By: HAL HABIB
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

More than 43 years had passed since they last met, back in an era when their boxing match meant something on a national scale. Johnny Saxton had defeated Kid Gavilan that October evening in 1954, but for this get-together, tears replaced sweat and hugs replaced punches.

So much had changed, but neither was going to be pushed around by the other.

When the frail Gavilan told Saxton he was the champion, Saxton corrected his host, saying he was the champ. Moments later, though, Saxton stepped outside to see his longtime friend, Richard Joselit, who had arranged the 1998 reunion in Hialeah.

“He was crying,” Joselit said. “He said, ‘Why does he have to be like this? Why does he have to be so sick?’ I’ll never forget that.”

Joselit recalled the story Tuesday while awaiting word on services for Mr. Saxton, who died Saturday at Good Samaritan’s Hospice Unit. Mr. Saxton, 78, spent most of his final 10 years as a resident of the Crystal Palms assisted living facility in Lake Worth.

Mr. Saxton was born on Independence Day in 1930, a precursor to the life he would lead. He grew up in an orphanage, had a limited education and was a member of a gang in his younger days, yet he grew up to become a two-time world welterweight champion.

His r