Kid Gavilan's fight with Sugar Ray Robinson

dominicanthug · Post by **dominicanthug** » 22 May 2004, 14:49

I noticed that the first fight with Kid Gavilan and Sugar Ray Robinson on sept 23 1948 was full of controversy, did the crowd have the fight in favor of Gavilan?Also is this fight viewable? I thought Gavilan was one of the most smooth boxers ever!

silkov · Post by **silkov** » 22 May 2004, 19:55

Both Robinson vs Gavilan fights were very close hard fought fights from what I've read..... their title fight was a classic. Unfortunately I don't think that they are available on film.... I think footage of Robinson as a Welter is very rare. I am actually in the process of putting together a list of fights which I am going to sell.... I have quite a few Gavilan fights which are excellent, if you are interested in buying some let me know here or drop me a pm. 8) 8) 8)

Jaclem · Post by **Jaclem** » 23 May 2004, 02:58

the only known film of the sugar man in a welter title fight is the one against charlie fusari. not representative as it is a known fact that he carried fusari and let it go to a fifteen round decision.

i heard both robinson/gavilan fights on the radio, and from the broadcast and subsequent newspaper and magazine coverage, there was no dispute about the decision in either one, though several said the keed did keep it entertaining. robinson said he never hit anybody any harder than he did the cuban hawk... and his punches didn't seem to have any effect.

a writer i knew said gavilan was good enough to make robinson fight at his very best....and we all know how good that was at that point in his career. all credit to the keed....but he was in against the greartest welterweight of all time.

The Keed · Post by **The Keed** » 24 May 2004, 09:17

I think both decisions were kind of unpopular with the crowd, but in each case most sportswriters thought Ray won, and won by a convincing margin.