Classic American West Coast Boxing

[bennie]

Scar, you mention Stanley Berg.
That name is a blast from the past.He refd a couple of my fights.
Jeez, that guy was everywhere in Chicago boxing for years.
Am and pro.
I was pulling for John in that fight. Im sure you were too.Both guys made a good showing and it was close.
I never really knew John, but I boxed many rounds with his old nemesis Lenny Lapaglia.
Including right before he and John fought.
Still, I was rooting for John in that one too.

Man, you remember that one. Every fight nut in town was galvanized on that fight. Irish vs Italian. South side vs westside. Not to mention the two hottest prospects in town going at it, and it got televised nationally to boot. It didn't get much better than that.

Scartissue

Aye ,that was a great event.
Lenny was training at a couple gyms in town for that fight.
One of them was The U.S Arena it was called.
It was at Division and Damen.I worked out there too.
Lennys crew was real confident going into that match.Espesially his trainer Pat Lacassa. But looking back now, I think in the back of his mind Lenny was a little nevous about this fight.
John had more rounds under his belt and Lenny really hadnt fought anybody.
He was belting everyone out in one or two rounds .Guys who werent his calibre at all.
John had some easy ones early on too but I think he had stepped it up in competition before fighting Lenny.
Plus, Lenny knew that Collins had that right hand .Man, John could hurt a guy with that punch.

Lenny went into a huge fight off two first-round knockouts. Crazy.

[kikibalt]

A panel from Al Capp's "Li'l Abner" April 25, 1943

[Bobbin & Weavin]

Charlie Shipes


Bruce, what can you tell us about Shipes, who was from you neck
of the woods, "No-Cal"

You know I actually don't know anything about Charlie except everyone had a lot of respect for him and he had a good reputation as a tough fighter with good boxing skills. He fought out of Oakland and was trained by Dick Saddler and he was just about finished when I got started. I'll have to ask around about him and see if I can learn some more and get back to you.
Bobbin & Weavin

[kikibalt]

Elmer Willhoite
Champion USC football guard

Elmer Willhoite, 78, an All-American guard on USC's Rose Bowl championship football team of 1952, died Aug. 21 of a stroke in Hawthorne, Nev., where he lived, USC announced.

Against UCLA late in the 1952 season, Willhoite returned an interception 72 yards to set up the game-deciding touchdown in a 14-12 victory, sending the Trojans to the Rose Bowl. USC went on to beat Wisconsin, 7-0, on Jan. 1, 1953, the Pacific Coast Conference's first Rose Bowl victory over the Big Ten representative since the conferences began their agreement in 1947.

Willhoite, who grew up in Merced, played on the offensive and defensive line for USC in 1951 and '52. He was drafted by the NFL's Cleveland Browns but spent two years playing in Canada before a knee injury ended his professional football career.

He also had a short professional boxing career.

Elmer Willhoite

Country USA
Global Id 43958
Hometown Los Angeles, CA
Division Heavyweight
Born 1931-00-00
Stance Orthodox
Height 188cm


Career Record © www.boxrec.com

Date Opponent Location Result
1958-03-29 Anthony Emanuel Hollywood, USA W SD 4
1958-03-13 Al Burton Los Angeles, USA W UD 4
1958-02-20 Anthony Emanuel Los Angeles, USA W PTS 4
1958-02-06 Otis Fuller Los Angeles, USA W UD 4

Record to Date
Won 4 (KOs 0) Lost 0 Drawn 0 Total 4

[kikibalt]

[dagosd2000]

THE FIRST DAY

I look at my role sheet and one of my students has the name of Julio Cesar Chavez. I asked him if he knew who Julio Cesar Chavez was. He said he wasn't sure. I asked him if his father had told him. He said he didn't know his father. I 'll keep an eye on this kid. No father. Isn't even sure who he's named after. Who knows,maybe his father had a brother named Julio Cesar. All I know is this kid needs to know a lot more than he does now. That's my job. I can teach these kids a lot more than U.S History.

[kikibalt]

THE FIRST DAY

I look at my role sheet and one of my students has the name of Julio Cesar Chavez. I asked him if he knew who Julio Cesar Chavez was. He said he wasn't sure. I asked him if his father had told him. He said he didn't know his father. I 'll keep an eye on this kid. No father. Isn't even sure who he's named after. Who knows,maybe his father had a brother named Julio Cesar. All I know is this kid needs to know a lot more than he does now. That's my job. I can teach these kids a lot more than U.S History.

Take care of those kids, diego.....

[kikibalt]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvU9Ex3PPDs
Clarence "Frogman" Henry

"Ain't Got No Home"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cn01s5-KJuk

"I Don't Why, But I Do"

[Rick Farris]

THE FIRST DAY

I look at my role sheet and one of my students has the name of Julio Cesar Chavez. I asked him if he knew who Julio Cesar Chavez was. He said he wasn't sure. I asked him if his father had told him. He said he didn't know his father. I 'll keep an eye on this kid. No father. Isn't even sure who he's named after. Who knows,maybe his father had a brother named Julio Cesar. All I know is this kid needs to know a lot more than he does now. That's my job. I can teach these kids a lot more than U.S History.

Roger . . . your post ''I'm going to watch this kid . . .'' brought a smile to my face. Good for you, amigo! The boy is in the right place, you are a special man and you just might say or do something that makes a major difference in the kid,s life. It's not the big things, but small things that guide a boy's direction and sense of self. Viva Chavez + Viva Dagos! -Rick

[Expug]

THE FIRST DAY

I look at my role sheet and one of my students has the name of Julio Cesar Chavez. I asked him if he knew who Julio Cesar Chavez was. He said he wasn't sure. I asked him if his father had told him. He said he didn't know his father. I 'll keep an eye on this kid. No father. Isn't even sure who he's named after. Who knows,maybe his father had a brother named Julio Cesar. All I know is this kid needs to know a lot more than he does now. That's my job. I can teach these kids a lot more than U.S History.

Roger . . . your post ''I'm going to watch this kid . . .'' brought a smile to my face. Good for you, amigo! The boy is in the right place, you are a special man and you just might say or do something that makes a major difference in the kid,s life. It's not the big things, but small things that guide a boy's direction and sense of self. Viva Chavez + Viva Dagos! -Rick

I agree with what Rick says here Rog.
That boy is in good hands with you.
I see him turning into a fine young man with your input.

[enrique]

I have never posted on this board before because I'm an east coast guy.

Actually, south-Cuba. But I fought out of Johnny Coulon's gym in Chicago and all my matchmaking, promoting and boxing writing has been out of Miami.

I just wanted to tell you all how much I enjoy your thread and your banter. And I too wept for Mando Ramos whom I saw many times on TV in my days of youth. And I enjoyed seeing photos of Yaki Lopez and Charlie Shipes.... anyway I just wanted to say I love this thread.

Kikibalt and Farris if you are ever in Miami, lunch is on me.

enrique encinosa

[Randyman]

I have never posted on this board before because I'm an east coast guy.

Actually, south-Cuba. But I fought out of Johnny Coulon's gym in Chicago and all my matchmaking, promoting and boxing writing has been out of Miami.

I just wanted to tell you all how much I enjoy your thread and your banter. And I too wept for Mando Ramos whom I saw many times on TV in my days of youth. And I enjoyed seeing photos of Yaki Lopez and Charlie Shipes.... anyway I just wanted to say I love this thread.

Kikibalt and Farris if you are ever in Miami, lunch is on me.

enrique encinosa

Enrique, Welcome to the thread. As you probably have already noticed, not everybody on this thread is from the west coast. The only real criteria is an honest love and respect for boxing and boxers. The really good people have a way of finding this site. The guys on this thread are great. The real deal. I'm looking forward to reading about your experiences.

Randy

[Randyman]

THE FIRST DAY

I look at my role sheet and one of my students has the name of Julio Cesar Chavez. I asked him if he knew who Julio Cesar Chavez was. He said he wasn't sure. I asked him if his father had told him. He said he didn't know his father. I 'll keep an eye on this kid. No father. Isn't even sure who he's named after. Who knows,maybe his father had a brother named Julio Cesar. All I know is this kid needs to know a lot more than he does now. That's my job. I can teach these kids a lot more than U.S History.

Take care of those kids, diego.....

Walking into your classroom may just be the luckiest day of that young boys life. The school system needs more like you Rog!

[kikibalt]

I have never posted on this board before because I'm an east coast guy.

Actually, south-Cuba. But I fought out of Johnny Coulon's gym in Chicago and all my matchmaking, promoting and boxing writing has been out of Miami.

I just wanted to tell you all how much I enjoy your thread and your banter. And I too wept for Mando Ramos whom I saw many times on TV in my days of youth. And I enjoyed seeing photos of Yaki Lopez and Charlie Shipes.... anyway I just wanted to say I love this thread.

Kikibalt and Farris if you are ever in Miami, lunch is on me.

enrique encinosa

Thanks Enrique, maybe one day I'll get back to Miami again.

[Randyman]

Scar, you mention Stanley Berg.
That name is a blast from the past.He refd a couple of my fights.
Jeez, that guy was everywhere in Chicago boxing for years.
Am and pro.
I was pulling for John in that fight. Im sure you were too.Both guys made a good showing and it was close.
I never really knew John, but I boxed many rounds with his old nemesis Lenny Lapaglia.
Including right before he and John fought.
Still, I was rooting for John in that one too.

Man, you remember that one. Every fight nut in town was galvanized on that fight. Irish vs Italian. South side vs westside. Not to mention the two hottest prospects in town going at it, and it got televised nationally to boot. It didn't get much better than that.

Scartissue

Guys, There have been some great rivalries and fights over the years. But there is something about a local cross town rivalry that really stirs the blood of a real fight fan. I can sense the excitement from this post. I remember when Bobby Chacon and Danny Lopez fought, there was real excitement. same thing when Johnny Tapia and Danny Romero fought. Albuquerque was turned upside down. Like you said. It doesn't get much better than that.
Randy

[Rick Farris]

I have never posted on this board before because I'm an east coast guy.

Actually, south-Cuba. But I fought out of Johnny Coulon's gym in Chicago and all my matchmaking, promoting and boxing writing has been out of Miami.

I just wanted to tell you all how much I enjoy your thread and your banter. And I too wept for Mando Ramos whom I saw many times on TV in my days of youth. And I enjoyed seeing photos of Yaki Lopez and Charlie Shipes.... anyway I just wanted to say I love this thread.

Kikibalt and Farris if you are ever in Miami, lunch is on me.

enrique encinosa

WELCOME ENRIQUE!! Guys, just for the record, Enrique is one of the finest boxing writers you'll ever read, with old school flare that puts you right in his stories. His story on Cuba's Angel Robinson Garcia is as good as I've ever read. Please join, your knowledge fits right in here. -Rick Farris

[Randyman]

Guys, I wrote this a couple of years ago. I think what I was trying to say fits in with this thread. This guys on this thread are real boxing people and have true love for the sport. No other sport compares to boxing.

What I Love About Boxing.
How can I explain what boxing means to me? Why do I love boxing and boxers so much? To some people it is just two Neanderthals, slugging it out. To others it is a game of strategy, one man out thinking and outfighting another, using his brain to win the fight. And still to others it is just another sport to be viewed and cheered (or jeered) and bet on. And it is all those things, but to me, and to real fight fans, it is like an unfolding drama, an opera being played, each round representing another act. If you look closely enough you will see the human drama that is being played out in the ring.

Where, but in the ring is a man truly naked to the world, every virtue and every character flaw visible for all the world to see. Where but in boxing can a man be on top of the world one day (think Mike Tyson, Buster Douglas, Roberto Duran) and hit rock bottom the very next? And where but in boxing can someone fall so low, and fight his way back to a championship and respect, as Duran did. It took the entire 1980's for Duran, to comeback from the "No Mas" fight with Sugar Ray Leonard; losing a decision to Wilfredo Benitez, beating Davey Moore for the Junior Middleweight title, fighting a much bigger Marvin Hagler, the Middleweight Champion, to a standstill (Duran was a natural lightweight) in a great losing effort, and getting knocked out by Tommy Hearns, in possibly Hearns greatest knockout ever, and then in 1989, nearing forty years of age, fought and beat Iran Barkley to win the Middleweight title.

Buster Douglas, a mediocre fighter at best, having fought the fight of his life, knocking out Mike Tyson and winning the Heavyweight title, in what may be the greatest upset of any sport, lost the heavyweight title, in humiliating fashion, in his very first defense, against Evander Holyfield. Holyfield himself was thought to be washed up and easy prey for Mike Tyson a few years later, but rose to the occasion, in their classic good guy vs. bad guy battles in the 1990's, beating and humiliating Tyson, so bad, that Tyson snapped in their second fight and bit Evander in the ear, not once, but twice, thereby getting disqualified, which I believe was his intention.

How easy it is, to call a fighter a bum, when he loses a fight, especially when he loses in what appears to be in embarrassing fashion, until you step back and look at the big picture. Even the lowly "tomato can", a club fighter with more losses than wins, used just for the purpose of building up the record of an up and coming fighter, devoid of any great skills, speed and a decent punch, deserves our respect, when you think about what heart, what courage, what mental stamina it takes, to step into the ring against the likes of Mike Tyson, Muhammed Ali, George Foreman, Oscar De La Hoya or any number of great fighters, knowing full well your whole purpose for the evening is to get beat up, maybe knocked out, possibly worse. Still they make that lonely walk from the dressing room, down the aisle and into the ring, hoping beyond hope that "Maybe, just maybe, this is my lucky night". And when it is all over, and though the world may call him a bum, still he stands tall, because he knows what he has done and what it took to do it. The late Jerry Quarry, may he rest in peace, said it best "No coward ever stepped into the ring". He should know, there were none braver.

[enrique]

Here's a contribution on a special fighter that I wrote many moons ago.
=================.
A SPECIAL KIND OF FIGHTER

By ENRIQUE ENCINOSA


No one remembers Vincent "Choo-Choo" Bell. The little featherweight from Orlando only had three pro fights, winning one and losing two in a remarkable career that spanned only a few months during the mid-eighties. What made the club fighter unusual was the fact that Vincent Bell only had one leg. "Choo-Choo" went to battle with a prosthesis, an artificial leg.

Although the bureaucrats of the boxing commissions had tried to prevent him from fighting pro, Bell insisted, turning pro with a knockout over Wallace Tisdale, a four round prelim fighter. In his second bout, Bell lost on points to Troy Davis, a ten bout veteran club fighter with fair boxing skills.

I saw Bell in his third pro bout, in a town in central Florida named Melbourne. Although the Sunshine State is best known for powder gold beaches, nightclubs and tourist attractions, there is a rural culture in some areas of Florida. In areas north and south of Disney World there are cane fields, cattle ranches, dairy centers and an occasional ostrich farm. Melbourne is one of those coastal area towns south of Orlando where cultures meet.

The pro boxing card was held in a country-western saloon, next to an expressway exit. The place was large, several wide rooms packed with jukeboxes, popcorn machines, video games with a cowboy motif, and a long, brown bar of worn-out wood and faded brass. Bartenders with western style vests and arm garters served up draft beer from kegs or lined up shot with chasers. Waitresses wearing checkered shirts served up baskets of fries, onion rings and hot dogs. The crowd of several hundred was a blend of cultures combining the beachcombers with deep tans and Bermuda shorts, the farm boys and cowpunchers with Stetson hats or baseball caps advertising automotive products, and the usual blend of college boys and hard-drinking girls.

I had mixed feelings about seeing a one legged fighter. Boxing is my favorite sport and I cringe at the thought of turning a battle of strength and will into a freak show. Yet, I knew of several handicapped fighters that enjoyed success in the ring. A couple became world champions.

Back in France, during the days of muddy trench warfare at Verdun, a German sniper zeroed his sights on an enemy corporal walking a post. The bullet ripped away half of the Frenchman's jaw. The corporal was taken to an army hospital, where he was operated, his jawbone replaced by an artificial one, made up of sheep bone rib and a metal plate. The corporal, who had fought pro for five years before the war started, was told by the surgeons to forget his ring career, for being hit in the jaw would cause intense pain.

The little man with the metal jaw fooled everyone. In spite of the intense pain, he reeled off fifty-two wins in fifty-five bouts over a six-year period. In 1923, Eugene Criqui, the man who was not supposed to fight, won the featherweight title from Johnny Kilbane, by a sixth round knockout. The little Frenchman was champion for less than two months, losing on points to the great Johnny Dundee. An idol of his people, Eugene Criqui retired from the ring in 1927 with a 94-13-8 pro record that included forty knockout victories and only two KO losses.

Tommy Spiegel was another remarkable fighter. Despite a withered leg caused by infantile paralysis, Spiegel fought a couple of hundred pro fights, losing on points to Sammy Angott, Bob Montgomery and Beau Jack, three legends of the ring.

Other fighters with leg handicaps include Tami Mauriello and Cyclone Hart. Tami had a lame leg but compiled an 82-13-1 record that included bouts with Joe Louis and Gus Lesnevich. Cyclone Hart overcame polio as a child to become a middleweight contender feared for his power.

On a lesser level, but just as meritorious was David "Maceton" Cabrera, another fighter who suffered polio as a child. Cabrera once held the modest title of Mexican Light-Heavyweight Champion, losing in three rounds to Marvin Camel.

Deaf fighters use light signals from their corner to know when a round ends, since they can not hear the gong of the bell. Deaf boxers have included former bantamweight champion Mario D'Agata (54-10-3), Gene Hairston, a top contender who beat Paul Pender, and Spanish featherweight Kid Tano, who fought champion Jose Legra to a draw. Tano claimed that being deaf helped him to concentrate on his opponent without noise distractions from the crowd.

Billy Daniels, a top heavyweight who went seven hard rounds with Ali, split two bouts with Doug Jones, lost to Cleveland Williams and stopped Mike DeJohn, was missing a couple of fingers.

In more recent times, doctors told Vinnie Pazienza, the tough battler from New England that his ring career was finished after being injured in an auto accident. By the time others like Pazienzia were halfway through therapy, the New England fighter was trading leather with Roberto Duran.

When I met Vincent Bell in the storage area that served as a dressing room, I was pleased. The little featherweight was not delusional about his career or ability.

"Look," he said to me as his hands were being taped, "I know I am not going to be champ, but I love boxing and I just had to prove it to myself that I could have a few fights. I am not going to sit on my ass and moan about having one leg. I am going to have a few fights so I can say I was a pro fighter."

It was not a freak show. As Bell removed his robe some in the crowd gasped in surprise. There were no snide remarks or loud comments. Even the most beer drenched cowboys, in their foggy stupor, showed respect for a man with one leg who was willing to fight.

It was a good bout. Jesus Chavez, a Broward fighter with quick moves went after Bell. "Choo-Choo" stood his ground, popping stiff jabs into his opponent's face, following with a solid hook. Chavez, rocked by the blow began moving more, pecking away at Bell. It was an even fight for two rounds, but the Broward fighter began to chip away at Vincent in the third stanza. It was obvious that Bell could not move as well as his opponent, his footwork always a second too late. The ref stopped it in the fourth, when Bell was staggering against the ring ropes.

It was a good fight but not a great fight.

It was however, a moving performance, for all those who witnessed the bout understood that here was a man giving his absolute best in spite of having been dealt a bad hand. That he lost did not matter to the crowd for his grit won the crowd over. The standing ovation was from the heart. Truck drivers and cowboys, college students and surfers all clapped and hollered, some standing in wood chairs as the fight ended. It was a worthy moment, the kind that makes one feel good about the human spirit.

Vincent Bell will never be enshrined in Canastota. He does not deserve to be, with a pro record of one victory and two defeats. Still, even with the passing of years, the memory of his last bout always brings a good feeling, the belief that man can overcome insurmountable heights if he so desires, that will power can triumph over physical limitations.

Amen.

[dagosd2000]

THE FIRST DAY

I look at my role sheet and one of my students has the name of Julio Cesar Chavez. I asked him if he knew who Julio Cesar Chavez was. He said he wasn't sure. I asked him if his father had told him. He said he didn't know his father. I 'll keep an eye on this kid. No father. Isn't even sure who he's named after. Who knows,maybe his father had a brother named Julio Cesar. All I know is this kid needs to know a lot more than he does now. That's my job. I can teach these kids a lot more than U.S History.

Take care of those kids, diego.....

I really enjoy working with these kids. The problem most of them have is they don't have fathers that are around. When I see a kid that looks to me as a dad,I don't want to short change him. It's like that saying above Boys Town:"There's No Such A Thing As A Bad Boy."

We all know there are no absolutes like that saying,but there's no hitting below the belt to believe it.

[Expug]

Great stuff Enrique.
I have your book that you co authored with Hank Kaplan "Boxing This Is It"
I enjoy it vey much.
There was a cruiserweight out of Chicago who had an artificial leg named Craig "Gator" Bodzianowski.
Did you ever see him fight?
He fought Robert Daniels, a Florida fighter for the belt.
I fought on the same card with Craig before he lost his leg in a motorcycle accident.

[dagosd2000]

THE FIRST DAY

I look at my role sheet and one of my students has the name of Julio Cesar Chavez. I asked him if he knew who Julio Cesar Chavez was. He said he wasn't sure. I asked him if his father had told him. He said he didn't know his father. I 'll keep an eye on this kid. No father. Isn't even sure who he's named after. Who knows,maybe his father had a brother named Julio Cesar. All I know is this kid needs to know a lot more than he does now. That's my job. I can teach these kids a lot more than U.S History.

Roger . . . your post ''I'm going to watch this kid . . .'' brought a smile to my face. Good for you, amigo! The boy is in the right place, you are a special man and you just might say or do something that makes a major difference in the kid,s life. It's not the big things, but small things that guide a boy's direction and sense of self. Viva Chavez + Viva Dagos! -Rick

I agree with what Rick says here Rog.
That boy is in good hands with you.
I see him turning into a fine young man with your input.

Thanks Rick,Frank,Pug

I enjoy going to work everyday.

[kikibalt]

The Olympic today...

[dagosd2000]

Here's a contribution on a special fighter that I wrote many moons ago.
=================.
A SPECIAL KIND OF FIGHTER

By ENRIQUE ENCINOSA


No one remembers Vincent "Choo-Choo" Bell. The little featherweight from Orlando only had three pro fights, winning one and losing two in a remarkable career that spanned only a few months during the mid-eighties. What made the club fighter unusual was the fact that Vincent Bell only had one leg. "Choo-Choo" went to battle with a prosthesis, an artificial leg.

Although the bureaucrats of the boxing commissions had tried to prevent him from fighting pro, Bell insisted, turning pro with a knockout over Wallace Tisdale, a four round prelim fighter. In his second bout, Bell lost on points to Troy Davis, a ten bout veteran club fighter with fair boxing skills.

I saw Bell in his third pro bout, in a town in central Florida named Melbourne. Although the Sunshine State is best known for powder gold beaches, nightclubs and tourist attractions, there is a rural culture in some areas of Florida. In areas north and south of Disney World there are cane fields, cattle ranches, dairy centers and an occasional ostrich farm. Melbourne is one of those coastal area towns south of Orlando where cultures meet.

The pro boxing card was held in a country-western saloon, next to an expressway exit. The place was large, several wide rooms packed with jukeboxes, popcorn machines, video games with a cowboy motif, and a long, brown bar of worn-out wood and faded brass. Bartenders with western style vests and arm garters served up draft beer from kegs or lined up shot with chasers. Waitresses wearing checkered shirts served up baskets of fries, onion rings and hot dogs. The crowd of several hundred was a blend of cultures combining the beachcombers with deep tans and Bermuda shorts, the farm boys and cowpunchers with Stetson hats or baseball caps advertising automotive products, and the usual blend of college boys and hard-drinking girls.

I had mixed feelings about seeing a one legged fighter. Boxing is my favorite sport and I cringe at the thought of turning a battle of strength and will into a freak show. Yet, I knew of several handicapped fighters that enjoyed success in the ring. A couple became world champions.

Back in France, during the days of muddy trench warfare at Verdun, a German sniper zeroed his sights on an enemy corporal walking a post. The bullet ripped away half of the Frenchman's jaw. The corporal was taken to an army hospital, where he was operated, his jawbone replaced by an artificial one, made up of sheep bone rib and a metal plate. The corporal, who had fought pro for five years before the war started, was told by the surgeons to forget his ring career, for being hit in the jaw would cause intense pain.

The little man with the metal jaw fooled everyone. In spite of the intense pain, he reeled off fifty-two wins in fifty-five bouts over a six-year period. In 1923, Eugene Criqui, the man who was not supposed to fight, won the featherweight title from Johnny Kilbane, by a sixth round knockout. The little Frenchman was champion for less than two months, losing on points to the great Johnny Dundee. An idol of his people, Eugene Criqui retired from the ring in 1927 with a 94-13-8 pro record that included forty knockout victories and only two KO losses.

Tommy Spiegel was another remarkable fighter. Despite a withered leg caused by infantile paralysis, Spiegel fought a couple of hundred pro fights, losing on points to Sammy Angott, Bob Montgomery and Beau Jack, three legends of the ring.

Other fighters with leg handicaps include Tami Mauriello and Cyclone Hart. Tami had a lame leg but compiled an 82-13-1 record that included bouts with Joe Louis and Gus Lesnevich. Cyclone Hart overcame polio as a child to become a middleweight contender feared for his power.

On a lesser level, but just as meritorious was David "Maceton" Cabrera, another fighter who suffered polio as a child. Cabrera once held the modest title of Mexican Light-Heavyweight Champion, losing in three rounds to Marvin Camel.

Deaf fighters use light signals from their corner to know when a round ends, since they can not hear the gong of the bell. Deaf boxers have included former bantamweight champion Mario D'Agata (54-10-3), Gene Hairston, a top contender who beat Paul Pender, and Spanish featherweight Kid Tano, who fought champion Jose Legra to a draw. Tano claimed that being deaf helped him to concentrate on his opponent without noise distractions from the crowd.

Billy Daniels, a top heavyweight who went seven hard rounds with Ali, split two bouts with Doug Jones, lost to Cleveland Williams and stopped Mike DeJohn, was missing a couple of fingers.

In more recent times, doctors told Vinnie Pazienza, the tough battler from New England that his ring career was finished after being injured in an auto accident. By the time others like Pazienzia were halfway through therapy, the New England fighter was trading leather with Roberto Duran.

When I met Vincent Bell in the storage area that served as a dressing room, I was pleased. The little featherweight was not delusional about his career or ability.

"Look," he said to me as his hands were being taped, "I know I am not going to be champ, but I love boxing and I just had to prove it to myself that I could have a few fights. I am not going to sit on my ass and moan about having one leg. I am going to have a few fights so I can say I was a pro fighter."

It was not a freak show. As Bell removed his robe some in the crowd gasped in surprise. There were no snide remarks or loud comments. Even the most beer drenched cowboys, in their foggy stupor, showed respect for a man with one leg who was willing to fight.

It was a good bout. Jesus Chavez, a Broward fighter with quick moves went after Bell. "Choo-Choo" stood his ground, popping stiff jabs into his opponent's face, following with a solid hook. Chavez, rocked by the blow began moving more, pecking away at Bell. It was an even fight for two rounds, but the Broward fighter began to chip away at Vincent in the third stanza. It was obvious that Bell could not move as well as his opponent, his footwork always a second too late. The ref stopped it in the fourth, when Bell was staggering against the ring ropes.

It was a good fight but not a great fight.

It was however, a moving performance, for all those who witnessed the bout understood that here was a man giving his absolute best in spite of having been dealt a bad hand. That he lost did not matter to the crowd for his grit won the crowd over. The standing ovation was from the heart. Truck drivers and cowboys, college students and surfers all clapped and hollered, some standing in wood chairs as the fight ended. It was a worthy moment, the kind that makes one feel good about the human spirit.

Vincent Bell will never be enshrined in Canastota. He does not deserve to be, with a pro record of one victory and two defeats. Still, even with the passing of years, the memory of his last bout always brings a good feeling, the belief that man can overcome insurmountable heights if he so desires, that will power can triumph over physical limitations.

Amen.

Will power is a kind of Faith. So he doesn't get enshrined. By you sharing that story ,perhaps will give hope to people out there that are looking for inspiration. That's more than any enshrinement. Great story Enrique.

[kikibalt]

A young Randy De La O with Rocky

[dagosd2000]

THE NIGHT HE SPIT OUT HIS MOUTHPIECE

I can't remember the fighter's name. It was one of those hot muggy nights at the auditorium in Tijuana. All I know for sure is that I'd been drinking all night with the usual gang and I knew that I could talk them into going to the fights. They wouldn't go without me. Like I was going to lead the way. Protect them maybe. But they always had a good time.

Like I said I can't remember the fighter or who he was fighting against. Whether it was the main event or a prelim,but it was hot and sweaty in there and cold beer was the only thing that could cool you off.

The reason i remember this fight is that the one guy quit. Just like that. Quit. Didn't want anymore of it. For the first couple of rounds both boys were sluuging away at each other. The fans were going wild. But the one guy got his eye split open. It was horrible. A head butt? A punch? I couldn't tell,but the blood squirted out half way across the ring like someone had squeezed a balloon. That just hyped the crowd more,but this poor guy got paniky. He couldn't see to defend himself,let alone attack his opponent. His corner tried pressing ice packs on it and putting vaseline in it,but he must have busted an artery or something. When the corner removed the towel over his eye,it was soaked with blood. They pushed him out for another round or two and the poor kid was getting the shit kicked out of him. All the time the ref doesn't see nothin'. Like he ain't got no damage at all. The only thing I can figure is the kid thought no one was behind him. His corner kept shoving him out there and the ref was readin' the Sunday papers. So he spit out his mothpiece. The crowd was insensed. The ref kicks it out of the ring. In Mexico the fights aren't stopped because of that. But the kid stopped. The ref was coaxing him to get back in there,but the kid had had enough. The crowd was booing and started to throw bottles and chairs. I ran like hell for cover .My friends close behind.

On the way hime I was thinking. Why didn't that kid just fall down from a punch? Taken ten. He'd been a hero. Instead he was looked at as a coward. Like I say,I didn't stick around,but maybe he went over to the other guy's corner and said,"You didn't knock me down Ray. You didn't knock me down."