Classic American West Coast Boxing

[Rick Farris]

CARSON, CA - SEPTEMBER 27: Hilario Lopez takes a punch from Craig McEwan of
Scotland during their middleweight bout at the Home Depot Center on September 27,
2008 in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

McEwan will soon get to know Amir Khan, who is going over there for a six-week training camp with Freddie. They've pushed back Khan's comeback fight here a week, to December 13, due to Pacquiao vs Golden Boy.

I'll keep an eye on both these guys. I'll make a couple trips to Freddie's Wildcard Gym to get a closer look.


-Rick

[Rick Farris]

Ricardo Mayorga lands a shot inside against Shane Mosley during their
super-welterweight fight on Saturday night.

Shane looks OLD.

He is old, for a fighter anyway.....

An "Oldie, but Goody". Can't take that from him. I'm interested in Amir Khan, I don't know quite what to make of him yet. His recent KO loss means nothing, it was one of those fast shuffle situations. He got caught cold by a banger. Same thing happened to Emile Griffith with Rubin Carter. How a fighter respondes to it is another thing. The guy didn't take a spirit breaking ass-whipping, so I'm going to give him a pass on his KO loss, until more is revealed. KO losses mean nothing to a great fighter, a fighter like Duran or Barrera. We'll see what Amir Khan brings to the table next time out. And I'm also interested in McEwen (spelling).

-Rick

[kikibalt]

From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Subject: Patterson v. Ellis ... September 1968
To: [email protected]



Dear Rick ...

Rick writes: "Patterson-Ellis This fight was televised live in the U.S. and Floyd's decision loss, preventing him from regaing the title an unprecidented third time, remains the worst decision I have ever seen in a heavyweight title fight. For U.S. TV reasons, the bout was held in the dark early morning hours, outdoors while snowing. I still recall both boxers entering the ring wearing ski pants. -Rick

JAB: Rick ... Patterson beat a good fighter in Jimmy Ellis ... beat him coming and going. Beat him bad. Ellis hit Patterson with some wicked right hands and Patterson's jaw took all that Ellis had to offer and Patterson gave five times what Ellis delivered. I felt so bad for Patterson after this fight .... it made me sick! This was a low point in boxing history ... a black eye for the sport! Here is the fight in seven parts ... it bears looking at. Patterson was a real credit to life ... let alone boxing.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKmWTwDoOL8
Jimmy Ellis v. Floyd Patterson 1


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyy8gydYiKk
Jimmy Ellis -vs- Floyd Patterson 9/14/68 part 2


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHYwA9RxQ9k
Jimmy Ellis -vs- Floyd Patterson 9/14/68 part 3



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luFv9c6znvk
Jimmy Ellis -vs- Floyd Patterson 9/14/68 part 4


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NylLkYcb5PY
Jimmy Ellis vs- Floyd Patterson 9/14/68 part 5



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQuK2kAF3gE
Jimmy Ellis -vs- Floyd Patterson 9/14/68 PART 6


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ex-xPFQ7M8A
Jimmy Ellis -vs- Floyd Patterson 9/14/68 part 7

[kikibalt]

Gotti arrest recalls Fla. mob history
By MITCH STACY, Associated Press Writer

TAMPA, Fla. - The ghosts of Tampa's old-time wiseguys awakened this summer when Mafia scion John "Junior" Gotti came to town in handcuffs, accused of pulling the strings in a bunch of classic mobster crimes.

The federal indictment against him reads like a plot summary for "The Sopranos." The 44-year-old Gotti — son of the late "Dapper Don" of the notorious Gambino crime family — allegedly had his fingers in everything: whacking rivals, trafficking cocaine, bribery, kidnapping and money-laundering. Earlier convictions show Gambino crews have worked for years to get a foothold in the Tampa area's criminal underworld.

If the charges against Gotti are true, then he was a Johnny-come-lately to organized crime around here.

The fabric of the Tampa region's history is richly woven with stories of ruthless gangsters who first grabbed control of illegal gambling and liquor distribution during Prohibition, executed rivals with point-blank shotgun blasts, bribed public officials, controlled the narcotics trade and eventually broadened their influence across the Sunshine State and pre-Castro Cuba.

They were menacing, old-school mobsters who went by nicknames like "The Hammer," "Scarface," "Cowboy," "The Fat Man," "The Colonel," "Big Joe" and "Silent Sam."

Infamous in the city's lore is the "Era of Blood," when 25 gangsters were gunned down on the streets as Italian, Cuban and Anglo underworld factions battled for power from the 1920s to the '50s.

And a Godfather-like legend surrounds Tampa-born crime boss Santo Trafficante Jr., who took over the Sicilian Mafia in Florida from his father in 1954 and built a criminal empire that was the envy of mob families across the country.

"Trafficante was the boss of Florida," says Joseph D. Pistone, a former FBI agent whose six years undercover with the mob were chronicled in the 1997 Johnny Depp movie "Donnie Brasco." "Miami was an open city, like Las Vegas. But if you operated in Tampa or other parts of the state, you had to go through Trafficante."

During his last two years with Dominick "Sonny Black" Napolitano's Bonanno family crew, Pistone came to Florida often to help broker an alliance with Trafficante, whose blessing was needed for the Brooklyn crew to operate an illegal gambling joint northwest of Tampa. The eventual FBI takedown of the Kings Court club in 1981 is depicted in "Donnie Brasco."

In another movie, "Goodfellas" (1990), New York gangsters played by Ray Liotta and Robert De Niro come to Tampa in 1970 and put the screws to a guy who won't pay his gambling debts. He finally agrees to pay up after they take him to the city zoo and threaten to feed him to the lions.

That all really happened — except for the lion part. Lucchese family soldiers Henry Hill and Jimmy Burke just gave the welcher an old-fashioned beating, ending up at a dingy north Tampa bar that still stands across the street from the Busch Gardens amusement park. But it's true that the beaten bettor had a sister who worked in the Tampa FBI office, which led to arrests and prison terms for the two wiseguys.

That's trivia that few but Scott Deitche remember. He literally wrote the book on Tampa's organized crime history — called "Cigar City Mafia" — and followed it up last year with a Trafficante biography.

Miami might be more associated with mob activity, but Deitche says organized crime in Florida is firmly rooted in Tampa, where Cuban, Spanish and Italian immigrants established communities in the city's cigar-making center of Ybor City in the early 20th century. One of the early rackets was bolita, a popular, low-stakes lottery game.

"You had drugs, prostitution, rum-running, bootlegging during Prohibition, some alien smuggling, but bolita was the main moneymaker," says Deitche over lunch recently at Ybor City's historic Columbia restaurant — a favorite dining spot of Trafficante and a host of mobsters over the years.

"Through bolita you got into corruption of the local government, corruption of the sheriff's department," he says. "So from there you really saw the emergence of the Italian Mafia, and the Italian Mafia eventually eclipsed all the other ones."

Howard Abadinsky, an organized-crime expert who teaches a class on the subject at St. John's University, says the growth of organized crime in Florida mirrored what was happening in society at-large. There was opportunity and money to be made in Florida, attracting not only aboveboard entrepreneurs but mobsters from the five New York Mafia families as well. Many bought houses and lived here for part of the year.

"The mob moved to Florida just like legitimate people," Abadinsky says. "There was plenty of money for everyone."

But it was the soft-spoken, even-tempered Trafficante — known as the "Silent Don" — who put the mob on the map in Florida. He also became the most influential Mafia figure in Cuba, running hotels and casinos, buying up property and laundering money through the island before Fidel Castro came to power in 1959 and kicked him out.

Trafficante, in public hearings, acknowledged cooperating with secret U.S. government efforts to kill Castro. And his name is often mentioned in a conspiracy theory surrounding President John F. Kennedy's assassination, but he vehemently denied having anything to do with it. He never spent a night in an American jail.

Trafficante's death after heart surgery in 1987 ended the Mafia's heyday in Florida, but the experts say it hasn't been snuffed out. A 2006 federal trial in Tampa exposed the activities of a Gambino crew led by capo Ronald Trucchio, who because of a deformed limb was known by the nickname "Ronnie One-Arm."

His crew was accused of a slew of wiseguy crimes, including trying to control the lucrative valet parking business in Tampa. He and three other Gambino associates were convicted of racketeering and conspiracy to commit extortion, with Trucchio getting life in prison.

Now comes Junior Gotti, who was arrested at his Long Island home in August and hauled to Tampa. His attorney scoffs at the charges, saying the feds have mounted an "epic quest" to take Gotti down after failing to convict him in three federal trials in New York. Gotti says he retired years ago from the criminal life and has pleaded not guilty to the Tampa charges. He remains jailed without bond pending a trial, which could happen sometime next year.

Abadinsky says the mob is still around, in Florida, New York and elsewhere, but it's a shadow of its former self. Gangsters today don't wield the power, control the unions or have the political connections of their predecessors.

While the "The Sopranos," the wildly popular HBO TV series about a New Jersey mob family, was a great recruiting tool for the Mafia, there are fewer young men willing to take up the life these days, Abadinsky says.

"The new guys," he says, "are whole lot less interesting."

[Rick Farris]

From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Subject: Patterson v. Ellis ... September 1968
To: [email protected]



Dear Rick ...

Rick writes: "Patterson-Ellis This fight was televised live in the U.S. and Floyd's decision loss, preventing him from regaing the title an unprecidented third time, remains the worst decision I have ever seen in a heavyweight title fight. For U.S. TV reasons, the bout was held in the dark early morning hours, outdoors while snowing. I still recall both boxers entering the ring wearing ski pants. -Rick

JAB: Rick ... Patterson beat a good fighter in Jimmy Ellis ... beat him coming and going. Beat him bad. Ellis hit Patterson with some wicked right hands and Patterson's jaw took all that Ellis had to offer and Patterson gave five times what Ellis delivered. I felt so bad for Patterson after this fight .... it made me sick! This was a low point in boxing history ... a black eye for the sport! Here is the fight in seven parts ... it bears looking at. Patterson was a real credit to life ... let alone boxing.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKmWTwDoOL8
Jimmy Ellis v. Floyd Patterson 1


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyy8gydYiKk
Jimmy Ellis -vs- Floyd Patterson 9/14/68 part 2


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHYwA9RxQ9k
Jimmy Ellis -vs- Floyd Patterson 9/14/68 part 3



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luFv9c6znvk
Jimmy Ellis -vs- Floyd Patterson 9/14/68 part 4


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NylLkYcb5PY
Jimmy Ellis vs- Floyd Patterson 9/14/68 part 5



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQuK2kAF3gE
Jimmy Ellis -vs- Floyd Patterson 9/14/68 PART 6


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ex-xPFQ7M8A
Jimmy Ellis -vs- Floyd Patterson 9/14/68 part 7

Frank . . . Thanks for taking the time to upload all of this. I didn't expect that, it's too much work. However, thank you again, very much.

-Rick

[Rick Farris]

My Greatest "On Set" Memory of Paul Newman . . . "Absense of Malice"

Thruout the film industry, everybody knows the pleassure of working with certain actors. Paul Newman was one of those actors, a regular guy, as was Michael Landon and is Clint Eastwood. These guys didn't have time for bullshit, all gifted film professionals and skilled in areas behind the camera as well as in front. I worked with Newman briefly in the beginning of my career in the mid 70's. It was at Universal, where I was "breaking in" and the Film was "The Sting". The last was on a film location in New Orleans where Paul was paired with Lolita Davidovich, in a so-so film, "Blaze".

However, the most unforgetable experience took place in Florida, on the location set of an Academy Award winning film, "Absence of Malice".

Sally Field is a great actress, and I had worked on a number of feature films. On this day, we were shooting a very emotional scene involving a two-shot with Newman and Sally. Sally can be pain-in-the-ass and in the final scene of the day, she tells director Sydney Pollack, that she want's her close-up to be shot first, followed by Paul's. Newman doesn't care, ladies go first. So they do this dramatic scene where Newman's charactor has to spill his heart, tears, the whole bit.

After Newman plays off-camera to help Field play her role (she won an Oscar for it) the cameras turn around on Newman for his close-up, equally challenging. Now it's more than a courtesy for an actor to read their off-camera lines to the other's close-up. Especially when you are dealing with legends on the set. (Pollack won a directorial Oscar for Absence as well as other films.) Field pulled herself together after her C/U and said her "good bye's" leaving the set. What about her playing off camera for Newman? Paul just smiled and said nothing. Newman is a pro, and turned in a brilliant performance playing off the words of our script supervisor, a man in his sixties.

The next evening's scene was equally dramatic, the kind that challenge actors. On this day, Mr. Newman told Sydney Pollack he'd like his C/U to be shot first. Like the evening before, it was one of those emotionally challenging scenes, especially for Field. When Paul's C/U was in the can, he stood up, said his good bye's and walked off the set. Field was livid. She could not imagine pulling off a scene of this nature without the actual charactor to play off. Sally literally screamed across the set, "Come back here, You're not finished!!!"

We watched Sally run across the park following Newman who was on his way back to his motor home to have a beer. "Stop? . . . Stop" . . . . Stop!" Field sceamed. Newman never looked back, went up the steps to his motor home/dressing room and slammed the door in Field's face. The last thing we heard was Sally, screaming her lungs out . . . "You Son-of-a-Bitch!!!!!

Sally pulled off her scene without Newman, but it wasn't easy, perhaps her emotion worked for her. She got her Oscar.

We all love Paul Newman. He was the type of guy you hoped he would be. Just like Michael Landon, Clint Eastwood, James Garner. All class acts, ultimate professionals, bigger than life. How lucky for me to be able to share this story.

Again, R.I.P. Paul Newman


-Rick Farris

Thanks for sharing that Rick. Paul Newman was a true screen legend on par with the best of them, including Jimmy Stewart, Henry Fonda et al. The list of truly great actors is dwindling. So many great movies. Rest in Peace Mr. Newman.

Christ, they must be giving Oscars away! It's incredible how far zero charisma but a tight little ass can get you. Sally Field is shrill.

I worked with Sally on "Smokey & the Bandit", "Norma Rae" (which she won a well deserved Oscar for), and "Absence". One of my "ex's" used to be her make-up artist, so I got to know her a bit. On those three films we covered a lot of territory, especially thru the south. Sally is a great actress, she can go one-on-one with anybody in front of a camera and hold her own. She has mellowed a lot in recent years. Last week, I was on stage at Disney where we shoot "Eli Stone", the series I light. Shooting on Stage 2, right next to us, is Sally Field's series, "Brothers and Sisters". I walked thru the set after lunch, looking for a friend of mine who does sound on the show. I saw Sally sitting in her chair, wearing her eye glasses, pen in hand as she balanced her check book. As I passed she looked up and we exchanged glances for a moment. I could tell she recognized my face, although it had been a long time. I could see she recognized me from the past, but not quite sure from where, she acknowledged me with a smile, and I did the same. She looks pretty good for 62. The skin under the neck is looser than it was, her hair not quite as thick, the lines are obvious, and she really is comfortable with her age. You can tell she's Hollywood tough, not insecure, she grew up in this town. When you grow old, you grow old. She had her day, and the sun is still shining for Sally Field. Today she is sweet, and a few years back she was dating a good looking young lighting tech who was working for me on another show. She's come thru the tunnel and seeing her as I did the other day, I respect her. This was once "Gidget" and "The Flying Nun", how many young actresses can come out of that 60's fluff and go onto to compete (and win) in the biggest film arena on earth? She's done it ALL! And yeah, she still has a pretty cute little ass.

-Rick

[Rick Farris]

Los Angeles Times file photograph
Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman in "The Long, Hot Summer," 1958.

The greatest Hollywood couple. She's the same kinda woman as he was a man. Many of you will remember Newman for his role in "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid". The female lead in that one was a young Katherine Ross. Ross is another one of those you love to work with. After a production she starred in during the eighties, Katherine Ross was pregnant, and she attended the "Wrap Party" for the picture we worked on with her husband, actor Sam Elliott. The party was held at the home of a cinematographer who shot the TV film ("The Sacketts") and the house was located up in the hills of Sherman Oaks.

When Kathy and Sam Elliott arrived, she was about eight months pregnant and the rain was pouring from the sky. To get to the hillside home, you had to walk down a long brick stairway. When Ross stepped onto wet brick, her foot slipped out from under her and she landed on her butt, and then slid down the brick steps all the way to the bottom. It had to hurt, especially considering her pregnancy. I was inside when this happened, but people who had seen the actress tumble down the stairs were horrified, fearing that she was badly injured, not to mention the unborn child. When she hit the bottom of the stairway, Kathy was laughing uncontrollably and immediatly got to her feet, wiping off the back of her gown with her hands, rain drops rolling off her face. When Ross stopped laughing she just said, ""Oh God, don't make a fuss, I'm fine." She walked in, clothes wet and dirty, and she stayed and enjoyed the party. Sam Elliott was concerned about the baby inside her, but soon forgot all about the incident himself, and just got on with the party. All people hear about is the crap aspect of actors, the prima donnas. But for every "phony Hollywood actor" story, I've got two about the true class of this industry.

-Rick

[Randyman]

From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Subject: Patterson v. Ellis ... September 1968
To: [email protected]



Dear Rick ...

Rick writes: "Patterson-Ellis This fight was televised live in the U.S. and Floyd's decision loss, preventing him from regaing the title an unprecidented third time, remains the worst decision I have ever seen in a heavyweight title fight. For U.S. TV reasons, the bout was held in the dark early morning hours, outdoors while snowing. I still recall both boxers entering the ring wearing ski pants. -Rick

JAB: Rick ... Patterson beat a good fighter in Jimmy Ellis ... beat him coming and going. Beat him bad. Ellis hit Patterson with some wicked right hands and Patterson's jaw took all that Ellis had to offer and Patterson gave five times what Ellis delivered. I felt so bad for Patterson after this fight .... it made me sick! This was a low point in boxing history ... a black eye for the sport! Here is the fight in seven parts ... it bears looking at. Patterson was a real credit to life ... let alone boxing.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKmWTwDoOL8
Jimmy Ellis v. Floyd Patterson 1


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyy8gydYiKk
Jimmy Ellis -vs- Floyd Patterson 9/14/68 part 2


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHYwA9RxQ9k
Jimmy Ellis -vs- Floyd Patterson 9/14/68 part 3



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luFv9c6znvk
Jimmy Ellis -vs- Floyd Patterson 9/14/68 part 4


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NylLkYcb5PY
Jimmy Ellis vs- Floyd Patterson 9/14/68 part 5



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQuK2kAF3gE
Jimmy Ellis -vs- Floyd Patterson 9/14/68 PART 6


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ex-xPFQ7M8A
Jimmy Ellis -vs- Floyd Patterson 9/14/68 part 7

Rick and John, I took the liberty of creating a custom video player for the fight between Ellis and Patterson. It will allow you to view all seven videos as one complete video. I thought it might make it easier for anyone that wanted to view the video. I posted it on my website at http://boxing-ring.blogspot.com along with this post. Hope you don't mind.

Randy

[dagosd2000]

A BAD SMELL

Denny Moyer was living on borrowed time and booze. How he managed to get into a boxing ring at the end was anyone's guess. He'd go up to Flaherty's camp in the mountains for a week to prepare. It was mostly to dry out. But after all the fights and all the carousing,he'd hit the wall.

He owned a bar in Portland and when he wasn't getting stinko up there, any joint would do that would serve him alcohol. He was popular in San Diego. I don't think he reached in his pocket much to buy a drink. Him and Ronnie Wilson palled around a lot. Those two Irishman would get a snoot full and go through the metamorphasis becomig company you didn't want to associate with. They liked to fight.They got defensive.They didn't care what happened.They'd bust out a joint without even thinking.

I remember the end of it for Denny. It wasn't a beating he took or the trouble he had with his cuts. No one talked him out of it. To tell you the truth I don't think he knew that he had fought his last fight that afternoon.

He was supposed to fight some guy,I think,in Vegas. He was to go to the Coliseum to work out a little. He had his bag and I saw him drive away. The next day I saw Pat Vetere who Denny was staying with off and on. I met Pat at a restaurant for lunch.
"Well",said Pat."Moyer retired."
I was caught off guard.
"I don't understand."
"Yesterday. When he went to the gym. Denny said he walked in ,and then turned around.He quit. Just like that."
"What was the reason?"
Pat had a funny look on his face and shrugged his shoulders.
"He said he couldn't take the smell of the place anymore."
"And that was it?"
"Yep,"said Pat. "He couldn't stand the smell of the gym anymore."
I poked at my food.
"I did read somewhere that the sense of smell triggers some powerfull emotions."
"Well the old gym must have smelled bad enough to make him hang up his gloves,"said Pat.

[kikibalt]

Ruben Olivares


"El Puas"

By Diego

[kikibalt]

Gene Fullmer

[kikibalt]

Floyd Patterson


"Floyd"

By Diego

[kikibalt]

Mickey Walker


"The Mick"

By Diego

[kikibalt]

Freddie Miller

[Rick Farris]

From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Subject: Patterson v. Ellis ... September 1968
To: [email protected]



Dear Rick ...

Rick writes: "Patterson-Ellis This fight was televised live in the U.S. and Floyd's decision loss, preventing him from regaing the title an unprecidented third time, remains the worst decision I have ever seen in a heavyweight title fight. For U.S. TV reasons, the bout was held in the dark early morning hours, outdoors while snowing. I still recall both boxers entering the ring wearing ski pants. -Rick

JAB: Rick ... Patterson beat a good fighter in Jimmy Ellis ... beat him coming and going. Beat him bad. Ellis hit Patterson with some wicked right hands and Patterson's jaw took all that Ellis had to offer and Patterson gave five times what Ellis delivered. I felt so bad for Patterson after this fight .... it made me sick! This was a low point in boxing history ... a black eye for the sport! Here is the fight in seven parts ... it bears looking at. Patterson was a real credit to life ... let alone boxing.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKmWTwDoOL8
Jimmy Ellis v. Floyd Patterson 1


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyy8gydYiKk
Jimmy Ellis -vs- Floyd Patterson 9/14/68 part 2


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHYwA9RxQ9k
Jimmy Ellis -vs- Floyd Patterson 9/14/68 part 3



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luFv9c6znvk
Jimmy Ellis -vs- Floyd Patterson 9/14/68 part 4


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NylLkYcb5PY
Jimmy Ellis vs- Floyd Patterson 9/14/68 part 5



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQuK2kAF3gE
Jimmy Ellis -vs- Floyd Patterson 9/14/68 PART 6


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ex-xPFQ7M8A
Jimmy Ellis -vs- Floyd Patterson 9/14/68 part 7

Rick and John, I took the liberty of creating a custom video player for the fight between Ellis and Patterson. It will allow you to view all seven videos as one complete video. I thought it might make it easier for anyone that wanted to view the video. I posted it on my website at http://boxing-ring.blogspot.com along with this post. Hope you don't mind.

Randy

Thanks Randy! BTW, just checked out the entire fight on your site. Suggestion: Anybody wishing to see this fight, check it out best at Randy's site. The only way on the web to see it from opening bell to the end uninterupted.

-Rick

[Rick Farris]

Freddie Miller

Lew Feldman . . .

I knew a guy, somebody I met at Paramount Studios in the late 70's. His name was Lew Feldman, he was a studio laborer, and without question, he was a former world class Pug. In keeping with the above post, let me just say that Lew fought Freddie Miller four times, losing the first three before holding him to a draw in the last match. Lew also had fought a guy named Henry Armstrong, for the lightweight title, and Kid Chocolate on four occasions. His record shows both victories and defeats against twelve world champs, and he was one helluva guy.

I'll share more about Feldman shortly. He came out of that rough Brooklyn neighborhood of Brownsville, in the 30's. The great Ray Arcel trained Lew thru much of his career, as he did Benny Leonard, and would one day Roberto Duran.

-Rick Farris

[kikibalt]

"The Record"

Lew Feldman

Country USA
Global Id 9600
Division Lightweight
Born 1908-11-05
Height 165cm


Career Record © www.boxrec.com

Date Opponent Location Result
1941-04-01 Richie Lemos Los Angeles, USA L PTS 10
1941-01-30 Ray Price San Francisco, USA L TKO 9
1941-01-06 Jimmy Liddell Ocean Park, USA W PTS 10
1940-09-04 Ray Lunny San Francisco, USA L PTS 10
1940-08-09 Maxie Shapiro Brooklyn, USA W PTS 8
1940-07-05 Carmine Fatta Brooklyn, USA L PTS 8
1940-04-11 Tony Morgano Philadelphia, USA L PTS 8
1940-04-04 Joe Ghnouly Baltimore, USA W PTS 10
1940-03-11 Manuel Villa II Houston, USA L PTS 10
1940-03-04 Howard Burton Wilkes-Barre, USA W PTS 10
1940-02-26 Norment Quarles Philadelphia, USA L PTS 10
1940-02-22 Joe Ghnouly Baltimore, USA D PTS 10
1939-12-04 Bucky Taylor Baltimore, USA W PTS 10
1939-11-06 Pete Galiano Baltimore, USA W PTS 10
1939-10-28 Bucky Taylor Baltimore, USA L PTS 10
1939-10-23 Bucky Taylor Baltimore, USA L PTS 10
1939-10-03 Johnny Bellus Bronx, USA L PTS 8
1939-09-18 Chalky Wright Baltimore, USA W UD 10
1939-08-28 Mike Belloise Baltimore, USA W PTS 10
1939-08-21 Charley Burns Baltimore, USA W KO 1
1939-08-08 Lou Fortuna Garfield, USA W PTS 8
1939-07-11 Norment Quarles Cedarhurst, USA W PTS 8
1939-05-26 Tommy Spiegal Baltimore, USA D PTS 10
1939-03-16 Henry Armstrong Saint Louis, USA L KO 1
1939-02-28 Norment Quarles Brooklyn, USA L PTS 8
1939-02-21 Norment Quarles Brooklyn, USA W TKO 5
1939-01-31 Chalky Wright Brooklyn, USA W PTS 8
1939-01-14 Jimmy Murray Brooklyn, USA W PTS 8
1938-11-26 Enrico Venturi Brooklyn, USA L PTS 8
1938-11-17 Lew Jenkins Dallas, USA W PTS 10
1938-11-05 Enrico Venturi Brooklyn, USA L PTS 8
1938-10-10 Norment Quarles Washington, USA L PTS 10
1938-09-14 Eddie Zivic Jamaica, USA W PTS 8
1938-08-29 Paul 'Tennessee' Lee Washington, USA W PTS 8
1938-08-19 Jose Santos Brooklyn, USA W PTS 8
1938-07-12 Johnny Rohrig Garfield, USA L PTS 10
1938-07-08 Eddie Zivic Long Beach, USA W PTS 10
1938-06-21 Nick Camarata Brooklyn, USA D PTS 8
1938-04-08 Lew Jenkins Dallas, USA L SD 10
1938-03-30 Henry Armstrong New York City, USA L KO 5
1937-12-17 Howard Scott Philadelphia, USA W PTS 10
1937-11-20 Joe Ghnouly Brooklyn, USA W PTS 8
1937-10-16 Frankie Terranova Brooklyn, USA W PTS 8
1937-08-12 Johnny Bellus New York City, USA L PTS 8
1937-07-16 Johnny Bellus Long Beach, USA L PTS 10
1937-06-25 Midget Wolgast Long Beach, USA W PTS 10
1937-06-16 Carl Red Guggino Hartford, USA L PTS 10
1937-06-04 Pete Mascia Brooklyn, USA W PTS 10
1937-05-07 Carl Red Guggino New York City, USA W PTS 6
1937-04-19 Irving Eldridge New York City, USA W PTS 8
1937-04-06 Freddie Miller Bronx, USA D PTS 8
1937-03-22 Carl Red Guggino New York City, USA L PTS 8
1937-03-08 Howard Scott Baltimore, USA W PTS 10
1937-01-29 Frankie Terranova Brooklyn, USA L TKO 5
1937-01-25 George Zengaras New York City, USA W PTS 8
1937-01-08 Joey Ferrando New York City, USA L PTS 8
1936-12-21 Billy Beauhuld New York City, USA D PTS 8
1936-12-14 Eddie Zivic Pittsburgh, USA W PTS 10
1936-12-03 Tommy Rawson Jr. Roxbury, USA L PTS 10
1936-11-24 Joey Ferrando Brooklyn, USA L PTS 8
1936-11-14 Johnny Cabello New York City, USA W PTS 6
1936-10-26 Pete Mascia Brooklyn, USA W PTS 8
1936-10-19 Ritchie Fontaine New York City, USA W PTS 8
1936-10-01 Al Dunbar Brooklyn, USA W TKO 6
1936-09-14 Joey Greb Richmond, USA L PTS 10
1936-09-10 Jose Santos Brooklyn, USA W PTS 10
1936-08-17 Howard Scott Washington, USA D PTS 10
1936-08-04 Joey Greb Brooklyn, USA W PTS 8
1936-07-22 Johnny Morro New York City, USA D PTS 10
1936-06-22 Enrico Venturi Woodhaven, USA L PTS 10
1936-06-10 Bucky Taylor Baltimore, USA W PTS 10
1936-05-30 Kid Chocolate Havana, Cuba L PTS 10
1936-04-20 Johnny Toomey Newark, USA W PTS 10
1936-04-09 Freddie Cochrane New York City, USA W PTS 8
1936-03-28 Joe Boscarino Brooklyn, USA W PTS 8
1936-03-09 Norment Quarles Richmond, USA L PTS 10
1936-02-10 Charley Gomer Baltimore, USA W PTS 10
1936-01-27 Norment Quarles Pittsburgh, USA W PTS 10
1935-12-25 Tony Herrera Pittsburgh, USA L PTS 10
1935-12-16 Tony Herrera Pittsburgh, USA W PTS 10
1935-12-03 Charley Gomer Brooklyn, USA W PTS 10
1935-11-22 Rafael Hurtado New York City, USA L PTS 10
1935-11-12 Charley Bedami Brooklyn, USA W PTS 10
1935-09-09 Bucky Keyes Trenton, USA W PTS 10
1935-08-28 Jimmy Christy Chicago, USA L PTS 10
1935-08-23 Joe Doherty Brooklyn, USA W PTS 8
1935-08-16 Pete Mascia Brooklyn, USA W PTS 8
1935-08-09 Joey Greb Brooklyn, USA W PTS 8
1935-07-25 Little Pal Premech Chicago, USA W PTS 10
1935-05-07 Sal Hernandez Los Angeles, USA W PTS 8
1935-04-05 Tony Morgano Hollywood, USA L PTS 10
1935-02-18 George Levy Trenton, USA W PTS 10
1935-02-08 Honey Boy Hughes Utica, USA W PTS 8
1935-01-28 Jimmy Fantini New York City, USA W PTS 8
1935-01-11 Petey Hayes New York City, USA L PTS 10
1934-12-14 Leonard Del Genio New York City, USA L PTS 8
1934-10-29 Petey Hayes New York City, USA W PTS 10
1934-10-01 Battling Battalino Hartford, USA L PTS 10
1934-09-11 Battling Battalino West Haven, USA W PTS 10
1934-08-21 Johnny Erickson Brooklyn, USA W PTS 10
1934-08-03 Pete DeGrasse Long Branch, USA D PTS 10
1934-07-20 Johnny Erickson Long Beach, USA L PTS 10
1934-06-28 Mike Belloise Brooklyn, USA L PTS 10
1934-05-28 Ernie Ratner Washington, USA W PTS 10
1934-05-11 Petey Sarron New York City, USA W PTS 8
1934-04-30 Harry Serody Philadelphia, USA L PTS 10
1934-04-17 Jimmy Vaughn Cleveland, USA W PTS 10
1934-03-13 Eddie Dempsey Utica, USA L PTS 6
1934-03-03 Johnny DeFoe Brooklyn, USA W PTS 6
1934-01-22 Phil Zwick Cleveland, USA W PTS 8
1934-01-12 Mike Belloise New York City, USA W PTS 6
1933-12-15 Petey Hayes New York City, USA L PTS 6
1933-12-04 Jimmy Vaughn Cleveland, USA W PTS 10
1933-11-28 Frankie Covelli Brooklyn, USA D PTS 6
1933-11-24 Jimmy Slavin New York City, USA W KO 4
1933-11-14 Freddie Miller Brooklyn, USA L PTS 10
1933-10-28 Patsy Rubinetti Brooklyn, USA W PTS 8
1933-10-19 Jerry Mazza Brooklyn, USA W PTS 8
1933-09-19 Pete DeGrasse Brooklyn, USA W PTS 8
1933-09-01 Freddie Miller Cincinnati, USA L PTS 10
1933-08-15 Jerry Mazza Brooklyn, USA W PTS 8
1933-08-01 Charley Bedami Brooklyn, USA L PTS 6
1933-06-27 Lou Lombardi Jersey City, USA L PTS 10
1932-10-13 Kid Chocolate New York City, USA L KO 12
Vacant NYSAC World Featherweight Title
1932-08-25 Tommy Paul Brooklyn, USA W PTS 10
1932-08-18 Lud Abella Stapleton, USA W KO 1
1932-07-29 Conrado Conde Brooklyn, USA W PTS 8
1932-07-11 Bobby Brady Staten Island, USA W KO 2
1932-06-01 Kid Chocolate Long Island City, USA L PTS 15
1932-04-25 Jackie Pilkington New York City, USA W PTS 10
1932-02-19 Kid Francis New York City, USA W PTS 10
1931-12-11 Freddie Miller New York City, USA L PTS 8
1931-11-02 Kid Chocolate New York City, USA L UD 10
1931-10-02 Joey Costa New York City, USA L PTS 10
1931-09-03 Joey Costa New York City, USA L PTS 8
1931-08-18 Johnny Pena Long Island City, USA W PTS 8
1931-07-03 Frankie Marchese Brooklyn, USA W PTS 6
1931-05-05 Johnny Vacca Brooklyn, USA W PTS 10
1931-04-13 Fred Monte Brooklyn, USA W PTS 8
1931-01-30 Sammy Gelber New York City, USA W PTS 10
1930-12-26 Gregorio Vidal New York City, USA W PTS 8
1930-11-28 Pete DeGrasse New York City, USA D PTS 10
1930-11-11 Koli Kolo New York City, USA W PTS 10
1930-09-24 Pete DeGrasse Long Island City, USA L PTS 8
1930-09-19 Jackie Cohen Brooklyn, USA W PTS 10
1930-08-12 Jimmy Slavin Long Island City, USA L PTS 10
1930-07-15 Jimmy Slavin Long Island City, USA L PTS 10
1930-07-11 Joe Curry Brooklyn, USA W KO 2
1930-06-25 Arthur de Champlain Brooklyn, USA W PTS 10
1930-06-13 Mickey Doyle Brooklyn, USA W PTS 8
1930-06-04 George Goldberg Brooklyn, USA W PTS 10
1930-03-31 Arthur de Champlain New York City, USA W PTS 10
1930-03-25 Andy Saviola Brooklyn, USA W PTS 6
1930-02-18 Frankie Albano Brooklyn, USA W PTS 10
1930-01-07 Nick DeSalvo Brooklyn, USA W PTS 10
1929-11-26 Jimmy Slavin Brooklyn, USA D PTS 6
1929-11-12 Jimmy Slavin Brooklyn, USA W PTS 6
1929-09-14 Jimmy Slavin Brooklyn, USA L PTS 6
1929-08-31 Tommy McGough Brooklyn, USA W KO 1
1929-08-09 Benny Hall Brooklyn, USA W KO 1
1929-08-02 Charley Raymond Brooklyn, USA W PTS 6
1929-07-13 Frankie Bauman Brooklyn, USA W PTS 6
1929-07-03 Nick Antonelli Woodhaven, USA W PTS 6
1929-06-15 Jimmy Palumbo Brooklyn, USA W PTS 6
1929-05-10 Danny Billick New York City, USA W PTS 4
1929-04-12 Tony Marino Bronx, USA W PTS 4
1929-04-08 Eddie Schneider Brooklyn, USA W PTS 6
1929-02-25 Joe Barbara Brooklyn, USA D PTS 6
1929-02-09 Jose Martinez New York City, USA W PTS 6
1929-01-19 Guy Bonaugure Brooklyn, USA D PTS 6
1928-12-17 Benny Tell New Haven, USA W PTS 8
1928-11-19 Ernie Rossini Brooklyn, USA D PTS 6
1928-10-13 Benny Martini New York City, USA W PTS 6
1928-09-17 Artie Coster Woodhaven, USA W PTS 6
1928-08-31 Jimmy Palumbo Rockaway, USA W PTS 6
1928-08-18 Mickey Connolly Brooklyn, USA W PTS 6
1928-07-09 Kid Rash Woodhaven, USA W PTS 4
1928-05-28 Jackie Schweitzer New York City, USA D PTS 6
1928-04-28 Fred Legouri New York City, USA W PTS 6
1928-03-10 Benny Martini New York City, USA W PTS 6
1928-01-21 Charley Raymond Brooklyn, USA W PTS 4
1927-12-31 Ralph Zeigler Brooklyn, USA W PTS 4
1927-12-10 Jimmy Burns Brooklyn, USA D PTS 4
1927-11-26 Sonny Parson Brooklyn, USA D PTS 4
1927-11-14 Sammy Farber Brooklyn, USA D PTS 4

Record to Date
Won 111 (KOs 9) Lost 56 Drawn 18 Total 185

[bennie]

Former cruiserweight star David Haye launches his exciting - and permanent - move up to heavyweight in a 12-rounder against tough New York veteran Monte Barrett in East London's O2 Arena on November 15.
"The Hayemaker" flirted with the heavies with a crushing first-round dismissal of world-ranked Pole Tomasz Bonin at Wembley in April 2007, then dropped back down to cruiser and continued to wreak havoc by destroying the likes of Jean-Marc Mormeck and Enzo Maccarinelli. The Londoner announced that his seven-round thumping of Mormeck in November 2007 in Paris would be his last at the weight but squeezed his muscular 6ft 3ins frame down one last time for the Maccarinelli payday in March in the O2 Arena and bid au revoir in two typically powerful rounds and holding aloft WBC, WBA and WBO titles. At 27 the lightning-quick Haye looks made for the big boys, and they look made for him.
"Right now heavyweight boxing is a disgrace," said the man himself. "I've met Wladimir Klitschko, who is universally recognised as the best heavyweight, and said to his face that there is no other fight out there that people are interested in. He half-agreed."
Haye, 21-1 (20) is a frightening puncher who will want to better Klitschko's seven-round stoppage of Barrett in London in July 2000, although Barrett was down five times and took a bit of a beating at the now demolished New London Arena in Millwall. Barrett was also stopped in 11 rounds by current WBA heavyweight champ Nikolai Valuev, he of the monster look and the monster build (7ft tall, 23 stone), again going down a few times, although more from exhaustion than anything else as Valuev's sheer size and strength finally wore him down in a sloppy sort of fight.
That was a stab at Valuev's title in the States in 2006. Barrett also challenged for the WBC title and was outscored by Hasim Rahman in Chicago in August 2005 in a disappointingly tame affair, for him (but is Rahman ever in a good fight?). 'Gatekeeper' is a good word to describe Barrett and he blocked the way of big white southpaw Tye Fields in 57 stunning seconds in his last fight in June in Las Vegas. Fields, 41-1 going in, came out fast and looked to be taking charge, then walked on to one and was sent crashing to the canvas. Fields failed to beat the count.
The 37-year-old Barrett has won his last three in fact - all of them early. Make no mistake, this man has plenty of top-flight experience and will 'have a go' against Haye and rally from any knockdowns and any 'hurt'. Haye has lost only to the vastly more experienced Carl "The Cat" Thompson back in 2004 at Wembley, when he ran out of steam after belting the durable Bolton man around for a few rounds. True, he erased some of the question mark hanging over his stamina against Mormeck, the bull of a Frenchman who hurt and floored him in the fourth round earlier this year (Haye sensibly took a knee and a long count), only for Haye to come roaring back to force that seventh-round stoppage, dropping Mormeck in return with his pet right hand (which he often uses in the form of a heavy uppercut), but it will be interesting to see how David copes if Barrett drags him into the later rounds, especially as Haye has seriously bulked up and could be muscle-bound. Plus, his punch resistance is still in question. Barrett's winging right-handers will pose another threat.
You know, Dominck Guinn picked Barrett as an opponent to showcase his rising talents - and was outscored in a 10-rounder in 2004. Guinn went into the fight at 24-0. Owen Beck also fancied he could look good against Barrett, and was outlasted and stopped in nine rounds in 2005. Beck was 24-0 going in himself. Joe Mesi was 27-0 when he barely outscored Barrett in a Madison Square Garden 10-rounder in 2003, a fight many people felt the latter won. Barrett was put down in the fifth but came back to floor Mesi in the seventh and finished much the stronger. Putting Monte down and keeping Monte down are two entirely different things. He looks like a real 'stayer'. On top of the Fields crusher last time out, he represents a serious test of Haye's heavyweight future.

[Rick Farris]

Former cruiserweight star David Haye launches his exciting - and permanent - move up to heavyweight in a 12-rounder against tough New York veteran Monte Barrett in East London's O2 Arena on November 15.
"The Hayemaker" flirted with the heavies with a crushing first-round dismissal of world-ranked Pole Tomasz Bonin at Wembley in April 2007, then dropped back down to cruiser and continued to wreak havoc by destroying the likes of Jean-Marc Mormeck and Enzo Maccarinelli. The Londoner announced that his seven-round thumping of Mormeck in November 2007 in Paris would be his last at the weight but squeezed his muscular 6ft 3ins frame down one last time for the Maccarinelli payday in March in the O2 Arena and bid au revoir in two typically powerful rounds and holding aloft WBC, WBA and WBO titles. At 27 the lightning-quick Haye looks made for the big boys, and they look made for him.
"Right now heavyweight boxing is a disgrace," said the man himself. "I've met Wladimir Klitschko, who is universally recognised as the best heavyweight, and said to his face that there is no other fight out there that people are interested in. He half-agreed."
Haye, 21-1 (20) is a frightening puncher who will want to better Klitschko's seven-round stoppage of Barrett in London in July 2000, although Barrett was down five times and took a bit of a beating at the now demolished New London Arena in Millwall. Barrett was also stopped in 11 rounds by current WBA heavyweight champ Nikolai Valuev, he of the monster look and the monster build (7ft tall, 23 stone), again going down a few times, although more from exhaustion than anything else as Valuev's sheer size and strength finally wore him down in a sloppy sort of fight.
That was a stab at Valuev's title in the States in 2006. Barrett also challenged for the WBC title and was outscored by Hasim Rahman in Chicago in August 2005 in a disappointingly tame affair, for him (but is Rahman ever in a good fight?). 'Gatekeeper' is a good word to describe Barrett and he blocked the way of big white southpaw Tye Fields in 57 stunning seconds in his last fight in June in Las Vegas. Fields, 41-1 going in, came out fast and looked to be taking charge, then walked on to one and was sent crashing to the canvas. Fields failed to beat the count.
The 37-year-old Barrett has won his last three in fact - all of them early. Make no mistake, this man has plenty of top-flight experience and will 'have a go' against Haye and rally from any knockdowns and any 'hurt'. Haye has lost only to the vastly more experienced Carl "The Cat" Thompson back in 2004 at Wembley, when he ran out of steam after belting the durable Bolton man around for a few rounds. True, he erased some of the question mark hanging over his stamina against Mormeck, the bull of a Frenchman who hurt and floored him in the fourth round earlier this year (Haye sensibly took a knee and a long count), only for Haye to come roaring back to force that seventh-round stoppage, dropping Mormeck in return with his pet right hand (which he often uses in the form of a heavy uppercut), but it will be interesting to see how David copes if Barrett drags him into the later rounds, especially as Haye has seriously bulked up and could be muscle-bound. Plus, his punch resistance is still in question. Barrett's winging right-handers will pose another threat.
You know, Dominck Guinn picked Barrett as an opponent to showcase his rising talents - and was outscored in a 10-rounder in 2004. Guinn went into the fight at 24-0. Owen Beck also fancied he could look good against Barrett, and was outlasted and stopped in nine rounds in 2005. Beck was 24-0 going in himself. Joe Mesi was 27-0 when he barely outscored Barrett in a Madison Square Garden 10-rounder in 2003, a fight many people felt the latter won. Barrett was put down in the fifth but came back to floor Mesi in the seventh and finished much the stronger. Putting Monte down and keeping Monte down are two entirely different things. He looks like a real 'stayer'. On top of the Fields crusher last time out, he represents a serious test of Haye's heavyweight future.

Barrett is a good intro into the heavyweight division, a guy who is guaranteed to find a way to lose. America has no hint of a heavyweight prospect out there, and likely never will. The top of the heavyweight ladder will be occupied by pretenders from the rest of the world. The American heavyweight pool is bone dry, just a bunch of lazy bottom feeders in the overall scope of boxing greatness. I mean, when you have Russian primates holding the titles, things are pretty bad. Let's face it, the boys from that part of the world are real big, and have no heart. Too much size and too little heart makes for bad fights. Take your shot David Haye and make the most of it, I'll be rooting for you. Why not? What's the alternative?

-Rick Farris

[kikibalt]

Dionicio Morales dies at 89; L.A. activist founded nation's largest Latino human services provider

By Hector Becerra, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
September 29, 2008

Dionicio Morales, an early giant of Eastside activism who came out of the agricultural fields of Moorpark to create the nation's largest Latino human services provider, has died. He was 89.

Morales died of natural causes Sept. 24 at Beverly Hospital in Montebello, said his daughter, Magdalena Morales.

In 1963, Morales created the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation to provide social services, such as job training and child care. Along the way, he also became a mentor to many future community leaders and an eloquent crusader for social justice.

In the 1970s, at a time when Mexican American men overwhelmingly held the reins of neighborhood activism, Morales also opened doors for female leaders.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina recalled being a young activist at East Los Angeles College, demonstrating over issues such as the Vietnam War, when she first met Morales.

"We were so anti-establishment. We didn't trust people. But he was really a man all about empowering the community," Molina said. "He really believed that every person should have a job, and that once you had a job, you could do anything."

Molina said that many years later, when she was an up-and-coming politician, Morales would turn to her for help with his projects. He was hard to turn down.

"He would lay out what he wanted to do, and it was one of those things you couldn't say no to. He would say, 'I have all these trailers for child care, but I need county land,' " Molina recalled. "I'm there thinking, 'I don't know if I could do that, but geez, it would be a good thing.' "

Over the years, Morales was honored many times for his work as a leader who -- along with others such as United Farm Workers leader Cesar Chavez, U.S. Rep. Edward Roybal and Los Angeles Times journalist Ruben Salazar -- was an early player in Eastside affairs.

Morales was born Oct. 9, 1918, in Yuma, Ariz. He traced his social consciousness to the 1930s, when Mexican Americans were largely segregated. He grew up sleeping in a tent near Moorpark with other Mexican Americans who worked in apricot and walnut groves.

He experienced firsthand the need for healthcare in his community after a tuberculosis outbreak killed several family members and friends who were too poor to go to a doctor. By 1959, Morales was a union organizer in the garment industry.

Although he was known as a fierce advocate for Mexican Americans, Morales could also be a critic, arguing at times that the community lagged behind other immigrant groups in building institutions to better themselves. He said he learned this the hard way when he first tried to create his social service foundation.

"I learned from that experience that if I was going to succeed, I would not go to our people," he told The Times with typical frankness in 2000. "I would go to corporate America or the government -- regrettably."

That's just what he did. In 1963, he sat under an avocado tree towering over his Pico Rivera home and pondered ways to launch what would become the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation. He decided to call President Kennedy at the White House.

"I said, 'I want to talk to the president about economic development for Mexican Americans,' " Morales recalled. "And they said, 'You've got the wrong number. You need to call the Mexican Embassy.' "

Morales called the embassy and was told that Vice President Lyndon Johnson was meeting with the ambassador to discuss the same issues. Morales became a local hero of sorts after he persuaded Johnson to come to Los Angeles and meet with members of the Mexican American community. Johnson eventually helped him secure funding for his foundation from the Department of Labor.

Today the foundation serves more than 100,000 people, most of them of low- or moderate-income earners, with a wide range of social services, including immigration assistance and English classes. Morales took pride in the fact that more than 8,000 of those clients are children. The group's reach stretches through the state from Salinas to San Ysidro, covering seven counties.

Charlie Ericksen, publisher of the Hispanic Link news service in Washington, D.C., called Morales "the most consistent Mexican American civil rights leader that I've been associated with. He was always one who genuinely felt for the small people in the world."

Frank Quevedo, chairman emeritus of the board of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, said Morales had a Don Quixote-like idealism but also a practical how-to quality. "He could marry big ideas that were a long way off with how to get the job done today," Quevedo said.

Morales stepped down as president of the foundation in 2000, but he never really retired and was always conjuring up new projects.

Magdalena Morales said she would teasingly call her father Cartman, after the bossy, eternally plotting character on the animated television show "South Park." "He was conniving for a good cause," she said with a laugh. Even as he lay hospitalized the day before he died, she said, he was still making speeches.

Magdalena Morales, who is working with others on a documentary about his life, said her father lamented that there was much left to do: "He would say, 'I wish my body wasn't giving out on me. I still want to do so much.' "

In addition to his daughter Magdalena, Morales is survived by his wife, Maria, 81; daughter Margarita Padilla, 60; sons Tim, 55, and Dionicio Jr., 39; two granddaughters; and three great-grandsons.

A funeral Mass will be held Tuesday at 10 a.m. at St. Mariana de Paredes Catholic Church, 7922 S. Passons Blvd., in Pico Rivera. A public memorial will be held Oct. 3, with the location to be determined.

[email protected]

[bennie]

Former cruiserweight star David Haye launches his exciting - and permanent - move up to heavyweight in a 12-rounder against tough New York veteran Monte Barrett in East London's O2 Arena on November 15.
"The Hayemaker" flirted with the heavies with a crushing first-round dismissal of world-ranked Pole Tomasz Bonin at Wembley in April 2007, then dropped back down to cruiser and continued to wreak havoc by destroying the likes of Jean-Marc Mormeck and Enzo Maccarinelli. The Londoner announced that his seven-round thumping of Mormeck in November 2007 in Paris would be his last at the weight but squeezed his muscular 6ft 3ins frame down one last time for the Maccarinelli payday in March in the O2 Arena and bid au revoir in two typically powerful rounds and holding aloft WBC, WBA and WBO titles. At 27 the lightning-quick Haye looks made for the big boys, and they look made for him.
"Right now heavyweight boxing is a disgrace," said the man himself. "I've met Wladimir Klitschko, who is universally recognised as the best heavyweight, and said to his face that there is no other fight out there that people are interested in. He half-agreed."
Haye, 21-1 (20) is a frightening puncher who will want to better Klitschko's seven-round stoppage of Barrett in London in July 2000, although Barrett was down five times and took a bit of a beating at the now demolished New London Arena in Millwall. Barrett was also stopped in 11 rounds by current WBA heavyweight champ Nikolai Valuev, he of the monster look and the monster build (7ft tall, 23 stone), again going down a few times, although more from exhaustion than anything else as Valuev's sheer size and strength finally wore him down in a sloppy sort of fight.
That was a stab at Valuev's title in the States in 2006. Barrett also challenged for the WBC title and was outscored by Hasim Rahman in Chicago in August 2005 in a disappointingly tame affair, for him (but is Rahman ever in a good fight?). 'Gatekeeper' is a good word to describe Barrett and he blocked the way of big white southpaw Tye Fields in 57 stunning seconds in his last fight in June in Las Vegas. Fields, 41-1 going in, came out fast and looked to be taking charge, then walked on to one and was sent crashing to the canvas. Fields failed to beat the count.
The 37-year-old Barrett has won his last three in fact - all of them early. Make no mistake, this man has plenty of top-flight experience and will 'have a go' against Haye and rally from any knockdowns and any 'hurt'. Haye has lost only to the vastly more experienced Carl "The Cat" Thompson back in 2004 at Wembley, when he ran out of steam after belting the durable Bolton man around for a few rounds. True, he erased some of the question mark hanging over his stamina against Mormeck, the bull of a Frenchman who hurt and floored him in the fourth round earlier this year (Haye sensibly took a knee and a long count), only for Haye to come roaring back to force that seventh-round stoppage, dropping Mormeck in return with his pet right hand (which he often uses in the form of a heavy uppercut), but it will be interesting to see how David copes if Barrett drags him into the later rounds, especially as Haye has seriously bulked up and could be muscle-bound. Plus, his punch resistance is still in question. Barrett's winging right-handers will pose another threat.
You know, Dominck Guinn picked Barrett as an opponent to showcase his rising talents - and was outscored in a 10-rounder in 2004. Guinn went into the fight at 24-0. Owen Beck also fancied he could look good against Barrett, and was outlasted and stopped in nine rounds in 2005. Beck was 24-0 going in himself. Joe Mesi was 27-0 when he barely outscored Barrett in a Madison Square Garden 10-rounder in 2003, a fight many people felt the latter won. Barrett was put down in the fifth but came back to floor Mesi in the seventh and finished much the stronger. Putting Monte down and keeping Monte down are two entirely different things. He looks like a real 'stayer'. On top of the Fields crusher last time out, he represents a serious test of Haye's heavyweight future.

Barrett is a good intro into the heavyweight division, a guy who is guaranteed to find a way to lose. America has no hint of a heavyweight prospect out there, and likely never will. The top of the heavyweight ladder will be occupied by pretenders from the rest of the world. The American heavyweight pool is bone dry, just a bunch of lazy bottom feeders in the overall scope of boxing greatness. I mean, when you have Russian primates holding the titles, things are pretty bad. Let's face it, the boys from that part of the world are real big, and have no heart. Too much size and too little heart makes for bad fights. Take your shot David Haye and make the most of it, I'll be rooting for you. Why not? What's the alternative?

-Rick Farris

I don't particularly like this fight for Haye, who has left Frank Maloney, the mental midget who steered Lennox Lewis to major heavyweight honours, and is basically managing himself. He can fight, however, CAN punch. He definitely has the potential to do something at heavy.

[dagosd2000]

Of all the sports,boxing is he one that's been tainted the most. Fixed fights under the auspices of organized crime,fighters winding up broke and with serious health problems,no retirement programs for ex pugs,and the sport having very loose and suspicious governing bodies usually under control of self serving promoters. Yet we watch it.

These have been the criticisms from the day John L. and Corbett put on leather gloves. I don't think any of it will change. The reason is that when we watch a fight we are imagining ourselves in the ring.
What would you rather be? Champion of The World or President. It breaks it down to our animalistic libido. Football and rugby are OK,but boxing is one on one ,punching ,and to hurt the other guy.If you win a boxing match there's nothing to compare that with as far as putting what you have inside of you on the line.

Now if you could spend an evening talking with the President or a night in the sack with Angelina Jolie, what would you choose? I guess your answer would depend on how strong your libido is.

[kikibalt]

Rahman Ali (Formerly, Rudolph Valentino Clay): A Conversation That Did Not Happen
Interview by Dan Hernandez
Ringside Report


When I received the telephone number to Rahman Ali, I was thrilled. Rahman was called “Rudolph Valentinio Clay” when I met him; he was accompanying his brother, Cassius Clay, at the famed Main Street Gym in Los Angeles. He was gregarious and open to anyone and everyone. Two years Muhammad’s senior, he took his place in encouraging his younger brothers’ career. After 100 amateur fights, Rahman turned professional on February 25, 1964, the night after Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) defeated Charles “Sonny” Liston for the Heavyweight Championship of the World.

Rahman ended his career with a professional record of 14-3-1, 7 KO’s, retiring in 1972 after being defeated by a Roy Dean Wallace and knocked out by the future well-known actor and RSR interview subject, Jack O’Halloran. While I went to see Cassius, as he was called then, Rudolph was memorable in that he was affable, pleasant, and according to all the women in the audience, every bit as good-looking as Cassius.

Cassius changed his name to Muhammad Ali immediately after the Liston fight and set the stage for a historical reign above the heavyweight division. It has been reported that Rahman preceded Muhammad into the Muslim faith and was a strong influence throughout Muhammad’s early life.

Rahman, started boxing in a Louisville, Kentucky Amateur Boxing League and by all reports was quite good, Cassius participated in the light-heavyweight division at the Olympics to allow room for Rudy to fight as a heavyweight in the hopes that both would be Team Members. Cassius achieved his goal and went on to win the Olympic Gold in the 1960 Games. Rudy did not make the team.

Born in 1940, Rahman, now 68, never achieved the heights of his brother; however, he was pivotal in helping to create the legend that is Muhammad Ali.

It always seemed odd that his place next to his brother had been so prominent and yet somehow through the years the question heard quite most often was, “What happened to Rahman?”

There has been speculation that he had fallen on medical difficulties caused by too many beatings in the ring. I still don’t know when he fell so far in the background, his career record, while not exemplary, was not disturbing.

Fighters ending their careers with a knockout loss have had full successful lives after boxing. Rahman seems to have lived a relatively quiet life considering the magnitude of his brothers effect on the entire world, however, somewhere, somehow, the relationship between the brothers became strained and Rahman today is having difficulties remembering his yesterdays and appears to be struggling financially. I understand that Muhammad helped for as long as he could but is no longer in charge of his own financial affairs.

I called, left my number, and let him know that I desired an interview. Rahman was kind enough to return my call and as I was settling in for what I hoped would be a comfortable and enlightening conversation the following transpired. In a very clear, deep resonant voice:

“Hello, this is Rahman Ali.”

DH: How good to hear from you. Thanks for calling back. How are you?

How much do you pay?

DH: Excuse me?

How much do you pay for the interview?

DH: We don’t pay for the interview. Most fighters and boxing personalities enjoy sharing a little of themselves and maybe saying a few things they hadn’t shared with the public. Would you consent to an interview?

I don’t do anything for nothing. I have to get paid for whatever I do.

DH: Well we never pay for an interview. Is there anything you’d like to say?

No, no money, I don’t say anything.

DH: Can I quote you?

Yes.

DH: Thanks for calling back Rahman and take care.

Writers note: A mutual acquaintance of both Rahman and me added that Rahman runs hot and cold on his receptiveness and that his memories tend to fade. However, on the positive side, Ali still looks good. It must be a family tradition.

[kikibalt]

Courtesy of Hap Navarro

THE HISTORY OF L.A. BOXING by HAP NAVARRO


White elephants, east and west.

Two of the most anxiously awaited sporting venues in the Los Angeles area were the Eastside Arena and the westside's Pan Pacific Auditorium. The first, which opened in 1930 was a bright, spic and span facility located at Ninth and Lorena, in east L.A. Its westside counterpart was at 7600 Beverly Blvd., not far from the Farmers' Market. That one opened to a Home Show in 1935.

Because of its neighborhood fan base, the Eastside was geared strictly for boxing and wrestling shows. The Pan Pacific, though ideally fit for major boxing galas, periodically housed all sorts of exhibitions, sporting events, etc. but never showcased the sweet science. Not that the people in charge disdained the fight game. All efforts to promote fisticuffing just seemed to fall short.

The first pro boxing show proposed for the Pan Pacific was to be on February 17, 1944, when Promoter Joe Lynch, wartime "boy wonder" in the area, sought to match Bantam king Manuel Ortiz with NBA Featherweight ruler Phil Terranova , 15 rounds, for the latter's crown.

Lynch, who had been going outdoors with some mega bouts, was denied an "indoors" license by the Commission due to strong protests lodged by both the L.A. Olympic and Hollywood Legion Stadium managements.

After several die-hard promoters had tried a hand at showing in the Eastside club (including Babe McCoy), the place closed down permanently in 1941 and was converted to a warehouse.

The beautiful, art deco PanPac survived for more than 50 years through the able staging of basketball and hockey games, Elvis concerts, etc., until 1989 when a major fire destroyed the building.

hap navarro

[kikibalt]

Ricardo Mayorga of Nicaragua sits after being knocked
out by Shane Mosley in the final seconds of the 12th
round of their junior middleweight boxing bout in
Carson, California, September 27, 2008.
REUTERS/Danny Moloshok (UNITED STATES)