Classic American West Coast Boxing

[Randyman]

I'm taking the 10 count for the night. Gotta get up at 4:30 tomorrow. Goodnight Guys!

[Rick Farris]

I'm taking the 10 count for the night. Gotta get up at 4:30 tomorrow. Goodnight Guys!

Good night, Randy. Got a WBHOF meeting at 11am manana and I'm ready to turn in myself. Buenas Noches!

-Ricardo

[dagosd2000]

Hey Rog, I seem to recall you mentioning the San Diego Coliseum a while back. I fought a four rounder there against Nacho Cota on August 13, 1976 (Friday the 13th) it was on the undercard of Manuel Lujan - Miguel Meza fight. I've tried to get info on the Coliseum but I can't seem to find anything. it's like it never existed. Plenty of info on the Sports Arena. I just wanted to visit it next time I'm in San Diego.

Randy

randy

I'll email you some shots I took of the Coliseum as it is today. It's Jeromes' Furniture Warehouse. .It's run down and just used for storing the furniture. Lots of homeless around. The pics Frank posted for me are back aways in the thread.

[dagosd2000]

Rog and Pug, I am a big fan of hot dogs, especially Chicago style, with the works, especially that little sport pepper. since both of you guys are from Chicago, and New York seems to be equally as famous for their dogs, how do they stack up against a Chicago dog? Personally, I've eaten at their most famous hot dog joint, Nathan's, and while it wasn't bad, I wasn't impressed. Same question for the Pizzas. Just wondering.

Randy

You're asking the right boy about eating. Randy,Nathans has gone so commercial with the dogs they've lost a lot of their flavor. Shit pal,you can buy them now just about at any retailer. Went to the Apple a few years ago. Coney Island for a Nathan's. YAWN. Took the subway back with indigestion.

Now I'm sure Puggsy and Seamus will fill you in on Pizzas. Depends if you like thin or thick cruat. I like the thin. In Italy it's thin most of the time. Naples where my people are from makes a thin crispy crust with lots of mazzarella and then whole sliced tomatos. They're not inti putting meat on top,but veggies(fresh) like anise,garlic,mushrooms,oregano,lots of fresh basil. Very good. Ask the back East boys. Good Pizza is a hard find. Anyone that puts pineapple on it ,and the mob will do a hit on you.

[dagosd2000]

Today is my one and only daughter, Linda, birthday and we are having a little party at Shakey's Pizza for her tonight, I'll shoot some pics. and post'em late.

Btw she is 52 today.

All the best to your daughter Frank, A belated Happy Birthday to her. I hope you and your family had a great time.

Randy

Thanks Randy, we went to Shakey's, but I had to come home as I wasn't feeling good at all.

Hey Frank
When I heard you went to Shakey's ,I didn't think were coming back at all.

[dagosd2000]

3 RD AND MADERO
You guys start talking about eating and the doc tells me if I don't lose weight and watch what I eat,I'm headed for the family buriel plot in my wife's hometown. I get asked by a lot by people where to eat in TJ. I never tell them a name of a restaurant. They think I'm givin' them the dodge. But it's true. Mexicans and Italians are similar with their eating habits. Home cooking is the best. It's what you were raised on. It bacomes a part of your body chemistry. You could even die if you don't have it after a while. Mother's gravy. Your wife's salsa. Why go to a sit down restaurant and leave dissapointed. Now in TJ, going out for tacos,let's say,is different. It's an adventure.It's not a restaurant thing. You go to a cart that's on the street and before you know it,the tacos are shoved at you . Only thing you say is what you want on it. Standard answer,"Con Todo."(everything)

Unless you say ,"Ya"(no more),you'll still get delivery in your face.. Now when the guy says ,"Cuantas?"(how many)it is standard cultural procedure to lie and say ,for instance,that you ate 4 when you really ate 6. The guy doesn't care because he makes a profit anyway and knows you'll be back. If he makes a squawk,he knows you won't be back.

Now when your average "Turista" asks me were to go for good Mexican food in TJ,I tell them the Fish Taco Stand on the Corner of 3rd and Madero Streets. Take an oath my kids. I'd trade my job as a teacher to have have this Fish Taco Stand. Everytime I drive by that place cars are double and triple parked in the street. I've never seen fewer than 20 people in front standing and eating.

The menu is short. Fish Tacos Empanazados(deep fried) or Tacos de Camarrones(Shrimp).Then the consume from the Fish and the Shrimp is sold as soup. All the garnishes piled high in front. Cilantro,radishes,carrotts,chiles and salsas(green and red). Everything made fresh in front of you. The stand is open from 9 in the morning until around 6 in the afternoon. They must sell 1000 tacos a day at a buck a pop. The heated corn tortillas can't even wrap around all the stuff that they stuff inside. There's a jug of fresh lemonade to wash it down or you pick a soda out of the ice chest in front.

So if you ever go to TJ and want to eat where the locals go and eat the best Fish Tacos,at least in TJ,well I just told you.

[bennie]

Bennie, totally agree with your assessment on Castillo-Arguello. I had Castillo leading until, I believe two body shots took the wind out of Castillo's sails in the 11th. And for the record, I had Castillo-Sanchez dead even after 15 rounds. The LaPorte and Chavez fights shouldn't haunt him, as he was past his best by then. Regarding Chacon/Camacho/Edwards, Chacon was the champ and Boza was his #1 contender and had an offer to fight him for $450,000. However, the Don King controlled Camacho camp (who was usually Carl King) offered the Chacon people $250,000. Now, this is sort of a no-brainer, isn't it? But no, the WBC mandated Chacon fight Camacho over their #1 contender, which was obviously turned down and they stripped Bobby of the title. The fight went ahead and Chacon sued on anti-trust grounds, I believe, but he no longer had the title. I wonder if he saw anything out of that.

Scartissue

Hey Scar, we've never discussed Ruben Castillo, but perhaps we should interview him this year at the WBHOF event. I know Ruben fairly well, but not from boxing. Ruben was close to the late actor Victor French, who was also a friend of mine. Thru this friendship, he would visit Vic occaionally on the set of "Little House on the Praire" and "Highway to Heaven", when Vic and I both worked for Michael Landon. Vic and I would leave the studio together and drive directly to the FORUM to catch monday night fights, when Castillo was a ringside commmentator for Prime Ticket Network in the 80's. We'd usually hook-up with Castillo after the fights in the Forum Club. By the end of the night (which was usually well into the morning) we'd roll out of the bar three sheets to the wind.

The next day, Vic and I would have to be on the set early, and both look like we'd just gone fifteen rounds with Marciano. Luckily for me my job was behind the camera, while vic would pull himself together like the great actor he was and appear to have had a good nights sleep. "Thank God for make-up!", he'd say. Ruben would usually take up Vic's invite to drop by the studio and have lunch with us, and we'd remenisce about mutual friends in boxing. I told Castillo I had a program from a junior amateur bout he fought with Frankie Baltazar Jr. from January of 1970, a card held at the China Lake Navy base where I had my last amateur bout before turning pro. At the time, Ruben and Frankie Jr. weighed only 60 lbs.! I showed Castillo the program and he wanted me to give it to him, but I refused, since it was from my last amateur bout in which I beat Joey Sandoval, Richie and Albert's older brother.

Ruben is experienced in front of a microphone and a very interesting interview. Thanks to Bennie for bringing up the name Ruben Castillo, because he fought some all-time greats and can really provide a lot of what we are looking to accomplish in our interviews. Let's get that interview, Dan.

-Rick[/quote]





Tell us some more about those fine actors, Rick. Highway to Heaven was GREAT.


PS: It was Counter-puncher who brought up Ruben Castillo.

[dagosd2000]

GINGER BEER

Saw some cans of Ginger Beer in a cooler in a little Deli in London. In the afternoon the sun was setting in front. There were a few tables outside on the sidewalk. I loved to sit there drinking a glass of cold Ginger Beer and watch the traffic drive by. We don't have taxis in the U.S like they do in London. . The London cabs are solid black,but once in a while there's a pink one or one with a flashy design paint job.The taxis look old lke they were made in the 30's,but they were probably new or almost new.

The little Deli was owned by an Italian fella'. He had the Italian food in there that wasn't gourmet,but seemed apropos for the for the neighborhood and the customers. Good food,but not great. Funny,I don't think I wanted to taste great food sitting outside that little place for an hour every afternoon. Ginger beer was something I didn't see anyone else drink. I don't even remember seeing it anywhere else. Late afternoon people would wak in after work and order food the Italian man had prepared during the day that was inside his Deli case. Spaghetti,pork chops,salads,deserts. That would be these peoples' dinner. The owner had a regular clientele. Steady. He could count on them. He stayed with what he had. Never changed anything. The people liked his food.

And me with my glass of Ginger Beer enjoying a standard unassuming daily routine. Nothing fancy. Unnoticed. Life as standard and simple and without pretentions. A little Deli. Common food. A few tables on a sidewalk. A man watching the taxis drive by. A warm comfortable sun on his face. A cold glass of Ginger Beer.

One afternoon two big chaps walked inside the Deli. They ordered their dinner. While the old Italian was scooping their food in the styrofoam trays,I could hear laughter. A joke ,a story perhaps, between regular customers and the owner. The two big chaps who looked like they had sweated and worked and now were hungry looked at me sitting at the table outside.
"What's in the glass mate?"
They saw the can by my glass .
"Ginger Beer. I like this stuff. I'm hooked."
Both big fellows gave a hearty laugh.
"Not much pucnh drinking that stuff mate."
"You'd be surprised. By the way,where could I get some to take back to America?"
The two looked at each other. I could tell they were decent.Only ribbing me.
"Couldn't tell ya' mate. I've only seen that stuff in here."
"Well maybe by tomorrow I'll be ready to move up to one of your pubs."
They laughed again.
"But you won't find Ginger Beer in there."
"Well I'll let you guys order for me."
"Will do that mate."
They smiled and I smiled back.
"Hey mates,"I said as they were about to cross the street."Remember,look right,look left."
"Always yank,but that's for your awareness,not ours."

Later when the sun would finally die behind the buildings,I'd walk over to the Cockpit to drink whatever they had that was cold. Before crossing the street,I'd look right,then left. It was like I'd been doing it all my life.

[scartissue]

GINGER BEER

Saw some cans of Ginger Beer in a cooler in a little Deli in London. In the afternoon the sun was setting in front. There were a few tables outside on the sidewalk. I loved to sit there drinking a glass of cold Ginger Beer and watch the traffic drive by. We don't have taxis in the U.S like they do in London. . The London cabs are solid black,but once in a while there's a pink one or one with a flashy design paint job.The taxis look old lke they were made in the 30's,but they were probably new or almost new.

The little Deli was owned by an Italian fella'. He had the Italian food in there that wasn't gourmet,but seemed apropos for the for the neighborhood and the customers. Good food,but not great. Funny,I don't think I wanted to taste great food sitting outside that little place for an hour every afternoon. Ginger beer was something I didn't see anyone else drink. I don't even remember seeing it anywhere else. Late afternoon people would wak in after work and order food the Italian man had prepared during the day that was inside his Deli case. Spaghetti,pork chops,salads,deserts. That would be these peoples' dinner. The owner had a regular clientele. Steady. He could count on them. He stayed with what he had. Never changed anything. The people liked his food.

And me with my glass of Ginger Beer enjoying a standard unassuming daily routine. Nothing fancy. Unnoticed. Life as standard and simple and without pretentions. A little Deli. Common food. A few tables on a sidewalk. A man watching the taxis drive by. A warm comfortable sun on his face. A cold glass of Ginger Beer.

One afternoon two big chaps walked inside the Deli. They ordered their dinner. While the old Italian was scooping their food in the styrofoam trays,I could hear laughter. A joke ,a story perhaps, between regular customers and the owner. The two big chaps who looked like they had sweated and worked and now were hungry looked at me sitting at the table outside.
"What's in the glass mate?"
They saw the can by my glass .
"Ginger Beer. I like this stuff. I'm hooked."
Both big fellows gave a hearty laugh.
"Not much pucnh drinking that stuff mate."
"You'd be surprised. By the way,where could I get some to take back to America?"
The two looked at each other. I could tell they were decent.Only ribbing me.
"Couldn't tell ya' mate. I've only seen that stuff in here."
"Well maybe by tomorrow I'll be ready to move up to one of your pubs."
They laughed again.
"But you won't find Ginger Beer in there."
"Well I'll let you guys order for me."
"Will do that mate."
They smiled and I smiled back.
"Hey mates,"I said as they were about to cross the street."Remember,look right,look left."
"Always yank,but that's for your awareness,not ours."

Later when the sun would finally die behind the buildings,I'd walk over to the Cockpit to drink whatever they had that was cold. Before crossing the street,I'd look right,then left. It was like I'd been doing it all my life.

Dago, I lived in Birmingham for about a year and a half between '68-'69 and didn't return until '90. When I was there I treated myself to a delicacy from my youth when I caught whiff of the chip shop. Same shop, same location from 21 years earlier. We are talking a huge wad of chips wrapped in todays newspaper and just soaking through. Oh, man was that good! Bennie, you know what I'm talking about.

Scartissue

[dagosd2000]

GINGER BEER

Saw some cans of Ginger Beer in a cooler in a little Deli in London. In the afternoon the sun was setting in front. There were a few tables outside on the sidewalk. I loved to sit there drinking a glass of cold Ginger Beer and watch the traffic drive by. We don't have taxis in the U.S like they do in London. . The London cabs are solid black,but once in a while there's a pink one or one with a flashy design paint job.The taxis look old lke they were made in the 30's,but they were probably new or almost new.

The little Deli was owned by an Italian fella'. He had the Italian food in there that wasn't gourmet,but seemed apropos for the for the neighborhood and the customers. Good food,but not great. Funny,I don't think I wanted to taste great food sitting outside that little place for an hour every afternoon. Ginger beer was something I didn't see anyone else drink. I don't even remember seeing it anywhere else. Late afternoon people would wak in after work and order food the Italian man had prepared during the day that was inside his Deli case. Spaghetti,pork chops,salads,deserts. That would be these peoples' dinner. The owner had a regular clientele. Steady. He could count on them. He stayed with what he had. Never changed anything. The people liked his food.

And me with my glass of Ginger Beer enjoying a standard unassuming daily routine. Nothing fancy. Unnoticed. Life as standard and simple and without pretentions. A little Deli. Common food. A few tables on a sidewalk. A man watching the taxis drive by. A warm comfortable sun on his face. A cold glass of Ginger Beer.

One afternoon two big chaps walked inside the Deli. They ordered their dinner. While the old Italian was scooping their food in the styrofoam trays,I could hear laughter. A joke ,a story perhaps, between regular customers and the owner. The two big chaps who looked like they had sweated and worked and now were hungry looked at me sitting at the table outside.
"What's in the glass mate?"
They saw the can by my glass .
"Ginger Beer. I like this stuff. I'm hooked."
Both big fellows gave a hearty laugh.
"Not much pucnh drinking that stuff mate."
"You'd be surprised. By the way,where could I get some to take back to America?"
The two looked at each other. I could tell they were decent.Only ribbing me.
"Couldn't tell ya' mate. I've only seen that stuff in here."
"Well maybe by tomorrow I'll be ready to move up to one of your pubs."
They laughed again.
"But you won't find Ginger Beer in there."
"Well I'll let you guys order for me."
"Will do that mate."
They smiled and I smiled back.
"Hey mates,"I said as they were about to cross the street."Remember,look right,look left."
"Always yank,but that's for your awareness,not ours."

Later when the sun would finally die behind the buildings,I'd walk over to the Cockpit to drink whatever they had that was cold. Before crossing the street,I'd look right,then left. It was like I'd been doing it all my life.

Dago, I lived in Birmingham for about a year and a half between '68-'69 and didn't return until '90. When I was there I treated myself to a delicacy from my youth when I caught whiff of the chip shop. Same shop, same location from 21 years earlier. We are talking a huge wad of chips wrapped in todays newspaper and just soaking through. Oh, man was that good! Bennie, you know what I'm talking about.

Scartissue

Very Interesting Scar
I hope Bennie can jump in on filling us in on some British bitefulls. In Europe,it's a liitle vague on exactly what are some of the typical English delicacies. One of the current stories is if you want good food in England,go to the East End and eat in an Indian Restarant. Pakistanis have good food too. Bennie,mate,enlighten us. Dagos

[bennie]

GINGER BEER

Saw some cans of Ginger Beer in a cooler in a little Deli in London. In the afternoon the sun was setting in front. There were a few tables outside on the sidewalk. I loved to sit there drinking a glass of cold Ginger Beer and watch the traffic drive by. We don't have taxis in the U.S like they do in London. . The London cabs are solid black,but once in a while there's a pink one or one with a flashy design paint job.The taxis look old lke they were made in the 30's,but they were probably new or almost new.

The little Deli was owned by an Italian fella'. He had the Italian food in there that wasn't gourmet,but seemed apropos for the for the neighborhood and the customers. Good food,but not great. Funny,I don't think I wanted to taste great food sitting outside that little place for an hour every afternoon. Ginger beer was something I didn't see anyone else drink. I don't even remember seeing it anywhere else. Late afternoon people would wak in after work and order food the Italian man had prepared during the day that was inside his Deli case. Spaghetti,pork chops,salads,deserts. That would be these peoples' dinner. The owner had a regular clientele. Steady. He could count on them. He stayed with what he had. Never changed anything. The people liked his food.

And me with my glass of Ginger Beer enjoying a standard unassuming daily routine. Nothing fancy. Unnoticed. Life as standard and simple and without pretentions. A little Deli. Common food. A few tables on a sidewalk. A man watching the taxis drive by. A warm comfortable sun on his face. A cold glass of Ginger Beer.

One afternoon two big chaps walked inside the Deli. They ordered their dinner. While the old Italian was scooping their food in the styrofoam trays,I could hear laughter. A joke ,a story perhaps, between regular customers and the owner. The two big chaps who looked like they had sweated and worked and now were hungry looked at me sitting at the table outside.
"What's in the glass mate?"
They saw the can by my glass .
"Ginger Beer. I like this stuff. I'm hooked."
Both big fellows gave a hearty laugh.
"Not much pucnh drinking that stuff mate."
"You'd be surprised. By the way,where could I get some to take back to America?"
The two looked at each other. I could tell they were decent.Only ribbing me.
"Couldn't tell ya' mate. I've only seen that stuff in here."
"Well maybe by tomorrow I'll be ready to move up to one of your pubs."
They laughed again.
"But you won't find Ginger Beer in there."
"Well I'll let you guys order for me."
"Will do that mate."
They smiled and I smiled back.
"Hey mates,"I said as they were about to cross the street."Remember,look right,look left."
"Always yank,but that's for your awareness,not ours."

Later when the sun would finally die behind the buildings,I'd walk over to the Cockpit to drink whatever they had that was cold. Before crossing the street,I'd look right,then left. It was like I'd been doing it all my life.

Dago, I lived in Birmingham for about a year and a half between '68-'69 and didn't return until '90. When I was there I treated myself to a delicacy from my youth when I caught whiff of the chip shop. Same shop, same location from 21 years earlier. We are talking a huge wad of chips wrapped in todays newspaper and just soaking through. Oh, man was that good! Bennie, you know what I'm talking about.

Scartissue

Very Interesting Scar
I hope Bennie can jump in on filling us in on some British bitefulls. In Europe,it's a liitle vague on exactly what are some of the typical English delicacies. One of the current stories is if you want good food in England,go to the East End and eat in an Indian Restarant. Pakistanis have good food too. Bennie,mate,enlighten us. Dagos

Yeah, Indian cuisine is BIG and I like the odd takeaway (for 'odd', read twice a week), although HOME cooking is still the most nutritious and still tastes the best (to me), such as roasted chicken, beef or pork with spuds, carrots, parsnips and green vegetables and gravy - real food. Fish and chips seems to have gone downhill in my neck of the world and they dont wrap them in newspaper any more, I'm afraid, and they're not cheap anymore, either. Indian curry houses (and balti houses) seem to have taken over from the humble chippie.

[kikibalt]

I lived in E.L.A. and I know of some great Mexcian restaurants, but I'm not feeling to good to name any right now......

[bennie]

Guys, here is Frankie Baltazar and Ruben Castillo at the CBHOF of this year.

Two very special men. However, in the ring Frankie jr. owned Castillo.

-Rick

Did he! That's interesting, Frankie.

[kikibalt]

U.S. boxing team had little punch
Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times

By Mike Downey, Chicago Tribune
August 23, 2008

BEIJING -- Oh, how Howard Cosell would mock this.

Having followed the halcyon days of Cassius and Smokin' Joe and Big George and the young Sugar Ray, how it would have pained the perspicacious Howard to watch these pusillanimous pugilists of our 2008 U.S. Olympic boxing team land with a thud and a dud.

The latest and last victim was our flamingo-legged heavyweight, Deontay Wilder, who brought literal meaning to "never laid a glove on him" in Friday's listless loss to Italy's Clemente Russo, thereby knocking the entire U.S. boxing team out of Beijing's ring.

Although he earned a bronze medal just by showing up, Wilder's failure meant that for the first time in 112 years of Olympic boxing, the Americans would go down for the medal count without so much as a single gold or silver.

I haven't seen a fight club that deserves to be talked about so little since that one with Brad Pitt.


In my pidgin Italian, I did ask the rock-jawed Russo after the so-called fight what he thought of his worthy opponent.

"I am surprised that the United States has just one man with a medal," the Italian stallion said. "And even he is not so good."

Ouch. One last jab.

A lucky tap and a generous judge in the last 10 seconds of a four-round fight gave Wilder a point that prevented a shutout. The score went down in the Olympic record books as 7-1 and made it look as if this tall drink of water from Alabama actually landed a punch.

Hagler-Hearns, this wasn't.

Wilder is a 6-foot-7, 190-pound palooka from Tuscaloosa who is built more like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar than like Muhammad Ali.

I mean, he seems like a sweet kid and all, and he has an adorable daughter with a horrible malady (spina bifida), but if this dude is a heavyweight contender, I'm Mrs. Don King. I can't imagine watching this rope-thin 22-year-old inflict pain on a Mike Tyson or a Lennox Lewis if he smacked either one of them on the jaw with a George Foreman grill.

"It's all about having fun, man," Wilder summed things up after his loss, which gives you a pretty good idea of how ferocious an individual he is.

China has pandas less docile.

And yet, of our Olympians, he was the best we had, our lonesome medalist. I hope the team members were able to shop for a few souvenirs. They won't be bringing much else back with them to the States, other than duffel bags filled with used mouthpieces and a bunch of weak excuses that involved blaming their coaches or the judges.

Boxing premiered in 1896 and we began throwing our weight around. That goes for little guys like Oliver Kirk, who won two different divisions in 1904, as well as quick lightweights like Oscar De La Hoya, long-armed welterweights like Mark Breland, flashy middleweights like a teenage Floyd Patterson and ruthless light-heavies like a toothless Leon Spinks.

Wilder's arms moved, but his fists did not make contact with his foe's face for any of the first three two-minute rounds. Not until 0:09 remained in Round 4 did the American collect a round of sarcastic cheers from the stands by scoring a point with a punch, although the Italian hardly felt it.

"I score one point in the first round and so it is up to him to come to me," Russo said. "He did not. I thought it would be harder work."

Russo fought in Chicago at the 2007 world championships and beat Russia's Rakhim Chakhkiev by a 6-3 decision for the heavyweight crown. A rematch is coming right up; it is Chakhkiev who now stands between him and Italy's first gold medal in boxing in 20 years.

America might go that long itself if the quality of its team does not improve.

We took eight boxing gold medals in the boycotted 1984 Los Angeles Olympics alone and a very impressive five at Montreal in 1976 when the nasal ringside voice of Cosell declared each and every one of them to be an overnight American idol.

Boxing in Beijing?

Count us out. These were our most limp Olympians yet.

[bennie]

U.S. boxing team had little punch
Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times

By Mike Downey, Chicago Tribune
August 23, 2008

BEIJING -- Oh, how Howard Cosell would mock this.

Having followed the halcyon days of Cassius and Smokin' Joe and Big George and the young Sugar Ray, how it would have pained the perspicacious Howard to watch these pusillanimous pugilists of our 2008 U.S. Olympic boxing team land with a thud and a dud.

The latest and last victim was our flamingo-legged heavyweight, Deontay Wilder, who brought literal meaning to "never laid a glove on him" in Friday's listless loss to Italy's Clemente Russo, thereby knocking the entire U.S. boxing team out of Beijing's ring.

Although he earned a bronze medal just by showing up, Wilder's failure meant that for the first time in 112 years of Olympic boxing, the Americans would go down for the medal count without so much as a single gold or silver.

I haven't seen a fight club that deserves to be talked about so little since that one with Brad Pitt.


In my pidgin Italian, I did ask the rock-jawed Russo after the so-called fight what he thought of his worthy opponent.

"I am surprised that the United States has just one man with a medal," the Italian stallion said. "And even he is not so good."

Ouch. One last jab.

A lucky tap and a generous judge in the last 10 seconds of a four-round fight gave Wilder a point that prevented a shutout. The score went down in the Olympic record books as 7-1 and made it look as if this tall drink of water from Alabama actually landed a punch.

Hagler-Hearns, this wasn't.

Wilder is a 6-foot-7, 190-pound palooka from Tuscaloosa who is built more like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar than like Muhammad Ali.

I mean, he seems like a sweet kid and all, and he has an adorable daughter with a horrible malady (spina bifida), but if this dude is a heavyweight contender, I'm Mrs. Don King. I can't imagine watching this rope-thin 22-year-old inflict pain on a Mike Tyson or a Lennox Lewis if he smacked either one of them on the jaw with a George Foreman grill.

"It's all about having fun, man," Wilder summed things up after his loss, which gives you a pretty good idea of how ferocious an individual he is.

China has pandas less docile.

And yet, of our Olympians, he was the best we had, our lonesome medalist. I hope the team members were able to shop for a few souvenirs. They won't be bringing much else back with them to the States, other than duffel bags filled with used mouthpieces and a bunch of weak excuses that involved blaming their coaches or the judges.

Boxing premiered in 1896 and we began throwing our weight around. That goes for little guys like Oliver Kirk, who won two different divisions in 1904, as well as quick lightweights like Oscar De La Hoya, long-armed welterweights like Mark Breland, flashy middleweights like a teenage Floyd Patterson and ruthless light-heavies like a toothless Leon Spinks.

Wilder's arms moved, but his fists did not make contact with his foe's face for any of the first three two-minute rounds. Not until 0:09 remained in Round 4 did the American collect a round of sarcastic cheers from the stands by scoring a point with a punch, although the Italian hardly felt it.

"I score one point in the first round and so it is up to him to come to me," Russo said. "He did not. I thought it would be harder work."

Russo fought in Chicago at the 2007 world championships and beat Russia's Rakhim Chakhkiev by a 6-3 decision for the heavyweight crown. A rematch is coming right up; it is Chakhkiev who now stands between him and Italy's first gold medal in boxing in 20 years.

America might go that long itself if the quality of its team does not improve.

We took eight boxing gold medals in the boycotted 1984 Los Angeles Olympics alone and a very impressive five at Montreal in 1976 when the nasal ringside voice of Cosell declared each and every one of them to be an overnight American idol.

Boxing in Beijing?

Count us out. These were our most limp Olympians yet.

Oh dear.

[kikibalt]

Guys, here is Frankie Baltazar and Ruben Castillo at the CBHOF of this year.

Two very special men. However, in the ring Frankie jr. owned Castillo.

-Rick

Did he! That's interesting, Frankie.

I Didn't say that.....

[dagosd2000]

I lived in E.L.A. and I know of some great Mexcian restaurants, but I'm not feeling to good to name any right now......

Frank

Just brought my oldest grandaughter home from the hospital last night. Poor thing lost her baby. Had to remove some stuff inside.Everyone is praying they can have another child. They want a son to be little brother to their daughter. Her husband and all of us are a bit down. She's staying with "Abuelita"(my wife). Wants "Menudo con Pata". Give me your address. I'l send some up to you Express Mail. Diego

[bennie]

I lived in E.L.A. and I know of some great Mexcian restaurants, but I'm not feeling to good to name any right now......

Frank

Just brought my oldest grandaughter home from the hospital last night. Poor thing lost her baby. Had to remove some stuff inside.Everyone is praying they can have another child. They want a son to be little brother to their daughter. Her husband and all of us are a bit down. She's staying with "Abuelita"(my wife). Wants "Menudo con Pata". Give me your address. I'l send some up to you Express Mail. Diego

Condolences, Dagos.

[dagosd2000]

I lived in E.L.A. and I know of some great Mexcian restaurants, but I'm not feeling to good to name any right now......

Frank

Just brought my oldest grandaughter home from the hospital last night. Poor thing lost her baby. Had to remove some stuff inside.Everyone is praying they can have another child. They want a son to be little brother to their daughter. Her husband and all of us are a bit down. She's staying with "Abuelita"(my wife). Wants "Menudo con Pata". Give me your address. I'l send some up to you Express Mail. Diego

Condolences, Dagos.

Thanks from your Italian/American Cousin. Thank you Very much.

[kikibalt]

I lived in E.L.A. and I know of some great Mexcian restaurants, but I'm not feeling to good to name any right now......

Frank

Just brought my oldest grandaughter home from the hospital last night. Poor thing lost her baby. Had to remove some stuff inside.Everyone is praying they can have another child. They want a son to be little brother to their daughter. Her husband and all of us are a bit down. She's staying with "Abuelita"(my wife). Wants "Menudo con Pata". Give me your address. I'l send some up to you Express Mail. Diego

Sorry to hear that, diego, tell her that we will be praying for her.

Menudo con pata? the way I feel right now, it would be what the doctor would order.....

[kikibalt]

Photo and caption by diego


I told my wife to move my burial plot inside this place.


Eating Pizza in Paris


Eating Pizza in Rome

[dagosd2000]

PIZZA WITH FRIJOLES
When I knew that kid from CETYs that was playing football for me and also fighting at the Auditorium,the gang ,after a training session, would go out for a feed. The fighters really liked to scoff it up. Well, I was always talking about Italian food with them,so one day we decided to eat Italian after the workouts. My treat of course.Those guys weren't going to treat this Dago to Italian food in their country. There are quite a few Italian,mostly Pizza places, in TJ. They said "Guiseppi's"was a good spot.

"Guiseppi's" is not far from the Auditorium. I think there's another downtown too. The lot is pretty full and business is going good I can see inside. Well we spread ourselves out and the order of the day is Pizza. The menu showed a variety of things,but I was willing to go along with the rest of the pugs with the Pizza. The waiter comes over,but I want the boys to order the way they wanted it.
"Pizza con frijoles y pina."(Pizza with refried beans and pineapple)
I don't want to counterdict the order,but I'm thinkin',"You can't take the Mexican out of an Italian Restaurant ,and you can't put an Italian Restaurant in Mexico without it becoming Mexican in the end."
The waiter asked if there was anything else.
"You know what?"I said. "I'll think I'll try the spaghetti."

[bennie]

Did he! That's interesting, Rick. 8)

[Expug]

I lived in E.L.A. and I know of some great Mexcian restaurants, but I'm not feeling to good to name any right now......

Frank

Just brought my oldest grandaughter home from the hospital last night. Poor thing lost her baby. Had to remove some stuff inside.Everyone is praying they can have another child. They want a son to be little brother to their daughter. Her husband and all of us are a bit down. She's staying with "Abuelita"(my wife). Wants "Menudo con Pata". Give me your address. I'l send some up to you Express Mail. Diego

Real sorry to hear that Rog.
She and your Family are in our prayers.

[dagosd2000]

I lived in E.L.A. and I know of some great Mexcian restaurants, but I'm not feeling to good to name any right now......

Frank

Just brought my oldest grandaughter home from the hospital last night. Poor thing lost her baby. Had to remove some stuff inside.Everyone is praying they can have another child. They want a son to be little brother to their daughter. Her husband and all of us are a bit down. She's staying with "Abuelita"(my wife). Wants "Menudo con Pata". Give me your address. I'l send some up to you Express Mail. Diego

Real sorry to hear that Rog.
She and your Family are in our prayers.

My Irish Chicago Pal who knows the score. I think of you always. Thank you. Thank you.