His win over Joey Giardello and Johnny Bratton helped propel him to fight with Kid Gavilán (or Gavilan) in 1954 for the world welterweight championship. He beat Gavilan via a fifteen-round decision to take the title.
The triumph over Joey Giardello and Johnny Bratton elevated him to a showdown with Kid Gavilán (or Gavilan) in 1954 for the world welterweight crown. He secured the championship by winning a fifteen-round decision against Gavilán.