Classic American West Coast Boxing

[kikibalt]

Rick Farris pro debut

[Norm]

The scans of those programs are terrific, thanks kikibalt !!

I'm wondering if anyone remembers the name of a Japanese boxer who appeared on several cards at the Inglewood Forum, in the late 60's or 70's. He was introduced as "The Villinous ____" and would draw a round of boo's as he scouled at the audience? He was somewhere in the lighter weights as I remember.

Thanks

[Rick Farris]

Seen Johnny Gonsalver who is on that page of the KO mag. fight Art Aragon in 1951 at the Olympic, good boxer, not much of a punch.

He lost to Art, good fight though.

I learned just last week, that Johnny Gonzalvez had passed away, on New Year's day in 2007. Before reading his name for the WBHOF's "Ten Count", at an event last week, I took the time to look up his career. I knew that he fought here in L.A. and had been in the ring with Aragon and other top fighters, however, I didn't know much more about his 14 year pro career.

I learned that prior to his pro debut, he was a top amateur, winning the Nat'l AAU title twice, before losing to Wallace "Bud" Smith in the '48 Olympic trials.

There is an interesting bio on Gonzalvez along with his record in Boxrec.

-Rick Farris

[scartissue]

Maybe one of you guys can answer this for me. Why didn't Jose Legra stay in Mexico after Castro banned boxing? Napoles and Sugar Ramos certainly benifitted more by staying in Mexico . Legra was in Mexico,but moved to Spain. I think it hurt his career. I saw him on closed circuit destroy Clemente Sanchez. Lost a very close majority decision to Jofre in Brazil. I thought Legra was one of the all time classic boxers. Had that Cuban flair and style. Any of you guys no why he went to Europe? I know his last fight was in LA.

Dago, great question and it's definitely a difficult question to answer. I would say there is definitely 2 sides to this equation. First and foremost is money, second would be environment. Kid Tunero fought everywhere and fought a ton of fights in Europe. Obviously there was good money over the pond which drew him and Kid Chocolate over there, but they weren't fleeing political persecution. For the guys that came after Castro came to power, maybe they were simply melding into life in a place that was suitabale for them. We had Napoles and Ramos living and fighting out of Mexico. Paret, Logart, Stable out of New York. Rodriguez and Otero out of Miami and Legra and Angel Robinson Garcia out of Europe. It seems they immersed themselves into a spanish speaking area of their choosing. Or perhaps where the work was. What does seem obvious is that Legra and Garcia fought very often, but were not as severely tested on a regular basis. Not to mean they did not fight their fair share of outstanding fighters, but not nearly as often as the boys west of there. Another prime example is Argentina's outstanding light heavies Jorge Ahumada and Avenamar Peralta. After years of fighting hard down Argentina way, about the same time they made a career change. Jorge went to New York and fought the absolute elite at 175. Carroll, Kendall, Anderson, Cassidy in quick succession and garnered himself a title shot. Didn't hurt having a good manager in NY also. However, Avenamar sort of languished in Europe. Compare his record to Garcia's and Legra's. Exactly the same. A whole ton of fights against modest competition. Maybe the money was so good for so little risk they did better than their counterparts. I don't know, but it's certainly a great question.

Scartissue

[Rick Farris]

Maybe one of you guys can answer this for me. Why didn't Jose Legra stay in Mexico after Castro banned boxing? Napoles and Sugar Ramos certainly benifitted more by staying in Mexico . Legra was in Mexico,but moved to Spain. I think it hurt his career. I saw him on closed circuit destroy Clemente Sanchez. Lost a very close majority decision to Jofre in Brazil. I thought Legra was one of the all time classic boxers. Had that Cuban flair and style. Any of you guys no why he went to Europe? I know his last fight was in LA.

Dago, great question and it's definitely a difficult question to answer. I would say there is definitely 2 sides to this equation. First and foremost is money, second would be environment. Kid Tunero fought everywhere and fought a ton of fights in Europe. Obviously there was good money over the pond which drew him and Kid Chocolate over there, but they weren't fleeing political persecution. For the guys that came after Castro came to power, maybe they were simply melding into life in a place that was suitabale for them. We had Napoles and Ramos living and fighting out of Mexico. Paret, Logart, Stable out of New York. Rodriguez and Otero out of Miami and Legra and Angel Robinson Garcia out of Europe. It seems they immersed themselves into a spanish speaking area of their choosing. Or perhaps where the work was. What does seem obvious is that Legra and Garcia fought very often, but were not as severely tested on a regular basis. Not to mean they did not fight their fair share of outstanding fighters, but not nearly as often as the boys west of there. Another prime example is Argentina's outstanding light heavies Jorge Ahumada and Avenamar Peralta. After years of fighting hard down Argentina way, about the same time they made a career change. Jorge went to New York and fought the absolute elite at 175. Carroll, Kendall, Anderson, Cassidy in quick succession and garnered himself a title shot. Didn't hurt having a good manager in NY also. However, Avenamar sort of languished in Europe. Compare his record to Garcia's and Legra's. Exactly the same. A whole ton of fights against modest competition. Maybe the money was so good for so little risk they did better than their counterparts. I don't know, but it's certainly a great question.

Scartissue

You bring up an interesting point, Scar. One thing is certain, in Europe, Legra could be a big fish in a small bowl. In Mexico, top rate bantams & feathers were a dime a dozen. Even the lower end of Mexican talent of the era was special. In Mexico, it's more important for boxers to be the champion of Mexico, than it is to be a world champ. Usually, the Mexican Champ and World Champ were the same thing.

With all respect to the Europeon featherweights of the era, they didn't compare with the Mexicans, in fact, in sure numbers no country could boast what seemed to grown on trees below the border. When it comes to the best small fighters in the world, Mexico turns them out one after another. Viva Mexico!

-Ricardo

[kikibalt]

To be raffle at the luncheon

[kikibalt]

The scans of those programs are terrific, thanks kikibalt !!

I'm wondering if anyone remembers the name of a Japanese boxer who appeared on several cards at the Inglewood Forum, in the late 60's or 70's. He was introduced as "The Villinous ____" and would draw a round of boo's as he scouled at the audience? He was somewhere in the lighter weights as I remember.

Thanks

Norm,

I don't remember anybody like that at the moment, maybe Rick can come up with a name for you.

[scartissue]

Maybe one of you guys can answer this for me. Why didn't Jose Legra stay in Mexico after Castro banned boxing? Napoles and Sugar Ramos certainly benifitted more by staying in Mexico . Legra was in Mexico,but moved to Spain. I think it hurt his career. I saw him on closed circuit destroy Clemente Sanchez. Lost a very close majority decision to Jofre in Brazil. I thought Legra was one of the all time classic boxers. Had that Cuban flair and style. Any of you guys no why he went to Europe? I know his last fight was in LA.

Dago, great question and it's definitely a difficult question to answer. I would say there is definitely 2 sides to this equation. First and foremost is money, second would be environment. Kid Tunero fought everywhere and fought a ton of fights in Europe. Obviously there was good money over the pond which drew him and Kid Chocolate over there, but they weren't fleeing political persecution. For the guys that came after Castro came to power, maybe they were simply melding into life in a place that was suitabale for them. We had Napoles and Ramos living and fighting out of Mexico. Paret, Logart, Stable out of New York. Rodriguez and Otero out of Miami and Legra and Angel Robinson Garcia out of Europe. It seems they immersed themselves into a spanish speaking area of their choosing. Or perhaps where the work was. What does seem obvious is that Legra and Garcia fought very often, but were not as severely tested on a regular basis. Not to mean they did not fight their fair share of outstanding fighters, but not nearly as often as the boys west of there. Another prime example is Argentina's outstanding light heavies Jorge Ahumada and Avenamar Peralta. After years of fighting hard down Argentina way, about the same time they made a career change. Jorge went to New York and fought the absolute elite at 175. Carroll, Kendall, Anderson, Cassidy in quick succession and garnered himself a title shot. Didn't hurt having a good manager in NY also. However, Avenamar sort of languished in Europe. Compare his record to Garcia's and Legra's. Exactly the same. A whole ton of fights against modest competition. Maybe the money was so good for so little risk they did better than their counterparts. I don't know, but it's certainly a great question.

Scartissue

You bring up an interesting point, Scar. One thing is certain, in Europe, Legra could be a big fish in a small bowl. In Mexico, top rate bantams & feathers were a dime a dozen. Even the lower end of Mexican talent of the era was special. In Mexico, it's more important for boxers to be the champion of Mexico, than it is to be a world champ. Usually, the Mexican Champ and World Champ were the same thing.

With all respect to the Europeon featherweights of the era, they didn't compare with the Mexicans, in fact, in sure numbers no country could boast what seemed to grown on trees below the border. When it comes to the best small fighters in the world, Mexico turns them out one after another. Viva Mexico!

-Ricardo

1966-12-23 Love Allotey 30-8-0
Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain W PTS 12 12
1966-12-02 Jean de Keers 13-3-0
Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain W KO 1 10
1966-11-24 Hector Omar Oliva 9-10-7
Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain W TKO 9 10
1966-11-12 Manuel Carvajal 8-8-6
Gijon, Principado de Asturias, Spain W PTS 8 8
1966-10-29 Luis Segura 7-15-4
Zaragoza, Aragón, Spain W TKO 2 8
1966-10-27 Roberto Marthon 11-3-1
Bilbao, País Vasco, Spain W KO 2 8
1966-10-16 Cristobal Gomez 6-10-2
Zaragoza, Aragón, Spain W TKO 2 8
1966-10-01 Raul Tejera 3-6-0
Gijon, Principado de Asturias, Spain W TKO 2 8
1966-09-02 Julio Gonzales Morales 6-6-3
Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain W TKO 7 8
1966-08-20 Tommy Thompson 0-0-0
San Sebastian, País Vasco, Spain W KO 1 8
1966-08-12 Vincenzo Pitardi 27-7-5
Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain W TKO 5 8
1966-07-29 Celmiro Rios 16-9-1
Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain W KO 3 8
1966-07-09 Jose Gonzales Riveiro 9-4-1
Oviedo, Principado de Asturias, Spain W KO 7 8
1966-06-04 Jose Luis Torcida 14-2-1
Santander, Cantabria, Spain W PTS 10 10
1966-05-21 Angel Chinea 5-10-5
Mataro, Cataluña, Spain W PTS 8 8
1966-05-07 Ben Amar Bellifa 9-5-7
San Sebastian, País Vasco, Spain W TKO 5 8
1966-04-30 Cristobal Gomez 6-8-2
Malaga, Andalucía, Spain W PTS 8 8
1966-04-15 Hector Omar Oliva 8-9-7
Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain W PTS 8 8
1966-04-02 Jesus Zarco Garbis 14-6-4
Santander, Cantabria, Spain W PTS 10 10
1966-03-17 Oye Turpin 0-0-0
Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain W KO 2 8
1966-03-03 Antonio Paiva 9-5-1
Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain W TKO 8 10
page: 1 | 2 »

Rick, here is Legra's log for 1966. I only recognise the last name, Love Allotey, who was a good fighter. Now who was Ramos and Rodriguez fighting at the same time. I like your analogy, big fish in a small bowl. Legra was probably making good money without really being tested.

Scartissue

[kikibalt]

[kikibalt]

[kikibalt]

Henry Cooper...1969

[kikibalt]

Henry Cooper vs Brian London...1959

[Rick Farris]

Dago, great question and it's definitely a difficult question to answer. I would say there is definitely 2 sides to this equation. First and foremost is money, second would be environment. Kid Tunero fought everywhere and fought a ton of fights in Europe. Obviously there was good money over the pond which drew him and Kid Chocolate over there, but they weren't fleeing political persecution. For the guys that came after Castro came to power, maybe they were simply melding into life in a place that was suitabale for them. We had Napoles and Ramos living and fighting out of Mexico. Paret, Logart, Stable out of New York. Rodriguez and Otero out of Miami and Legra and Angel Robinson Garcia out of Europe. It seems they immersed themselves into a spanish speaking area of their choosing. Or perhaps where the work was. What does seem obvious is that Legra and Garcia fought very often, but were not as severely tested on a regular basis. Not to mean they did not fight their fair share of outstanding fighters, but not nearly as often as the boys west of there. Another prime example is Argentina's outstanding light heavies Jorge Ahumada and Avenamar Peralta. After years of fighting hard down Argentina way, about the same time they made a career change. Jorge went to New York and fought the absolute elite at 175. Carroll, Kendall, Anderson, Cassidy in quick succession and garnered himself a title shot. Didn't hurt having a good manager in NY also. However, Avenamar sort of languished in Europe. Compare his record to Garcia's and Legra's. Exactly the same. A whole ton of fights against modest competition. Maybe the money was so good for so little risk they did better than their counterparts. I don't know, but it's certainly a great question.

Scartissue

You bring up an interesting point, Scar. One thing is certain, in Europe, Legra could be a big fish in a small bowl. In Mexico, top rate bantams & feathers were a dime a dozen. Even the lower end of Mexican talent of the era was special. In Mexico, it's more important for boxers to be the champion of Mexico, than it is to be a world champ. Usually, the Mexican Champ and World Champ were the same thing.

With all respect to the Europeon featherweights of the era, they didn't compare with the Mexicans, in fact, in sure numbers no country could boast what seemed to grown on trees below the border. When it comes to the best small fighters in the world, Mexico turns them out one after another. Viva Mexico!

-Ricardo

1966-12-23 Love Allotey 30-8-0
Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain W PTS 12 12
1966-12-02 Jean de Keers 13-3-0
Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain W KO 1 10
1966-11-24 Hector Omar Oliva 9-10-7
Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain W TKO 9 10
1966-11-12 Manuel Carvajal 8-8-6
Gijon, Principado de Asturias, Spain W PTS 8 8
1966-10-29 Luis Segura 7-15-4
Zaragoza, Aragón, Spain W TKO 2 8
1966-10-27 Roberto Marthon 11-3-1
Bilbao, País Vasco, Spain W KO 2 8
1966-10-16 Cristobal Gomez 6-10-2
Zaragoza, Aragón, Spain W TKO 2 8
1966-10-01 Raul Tejera 3-6-0
Gijon, Principado de Asturias, Spain W TKO 2 8
1966-09-02 Julio Gonzales Morales 6-6-3
Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain W TKO 7 8
1966-08-20 Tommy Thompson 0-0-0
San Sebastian, País Vasco, Spain W KO 1 8
1966-08-12 Vincenzo Pitardi 27-7-5
Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain W TKO 5 8
1966-07-29 Celmiro Rios 16-9-1
Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain W KO 3 8
1966-07-09 Jose Gonzales Riveiro 9-4-1
Oviedo, Principado de Asturias, Spain W KO 7 8
1966-06-04 Jose Luis Torcida 14-2-1
Santander, Cantabria, Spain W PTS 10 10
1966-05-21 Angel Chinea 5-10-5
Mataro, Cataluña, Spain W PTS 8 8
1966-05-07 Ben Amar Bellifa 9-5-7
San Sebastian, País Vasco, Spain W TKO 5 8
1966-04-30 Cristobal Gomez 6-8-2
Malaga, Andalucía, Spain W PTS 8 8
1966-04-15 Hector Omar Oliva 8-9-7
Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain W PTS 8 8
1966-04-02 Jesus Zarco Garbis 14-6-4
Santander, Cantabria, Spain W PTS 10 10
1966-03-17 Oye Turpin 0-0-0
Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain W KO 2 8
1966-03-03 Antonio Paiva 9-5-1
Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain W TKO 8 10
page: 1 | 2 »

Rick, here is Legra's log for 1966. I only recognise the last name, Love Allotey, who was a good fighter. Now who was Ramos and Rodriguez fighting at the same time. I like your analogy, big fish in a small bowl. Legra was probably making good money without really being tested.

Scartissue

Scar . . . I followed the last ten years of Love Allotey's 18 year pro career. Allotey, from Ghana, fought everybody and provides the only true international name on Legra's 1966 record. As Dagos pointed out, this Legra truly was a special talent, however, honing his skills on what was available in the places he fought kept him sharp, without burning him out.

Without question, Legra would have become shop-worn much sooner had he cut his teeth on the Mexican standard of the era. I'm not suggesting that he wasn't better than some of the Mexicans, only that he did not have to fight for his life everytime out of the gate. Guys like Napoles didn't have it so easy. Mantequilla always got revenge on the Mexicans who upset him in his early Mexico days, like Alfredo Urbina and Tony Perez, but Napoles was one of a kind.

Legra was very slick, and by the way, I'm not disrespecting the European boxers, especially those of the quality of Howard Winstone, Alan Rudkin, Salvator Burruni, etc. however, the Mexican's were just better than anybody else at the weight, and history supports that.

-Rick Farris

[Rick Farris]

Henry Cooper...1969

This is a better fighter than he is credited for. Henry's left hook put a young Cassius Clay on the deck, and of course, Cooper's bloody face ended the fight shortly afterwards.

I had an opportunity to watch some footage of Cooper, and it was really impressive how much pop he had in that left hook. Save his paper thin, scar tissue laced eye brows, this small heavyweight by today's standards, would do quite well against today's lot, and I would bet catch either one of the Klit brothers with that cherry picker hook he drilled Ali with. If that hook were to find it's spot on the very brittle chins, and questionable hearts of the new Russian brigade, then the heavyweight title would return to England, where it first came from.

The trick for Cooper would be to LAND the hook, before he bled to death.

God save the Queen! :)

-Rick Farris

[kikibalt]

1951 Spanish-American Sports Writers Banquet picturing Hap Navarro presenting an award to Manuel Ortiz

[Rick Farris]

Henry Cooper vs Brian London...1959

I remember more than forty years ago, when Brian London came to Los Angeles to fight Jerry Quarry. Jerry had his way with London, scoring a one-sided ten round decision at the Olympic Auditorium on a thursday night in 1967.

The outcome was expected, at least inside the ring, however, Mrs. Brian London wasn't at all happy with Quarry, his family, the decision, or the beer that had been tossed down on her by a fan in the balcony. This lady jumped up and God help anybody who dare stand in her way. She pushed grown men aside and attemoted to jump into the ring, going to straighten out Jerry for her husband.

Luckily for this bitter Brit, an usher and two LAPD officers tackled her en route up the steps in Quarry's corner. Johnny Flores told me she thought London's wife was entering the ring to face Jerry's mother, Arawanda, in a stand-by bout.

"That would have been the best fight of the night!", Flores smiled. The truth is, had she taken a shot at Jerry, he'd have likely laid her out, and why not?

I'm sure the likes of Muhammad Ali, Floyd Patterson, Quarry, Cooper, etc. that London faced around the world, were no greater challenge than facing Mrs. London when she was pissed about something.

-Rick Farris

[Rick Farris]

1951 Spanish-American Sports Writers Banquet picturing Hap Navarro presenting an award to Manuel Ortiz

I remember stories Hap told me about Ortiz, and that he considered Manuel his favorite fighter, along with Enrique Bolanos. Hap Navarro's knowedge and experience is priceless. He is a walking encyclopedia of true boxing knowledge. To know boxing, you have to live it, and Hap was a part of the "Golden Age" of Los Angeles boxing.

You're lucky, Frank. Your involvment in boxing began after the second World War, in L.A., during that era. I would love to have seen a lot of the Hollywood Legion fights of the day. At least we have guys like you, and Hap Navarro to bring them to life, so as they can remain alive in history.

-Rick Farris

[BoxBuzz]

Every now and then I just like to post another appreciation statement.

So here I am once again thanking the contributors to this 40,000 reads+ topic of phenomenal interest. Many of us are still dropping in routinely to catch up.

[Rick Farris]

The scans of those programs are terrific, thanks kikibalt !!

I'm wondering if anyone remembers the name of a Japanese boxer who appeared on several cards at the Inglewood Forum, in the late 60's or 70's. He was introduced as "The Villinous ____" and would draw a round of boo's as he scouled at the audience? He was somewhere in the lighter weights as I remember.

Thanks

Norm,

I don't remember anybody like that at the moment, maybe Rick can come up with a name for you.

When I think over the names of Japanese boxers I remember fighting in L.A. during the 60's & 70's, i can't recall any being tagged "The Villinous", hwever, maybe Scar would know?

These are some of the Japanese fighters I saw in L.A. at the time . . .
Hiroyuki Ebihara, Hiroshi Kobayashi, Yoshiaki Numata, Shig Fugiyama, Sho Saijyo, Masanao Toyoshima, Kenji Endo, Yoshi Goto, Genzo Kurosawa, Kenji Iwata, Osamu Miyashta, and Mamoru Minami.

-Rick Farris

Come to think of it, I can't remember a Japanese boxer being booed in L.A. (that is, except for Ebihara in '64). Norm, you've really got me on this one?????

[kikibalt]

Ricardo "Pajarito" Moreno...1957

[kikibalt]

Pipino Cuevas vs Pete Ranzany

[kikibalt]

Pipino Cuevas

[Rick Farris]

Ricardo "Pajarito" Moreno...1957

Frank, as you know, everybody associated with L.A. boxing during the sixties, seems to have memories the Little Bird, Pajarito Moreno. Here is mine.

In 1966, my favorite L.A. featherweights were Raul Rojas & Dwight Hawkins. The previous year, Rojas suffered his only loss, a 15 round KO by champ Vicente Saldivar. He was on the comeback trail, and match with Moreno was expected to be an explosive war, one that would put the winner in line for a title shot.

In March of 1966, at the Olympic, Rojas and Moreno exchanged bombs before a deep cut above Moreno's eye forced the fight to be stopped in the third round. Moreno had had his moments, rocking the strong Rojas with whistling left hooks in the opening round.

Three months later, a rematch would be held at the larger L.A. Sports Arena, where promoter Aileen Eaton could pack in another 4,ooo fans, with the overflow filing the 10,400 seat Olympic Auditorium for a closed-circuit TV broadcast. This time Rojas flattened Moreno in two, and began his climb to a world title.

That night, I remember Manuel Ramos defeating a tired looking Eddie Machen in preliminary ten rounder. This fight put Manuel Ramos just outside top ten ranking in the heavyweight division, which would lead him to something known as sure death back then, Joe Frazier.

-Rick Farris

[kikibalt]

Ricardo "Pajarito" Moreno...1957

Frank, as you know, everybody associated with L.A. boxing during the sixties, seems to have memories the Little Bird, Pajarito Moreno. Here is mine.

In 1966, my favorite L.A. featherweights were Raul Rojas & Dwight Hawkins. The previous year, Rojas suffered his only loss, a 15 round KO by champ Vicente Saldivar. He was on the comeback trail, and match with Moreno was expected to be an explosive war, one that would put the winner in line for a title shot.

In March of 1966, at the Olympic, Rojas and Moreno exchanged bombs before a deep cut above Moreno's eye forced the fight to be stopped in the third round. Moreno had had his moments, rocking the strong Rojas with whistling left hooks in the opening round.

Three months later, a rematch would be held at the larger L.A. Sports Arena, where promoter Aileen Eaton could pack in another 4,ooo fans, with the overflow filing the 10,400 seat Olympic Auditorium for a closed-circuit TV broadcast. This time Rojas flattened Moreno in two, and began his climb to a world title.

That night, I remember Manuel Ramos defeating a tired looking Eddie Machen in preliminary ten rounder. This fight put Manuel Ramos just outside top ten ranking in the heavyweight division, which would lead him to something known as sure death back then, Joe Frazier.

-Rick Farris

Rick,

I remember Pajarito from when he first came to L.A., 1957, I believe, he got such a build-up that he was drawing 5000-6000 people at the Hollywood Legion just to see him hit the bags, that was before he even had a fight in L.A., my wife and I went to see him work-out before his first fight in L.A. at the Legion, and we also went to his fight against Tommy Bain, which was his first fight in L.A..
In his fight with Bain, in the first or second round, Moreno lets go with one of his trade-mark left hooks and hits the referee knocking him down.
It was a crazy nite of boxing.

We were ringside for his two fights vs Rojas.

[Rick Farris]

Ricardo "Pajarito" Moreno...1957

Frank, as you know, everybody associated with L.A. boxing during the sixties, seems to have memories the Little Bird, Pajarito Moreno. Here is mine.

In 1966, my favorite L.A. featherweights were Raul Rojas & Dwight Hawkins. The previous year, Rojas suffered his only loss, a 15 round KO by champ Vicente Saldivar. He was on the comeback trail, and match with Moreno was expected to be an explosive war, one that would put the winner in line for a title shot.

In March of 1966, at the Olympic, Rojas and Moreno exchanged bombs before a deep cut above Moreno's eye forced the fight to be stopped in the third round. Moreno had had his moments, rocking the strong Rojas with whistling left hooks in the opening round.

Three months later, a rematch would be held at the larger L.A. Sports Arena, where promoter Aileen Eaton could pack in another 4,ooo fans, with the overflow filing the 10,400 seat Olympic Auditorium for a closed-circuit TV broadcast. This time Rojas flattened Moreno in two, and began his climb to a world title.

That night, I remember Manuel Ramos defeating a tired looking Eddie Machen in preliminary ten rounder. This fight put Manuel Ramos just outside top ten ranking in the heavyweight division, which would lead him to something known as sure death back then, Joe Frazier.

-Rick Farris

Rick,

I remember Pajarito from when he first came to L.A., 1957, I believe, he got such a build-up that he was drawing 5000-6000 people at the Hollywood Legion just to see him hit the bags, that was before he even had a fight in L.A., my wife and I went to see him work-out before his first fight in L.A. at the Legion, and we also went to his fight against Tommy Bain, which was his first fight in L.A..
In his fight with Bain, in the first or second round, Moreno lets go with one of his trade-mark left hooks and hits the referee knocking him down.
It was a crazy nite of boxing.

We were ringside for his two fights vs Rojas.

Frank, I remember Moreno as a guy who either KOed his opponent, or was KOed himself. Moreno's Boxrec. record is listed as 60-12-1, 59 KO's/9 KO losses. Only one of Moreno's five dozen wins went the distance, and I had to look up this obscure legend's name, and when I tried, I found that the boxrec version of Pajarito's record lists 59 Ko's in 60 wins, but it does not have a decision victory, or one that required he be around at the final bell (of his wins).

If somebody knows the name of the guy who extended Pajarito Moreno to the final bell, in a Moreno win, please enlighten me. Gracias!

-Rick