Classic American West Coast Boxing

[kikibalt]

I remember she used to think that way. Now her name for me is"Menso"

Better then pendjo..

I've heard 'Cabron' lately. Want to hear a dumb one? I call this little senorita I met a little while back on my house phone. (My wife went shopping). She doesn't answer her cell phone. Her cell phone says "leave a meesage at the tone". Well I'm a real rocket scientist. I'm not leavin' no message. But I never thought that my phone number would show up on her "missed calls" list. She must have known it was me because it's a U.S. number.

About a half hour later the phone rings and my wife picks it up.(She's back from shopping). She comes in the bedroom. I'm busy communicatin' with my pals on the Forum.
"Quien es Beatriz?" and she hands me the phone.
I grab the phone like nothin' and say in Spanish.
"I told you girls not to go to the front office and look up my phone number. Now I'm going to have to change my number again. Damn it!" (You think Beatriz would have hung up when she heard my wife's voice?)
I click the phone off and act very angry.
"I told those girls not to do that. Now they're going to get in trouble!"
I don't know if my wife bought that,but like I said before, why tell the truth? That only makes things worse.
BTW if you guys want to get a hold of me,I'll be staying at the YMCA. They said their computers have the Internet.

Be nice to your wife,diego.

[bennie]

Tough kid. He went the distance with a GOOD Camacho, and gave Jimmy Paul a 15-round war for the IBF title a couple of years later. In fact, he took a lot out of Paul, who lost his title a fight later to Greg Haugen.
Perez deserved another shot.

[kikibalt]

Tough kid. He went the distance with a GOOD Camacho, and gave Jimmy Paul a 15-round war for the IBF title a couple of years later. In fact, he took a lot out of Paul, who lost his title a fight later to Greg Haugen.
Perez deserved another shot.

Bennie,

Perez, was a good fighter, and I agree with you that he deserved anohter shot at a title.

He beat Tony one year for the Calif. G.G. title.

[raylawpc]

Frank, Did you see the first Ken Norton-Jose Luis Garcia fight at the Olympic in 1970? The story I always heard was that Garcia knocked down Norton at the end of the first round, which left him in a dazed condition for the rest of the fight, and ultimately led to his stoppage in the 8th round.

According to some accounts, that first knockdown happened at the bell. Other accounts say it happened after the bell.

Do you recall what happened?

Thanks, my friend.

[Flump]

Fellas, I'd just like to say it's a pleasure and an education to read all this, I've been silently listening and learning since the start.

Please keep it going, it's great stuff, many thanks.

[kikibalt]

Frank, Did you see the first Ken Norton-Jose Luis Garcia fight at the Olympic in 1970? The story I always heard was that Garcia knocked down Norton at the end of the first round, which left him in a dazed condition for the rest of the fight, and ultimately led to his stoppage in the 8th round.

According to some accounts, that first knockdown happened at the bell. Other accounts say it happened after the bell.

Do you recall what happened?

Thanks, my friend.

Tom,

I was ringside for that fight, the best I can recall, is that it happened a second or so before the bell rang.

[kikibalt]

Fellas, I'd just like to say it's a pleasure and an education to read all this, I've been silently listening and learning since the start.

Please keep it going, it's great stuff, many thanks.

Thank you Flump, we'll do our best to keep it going, I can say its sure been fun.

[bennie]

Incidentally, Frankie, I'm not sure if you picked this up in the States, but they filmed Pintor unveiling a statue of Johnny Owen in Wales in 2002, with Johnny's family.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mluAfQAUQak

[raylawpc]

Frank, Did you see the first Ken Norton-Jose Luis Garcia fight at the Olympic in 1970? The story I always heard was that Garcia knocked down Norton at the end of the first round, which left him in a dazed condition for the rest of the fight, and ultimately led to his stoppage in the 8th round.

According to some accounts, that first knockdown happened at the bell. Other accounts say it happened after the bell.

Do you recall what happened?

Thanks, my friend.

Tom,

I was ringside for that fight, the best I can recall, is that it happened a second or so before the bell rang.

Thanks Frank.

[jimglen]

Hi Frank, Jim here;

I just read an article about Tommy Martin "the English Bomber" written by West Coast writer Gene Vinassa, the Ring - Jan 1941.
The jist of the story is one of Martins 'excellence and of his knocking over of fine west coast fighters' and that Mike Jacobs, Jack Kearns, Herman Taylor of Philly and Rip Valenti of Boston had better act quick and 'grab him up' from the west coast and before he returns to Britain.

Martin fought for a couple/few months and impressed everyone at the Olympia and the L.A boxing scene, he did return to England wasn't heard of for too long after and lost a later fight to Freddie Mills. Have you got any action shot's of Martin or other pics or info about him?

it's fighters like Martin that narrow the gap between Britain/Europe and the U.S, which is often thought of as wider than it really was among the Top men!

Martin blew them away on the West Coast for that few months and undoubtedly was affected by the war thereafter.

Thanks, Jim.

[kikibalt]

Incidentally, Frankie, I'm not sure if you picked this up in the States, but they filmed Pintor unveiling a statue of Johnny Owen in Wales in 2002, with Johnny's family.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mluAfQAUQak

Bennie,

Thats the first time I heard about this, it does go to show that there are some good people in boxing.

[kikibalt]

Hi Frank, Jim here;

I just read an article about Tommy Martin "the English Bomber" written by West Coast writer Gene Vinassa, the Ring - Jan 1941.
The jist of the story is one of Martins 'excellence and of his knocking over of fine west coast fighters' and that Mike Jacobs, Jack Kearns, Herman Taylor of Philly and Rip Valenti of Boston had better act quick and 'grab him up' from the west coast and before he returns to Britain.

Martin fought for a couple/few months and impressed everyone at the Olympia and the L.A boxing scene, he did return to England wasn't heard of for too long after and lost a later fight to Freddie Mills. Have you got any action shot's of Martin or other pics or info about him?

it's fighters like Martin that narrow the gap between Britain/Europe and the U.S, which is often thought of as wider than it really was among the Top men!

Martin blew them away on the West Coast for that few months and undoubtedly was affected by the war thereafter.

Thanks, Jim.

Hi Jim,

Sorry, but I don't have anything on Martin, I see on his record that he fought a few fights at the Olympic and Hollywood Legion, fought two good boys that I can see in Pat Valentino and Turky Thompson.

[kikibalt]

[Boxingnut]

Hi Frank

I am looking thru some 80's boxing magazines and there is a rumour in one that Tony was being lined up to fight Aaron Pryor in around 1984. Any truth in that or is it just paper talk?

Regards

Rob

[kikibalt]

Hi Frank

I am looking thru some 80's boxing magazines and there is a rumour in one that Tony was being lined up to fight Aaron Pryor in around 1984. Any truth in that or is it just paper talk?

Regards

Rob

Rob,

Not true, just paper talk, how all this rumors get started, I just don't know.

[dagosd2000]

Frank, Did you see the first Ken Norton-Jose Luis Garcia fight at the Olympic in 1970? The story I always heard was that Garcia knocked down Norton at the end of the first round, which left him in a dazed condition for the rest of the fight, and ultimately led to his stoppage in the 8th round.

According to some accounts, that first knockdown happened at the bell. Other accounts say it happened after the bell.

Do you recall what happened?

Thanks, my friend.

Tom,

I was ringside for that fight, the best I can recall, is that it happened a second or so before the bell rang.

Thanks Frank.

Tom
Pardon if I jump in on this one. Ken Norton was very popular in San Diego. At first though his career was sort of a house of cards. He fought some mediocre fighters at the start and sometimes had difficulty with them. His problem had to do with stamina. By the 5th or 6th round he'd hit the wall. He would often get rocked by fighters that didn't have a punch. When the match was made against Garcia in LA. ,I knew that Norton was goiing to meet his match. Garcia was tall and had good hand speed and could punch. I watched the fight on replay. It was no fluke. Garcia dominated him and scored a "Holyfield type Olympic Games KO"over Norton. Norton was gassed at that point. Garcia's punch landed a half second after the bell. It was already delivered when the bell rang. Norton was out cold.

After this fight, Norton consulted a hypnotist who had a show in San Diego at the "Chuck Wagon" restaurant. His name was Dr. Dean Ezell. Norton's purpose was to somehow have Ezell work his mind into believing he could go the distance. Norton then scored a significant win over Henry Clark,I knew something must have worked. Then he beats Ali. The thing was,Norton never gave Ezell any credit for "working out" this psychological problem he had with his stamina.

After this,Garcia gained weight,was involved in a vehicular manslaughter rap,started drinking heavily,and went into oblivion. Norton, on the other hand, went on to fight his best and most important fights.

[dagosd2000]

Frank
Remember Monroe Ratcliff? Years ago my father took me down to the Coliseum and I saw him fight a guy named Wayne Heath. Ratcliff lost a boring decision. Ratcliff seemed like a fighter you fought on the way up. I know he lost a lot of fights at the end of his career.

Also around that time I saw 'ol Sixto Rodriguez beat a promising fighter who was becoming popular here in Dago Town. Junious Washington. As I recall Rodriguez was a little to tricky for Washington that night. Anything on Rodriguez? He had an interesting role in "Fat City".

[dagosd2000]

Frank, They're charging me 50 cents an hour to use the computer down here at the 'ol YMCA. I don't have any more change. One last question for ya'.
Do you remember any of Kid Gavilan's fights in LA. at the end of his career? Didn't he fight Ramon Fuentes and "Indio" Ortega?

Now I'm going across the street to get something to eat. Brother. Looks like I'm going to eat my Mexican food at Taco Bell.

[raylawpc]

Yes, I saw Garcia fight Charles Atlas in Oklahoma City in 1974 and, although he won in the fifth or sixth round, he did not look impressive.

[dagosd2000]

Frank
Went across the street to Taco Bell. Ordered two crispy tacos and a bean burrito. Took a couple of bites and threw the rest in the garbage. I think I'm going to find a flower stand and buy a dozen roses. Make that two dozen. Too bad I can't go to TJ right now and bring back the Mariachis . We could sing"Tus Ojos" outside the window of my house.

[kikibalt]

Tom,

I was ringside for that fight, the best I can recall, is that it happened a second or so before the bell rang.

Thanks Frank.

Tom
Pardon if I jump in on this one. Ken Norton was very popular in San Diego. At first though his career was sort of a house of cards. He fought some mediocre fighters at the start and sometimes had difficulty with them. His problem had to do with stamina. By the 5th or 6th round he'd hit the wall. He would often get rocked by fighters that didn't have a punch. When the match was made against Garcia in LA. ,I knew that Norton was goiing to meet his match. Garcia was tall and had good hand speed and could punch. I watched the fight on replay. It was no fluke. Garcia dominated him and scored a "Holyfield type Olympic Games KO"over Norton. Norton was gassed at that point. Garcia's punch landed a half second after the bell. It was already delivered when the bell rang. Norton was out cold.

After this fight, Norton consulted a hypnotist who had a show in San Diego at the "Chuck Wagon" restaurant. His name was Dr. Dean Ezell. Norton's purpose was to somehow have Ezell work his mind into believing he could go the distance. Norton then scored a significant win over Henry Clark,I knew something must have worked. Then he beats Ali. The thing was,Norton never gave Ezell any credit for "working out" this psychological problem he had with his stamina.

After this,Garcia gained weight,was involved in a vehicular manslaughter rap,started drinking heavily,and went into oblivion. Norton, on the other hand, went on to fight his best and most important fights.

Jose Luis Garcia vs Ken Norton
Guess which one is Norton

[kikibalt]

Frank
Remember Monroe Ratcliff? Years ago my father took me down to the Coliseum and I saw him fight a guy named Wayne Heath. Ratcliff lost a boring decision. Ratcliff seemed like a fighter you fought on the way up. I know he lost a lot of fights at the end of his career.

Also around that time I saw 'ol Sixto Rodriguez beat a promising fighter who was becoming popular here in Dago Town. Junious Washington. As I recall Rodriguez was a little to tricky for Washington that night. Anything on Rodriguez? He had an interesting role in "Fat City".

diego,

Ratcliff was at the father and son luncheon.

Don't know to much about Rodriguez.

[kikibalt]

Frank, They're charging me 50 cents an hour to use the computer down here at the 'ol YMCA. I don't have any more change. One last question for ya'.
Do you remember any of Kid Gavilan's fights in LA. at the end of his career? Didn't he fight Ramon Fuentes and "Indio" Ortega?

Now I'm going across the street to get something to eat. Brother. Looks like I'm going to eat my Mexican food at Taco Bell.

Pay the 50 cents and don't cry about it..

I seen Gavilan fight Fuentes and Chico Vejar, both at the Olympic, miss the Ortega fight.

[kikibalt]

Frank
Went across the street to Taco Bell. Ordered two crispy tacos and a bean burrito. Took a couple of bites and threw the rest in the garbage. I think I'm going to find a flower stand and buy a dozen roses. Make that two dozen. Too bad I can't go to TJ right now and bring back the Mariachis . We could sing"Tus Ojos" outside the window of my house.

If you're going to have too eat at Taco Bell, best you buy the rose and sing "Tus Ojos".

I downloaded the song "Tus Ojos fron the bands site.

[kikibalt]

I had a EKG done yesterday and another one today and both found that I have a left artery that is blocked, now I have to go see a cardiologist, but first I go see my doctor Thursday, she will set an appointment with a cardiologist that she knows.