Classic American West Coast Boxing

[kikibalt]

Oh, Randy has already commented on this. I missed his original post. Cruz seemed to hurt Frankie in the fifth round but Frankie came out and made a real statement a round later and then took over and it could have been stopped sooner.
In England the referee would have used the cut as an excuse to save the guy.

Bennie, Cruz hurted Frankie in the fifth round with a right hand, but before that he was getting to Frankie with body shots, like you say, Frankie came back in nice order, he did him-self proud, imho.

[kikibalt]

I want to thank John McDermott from Fairview N.J. for posting Frankie's fights on you tube

Frankie Baltazar vs Jose "Chango" Cruz

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDCJNDXG50w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBroCV1F2O0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ff241bOlzu8

Frankie wipes HIMSELF down with the towel at the end. Great boxing display by Junior.

Hey! Ihad to take care of #1....

[bennie]

Oh, Randy has already commented on this. I missed his original post. Cruz seemed to hurt Frankie in the fifth round but Frankie came out and made a real statement a round later and then took over and it could have been stopped sooner.
In England the referee would have used the cut as an excuse to save the guy.

Bennie, Cruz hurted Frankie in the fifth round with a right hand, but before that he was getting to Frankie with body shots, like you say, Frankie came back in nice order, he did him-self proud, imho.

Oh sure, a great performance from one so young: nice straight punches on the outside, hurtful hooks and uppercuts on the inside. Plus, nice movement.

[kikibalt]

Oh, Randy has already commented on this. I missed his original post. Cruz seemed to hurt Frankie in the fifth round but Frankie came out and made a real statement a round later and then took over and it could have been stopped sooner.
In England the referee would have used the cut as an excuse to save the guy.

Bennie, Cruz hurted Frankie in the fifth round with a right hand, but before that he was getting to Frankie with body shots, like you say, Frankie came back in nice order, he did him-self proud, imho.

Oh sure, a great performance from one so young: nice straight punches on the outside, hurtful hooks and uppercuts on the inside. Plus, nice movement.

Yeah, Frankie was only 18 years old, hadn't been a pro a year yet, 5 fight under his belt when we took that fight on 3 days notice. What you can do with youth!...

[bennie]

That's unbelievable.

[raylawpc]

Here is a picture of that plaque at the former site of the 5th Street Gym in Miami Beach. I hope you can make it out. It's not a great picture. The bottom of the plaque lists all of the champions who called the 5th Street Gym "home" at one time or another. As you can see, the plaque is very tastefully done.

I hope you can get the California Boxing Hall of Fame to do something similar for the Main Street Gym in LA.

Sorry for the fat guy in the picture. I understand he's lost about 80 pounds, and gotten a hair cut since that photo was taken about 4 or 5 years ago.

[scartissue]

That's Al, it was the writer's error. Hey Frank, do you remember when Redd Fox was managing boxers in town? He handled a heavyweight, Young Sanford.

-Rick[/quote]

He also had a kid that fought Paul Gonzalez, can't recall his name at the moment.[/quote]

Frank, I think he had a kid named Freddie Gonzalez also, who was doing OK until they matched him with Superfly Sandoval.

Scartissue

[bennie]

Here is a picture of that plaque at the former site of the 5th Street Gym in Miami Beach. I hope you can make it out. It's not a great picture. The bottom of the plaque lists all of the champions who called the 5th Street Gym "home" at one time or another. As you can see, the plaque is very tastefully done.

I hope you can get the California Boxing Hall of Fame to do something similar for the Main Street Gym in LA.

Sorry for the fat guy in the picture. I understand he's lost about 80 pounds, and gotten a hair cut since that photo was taken about 4 or 5 years ago.

Cracking shot, Ray.

[kikibalt]

That's Al, it was the writer's error. Hey Frank, do you remember when Redd Fox was managing boxers in town? He handled a heavyweight, Young Sanford.


Frank, I think he had a kid named Freddie Gonzalez also, who was doing OK until they matched him with Superfly Sandoval.

Scartissue

Dan...Thats the one that fought Paul G. he used the name Strongbow

[scartissue]

That's Al, it was the writer's error. Hey Frank, do you remember when Redd Fox was managing boxers in town? He handled a heavyweight, Young Sanford.


Frank, I think he had a kid named Freddie Gonzalez also, who was doing OK until they matched him with Superfly Sandoval.

Scartissue

Dan...Thats the one that fought Paul G. he used the name Strongbow

Frank, I think that was Alonso 'Strongbow' Gonzalez that fought Paul. The Freddie Gonzalez that was clocked by Sandoval really never made it outside of clubfights. I recall a cracker of a fight between Strongow and I believe Candido Tellez?? Damn, there were so many and so many world class, that it's hard to remember them all, but I remember the great fights.

Scartissue

[dagosd2000]

The Fighting Baltazars

[kikibalt]

The Fighting Baltazars

Damn! Rog, you work fast....

[kikibalt]

That's Al, it was the writer's error. Hey Frank, do you remember when Redd Fox was managing boxers in town? He handled a heavyweight, Young Sanford.


Frank, I think he had a kid named Freddie Gonzalez also, who was doing OK until they matched him with Superfly Sandoval.

Scartissue

Dan...Thats the one that fought Paul G. he used the name Strongbow

Frank, I think that was Alonso 'Strongbow' Gonzalez that fought Paul. The Freddie Gonzalez that was clocked by Sandoval really never made it outside of clubfights. I recall a cracker of a fight between Strongow and I believe Candido Tellez?? Damn, there were so many and so many world class, that it's hard to remember them all, but I remember the great fights.

Scartissue

You're right Dan, who can remember'em all....

[kikibalt]

Our man Tom

[kikibalt]

R.I.P. Bernard "Big Duke" Ducusen

I felt the need to let the crowd at BoxRec know that one of the finest welterweights of his era Bernard "Big Duke" Ducusen has passed away at the age of 81. Bernard had suffered from Parkinson's which came on him late in life much like it did Billy Conn.

Bernard was born in New Orleans of mixed Philipine and French Creole heritage. He was trained by that master of boxing Whitey Esneault and he quickly in a career that moved very fast, let the world know that he was championship material.

His victims included Eddie Giosa, Milo Savage, Tippy Larkin, Frankie Fernandez, Johnny Bratton, Gene Burton, Phil Terranova, Jackie Graves, and Lulu Constantino amonst others.

But the fight that Bernard Ducusen will always be remembered for was his tremendous effort against Sugar Ray Robinson, THE Sugar Ray Robinson, in Chicago's Comiskey Park for the Welterweight championship of the World. People who just see the result in a book today don't know some of the facts of that bout which I will present here.

The bout was postponed three times by Robinson very close to the fight date. The reasons why are only known to Robinson, but two things we know. One Sugar knew he had a real match on his hands, and two the delays hurt the challange of Bernard because of his weight struggle, and his problems with overtraining and keeping his peak.

The fight itself was a classic as Bernard showed no fear of the world's greatest welterweight, and actually outboxed Robinson over the first eleven rounds having the lead. In the last four rounds Robinson turned on the heat as Ducusen tired, scoring a knockdown and winning a close nod. A classic boxing match between two great boxers that should go down in welterweight history. Everyone who saw that bout came away with respect for the beautiful boxing of Bernard Ducusen. If Sugar Ray Robinson is the greatest welterweight of all as most say he is, than Bernard Ducusen must be remembered for giving him one of his closest and toughest matches in his prime.

Bernard retired with a record of 72-10-4 with 21 ko's. He was a beautiful man to watch in the ring with his jet black hair, tan tone, and a perfect boxing build.

Bernard got a thrill just a short time ago when he was voted into the California boxing Hall of Fame. I am a personal friend of the family and believe me they were very excited about the honor, and were present at the induction. It left Bernard Ducusen, a almost forgotton great, a
very happy man, as he accepted it with the humble personality he always showed.

Many thanks from me and his son Danny to Hap Navarro, Don Fraser and Frankie Baltazar, three of the best, for helping to make this a happy day and to give one very fine boxer and a good man something he and his family could share even at the end. R.I.P. Bernie......

Rocky

[Rick Farris]

R.I.P. Bernard "Big Duke" Ducusen

I felt the need to let the crowd at BoxRec know that one of the finest welterweights of his era Bernard "Big Duke" Ducusen has passed away at the age of 81. Bernard had suffered from Parkinson's which came on him late in life much like it did Billy Conn.

Bernard was born in New Orleans of mixed Philipine and French Creole heritage. He was trained by that master of boxing Whitey Esneault and he quickly in a career that moved very fast, let the world know that he was championship material.

His victims included Eddie Giosa, Milo Savage, Tippy Larkin, Frankie Fernandez, Johnny Bratton, Gene Burton, Phil Terranova, Jackie Graves, and Lulu Constantino amonst others.

But the fight that Bernard Ducusen will always be remembered for was his tremendous effort against Sugar Ray Robinson, THE Sugar Ray Robinson, in Chicago's Comiskey Park for the Welterweight championship of the World. People who just see the result in a book today don't know some of the facts of that bout which I will present here.

The bout was postponed three times by Robinson very close to the fight date. The reasons why are only known to Robinson, but two things we know. One Sugar knew he had a real match on his hands, and two the delays hurt the challange of Bernard because of his weight struggle, and his problems with overtraining and keeping his peak.

The fight itself was a classic as Bernard showed no fear of the world's greatest welterweight, and actually outboxed Robinson over the first eleven rounds having the lead. In the last four rounds Robinson turned on the heat as Ducusen tired, scoring a knockdown and winning a close nod. A classic boxing match between two great boxers that should go down in welterweight history. Everyone who saw that bout came away with respect for the beautiful boxing of Bernard Ducusen. If Sugar Ray Robinson is the greatest welterweight of all as most say he is, than Bernard Ducusen must be remembered for giving him one of his closest and toughest matches in his prime.

Bernard retired with a record of 72-10-4 with 21 ko's. He was a beautiful man to watch in the ring with his jet black hair, tan tone, and a perfect boxing build.

Bernard got a thrill just a short time ago when he was voted into the California boxing Hall of Fame. I am a personal friend of the family and believe me they were very excited about the honor, and were present at the induction. It left Bernard Ducusen, a almost forgotton great, a
very happy man, as he accepted it with the humble personality he always showed.

Many thanks from me and his son Danny to Hap Navarro, Don Fraser and Frankie Baltazar, three of the best, for helping to make this a happy day and to give one very fine boxer and a good man something he and his family could share even at the end. R.I.P. Bernie......

Rest in Peace. Thanks to Hap, Frank, and all who helped teach us about Bernard Ducusen.

-Rick Farris

[kikibalt]

Tony Baltazar vs Buddy McGirt
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4LV5-YLTG0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yhq-igbnZ6E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EV0YvHKux94

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nc6EO_jn_Nw

[Rick Farris]

Frank wrote:

Hey! Ihad to take care of #1.... [/quote]
______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Frank . . . Jr. looked great in that fight. I always liked the way he controlled the ring, he never lost his composure in any fight that I saw, even when he was a little kid. A very successful career in a tough era. By the way, I also want to salute you for using the towel on the guy who needed it most. I was told my dad would be a bit on edge when watching me fight, however, he'd take the edge off with a few cervezas. You never had that option, so the towel wipe was completely understandable. ;;-)

As Mel Epstein would say, "A good fighter don't need a wipe down and a bad fighter don't deserve one."

-Rick Farris

[kikibalt]

Frank . . . Jr. looked great in that fight. I always liked the way he controlled the ring, he never lost his composure in any fight that I saw, even when he was a little kid. A very successful career in a tough era. By the way, I also want to salute you for using the towel on the guy who needed it most. I was told my dad would be a bit on edge when watching me fight, however, he'd take the edge off with a few cervezas. You never had that option, so the towel wipe was completely understandable. ;;-)

As Mel Epstein would say, "A good fighter don't need a wipe down and a bad fighter don't deserve one."

-Rick Farris

Thanks Rick...I did have a couple of cervezas after the fight, and the wipe? you're right, I needed it more then Frankie did...

[kikibalt]

Frankie Baltazar vs Abe Perez
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_tc30I-Zis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4bnS2FNnW8

[dagosd2000]

R.I.P. Bernard "Big Duke" Ducusen

I felt the need to let the crowd at BoxRec know that one of the finest welterweights of his era Bernard "Big Duke" Ducusen has passed away at the age of 81. Bernard had suffered from Parkinson's which came on him late in life much like it did Billy Conn.

Bernard was born in New Orleans of mixed Philipine and French Creole heritage. He was trained by that master of boxing Whitey Esneault and he quickly in a career that moved very fast, let the world know that he was championship material.

His victims included Eddie Giosa, Milo Savage, Tippy Larkin, Frankie Fernandez, Johnny Bratton, Gene Burton, Phil Terranova, Jackie Graves, and Lulu Constantino amonst others.

But the fight that Bernard Ducusen will always be remembered for was his tremendous effort against Sugar Ray Robinson, THE Sugar Ray Robinson, in Chicago's Comiskey Park for the Welterweight championship of the World. People who just see the result in a book today don't know some of the facts of that bout which I will present here.

The bout was postponed three times by Robinson very close to the fight date. The reasons why are only known to Robinson, but two things we know. One Sugar knew he had a real match on his hands, and two the delays hurt the challange of Bernard because of his weight struggle, and his problems with overtraining and keeping his peak.

The fight itself was a classic as Bernard showed no fear of the world's greatest welterweight, and actually outboxed Robinson over the first eleven rounds having the lead. In the last four rounds Robinson turned on the heat as Ducusen tired, scoring a knockdown and winning a close nod. A classic boxing match between two great boxers that should go down in welterweight history. Everyone who saw that bout came away with respect for the beautiful boxing of Bernard Ducusen. If Sugar Ray Robinson is the greatest welterweight of all as most say he is, than Bernard Ducusen must be remembered for giving him one of his closest and toughest matches in his prime.

Bernard retired with a record of 72-10-4 with 21 ko's. He was a beautiful man to watch in the ring with his jet black hair, tan tone, and a perfect boxing build.

Bernard got a thrill just a short time ago when he was voted into the California boxing Hall of Fame. I am a personal friend of the family and believe me they were very excited about the honor, and were present at the induction. It left Bernard Ducusen, a almost forgotton great, a
very happy man, as he accepted it with the humble personality he always showed.

Many thanks from me and his son Danny to Hap Navarro, Don Fraser and Frankie Baltazar, three of the best, for helping to make this a happy day and to give one very fine boxer and a good man something he and his family could share even at the end. R.I.P. Bernie......

Rocky

Sorry to hear this. My sincere condolences to the Docusen family. I know his daughter Pat was very proud of her dad. I think Bernie is up for the WBHOF induction. Let's hope he makes it.

[dagosd2000]

SWEEPING UP

Mickey Davies was happy. He got a replacement fighter for one of the prelims,the crowd was packed to the doors,and every bout had the crowd throwin' money into the ring.
"Time to go to the office and count the take,"said Mickey.
"It was a good night,"I said. "Everything went off without a hitch."
Mickey was smilin'. He'd have his drink now. He asked if i wanted to go to the office and help count the take.
"No. I think I'll help Pedro help clean up. My ticket is on you. The least I can do is help Pete clean up."

Mickey went to the back office with the girls. He was whistlin'. The take was pretty good,and besides he could break out his bottle and celebrate. No hitches. It would be good if every weekly card went off like tonight.

Pedro, I always called him Pete, was sweeping out the aisles.
"Rogelio if you want to start on the far end,we'll gather it up all together and put the trash in the cans out in the alley."
"Whatever you say boss."
I liked Pete. Never complained. Told me what was the use. Really there wasn't anything to complain about. He worked for Navarro. When it wasn't maintaining what was going down at the the Colisuem,whether it was the fights or the boxing matches,Navarro had him movin' furniture around in one of his stores.
"How long you been working for Navarro?,"I shouted from across the arena.
"20 years. The father treats me real good."
"There's talk about him turning the business over to his son."
"I know. He'll probably stop the matches. Turn this place intp a warehouse."
"You'll be all right?"
"I'll still be sweeping up,"Pete said laughing.

Pete and me gathered up the trash in bags and carried it out to the cans in the alley. We then mopped up the locker room. Mickey Davies had finished counting his money.He walked over to us.
"Senor Mickey,"said Pete. "We had a good night,"
"It was. Would you boys like to have a drink?"
"Not me Senor Davies. Maybe Rogelio. "
"No,"I answered. "I'm going home."
"Everything secure?"asked Davies.
"Yes,I will lock everything up and turn off the lights."

Davies walked out the door. I heard him whistling as he got to the street. I said good night to Pete. He would double check everything before he left.
"Buenas noches Rogelio,"said Pete.
I was beat. I wanted to get to the car. As I walked out the door,I heard Pete singing in Spanish.

[dagosd2000]

Elvis

[dagosd2000]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oeG0j3niG8

THE FLAMINGOS

I Only Have Eyes For You

[dagosd2000]

Frank
I just got done watching Frankie fighting Abe Perez. This Perez I remember seeing once,but I couldn't remember the fight.Then I went to the the record. I saw him lose to Bazooka Limon in Tj. Can't remember much of the fight though. Only that Bakooka did his usual punching from all angles.