Orlin Norris

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search
Orlin Norris
Statistics
Real name Orlin Levance Norris
Nickname(s) Night Train / The Juice
Rated at Cruiserweight
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Reach 70 in (178 cm)
Nationality American
Born (1965-10-04) October 4, 1965 (age 58)
Lubbock, Texas
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights 70
Wins 57
Wins by KO 30
Losses 10
Draws 1
No contests 2

Orlin Levance Norris, born October 4, 1965 in Lubbock, TX,[1] is an American boxer who held the WBA cruiserweight title and fought in several noteworthy boxing matches in the 1980s and 1990s. He is the lesser known brother of retired former champion Terry Norris.

As an amateur, he won the National Golden Gloves title.

Norris turned pro in 1986 as a heavyweight and became a highly ranked and much avoided contender. Although only 5'10, and not a big puncher, Norris relied on his fine boxing skills to outbox and pile up points versus his much larger opponents.

Heavyweight contender

In 1988 he won the NABF heavyweight title with a decision over the towering Larry Alexander, and followed it up with more easy points wins over respected challengers Renaldo Snipes, Jesse Ferguson, and ex-world champion Greg Page (boxer).

Page had been considered as an opponent for Evander Holyfield; however, after defeating Page, the shot was not offered to Norris. In 1990 he was outboxed by crafty ex-world champion Tony Tubbs (a decision later changed to a no-decision after Tubbs tested positive for an illegal substance), and followed up that momentum killer with a further loss, an 8th round TKO to hard hitting Bert Cooper, where Norris was decked in the 8th round and twisted his knee, unable to continue.

In 1990 Norris regained some ground by beating future world champion Oliver McCall by split decision, and in 1991 regained his NABF title with a first round knockout of Lionel Washington. He defended the title against ex-world champion Tony Tucker; however, he lost on a controversial split decision, after it appeared Norris had outboxed his giant opponent rather easily.

Cruiserweight World Champion

After the Tucker performance, Norris struggled to find contenders who would risk fighting him, and was forced to move down a division, into the cruiserweights. Having won the USBA belt in that division, in 1993 Norris beat Marcelo Victor Figueroa to capture the vacant WBA cruiserweight title and went on to successfully defend the title five times, including two wins over Arthur Williams and a victory over Adolpho Washington (two future world champs). Norris also retained his WBA Cruiserweight title in Mexico with a crushing win over fellow American James Heath.

In 1995 the weight draining caught up with Norris, as a very sluggish, strange performance saw him lose his belt to Nate Miller via 8th round KO in London, England. Norris was hospitalised after the fight although he checked himself out the following morning.

Return to heavyweight

In 1996 he moved back up to heavyweight and scored a revenge win over an aging Tony Tucker; however, a long legal battle with Don King saw him lose his WBA mandatory #1 challenger status and instead of a challenge to King-promoted champion Evander Holyfield, Norris was forced to fight 6'7" King-managed heavyweight Henry Akinwande in an eliminator. Akinwande stayed at long range and scraped a decision over Norris. Once again a heavyweight title fight escaped Norris.

In 1999 he travelled to the UK and demolished colourful prospect Pele Reid in one round, but Herbie Hide pulled out of a WBO title fight with Norris at the last minute.

Norris lined up a memorable fight with Mike Tyson in 1999. After the first round ended, Tyson knocked Norris down with a left hook and Norris injured his knee when he went down. Norris said he was unable to continue the fight and the bout was ruled a no contest. After the fight, Norris received an MRI scan at the Valley Hospital Medical Center and was diagnosed with a dislocated kneecap. Nevada State Athletic Commission physician Dr. Flip Homansky confirmed that the scan "clearly shows the path his kneecap took" as he fell and then got back up, popping it back into place. Tyson accuses Norris of throwing the match.[2] Norris was an aging fighter by the time he came back in 2000, outscored by Andrew Golota, and in 2001 making little effort and collapsing in sixty seconds against Vitali Klitschko in Germany, and losing a 12 round decision to Brian Nielsen in Denmark for the IBO title.

In 2005, he scored a dull draw with former champion Vassiliy Jirov, injecting some life back into his career.

Professional boxing record

57 Wins (30 knockouts, 27 decisions), 10 Losses (4 knockouts, 6 decisions), 1 Draw, 2 No Contest [3]
Result Record Opponent Type Rounds Date Location Notes
Loss 57-10-1
2 NC		 United Kingdom Ola Afolabi TKO 7 (8) 03/11/2005 California 4th and B, San Diego, California, United States
Draw 57-9-1
2 NC		 Kazakhstan Vassiliy Jirov MD 8 21/07/2005 California Palace Indian Gaming Center, Lemoore, California, United States
Loss 57–9
2 NC		 Poland Albert Sosnowski MD 8 28/05/2005 California Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, United States
Win 57–8
2 NC		 United States Ken Murphy TKO 6 (8) 01/10/2004 California Spotlight 29 Casino, Coachella, California, United States
Win 56–8
2 NC		 United States Mike Peak UD 8 19/06/2004 California Home Depot Center, Carson, California, United States Peak took a standing 8 count in the 7th..
Win 55–8
2 NC		 Brazil Roberto Coelho UD 8 13/05/2004 California Sports Arena, San Diego, San Diego, California, United States
Win 54–8
2 NC		 United States Troy Weida TKO 3 (10) 13/06/2003 Oregon Chinook Winds Casino, Lincoln City, Oregon, United States
Win 53–8
2 NC		 United States Harry Funmaker TKO 5 (10) 15/03/2003 Wisconsin Ho-Chunk Casino, Baraboo, Wisconsin, United States
Loss 52–8
2 NC		 Denmark Brian Nielsen UD 12 16/06/2001 Denmark Brondby hallen, Copenhagen, Denmark For IBC Heavyweight title.
Win 52–7
2 NC		 United States Brian Yates UD 8 24/04/2001 Indiana Fairgrounds, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Loss 51–7
2 NC		 Ukraine Vitali Klitschko KO 1 (12) 27/01/2001 Bavaria Rudi Sedlmayer Halle, Munich, Bayern, Germany For vacant WBA Inter-Continental Heavyweight title.
Win 51–6
2 NC		 United States Bradley Rone UD 10 02/11/2000 Idaho Coeur d'Alene Casino, Worley, Idaho, United States
Loss 50–6
2 NC		 Poland Andrew Golota UD 10 16/06/2000 Nevada Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
NC 50–5
2 NC		 United States Mike Tyson NC 1 (10) 23/10/1999 Nevada MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Norris was hit and knocked down after the bell, injuring his knee in the fall, resulting in NC.
Win 50–5
1 NC		 United Kingdom Pele Reid KO 1 (8) 26/06/1999 England New London Arena, Millwall, London, England, United Kingdom
Win 49–5
1 NC		 United States Nate Miller UD 12 06/08/1998 Louisiana Grand Casino Avoyelles, Marksville, Louisiana, United States Retained IBA Super Cruiserweight title.
Win 48–5
1 NC		 United States Adolpho Washington UD 12 22/05/1998 Michigan Monroe, Michigan, United States Won vacant IBA Super Cruiserweight title.
Loss 47–5
1 NC		 United Kingdom Henry Akinwande UD 12 13/12/1997 Florida Amphitheater, Pompano Beach, Florida, United States
Win 47–4
1 NC		 United States Marion Wilson SD 10 14/11/1996 Maryland Michael's Eighth Avenue, Glen Burnie, Maryland, United States
Win 46–4
1 NC		 United States Jeff Pegues KO 1 (?) 12/10/1996 Lombardy Forum di Assago, Milan, Lombardia, Italy
Win 45–4
1 NC		 United States Tony Tucker SD 10 24/02/1996 Virginia Richmond Coliseum, Richmond, Virginia, United States
Win 44–4
1 NC		 United States Cleveland Woods RTD 6 (10) 10/02/1996 Nevada MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 43–4
1 NC		 United States Nate Miller KO 8 (12) 22/07/1995 England New London Arena, Millwall, London, England, United Kingdom Lost WBA World Cruiserweight title.
Win 43–3
1 NC		 United States Adolpho Washington UD 12 17/03/1995 Massachusetts Memorial Auditorium, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States Retained WBA World Cruiserweight title.
Win 42–3
1 NC		 United States James Heath KO 2 (12) 12/11/1994 Mexico Plaza Mexico, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico Retained WBA World Cruiserweight title.
Win 41–3
1 NC		 United States Arthur Williams TKO 3 (12) 02/07/1994 Nevada Mirage Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Retained WBA World Cruiserweight title.
Win 40–3
1 NC		 United States Arthur Williams SD 12 04/03/1994 Nevada MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Retained WBA World Cruiserweight title.
Win 39–3
1 NC		 United States Art Jimmerson TKO 4 (?) 09/01/1994 California Del Mar, California, United States
Win 38–3
1 NC		 Argentina Marcelo Victor Figueroa TKO 6 (12) 06/11/1993 France Cirque d'Hiver, Paris, France Won vacant WBA World Cruiserweight title.
Win 37–3
1 NC		 United States Jack Basting TKO 4 (10) 19/08/1993 Missouri Sedalia, Missouri, United States The bout was stopped due to Basting's badly swollen left eye.
Win 36–3
1 NC		 United States Richard Mason UD 12 23/04/1993 Tennessee The Pyramid, Memphis, Tennessee, United States Retained NABF Cruiserweight title.
Win 35–3
1 NC		 United States Troy Jefferson TKO 2 (8) 06/02/1993 California Sports Arena, San Diego, California, United States
Win 34–3
1 NC		 United States David Sewell TKO 5 (12) 25/11/1992 Nevada Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Retained NABF Cruiserweight title.
Win 33–3
1 NC		 United States Keith McMurray KO 2 (?) 27/05/1992 California San Diegos, California, United States
Win 32–3
1 NC		 United States Anthony Hembrick TKO 8 (12) 25/03/1992 California San Diegos, California, United States Retained NABF Cruiserweight title. Hembrick was knocked down three times in round 8.
Win 31–3
1 NC		 United States James Pritchard PTS 8 13/12/1991 France Palais Omnisports, Bercy, France
Win 30–3
1 NC		 United States Jesse Shelby TD 10 (12) 17/08/1991 California Sports Arena, San Diego, California, United States Won vacant NABF Cruiserweight title. An accidental headbutt caused a cut over the right eye of Norris. The fight went to the scorecards.
Loss 29–3
1 NC		 United States Tony Tucker SD 12 03/06/1991 Nevada Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Lost NABF Heavyweight title.
Win 29–2
1 NC		 United States Lionel Washington TKO 1 (12) 30/04/1991 California Country Club, Reseda, California, United States Won vacant NABF Heavyweight title. Title had been vacated by Ray Mercer when he won the WBO title.
Win 28–2
1 NC		 United States Jamie Howe TKO 7 (10) 09/02/1991 New York Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States
Win 27–2
1 NC		 United States Tony Willis RTD 9 (10) 11/12/1990 California Country Club, Reseda, California, United States
Win 26–2
1 NC		 United States Oliver McCall SD 10 17/11/1990 Florida Lee County Civic Center, Fort Myers, Florida, United States
Win 25–2
1 NC		 United States Henry Hearns KO 1 (?) 17/11/1990 California Country Club, Reseda, California, United States
Win 24–2
1 NC		 United States Greg Gorrell TKO 8 (10) 25/09/1990 California Country Club, Reseda, California, United States
Win 23–2
1 NC		 United States Danny Wofford TKO 10 (10) 28/08/1990 California Country Club, Reseda, California, United States
Loss 22–2
1 NC		 United States Bert Cooper TKO 8 (10) 17/02/1990 Alberta Rexall Place, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Lost NABF Heavyweight title.
ND 22–1
1 NC		 United States Tony Tubbs NC 12 21/11/1989 California Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica, California, United States Retained NABF Heavyweight title. Originally Tubbs was initially announced as the victor. ND because he tested positive for an illegal substance.
Win 22–1 United States Dee Collier UD 12 01/08/1989 Nevada Showboat Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Retained NABF Heavyweight title.
Win 21–1 United States Greg Page UD 12 25/04/1989 Nevada Showboat Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Retained NABF Heavyweight title.
Win 20–1 United States Jesse Ferguson UD 12 15/11/1988 California San Diego, California, United States Retained NABF Heavyweight title.
Win 19–1 United States Dwain Bonds UD 12 27/07/1988 California Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, United States Retained NABF Heavyweight title.
Win 18–1 United States Andrew Stokes PTS 10 27/05/1988 Nevada Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 17–1 United States Renaldo Snipes UD 12 19/03/1988 Nevada Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Retained NABF Heavyweight title.
Win 16–1 United States Woody Clark KO 1 (10) 23/02/1988 California Country Club, Reseda, California, United States
Win 15–1 United States Larry Alexander MD 12 25/11/1987 Nevada Bally's Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Won NABF Heavyweight title.
Win 14–1 United States Billy Joe Thomas TKO 3 (?) 04/09/1987 Nevada Bally's Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 13–1 United States John Barbier KO 1 (10) 13/08/1987 California Forum, Inglewood, California, United States Barbier down twice.
Win 12–1 United States Gary Lightbourne UD 10 25/05/1987 Nevada Showboat Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 11–1 United States Eddie Richardson KO 2 (10) 03/04/1987 Nevada Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 10–1 United States Avery Rawls PTS 10 20/03/1987 Nevada Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 9–1 United States Mike Gans KO 7 (10) 26/02/1987 California El Cortez Hotel, San Diego, California, United States
Win 8–1 United States Rufus Hadley UD 10 12/02/1987 Nevada Showboat Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 7–1 United States Roger Troupe KO 2 (6) 05/02/1987 California Raincross Square, Riverside, California, United States Troupe down twice.
Win 6–1 United States David Smith UD 4 21/11/1986 California Country Club, Reseda, California, United States
Win 5–1 United States Mike Bardwell UD 6 28/10/1986 California Country Club, Reseda, California, United States
Win 4–1 United States Ricky Reese TKO 1 (6) 25/09/1986 California Marriott Hotel, Irvine, California, United States Reese apparently took a thumb in the eye and was unable to continue.
Win 3–1 United States Ray Mitchell UD 4 18/09/1986 California El Cortez Hotel, San Diego, California, United States
Loss 2–1 United States Olian Alexander PTS 4 02/08/1986 California San Diego, California, United States
Win 2–0 United States Levi Billups KO 1 (4) 25/07/1986 California Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego, California, United States
Win 1–0 United States Lionel Washington KO 3 (?) 16/06/1986 California Civic Auditorium, Bakersfield, California, United States
Achievements
Preceded by
Larry Alexander
 NABF Heavyweight Champion
25 November 1987 – 17 February 1990		 Succeeded by
Bert Cooper
Preceded by
Ray Mercer
Vacated
 NABF Heavyweight Champion
30 April 1991 – 3 June 1991		 Succeeded by
Tony Tucker
Preceded by NABF Cruiserweight Champion
17 August 1991 – 6 November 1993
Vacated		 Succeeded by
Thomas Hearns
Preceded by
Bobby Czyz
Vacated
 WBA Cruiserweight Champion
6 November 1993 – 22 July 1995		 Succeeded by
Nate Miller

References

  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=515&cat=boxer

External links

Retrieved from "https://infogalactic.com/w/index.php?title=Orlin_Norris&oldid=1167523"