Classic American West Coast Boxing

[kikibalt]

I remember a story the late great L.A. trainer Johnnie Flores told me once, as you know back in those years wresting was on Wednesday and boxing on Thursday, well one time Johnnie needed to pick up some tickets for the fights on Thursday, here it was Wednesday nite, what to do? a well known boxing man at the wresting show? no way, he told me that he disguise himself as an old man and just kept lookin' at the ground when he went to pick his tickets, he couldn't stop telling me about the people that went to the wresting shows, he said they were there, but there was nobody home.

[bennie]

Connemara, where they filmed The Quiet Man, is the place I would most recommend in Ireland. That shot there, where Wayne and Barry Fitzgerald go over a bridge on a pony and trap at the start of the film, is shot in Oughterard.
I've stood on that bridge.

That will be my first destination!!!

Oughterard is a really posh little place in County Galway. Bob Hope's sister lived there, so I was told, and Van Morrison.
Of course the Irish say a lot...

[kikibalt]

Guys, I'm off to Spring Valley Lake in the High Desert to visit my mother. She took a fall during the week and hurt her shoulder. She'll be 80 this year. I'm trying to get her to sell the house and move back "down the hill". We'll be back tomorrow night. Have a great weekend! You guys are the best!!!
Randy

Randy.. say hi to mom for us here, I think I can safely say for all of us here, that we feel like we know her....

[Rick Farris]

Guys, I'm off to Spring Valley Lake in the High Desert to visit my mother. She took a fall during the week and hurt her shoulder. She'll be 80 this year. I'm trying to get her to sell the house and move back "down the hill". We'll be back tomorrow night. Have a great weekend! You guys are the best!!!
Randy

Randy.. say hi to mom for us here, I think I can safely say for all of us here, that we feel like we know her....

Send your mother our best. Mom's are always #1.

-Rick

[Rick Farris]

Hey Brian
Come out of your igloo and talk to us.

Im here Rog.Ive just been busy lately with the job and working out for some competitions.
Tonight I worked the Blackhawks - New York Rangers game.I just got home.
These hockey players are real good guys. You guys would like them.
Your painting that was selected by the museum is beautiful Rog.
I was literaly staring at it for a good while when I first saw it.
Ive said it before about your writing, and I will also say it about your painting.
I can feel it.

Rick, I remember TexCobb saying "if I discovered a cure for cancer, it wouldnt compare to driving Howard Cosell out of boxing".

I didn't have a problem with Cosell and Ali. The two of them played well off of each other. But when Howard was too involved with other big fights his personality and lack of real ring knowledge got the better of him. I didn't appreciate his Olympic commentary at all.

How are things going amigo? With all the responsibilities you have with the Bulls and Blackhawks, I really admire your dedication to Judo. I also look forward to seeing you compete. To be honest, I'm more excited about the Judo Nationals than I am of any of the upcoming bouts.

-Rick

[Rick Farris]

You guys remember Dick Lane? I'm sure you do...

Dick Lane (TV announcer)
From Wikipedia.

Richard Lane (May 28, 1899 – September 5, 1982), more commonly known as Dick Lane, was a television announcer and actor who made his mark broadcasting wrestling and roller derby shows on KTLA, mainly from the Grand Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles.

Early years
Lane was born in 1899 in Rice Lake, Wisconsin to a farm family. Early in life he developed talents for reciting poetry and doing various song-and-dance acts. By his teenage years, he was doing an "iron jaw" routine in circuses around Europe and worked as a drummer touring with a band in Australia. After the decline of Vaudeville, Lane obtained extensive work in motion pictures and was best known at the time for playing Inspector Farraday in some Boston Blackie features.

During World War II, he appeared as MC with USO troupes entertaining G.I's. His unit appeared at Ft. Mc Arthur in September 1944.

Lane also announced for the Jalopy Derby and Destruction Derby at Gardena Stadium.

Work with KTLA
Due to his work at Paramount Pictures, Lane was able to obtain work at KTLA, which was owned by the studio at the time. When the station went commercial for the first time in 1947, Lane started work as a news presenter. One of the early highlights of his career was to report on the first atomic explosion covered by a television newscast.

When KTLA agreed to broadcast wrestling matches from the Olympic Auditorium in 1946, Lane was hired to comment on the action. He started announcing for Roller Derby in 1951, and for Roller Games in the 1960s. His broadcasts featured such personalities as Gorgeous George, Mr. Moto (wrestler) and Doc Grable. Contrary to popular opinion, it was Lane and not former ABC sports announcer Keith Jackson who coined the exclamatory expression "Whoa, Nellie!" when something "bad" happened in the ring or on the track.[1] Lane was also the character "Leather Britches" on the Spade Colley show on KTLA.

Later Years
After Lane retired from television full time in 1972, he accepted few offers for work, but did make a notable cameo appearance in Raquel Welch's film Kansas City Bomber. Lane died in Newport Beach, California on September 5, 1982.

I take it nobody remembers Dick "Whoa, Nellie" Lane

Are you kidding? I'll never forget Dick LAne. He was great on the Olympic's wrestling and Roller Derby shows! I also remember Spade Cooley. Didn't Spade murdr his wife?

Yeah . . "Whoa Nelly!"

-Rick

[Rick Farris]

JUST IN PASSING

Saw the replay of B Hop and Pavlik. Second time I saw it. Yeh,Hopkins came out faster and was beating Kelly to the punch. Yeh,Kelly looked confused and awkward. The way Steward and Merchant were carrying on,it was like Hopkins fought this magnificant fight. Granted at 43,he was fit as a fiddle,but still it was mostly pitter patter. As for Kelly,he showed that he still has a lot to learn.

Just in passing,this fight won't go down in history as being one of the classics.

Y'know Rog, I never liked Hopkins. People would rave about him and I would see an ordinary fighter. I would never see anything exceptional that would make me say, "Wow, what a jab! What a great body puncher. What footwork." I especially despised his title defenses, who I thought were simply a forgettable lot. The defenses would pile up and leave people in awe of their numbers while I was screaming at the TV like an idiot, "They're nothing but bums!". I was always reminded of a quote from Danny Valdez who said, "Don't tell me how many fights you fought or how many KO's you have, show me who you fought and I'll tell you what kind of a fighter you are." Anyways, maybe I've mellowed towards Hopkins because I can give him credit for a few things these days. One of course is his amazing longevity and the incredible shape he can get himself into at 44. This is remarkable. Also, his main niche in the game and why he's been around as long as he has (besides the amazing lack of competition he's had throughout his middleweight reign) is his ability to slow a fight down to a snails pace. That's ring generalship if I've ever seen it. The only fighters who did not bite were the fighters who threw punches in bunches (Jones, Taylor twice and Calzaghe). Pavlik did not show a workrate, which is Hopkins' bane, he stood back looking to get in his power shots. Pavlik and his people have alot to learn because they got conned by a master-grifter. And I will give him credit for that.

Scartissue

I'm with you, Scar. I guess you could say that Hopkins is OK, by today's standards. But in the overall scope of great middleweights, he would never get any notice. He would have been a solid ten round fighter in the 60's.

-Rick

[kikibalt]

You guys remember Dick Lane? I'm sure you do...

Dick Lane (TV announcer)
From Wikipedia.

Richard Lane (May 28, 1899 – September 5, 1982), more commonly known as Dick Lane, was a television announcer and actor who made his mark broadcasting wrestling and roller derby shows on KTLA, mainly from the Grand Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles.

Early years
Lane was born in 1899 in Rice Lake, Wisconsin to a farm family. Early in life he developed talents for reciting poetry and doing various song-and-dance acts. By his teenage years, he was doing an "iron jaw" routine in circuses around Europe and worked as a drummer touring with a band in Australia. After the decline of Vaudeville, Lane obtained extensive work in motion pictures and was best known at the time for playing Inspector Farraday in some Boston Blackie features.

During World War II, he appeared as MC with USO troupes entertaining G.I's. His unit appeared at Ft. Mc Arthur in September 1944.

Lane also announced for the Jalopy Derby and Destruction Derby at Gardena Stadium.

Work with KTLA
Due to his work at Paramount Pictures, Lane was able to obtain work at KTLA, which was owned by the studio at the time. When the station went commercial for the first time in 1947, Lane started work as a news presenter. One of the early highlights of his career was to report on the first atomic explosion covered by a television newscast.

When KTLA agreed to broadcast wrestling matches from the Olympic Auditorium in 1946, Lane was hired to comment on the action. He started announcing for Roller Derby in 1951, and for Roller Games in the 1960s. His broadcasts featured such personalities as Gorgeous George, Mr. Moto (wrestler) and Doc Grable. Contrary to popular opinion, it was Lane and not former ABC sports announcer Keith Jackson who coined the exclamatory expression "Whoa, Nellie!" when something "bad" happened in the ring or on the track.[1] Lane was also the character "Leather Britches" on the Spade Colley show on KTLA.

Later Years
After Lane retired from television full time in 1972, he accepted few offers for work, but did make a notable cameo appearance in Raquel Welch's film Kansas City Bomber. Lane died in Newport Beach, California on September 5, 1982.

I take it nobody remembers Dick "Whoa, Nellie" Lane

Are you kidding? I'll never forget Dick LAne. He was great on the Olympic's wrestling and Roller Derby shows! I also remember Spade Cooley. Didn't Spade murdr his wife?

Yeah . . "Whoa Nelly!"

-Rick

I also remember Spade Cooley. Didn't Spade murdr his wife?
Rick

"Whoa, Nellie", Yes he did!...

[kikibalt]

JUST IN PASSING

Saw the replay of B Hop and Pavlik. Second time I saw it. Yeh,Hopkins came out faster and was beating Kelly to the punch. Yeh,Kelly looked confused and awkward. The way Steward and Merchant were carrying on,it was like Hopkins fought this magnificant fight. Granted at 43,he was fit as a fiddle,but still it was mostly pitter patter. As for Kelly,he showed that he still has a lot to learn.

Just in passing,this fight won't go down in history as being one of the classics.

Y'know Rog, I never liked Hopkins. People would rave about him and I would see an ordinary fighter. I would never see anything exceptional that would make me say, "Wow, what a jab! What a great body puncher. What footwork." I especially despised his title defenses, who I thought were simply a forgettable lot. The defenses would pile up and leave people in awe of their numbers while I was screaming at the TV like an idiot, "They're nothing but bums!". I was always reminded of a quote from Danny Valdez who said, "Don't tell me how many fights you fought or how many KO's you have, show me who you fought and I'll tell you what kind of a fighter you are." Anyways, maybe I've mellowed towards Hopkins because I can give him credit for a few things these days. One of course is his amazing longevity and the incredible shape he can get himself into at 44. This is remarkable. Also, his main niche in the game and why he's been around as long as he has (besides the amazing lack of competition he's had throughout his middleweight reign) is his ability to slow a fight down to a snails pace. That's ring generalship if I've ever seen it. The only fighters who did not bite were the fighters who threw punches in bunches (Jones, Taylor twice and Calzaghe). Pavlik did not show a workrate, which is Hopkins' bane, he stood back looking to get in his power shots. Pavlik and his people have alot to learn because they got conned by a master-grifter. And I will give him credit for that.

Scartissue

I'm with you, Scar. I guess you could say that Hopkins is OK, by today's standards. But in the overall scope of great middleweights, he would never get any notice. He would have been a solid ten round fighter in the 60's.



-Rick

Just another Holly Mims, or along those lines.... ;;-)

[Expug]

Hey Brian
Come out of your igloo and talk to us.

Im here Rog.Ive just been busy lately with the job and working out for some competitions.
Tonight I worked the Blackhawks - New York Rangers game.I just got home.
These hockey players are real good guys. You guys would like them.
Your painting that was selected by the museum is beautiful Rog.
I was literaly staring at it for a good while when I first saw it.
Ive said it before about your writing, and I will also say it about your painting.
I can feel it.

Rick, I remember TexCobb saying "if I discovered a cure for cancer, it wouldnt compare to driving Howard Cosell out of boxing".

I didn't have a problem with Cosell and Ali. The two of them played well off of each other. But when Howard was too involved with other big fights his personality and lack of real ring knowledge got the better of him. I didn't appreciate his Olympic commentary at all.

How are things going amigo? With all the responsibilities you have with the Bulls and Blackhawks, I really admire your dedication to Judo. I also look forward to seeing you compete. To be honest, I'm more excited about the Judo Nationals than I am of any of the upcoming bouts.

-Rick

Thanks Rick.
In early April. Im gonna hit the Veterans National Freestyle Wrestling Championships in Vegas too.
Its kinda like Judo without the Gi.
Ive been training with a club here in Chicago in that sport also and I have had some success with some of my throws with these guys.
So , I'll give it a shot. What the heck right?

[kikibalt]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CdoYdYYOuU
"Sunday Kind of Love"

The Harptones

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdDUocjauQo
"Life Is But A dream"

[kikibalt]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bXcz8fqEuk
"Those Lonely Lonely Nights"

Johnny "Guitar" Watson

[kikibalt]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6QdRQY-RZs
"Holy One"

Freddy Fender

[kikibalt]

Frankie is fighting at the Olympic, Norm Lockwood comes in the dressing room and yells "glove up" I glove Frankie, he start to warm up, 30 minutes later Lockwood stick his head in the dressing room and yells "ring time" I tell Frankie "lets go" he tells me "wait!, wait!, I have to take piss" well we don't have time to take his glove/gloves off so he can take a piss, this fight is on live tv and the tv people have every thing down to the minute, so I look at my assistant John Martinez, he looks at me and say "no,no,no, not me " I say "yes, yes, yes thats what I'm paying you for, I'll wait outside"
When they come out of dressing room I say to John " well John?" he tells me " you s-o-b" I tell him "don't worry John, I won't tell anybody and I'll buy you a beer too"

[dagosd2000]

>

Lou Thesz

[kikibalt]

Frankie is fighting at the Olympic, Norm Lockwood comes in the dressing room and yells "glove up" I glove Frankie, he start to warm up, 30 minutes later Lockwood stick his head in the dressing and yells "ring time" I tell Frankie "let go" he tells me "wait!, wait!, I have to take piss" well we don't have time to take his glove/gloves off so he can take a piss, this fight is on live tv and the tv people have every thing down to the minute, so I look at my assistant John Martinez, he looks at me and say "no,no,no, not me " I say "yes, yes, yes thats what I'm paying you for, I'll wait outside"
When they come out of dressing room I say to John " well John?" he tells me " you s-o-b" I tell him "don't worry John, I won't tell anybody and I'll buy you a beer too"

That story of Frankie and John with the gloves was one that John and I would never forget, John passed away in 1994, I was with him the day before he died, and of the all things he could've said to me, it had to be about helping Frankie take a piss, we laughed about it and then he calls me a s.o.b., and we laughed some more.

[kikibalt]

John Martinez...1939...1994


My friend and boxing partner the late John Martinez, here in Lake Tahoe for Bobby's first pro fight.
Jan. 1985

[Boxingnut]

[Boxingnut]

What a coincidence that I just found these pics.

[kikibalt]

Thanks a lot Rob, I haven't seen those pics. in years....

[Boxingnut]

Thanks a lot Rob, I haven't seen those pics. in years....

Do you want me to email you the whole article Frank?

[kikibalt]

Thanks a lot Rob, I haven't seen those pics. in years....

Do you want me to email you the whole article Frank?

Yes, please do!

[Boxingnut]

Thanks a lot Rob, I haven't seen those pics. in years....

Do you want me to email you the whole article Frank?

Yes, please do!

Just sent

[kikibalt]

Thanks, Rob....

[kikibalt]

Thanks to Rob....