Classic American West Coast Boxing

[kikibalt]

Jack Dempsey & Bob Foster

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Archie Moore & Rocky Marciano

[Expug]

Great shot of Dempsey and Foster.
Two legends .
And talk about punchers, two of the biggest ever.

[kikibalt]

Jesse Flores

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Earl Turner Vs Jimmy Garrison

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diego's sister in law's rancho, Valle De Juarez,
Jalis, Mex.

[kikibalt]

diego's wife Maria, eating gorditas de nata en Jiquipan

[Rick Farris]

Don't say she hit like a girl

By Larry Stewart, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

Boxing aficionado Johnny Ortiz, former part-owner of the Main Street Gym and the host of a boxing radio show for 12 years, will be among the inductees into the California Boxing Hall of Fame at a luncheon Saturday at the Sportsman's Lodge in Studio City.

Ortiz, who has written a yet-to-be-published book about his life, has one boxing memory that sticks out.

Ortiz was cheering on his friend Jerry Quarry as he beat up on Brian London at the Olympic Auditorium on March 9, 1967, when suddenly the woman behind him conked him on the head with her purse.

It was London's wife.

"I said at the time that London may have won the fight had his wife been in the ring with him," Ortiz recalled.

Trivia time

Another inductee at Saturday's boxing luncheon will be Berry Gordy, founder of the Motown record label. What is Gordy's connection to boxing?

Good question? OK, let me try. Barry Gordy owned Motown Records. Marvin Gaye recorded on the Motown Label. Marvin Gaye managed Andy "The Hawk" Price for awhile. Andy fought out of California. Other than that, I dunno?

-Rick

[Rick Farris]

Don't say she hit like a girl

By Larry Stewart, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

Boxing aficionado Johnny Ortiz, former part-owner of the Main Street Gym and the host of a boxing radio show for 12 years, will be among the inductees into the California Boxing Hall of Fame at a luncheon Saturday at the Sportsman's Lodge in Studio City.

Ortiz, who has written a yet-to-be-published book about his life, has one boxing memory that sticks out.

Ortiz was cheering on his friend Jerry Quarry as he beat up on Brian London at the Olympic Auditorium on March 9, 1967, when suddenly the woman behind him conked him on the head with her purse.

It was London's wife.

"I said at the time that London may have won the fight had his wife been in the ring with him," Ortiz recalled.

Trivia time

Another inductee at Saturday's boxing luncheon will be Berry Gordy, founder of the Motown record label. What is Gordy's connection to boxing?

Gordy is a former pro.

Thanks Bennie. I had no idea.

[bennie]

Jack Dempsey & Bob Foster

If ever two natural punchers came head to head, this is it. Dempsey changed the game as the master of the quick start (most prizefighters started slow over the 25-round course) and the short left hook, the latter later emulated by Joe Louis; Foster is someone who would have destroyed Roy Jones, in my opinion. Christ, he was an old man when he won the title, and still made 14 defences.
Great pic.

[bennie]

diego's sister in law's rancho, Valle De Juarez,
Jalis, Mex.

Nice rancho.

[bennie]

Archie Moore & Rocky Marciano

The final fight, the final salute, the final embrace, the final touch of hands.
Marciano later died in a plane crash of course, on August 31, 1969. Manager Al Weill died on October 22, 1969; trainer Charley Goldman died November 11, 1968; second Allie Colombo on January 6, 1969.
In less than a year, the entire Marciano corner was gone.

[kikibalt]

Archie Moore & Rocky Marciano

The final fight, the final salute, the final embrace, the final touch of hands.
Marciano later died in a plane crash of course, on August 31, 1969. Manager Al Weill died on October 22, 1969; trainer Charley Goldman died November 11, 1968; second Allie Colombo on January 6, 1969.
In less than a year, the entire Marciano corner was gone.

"WOW"

I didn't know that.

[kikibalt]

Boxer Chris Arreola's dream just may come true

Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times
Many in boxing consider unbeaten Riverside-based Chris Arreola a serious contender in the heavyweight division, an oddity of sorts because of his Mexican heritage.
The Riverside native, nicknamed 'The Nightmare,' wants to be the first Mexican American heavyweight champion. A victory Saturday against Chazz Witherspoon could propel him to a title shot.

By Chris Hine, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
June 21, 2008

When he was a boy, the only way for Chris Arreola to see fights at the packed Olympic Auditorium was to sit on the steps, peanuts in hand and dreams of winning a title in his head.

"All I thought about was I wanted to be the WBC champion," Arreola said. "I always wanted to fill up an arena. I've always dreamed about it. When someone would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would always say, 'A boxer, a world-class fighter.' "

He has since traded in those peanuts for a set of gloves, and despite his nickname "The Nightmare," the 27-year-old Riverside native is on the cusp of realizing that dream.

If Arreola (23-0, 21 knockouts) can defeat Chazz Witherspoon (23-0, 15 KOs) tonight in Memphis, Tenn., he'll certify himself as one of the top American contenders for the heavyweight crown.

"To be honest, the winner here steps to the front as far as being the next American hopeful," Arreola's trainer, Henry Ramirez, said. "With so much cloudiness in the division, I definitely feel this pushes the winner to the forefront."

Arreola, ranked No. 7 in the world by the World Boxing Council, would also make history if he can capture the title belt -- he would be the first Mexican American heavyweight champion in history.

""It would give me a lot of pride, to be the first," Arreola said. "I can only imagine how the people and all the fans will react to that."

Fan appreciation is another reason Arreola got into the sport. He would sit with his father in the Olympic Auditorium and the Forum in Inglewood and soak in the animated atmosphere filled with talk of the night's best fighters. Arreola wanted to be the guy everyone was talking about.

"I like being the fan favorite. I like putting on a show. I love people being able to talk about my fight the next day, the next week, and the next month," Arreola said.

But Areola has factors other than gaining fan recognition that drive him toward winning a title. One is his young daughter, who is a primary motivation for him.

Witherspoon, he said, is "trying to send daddy home with a black eye or a broken nose. I don't want her to see daddy like that."

The other is to honor the memory of one his best friends, Alex Carranza, who was shot to death at a Halloween party last year.

"That's what inspires me so much, to try and live for him and his way of life and just keep his memory going, make sure everyone around us always remembers him," Arreola said.

Witherspoon, ranked No. 21 by the WBC, poses a serious roadblock on Arreola's path to history. Ramirez said he expects Witherspoon to be a tough competitor and to "pick his spots" to attack Arreola.

"I think to become the first Mexican American heavyweight champion, you have to beat a guy like Chazz Witherspoon," Ramirez said. "He's a guy who comes to fight and believes in himself."

Arreola needed only 82 seconds to beat Cliff Couser in his last fight, and while he's confident he will win, he said he probably won't defeat Witherspoon so quickly.

"It's going to be a hard-nosed fight," Arreola said. "That's exactly what I'm anticipating, nothing more, and nothing less."

[email protected]

[Expug]

Jesse Flores

Flores fought Chicagos Freddie Dawson.
Dawson is a guy who you dont hear much about who has a great record with some real solid wins.
He took alot of fights in Australia.
I think he lost his one title shot to Ike Williams.

[bennie]

Boxer Chris Arreola's dream just may come true

Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times
Many in boxing consider unbeaten Riverside-based Chris Arreola a serious contender in the heavyweight division, an oddity of sorts because of his Mexican heritage.
The Riverside native, nicknamed 'The Nightmare,' wants to be the first Mexican American heavyweight champion. A victory Saturday against Chazz Witherspoon could propel him to a title shot.

By Chris Hine, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
June 21, 2008

When he was a boy, the only way for Chris Arreola to see fights at the packed Olympic Auditorium was to sit on the steps, peanuts in hand and dreams of winning a title in his head.

"All I thought about was I wanted to be the WBC champion," Arreola said. "I always wanted to fill up an arena. I've always dreamed about it. When someone would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would always say, 'A boxer, a world-class fighter.' "

He has since traded in those peanuts for a set of gloves, and despite his nickname "The Nightmare," the 27-year-old Riverside native is on the cusp of realizing that dream.

If Arreola (23-0, 21 knockouts) can defeat Chazz Witherspoon (23-0, 15 KOs) tonight in Memphis, Tenn., he'll certify himself as one of the top American contenders for the heavyweight crown.

"To be honest, the winner here steps to the front as far as being the next American hopeful," Arreola's trainer, Henry Ramirez, said. "With so much cloudiness in the division, I definitely feel this pushes the winner to the forefront."

Arreola, ranked No. 7 in the world by the World Boxing Council, would also make history if he can capture the title belt -- he would be the first Mexican American heavyweight champion in history.

""It would give me a lot of pride, to be the first," Arreola said. "I can only imagine how the people and all the fans will react to that."

Fan appreciation is another reason Arreola got into the sport. He would sit with his father in the Olympic Auditorium and the Forum in Inglewood and soak in the animated atmosphere filled with talk of the night's best fighters. Arreola wanted to be the guy everyone was talking about.

"I like being the fan favorite. I like putting on a show. I love people being able to talk about my fight the next day, the next week, and the next month," Arreola said.

But Areola has factors other than gaining fan recognition that drive him toward winning a title. One is his young daughter, who is a primary motivation for him.

Witherspoon, he said, is "trying to send daddy home with a black eye or a broken nose. I don't want her to see daddy like that."

The other is to honor the memory of one his best friends, Alex Carranza, who was shot to death at a Halloween party last year.

"That's what inspires me so much, to try and live for him and his way of life and just keep his memory going, make sure everyone around us always remembers him," Arreola said.

Witherspoon, ranked No. 21 by the WBC, poses a serious roadblock on Arreola's path to history. Ramirez said he expects Witherspoon to be a tough competitor and to "pick his spots" to attack Arreola.

"I think to become the first Mexican American heavyweight champion, you have to beat a guy like Chazz Witherspoon," Ramirez said. "He's a guy who comes to fight and believes in himself."

Arreola needed only 82 seconds to beat Cliff Couser in his last fight, and while he's confident he will win, he said he probably won't defeat Witherspoon so quickly.

"It's going to be a hard-nosed fight," Arreola said. "That's exactly what I'm anticipating, nothing more, and nothing less."

[email protected]

I assume this guy is not one of the Arreola boxing brothers, Frankie.

[Boxingnut]

I'll bo going to Southern Spain today with my wife and my grandchildren,Amanda and Adam for three weeks. Adam will be studying guitar and Amanda will be dancing Flamenco. I know Frank and some of the gang will be together in LA. at the Boxing Banquet. I wish I could be there,but I made the reservations way in advance because of the price of air travel. By the time I knew of the Banquet it was too late.

I'll try to find something there pertaining to boxing,but so far nothing. Bullfighting,soccer,Flamenco,and their contemporary interests(which doesn't include boxing)is quite different than the Southland LA. scene,and even Mexico. Southern Spain(called Andalucia)has not modernized that much like Northern Spain or Barcelona. It has kept most of its traditions and like every country, people are aware of the region they live in. They are proud to be Andalucians.

Anyway,I'll send something. It might not be about boxiing,but I'll try to make it interesting.
Dagos

I have just come back from 3 weeks in Spain (the island of Ibiza to be exact). Have a good trip. It is not really a boxing country.

[bennie]

Jack Dempsey & Bob Foster

If ever two natural punchers came head to head, this is it. Dempsey changed the game as the master of the quick start (most prizefighters started slow over the 25-round course) and the short left hook, the latter later emulated by Joe Louis; Foster is someone who would have destroyed Roy Jones, in my opinion. Christ, he was an old man when he won the title, and still made 14 defences.
Great pic.

The night Dempsey destroyed Willard, he went to bed and dreamed he had lost. He woke up the next morning and had to ask the hotel bell-boy for the result. "You won the fight," said a perplexed-looking bell-boy.
"You're the heavyweight champion of the world."

[bennie]

I'll bo going to Southern Spain today with my wife and my grandchildren,Amanda and Adam for three weeks. Adam will be studying guitar and Amanda will be dancing Flamenco. I know Frank and some of the gang will be together in LA. at the Boxing Banquet. I wish I could be there,but I made the reservations way in advance because of the price of air travel. By the time I knew of the Banquet it was too late.

I'll try to find something there pertaining to boxing,but so far nothing. Bullfighting,soccer,Flamenco,and their contemporary interests(which doesn't include boxing)is quite different than the Southland LA. scene,and even Mexico. Southern Spain(called Andalucia)has not modernized that much like Northern Spain or Barcelona. It has kept most of its traditions and like every country, people are aware of the region they live in. They are proud to be Andalucians.

Anyway,I'll send something. It might not be about boxiing,but I'll try to make it interesting.
Dagos

I have just come back from 3 weeks in Spain (the island of Ibiza to be exact). Have a good trip. It is not really a boxing country.

Welcome back, Boxingnut.

[Boxingnut]

I'll bo going to Southern Spain today with my wife and my grandchildren,Amanda and Adam for three weeks. Adam will be studying guitar and Amanda will be dancing Flamenco. I know Frank and some of the gang will be together in LA. at the Boxing Banquet. I wish I could be there,but I made the reservations way in advance because of the price of air travel. By the time I knew of the Banquet it was too late.

I'll try to find something there pertaining to boxing,but so far nothing. Bullfighting,soccer,Flamenco,and their contemporary interests(which doesn't include boxing)is quite different than the Southland LA. scene,and even Mexico. Southern Spain(called Andalucia)has not modernized that much like Northern Spain or Barcelona. It has kept most of its traditions and like every country, people are aware of the region they live in. They are proud to be Andalucians.

Anyway,I'll send something. It might not be about boxiing,but I'll try to make it interesting.
Dagos

I have just come back from 3 weeks in Spain (the island of Ibiza to be exact). Have a good trip. It is not really a boxing country.

Welcome back, Boxingnut.

Cheers Bennie I have about 40+ pages of reading to catch up on, on this thread alone!

[granberry]

Jack Dempsey & Bob Foster

If ever two natural punchers came head to head, this is it. Dempsey changed the game as the master of the quick start (most prizefighters started slow over the 25-round course) and the short left hook, the latter later emulated by Joe Louis; Foster is someone who would have destroyed Roy Jones, in my opinion. Christ, he was an old man when he won the title, and still made 14 defences.
Great pic.

Look at the massive size of Dempsey's wrist and hand.

Terry McGovern was a pretty quick starter.

McGovern won his titles over 20 year before Dempsey won the heavyweight title.

[ebeneezer]

Look at the massive size of Dempsey's wrist and hand.

Do you still think it's bigger than Primo Carnera's?

[Rick Farris]

Frank . . .

I know Granberry's true identity. Enough said. 8)

[Bobbin & Weavin]

Frank . . .

I know Granberry's true identity. Enough said. 8)

You might just as well yell FIRE in a theater; you have our attention!

[bennie]

Come on Rick and Frankie. Let's have some ACTION.