Nah. The Kid by UD 15. Norris was way too inconsistent with weaker opposition. Y'all musta forgot that Kid Gavilan gave the OG Sugarman a tough time everytime they fought. And Kid Gavilan became welterweight champ in a much deeper era. In addition, Norris had a glass jaw while the Kid was never knocked down and had one of the finest chins in boxing history. If we compared Norris and the Kid's best wins and against Hall of Famers, Norris's big wins were against fading versions of Sugar Ray Leonard and Donald Curry, underachieving Meldrick Taylor (who isn't a Hall of Famer) . For the Kid, he fought prime Carmen Basilio, Billy Graham, Ike Williams, and Beau James. Almost all of these guys, the Kid fought in their prime.
This would be a tough fight for both. Norris' biggest issues were him losing his temper and his chin. I dont think Gavilan is the type of guy to starch Norris like Jackson and Brown did. So if Norris maintains his composure I think he would make this a very interesting fight. Id probably go with Gavilan in a close decision but wouldnt be surprised if Norris pulled it out as well.
Could see Gavilan breaking Norris' heart eventually if it's a fifteen-rounder. But I think he could well be behind on points when he does it. Norris has got the better feet here, just as quick (probably a shade quicker, but let's not split hairs) with his hands and Gavilan doesn't have the kind of power which usually bothered Norris. Nevertheless I'll still lean slightly towards Gavilan's superior durability, stamina and output as the reassuring factors. Even when he was in command of a fight, Norris tended to fade a little or plateau in the latter rounds and we know how he was liable to lose his cool and crack mentally when the pressure was being put on him - and Gavilan definitely will apply that pressure, both physically and mentally. Gavilan stops him in the nick of time, between rounds 13 and 15 over the old distance. Over 12 Norris might just be able to squeak out a decision.
Couldn't give a better analysis than this one....I think Norris has a hard time hearing the judges verdict
Would have been a very exciting fight. Norris had the edge in size and power while Gavilan had slightly faster hands, much more durable chin and toughness. Gavilan would have been able to walk through Norris' best shots and outhustle him to a clear decision win.
Terry had very fast hands and elite pop. He was a great, not good, combo puncher. If you didn't tickle that mandible hard enough, he would lay some hurt. I think his chances are being diminished by some.
