Classic American West Coast Boxing

[Randyman]

Signing for fight in Bakersfield, Seated L to R Tommy Noel, Larry Soto -Opponents American Representative, Trainer Denny Abenellia and Matchmaker Davies

Over the past year, this thread grew quickly. Frank posted so many great photos and some I did not have time to respond to. This is one of them. The face in the picture that really stands out in my mind is that of Larry Soto. When I think of L.A. boxing faces from my era, none are more familiar than that of the Soto brothers. Working out of the Main Street Gym, I can't remember a thursday night at the Olympic Auditorium when Larry and Memo were not in the corner of at least one boxer on the card.

Randy will remember the Soto's Main St. Gym dressing/equipment room was right next to one of the rings. Upon arriving at the gym each day, one of the brothers would push a shopping cart full of gloves, head gear, cups, wraps, jump ropes, vaseline, etc. onto the gym floor for their fighters. The Sotos worked with every level of boxer, from a kid on his first day in the gym to world champions. All were treated the same. I boxed with the Soto's amateurs and pros, most memorable, their flashy lightweight contender, Felipe Torres.

A couple of years ago, while working out in Lincoln Heights, I saw a small memorial on the wall dedicated to Larry Soto, who had passed away not long before. The photo of an elderly Larry Soto brought back a flood of memories. A few months later, I was happy to speak with brother Memo at the California Boxing HOF induction of our Frank Baltazar Sr.

When I think of Los Angeles boxing legends, the Soto brothers always come to mind. Rest in Peace, Larry.

-Rick Farris

Rick, did you now Max Soto? He was Larry and Memo's younger brother. He was also a fighter at one time. He was the spittin' image of Larry, except a little shorter. I worked with him for over twenty years. A good guy just like Larry and Memo. We could and would spend hours talking about boxing. He was also an upholsterer like my father and uncles, in fact that's how we met. I saw him standing around one day and for a moment I thought it was Larry. As I walked up to him he saw my badge with my name on it and beat me to the punch by asking me if I was related to Andy, Jimmy and Gilbert De La O. I told him Andy was my father. Then I find out he's Larry's brother. We became good friends. I lost track of him when he retired several years ago.

The room next to the ring at the Main Street Gym was used by Memo, Teddy Bentham and Howie for Danny, Ernie, Alberto Davila and Joey Olivo. Larry had his own room down the hall and around the corner from Howie's office. At least that's the way it was by the time I got there.

Larry was a great guy but I had an entirely different relationship with him than I did with Mel. One day I really pissed him off. He had a temper. A different type of temper than Mel. I had sparred with Felipe Canela, I believe it was the first time I had sparred since I was back in the gym. After I got dressed I walked into the small office he had in his room. I made the mistake of asking him how I looked, if I did alright, etc. He just lost it. He stared at me and said "Who the fornicate do you think you are?" I thought he was joking. Do you think I have nothing better to f*cken do than to sit here and answer your questions? What are you, special?" "No , I was just..." "If I have something to tell you I'll tell you" "But I was.." "I don't care what the f*ck. If you want to train here stop acting like a Prima Donna" and on and on he went. I never asked him again. I was pissed for a while but I let it go and eventually I forgot about it. It was embarrassing though. Felipe and his brother Manuel and a few other guys were right there. They were too embarrassed to even look me in the eye. Later Felipe told me Larry did the same thing to him. In time Larry and I got to be good friends. He deserved his Hall of Fame induction.

Contrast that with Mel, who constantly went over every little thing I did in the gym, every day and then later on the phone at night. It took me a while to realize every trainer is different.

Randy

[Randyman]

I'll make you a copy, we might have to work something out for you to pick it up, I hate going to the post office.....

No problem Frank, let me know when.

[Randyman]

Anybody feel the earthquake? Centered in Moreno Valley. 6.0

[Randyman]

Randy, as you know, MD's headquarters was in St. Louis. MD designed and manufactured the Mercury and Gemini space capsules. Several of my clients worked in those projects and got to know the early astronauts. Great stories about Cooper, Glenn, Sheppard et al. Someday, when we meet, I'll tell you some of those stories.

Tom, I hope someday I'll be fortunate enough to meet you face to face. I'd love to here those stories.

Randy

[raylawpc]

Rick,

You asked where I trained for the Carmona fight and who were my sparring partners---

I trained at the Hoover Street Gym in Los Angeles and my sparring partners were Claude Durden and Jerry Stokes. I only trained for three weeks before the fight and sparred everyday the last 10 days for six rounds each day--first, three rounds with Durden, then three rounds with Stokes. Jackie McCoy and Jesse Reid were my trainers. Reid was tough. He would work me really hard and McCoy would work on polishing my moves and punches. After the fight Jackie told me he had never seen me do those side steps. I had learned them early in my boxing career from my cousin, Jose Becerra, but I hardly ever used them. But for this fight and Carmona's style of boxing I saw it as a perfect opportunity to put my side steps to work.

You also wrote that the gate for my second Ruben Navarro match was $192,755. I thought you might like to know that I earned $42,000 for that fight. Out of this amount McCoy got one third of the purse, so after taxes that left me with a little over $21,000. Not much money compared to what the top fighters get today. And the punches were alot better back then too.

El Gato

Hi Champ:

I thought you might be interested in knowing that that $21,000 purse would be worth $104,000 today, adjusted for inflation.

[raylawpc]

Anybody feel the earthquake? Centered in Moreno Valley. 6.0

Not in St. Louis. But my wife (a rabid OU alum) will erupt here in my living room if Oklahoma doesn't come back to beat Florida.

Uh oh, Florida just scored. Doesn't look too good . . . I'm moving to the basement.

[raylawpc]

Randy, as you know, MD's headquarters was in St. Louis. MD designed and manufactured the Mercury and Gemini space capsules. Several of my clients worked in those projects and got to know the early astronauts. Great stories about Cooper, Glenn, Sheppard et al. Someday, when we meet, I'll tell you some of those stories.

Tom, I hope someday I'll be fortunate enough to meet you face to face. I'd love to here those stories.

Randy

I look forward to the day I meet you, Frank, Rick, Roger, Brian, Hap, El Gato and all the other regulars here on the Classic American West Coast Boxing Forum!

[Randyman]

Randy, as you know, MD's headquarters was in St. Louis. MD designed and manufactured the Mercury and Gemini space capsules. Several of my clients worked in those projects and got to know the early astronauts. Great stories about Cooper, Glenn, Sheppard et al. Someday, when we meet, I'll tell you some of those stories.

Tom, I hope someday I'll be fortunate enough to meet you face to face. I'd love to here those stories.

Randy

I look forward to the day I meet you, Frank, Rick, Roger, Brian, Hap, El Gato and all the other regulars here on the Classic American West Coast Boxing Forum!

[Expug]

Hello Gents,
Ive been super busy lately. I will get caught up here soon.
I will be back in the saddle shortly.
Too much work man.
Boxing people like us workin a job is like strapping a racehorse to a shit wagon.

Brian

[Rick Farris]

Signing for fight in Bakersfield, Seated L to R Tommy Noel, Larry Soto -Opponents American Representative, Trainer Denny Abenellia and Matchmaker Davies

Over the past year, this thread grew quickly. Frank posted so many great photos and some I did not have time to respond to. This is one of them. The face in the picture that really stands out in my mind is that of Larry Soto. When I think of L.A. boxing faces from my era, none are more familiar than that of the Soto brothers. Working out of the Main Street Gym, I can't remember a thursday night at the Olympic Auditorium when Larry and Memo were not in the corner of at least one boxer on the card.

Randy will remember the Soto's Main St. Gym dressing/equipment room was right next to one of the rings. Upon arriving at the gym each day, one of the brothers would push a shopping cart full of gloves, head gear, cups, wraps, jump ropes, vaseline, etc. onto the gym floor for their fighters. The Sotos worked with every level of boxer, from a kid on his first day in the gym to world champions. All were treated the same. I boxed with the Soto's amateurs and pros, most memorable, their flashy lightweight contender, Felipe Torres.

A couple of years ago, while working out in Lincoln Heights, I saw a small memorial on the wall dedicated to Larry Soto, who had passed away not long before. The photo of an elderly Larry Soto brought back a flood of memories. A few months later, I was happy to speak with brother Memo at the California Boxing HOF induction of our Frank Baltazar Sr.

When I think of Los Angeles boxing legends, the Soto brothers always come to mind. Rest in Peace, Larry.

-Rick Farris

Rick, did you now Max Soto? He was Larry and Memo's younger brother. He was also a fighter at one time. He was the spittin' image of Larry, except a little shorter. I worked with him for over twenty years. A good guy just like Larry and Memo. We could and would spend hours talking about boxing. He was also an upholsterer like my father and uncles, in fact that's how we met. I saw him standing around one day and for a moment I thought it was Larry. As I walked up to him he saw my badge with my name on it and beat me to the punch by asking me if I was related to Andy, Jimmy and Gilbert De La O. I told him Andy was my father. Then I find out he's Larry's brother. We became good friends. I lost track of him when he retired several years ago.

The room next to the ring at the Main Street Gym was used by Memo, Teddy Bentham and Howie for Danny, Ernie, Alberto Davila and Joey Olivo. Larry had his own room down the hall and around the corner from Howie's office. At least that's the way it was by the time I got there.

Larry was a great guy but I had an entirely different relationship with him than I did with Mel. One day I really pissed him off. He had a temper. A different type of temper than Mel. I had sparred with Felipe Canela, I believe it was the first time I had sparred since I was back in the gym. After I got dressed I walked into the small office he had in his room. I made the mistake of asking him how I looked, if I did alright, etc. He just lost it. He stared at me and said "Who the eff do you think you are?" I thought he was joking. Do you think I have nothing better to f*cken do than to sit here and answer your questions? What are you, special?" "No , I was just..." "If I have something to tell you I'll tell you" "But I was.." "I don't care what the f*ck. If you want to train here stop acting like a Prima Donna" and on and on he went. I never asked him again. I was pissed for a while but I let it go and eventually I forgot about it. It was embarrassing though. Felipe and his brother Manuel and a few other guys were right there. They were too embarrassed to even look me in the eye. Later Felipe told me Larry did the same thing to him. In time Larry and I got to be good friends. He deserved his Hall of Fame induction.

Contrast that with Mel, who constantly went over every little thing I did in the gym, every day and then later on the phone at night. It took me a while to realize every trainer is different.

Randy

Not every good trainer is good for everybody. There has to be a good fit. The best teachers I had, the ones who taught me the most, weren't the guys I called my trainers. Some were trainers of other boxers I'd work with, they'd see something and pull me aside. They had nothing to gain or lose by helping me. Mel Epstein taught me a lot of old school trick's, things that would work because a lot of guys wouldn't know what was happening until it was too late. But, Mel wasn't a great fit for me. Johnny Flores taught me the basics and that's most important. However, Johnny had a big name stable with top ten contenders in several weight classes, including heavyweight during the eras of Ali & Frazier. Two former fighters, one an ex-pro from Detroit named, Bobby Bell, and a former amateur of Johnny's, Manny Diaz, would spend hours on end with me in the gym. They put me in condition and would become my cornermen in Jr. Golden Gloves matches with Johnny. Joe Ponce really helped me when I was having a balance challenge. Dwight Hawkins taught me how to body punch and increased my power. Legendary Mexican trainer Lupe Sanchez gave me a tip and worked on it with me when I was sparring with champion Romeo Anaya. Suey Welch? Suey taught me about Gorilla Jones, Gus Lesnevich, Hank Hankinson, his pal Parnassus' favorite Enrique Bolanos (whom he'd introduce me to) and a few who came out west with him the early 20th Century . . . George Raft, Mae West, wrestler/actor Mike Mazurki. I would later learn of Suey's Business, political and mob connections . . . but not from Suey.

The old guys were always the best, and the crankiest. I was close to my grandparents so you can bet I learned early to respect my elders, and I did. The elders of boxing during my era were priceless and I found myself buried in great history, just sitting on a couch in George Parnassus' office and listening to his guests. II showed my respect, and they treated me with respect and were kind enough to answer my questions. I asked McLarnin about Barney Ross, I asked Lou Nova about Max Baer, I asked Mushy Callahan about Ace Hudkins. My biggest regret, I didn't know enough about the great Enrique Bolanos to ask him about Ike Williams, or the great fights that made him so popular here in Los Angeles. Today, I know the questions (thanks to Hap & Frank), but it's too late.

We all have our dreams. I doubt I'd have gone any farther than what I did, regardless of who managed or trained me. However, if I could choose who I would have started out under and remained thruout my entire career, it would be the great Jackie McCoy. Warren Spaw would have been a perfect fit for this "Gringo Bandito".

-Rick Farris

[Randyman]

Hello Gents,
Ive been super busy lately. I will get caught up here soon.
I will be back in the saddle shortly.
Too much work man.
Boxing people like us workin a job is like strapping a racehorse to a shit wagon.

Brian

Brian, I hear you. I have been going through the same thing. Sometimes you just have to take a break. Good to see you online!!

I'm sick of my shit wagon!!
Randy

[Randyman]

Not every good trainer is good for everybody. There has to be a good fit. The best teachers I had, the ones who taught me the most, weren't the guys I called my trainers. Some were trainers of other boxers I'd work with, they'd see something and pull me aside. They had nothing to gain or lose by helping me. Mel Epstein taught me a lot of old school trick's, things that would work because a lot of guys wouldn't know what was happening until it was too late. But, Mel wasn't a great fit for me. Johnny Flores taught me the basics and that's most important. However, Johnny had a big name stable with top ten contenders in seveeral weight classes including heavyweight during the eras of Ali & Frazier. Two former fighters, one an ex-pro from Detroit named, Bobby Bell, and a former amateur of Johnny's, Manny Diaz, would spend hours on end with me in the gym. The put me in condition and would become my cornermen in Jr. Golden Gloves matches with Johnny. Joe Ponce really helped me when I was having a balance challenge. Dwight Hawkins taught me how to body punch and increased my power. Legendary Mexican trainer Lupe Sanchez gave me a tip and worked on it with me when I was sparring with champion Romeo Anaya. Suey Welch? Suey taught me about Gorilla Jones, Gus Lesnevich, Hank Hankinson, his pal Parnassus' favorite Enrique Bolanos (whom he'd introduce me to) and a few who came out west with him the early 20th Century . . . George Raft, Mae West, wrestler/actor Mike Mazurki. I would later learn of Suey's Business, political and mob connections . . . but not from Suey.

The old guys were alwyas the best, and the crankiest. I was close to my grandparents so you can bet I learned early to respect my elders, and I did. The elsers of boxing during my era were priceless.

We all have our dreams. I doubt I'd have gone any farther than what I did, regardless of who managed or trained me. However, if I could choose who I would have started out under and remained thruout my entire career, it would be the great Jackie McCoy. Warren Spaw would have been a perfect fit for this "Gringo Bandito".

-Rick Farris

I agree. As time went on Larry and I meshed fairly well but some personal things came into play and I had to stop training. About dreams: I will always believe that "I coulda been a contender" or something close. Maybe I'm just consoling myself. Sometime life just takes you in a different direction.

Gil Cadilli was one of those guys that always took me to the side, so did Jerry Bilderrain (not sure of the spelling) so I know what you mean. For me, Mel will always be the man. It clicked.

Randy

The "Gringo Bandito: I like that. Talk about a good fit!

[Randyman]

Time for this guy to hit the hay! Good night all.

Randy

[Expug]

Randy and Rick, Im in agreement with you guys about different trainers having an impact.
A guy by the name of Frank Tommaso who was Eddie Perkins trainer used to help me out at times.
Great guy he was. Johnny Lira used to help me too.
He used to say, "us Irish guys gotta stick together".
Johnny is Italian, but he had kinda reddish hair.

[Rick Farris]

Not every good trainer is good for everybody. There has to be a good fit. The best teachers I had, the ones who taught me the most, weren't the guys I called my trainers. Some were trainers of other boxers I'd work with, they'd see something and pull me aside. They had nothing to gain or lose by helping me. Mel Epstein taught me a lot of old school trick's, things that would work because a lot of guys wouldn't know what was happening until it was too late. But, Mel wasn't a great fit for me. Johnny Flores taught me the basics and that's most important. However, Johnny had a big name stable with top ten contenders in seveeral weight classes including heavyweight during the eras of Ali & Frazier. Two former fighters, one an ex-pro from Detroit named, Bobby Bell, and a former amateur of Johnny's, Manny Diaz, would spend hours on end with me in the gym. The put me in condition and would become my cornermen in Jr. Golden Gloves matches with Johnny. Joe Ponce really helped me when I was having a balance challenge. Dwight Hawkins taught me how to body punch and increased my power. Legendary Mexican trainer Lupe Sanchez gave me a tip and worked on it with me when I was sparring with champion Romeo Anaya. Suey Welch? Suey taught me about Gorilla Jones, Gus Lesnevich, Hank Hankinson, his pal Parnassus' favorite Enrique Bolanos (whom he'd introduce me to) and a few who came out west with him the early 20th Century . . . George Raft, Mae West, wrestler/actor Mike Mazurki. I would later learn of Suey's Business, political and mob connections . . . but not from Suey.

The old guys were alwyas the best, and the crankiest. I was close to my grandparents so you can bet I learned early to respect my elders, and I did. The elsers of boxing during my era were priceless.

We all have our dreams. I doubt I'd have gone any farther than what I did, regardless of who managed or trained me. However, if I could choose who I would have started out under and remained thruout my entire career, it would be the great Jackie McCoy. Warren Spaw would have been a perfect fit for this "Gringo Bandito".

-Rick Farris

I agree. As time went on Larry and I meshed fairly well but some personal things came into play and I had to stop training. About dreams: I will always believe that "I coulda been a contender" or something close. Maybe I'm just consoling myself. Sometime life just takes you in a different direction.

Gil Cadilli was one of those guys that always took me to the side, so did Jerry Bilderrain (not sure of the spelling) so I know what you mean. For me, Mel will always be the man. It clicked.

Randy

The "Gringo Bandito: I like that. Talk about a good fit!

Randy, that's Frank's idea. I have to admit, it does have a ring to it!

Some L.A. Boxing Trivia . . .

In the late 60's, Harry Kabakoff, manager of Jesus Pimentel, brought another bantam up from Mexico and he became a headliner at the Olympic. He fought into the early 70's, and even broke into the top ten for a short of time. His nick name was- "El Bandito Cara De Nino" . . . the Babyface Bandit. I worked with him several times in the gym. Who was the "Babyface Bandit"?

-Rick

[Rick Farris]

Randy and Rick, Im in agreement with you guys about different trainers having an impact.
A guy by the name of Frank Tommaso who was Eddie Perkins trainer used to help me out at times.
Great guy he was. Johnny Lira used to help me too.
He used to say, "us Irish guys gotta stick together".
Johnny is Italian, but he had kinda reddish hair.

Red hair? Close enough, he's got the right idea

[Rick Farris]

Randy, as you know, MD's headquarters was in St. Louis. MD designed and manufactured the Mercury and Gemini space capsules. Several of my clients worked in those projects and got to know the early astronauts. Great stories about Cooper, Glenn, Sheppard et al. Someday, when we meet, I'll tell you some of those stories.

Tom, I hope someday I'll be fortunate enough to meet you face to face. I'd love to here those stories.

Randy

I look forward to the day I meet you, Frank, Rick, Roger, Brian, Hap, El Gato and all the other regulars here on the Classic American West Coast Boxing Forum!

Tom . . . Thanks for bringing to my attention a few legends who have been overlooked by the WBHOF. Battling Nelson, Ad Wolgast and Barbados Joe Walcott.
Hard to believe they'll follow Greg Haugen into the Hall.

-Rick Farris

[bennie]

For Bennie

Good ol' Winnie.

[raylawpc]

Moderate earthquake jolts southern California
9 hours ago

LOS ANGELES (AFP) — A moderate 4.5-magnitude earthquake rattled southern California Thursday but there were no reports of casualties or damage, officials said.

The quake, initially measured at 5.0, was centered near the town of San Bernadino, some 55 miles (88 kilometers) east of Los Angeles at a depth of 8.6 miles, the United States Geological Survey said.

The quake was felt across the region, shuddering buildings across Los Angeles, witnesses said.

Callers to the KCAL9 local television network reported a loud rumbling noise shortly before the quake which knocked objects from shelves and lasted for several seconds.

"We've had earthquakes before but I've never seen my TV roll across the room," one shaken resident, Marlene Rocha, told KCAL9.

Another caller to the station described a noise like a "loud explosion" before "everything started shaking."

Michael Elias, a grocery store clerk in the town of Rancho Cucamonga, west of San Bernardino, told an AFP reporter he had "felt a small jolt followed by a big one."

"I ran outside, when I figured out it was an earthquake," Elias said. "All the liquor bottles started shaking but none fell of the shelves.

The temblor came roughly six months after a 5.4 earthquake jolted Los Angeles in July, the most powerful seismic shock to rock the city in 14 years.

Geologists say an earthquake capable of causing widespread destruction is 99 percent certain of hitting California within the next 30 years.

A study published last year said a 7.8 magnitude quake could kill 1,800 people, injure 50,000 more and damage 300,000 buildings.

A 6.7 earthquake in Los Angeles in 1994 left at least 60 people dead and caused an estimated 10 billion dollars in damage, while a 6.9 quake in San Francisco in 1989 claimed 67 lives.

Hope you guys are all doing okay out there! - Tom

[kikibalt]

Moderate earthquake jolts southern California
9 hours ago

LOS ANGELES (AFP) — A moderate 4.5-magnitude earthquake rattled southern California Thursday but there were no reports of casualties or damage, officials said.

The quake, initially measured at 5.0, was centered near the town of San Bernadino, some 55 miles (88 kilometers) east of Los Angeles at a depth of 8.6 miles, the United States Geological Survey said.

The quake was felt across the region, shuddering buildings across Los Angeles, witnesses said.

Callers to the KCAL9 local television network reported a loud rumbling noise shortly before the quake which knocked objects from shelves and lasted for several seconds.

"We've had earthquakes before but I've never seen my TV roll across the room," one shaken resident, Marlene Rocha, told KCAL9.

Another caller to the station described a noise like a "loud explosion" before "everything started shaking."

Michael Elias, a grocery store clerk in the town of Rancho Cucamonga, west of San Bernardino, told an AFP reporter he had "felt a small jolt followed by a big one."

"I ran outside, when I figured out it was an earthquake," Elias said. "All the liquor bottles started shaking but none fell of the shelves.

The temblor came roughly six months after a 5.4 earthquake jolted Los Angeles in July, the most powerful seismic shock to rock the city in 14 years.

Geologists say an earthquake capable of causing widespread destruction is 99 percent certain of hitting California within the next 30 years.

A study published last year said a 7.8 magnitude quake could kill 1,800 people, injure 50,000 more and damage 300,000 buildings.

A 6.7 earthquake in Los Angeles in 1994 left at least 60 people dead and caused an estimated 10 billion dollars in damage, while a 6.9 quake in San Francisco in 1989 claimed 67 lives.

Hope you guys are all doing okay out there! - Tom

Didn't even feel it.......

[raylawpc]

Tom . . . Thanks for bringing to my attention a few legends who have been overlooked by the WBHOF. Battling Nelson, Ad Wolgast and Barbados Joe Walcott.
Hard to believe they'll follow Greg Haugen into the Hall.

-Rick Farris

Randy, I'm having trouble accessing the complete list of WBHOF enshrinees from the WHBOF website, and the Wiki list is obviously incomplete since it did not list Jeffries or Fitz. Can you send me a complete list of the WBHOF enshrinees? If you do not think I'm overreaching, I would be happy to look over the list to see if there are any other "glaring" omissions from the Old-Timers that I can pass along to you.

BTW, I am working to get a historical marker erected at the site of Jeffries' home and barn there at the corner of Victory Blvd. and Buena Vista in Burbank, and I'm getting nowhere fast. Do you or anyone on the board know anyone with any clout in state government that I could contact for assistance?

[kikibalt]

Art Aragon with attorney Tom Ray.....

Really Paul Caruso

[raylawpc]

Art Aragon with attorney Tom Ray.....

Really Paul Caruso

[kikibalt]

Can you imagine sitting in jail wanting and waiting to see your attorney, but your attorney is to busy to see you because he is chatting on some boxing website......

[raylawpc]

delete