KID GAVILAN

The Cuban Hawk: World Welterweight Boxing Champion

By: F. Daniel Somrack

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

“Kid Gavilan: The Cuban Hawk” is the story of the rise and fall of one of the greatest boxing champions of all time. Born Gerardo Gonzalez in 1930, he rose from humble beginnings in Camaguey Cuba to become Kid Gavilan, the Welterweight Champion of the World. During the early days of 1950s television, Gavilan became an instant sensation and TV’s first superstar attraction. Easily recognizable in his classy white trunks and shoes, Kid Gavilan thrilled crowds around the world with his flashy style and trademark “Bolo Punch.” Throughout his championship reign 1951-‘54, the “Keed” was virtually unbeatable in the welterweight class. Gavilan fought the greatest boxers of his era including Sugar Ray Robinson, Ike Williams, Carmen Basilio, Beau Jack, Billy Graham, Carl “Bobo” Olson, Ralph “Tiger” Jones, Chuck Davey and others. During a time when organized crime controlled the fight game, Gavilan had the courage and character to remain true to his sport. At the height of his title reign, mob promoters like Frankie Carbo and Frankie “Blinky” Palermo robbed him of his crown and denied him the opportunity to regain the championship. Retiring to Cuba national hero, Gavilan was thrust into Castro revolution and virtually forgotten as a champion. Returning to the United States in 1968, his greatness was finally recognized when he was inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame (1985) and the International Boxing Hall of Fame (1990).