Terry Norris facts for kids

Terry Wayne Norris (born June 17, 1967) is a former American boxer. He was a world champion three times in the light middleweight (also called super-welterweight) division. Terry was born in Lubbock, Texas, but he fought out of San Diego.

Terry Norris's Early Years and Amateur Boxing

Terry Norris was a great baseball player when he was in high school. But he chose boxing instead of baseball. He had an amazing amateur record of 291 wins and only 4 losses. He also won 4 Texas State Golden Gloves titles. Terry was known for his incredible speed and quick moves in the ring. He could throw many punches very fast.

Terry Norris's Professional Boxing Career

Terry Norris started his professional boxing career in August 1986. He won against Quincy Taylor in 1988, who later became a middleweight champion. In December 1988, Terry beat Steve Little to win the NABF light-middleweight title. He defended this title against Buster Drayton. Terry did have two losses early on. One was a decision loss, and another was when he was disqualified for hitting an opponent who was down.

In July 1989, Terry Norris fought Julian Jackson for the WBA light-middleweight title. Terry started strong, using his speed. But in the second round, Julian Jackson landed a big punch that knocked Terry down. The referee stopped the fight because Terry was not able to continue.

Becoming a Champion: First Title Win

After that loss, Terry won three more fights. One of these wins was against former welterweight champion Jorge Vaca. In March 1990, Terry traveled to Florida to challenge John Mugabi for the WBC light-middleweight title. Terry quickly won the fight, knocking Mugabi down twice in the first round. This win started his first of three times as a world champion.

Terry defended his title against Rene Jacquot. Then, in February 1991, he faced the famous boxer Sugar Ray Leonard in Madison Square Garden. Terry knocked Sugar Ray down two times and easily won the fight after 12 rounds. His next defense was in June against another former champion, Donald Curry. Terry wore down Curry and knocked him out in the eighth round.

During this first time as champion, Terry also fought other strong boxers. These included Jorge Castro, who later became a middleweight champion. He also fought two welterweight champions: Meldrick Taylor (WBA champion) and Maurice Blocker (IBF champion).

Losing and Winning Back Titles

In December 1993, something surprising happened. Simon Brown, who had been a champion in a lighter weight class, knocked out Terry Norris in four rounds. Simon Brown took Terry's title. Ring magazine called this the "Upset of the Year" for 1993. But Terry fought Simon Brown again in May 1994 and won back his title.

His second time as champion was short. He lost the title by disqualification to Luis Santana in November 1994. This decision was controversial. Terry hit Santana in the back of the head, and Santana fell down, saying he couldn't continue. Some people thought Santana might have pretended to be hurt to win by disqualification. Because of this, they had a rematch. Terry lost the rematch in April 1995, also by disqualification. This time, he hit Santana after the bell rang to end the round. Terry got another chance to win the title. In their third fight in August of that year, Terry knocked out Santana in just two rounds.

In December 1995, Terry Norris won against Paul Vaden. This win added Vaden's IBF title to Terry's WBC title. He defended both titles against Vincent Pettway, Nick Rupa, and Alex Rios. In 1997, he was no longer the IBF champion.

Keith Mullings ended Terry Norris's championship career in December 1997. Mullings stopped the fight in the ninth round. This also stopped plans for big fights Terry might have had with other champions like Oscar De La Hoya and Felix Trinidad.

After Being a Champion

Terry Norris fought two more times after losing his title. Dana Rosenblatt won against him in a middleweight fight. Then, Laurent Boudouani, a WBA junior middleweight champion, knocked Terry out in the ninth round. This was Terry's last boxing match.

Terry Norris was chosen to be in the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2005.

After his boxing career, Terry Norris developed health challenges that affect his speech and coordination. These issues are related to his many years of boxing.

Terry Norris's Boxing Record Summary

More About Terry Norris

• Terry Norris almost played baseball in college. But he stopped playing after a disagreement on the field. He said, "We were playing another team one day, and there were some comments made toward me. I was a little thrown off by it." This incident caused him to lose many of his college scholarships for baseball.
• Terry's brother, Orlin Norris, was also a professional boxer and a former WBA cruiserweight champion.
• People noticed that Terry's speech was unclear even when he was in his early thirties. After his last fight, the Nevada athletic commission did not give him a new license to box. They made this decision because of his speech, which showed he was having health issues from boxing.
• Terry was known for his very tough training. He would spar (practice fighting) for 12 rounds every other day to get ready for his matches. Some people think this intense training might have been a reason for his health issues later on.
• Before his fight against John "The Beast" Mugabi, Terry's strength trainer helped him with a special weight training program. Terry then knocked out Mugabi and won the WBC super welterweight title. He continued this strength training throughout his career.
• Someone close to the Norris family once said, "The best boxing I ever watched live was sparring between the Norris brothers."
• Terry Norris is married to Tanya E. Norris.
• Terry and his wife started a foundation called The Final Fight. This foundation helps former professional boxers who are sick, don't have much money, or are homeless.
• Terry and his wife also own World Champion Cardio Boxing. This is a popular workout program in Los Angeles, California.