BoxRec

Surrounded by family and friends, Kid Gavilan got the respect he deserved in a memorial at Our Lady of Mercy Cemetery in Miami.

The Cuban-born Hall of Famer, born Gerardo Gonzalez, died two years ago at 77 and was buried in a pauper's grave.

He was moved Saturday to a new plot, its headstone befitting a champion.

"It's long overdue," said son Gerardo Jr. "It's been a few years since we buried him. It took them a while, but it was done the right way. It makes it right."

Current and retired boxers including Mike Tyson, Roberto Duran and Ray Mancini, boxing historian Hank Kaplan and members of Ring 8 Veterans Boxing Association in New York raised more than $10,000 to pay for a reburial and tombstone for one of the most revered fighters.

"I was thinking, riding over in the car today, that it was ironic that they were gathering in the Vatican today to show their appreciation for the pope, and today, we are here to honor The Kid," Mancini said.

"Even though he is gone, the love and respect is the same in both places."

Said daughter Demi Gonzalez: "This is a great day for me. Each and every one of these people being here shows me they are truly his family and friends."

KOJOE90 wrote:I came across this story at sun-sentinal.com today and I am sure you will all agree with my thats it's great to hear that an all time great fighter like Kid Gavilan has now got the resting place he so rightly deserves.

Surrounded by family and friends, Kid Gavilan got the respect he deserved in a memorial at Our Lady of Mercy Cemetery in Miami.

The Cuban-born Hall of Famer, born Gerardo Gonzalez, died two years ago at 77 and was buried in a pauper's grave.

He was moved Saturday to a new plot, its headstone befitting a champion.

"It's long overdue," said son Gerardo Jr. "It's been a few years since we buried him. It took them a while, but it was done the right way. It makes it right."

Current and retired boxers including Mike Tyson, Roberto Duran and Ray Mancini, boxing historian Hank Kaplan and members of Ring 8 Veterans Boxing Association in New York raised more than $10,000 to pay for a reburial and tombstone for one of the most revered fighters.

"I was thinking, riding over in the car today, that it was ironic that they were gathering in the Vatican today to show their appreciation for the pope, and today, we are here to honor The Kid," Mancini said.

"Even though he is gone, the love and respect is the same in both places."

Said daughter Demi Gonzalez: "This is a great day for me. Each and every one of these people being here shows me they are truly his family and friends."

http://www.boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=009014

robert.snell1 wrote:yes i was aware of the funds being raised and agree that is a great story and the dignity given to the guy is well deserved. The people involved in this should be congratulated and thanked for what they have done.

It is a tragic fact that so many boxers ended up broke. I am pleased to be a member of both the Merseyside and the Wirral ( UK for those not aware) former Boxers Assoc. and they do great work in this regard as well as donating to non -boxing appeals.