Classic American West Coast Boxing

[kikibalt]

Antonio Margarito, who gave up his IBF title to fight Miguel Cotto on Saturday night,
wears the WBA welterweight belt after winning with a technical knockout in the 11th round.

[kikibalt]

[Chuck1052]

Jack Root, a former world light-heavyweight champion and an owner of a number of movie theaters, was the first promoter at the Olympic Auditorium.

- Chuck Johnston

[kikibalt]

Bobby Chacon

[kikibalt]

In old Tijuana, 1975

On donkey, painted as zebra is James Baltazar, back row, Blaine Dickson, John Mena, unknown
and Tony Baltazar.
Front row, James Dickson, unknown

[kikibalt]

By Randy De La O

Let me do what I failed to do earlier, and that is give credit to Miguel Cotto. I always have empathy for the losing fighter. I know what it's like to lose. I know what it's like to taste your own blood in defeat and I know what it's like to have to face the people in your life when you have fallen short of your goal, in this case, winning the fight. It's a hell of a thing to climb through those ropes, whether it''s for a six round semi wind up, or an epic title fight with the entire world watching.

Up until the final seconds Miguel Cotto was still in the fight. Yes, the inevitability was obvious. But because this was Miguel Cotto, nothing was a sure thing, not even the obvious inevitable ending. Cotto continued to box, countering Margarito's right hand with his left hook, and even up until the end he was trying, hoping, doing his absolute best not to let his countrymen down. That is what made this such a great fight. Yes, at some point it became almost painful to watch, but you have to admire two professionals that took the shots they did and still kept punching. If Margarito was magnificent in victory, so was Cotto in defeat. Yes, he succumbed to the force of nature that is Antonio Margarito. There is no shame in that. Looking inward though, Cotto will not see that. His psyche has been damaged. How could it not be? When a man steps into the ring he lays it all on the line, everything, his pride, his career, his future, his reputation and sometimes even his life.

There was, from my perspective, high drama last night. Two warriors that gave every last ounce of strength in their bodies. I salute them both. That ladies and gentlemen is professional boxing, the king of sports.

[kikibalt]

This is the CREA Gym, Tijuana, Julio Cesar Chavez and Tony Mragarito trained here.



Photos courtesy of diego

[Expug]

Did anybody notice that Margo. was totally dry when he came into the ring? like he didn't warm-up in his dressing room, thats why I think it takes him 6-7 round to get going, bad move on his trainer's part, if I'm right about him not warming-up.

Frank, i noticed the same thing. It made me a little nervous especially since Cotto had some sweat on him when he got in the ring. I'm with you, a bad move on the trainers part, but somehow in this case it didn't matter. It might in the next fight.

Good observation guys.
I remember going to see the Andrew Golota -Lamon Brewster fight here in Chicago a couple years ago.
Every Polish person in Chicago must have come to see Golota that night. Flags waving, songs, the whole shot.
Only problem was Golota gets in the ring bone dry. Not only that but hes wide eyed and had that psyched out deer in the headlights look that suggested that he was gonna get belted out real fast.
I turned to the cop who was standing in the aisle next to me and said "get ready".He said how come?
I told him this is gonna be over quick and these fans aint gonna be happy.
Sure enough , Brewster knew exactly what to do and jumped on Golota and belted him right out.
Thankfully the fans behaved.
Maybe they were in a good mood after seeing Tomasz Adamek win against Paul Briggs in the co main event earlier in what was a great fight.

[bennie]

I think it might be Clemente Sanchez Bennie.

Nice one, Pug, it was the hard-hitting Sanchez, shot and killed in Monterrey on Christmas Day, 1978, in a case of road rage.

[bennie]

This is the CREA Gym, Tijuana, Julio Cesar Chavez and Tony Mragarito trained here.



Photos courtesy of diego

Those rings look like cockfighting pits. Sink or swim, in there.

[bennie]

Bobby Chacon

My man, Bobby. Still the WBC super-featherweight champ. He never lost that belt in the ring.

[kikibalt]

Bobby Chacon

My man, Bobby. Still the WBC super-featherweight champ. He never lost that belt in the ring.

Bennie, that nice photo is courtesy of Dan, (Scartissure)

[bennie]

Bobby Chacon

My man, Bobby. Still the WBC super-featherweight champ. He never lost that belt in the ring.

Bennie, that nice photo is courtesy of Dan, (Scarface)

Yeah, a cool photo. If anyone deserves to have his fist in there, it is Bobby Chacon. What a warrior!

[bennie]

Too late, Frankie. We all saw it. Dan is now officially "Scarface".

"Say hello to his little friend."

[kikibalt]

Too late, Frankie. We all saw it. Dan is now officially "Scarface".

"Say hello to his little friend."

Bennie,

you were not suppose to see that.....

[bennie]

Too late, Frankie. We all saw it. Dan is now officially "Scarface".

"Say hello to his little friend."

Bennie,

you were not suppose to see that.....

Tell you, Dan is a big, big guy. Have you seen Pacino in real life? He is TINY.

[bennie]

Dan with the late, great Mando.

[kikibalt]

Too late, Frankie. We all saw it. Dan is now officially "Scarface".

"Say hello to his little friend."

Bennie,

you were not suppose to see that.....

Tell you, Dan is a big, big guy. Have you seen Pacino in real life? He is TINY.

I met Al Pacino at a nite club once, yeah the dude is short....

[bennie]

I hear Al is a good guy, Frankie. And, of course, one should NEVER pick on a short guy.

[kikibalt]

I hear Al is a good guy, Frankie. And, of course, one should NEVER pick on a short guy.

I never pick on a guy shorter then me, it'll make me look bad if he kicks my ass, then I'll be...

[kikibalt]

As selected by The Ring magazine in the March 1979 issue.

Heavyweights Light Heavyweights Middleweights
Muhammad Ali, Champion

Larry Holmes
Ken Norton
Leon Spinks
Ron Lyle
Jimmy Young
Kallie Knoetze
Alfredo Evangelista
Gerrie Coetzee
Ossie Ocasio
Domingo D'Elia

Title Vacant
Mike Rossman
Matthew Franklin
John Conteh
Yaqui Lopez
Marvin Johnson
Mate Parlov
Victor Emilio Galindez
James Scott
Vonzell Johnson
Bobby Cassidy

Hugo Pastor Corro, Champion

Marvin Hagler
Vito Antuofermo
Ronnie Harris
Marcos Geraldo
Mike Colbert
Bennie Briscoe
Rudy Robles
Tony Chiaverini
Elijah Makathini
Bobby Watts

Junior Middleweights Welterweights Junior Welterweights
Masashi Kudo, Champion

Ayub Kalule
Rocky Mattioli
Maurice Hope
Rocky Mosley Jr.
Edgar Ross
Frank Wissenbach
Alvin Anderson
Loucif Hamani
Marijan Benes
Mustafa Hamsho

Carlos Palomino, Champion

Pipino Cuevas
Clyde Gray
Sugar Ray Leonard
Johnny Gant
Harold Weston
Pete Ranzany
Randy Shields
Davey (Boy) Green
Thomas Hearns
Andy Price

Wilfred Benitez, Champion

Antonio Cervantes
Saensak Muangsurin
Esteban De Jesus
Miguel Montilla
Saoul Mamby
Domingo Ayala
Nani Marrero
Jo Kimpuani
Adolfo Viruet
Sean O'Grady

Lightweights Junior Lightweights Featherweights
Roberto Duran, Champion

Alfredo Pitalua
Giancarlo Usai
Vilomar Fernandez
Claude Noel
Jim Watt
Johnny Lira
Edwin Viruet
Termite Watkins
Julio Valdez
Herman Montes

Samuel Serrano, Champion

Frankie Baltazar
Alexis Arguello
Rafael (Bazooka) Limon
Alfredo Escalera
Natale Vezzoli
Bobby Chacon
Arturo Leon
Ernesto Espana
Walter Seeley
Greg Coverson

Title Vacant
Danny Lopez
Wilfredo Gomez
Eusebio Pedroza
Ricardo Cardona
Roberto Castanon
Ruben Castillo
Cecilio Lastra
Hector Carrasquilla
Mike Ayala
Juan Domingo Malvarez

Bantamweights Flyweights
Jorge Lujan, Champion

Lupe Pintor
Carlos Zarate
Franco Zurlo
Alfonso Zamora
Alberto Sandoval
Frankie Duarte
Richard Rozelle
Roberto Rubaldino
Alberto Davila
Enrique Sanchez

Miguel Canto, Champion

Yoko Gushiken
Betulio Gonzalez
Guty Espadas
Franco Udella
Sung Jun Kim
Freddy Castillo
Netrnoi Sor Vorasingh
Jose Ortiz
Charlie Magri
Shoji Oguma

[kikibalt]

Henry Clark & Sonny Liston

[kikibalt]

Luis Rodriguez vs Emile Griffith

March 21,1963, Los Angeles, Ca.

[dagosd2000]

"They have enough toys."
"The school really came thriugh."
At the time I was working at CETYs coaching American football.
"We have enough toys to fill your van."said Pico.
His real name was Federico,but everyone called him Pico. When he fought at the Auditorium his nickname was "Kid Estudiante".He didn't like that nickname,but Huizar stuck him with it because he went to school.Pico knew the "aficianados" didn't like that name either because studying readin',writin' and arithmetic didn't mix with prize fightin'.But Pico was also my star defensive player on the football team. He was my free safety.
"Well ",I said. I'll pick you here at school in the morning."

The next morning Pico was in the parking lot with about a dozen big black plastic bags filled with toys. We were going to take the toys to La Gloria Orphanage. The Orhanage is just off the old road that goes to Rosarito. It's on top of a hill looking down on Rosarito Beach. When we got there ,I saw that the dirt parking lot was pretty full. I parked on the street.I noticed a couple of the cars had "Lions Club Tijuana" on the license plate holders. The Orphanage was painted white. There was an arch at the entrance that read"La Gloria." Below the arch was a statue of the Virgin of Guadalupe. Beside the entrance was a big oak tree. You could hear the birds chirping ,but could not see them.

"Pico go inside and get someone to help uload this stuff."
After a few minutes Pico came back with 5 or 6 little kids. A few moents later more little kids came out. We had to walk through the kitchen to get to the dorms. Inside the kitchen I noticed that everything was stainless steel.The stoves,the side by side refrigerator,the freezer and all the rest of the mixers and utensils. The tile floor was emaculate. I could smell PineSol.Two women were inside. They looked Indian. They were dark and squatty. Both women wore their hair in braids. One women was stirring something in a big pot. The other reached inside a cupboard and grabbed a box of cereal. When she did this another box fell on the floor.
"Too much senor,"she said. We have too many boxes."

I looked out to the courtyard and saw a tall man walking towards us. His hair was graying and he wore glasses. It was Father Esteban who ran La Gloria.Me and Pico met him in the middle of the court yard.
"Buenos dias Rogelio. Como estas?"
We gave each other a good abrazo. I introduced Father Esteban to Pico.
"Rogelio,still beating the gringo teams?," he laughed
"We're doing well so far. We brought toys."
"That's great."
Pico was standing there not paying attention to us,but looking around.
"This is Pico's first time here."
Pico was still absorbed looking the place over.
"Yes", Pico said. "i've wanted to come here and help."
"Rogelio,"said the Padre. "When are you going to retire? Your studio in the back is ready. There you can paint in peace."
"And I can play with the kids everyday."
"Why do you think I'm offering it to you?"
We both laughed.
"I've got to be going", said the Priest. "I see the milkman is here."
"Before you go,say a prayer for me tonight. We have a tough game next week. It's against the Red Devils."
"I always pray for you and the team every night."

Me and Pico walked inside the dorms. Not many kids. They were in school. The Orphanage bus takes the kids to school during the week and picks them up. Inside the dorms toys were scattered around the floor. Some of the dolls had their arms and legs pulled off. I saw a toy truck missing its wheels. Pico asked me what the building was on the far end of the courtyard.
"That's the nursery and a hospital."
I took him over there.

Inside there was a little kid in a high chair. Pico went over to him. I saw the doctor.
"What's up Doc?"
He was taking a kid's temperature.
"Why Rogelio. Still a cartoon lover?"
We always said this to each other when I saw him.
"Things got busy last night here. A man in a pick up truck came and dropped off his 7 kids. Said his wife died and couldn't take care of them. They belong to us now."
"How old are they?"
"The oldest is nine."

I looked for Pico. It was time to get going. Pico was still beside the little kid in the high chair. The little kid was holding on to Pico's finger. Pico couldn't pull his finger away. Finally after gently and firmly pulling,Pico was free from the little kid's grasp. A nurse came by and grabbed the little kid and put him in her arms. I saw the doctor checking the cast on a girl's leg. As we walked to the van,I looked at Pico.. His head was down. He'd been crying.

When we got to the van I saw about ten kids inside. One little girl looked at me with wide eyes.
"Papi. Voy contigo."
"No, please.I'm not your father."
I didn't want to speak English.
"Eres mi Papi. Te Quiero Papi."
No.no.no. Please you can't go. Please."
I started to sweat.
"Por favor",the little girl begged.
After some time the kids went away. As we drove back to the school we didn't say anything.
"Pico. What's it going to be? Fightin' or football."
"You better take me to the CREA. Nacho has me fighting next week. Besides I need to spar."

We got to the CREA. Pico opened the door. "Pico. You OK?"
"Yeah I'm fine now. I just need to work with someone."
Before I started up the engine,Pico turned around.
"You were right," he said "Those kids have enough toys."

[Expug]

"they have enough toys."
"The school really came thriugh."
At the time I was working at CETYs coaching american football.
"We have enough toys to fill your van."said Pico.
His real name was Federico,but everyone called him Pico. When he fought at the Audiyorium his nickname was "Kid Estudiante".Hw didn't like that nickname,but Hizar stuck him with it because he went to school.Pico knew the "aficianados" didn't like that name either because studying readin',writin' and arithmetic didn't mix with prize fightin'.But Pico was also my star defensive player on the football team. He was my free safety.
"Well ",I said. I'll pick you here at school in the morning."

The next morning Pico was in the parking lot with about a dozen big black plastic bags filled with toys. We were going to take the toys to La Gloria Orphanage. The Orhanage is just off the old road that goes to Rosarito. It's on top of a hill looking down on Rosarito Beach. When we got there ,I saw that the dirt parking lot was pretty full. I parked on the street.I noticed a couple of the cars had "Lios Club Tijuana" on the license plate holders. The Orphanage was painted white. There was an arch at the entrance that read"La Gloria." Below the arch was a statue of the Vigin of Guadalupe. Beside the entrance was a big oak tree. You could hear the birds chirping ,but could not see them.

"Pico go inside and get someone help uload this stuff."
After a few minutes Pico came back with 5 or six little kids. A few moents later more little kids came out. We had to walk through the kitchen to get to the dorms. Inside the kitchen I noticed that everything was stainless steel.The stves,the side by side refrigerator,the freezer and all the rest of the mixers and utensils. The tile floor was emaculate. I could smell pinesol.Two women were inside. They looked Indian. They were dark and squatty. Both women wore their hair in braids. One women was stirring something in a big pot. The other reached inside a cupboard and grabbed a box of cereal. When she did this another box fell on the floor.
"Too much senor,"she said. We have too many boxes."

I looked out to the courtyard and saw a tall man walking towards us. His hair was graying and he wore glasses. It was Father Esteban who ran La Gloria.Me and pico met him in the middle of the court yard.
"Buenos dias Rogelio. Como estas?"
We gave each other a good abrazo. I introduced Father Esteban ti Pico.
"Rogelio,still beating the gringo teams?, he laughed
"We're doing well so far. We brought toys."
"That's great."
Pico was standing there not paying attention to us,but looking around.
"This is Pico's first time here."
Pico was still absorbed looking the place over.
"Yes", Pico said. "i've wanted to came here and help."
"Rogelio,"said the Padre. "When are you going to reire? Your studio in the back is ready. There you can paint in peace."
"And I can play with the kids everyday."
Why do you think I'm offering it to you?"
We both laughed.
"I've got to be going", said the Priest. "I see the milkman is here."
"Before you go,say a prayer for me tonight. We have a tough game next week. It's against the Red Devils."
"I always pray for you and the team every night."

Me and Pico walked inside the dorms. Not many kids. They were in school. The Orphanage bus takes the kids to school during the week and picks them up. There were toys scattered around the floor. Some of the dolls had their arms and legs pulled off. I saw a toy truck missing its wheels. Pico asked me what the building was on the far end of the courtyard.
"That's the nursery and a hospital."
I took him over there.

Inside there was a little kid in a high chair. Pico went over to him. I saw the doctor.
"What's up Doc?"
He was taking akid's temperature.
"Why Rogelio. Still a cartoon lover?"
We always said this to each other when I saw him.
"Things got busy last night here. A man in a pick up truck came and dropped off his 7 kids. Said his wife died and couldn't take care of them. They belong to us now."
"How old are they?"
"The oldest is nine."

I llooked for Pico. It was time to get going. Pico was still beside the little kid in the high chair. The little kid was holding on to Pico's arm. Pico couldn't pull his figer away. Finally after genly and firmly pulling,Pico was free from the little kid's grasp. A nurse came by and grabbed the little kid and put him in her arms. I saw the doctor checking the cast on a girl's leg. As we walked to the van,I looked at pico. His head was down. He'd been crying.

When we got to the van I saw about ten kids inside. One little girl looked at me with wide eyes.
"Papi. Voy contigo."
"No, please.I'm not your father."
I didn't want to speak English.
"Eres mi Papi. Te Quiero Papi."
No.no.no. Please you can't go. Please."
I started to sweat.
"Por favor",the little girl begged.
After some time they went away. As we drove back to the school we didn't say anything.
"Pico. What's it going to be? Fightin' or football."
"You better take me to the CREA. Nacho has me fighting next week. Besides I need to spar."

We got to the CREA. Pico opened the door. "Pico. You OK?"
"Yeah I'm fine noe. I just need to work with someone."
Before I started up the engine,Pico turned around.
"Youwere right," he said "Those kids have enough toys."

Great stuff as usual Dagos.Thanks!