Misplaced Pages

Orlin Levance Norris (born October 4, 1965) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1986 to 2005. He held the WBA cruiserweight title from 1993 to 1995. As an amateur, he won the National Golden Gloves title. He is the brother of retired former champion Terry Norris.

Professional career

Heavyweight contender

Norris turned pro in 1986 as a heavyweight and became a highly ranked and much avoided 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 fought 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, although he walked back to his corner in a normal manner, showing no discomfort. 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 accused Norris of throwing the match. 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 draw with former champion Vassiliy Jirov, injecting some life back into his career.

Professional boxing record

No.	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round, time	Date	Location	Notes
70	Loss	57–10–1 (2)	Ola Afolabi	KO	7 (8)	03/11/2005	4th and B, San Diego, California, U.S.
69	Draw	57–9–1 (2)	Vassiliy Jirov	MD	8	21/07/2005	Palace Indian Gaming Center, Lemoore, California, U.S.
68	Loss	57–9 (2)	Albert Sosnowski	MD	8	28/05/2005	Staples Center, Los Angeles, California U.S.
67	Win	57–8 (2)	Ken Murphy	TKO	6 (8)	01/10/2004	Spotlight 29 Casino, Coachella, California, U.S.
66	Win	56–8 (2)	Mike Peak	UD	8	19/06/2004	Home Depot Center, Carson, California, U.S.
65	Win	55–8 (2)	Roberto Coelho	UD	8	13/05/2004	Sports Arena, San Diego, California, U.S.
64	Win	54–8 (2)	Troy Weida	TKO	3 (10)	13/06/2003	Chinook Winds Casino, Lincoln City, Oregon, U.S.
63	Win	53–8 (2)	Harry Funmaker	TKO	5 (10)	15/03/2003	Ho-Chunk Casino, Baraboo, Wisconsin, U.S.
62	Loss	52–8 (2)	Brian Nielsen	UD	12	16/06/2001	Brøndbyhallen, Copenhagen, Denmark	For IBC Heavyweight title
61	Win	52–7 (2)	Brian Yates	UD	8	24/04/2001	Fairgrounds, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
60	Loss	51–7 (2)	Vitali Klitschko	KO	1 (12)	27/01/2001	Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich, Germany	For vacant WBA Inter-Continental Heavyweight title
59	Win	51–6 (2)	Bradley Rone	UD	10	02/11/2000	Coeur d'Alene Casino, Worley, Idaho, U.S.
58	Loss	50–6 (2)	Andrew Golota	UD	10	16/06/2000	Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
57	NC	50–5 (2)	Mike Tyson	NC	1 (10)	23/10/1999	MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
56	Win	50–5 (1)	Pelé Reid	KO	1 (8)	26/06/1999	London Arena, Millwall, London, U.K.
55	Win	49–5 (1)	Nate Miller	UD	12	06/08/1998	Grand Casino Avoyelles, Marksville, Louisiana, U.S.	Retained IBA super cruiserweight title
54	Win	48–5 (1)	Adolpho Washington	UD	12	22/05/1998	Glen Stock Arena, Monroe, Michigan, U.S.	Won vacant IBA super cruiserweight title
53	Loss	47–5 (1)	Henry Akinwande	UD	12	13/12/1997	Amphitheater, Pompano Beach, Florida, U.S.
52	Win	47–4 (1)	Marion Wilson	SD	10	14/11/1996	Michael's Eighth Avenue, Glen Burnie, Maryland, U.S.
51	Win	46–4 (1)	Jeff Pegues	KO	1 (?)	12/10/1996	Forum di Assago, Milan, Italy
50	Win	45–4 (1)	Tony Tucker	SD	10	24/02/1996	Richmond Coliseum, Richmond, Virginia, U.S.
49	Win	44–4 (1)	Cleveland Woods	RTD	6 (10)	10/02/1996	MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
48	Loss	43–4 (1)	Nate Miller	KO	8 (12)	22/07/1995	London Arena, Millwall, London, U.K.	Lost WBA cruiserweight title
47	Win	43–3 (1)	Adolpho Washington	UD	12	17/03/1995	Memorial Auditorium, Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S.	Retained WBA cruiserweight title
46	Win	42–3 (1)	James Heath	KO	2 (12)	12/11/1994	Plaza de Toros, Mexico City, Mexico	Retained WBA cruiserweight title
45	Win	41–3 (1)	Arthur Williams	TKO	3 (12)	02/07/1994	The Mirage, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	Retained WBA cruiserweight title
44	Win	40–3 (1)	Arthur Williams	SD	12	04/03/1994	MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	Retained WBA cruiserweight title
43	Win	39–3 (1)	Art Jimmerson	TKO	4 (?)	09/01/1994	Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar, California, U.S.
42	Win	38–3 (1)	Marcelo Victor Figueroa	TKO	6 (12)	06/11/1993	Cirque d'hiver, Paris, France	Won vacant WBA cruiserweight title
41	Win	37–3 (1)	Jack Basting	TKO	4 (10)	19/08/1993	Mathewson Exhibition Center, Sedalia, Missouri, U.S.	The bout was stopped due to Basting's badly swollen left eye.
40	Win	36–3 (1)	Richard Mason	UD	12	23/04/1993	The Pyramid, Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.	Retained NABF Cruiserweight title
39	Win	35–3 (1)	Troy Jefferson	TKO	2 (8)	06/02/1993	Sports Arena, San Diego, California, U.S.
38	Win	34–3 (1)	David Sewell	TKO	5 (12)	25/11/1992	Riviera Hotel & Casino, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.	Retained NABF Cruiserweight title
37	Win	33–3 (1)	Keith McMurray	KO	2 (?)	27/05/1992	Sports Arena, San Diego, California, U.S.
36	Win	32–3 (1)	Anthony Hembrick	TKO	8 (12)	25/03/1992	Sports Arena, San Diego, California, U.S.	Retained NABF Cruiserweight title
35	Win	31–3 (1)	James Pritchard	PTS	8	13/12/1991	Palais Omnisport de Paris-Bercy, Bercy, Paris, France
34	Win	30–3 (1)	Jesse Shelby	TD	10 (12)	17/08/1991	Sports Arena, San Diego, California, U.S.	Won vacant NABF Cruiserweight title
33	Loss	29–3 (1)	Tony Tucker	SD	12	03/06/1991	Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	Lost NABF heavyweight title
32	Win	29–2 (1)	Lionel Washington	TKO	1 (12)	30/04/1991	Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S.	Won vacant NABF heavyweight title
31	Win	28–2 (1)	Jamie Howe	TKO	7 (10)	09/02/1991	Madison Square Garden, New York, U.S.
30	Win	27–2 (1)	Tony Willis	RTD	9 (10)	11/12/1990	Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S.
29	Win	26–2 (1)	Oliver McCall	SD	10	17/11/1990	Lee County Civic Center, Fort Myers, U.S.
28	Win	25–2 (1)	Henry Hearns	KO	1 (?)	17/11/1990	Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S.
27	Win	24–2 (1)	Greg Gorrell	TKO	8 (10)	25/09/1990	Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S.
26	Win	23–2 (1)	Danny Wofford	TKO	10 (10)	28/08/1990	Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S.
25	Loss	22–2 (1)	Bert Cooper	TKO	8 (10)	17/02/1990	Northlands Coliseum, Edmonton, Canada	Lost NABF heavyweight title
24	NC	22–1 (1)	Tony Tubbs	NC	12	21/11/1989	Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica, California, U.S.	Retained NABF heavyweight title
23	Win	22–1	Dee Collier	UD	12	01/08/1989	Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.	Retained NABF heavyweight title
22	Win	21–1	Greg Page	UD	12	25/04/1989	Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.	Retained NABF heavyweight title
21	Win	20–1	Jesse Ferguson	UD	12	15/11/1988	El Cortez Hotel, San Diego, California, U.S.	Retained NABF heavyweight title
20	Win	19–1	Dwain Bonds	UD	12	27/07/1988	Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.	Retained NABF heavyweight title
19	Win	18–1	Andrew Stokes	PTS	10	27/05/1988	Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
18	Win	17–1	Renaldo Snipes	UD	12	19/03/1988	Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	Retained NABF heavyweight title
17	Win	16–1	Woody Clark	KO	1 (10)	23/02/1988	Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S.
16	Win	15–1	Larry Alexander	MD	12	25/11/1987	Bally's, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	Won NABF heavyweight title
15	Win	14–1	Billy Joe Thomas	TKO	3 (?)	04/09/1987	Bally's, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
14	Win	13–1	John Barbier	KO	1 (10)	13/08/1987	Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
13	Win	12–1	Gary Lightbourne	UD	10	27/05/1987	Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
12	Win	11–1	Eddie Richardson	KO	2 (10)	03/04/1987	Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
11	Win	10–1	Avery Rawls	PTS	10	20/03/1987	Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
10	Win	9–1	Mike Gans	KO	7 (10)	26/02/1987	El Cortez Hotel, San Diego, California, U.S.
9	Win	8–1	Rufus Hadley	UD	10	12/02/1987	Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
8	Win	7–1	Roger Troupe	KO	2 (6)	05/02/1987	Raincross Square, Riverside, California, U.S.
7	Win	6–1	David Smith	UD	4	21/11/1986	Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S.
6	Win	5–1	Mike Bardwell	UD	6	28/10/1986	Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S.
5	Win	4–1	Ricky Reese	TKO	1 (6)	25/09/1986	Marriott Hotel, Irvine, California, U.S.
4	Win	3–1	Ray Mitchell	UD	4	18/09/1986	El Cortez Hotel, San Diego, California, U.S.
3	Loss	2–1	Olian Alexander	PTS	4	02/08/1986	Civic Auditorium, San Jose, California, U.S.
2	Win	2–0	Levi Billups	KO	1 (4)	25/07/1986	Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego, California, U.S.
1	Win	1–0	Lionel Washington	KO	3 (?)	16/06/1986	Civic Auditorium, Bakersfield, California, U.S.

See also

• List of world cruiserweight boxing champions

References

1. "Orlin Norris wins WBA cruiserweight title". United Press International. Retrieved 2022-09-17.
2. "Norris settles lawsuit against Don King and WBA". Associated Press. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
3. "Boxing suffers another blow as Tyson loses plot". Irish Independent. 24 October 1999. Retrieved 2022-09-17.

External links

• Boxing record for Orlin Norris from BoxRec (registration required)

• 1965 births
• Living people
• American male boxers
• African-American boxers
• Sportspeople from Lubbock, Texas
• Boxers from Texas
• Heavyweight boxers
• Cruiserweight boxers
• World cruiserweight boxing champions
• World Boxing Association champions
• National Golden Gloves champions
• 21st-century African-American sportsmen
• 20th-century African-American sportsmen