Terry Norris (boxer)

Terry Norris

Personal information
Nickname	Terrible
Nationality	American
Born	Terry Norris (1967-06-17) June 17, 1967 (age 58) Lubbock, Texas, USA
Height	5 ft 9 in (175 cm) [1]
Weight	light-middleweight
Boxing career
Reach	68 in (173 cm) [1]
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	56
Wins	47
Win by KO	31
Losses	9

Terry Wayne Norris (born June 17, 1967) is an American former boxer, prizefighter and a three time world champion in the light-middleweight (super-welterweight) division. Originally from Lubbock, Texas, he fought out of San Diego.

Early years and amateur career

A star baseball player during his high school years, Norris bypassed a career on the diamond for one in the ring, claiming an amateur record of 291–4, winning 4 Texas State Golden Gloves titles. Displaying a stunning combination of hand and foot speed as well as the ability to throw dizzying combos, Norris' athletic ability was an uncanny attribute in the ring.

Professional boxing career

Norris turned professional in August 1986. He outpointed future middleweight title holder Quincy Taylor in August 1988. Norris beat future super-middleweight champion Steve Little to win the vacant NABF light-middleweight title in December 1988, and defended it against former IBF title holder Buster Drayton. Norris also picked up two losses; a unanimous decision to Derrick Kelley, and a disqualification loss to Joe Walker in the first round after Norris hit Walker when Walker was down.

In July 1989 at Atlantic City Convention Center, New Jersey, Norris challenged Julian Jackson for the WBA light-middleweight title. Norris won the first round with his speed and movement, but a big right cross from the champion knocked Norris down in round two. Norris made it to his feet before the count but was deemed unfit to continue by referee Joe Cortez.

First championship reign

Main articles: John Mugabi vs. Terry Norris, Terry Norris vs. Sugar Ray Leonard, Terry Norris vs. Donald Curry, Terry Norris vs. Meldrick Taylor, and Terry Norris vs. Maurice Blocker

After winning three comeback fights, including a victory over former welterweight champion Jorge Vaca, Norris traveled to Tampa, Florida, in March 1990 to challenge John Mugabi for the WBC light-middleweight title. Norris wasted no time in stopping the champion, flooring him twice in the first round - the second time for the full count - and thus starting what would be the first of three reigns as champion.

After defending his belt against Rene Jacquot, Norris faced the legendary Sugar Ray Leonard in Madison Square Garden in February 1991. Norris scored two knockdowns and easily beat the faded Sugar Ray via a 12-round unanimous verdict. His next defense, a June victory over another former undisputed welterweight champion - Donald Curry - further cemented Norris' place in the history of the 154-lb division as Norris wore down his foe and knocked him out in the eighth.

Other prominent foes in that first reign included the tough future middleweight titlist Jorge Castro, and two reigning welterweight champions; WBA title-holder Meldrick Taylor, and IBF title-holder Maurice Blocker.

Losing and regaining titles

Main articles: Simon Brown vs. Terry Norris II, Terry Norris vs. Luis Santana , Luis Santana vs. Terry Norris II, and Luis Santana vs. Terry Norris III

In a shocking upset in December, 1993, Simon Brown, former WBC and IBF welterweight titlist, knocked out Norris in four rounds to win the title and halt Norris' defense streak at ten. Ring magazine named this fight as their "Upset of the Year" for 1993. In their rematch, Norris then regained the title by unanimous decision over Brown in May 1994.

His second reign proved short when he lost the title by disqualification to Luis Santana in November, 1994. The decision to disqualify Norris was controversial. Norris hit Santana in the back of the head and Santana went down, claiming he was unable to continue. Some at ringside, however, felt that Santana refused to get up in order to gain the disqualification win. Because of the controversial nature of the match, a rematch was ordered. Norris also lost the April, 1995, rematch by disqualification, this time for hitting Santana after the bell had sounded to end the round. Norris was given yet another shot at regaining the title, and in their third fight in August of that year, Norris knocked out Santana in two rounds.

Unification

Main articles: Terry Norris vs. Paul Vaden and Terry Norris vs. Alex Rios

In December 1995 Norris won a unanimous decision over San Diego rival Paul Vaden to add Vaden's IBF title to his WBC title, plus the vacant Lineal championship. ^[2] Norris made defenses against former IBF champion Vincent Pettway, Nick Rupa, and Alex Rios, before being stripped of the IBF title in 1997.

Keith Mullings ended Norris's championship career by way of ninth-round stoppage in December 1997, which also ended plans for superfights with WBC welterweight champion Oscar De La Hoya and with IBF Welterweight champion Felix Trinidad of Puerto Rico.

Post-championship career

Norris fought twice more after losing his title. Dana Rosenblatt defeated him by unanimous decision in a middleweight bout and then WBA junior middleweight champion Laurent Boudouani ended his boxing career with a ninth-round knockout.

Norris was elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2005.

Norris suffers from pugilistic dementia and Parkinson's disease caused by his boxing career ^{[ citation needed ]}. This affects his speech and coordination.

Professional boxing record

56 fights	47 wins	9 losses
By knockout	31	4
By decision	16	5

No.	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round, time	Date	Location	Notes
56	Loss	47–9	Laurent Boudouani	TKO	9 (12), 2:59	Nov 30, 1998	Palais des Sports, Paris, France	For WBA light middleweight title
55	Loss	47–8	Dana Rosenblatt	UD	12	Sep 25, 1998	Foxwoods, Mashantucket, Connecticut, US
54	Loss	47–7	Keith Mullings	TKO	9 (12), 0:51	Dec 6, 1997	Caesars, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US	Lost WBC light middleweight title
53	Win	47–6	Andres Arellano Sandoval	KO	2 (10), 2:27	Sep 10, 1997	The Aladdin, Las Vegas, Nevada, US
52	Win	46–6	Joaquin Velasquez	KO	2 (10), 0:45	Aug 8, 1997	Station Casino, Kansas City, Missouri, US
51	Win	45–6	Nick Rupa	TKO	10 (12), 2:38	Jan 11, 1997	Nashville Arena, Nashville, Tennessee, US	Retained WBC and IBF light middleweight titles
50	Win	44–6	Alex Rios	TKO	5 (12), 2:08	Sep 7, 1996	MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, US	Retained WBC and IBF light middleweight titles
49	Win	43–6	Vincent Pettway	TKO	8 (12), 2:41	Feb 24, 1996	Richmond Coliseum, Richmond, Virginia, US	Retained WBC and IBF light middleweight titles
48	Win	42–6	Jorge Luis Vado	TKO	2 (12), 0:42	Jan 27, 1996	Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Arizona, US	Retained WBC and IBF light middleweight titles
47	Win	41–6	Paul Vaden	UD	12	Dec 16, 1995	Core States Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US	Retained WBC light middleweight title; Won IBF light middleweight title
46	Win	40–6	David Gonzalez	TKO	9 (12), 2:59	Sep 16, 1995	The Mirage, Las Vegas, Nevada, US	Retained WBC light middleweight title
45	Win	39–6	Luis Santana	TKO	2 (12), 2:09	Aug 19, 1995	MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, US	Won WBC light middleweight title
44	Loss	38–6	Luis Santana	DQ	3 (12), 3:00	Apr 8, 1995	Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, US	For WBC light middleweight title; Norris DQ'd for hitting Santana after the bell
43	Loss	38–5	Luis Santana	DQ	5 (12), 2:02	Nov 12, 1994	Plaza Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico	Lost WBC light middleweight title; Norris DQ'd for downing Santana with a blow to the back of the head
42	Win	38–4	Simon Brown	UD	12	May 7, 1994	MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, US	Won WBC light middleweight title
41	Win	37–4	Armando Campas	KO	4 (10), 2:19	Mar 18, 1994	MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, US
40	Loss	36–4	Simon Brown	KO	4 (12), 1:06	Dec 18, 1993	Estadio Cuauhtemoc, Puebla, Mexico	Lost WBC light middleweight title
39	Win	36–3	Joe Gatti	TKO	1 (12), 1:28	Sep 10, 1993	Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas, US	Retained WBC light middleweight title
38	Win	35–3	Troy Waters	RTD	3 (12)	Jun 19, 1993	San Diego Sports Arena, San Diego, California, US	Retained WBC light middleweight title
37	Win	34–3	Maurice Blocker	TKO	2 (12), 0:49	Feb 20, 1993	Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico	Retained WBC light middleweight title
36	Win	33–3	Pat Lawlor	RTD	3 (10), 3:00	Dec 13, 1992	The Mirage, Las Vegas, Nevada, US
35	Win	32–3	Meldrick Taylor	TKO	4 (12), 2:55	May 9, 1992	The Mirage, Las Vegas, Nevada, US	Retained WBC light middleweight title
34	Win	31–3	Carl Daniels	TKO	9 (12), 2:37	Feb 22, 1992	San Diego Sports Arena, San Diego, California, US	Retained WBC light middleweight title
33	Win	30–3	Jorge Fernando Castro	UD	12	Dec 13, 1991	Palais omnisports, Bercy, Paris, France	Retained WBC light middleweight title
32	Win	29–3	Brett Lally	TKO	1 (12), 2:40	Aug 17, 1991	San Diego Sports Arena, San Diego, California, US	Retained WBC light middleweight title
31	Win	28–3	Donald Curry	KO	8 (12), 2:54	Jun 1, 1991	Radisson Resort, Palm Springs, California, US	Retained WBC light middleweight title
30	Win	27–3	Sugar Ray Leonard	UD	12	Feb 9, 1991	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US	Retained WBC light middleweight title
29	Win	26–3	Rene Jacquot	UD	12	Jul 13, 1990	Patinoire d'Annecy, Annecy, Upper Savoy, France	Retained WBC light middleweight title
28	Win	25–3	John Mugabi	KO	1 (12), 2:47	Mar 31, 1990	Sun Dome, Tampa, Florida, US	Won WBC light middleweight title
27	Win	24–3	Tony Montgomery	UD	12	Nov 21, 1989	Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica, California, US
26	Win	23–3	Jorge Vaca	SD	10	Oct 9, 1989	Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
25	Win	22–3	Nathan Dryer	TKO	4 (10)	Sep 21, 1989	El Cortez Hotel, San Diego, California, US
24	Loss	21–3	Julian Jackson	TKO	2 (12), 1:33	Jul 30, 1989	Atlantic City Convention Center, New Jersey, US	For WBA light middleweight title
23	Win	21–2	Ralph Ward	UD	10	Mar 23, 1989	The Showboat, New Jersey, US
22	Win	20–2	Buster Drayton	UD	12	Mar 28, 1989	Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, US	Retained NABF light middleweight title
21	Win	19–2	Steve Little	TKO	6 (12), 1:06	Dec 9, 1988	Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, US	Won vacant NABF light middleweight title
20	Win	18–2	Gilbert Baptist	UD	10	Oct 18, 1988	El Cortez Hotel, San Diego, California, US
19	Win	17–2	Quincy Taylor	UD	10	Aug 12, 1988	Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, US
18	Win	16–2	Clayton Hires	KO	2 (10)	Mar 28, 1988	Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, US
17	Win	15–2	Richard Aguirre	TKO	3 (10)	Feb 3, 1988	Riverside, California, US
16	Win	14–2	Roman Nunez	KO	1 (10)	Jan 21, 1988	San Diego, California, US
15	Loss	13–2	Joe Walker	DQ	1 (6)	Nov 25, 1987	Bally's, Las Vegas, Nevada, US
14	Win	13–1	Edward Neblett	TKO	6 (8), 2:10	Sep 4, 1987	Bally's, Las Vegas, Nevada, US
13	Loss	12–1	Derrick Kelly	UD	10	Aug 13, 1987	Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, US
12	Win	12–0	Nathan Dryer	TKO	3 (8), 1:33	May 27, 1987	Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, US
11	Win	11–0	Sergio Nieto Rayos	TKO	1 (6), 0:40	Apr 3, 1987	Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, US
10	Win	10–0	Mauro Veronica	KO	2 (6), 2:36	Mar 26, 1987	Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
9	Win	9–0	Tino Leon	KO	1 (4), 2:45	Mar 16, 1987	Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, US
8	Win	8–0	Dick Green	KO	1 (6), 0:53	Feb 26, 1987	El Cortez Hotel, San Diego, California, US
7	Win	7–0	Gilbert Baptist	UD	4	Mar 5, 1987	Raincross Square, Riverside, California, US
6	Win	6–0	Lang McGowan	PTS	4	Dec 3, 1986	Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, US
5	Win	5–0	Carlos Gutierrez	UD	6	Nov 21, 1986	Reseda Country Club, Los Angeles, California, US
4	Win	4–0	Daryl Colquitt	KO	4 (4)	Oct 7, 1986	Reseda Country Club, Los Angeles, California, US
3	Win	3–0	George Murphy	PTS	4	Sep 25, 1986	Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, US
2	Win	2–0	Carlos Gutierrez	UD	4	Aug 13, 1986	Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, US
1	Win	1–0	Jose Luis Cordova	KO	1 (?)	Aug 2, 1986	San Jose Civic Auditorium, San Jose, California, US

Additional information

• Once entertaining scholarships to several schools, Norris quit baseball after a brawl on the field. "We were playing another team one day", Norris recalled, "and there were some racial comments made toward me. I was a little thrown off by it. I rushed the guy who said them, and their whole team jumped on me. I put three guys in the hospital, which was the bad thing of it. People said things like, 'Maybe this guy's a troublemaker,' so a lot of my scholarships fell through. ^[3]
• He settled a lawsuit out of court with Don King for a sum of $7.5 million in 2005.
• Brother of former WBA cruiserweight champion Orlin Norris.
• The speech of Terry Norris was noticeably slurred even in his early thirties and quite startling to anyone who remembered him from just a few years earlier. After his last defeat, the Nevada athletic commission turned him down for a new license, basing its decision on his impaired speech, which was indicative of his issues after boxing.
• Norris was known to spar 12 rounds every other day in preparation for fights. Some speculate that this intense training routine is a factor which may have ultimately led to his early expiration as a fighter.
• In preparation for his fight against John "The Beast" Mugabi, his strength trainer put Terry on a regimented weight training program. He went on to KO Mugabi and win the WBC super welterweight title. He continued his strength training for the duration of his career.
• A source close to the Norris camp is quoted as saying "The best boxing I ever watched live was sparring between the Norris brothers." ^[4]
• Norris is married to Tanya E. Norris
• Norris and his wife founded his Foundation The Final Fight to assist former pro boxers who are ill, broke and homeless.
• Norris and his wife own World Champion Cardio Boxing, a popular workout program in Los Angeles, California.

References

1. HBO Sports tale of the tape prior to the Keith Mullings fight.
2. "Terry Norris - Lineal Junior Middleweight Champion". The Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia.
3. A Champion Who's Fighting Obscurity - New York Times
4. BDPboxing Archived 2008-02-15 at the Wayback Machine

External links

• Boxing record for Terry Norris from BoxRec (registration required)
• Terry Norris' Official Website.
• Terry Norris' Facebook
• Terry Norris' Twitter
• Terry Norris - Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia

Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Vacant Title last held by Lupe Aquino	NABF light middleweight champion December 9, 1988 – March 31, 1990	Vacant Title next held by Brett Lally
World boxing titles
Preceded by John Mugabi	WBC light middleweight champion March 31, 1990 – December 18, 1993	Succeeded by Simon Brown
Preceded by Simon Brown	WBC light middleweight champion May 7, 1994 – November 12, 1994	Succeeded by Luis Santana
Preceded by Luis Santana	WBC light middleweight champion August 19, 1995 – December 6, 1997	Succeeded by Keith Mullings
Preceded by Paul Vaden	IBF light middleweight champion December 16, 1995 – March 19, 1997 Stripped	Succeeded by Raúl Márquez
Awards
Previous: Buster Douglas KO10 Mike Tyson	KO Magazine Upset of the Year W12 Sugar Ray Leonard 1991	Next: Azumah Nelson KO8 Jeff Fenech