Norvel Lee
Encyclopedia
Norvel LaFollette Ray Lee (born September 22, 1924 in Eagle Rock, Virginia
– died August 19, 1992 in Bethesda, Maryland
) was a boxer
from the United States
, who competed in the Light Heavyweight
division during his career as an amateur.
in the finals of the US Olympic Trials. In 1950 he won the New York Golden Gloves
Tournament of Champions in the heavyweight division, by KO over Nick Vasquez, the heavyweight Intercity Golden Gloves Championship, besting Kirby Seals and the National AAU Heavyeight Championship, when he decisioned Stan Howlett of Madison, IL in the final. He would repeat as National AAU Heavyweight champion again in 1951 and earn a bronze medal
at the 1951 Pan American Games
. Lee went to the 1952 Summer Olympics
in Helsinki as a reserve Heavyweight. He was told that if he could make the weight limit, he could compete as a Light Heavyweight. Lee lost twelve pounds, and went on to defeat Argentina's Antonio Pacenza
for the Gold Medal on a 3-0 decision. He was awarded the Val Barker Trophy
for Outstanding Boxer at the 1952 Summer Olympics.
from Howard University
. In 1948, he had been arrested in his hometown of Covington, when he became one of first blacks to sit in the all-white section of a bus.
Eagle Rock, Virginia
Eagle Rock is an unincorporated community in Botetourt County, Virginia, United States, located on the James River between Iron Gate and Buchanan, Virginia.-Geography:Eagle Rock is located at . Its elevation is .-History:...
– died August 19, 1992 in Bethesda, Maryland
Bethesda, Maryland
Bethesda is a census designated place in southern Montgomery County, Maryland, United States, just northwest of Washington, D.C. It takes its name from a local church, the Bethesda Meeting House , which in turn took its name from Jerusalem's Pool of Bethesda...
) was a boxer
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
from the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, who competed in the Light Heavyweight
Light heavyweight
In boxing, the light heavyweight is a weight division above 168 pounds [12 Stone or 76.204 kilograms] and up to 175 pounds [12.5 stone or 79.38 kilograms]), falling between super middleweight and cruiserweight...
division during his career as an amateur.
Amateur career
Lee also narrowily missed out of making the 1948 Summer Olympics, losing to Jay LambertJay Lambert
Jay Lambert was an American competitor in boxing in the 1948 Summer Olympics. He was born in Helper, Utah.Lambert was a Latter-day Saint. He learned boxing from Marv Jenson in West Jordan, Utah.-Sources:*...
in the finals of the US Olympic Trials. In 1950 he won the New York Golden Gloves
New York Golden Gloves
The New York Golden Gloves is a boxing tournament considered by many boxing aficionados as one of the three most elite Golden Gloves titles, along with the Chicago Golden Gloves....
Tournament of Champions in the heavyweight division, by KO over Nick Vasquez, the heavyweight Intercity Golden Gloves Championship, besting Kirby Seals and the National AAU Heavyeight Championship, when he decisioned Stan Howlett of Madison, IL in the final. He would repeat as National AAU Heavyweight champion again in 1951 and earn a bronze medal
Bronze medal
A bronze medal is a medal awarded to the third place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, etc. The practice of awarding bronze third place medals began at the 1904 Olympic Games in St...
at the 1951 Pan American Games
Boxing at the 1951 Pan American Games
The Men's Boxing Tournament at the 1951 Pan American Games was held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from February 25 to March 8, with the hosting nation winning in all eight weight divisions.- Medal winners :- Medal table :-External links:*...
. Lee went to the 1952 Summer Olympics
1952 Summer Olympics
The 1952 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Helsinki, Finland in 1952. Helsinki had been earlier given the 1940 Summer Olympics, which were cancelled due to World War II...
in Helsinki as a reserve Heavyweight. He was told that if he could make the weight limit, he could compete as a Light Heavyweight. Lee lost twelve pounds, and went on to defeat Argentina's Antonio Pacenza
Antonio Pacenza
Antonio Pacenza was a boxer from Argentina, who competed in the Light Heavyweight division during his career as an amateur.He was born in Buenos Aires.-Amateur career:...
for the Gold Medal on a 3-0 decision. He was awarded the Val Barker Trophy
Val Barker Trophy
The Val Barker Trophy, named for boxer Val Barker, is presented every four years to an Olympic boxing athlete who exemplifies style during competition.-Recipients:...
for Outstanding Boxer at the 1952 Summer Olympics.
Olympic Results
- 1st round bye
- Defeated Claude Arnaiz (France) 3-0
- Defeated Tadeusz Grzelak (Poland) 3-0
- Defeated Harri Walfrid Siljander (Finland) 3-0
- Defeated Antonio PacenzaAntonio PacenzaAntonio Pacenza was a boxer from Argentina, who competed in the Light Heavyweight division during his career as an amateur.He was born in Buenos Aires.-Amateur career:...
(Argentina) 3-0
Personal
At the time of the Olympic Games, Lee had already earned a Master's DegreeMaster's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
from Howard University
Howard University
Howard University is a federally chartered, non-profit, private, coeducational, nonsectarian, historically black university located in Washington, D.C., United States...
. In 1948, he had been arrested in his hometown of Covington, when he became one of first blacks to sit in the all-white section of a bus.