Classic American West Coast Boxing

Rick Farris
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Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing

Post by Rick Farris »

kikibalt wrote:Thanks to Rob.... :TU:

Image
Frank . . . I notice that John Martinez passed away in his fifties. Pretty young. How did he die?

-Rick Farris
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Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing

Post by kikibalt »

Rick,

John died from cancer (Leukemia), yes he was too young to died. He went from 175 lbs. to 106 lbs. when he died, hey, "life is a bitch sometimes", thats what he told me about a week before he died.
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Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing

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Roger's art . . .

Roger, I spoke with Mando Muniz today and he looks forward to reading your story. Monica is going to copy it here and e-mail it to him. I also told him about your art, and we were curious if later in the year you might consider creating something for the cover of the '09 WBHOF Banquet program. We have months to discuss it, however, your artistic talent would really do the WBHOF proud. It's important for us to involve people who share a passion for boxing, not just looking to advance their own interests. A perfect deal, in my mind, is one where everybody benefits, and this case, most important the fighters and the fans. Were proud of our program, and the dramatic warmth of your art would only make it better.

Regarding the annual WBHOF Souvenir Program, all back issues of this annual publication are permanently kept at:

-The United States Capitol Historical Society (Washington, D.C.)
-Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History (900 Exposition Blvd. Los Angeles, Calif.)
-Bancroft Library, University of California (Berkley, Calif.)


-Rick Farris
Last edited by Rick Farris on 17 Jan 2009, 21:59, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing

Post by kikibalt »

Image

Ricardo "Pajarito" Moreno training at the Alexandria Hotel

Image

Image
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Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing

Post by kikibalt »

Image

Hogan "Kid" Bassey, training

Image
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Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing

Post by dagosd2000 »

THE ARENA COLISEO

All the great Mexican fughters squared off there. If later on they fought at the Garden or the Forum,overseas in London or Tokyo,they came through the Arena Coliseo in Mexico City. Joe Louis even put on an exhibition with Godoy in the old building.

The arena still puts on shows. Boxing and wrestling. Wrestling is bigger now. The big fights are pretty much finished in Mexico. The economy. The fights are broadcast,but not across the Republic like before.

Inside, the arena's circular and goes straight up. Four floors. There's signs all around that say "No Apuestos"(No Betting). All that means is that you bet more. Don't tell those aficianados what to do. The place is loud and echos. Smoke drifts up to the balcony. The Arena Coliseo is in the middle of the city. The old part. Not far from Plaza Garibaldi where you can go afterwards and eat tacos,menudo, pozole,and drink beer. You can hire street musicians or just listen to the music for free. There's always people dancing in the plaza. The smells of the cooking pork and carne asada and the sounds of the various bands is a heady dream.

But now you have to be carefull. The area outside the arena and the short walk to Plaza Garibaldi harbors the secret characters that feed on the unsuspecting. Hold up guys,kidnappers,drug dealers. Once was a time when a pick pocket could do the most damage.

I haven't been back to the Arena Coliseo in years. The last time was when Olivares fought his last fight . It was his tribute. His final "go" could only have been at the Arena Coliseo. The trademark of Mexican venues. Ruben got knocked out in four rounds.

For me it's only the memories. The betters shouting at each other from across the ring. The chifles and smoke filling the air. The bottles being thrown into the ring. Azteca to Chavez. Their ghosts must come out at night when the last guy turns out the lights and shuts the door. I bet if you listen close enough and put your ear to the door you can hear the faint roar of the aficianados.
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Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing

Post by kikibalt »

Image

The weigh-in
Hogan "Kid" Bassey vs Ricardo "Pajarito" Moreno


Image
Rick Farris
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Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing

Post by Rick Farris »

kikibalt wrote:Image

Ricardo "Pajarito" Moreno training at the Alexandria Hotel

Image

Image
Great shots, Frank. I wonder if he was training for his title fight with featherweight champ Davey Moore? The Alexandria's Ballroom served up boxing action for decades, featuring all-time greats in training, as well as amateur bouts.

Pajarito Moreno was one of my early heros, but I was rooting for Raul Rojas when he twice whipped "Little Bird" in two major Olympic Boxing Club promotions at both the Olympic, and later the L.A. Sports Arena. Moreno would either KO you, or be KOed himself in big bouts. What a bomber!. I remember during the first bout with Rojas, the fireworks started early with both Raul and Moreno dropping big bombs. I believe it was a head butt, that led to the cut that Moreno suffered, and a TKO loss to Rojas in the third. I was at the rematch, held at the Sports Arena. That night, before the main-event, Mexican heavyweight Manuel Ramos outpointed Eddie Machen. Next up, Rojas blasted out Moreno in two rounds, leaving no doubt who the best man was.

Thanks for the memory, Frank.


-Rick Farris
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Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing

Post by dagosd2000 »

Rick Farris wrote:Roger's art . . .

Roger, I spoke with Mando Muniz today and he looks forward to reading your story. Monica is going to copy it here and e-mail it to him. I also told him about your art, and we were curious if later in the year you might consider creating something for the cover of the '09 WBHOF Banquet program. We have months to discuss it, however, your artistic talent would really do the WBHOF proud. It's important for us to involve people who share a passion for boxing, not just looking to advance their own interests. A perfect deal, in my mind, is one where everybody benefits, and this case, most important the fighters and the fans. Were proud of our program, and the dramatic warmth of your art would only make it better.

Regarding the annual WBHOF Souvenir Program, all back issues of this annual publication are permanently kept at:

-The United States Capitol Historical Society (Washington, D.C.)
-Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History (900 Exposition Blvd. Los Angeles, Calif.)
-Bancroft Library, University of California (Berkley, Calif.)


-Rick Farris
My art on your cover? Excuse me while I wipe the tears. I always seem to find the words. I have none right now,except"Thank you."
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Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing

Post by Rick Farris »

kikibalt wrote:Image

Hogan "Kid" Bassey, training

Image
Now I get it. Moreno was training for the Bassey bout.

-Rick
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Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing

Post by dagosd2000 »

delete
Last edited by dagosd2000 on 17 Jan 2009, 22:19, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing

Post by kikibalt »

Image

The Fight
Hogan "Kid" Bassey vs Ricardo "Pajarito" Moreno


Image

Image

Image
Last edited by kikibalt on 17 Jan 2009, 22:27, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing

Post by dagosd2000 »

kikibalt
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Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing

Post by kikibalt »

Image

The End
Hogan "Kid" Bassey vs Ricardo "Pajarito" Moreno


Image
Rick Farris
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Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing

Post by Rick Farris »

dagosd2000 wrote:
Rick Farris wrote:Roger's art . . .

Roger, I spoke with Mando Muniz today and he looks forward to reading your story. Monica is going to copy it here and e-mail it to him. I also told him about your art, and we were curious if later in the year you might consider creating something for the cover of the '09 WBHOF Banquet program. We have months to discuss it, however, your artistic talent would really do the WBHOF proud. It's important for us to involve people who share a passion for boxing, not just looking to advance their own interests. A perfect deal, in my mind, is one where everybody benefits, and this case, most important the fighters and the fans. Were proud of our program, and the dramatic warmth of your art would only make it better.

Regarding the annual WBHOF Souvenir Program, all back issues of this annual publication are permanently kept at:

-The United States Capitol Historical Society (Washington, D.C.)
-Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History (900 Exposition Blvd. Los Angeles, Calif.)
-Bancroft Library, University of California (Berkley, Calif.)


-Rick Farris
My art on your cover? Excuse me while I wipe the tears. I always seem to find the words. I have none right now,except"Thank you."
The World Boxing Hall of Fame would be honored to have your painting on our cover. You'd be surprised how that program gets around. We mail copies world-wide after the event, to specific designations. They are archived in more places than those listed in my post. You would be fully credited within the pages of the program, along with your bio. After our first board meeting in february, maybe I can arrange for Mando, you & I to hook-up and discuss the idea. There's some very positive energy behind this idea.

-Rick
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Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing

Post by kikibalt »

Image
The winner, Hogan "Kid" Bassey
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Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing

Post by kikibalt »

Image
Jose Luis Cotero and Jack Root...1958
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Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing

Post by kikibalt »

Image
Jose Luis cotero, Sam Schnitzer and jack Root...1958
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Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing

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Image

Chico Vejar and Ricardo "Pajarito" Moreno

Image
Last edited by kikibalt on 17 Jan 2009, 22:42, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing

Post by dagosd2000 »

Image

My grandniece Monserrat singing "Mananitas". Amanda giving approval. Jiquilpan 2008
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Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing

Post by kikibalt »

Image

Davey Moore vs Vince Delgado

Image
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Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing

Post by Rick Farris »

dagosd2000 wrote:THE ARENA COLISEO

All the great Mexican fughters squared off there. If later on they fought at the Garden or the Forum,overseas in London or Tokyo,they came through the Arena Coliseo in Mexico City. Joe Louis even put on an exhibition with Godoy in the old building.

The arena still puts on shows. Boxing and wrestling. Wrestling is bigger now. The big fights are pretty much finished in Mexico. The economy. The fights are broadcast,but not across the Republic like before.

Inside, the arena's circular and goes straight up. Four floors. There's signs all around that say "No Apuestos"(No Betting). All that means is that you bet more. Don't tell those aficianados what to do. The place is loud and echos. Smoke drifts up to the balcony. The Arena Coliseo is in the middle of the city. The old part. Not far from Plaza Garibaldi where you can go afterwards and eat tacos,menudo, pozole,and drink beer. You can hire street musicians or just listen to the music for free. There's always people dancing in the plaza. The smells of the cooking pork and carne asada and the sounds of the various bands is a heady dream.

But now you have to be carefull. The area outside the arena and the short walk to Plaza Garibaldi harbors the secret characters that feed on the unsuspecting. Hold up guys,kidnappers,drug dealers. Once was a time when a pick pocket could do the most damage.

I haven't been back to the Arena Coliseo in years. The last time was when Olivares fought his last fight . It was his tribute. His final "go" could only have been at the Arena Coliseo. The trademark of Mexican venues. Ruben got knocked out in four rounds.

For me it's only the memories. The betters shouting at each other from across the ring. The chifles and smoke filling the air. The bottles being thrown into the ring. Azteca to Chavez. Their ghosts must come out at night when the last guy turns out the lights and shuts the door. I bet if you listen close enough and put your ear to the door you can hear the faint roar of the aficianados.
I always wanted to see a fight there. Never have. Thanks for walking us thru the neighborhood, Rog.

-Rick
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Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing

Post by Rick Farris »

kikibalt wrote:Image

Davey Moore vs Vince Delgado

Image
Vince Delgado is an honorary WBHOF director. What a great guy Vince is, and a long-time Southern Cal referee/judge, as well. At a recent meeting, Vince and I discussed his cousin, another former West Coast headliner, Carlos Chavez.

Would anybody have any memories or stories regarding Carlos Chavez? Just curious.

-Rick Farris
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Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing

Post by kikibalt »

Image

Art Aragon vs Chico Vejar

Image

Image

Image
Artie won the the fight, you wouldn't think so by looking at this pic.
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Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing

Post by kikibalt »

Thats Benny Conyers cutting the glove from Aragon
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