ADDENDUM: SHOES PICTURED IN CATALOG ARE FROM DIFFERENT FIGHT. THESE ARE NORRIS' SHOES FROM LEONARD FIGHT. SHOES ARE NOT AUTOGRAPHED, BUT LOT DOES INCLUDE SIGNED AND INSCRIBED PHOTO OF THE FIGHT.
4-time Light-Middleweight World Champion "Terrible" Terry Norris fought and trained during the 1980's and 1990's wearing flashy, custom-designed boxing shoes. Featured here are a special pair from perhaps the biggest win of his Hall of Fame career. Displaying a stunning combination of hand and foot speed as well as the ability to throw dizzying combos, Norris beat his opponents with both determination as well as great conditioning. Standing 5'10" tall and possessing a 68" reach, Norris' pure athletic ability was his best attribute in the ring. Norris won the WBC title three times, but it was his first reign, which lasted three and half years, that earned him the most prestige. After beating John Mugabi (3/31/1990) to claim the WBC title and defending it against Rene Jacquot, Norris would fight his most memorable battle. On February 9, 1991 at New York’s Madison Square Garden, Norris faced his childhood idol, Sugar Ray Leonard. The legendary champ dropped down to 154 pounds to fight Norris and actually entered the bout as a 3-to-1 favorite. Norris, however, had other plans. He dominated the fight and handed Leonard a serious beating.
"The fight with Ray was scary at first, because I was fighting my idol,” said Norris. “It was somebody that I kind of worshiped at one time, so it was a really nervous feeling stepping into that ring."
He knocked Leonard down with a left hook in the second round, and in the seventh, dropped him again with a short right. Leonard seemed to have no answer for the skillful, younger and faster fighter.
"That first knockdown, when I hit Ray with that left hook and dropped him, I just couldn’t believe it," said Norris. “I was just so happy. From that point right there Ray didn’t win another round.”
Leonard went the distance but lost the 12-round bout by a lopsided, unanimous decision. After the verdict was announced, Leonard announced his retirement.
"It took this fight to show me it is no longer my time," Leonard said. "Tonight was my last fight. Now I know how [Marvin] Hagler felt."
Norris continued his torrid winning streak, defending the WBC Light-Middleweight crown 7 more times. He retired after posting a professional record of 47-9 with 31 knockouts and was elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2005.
The white leather custom-made shoes with red stripes and red laces cover the ankle and lower shin, and they feature Norris' trademark red fringe at the top. The man grew up in Texas, so he liked to add a little cowboy/rancher flavor to his stylish wardrobe in the ring. "9R" is marked in black ballpoint pen. They show significant wear from the 12-round fight as the leather is scuffed and marked up throughout. Most of the the original laces have been cut or ripped off. Aside from that, the shoes come essentially as-issued and problem-free from Norris' personal collection. Also included in this lot is an 8" by 10" photo of Norris wearing the shoes during the Leonard fight, signed and inscribed "WBC IBF" by Norris in perfect 10/10 silver marker.
Pre-certified by PSA/DNA.
Includes Letter of Authenticity from "Terrible" Terry Norris.
“Terrible Terry” Norris certainly lived up to his nickname as a boxer, but outside the ring is another story. A few years ago, he and his wife, Tanya, started the Final Fight Foundation whose “mission is to serve as a catalyst for the under-served athletes in health and retirement assistance, during and after their careers.” Norris now suffers from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), Parkinsonism, and Dementia brought on by years in the ring. A portion of the proceeds from his collection will go towards his foundation.