Classic American West Coast Boxing

[kikibalt]

[Randyman]

Art Hafey

I'm going through this thread from the beginning a little at a time just to catch up a little with you guys. This thread is something special and it's special because of the guys that post here. Real boxing people. Real boxing fans.

This photo of Art Hafey takes me back to the Danny Lopez-Art Hafey fight in 1976, at the Forum in Inglewood. I was scheduled to fight that day on the undercard. Mel and I saw Jerry Bilderrain (not sure if I'm spelling Jerry's last name right), Burke Emery and Art Hafey in the parking lot getting out of their car. I didn't know Burke or Art but Mel introduced me. Art was dynamite in a small package when he fought but I was surprised by how frail he looked to me that day. He looked preoccupied as if he had something on his mind. I didn't get a sense of confidence. Maybe it was my imagination. Jerry I had known for a while. He was a trainer but I can't recall right now who he trained. I do know that he worked with Art. Jerry had a route as a Budweiser distributor and I would go with him once in a while when I needed cash. He would really work me. For lunch, we would grab a quick bite and then he would pull over and work with me a bit. He would always end with "Don't tell Mel" and Mel always would ask later if he had shown me anything to do with boxing. I would always just say no to keep the peace.

My fight was canceled the day, as was becoming the norm for me. I got dressed and Mel and I went up and got some seats. They were good seats too. Bazooka Limon was also fighting that day against Ruben Coria and stopped him in the fourth round.

When Both Danny and Art were in the ring, the size difference really became obvious. Danny and I are the same height 5'8". Hafey is 5'2". The fight is somewhat of a blur to me after all these years. But I can still remember what I was thinking. Hafey looked frail and weak. He was fighting back but he didn't look strong. At about round five it became obvious to me that Danny was going to hurt Art. The records say he was down in the 6th. I remember that but I just can't remember how many times. Whatever it was I knew the end was near. Danny stopped Art in the 7th. I always felt there was something wrong with Art that day. Nothing fishy, maybe a cold, stomach flu, something. He wasn't right that day.

[Randyman]

Jimmy Lennon Sr., Frankie Baltazar, John Martinez, Johnnie Flores & Frank Baltazar, @ the Olympic Aud. 1976

I met Frankie Jr twice. I have to tell you guys, He is a class act. I couldn't help but notice how humble he was, a regular guy. He played down his career but it was a good one. Frank, ya done good. I hope to meet all your boys someday my friend. They say the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree. At least in the Baltazar family, it's true. Good people and I'm proud to call Frank my friend.

Randy

[Randyman]

Granberry . . .

When Napoles fought Monzon, he was at the tail end of a very long career. In addition to that, what people fail to realize concerning Napoles, is that he really was never more than a "blown-up" natural lightweight. I realize that with age, men grow into heavier weight classes, but Napoles ideal weight would have put him at Jr. Welter.

Carlos Monzon was not only a very big middleweight, he was one of the greatest ever, certainly superior to most who have held the title since, save Hagler. He came up at a time when we still had great middleweights (no disrespect to Hopkins, or Pavlik, etc. but they don't really rate as championship quality in comparison to past 160lb. champs.

Monzon was too big, too young, and combined with his own exceptional talent and power, just too much for an aging welterweight, even one as great as Jose Napoles.

Personlly, what I think would be a great fantasy match would be a prime Jose Napoles vs. the Roberto Duran that whipped Leonard in their first fight.

As Duran said, his first fight with Leonard was not his toughest. Duran has always credited some of his earliest opponents as the toughest he ever faced. Many of the boxers Duran claims gave him his toughest fights were names that can be find as KO victims of Napoles. Today there is a great mutual respect between these two great champions.

-Rick Farris

Roberto Duran is my favorite fighter. I have gone over many 'What ifs" with Duran against so many fighters, including Aaron Pryor. For some reason a fight with Napoles never entered my mind. It has all the potential for being a classic. I had to chuckle a little when I read your last sentence. You know Duran has mellowed through the years when you can say with a straight face Duran has mutual respect..... Even the mighty Duran had to age. Man I loved that guy. Even with all his quirks and faults and "No mas".

I agree with you about the middleweights Rick. No disrespect to Hopkins and any other recent middleweight champ but Hagler was the last great champ of that storied division. Leonard beat him (I thought Hagler won) but he didn't do enough as a middleweight to be considered one of the greatest. My opinion.

[kikibalt]

Dem "Demon" Barcelona

[Randyman]

Is it me or does Caldwell look like the Governator? (The face not the body)

[Bobbin & Weavin]

Jimmy Lennon Sr., Frankie Baltazar, John Martinez, Johnnie Flores & Frank Baltazar, @ the Olympic Aud. 1976

I met Frankie Jr twice. I have to tell you guys, He is a class act. I couldn't help but notice how humble he was, a regular guy. He played down his career but it was a good one. Frank, ya done good. I hope to meet all your boys someday my friend. They say the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree. At least in the Baltazar family, it's true. Good people and I'm proud to call Frank my friend.

Randy

This is a very cool picture Randy, classic; Frank what's the chances of getting Frank Jr. and/or Tony putting their two cents worth on here I bet they would be a very nice addition to this great thread.
Bobbin & Weavin

[kikibalt]

Jimmy Lennon Sr., Frankie Baltazar, John Martinez, Johnnie Flores & Frank Baltazar, @ the Olympic Aud. 1976

I met Frankie Jr twice. I have to tell you guys, He is a class act. I couldn't help but notice how humble he was, a regular guy. He played down his career but it was a good one. Frank, ya done good. I hope to meet all your boys someday my friend. They say the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree. At least in the Baltazar family, it's true. Good people and I'm proud to call Frank my friend.

Randy

This is a very cool picture Randy, classic; Frank what's the chances of getting Frank Jr. and/or Tony putting their two cents worth on here I bet they would be a very nice addition to this great thread.
Bobbin & Weavin

B&W,

I been trying to get'em to do so for some time now, but no luck so far...I'll keep trying.

[dagosd2000]

KEEP IN TOUCH
I hadn't seen this guy in a few months so I drove over to the old neighborhood. The same house where I grew up next to across the alley. I knew Randy was taking care of his mother. He quit fishing and was taking care of his mother. The last time I saw him he was sore at his three older brothers because they didn't want to help out taking care of her. Randy was alone with her in the old house.Nothing had changed much inside that I could see. The old furniture with thr sheets covering everything because of the digs. Kept the dog hair off.I remember Randy's father was like my father.Feed the dogs cookies. Feed the dogs the same thing you were eating. Funny,The dogs all wound up with diabetes. The old man went to the vet to get insulin and syringes to give the dogs shots and then he'd give them ice cream .Randy's dad was like my dad. They wouldn't change. Listen to reason only made sense if they thought of it. Their idea was the right idea. If it didn't work,it wasn't their fault. The word"sorry" wasn't in niether of theirs vocabulary. Randy was sore though with his brothers. No money. No phone calls. Nothing. Randy took his mother to the store with the dog. He cooked her food and washed the clothes.He talked with her. He was with her all day. He was the good son.

When I got to the house,I noticed Randy's brother,Lloyd.
"Hey,you're here. Where's junior?"
Lloyd smiled sheepishly.
"Oh,you didn't know. Randy died in March."
I saw his mother sitting on the couch. Richard,Randy's other brother walked in.
"Roger Esty. How's it going?"
I still hadn't said anything since Lloyd told me Randy had died.
"What happened?." I asked.
Randy didn't feel well one night. He drove himself to the doctor. While in an examinating room ,he went into cardiac arrest. He died within minutes. Now the brothers and their wives were with his mother to visit before going back up North. They were trying to find a home for her.

We reminisced. Me and Randy did a lot of wild stuff in our youths. When the old man had the bar downtown we had a lot of fun. The B Girls,the poker games,the drnking. Staying out all night. The old man was right there with us. But as my kids started growing up,I drifted away from that scene. I had to,or I would have lost everything. Now Randy was gone. The brothers were going to put their mother in a home. Randy sure was sore at his brothers for not helping out. His mother called Randy,"Her Good Son."

I looked at his mother before I left. She wanted me to come over and embrace her. I gave her my business card. I said I would keep in touch with her. I should have kept in touch with Randy more.

[kikibalt]

Jimmy Lennon Sr., Frankie Baltazar, John Martinez, Johnnie Flores & Frank Baltazar, @ the Olympic Aud. 1976

I met Frankie Jr twice. I have to tell you guys, He is a class act. I couldn't help but notice how humble he was, a regular guy. He played down his career but it was a good one. Frank, ya done good. I hope to meet all your boys someday my friend. They say the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree. At least in the Baltazar family, it's true. Good people and I'm proud to call Frank my friend.

Randy

Randy,

Thank you for your kind words, I too am proud to call you my friend.

[kikibalt]

Is it me or does Caldwell look like the Governator? (The face not the body)

Randy,

He does look like that guy, what's that guy name again.....

[dagosd2000]

My father's sister,my Aunt Jeanette who's 87, called my sisters up from Chicago. My sister's weren't home. She left a message on the voice recorder.

"So what the f---k is the reason you don't call anymore?!!!" She then slammed the receiver down. That's her way of asking for money.

[dagosd2000]

Is it me or does Caldwell look like the Governator? (The face not the body)

Randy,

He does look like that guy, what's that guy name again.....

Naw
You guys got it all wrong. That's Victor Mature on the right.

[Randyman]

Hey Pug, here's a link to a pretty good webpage on Irish American Boxers. http://www.aoh61.com/boxing.htm

Randy

[bennie]

This one is for Bennie
Henry Cooper


"Henry"

By Diego

A young 'Enery with hair. Cheers, Rog.

[bennie]

Granberry . . .

When Napoles fought Monzon, he was at the tail end of a very long career. In addition to that, what people fail to realize concerning Napoles, is that he really was never more than a "blown-up" natural lightweight. I realize that with age, men grow into heavier weight classes, but Napoles ideal weight would have put him at Jr. Welter.

Carlos Monzon was not only a very big middleweight, he was one of the greatest ever, certainly superior to most who have held the title since, save Hagler. He came up at a time when we still had great middleweights (no disrespect to Hopkins, or Pavlik, etc. but they don't really rate as championship quality in comparison to past 160lb. champs.

Monzon was too big, too young, and combined with his own exceptional talent and power, just too much for an aging welterweight, even one as great as Jose Napoles.

Personlly, what I think would be a great fantasy match would be a prime Jose Napoles vs. the Roberto Duran that whipped Leonard in their first fight.

As Duran said, his first fight with Leonard was not his toughest. Duran has always credited some of his earliest opponents as the toughest he ever faced. Many of the boxers Duran claims gave him his toughest fights were names that can be find as KO victims of Napoles. Today there is a great mutual respect between these two great champions.

-Rick Farris

Roberto Duran is my favorite fighter. I have gone over many 'What ifs" with Duran against so many fighters, including Aaron Pryor. For some reason a fight with Napoles never entered my mind. It has all the potential for being a classic. I had to chuckle a little when I read your last sentence. You know Duran has mellowed through the years when you can say with a straight face Duran has mutual respect..... Even the mighty Duran had to age. Man I loved that guy. Even with all his quirks and faults and "No mas".

I agree with you about the middleweights Rick. No disrespect to Hopkins and any other recent middleweight champ but Hagler was the last great champ of that storied division. Leonard beat him (I thought Hagler won) but he didn't do enough as a middleweight to be considered one of the greatest. My opinion.

Duran had a chance to fight Pryor after "No Mas", according to the book Hands of Stone, when Pryor was a light-welter. Duran would have prevailed on power alone (Pryor was hittable with the right hand) but he did the right thing in easing his way back.

[kikibalt]

[kikibalt]

FRED GREAVES
Travis Stocking, who runs a boxing school near Southcrest Community Park, will host a community anti-violence rally today at Oceanview Park.

[dagosd2000]

Sent Frank a picture of the Southcrest Community Center's Boxing Gym. Travis Stocking works getting kids off the street and into boxing for discipline and pride. Went to Huffman's Bar B Q the other day for the Hot Link Dinner. Watched the football team practice at Lincoln High School not far from Huffman's. Stopped at Porkyland to bring some "chicha rrones" home for the wife. Said hello across the street at the gang at Trejos Auto Repair. The sons were my students at Southwest High. Now they're helping run the business. Thought about stopping at "Rosie's" for a beer. She still has lowrider songs on the jukebox. But everytime I go in there ,she's trying to put a move on me.

Frank commented about us world travelers. Said he'd never gone out of the Barrio. I see why.

[Rick Farris]

Art Hafey

I'm going through this thread from the beginning a little at a time just to catch up a little with you guys. This thread is something special and it's special because of the guys that post here. Real boxing people. Real boxing fans.

This photo of Art Hafey takes me back to the Danny Lopez-Art Hafey fight in 1976, at the Forum in Inglewood. I was scheduled to fight that day on the undercard. Mel and I saw Jerry Bilderrain (not sure if I'm spelling Jerry's last name right), Burke Emery and Art Hafey in the parking lot getting out of their car. I didn't know Burke or Art but Mel introduced me. Art was dynamite in a small package when he fought but I was surprised by how frail he looked to me that day. He looked preoccupied as if he had something on his mind. I didn't get a sense of confidence. Maybe it was my imagination. Jerry I had known for a while. He was a trainer but I can't recall right now who he trained. I do know that he worked with Art. Jerry had a route as a Budweiser distributor and I would go with him once in a while when I needed cash. He would really work me. For lunch, we would grab a quick bite and then he would pull over and work with me a bit. He would always end with "Don't tell Mel" and Mel always would ask later if he had shown me anything to do with boxing. I would always just say no to keep the peace.

My fight was canceled the day, as was becoming the norm for me. I got dressed and Mel and I went up and got some seats. They were good seats too. Bazooka Limon was also fighting that day against Ruben Coria and stopped him in the fourth round.

When Both Danny and Art were in the ring, the size difference really became obvious. Danny and I are the same height 5'8". Hafey is 5'2". The fight is somewhat of a blur to me after all these years. But I can still remember what I was thinking. Hafey looked frail and weak. He was fighting back but he didn't look strong. At about round five it became obvious to me that Danny was going to hurt Art. The records say he was down in the 6th. I remember that but I just can't remember how many times. Whatever it was I knew the end was near. Danny stopped Art in the 7th. I always felt there was something wrong with Art that day. Nothing fishy, maybe a cold, stomach flu, something. He wasn't right that day.

Randy, Art Hafey with was born with and suffered from "Thompson's Disease". Many people are not aware of all the physical challenges that Hafey faced during his career. He also suffered from blindness in one eye, yet he was able to fake his way thru athletic commission physicals to obtain a license. I can share more on Hafey later. Brad Little, a Canadian film maker is in the final stages of completeing a documentary on Hafey. He was in L.A. two years ago, contacted me and others in Southern Cal, we were interviewed for the film. The Lopez fight left him physically impaired and forced his retirement. Like you, I was there and aware that you were scheduled to fight, KArl Nelson and I were disappointed not to see you in action.

-Rick Farris

[kikibalt]

Sent Frank a picture of the Southcrest Community Center's Boxing Gym. Travis Stocking works getting kids off the street and into boxing for discipline and pride. Went to Huffman's Bar B Q the other day for the Hot Link Dinner. Watched the football team practice at Lincoln High School not far from Huffman's. Stopped at Porkyland to bring some "chicha rrones" home for the wife. Said hello across the street at the gang at Trejos Auto Repair. The sons were my students at Southwest High. Now they're helping run the business. Thought about stopping at "Rosie's" for a beer. She still has lowrider songs on the jukebox. But everytime I go in there ,she's trying to put a move on me.

Frank commented about us world travelers. Said he'd never gone out of the Barrio. I see why.

I'm going to Hollywood today.....

[bennie]

Art Hafey

I'm going through this thread from the beginning a little at a time just to catch up a little with you guys. This thread is something special and it's special because of the guys that post here. Real boxing people. Real boxing fans.

This photo of Art Hafey takes me back to the Danny Lopez-Art Hafey fight in 1976, at the Forum in Inglewood. I was scheduled to fight that day on the undercard. Mel and I saw Jerry Bilderrain (not sure if I'm spelling Jerry's last name right), Burke Emery and Art Hafey in the parking lot getting out of their car. I didn't know Burke or Art but Mel introduced me. Art was dynamite in a small package when he fought but I was surprised by how frail he looked to me that day. He looked preoccupied as if he had something on his mind. I didn't get a sense of confidence. Maybe it was my imagination. Jerry I had known for a while. He was a trainer but I can't recall right now who he trained. I do know that he worked with Art. Jerry had a route as a Budweiser distributor and I would go with him once in a while when I needed cash. He would really work me. For lunch, we would grab a quick bite and then he would pull over and work with me a bit. He would always end with "Don't tell Mel" and Mel always would ask later if he had shown me anything to do with boxing. I would always just say no to keep the peace.

My fight was canceled the day, as was becoming the norm for me. I got dressed and Mel and I went up and got some seats. They were good seats too. Bazooka Limon was also fighting that day against Ruben Coria and stopped him in the fourth round.

When Both Danny and Art were in the ring, the size difference really became obvious. Danny and I are the same height 5'8". Hafey is 5'2". The fight is somewhat of a blur to me after all these years. But I can still remember what I was thinking. Hafey looked frail and weak. He was fighting back but he didn't look strong. At about round five it became obvious to me that Danny was going to hurt Art. The records say he was down in the 6th. I remember that but I just can't remember how many times. Whatever it was I knew the end was near. Danny stopped Art in the 7th. I always felt there was something wrong with Art that day. Nothing fishy, maybe a cold, stomach flu, something. He wasn't right that day.

Randy, Art Hafey with was born with and suffered from "Thompson's Disease". Many people are not aware of all the physical challenges that Hafey faced during his career. He also suffered from blindness in one eye, yet he was able to fake his way thru athletic commission physicals to obtain a license. I can share more on Hafey later. Brad Little, a Canadian film maker is in the final stages of completeing a documentary on Hafey. He was in L.A. two years ago, contacted me and others in Southern Cal, we were interviewed for the film. The Lopez fight left him physically impaired and forced his retirement. Like you, I was there and aware that you were scheduled to fight, KArl Nelson and I were disappointed not to see you in action.

-Rick Farris

Sad to hear all this. I really didn't know.

[bennie]

This one is for Bennie
Henry Cooper


"Henry"

By Diego

A young 'Enery with hair. Cheers, Rog.

Henry is before my time as a fighter but I last saw him (in the flesh, so to speak) in October 2006 at a charity boxing 'do' at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London's swanky Park Lane. He looked great: big, bronzed and lucid. He always does. He plays a lot of golf.
Henry doesn't do inter-round summaries for radio or TV any more. He walked away in frustration at the overblown and overlong Naz ring entrances in the 1990s. The 'staged' ring entrances continue, of course, and have become dull, dull, dull. For me, as a fan, there was nothing better than a fighter already on his way to the ring when a spotlight picked him out. Now, you get the likes of Ricky Hatton and Joe Calzaghe dancing for five minutes - badly - before they even start to walk.
Good old Henry.

[bennie]

Ingo always left his best fight for the ring, and that included a token warm-up before the fight. He used to chuckle at fighters warming-up furiously and bouncing around in the ring during the introductions. Of course, he could afford to chuckle with a right hand like his.
Ingo broke a lot of hearts - male and female - when he destroyed Patterson. The ladies loved him, of course, but the fighters hated him for swanning around with a stunning girlfriend and barely raising a sweat in training. For generations, fighters had sweated blood in training and lived like monks. They expected to see Patterson win easily. Seven knockdowns later...

[Randyman]

Art Hafey

I'm going through this thread from the beginning a little at a time just to catch up a little with you guys. This thread is something special and it's special because of the guys that post here. Real boxing people. Real boxing fans.

This photo of Art Hafey takes me back to the Danny Lopez-Art Hafey fight in 1976, at the Forum in Inglewood. I was scheduled to fight that day on the undercard. Mel and I saw Jerry Bilderrain (not sure if I'm spelling Jerry's last name right), Burke Emery and Art Hafey in the parking lot getting out of their car. I didn't know Burke or Art but Mel introduced me. Art was dynamite in a small package when he fought but I was surprised by how frail he looked to me that day. He looked preoccupied as if he had something on his mind. I didn't get a sense of confidence. Maybe it was my imagination. Jerry I had known for a while. He was a trainer but I can't recall right now who he trained. I do know that he worked with Art. Jerry had a route as a Budweiser distributor and I would go with him once in a while when I needed cash. He would really work me. For lunch, we would grab a quick bite and then he would pull over and work with me a bit. He would always end with "Don't tell Mel" and Mel always would ask later if he had shown me anything to do with boxing. I would always just say no to keep the peace.

My fight was canceled the day, as was becoming the norm for me. I got dressed and Mel and I went up and got some seats. They were good seats too. Bazooka Limon was also fighting that day against Ruben Coria and stopped him in the fourth round.

When Both Danny and Art were in the ring, the size difference really became obvious. Danny and I are the same height 5'8". Hafey is 5'2". The fight is somewhat of a blur to me after all these years. But I can still remember what I was thinking. Hafey looked frail and weak. He was fighting back but he didn't look strong. At about round five it became obvious to me that Danny was going to hurt Art. The records say he was down in the 6th. I remember that but I just can't remember how many times. Whatever it was I knew the end was near. Danny stopped Art in the 7th. I always felt there was something wrong with Art that day. Nothing fishy, maybe a cold, stomach flu, something. He wasn't right that day.

Randy, Art Hafey with was born with and suffered from "Thompson's Disease". Many people are not aware of all the physical challenges that Hafey faced during his career. He also suffered from blindness in one eye, yet he was able to fake his way thru athletic commission physicals to obtain a license. I can share more on Hafey later. Brad Little, a Canadian film maker is in the final stages of completeing a documentary on Hafey. He was in L.A. two years ago, contacted me and others in Southern Cal, we were interviewed for the film. The Lopez fight left him physically impaired and forced his retirement. Like you, I was there and aware that you were scheduled to fight, KArl Nelson and I were disappointed not to see you in action.

-Rick Farris

I am really sorry to hear that Rick. It justifies my opinion of him that day. I had always felt really bad about that day. He took a pretty severe beating from Lopez, the kind of beating that can cause long term damge. He had an Irishman's heart, I'll give him that. Guy's like Hafey go down swinging. It's not in their nature to quit or make excuses. Many of the guys fighting today can learn a lot from a guy like Art. God be with him. I wish him all the best.