Orlin Norris
| Orlin Norris | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Real name | Orlin Levance Norris |
| Nickname(s) | Night Train / The Juice |
| Rated at | Cruiserweight |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Reach | 70 in (178 cm) |
| Nationality | American |
| Born |
October 4, 1965 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, Texas) 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 5'10, and not a big puncher, Norris relied on his fine boxing skills to outbox and pile up points versus his much larger opponents.
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.
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.
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