Thank you, Hap. Your answer provided just what I was looking for, a little inside info relating to Art Aragon, what happened when he strayed from the Legion and, of course, a clearer picture of Mario Trigo. All I knew about the guy was that he was a tricky, unorthodox fighter, a southpaw who would switch up, as you mentioned. Guys like that are a nightmare. His record impresses me, especially if I dare compare it to that of today's protected boxers. I don't care about losses, look who he lost to. And look who he beat! The fact that it took a Bolanos to KO him says a lot.Dongee wrote:On Mario Trigo:
We were publicizing Art Aragon heavily at Hollywood Legion Stadium when he pulled away from us to accept Mario Trigo as an opponent at the Olympic Auditorium. We didn't like the match for him and told him so, but the bout went through.
The result was an upset win for Trigo who out pointed Art decisively in ten rounds. It was definitely a set-back for the "Golden Boy", who claimed he had been sickened by a faulty heater in his dressing room.
Mario Trigo was capable of baffling any opponent because of his unorthodox ring style, a switch hitter flicking punches from all angles.....an enigmatic sort that proved too much for our "Golden Boy".
The only man I ever saw that nailed Mario Trigo solidly to knock him out cold was Enrique Bolanos.
I hope this does it Rick.
Regards, Hap
I wasn't a part of that era, but came right afterward while many of the same personalities were around. If you recall Howie's Main Street Gym, in the locker room there would be small individual dressing rooms, usually belonging to a manager for his stable. Some of them would paint the names of the handlers and their fighters on the door. I recall the names on the doors when I was training. Manuel Dros, Johnny Villaflor, Lee Boren, Paddy Quaid, Johnny Indrasano, Duke Holloway, Mickey Davies, names like that. All had their own little rooms, with a couple lockers, a rubbing table, a couple chairs. There would be make-shift clothes lines stretched across the length of each room for boxers to hang there wet towels and gym wear, handwraps, etc. Maybe there was a scale?
This would be where I would hear the name Mario Trigo and many others. Trigo's photo hung on the wall above Howie's office. I was a curious kid, I was quiet, but not afraid to ask about fighters. In the gym, I found if I asked a few guys about somebody, most were happy to talk with me. They would be surprised I would know of these fighters. The truth is, I didn't, I just read the name on a door, or poster, and I'd ask who they were, how did they fight, what happened to them. I got the greatest education, and I recognize that some stories were filled with prejudice, or resentment, but different people would have a different story. Not everybody had the same opinion. Each story inspired questions, each taught me something, not just about the fighter but life in general.
Thanks for adding some color to my mind's picture of Mario Trigo. I think you know that anything you have to say about him, or any boxer, is appreciated here.
-Rick
DD