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Gavilan proved that
he was a worthy successor for the legendary Sugar Ray
Robinson by being a dominating champion for four years. He
even tried to follow Robinson’s foot steps by challenging
Carl ‘Bobo’ Olson for the latter’s middleweight crown but
he didn’t quite make it, losing only by a majority
decision. Gavilan defended his title seven times,
defeating among others Carmen Basilio, a rising star who
would become a legend himself and defeat even Robinson.
Besides the official defenses Gavilan fought 20 times
during his title reign, losing only to Olson and Danny
Womber. The only time that Gavilan was in real trouble was
in 1951 as he took on Billy Graham. Those two had split
victories in their two fights before Gavilan became the
champion and in the rubber match he retained his title
only with a highly controversial decision. They met again
next year in Havanna but their Gavilan was not to be
surprised. Gavilan was
clearly the best man of his weight class but unfortunately
it wasn’t always enough back in the fifties. The decade is
remembered as one of the darkest periods of boxing because
of not what happened inside the ring but for what happened
outside it. Frankie Carbo with his assistants had taken
the control in the IBC and even the New York boxing
commission was powerless as the new men took over in
boxing. Johnny Saxton was a rising star in the
welterweight division . His manager was Frankie ‘Blinky’
Palermo who happened in turn to be a close friend of
Carbo’s. Gavilan met Saxton in a title fight in 1954.
Under normal circumstances Gavilan would have retained his
title by a decision victory but now he didn’t have a
chance of winning unless there was a knockout. Gavilan was
never known as a big puncher and the title changed hands.
Gavilan had a contract for a
rematch but it would not happen, now would he ever again
get a title shot. He continued his career but the age and
probably frustration had already taken over and his career
came to a downswing. The years of glory were over and he
became a good name for upcoming challengers’ records.
Gavilan retired from the ring in 1958. He returned to his
homeland and hoped to spend pleasant time with his family
and the money he had made during his fifteen-years long
career. The communist revolution however changed his plans
and he moved to Miami, working in Muhammad Ali’s camp and
staying in the States also after the work relationship had
ended.
Gavilan gathered a ring record
which included 107 victories, 30 losses and six draws.
Gavilan was best-known for his outstanding stamina,
aggression and chin. He also created a new term to boxing
as he became famed for his right-hand ‘bolo-punch’ which
he had learned when he worked as a youngster in Cuba
cutting sugar-cane. Gavilan only knocked out 28 opponents
but he was never knocked out himself which is quite
remarkable considering the huge amount of bouts. Gavilan
was always a nice personality and highly respected both
inside and outside of the ring. Now he is not among us
anymore but his reputation and achievements will remain
for decades in the minds of the boxing fans. My hat goes
of for the Hawk, the great welterweight champion whose
wings never gave out in the ring. |
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