Classic American West Coast Boxing

[raylawpc]

Tom,

She hasn't seen it yet, and I hope she doesn't, so I don't have to explain anything.....

If she does, try, "What girl? Oh yeah. Honey [insert name here] bumped into my arm when I took that picture. I'm just glad Armando got in the shot, aren't you?"

[Rick Farris]

And then, this Irish lad walked in

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

Pug, he's your Uncle John, too? Maybe we're related? Your family from the North or South?

[Rick Farris]

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.

Yeah, that's Uncle John. He's lots of fun until somebody takes the drink out of his hand.

[Rick Farris]

By Randy De La O


Yesterdays Memorial service for the late Mando Ramos at the Longshoremen’s Memorial Hall in Wilmington was at times celebratory and at times somber. Celebratory because Mando was being remembered, stories were being shared, old fight clips were shown on a large screen, as well as personal photographs. Somber because as Mando Ramos Jr. was giving an emotional eulogy to his father, and as others stood up and spoke, you knew Mando was really going to be missed by those who loved him and knew him best. The fight clips shown during the service were a testimony to his greatness. Mando was one hell of a fighter. Thanks to Mando’s wife Sylvia for sharing the memorabilia and the memories with us. This boxing fan appreciated it.


The local boxing community came out to pay their respects to one of their greatest. In attendance were Frank Baltazar Sr, Frankie Baltazar Jr., Carlos Palomino, Mando Muniz, Bobby Chacon, Ruben Castillo, Rodolfo “El Gato” Gonzalez, Orlando De La Fuente, Raul Rojas, Paul Gonzalez, Frankie Duarte and so many more, as well as hundreds of fans.

Mando Ramos belongs to history and to God now. Rest in Peace Champ.

Thanks Frank, for posting all the great pictures. I was disappointed I could not attend. At least we have you & Dagos to keep us up on all that went on. I spoke with Sylvia before the event and she knew I could not make it. LA's greatest boxer of my era, a personal friend no less, and I could not make it. We will memorialize Mando at this year's WBHOF banquet, however, and I am putting together a special tribute on film that will be shown at the event. Sadly, the man himself will only be there in spirit, as he always was, he & Sylvia. Mando was a lot of fun at these events, and usually the center of attention, of course. As Dagos so correctly said, L.A. boxing people are very special, and he is a part of it now, like you, Randy, Dan Hanley (even though he is a Chicago guy, Dan is an honorary "Angelino"), and the rest. I can't wait for October when we of Boxrec's "Classic American West Coast Boxing" thread all get together with "our kind of people". And don't think for a moment that the spirit of the youngest lightweight champ in history won't be there because, as we all know, "It's all about Mando Ramos!".

Bless you Mando, well do it again in October.

-Rick

[Rick Farris]

And then, this Irish lad walked in

Geez, that's not Uncle John, it's the ghost of Frankie Crawford.

-Rick

[bennie]

And then, this Irish lad walked in

Why is he wearing an Ireland T-Shirt? Everybody in the world would know he is Irish.

[bennie]

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

The roving eye wins again.

[bennie]

Frankie Baltazar & Paul Gonzales

Two world class pros.

[bennie]

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

The roving eye wins again.

Mando looks to be saying, "You should see that woman with the fantastic boobs; Carlos is going "Where, where?"; Ruben has already clocked her and is enjoying the memory; Paul is smiling like a man who knows she is waiting for him.

[bennie]

By Randy De La O


Yesterdays Memorial service for the late Mando Ramos at the Longshoremen’s Memorial Hall in Wilmington was at times celebratory and at times somber. Celebratory because Mando was being remembered, stories were being shared, old fight clips were shown on a large screen, as well as personal photographs. Somber because as Mando Ramos Jr. was giving an emotional eulogy to his father, and as others stood up and spoke, you knew Mando was really going to be missed by those who loved him and knew him best. The fight clips shown during the service were a testimony to his greatness. Mando was one hell of a fighter. Thanks to Mando’s wife Sylvia for sharing the memorabilia and the memories with us. This boxing fan appreciated it.


The local boxing community came out to pay their respects to one of their greatest. In attendance were Frank Baltazar Sr, Frankie Baltazar Jr., Carlos Palomino, Mando Muniz, Bobby Chacon, Ruben Castillo, Rodolfo “El Gato” Gonzalez, Orlando De La Fuente, Raul Rojas, Paul Gonzalez, Frankie Duarte and so many more, as well as hundreds of fans.

Mando Ramos belongs to history and to God now. Rest in Peace Champ.

Thanks Frank, for posting all the great pictures. I was disappointed I could not attend. At least we have you & Dagos to keep us up on all that went on. I spoke with Sylvia before the event and she knew I could not make it. LA's greatest boxer of my era, a personal friend no less, and I could not make it. We will memorialize Mando at this year's WBHOF banquet, however, and I am putting together a special tribute on film that will be shown at the event. Sadly, the man himself will only be there in spirit, as he always was, he & Sylvia. Mando was a lot of fun at these events, and usually the center of attention, of course. As Dagos so correctly said, L.A. boxing people are very special, and he is a part of it now, like you, Randy, Dan Hanley (even though he is a Chicago guy, Dan is an honorary "Angelino"), and the rest. I can't wait for October when we of Boxrec's "Classic American West Coast Boxing" thread all get together with "our kind of people". And don't think for a moment that the spirit of the youngest lightweight champ in history won't be there because, as we all know, "It's all about Mando Ramos!".

Bless you Mando, well do it again in October.

-Rick

More seriously this is a fitting celebration of the life of Mando, without whom there is a massive void. We got so used to seeing him in Frankie's pics at other celebrations, NOT seeing him is quite shocking.

[bennie]

Frankie Baltazar holding Mando Ramos's WBC belt.

Frankie has a mischievous look on his face.

[kikibalt]

Sylvia Ramos & Mando Ramos Jr.

[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,

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!

Cheers, Frankie.

[kikibalt]

Mando's granddaughter, I'm sorry to say that I fogot her name.

[bennie]

Mando's granddaughter, I'm sorry to say that I fogot her name.

Wow!

[kikibalt]

Tom,

She hasn't seen it yet, and I hope she doesn't, so I don't have to explain anything.....

If she does, try, "What girl? Oh yeah. Honey [insert name here] bumped into my arm when I took that picture. I'm just glad Armando got in the shot, aren't you?"

Good line Tom, I have to remember that one, thanks....

[kikibalt]

Cheers, Frankie.

Thanks Bennie

[scartissue]

[quote="bennie"][quote="kikibalt"][quote="bennie"][quote="kikibalt"]
Orlando De La Fuente, Oklahoma Jack and Andy "Kid" Heilman[/b


I read a quote from Jackie McCoy on the style of a some of his fighters at the time and he said he told Andy Heilman between rounds of a fight, "Okay, what I want you to do with this guy is stick and move. Use the jab and dance around him. Andy just sort of looked at me funny before I burst out laughing. Andy had one way of fighting. Straight in."

Scartissue

[scartissue]

Joe Miceli passed away Friday night. Feels like the boxing fraternity is getting smaller. I met Joe a couple of years back at a WBHF event, I believe Frank has posted a photo of him at the event. RIP Joe.

Scartissue

JOE MICELI-MAGIC ALL THE WAY (Jan 8, 1929-July 18,2008)- Ron Ross

The heart that never quit in the ring finally stopped beating and Joe Miceli, whose vaunted left hook was overshadowed only by his magnificent smile and boundless love for his family, was at rest. But what memories he leaves with us. This kid from Mulberry Street who became an exciting matinee idol for network television fights back in the 1950's began his career in 1948 at the Eastern Parkway Arena and finished it thirteen years and 110 fights later against Curtis Cokes in Dallas, Texas. Twelve of his opponents were world champions! Thirty-seven of his fights appeared on live television. Only Kid Gavilan and Ralph "Tiger" Jones had more tv appearances. A slugger who always gave an action-packed performance, beating such standout stars as "Golden Boy" Art Aragon, Wallace "Bud" Smith, Bobby Dykes, Johnny Saxton, Pierre Langlois and the great Ike Williams (2 out of 3), Joe never wore a crown. But that was okay. It just would have gotten in the way of his thick, wavy hair with the '50's-style pompadour above the forehead. Joey was a people's champ and a people's person. His ties to the boxing world remained strong over the years. He served on the Board of Directors of Ring 8, Veteran Boxers Association of New York, playing an active role in seeing that fighters past and present in need of assistance received proper attention. He and his wife Cathy were high school sweethearts who wore their hearts on their sleeves. Just turn on the jukebox and let it go with with an oldie classic like "In the Mood" and they'd be the first ones out on the dance floor doing a lindy. Wherever they went, Joe and Cathy's smiles would light up the room. When he finally took the gloves off in 1961 he discovered he had ten fingers and with those ten fingers he learned that he could do wondrous things. Give Joey a deck of cards and a small crowd - which to Joe was anything more than half a person - and there he was; "pick a card, any card, put it back in the deck ...". Joe Miceli was now an accomplished prestidigitator. But, whoa! You had to be careful calling Joe Miceli that. It had the wrong ring for a guy from the Lower East Side. "Magician" will do just fine.Wherever he went, Joe carried a deck of cards and was ready, willing and able to entertain at the drop of a rabbit falling out of a hat. It was October 2004 and I was walking down Hollywood Blvd in the heart of Hollywood, California with Joe and our wives when Joe saw a Magic Tricks shop right there on the main drag. Joe stopped in his tracks and it was as though a magnet drew him inside. It turns out that the owner was a professional magician who entertained at parties and on stage. Here he is showing Joe a card trick. When he finished Joe took the deck of cards from him with a "You ain't seen nuthin' yet" grin and put on a show that drew a storeful of people watching and applauding - including the proprietor-magician. Hollywood 2004 Joe watches very carefully before taking over the show. We walked a couple blocks further and Joe spots this Italian restaurant, Miceli's. No relation, but, so what!. We followed Joe inside. He introduces himself as Joe Miceli, who he just so happened to be, and we are treated like royalty. For his final trick of the day, Joe made a large plate of pasta disappear. As always, I was duly impressed by this fun-loving, always smiling former ring predator who brought joy and happiness to so many hearts.


Joe Miceli at a party at my home in 2004. His ever present smile tells it all.

Joe Miceli may be leaving a large void in this world but just think of all the wonderful memories, the smiles, the laughter, the joy that will always be his legacy. Treasure them, Cathy. They are forever!


Joe Miceli (January 8, 1929-July 18, 2008) R.I.P.

[Boxingnut]

Mando's granddaughter, I'm sorry to say that I fogot her name.

Wow!

My sentiments exactly.

[Boxingnut]

Frankie Baltazar & Paul Gonzales

Two world class pros.

What is Paul Gonzales upto these days?

[bennie]

Frankie Baltazar & Paul Gonzales

Two world class pros.

What is Paul Gonzales upto these days?

Good question, Rob. He still retains his Golden Boy smile. He licked Britain's John Lyon in the '84 Olympics. That's no mean win.

[bennie]

Joe Miceli passed away Friday night. Feels like the boxing fraternity is getting smaller. I met Joe a couple of years back at a WBHF event, I believe Frank has posted a photo of him at the event. RIP Joe.

Scartissue

JOE MICELI-MAGIC ALL THE WAY (Jan 8, 1929-July 18,2008)- Ron Ross

The heart that never quit in the ring finally stopped beating and Joe Miceli, whose vaunted left hook was overshadowed only by his magnificent smile and boundless love for his family, was at rest. But what memories he leaves with us. This kid from Mulberry Street who became an exciting matinee idol for network television fights back in the 1950's began his career in 1948 at the Eastern Parkway Arena and finished it thirteen years and 110 fights later against Curtis Cokes in Dallas, Texas. Twelve of his opponents were world champions! Thirty-seven of his fights appeared on live television. Only Kid Gavilan and Ralph "Tiger" Jones had more tv appearances. A slugger who always gave an action-packed performance, beating such standout stars as "Golden Boy" Art Aragon, Wallace "Bud" Smith, Bobby Dykes, Johnny Saxton, Pierre Langlois and the great Ike Williams (2 out of 3), Joe never wore a crown. But that was okay. It just would have gotten in the way of his thick, wavy hair with the '50's-style pompadour above the forehead. Joey was a people's champ and a people's person. His ties to the boxing world remained strong over the years. He served on the Board of Directors of Ring 8, Veteran Boxers Association of New York, playing an active role in seeing that fighters past and present in need of assistance received proper attention. He and his wife Cathy were high school sweethearts who wore their hearts on their sleeves. Just turn on the jukebox and let it go with with an oldie classic like "In the Mood" and they'd be the first ones out on the dance floor doing a lindy. Wherever they went, Joe and Cathy's smiles would light up the room. When he finally took the gloves off in 1961 he discovered he had ten fingers and with those ten fingers he learned that he could do wondrous things. Give Joey a deck of cards and a small crowd - which to Joe was anything more than half a person - and there he was; "pick a card, any card, put it back in the deck ...". Joe Miceli was now an accomplished prestidigitator. But, whoa! You had to be careful calling Joe Miceli that. It had the wrong ring for a guy from the Lower East Side. "Magician" will do just fine.Wherever he went, Joe carried a deck of cards and was ready, willing and able to entertain at the drop of a rabbit falling out of a hat. It was October 2004 and I was walking down Hollywood Blvd in the heart of Hollywood, California with Joe and our wives when Joe saw a Magic Tricks shop right there on the main drag. Joe stopped in his tracks and it was as though a magnet drew him inside. It turns out that the owner was a professional magician who entertained at parties and on stage. Here he is showing Joe a card trick. When he finished Joe took the deck of cards from him with a "You ain't seen nuthin' yet" grin and put on a show that drew a storeful of people watching and applauding - including the proprietor-magician. Hollywood 2004 Joe watches very carefully before taking over the show. We walked a couple blocks further and Joe spots this Italian restaurant, Miceli's. No relation, but, so what!. We followed Joe inside. He introduces himself as Joe Miceli, who he just so happened to be, and we are treated like royalty. For his final trick of the day, Joe made a large plate of pasta disappear. As always, I was duly impressed by this fun-loving, always smiling former ring predator who brought joy and happiness to so many hearts.


Joe Miceli at a party at my home in 2004. His ever present smile tells it all.

Joe Miceli may be leaving a large void in this world but just think of all the wonderful memories, the smiles, the laughter, the joy that will always be his legacy. Treasure them, Cathy. They are forever!


Joe Miceli (January 8, 1929-July 18, 2008) R.I.P.

RIP, Joe.

[Boxingnut]

Bennie

Did you buy the book the history of Califonian boxing that was being mentioned earlier in this thread?

[bennie]

Bennie

Did you buy the book the history of Califonian boxing that was being mentioned earlier in this thread?

No, I didn't, Rob.

You?