Classic American West Coast Boxing

[kikibalt]

Frank . . .

The "Fight For Lives" cards held at both the Hollywood Legion and Olympic, were before my time. I remember Hap Navarro sharing some memories regarding these promotions, I believe it was a charity event, in some respect?

In the special Knockout publication you posted, there is reference to an Art Aragon fight, a 12 rounder for the "Fight For Lives" event.

Do you have any memories of the "Fight for Lives" promotions?

-Rick

Rick,

The "fight For Life" was a charity event for the "City of Hope" cancer hospital in Duarte Ca.

I seen 3-4 of those charity shows live, the one that stick to my mind is the 1951 show that had Enrique Bolanos vs Eddie Chavez on top and Keeny Teran vs Gil Cadilli in a 6 rounder, that one was at the Hollywood Legion, I did see the Art Aragon vs Elmer Beltz fight, which was at the Olympic.

[kikibalt]

[bennie]

Frankie: tell us about Jackie McCoy. What are your opinions on the big boxing 'name'?

[kikibalt]

Frankie: tell us about Jackie McCoy. What are your opinions on the big boxing 'name'?

I will Bennie, later on, as right now I have to get ready for a funeral.

[Rick Farris]

Frank . . .

The "Fight For Lives" cards held at both the Hollywood Legion and Olympic, were before my time. I remember Hap Navarro sharing some memories regarding these promotions, I believe it was a charity event, in some respect?

In the special Knockout publication you posted, there is reference to an Art Aragon fight, a 12 rounder for the "Fight For Lives" event.

Do you have any memories of the "Fight for Lives" promotions?

-Rick

Rick,

The "fight For Life" was a charity event for the "City of Hope" cancer hospital in Duarte Ca.

I seen 3-4 of those charity shows live, the one that stick to my mind is the 1951 show that had Enrique Bolanos vs Eddie Chavez on top and Keeny Teran vs Gil Cadilli in a 6 rounder, that one was at the Hollywood Legion, I did see the Art Aragon vs Elmer Beltz fight, which was at the Olympic.

Judging by the date of the Bolanos fight, it was put together by Hap Navarro. As I mentionbed, Hap spoke of the "Fight for Lives" matches. Thanks for letting me know about the "City of Hope" charity.

-Rick

[dagosd2000]

Frank
I think this is even before your time. Rick,you might have heard of this guy,Lee Ramage. Born in San Diego. Not too many people around remember him. I went to school with his nephew. We'd go to his house once in a while. The nephew's father ,I think, was killed in the War. Lee Ramages' brother. The uncle was like a surrogate father. He gave Louis some problems in their first match. I know he was a good boxer,and I think a southpaw.He told me in the rematch,Louis had figured him out and knocked him out in two rounds. That fight was in Los Angeles. Any photos or stories on this guy? He seemed like he was real squared away.

[BoxBuzz]

You know I heard she had a thing for fighters, and for musician's as well.
I don't want to get too far off topic but I thought I needed to provide proof that
she was rather well engineered by the gods. (Otherwise granberry would be challenging
my statement saying that somehow she was just a phoney.) Must have been some very happy fighters
and musicians keeping company with this goddess along the way.

Please forgive the off topic moment, this is just my way of dressing this thread up a bit to celebrate the fact that it is heading toward it's 50,000 viewing some time this weekend.

Cheers.

[Rick Farris]

You know I heard she had a thing for fighters, and for musician's as well.
I don't want to get too far off topic but I thought I needed to provide proof that
she was rather well engineered by the gods. (Otherwise granberry would be challenging
my statement saying that somehow she was just a phoney.) Must have been some very happy fighters
and musicians keeping company with this goddess along the way.

Please forgive the off topic moment, this is just my way of dressing this thread up a bit to celebrate the fact that it is heading toward it's 50,000 viewing some time this weekend.

Cheers.

Hey BoxBuzz . . .

My day job is a motion pic. lighting designer, and a couple years back I did a lower budget film as a favor for a friend who was a director of photography, marrried to Connie's daughter, Jolie Fisher.

My friend was producing the film so I got a few top technicians to help out. I don't know what has became of the film, but after we wrapped in July, 2006, my friends mother-in-law, Connie Stevens, thru a cast & crew wrap party at her Beverly Hills home.

I had fought on several large cards in L.A. and Connie Stevens rarely missed a fight involving Rodolfo "El Gato" Gonzalez, or Mando Ramos. Later, I would work with her on a couple of Aaron Spelling productions. Seeing her home was quite an experience. In her office, there were pictures of Connie with the "Rat Pack", gangsters, presidents, the greatest athletes of the last half century and more. Lots of boxers, Marciano, Ali, Patterson, L.A. fighters.

We spoke of El Gato and Mando, Quarry, Sugar Ray Robinson, etc.

Connie Stevens is quite a lady.


-Rick

[BoxBuzz]

Some guys have all the luck....

When I was working in Vegas I had the chance to see her a few times in the mid seventies, Always a class act and seemed to be one of the most genuine "fun" people on earth.

[Rick Farris]

Some guys have all the luck....

When I was working in Vegas I had the chance to see her a few times in the mid seventies, Always a class act and seemed to be one of the most genuine "fun" people on earth.

Very true, BoxBuzz. My grandfather had been a lighting director for years at Warner Bros. and worked on the late 50's series "Hawiian Eye", which starred a young Robert Conrad and Connie Stevens. I remember he then did a black & white feature film that starred Stevens with Dean Jones and Ceasar Romero called, "Two on a Guillotin".

She remembered my grandfather, the film & TV business was a bit more intimate in those days. She was a lady who always had a smile and is loved by EVERYBODY who knows her. Her daughter Jolie is cool too.

-Rick Farris

[dagosd2000]

You know I heard she had a thing for fighters, and for musician's as well.
I don't want to get too far off topic but I thought I needed to provide proof that
she was rather well engineered by the gods. (Otherwise granberry would be challenging
my statement saying that somehow she was just a phoney.) Must have been some very happy fighters
and musicians keeping company with this goddess along the way.

Please forgive the off topic moment, this is just my way of dressing this thread up a bit to celebrate the fact that it is heading toward it's 50,000 viewing some time this weekend.

Cheers.

Hey Buzz
You're not off topic. All that ties in to the area down here.
I once heard Connie Stevens talk about the series she was in"Surfside 6". She said Robert Conrad was a hunk. Always walking around with his shirt off. She said the other co star(she didn't want to say his name)was jealous of Robert Conrad because he had a better build. The other co star was Anthony Eisley. I bet she still has that drive. That's those Italian girls. Plenty of passion.

[dagosd2000]

Some guys have all the luck....

When I was working in Vegas I had the chance to see her a few times in the mid seventies, Always a class act and seemed to be one of the most genuine "fun" people on earth.

Very true, BoxBuzz. My grandfather had been a lighting director for years at Warner Bros. and worked on the late 50's series "Hawiian Eye", which starred a young Robert Conrad and Connie Stevens. I remember he then did a black & white feature film that starred Stevens with Dean Jones and Ceasar Romero called, "Two on a Guillotin".

She remembered my grandfather, the film & TV business was a bit more intimate in those days. She was a lady who always had a smile and is loved by EVERYBODY who knows her. Her daughter Jolie is cool too.

-Rick Farris

Hey Rick
Just caught your post. You're right "Hawaiian Eye"

[Rick Farris]

You know I heard she had a thing for fighters, and for musician's as well.
I don't want to get too far off topic but I thought I needed to provide proof that
she was rather well engineered by the gods. (Otherwise granberry would be challenging
my statement saying that somehow she was just a phoney.) Must have been some very happy fighters
and musicians keeping company with this goddess along the way.

Please forgive the off topic moment, this is just my way of dressing this thread up a bit to celebrate the fact that it is heading toward it's 50,000 viewing some time this weekend.

Cheers.

Hey Buzz
You're not off topic. All that ties in to the area down here.
I once heard Connie Stevens talk about the series she was in"Surfside 6". She said Robert Conrad was a hunk. Always walking around with his shirt off. She said the other co star(she didn't want to say his name)was jealous of Robert Conrad because he had a better build. The other co star was Anthony Eisley. I bet she still has that drive. That's those Italian girls. Plenty of passion.

Surfside Six was also a Warners production, and starred Troy Donahue. Conrad & Stevens starred in "Hawaiian Eye".

[Rick Farris]

Some guys have all the luck....

When I was working in Vegas I had the chance to see her a few times in the mid seventies, Always a class act and seemed to be one of the most genuine "fun" people on earth.

Very true, BoxBuzz. My grandfather had been a lighting director for years at Warner Bros. and worked on the late 50's series "Hawiian Eye", which starred a young Robert Conrad and Connie Stevens. I remember he then did a black & white feature film that starred Stevens with Dean Jones and Ceasar Romero called, "Two on a Guillotin".

She remembered my grandfather, the film & TV business was a bit more intimate in those days. She was a lady who always had a smile and is loved by EVERYBODY who knows her. Her daughter Jolie is cool too.

-Rick Farris

Hey Rick
Just caught your post. You're right "Hawaiian Eye"

DAGOS . . .Were playing "post tag". Sorry for not seeing this first. This is kinda interesting, as well as a couple of true Frankie Crawford tales that relate to his association with Conrad. You wanna hear about Conrad & Crawford? Prepare for a dose of humor.

The spirit of Frankie Crawford is jabbing me to tell these stories. All are simple, and easily validated by anybody who knew the former featherweight contender.

It's nearly time for the Hopkins-Calzagi fight, so I'm going to sign off for now. More on Crawford later.


-Rick

[Expug]

You know I heard she had a thing for fighters, and for musician's as well.
I don't want to get too far off topic but I thought I needed to provide proof that
she was rather well engineered by the gods. (Otherwise granberry would be challenging
my statement saying that somehow she was just a phoney.) Must have been some very happy fighters
and musicians keeping company with this goddess along the way.

Please forgive the off topic moment, this is just my way of dressing this thread up a bit to celebrate the fact that it is heading toward it's 50,000 viewing some time this weekend.

Cheers.

Hey Buzz
You're not off topic. All that ties in to the area down here.
I once heard Connie Stevens talk about the series she was in"Surfside 6". She said Robert Conrad was a hunk. Always walking around with his shirt off. She said the other co star(she didn't want to say his name)was jealous of Robert Conrad because he had a better build. The other co star was Anthony Eisley. I bet she still has that drive. That's those Italian girls. Plenty of passion.

Dagos Its funny that you mention Connie talking about Conrad always walking around with his shirt off.
I used to drink in a bar in Chicago when I was a bakery truck driver.
After work I would stop in and have a few.
It was a rough beer and a shot joint on Clybourn ave.before it got "gentrified".
Anyway a bunch of the guys in there knew Conrad from the old days, (hes from Chicago) and they used to always say the same thing.
"This a..hole used to always walk around without a f...in shirt on."
I think they had a different view of the situation then Connie Stevens did.

[dagosd2000]

This is for Gato
I just finished doing the painting of you standing beside the mirror. I'll put a few finishing touches on it,but it's pretty much done. Unlike the painting of the Baltazar brothers,your painting is a little more abstract. I like it. I hope you do also. I'll try to post it,but I'm a computer idiot. I'll have my son in law help me. I'll be taking it down to Jiquilpan with me this summer. Like I said before,you'll be in good company.

[dagosd2000]

You know I heard she had a thing for fighters, and for musician's as well.
I don't want to get too far off topic but I thought I needed to provide proof that
she was rather well engineered by the gods. (Otherwise granberry would be challenging
my statement saying that somehow she was just a phoney.) Must have been some very happy fighters
and musicians keeping company with this goddess along the way.

Please forgive the off topic moment, this is just my way of dressing this thread up a bit to celebrate the fact that it is heading toward it's 50,000 viewing some time this weekend.

Cheers.

Hey Buzz
You're not off topic. All that ties in to the area down here.
I once heard Connie Stevens talk about the series she was in"Surfside 6". She said Robert Conrad was a hunk. Always walking around with his shirt off. She said the other co star(she didn't want to say his name)was jealous of Robert Conrad because he had a better build. The other co star was Anthony Eisley. I bet she still has that drive. That's those Italian girls. Plenty of passion.

Dagos Its funny that you mention Connie talking about Conrad always walking around with his shirt off.
I used to drink in a bar in Chicago when I was a bakery truck driver.
After work I would stop in and have a few.
It was a rough beer and a shot joint on Clybourn ave.before it got "gentrified".
Anyway a bunch of the guys in there knew Conrad from the old days, (hes from Chicago) and they used to always say the same thing.
"This a..hole used to always walk around without a f...in shirt on."
I think they had a different view of the situation then Connie Stevens did.

Hey Pug
Saw an interview with Robert Conrad recently. I think the fast pace and father time has done a number on him. I hope he keeps his shirt on.

[kikibalt]

Very true, BoxBuzz. My grandfather had been a lighting director for years at Warner Bros. and worked on the late 50's series "Hawiian Eye", which starred a young Robert Conrad and Connie Stevens. I remember he then did a black & white feature film that starred Stevens with Dean Jones and Ceasar Romero called, "Two on a Guillotin".

She remembered my grandfather, the film & TV business was a bit more intimate in those days. She was a lady who always had a smile and is loved by EVERYBODY who knows her. Her daughter Jolie is cool too.

-Rick Farris

Hey Rick
Just caught your post. You're right "Hawaiian Eye"

DAGOS . . .Were playing "post tag". Sorry for not seeing this first. This is kinda interesting, as well as a couple of true Frankie Crawford tales that relate to his association with Conrad. You wanna hear about Conrad & Crawford? Prepare for a dose of humor.

The spirit of Frankie Crawford is jabbing me to tell these stories. All are simple, and easily validated by anybody who knew the former featherweight contender.

It's nearly time for the Hopkins-Calzagi fight, so I'm going to sign off for now. More on Crawford later.


-Rick

I'll never again watch a Hopkin fight and maybe never watch a Calzaghe, Hopkin is to old and Cal is just a slapper.

[dagosd2000]

Hey Rick
Just caught your post. You're right "Hawaiian Eye"

DAGOS . . .Were playing "post tag". Sorry for not seeing this first. This is kinda interesting, as well as a couple of true Frankie Crawford tales that relate to his association with Conrad. You wanna hear about Conrad & Crawford? Prepare for a dose of humor.

The spirit of Frankie Crawford is jabbing me to tell these stories. All are simple, and easily validated by anybody who knew the former featherweight contender.

It's nearly time for the Hopkins-Calzagi fight, so I'm going to sign off for now. More on Crawford later.


-Rick

I'll never again watch a Hopkin fight and maybe never watch a Calzaghe, Hopkin is to old and Cal is just a slapper.

I think we all feel the same. And now they have a special on DeLaHoya/Forbes leading to a DeLaHoya/Mayweather fight on HBO. Sometimes I suffer from insomnia. I think I'll tape this and put it on before I go to bed. I should get a good 8 hours.

[dagosd2000]

Frank
I just flashed on something. Remember Frankie Van? He used to be one of the top refs on the West Coast. Wasn't he also a health and nutritionist? Anything you can share with us?

[scartissue]

DAGOS . . .Were playing "post tag". Sorry for not seeing this first. This is kinda interesting, as well as a couple of true Frankie Crawford tales that relate to his association with Conrad. You wanna hear about Conrad & Crawford? Prepare for a dose of humor.

The spirit of Frankie Crawford is jabbing me to tell these stories. All are simple, and easily validated by anybody who knew the former featherweight contender.

It's nearly time for the Hopkins-Calzagi fight, so I'm going to sign off for now. More on Crawford later.


-Rick[/quote]

Rick, I remember watching the Frankie Crawford-Chucho Alonso 10 round draw (I thought Frankie deserved the decision) and after the fight Tom Harmon and Mickey Davies having a long ringside interview with Connie Stevens and a bit of interraction with Frankie, whom she seemed to be a fan of. They used to do this all the time which I thought was cool. Pick out a boxing or Hollywood celebrity and talk the fight game. I recall them doing this with Billy Conn, Joey Bishop and once doing it with Oscar Bonavena with Fernando Lamas interpreting. Cool days.

Scartissue

[Rick Farris]

Scar . . . you are so right! Those Olympic Auditorium TV fights had so much more personality than any of today's televised boxing events. You had guys like Dick Enberg, Mickey Davies, Tom Harmon, Jim Healy, Tom Kelly, etc. These guys weren't "scripted, and did not have a corporate-promotional type agenda that radiates from HBO & Showtime, etc.

Things would happen on the spur of the moment, that would in itself be a story, and these guys were quick to pick up on it. For example, a fight would break out in the audience, and the ushers would hurry to break it up, and often, if this happened between rounds without a commercial, the cameraman would pan his camera over to the ringside disturbance and give us a peak. On ce in awhile you catch a quick look at a ringside fight and sometimes see a few blows thrown. Now that is REALITY!

Could you see such a thing to day, with all the litigation in the world?

[Rick Farris]

Frank
I just flashed on something. Remember Frankie Van? He used to be one of the top refs on the West Coast. Wasn't he also a health and nutritionist? Anything you can share with us?

Dagos, I have a Frnakie Van related story from 1966. Van had gone to Tijuana to judge a world lightweight championship fight between defending champ, Carlos Ortiz, and challenger Sugar Ramos.

I remember it pretty good because it was televised nationally and resulted in controversy. The referee was Billy Conn, who was later accused of favoring Ortiz. After five rounds, Ortiz was behind on the card of Frankie Van, as well as the other judge, while Conn had the fight a draw. Ortiz had been down in the first, but Conn called it a slip, although it was a clear knockdown.

The Mexican crowd was clearly behind transplanted Cuban, Ramos, and they were not happy with the Puerto Rican champ getting all the edges. ORtiz was ct and Conn suddenly stops the fight, awarding the win to Ortiz.

The Mexican fans exploded and everything, including ringside seats, was thrown into the ring. Ortiz had to escape quickly and his cornermen put the metal corner bucket over his head to protect him from all the debris being thrown at him.

Van said he and the other officials were also forced to make a quick exit.


Just a memory. I know Frank Baltazar is familiar with Frankie Van, however, he was active in L.A. before my time.


-Rick

[kikibalt]

Jose Mendoza (left) Rick Farris referee Dick Young

The FORUM - 1972

[kikibalt]

1948-09-21 : Gordon House lost to Paulino Montes by TKO in round 5 of 10
Location: Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, USA
Referee: Frankie Van

Time: 2:57
Chief Gordon House was knocked down twice in the 3rd, once in the 4th, and once in the 5th round.