Classic American West Coast Boxing

[BoxBuzz]

Rick , thanks for the confirmation of the Lebell - Segal story.
I had heard it , but never knew if it was true or not.
Now, Im sure that Segal went nighty night.

Nothing that a "retake" and few special effects couldn't resolve. I'm sure that after all is said and done the story line will show that Segal wins in the final reel. I mean how can a mere "reality based" fighter compete with the talents of a truly skilled and practiced thespian?

Anyway that's a story that circulated in Vegas in and around that time...and I always wondered as to the facts of the matter. I suppose I can check that one off as another mystery solved.

[kikibalt]

By Randy De La O

Ray "Wild Red" Robles




The above two photos are of my uncle, Ray “Wild Red” Robles, I don’t know what weight he fought at but he was about 5’9” or 5’10”.Judging from his photos he could have been a welterweight or possibly a lightweight. He fought in or around Merced, Stockton and possibly Fresno. He was born in Kansas but was raised in El Paso, Texas until he was about sixteen or seventeen years old. He hopped freight trains and hitchhiked to Northern California, somewhere around Sacramento. He got a job picking fruit and because he spoke both Spanish and English, he ended up with a foreman’s position. He worked alongside the Filipinos, Okies and Mexican American fruitpickers. He eventually sent for his family; mother, siblings, etc. At some point they moved to a two bedroom cabin in Sonora and he found work as a lumberjack.

I don’t know what year he started fighting but according to his son, my cousin David Robles, he fought in Los Angeles a few times and believes it was at the Olympic, according to what his mother and some other family members recall, but it’s vague at best. He may have had a dozen or so fights.

In the late 1940's and early 1950’s , my grandmother owned a cafe/bar and this is where he met my aunt Beatrice (Bea). They lived in an apartment on Macy Street, with their two sons, Ray and David, in the area that is now the Los Angeles County jail facilities. “Wild Red” eventually became one of the regulars at a local bar. He would eventually get into a fight with a Russian immigrant at the bar and was stabbed to death with a butcher knife. According to witnesses he was dead before he hit the ground. A quick thinking bar patron wrote down the license number of the car, as it sped away, using the cue chalk to write on the sidewalk. "Wild Red" Robles died on his son Davids's birhday, November 6 1953 or 54.

This is about all that is known about Ray “Wild Red” Robles. Perhaps someone will remember the name, or remember seeing him fight. If you have any information please contact me.

[dagosd2000]

Baby Vasquez

Birth Name Bernabe Vasquez
Country Mexico
Global Id 12531
Birthplace San Miguel
Division Lightweight
Born 1931-06-10
Died 2008-08-02


Career Record © http://www.boxrec.com

Date Opponent Location Result
1974-06-03 Juan Elizondo Ciudad Acuna, Mexico W KO 10
1970-03-23 Jesus Monsreal Tijuana, Mexico W PTS 10
1969-09-30 Arnoldo Marquez Tijuana, Mexico W TKO 12
1969-07-09 Silverio Ortiz Merida, Mexico L PTS 10
1968-09-27 Joey Olguin Albuquerque, USA L PTS 10
1968-06-23 Leo Munoz La Paz, Mexico W PTS 10
1968-04-20 Filio de los Santos Chilpancingo, Mexico W PTS 10
1968-02-06 Silverio Ortiz Villahermosa, Mexico D PTS 10
1967-12-01 Cipriano Hernandez Hermosillo, Mexico W PTS 10
1967-07-15 Raul Garcia Fresnillo, Mexico W KO 4
1967-07-14 Raul Garcia Aguascalientes, Mexico W KO 6
1967-05-19 Leo Campbell Guayaquil, Ecuador L KO 2
1967-05-01 Johnny Ortiz Puebla, Mexico D PTS 10
1967-03-17 Jose Luis Vallejo Maracaibo, Venezuela L KO 2
1967-03-11 Chango Carmona Mexico City, Mexico L PTS 10
1966-12-19 Jose Valenzuela Tijuana, Mexico W PTS 10
1966-10-31 Al Grant Tijuana, Mexico W PTS 10
1966-10-08 Chunique Velazquez La Paz, Mexico W KO 9
1966-09-01 Chucho Garcia Laredo, Mexico L PTS 10
1966-08-22 Chuy Pruneda Reynosa, Mexico L PTS 10
1966-07-16 Chucho Garcia Mexico L PTS 10
1966-06-15 Federico Burboa Ensenada, Mexico W PTS 10
1966-06-06 Federico Burboa Tijuana, Mexico W PTS 10
1966-04-01 Chucho Garcia Reynosa, Mexico L PTS 10
1965-11-06 Raul Soriano Chihuahua, Mexico L PTS 12
Mexican Lightweight Title
1965-04-24 Jose Gabino Laredo, Mexico W PTS 10
1964-12-26 Joey Olguin Sacramento, USA W KO 4
1964-10-31 Carlos Celis Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 10
1964-07-04 Raul Rodriguez Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 10
1964-05-06 Kid Guanajuato Penjamo, Mexico W KO 3
1964-04-10 Raul Rodriguez Tampico, Mexico W PTS 10
1964-03-14 Carlos Celis Guadalajara, Mexico L PTS 10
1963-08-24 Jorge Gutierrez Colima, Mexico L PTS 12
Mexican Lightweight Title
1963-08-04 Battling Kid Saltillo, Mexico W KO 9
1963-07-13 Jose Angel Napoles Mexico City, Mexico L PTS 10
1963-03-30 Jose Angel Napoles Mexico City, Mexico L PTS 10
1963-02-01 Adolfo Olguin Poza Rica, Mexico W PTS 10
1962-12-15 Sergio Gomez Morelia, Mexico W PTS 10
1962-11-10 Fidencio Ramirez Oaxaca, Mexico W KO 8
1962-10-15 Jorge Gutierrez Leon, Mexico W PTS 12
Mexican Lightweight Title
1962-09-03 Sugar Ramos Tijuana, Mexico L KO 10
1962-07-15 Sugar Ramos Mexico City, Mexico L PTS 10
1962-06-09 Mar Castellanos Mazatlan, Mexico W PTS 10
1962-02-24 Alfredo Urbina Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 12
Mexican Lightweight Title
1962-02-02 Jimmy Fields Los Angeles, USA W PTS 10
1962-01-22 Luis Molina San Jose, USA L PTS 10
1961-10-22 Garland 'Rip' Randall Leon, Mexico W DQ 8
1961-09-11 Rolando Mendoza Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico W PTS 10
1961-09-04 Zorrito Ramirez Leon, Mexico W PTS 10
1961-08-05 Gildo Montoya Guadalajara, Mexico W PTS 10
1961-05-20 Beto Gerrardo Culiacan, Mexico W PTS 10
1961-05-06 Eddie Perkins Mexico City, Mexico L PTS 10
1961-04-08 Kid Guanajuato Leon, Mexico W KO 3
1961-03-24 Hilario Espana Toluca, Mexico W PTS 10
1961-03-04 Carlos Rios Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 10
1961-01-25 Tony Perez Ciudad Obregon, Mexico L PTS 10
1960-12-25 Cubanito Gonzalez Tonala, Mexico W KO 5
1960-11-05 Chucho Mejia Monclova, Mexico W KO 8
1960-10-23 Mar Castellanos Los Mochis, Mexico W PTS 10
1960-09-23 Arnulfo Melendez Ciudad Juarez, Mexico W KO 8
1960-08-28 Leo Agbulos Matamoros, Mexico W PTS 10
1960-07-02 Mauro Vazquez Mexico City, Mexico D PTS 10
1960-04-10 Chucho Mejia Torreon, Mexico W PTS 10
1960-03-19 Ernesto Figueroa Mexico City, Mexico W KO 5
1960-02-25 Angel Guerrero Puebla, Mexico W KO 8
1960-01-25 Carlos Hernandez Caracas, Venezuela L KO 3
1959-12-10 Paul Armstead Los Angeles, USA L MD 10
1959-11-21 Angel Guerrero Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 10
1959-10-03 Angel Guerrero Guadalajara, Mexico W PTS 10
1959-07-25 Alfredo Urbina Mexico City, Mexico L KO 8
Mexican Lightweight Title
1959-06-13 Alfredo Urbina Mexico City, Mexico NC ND 12
1959-04-02 Mauro Vazquez Los Angeles, USA L UD 10
1959-02-19 Jimmy Hornsby Los Angeles, USA W UD 10
1958-12-17 Eddie Perkins Washington, USA L TKO 7
1958-11-23 Al Nevarez Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 10
1958-11-22 Willie Morton Mexico City, Mexico L PTS 10
1958-09-13 Ezequiel Uribe Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 12
Mexican Lightweight Title
1958-08-02 Joe Shaw Guadalajara, Mexico W PTS 10
1958-05-27 Willie Morton San Jose, USA L PTS 10
1958-04-17 Paul Armstead Los Angeles, USA L UD 10
1958-02-10 Sergio Gomez Tapachula, Mexico W PTS 10
1958-01-26 Jose Galacia Leon, Mexico W KO 6
1957-09-12 Noel Humphreys Los Angeles, USA W UD 10
1957-08-16 Paolo Rosi Louisville, USA L SD 10
1957-08-04 Joe Smyer Acapulco, Mexico W KO 7
1957-04-05 Leo Alonzo Stockton, USA W PTS 10
1957-01-26 El Conscripto Mexico City, Mexico W KO 1
1956-12-28 Paolo Rosi Miami, USA W TKO 7
1956-10-20 Teddy Davis Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 10
1956-08-31 Jimmy Soo Washington, USA W TKO 6
1956-07-28 Augustin Rosales Monterrey, Mexico W KO 7
1956-07-07 Eduardo Almazan Aguascalientes, Mexico W KO 5
1956-06-07 Marcelino Pena Puebla, Mexico W KO 7
1956-04-08 Al Nevarez Chihuahua, Mexico L PTS 10
1956-03-22 Humberto Carrillo Gomez Palacio, Mexico W PTS 10
1956-03-02 Carmelo Costa New York City, USA L SD 10
1956-02-11 Baby Neff Ortiz Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 10
1956-01-07 Bobby Gardenas Mexico City, Mexico W KO 1
1955-12-23 Frankie Ryff New York City, USA L UD 10
1955-11-21 Gilberto Muniz Ciudad Juarez, Mexico W PTS 10
1955-10-29 Santiago Gonzalez Monterrey, Mexico W KO 7
1955-07-12 George Collins San Antonio, USA W PTS 10
1955-06-28 Art Ramponi Richmond, USA W PTS 10
1955-06-18 Paulie Brooks Hollywood, USA W KO 6
1955-05-28 Enrique Esqueda Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 12
1955-03-13 Miguel Burciaga Mexicali, Mexico L KO 1
1954-12-04 Raul Esqueda Mexico City, Mexico W KO 9
Mexican Lightweight Title
1954-10-09 Sal Rivera Mexico City, Mexico W KO 9
1954-09-18 Miguel Burciaga Mexico City, Mexico W KO 9
1954-07-31 Armando Lopez Havana, Cuba D PTS 10
1954-07-04 Baby Neff Ortiz Mexicali, Mexico W PTS 10
1954-03-27 Baby Neff Ortiz Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 10
1954-01-23 Chucho Ruiz Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 10
1953-12-12 Rolando Rodriguez Havana, Cuba W KO 6
1953-11-21 Isaac Logart Havana, Cuba L PTS 10
1953-09-19 Matias Fenoy Havana, Cuba W PTS 10
1953-06-17 Black Bill Merida, Mexico W PTS 10
1953-05-09 Herman Gonzalez Mexico City, Mexico W KO 5
1953-04-07 Hy Meltzer Miami Beach, USA W PTS 10
1953-03-28 Candido Gonzalez Havana, Cuba W KO 5
1953-03-03 Ralph Dupas Miami Beach, USA L SD 10
1952-11-24 Ralph Dupas New Orleans, USA L UD 8
1952-11-08 Babe Ruelas Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 10
1952-09-09 Don Bowman Miami Beach, USA W PTS 10
1952-08-26 Ralph Dupas Miami Beach, USA W PTS 10
1952-08-16 Diego Sosa Havana, Cuba W PTS 10
1952-08-03 Manuel Perdomo Havana, Cuba W PTS 10
1952-07-19 Manuel Perdomo Havana, Cuba W PTS 10
1952-05-14 Jose 'Baby' Gonzalez Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 10
1952-03-26 Chi Chi Martinez Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 10
1951-12-22 Beto Couray Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 10
1951-09-19 Benny Luna Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 10
1951-08-18 Pancho Velasco Mexico City, Mexico W KO 4
1951-07-27 Juan Padilla Tampico, Mexico L PTS 10
1951-06-13 Babe Ruelas Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 10
1951-03-31 Ramon Tiscareno Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 10
1951-02-24 Chinito Young Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 10
1951-02-03 Baby Escalante Mexico City, Mexico W KO 1
1951-01-20 Jorge Macias Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 10
1950-12-09 Beto Couray Mexico City, Mexico L PTS 10
1950-11-11 Alfonso Ortiz Mexico City, Mexico L PTS 10
1950-10-21 Juan Padilla Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 10
1950-10-18 Lupe Diaz Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 10
1950-06-17 Jorge Macias Mexico City, Mexico L PTS 10
1950-05-06 Beto Carbajal Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 10
1950-05-01 Panchito Uribe Mexico City, Mexico L PTS 10
1950-04-19 Salvador Molina Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 10

Record to Date
Won 102 (KOs 34) Lost 40 Drawn 4 Total 147

Drove down to the plaza. Get some hotcakes and ätole¨. Sit down on a bench and watch the little kids playing on the swings. Finished up. That was good. Go over to the Internet Cafe. See what you guys are up to. Then I read this.

See that smile. Think you could beat his ass?
You better know what you´re doing in there.What´s the saying? Forgot more than you´ll ever know. He´s smiling because he´s taking pleasure making you miss,then jumps the left in your face. Ask Mantequilla. Went the distance with Bernabe. El Baby. Mantequilla couldn´t find him. It was the time when Jose would have said,Ötra pelea.¨I want a rematch. No Gracias. This guy made me look bad.

Saw El Baby at the end. In TJ at the Auditorio.. Against a good boy. But the real baby that night wasn´t Vasquez. He climbed through the rops like he had done over a hundred times in a hindred Mexican rings. Scuffed his shoes in the rosin box,and you guessed it,smiled that smile to the crowd. After ten,the young fighter knew he.d been schooled by one of the best. They never fought a rematch. Losing to El Baby once was enough.

As I was typing,I heard in back of me a group of young people watching the television. I heard the announcer say,¨Dream Team.¨I never stopped once to look over my shoulder.

[Randyman]

By Randy De La O

Ray "Wild Red" Robles




The above two photos are of my uncle, Ray “Wild Red” Robles, I don’t know what weight he fought at but he was about 5’9” or 5’10”.Judging from his photos he could have been a welterweight or possibly a lightweight. He fought in or around Merced, Stockton and possibly Fresno. He was born in Kansas but was raised in El Paso, Texas until he was about sixteen or seventeen years old. He hopped freight trains and hitchhiked to Northern California, somewhere around Sacramento. He got a job picking fruit and because he spoke both Spanish and English, he ended up with a foreman’s position. He worked alongside the Filipinos, Okies and Mexican American fruitpickers. He eventually sent for his family; mother, siblings, etc. At some point they moved to a two bedroom cabin in Sonora and he found work as a lumberjack.

I don’t know what year he started fighting but according to his son, my cousin David Robles, he fought in Los Angeles a few times and believes it was at the Olympic, according to what his mother and some other family members recall, but it’s vague at best. He may have had a dozen or so fights.

In the late 1940's and early 1950’s , my grandmother owned a cafe/bar and this is where he met my aunt Beatrice (Bea). They lived in an apartment on Macy Street, with their two sons, Ray and David, in the area that is now the Los Angeles County jail facilities. “Wild Red” eventually became one of the regulars at a local bar. He would eventually get into a fight with a Russian immigrant at the bar and was stabbed to death with a butcher knife. According to witnesses he was dead before he hit the ground. A quick thinking bar patron wrote down the license number of the car, as it sped away, using the cue chalk to write on the sidewalk. "Wild Red" Robles died on his son Davids's birhday, November 6 1953 or 54.

This is about all that is known about Ray “Wild Red” Robles. Perhaps someone will remember the name, or remember seeing him fight. If you have any information please contact me.

Thanks Frank, I still can't figure out why my photos won't upload to boxrec. Between not being able to upload the videos and the photos I'm starting to feel a little inadequate here.

My aunt Bea eventually wound up marrying a great guy, my uncle Sal, who raised both of Wild Red's boys. He was a huge fight fan and became very close to my father. His full name was Salvador Sanchez. Can you guess who his favorite fighter was?

[kikibalt]

Talk to Don Fraser this morning and he told me that he heard that ken Norton suffered a stroke and that he is on a wheelchair, he is in bad shape he was told.

[kikibalt]

[Rick Farris]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bH2ovs7Ws0
Roll Call of Mexican Boxing Legends

NICE, although Cuevas looks like Duran these days, the body language between Zarate and Zamora is not good, Sulaiman repeatedly tries to hog the limelight - and who is "Harocho" Lerma?

There is a lot of animosity, Bennie. I'm not close to these guys, but Adolpho Perez, current president of WBHOF knows both very well, and is the publisher of RING MUNDIAL, the largest spanish language boxing publication. I won't share second hand stories here, but the feeling is that the two are no better friends today than they were back in the 70's, when they put on a several rounds of fireworks at the FORUM in L.A.
'
In the beginning of their careers both the "Z" boys were trained by Mexican legend Arturo "Cuyo" Hernandez, but as both rose in the rankings, jealousy emerged and Zamora's father and Hernandez had a falling out. Zamora was pulled from Hernandez guidance and the father took over as trainer. Those of us who were treated to one of the best Mexican bantam rivalries in history saw a lot of drama in the FORUM ring that night. At one point, Zamora had staggered Zarate just moments before a wild fan jumped into the ring. The bout was stopped momentarily while the intruder was ejected, giving Carlos a moment to clear his head, then proceed to KO his former stablemate and friend. After the stoppage, Zamora's father attacked Cuyo Hernandez in the ring, thus setting off another small riot inside the ropes.

I know this is all a memory today, but it's one I'll never forget. The matching of the "Z" boys pitted two of the greatest KO records in boxing history. What a great card, another testiment to the brilliant matchmaking and promotional skill of George Parnassus. George knew where to find true boxing talent, he just looked south of the border.

-Rick Farris

[Rick Farris]

By Randy De La O

Ray "Wild Red" Robles




The above two photos are of my uncle, Ray “Wild Red” Robles, I don’t know what weight he fought at but he was about 5’9” or 5’10”.Judging from his photos he could have been a welterweight or possibly a lightweight. He fought in or around Merced, Stockton and possibly Fresno. He was born in Kansas but was raised in El Paso, Texas until he was about sixteen or seventeen years old. He hopped freight trains and hitchhiked to Northern California, somewhere around Sacramento. He got a job picking fruit and because he spoke both Spanish and English, he ended up with a foreman’s position. He worked alongside the Filipinos, Okies and Mexican American fruitpickers. He eventually sent for his family; mother, siblings, etc. At some point they moved to a two bedroom cabin in Sonora and he found work as a lumberjack.

I don’t know what year he started fighting but according to his son, my cousin David Robles, he fought in Los Angeles a few times and believes it was at the Olympic, according to what his mother and some other family members recall, but it’s vague at best. He may have had a dozen or so fights.

In the late 1940's and early 1950’s , my grandmother owned a cafe/bar and this is where he met my aunt Beatrice (Bea). They lived in an apartment on Macy Street, with their two sons, Ray and David, in the area that is now the Los Angeles County jail facilities. “Wild Red” eventually became one of the regulars at a local bar. He would eventually get into a fight with a Russian immigrant at the bar and was stabbed to death with a butcher knife. According to witnesses he was dead before he hit the ground. A quick thinking bar patron wrote down the license number of the car, as it sped away, using the cue chalk to write on the sidewalk. "Wild Red" Robles died on his son Davids's birhday, November 6 1953 or 54.

This is about all that is known about Ray “Wild Red” Robles. Perhaps someone will remember the name, or remember seeing him fight. If you have any information please contact me.

Randy, your uncle's story is fascinating. If he fought at the Olympic, or the Hollywood Legion, or even South Gate, there is some evidence of it somewhere. Boxing historians, the guys who dig, dig, dig thru records, clippings, libraries, etc. to uncover missing data might be able to help. Many of us here have lived boxing history, but this is a case where historical detectives, guys like Boxrec's Chuck Johnston are of great value to boxing. I haven't communicated with "C.J." (that's Hap Navarro's tag for Chuck Johnston) for several years. However Chuck and Tracy Callis are the authors of a recent California boxing history book that everybody here is aware of. Perhaps Chuck could help? Chuck was recently inducted into the California Boxing HOF for his great research of this state's boxing history, as well as boxing history in general. Chuck, think you might be able to find something on Ray "Wild Red" Robles???

-Rick Farris

[Rick Farris]

Talk to Don Fraser this morning and he told me that he heard that ken Norton stuffed a stroke and that he is on a wheelchair, he is in bad shape he was told.

Sorry to hear this, Frank. I saw Norton at last year's WBHOF event. He has had a tough time since his retirement. Things started out well, he starred in a couple of movies (Mandingo, etc.) He also formed a sports management company and he represented Football superstar Eric Dickerson. However, shortly afterwards there was rift with his son, NFL star Ken Norton Jr. and then a life threatening car accident that left him crippled. What a shame. A guy has seemingly everything, money invested, superior physical gifts, all the ladies he could handle, respect in boxing and the entertainment industry, etc. Then, things just fall apart.

We who post here have all known such twists and turns in life. I worked for many years with actor Michael Landon on "Little house on the Praire" & "Highway to Heaven".
We had just started production on a new TV series when he was suddenly striken with cancer in April 1991. On July 1st he was gone. I remember seeing Landon shortly before his death and he told us, "Live everyday guys". My prayers are with Ken Norton.

-Rick

[Rick Farris]

Baby Vasquez

Birth Name Bernabe Vasquez
Country Mexico
Global Id 12531
Birthplace San Miguel
Division Lightweight
Born 1931-06-10
Died 2008-08-02


Career Record © http://www.boxrec.com

Date Opponent Location Result
1974-06-03 Juan Elizondo Ciudad Acuna, Mexico W KO 10
1970-03-23 Jesus Monsreal Tijuana, Mexico W PTS 10
1969-09-30 Arnoldo Marquez Tijuana, Mexico W TKO 12
1969-07-09 Silverio Ortiz Merida, Mexico L PTS 10
1968-09-27 Joey Olguin Albuquerque, USA L PTS 10
1968-06-23 Leo Munoz La Paz, Mexico W PTS 10
1968-04-20 Filio de los Santos Chilpancingo, Mexico W PTS 10
1968-02-06 Silverio Ortiz Villahermosa, Mexico D PTS 10
1967-12-01 Cipriano Hernandez Hermosillo, Mexico W PTS 10
1967-07-15 Raul Garcia Fresnillo, Mexico W KO 4
1967-07-14 Raul Garcia Aguascalientes, Mexico W KO 6
1967-05-19 Leo Campbell Guayaquil, Ecuador L KO 2
1967-05-01 Johnny Ortiz Puebla, Mexico D PTS 10
1967-03-17 Jose Luis Vallejo Maracaibo, Venezuela L KO 2
1967-03-11 Chango Carmona Mexico City, Mexico L PTS 10
1966-12-19 Jose Valenzuela Tijuana, Mexico W PTS 10
1966-10-31 Al Grant Tijuana, Mexico W PTS 10
1966-10-08 Chunique Velazquez La Paz, Mexico W KO 9
1966-09-01 Chucho Garcia Laredo, Mexico L PTS 10
1966-08-22 Chuy Pruneda Reynosa, Mexico L PTS 10
1966-07-16 Chucho Garcia Mexico L PTS 10
1966-06-15 Federico Burboa Ensenada, Mexico W PTS 10
1966-06-06 Federico Burboa Tijuana, Mexico W PTS 10
1966-04-01 Chucho Garcia Reynosa, Mexico L PTS 10
1965-11-06 Raul Soriano Chihuahua, Mexico L PTS 12
Mexican Lightweight Title
1965-04-24 Jose Gabino Laredo, Mexico W PTS 10
1964-12-26 Joey Olguin Sacramento, USA W KO 4
1964-10-31 Carlos Celis Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 10
1964-07-04 Raul Rodriguez Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 10
1964-05-06 Kid Guanajuato Penjamo, Mexico W KO 3
1964-04-10 Raul Rodriguez Tampico, Mexico W PTS 10
1964-03-14 Carlos Celis Guadalajara, Mexico L PTS 10
1963-08-24 Jorge Gutierrez Colima, Mexico L PTS 12
Mexican Lightweight Title
1963-08-04 Battling Kid Saltillo, Mexico W KO 9
1963-07-13 Jose Angel Napoles Mexico City, Mexico L PTS 10
1963-03-30 Jose Angel Napoles Mexico City, Mexico L PTS 10
1963-02-01 Adolfo Olguin Poza Rica, Mexico W PTS 10
1962-12-15 Sergio Gomez Morelia, Mexico W PTS 10
1962-11-10 Fidencio Ramirez Oaxaca, Mexico W KO 8
1962-10-15 Jorge Gutierrez Leon, Mexico W PTS 12
Mexican Lightweight Title
1962-09-03 Sugar Ramos Tijuana, Mexico L KO 10
1962-07-15 Sugar Ramos Mexico City, Mexico L PTS 10
1962-06-09 Mar Castellanos Mazatlan, Mexico W PTS 10
1962-02-24 Alfredo Urbina Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 12
Mexican Lightweight Title
1962-02-02 Jimmy Fields Los Angeles, USA W PTS 10
1962-01-22 Luis Molina San Jose, USA L PTS 10
1961-10-22 Garland 'Rip' Randall Leon, Mexico W DQ 8
1961-09-11 Rolando Mendoza Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico W PTS 10
1961-09-04 Zorrito Ramirez Leon, Mexico W PTS 10
1961-08-05 Gildo Montoya Guadalajara, Mexico W PTS 10
1961-05-20 Beto Gerrardo Culiacan, Mexico W PTS 10
1961-05-06 Eddie Perkins Mexico City, Mexico L PTS 10
1961-04-08 Kid Guanajuato Leon, Mexico W KO 3
1961-03-24 Hilario Espana Toluca, Mexico W PTS 10
1961-03-04 Carlos Rios Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 10
1961-01-25 Tony Perez Ciudad Obregon, Mexico L PTS 10
1960-12-25 Cubanito Gonzalez Tonala, Mexico W KO 5
1960-11-05 Chucho Mejia Monclova, Mexico W KO 8
1960-10-23 Mar Castellanos Los Mochis, Mexico W PTS 10
1960-09-23 Arnulfo Melendez Ciudad Juarez, Mexico W KO 8
1960-08-28 Leo Agbulos Matamoros, Mexico W PTS 10
1960-07-02 Mauro Vazquez Mexico City, Mexico D PTS 10
1960-04-10 Chucho Mejia Torreon, Mexico W PTS 10
1960-03-19 Ernesto Figueroa Mexico City, Mexico W KO 5
1960-02-25 Angel Guerrero Puebla, Mexico W KO 8
1960-01-25 Carlos Hernandez Caracas, Venezuela L KO 3
1959-12-10 Paul Armstead Los Angeles, USA L MD 10
1959-11-21 Angel Guerrero Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 10
1959-10-03 Angel Guerrero Guadalajara, Mexico W PTS 10
1959-07-25 Alfredo Urbina Mexico City, Mexico L KO 8
Mexican Lightweight Title
1959-06-13 Alfredo Urbina Mexico City, Mexico NC ND 12
1959-04-02 Mauro Vazquez Los Angeles, USA L UD 10
1959-02-19 Jimmy Hornsby Los Angeles, USA W UD 10
1958-12-17 Eddie Perkins Washington, USA L TKO 7
1958-11-23 Al Nevarez Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 10
1958-11-22 Willie Morton Mexico City, Mexico L PTS 10
1958-09-13 Ezequiel Uribe Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 12
Mexican Lightweight Title
1958-08-02 Joe Shaw Guadalajara, Mexico W PTS 10
1958-05-27 Willie Morton San Jose, USA L PTS 10
1958-04-17 Paul Armstead Los Angeles, USA L UD 10
1958-02-10 Sergio Gomez Tapachula, Mexico W PTS 10
1958-01-26 Jose Galacia Leon, Mexico W KO 6
1957-09-12 Noel Humphreys Los Angeles, USA W UD 10
1957-08-16 Paolo Rosi Louisville, USA L SD 10
1957-08-04 Joe Smyer Acapulco, Mexico W KO 7
1957-04-05 Leo Alonzo Stockton, USA W PTS 10
1957-01-26 El Conscripto Mexico City, Mexico W KO 1
1956-12-28 Paolo Rosi Miami, USA W TKO 7
1956-10-20 Teddy Davis Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 10
1956-08-31 Jimmy Soo Washington, USA W TKO 6
1956-07-28 Augustin Rosales Monterrey, Mexico W KO 7
1956-07-07 Eduardo Almazan Aguascalientes, Mexico W KO 5
1956-06-07 Marcelino Pena Puebla, Mexico W KO 7
1956-04-08 Al Nevarez Chihuahua, Mexico L PTS 10
1956-03-22 Humberto Carrillo Gomez Palacio, Mexico W PTS 10
1956-03-02 Carmelo Costa New York City, USA L SD 10
1956-02-11 Baby Neff Ortiz Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 10
1956-01-07 Bobby Gardenas Mexico City, Mexico W KO 1
1955-12-23 Frankie Ryff New York City, USA L UD 10
1955-11-21 Gilberto Muniz Ciudad Juarez, Mexico W PTS 10
1955-10-29 Santiago Gonzalez Monterrey, Mexico W KO 7
1955-07-12 George Collins San Antonio, USA W PTS 10
1955-06-28 Art Ramponi Richmond, USA W PTS 10
1955-06-18 Paulie Brooks Hollywood, USA W KO 6
1955-05-28 Enrique Esqueda Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 12
1955-03-13 Miguel Burciaga Mexicali, Mexico L KO 1
1954-12-04 Raul Esqueda Mexico City, Mexico W KO 9
Mexican Lightweight Title
1954-10-09 Sal Rivera Mexico City, Mexico W KO 9
1954-09-18 Miguel Burciaga Mexico City, Mexico W KO 9
1954-07-31 Armando Lopez Havana, Cuba D PTS 10
1954-07-04 Baby Neff Ortiz Mexicali, Mexico W PTS 10
1954-03-27 Baby Neff Ortiz Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 10
1954-01-23 Chucho Ruiz Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 10
1953-12-12 Rolando Rodriguez Havana, Cuba W KO 6
1953-11-21 Isaac Logart Havana, Cuba L PTS 10
1953-09-19 Matias Fenoy Havana, Cuba W PTS 10
1953-06-17 Black Bill Merida, Mexico W PTS 10
1953-05-09 Herman Gonzalez Mexico City, Mexico W KO 5
1953-04-07 Hy Meltzer Miami Beach, USA W PTS 10
1953-03-28 Candido Gonzalez Havana, Cuba W KO 5
1953-03-03 Ralph Dupas Miami Beach, USA L SD 10
1952-11-24 Ralph Dupas New Orleans, USA L UD 8
1952-11-08 Babe Ruelas Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 10
1952-09-09 Don Bowman Miami Beach, USA W PTS 10
1952-08-26 Ralph Dupas Miami Beach, USA W PTS 10
1952-08-16 Diego Sosa Havana, Cuba W PTS 10
1952-08-03 Manuel Perdomo Havana, Cuba W PTS 10
1952-07-19 Manuel Perdomo Havana, Cuba W PTS 10
1952-05-14 Jose 'Baby' Gonzalez Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 10
1952-03-26 Chi Chi Martinez Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 10
1951-12-22 Beto Couray Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 10
1951-09-19 Benny Luna Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 10
1951-08-18 Pancho Velasco Mexico City, Mexico W KO 4
1951-07-27 Juan Padilla Tampico, Mexico L PTS 10
1951-06-13 Babe Ruelas Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 10
1951-03-31 Ramon Tiscareno Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 10
1951-02-24 Chinito Young Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 10
1951-02-03 Baby Escalante Mexico City, Mexico W KO 1
1951-01-20 Jorge Macias Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 10
1950-12-09 Beto Couray Mexico City, Mexico L PTS 10
1950-11-11 Alfonso Ortiz Mexico City, Mexico L PTS 10
1950-10-21 Juan Padilla Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 10
1950-10-18 Lupe Diaz Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 10
1950-06-17 Jorge Macias Mexico City, Mexico L PTS 10
1950-05-06 Beto Carbajal Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 10
1950-05-01 Panchito Uribe Mexico City, Mexico L PTS 10
1950-04-19 Salvador Molina Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 10

Record to Date
Won 102 (KOs 34) Lost 40 Drawn 4 Total 147

Drove down to the plaza. Get some hotcakes and ätole¨. Sit down on a bench and watch the little kids playing on the swings. Finished up. That was good. Go over to the Internet Cafe. See what you guys are up to. Then I read this.

See that smile. Think you could beat his ass?
You better know what you´re doing in there.What´s the saying? Forgot more than you´ll ever know. He´s smiling because he´s taking pleasure making you miss,then jumps the left in your face. Ask Mantequilla. Went the distance with Bernabe. El Baby. Mantequilla couldn´t find him. It was the time when Jose would have said,Ötra pelea.¨I want a rematch. No Gracias. This guy made me look bad.

Saw El Baby at the end. In TJ at the Auditorio.. Against a good boy. But the real baby that night wasn´t Vasquez. He climbed through the rops like he had done over a hundred times in a hindred Mexican rings. Scuffed his shoes in the rosin box,and you guessed it,smiled that smile to the crowd. After ten,the young fighter knew he.d been schooled by one of the best. They never fought a rematch. Losing to El Baby once was enough.

As I was typing,I heard in back of me a group of young people watching the television. I heard the announcer say,¨Dream Team.¨I never stopped once to look over my shoulder.

If I could choose a Babe Vasquez fight to watch today, it would be his 1962 12 round dec. victory over Alfredo Urbina for the Mexican lightweight title. Urbina, like Tony Perez, and L.C. Morgan, got the best of Mantequilla Napoles once. However, as all of us know, Napoles was ALWAYS better the second time around and got revenge on all three, as he did with Billy Backus, and Hedge Lewis who came close beating him the first time out, and our buddy Mando Muniz, who also "came close" in his first fight with Napoles. Back to Vasquez, your post was a good one! One helluva boxer, who could make you miss, then make you PAY!! Vasquez twice took Napoles the distance, how many can make that claim?

-Rick

[Expug]

Rick Farris & Gene LeBell (2008)

Great picture Rick.
Two guys there who are real fighters.
Gene is a trailblazer when it comes to the fighting arts.
He has always been an advocate of crosstraining for self defense.
He boxed as well as his grappling as he knew that they go well together.
He faced a lot of criticism and was even thrown out of his own dojo and ostracised by the judo community when he became a pro wrestler.
But grappling was what he did and he had to pay the bills.
He must have had some life with Aileen Eaton as his Mom and literaly growing up at the Old Olympic Auditorium. Boxers and wrestlers everyhere, they helped raise and train him. Lauro Salas,Lou Thesz, Strangler Lewis, etc etc.
He even won his second National Judo Championship there as it was hosted at the Olympic in 1955.

[kikibalt]

This is very true!

Do you know what happened this week back in 1850, 158 years ago?

California became a state.

The State had no electricity.

The State had no money.

Almost everyone spoke Spanish.

There were gunfights in the streets.

So basically, it was just like it is today, except the women had real breasts and the men didn't hold hands.

[kikibalt]

A 1943 interview with George Godfrey
1st November 1943

George Godfrey, Host at Local Club
Was Once Uncrowned Heavyweight Champ

During the golden era of boxing when Jack Dempsey ruled as king of the heavyweights, Harry Wills, great negro boxer, was the only man the Manassa Mauler refused to fight for the title. Wills, on the other hand, was meeting and beating all who dared enter the same ring with him all, that is, with one exception. George Godfrey, Negro and Belgium heavyweight c h a m p , known to sportswriters from coast to coast as the "uncrowned champion of the world," was the exception.

In fact, Wills turned down an offer of $150,000 to meet Godfrey in Madison Square Garden for the late Tex Rickard. Now, even during that period when million dollar gates were not too uncommon, that was a fair night's salary for 45 minutes work. It would have netted Wills considerably more than $3000 a minute or better than $50 a second.

There must have been a reason. And recorded for all posterity in the boxing bible is the reason— Godfrey's impressive record, including 75 recorded knockouts, from 1920 until he retired in 1937.

Godfrey, born Feab S. Williams, January 25, 1901, in Mobile, Alabama, gained his reputation as a boxer while serving hitches in the army and navy. Weighing 240 pounds and standing a mere 6 feet 3 inches, he started kayoing all service boxers he met He not only rocked them to sleep but would break jaws and noses while doing it.

So in 1919 Jimmy Dougherty took him under his wing and started him on a professional career. In 1920 he was elevated to main events and met Sam Langford. Godfrey was kayoed in the second round.

That was enough fighting for Big George that year and he did not enter the ring until August, 1921, when he met Langford once more. And again he was put out only this time in the first round. And again he quit fighting for a year while Dougherty schooled him in the art of protecting himself as well as hitting the other fellow.

Nineteen twenty-two found Godfrey meeting five fighters. He kayoed four and decisioned the fifth.

In 1923 Godfrey met Langford for a third time. It appeared as if he was just a glutton for punishment But this time the 22-year-old boxer exploded his dynamite on Langford's chin and belted him out in the third round. Then just to prove it was no accident the pair met a fourth time in Arkansas and Langford was stretched out in the second round for the full count. And after this fight Langford, the Boston Tar Baby, retired for good.

A BUSY FIGHTER

Then for the next 13 years Godfrey was a very busy fighter, meeting every good heavyweight in the world who was not afraid to put on the gloves with him. And in that 13 years of continual fighting he lost only 11 fights— and five of these losses were on fouls. Godfrey says that many of those boxers claimed a foul because they were getting beat and took the easy way out.

In 1927 there fifteen fights in the record book under Godfrey's name—and every one of them he won by a knockout!

Nineteen twenty-eight was the year that Wills turned down that fabulous amount posted by Rickard for a Garden bout. And in 1928 Godfrey fought Paolino Uzcudun in Los Angeles. If he whipped him he was to fight for the championship. Gene Tunney had retired undefeated and there was no heavyweight champion.

So Godfrey won a decision over Uzcudun in ten rounds.

But when a title bout was mentioned — the boxing moguls ignored Godfrey completely and matched Max Schmelling a n d Jack Sharkey for the championship!

Today Godfrey has picked up a little weight to a neat 357 these days. Godfrey now lives here in Long Beach where he is host at the 147,000 National Colored Elks Congo club. He is also the Grand Bodyguard of the Colored Elks. In his position as "host" it sometimes becomes necessary for him to eject rowdies from the club. To demonstrate that he has not lost too much of his oldtime vigor he showed us exactly how he 'would give the "bums rush" to a drunk.

After applying a couple full nelsons and a double arm lock to both of us at the same time—well, we were plenty convinced.

JACK JOHNSON IS BEST

Godfrey, like all oldtimers, believes that the present day fighters are not as good as the boys a few years back. "Today they use bigger gloves and mouthpieces and other forms of protection that oldtimers scorned," Godfrey said. "I think; they were tougher in the old days. Tile present day fighter would not' take the punishment that was dished out by the oldtimers." Godfrey says the hardest hitter he ever met was Sam Langford, but the greatest fighter of : all time, the one that would take any of the fighters of today, is Jack Johnson. "He was the greatest defensive counter puncher there ever was," Godfrey said reverently.

Incidentally, Godfrey says he does not go to fights any more and he would not advise anyone to be a professional fighter. "If I had a son, I wouldn't let him go near a boxing ring. There's better ways of making a living," t h e "uncrowned" heavyweight champ vows.

[Chuck1052]

Rick, thanks for the compliments, but I am not an inductee in the California Boxing Hall of Fame. I think that you got me mixed up with JJ Johnston, who IS an inductee and has a great deal of knowledge about boxing history. In addition, JJ is an inveterate collector of boxing memorabilia.

If I can get up to the main library at U.C. Santa Barbara, I can look at the online version of the Historical Los Angeles Times for historical items relating to boxing in the Los Angeles area. Before the internet, I use to look at micro-film of the Times, which was a laborious process.

- Chuck Johnston

[kikibalt]

John Henry Lewis

[kikibalt]

Here's a photo of Bennie Miller out of Los Angeles with his manager.

Bennie Miller was a better than average fighter and ranked in the top ten of the middleweights in an era when being ranked with the number of fighters plying their trade was stupendous. During the 1930's, a rematch was scheduled between Firpo and Wesley KO Ketchell. Ketchell, in the interim, chose to fight Bennie Miller in Los Angeles. Firpo's was quoted by the Portland news media, in response to Ketchell's potentially causing a postpone of their November 14th fight and a large Portland gate as well as a payday for himself in the process, revealed that he was irked about the potential of a postponement:

WANTS THE FIGHT

Will Wesley Ketchell duck out on Young Firpo? The Ketchell-Firpo "natural" is all set for November 14th at the auditorium. All that is needed now is the O.K. from Los Angeles tonight that Wes went through his fight against Benny Miller without an injury.

Strange as it seems, Firpo is the one anxious for the Ketchell match. The Italian was the first to sign a contract for the fight and is pulling no punches when he claims that Ketchell will find some slight excuse to run out of the match.

"I can whip Ketchell any night in the week and twice on Sunday," roared the Will Bull of Burke, after training at the White House yesterday. "Here I am, training every day, am in great shape and ready to fight Mr. Ketchell at the drop of a hat. Here's hoping he won't phone that Benny Miller stepped on his toe, or something, and that he isn't going to fight me on the 14th."

This Firpo-Ketchell fight will be a certain sell-out. It is a battle between two great punchers, bitter rivals in and out of the ring.

[kikibalt]

GREAT PHOTO ... KID GAVILAN AT HIS TRAINING CAMP!

[kikibalt]

We have a date for the 2009 CBHOF luncheon.

June 20th, @ "Steven's Steak House"

[Rick Farris]

Rick, thanks for the compliments, but I am not an inductee in the California Boxing Hall of Fame. I think that you got me mixed up with JJ Johnston, who IS an inductee and has a great deal of knowledge about boxing history. In addition, JJ is an inveterate collector of boxing memorabilia.

If I can get up to the main library at U.C. Santa Barbara, I can look at the online version of the Historical Los Angeles Times for historical items relating to boxing in the Los Angeles area. Before the internet, I use to look at micro-film of the Times, which was a laborious process.

- Chuck Johnston

Chuck, I'm sorry for the mistake. I've met J.J. but was out of town on location during the weekend in June when Don Fraser held the Cal. HOF banquet, right around the corner from my home at the Sportsman's Lodge. It happened around the same time as the release of your book so that's no doubt responsible for my mix-up. I have little doubt that you will eventually be inducted into the Cali Hall, your knowledge and research has resulted in a big contribution to the boxing world, not to mention the outstanding book you and Tracy Callis produced. I'm sure if there is any documentaion regarding the career of Randy's uncle, you'll find it.

-Rick Farris

[Rick Farris]

We have a date for the 2009 CBHOF luncheon.

June 20th, @ "Steven's Steak House"

Sadly, the longtime home for the Cal HOF banquet, The SPORTSMAN'S LODGE in Studio City, will be closing up for good this coming December. I'm sorry to see the place go, and I'm quite surprised. Steven's Steak House is also a long-time boxing hangout in L.A.

-Rick

[Chuck1052]

In regards to the news that Sportman's Lodge in Studio City is going to be shut down, I would think that it is situated on a very valuable piece of real estate.

For one reason or another, there were very few black fighters who fought at major venues in the Los Angeles area during the late 1910s and early 1920s. I think that George Godfrey, Young Jack Thompson and Baby Joe Gans helped make a breakthrough at the Vernon Arena and the Olympic Auditorium starting in the middle 1920s. But the Hollywood Legion Stadium didn't have black fighters on their cards until 1940s. A bout between Godfrey and Paulino Uzcudin staged at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles drew California's first $100,000. boxing gate.

- Chuck Johnston

[bennie]

John Henry Lewis

Great picture, this. You can see the strength and and size of the man.

[kikibalt]

Broadway Boxing Gym a positive outlet for South L.A.

Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times
Broadway Gym in Watts has been turning out boxers for more than 30 years. It has seen its ups and downs in the tough neighborhood of South L.A., but like a solid fighter, it has always managed to go the distance. Winter Wyatt, 16, left, skips rope as Alfredo Islas works the heavy bag in the gym. Islas used to box in Mexico and just started hitting the gym after a seven-year absence.
The gym where heavyweight champions Henry Tillman and Lamon Brewster once trained is back in fighting shape.

By Robert J. Lopez, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

Like an aging prizefighter with an iron jaw, the Broadway Boxing Gym has taken its share of punches over the last three decades.

The gritty, no-frills South Los Angeles gym, once a beacon for world-class fighters, fell into decay in the late 1990s. Its membership declined, and transients and substance abusers often gathered outside the two-story building near Broadway and 108th Street.

In late 2003, with its longtime owner, Bill Slayton, losing a battle to bone cancer, the gym nearly closed. Sauchsee Larkins and her father, Melvin, bought it a few months later. It's been holding its own ever since, providing a sweaty sanctuary from the streets.

On a recent afternoon, as she showed a visitor the gym, Larkins said her goal was to provide a positive environment for young people in a community long scarred by poverty and crime.

"They can blow off steam when they come in here," she said. "They learn social skills and discipline."

The building buzzed with energy as boxers, some accompanied by their trainers, sparred in two rings, pounded on heavy leather bags and jumped rope to improve stamina and coordination. Sunlight streaked through open windows. And the sounds of buses and sirens mixed with thumps and grunts as hip-hop music blared from a radio.

Larkins, 53, shuffled between boxers, patting them on the back like a proud mother. She was never trained in the sport but has picked up the lingo of the ring.

"Show me some uppercuts, baby," she said to a 17-year-old. He was hitting a bag that weighed about 100 pounds and was wrapped in a thick leather ring to absorb the upward blows.

The gym has about 140 members, up from about 50 a decade earlier. They pay up to $40 a month to use the facilities, Larkins said.

The members include families who come to work out, up-and-coming amateur fighters who dream of glory and weathered professionals who hope for one more chance. Many live in South L.A., but some come from as far as Hemet.

Marquice Bruce, 17, who lives near Hoover and 105th streets, credited the gym with helping him stay away from the gangs that run in his neighborhood.

"This place is cool because it gets you away from the gangs and all the violence," Marquice said after punching the speed bag, a small balloon-shaped bag that hangs on a swivel and helps boxers improve eye and hand coordination.

"When you get in here," he said, "you just let go of all the anger you have."

Marquice will be a senior at the Sheriff's Leadership Academy, an alternative high school in Watts. He said he had an amateur record of 10 wins and two losses and that his goal was to make the 2012 Olympic team.

Los Angeles Police Department Deputy Chief Kenneth O. Garner worked out at the gym 20 years ago, when he was a patrol officer. He said it offers a place where young people can learn the value of hard work and channel their energy into something positive.

"The community needs that gym to flourish," said Garner, who was raised in South L.A.

Larkins said she and her father, a longtime South L.A. businessman and real estate agent, had been interested in buying a church down the street when another real estate agent showed them the brick building that housed the gym.

"We purchased it for the kids in the community," said Melvin Larkins, 75.

Sauchsee Larkins said they turned the place around by investing nearly $50,000. They bought new equipment, she said, and built shower facilities and a bathroom for women.

"They came here and put a lot of love into this place," said Derrick "Papa Bear" Harris, 43, a trainer who has used the gym for years. "They're definitely here for the community."

With its old wooden floor and fading plaster walls, the gym is a throwback to an era of cigar-chomping managers and boxers who had few resources but plenty of heart. For a while it helped make Los Angeles one of the world's boxing capitals. Yellowed pictures of greats such as Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Leonard and Ken Norton hang on a wall.

Norton was trained by Slayton, the gym's previous owner, who died of cancer in 2003.

"We've had a lot of good boxers come through here," Larkins said.

The gym was home to heavyweight amateur champion Henry Tillman, who won a gold medal at the 1984 Olympics. Another champ who trained there was Lamon Brewster, who won the World Boxing Organization heavyweight belt in 2004. He dedicated the victory to Slayton.

"You never know who might be the next champ," Larkins said, looking at two boxers battling in the ring.

The gym's boxers, she said, are like her family.

"It's like being a mother. All men need mothers. All children need mothers," she said. "Everyone wants someone who cares."

[email protected]

[kikibalt]

Former junior welterweight champion Adolf Pruitt, who won the title in 1974, trains boxers at Broadway Gym. The South Los Angeles gym, once a beacon for world-class fighters, nearly closed in 2003. A change of ownership has given the sweaty sanctuary new life.

[kikibalt]

Sauchsee Larkins manages the gym and has acted as a mother to many of the young boxers that make their way through Broadway.