Classic American West Coast Boxing

[raylawpc]

Nitti wasn't the brightest bulb in the pack. He was claustrophobic, and when the cops finally brought him down, he decided to commit suicide rather than spend the rest of his life in a tiny jail cell. He shot himself in the head - - but it took three shots. He missed twice before finally hitting the target!

(At least, that's what I heard once.)

[raylawpc]

Guys, I wanted to share this with you. This is very, very disturbing.

http://www.license.shorturl.com/

[kikibalt]

Guys, I wanted to share this with you. This is very, very disturbing.

http://www.license.shorturl.com/

Damn! isn't anything sacred anymore!!!!....

[kikibalt]

Barry McGuigan vs Eusebio Pedoza

[kikibalt]

Rocky Marciano

[kikibalt]

Rocky Marciano vs Rex Layne


Rocky Marciano vs Jersey Joe Wacott

[kikibalt]

Vince Martinez (R) vs Chico Varona

[kikibalt]

Eddie Machen


Eddie machen vs Mike DeJohn

[kikibalt]

Sonny Amoroso....1955

[dagosd2000]

Nitti wasn't the brightest bulb in the pack. He was claustrophobic, and when the cops finally brought him down, he decided to commit suicide rather than spend the rest of his life in a tiny jail cell. He shot himself in the head - - but it took three shots. He missed twice before finally hitting the target!

(At least, that's what I heard once.)

Tom
Frank Nitti shot himself at the Riverside, Illinois train station. My family lived in Riverside for a period. It was either suicide or the Mob was goung to kill him. He brought a couple of snitches out to California to try to muscle into the unions in Hollywood. That was a "no no". Nitti was called "The Enforcer". He enforced the rules. Rules said if you brought a snitch into the Mob,you died.

I think Rick knows the story of the Outfits influence in Hollywood. Rog

[Expug]

Rog, as I mentioned to you before, my wife grew up with Accardos grandkids.
The kids would have parties when the parents were out of town.
When the cops would show to break up the parties, the kids would drag there feet.
When Tony would show up to end the party, the kids were runnin for the doors. DD

[raylawpc]

Nitti wasn't the brightest bulb in the pack. He was claustrophobic, and when the cops finally brought him down, he decided to commit suicide rather than spend the rest of his life in a tiny jail cell. He shot himself in the head - - but it took three shots. He missed twice before finally hitting the target!

(At least, that's what I heard once.)

Tom
Frank Nitti shot himself at the Riverside, Illinois train station. My family lived in Riverside for a period. It was either suicide or the Mob was goung to kill him. He brought a couple of snitches out to California to try to muscle into the unions in Hollywood. That was a "no no". Nitti was called "The Enforcer". He enforced the rules. Rules said if you brought a snitch into the Mob,you died.

I think Rick knows the story of the Outfits influence in Hollywood. Rog

Yes, that was my understanding. Paul the Waiter Ricca - whom you mentioned earlier - suggested that Nitti take the fall. On the morning he died, Nitti went out to the Riverside train station and began walking along the tracks. While there, he tried to shoot himself in the head twice and missed, with both shots passing through his hat. Two railroad workers, who heard the two shots and went to investigate, saw him sit down and then successfully shoot himself in the head. He apparently had been drinking quite heavily before departing for the station.

[Randyman]

A little L.A. Noir for Rog. These photos are of my uncle Larry De La O and aunt Marcie. I'm guessing the photos are from the late 1930's. Larry is my father's oldest brother. Both of them are still alive but are now divorced. He's 95 now and still going strong.

[dagosd2000]

Rog, as I mentioned to you before, my wife grew up with Accardos grandkids.
The kids would have parties when the parents were out of town.
When the cops would show to break up the parties, the kids would drag there feet.
When Tony would show up to end the party, the kids were runnin for the doors. DD

Pug
The Italian Mafia consisted basically of two types of Italians,Neopalitans and Sicilians. The guys with the Naples blood like Capone,Giancana,Gotti,and Diamond Joe were very high profile. Outgoing personalities. Very charismic. The center of attention. The life of the party. The guys that I just mentioned wound up shot or died in prison. The government doesn't like bad guys to be cocky. It's like thumbin' their noses at the law.

Tony Accardo was Sicilian. Very low profile. Not a barrell of laughs. A dangerous man. He didn't care for Neopolitans. Just as Neopolitans didn't like Sicilians. Accardo was one of the few that never spent a night in jail and died a natural death.

[Randyman]

The following photos are of my uncles Larry De La O and my aunt Marcie and Tony De La O and my aunt Lily. Again, just guessing but this was probably somewhere in the Angeles National Forest, probably the San Gabriels. The photos look to be in the late 30's early 40's. These photos are among my favorites. I think they're classic. Both of my uncles are still alive. I hope you guys don't mind me posting old family photos. They were in an old trunk for over fifty years. Pictures should be seen, especially old ones.

[dagosd2000]

A little L.A. Noir for Rog. These photos are of my uncle Larry De La O and aunt Marcie. I'm guessing the photos are from the late 1930's. Larry is my father's oldest brother. Both of them are still alive but are now divorced. He's 95 now and still going strong.

SECOND LANGUAGE

She used to be my favorite. I remember when my little grandaughter Mariana would watch me draw football plays on the kitchen table. I'd put the car seat on the table with her in it and she would be mesmerized by me drawing up the strategy for the next week's game. As she got older,I'd take her with me to practice. She was kind of a tom boy,but cute as a bug's ear with her naturally curly brown hair. Gee,she was pretty.

But as my kids got older and Mariana got older things started to shift. Mariana tried going to school here in San Diego. She was very good in grammar school. Bright and all the teachers loved her. But then in Middle School she lived with my daughter and things came apart real fast. I didn't inderstand her rebellion,but she soon returned to Tijuana. My daughter said that she was always having to meet with the Principal with Mariana about her bad behavior. After Mariana told the Principal to "--F Himself",it was over.

She returned to TJ to live with her mother and at the age of 14 was pregnant. She went to one of those "Tardeadas", those disco bars that let gurls in on Sunday. They let sweet kids in like that. She met "Mr. Wonderfull" and the next thing you know there's a bun in the oven. After having her son,"Mr. Wonderfull" returned to live with his mother. He lives two blocks away and has never visited his son.

Mariana met another guy somewhere. Another son,but this guy married her. A third boy later and the doctors on this side found cancer in her uterus. With no insurance she had the operation at UCSD Medical Center. It don't get better than that pill house. In the mean time Mariana had built a reputation for being a "loosy goosey" to put it nicely.

We visited her ,the wife and me. She's 23 now.I hadn't seen her much in years. Her husband was at the hospital with his brother. You know the joint is top of the line when you see a player piano in the lobby. She had a private room that looked like something from the Waldorf.

She was lying in bed. She looked beautifull. Not that little girl anymore.
"High abuelito."
Her English was perfect. I shook hands with the husband and his brother. They both stood up. The conversation began with all the killings in Tijuana. Everyone was soeaking Spanish. I assumed her husband and the brother didn't speak English. I jumped in speaking Spanish.

I don't speak the language very well. I don't have a knack for languages. But believe it or not,I like conversing in Spanish better than English. I can express myself more naturally. Sometimes I don't pick up on everything,but I'm not uncomfortable with it. Soon everyone was at ease. We talked about Jiquilpan,food,schools,and everything under the sun. Mariana's husband is a pretty nice guy. He's been to the hospital everyday and sleeps in her room.

Mariana is a beautifull woman now with a great smile and a big laugh. After all the years we still share a closeness. She's proud of me and my art. I make her laugh easily. I joked with the nurse. I could see Mariana's attention was on my every word. I was the center of attention because she focused on me. I felt proud. I felt like a man.

I think speaking Spanish brings out my personality the way I feel comfortable with it. Nothing phony. No pretences.Maybe that's because I don't speak the language very well. When me and the wife got up to leave and said our goodby's Mariana said,"Vaya con Dios abuelito."

I couldn't say nothing as I walked back to the parking lot.

[Expug]

Rog, as I mentioned to you before, my wife grew up with Accardos grandkids.
The kids would have parties when the parents were out of town.
When the cops would show to break up the parties, the kids would drag there feet.
When Tony would show up to end the party, the kids were runnin for the doors. DD

Pug
The Italian Mafia consisted basically of two types of Italians,Neopalitans and Sicilians. The guys with the Naples blood like Capone,Giancana,Gotti,and Diamond Joe were very high profile. Outgoing personalities. Very charismic. The center of attention. The life of the party. The guys that I just mentioned wound up shot or died in prison. The government doesn't like bad guys to be cocky. It's like thumbin' their noses at the law.

Tony Accardo was Sicilian. Very low profile. Not a barrell of laughs. A dangerous man. He didn't care for Neopolitans. Just as Neopolitans didn't like Sicilians. Accardo was one of the few that never spent a night in jail and died a natural death.

Tony used to like it when guys kept there head down.
He wasnt a flamboyant guy.I remember eating at the next table over from him at Horwaths restaraunt on Harlem ave.
He was pretty old, so he had a cane.It had a gold Tuna head handle on it.He was there with his wife and another couple.Acted like a perfect gentleman.
Horwaths resteraunt was where Chuckie English got whacked in the parking lot.
They waked him across the street at Salernos funeral home.
Remember when Accardos house was burglarized?
About half a dozen guys were in on it. Maybe more, and everyone of them wound up "trunk music".

[Randyman]

THE SECOND LANGUAGE

She used to be my favorite. I remember when my little grandaughter Mariana would watch me draw football plays on the kitchen table. I'd put the car seat on the table with her in it and she would be mesmerized by me drawing up the strategy for the next week's game. As she got older,I'd take her with me to practice. She was kind of a tom boy,but cute as a bug's ear with her naturally curly brown hair. Gee,she was pretty.

But as my kids got older and Mariana got older things started to shift. Mariana tried going to school here in San Diego. She was very good in grammar school. Bright and all the teachers loved her. But then in Middle School she lived with my daughter and things came apart real fast. I didn't inderstand her rebellion,but she soon returned to Tijuana. My daughter said that she was always having to meet with the Principal with Mariana about her bad behavior. After Mariana told the Principal to "--F Himself",it was over.

She returned to TJ to live with her mother and at the age of 14 was pregnant. She went to one of those "Tardeadas", those disco bars that let gurls in on Sunday. They let sweet kids in like that. She met "Mr. Wonderfull" and the next thing you know there's a bun in the oven. After having her son,"Mr. Wonderfull" returned to live with his mother. He lives two blocks away and has never visited his son.

Mariana met another guy somewhere. Another son,but this guy married her. A third boy later and the doctors on this side found cancer in her uterus. With no insurance she had the operation at UCSD Medical Center. It don't get better than that pill house. In the mean time Mariana had built a reputation for being a "loosy goosey" to put it nicely.

We visited her ,the wife and me. I hadn't seen her much in years. Her husband was at the hospital with his brother. You know the joint is top of the line when you see a player piano in the lobby. She had a private room that looked like something from the Waldorf.

She was lying in bed. She looked beautifull. Not that little girl anymore.
"High abuelito."
Her English was perfect. I shook hands with the husband and his brother. They both stood up. The conversation began with all the killings in Tijuana. Everyone was soeaking Spanish. I assumed her husband and the brother didn't speak English. I jumped in speaking Spanish.

I don't speak the language very well. I don't have a knack for languages. But believe it or not,I like conversing in Spanish better than English. I can express myself more naturally. Sometimes I don't pick up on everything,but I'm not uncomfortable with it. Soon everyone was at ease. We talked about Jiquilpan,food,schools,and everything under the sun. Mariana's husband is a pretty nice guy. He's been to the hospital everyday and sleeps in her room.

Mariana is a beautifull woman now with a great smile and a big laugh. After all the years we still share a closeness. She's proud of me and my art. I make her laugh easily. I joked with the nurse. I could see Mariana's attention was on my every word. I was the center of attention because she focused on me. I felt proud. I felt like a man.

I think speaking Spanish brings out my personality the way I feel comfortable with it. Nothing phony. No pretences. When me and the wife got up to leave and said our goodby's Mariana said,"Vaya con Dios abuelito."

I couldn't say nothing as I walked back to the parking lot.

Rog, I'm very sorry to hear about your granddaughter. I'll keep you and your family in my prayers. I understand about relationships changing. It hurts, especially when it's family. It's even harder when the person does a 180 turn and changes . They are no longer who they were. it's not easy. I'm glad in your case that the closeness is still there with your granddaughter. Hang on to that.

Randy

[dagosd2000]

Rog, as I mentioned to you before, my wife grew up with Accardos grandkids.
The kids would have parties when the parents were out of town.
When the cops would show to break up the parties, the kids would drag there feet.
When Tony would show up to end the party, the kids were runnin for the doors. DD

Pug
The Italian Mafia consisted basically of two types of Italians,Neopalitans and Sicilians. The guys with the Naples blood like Capone,Giancana,Gotti,and Diamond Joe were very high profile. Outgoing personalities. Very charismic. The center of attention. The life of the party. The guys that I just mentioned wound up shot or died in prison. The government doesn't like bad guys to be cocky. It's like thumbin' their noses at the law.

Tony Accardo was Sicilian. Very low profile. Not a barrell of laughs. A dangerous man. He didn't care for Neopolitans. Just as Neopolitans didn't like Sicilians. Accardo was one of the few that never spent a night in jail and died a natural death.

Tony used to like it when guys kept there head down.
He wasnt a flamboyant guy.I remember eating at the next table over from him at Horwaths restaraunt on Harlem ave.
He was pretty old, so he had a cane.It had a gold Tuna head handle on it.He was there with his wife and another couple.Acted like a perfect gentleman.
Horwaths resteraunt was where Chuckie English got whacked in the parking lot.
They waked him across the street at Salernos funeral home.
Remember when Accardos house was burglarized?
About half a dozen guys were in on it. Maybe more, and everyone of them wound up "trunk music".

I lived at 3150 Harlem Ave. Went back there a few years ago. The apartment building was exactly the same. It was a hot summer Chcago day. No one. I mean nobody was around. I pressed the side of my face against the brownstone. The heat warmed my cheek . I could only hear the compresser motor hum of the air conditioner.

[dagosd2000]

THE SECOND LANGUAGE

She used to be my favorite. I remember when my little grandaughter Mariana would watch me draw football plays on the kitchen table. I'd put the car seat on the table with her in it and she would be mesmerized by me drawing up the strategy for the next week's game. As she got older,I'd take her with me to practice. She was kind of a tom boy,but cute as a bug's ear with her naturally curly brown hair. Gee,she was pretty.

But as my kids got older and Mariana got older things started to shift. Mariana tried going to school here in San Diego. She was very good in grammar school. Bright and all the teachers loved her. But then in Middle School she lived with my daughter and things came apart real fast. I didn't inderstand her rebellion,but she soon returned to Tijuana. My daughter said that she was always having to meet with the Principal with Mariana about her bad behavior. After Mariana told the Principal to "--F Himself",it was over.

She returned to TJ to live with her mother and at the age of 14 was pregnant. She went to one of those "Tardeadas", those disco bars that let gurls in on Sunday. They let sweet kids in like that. She met "Mr. Wonderfull" and the next thing you know there's a bun in the oven. After having her son,"Mr. Wonderfull" returned to live with his mother. He lives two blocks away and has never visited his son.

Mariana met another guy somewhere. Another son,but this guy married her. A third boy later and the doctors on this side found cancer in her uterus. With no insurance she had the operation at UCSD Medical Center. It don't get better than that pill house. In the mean time Mariana had built a reputation for being a "loosy goosey" to put it nicely.

We visited her ,the wife and me. I hadn't seen her much in years. Her husband was at the hospital with his brother. You know the joint is top of the line when you see a player piano in the lobby. She had a private room that looked like something from the Waldorf.

She was lying in bed. She looked beautifull. Not that little girl anymore.
"High abuelito."
Her English was perfect. I shook hands with the husband and his brother. They both stood up. The conversation began with all the killings in Tijuana. Everyone was soeaking Spanish. I assumed her husband and the brother didn't speak English. I jumped in speaking Spanish.

I don't speak the language very well. I don't have a knack for languages. But believe it or not,I like conversing in Spanish better than English. I can express myself more naturally. Sometimes I don't pick up on everything,but I'm not uncomfortable with it. Soon everyone was at ease. We talked about Jiquilpan,food,schools,and everything under the sun. Mariana's husband is a pretty nice guy. He's been to the hospital everyday and sleeps in her room.

Mariana is a beautifull woman now with a great smile and a big laugh. After all the years we still share a closeness. She's proud of me and my art. I make her laugh easily. I joked with the nurse. I could see Mariana's attention was on my every word. I was the center of attention because she focused on me. I felt proud. I felt like a man.

I think speaking Spanish brings out my personality the way I feel comfortable with it. Nothing phony. No pretences. When me and the wife got up to leave and said our goodby's Mariana said,"Vaya con Dios abuelito."

I couldn't say nothing as I walked back to the parking lot.

Rog, I'm very sorry to hear about your granddaughter. I'll keep you and your family in my prayers. I understand about relationships changing. It hurts, especially when it's family. It's even harder when the person does a 180 turn and changes . They are no longer who they were. it's not easy. I'm glad in your case that the closeness is still there with your granddaughter. Hang on to that.

Randy

Randy
Should have added this to the story. The doctor said that Mariana was running a temperature. She wouldn't be released until the fever broke. Just before me and the wife left,the nurse came in. She took Mariana's temperature.
"99. Looks like you'll be going home tomorrow."

[dagosd2000]

A DIFFERENT REVOLUTION

67 murders in TJ in 10 days. Sinoloan Mafia invades Tijuana. Tituana Drug Traffickers won't concede. There is open warfare in the colonias. Just across the street from the Auditorium,seven people were blasted away in Colonia 20 de Noviembre.The date signifies the start of Mexico's second revolution. The one Pancho Villa fought in. Used to be a quiet little neighborhood. The only statue of Pancho Villa is in that colonia. At the end of a dead end street. The statue is covered with dirt and leaves. About 3 feet high. You'd have to really look and know that it's there to find it.

Pancho Villa didn't smoke nor drink. The carnage he displayed with his Dorados was for the poor to have a chance. He failed . Now Mexico is going through another Revolution. Control of the drug trafficking. Now the poor are caught in the crossfire.

Maybe someone in Mexico should dust off that statue of Pancho. Like when Pancho crossed the Rio Grande after he heard of Madero's assassination. In a few weeks he gathered an army of 25,000. He captured Mexico City. He could have taken over for good,but he didn't think he had enough education to qualify.

If the Centaur Of The North could see his beloved Mexico now,he'd cross the Rio Grande again. He would be enraged like he was before. The corrupt ones would run for the hills. He'd have an army of the poor. His Dorados would ride next to him. The man who loved Mexico. Never into it for profit nor personal gain. Could have left the country with millions when his army was being betrayed. But he loved Mexico. He was assassinated in Parral.

I think I know where that statue is in Colonia 20 de Noviembre.It's been a long time since I've seen it. I'll bring plenty of towels with me.

[bennie]

Hey! Top man, Ray.


Nice message from Les.

[bennie]

Barry McGuigan vs Eusebio Pedoza

Let me tell you a story about this one. The build-up was electric and on the night of the fight, a balmy June evening, I had the urge to stroll into town and watch this in a pub, downing a few beers (in a very short space of time). What a mistake! Every pub in the town was jammed with people watching the fight - people were literally hanging off pub signs. As I marched from pub to pub, suddenly there would be a huge roar and the ground would start shaking, almost like an earthquake. It was the public's reaction to McGuigan flooring and nearly stopping Pedroza during the course of the 15-rounder.
What a win. What a night.

[Randyman]

THE SECOND LANGUAGE

She used to be my favorite. I remember when my little grandaughter Mariana would watch me draw football plays on the kitchen table. I'd put the car seat on the table with her in it and she would be mesmerized by me drawing up the strategy for the next week's game. As she got older,I'd take her with me to practice. She was kind of a tom boy,but cute as a bug's ear with her naturally curly brown hair. Gee,she was pretty.

But as my kids got older and Mariana got older things started to shift. Mariana tried going to school here in San Diego. She was very good in grammar school. Bright and all the teachers loved her. But then in Middle School she lived with my daughter and things came apart real fast. I didn't inderstand her rebellion,but she soon returned to Tijuana. My daughter said that she was always having to meet with the Principal with Mariana about her bad behavior. After Mariana told the Principal to "--F Himself",it was over.

She returned to TJ to live with her mother and at the age of 14 was pregnant. She went to one of those "Tardeadas", those disco bars that let gurls in on Sunday. They let sweet kids in like that. She met "Mr. Wonderfull" and the next thing you know there's a bun in the oven. After having her son,"Mr. Wonderfull" returned to live with his mother. He lives two blocks away and has never visited his son.

Mariana met another guy somewhere. Another son,but this guy married her. A third boy later and the doctors on this side found cancer in her uterus. With no insurance she had the operation at UCSD Medical Center. It don't get better than that pill house. In the mean time Mariana had built a reputation for being a "loosy goosey" to put it nicely.

We visited her ,the wife and me. I hadn't seen her much in years. Her husband was at the hospital with his brother. You know the joint is top of the line when you see a player piano in the lobby. She had a private room that looked like something from the Waldorf.

She was lying in bed. She looked beautifull. Not that little girl anymore.
"High abuelito."
Her English was perfect. I shook hands with the husband and his brother. They both stood up. The conversation began with all the killings in Tijuana. Everyone was soeaking Spanish. I assumed her husband and the brother didn't speak English. I jumped in speaking Spanish.

I don't speak the language very well. I don't have a knack for languages. But believe it or not,I like conversing in Spanish better than English. I can express myself more naturally. Sometimes I don't pick up on everything,but I'm not uncomfortable with it. Soon everyone was at ease. We talked about Jiquilpan,food,schools,and everything under the sun. Mariana's husband is a pretty nice guy. He's been to the hospital everyday and sleeps in her room.

Mariana is a beautifull woman now with a great smile and a big laugh. After all the years we still share a closeness. She's proud of me and my art. I make her laugh easily. I joked with the nurse. I could see Mariana's attention was on my every word. I was the center of attention because she focused on me. I felt proud. I felt like a man.

I think speaking Spanish brings out my personality the way I feel comfortable with it. Nothing phony. No pretences. When me and the wife got up to leave and said our goodby's Mariana said,"Vaya con Dios abuelito."

I couldn't say nothing as I walked back to the parking lot.

Rog, I'm very sorry to hear about your granddaughter. I'll keep you and your family in my prayers. I understand about relationships changing. It hurts, especially when it's family. It's even harder when the person does a 180 turn and changes . They are no longer who they were. it's not easy. I'm glad in your case that the closeness is still there with your granddaughter. Hang on to that.

Randy

Randy
Should have added this to the story. The doctor said that Mariana was running a temperature. She wouldn't be released until the fever broke. Just before me and the wife left,the nurse came in. She took Mariana's temperature.
"99. Looks like you'll be going home tomorrow."

Glad to hear that, Rog. Of course we'll all continue to keep your granddaughter in our prayers.

[Randyman]

Barry McGuigan vs Eusebio Pedoza

Let me tell you a story about this one. The build-up was electric and on the night of the fight, a balmy June evening, I had the urge to stroll into town and watch this in a pub, downing a few beers (in a very short space of time). What a mistake! Every pub in the town was jammed with people watching the fight - people were literally hanging off pub signs. As I marched from pub to pub, suddenly there would be a huge roar and the ground would start shaking, almost like an earthquake. It was the public's reaction to McGuigan flooring and nearly stopping Pedroza during the course of the 15-rounder.
What a win. What a night.

You're right Bennie, it was a great win and a great night for Barry. I saw that fight and I remember McGuigan as being relentless. He more or less had that same attitude that Antonio Margarito had the night he beat Miguel Cotto. Sometimes a man just won't be beat.

It was a tough loss for McGuigan a year or so later when he lost a 15 round decision and the title to Stevie Cruz, who had his "Buster Douglas" moment against Barry that night. Taking nothing away from Cruz, who boxed extraordinary beautifully that night, Barry also had to contend with the hot Las Vegas sun. The southwestern heat can take the starch out of any man, even a native southwesterner but it had to be overwhelming for Barry. A tough loss.