Classic American West Coast Boxing

[kikibalt]

Randy, I'd it for you

[Randyman]

Thanks Frank. I fixed it.

[bennie]

My brother in-law, Danny, my late sister, Mary Ellen, Connie and me
News year's eve, 1963, at the Comet Nite Club,
Norwalk Bl., Los Nietos, Ca.

Hope those drums weren't too noisy, Frankie.

[kikibalt]

My brother in-law, Danny, my late sister, Mary Ellen, Connie and me
News year's eve, 1963, at the Comet Nite Club,
Norwalk Bl., Los Nietos, Ca.

Hope those drums weren't too noisy, Frankie.

Not at all, Bennie, remember I was young then.....

[Randyman]

Larry Holmes


"Larry"

By Diego

I always liked Larry as a fighter. His recuperative powers were something else.

Bennie, I always liked Larry Holmes as well. I've always felt he was vastly underrated as a heavyweight champion. He had a somewhat unlikeable personality at times and that, coupled with his remark about Rocky Marciano, more or less sealed his fate as a popular fighter. He was put in a couple of compromising positions. Attempting to break Marciano's 49-0 record put him a bad light with fans and the overall boxing community, which I always felt was unfair. I thought he beat Michael Spinks in both fights and should have remained undefeated. Also, he was put in the uncomfortable position of defending his race when he was pitted against Gerry Cooney, who was equally uncomfortable as the "Great White Hope". It put a strain on both of them.

Based strictly on his boxing ability, Holmes has to be rated as one of the best. His jab was outstanding and his ability to box and cut off the ring and remain focused helped him keep his title for so many years. He also had a better than decent punch while he was in his prime. Too bad him and Big George Foreman never fought.

Randy

[Randyman]

My brother in-law, Danny, my late sister, Mary Ellen, Connie and me
News year's eve, 1963, at the Comet Nite Club,
Norwalk Bl., Los Nietos, Ca.

Hope those drums weren't too noisy, Frankie.

Not at all, Bennie, remember I was young then.....

Nice photo Frank. I was young back then too. I was nine in 1963.

[kikibalt]

I'll bet Hap can tell us some stories on Andy Russell


Andy Russell (singer)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Andy Russell (September 16, 1919-April 16, 1992) was an American popular vocalist, specializing in traditional pop and Latin music.

He was born Andrés Rabago Pérez in the Boyle Heights area of East Los Angeles. He was one of ten children (eight boys, two girls) born to parents who were Mexican immigrants of Spanish descent. Already as a teenager he had begun to perform as a vocalist and drummer with a local band headed by Don Ramon Cruz. In the early forties he Anglicized his name (Andy was obvious, but "Russell" was after the singer Russ Columbo). He became vocalist and drummer with the bands of Johnny Richards, Gus Arnheim, Sonny Dunham, and Alvino Rey. By 1944, he had become well enough regarded a pop vocalist to be featured on radio, and in the next year had his "Old Gold Show". He also signed on with Capitol Records.

His first charted hit was "Bésame Mucho" (Capitol #149, 1944). The same year he had his biggest hit, which became his signature tune, "Amor" (Capitol #156, with the flip side "The Day After Forever") from the film "Broadway Rhythm". He had two more hits that year: "What a Difference a Day Made" (Capitol #167, paired with "Don't You Notice Anything New?") and "I Dream of You"/"Magic Is Moonlight" (Capitol #175). He had another big hit in 1946 with "I Can't Begin to Tell You" (Capitol #221) from the film "The Dolly Sisters." This became the fourth top ten seller in the country for Russell in less than two years and the big time was calling. The next big hit came later in 1946: a two-sided hit with "Laughing on the Outside" and "They Say It's Wonderful" (from the Broadway show Annie Get Your Gun) (Capitol #252). His next hit was "Pretending" (Capitol #271, backed with "Who Do You Love") was another top-ten seller. He was also invited to Hollywood and screen tested for motion pictures. In 1946 he appeared in The Stork Club and Breakfast In Hollywood. He was on the soundtrack of Walt Disney's Make Mine Music, and appeared in the picture Copacabana the next year.

In 1946, the people running the pop music radio program Your Hit Parade asked him to take the place of Frank Sinatra (Sinatra returned in 1947). This led to increased popularity for the singer.

Russell appeared in the new medium, television, in the early 1950s on Your Show of Shows with Sid Caesar on NBC, but continued to record, though less frequently. By 1952, Russell's hits had stopped coming, so Capitol Records lost interest in him as a hit making pop star. Especially, as the rock 'n roll age was beginning to dawn, Capitol (like the other major labels) began to look on with negative feeling. Russell realized at this point in time that was still quite popular in Mexico, so he began to spend time there performing for his fans. He occasionally recorded for RCA Victor Records in the mid 1950s.

In the late 1950s Russell moved to Mexico City and later to Argentina. In the latter country, he had a successful television variety show that ran for seven years. In the mid-1960s, he moved back to the United States for a time and went back to Capitol, making a few LP albums. He also made some LPs for the Argentine market that were well received. Though he continued to appear and perform, by the mid eighties he was generally forgotten. Exceptions to this rule were his 1967 Capitol singles "It's Such a Pretty World Today" and "I'm Still Not Through Missing You", which achieved top ten status on Billboard's Easy Listening chart.

He died in Sun City, Arizona. He was buried in the Loma Vista Memorial Park in Fullerton, California.

[kikibalt]

My brother in-law, Danny, my late sister, Mary Ellen, Connie and me
News year's eve, 1963, at the Comet Nite Club,
Norwalk Bl., Los Nietos, Ca.

Hope those drums weren't too noisy, Frankie.

Not at all, Bennie, remember I was young then.....
Nice photo Frank. I was young back then too. I was nine in 1963.
Randy

Randy, we were all young back then, Danny, Mary Ellen and connie were about same age, 22 years old, while I was 27.....

[Randyman]

I'll bet Hap can tell us some stories on Andy Russell


Andy Russell (singer)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Andy Russell (September 16, 1919-April 16, 1992) was an American popular vocalist, specializing in traditional pop and Latin music.

He was born Andrés Rabago Pérez in the Boyle Heights area of East Los Angeles. He was one of ten children (eight boys, two girls) born to parents who were Mexican immigrants of Spanish descent. Already as a teenager he had begun to perform as a vocalist and drummer with a local band headed by Don Ramon Cruz. In the early forties he Anglicized his name (Andy was obvious, but "Russell" was after the singer Russ Columbo). He became vocalist and drummer with the bands of Johnny Richards, Gus Arnheim, Sonny Dunham, and Alvino Rey. By 1944, he had become well enough regarded a pop vocalist to be featured on radio, and in the next year had his "Old Gold Show". He also signed on with Capitol Records.

His first charted hit was "Bésame Mucho" (Capitol #149, 1944). The same year he had his biggest hit, which became his signature tune, "Amor" (Capitol #156, with the flip side "The Day After Forever") from the film "Broadway Rhythm". He had two more hits that year: "What a Difference a Day Made" (Capitol #167, paired with "Don't You Notice Anything New?") and "I Dream of You"/"Magic Is Moonlight" (Capitol #175). He had another big hit in 1946 with "I Can't Begin to Tell You" (Capitol #221) from the film "The Dolly Sisters." This became the fourth top ten seller in the country for Russell in less than two years and the big time was calling. The next big hit came later in 1946: a two-sided hit with "Laughing on the Outside" and "They Say It's Wonderful" (from the Broadway show Annie Get Your Gun) (Capitol #252). His next hit was "Pretending" (Capitol #271, backed with "Who Do You Love") was another top-ten seller. He was also invited to Hollywood and screen tested for motion pictures. In 1946 he appeared in The Stork Club and Breakfast In Hollywood. He was on the soundtrack of Walt Disney's Make Mine Music, and appeared in the picture Copacabana the next year.

In 1946, the people running the pop music radio program Your Hit Parade asked him to take the place of Frank Sinatra (Sinatra returned in 1947). This led to increased popularity for the singer.

Russell appeared in the new medium, television, in the early 1950s on Your Show of Shows with Sid Caesar on NBC, but continued to record, though less frequently. By 1952, Russell's hits had stopped coming, so Capitol Records lost interest in him as a hit making pop star. Especially, as the rock 'n roll age was beginning to dawn, Capitol (like the other major labels) began to look on with negative feeling. Russell realized at this point in time that was still quite popular in Mexico, so he began to spend time there performing for his fans. He occasionally recorded for RCA Victor Records in the mid 1950s.

In the late 1950s Russell moved to Mexico City and later to Argentina. In the latter country, he had a successful television variety show that ran for seven years. In the mid-1960s, he moved back to the United States for a time and went back to Capitol, making a few LP albums. He also made some LPs for the Argentine market that were well received. Though he continued to appear and perform, by the mid eighties he was generally forgotten. Exceptions to this rule were his 1967 Capitol singles "It's Such a Pretty World Today" and "I'm Still Not Through Missing You", which achieved top ten status on Billboard's Easy Listening chart.

He died in Sun City, Arizona. He was buried in the Loma Vista Memorial Park in Fullerton, California.

What a coincidence Frank. The other day when I posted that photo of my parents at the Avadon ballroom I was trying to think of the singer that everyone jokingly called my father but I just could not recall his name. It was Andy Russell. You must be telepathic.

[Randyman]

Frank, this photo was taken in 1973. I was 19 at the time. My six pack is now a keg.

Randy

[kikibalt]

Frank, this photo was taken in 1973. I was 19 at the time. My six pack is now a keg.

Randy

Great photo, Randy, about the six pack, don't feel bad and don't worry, it happens to best of us.... ..

[bennie]

Frank, this photo was taken in 1973. I was 19 at the time. My six pack is now a keg.

Randy

Great photo, Randy, about the six pack, don't feel bad and don't worry, it happens to best of us.... ..

Randy looks like The Incredible Hulk - after he's calmed down (the Hulk).

[Randyman]

It is my understanding that the Primo Carnera movie "Carnera" was released earlier in the year, has anyone seen it or know anything about it; worth tracking down for a look?
Bobbin & Weavin

Bruce, here's an article and video trailer on the movie. I'm still waiting on it myself.

http://fightfan.com/?p=194

Randy

[Randyman]

I mentioned in an earlier post that my uncle Ray Robles had several fights at the Cow Palace. Sadly, in keeping in tradition with the times and in the name of progress, the Cow Palace is coming to an end. Is nothing sacred?




This article is courtesy of Mario Ortega Jr.

Cow Palace Faces the End of an Era

By Mario Ortega Jr.

The Cow Palace, the famed California arena on the border of Daly City and San Francisco, could be torn down if it is sold under a proposal by State Sen. Leland Yee. Yee has drafted a bill that would allow California to sell the state-owned arena to Daly City, which wants to redevelop the area around the Cow Palace. The state would benefit from the sale by eliminating the costs to maintain the arena, which opened in 1941, including necessary upgrades to meet earthquake standards. The Cow Palace was once a main entertainment venue in the Bay Area and has hosted numerous notable events, including speeches by John F. Kennedy, in 1960, and Republican Presidential Nominee Barry Goldwater, at the Republican National Convention in 1964, and concert performances by the Beatles and Elvis Presley among many others. The NBA’s Golden State Warriors and NHL’s San Jose Sharks were tenants of the arena before moving to Oakland and San Jose.

The arena also has a rich boxing history. The Cow Palace hosted several amateur tournaments, including the respected San Francisco Golden Gloves beginning in the early 80’s, that featured many local fighters that went on to professional boxing fame. On October 14, 1949, the first professional boxing event of record was held at the arena, as NBA Heavyweight Champion Ezzard Charles defeated Pat Valentino, of San Francisco, via eighth-round knockout in what was by all accounts a memorable battle. A remarkable 19,870 spectators paid $167,870 to see the pride of San Francisco make a go at Charles’ title. Come backing Joe Louis took on Andy Walker, the California State Heavyweight Champion from San Francisco, at the Cow Palace on February 3, 1951, grossing $96,000. In another memorable bout, Sandy Saddler regained his World Featherweight title from Flash Elorde at the Cow Palace on January 18, 1956 by TKO, when the referee stopped the bout due to a cut. Elorade, a bloody mess, was ahead on all three cards at the time of the stoppage. The crowd, almost entirely for Elorde, booed the end result of the gory battle. Boxing greats Willie Pep, Gene Fullmer, Joey Maxim, Raul Macias, Sugar Ray Robinson and Eder Jofre all competed in the Cow Palace ring during the arena’s strong run from the early 50’s to the early 60’s. My great uncle, Johnny Ortega, fought the legendary Mexican fighter Jose Beccera at the Cow Palace on the June 15, 1956 undercard of Macias’ NBA Bantamweight title defense against Dommy Ursua.

Boxing events were held sparingly at the arena in the 70’s and 80’s. Only one boxing event was held at the Cow Palace in the 90’s, a David Tua-headlined card in 1998. In December of 2003 the last boxing card was held at the arena and was unfortunately a forgettable and poorly run event. The event, promoted by Rose Jewel Promotions - the company of former WBO titlist Lupe Aquino and his wife Jamie, was nearly cancelled the day of and left it’s customers outside for over an hour after the scheduled start time. There were several long delays in between the bouts, attributed to the taping of the card, leaving the crowd displeased with their experience. Reportedly several of the fighters on the card were paid with bad checks. It is regrettable that may be the last boxing memory at the once great Cow Palace.

The proposed bill has set off a public debate in the Bay Area over the arena’s fate. Many in the area feel the arena should be considered a historical landmark, while others feel the area could benefit from the proposed sale. Public forums are being held on Sen. Yee’s bill this month. The forums take place on March 8th at 10 am at the Visitacion Valley Community Center in San Francisco, March 8th at 11 am at the Bayshore Community Center in Daly City and on March 25th at 7 pm at the Saddleback Homeowners Clubhouse in Daly City. SFGate.com has also posted a platform for its readers to voice their opinions on the matter at sfgate.com/ZCOZ.

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at [email protected]

[kikibalt]

What a coincidence Frank. The other day when I posted that photo of my parents at the Avadon ballroom I was trying to think of the singer that everyone jokingly called my father but I just could not recall his name. It was Andy Russell. You must be telepathic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBIj-Y7xj6Y
Here is Andy Russell

[kikibalt]

[Randyman]

Frank, knowing what we know about Keeny, you have to wonder if he was really sick or if that was just the "official" story.

[kikibalt]

Randy,

The Diaz fight was Keeny's last, at that time he was living in San Jose, but I heard the story about the Chargin split at the gym (Teamsters), what hurt was that he was telling everybody that he was off the drugs, it turns out that he got a fix the day of the Diaz fight. But that been said, I still liked Keeny as a person, later on I used to see him everytime that Frankie or Tony fought as he would come and root'em on.
Below is Keeny's record

Keeny Teran

Alias Ignacio Teran
Country USA
Global Id 74837
Division Flyweight
Born 1932-04-10
Died 1995-02-11
Stance Orthodox


Career Record © www.boxrec.com

Date Opponent Location Result
1955-05-18 Memo Diez Hollywood, USA L KO 3
1955-04-09 Henry 'Pappy' Gault Hollywood, USA W TKO 2
1955-03-15 Hugh Riley San Jose, USA W KO 7
1955-03-05 Buddy Baggett Hollywood, USA W PTS 10
1955-02-05 Johnny Ortega Hollywood, USA W TKO 10
1955-01-08 Billy Peacock Hollywood, USA L TKO 7
1954-09-28 Walter Caldwell San Jose, USA W PTS 10
1954-07-05 Kildo Martinez Los Angeles, USA W UD 10
1954-06-29 Tommy Rhett San Jose, USA W KO 4
1954-06-08 Johnny Ortega San Jose, USA W PTS 10
1953-04-21 Jesse Mongia Los Angeles, USA L KO 4
1952-12-09 Tommy Umeda Los Angeles, USA W UD 10
1952-06-24 Tommy Umeda Los Angeles, USA L TKO 7
1952-04-22 Tommy Umeda Los Angeles, USA W UD 10
1952-03-18 Nick Sanders Los Angeles, USA W TKO 5
1952-03-07 Johnny Ortega Hollywood, USA W PTS 10
1952-02-26 Hugh Riley Los Angeles, USA W TKO 6
1951-12-18 Tommy Rhett Los Angeles, USA W TKO 4
1951-11-14 Bobby Garza Los Angeles, USA W UD 6
1951-10-02 Manuel Hernandez Los Angeles, USA W TKO 3
1951-08-28 Billy Evans Los Angeles, USA W TKO 3
1951-08-21 Tommy Umeda Los Angeles, USA W SD 6
1951-07-27 Sammy Garcia Hollywood, USA W TKO 4
1951-06-22 Gil Cadilli Hollywood, USA D PTS 6
1951-06-12 Armando Felix Los Angeles, USA W TKO 4
1951-06-08 Rosie Caballero Hollywood, USA W TKO 2
1951-05-25 Armando Felix Hollywood, USA W PTS 4
1951-04-20 Armando Felix Hollywood, USA W UD 4
1951-04-17 Nick Ramos Los Angeles, USA W KO 1
1951-03-20 Nick Ramos Los Angeles, USA W TKO 3

Record to Date
Won 25 (KOs 14) Lost 4 Drawn 1 Total 30

[dagosd2000]

Rog, I thought you might enjoy this old family photo. This was my great aunt's wedding in East Los Angeles, Boyle Heights, to be exact, circa 1934. The woman to the left of the bride is my maternal grandmother Mary. Her husband, my maternal grandfather Augustine "Augie" Osuna is fourth from the left. The rest are various great aunts and uncles from my mothers side of the family. The little girl in the front is my aunt Bea. She became the wife of Ray "Wild Red" Robles

I would appreciate it if someone would let me know if this photo actually shows up on the thread. The last time I attempted to post a photo it showed on my screen but not on the thread.

Randy

Randy
Nice shot. I always get a kick out of all the serious faces.

[dagosd2000]

This is my uncle Gilbert Salazar De La O. He fought as an amateur in the 1940's. He also fought in the Army winning a featherweight title of some type while in Germany. He is now retired and living in Arizona. One of many fighters in my family. I believe this photo was taken somewhere in east Los Angeles.

Another film noir. I don't care how smart the Martians are. If they land here a 1000 years from now after everyone is gone,they won't be able to figure a thing out.

[dagosd2000]

BEAT HIM LIKE A MEXICAN

Remember when Margarito beat Cotto? I don't know how it was bet,but a lot of the smart boys said Miguel had too much in the skill department for Tony.Besides Cotto was tough,a good puncher,and was undefeated. He'd beaten some good boys too like Sugar Shane. If I remember, Miguel was the favorite.

So what chance did Tony have? He psyched out Kermit Citron,started slow against Paul Williams running out of rounds to pass him up. But why was Tony having trouble getting fights.? Pretty Boy wanted something softer. Oscar didn't want to risk it. I read an article in a Mexican paper making a comparision with Mantequilla Napoles. When Jose was a lightweight and junior welter,he heard all the excuses. Laguna disn't want to fight a "cousin". Ortiz hemmed and hawed , and Lopopollo wanted to fight him at his brother's pizzeria in Rome.

Well Parnassus finally realized all the dough he could make with all the fans on both sides of the border who eat "maiz". Jose lasted a long time and wound up in the Hall Of Fame. Now Tony's wearing the welter belt.

Back to the night he beat Cotto. I think a lot of us were caught up in the moment after that fight. A great fight. I remember Frank said Tony"beat him like Mexican." Leave it to Frank to call it. So what did that phrase mean? I shared that comment with my Mexican friends in San Diego and across the border. They laughed in agreement.

OK Tony you're the underdog. Cotto's a technician. You know Tony ,you're balance could be better. You need to work on that jab more. You don't slip punches that well either. But Tony comes forward. He doesn't mind getting hit if he can deliver his attack. Tony knows the boxer will start fast against him. But Tony won't get tired. His determination gets stronger as the fight goes on. He's a stalker. His face shows the punishment he's taken. He's no Floyd Pretty Boy or one of the Sugar Rays. Duran and Chavez he reminds us of. The punches come from over the top,around the sides,and up from underneath.

The fight was even before the end. But in the corner you could see the worry on Cotto's face.
"Doesn't this guy have a slower gear?" "He's taken my best shots and he's still comin' after me."
Then Margarito broke him. His will,then the body. That night Tony didn't hit Miguel with punches. He hit him with iron cables. He hit him with fence posts and shovels. You can't beat a guy who hits you with a shovel.

Miguel,that night you would of had to have had a sawed off shotgun hidden in your trunks if you wanted a chance to beat Margarito. It probably wouldn't have been enough. That night Tony knew he was going to give you a beatin'. Miguel when your legs collapsed from under you finally,you didn't have enough strength to pull out that shotgun even if you had one.

[Randyman]

BEAT HIM LIKE A MEXICAN

Remember when Margarito beat Cotto? I don't know how it was bet,but a lot of the smart boys said Miguel had too much in the skill department for Tony.Besides Cotto was tough,a good puncher,and was undefeated. He'd beaten some good boys too like Sugar Shane. If I remember, Miguel was the favorite.

So what chance did Tony have? He psyched out Kermit Citron,started slow against Paul Williams running out of rounds to pass him up. But why was Tony having trouble getting fights.? Pretty Boy wanted something softer. Oscar didn't want to risk it. I read an article in a Mexican paper making a comparision with Mantequilla Napoles. When Jose was a lightweight and junior welter,he heard all the excuses. Laguna disn't want to fight a "cousin". Ortiz hemmed and hawed , and Lopopollo wanted to fight him at his brother's pizzeria in Rome.

Well Parnassus finally realized all the dough he could make with all the fans on both sides of the border who eat "maiz". Jose lasted a long time and wound up in the Hall Of Fame. Now Tony's wearing the welter belt.

Back to the night he beat Cotto. I think a lot of us were caught up in the moment after that fight. A great fight. I remember Frank said Tony"beat him like Mexican." Leave it to Frank to call it. So what did that phrase mean? I shared that comment with my Mexican friends in San Diego and across the border. They laughed in agreement.

OK Tony you're the underdog. Cotto's a technician. You know Tony ,you're balance could be better. You need to work on that jab more. You don't slip punches that well either. But Tony comes forward. He doesn't mind getting hit if he can deliver his attack. Tony knows the boxer will start fast against him. But Tony won't get tired. His determination gets stronger as the fight goes on. He's a stalker. His face shows the punishment he's taken. He's no Floyd Pretty Boy or one of the Sugar Rays. Duran and Chavez he reminds us of. The punches come from over the top,around the sides,and up from underneath.

The fight was even before the end. But in the corner you could see the worry on Cotto's face.
"Doesn't this guy have a slower gear?" "He's taken my best shots and he's still comin' after me."
Then Margarito broke him. His will,then the body. That night Tony didn't hit Miguel with punches. He hit him with iron cables. He hit him with fence posts and shovels. You can't beat a guy who hits you with a shovel.

Miguel,that night you would of had to have had a sawed off shotgun hidden in your trunks if you wanted a chance to beat Margarito. It probably wouldn't have been enough. That night Tony knew he was going to give you a beatin'. Miguel when your legs collapsed from under you finally,you didn't have enough strength to pull out that shotgun even if you had one.

Rog, you write like you paint. Beautifully, poetically and with heart. I was picturing the fight as I was reading. You brought it back, if only for a brief moment. Margarito was not going to lose that night. He had already made up his mind. On that night, he might have beaten just about anyone.

To beat him like a Mexican, is to fight like a Mexican. Mexicans are the ultimate underdogs. They spend their lives coming from behind, in the ring or outside of it. Not always winning. Not always the most skilled, not always the fastest or the cleverest but always in the game, sometimes crudely, but always swinging, always trying. To fight like a Mexican is to fight honestly, without the bullshit that has become so much a part of boxing. There is no trickery, no attempt to steal rounds. They fight in the purest sense. It's no secret that when you have beaten a Mexican fighter you have accomplished something.

Randy

[Randyman]

Randy,

The Diaz fight was Keeny's last, at that time he was living in San Jose, but I heard the story about the Chargin split at the gym (Teamsters), what hurt was that he was telling everybody that he was off the drugs, it turns out that he got a fix the day of the Diaz fight. But that been said, I still liked Keeny as a person, later on I used to see him everytime that Frankie or Tony fought as he would come and root'em on.
Below is Keeny's record

Keeny Teran

Alias Ignacio Teran
Country USA
Global Id 74837
Division Flyweight
Born 1932-04-10
Died 1995-02-11
Stance Orthodox


Career Record © http://www.boxrec.com

Date Opponent Location Result
1955-05-18 Memo Diez Hollywood, USA L KO 3
1955-04-09 Henry 'Pappy' Gault Hollywood, USA W TKO 2
1955-03-15 Hugh Riley San Jose, USA W KO 7
1955-03-05 Buddy Baggett Hollywood, USA W PTS 10
1955-02-05 Johnny Ortega Hollywood, USA W TKO 10
1955-01-08 Billy Peacock Hollywood, USA L TKO 7
1954-09-28 Walter Caldwell San Jose, USA W PTS 10
1954-07-05 Kildo Martinez Los Angeles, USA W UD 10
1954-06-29 Tommy Rhett San Jose, USA W KO 4
1954-06-08 Johnny Ortega San Jose, USA W PTS 10
1953-04-21 Jesse Mongia Los Angeles, USA L KO 4
1952-12-09 Tommy Umeda Los Angeles, USA W UD 10
1952-06-24 Tommy Umeda Los Angeles, USA L TKO 7
1952-04-22 Tommy Umeda Los Angeles, USA W UD 10
1952-03-18 Nick Sanders Los Angeles, USA W TKO 5
1952-03-07 Johnny Ortega Hollywood, USA W PTS 10
1952-02-26 Hugh Riley Los Angeles, USA W TKO 6
1951-12-18 Tommy Rhett Los Angeles, USA W TKO 4
1951-11-14 Bobby Garza Los Angeles, USA W UD 6
1951-10-02 Manuel Hernandez Los Angeles, USA W TKO 3
1951-08-28 Billy Evans Los Angeles, USA W TKO 3
1951-08-21 Tommy Umeda Los Angeles, USA W SD 6
1951-07-27 Sammy Garcia Hollywood, USA W TKO 4
1951-06-22 Gil Cadilli Hollywood, USA D PTS 6
1951-06-12 Armando Felix Los Angeles, USA W TKO 4
1951-06-08 Rosie Caballero Hollywood, USA W TKO 2
1951-05-25 Armando Felix Hollywood, USA W PTS 4
1951-04-20 Armando Felix Hollywood, USA W UD 4
1951-04-17 Nick Ramos Los Angeles, USA W KO 1
1951-03-20 Nick Ramos Los Angeles, USA W TKO 3

Record to Date
Won 25 (KOs 14) Lost 4 Drawn 1 Total 30

It was a lifelong struggle for Keeny. It doesn't take away from who he was as a man. But it saddens me, and everyone that knew him, especially his family, that he led such a hard life. For some reason a lot of the Chicano fighters that came out of Los Angeles ended up with some type of problem. Alcoholism, drugs, broke, homeless or punchy. There was always a sad ending.

Back when I was in high school, when Keeny got out of prison, Mike (his nephew) and I painted his house for him. At that time he was working on a manuscript for a book, a biography on his life. I had a chance to read a little of it. It's all vague now but I do remember thinking, Man, what a hard life this guy has led. It was a thick manuscript. I asked Mike about it recently, he said no one knows what happened to it.

Randy

[kikibalt]

Mijares-Darchinyan Nov. 1 Unification Fight Set For The Home Depot Center In LA
Published by BoxingInsider

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Co-Feature Dirrell vs. Oganov

Saturday, Nov. 1, LIVE on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/PT

NEW YORK (Oct. 3, 2008) – History will be made on Saturday, Nov. 1, when World Boxing Association (WBA) and World Boxing Council (WBC) super flyweight world champion Cristian Mijares climbs into the ring to face International Boxing Federation (IBF) world champion Vic “Raging Bull” Darchinyan at the The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. Mijares and Darchinyan are fighting in the very first 115-pound World Championship Unification.

The historic showdown is being co-promoted by DiBella Entertainment, KO Entertainment and Gary Shaw Productions and will air live on SHOWTIME beginning at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) with a 12-round super middleweight (168 pounds) special attraction – Andre Dirrell vs. Victor Oganov.

Tickets go on sale on Wednesday and are priced starting at $25 to $250 for ringside. Tickets may be purchased at The Home Depot Center Box Office, open 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and at all Ticketmaster retail ticket locations, as well as www.Ticketmaster.com and Ticketmaster-Charge-by-Phone, by calling 213-480-3232.

The world championship fight is only the third time that multiple 115-pound titles will be up for grabs in the same ring. In 1997, Johnny Tapia outpointed Albuquerque, N.M., rival Danny Romero to unify titles. On May 17, 2008, Mijares won a decision against Alexander Munoz also to unify two belts.

Mijares (35-3-2, 13 KOs), of Gomez Palacio, Mexico, is coming off a third-round destruction of Chatchai Sasakul on Aug. 30, while Darchinyan (30-1-1, 24 KOs), of Sydney, Australia, by way of Armenia, won his title after knocking out Dimitri Kirilov in the fifth round Aug. 2 on SHOWTIME.

“I’m one of the best pound for pound fighters in the world,” Mijares said. “On Nov. 1, Darchinyan is going to find that out the hard way when I make history unifying this division.”

Said Darchinyan: “Mijares has what I want - the remaining major belts in the 115-pound division. Let’s see how great a matador he really is when he steps inside the ring and goes face-to-face with the Raging Bull. He won’t be yelling ‘Toro!’ He’ll be screaming ‘I surrender!’ ”

[dagosd2000]

BEAT HIM LIKE A MEXICAN

Remember when Margarito beat Cotto? I don't know how it was bet,but a lot of the smart boys said Miguel had too much in the skill department for Tony.Besides Cotto was tough,a good puncher,and was undefeated. He'd beaten some good boys too like Sugar Shane. If I remember, Miguel was the favorite.

So what chance did Tony have? He psyched out Kermit Citron,started slow against Paul Williams running out of rounds to pass him up. But why was Tony having trouble getting fights.? Pretty Boy wanted something softer. Oscar didn't want to risk it. I read an article in a Mexican paper making a comparision with Mantequilla Napoles. When Jose was a lightweight and junior welter,he heard all the excuses. Laguna disn't want to fight a "cousin". Ortiz hemmed and hawed , and Lopopollo wanted to fight him at his brother's pizzeria in Rome.

Well Parnassus finally realized all the dough he could make with all the fans on both sides of the border who eat "maiz". Jose lasted a long time and wound up in the Hall Of Fame. Now Tony's wearing the welter belt.

Back to the night he beat Cotto. I think a lot of us were caught up in the moment after that fight. A great fight. I remember Frank said Tony"beat him like Mexican." Leave it to Frank to call it. So what did that phrase mean? I shared that comment with my Mexican friends in San Diego and across the border. They laughed in agreement.

OK Tony you're the underdog. Cotto's a technician. You know Tony ,you're balance could be better. You need to work on that jab more. You don't slip punches that well either. But Tony comes forward. He doesn't mind getting hit if he can deliver his attack. Tony knows the boxer will start fast against him. But Tony won't get tired. His determination gets stronger as the fight goes on. He's a stalker. His face shows the punishment he's taken. He's no Floyd Pretty Boy or one of the Sugar Rays. Duran and Chavez he reminds us of. The punches come from over the top,around the sides,and up from underneath.

The fight was even before the end. But in the corner you could see the worry on Cotto's face.
"Doesn't this guy have a slower gear?" "He's taken my best shots and he's still comin' after me."
Then Margarito broke him. His will,then the body. That night Tony didn't hit Miguel with punches. He hit him with iron cables. He hit him with fence posts and shovels. You can't beat a guy who hits you with a shovel.

Miguel,that night you would of had to have had a sawed off shotgun hidden in your trunks if you wanted a chance to beat Margarito. It probably wouldn't have been enough. That night Tony knew he was going to give you a beatin'. Miguel when your legs collapsed from under you finally,you didn't have enough strength to pull out that shotgun even if you had one.

Rog, you write like you paint. Beautifully, poetically and with heart. I was picturing the fight as I was reading. You brought it back, if only for a brief moment. Margarito was not going to lose that night. He had already made up his mind. On that night, he might have beaten just about anyone.

To beat him like a Mexican, is to fight like a Mexican. Mexicans are the ultimate underdogs. They spend their lives coming from behind, in the ring or outside of it. Not always winning. Not always the most skilled, not always the fastest or the cleverest but always in the game, sometimes crudely, but always swinging, always trying. To fight like a Mexican is to fight honestly, without the bullshit that has become so much a part of boxing. There is no trickery, no attempt to steal rounds. They fight in the purest sense. It's no secret that when you have beaten a Mexican fighter you have accomplished something.

Randy

Thanks Randy