Classic American West Coast Boxing

[Rick Farris]

Joe Louis vs Max Baer

Louis turned this bear into a cub . . .

[Rick Farris]

Joe Louis vs King Levinsky

Heavyweight KING Joe Louis made Levinsky his ''Queen'' on this night.

[kikibalt]

Joe Louis vs Billy Conn II

[kikibalt]

Joe Louis vs Billy Conn II

[kikibalt]

Joe Louis vs Billy Conn II

[Rick Farris]

Joe Louis vs Billy Conn II

Nobody was able to CONN Louis twice, as Billy learned on this night. -Rick

[dagosd2000]

Joe Louis vs Max Baer

Louis said the best he ever felt in the ring was against Baer. Look at that shot of Loiuis's jab connecting on Max's chin. Louis's jab that night almosr took Maxie's head off.

Now flash ahead to Joe's fight with Marciano. Joe's jab that night was like a baby's push.

They say the legs are the first to go. So are a lot of other things.

[dagosd2000]

Joe Louis vs King Levinsky

KING FOR A DAY

My father said Levinsky was some sort of Slav even though he used that Jewish moniker. Levinsky's family was a riot. I think his sister was his manager. When the Kingfish saw Louis across the ring that night,he wished his sister was in there.

I admire anyone who steps into a boxing ring,but when the other guy is scared or doesn't try,it gives the sport a black eye. You can be King Levinsky or Sonny Liston or Roberto Duran. When your manhood is questioned after a fight,it demeans the sport.

But my father would listen to Levinsky years later talk about his fight with Louis. His lack of courage was never mentioned. He wore that fight as a badge of honor. The Kingfish experienced something only a few on Earth can say. He was in there with Joe Louis.

[Expug]

Joe Louis vs Max Baer

Louis turned this bear into a cub . . .

Funny after the fight when some questioned Baer on why he didnt get up after knocked down the last time. Max said"These people paid fifty bucks to see a prize fight, not an execution".

[dagosd2000]

OPEN HOUSE

Remember I was tellin' ya about that little invisible kid in my class,Eduardo Pena? Well I moved him near the front. I call him "EddIe". The kids look at him when I call him "Eddie". He's doing OK. Does all his work. The last few days though he hasn't been in class. I thought they might be testing him or something.

Tonight was open house. "Eddie" was there with his father. The dad was dressed neatly. After the period,the father came up to me and introduiced himself.
"I'm Eduardo's father. How's my son doing?"
"Eddie" was sitting at a desk while his father stood next to him.
"My son has not been in class because he's been at the hospital. He's very sick. His medication sometimes makes him unable to come to school."

I looked down at "Eddie". He was shaking. I don't think he heard what his father told me.
His father wanted to hear what I was going to say. His eyes were on mine.
"Eddie is doing just fine. He's my favorite student."
"Thenk you very much,"said the father. "I'm so glad to hear that."

What's the saying? The truth is good for the soul.

[bennie]

France is our natural enemy, Rog, as opposed to Germany. The biggest mistake this country has made in recent years is building a tunnel that links us to France, because hordes of illegal immigrants, mostly from eastern Europe, sneak on to lorries and find it much easier to get into this country, which is massively overcrowded anyway. It's a farce. The French police just turn a blind eye.

[bennie]

Joe Louis vs Billy Conn II

Conn looks so old one can hardly recognise him.

[kikibalt]

THE HISTORY OF L.A. BOXING by HAP NAVARRO

Trickling downs:

In 1933 Billy Yalotz, an eastern welterweight, came to California hoping to advance his ring career. Not surprisingly, he failed to do so noticeably, in an area where good men in his weight class were in abundance. So he stayed busy doing the next best thing---- serving as sparring partner for several headliners.

He was first hired by Young Corbett III, the Fresno southpaw, who was training for a bout with World's Champion Jackie Fields in San Francisco.
Corbett dethroned Fields there on February 22, 1933 and soon after signed to defend the title against Jimmy McLarnin outdoors in Los Angeles.

Yalotz then resurfaced at the McLarnin camp to act as chief spar mate for the challenger, in effect switching sides at the request of Jimmy's manager, the wily Pop Foster. As per the custom of the times, Billy was also rewarded with a spot on the title bout's underccard.

In a counter move, Corbett's people offered the services of Al Manfredo, Corbett's cousin, as an opponent for Yalotz. The rest is trivial history. McLarnin kayoed Corbett spectacularly in less than a round in Promoter Jack Doyle's promotorial farewell to the game, May 29, 1933. Earlier that evenine, in somewhat of an upfront payback gesture, Manfedo walloped Billy Yalots in their preliminary bout.

That was a breakthrough showing for Manfredo, who went on to win the California State welter crown from Ceferino Garcia in 1936. Al failed to emulate his famous relative, however, when he challenged the great Henry Armstrong for global supremacy in 1938, in a losing effort at Cleveland, Ohio, in late 1938.

hap navarro

[kikibalt]

THE HISTORY OF L.A. BOXING by HAP NAVARRO

More Trickle Down:

On the night of October 26, 1929. Armando Santiago, of Cuba, went up against hard-hitting Billy Townsend, of Vancouver, B.C., in the feature bout at the Los Angeles Olympic. In the final seconds of the sixth round, both men landed terrific righthand punches to the jaw, simultaneously. The two fighters went down, apparently knocked out, as the bell sounded to end the round.

Townsend was dragged to his corner where his handlers revived him somewhat for the start of the seventh round. His opponent, attempting to get to his feet, fell backward in a dead faint, giving Townsend a sensational seventh round kayo victory before a packed house that had gone berserk at the outcome.

The ending to that fight stands as the first major, near-double-knockout in California's modern boxing history, closely resembling the infamous Wolgast-Rivers thriller of July 4, 1912, at Vernon.

In the L.A. Olympic classic, Santiago was ahead of Townsend on points until the memorable sixth round. The fight's stunning climax dictated a second meeting between the two so they were rematched in the same ring a month later.

Deja Vu: Santiago lost that one by knockout, too, and for an added touch of irony, the end came in the seventh round.

What's more, Armando was ahead in the scoring until Townsend nailed him for the count.

hap navarro

[dagosd2000]

France is our natural enemy, Rog, as opposed to Germany. The biggest mistake this country has made in recent years is building a tunnel that links us to France, because hordes of illegal immigrants, mostly from eastern Europe, sneak on to lorries and find it much easier to get into this country, which is massively overcrowded anyway. It's a farce. The French police just turn a blind eye.

Bennie,this is amazing. I know what you are saying being a Brit. I love London and Paris. I have a knack of valuing the best of any culture and society,not imposing my 2 cents,and then becoming absorbed in another life. From the ranchos in the mountains in Michoacan,playing on a Black football team in South East San Diego,enjoying the Tapas Bars in Spain,to going down to the beach early in the morning and hanging with the old surfers. Life is rich.

[kikibalt]

Carlos Monzon


"Monzon"

By Diego

[raylawpc]

Joe Louis vs King Levinsky

Heavyweight KING Joe Louis made Levinsky his ''Queen'' on this night.

This is the fight in which Levinsky, sitting on the bottom rope after being knocked down, begged the referee, "Please don't let him hit me no more." It was the first time Levinsky was ever stopped.

Considering how many great fighters Levinsky faced, Levinsky's plea to the referee is almost as much a testimony to Louis' power as the three knockdowns the Kingfish suffered that night.

[kikibalt]

Earl "Fatha" Hines


"Fatha"

By Diego

[kikibalt]

Nine Minutes of Mayhem in Philadelphia

By Ted Sares - The following is taken, from my new book entitled “Reelin’ in the Years: Boxing and More”, due out in November 2008.

The Setting

On March 10, 1992, welterweight Tim Rabon met Philadelphian William “The Hammer” Jones at the Blue Horizon in Philadelphia in a 4-rounder that was televised on Tuesday Night fights as part of a bigger venue. Those who were fortunate enough to see this one will never forget it. Rabon was 13-7-2 at the time.. Jones was 18-0 but his only notable win was a KO over Rafael Williams, and his overall level of opposition was very poor. In fact, only five opponents had winning records. As well, most of the Hammer’s fights took place in the friendly confines of the Blue Horizon.

Rabon, out of Broussard, Louisiana, had duked with much better fighters, but had just fair success. He was knocked out by Santos Cardona and Tyrone Moore, fought a draw with then undefeated Chad Parker (19-0), split a pair of SD’s with Jason Watters, and lost on points to Kevin Pompey, Reggie Miller and the very capable Aussie Jeff “Flash” Malcom (for the IBC Welterweight Title). Malcom was 77-21-10 at the time. One other thing, Rabon was a National Golden Gloves Champion in 1984 (along with such notables as Ronnie Essett, Virgil Hill, Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson). On paper, the undefeated Jones looked ripe for the picking.

The Fight

The fight was a barnburner during the first two rounds with both tall and skinny fighters wasted no time as they teed off on each other with long and looping shots that had deadly intentions written all over them. The punishment absorbed by both fighters was alarming, and those at ringside were sprayed by the sweat as each thundering shot came down the pike. Then, in the incredible third round, things heated up fast as “The Hammer” lived up to his nickname by flooring and punishing Rabon in the early going and appeared to be on his way to a crunching finish.

But miraculously, Rabon caught Jones with a solid hook that had him hurt and hanging on. He then floored him and when he got up, stalked him down like a Tiger sensing a fresh kill and floored him again. But in so doing, he used up serious energy and Jones knew it. Indeed, Rabon had punched himself out and was now helpless and ready to be hammered into submission, but time was running out. With seconds to go in the round, Jones backed Rabon into a corner and took him out with a single debilitating shot to the liver. The bell had rung but Tim could not get up. He was counted out four seconds after the round was over. These nine minutes of unmitigated mayhem featured everything: give and take, ebb and flow, courage, determination and ferocity.

Rabon would lose most of his remaining fights against very creditable opposition and finished with a slate of 14-12-2. Jones would never be the same losing two of his next four. Both defeats came at the hands of another Philadelphian, ultra tough Eric Holland. His final record was 21-2 and he retired in 1994 after being KOd by Holland in 1995

The career of both would be defined by what happened at the Blue Horizon on March 10, 1992. They call it the “Legendary Blue Horizon” and fights like this contributed greatly to that moniker.

[raylawpc]

Joe Louis vs Max Baer

Louis turned this bear into a cub . . .

Max had two famous quotes from this fight:

Between rounds, Jack Dempsey, his chief second, told Baer that they had nothing to worry about because Louis wasn’t landing. Max replied: “Then you better keep an eye on Arthur Donovan [the referee], because somebody out there is beating the hell out of me.”

After the fight, some sportswriters claimed Baer, who took the count on one knee, could have gotten up and continued. Baer replied: “Sure I quit. He hit me eighteen times while I was in the act of falling that last time. I don’t intend to be cutting up paper dolls for a living. Besides, I got a wife and family to think about. If anyone wants to see the execution of Max Baer, he’s gotta pay a lot more than $25 for a ringside seat.”

Before the fight, Joe got in a witty comment himself. Asked if he was concerned that the great Jack Dempsey would serve as Baer's chief second, Louis replied: “The rules say Dempsey can’t hit me, don’t they?”

[raylawpc]

France is our natural enemy, Rog, as opposed to Germany. The biggest mistake this country has made in recent years is building a tunnel that links us to France, because hordes of illegal immigrants, mostly from eastern Europe, sneak on to lorries and find it much easier to get into this country, which is massively overcrowded anyway. It's a farce. The French police just turn a blind eye.

“France had neither winter nor summer nor morals - apart from these drawbacks it is a fine country.” Mark Twain.

“I have tried to lift France out of the mud. But she will return to her errors and vomitings. I cannot prevent the French from being French.” Charles de Gaulle.

[kikibalt]

Let’s Get Ready to Rumble

Mighty Mo Orozco

By Christopher Anderson

In this corner, from Long Beach, California, weighing in at 75 pounds and standing 4 feet, 10 inches tall is Moises” Mighty Mo” Orozco.
I interviewed 11-year-old “Mighty Mo” at DG Boxing, located at 5660 E. Pacific Coast Highway. While at the gym, I learned he started his career at the age of eight with the Police Athletic League (PAL) Boxing Program. PAL is one of the programs the City of Long Beach has recommended for elimination. We will know this month if the council members feel the three PAL locations, which past and present participants have said helped them stay out of trouble, should remain in operation. “The PAL coach helps me by working the corner,” said “Mighty Mo.”
“Mighty Mo” runs three to four miles a day and works out two to two-and-a-half hours Monday to Friday. He believes to be a good boxer takes conditioning and training. No special diet is required, just eating healthy. He has two younger sisters, is home schooled and is in the seventh grade. Although he has won 10 championships and is currently ranked the #1 amateur boxer for his class, when asked if he wanted to be a boxer when he grew up, he replied, “No, I want to be a lawyer.”
You have an opportunity to see “Mighty Mo,” the first youth to win the world’s largest amateur boxing tournament three consecutive years, on September 21 at DG Boxing presents Fight Night At the Pyramid. Doors open at noon. Tickets start at $24 and can be purchased online at http://www.dgboxinggyms.com. For more information call (562) 986-9421.
That is all for this week and remember, “It only takes one to make a difference”!

[kikibalt]

Hey guys, easy on the French, my great grandfather was French.

[bennie]

Hey guys, easy on the French, my great grandfather was French.

Hopefully, he got out. ;;-)

[bennie]

Nine Minutes of Mayhem in Philadelphia

By Ted Sares - The following is taken, from my new book entitled “Reelin’ in the Years: Boxing and More”, due out in November 2008.

The Setting

On March 10, 1992, welterweight Tim Rabon met Philadelphian William “The Hammer” Jones at the Blue Horizon in Philadelphia in a 4-rounder that was televised on Tuesday Night fights as part of a bigger venue. Those who were fortunate enough to see this one will never forget it. Rabon was 13-7-2 at the time.. Jones was 18-0 but his only notable win was a KO over Rafael Williams, and his overall level of opposition was very poor. In fact, only five opponents had winning records. As well, most of the Hammer’s fights took place in the friendly confines of the Blue Horizon.

Rabon, out of Broussard, Louisiana, had duked with much better fighters, but had just fair success. He was knocked out by Santos Cardona and Tyrone Moore, fought a draw with then undefeated Chad Parker (19-0), split a pair of SD’s with Jason Watters, and lost on points to Kevin Pompey, Reggie Miller and the very capable Aussie Jeff “Flash” Malcom (for the IBC Welterweight Title). Malcom was 77-21-10 at the time. One other thing, Rabon was a National Golden Gloves Champion in 1984 (along with such notables as Ronnie Essett, Virgil Hill, Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson). On paper, the undefeated Jones looked ripe for the picking.

The Fight

The fight was a barnburner during the first two rounds with both tall and skinny fighters wasted no time as they teed off on each other with long and looping shots that had deadly intentions written all over them. The punishment absorbed by both fighters was alarming, and those at ringside were sprayed by the sweat as each thundering shot came down the pike. Then, in the incredible third round, things heated up fast as “The Hammer” lived up to his nickname by flooring and punishing Rabon in the early going and appeared to be on his way to a crunching finish.

But miraculously, Rabon caught Jones with a solid hook that had him hurt and hanging on. He then floored him and when he got up, stalked him down like a Tiger sensing a fresh kill and floored him again. But in so doing, he used up serious energy and Jones knew it. Indeed, Rabon had punched himself out and was now helpless and ready to be hammered into submission, but time was running out. With seconds to go in the round, Jones backed Rabon into a corner and took him out with a single debilitating shot to the liver. The bell had rung but Tim could not get up. He was counted out four seconds after the round was over. These nine minutes of unmitigated mayhem featured everything: give and take, ebb and flow, courage, determination and ferocity.

Rabon would lose most of his remaining fights against very creditable opposition and finished with a slate of 14-12-2. Jones would never be the same losing two of his next four. Both defeats came at the hands of another Philadelphian, ultra tough Eric Holland. His final record was 21-2 and he retired in 1994 after being KOd by Holland in 1995

The career of both would be defined by what happened at the Blue Horizon on March 10, 1992. They call it the “Legendary Blue Horizon” and fights like this contributed greatly to that moniker.

I watched Rabon fight as an amateur in 1983 in Park Lane, London; it was a GB vs USA international which also included Paul Banke.
Rabon chinned Londoner Orrie Jones in the first round. He was a good fighter, who nearly made the '84 Olympic team. He outscored Jerry Page first time they met in the Olympic Trials, then lost the next two and Page got the Olympic spot (and ultimately the gold).