Harold Johnson
Classic American West Coast Boxing
I don't mind you sharing ANY of your impressions on any fighters you trained with!!!Rick Farris wrote:raylawpc wrote:Frank, I'd be interested in your impressions of Chucho Castillo.kikibalt wrote:
Chucho Castillo
If you don't mind me sharing my impressions of ChuCho Castillo, I had two, one was under my right eye and the other on my nose. He worked hard in the gym!
-Rick Farris
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Rick Farris
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 7200
- Joined: 15 Feb 2008, 16:04
Crawford, Conrad and the "Wild, Wild West" (final) . . .
Shortly after Frankie Crawford unloaded on Robert Conrad, during a sparring session, the former featherweight contender stepped into the ring with veteran Dwight Hawkins,before a sellout crowd at the Forum,in 1968.
It was a big night for promoter George Parnassus, who also booked Ruben Navarro vs. Arturo Lomeli in a twelve-rounder, for the vacant North American lightweight title. The show would open with future welter king, Jose Napoles, taking on Ireland's Des Rea in a scheduled ten.,
Hawkins destroyed Crawford in eight rounds, and years later, Crawford would claim that his manager, Robert Conrad, had given him "speed" before the fight. There was no proof of Crawford's claim. This would be the last bout that Conrad serve as Crawford's manager, and the beginning of big trouble for both the actor and boxer.
Crawford was always paranoid about being "set-up" for a mob-type "hit", and considering his behavior towards certain people, the idea was not all that far fetched. On one occasion, Crawford had received some sort of info that a known "hit man", who frequented a San Fernando Valley lounge, was "carrying a note on him".
Frankie Crawford had it in his head that Robert Conrad "owed" him $7500. For what? Who knows, but so sure was Crawford he inquired aboiut hiring a mob "strong arm" man to put some pressure on the actor. Crawford was given the name and phone number of somebody who would carry out the job, but the fighter lost the paper it was written on. Left only with memory of the hit man's name, something Italian, he thought, Crawford decided to find the number in the telephone book white pages.
The name looked familiar to Crawford, Joe LaMonica. Crawford calls the number and is soon speaking with LaMonica. The conversation was simple, "I'm Frankie Crawford, the boxer. Do you know who I am?" The surprised voice on the line answered, "Yes, I do."
Now speaking with the man who would solve his problems, Crawford explained what he wanted, and the man on the line responded, "Well, what do you want me to do to Robert Conrad?" Crawford replied, "Oh, it won't take much. He has a heart the size of a pea".
The man arranged too meet the ex-fighter, and when they met, Crawford was arrested. Poor Frankie had called the number of a retired cop.
Can you imaginbe the embarrassment of Coinrad when it became public what Crawford said about the actor's courage.
A court trial resulted in a hung jury, and it soon died out, unresolved. A couple years later, Conrad would actually help Crawford optain a boxing license in Nevada, after denied one in California, unable to pass the physical.
In Las Vegas, Crawford worked as a security guard at a casino, and would quietly train at night. One night, a disagreement with his "new" manager, resulted in Frankie being shot in the back. He lived crippled for four years, before finally taking his life withh a shotgun.
More on Crawford in future posts, but this is all on his relationship with Conrad, at least at the moment.
What a wild ride for the star of the "Wild, Wild West".
-Rick Farris
Shortly after Frankie Crawford unloaded on Robert Conrad, during a sparring session, the former featherweight contender stepped into the ring with veteran Dwight Hawkins,before a sellout crowd at the Forum,in 1968.
It was a big night for promoter George Parnassus, who also booked Ruben Navarro vs. Arturo Lomeli in a twelve-rounder, for the vacant North American lightweight title. The show would open with future welter king, Jose Napoles, taking on Ireland's Des Rea in a scheduled ten.,
Hawkins destroyed Crawford in eight rounds, and years later, Crawford would claim that his manager, Robert Conrad, had given him "speed" before the fight. There was no proof of Crawford's claim. This would be the last bout that Conrad serve as Crawford's manager, and the beginning of big trouble for both the actor and boxer.
Crawford was always paranoid about being "set-up" for a mob-type "hit", and considering his behavior towards certain people, the idea was not all that far fetched. On one occasion, Crawford had received some sort of info that a known "hit man", who frequented a San Fernando Valley lounge, was "carrying a note on him".
Frankie Crawford had it in his head that Robert Conrad "owed" him $7500. For what? Who knows, but so sure was Crawford he inquired aboiut hiring a mob "strong arm" man to put some pressure on the actor. Crawford was given the name and phone number of somebody who would carry out the job, but the fighter lost the paper it was written on. Left only with memory of the hit man's name, something Italian, he thought, Crawford decided to find the number in the telephone book white pages.
The name looked familiar to Crawford, Joe LaMonica. Crawford calls the number and is soon speaking with LaMonica. The conversation was simple, "I'm Frankie Crawford, the boxer. Do you know who I am?" The surprised voice on the line answered, "Yes, I do."
Now speaking with the man who would solve his problems, Crawford explained what he wanted, and the man on the line responded, "Well, what do you want me to do to Robert Conrad?" Crawford replied, "Oh, it won't take much. He has a heart the size of a pea".
The man arranged too meet the ex-fighter, and when they met, Crawford was arrested. Poor Frankie had called the number of a retired cop.
Can you imaginbe the embarrassment of Coinrad when it became public what Crawford said about the actor's courage.
A court trial resulted in a hung jury, and it soon died out, unresolved. A couple years later, Conrad would actually help Crawford optain a boxing license in Nevada, after denied one in California, unable to pass the physical.
In Las Vegas, Crawford worked as a security guard at a casino, and would quietly train at night. One night, a disagreement with his "new" manager, resulted in Frankie being shot in the back. He lived crippled for four years, before finally taking his life withh a shotgun.
More on Crawford in future posts, but this is all on his relationship with Conrad, at least at the moment.
What a wild ride for the star of the "Wild, Wild West".
-Rick Farris
I'm wrapping Roman Ventura's hands in this pic.,
Frankie is facing the camera, Tony back to camera,
on this night Roman fought Andy "The Hawk" Price,
Andy got in the ring first and is moving around as
Roman start getting in the ring, Roman see andy
moving like a pro, and as he had one leg over the
lower rope, he turns around to face me and he tells
me "I don't want to fight tonight after all", I push him
in the ring and he fought and gave Andy a hell of a
fight, losing by a close decision, btw it was the 1964
Jr. G.G. finals
Scar and Bennie,
About the Suzuki fight----
I was originally scheduled to fight him in January of 1974, but I had been bitten on my right knee by a black widow spider about two weeks before the fight. I got really sick with a fever and my leg swelled up like a balloon. When Jacky McCoy called the promoter in Japan to tell him that the fight would have to be postponed, he didn't believe it. He thought we were making excuses so he flew over here to Los Angeles and actually drove to my house in Long Beach to see if it was true.
The fight was rescheduled for April 11th in Tokyo. I had gone so long without training that I gained about 25 lbs. Also I was getting older and it was harder to keep the weight down even when I was training. Anyway, we arrived in Japan for the fight about a week early. I had dropped some weight but still had 20 lbs to go. I lost 15 lbs in four days by exercising and not eating very much. I went to the sauna and took steam baths but had two more lbs to lose the day before the fight. I was so dehydrated that my mouth was twisted. By the grace of God, I made the weight the next day. Benny Georgino and Jacky McCoy had to push me off the stool during the fight because I was so weak. I was hoping that Suzuki would hit me so I would go down. He finally hit me witha right hand punch to the head and I went down. The referee, Larry Rosadilla, stopped the fight in the 8th round.
There was a rematch set up for Nov. 28 in Osaka, Japan. Again it was the same situation with my weight. I knew then that this was close to the end of my career unless I could move up to a welterweight. Before this fight I was running near the railroad tracks. A lady in her 60's was also running near me and I couldn't even keep up with her. Jacky was watching me run and laughing, shaking his head. I made the weight but I was a mess. Even like that I went up to the 13th round. I was cut over my right eye and Suzuki hit me again in the head and I went down and they stopped the fight. So both of these losses were by TKO.
Later when I got back to Los Angeles, I challenged Jose "Mantequilla" Napoles to fight in the welterweight division but they didn't give me the fight. I then called the Los Angeles Times to inform them that I was retiring from boxing. I had spent enough years boxing and wanted to spend more time with my family. Boxing had been good to me. I met so many wonderful people along the way.
El Gato
About the Suzuki fight----
I was originally scheduled to fight him in January of 1974, but I had been bitten on my right knee by a black widow spider about two weeks before the fight. I got really sick with a fever and my leg swelled up like a balloon. When Jacky McCoy called the promoter in Japan to tell him that the fight would have to be postponed, he didn't believe it. He thought we were making excuses so he flew over here to Los Angeles and actually drove to my house in Long Beach to see if it was true.
The fight was rescheduled for April 11th in Tokyo. I had gone so long without training that I gained about 25 lbs. Also I was getting older and it was harder to keep the weight down even when I was training. Anyway, we arrived in Japan for the fight about a week early. I had dropped some weight but still had 20 lbs to go. I lost 15 lbs in four days by exercising and not eating very much. I went to the sauna and took steam baths but had two more lbs to lose the day before the fight. I was so dehydrated that my mouth was twisted. By the grace of God, I made the weight the next day. Benny Georgino and Jacky McCoy had to push me off the stool during the fight because I was so weak. I was hoping that Suzuki would hit me so I would go down. He finally hit me witha right hand punch to the head and I went down. The referee, Larry Rosadilla, stopped the fight in the 8th round.
There was a rematch set up for Nov. 28 in Osaka, Japan. Again it was the same situation with my weight. I knew then that this was close to the end of my career unless I could move up to a welterweight. Before this fight I was running near the railroad tracks. A lady in her 60's was also running near me and I couldn't even keep up with her. Jacky was watching me run and laughing, shaking his head. I made the weight but I was a mess. Even like that I went up to the 13th round. I was cut over my right eye and Suzuki hit me again in the head and I went down and they stopped the fight. So both of these losses were by TKO.
Later when I got back to Los Angeles, I challenged Jose "Mantequilla" Napoles to fight in the welterweight division but they didn't give me the fight. I then called the Los Angeles Times to inform them that I was retiring from boxing. I had spent enough years boxing and wanted to spend more time with my family. Boxing had been good to me. I met so many wonderful people along the way.
El Gato
Hi Frank,kikibalt wrote:
I'm wrapping Roman Ventura's hands in this pic.,
Frankie is facing the camera, Tony back to camera,
on this night Roman fought Andy "The Hawk" Price,
Andy got in the ring first and is moving around as
Roman start getting in the ring, Roman see andy
moving like a pro, and as he had one leg over the
lower rope, he turns around to face me and he tells
me "I don't want to fight tonight after all", I push him
in the ring and he fought and gave Andy a hell of a
fight, losing by a close decision, btw it was the 1964
Jr. G.G. finals
Your story about Roman Ventura and Andy Price reminded me of the following story I found many years ago, which I thought was quite funny the first time I saw it:
“Here we were walking down the aisle toward the ring. Man, was I nervous! After all the hard work with the boxing club, the big moment had finally arrived. Victory, I thought, meant a trip to the state finals and defeat means more hard work until another big chance comes along. We climbed the stairs to the ring and I easily slid my skinny frame through the ropes and stood there gaping at the opponent. Good Gosh! He looked like King Kong in a man suit! Man, I wasn’t nervous anymore – I was scared stiff! The bright lights gave off too much heat and I began to sweat. I wanted to get out of that ring and fast. The announcer sang out the two fighter’s names and weights and the referee called us to the center of the ring for the instructions. All of a sudden, the bell rang and my hair stood up on end. The big brute advanced from the other side of the ring. I slid carefully through the ropes and perched outside the ring. Man, I’m glad I’m just the trainer. I’d sure hate to have to fight that gorilla!”
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dagosd2000
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 8638
- Joined: 01 Sep 2007, 03:31
Mario was one of those guys that was always popping up in my life when I'd least expect it. The last time i saw him ,he was shining shoes at the old Perico Bar in downtown Tj. The Perico was about a half block off Revolution Street. It was one of the last of the little local bars. The Perico was small and clean. Cement floor,a bar with about 4 or 5 stools. A couple of tables and some chairs.
Mario had suffered a stroke,so they told me,and the old gal who owned the place took him in. Mario 's health wouldn't permit him to fix shoes out of abandoned cars anymore. The stroke took away his voice and slowed his movements,but it didn't darken his disposition. He had another mutt with him, and with his shine box was at ease in the Perico shining shoes. Like I said,he couldn't talk,but he always had a smile on his face and would wave his hands or move his head to make emphasis. Mario always wore a white short sleeve shirt with the pocket. He'd have his pack of "Faros" with him and chained smoked with his dog lying at his feet as he waited for a customer at the bar to want to get his shoes shined.
Then there was Tony the bartender. He would sing behind the bar when the mood struck him. Sometimes he'd ask you to play a certain song on the jukebax,but most of the time Tony wanted to sing alone.Tony always wore his white apron. He had a big round face,trimmed mustache,and black wavy hair. When he sang his big voice would resonate off the cement walls of the Perico. Tony liked to sing the classic songs of the Epocha de Oro of Mexican music. The songs of Pedro Infante and Javier Solis. Tony,I believed,sang better than they did. Tony had the most beautifull voice I'd ever heard. One time I asked him why he didn't sing professionally. Tony thought he didn't sing well enough to sing professionally. He was probably the only person who thought that.
Another fixture was Rosie the 'ol Bar Girl. Rosie had worked there since the Perico opened. The bloom had fallen off Rosie years ago. She only worked in the day now. At night she wouldn't be noticed by the male clientele. They wanted younger girls. But Rosie could still enjoy a laugh and drink hand over fist with the best of them. She still had that gold tooth in front that you could see it when she laughed. Rosie was too old to work anywhere else. She was the only girl working at the Perico.
The old gal didn't want to change anything. Bringing in tourists wasn't for her. She had enough money that her husband had left her after he died. She could pay the bills and pay Tony. Enough locals dropped by to buy their beer and keep the status quo. Once in a while I'd see a tourist stick his head in the door,but after a look,he'd be down the stteet. Strangers would only make everyone feel uncomfortable. And besides Tony didn't sing when strangers were in the bar.
One Sunday,after spending time with my mother in law and the family,I'd decided I'd had enough of the domestic scene and said I was going in town for a drink. I never got much resistence. It was only something like,"Be carefull driving." That Sunday I'd made the rounds at the Hotel Nelson,the Long Bar,and a couple of other places I'll "take the fifth" not to mention ,before I found my way to the Perico. I was in a smart alec mood and when I burst inside,I shouted"Is it al right to say f--k in here?"
Tony was behind the bar wiping a glass. He gave me kind of a half smile. Something was wrong. I looked at the bottom of the wall. There was Mario's shinebox and his dog lying beside it.
"Where's Mario?"
I looked over and saw Rosie sitting alone at the table. That was the first time I saw her sit alone. Tony stopped wiping the glass. He looked up and pointed his finger at the ceiling.
"Mario's dead? Se murio?",I stammered.
"Last night",said Tony. "Mario have leukemia."
"Leukemia?", my voice started to shake.
"Heez famly bury heem . He go to Colima. Mario buried weeth heez wife."
I sat down next to Rosie. We didn't look at each other. I couldn't think of anything appropriate. Just then Tony began to sing. His voice rose. He began to sing "Los Golondrinas". The song of rememberance. Tony's voice carried like I'd never heard before. A couple of old Mexican men stood at the doorway. Tony was singing with his eyes closed. His body swayed and his arms were open. It was too much. I broke down. Then Rosie began cyring. We couldn't restrain ourselves. We didn't want to.
Someone once said the hardest thing to describe is music. All I can say is if Pavarotti would have walked inside the Perico that day hearng Tony singing "Los Golandrinas",he would have cried with us.
Mario had suffered a stroke,so they told me,and the old gal who owned the place took him in. Mario 's health wouldn't permit him to fix shoes out of abandoned cars anymore. The stroke took away his voice and slowed his movements,but it didn't darken his disposition. He had another mutt with him, and with his shine box was at ease in the Perico shining shoes. Like I said,he couldn't talk,but he always had a smile on his face and would wave his hands or move his head to make emphasis. Mario always wore a white short sleeve shirt with the pocket. He'd have his pack of "Faros" with him and chained smoked with his dog lying at his feet as he waited for a customer at the bar to want to get his shoes shined.
Then there was Tony the bartender. He would sing behind the bar when the mood struck him. Sometimes he'd ask you to play a certain song on the jukebax,but most of the time Tony wanted to sing alone.Tony always wore his white apron. He had a big round face,trimmed mustache,and black wavy hair. When he sang his big voice would resonate off the cement walls of the Perico. Tony liked to sing the classic songs of the Epocha de Oro of Mexican music. The songs of Pedro Infante and Javier Solis. Tony,I believed,sang better than they did. Tony had the most beautifull voice I'd ever heard. One time I asked him why he didn't sing professionally. Tony thought he didn't sing well enough to sing professionally. He was probably the only person who thought that.
Another fixture was Rosie the 'ol Bar Girl. Rosie had worked there since the Perico opened. The bloom had fallen off Rosie years ago. She only worked in the day now. At night she wouldn't be noticed by the male clientele. They wanted younger girls. But Rosie could still enjoy a laugh and drink hand over fist with the best of them. She still had that gold tooth in front that you could see it when she laughed. Rosie was too old to work anywhere else. She was the only girl working at the Perico.
The old gal didn't want to change anything. Bringing in tourists wasn't for her. She had enough money that her husband had left her after he died. She could pay the bills and pay Tony. Enough locals dropped by to buy their beer and keep the status quo. Once in a while I'd see a tourist stick his head in the door,but after a look,he'd be down the stteet. Strangers would only make everyone feel uncomfortable. And besides Tony didn't sing when strangers were in the bar.
One Sunday,after spending time with my mother in law and the family,I'd decided I'd had enough of the domestic scene and said I was going in town for a drink. I never got much resistence. It was only something like,"Be carefull driving." That Sunday I'd made the rounds at the Hotel Nelson,the Long Bar,and a couple of other places I'll "take the fifth" not to mention ,before I found my way to the Perico. I was in a smart alec mood and when I burst inside,I shouted"Is it al right to say f--k in here?"
Tony was behind the bar wiping a glass. He gave me kind of a half smile. Something was wrong. I looked at the bottom of the wall. There was Mario's shinebox and his dog lying beside it.
"Where's Mario?"
I looked over and saw Rosie sitting alone at the table. That was the first time I saw her sit alone. Tony stopped wiping the glass. He looked up and pointed his finger at the ceiling.
"Mario's dead? Se murio?",I stammered.
"Last night",said Tony. "Mario have leukemia."
"Leukemia?", my voice started to shake.
"Heez famly bury heem . He go to Colima. Mario buried weeth heez wife."
I sat down next to Rosie. We didn't look at each other. I couldn't think of anything appropriate. Just then Tony began to sing. His voice rose. He began to sing "Los Golondrinas". The song of rememberance. Tony's voice carried like I'd never heard before. A couple of old Mexican men stood at the doorway. Tony was singing with his eyes closed. His body swayed and his arms were open. It was too much. I broke down. Then Rosie began cyring. We couldn't restrain ourselves. We didn't want to.
Someone once said the hardest thing to describe is music. All I can say is if Pavarotti would have walked inside the Perico that day hearng Tony singing "Los Golandrinas",he would have cried with us.
Last edited by dagosd2000 on 08 May 2008, 00:31, edited 2 times in total.
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Rick Farris
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 7200
- Joined: 15 Feb 2008, 16:04
\kikibalt wrote:
Tony Baltazar..1968
Eastside Boys Club.
East Los Angeles, Ca.
You know, Frank, I may have fought on that card. If it was held around April, I fought on a card at the ELA Boys Club in 1968. Also on that card was Albert Davila. I rememeber you at the weigh-in before the nights fights, making matches etc. I fought a guy from Stanton A.C. named Billy Enriquez, who was trained by Noe Cruz.
-Rick
Thanks, Rodolfo. The ultimate sign of class in a fighter is one who knows when to get out. I saw the ending to the second Ishimatu fight on youtube the other day and you could see something was missing, although the referee certainly couldn't. What a shocking performance from the ref!El Gato wrote:Scar and Bennie,
About the Suzuki fight----
I was originally scheduled to fight him in January of 1974, but I had been bitten on my right knee by a black widow spider about two weeks before the fight. I got really sick with a fever and my leg swelled up like a balloon. When Jacky McCoy called the promoter in Japan to tell him that the fight would have to be postponed, he didn't believe it. He thought we were making excuses so he flew over here to Los Angeles and actually drove to my house in Long Beach to see if it was true.
The fight was rescheduled for April 11th in Tokyo. I had gone so long without training that I gained about 25 lbs. Also I was getting older and it was harder to keep the weight down even when I was training. Anyway, we arrived in Japan for the fight about a week early. I had dropped some weight but still had 20 lbs to go. I lost 15 lbs in four days by exercising and not eating very much. I went to the sauna and took steam baths but had two more lbs to lose the day before the fight. I was so dehydrated that my mouth was twisted. By the grace of God, I made the weight the next day. Benny Georgino and Jacky McCoy had to push me off the stool during the fight because I was so weak. I was hoping that Suzuki would hit me so I would go down. He finally hit me witha right hand punch to the head and I went down. The referee, Larry Rosadilla, stopped the fight in the 8th round.
There was a rematch set up for Nov. 28 in Osaka, Japan. Again it was the same situation with my weight. I knew then that this was close to the end of my career unless I could move up to a welterweight. Before this fight I was running near the railroad tracks. A lady in her 60's was also running near me and I couldn't even keep up with her. Jacky was watching me run and laughing, shaking his head. I made the weight but I was a mess. Even like that I went up to the 13th round. I was cut over my right eye and Suzuki hit me again in the head and I went down and they stopped the fight. So both of these losses were by TKO.
Later when I got back to Los Angeles, I challenged Jose "Mantequilla" Napoles to fight in the welterweight division but they didn't give me the fight. I then called the Los Angeles Times to inform them that I was retiring from boxing. I had spent enough years boxing and wanted to spend more time with my family. Boxing had been good to me. I met so many wonderful people along the way.
El Gato
Weightmaking is something that catches up with you, physically and mentally. We have a fighter here called Scott Harrison, a big guy who squeezed his frame down to featherweight for 17 title fights in a row (courtesy of all the 'naff' titles out there today) until he suddently 'snapped' a couple of years ago and the Board have now taken away his boxing licence. He is continually in trouble with the law, fighting and drinking. He's just lost it.
Last edited by bennie on 08 May 2008, 04:58, edited 1 time in total.
It's remarkable that two legendary-to-be African fighters slogged away in a Liverpool factory - for English Electric, to boot. My neighbour works for them right now. My brother also worked for them. Such a small world. Tiger was probably back at work the morning after he floored, busted up and stopped Terry Downes in London. Remarkable, absolutely remarkable.Boxingnut wrote:I will ask my dad how well he remembers them and get back to you Bennie. My dad is not a boxing fan so he may not remember. I know in the past he has said Tiger was said to be a "quiet guy". Both boxers enjoyed a kind of "celebrity" status within the factory, which was called English Electric by the way. Tiger worked in the paint shop, not sure all those fumes would have been good for him. I worked at the factory for a few years myself in the 1980's and one of the security guards who loved his boxing remembered Bassey as "quite a cheerful chap". I will ask my dad if he remembers them though.bennie wrote:Did your dad know him well (and Hogan)? If so, tell us more. I've always had a soft spot for Tiger, given his British connection and his premature death in 1970 from cancer - just two years after the Foster knockout. A terrible early death.Boxingnut wrote: Tiger worked in the same Liverpool factory as my father as did Hogan "Kid" Bassey.
Charnley is one of our greatest fighters ever (definitely top 10). He beat Joe Brown for the world lightweight title in London, you know, but referee Tommy Little (the sole arbiter) had a grudge wth Charnley's manager Arthur Boggis and gave it to Joe.scartissue wrote:Bennie, did Joey Lopes fight Dave Charnley over in merry auld? Charnley was taking on some really good American and International competition at the time. I wish I could have seen Charnley fight. It sounded like he had a real crowd pleasing style.bennie wrote:Great shot. Even the referee looks bemused.kikibalt wrote:
Joey Lopes vs Sandy Saddler
Scartissue
That's a true story.
-
scartissue
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 1893
- Joined: 31 Mar 2002, 20:00
Castillo, although Mexican bantamweight champ at the time, almost appeared to come out of nowhere to knockout Valdemir Pinto and Bernardo Carraballo, two of the top contenders at the time. He parlayed those wins into a masterpiece of counter-punching over Jesus Pimental. I believe he just about whitewashed Little Poison over 12 rounds, which did not seem perceivable at the time. I heard he really wasn't very affable towards the press. Whether it was a sullen demeanor or what, I don't know. But I do feel he is a very underrated fighter.kikibalt wrote:Tom,raylawpc wrote:Frank, I'd be interested in your impressions of Chucho Castillo.kikibalt wrote:
Chucho Castillo
I really don't have one..
Scartissue
-
scartissue
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 1893
- Joined: 31 Mar 2002, 20:00
Rodolfo, I really think you underrate yourself in the rematch. I thought McCoy got you in good condition in that fight and you looked very strong in comparison to what you looked in the first fight, which is on youtube. In that one you looked like a ragdoll you were so weak. I know it was my perception and you know what you had to go through in the gym to make weight, but I felt you were easily in control in the rematch until those two nasty butts (which looked intentional) opened that cut. Suzuki did not like your body shots and if he wasn't on his bike he was bending at his waist almost to your knees to avoid the shots when you cornered him. I guess he was expecting to fight the same guy he fought the first time. Incidentally, after 11 completed rounds (on a rounds basis) the 3 Japanese officials scored it 2-2-7, 1-1-9 and the last official had you in front 1-0-10. That is 7, 9 and 10 rounds scored even! Could they not make up their mind? I felt it pretty obvious who was winning those rounds and had it in your favor 8-1-2. This is from one fight fan's point of view.El Gato wrote:Scar and Bennie,
About the Suzuki fight----
I was originally scheduled to fight him in January of 1974, but I had been bitten on my right knee by a black widow spider about two weeks before the fight. I got really sick with a fever and my leg swelled up like a balloon. When Jacky McCoy called the promoter in Japan to tell him that the fight would have to be postponed, he didn't believe it. He thought we were making excuses so he flew over here to Los Angeles and actually drove to my house in Long Beach to see if it was true.
The fight was rescheduled for April 11th in Tokyo. I had gone so long without training that I gained about 25 lbs. Also I was getting older and it was harder to keep the weight down even when I was training. Anyway, we arrived in Japan for the fight about a week early. I had dropped some weight but still had 20 lbs to go. I lost 15 lbs in four days by exercising and not eating very much. I went to the sauna and took steam baths but had two more lbs to lose the day before the fight. I was so dehydrated that my mouth was twisted. By the grace of God, I made the weight the next day. Benny Georgino and Jacky McCoy had to push me off the stool during the fight because I was so weak. I was hoping that Suzuki would hit me so I would go down. He finally hit me witha right hand punch to the head and I went down. The referee, Larry Rosadilla, stopped the fight in the 8th round.
There was a rematch set up for Nov. 28 in Osaka, Japan. Again it was the same situation with my weight. I knew then that this was close to the end of my career unless I could move up to a welterweight. Before this fight I was running near the railroad tracks. A lady in her 60's was also running near me and I couldn't even keep up with her. Jacky was watching me run and laughing, shaking his head. I made the weight but I was a mess. Even like that I went up to the 13th round. I was cut over my right eye and Suzuki hit me again in the head and I went down and they stopped the fight. So both of these losses were by TKO.
Later when I got back to Los Angeles, I challenged Jose "Mantequilla" Napoles to fight in the welterweight division but they didn't give me the fight. I then called the Los Angeles Times to inform them that I was retiring from boxing. I had spent enough years boxing and wanted to spend more time with my family. Boxing had been good to me. I met so many wonderful people along the way.
El Gato
Scartissue
-
scartissue
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 1893
- Joined: 31 Mar 2002, 20:00
Pug, sorry so late in getting back to you, but yes, I remember Warren Thunder. He was on so many of the clubfight shows Ernie Terrell was staging. One other guy I recall who had a bum leg was Merqui Sosa and he did alright. Also, Tami Mauriello had a club foot or something. His nephew was a referee for quite sometime in Chicago. Was it Joey Mauriello?Expug wrote:kikibalt wrote:
Ive only known of one other fighter who had polio as a youngster and a withered leg as well.
There was a middleweight who was a native American who fought out of Chicago in the 70s named Warren Thunder.
He was a game fighter and tough.
I wonder if Scar remembers him?
Scartissue
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Collins2000
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 4175
- Joined: 06 May 2002, 06:13
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dagosd2000
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 8638
- Joined: 01 Sep 2007, 03:31
kikibalt wrote:
I'm wrapping Roman Ventura's hands in this pic.,
Frankie is facing the camera, Tony back to camera,
on this night Roman fought Andy "The Hawk" Price,
Andy got in the ring first and is moving around as
Roman start getting in the ring, Roman see andy
moving like a pro, and as he had one leg over the
lower rope, he turns around to face me and he tells
me "I don't want to fight tonight after all", I push him
in the ring and he fought and gave Andy a hell of a
fight, losing by a close decision, btw it was the 1964
Jr. G.G. finals
Hey Frank
When I was a kid there were the usual youth sports:Little League and Pop Warner Football. The dads would be out there coaching us up. They were World War II Vets and they treated us kids like grown ups. They taught us to be responsible,be on time,hustle,don't make excuses,and don't whine.
When my kids started to reach that age of playing youth sports,something changed. It was the advent of mothers getting involved. Don't get me wrong,my mother would sell hot dogs in the snack shack when there was a game. But now these "Team Moms" are on the bench with the kids opening their big yaps lecturing the boys on how to behave. When Johnny skins his knee sliding into second base,the "Team Mom" goes running out to the field in a panic to kiss his boo boo. When Johnny sees this,he usually starts to cry. All the time these wimpy dads stand by and watch their wives take over.
I noticed I didn't see your wife taping any of those kids' hands. I hope the roles of men and women haven't changed in the pugilistic sport. By the way, was your wife selling Mexican food,or was it hot dogs and hamburgers?