Kid Gavilan, 77; Flashy Boxer Held World Welterweight Crown in ‘50s

Kid Gavilan, whose rise to the welterweight boxing title was punctuated by his trademark “bolo punch,” has died. He was 77.

Gavilan died Thursday of a heart attack in a Miami hospital.

Gavilan was equal parts boxer and entertainer -- a master of defense, a dancer and a ring technician with a vast array of punches, angles and slick combinations -- Ali before there was an Ali.

In fact, Muhammad Ali put Gavilan on his payroll long after Gavilan had retired, the three-time heavyweight champion hoping to learn some of Gavilan’s classic moves.

Yet there was plenty of substance to go with the style.

In a 15-year career that began in 1943, Gavilan, a native Cuban, won 107 fights -- 28 by knockout -- lost 30 and had six draws. He won the vacant welterweight title by decision in New York over Johnny Bratton in 1951, then successfully defended it seven times before losing on points to Johnny Saxton in 1954. Gavilan also had memorable fights with Sugar Ray Robinson and Ike Williams.

In 1954, while he still held the welterweight title, Gavilan challenged middleweight champion Carl “Bobo” Olson. The various boxing organizations didn’t exist in those days, and each weight class had only one titleholder. Olson beat Gavilan by decision in Chicago.

One of Gavilan’s successful title defenses, against Bobby Dykes at Miami Stadium in 1952, was the first title bout between black and white fighters in then-segregated Miami.

Another of Gavilan’s defenses caused a near riot at New York’s Madison Square Garden when he won a controversial decision over a fighter named Billy Graham. They fought a rematch in Havana, which Gavilan also won by decision, but far more decisively.

Gavilan was knocked down twice in his career but never knocked out.

Ike Williams once said, “It would have been impossible for any fighter to knock him out because the guy had so many great moves.”

On the other hand, Gavilan didn’t knock out many foes.

“He was all flash,” said longtime boxing figure Gil Clancy. “I didn’t think he was that great. He was good but not great. He wasn’t a big puncher, which made it difficult for him. I hate to talk bad about somebody who just died, but he was just not very effective. He couldn’t knock anybody out.”

Even so, Gavilan was a crowd favorite.

“He was a great showman,” Clancy said. “He would wind up with that right hand, swing it like he was going to hit you” -- his bolo punch -- “get you looking at it, and then he might hit you with his left hand.”

Boxing historian Hank Kaplan was also a fan of Gavilan’s style.

“He was a very pleasing performer,” Kaplan said. “He had a lot of ring charisma. He was kind of a whirling dervish in the ring. His flurries were very exciting.

“He fought the greatest fighters of his time. And the guy had that great chin.”

Gavilan was born Gerardo Gonzalez in Camaguey, Cuba, on Jan. 6, 1926, and began boxing when he was 10. He fought 60 amateur bouts before turning pro at 17.

The owner of a Havana general store agreed to manage him. The merchant, whose name has been lost to history, decided the first thing his colorful fighter needed was a name to match his showmanship. Gonzalez just wouldn’t cut it. The man’s store was named Gavilan, Spanish for hawk.

Thus, Kid Gavilan was born.

Gavilan was among the first group of fighters inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990, along with Robinson and Jack Dempsey.

Gavilan had lived in the United States for the last two decades after receiving permission from the Cuban government to come here for treatment of eye problems.

“There were times when things were difficult, but I have faith in God,” Gavilan said at a ceremony honoring him two years ago in Miami. “I talk to him every day, and that has helped me win my battles.”

Gavilan spent the last four years of his life in an assisted-living facility in Miami.

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Associated Press contributed to this report.