Classic American West Coast Boxing

[Randyman]

Tom Wrote:

I fall into the third catagory - you know, "The Guy Who Never Was."

But I suspect that for top performers like de la Hoya, Ray Leonard, and other guys who stayed too long, the allure of the ring is awfully powerful. What else can they do in life to equal the rush of performing before thousands of cheering fans? I think it goes beyond money. I think they need that rush. I think they crave it the way some junkies crave heroin.

Ah yes, the third category "The Guy Who Never Was". I hear you. That about sums it up for me too. Which is why, regardless of where their careers end up, even the "Tomato Cans" get my respect. No small feat to become a ranked fighter, much less a champ. It's more than I accomplished. If after a time, a fighter's career hits the skids, well, it has happened to the best of them.

Tom, you are so right about the addiction. I believe money plays a large part in a fighters, inability to call it quits but they want to be champs again, they want the accolades, the glory. It's what they fought for. In some ways I can't blame them. The very stubbornness that made them great is now working against them.

Randy

BTW Randy, I sure enjoyed that youtube video of you and your grandson with the mitts. It really makes me hope for the day I'm blessed with a grandson like yours.

Thanks Tom, I appreciate it. The grandkids are a handful at times but Jeri and I are blessed. By the time my daughter started video taping Trevor hitting the mitts he had already been hitting them for a while. He was tired but he didn't want to say anything. I gave him an out. He's eager to learn but my son-in-law and daughter don't have an interest in boxing so it's not even a moot point with them.

Someday you'll have grandkids Tom. The funny thing is, once they come they just keep coming. Jeri and I have six. We still have our son and youngest daughter to go through. Neither is in a hurry, so someday maybe.

Randy

[Rick Farris]

Rick, I don't disagree with anything you said except to say that there are degrees of respect, in boxing and in life. I personally respect any man that can step into the ring. The degrees of respect come after he steps in ring, what he does with what he has. Without a doubt, there are fighters that are infinitely more deserving of respect and I give it freely. That being said, I understand that Oscar has lost a large degree of respect and credibilty. The thing with me is that I will aways view things from the bottom. I've been there. I have been down so many times. I have had to pick myself up and start over so many times. I remember what it's like to f*ck up big time. So my view is always tempered with empathy.

What I am is disappointed. Disappointed because Oscar not only let boxing fans down, he let himself down, big time. Just like the rest of us, he'll have to live with it. How he handles it from here on end is the real test.

On Antonio Margarito: until he gives Paul Williams a rematch he is a bad example.

Randy [/quote]
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Randy, on respect: I either do, or don't. And for the record, I know where to find the bottom, I've been there. To be perfectly honest, not that long ago. But I found my way back, that's all that matters.

-Rick

[Randyman]

Rick, I don't disagree with anything you said except to say that there are degrees of respect, in boxing and in life. I personally respect any man that can step into the ring. The degrees of respect come after he steps in ring, what he does with what he has. Without a doubt, there are fighters that are infinitely more deserving of respect and I give it freely. That being said, I understand that Oscar has lost a large degree of respect and credibilty. The thing with me is that I will aways view things from the bottom. I've been there. I have been down so many times. I have had to pick myself up and start over so many times. I remember what it's like to f*ck up big time. So my view is always tempered with empathy.

What I am is disappointed. Disappointed because Oscar not only let boxing fans down, he let himself down, big time. Just like the rest of us, he'll have to live with it. How he handles it from here on end is the real test.

On Antonio Margarito: until he gives Paul Williams a rematch he is a bad example.

Randy

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

On respect: I either Do, or Don't. Levels complicate reality, personally speaking. And for the record, I know where to find the bottom cuz I've been there. To be perfectly honest, not that long ago. But I found my way back, that's all that matters.

-Rick[/quote]
I agree, that's all that matters. I'm sure we have all been there at one time or another.

Randy

[dagosd2000]

Hey Guys
I'm sitting here watching West Side Story on TV. Talk about a movie that's outdated. Two gangs in New York City,The Sharks and The Jets,leaping and spinning along the streets. Pirohuetting through the alleys and playgrounds.Dancing on their tippy toes as they shank one another. Snapping their fingers and singing songs like "When You're A Jet" and "Officer Krupke".
Hilarious. I think this movie won 10 Oscars in 1960. Best Film. I know it's a musical,but it should go under comedy also.

Think if they tried this today. A musical about Crips and Bloods. Or how about one on the Mexican Mafia? There's always the Aryan Brotherhood.
I'm thinking of writing a musical about the Hell's Angels. Chorus lines of Hell's Angels dancing in tight greasy Levi's. Singing songs like Kill The Mongols.
How about Cocaine Lullaby? F---- My Bitch. Or, Contract on A Federal Judge.

West Side Story. Yes sir. That was a day when gangs weren't so bad. I wish gangs today would take up more dancing.

[Rick Farris]

Hey Guys
I'm sitting here watching West Side Story on TV. Talk about a movie that's outdated. Two gangs in New York City,The Sharks and The Jets,leaping and spinning along the streets. Pirohuetting through the alleys and playgrounds. Snapping their fingers and singing songs like "When You're A Jet" and "Officer Krupke".
Hilarious. I think this movie won 10 Oscars in 1960. Best Film. I know it's a musical,but it should go under comedy also.

Think if they tried this today. A musical about Crips and Bloods. Or how about one on the Mexican Mafia? There's always the Aryan Brotherhood.
I'm thinking of writing a musical about the Hell's Angels. Chorus lines of Hell's Angels dancing in tight greasy Levi's. Singing songs like Kill The Mongols.
How about Cocaine Lullaby? F---- My Bitch. Or, Contract on A Federal Judge.

West Side Story. Yes sir. That was a day when gangs weren't so bad. I wish gangs today would take up more dancing.

Roger . . . In 1979, I met Rita Moreno. She was guest starring on an episode of the "Rockford Files", a show I worked on back then. Next time we get together, I'll share the story with you. Nothing to tell here except that I happened to ask her about her role in "The Ring", which was made the year I was born, 1952. She laughed when I mentioned the film and was fascinated that I knew it so well. Very, very interesting lady! The only actor in history to win an Oscar, an Emmy, a Tony, a Grammy and a Cleo (For a commercial). A couple years later, I'd work with her again on a movie called, "The Four Seasons", with Alan Alda and Carol Burnett. We were in the Carribean for that one. Rita Moreno?

By the way, I like your idea about the contemporary "gang movie". A musical about the Crips and Bloods. A chorus line of HA boys. Why not?

-Rick

[bennie]

Hey Guys
I'm sitting here watching West Side Story on TV. Talk about a movie that's outdated. Two gangs in New York City,The Sharks and The Jets,leaping and spinning along the streets. Pirohuetting through the alleys and playgrounds. Snapping their fingers and singing songs like "When You're A Jet" and "Officer Krupke".
Hilarious. I think this movie won 10 Oscars in 1960. Best Film. I know it's a musical,but it should go under comedy also.

Think if they tried this today. A musical about Crips and Bloods. Or how about one on the Mexican Mafia? There's always the Aryan Brotherhood.
I'm thinking of writing a musical about the Hell's Angels. Chorus lines of Hell's Angels dancing in tight greasy Levi's. Singing songs like Kill The Mongols.
How about Cocaine Lullaby? F---- My Bitch. Or, Contract on A Federal Judge.

West Side Story. Yes sir. That was a day when gangs weren't so bad. I wish gangs today would take up more dancing.

Roger . . . In 1979, I met Rita Moreno. She was guest starring on an episode of the "Rockford Files", a show I worked on back then. Next time we get together, I'll share the story with you. Nothing to tell here except that I happened to ask her about her role in "The Ring", which was made the year I was born, 1952. She laughed when I mentioned the film and was fascinated that I knew it so well. Very, very interesting lady! The only actor in history to win an Oscar, an Emmy, a Tony, a Grammy and a Cleo (For a commercial). A couple years later, I'd work with her again on a movie called, "The Four Seasons", with Alan Alda and Carol Burnett. We were in the Carribean for that one. Rita Moreno?

By the way, I like your idea about the contemporary "gang movie". A musical about the Crips and Bloods. A chorus line of HA boys. Why not?

-Rick

Hey, Rick, tell us about Jimmy Garner. Is he a good guy?

[kikibalt]

Happy New Year....

http://www.egreetings.com/ecards/view.p ... urce=eg999

[bennie]

Happy New Year....

http://www.egreetings.com/ecards/view.p ... urce=eg999

Happy New Year, Frankie (and everyone).

[raylawpc]

Hey Guys
I'm sitting here watching West Side Story on TV. Talk about a movie that's outdated. Two gangs in New York City,The Sharks and The Jets,leaping and spinning along the streets. Pirohuetting through the alleys and playgrounds.Dancing on their tippy toes as they shank one another. Snapping their fingers and singing songs like "When You're A Jet" and "Officer Krupke".
Hilarious. I think this movie won 10 Oscars in 1960. Best Film. I know it's a musical,but it should go under comedy also.

Think if they tried this today. A musical about Crips and Bloods. Or how about one on the Mexican Mafia? There's always the Aryan Brotherhood.
I'm thinking of writing a musical about the Hell's Angels. Chorus lines of Hell's Angels dancing in tight greasy Levi's. Singing songs like Kill The Mongols.
How about Cocaine Lullaby? F---- My Bitch. Or, Contract on A Federal Judge.

West Side Story. Yes sir. That was a day when gangs weren't so bad. I wish gangs today would take up more dancing.

Roger, it was a Hollywood musical, not a historical documentary. Leonard Bernstein, not Ken Burns.

And they still do West Side Story every year at musical theaters across the country. They did it two or three years ago at St. Louis' Muny Theater, and it was great!

[kikibalt]

Hey Guys
I'm sitting here watching West Side Story on TV. Talk about a movie that's outdated. Two gangs in New York City,The Sharks and The Jets,leaping and spinning along the streets. Pirohuetting through the alleys and playgrounds.Dancing on their tippy toes as they shank one another. Snapping their fingers and singing songs like "When You're A Jet" and "Officer Krupke".
Hilarious. I think this movie won 10 Oscars in 1960. Best Film. I know it's a musical,but it should go under comedy also.

Think if they tried this today. A musical about Crips and Bloods. Or how about one on the Mexican Mafia? There's always the Aryan Brotherhood.
I'm thinking of writing a musical about the Hell's Angels. Chorus lines of Hell's Angels dancing in tight greasy Levi's. Singing songs like Kill The Mongols.
How about Cocaine Lullaby? F---- My Bitch. Or, Contract on A Federal Judge.

West Side Story. Yes sir. That was a day when gangs weren't so bad. I wish gangs today would take up more dancing.

Reading Roger's post reminded me of the car clubs of the early 1950's with names as the "Lampighters" (Jimtown), "Coffin Cheaters" (E.L.A) "Gents" (E.L.A) "Jokers" (My club, E.L.A.), et. al., we, (the clubs), would put dances at places as the "Poppy Trail" (E.L.A.), "El Monte Legion", "Our Lady of Lourdes Church" (Boyle Heights), "Laguna ParK" (E.L.A.) et.al.

For the most part the dances were peaceful, every now and then a rumble would breakout between clubs... , usually over a girl... , no guns, just fists. A week or so later the clubs would have a meet, to get the warring clubs to make nice, and they would, until the next girl that every guy wanted came along.....

"Let The Good Times Roll"....

[Expug]

JOHNNY LIRA
By Jim Amato


The city of Chicago has produced its share of outstanding professional fighters. One of them was a tough as nails lightweight who campaigned in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. His name was Johnny Lira and he fought his way into the top echelon of the lightweight rankings.

Lira turned pro in 1976 and quickly gained notice by winning his first twelve fights. In 1977 he drew with Manuel Lopez but defeated Lopez in a return bout. Johnny hit the big time in 1978 when he received a shot at the United States Boxing Association lightweight title. His opponent was the highly ranked southpaw bomber Andy Ganigan. Johnny was a decided underdog going in but he shocked the boxing establishment by stopping Ganigan in round six. Lira then went to New York’s Madison Square Garden to outscore the talented Larry Stanton. Lira was now high in the ratings and in 1979 he received a shot at the World Boxing Association’s version of the lightweight title. Their champion was a hard-hitting bomber from Venezuela named Ernesto Espana. It was a gruelling fight but Espana emerged victorious stopping Johnny in nine rounds. Lira would suffer a broken jaw for his gallant effort.

In 1980 Johnny traveled to Spain and dropped an eight round decision to Andoni Amana. He would later lose a ten round duke to the flashy Howard Davis Jr. In 1981 Lira would post a ten round win over Ohio’s rugged Bobby Plegge. Johnny was then outdueled over ten rounds by Nicky Furlano and the was stopped in nine rounds by Willie Rodriguez for the USBA super lightweight title.Lira regrouped in 1982 scoring a points verdict over Canadian Al Ford. Johnny then lost a tough call to former world champion Alfredo Escalera. Lira would come back to win four fights but in 1984 he lost a ten rounder to Russell Mitchell. That was his last fight.

Lira hung them up with a fine record of 29-7-1. He scored fifteen knockouts. Johnny himself was stopped on two occasions.

hi guys, im on vacation in Colorado at the moment.
Great stuff on here as usual.
Randy, that post you made about daughters is wonderful my friend.
Johnny Lira , as I mentioned before, is a guy I know pretty well and trained with in Chicago.
I will always remember after he kod Gannigan, he came strutting into the gym and said, "as soon as Andy turned it into a streetfight, I knew I was gonna knock him out".
Lira is a tough guy and loves to mix it up.
One day he was sparring with Louie Mateo in the gym and for some reason, threw a knee into Louies groin touching off a near Melee.
There are all kinds of Lira stories out there.
Lately he has been ill with a liver disease, but I heard he is doing better.
I will be back in a few days gents.

[dagosd2000]

Hey Guys
I'm sitting here watching West Side Story on TV. Talk about a movie that's outdated. Two gangs in New York City,The Sharks and The Jets,leaping and spinning along the streets. Pirohuetting through the alleys and playgrounds.Dancing on their tippy toes as they shank one another. Snapping their fingers and singing songs like "When You're A Jet" and "Officer Krupke".
Hilarious. I think this movie won 10 Oscars in 1960. Best Film. I know it's a musical,but it should go under comedy also.

Think if they tried this today. A musical about Crips and Bloods. Or how about one on the Mexican Mafia? There's always the Aryan Brotherhood.
I'm thinking of writing a musical about the Hell's Angels. Chorus lines of Hell's Angels dancing in tight greasy Levi's. Singing songs like Kill The Mongols.
How about Cocaine Lullaby? F---- My Bitch. Or, Contract on A Federal Judge.

West Side Story. Yes sir. That was a day when gangs weren't so bad. I wish gangs today would take up more dancing.

Reading Roger's post reminded me of the car clubs of the early 1950's with names as the "Lampighters" (Jimtown), "Coffin Cheaters" (E.L.A) "Gents" (E.L.A) "Jokers" (My club, E.L.A.), et. al., we, (the clubs), would put dances at places as the "Poppy Trail" (E.L.A.), "El Monte Legion", "Our Lady of Lourdes Church" (Boyle Heights), "Laguna ParK" (E.L.A.) et.al.

For the most part the dances were peaceful, every now and then a rumble would breakout between clubs... , usually over a girl... , no guns, just fists. A week or so later the clubs would have a meet, to get the warring clubs to make nice, and they would, until the next girl that every guy wanted came along.....

"Let The Good Times Roll"....

You're right Frank
Gangs ,if I recall correctly,weren't even referred to as gangs. I was in a club called the Sovereigns.We had these real nice sweaters made up that read "Sovereigns" on the back in that Old English script. We drank beer. Like you say,customed up our cars. Thoughts of killing anyone or drug trafficking were for the Mafia.We didn't use dope.

One time we played a softball game with our local neighborhood rivals,The Quigs(surfers). We were comprised of Portugese and Italians. There was a fight after the game. Our toughest guy,Mingo Silva,against their toughest guy,Jack Pringle. It was one on one. No dirty stuff. The thing must have lasted a half hour. I can't even remember who won,but it was like Corrales and Castillo as far as drama. No one even thought of jumping in and unevening the odds.

Yeh,Frank. Bring on the good 'ol days. Girls didn't go out and get tattoos and their lips pierced. They back then reminded me of Annette Funicello.Hey pal,here's a gang worth mentioning,The Mickey Mouse Club

[dagosd2000]

JOHNNY LIRA
By Jim Amato


The city of Chicago has produced its share of outstanding professional fighters. One of them was a tough as nails lightweight who campaigned in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. His name was Johnny Lira and he fought his way into the top echelon of the lightweight rankings.

Lira turned pro in 1976 and quickly gained notice by winning his first twelve fights. In 1977 he drew with Manuel Lopez but defeated Lopez in a return bout. Johnny hit the big time in 1978 when he received a shot at the United States Boxing Association lightweight title. His opponent was the highly ranked southpaw bomber Andy Ganigan. Johnny was a decided underdog going in but he shocked the boxing establishment by stopping Ganigan in round six. Lira then went to New York’s Madison Square Garden to outscore the talented Larry Stanton. Lira was now high in the ratings and in 1979 he received a shot at the World Boxing Association’s version of the lightweight title. Their champion was a hard-hitting bomber from Venezuela named Ernesto Espana. It was a gruelling fight but Espana emerged victorious stopping Johnny in nine rounds. Lira would suffer a broken jaw for his gallant effort.

In 1980 Johnny traveled to Spain and dropped an eight round decision to Andoni Amana. He would later lose a ten round duke to the flashy Howard Davis Jr. In 1981 Lira would post a ten round win over Ohio’s rugged Bobby Plegge. Johnny was then outdueled over ten rounds by Nicky Furlano and the was stopped in nine rounds by Willie Rodriguez for the USBA super lightweight title.Lira regrouped in 1982 scoring a points verdict over Canadian Al Ford. Johnny then lost a tough call to former world champion Alfredo Escalera. Lira would come back to win four fights but in 1984 he lost a ten rounder to Russell Mitchell. That was his last fight.

Lira hung them up with a fine record of 29-7-1. He scored fifteen knockouts. Johnny himself was stopped on two occasions.

hi guys, im on vacation in Colorado at the moment.
Great stuff on here as usual.
Randy, that post you made about daughters is wonderful my friend.
Johnny Lira , as I mentioned before, is a guy I know pretty well and trained with in Chicago.
I will always remember after he kod Gannigan, he came strutting into the gym and said, "as soon as Andy turned it into a streetfight, I knew I was gonna knock him out".
Lira is a tough guy and loves to mix it up.
One day he was sparring with Louie Mateo in the gym and for some reason, threw a knee into Louies groin touching off a near Melee.
There are all kinds of Lira stories out there.
Lately he has been ill with a liver disease, but I heard he is doing better.
I will be back in a few days gents.

Brian leaves frozen Chicago to take a vacation in frozen Colorado.Maybe he's a snow skier?

[kikibalt]

Hey Guys
I'm sitting here watching West Side Story on TV. Talk about a movie that's outdated. Two gangs in New York City,The Sharks and The Jets,leaping and spinning along the streets. Pirohuetting through the alleys and playgrounds.Dancing on their tippy toes as they shank one another. Snapping their fingers and singing songs like "When You're A Jet" and "Officer Krupke".
Hilarious. I think this movie won 10 Oscars in 1960. Best Film. I know it's a musical,but it should go under comedy also.

Think if they tried this today. A musical about Crips and Bloods. Or how about one on the Mexican Mafia? There's always the Aryan Brotherhood.
I'm thinking of writing a musical about the Hell's Angels. Chorus lines of Hell's Angels dancing in tight greasy Levi's. Singing songs like Kill The Mongols.
How about Cocaine Lullaby? F---- My Bitch. Or, Contract on A Federal Judge.

West Side Story. Yes sir. That was a day when gangs weren't so bad. I wish gangs today would take up more dancing.

Reading Roger's post reminded me of the car clubs of the early 1950's with names as the "Lampighters" (Jimtown), "Coffin Cheaters" (E.L.A) "Gents" (E.L.A) "Jokers" (My club, E.L.A.), et. al., we, (the clubs), would put dances at places as the "Poppy Trail" (E.L.A.), "El Monte Legion", "Our Lady of Lourdes Church" (Boyle Heights), "Laguna ParK" (E.L.A.) et.al.

For the most part the dances were peaceful, every now and then a rumble would breakout between clubs... , usually over a girl... , no guns, just fists. A week or so later the clubs would have a meet, to get the warring clubs to make nice, and they would, until the next girl that every guy wanted came along.....

"Let The Good Times Roll"....

You're right Frank
Gangs ,if I recall correctly,weren't even referred to as gangs. I was in a club called the Sovereigns.We had these real nice sweaters made up that read "Sovereigns" on the back in that Old English script. We drank beer. Like you say,customed up our cars. Thoughts of killing anyone or drug trafficking were for the Mafia.We didn't use dope.

One time we played a softball game with our local neighborhood rivals,The Quigs(surfers). We were comprised of Portugese and Italians. There was a fight after the game. Our toughest guy,Mingo Silva,against their toughest guy,Jack Pringle. It was one on one. No dirty stuff. The thing must have lasted a half hour. I can't even remember who won,but it was like Corrales and Castillo as far as drama. No one even thought of jumping in and unevening the odds.

Yeh,Frank. Bring on the good 'ol days. Girls didn't go out and get tattoos and their lips pierced. They back then reminded me of Annette Funicello.Hey pal,here's a gang worth mentioning,The Mickey Mouse Club

All the car clubs had lettermen jackets with their name and logo on the back, the Lamplighters had a dude dress to the nines leaning against a lamppost, the Coffin Cheaters had an empty coffin, the Gents had a dude in top hat, we, the Jokes had, of course a joker, like the batman joker....

You couldn't get in a car club if you didn't have a car,,,, : :(

[dagosd2000]

NO FUN ZONE

My mechanic in TJ slapped on a pair of front brakes on my van yesterday at his shop down at the end of the Coahuila.40 bucks parts and labor. His name is Teo. He has been in business for years. His son works it with him. My brother in law,El Momia(the mummy) used to tint windows outside in the street,but now he works along the Boulevard across town. I don't even want to know what happened. Wouldn't get a straight story anyway.

While Teo was working on the van,we talked about the Margarito fight. Tony lives near by. Rough place,but he grew up around there so he feels a change of scenery would disrupt his mental wellness. We also talked about Oscar's fight. Not much discussion there. There never has been a lot of interest in De La Hoya in Mexico. PacMan though is respected because he comes to fight. Mexicans love a guy who fights hurt ,in pain,and all bloodied up.

After the job was finished,I thought I'd drive over to the CREA athletic compound. It's in the Rio. It's a government facility. I wanted to see the fighters work out. They usually arrive around 3 o'clock. Parking is terrible around there,but what bothered me more were all the Army guys standing around with ski masks and machine guns. There must of been 50 of them. Nice welcoming committee.

I figured they're trying to protect all the people inside from being kidnapped ,or maybe a shootout. All I know is being surrounded by guys like that made me tense. I should worry about something going to an athletic field.

Several of the boys showed up.Not much action. I guess the holiday season is reason to break training. Especially South Of The Border. It's a time to be with family,not breaking your ass in a hot sweaty boxing gym.I left after 15 minutes or so.

As usual I didn't bring my camera. But on second thought,one of those bastards with the machine gun would have probably taken it away from me.

[dagosd2000]

Frank
With The Sovereigns it was a Buick Riviera. Those guys mostly fished. That was a hell of an income back then. They could afford a new Riviera. And they had to have the tinted windows and custom speakers in the back.

The music? Rightous Brothers and Little Anthony. I remember a lot of Jerry Butler. I can't believe this guy is not in the Rock 'N Roll Hall Of Fame.

Oh,my wheels ? A 57 Chevy Nova. Thing was, it was pink. All right Frank ,you gave me shit about this before. Hey, Sugar Ray had a pink Cadillac.

[Expug]

JOHNNY LIRA
By Jim Amato


The city of Chicago has produced its share of outstanding professional fighters. One of them was a tough as nails lightweight who campaigned in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. His name was Johnny Lira and he fought his way into the top echelon of the lightweight rankings.

Lira turned pro in 1976 and quickly gained notice by winning his first twelve fights. In 1977 he drew with Manuel Lopez but defeated Lopez in a return bout. Johnny hit the big time in 1978 when he received a shot at the United States Boxing Association lightweight title. His opponent was the highly ranked southpaw bomber Andy Ganigan. Johnny was a decided underdog going in but he shocked the boxing establishment by stopping Ganigan in round six. Lira then went to New York’s Madison Square Garden to outscore the talented Larry Stanton. Lira was now high in the ratings and in 1979 he received a shot at the World Boxing Association’s version of the lightweight title. Their champion was a hard-hitting bomber from Venezuela named Ernesto Espana. It was a gruelling fight but Espana emerged victorious stopping Johnny in nine rounds. Lira would suffer a broken jaw for his gallant effort.

In 1980 Johnny traveled to Spain and dropped an eight round decision to Andoni Amana. He would later lose a ten round duke to the flashy Howard Davis Jr. In 1981 Lira would post a ten round win over Ohio’s rugged Bobby Plegge. Johnny was then outdueled over ten rounds by Nicky Furlano and the was stopped in nine rounds by Willie Rodriguez for the USBA super lightweight title.Lira regrouped in 1982 scoring a points verdict over Canadian Al Ford. Johnny then lost a tough call to former world champion Alfredo Escalera. Lira would come back to win four fights but in 1984 he lost a ten rounder to Russell Mitchell. That was his last fight.

Lira hung them up with a fine record of 29-7-1. He scored fifteen knockouts. Johnny himself was stopped on two occasions.

hi guys, im on vacation in Colorado at the moment.
Great stuff on here as usual.
Randy, that post you made about daughters is wonderful my friend.
Johnny Lira , as I mentioned before, is a guy I know pretty well and trained with in Chicago.
I will always remember after he kod Gannigan, he came strutting into the gym and said, "as soon as Andy turned it into a streetfight, I knew I was gonna knock him out".
Lira is a tough guy and loves to mix it up.
One day he was sparring with Louie Mateo in the gym and for some reason, threw a knee into Louies groin touching off a near Melee.
There are all kinds of Lira stories out there.
Lately he has been ill with a liver disease, but I heard he is doing better.
I will be back in a few days gents.

Brian leaves frozen Chicago to take a vacation in frozen Colorado.Maybe he's a snow skier?

Rog,Im gettin my ass kicked out here.
Im a snow skier in the same way The Partridge Family was a rock band.
I told my kids that Daddy skiing is "Willie Lump Lump hits the slopes".

[dagosd2000]

Frank
Can you play"Make It Easy On Youself" by Jerry Butler? The one on the top with the record cover. Thanks

Brian
When you get back, post some pics of you flying a hundred miles an hour into a pile of tourists knocking them over like bowling pins.

[kikibalt]

Frank
Oh,my wheels ? A 57 Chevy Nova. Thing was, it was pink. All right Frank ,you gave me shit about this before. Hey, Sugar Ray had a pink Cadillac.

Yeah! but he was Sugar Ray.....

[dagosd2000]

Frank
Oh,my wheels ? A 57 Chevy Nova. Thing was, it was pink. All right Frank ,you gave me shit about this before. Hey, Sugar Ray had a pink Cadillac.

Yeah! but he was Sugar Ray.....

I met him once :(

[kikibalt]

Frank
Can you play"Make It Easy On Youself" by Jerry Butler? The one on the top with the record cover. Thanks

Might not be the one you want, but....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLlBzu2LRPA

Brian
When you get back, post some pics of you flying a hundred miles an hour into a pile of tourists knocking them over like bowling pins.

[kikibalt]

The Armenta Brothers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yA3dwFl65I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8-T-HeRX_M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-gP-wYfQbQ

firstbornson1952

THIS TUNE WAS INSPIRED BY MANUEL ARMENTA'S FIRST BORN SON, MARTIN(me). circa early '50s. sorry about the pictures. i don't know why they are so out of focus. i really wanted to show off the second to last photo as it contains the four original armenta brothers, bob on piano, manuel on sax, steve on sax, and willie on trumpet. the guitar player is my cousin, george. that is me on bass. george and i are the only other armenta's to ever play in the band.

[kikibalt]

Rog...google Armenta Brothers and fine out about the band we used to dance too at the car clubs dances back in the early days of the 1950's

[Rick Farris]

Hey Guys
I'm sitting here watching West Side Story on TV. Talk about a movie that's outdated. Two gangs in New York City,The Sharks and The Jets,leaping and spinning along the streets. Pirohuetting through the alleys and playgrounds. Snapping their fingers and singing songs like "When You're A Jet" and "Officer Krupke".
Hilarious. I think this movie won 10 Oscars in 1960. Best Film. I know it's a musical,but it should go under comedy also.

Think if they tried this today. A musical about Crips and Bloods. Or how about one on the Mexican Mafia? There's always the Aryan Brotherhood.
I'm thinking of writing a musical about the Hell's Angels. Chorus lines of Hell's Angels dancing in tight greasy Levi's. Singing songs like Kill The Mongols.
How about Cocaine Lullaby? F---- My Bitch. Or, Contract on A Federal Judge.

West Side Story. Yes sir. That was a day when gangs weren't so bad. I wish gangs today would take up more dancing.

Roger . . . In 1979, I met Rita Moreno. She was guest starring on an episode of the "Rockford Files", a show I worked on back then. Next time we get together, I'll share the story with you. Nothing to tell here except that I happened to ask her about her role in "The Ring", which was made the year I was born, 1952. She laughed when I mentioned the film and was fascinated that I knew it so well. Very, very interesting lady! The only actor in history to win an Oscar, an Emmy, a Tony, a Grammy and a Cleo (For a commercial). A couple years later, I'd work with her again on a movie called, "The Four Seasons", with Alan Alda and Carol Burnett. We were in the Carribean for that one. Rita Moreno?

By the way, I like your idea about the contemporary "gang movie". A musical about the Crips and Bloods. A chorus line of HA boys. Why not?

-Rick

Hey, Rick, tell us about Jimmy Garner. Is he a good guy?

Bennie . . . James Garner is the best! During my 32 years working in the film industry I've met a few actors whom I truly like and Jim Garner is one of them. In the 50's, my grandfather was the lighting gaffer on "Maverick", a popular TV show at the time, with Garner. Years later, in the mid 70's when I started out I was at Universal and assigned to the "Rockford Files". Jim Garner remembered my grandfather and took a liking to me, eventually helping me become the shows lighting gaffer. I would eventually work on hundreds of TV & movie productions, but not until I hooked up with Michael Landon would I work for anybody as professional as Garner. Jim is "our" type of a guy. He'd fit in here. No BS with Jams Garner. I'll share a few personal James Garner stories later, they are worth remembering.

-Rick

[Randyman]

Bennie . . . James Garner is the best! During my 32 years working in the film industry I've met a few actors whom I truly like and Jim Garner is one of them. In the 50's, my grandfather was the lighting gaffer on "Maverick", a popular TV show at the time, with Garner. Years later, in the mid 70's when I started out I was at Universal and assigned to the "Rockford Files". Jim Garner remembered my grandfather and took a liking to me, eventually helping me become the shows lighting gaffer. I would eventually work on hundreds of TV & movie productions, but not until I hooked up with Michael Landon would I work for anybody as professional as Garner. Jim is "our" type of a guy. He'd fit in here. No BS with Jams Garner. I'll share a few personal James Garner stories later, they are worth remembering.

-Rick

Rick, James Garner is another of my favorite actors. Like Michael Landon , he is a class act. Of course I don't know him personally, but from what I have read and from interviews that I have seen, he appears to be the real deal. On the Maverick show, he was the best of the Maverick's, but he was at his best as Jim Rockford. I've always felt that Magnum PI was somewhat of an updated version of Rockford. Noah Beery jr. was perfect as "Rocky, his father. Beery must have been a character. Did you meet him?

Maybe it's just me Rick, but as in boxing, they just don't make them like this any more. The new actors and the television shows as well as the movies just do not compare.

Randy