Kid Gavilán


Gerardo González, better known in the boxing world as Kid Gavilan, was a World Welterweight Champion from Camagüey, Cuba. 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.

Early career

Gavilan was managed by Yamil Chade, a boxing manager who also directed the careers of Wilfredo Gómez, Wilfred Benítez, Carlos De León and Félix Trinidad among others. 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 ten 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 ten. 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 his daughter, Victoria, in 1954. After retiring from boxing Gavilán became a Jehovah's Witness 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 one of the few boxers never knocked out in their professional careers. Gavilán was a 1966 inductee to The Ring magazine's Boxing Hall of Fame, and was an inaugural 1990 inductee to the International Boxing Hall of Fame. 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.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
143Loss108–30–5 Yama BahamaUD10Jun 18, 1958 Auditorium, Miami Beach
142Win108–29–5 Ralph JonesSD10Apr 04, 1958 Arena, Philadelphia
141Loss107–29–5 Ralph JonesSD10Feb 19, 1958 Carillon Hotel, Miami Beach
140Win107–28–5 Walter ByarsUD10Nov 20, 1957 Chicago Stadium, Chicago
139Loss106–28–5 Gaspar OrtegaSD12Oct 22, 1957 Wrigley Field, Los Angeles
138Win106–27–5 Gaspar OrtegaUD10Jul 31, 1957 Auditorium, Miami Beach
137Loss105–27–5 Vince MartinezPTS10Jun 17, 1957 Roosevelt Stadium, Jersey City
136Loss105–26–5 Del FlanaganUD10Apr 24, 1957 Auditorium, Saint Paul
135Loss105–25–5 Vince MartinezPTS10Feb 26, 1957 Armory, Newark
134Loss105–24–5 Ramon FuentesSD10Dec 20, 1956 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles
133Loss105–23–5 Walter ByarsSD10Dec 04, 1956 Mechanics Building, Boston
132Win105–22–5 Chico VejarUD10Nov 13, 1956 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles
131Loss104–22–5 Tony DeMarcoUD10Oct 13, 1956 Boston Garden, Boston
130Win104–21–5 Jimmy BeechamSD10Aug 28, 1956 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
129Draw103–21–5 Louis TrochonPTS10May 12, 1956 Palais des Sports, Marseille
128Win103–21–4 Peter WatermanPTS10Apr 24, 1956 Earls Court Arena, Kensington
127Loss102–21–4 Germinal BallarinPTS10Mar 29, 1956 Palais des Sports, Paris
126Loss102–20–4 Peter WatermanPTS10Feb 07, 1956 Harringay Arena, Harringay
125Loss102–19–4 Dogomar MartinezPTS10Dec 03, 1955 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires
124Loss102–18–4 Eduardo LaussePTS12Sep 03, 1955 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires
123Win102–17–4 Juan Bautista BurguesKO7 Aug 13, 1955 Palacio Peñarol, Montevideo
122Win101–17–4 Cirilo GilPTS10Jul 24, 1955 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires
121Win100–17–4 Luigi CemuliniKO3 Jun 02, 1955 Arena, Santa Clara
120Loss99–17–4 Bobby DykesUD10Mar 16, 1955 Miami Stadium, Miami
119Loss99–16–4 Hector ConstanceUD10Feb 23, 1955 Auditorium, Miami Beach
118Win99–15–4 Ernie DurandoSD10Feb 04, 1955 Madison Square Garden, New York
117Loss98–15–4 Johnny SaxtonUD15Oct 20, 1954 Convention Hall, PhiladelphiaLost The Ring and lineal welterweight titles
116Loss98–14–4 Bobo OlsonMD15Apr 02, 1954 Chicago Stadium, ChicagoFor The Ring and lineal middleweight titles
115Win98–13–4 Livio MinelliUD10Mar 08, 1954 Boston Garden, Boston
114Win97–13–4 Johnny CunninghamUD10Feb 23, 1954 Auditorium, Miami Beach
113Win96–13–4 Johnny BrattonUD15Nov 13, 1953 Chicago Stadium, ChicagoRetained The Ring and lineal welterweight titles
112Win95–13–4 Carmen BasilioSD15Sep 18, 1953 War Memorial Auditorium, SyracuseRetained The Ring and lineal welterweight titles
111Win94–13–4 Ralph JonesUD10Aug 26, 1953 Madison Square Garden, New York
110Win93–13–4 Ramon FuentesUD10Jul 15, 1953 Arena, Milwaukee
109Win92–13–4 Italo ScortichiniUD10Jun 10, 1953 Olympia Stadium, Detroit
108Loss91–13–4 Danny WomberUD10May 02, 1953 War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse
107Win91–12–4 Livio MinelliSD10Apr 14, 1953 Arena, Cleveland
106Win90–12–4 Chuck DaveyTKO10 Feb 11, 1953 Chicago Stadium, ChicagoRetained The Ring and lineal welterweight titles
105Win89–12–4 Vic CardellUD10Jan 21, 1953 Uline Arena, Washington
104Win88–12–4 Aman PeckUD10Jan 13, 1953 Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa
103Win87–12–4 Billy GrahamUD15Oct 05, 1952 Gran Estadio de La Habana, HavanaRetained The Ring and lineal welterweight titles
102Win86–12–4 Eduardo LaussePTS10Sep 13, 1952 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires
101Win85–12–4 Rafael MerentinoTKO9 Sep 06, 1952 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires
100Win84–12–4 Mario DiazMD10Aug 16, 1952 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires
99Win83–12–4 Gil TurnerTKO11 Jul 07, 1952 Municipal Stadium, PhiladelphiaRetained The Ring and lineal welterweight titles
98Win82–12–4 Fritzie PrudenTKO6 May 28, 1952 Fairgrounds Coliseum, Indianapolis
97Win81–12–4 Ralph ZannelliUD10May 19, 1952 Rhode Island Auditorium, Providence
96Win80–12–4 Don WilliamsSD10Feb 28, 1952 Boston Garden, Boston
95Win79–12–4 Bobby DykesSD15Feb 04, 1952 Miami Stadium, MiamiRetained The Ring and lineal welterweight titles
94Win78–12–4 Walter CartierTKO10 Dec 14, 1951 Madison Square Garden, New York
93Draw77–12–4 Johnny BrattonPTS10Nov 28, 1951 Chicago Stadium, Chicago
92Win77–12–3 Tony JaniroTKO4 Nov 07, 1951 Olympia Stadium, Detroit
91Win76–12–3 Bobby RosadoKO7 Oct 04, 1951 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
90Win75–12–3 Billy GrahamSD15Aug 29, 1951 Madison Square Garden, New YorkRetained NBA and lineal welterweight titles
Won vacant The Ring welterweight title
89Win74–12–3 Fritzie PrudenUD10Jul 16, 1951 Arena, Milwaukee
88Win73–12–3 Johnny BrattonUD15May 18, 1951 Madison Square Garden, New YorkWon NBA and vacant lineal welterweight titles
87Win72–12–3 Aldo MinelliUD10Apr 20, 1951 St. Nicholas Arena, New York
86Win71–12–3 Gene HairstonUD10Mar 30, 1951 Madison Square Garden, New York
85Win70–12–3 Tommy CiarloTKO8 Mar 10, 1951 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
84Win69–12–3 Tommy CiarloPTS10Feb 19, 1951 Caracas
83Win68–12–3 Paddy YoungMD10Jan 26, 1951 Madison Square Garden, New York
82Win67–12–3 Joe MiceliSD10Dec 22, 1950 Madison Square Garden, New York
81Win66–12–3 Tony JaniroUD10Dec 04, 1950 Arena, Cleveland
80Win65–12–3 Billy GrahamMD10Nov 17, 1950 Madison Square Garden, New York
79Loss64–12–3 Gene HairstonSD10Oct 30, 1950 Watres Armory, Scranton
78Draw64–11–3 Tommy CiarloPTS10Oct 23, 1950 Arena, New Haven
77Win64–11–2 Johnny GrecoKO6 Aug 16, 1950 Municipal Stadium, Omaha
76Win63–11–2 Phil BurtonPTS10Jul 13, 1950 Delormier Stadium, Montreal
75Win62–11–2 Sonny HornePTS10Jul 03, 1950 Coney Island Velodrome, Brooklyn
74Win61–11–2 Bobby MannPTS10Jun 19, 1950 Auditorium, Hartford
73Win60–11–2 Mike KoballaUD10Jun 08, 1950 Dexter Park Arena, Woodhaven, Queens
72Win59–11–2 Georgie SmallUD10May 26, 1950 Madison Square Garden, New York
71Loss58–11–2 George CostnerMD10May 08, 1950 Arena, Philadelphia
70Loss58–10–2 Robert VillemainSD10Mar 20, 1950 Forum, Montreal
69Win58–9–2 Otis GrahamSD10Mar 06, 1950 Arena, Philadelphia
68Loss57–9–2 Billy GrahamSD10Feb 10, 1950 Madison Square Garden, New York
67Win57–8–2 Bobby LeePTS10Dec 17, 1949 Gran Estadio de La Habana, Havana
66Win56–8–2 Laurent DauthuilleUD10Nov 21, 1949 Forum, Montreal
65Loss55–8–2 Lester FeltonSD10Oct 21, 1949 Olympia Stadium, Detroit
64Win55–7–2 Beau JackUD10Oct 14, 1949 Chicago Stadium, Chicago
63Win54–7–2 Rocky CastellaniUD10Sep 09, 1949 Madison Square Garden, New York
62Loss53–7–2 Sugar Ray RobinsonUD15Jul 11, 1949 Municipal Stadium, PhiladelphiaFor The Ring and lineal welterweight titles
61Win53–6–2 Cliff HartTKO2 Jun 02, 1949 MacArthur Stadium, Syracuse
60Win52–6–2 Al PriestUD10May 02, 1949 Boston Garden, Boston
59Win51–6–2 Ike WilliamsUD10Apr 01, 1949 Madison Square Garden, New York
58Win50–6–2 Ike WilliamsMD10Jan 28, 1949 Madison Square Garden, New York
57Win49–6–2 Abdeslam ben BukerPTS10Dec 11, 1948 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
56Win48–6–2 Tony PelloneUD10Nov 12, 1948 Madison Square Garden, New York
55Win47–6–2 Vinnie RossanoTKO6 Oct 21, 1948 Yankee Stadium, Bronx
54Loss46–6–2 Sugar Ray RobinsonUD10Sep 23, 1948 Yankee Stadium, Bronx
53Win46–5–2 Buster TylerUD10Aug 12, 1948 Madison Square Garden, New York
52Win45–5–2 Roman AlvarezUD10Jul 22, 1948 Madison Square Garden, New York
51Win44–5–2 Rocco RossanoKO1 May 28, 1948 Madison Square Garden, New York
50Win43–5–2 Tommy BellSD10Apr 26, 1948 Arena, Philadelphia
49Loss42–5–2 Doug RatfordUD10Apr 13, 1948 Broadway Arena, Brooklyn
48Loss42–4–2 Ike WilliamsUD10Feb 27, 1948 Madison Square Garden, New York
47Win42–3–2 Vinnie RossanoUD10Feb 13, 1948 Madison Square Garden, New York
46Win41–3–2 Joe CurcioTKO2 Jan 23, 1948 St. Nicholas Arena, New York
45Draw40–3–2 Gene BurtonPTS10Jan 12, 1948 St. Nicholas Arena, New York
44Draw40–3–1 Buster TylerPTS10Dec 29, 1947 St. Nicholas Arena, New York
43Win40–3 Bee Bee WrightTKO10 Nov 03, 1947 Coliseum, Baltimore
42Win39–3 Billy NixonUD8Oct 23, 1947 Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia
41Win38–3 Billy JustineUD8Sep 18, 1947 Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia
40Win37–3 Charley MilanTKO1 Sep 15, 1947 Coliseum, Baltimore
39Loss36–3 Doug RatfordPTS10Sep 02, 1947 Meadowbrook Bowl, Newark
38Win36–2 Bobby LeeUD10Aug 18, 1947 Coliseum, Baltimore
37Win35–2 Charley WilliamsKO2 Aug 11, 1947 Meadowbrook Bowl, Newark
36Win34–2 Vince GambillKO2 Apr 26, 1947 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
35Win33–2 Nick MoranPTS10Mar 12, 1947 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
34Win32–2 Baby CoullimberPTS10Feb 22, 1947 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
33Win31–2 Jose Garvia AlvarezPTS10Feb 08, 1947 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
32Win30–2 Julio PedrosoPTS10Jan 25, 1947 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
31Win29–2 Johnny WilliamsPTS10Dec 13, 1946 Madison Square Garden, New York
30Win28–2 Johnny WilliamsUD10Dec 02, 1946 St. Nicholas Arena, New York
29Win27–2 Johnny RyanTKO5 Nov 01, 1946 Madison Square Garden, New York
28Win26–2 Hankin BarrowPTS10Sep 07, 1946 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
27Win25–2 Jack LarrimoreKO3 Aug 24, 1946 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
26Win24–2 Hankin BarrowKO7 Aug 03, 1946 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
25Win23–2 Chico VaronaPTS10Jun 22, 1946 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
24Loss22–2 Tony MarPTS10May 04, 1946 Plaza de Toros La Condesa, Mexico City
23Win22–1 Santiago SosaPTS10Mar 09, 1946 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
22Win21–1 Jose ZorillaKO4 Mar 02, 1946 Bayamo
21Win20–1 Kid BururuPTS10Feb 09, 1946 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
20Win19–1 Kid BururuPTS10Jan 26, 1946 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
19Win18–1 Johnny SuarezPTS10Nov 17, 1945 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
18Win17–1 Carlos MalacaraPTS10Nov 03, 1945 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
17Loss16–1 Carlos MalacaraPTS10Sep 25, 1945 Arena Coliseo, Mexico City
16Win16–0 Pedro OrtegaKO6 Sep 08, 1945 Arena Coliseo, Mexico City
15Win15–0 Julio Cesar JimenezPTS10Aug 11, 1945 Arena Coliseo, Mexico City
14Win14–0 Joe PedrosoKO4 Jul 07, 1945 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
13Win13–0 Pedro OrtegaPTS10Jun 23, 1945 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
12Win12–0 Julio Cesar JimenezPTS10May 26, 1945 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
11Win11–0 Kid BeboKO4 May 13, 1945 Cienfuegos
10Win10–0 Santiago SosaKO9 Apr 21, 1945 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
9Win9–0 Joe PedrosoPTS10Mar 10, 1945 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
8Win8–0 Bombon OrientalPTS10Feb 10, 1945 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
7Win7–0 Miguel AcevedoPTS10Dec 23, 1944 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
6Win6–0 Bombon OrientalPTS10Nov 25, 1944 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
5Win5–0 Juan VillalbaTKO9 Oct 01, 1944 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
4Win4–0 Sergio PrietoTKO5 Sep 11, 1943 Arena Cristal, Havana
3Win3–0 Nanito Kid DustetPTS6Aug 07, 1943 Arena Cristal, Havana
2Win2–0 Bartolo MolinaPTS4Jun 12, 1943 Arena Cristal, Havana
1Win1–0 Antonio DiazPTS6Jun 05, 1943 Arena Cristal, Havana