gene HairstonSD10Oct 30, 1950Watres Armory, Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S.
78Draw64–11–3Tommy CiarloPTS10Oct 23, 1950Arena, New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.
77Win64–11–2Johnny GrecoKO6 Aug 16, 1950Municipal Stadium, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
76Win63–11–2Phil BurtonPTS10Jul 13, 1950Delormier Stadium, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
75Win62–11–2Sonny HornePTS10Jul 3, 1950Coney Island Velodrome, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.
74Win61–11–2Bobby MannPTS10Jun 19, 1950Auditorium, Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.
73Win60–11–2Mike KoballaUD10Jun 8, 1950Dexter Park Arena, Woodhaven, Queens, New York City, New York, U.S.
72Win59–11–2Georgie SmallUD10May 26, 1950Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
71Loss58–11–2George CostnerMD10May 8, 1950Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
70Loss58–10–2Robert VillemainSD10Mar 20, 1950Forum, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
69Win58–9–2Otis GrahamSD10Mar 6, 1950Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
68Loss57–9–2Billy GrahamSD10Feb 10, 1950Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
67Win57–8–2Bobby LeePTS10Dec 17, 1949Gran Estadio de La Habana, Havana, Cuba
66Win56–8–2Laurent DauthuilleUD10Nov 21, 1949Forum, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
65Loss55–8–2Lester FeltonSD10Oct 21, 1949Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
64Win55–7–2Beau JackUD10Oct 14, 1949Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
63Win54–7–2Rocky CastellaniUD10Sep 9, 1949Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
62Loss53–7–2Sugar Ray RobinsonUD15Jul 11, 1949Municipal Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.For NYSAC, NBA and The Ring welterweight titles
61Win53–6–2Cliff HartTKO2 Jun 2, 1949MacArthur Stadium, Syracuse, New York, U.S.
60Win52–6–2Al PriestUD10May 2, 1949Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
59Win51–6–2Ike WilliamsUD10Apr 1, 1949Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
58Win50–6–2Ike WilliamsMD10Jan 28, 1949Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
57Win49–6–2Abdeslam ben BukerPTS10Dec 11, 1948Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
56Win48–6–2Tony PelloneUD10Nov 12, 1948Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
55Win47–6–2Vinnie RossanoTKO6 Oct 21, 1948Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York City, New York, U.S.
54Loss46–6–2Sugar Ray RobinsonUD10Sep 23, 1948Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York City, New York, U.S.
53Win46–5–2Buster TylerUD10Aug 12, 1948Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
52Win45–5–2Roman AlvarezUD10Jul 22, 1948Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
51Win44–5–2Rocco RossanoKO1 May 28, 1948Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
50Win43–5–2Tommy BellSD10Apr 26, 1948Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
49Loss42–5–2Doug RatfordUD10Apr 13, 1948Broadway Arena, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.
48Loss42–4–2Ike WilliamsUD10Feb 27, 1948Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
47Win42–3–2Vinnie RossanoUD10Feb 13, 1948Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
46Win41–3–2Joe CurcioTKO2 Jan 23, 1948St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
45Draw40–3–2Gene BurtonPTS10Jan 12, 1948St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
44Draw40–3–1Buster TylerPTS10Dec 29, 1947St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
43Win40–3Bee Bee WrightTKO10 Nov 3, 1947Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
42Win39–3Billy NixonUD8Oct 23, 1947Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
41Win38–3Billy JustineUD8Sep 18, 1947Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
40Win37–3Charley MilanTKO1 Sep 15, 1947Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
39Loss36–3Doug RatfordPTS10Sep 2, 1947Meadowbrook Bowl, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
38Win36–2Bobby LeeUD10Aug 18, 1947Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
37Win35–2Charley WilliamsKO2 Aug 11, 1947Meadowbrook Bowl, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
36Win34–2Vince GambillKO2 Apr 26, 1947Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
35Win33–2Nick MoranPTS10Mar 12, 1947Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
34Win32–2Baby CoullimberPTS10Feb 22, 1947Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
33Win31–2Jose Garvia AlvarezPTS10Feb 8, 1947Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
32Win30–2Julio PedrosoPTS10Jan 25, 1947Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
31Win29–2Johnny WilliamsPTS10Dec 13, 1946Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
30Win28–2Johnny WilliamsUD10Dec 2, 1946St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
29Win27–2Johnny RyanTKO5 Nov 1, 1946Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
28Win26–2Hankin BarrowPTS10Sep 7, 1946Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
27Win25–2Jack LarrimoreKO3 Aug 24, 1946Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
26Win24–2Hankin BarrowKO7 Aug 3, 1946Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
25Win23–2Chico VaronaPTS10Jun 22, 1946Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
24Loss22–2Tony MarPTS10May 4, 1946Plaza de Toros La Condesa, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
23Win22–1Santiago SosaPTS10Mar 9, 1946Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
22Win21–1Jose ZorillaKO4 Mar 2, 1946Bayamo, Cuba
21Win20–1Kid BururuPTS10Feb 9, 1946Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
20Win19–1Kid BururuPTS10Jan 26, 1946Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
19Win18–1Johnny SuarezPTS10Nov 17, 1945Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
18Win17–1Carlos MalacaraPTS10Nov 3, 1945Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
17Loss16–1Carlos MalacaraPTS10Sep 25, 1945Arena Coliseo, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
16Win16–0Pedro OrtegaKO6 Sep 8, 1945Arena Coliseo, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
15Win15–0Julio Cesar JimenezPTS10Aug 11, 1945Arena Coliseo, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
14Win14–0Joe PedrosoKO4 Jul 7, 1945Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
13Win13–0Pedro OrtegaPTS10Jun 23, 1945Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
12Win12–0Julio Cesar JimenezPTS10May 26, 1945Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
11Win11–0Kid BeboKO4 May 13, 1945Cienfuegos, Cuba
10Win10–0Santiago SosaKO9 Apr 21, 1945Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
9Win9–0Joe PedrosoPTS10Mar 10, 1945Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
8Win8–0Bombon OrientalPTS10Feb 10, 1945Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
7Win7–0Miguel AcevedoPTS10Dec 23, 1944Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
6Win6–0Bombon OrientalPTS10Nov 25, 1944Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
5Win5–0Juan VillalbaTKO9 Oct 1, 1944Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
4Win4–0Sergio PrietoTKO5 Sep 11, 1943Arena Cristal, Havana, Cuba
3Win3–0Nanito Kid DustetPTS6Aug 7, 1943Arena Cristal, Havana, Cuba
2Win2–0Bartolo MolinaPTS4Jun 12, 1943Arena Cristal, Havana, Cuba
1Win1–0Antonio DiazPTS6Jun 5, 1943Arena Cristal, Havana, Cuba