Regarded as one of the most controversial decisions of all time. The crowd violently protested the decision. Referee Conn, who had cast the deciding vote in favor of Gavilan, had to leave the ring under police protection. Among critics, opinions were divided sharply over who deserved the decision. Some had Graham a clear winner, while others thought the decision was close enough to go either way.

Kid Gavilan vs Billy Graham III

Attendance: 40,000, the largest crowd in Cuban boxing history to date. "It was the most lopsided victory the Cuban Kid had staged in his four meetings with the New York Irishman, two of which were for the 147-pound title. Graham was on the canvas twice, once from a half-slip. His left eye was practically closed, and his right eye badly bruised.... Gavilan, who comes from the sugar cane fields of nearby Camaguey, gave one of the best performances of his career. He started off in the first round and began making Graham fight exactly the way he wanted him to. The Kid let Graham do the forcing, then consistently feinted the challenger into leading, so he could counter with flashy effectiveness. As early as the second round, the speedy Cuban reopened an old cut on the bridge of 30-year old Graham's nose. In that same session, a left hook to the body sent Irish Billy to the canvas in a half-slip, half-knockdown. There was no count. Gavilan, as fast as a cat at the same 146¼ pounds Graham weighed, had Billy groggy in the eighth with a steaming right that knocked him into the ropes, and a left hook. In the 14th, a hard right to the chin dropped Graham to one knee. He had been staggered earlier in the session by another Gavilan right." -Jack Cuddy, UP

Kid Gavilan vs Billy Graham III

Kid Gavilan vs Billy Graham IV

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