Orlin Norris

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 (1965-10-04) (age 46) Lubbock, Texas
Stance	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.

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 NC	Ola Afolabi	TKO	7 (8)	03/11/2005	4th and B, San Diego, California, United States
Draw	57-9-1 2 NC	Vassiliy Jirov	MD	8	21/07/2005	Palace Indian Gaming Center, Lemoore, California, United States
Loss	57–9 2 NC	Albert Sosnowski	MD	8	28/05/2005	Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, United States
Win	57–8 2 NC	Ken Murphy	TKO	6 (8)	01/10/2004	Spotlight 29 Casino, Coachella, California, United States
Win	56–8 2 NC	Mike 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 NC	Roberto Coelho	UD	8	13/05/2004	Sports Arena, San Diego, San Diego, California, United States
Win	54–8 2 NC	Troy Weida	TKO	3 (10)	13/06/2003	Chinook Winds Casino, Lincoln City, Oregon, United States
Win	53–8 2 NC	Harry Funmaker	TKO	5 (10)	15/03/2003	Ho-Chunk Casino, Baraboo, Wisconsin, United States
Loss	52–8 2 NC	Brian Nielsen	UD	12	16/06/2001	Brondby hallen, Copenhagen, Denmark	For IBC Heavyweight title.
Win	52–7 2 NC	Brian Yates	UD	8	24/04/2001	Fairgrounds, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Loss	51–7 2 NC	Vitali Klitschko	KO	1 (12)	27/01/2001	Rudi Sedlmayer Halle, Munich, Bayern, Germany	For vacant WBA Inter-Continental Heavyweight title.
Win	51–6 2 NC	Bradley Rone	UD	10	02/11/2000	Coeur d'Alene Casino, Worley, Idaho, United States
Loss	50–6 2 NC	Andrew Golota	UD	10	16/06/2000	Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
NC	50–5 2 NC	Mike 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 NC	Pele Reid	KO	1 (8)	26/06/1999	New London Arena, Millwall, London, England, United Kingdom
Win	49–5 1 NC	Nate Miller	UD	12	06/08/1998	Grand Casino Avoyelles, Marksville, Louisiana, United States	Retained IBA Super Cruiserweight title.
Win	48–5 1 NC	Adolpho Washington	UD	12	22/05/1998	Monroe, Michigan, United States	Won vacant IBA Super Cruiserweight title.
Loss	47–5 1 NC	Henry Akinwande	UD	12	13/12/1997	Amphitheater, Pompano Beach, Florida, United States
Win	47–4 1 NC	Marion Wilson	SD	10	14/11/1996	Michael's Eighth Avenue, Glen Burnie, Maryland, United States
Win	46–4 1 NC	Jeff Pegues	KO	1 (?)	12/10/1996	Forum di Assago, Milan, Lombardia, Italy
Win	45–4 1 NC	Tony Tucker	SD	10	24/02/1996	Richmond Coliseum, Richmond, Virginia, United States
Win	44–4 1 NC	Cleveland Woods	RTD	6 (10)	10/02/1996	MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss	43–4 1 NC	Nate Miller	KO	8 (12)	22/07/1995	New London Arena, Millwall, London, England, United Kingdom	Lost WBA World Cruiserweight title.
Win	43–3 1 NC	Adolpho Washington	UD	12	17/03/1995	Memorial Auditorium, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States	Retained WBA World Cruiserweight title.
Win	42–3 1 NC	James Heath	KO	2 (12)	12/11/1994	Plaza Mexico, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico	Retained WBA World Cruiserweight title.
Win	41–3 1 NC	Arthur Williams	TKO	3 (12)	02/07/1994	Mirage Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	Retained WBA World Cruiserweight title.
Win	40–3 1 NC	Arthur Williams	SD	12	04/03/1994	MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	Retained WBA World Cruiserweight title.
Win	39–3 1 NC	Art Jimmerson	TKO	4 (?)	09/01/1994	Del Mar, California, United States
Win	38–3 1 NC	Marcelo Victor Figueroa	TKO	6 (12)	06/11/1993	Cirque d'Hiver, Paris, France	Won vacant WBA World Cruiserweight title.
Win	37–3 1 NC	Jack 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 NC	Richard Mason	UD	12	23/04/1993	The Pyramid, Memphis, Tennessee, United States	Retained NABF Cruiserweight title.
Win	35–3 1 NC	Troy Jefferson	TKO	2 (8)	06/02/1993	Sports Arena, San Diego, California, United States
Win	34–3 1 NC	David Sewell	TKO	5 (12)	25/11/1992	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	Retained NABF Cruiserweight title.
Win	33–3 1 NC	Keith McMurray	KO	2 (?)	27/05/1992	San Diegos, California, United States
Win	32–3 1 NC	Anthony 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 NC	James Pritchard	PTS	8	13/12/1991	Palais Omnisports, Bercy, France
Win	30–3 1 NC	Jesse 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 NC	Tony Tucker	SD	12	03/06/1991	Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	Lost NABF Heavyweight title.
Win	29–2 1 NC	Lionel 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 NC	Jamie Howe	TKO	7 (10)	09/02/1991	Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States
Win	27–2 1 NC	Tony Willis	RTD	9 (10)	11/12/1990	Country Club, Reseda, California, United States
Win	26–2 1 NC	Oliver McCall	SD	10	17/11/1990	Lee County Civic Center, Fort Myers, Florida, United States
Win	25–2 1 NC	Henry Hearns	KO	1 (?)	17/11/1990	Country Club, Reseda, California, United States
Win	24–2 1 NC	Greg Gorrell	TKO	8 (10)	25/09/1990	Country Club, Reseda, California, United States
Win	23–2 1 NC	Danny Wofford	TKO	10 (10)	28/08/1990	Country Club, Reseda, California, United States
Loss	22–2 1 NC	Bert Cooper	TKO	8 (10)	17/02/1990	Rexall Place, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada	Lost NABF Heavyweight title.
ND	22–1 1 NC	Tony 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 Alexander	NABF Heavyweight Champion 25 November 1987 – 17 February 1990	Succeeded by Bert Cooper
Preceded by Ray Mercer Vacated	NABF Heavyweight Champion 30 April 1991 – 3 June 1991	Succeeded by Tony Tucker
Preceded by James Warring Vacated	NABF Cruiserweight Champion 17 August 1991 – 6 November 1993 Vacated	Succeeded by Thomas Hearns
Preceded by Bobby Czyz Vacated	WBA Cruiserweight Champion 6 November 1993 – 22 July 1995	Succeeded by Nate Miller

External links

• Professional boxing record for Orlin Norris from BoxRec

Persondata
Name	Norris, Orlin
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	1965
Place of birth	Lubbock, Texas, United States
Date of death
Place of death