Classic American West Coast Boxing

[Randyman]

Here is a link to my website http://boxing-ring.blogspot.com or a direct link to Roger's gallery http://randyjamesdelao.uber.com/gallery ... ate_view=1
Thanks Rog, I swear, I knew it was Quarry. Just double checking!!

Randy

[dagosd2000]

About 2 yrs ago, a buddy and I did a historical photo shoot around Gary. The cops pulled us over because they thought we were lost, but they were polite and we just told them what we were doing. He was from around 17th-Pennsylvania.

Alex Karras was from the East Side of Gary as well. Emerson High School.

I remember years ago when Monday Night Football was trying to find a replacement for Don Meredith who quit the show. They went for a while with Alex Karras. One night Karras is up there with Gifford and Cosell and you can tell he's drunk. He's slurring his speech and is saying some things about women that are borderline. All the while he's huffin' and puffin' on this big stogie. Finally Cosell turns to him with that pompous arrogance and says,"Alex,don't you realize that by constanlly smoking your cigar,you're making breathing matters in the booth very difficult?"
"Oh," says Karras."I'll put it out then."
Karras takes a big drag on this torpedo,moves his face in front of Howard's, and exhales right in his face.
Karras has this smirk on his face and says,"Is that better ,Howard?"
Gifford is trying not to break up. First time I saw Cosell speachless.

[Expug]

About 2 yrs ago, a buddy and I did a historical photo shoot around Gary. The cops pulled us over because they thought we were lost, but they were polite and we just told them what we were doing. He was from around 17th-Pennsylvania.

Alex Karras was from the East Side of Gary as well. Emerson High School.

I remember years ago when Monday Night Football was trying to find a replacement for Don Meredith who quit the show. They went for a while with Alex Karras. One night Karras is up there with Gifford and Cosell and you can tell he's drunk. He's slurring his speech and is saying some things about women that are borderline. All the while he's huffin' and puffin' on this big stogie. Finally Cosell turns to him with that pompous arrogance and says,"Alex,don't you realize that by constanlly smoking your cigar,you're making breathing matters in the booth very difficult?"
"Oh," says Karras."I'll put it out then."
Karras takes a big drag on this torpedo,moves his face in front of Howard's, and exhales right in his face.
Karras has this smirk on his face and says,"Is that better ,Howard?"
Gifford is trying not to break up. First time I saw Cosell speachless.

Love it.
I couldnt stand listening to Cossel.
Alex Karras had a bar in Gary in the early sixties.
At one point, Karras was scheduled to participate in a wrestling match with Dick Afflis, better known as Dick the Bruiser.
Afflis stopped in to Karras bar one night right before the match and the two got into a heated beef.
Next thing ya know, the two are going at it and Afflis tears the joint up.
Ah, Days of Yore.

[kikibalt]

Randy De La O has been nice enough to offer to put some of my paintings on his Web Page. I sent him Napoles,Aragon,and Quarry. He emailed me back asking me if that was Jerry for sure. I think when Frank first posted that painting,Bennie wondered also. Frank replied,"Well that's what Dago said."

Funny how everyone sees things their own way. I swear that's how Quarry looked to me that day. I work next to a gal who married this guy and she's telling me all her girlfriends thought her husband was ugly. She couldn't understand it. She thought he was drop dead for looks.

Which reminds me of this joke. Three nuns die and are ready to enter heaven. St. Peter is there and asks each nun if they have one last wish before going through the Pearly Gates.

Well the first nun says,"I'd like to have sex with Brad Pitt."
St. Peter says,"Yes,I can understand why. He's very good looking."

The second nun says,"I want to have sex with Leonardo De Caprio."
St. Peter says,"Yes,I can understand that. He's very popular with the ladies."

Well the third nun says,"I want to have sex with Frank Baltazar."
St. Peter scratches his head and says to her,"Frank Baltazar. Never heard of him. I can understand the other requests,but who is Frank Baltazar?"
The nun replied,"I don't know who he is either,but all I heard down on Earth was 'F#ck Frank Baltazar."

Thats a sick joke dude!!

[dagosd2000]

Randy De La O has been nice enough to offer to put some of my paintings on his Web Page. I sent him Napoles,Aragon,and Quarry. He emailed me back asking me if that was Jerry for sure. I think when Frank first posted that painting,Bennie wondered also. Frank replied,"Well that's what Dago said."

Funny how everyone sees things their own way. I swear that's how Quarry looked to me that day. I work next to a gal who married this guy and she's telling me all her girlfriends thought her husband was ugly. She couldn't understand it. She thought he was drop dead for looks.

Which reminds me of this joke. Three nuns die and are ready to enter heaven. St. Peter is there and asks each nun if they have one last wish before going through the Pearly Gates.

Well the first nun says,"I'd like to have sex with Brad Pitt."
St. Peter says,"Yes,I can understand why. He's very good looking."

The second nun says,"I want to have sex with Leonardo De Caprio."
St. Peter says,"Yes,I can understand that. He's very popular with the ladies."

Well the third nun says,"I want to have sex with Frank Baltazar."
St. Peter scratches his head and says to her,"Frank Baltazar. Never heard of him. I can understand the other requests,but who is Frank Baltazar?"
The nun replied,"I don't know who he is either,but all I heard down on Earth was 'F#ck Frank Baltazar."

Thats a sick joke dude!!

i apologize if i offended you. rog

[kikibalt]

Lawn Mowers, Sweaters and the Olympic Auditorium . . .

When Aileen Eaton was promoting at the Olympic Auditorium in the late 60's, she had a brilliant idea, one that would save her hundreds and make her thousands. She pitted amateur boxers in two bouts that would open the show for her televised thursday night pro cards. She called it her "Youth Development Program" and from this came a number of world class pros, most who'd start their careers with a a built-in following at the Olympic. There were a few perks to fighting in those Olympic amateur bouts and I know this having been somebody who fought on those cards. For one thing, you got to fight on TV, you also were given five bucks "gas money" (which would fill the tank of my old '55 Ford Pick-up, and also buy me quart of oil.) But the best part was a gift from the sponsor, MacLain Lawn Mowers, who would give the winners of the bout a lawn mower or an edger. Another Sponsor was Richard's Clothes for men on Spring St. who would also give the fighters Alpaca sweaters. I ended up with a closet full of sweaters, but never got my lawn mower, although I won three of my four bouts fought in the YDP part of the show. I remember being a bit disappointed not getting a lawn mower (although I hated cutting grass). My manager Johnny Flores said, "Just take the sweater and be happy for the win", which I did. Johnny always had a couple new lawn mowers and edgers in his garage.

-Rick Farris

Rick,

For the last couple of years of the "Youth Development Program" I did the matchmaking for the program, Howie Steindler was the first MM, then he turn it over to Felix Villareal, for some reason Villareal left and it was turn back to Howie who didn't want to do it, he didn't want to fight the AAU who was giving him a hard time because the AAU didn't want amateurs fighting in a pro card, so he call me and ask if I would do it, I told "sure I'll do it, the hell with the AAU"

[kikibalt]

Randy De La O has been nice enough to offer to put some of my paintings on his Web Page. I sent him Napoles,Aragon,and Quarry. He emailed me back asking me if that was Jerry for sure. I think when Frank first posted that painting,Bennie wondered also. Frank replied,"Well that's what Dago said."

Funny how everyone sees things their own way. I swear that's how Quarry looked to me that day. I work next to a gal who married this guy and she's telling me all her girlfriends thought her husband was ugly. She couldn't understand it. She thought he was drop dead for looks.

Which reminds me of this joke. Three nuns die and are ready to enter heaven. St. Peter is there and asks each nun if they have one last wish before going through the Pearly Gates.

Well the first nun says,"I'd like to have sex with Brad Pitt."
St. Peter says,"Yes,I can understand why. He's very good looking."

The second nun says,"I want to have sex with Leonardo De Caprio."
St. Peter says,"Yes,I can understand that. He's very popular with the ladies."

Well the third nun says,"I want to have sex with Frank Baltazar."
St. Peter scratches his head and says to her,"Frank Baltazar. Never heard of him. I can understand the other requests,but who is Frank Baltazar?"
The nun replied,"I don't know who he is either,but all I heard down on Earth was 'F#ck Frank Baltazar."

Thats a sick joke dude!!

i apologize if i offended you. rog

Apology accepted.

[kikibalt]

[Seamus]

Expug

You sure that was in Gary ? Karras had a home on the NW side of Detroit most of the time he was with the Lions. I always thought he was jerk. He claims in his autobiography that he warned his coach at Iowa, Forrest Evashevski, to stop blowing his whistle near him. When Evashevski didn't listen, he tackled and choked him. Karras' dad was a doctor.

Hank Stram was from Gary as well.

[dagosd2000]

Hey Frank
Thanks. Sometimes no matter how carefull you try to tip toe through the tulips,you step in shit. Your acceptance of my apology means so much to me now.

i've tried to look at friendship this way. If I've offended a friend,even unintentionally,then I'm wrong. i have committed the gravest error.

I have to express somethuing now that I've been thinking about for a long time. I had a real close friend that once said something that offended me. I know he didn't mean it,but didn't know it offended me. I lost touch with him. He called several times wanting to know why I wasn't coming around anymore. I let my wife talk to him to give him the brush off. He said to her,"Was it something I said?"

I haven't talked to him in eight years. I'm going to drive over to his place right now and forgive him for acting like a jerk. I know he doesn't understand what happened. Frank ,thanks for making me see things. You have that affect on me. Rog

[scartissue]

Photos by Scarface

Sorry Dan, but Bennie said that was your name from now on.....


The bout that made history. Yori Boy Campas defending his IBF Jr.
Middleweight title against Pedro Ortega and the first world title fight
being officiated by a female referee. Gwen Adair.



Carlos Ortiz and Rick Farris


Rick Farris and Gwen Adair


Marvin Johnson and Yaqui Lopez

Scarface?! Well, it's a litle beat up but I didn't think it was that bad. Maybe you were looking too hard at Yori Boy Campas. Now that face is like a well-chewed caramel. Incidentally, I can't take credit for these photos, these were the work of Dawn Paradis, Rick's cousin who lives in Florida. An outstanding photographer and an even nicer person.

Scartissue

[kikibalt]

[Rick Farris]

Lawn Mowers, Sweaters and the Olympic Auditorium . . .

When Aileen Eaton was promoting at the Olympic Auditorium in the late 60's, she had a brilliant idea, one that would save her hundreds and make her thousands. She pitted amateur boxers in two bouts that would open the show for her televised thursday night pro cards. She called it her "Youth Development Program" and from this came a number of world class pros, most who'd start their careers with a a built-in following at the Olympic. There were a few perks to fighting in those Olympic amateur bouts and I know this having been somebody who fought on those cards. For one thing, you got to fight on TV, you also were given five bucks "gas money" (which would fill the tank of my old '55 Ford Pick-up, and also buy me quart of oil.) But the best part was a gift from the sponsor, MacLain Lawn Mowers, who would give the winners of the bout a lawn mower or an edger. Another Sponsor was Richard's Clothes for men on Spring St. who would also give the fighters Alpaca sweaters. I ended up with a closet full of sweaters, but never got my lawn mower, although I won three of my four bouts fought in the YDP part of the show. I remember being a bit disappointed not getting a lawn mower (although I hated cutting grass). My manager Johnny Flores said, "Just take the sweater and be happy for the win", which I did. Johnny always had a couple new lawn mowers and edgers in his garage.

-Rick Farris

Rick,

For the last couple of years of the "Youth Development Program" I did the matchmaking for the program, Howie Steindler was the first MM, then he turn it over to Felix Villareal, for some reason Villareal left and it was turn back to Howie who didn't want to do it, he didn't want to fight the AAU who was giving him a hard time because the AAU didn't want amateurs fighting in a pro card, so he call me and ask if I would do it, I told "sure I'll do it, the hell with the
Frank

Frank . . . I say to hell with the AAU also, however, I still want my lawn mower. Tell you what, if you can make it happen I'll cut your grass once in awhile.

Rick the gardner.

[El Gato]

Rick,

I had to laugh at the McClain Lawnmower story. I received 12 lawnmowers, 2 edgers and 1 lawn vacuum for being the best fighter of the night on 15 occasions. My garage looked like a lawnmower shop. They were really good machines. Under those circumstances I started a landscaping busines in Long Beach. I had 5 or 6 guys working for me. I had about 50 residential homes to care for and over 20 commercial buildings and 3 Catholic churches. I was making really good money. As a matter of fact, my older brother is still working as the head maintenance man of one of the churhes and is about ready to retire. All because of the McClain Lawnmowers.

Also I never knew you fought Claude Durden. He was my sparring partner for most of my championship fights. I paid him $10 a round and we usually went 5 rounds. He was my best sparring partner who made me work hard. He really got me in top shape. By the way, his daughter found me through the CBZ thread about a year ago. She gave me his phone number so I called him and we had a nice conversation talking about the good old days after 30 some years.

El Gato

[El Gato]

Dago,

Thank you so much for presenting the portrait you painted of me to the Cultural Center in Jiquilpan. You have a great talent. It was nice to have your granddaughter present it to the director, Mr. Leyva. I am very honored. I am also looking forward to visiting Jiquilpan in the near future. You took some great pictures of the area and of the people when you were there.

El Gato

[bennie]

Photos by diego


Burke Emery trainer and manager of Art Hafey. Canadian Light Heavy Champ. Canadian Boxing Hall of Fame. Owner of Champ's Lounge. Best local bar around. and diego

Fantastic. This reminds me of the time I drove to Manchester to watch Calzaghe-Lacy at the MEN Arena and cruised into Manchester around 3pm, with several hours to spare before the show. What do you do when you need to kill time? Well, a woman would go shopping but I went looking for a nice friendly pub. Bear in mind this was Salford in Manchester, an area where "nice and friendly" rather jars and where it is not really advisable to start sniffing around in pubs looking for a chat (I like to chat when I'm drinking; I can't just stare at a pint glass). Anyway, I entered one located on a busy road near where I'd parked the car and sunk a pint at the bar. I occasionally (very occasionally) had a little glance round to check out the clienetele. There were groups of men in there - friends - and they were just enjoying the football on the big screen and minding their own business. There was nobody at the bar but me. I thanked the landlord and went trekking anew. Further up the main road, a dingy little road went off it, and right at the bottom of this side road I could see a pub sign sticking out. All of a sudden, everything looked rough, barren, isolated. Sod it! I felt a bit braver for the pint I'd already sunk on an empty stomach and casually made my way down and walked into this 'local'. I couldn't believe it! The wall was covered in boxing photos, literally covered, and the locals didn't turn a hair at the sight of a stranger. There were people standing at the bar and I turned the conversation to the Calzaghe fight and to boxing in general, and several pints later I was booking myself into a hotel before heading for the MEN.
No driving back for me.

[Rick Farris]

Wonderful!
Roger and Frank will appreciate that Im sure.
Whatever you do though Rick, dont let Uncle John anywhere near a michrophone.[/quote][/quote]



Pug, you should have said something sooner! In the interest of keeping this an "International" event, we've agreed to let your Uncle John sing "Danny Boy", right after the National Anthem. He told me he likes to sing, almost as much as he loves to drink and fight.

-Rick

[Rick Farris]

Photos by Scarface

Sorry Dan, but Bennie said that was your name from now on.....


The bout that made history. Yori Boy Campas defending his IBF Jr.
Middleweight title against Pedro Ortega and the first world title fight
being officiated by a female referee. Gwen Adair.



Carlos Ortiz and Rick Farris


Rick Farris and Gwen Adair


Marvin Johnson and Yaqui Lopez

Ortiz sure knew what he was doing in a ring. Crafty dude. Gave Battling Torres fits. Same with Laguna. Like a guy that knows the art of boxing.

Rog, In 1972, Carlos came to L.A. for one of his last bouts, a ten round decision win over Greg Potter at the Forum. Ortiz was well past his prime, however, during a light sparring session at the Main St. Gym, he rocked me with a left hook. After I stepped out of the ring following the workout, my trainer, Mel Epstein, looked me in the eyes and asked, "what did you do today before you came to the gym?" When I tried to answer, I couldn't remember. In fact, I'd lost memory of the the past couple of days. I called my girlfriend to tell her I was on my way over, and discovered that she and I were in the middle of a big dispute and she didn't want to see me. "Don't you rememebr what you told me last night?", she asked. "Hell, I don't rememebr a thing", I answered. Eventually my memory returned, thanks to a little help from friends, but man it was a strange experience. Not even Duran, who floored me in a workout the following year, had that effect on me.

-Rick

[Rick Farris]

Lawn Mowers, Sweaters and the Olympic Auditorium . . .

When Aileen Eaton was promoting at the Olympic Auditorium in the late 60's, she had a brilliant idea, one that would save her hundreds and make her thousands. She pitted amateur boxers in two bouts that would open the show for her televised thursday night pro cards. She called it her "Youth Development Program" and from this came a number of world class pros, most who'd start their careers with a a built-in following at the Olympic. There were a few perks to fighting in those Olympic amateur bouts and I know this having been somebody who fought on those cards. For one thing, you got to fight on TV, you also were given five bucks "gas money" (which would fill the tank of my old '55 Ford Pick-up, and also buy me quart of oil.) But the best part was a gift from the sponsor, MacLain Lawn Mowers, who would give the winners of the bout a lawn mower or an edger. Another Sponsor was Richard's Clothes for men on Spring St. who would also give the fighters Alpaca sweaters. I ended up with a closet full of sweaters, but never got my lawn mower, although I won three of my four bouts fought in the YDP part of the show. I remember being a bit disappointed not getting a lawn mower (although I hated cutting grass). My manager Johnny Flores said, "Just take the sweater and be happy for the win", which I did. Johnny always had a couple new lawn mowers and edgers in his garage.

-Rick Farris

Rick,

For the last couple of years of the "Youth Development Program" I did the matchmaking for the program, Howie Steindler was the first MM, then he turn it over to Felix Villareal, for some reason Villareal left and it was turn back to Howie who didn't want to do it, he didn't want to fight the AAU who was giving him a hard time because the AAU didn't want amateurs fighting in a pro card, so he call me and ask if I would do it, I told "sure I'll do it, the hell with the AAU"

You know Frank, The AAU was so corrupt, they tried to put the arm on Aileen Eaton, demanding she pay them to "allow" amateurs to box on her pro cards. When she refused, they sent letters to all of us who had fought on her cards telling us that if we continued to fight on professional cards from the Olympic, we'd be banned from fighting in the Golden Gloves. We all ignored the letter, and in 1970, Los Angeles lost it's Golden Gloves sanction. L.A. was forbidden from sending a team to the Golden Gloves National Tournament of Champions held in LAs Vegas that year. So, what did we do? Aileen staged a tournament of her own, to determine the best fighters. The tourney was called the "Diamond Belt" tourney. Those of us who won, went to Las Vegas, registered under a Henderson, Nevada address provided by one of our coaches, and entered the Nevada tornament, which was held in Las Vegas. The L.A. boys won 10 of the 12 weight classes, and went to the Nat'l tournament representing Nevada in the Nationals. This really pissed off the Nevada amateurs, who couldn't compete with the guys from L.A. But it was the only way we could make it to the Nationals. The L.A. boys came in thru the back door in 1970, my last year in the amateurs. A couple months later I made my pro debut, about a month before I graduated from high school. As you said Kiki, "to thell with the AAU".

-Rick

[Rick Farris]

Rick,

I had to laugh at the McClain Lawnmower story. I received 12 lawnmowers, 2 edgers and 1 lawn vacuum for being the best fighter of the night on 15 occasions. My garage looked like a lawnmower shop. They were really good machines. Under those circumstances I started a landscaping busines in Long Beach. I had 5 or 6 guys working for me. I had about 50 residential homes to care for and over 20 commercial buildings and 3 Catholic churches. I was making really good money. As a matter of fact, my older brother is still working as the head maintenance man of one of the churhes and is about ready to retire. All because of the McClain Lawnmowers.

Also I never knew you fought Claude Durden. He was my sparring partner for most of my championship fights. I paid him $10 a round and we usually went 5 rounds. He was my best sparring partner who made me work hard. He really got me in top shape. By the way, his daughter found me through the CBZ thread about a year ago. She gave me his phone number so I called him and we had a nice conversation talking about the good old days after 30 some years.

El Gato

Hey champ, you got a DOZEN lawn mowers? Damn, good thing I live in a condo or my grass would outta control. Hard to mow a lawn with a sweater. :(

-Ricardo

[Rick Farris]

Photos by Scarface

Sorry Dan, but Bennie said that was your name from now on.....


The bout that made history. Yori Boy Campas defending his IBF Jr.
Middleweight title against Pedro Ortega and the first world title fight
being officiated by a female referee. Gwen Adair.



Carlos Ortiz and Rick Farris


Rick Farris and Gwen Adair


Marvin Johnson and Yaqui Lopez

Marvin Johnson will be inducted into the WBHOF this year along with Lennox Lewis, Pernall Whitaker and Greg Haugen. At last years's banquet, Dan Hanley interviewed Yaqui Lopez before our cameras and the result was nothing short of classic! Dan has a way of making these special warriors open up in a manner that overpowers anything you'll see on HBO. The truth is, you gotta KNOW boxing and boxers, and this is where Dan Hanley puts the cable guys to shame.

-Rick

[kikibalt]

3-Time World Champion Carlos Ortiz Discusses His Boxing Career with RSR
Interview by Dan Hernandez
Ringside Report.com

“I am always thankful to all the great fans that I’ve had and all the backing that they gave me. The opportunities they gave me and so forth, I can’t forget that.” -–Carlos Ortiz

Carlos Ortiz, born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, on September 9, 1936, was a 3-Time World Champion, first in the junior welterweight division and twice in the lightweight division. A member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, as are many of his opponents, he is still actively enjoying the fruits of a successful career, marriage, and clean life.

I was reminded of Carlos when I received a notice from Bruce Silverglade, respected author and proprietor of Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn, New York, regarding its famous annual “Fantasy Boxing Camp,” which is taking place August 29th through September 1st, 2008 at Kutsher‘s Country Club in the magnificent Catskill Mountains.

The camp features intensive boxing discussions, coaching sessions, ring craft, sparring and training drills. At the end of the camp, the attendees will have an opportunity to display their newfound skills in the Fantasy Camp Sparring Show. The camp gives the participants a chance to learn from excellent trainers such as Hector Roca, Olympic Gold Medalist and World Champion, Mark Breland, 3-Time World Champion Carlos Ortiz, and 2-Time World Champion Juan LaPorte and other top boxing people.

Hector Roca, Mark Breland, Juan LaPorte and Carlos Ortiz? Give me a break, where do I sign up?! I could not resist. I contacted Bruce and requested aid in contacting Carlos and he fortunately complied. Upon contact, Ortiz was open and even grateful for the communication. I was humbled by his graciousness, here was a man that had a career record of 61-7-1, 30 KO’s (1 NC). He fought in divisions that had future Hall of Fame residents, Joe Brown, Ishmael Laguna, Ken Buchanan, Sugar Ramos, Nicolino Locche, Duilio Loi, and Gabriel “Flash” Elorde…a virtual who’s who of fistic greats.

I recalled watching Ortiz soundly defeat two of my favorite fighters at the time, longtime lightweight titleholder Joe Brown, in gaining the Lightweight Championship and knocking out Raymundo “Battling” Torres, a former champion, in defense of his lightweight title. Ortiz was one of the best all-around fighters that I had ever seen and it was my pleasure to sit down and speak with him regarding his career, motivations, and philosophies of life.

DH: First thing, I have to tell you that you were one of the best fighters that I ever saw…however you beat one of my favorites, Battling Torres.

Thank you. Battling Torres was a good fighter and a tough fighter. The only thing is that I was a little bit better than him.

DH: I think you were a lot better than him from what I remember.

(Laughs)

DH: That is nice of you to say that.

Yeah, well he really was a good fighter, you know. He was a good puncher, he was a fairly good boxer, but not good enough, you know.

DH: That’s what did him in, the boxing, wasn’t it?

That’s what did him in, the boxing. I was too smart for him with the jabs and he was very slow in the way he threw his punches…so, I was a little bit faster than he was.

DH: It sounds like you’re doing real well, are you?

I’m doing terrific; I’m 73 years old now. I am very strong, you know, and I go to the gym once in awhile. I walk a lot and I keep busy. I’m going with life, whatever life brings over, I’m taking.

DH: Are you married?

Oh yeah, of course. I’ve been married for 35 years already and I have five children. They are all healthy and no one is a boxer. That’s the main thing.

DH: Tell me about the Fantasy Boxing Camp.

I’ve been doing this with Bruce since he got the idea and we started it and we haven’t stopped yet. Every year we have a full house and it just gets better and better.

DH: Do you enjoy working with the attendees?

I get a big kick out of it, yeah. That’s why I go; I go because it reminds me of my training periods and how much I enjoyed them. I enjoy it very much.

DH: I spoke with one of your contemporaries, Gaspar Ortega.

Oh yeah, no kidding. What’s he doing?

DH: He’s doing very well and still training young boxers, like Elvin Ayala in Connecticut.

Oh, he’s still in Connecticut?

DH: Yes, and he’s your age and apparently can still box circles around most of the young fighters.

Yeah, he’s got a lot of guts.

DH: I am sure pleased to be able to speak with you.

Well, you people are the ones that keep me going. I get a lot of calls from different people asking for autographs and pictures and things. It keeps me going.

DH: What do you remember most from your fighting days?

There never can be a more impressive highlight than winning a championship. The first championship I fought, I won, and I never forget it. The Junior Welterweight Title, against Kenny Lane, and then I finally got a chance for the lightweight title, I came down to 135 pounds and I fought Joe Brown. I beat him, won the title, and I kept the title for approximately 6 years. I am so proud of that and I wonder how I was able to accomplish that, it was amazing.

DH: I used to think Joe Brown was a terrific fighter.

Oh gosh yes. I’m glad that I had a good jab when I fought him, when I started jabbing him and found out that he was a sucker for a left jab, that’s all I threw for fifteen rounds…jab, jab, and jab!

I was gonna stick with this jab for as long as it gets me and it took me fifteen rounds and that’s it…I won the fight.

DH: Did he land any solid shots during that fight?

Oh, he hit me with a few right hands and a few good lefts; he was a good left hooker. He was a great boxer and a great puncher. But, he never got that big punch in against me, the one that he needed. In fact, with my left jab working so well, I didn’t let him get that punch in. Because I was always with the jab in his face, in his face, in his face, the jab in his face, in his face, he was going crazy.

DH: Most fighters today seemed to have forgotten about the jab, don’t you think?

The jab was my specialty. I can’t imagine not having a good jab. It was my lucky charm.

DH: Any thoughts on Kenny Lane?

Next to Joe Brown, he was the smartest fighter that I fought. He was a very smart fighter, the only thing that I had a knack for fighting southpaws and he gave me a hard time because he was a good fighter but I read him out and I used to get the best of him. It was the jab and left hook that got him.

DH: Did you have an amateur career also?

Oh gee, I had about 80 fights. That got me ready for the pros. I had eighty fights and I only lost one fight in the amateurs…just one. I don’t remember the name of the guy I lost to, but it was a great experience for me.

DH: You won a title 3 times and the last title fight you had was a losing effort to Carlos Teo Cruz, is that correct?

Yes, Teo Cruz in Santo Domingo. I don’t even like to talk about it. Teo Cruz was a nice guy but I went to Santa Domingo and I fought, they cheated me out of my title. It’s something that I don’t like to discuss

DH: I saw Teo lose his title to Mando Ramos and I remember thinking, “How did this guy beat Carlos Ortiz?” However, he did last the fifteen rounds with you.

Yeah, he went fifteen rounds, and it was just a case of me fighting in the wrong place at the wrong time.

DH: Did you know that Mando Ramos just passed away?

No kidding! How old was he?

DH: He was 59.

59? He was a young kid.

DH: Yes, but he chose a tough road and didn’t take care of himself the way he should have.

Oh, I don’t drink, I don’t touch the stuff.

DH: That’s probably why you have a long marriage too.
(Laughs)

DH: Who were your toughest opponents?

I’ve got to say Kenny Lane, Joe Brown, for sure. Ismael Laguna, Sugar Ramos…these guys were tough and good punchers. You had to really be careful with those guys. I just happened to be lucky that I had the wares to beat these guys.

DH: You were very good. It even shows in how clearly you think and speak today. You didn’t get hit too much, did you?

You know, I practiced always that I hit you but you’re not gonna hit me. That was my idea all the time in going into that ring, “I’m gonna hit you, but you’re not gonna hit me, and I’m gonna win the fight.”

DH: Well you were very successful in reaching that goal.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I loved my career, I loved that I did it. There are some things that you regret for a time, but, you know, that’s life.

DH: Sugar Ramos was a good fighter; he was involved in the fight where Davey Moore passed away after the fight. You managed to knock him out twice.

Sure. He was good, I was a little stronger. I fought him twice. I met Davey Moore; he was a very nice guy. All fighters seem to be nice guys, out of the ring they are cupcakes.

DH: You’re in the Hall of Fame.

Oh yeah, I was inducted in ‘91 and that was my coup de grace, you know. It’s something that you always wish that you’re going to get and finally I got it and I said: “Boy, that’s it!”

DH: I feel privileged in being able to speak with you.

Oh wonderful, it’s a great thing that you called me. It’s nice that you called me and I understand that my fans want to get in touch with me and talk to me because they were my fans and I’m not gonna say no to them. I am always thankful to all the great fans that I’ve had and all the backing that they gave me. The opportunities they gave me and so forth, I can’t forget that.

DH: Did you ever have to work at something else besides boxing?

No, I never worked a day in my life. It was all boxing.

DH: Do you use the Internet?

I had a computer for a bit, it got messed up and I threw the darn thing away. I don’t have a computer any more.

DH: Fine, I’ll mail a copy of the interview and thanks a lot.

Great, that will be great and take care of yourself!

[kikibalt]

Carlos Ortiz boxing record

Carlos Ortiz
Division: Lightweight
Professional Record: 61-7-1, 30 KO’s

Date Opponent Location Result

1955-02-14 Harry Bell New York City, USA W KO 1
1955-02-28 Morris Hodnett New York City, USA W TKO 1
1955-05-13 Danny Roberts New York City, USA W KO 3
1955-05-30 Juan Pacheco New York City, USA W KO 2
1955-06-24 Jimmy DeMura Syracuse, USA W PTS 6
1955-08-10 Tony DeCola New York City, USA W PTS 6
1955-08-22 Armand Bush New York City, USA W PTS 6
1955-09-19 Hector Rodriguez New York City, USA W KO 2
1955-10-03 Leroy Graham New York City, USA W KO 2
1955-10-29 Al Duarte Boston, USA W TKO 4
1955-11-12 Lem Miller Boston, USA W PTS 8
1955-12-10 Charley Titone Paterson, USA W KO 2

1956-01-09 Ray Portilla New York City, USA W UD 8
1956-02-17 Ray Portilla New York City, USA W PTS 8
1956-05-25 Johnny Gorman New York City, USA W PTS 6
1956-07-30 Tommy Salem New York City, USA W SD 10
1956-10-27 Mickey Northrup Hollywood, USA W UD 10
1956-12-15 Philip Kim Hollywood, USA W TKO 9
1956-12-31 Gale Kerwin New York City, USA W UD 10

1957-01-23 Bobby Rogers Chicago, USA W UD 10
1957-03-02 Lou Filippo Hollywood, USA NC ND 9
1957-04-09 Lou Filippo Hollywood, USA W TKO 7
1957-05-07 Ike Vaughn Miami Beach, USA W UD 10
1957-05-29 Felix Chiocca Chicago, USA W UD 10
1957-09-23 Harry Bell New York City, USA W UD 10

1958-02-28 Tommy Tibbs New York City, USA W UD 10
1958-05-09 Joey Lopes Hollywood, USA W UD 10
1958-06-27 Johnny Busso New York City, USA L SD 10
1958-09-19 Johnny Busso New York City, USA W UD 10
1958-10-28 Dave Charnley Harringay, United Kingdom W PTS 10
1958-12-31 Kenny Lane Miami Beach, USA L MD 10

1959-04-13 Len Matthews Philadelphia, USA W TKO 6
1959-06-12 Kenny Lane New York City, USA W TKO 2
1960-02-04 Battling Torres Los Angeles, USA W KO 10
1960-06-15 Duilio Loi San Francisco, USA W SD 15
1960-09-01 Duilio Loi Milan, Italy L MD 15

1961-02-02 Cisco Andrade Los Angeles, USA W UD 10
1961-05-10 Duilio Loi Milan, Italy L UD 15
1961-09-02 Douglas Vaillant Miami Beach, USA W UD 10
1961-11-18 Paolo Rosi New York City, USA W UD 10

1962-04-21 Joe Brown Las Vegas, USA W UD 15
WBA Lightweight Title
1962-08-01 Arthur Persley Quezon City, Philippines W UD 10
1962-11-07 Kazuo Takayama Japan W UD 10
1962-12-03 Teruo Kosaka Japan W KO 5
WBA Lightweight Title

1963-04-07 Douglas Vaillant San Juan, Puerto Rico W TKO 13
WBC Lightweight Title
WBA Lightweight Title
1963-09-18 Pete Acera Honolulu, USA W TKO 7
1963-10-22 Maurice Cullen Wembley, United Kingdom W PTS 10

1964-02-15 Flash Elorde Manila, Philippines W TKO 14
WBC Lightweight Title
WBA Lightweight Title
1964-04-11 Kenny Lane San Juan, Puerto Rico W UD 15
WBC Lightweight Title
WBA Lightweight Title
1964-12-14 Dick DiVola Boston, USA W KO 1

1965-04-10 Ismael Laguna Panama City, Panama L MD 15
WBC Lightweight Title
WBA Lightweight Title
1965-11-13 Ismael Laguna San Juan, Puerto Rico W UD 15
WBC Lightweight Title
WBA Lightweight Title

1966-04-07 Nicolino Locche Buenos Aires, Argentina D PTS 10
1966-06-20 Johnny Bizzarro Pittsburgh, USA W TKO 12
WBC Lightweight Title
WBA Lightweight Title
1966-10-22 Sugar Ramos Mexico City, Mexico W TKO 5
WBC Lightweight Title
WBA Lightweight Title
1966-11-28 Flash Elorde New York City, USA W KO 14
WBA Lightweight Title

1967-07-01 Sugar Ramos San Juan, Puerto Rico W TKO 4
WBC Lightweight Title
WBA Lightweight Title
1967-08-16 Ismael Laguna Flushing, USA W UD 15
WBC Lightweight Title
WBA Lightweight Title

1968-06-29 Carlos Teo Cruz Santo Domingo, Dominican L SD 15
WBC Lightweight Title
WBA Lightweight Title

1969-11-21 Edmundo Leite New York City, USA W MD 10

1971-12-01 Jimmy Ligons Las Vegas, USA W KO 3

1972-01-08 Bill Whittenburg Miami, USA W KO 7
1972-01-20 Terry Rondeau Portland, USA W TKO 4
1972-01-31 Ivelaw Eastman Waltham, USA W TKO 2
1972-02-19 Leo DiFiore San Juan, Puerto Rico W KO 2
1972-03-20 Junior Varney Ponce, Puerto Rico W TKO 7
1972-05-01 Greg Potter Inglewood, USA W UD 10
1972-06-03 Gerardo Ferrat Chicago, USA W KO 3
1972-08-01 Johnny Copeland Oklahoma City, USA W KO 3
1972-09-20 Ken Buchanan New York City, USA L RTD 6

[raylawpc]

Thanks for the posts on ortiz, Frank. he was the first former champion that I ever met and actually got to spend time with talking boxing. Super nice guy outside the ring.

I liked what he said about boxers: "outside the ring, they're all cupcakes." I think that true. Some of the nicest guys I've ever known are boxers. In fact, in many cases, the bigger the name, the nicer the guy.

[Counter-puncher]

Hi guys i have a question which I hope the posters on this page can give some answers to

Ruben Castillo was mentioned on another thread recently and it gave me reason to wonder if he was an unlucky fighter not to get a world belt.

great hand and footspeed, skills, decent chin and plenty of guts, to me he was partly unlucky due to challenging for world championships against very, very good- actually, mostly superb- champs. Arguello, Sanchez, Chavez, reads like a murderer's row of boxer-punchers. and his 4th shot was against decent Rocky Lockridge I think.... I mean, boza edwards got a world title and castillo didnt....?

I often compare him to Bobby Chacon and here is where my question lies i guess. firstly, look at the guys chacon took world belts off, compared to those Castillo challenged, and it seems to me Chacon had a much easier ride, is this correct?

secondly, was a fight between them ever in the offering? it would seem quite an obvious one as both were by all accounts very popular in Cali. my suspicion is that they weren't quite at their peaks at the same time, although as both fought well past their respective peaks i would still think a fight could possibly have been made

and, of course, how would you see a fight between them going? i would think it would be a superb, fast, tehcnical Boxing 101 which i would see chacon's superior power seeing him, narrowly, through...

thanks for any insight you can give me here 8)