- Orlin Norris
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Orlin Norris Statistics Real name Orlin Levance Norris Nickname(s) Night Train / The Juice Rated at Cruiserweight Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) Reach 70 in (178 cm) Nationality United States
Born October 4, 1965
Lubbock, TexasStance 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, 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 5'11, and not a big puncher, Norris relied on his fine boxing skills to outbox and pile up points versus his much larger opponents.
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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 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.
Later in 1999 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. Subsequent x-ray scans proved beyond doubt Norris had indeed suffered a serious knee injury.
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 [1] Result Record Opponent Type Rounds Date Location Notes Loss 57-10-1
2 NCOla Afolabi
TKO 7 (8) 03/11/2005 4th and B, San Diego, California, United States
Draw 57-9-1
2 NCVassiliy Jirov
MD 8 21/07/2005 Palace Indian Gaming Center, Lemoore, California, United States
Loss 57–9
2 NCAlbert Sosnowski
MD 8 28/05/2005 Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, United States
Win 57–8
2 NCKen Murphy
TKO 6 (8) 01/10/2004 Spotlight 29 Casino, Coachella, California, United States
Win 56–8
2 NCMike Peak
UD 8 19/06/2004 Home Depot Center, Carson, California, United States
Peak took a standing 8 count in the 7th.. Win 55–8
2 NCRoberto Coelho
UD 8 13/05/2004 Sports Arena, San Diego, San Diego, California, United States
Win 54–8
2 NCTroy Weida
TKO 3 (10) 13/06/2003 Chinook Winds Casino, Lincoln City, Oregon, United States
Win 53–8
2 NCHarry Funmaker
TKO 5 (10) 15/03/2003 Ho-Chunk Casino, Baraboo, Wisconsin, United States
Loss 52–8
2 NCBrian Nielsen
UD 12 16/06/2001 Brondby hallen, Copenhagen, Denmark
For IBC Heavyweight title. Win 52–7
2 NCBrian Yates
UD 8 24/04/2001 Fairgrounds, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Loss 51–7
2 NCVitali Klitschko
KO 1 (12) 27/01/2001 Rudi Sedlmayer Halle, Munich, Bayern, Germany
For vacant WBA Inter-Continental Heavyweight title. Win 51–6
2 NCBradley Rone
UD 10 02/11/2000 Coeur d'Alene Casino, Worley, Idaho, United States
Loss 50–6
2 NCAndrew Golota
UD 10 16/06/2000 Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
NC 50–5
2 NCMike Tyson
NC 1 (10) 23/10/1999 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 NCPele Reid
KO 1 (8) 26/06/1999 New London Arena, Millwall, London, England, United Kingdom
Win 49–5
1 NCNate Miller
UD 12 06/08/1998 Grand Casino Avoyelles, Marksville, Louisiana, United States
Retained IBA Super Cruiserweight title. Win 48–5
1 NCAdolpho Washington
UD 12 22/05/1998 Monroe, Michigan, United States
Won vacant IBA Super Cruiserweight title. Loss 47–5
1 NCHenry Akinwande
UD 12 13/12/1997 Amphitheater, Pompano Beach, Florida, United States
Win 47–4
1 NCMarion Wilson
SD 10 14/11/1996 Michael's Eighth Avenue, Glen Burnie, Maryland, United States
Win 46–4
1 NCJeff Pegues
KO 1 (?) 12/10/1996 Forum di Assago, Milan, Lombardia, Italy
Win 45–4
1 NCTony Tucker
SD 10 24/02/1996 Richmond Coliseum, Richmond, Virginia, United States
Win 44–4
1 NCCleveland Woods
RTD 6 (10) 10/02/1996 MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 43–4
1 NCNate Miller
KO 8 (12) 22/07/1995 New London Arena, Millwall, London, England, United Kingdom
Lost WBA World Cruiserweight title. Win 43–3
1 NCAdolpho Washington
UD 12 17/03/1995 Memorial Auditorium, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States
Retained WBA World Cruiserweight title. Win 42–3
1 NCJames Heath
KO 2 (12) 12/11/1994 Plaza Mexico, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
Retained WBA World Cruiserweight title. Win 41–3
1 NCArthur Williams
TKO 3 (12) 02/07/1994 Mirage Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Retained WBA World Cruiserweight title. Win 40–3
1 NCArthur Williams
SD 12 04/03/1994 MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Retained WBA World Cruiserweight title. Win 39–3
1 NCArt Jimmerson
TKO 4 (?) 09/01/1994 Del Mar, California, United States
Win 38–3
1 NCMarcelo Victor Figueroa
TKO 6 (12) 06/11/1993 Cirque d'Hiver, Paris, France
Won vacant WBA World Cruiserweight title. Win 37–3
1 NCJack Basting
TKO 4 (10) 19/08/1993 Sedalia, Missouri, United States
The bout was stopped due to Basting's badly swollen left eye. Win 36–3
1 NCRichard Mason
UD 12 23/04/1993 The Pyramid, Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Retained NABF Cruiserweight title. Win 35–3
1 NCTroy Jefferson
TKO 2 (8) 06/02/1993 Sports Arena, San Diego, California, United States
Win 34–3
1 NCDavid Sewell
TKO 5 (12) 25/11/1992 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Retained NABF Cruiserweight title. Win 33–3
1 NCKeith McMurray
KO 2 (?) 27/05/1992 San Diegos, California, United States
Win 32–3
1 NCAnthony Hembrick
TKO 8 (12) 25/03/1992 San Diegos, California, United States
Retained NABF Cruiserweight title. Hembrick was knocked down three times in round 8. Win 31–3
1 NCJames Pritchard
PTS 8 13/12/1991 Palais Omnisports, Bercy, France
Win 30–3
1 NCJesse Shelby
TD 10 (12) 17/08/1991 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 NCTony Tucker
SD 12 03/06/1991 Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Lost NABF Heavyweight title. Win 29–2
1 NCLionel Washington
TKO 1 (12) 30/04/1991 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 NCJamie Howe
TKO 7 (10) 09/02/1991 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States
Win 27–2
1 NCTony Willis
RTD 9 (10) 11/12/1990 Country Club, Reseda, California, United States
Win 26–2
1 NCOliver McCall
SD 10 17/11/1990 Lee County Civic Center, Fort Myers, Florida, United States
Win 25–2
1 NCHenry Hearns
KO 1 (?) 17/11/1990 Country Club, Reseda, California, United States
Win 24–2
1 NCGreg Gorrell
TKO 8 (10) 25/09/1990 Country Club, Reseda, California, United States
Win 23–2
1 NCDanny Wofford
TKO 10 (10) 28/08/1990 Country Club, Reseda, California, United States
Loss 22–2
1 NCBert Cooper
TKO 8 (10) 17/02/1990 Rexall Place, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Lost NABF Heavyweight title. ND 22–1
1 NCTony Tubbs
NC 12 21/11/1989 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 Dee Collier
UD 12 01/08/1989 Showboat Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Retained NABF Heavyweight title. Win 21–1 Greg Page
UD 12 25/04/1989 Showboat Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Retained NABF Heavyweight title. Win 20–1 Jesse Ferguson
UD 12 15/11/1988 San Diego, California, United States
Retained NABF Heavyweight title. Win 19–1 Dwain Bonds
UD 12 27/07/1988 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, United States
Retained NABF Heavyweight title. Win 18–1 Andrew Stokes
PTS 10 27/05/1988 Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 17–1 Renaldo Snipes
UD 12 19/03/1988 Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Retained NABF Heavyweight title. Win 16–1 Woody Clark
KO 1 (10) 23/02/1988 Country Club, Reseda, California, United States
Win 15–1 Larry Alexander
MD 12 25/11/1987 Bally's Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Won NABF Heavyweight title. Win 14–1 Billy Joe Thomas
TKO 3 (?) 04/09/1987 Bally's Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 13–1 John Barbier
KO 1 (10) 13/08/1987 Forum, Inglewood, California, United States
Barbier down twice. Win 12–1 Gary Lightbourne
UD 10 25/05/1987 Showboat Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 11–1 Eddie Richardson
KO 2 (10) 03/04/1987 Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 10–1 Avery Rawls
PTS 10 20/03/1987 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 9–1 Mike Gans
KO 7 (10) 26/02/1987 El Cortez Hotel, San Diego, California, United States
Win 8–1 Rufus Hadley
UD 10 12/02/1987 Showboat Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 7–1 Roger Troupe
KO 2 (6) 05/02/1987 Raincross Square, Riverside, California, United States
Troupe down twice. Win 6–1 David Smith
UD 4 21/11/1986 Country Club, Reseda, California, United States
Win 5–1 Mike Bardwell
UD 6 28/10/1986 Country Club, Reseda, California, United States
Win 4–1 Ricky Reese
TKO 1 (6) 25/09/1986 Marriott Hotel, Irvine, California, United States
Reese apparently took a thumb in the eye and was unable to continue. Win 3–1 Ray Mitchell
UD 4 18/09/1986 El Cortez Hotel, San Diego, California, United States
Loss 2–1 Olian Alexander
PTS 4 02/08/1986 San Diego, California, United States
Win 2–0 Levi Billups
KO 1 (4) 25/07/1986 Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego, California, United States
Win 1–0 Lionel Washington
KO 3 (?) 16/06/1986 Civic Auditorium, Bakersfield, California, United States
Achievements Preceded by
Larry AlexanderNABF Heavyweight Champion
25 November 1987 – 17 February 1990Succeeded by
Bert CooperPreceded by
Ray Mercer
VacatedNABF Heavyweight Champion
30 April 1991 – 3 June 1991Succeeded by
Tony TuckerPreceded by
James Warring
VacatedNABF Cruiserweight Champion
17 August 1991 – 6 November 1993
VacatedSucceeded by
Thomas HearnsPreceded by
Bobby Czyz
VacatedWBA Cruiserweight Champion
6 November 1993 – 22 July 1995Succeeded by
Nate MillerExternal links
- Professional boxing record for Orlin Norris from BoxRec
Categories:- 1965 births
- Living people
- Boxers from Texas
- Heavyweight boxers
- Cruiserweight boxers
- National Golden Gloves champions
- World boxing champions
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