"Terrible" Terry Norris is a 4-time World Champion in the Light-Middleweight/Super-Welterweight (154-lb.) division. He won three titles (four if you include NABF) within the World Boxing Council (WBC) alone, and reigned as WBC champion for a cumulative total of six and half years during the early 1990's. Featured here are Norris' fight-worn gloves from his March 31, 1990 WBC Light-Middleweight title bout in Tampa, FL vs. John "The Beast" Mugabi of Uganda. Winner of the Silver Medal at the 1980 Moscow Olympics in the Welterweight division, Mugabi came into this fight as the WBC title holder. He was a known as a powerful puncher, and once had a 26-fight knockout win streak. On this occasion, however, it was Norris that delivered the major blows early and often. 45 seconds in, Norris landed a lethal left hook followed by an attacking combination that sent Mugabi to the floor. With 13 seconds to go in Round 1, Norris connected a right to the chin, putting Mugabi down for the count. The Ring named the fight "Knockout of the Year". More importantly for Norris, he was World Champion for the first time. It would take three years and nine months for anyone to take Norris' WBC crown.
The red leather '10-oz.' tagged gloves are each notated "Norris #1" in black pen within the Cleto Reyes logo. According to Norris, this denotes the round in which he knocked out Mugabi. "Terrible" Terry has also signed and inscribed "WBC IBF Champ" on each glove in bold 10 black marker. An additional Terry Norris autograph on each glove can be found in 7/10 red pen on the white section of the open thumb side. Not sure what the "R.E." notated in black means. White laces are present, although they seem too short to be the originals. The gloves show plenty of use, yet remain in remarkable shape, perhaps preserved by the fact that the fight only lasted one round. There is some discoloration over the wrists from the tape job. It should be noted that in video footage of the fight, the white tape job covers the "Hecho en Mexico" stamp on each glove. They come essentially problem-free from Norris' personal collection. What a great piece of boxing history that started a memorable WBC title reign for the Hall of Famer!
Pre-certified by PSA/DNA.
Includes a 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.