Classic American West Coast Boxing

[bennie]

Randy De La O with Mando Ramos Jr.

Mando Jnr is certainly a chip off the old block. For a moment I thought it was an old shot of Mando.

[bennie]

Frankie, I can't quite make out what it says on the plaque. Can you enlighten us?

[kikibalt]

Thanks for all the photos again, Frankie.

My pleasure Bennie...


Jackie Hayden, Bobby Chacon and Randy De La O

[kikibalt]

Frankie Baltazar, Frankie Duarte and Orlando De La Fuente

[Rick Farris]

Meeting Gorilla Jones . . .

I met Gorilla Jones in 1971, when my career was managed by Suey Welch, Jones' long time manager. This was a man who always had a smile on his face and good story to tell. Outside his Los Angeles home was a life size statue of a gorilla. I never saw it myself, but Suey said it was quite a site. Gorilla was also a charactor, well dressed with his black hair slicked back, defying his age at the time. George Parnassus would have regular weekly lunchs for his friends at his office at the old Elks building across from MacArthur Park. This was where Parnassus ran his business from after leaving the Alexandria hotel, and it was where I would workout with quite a few of the bantam greats, such as Olivares.

Suey Welch knew my love of boxing history, even though I was just 19 at the time. Suey wasn't a guy to talk a lot of crap, he'd look you straight in the eye as he talked, and he didn't say anything that didn't need to be said. One day he called me early one morning. I was supposed to workout with Ruben Olivares in the Elk's ballroom at 1pm. "Hey kid, I want you to come in a little early today, about noon", he said. I showed up at Parnassus' office at 12pm, as requested, and met Suey. We went up to George's office and sat down on a sofa, the promoter was preparing for one of his weekly lunches and food was being brought in from the downstairs restaurant by the owner, former wrestler/actor Mike Mazurki. Within the next few minutes the guests all arrived and the list read like a "who's who" of L.A. boxing history. Jimmy McLarnin, Gorilla Jones, Henry Armstrong, Enrique Bolanos, Ike Williams (Bolanos former nemesis whom Parnassus resented for keeping his fighter from the title), Lou Nova, Mushy Callahan, Billy Wallace (who'd fought McLarnin early in Jimmy's career), Suey Welch, Mel Epstein, Mickey Davies, Parnassus and myself.

I was in boxing heaven, or it would be today because all have passed on. The talk was random and it covered a lot of ground, just the stories, memories, funny tales, and a lot of "who did what to who" that the press were not aware of, REAL boxing history, not the stuff historians extract from news clips in the library. This information added true color to otherwise black & white copy, if you understand what I mean. I was a kid, and just sat quietly taking it all in, making mental notes. One of the most interesting facts discussed concerned light-heavy contender "Young Firpo", who had been trained by my trainer Mel Epstein. I had grown tired of Mel using his former contender as an example of what I should be doing, and when Firp's name came up, I had to open my mouth and ask Parnassus, "how good was 'Young Firpo?" Parnassus looked at me and in a matter of fact tone answered, "Young Firpo was the hardest punching light-heavyweight I've ever seen." I was surprised to hear this, then McLarnin jumped into the conversation and I remember his exact words, "Let me tell you this young man, if Young Firpo were around today, he'd knockout Bob Foster in short order. Just too strong for today's boys." Needless to say I was impressed.

Just a special memory about some great fighters I had a chance to hang out with early one afternoon in late 1971.


-Rick Farris

[bennie]

Thanks for all the photos again, Frankie.

My pleasure Bennie...


Jackie Hayden, Bobby Chacon and Randy De La O

Bobby Chacon was a great, great fighter. He should never have beaten Boza in the rematch in 1983, but he did - he kicked Boza's ass. I can still remember the shockwave in British boxing circles at the result. Mickey Duff had this enormous bet on Boza.

[bennie]

Frankie Baltazar, Frankie Duarte and Orlando De La Fuente

These guys look indecently well. Duarte went 15 rounds against Pinango in 1987, one of the last men in boxing to do so.

[kikibalt]

Orlando De La Fuente, Oklahoma Jack and Andy "Kid" Heilman

[Rick Farris]

I remember Mando coming down the aisle to the Olympic Auditorium ring wearing this robe. I saw him wearing it in the dressing room, the night he fought Raul Rojas, on December 10, 1971. The L.A. boxing world seems empty knowing he's not here. I miss calling to ask him a question and hearing him tell me, "Keep your chin down, and your ass off the canvas", just as was written on the posted memorial. "Hey you bum, when you going to invite me to the studio again? I'm bored", he'd tell me. "And why don't you tell those producers to give me a part in the picture? All it takes to be a good actor is to be a good liar . . . and I'm a great liar!" We'd then both start to laugh, and sure enough, when Mando would visit me on the set, he'd suddenly steal all the attention. The actors familiar with his career would just melt, following him around like kids, telling him they saw him in this fight or that fight. Mando would just wink and tell me, "See, it really is all about me!" He'd then break out in laughter, Sylvia would shake her head and smile, "Yes Mando, we know, it's all about you".

I'll miss you Mando. You were an all-time great in my mind, an original, a one & only. Rest in peace pal, we WILL NOT forget you, not here we won't!

-Rick

[bennie]

Orlando De La Fuente, Oklahoma Jack and Andy "Kid" Heilman

I notice Heilman outscored De La Fuente, Frankie. How good were these guys?

[bennie]

I remember Mando coming down the aisle to the Olympic Auditorium ring wearing this robe. I saw him wearing it in the dressing room, the night he fought Raul Rojas, on December 10, 1971. The L.A. boxing world seems empty knowing he's not here. I miss calling to ask him a question and hearing him tell me, "Keep your chin down, and your ass off the canvas", just as was written on the posted memorial. "Hey you bum, when you going to invite me to the studio again? I'm bored", he'd tell me. "And why don't you tell those producers to give me a part in the picture? All it takes to be a good actor is to be a good liar . . . and I'm a great liar!" We'd then both start to laugh, and sure enough, when Mando would visit me on the set, he's suddenly steel all the attention. The actors familiar with his career would just melt, following him around like kids, telling him they saw him in this fight or that fight. Mando would just wink at me and tell me, "See, it really is all about me!" He'd then break out in laughter, Sylvia would shake her head and smile at me, "Yes Mando, we know, it's all about you".

I'll miss you Mando, we had our ups & downs, glad we worke things out. You were an all-time great in my mind, an original, a one & only. Rest in peace pal, we WILL NOT forget you, not here we won't!

-Rick

Beautifully put, Rick.

[kikibalt]

Frankie, I can't quite make out what it says on the plaque. Can you enlighten us?

Bennie,

I didn't read it, just shot the photo and I walked away...

[kikibalt]

Orlando De La Fuente, Oklahoma Jack and Andy "Kid" Heilman

I notice Heilman outscored De La Fuente, Frankie. How good were these guys?

Bennie,

Heilman was a good puncher, but not many boxing skills, and Orlando was a very good boxer, but not much power, opposite of each other? Ya!

[kikibalt]

And then, this Irish lad walked in

[kikibalt]

Mando Muniz, Carlos Palomino, Ruben Castillo and Paul Gonzales
And the gal in green...

[dagosd2000]

I'm going to respond from an email I got from Frank. I want to reply on the forum. I emailed Frank earlier thanking him for showing me around at Mando's testimonial. He did the same at the Father/Son Banquet in Commerce.

I have so much fun at these things it's hard to put in words. In San Diego,I now realize,how small the boxing community was. The Canadian guys(Hafey,Wilson,Burke,and Denny) would like to get a snoot full. I didn't see Ernie Fuentes or Danny Millsap at all. Junior Robles probably was more involved with things in National City. But in LA. ,it is a large community of fighters and fans and everthing in between. I wish I could have become a part of this years ago.

Frank,Rick,this is a good healthy crowd of people. My father would have gotten a kick swappin' stories with this group. I know a lot have passed,but there are younger people who have inherited the class,style,and character from the older set.

Frank,your son Frankie is a throw back to to a day you were proud to be around the younger people. Frankie is a man's man. Sense of humor. Sharp. Respectfull. Isn't self absorbed. And most important,doesn't think the world owes him anything. There are fewer and fewer of these kids now a days.

Before signing off. I saw thar shot of the old timers with that gentleman,Oklahoma Jack. I don't know who he is,but when I was going to my car I could see him movin' a little gently towards the Hall. He had a baseball cap on and looked like he just fell out of a Damon Runyan story. These fellas' aren't going to be with us much longer. Well here I go again.Anyway he's strugglin' along and looks up at me. I couldn't help myself ,especially the way my leg hurt.
"I think you're the only guy I could beat in a foot race today," I tell him.
He's still trying to keep the momentum going.
"Think so?"he comes back with.

I go to the car and catch up to him on the way back.
"You want a head start?"
I watched him struggling with a manner that said I might be old,but it's only my body that's breaking down. He was neatly dressed. I'm sure the tennis shoes he was wearing helped his legs. He looked straight ahead. The memories,experiences he must have. He wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else. He might have moved slow,but you wouldn't have wanted to get in his way.

When I asked him about wanting the head start,he kind of chuckled. He was still looking straight ahead. I walked beside him into the Longshoremen's Hall.

[Expug]

And then, this Irish lad walked in

I hope my Uncle John behaved himself while he was there. :)

[dagosd2000]

And then, this Irish lad walked in

I hope my Uncle John behaved himself while he was there. :)

Pug
This fella comes up to me while the Mariachi Band is playing and asks me is this where the Sons of Erin are celebrating the 120th anniversary of The Great Irish Potato Famine. I figure he's lost. I took him over to the table that was serving the food and put a couple of tamales and some tortillas on his plate. I saw him later with his shirt off.

[dagosd2000]

Mando Muniz, Carlos Palomino, Ruben Castillo and Paul Gonzales
And the gal in green...

I'm glad I didn't take you and your camera to the topless optional beaches in Spain. i would have found out in a hurry where the U.S. Consulate was.

[kikibalt]

And then, this Irish lad walked in

I hope my Uncle John behaved himself while he was there. :)

Pug,

Your uncle John came in asking what the party was about, I told him never mind what its about, just get something to eat, which he did, and before long he was sitting up front with the Ramos's, there for a while I thought he was going to go up to the stage and start singing "Oh Danny Boy", that was before he got together with diego.

[kikibalt]

I'm going to respond from an email I got from Frank. I want to reply on the forum. I emailed Frank earlier thanking him for showing me around at Mando's testimonial. He did the same at the Father/Son Banquet in Commerce.

I have so much fun at these things it's hard to put in words. In San Diego,I now realize,how small the boxing community was. The Canadian guys(Hafey,Wilson,Burke,and Denny) would like to get a snoot full. I didn't see Ernie Fuentes or Danny Millsap at all. Junior Robles probably was more involved with things in National City. But in LA. ,it is a large community of fighters and fans and everthing in between. I wish I could have become a part of this years ago.

Frank,Rick,this is a good healthy crowd of people. My father would have gotten a kick swappin' stories with this group. I know a lot have passed,but there are younger people who have inherited the class,style,and character from the older set.

Frank,your son Frankie is a throw back to to a day you were proud to be around the younger people. Frankie is a man's man. Sense of humor. Sharp. Respectfull. Isn't self absorbed. And most important,doesn't think the world owes him anything. There are fewer and fewer of these kids now a days.

Before signing off. I saw thar shot of the old timers with that gentleman,Oklahoma Jack. I don't know who he is,but when I was going to my car I could see him movin' a little gently towards the Hall. He had a baseball cap on and looked like he just fell out of a Damon Runyan story. These fellas' aren't going to be with us much longer. Well here I go again.Anyway he's strugglin' along and looks up at me. I couldn't help myself ,especially the way my leg hurt.
"I think you're the only guy I could beat in a foot race today," I tell him.
He's still trying to keep the momentum going.
"Think so?"he comes back with.

I go to the car and catch up to him on the way back.
"You want a head start?"
I watched him struggling with a manner that said I might be old,but it's only my body that's breaking down. He was neatly dressed. I'm sure the tennis shoes he was wearing helped his legs. He looked straight ahead. The memories,experiences he must have. He wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else. He might have moved slow,but you wouldn't have wanted to get in his way.

When I asked him about wanting the head start,he kind of chuckled. He was still looking straight ahead. I walked beside him into the Longshoremen's Hall.

I have known Oklahoma Jack for over 40 years, and believe me I never known what his real name is, don't know who tag him with that moniker, and don't know if he is a true Okie

[kikibalt]

diego with his portrait of Mando Ramos, which he presented to Mando's widow , Sylvia.

Is that OUR Diego?

It is, it is.....

[kikibalt]

Randy De La O with Mando Ramos Jr.

Mando Jnr is certainly a chip off the old block. For a moment I thought it was an old shot of Mando.

Bennie,

He looks, he talks and he walks like his old man.

[kikibalt]

Here I'm with Mando Jr.

[kikibalt]

Frankie Baltazar holding Mando Ramos's WBC belt.