A deeper dive on Kid Gavilan's greatness.

Having received minimal education in his childhood, like many of a similar background, Geraro Gonzalez would result in shining shoes, selling newspapers and working odd jobs to make ends meet. In the meantime, he learned his trade as an amateur Boxer, ending up as one of the most celebrated prospects in Cuba. He would turn professional at the age of 17.

As early as in his 7th professional fight, Kid Gavilan would defeat a man with 30 fights under his belt. His name was Miguel Acevedo, and in only 2 years to come, he would be ranked as the #4 rated Featherweight in the world, and would go on to share a ring with Willie Pep and Sandy Saddler. A few months later, he would win the Cuban Lightweight title against Joe Pedroso by a 4th round knockout, whom he had defeated previously, but would soon relinquish it due to his inability to make the Lightweight limit. 20 days after doing so, he would experience his first loss against a Mexican veteran of 80 fights, Carlos Malacara. Gavilan would quickly avenge that loss however. He'd later drop another loss to the 85 fight veteran and tough gatekeeper Tony Mar.

He would pick himself up immediately, and gain wins over the future top 10 Welterweight contender Chico Varona ,the tough gatekeeper Hankin borrow, the formerly #5 rated Welterweight Nick Moran, Charley Williams by second round KO, who would be rated #9 a year later, the formerly #6 rated Bee Bee Wright by 10th round stoppage, and the fringe contender Billy Nixon, with a loss to Doug Ratford in-between. He would then Box 2 draws, one with the tough Buster Tyler, who managed to beat Beau Jack, as well as Gene burton, the #1 rated Welterweight at the time. His reputation grew, and he became a fan favourite.

Then, he faced the greatest opponent he had met up until that point, the great Lightweight Champion, Ike Williams, who was already a veteran of more than 100 fights. It was a toughly contested battle, with Gavilan being dropped in the 8th round. That KD resulted in Ike Williams gaining the win, but it was a controversial decision, with the audience booing it and some newspapers having scored it for Gavilan.

After dropping another close decision to Doug Ratford for a second time, he beat the #2 rated Welterweight Tommy Bell, one of Sugar Ray Robinson's more noteworthy rivals. Then he defeated some solid under the radar fighters in Rocco Rossano by 1st round KO, Roman Alvarez and Buster Tyler, the latter having previously held him to a draw. He then fought Sugar Ray Robinson, the Welterweight champion of the world, in a non title bout. Gavilan performed well, with his unexpected spurts troubling Robinson, but Robinson was busier and more accurate, winning the fight.

Gavilan would then defeat the former #6 rated Welterweight Tony Pellone, and would twice take revenge against the great Ike Williams. Gavilan swarmed him, pressuring him with relentless aggression and accuracy, and managed to take the hard hitting Williams' best shots. Thus he won the trilogy and the rivalry. After also gaining a win over the tough gatekeeper Al Priest, Kid Gavilan would rematch Robinson, this time for the Welterweight championship of the world. Gavilan managed to cut Robinson, and was fighting him on even terms in the first 6 rounds, with Robinson not wanting to take risky chances, but Robinson managed to up his game and take it after those initial rounds.

2 months later, Gavilan squared off against the future #1 Middleweight contender, the fantastic Rocky Castellani, managing to get the win in what would be his first step in the Middleweight division. He then managed to easily outclass the former 2 time Lightweight champion of the world, the equally fantastic Beau Jack, who was starting to slip. He was then outright robbed against the #5 rated Welterweight Lester Felton, prior to beating the #7 rated Middleweight Laurent Dauthuille. He then lost to the top rated Welterweight Billy Graham and the #3 rated Middleweight Robert Villemain, in what were 2 criticized decisions. He did legitimately lose against the #2 rated Welterweight George Costner afterwards, however.After a good win over the formerly #4 rated welterweight, Johnny Greco, he would have a draw with the unremarkable Tommy Ciarlo, in what was a very uninspiring and fireless performance. He then lost to the #6 rated Middleweight, Gene Hairston.

This would be the worst period for Gavilan during his prime years, but now, it was all uphill from there. He would avenge his loss to Billy Graham, now rated #2 at the poundage, and would defeat the former top 10 Middleweight Tony Janiro. He was back to his old self again, gaining wins over the #9 rated Welterweight Joe Miceli and the #10 rated Middleweight Paddy Young. He had his revenge against the now #4 rated Middleweight Gene Hairston, and even twice defeated Tommy Ciarlo, making up for his previous lackluster draw with him. Finally, he would become the champion of the world, after defeating the #4 rated Welterweight, Johnny Braxton, for the vacant Welterweight crown.

He would cement his greatness after he gained the title, defeating the #3 rated Billy Graham in his 1st defense, and then stopping Tony Janiro in the 4th round. He had a draw with the now #1 rated Bratton, prior to stopping the #7 rated Middleweight Walter Cartier in the 10th round and outclassing the #2 rated Welterweight, Bobby Dykes in his 2nd defense. Ralph Zanneli was next, previously a top 5 contender, and now being way past his best, retiring with 2 more fights after the one with Gavilan. He then went to war with the #4 rated Welterweight Gil Turner, stopping him in brutal fashion in an all time classic.

He would go on to defeat a future top 3 Middleweight contender in Eduardo Lausse, prior to once again defeating the now #6 rated Billy Graham. He then faced the #5 rated Welterweight, the 37-0 southpaw Chuck Davey, whom he schooled and embarrassed, sometimes going southpaw himself, with many believing he carried him prior to the 10th round stoppage. He then defeated the former top 10 Welterweight contender Livio Minelli, prior to losing to the #10 rated Danny Womber.

He would go on to attain victories the #6 rated Welterweight Ramon Fuentes, the future top 3 rated Middleweight Ralph Jones, the future Welterweight and Middleweight champion Carmen Basilio and the #3 rated Braxton. He would get a title shot for the Middleweight crown against Bobo Olson, coming extremely close to winning, but ultimately falling short. He would then be robbed in an outrageous decision against the #5 rated Johnny Saxton, unfairly losing his Welterweight title.

Now far past his best, he would lose his fights against Constance, Lause, DeMarco, Fuentes, Martinez, Flanagan and Waterman in a robbery he managed to avenge, while also going 1-1 with the #7 rated Gaspar Ortega and Ralph Jones, prior to fighting one last time against Yama Bahama in a losing effort. Despite fighting against so many greats, and losing 17 of his last 27 fights, no one ever managed to stop him.

 

Come on, I didn't write all this just for my thread to be brushed aside like broccoli that wasn't ordered. Discuss.

 

Because he was. He had wins over a good chunk of noteworthy fighters of his era, Bratton, Jones, Giardello, Langlois, Priest, Hairston, Mims and Turner being the chief examples. He also gave a very good account of himself against a returning Robinson, even dropping him and losing a close decision. Not to mention that aside from some early career blemishes, he rarely lost to someone he shouldn't have lost to. Wouldn't call him a great, but I think calling him fantastic is appropriate.