Classic American West Coast Boxing

[dagosd2000]

Connie and I are celebrating our 54th wedding annivesary today :) and also my birthday :( , so Happy Birthday to me....

FELICIDADES

[Rick Farris]

Connie and I are celebrating our 54th wedding annivesary today :) and also my birthday :( , so Happy Birthday to me....

Happy 54th Frank. Congratulations. When Monica and I celebrate our 54th I'll be about 110 years old. :(

-Rick

[kikibalt]

Tom, Diego, Thanks you mucho!

I told Connie that if she plays nice I would keep her around for another 54 years, she tells me "what makes you think that I want you for another 54 years?" I said "baby you don't have a choice, I'm the "decider" here, she say "who the the hell do you think you are , George Bush?" I say "Ok babe you win, you're the boss".

[kikibalt]

Connie and I are celebrating our 54th wedding annivesary today :) and also my birthday :( , so Happy Birthday to me....

Happy 54th Frank. Congratulations. When Monica and I celebrate our 54th I'll be about 110 years old. :(

-Rick

You'll make it, Rick, thanks.

[Dongee]

It's hard to think back of olden days in California boxing without conjuring up the image of the many Filipino fighters who were a huge part of the local fistic scene. But as in everything else, there were a few who stood out head and shoulders above the rest.

Among the lighter boys Pablo Dano, Young Tommy and Speedy Dado were the class of their ilk for a dozen years. Three extreme professionals who fought each other with incredible abandon, as though their very existence depended on their performance.

I only got to know and really appreciate one of them, Speedy Dado, who became a regular at our Hollywood Legion Stadium shows and a drinking buddy afterwards. The Blue Palm Bar and Grill, adjacent to the stadium was our favorite hangout before and after the bouts. And Speedy was always there, waiting, in fact, for the fight night crowd to drop in.

Rick got a kick out of hearing of how Speedy used to greet me as I walked into the place. He would yell out, disturbingly, "Hap Navarro....I can stop you in 42 rounds!" In our secret code, that was my cue to buy him a drink. I never failed him and I wish I could do that to this day.

I never really stopped seeing Speedy as he once was----a smooth as silk "Brown Doll of Manila", the scourge of the world's bantams in the ring, and a dapper, model dresser in mufti when "off duty." That flashy little pinwheel took practically every round from the reigning World's Bantam Champ Al Brown at the Olympic in January, 1932, weighing just 1/2 pound over the limit to save the Panamanian's title. Mainly because of that. Dado ws forever shunned later as a challenger in a title match.

The last time that friend Lou Magana visited me in San Diego I asked him about Speedy Dado. In a hushed voice, he told me our little dynamo had died alone, his body discovered several days after he passed away.

hap navarro

hap navarro

[Dongee]

Bless you both, Kiki. Mil Felicidades y muchos dias de estos.

hap navarro

[kikibalt]

Bless you both, Kiki. Mil Felicidades y muchos dias de estos.

hap navarro

Thanks Hap....

[Expug]

Congrats Frank!
All the best to you and Connie my friend.

[Expug]

Question for Hap

Archie Moore told me the best fighter he ever faced was Charley Burley. They fought only one time. That was at the Hollywood Legion . Any recall on this fight? Rog.

Lovin the Archie Moore book by the way Rog.
A million thank yous again amigo!

[kikibalt]

Congrats Frank!
All the best to you and Connie my friend.

Thanks Pug.....

[kikibalt]

"Gwen Adair"

By Diego

[Dongee]

NOTE TO EXPUG:

Sorry to say I didn't see that fight. But Burley was Burley and Moore being Moore gives us an inkling of the caliber of boxing they had at Hollywood Legion Stadium even before my time there. LOL.
I doubt that there was ever a greater middleweight than Charley Burley because I consider Sugar Ray Robinson's true greatness only as a welterweight.

hap navarro

[Dongee]

NOTE TO EXPUG:

Sorry to say I didn't see that fight. But Burley was Burley and Moore being Moore gives us an inkling of the caliber of boxing they had at Hollywood Legion Stadium even before my time there. LOL.
I doubt that there was ever a greater middleweight than Charley Burley because I consider Sugar Ray Robinson's true greatness only as a welterweight.

hap navarro

[Randyman]

Connie and I are celebrating our 54th wedding annivesary today :) and also my birthday :( , so Happy Birthday to me....

All the best to you and Connie Frank!! Enjoy the day. You guys did a good job with your family. By the way, not to make you feel old but I was 7 months old when you and Connie got married.

Randy

[kikibalt]

Connie and I are celebrating our 54th wedding annivesary today :) and also my birthday :( , so Happy Birthday to me....

All the best to you and Connie Frank!! Enjoy the day. You guys did a good job with your family. By the way, not to make you feel old but I was 7 months old when you and Connie got married.

Randy

Thanks Randy, yeah! you made me feel old.... , ruin my day, hell my day was already ruin, down with the flu, which I had for two weeks already, when I get the bug it'll stay with me for well over a month, I think I'm going to take a shot of something STRONG!....

[Randyman]

Frank and Hap, I might have already asked this question I'm not sure. There was a guy that lived across from my parents house in Pico Rivera, his name was Ortiz, he was much older than my father. Everyone called him Ortiz, I never knew his first name or maybe I just forgot it. He was an exfighter, a middleweight. He claims to have fought Ace Hudkins. I believe he said he lost a decision. I have looked through Hudkins record but there is no Ortiz listed. maybe he fought under another name. At the time, the mid to late 1960's he seemed to be in his 60's but he was in great shape. He hit the speed bag and the heavy bag every day. He passed away years ago. Does any of this sound familiar?

Randy

[Randyman]

Connie and I are celebrating our 54th wedding annivesary today :) and also my birthday :( , so Happy Birthday to me....

All the best to you and Connie Frank!! Enjoy the day. You guys did a good job with your family. By the way, not to make you feel old but I was 7 months old when you and Connie got married.

Randy

Thanks Randy, yeah! you made me feel old.... , ruin my day, hell my day was already ruin, down with the flu, which I had for two weeks already, when I get the bug it'll stay with me for well over a month, I think I'm going to take a shot of something STRONG!....

Sorry about that Frank but this is the one place I can come to where I'm still a kid (just kidding)! I hope you feel better Frank. Take a shot of Jack Daniels and the chase it with some tequila.It's good for what ails ye!

Randy

[kikibalt]

Frank and Hap, I might have already asked this question I'm not sure. There was a guy that lived across from my parents house in Pico Rivera, his name was Ortiz, he was much older than my father. Everyone called him Ortiz, I never knew his first name or maybe I just forgot it. He was an exfighter, a middleweight. He claims to have fought Ace Hudkins. I believe he said he lost a decision. I have looked through Hudkins record but there is no Ortiz listed. maybe he fought under another name. At the time, the mid to late 1960's he seemed to be in his 60's but he was in great shape. He hit the speed bag and the heavy bag every day. He passed away years ago. Does any of this sound familiar?

Randy

Not to me Randy, he had to have been way before my time, maybe Hap will have some info.

[Randyman]

AFTER THE FIGHTS


Across the boulevard from the Bull ring is the long row of taco stands that is a popular spot for people to stop and eat. Tijuana is known for tacos. When it's the Day Of The Taco in Mexico there are so many people crowding around those stands it's almost impossible to see them. The aroma of the manteca and the crackling of meat frying on the grills is something the memory never forgets. The bright bulbs strung across the front of the stands. Radishes,chiles,cilantro,and salsas of red and green in bowls adorn the stands. After the fights at the bull ring ,we always went to eat at the stands . Tacos Al Pastor with the meat on the spit shaved off into the small hot corn tortillas dipped in the hot manteca tasted wonderfull.
"Si amigo. Con todo."

Me and Pat were hungry after the card at the Bull Ring. We got lucky .We found a stand with two empty stools on the end. We piled the tacos on the white cardboard plates. The grease soaked through the wax paper onto the cardboard.The night air got cold and I was looking at the steam coming off from all the grills.
"Olivares had an easy time with that Jap," I remarked as my plate was being filled with tacos.
"They're not going to risk anything with him down here,"said Pat.
"They'll have a big fight with him later in the year in Los Angeles."
It seemed that everyone at the Bull Ring crossed the boulevard to eat tacos at the stands. As fast as the tacos were filled on the plates, they were emptied by the happy aficianados.

I was starting to fill my stomach. The cold beer in the brown bottles helped wash it down.
"Someone told me there are 7000 registered fighters in Mexico,"I said.
"How many in the U.S.?"
"Not even half that number."
Pat was starting to slow down too. We just drank beer.
"I don't think Mexico would have near that number of fighters if they didn't border the U.S.,"I said.
"Yeh,it would probably have as many fighters as Panama."
"The fighters know in Mexico if they do well,it's the big money in the U.S."
"Yeh,the Forum or maybe New York."
The beer was beginning to warm me up . I didn't feel the cold anymore.
"You're right. They didn't want to risk anything with Olivares tonight."
"Picking the Japanese guy was a coup. The crowd liked to see him get his ass kicked."
"Especially what Shibata did to Saldivar."
The crowd dwindled down. Some of the stands had no one in front of them. Me and Pat sat at the end of the stand. There were a lot of the empty brown bottles in front of us.
"Another way the U.S. impacts Mexico,"I said. My mind became very clear. I was sure of my statements.
"I don't follow."
"They fight well here,and then make the big money on the U.S. side."
"Yeh."
I looked along the long row of stands. Just me and Pat were left. The man making the tacos came over.
"Se cabo. We close."

I paid the man for the tacos and beer. I put my arm on Pat's shoulder. He looked up..
"Of those 7000,how many make the big money?"asked Pat.
"Hardly any. Only a few."
The man turned off the lights to the stand.
"Hey Pat,I know a place at the bottom of Revolution where the geek bites off the chicken's head."
"Now that's something I've got to see."

Diego...Any of those taco stands have "tripas tacos"? I love tripas.....

Frank, same here. I love those tripas tacos. man they are so good. For Brian and Dan, tripas is tripe but not the same part that's in Menudo. This tripe is like a long cord. It can be fried or grilled or steamed. Served with some salsa on a tortilla. Someday I'm gonna get you guys to try it!!

Randy

[kikibalt]

Randy...did you know that boxing used to held in Pico at one time? it was at the Pico Palace, the Pico Palace used to be on Whittier Bl. just west of where the 605 freeway is now.

[Randyman]

Frank and Hap, I might have already asked this question I'm not sure. There was a guy that lived across from my parents house in Pico Rivera, his name was Ortiz, he was much older than my father. Everyone called him Ortiz, I never knew his first name or maybe I just forgot it. He was an exfighter, a middleweight. He claims to have fought Ace Hudkins. I believe he said he lost a decision. I have looked through Hudkins record but there is no Ortiz listed. maybe he fought under another name. At the time, the mid to late 1960's he seemed to be in his 60's but he was in great shape. He hit the speed bag and the heavy bag every day. He passed away years ago. Does any of this sound familiar?

Randy

Not to me Randy, he had to have been way before my time, maybe Hap will have some info.

Thanks Frank, I'm assuming he was telling the truth, at least about being a fighter, because he had a fighters face. It showed the battle scars.

[Randyman]

Randy...did you know that boxing used to held in Pico at one time? it was at the Pico Palace, the Pico Palace used to be on Whittier Bl. just west of where the 605 freeway is now.

No Frank, this is the first I've heard about it. How far back are we talking about? I remember when the 605 freeway was being built. Sometime in the early to mid 60's, so it had to be a while back.

Randy

[kikibalt]

AFTER THE FIGHTS


Across the boulevard from the Bull ring is the long row of taco stands that is a popular spot for people to stop and eat. Tijuana is known for tacos. When it's the Day Of The Taco in Mexico there are so many people crowding around those stands it's almost impossible to see them. The aroma of the manteca and the crackling of meat frying on the grills is something the memory never forgets. The bright bulbs strung across the front of the stands. Radishes,chiles,cilantro,and salsas of red and green in bowls adorn the stands. After the fights at the bull ring ,we always went to eat at the stands . Tacos Al Pastor with the meat on the spit shaved off into the small hot corn tortillas dipped in the hot manteca tasted wonderfull.
"Si amigo. Con todo."

Me and Pat were hungry after the card at the Bull Ring. We got lucky .We found a stand with two empty stools on the end. We piled the tacos on the white cardboard plates. The grease soaked through the wax paper onto the cardboard.The night air got cold and I was looking at the steam coming off from all the grills.
"Olivares had an easy time with that Jap," I remarked as my plate was being filled with tacos.
"They're not going to risk anything with him down here,"said Pat.
"They'll have a big fight with him later in the year in Los Angeles."
It seemed that everyone at the Bull Ring crossed the boulevard to eat tacos at the stands. As fast as the tacos were filled on the plates, they were emptied by the happy aficianados.

I was starting to fill my stomach. The cold beer in the brown bottles helped wash it down.
"Someone told me there are 7000 registered fighters in Mexico,"I said.
"How many in the U.S.?"
"Not even half that number."
Pat was starting to slow down too. We just drank beer.
"I don't think Mexico would have near that number of fighters if they didn't border the U.S.,"I said.
"Yeh,it would probably have as many fighters as Panama."
"The fighters know in Mexico if they do well,it's the big money in the U.S."
"Yeh,the Forum or maybe New York."
The beer was beginning to warm me up . I didn't feel the cold anymore.
"You're right. They didn't want to risk anything with Olivares tonight."
"Picking the Japanese guy was a coup. The crowd liked to see him get his ass kicked."
"Especially what Shibata did to Saldivar."
The crowd dwindled down. Some of the stands had no one in front of them. Me and Pat sat at the end of the stand. There were a lot of the empty brown bottles in front of us.
"Another way the U.S. impacts Mexico,"I said. My mind became very clear. I was sure of my statements.
"I don't follow."
"They fight well here,and then make the big money on the U.S. side."
"Yeh."
I looked along the long row of stands. Just me and Pat were left. The man making the tacos came over.
"Se cabo. We close."

I paid the man for the tacos and beer. I put my arm on Pat's shoulder. He looked up..
"Of those 7000,how many make the big money?"asked Pat.
"Hardly any. Only a few."
The man turned off the lights to the stand.
"Hey Pat,I know a place at the bottom of Revolution where the geek bites off the chicken's head."
"Now that's something I've got to see."

Diego...Any of those taco stands have "tripas tacos"? I love tripas.....

Frank, same here. I love those tripas tacos. man they are so good. For Brian and Dan, tripas is tripe but not the same part that's in Menudo. This tripe is like a long cord. It can be fried or grilled or steamed. Served with some salsa on a tortilla. Someday I'm gonna get you guys to try it!!

Randy

I remember my dad in the summer time used to grilled tripas under some trees that he had in his back yard, my mom would make some hot salsa, rice and beans, my brother, brother-in-law's and I, and of course the ladies too, would sit under the trees and eat tripas tacos and drink some cold ones.

[Randyman]

Frank wrote:
I remember my dad in the summer time used to grilled tripas under some trees that he had in his back yard, my mom would make some hot salsa, rice and beans, my brother, brother-in-law's and I, and of course the ladies too, would sit under the trees and eat tripas tacos and drink some cold ones.

Frank, that's good simple living and eating. I can fully appreciate that. The best things in life are cheap and simple.

Randy

[kikibalt]

Randy...did you know that boxing used to held in Pico at one time? it was at the Pico Palace, the Pico Palace used to be on Whittier Bl. just west of where the 605 freeway is now.

No Frank, this is the first I've heard about it. How far back are we talking about? I remember when the 605 freeway was being built. Sometime in the early to mid 60's, so it had to be a while back.

Randy

It was in the late 1940-early 50's, that I remmber. I fought (amateur, of course that all I fought) there around 1948-49.