Classic American West Coast Boxing

[raylawpc]

Baby, its cold outside....

Its funny how weather is a matter of perspective. I just looked at the LA weather, and your low today is about 40 and your high about 50. Its the same in St. Louis.

But, this morning, Linda and I were commenting about how warm and pleasant it was outside!!

[raylawpc]

George Foreman & George Chuvalo

Foreman's giving Chuvalo the old evil eye. What do you suppose he's thinking?

Randy

I don't know about Foreman, Randy. But it looks like Chuvalo is really into hitting the speed bag.

[kikibalt]

Baby, its cold outside....

Its funny how weather is a matter of perspective. I just looked at the LA weather, and your low today is about 40 and your high about 50. Its the same in St. Louis.

But, this morning, Linda and I were commenting about how warm and pleasant it was outside!!

Tom, where I live at, it below freezing, our low was 31. thats to cold for this hot weather guy.

[Randyman]

George Foreman & George Chuvalo

Foreman's giving Chuvalo the old evil eye. What do you suppose he's thinking?

Randy

I don't know about Foreman, Randy. But it looks like Chuvalo is really into hitting the speed bag.

I'm just guessing but it looks like Foreman was hitting the bag and Chuvalo just walked up and hit it. Maybe he was trying to intimidate Big George.

Randy

[kikibalt]

I'm off for some menudo con pata....

[Randyman]

I'm off for some menudo con pata....

Enjoy it Frank!! If you've been sick with the flu this should make you feel better.

Randy

[raylawpc]

Expug Wrote:
I'd like to see Evander win that fight too Rick.
But your right,I would really like to see Evander shut it down.
Hes a warrior, but its time I think.

Brian, Rick, I feel the same way. I would like to see Evander retire, however, if he is going to fight Valuev I want him to win. I don't know how much he has left but Holyfield is a proven warrior. For every fighter there is a last fight. Maybe this is it.


Randy

Randy, we all know Evander has no business in the ring, but like Tom said, he's broke and it's all he knows how to do. His mind was going south many years ago, the punches from too many years in the ring left their mark long ago. Evander was never a great speaker, but today his words are even slower and slurred. However, a few months back, against an outta shape tomato can, I enjoyed seeing a shop worn Holyfield box, I mean, he was making moves you no longer see heavyweights make today, the basics, hands up, the jab, the combos, even if a bit rusty. He looked like a real boxer, even if a step off. Valuev has no skills or ability. He isn't of the class of a James Toney, who stopped Holy awhile back. He is big, and that size might work against Evander. But if the Real Deal can bring in just 40% of what he had the night he took out Buster Douglas, he'll whip the third world neanderthol. Valuev is so bad, that a former champ pushing fifty and running off nothing more than fumes from an empty tank, has a chance. I'll watch it with no expectations, but knowing an upset is very possible. Evander Holyfield needn't defeat Valuev to validate his place in history, however, exposing "El Russo Grande" would certainly make my day.

-Rick

I found an interesting quote from Sugar Ray Leonard on the subject of why some guys stay too long: "Ninety-nine percent of fighters don't hit the brakes in time. It's what made us who we are … that's all we've trained for, all we've done our whole lives. When we leave the ring, it's because we have to. And until we accept the fact nothing else will give us that high, we will always feel lost."

Bruce Trampier made some interesting observations in the same article:

"I remember [former featherweight contender] Kelcie Banks," he said. "Beautiful kid. In my judgment, he was getting hurt in his fights and he was really slurring his words. He still wanted to fight. He was flat broke and felt he needed to fight for the money. He didn't want to hear about retirement. Iran Barkely [now 47] still calls for fights. And when I won't give him a fight, he gets bitter and contentious.

"I remember when Jerry Quarry appeared before the Nevada Athletic Commission [in his late 40s]," Trampler said, referring to the former heavyweight contender who ultimately died of brain damage.

"He was brilliant in his presentation. He recited the dates and sites of all his fights to show his mental alacrity. Then, when it came time to vote, the commissioners turned to me, and I shook my head. They voted not to give him a license. He went to pieces and then became what he was: punchy. He was like a guy who memorized an eye test. He ended up fighting in Colorado, got beat and that was it.

"They don't want to quit; they don't want the truth. And in the end, who's to say what they should do? Who am I to say he shouldn't fight? It's his life, his career. It's not an easy thing."

The whole article is at:
http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing ... id=3112861

[dagosd2000]

Thanks to everyone that enjoys my stories. I used to pay a shrink a hundred bucks an hour . I'd tell him a story. He'd be writing something down. He'd smile and then write me a prescription for Prozac.

This is much better therapy . Writing something for my friends.

Besides,it saves me money.

[Randyman]

Thanks to everyone that enjoys my stories. I used to pay a shrink a hundred bucks an hour . I'd tell him a story. He'd be writing something down. He'd smile and then write me a prescription for Prozac.

This is much better therapy . Writing something for my friends.

Besides,it saves me money.

That's what you think. I'll be sending my bill!

[raylawpc]

Baby, its cold outside....

Its funny how weather is a matter of perspective. I just looked at the LA weather, and your low today is about 40 and your high about 50. Its the same in St. Louis.

But, this morning, Linda and I were commenting about how warm and pleasant it was outside!!

Tom, where I live at, it below freezing, our low was 31. thats to cold for this hot weather guy.

The lows in St. Louis have been in the teens, so 31 doesn't sound too bad for a low. But make no mistake: I hate the cold. If it were up to me, I'd be living in Arizona, but Linda "likes the Seasons" . . . so there you go.

"I'm dreaming of a White Christmas" sounds like a nightmare to me.

In a perfect world, I'd be independently wealthy, supplement my income doing what Mike Casey does (write fascinating stories about old-time fighters), live in Scottsdale, AZ in the Fall and Winter, and live in Karlshamn, Sweden in the Spring and Summer.

But its not a perfect world so I keep living, and freezing my butt off every winter, in St. Louis.

[Rick Farris]

George Chuvalo vs Jerry Quarry
December 12, 1969
Madison Square Garden, New York City

Jerry's shorts are rather pretty for a Quarry.

The Curse of the Quarry's . . .

At times Jerry would wear kelly green velvet trunks into the ring. Here's a funny story about the Quarry's and clothes. In the late 60's when Jerry had a few fights in New York's Madison Square Garden, Jerry would set up training camp at Grossinger's resort in the Catskills, as did many former champs such as Marciano, etc.

Jerry's camp included his managers Johnny Flores & father Jack Quarry, trainer Teddy Bentham, sparring partners the late Kit Boursse' (my best friend), Dave Centi, Charlie "The Emperor" Harris, etc. Jerry didn't have the best personal hygene habits and would often wear his clothes quite a few times before throwing them in the laundry (this included gym wear). Johnny Flores was immaculate, well dressed, tailored and laundered. Johnny told us that Jerry and his father would room together and at the end of the day would toss their dirty clothing in the corner of the room. One morning Johnny knocked on the door to wake Jerry for road work and when papa Jack opened it to let him in, Flores was startled by this rotton smell that hit him right in the face as he entered. He looked over his shoulder toward the direction the odor was coming from and saw a pile of dirty laundry in the corner. "I saw a pair of socks standing up on their own on top of this foul pile clothes," Flores said. "I made a quick exit!" Johnny would refer to that odor as the "Curse of the Quarry's". Aside from his smelly gym clothes, Jerry alwas looked and smelled pretty clean when I saw him outside the gym, but I guess he had his moments.

-Rick Farris

-

[Rick Farris]

Thanks to everyone that enjoys my stories. I used to pay a shrink a hundred bucks an hour . I'd tell him a story. He'd be writing something down. He'd smile and then write me a prescription for Prozac.

This is much better therapy . Writing something for my friends.

Besides,it saves me money.

We love it Roger, keep it up, please.

-Rick

[kikibalt]

I'm off for some menudo con pata....

Enjoy it Frank!! If you've been sick with the flu this should make you feel better.

Randy

Randy,


Had that menudo and man was it good, above is their card, they make the best menudo in our neck of the woods, if you ever fine yourself in the La Puente area stop and have some.

Now the flu, I don't get the flu often, maybe every 3 years or so, but!, but, when I get it the s-b will stay with me for a couple of months, no shit!!

[dagosd2000]

RECUERDOS

I often think if I hadn't married my wife she'd be dead by now. I'm not being morbid. You see when I met her she had nothing. Living in a shack in TJ. No money. Working off and on as a house keeper. She took care of the family when she was younger. All nine of them. Her older brother had a construction business until he had a stroke. Her older sister hauled ass. She wanted no part of cooking and cleaning for her siblings on a poor ranch in Michoacan.

My wife was there. She did those things. She never hit any of them. They were taken care of.

After a few years of our marriage my wife woke up in terrible pain one night. My wife doesn't complain. It had to be something serious. I took her to emergency. They found a tumor on her ovary. It was removed. She's fine now. That was a long time ago. But if that would have happened in some shack in Tijuana,she'd been dead. With no money even the Red Cross down there wouldn't have helped her. Besides no one would have taken her there. Not even her family. Take my word for it.

Today,my wife is very happy. We go to Europe,built a house in Michoacan. We have no bills. My wife still helps her family. She gets more mother's day cards than anyone I know from nieces and nephews and everyone with the last name of Madrigal. Her family respects her. She's on a pedastal. They don't think of ripping her off.

But if I hadn't married her? That night she was in terrible pain? If she was alone in that shack?

Her family is nice to her now. With me it came too late.

[kikibalt]

Its funny how weather is a matter of perspective. I just looked at the LA weather, and your low today is about 40 and your high about 50. Its the same in St. Louis.

But, this morning, Linda and I were commenting about how warm and pleasant it was outside!!

Tom, where I live at, it below freezing, our low was 31. thats to cold for this hot weather guy.

The lows in St. Louis have been in the teens, so 31 doesn't sound too bad for a low. But make no mistake: I hate the cold. If it were up to me, I'd be living in Arizona, but Linda "likes the Seasons" . . . so there you go.

"I'm dreaming of a White Christmas" sounds like a nightmare to me.

In a perfect world, I'd be independently wealthy, supplement my income doing what Mike Casey does (write fascinating stories about old-time fighters), live in Scottsdale, AZ in the Fall and Winter, and live in Karlshamn, Sweden in the Spring and Summer.

But its not a perfect world so I keep living, and freezing my butt off every winter, in St. Louis.

Poor! Poor, Tom....

[kikibalt]

[Expug]

Hello guys, Chicago got about ten feet of snow last night.
Typical winter crap. What are ya gonna do?

I had a discussion with a sports writer at a Blackhawks game I was working the other night That will strike a nerve with you guys.
On New Years day The Chicago Blackhawks are gonna play the Detroit Red Wings in an outdoor game at Wrigley Field .
The home of the Cubs.
This sports writer said that it is going to be the single biggest sporting event in Chicago history.
I told him that I didnt agree.
It will be big, and lots of fun.But...Chicago hosted DEMPSEY-TUNNEY THE LONG COUNT.
The guy knew nothing about it. It was like talking to a wall.He said nobody remembers that event.
Unfortunately he might be right.
Sad.

[raylawpc]

Its funny how weather is a matter of perspective. I just looked at the LA weather, and your low today is about 40 and your high about 50. Its the same in St. Louis.

But, this morning, Linda and I were commenting about how warm and pleasant it was outside!!

Tom, where I live at, it below freezing, our low was 31. thats to cold for this hot weather guy.

The lows in St. Louis have been in the teens, so 31 doesn't sound too bad for a low. But make no mistake: I hate the cold. If it were up to me, I'd be living in Arizona, but Linda "likes the Seasons" . . . so there you go.

"I'm dreaming of a White Christmas" sounds like a nightmare to me.

In a perfect world, I'd be independently wealthy, supplement my income doing what Mike Casey does (write fascinating stories about old-time fighters), live in Scottsdale, AZ in the Fall and Winter, and live in Karlshamn, Sweden in the Spring and Summer.

But its not a perfect world so I keep living, and freezing my butt off every winter, in St. Louis.

Poor! Poor, Tom....

Yes, Poor, poor pitiful me. . .

"I lay my head on the railroad track
And wait for the double-E
The railroad don't run no more
Poor, poor pitiful me"

- Warren Zevon

[kikibalt]

Its funny how weather is a matter of perspective. I just looked at the LA weather, and your low today is about 40 and your high about 50. Its the same in St. Louis.

But, this morning, Linda and I were commenting about how warm and pleasant it was outside!!

Tom, where I live at, it below freezing, our low was 31. thats to cold for this hot weather guy.

The lows in St. Louis have been in the teens, so 31 doesn't sound too bad for a low. But make no mistake: I hate the cold. If it were up to me, I'd be living in Arizona, but Linda "likes the Seasons" . . . so there you go.

"I'm dreaming of a White Christmas" sounds like a nightmare to me.

In a perfect world, I'd be independently wealthy, supplement my income doing what Mike Casey does (write fascinating stories about old-time fighters), live in Scottsdale, AZ in the Fall and Winter, and live in Karlshamn, Sweden in the Spring and Summer.

But its not a perfect world so I keep living, and freezing my butt off every winter, in St. Louis.

Poor! Poor, Tom....

Yes, Poor, poor pitiful me. . .

"I lay my head on the railroad track
And wait for the double-E
The railroad don't run no more
Poor, poor pitiful me"

- Warren Zevon

Love that quote...

[kikibalt]

[raylawpc]

Poor! Poor, Tom....

Yes, Poor, poor pitiful me. . .

"I lay my head on the railroad track
And wait for the double-E
The railroad don't run no more
Poor, poor pitiful me"

- Warren Zevon

Love that quote...

And Linda Ronstadt singing it!!

[Rick Farris]

RECUERDOS

I often think if I hadn't married my wife she'd be dead by now. I'm not being morbid. You see when I met her she had nothing. Living in a shack in TJ. No money. Working off and on as a house keeper. She took care of the family when she was younger. All nine of them. Her older brother had a construction business until he had a stroke. Her older sister hauled ass. She wanted no part of cooking and cleaning for her siblings on a poor ranch in Michoacan.

My wife was there. She did those things. She never hit any of them. They were taken care of.

After a few years of our marriage my wife woke up in terrible pain one night. My wife doesn't complain. It had to be something serious. I took her to emergency. They found a tumor on her ovary. It was removed. She's fine now. That was a long time ago. But if that would have happened in some shack in Tijuana,she'd been dead. With no money even the Red Cross down there wouldn't have helped her. Besides no one would have taken her there. Not even her family. Take my word for it.

Today,my wife is very happy. We go to Europe,built a house in Michoacan. We have no bills. My wife still helps her family. She gets more mother's day cards than anyone I know from nieces and nephews and everyone with the last name of Madrigal. Her family respects her. She's on a pedastal. They don't think of ripping her off.

But if I hadn't married her? That night she was in terrible pain? If she was alone in that shack?

Her family is nice to her now. With me it came too late.

Roger, I still laugh when I think of the story you told us that night in the bar, the one about Maria fighting with the knives she used to clean fish. How after work you had a list of things to do; some grocery shopping, pick the kids up from school, bail Maria out of the Tijuana Jail. This woman is very pretty, she has strong eyes and features, I saw the good in her although I only spend short moments in her presence. You get a feeling about people, she was real and proud, I felt her strength. Monica and I like and respect her very much. And of course, the same applies to you.

-Rick

[Rick Farris]

And Linda Ronstadt singing it!! [/quote]
________________________________________________________________________________________________________

You know Tom, I always liked Linda Ronstadt. Back in 1971, when I was 19 and boxing pro, I used to have a pretty hot girlfriend and we went to see Ronstadt at the Troubador, a small club on Santa Monica Blvd. in West Hollywood. She was on her own then, no longer with her 60's band, the Stone Ponys. The opening act was an unknown comedian. The guy was prematurely grey, came out and played a banjo and had an arrow sticking out of his head. He was hilarious, and if it weren't for the strength of Linda Ronstadt, he'd have stolen the show. Ronstadt was great, the Troubador is a small club, only holds a couple hundred people so everybody is close to the stage. It was one of the best performances I've ever seen. And the unknown comedian, his name was Steve Martin.

-Rick

[kikibalt]

[kikibalt]