Classic American West Coast Boxing

kikibalt · Post by **kikibalt** » 16 Mar 2008, 19:05

Rick Farris wrote:Hey DAGOS,

Speaking of '60's club fighters, here's one you might know. He fought in L.A. mostly but also fought down your way more than once . . . Frankie "Two Sweet" Jennings.

-Rick Farris

I remember Jennings bcause every fight of his was a war!!

Rick Farris · Post by **Rick Farris** » 16 Mar 2008, 19:05

kikibalt wrote:
Randy Shields

Damn, even Randy's dog is blonde!

-Ricardo

Rick Farris · Post by **Rick Farris** » 16 Mar 2008, 19:10

kikibalt wrote:
Rick Farris wrote:Hey DAGOS,

Speaking of '60's club fighters, here's one you might know. He fought in L.A. mostly but also fought down your way more than once . . . Frankie "Two Sweet" Jennings.

-Rick Farris
I remember Jennings bcause every fight of his was a war!!

That's right! I hated to see him fight Ernie "Indian Red" Lopez, because I knew that was one he wouldn't win. He went down in the first round, and took a beating before being stopped. I remember seeing him at the Main St. Gym when I was a kid. He trained in his white boxing boots, and had his "straightened" hair wrapped in a do-rag.

-Rick

kikibalt · Post by **kikibalt** » 16 Mar 2008, 19:16

Frankie Belma

Frankie's brother Ruben Belma

kikibalt · Post by **kikibalt** » 16 Mar 2008, 19:39

Archie "Chief" Whitewater

I remember this injun fighting all the top guys in SoCal in the late 1940's-50's, didn't win'em all, but always gave his best.

kikibalt · Post by **kikibalt** » 16 Mar 2008, 19:57

Rafael Ruelas & Alex Ramos

dagosd2000 · Post by **dagosd2000** » 16 Mar 2008, 21:03

Rick Farris wrote:Hey DAGOS,

Speaking of '60's club fighters, here's one you might know. He fought in L.A. mostly but also fought down your way more than once . . . Frankie "Two Sweet" Jennings.

-Rick Farris

Rick,

I don't remember Jennings,but I remember Belma. I saw him on TV on an undercard at the Olympic against a fighter named Willard Wynn. Wynn was a gangly ,long armed fighter who couldn't coordinate himself with those arms. I also recall a main event between Wynn and Bad News Austin. Austin wasn't a bad fighter. He was also training with Rodriguez and was belly aching about how he got robbed against Monzon in Argentina . Rosette,Wynn,Austin. Guys like this you had to get through.

Rick Farris · Post by **Rick Farris** » 16 Mar 2008, 21:49

There was a prelim guy in L.A. who had about fifty fights, lost about half of them, but was he wild man in the ring. His name was Manny Lugo. Lugo was a light hitter, and for that his opponents were lucky, because he threw lots of punches from every angle, and was always engaged in a war. Jimmy Robertson, who would be Roberto Duran's first opponent in a title defense, lost in his pro debut to Manny Lugo.

-Rick

Rick Farris · Post by **Rick Farris** » 16 Mar 2008, 22:00

Paul Bad Horse and a "real fine engine" . . .

Back in the mid 60's Johnny Flores handled one helluva a middleweight amateur named Paul Bad Horse, a native American. In '67, Paul was one of three L.A. boxers to take 1967 Nat'l Golden Gloves Championships, the other two were Clay Hodges and Thurman Durden.

After winning the Golden Gloves, one of Flores trainers helped Paul buy a used car for his girlfriend. The trainer, Manny Diaz, said he met Bad Horse and the beautiful young woman at a car lot owned by his brother. Diaz brother helped Bad Horse pick out a car, and proceeded to give them a look under the hood. The young woman was very busty and was wearing a low cut top. As the salesman pointed out the features, the young woman leaned forward to take a closer look. The salesman finished by saying, "That's one fine engine!"

Bad Horse frowned at the comment and responded, "You better be talking about the motor".

-Rick Farris

scartissue · Post by **scartissue** » 16 Mar 2008, 22:17

Rick Farris wrote:There was a prelim guy in L.A. who had about fifty fights, lost about half of them, but was he wild man in the ring. His name was Manny Lugo. Lugo was a light hitter, and for that his opponents were lucky, because he threw lots of punches from every angle, and was always engaged in a war. Jimmy Robertson, who would be Roberto Duran's first opponent in a title defense, lost in his pro debut to Manny Lugo.

-Rick

On the subject of clubfighters, do you guys remember a bantam or feather from the early to mid-70s named Flavio Barcena? I don't think it was possible for this guy to be in a dull fight. Just his style, which made every fight a donnybrook.

Scartissue

kikibalt · Post by **kikibalt** » 16 Mar 2008, 22:24

kikibalt · Post by **kikibalt** » 16 Mar 2008, 22:35

scartissue wrote:
Rick Farris wrote:There was a prelim guy in L.A. who had about fifty fights, lost about half of them, but was he wild man in the ring. His name was Manny Lugo. Lugo was a light hitter, and for that his opponents were lucky, because he threw lots of punches from every angle, and was always engaged in a war. Jimmy Robertson, who would be Roberto Duran's first opponent in a title defense, lost in his pro debut to Manny Lugo.

-Rick
On the subject of clubfighters, do you guys remember a bantam or feather from the early to mid-70s named Flavio Barcena? I don't think it was possible for this guy to be in a dull fight. Just his style, which made every fight a donnybrook.

Scartissue

Scar-D

I remember Barcena fighting and losing to Eddie Logan, the same Logan that ko Alfonso Zamora.

dagosd2000 · Post by **dagosd2000** » 16 Mar 2008, 23:26

Rick Farris wrote:There was a prelim guy in L.A. who had about fifty fights, lost about half of them, but was he wild man in the ring. His name was Manny Lugo. Lugo was a light hitter, and for that his opponents were lucky, because he threw lots of punches from every angle, and was always engaged in a war. Jimmy Robertson, who would be Roberto Duran's first opponent in a title defense, lost in his pro debut to Manny Lugo.

-Rick

Rick
I remember Lugo well.He was the strangest fighter I ever saw. He not only threw punches from all angles,but threw punches with both arms at the same time!

dagosd2000 · Post by **dagosd2000** » 16 Mar 2008, 23:35

Rick or Frank
This guy fought a few times in LA. I remember him on the undercard of Napoles/Lewis I, Arturo Zuniga. I think he tried to emulate Napoles's style,but was no "Mantequilla". Do you guys have anything to add with this guy?

dagosd2000 · Post by **dagosd2000** » 16 Mar 2008, 23:44

One more thought. I've got two grandkids and two great grandkids in the house I've got to go a few rounds with.

I remember a bunch of us went to the Olympic to watch Armando Muniz fight Thurman Durden. Ray Robinson fought a 2 round exhibition against a California welter. The kid was undefeated,but I can't remember his name. Robinson danced circles around this guy. He was 53 years old. To be honest I hoped the kid would take it easy on the old timer. Other way around. Do you know who I'm talking about?

Rick Farris · Post by **Rick Farris** » 17 Mar 2008, 00:10

dagosd2000 wrote:Rick or Frank
This guy fought a few times in LA. I remember him on the undercard of Napoles/Lewis I, Arturo Zuniga. I think he tried to emulate Napoles's style,but was no "Mantequilla". Do you guys have anything to add with this guy?

Yesn DAGOS. Zuniga and I shared a dressing room on a card, I forget which one. He was a good fighter, not a Napoles by any stretch, however, solid. I remember his back was heavily pock marked, as was his face. Good fighter!

-Rick

Rick Farris · Post by **Rick Farris** » 17 Mar 2008, 00:12

dagosd2000 wrote:One more thought. I've got two grandkids and two great grandkids in the house I've got to go a few rounds with.

I remember a bunch of us went to the Olympic to watch Armando Muniz fight Thurman Durden. Ray Robinson fought a 2 round exhibition against a California welter. The kid was undefeated,but I can't remember his name. Robinson danced circles around this guy. He was 53 years old. To be honest I hoped the kid would take it easy on the old timer. Other way around. Do you know who I'm talking about?

The boxer was my stablemate Mike Nixon. Nixon was managed by my trainer, Mel Epstein. Nixon was a pretty good boxer, hit good, but also had a weak chin. I was in the house that night.

-Rick

Rick Farris · Post by **Rick Farris** » 17 Mar 2008, 00:18

By the way, Dagos . . .

I remember 1969 thru early early 1970, Robinson sparring on occasion with Ernie "Indian Red" Lopez. I have a photo I'll post of Robinson, from the Main St. Gym in 1969. Four years after retiring, following a decsion loss to Joey Archer, Robinson still trained, in a rubber suit, as if still concious of making weight.

-Rick Farris

Expug · Post by **Expug** » 17 Mar 2008, 01:04

Rick Farris wrote:
dagosd2000 wrote:One more thought. I've got two grandkids and two great grandkids in the house I've got to go a few rounds with.

I remember a bunch of us went to the Olympic to watch Armando Muniz fight Thurman Durden. Ray Robinson fought a 2 round exhibition against a California welter. The kid was undefeated,but I can't remember his name. Robinson danced circles around this guy. He was 53 years old. To be honest I hoped the kid would take it easy on the old timer. Other way around. Do you know who I'm talking about?
The boxer was my stablemate Mike Nixon. Nixon was managed by my trainer, Mel Epstein. Nixon was a pretty good boxer, hit good, but also had a weak chin. I was in the house that night.

-Rick

Mike Nixon, another blast from the past!
He was a nice fighter.
I think he beat an undefeated Mike Rossman at one point.
Did he fight Mike Quarry also?

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 17 Mar 2008, 04:41

Rick Farris wrote:
kikibalt wrote:
Randy Shields
Damn, even Randy's dog is blonde!

-Ricardo

How tough was Shields? I remember when he went 13 rounds with the welterweight version of Tommy Hearns (a monster), it was like 'what?'
His beach blonde looks were horribly deceptive.

scartissue · Post by **scartissue** » 17 Mar 2008, 10:13

Rick Farris wrote:
dagosd2000 wrote:Rick or Frank
This guy fought a few times in LA. I remember him on the undercard of Napoles/Lewis I, Arturo Zuniga. I think he tried to emulate Napoles's style,but was no "Mantequilla". Do you guys have anything to add with this guy?
Yesn DAGOS. Zuniga and I shared a dressing room on a card, I forget which one. He was a good fighter, not a Napoles by any stretch, however, solid. I remember his back was heavily pock marked, as was his face. Good fighter!

-Rick

Guys, on the subject of Arturo Zuniga, man, I thought he was a can't miss prospect. Had one of the meanest left hooks I've ever seen. I saw his fight with Bobby Jordan, who had won a tough ten rounder with Lobito Montoya, and I slowly saw Zuniga's left hook finding it's range. Finally, in the 4th he nails Jordan with an absolute killer left hook and Jordan simply tilted momentarily and then dropped. A shot you knew he wasn't getting up from. I also saw a 10 rounder against I believe was Antonio Roldan but in that fight I could see he was sort of left hook crazy. I think it was a matter that he simply wasn't durable enough. But he had talent.

Scartissue

scartissue · Post by **scartissue** » 17 Mar 2008, 10:20

Expug wrote:
Rick Farris wrote:
dagosd2000 wrote:One more thought. I've got two grandkids and two great grandkids in the house I've got to go a few rounds with.

I remember a bunch of us went to the Olympic to watch Armando Muniz fight Thurman Durden. Ray Robinson fought a 2 round exhibition against a California welter. The kid was undefeated,but I can't remember his name. Robinson danced circles around this guy. He was 53 years old. To be honest I hoped the kid would take it easy on the old timer. Other way around. Do you know who I'm talking about?
The boxer was my stablemate Mike Nixon. Nixon was managed by my trainer, Mel Epstein. Nixon was a pretty good boxer, hit good, but also had a weak chin. I was in the house that night.

-Rick
Mike Nixon, another blast from the past!
He was a nice fighter.
I think he beat an undefeated Mike Rossman at one point.
Did he fight Mike Quarry also?

Actually he was a brother-in-law of the Quarrys. Rick could tell you better on this one as he has some great stories of them, but Nixon was a nice fighter, had a nice overhand right. I saw many of his fights including the second Rossman fight. he won the first one and the second one was about even on points until Rossman landed that one punch bomb. One of Nixon's fights that gets overlooked is his fight with Gert Steyn in South Africa. He had a good streak going and Nixon was obviously brought in as fodder but knocked Steyn kicking in 5 rounds.

Scartissue

dagosd2000 · Post by **dagosd2000** » 17 Mar 2008, 10:23

Rick Farris wrote:
dagosd2000 wrote:One more thought. I've got two grandkids and two great grandkids in the house I've got to go a few rounds with.

I remember a bunch of us went to the Olympic to watch Armando Muniz fight Thurman Durden. Ray Robinson fought a 2 round exhibition against a California welter. The kid was undefeated,but I can't remember his name. Robinson danced circles around this guy. He was 53 years old. To be honest I hoped the kid would take it easy on the old timer. Other way around. Do you know who I'm talking about?
The boxer was my stablemate Mike Nixon. Nixon was managed by my trainer, Mel Epstein. Nixon was a pretty good boxer, hit good, but also had a weak chin. I was in the house that night.

-Rick

Thanks Rick

Good memory. You're right. By the way,I thought the Muniz/Durden match would have been more competitive.

scartissue · Post by **scartissue** » 17 Mar 2008, 10:25

bennie wrote:
Rick Farris wrote:
kikibalt wrote:
Randy Shields
Damn, even Randy's dog is blonde!

-Ricardo
How tough was Shields? I remember when he went 13 rounds with the welterweight version of Tommy Hearns (a monster), it was like 'what?'
His beach blonde looks were horribly deceptive.

Randy Shields definitely had one of the great chins in boxing. I don't know if he was ever down, but somewhere within the reaches of my alleged mind I seem to recall seeing a clip of him being decked by one of the Benitez brothers. I'm going to have to research this one.

Scartissue

Expug · Post by **Expug** » 17 Mar 2008, 10:34

scartissue wrote:
bennie wrote:
Rick Farris wrote: Damn, even Randy's dog is blonde!

-Ricardo
How tough was Shields? I remember when he went 13 rounds with the welterweight version of Tommy Hearns (a monster), it was like 'what?'
His beach blonde looks were horribly deceptive.
Randy Shields definitely had one of the great chins in boxing. I don't know if he was ever down, but somewhere within the reaches of my alleged mind I seem to recall seeing a clip of him being decked by one of the Benitez brothers. I'm going to have to research this one.

Scartissue

Scar , do you recall when Randy came here to fight Louie Mateo?
I think Mateos people thought he was gonna be a name opponnent victory for Louie.
It didnt work out that way.