Classic American West Coast Boxing

[Dongee]

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:

Could that have been Pimi Barajas (Jimenez)?

hap navarro

[kikibalt]

EDDIE “GLOBETROTTER” PERKINS


photo courtesy,
David Martinez

By Jim Amato

In a career that spanned from 1956 to 1975, Eddie Perkins engaged in 99 professional fights. He won seventy five of those contests. He met opponents in over twenty different countries. He truly was a “world” champion.

Eddie lost three of his first five bouts but rallied to win seven straight. In 1958 he lost to Cleveland, Ohio’s Cecil Shorts. He stopped Shorts in a rematch and then he outscored rugged Franke Ryff. In 1959 Eddie won a decision over Paul Armstead but lost to Carl Hubbard and was then halted by Al Urbina. It would be the only stoppage loss of Eddie’s career.

1960 was a good year for Perkins as he beat Larry Boardman, Paolo Rosi and Joey Lopes. In 1961 Perkins lost a verdict to Youngstown, Ohio’s L.C. Morgan. He would bounce right back to outscore the hard hitting Carlos Hernandez. That would lead to Eddie’s first title shot and on October 21st he met defending WBA junior welterweight champion Dulio Loi in Milan, Italy. After fifteen rounds, the bout was judged a draw. They would meet again eleven months later and this time Eddie won the decision and captured his first world title.

Perkins reign lasted only three months as Loi won a decision in their rubber match. Loi decided to retire and on June 15th, 1963 Eddie won his second title with a decision over Roberto Cruz for the WBA and WBC titles.

Perkins would defend successfully against Yoshinori Takahashi and the slick Bunny Grant. He also sqeezed in five non title victories. On January 18, 1965 Eddie lost his crown to Carlos Hernandez. Seven months later he would lose to future great Jose Napoles.

Eddie was bound and determined to regain his title. He scored an important win over Kenny Lane but in 1966 he dropped a points call to Lennox Beckles. In 1967 he beat Adolph Pruitt and Paul Armstead but was then outpointed by the classy Nicolino Locche. Perkins came right back to beat Pruitt again. He finished the year with a draw against Joao Henrique.

Perkins put together a quiet win streak in 1968 but lost a decision in a rematch with Henrique. In 1970 Eddie re-established himself as a force to be reckoned with. He defeated Lion Furuyama, up and coming Clyde Gray and Pedro Adigue. He then lost a return match to Bunny Grant. Eddie then took out Johann Orsolics.

In 1971 Eddie defeated future champion Angel Espada but in 1972 he was upset by Victor Ortiz. In 1973 Eddie put himself in line for a welterweight title shot as he beat the rough and tough Armando Muniz to win the NABF welterweight title. Perkins would repeat his victory over Muniz in 1974.

Besides the two losses to Perkins and losses to Zovek Barajas, Marcos Geraldo and Angel Espada, Muniz was awarded a 1975 title fight with the great champion Jose Napoles. In Muniz’ defense during that time period he did defeat Ernie Lopez and Hedgemon Lewis. Nevertheless in 1974 Eddie deserved a title shot especially after a win over Japan’s Ryu Sorimachi. That would be Eddie’s last victory. After his failure to win the middleweight title from Carlos Monzon, Napoles opted to fight a rematch with Hedgemon Lewis. This left the deserving Perkins out in the cold.

Perkins would lose a decision to future junior middleweight champion Rocky Mattioli. An aging and discouraged Perkins would then lose verdicts to Maxwell Malinga and Shoji Tsujimoto. In 1975 Eddie had his last battle loing an eight rounder in Germany to Franz Czandl.

Perkins met seven world champions and countless contenders in his distinguished career. He fought anyone, anywhere, anytime. This man truly deserves the place he owns in the Hall Of Fame.


photo courtesy,
Boxing Digest magazine
January 2007 issue

[Expug]

Thanks for the info on Eddie Perkins Frank.
As I mentioned a couple times, his trainer and manager Frank Tomasso worked with me a little bit.
He was a real nice guy and he really cared about Eddie.
He used to always talk about how Eddie would have kicked Ray Leonards ass if they were contemporaries.
I mentioned before also how one time Tomasso came into the gym and gave me an old copy of The Ring record book from 1976.
The thing is, he had torn the pages of Eddie Perkins record right out of the book.
He was gonna save Eddies record even though he was giving away the book!
Like I say , he really cared about Eddie.I think they had a great relationship. It was refreshing.

[kikibalt]

El Gato Gonzalez (right) on his way to stopping Portland's Pete Gonzalez in 4 rounds.

[Rick Farris]

Rick:

Could that have been Pimi Barajas (Jimenez)?

hap navarro[/quote][/quote][/quote]
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hap . . . It was Jose Luis Valdovinos.

[Rick Farris]

El Gato Gonzalez (right) on his way to stopping Portland's Pete Gonzalez in 4 rounds.

Poor Petey! Look at his right elbow. Didn't anybody tell him "El Gato" targets the liver? Does Rodolfo look set to throw his gancho?

-Rick

[dagosd2000]

KING KONG

"He hasn't lost",I said as we pulled into the Caliente Parking lot.
"Do you think he's any good,"asked Pat.
"We'll see."
"Remember when big Ramos fought Frazier for the title?"
"He was maybe one more left hook away from winning the title."
"This country would have come unglued."
"He would have made Zapata look like a flea on a dead dog."

We had our tickets and took seat front row. The place was fillin' up fast. The "chifles" and shouts echoed through the rafters of the race track. The dead rattlesnake was being thrown around and pretty soon it would be time for the woman's panties with the blood soaked crotch. You knew it was a big fight when those rituals were happening. It was time to see the big Mexican heavyweight. King Kong Diaz.

The prelims got off to their usual 45 minute late start. The bouts were wild and furious. Not much talent ,but plenty of "ganas."
By the time the main event rolled around everybody was set. Diaz comes ring center. He looked plenty big,but when the robe came off you could see the spare tire.

The guy he was fighting was a Black American heavy named Davis. I figured they pulled him off a stool at the Boom Boom Club in Tijuana,gave him a C Note,and told him not to duck. Like he knew how to anyway.

At the opening gong both boys came out slow. Real slow. I was hopin' Davis would do the flop and by me and Pat a round at the Boom Boom. It didn't pan out that way however.

By mid round both boys were embracin' each other like they were trying out for Arthur Murray's. Enterin' the tenth,they both had snot swingin' from their noses like silly putty. At the bell I felt I could breathe again.

The ref holds up Kong's hand and now I'm whistlin' and throwin beer cups with all the other bugs. It wasn't that I was upset with the decision,but I've seen more action at Bingo Night at the Our Lady Of Peace.

"Well,"said Pat. "What do you think."
" That big gorilla could get to the Emoire State Building and wouldn't get to the first floor."

[dagosd2000]

FOR FRANK "FRIDA KAHLO"

[dagosd2000]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPEXgM2iHmU


RED PRYSOCK "WHAT"S THE WORD...THUNDERBIRD"

[kikibalt]

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

If you can answer Rick's question right, you get a date with the BEAUTY below.

[kikibalt]

FOR FRANK "FRIDA KAHLO"

Thanks Rog.....

[kikibalt]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPEXgM2iHmU


RED PRYSOCK "WHAT"S THE WORD...THUNDERBIRD"

Arthur Prysock's brother

[Rick Farris]

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

If you can answer Rick's question right, you get a date with the BEAUTY below.

Nutberry's sister????

[El Gato]

Roger,

Thank you for posting my portrait again a few pages back. This year I am going to take you up on your offer to go to Juilpan. It will be an honor for me and very exciting to visit after so many years and to meet some of the people who remember me. Barbara and I are trying to figure out a good time for us to go there and hope that it will work out for you too.

El Gato

[dagosd2000]

Roger,

Thank you for posting my portrait again a few pages back. This year I am going to take you up on your offer to go to Juilpan. It will be an honor for me and very exciting to visit after so many years and to meet some of the people who remember me. Barbara and I are trying to figure out a good time for us to go there and hope that it will work out for you too.

El Gato

Dime cuando estas listo,tu amigo Rogelio

Me and Maria are planning on going during Easter. Second week of April for a week.

[Randyman]

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

If you can answer Rick's question right, you get a date with the BEAUTY below.

Nutberry's sister????

You gotta get through her boyfriend first.

[dagosd2000]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XEk_-npJ10

Charlie Parker and Coleman Hawkins

[dagosd2000]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOwEr4UaqzM

My Old Flame

Charlie Parker

[Rick Farris]

deleted

[El Gato]

Frank, Rick and all of you who wrote about my boxing style being similar to Jose "Mantequilla" Napoles----

I don't think I have ever talked about how I aquired my boxing style. I have already told you I learned my liver punch and side steps from my cousin, Jose Becerra. However, I liked Mantequilla's style and learned to bob and weave from him along with some other moves by watching him fight on black and white TV back in 1961.
So I adapted all of these techniques to my own style. I actually taught myself how to set my opponent up for the liver punch which made my boxing career much easier and successful. Every opponent was different and I fought each one according to their style.

Maybe some of you remember my stablemates who I grew up with and trained with in Guadalajara. Efren "Alacran" Torres and his brother, Moi Torres. Also "Chocolate" Sanbrano, Vicente "El Tortas" Garcia, and the last one was Panchito Macias and there is a tragic story to the last time I saw him.
When he and I went to Mazatlan to fight in a double 10 rounder, the day of the fight after the weigh-in at 12:00 noon we went to lunch with my manager at a fish house near the beach. We all ordered the same thing, whitefish. While he was eating, a fish bone got stuck in his gum but he pulled it out. However, in a few minutes he started sweating and his face was changing color. He was not feeling well and my manager called an ambulance right away. We all left with him but by the time he got to the hospital he had died. The fights were cancelled that night. We flew back to Guadalajara to bury him and about a month later there was a benefit boxing show to raise money for his family.

El Gato

[Rick Farris]

Main Street . . .

Went to the old neighborhood today. Walked down Main street. Between 3rd & 4th, new construction is under way. The entire block had been a parking lot for the last quarter century, since the legendary Main Street Gym was was demolished in 1984.

I took a few pictures, which Frank will post later. I took the photos directly across the street from where the gym had been, where an old burlesque house used to be. It's long gone, too. You have to close your eyes in order to visualize the way it used to be. Yes, it's changed that much!

I headed south a block to 5th St. and headed west a block to Spring St. Directly across the intersection sat another legendary building in L.A. Boxing history. The Alexandria Hotel. A hundred years ago, it was one of the best hotel's in the country. Kings and Presidents roomed there. In 1909, a young Greek immigrant worked at the Alexandria as a dishwaher. His name was George Parnassus.

Many years later, the Alexandria would serve as Parnassus' home base in L.A. In the late 60's, when George began promoting at the brand new FORUM in Inglewood, he'd hold public workouts at the Alexandria. I watched many greats of the era workout in that ballroom. In 1968, I'd fight there, in a Jr. Golden Gloves elimination bout. A familiar face was Lauro Salas, who'd collect admission from fans who came to see the boxers train. In 1969, I'd box with Lionel Rose in the ballroom, before he lost his bantam title to Ruben Olivares.

Downstairs, in the corner of the lobby was a restaurant. In 1971, my dad and I met with Herald-Examiner boxing writer Allen Malamud, who wrote the story of a Banker's son who was a boxer. We met in the lobby of the Alexandria, and Malamud interviewed us during lunch in the restaurant.

Today the Alexandria is no longer a hotel. The restaurant has been closed, and the rooms are now selling as "Micro Lofts". The Alexandria has gotten another face lift, and the old broad is still going strong.

More later . . .

-Rick Farris

[Rick Farris]

Frank, Rick and all of you who wrote about my boxing style being similar to Jose "Mantequilla" Napoles----

I don't think I have ever talked about how I aquired my boxing style. I have already told you I learned my liver punch and side steps from my cousin, Jose Becerra. However, I liked Mantequilla's style and learned to bob and weave from him along with some other moves by watching him fight on black and white TV back in 1961.
So I adapted all of these techniques to my own style. I actually taught myself how to set my opponent up for the liver punch which made my boxing career much easier and successful. Every opponent was different and I fought each one according to their style.

Maybe some of you remember my stablemates who I grew up with and trained with in Guadalajara. Efren "Alacran" Torres and his brother, Moi Torres. Also "Chocolate" Sanbrano, Vicente "El Tortas" Garcia, and the last one was Panchito Macias and there is a tragic story to the last time I saw him.
When he and I went to Mazatlan to fight in a double 10 rounder, the day of the fight after the weigh-in at 12:00 noon we went to lunch with my manager at a fish house near the beach. We all ordered the same thing, whitefish. While he was eating, a fish bone got stuck in his gum but he pulled it out. However, in a few minutes he started sweating and his face was changing color. He was not feeling well and my manager called an ambulance right away. We all left with him but by the time he got to the hospital he had died. The fights were cancelled that night. We flew back to Guadalajara to bury him and about a month later there was a benefit boxing show to raise money for his family.

El Gato

Gato . . . You and I have talked before about "El Tortas" Vicente Garcia. Garcia had a long career, from 1957-71, and was Mexican featherweight champ in the late 60's. Of course, I'm also familiar with one of my all-time favorite flyweight champs, "Alacran" Torres. In 2007, Torres was inducted into the WBHOF, however, health problems made it impossible for the former flyweight champ to attends the event. Dan Hanley and I were hoping to interview the two of you about your "early days" together in Mexico.

-Rick Farris

[dukesgrandbaby]

Bernard Docusen with wife Ernestine, daughter Pat and son, whom's name I'm sorry to say I have forgotten

It's his brother, Daniel.

[bennie]

Bernard Docusen with wife Ernestine, daughter Pat and son, whom's name I'm sorry to say I have forgotten

It's his brother, Daniel.

NICE knowledge. Untypically, Frankie has failed to 'catch' the smart-looking woman to the very left of shot (God, I hope she is nobody's sister!).
That is rather a shame.

[bennie]

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

Plus, he has the classic "Irish" temper. Johnny could find trouble in outer Space.