Classic American West Coast Boxing

[kikibalt]

From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Bernard Docusen articles

To: [email protected]

Thanks for your kind comments. He was a wonderful"dad". My children loved him so much. He was always interested in what we were doing. I had people tell me that it was never about him but about them -- he made people feel better about himself. Growing up, I didn't know my dad was such a great fighter I just knew him as my dad. He never bragged abouthimself -- he let others do that for him. This has been the hardest thing I have ever gone through. I know my dad is in a better place, but I will miss him tremendously. The grief has been almost unbearable.

Pat

[dagosd2000]

From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Bernard Docusen articles

To: [email protected]

Thanks for your kind comments. He was a wonderful"dad". My children loved him so much. He was always interested in what we were doing. I had people tell me that it was never about him but about them -- he made people feel better about himself. Growing up, I didn't know my dad was such a great fighter I just knew him as my dad. He never bragged abouthimself -- he let others do that for him. This has been the hardest thing I have ever gone through. I know my dad is in a better place, but I will miss him tremendously. The grief has been almost unbearable.

Pat

Bernie Docusen

[Rick Farris]

Danny Valdez . . .

Frank, I'd like to know a bit more about Danny Valdez. I saw him fight live at the Olympic, and on TV, and I'm familiar with his record and much of his career. However, could you share anything you might recall about him. A story? I'm curious about what part of ELA he grew up in? Maravilla? Boyle Heights? I know he has a daughter. I wrote a little memory awhile back about Valdez, and he's a true ELA guy who went all the way to the top. He never won a world title, but he fought for one, against a great champion. Can you tell me something about Danny that you saw, or know, something that nobody read in the Times or Herald? I guess I'm looking for one of those "gym stories", or whatever.

When today's fans visualize a boxer from East Los Angeles, who do they think about? Not Danny Valdez. When I visualize a boxer from ELA, it ain't Oscar De L Hoya or Paul Gonzalez. I see the face of a Danny Valdez in the early 60's, and Ruben Navarro in the late 60's-early 70's. Frank and Hap can take us deeper into ELA fistic greats of days gone by, and I would appreciate this very much. I know Randy will also appreciate anything related to boxing and the Eastside.

-Rick Farris

[dagosd2000]

Eslabon Por Eslabon

Los Invasores De Nuevo Leon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDluRP7Zhu4

[dagosd2000]

Los Bukis

Las Musicares

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofUp92TA4E0

[Bobbin & Weavin]

The new "First Couple"

Frank,
What a great picture, what a great day! I left work for a couple of hours to go watch the inauguration with my father he's 78 and said thoughout the election that he never would have believed he would see a woman or a person of color elected so he is thrilled. Throughout my life he has preached and practiced civil rights, rights for working people and their families as an elected union official in the construction trades in S.F. I am happy for him to be able to see this but even more happy for the rest of us because Change is coming and we're over due!
Bruce

[Rick Farris]

Hey Frank . . . about the time I turned professional, in spring 1970, I worked out after school for a couple weeks at an East L.A. Gym off La Reina, it was an old church turned into a gym. I was there to spar with a boxer who trained there. I think it was Resurrection Gym, the one that Oscar has put a lot of money into in recent years.

I know there isn't a man walking the planet that knows ELA gyms like you. Do you have any thoughts about the place. How and when it started? Who was behind the gym and what popular ELA boys trained there? Hey Frank, I just flashed back on an image from springtime 1968 . . . Eastside Boys Club, friday night. Your kids are all there, you are making the matches. I'm flying solo that night, Johnny Flores was in N.Y. with Jerry Quarry. My dad left work early that night, drove me to the Eastside. We came to you, you knew me, found a good match for me. My dad worked my corner with Dwight Hawkins. Tough kid, a little green. I won. The "Outstanding Fighter" that night was a 12-year-old from Pomona, Albert Davila.

Just a memory . . .

Rick Farris

[dagosd2000]

Los Bukis

Las Musicares

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofUp92TA4E0

The two songs above bring back memories when I could hold my liquor and dance with girls in their "mini faldas" in the cantinas for hours on end. Setting everyone up . The laughing and all the fun. The Monaco with the low ceiling and ths lights bouncing off the glass ball chandelier that went round and round. The cases of Modelo and Corona stacked to the ceiling. The guy selling "las semillas" and the old woman offering the roses. Of course the guy with the polaroid.If you were drunk enough the dude with the shocking machine where you'd hold the handles as he turned up the current. Then you couldn't let go. Beer on the floor and tables. The jukebox never stopped playing. I learned a lot about Mexican music in those places like the Monaco. Las Chavelas. How about La Gloria. Sultry summers. Taco stands with the white light bulbs. Radishes piled high in front. Sizzles of carnitas frying on the grill. Manteca popping. Chopping and dicing the meat with those big knives real fast. The music shooting out from each door down the street. La Coahuila at night. A world of rainbow lights and dreams lost by sunrise.

[kikibalt]

Danny Valdez . . .

Frank, I'd like to know a bit more about Danny Valdez. I saw him fight live at the Olympic, and on TV, and I'm familiar with his record and much of his career. However, could you share anything you might recall about him. A story? I'm curious about what part of ELA he grew up in? Maravilla? Boyle Heights? I know he has a daughter. I wrote a little memory awhile back about Valdez, and he's a true ELA guy who went all the way to the top. He never won a world title, but he fought for one, against a great champion. Can you tell me something about Danny that you saw, or know, something that nobody read in the Times or Herald? I guess I'm looking for one of those "gym stories", or whatever.

When today's fans visualize a boxer from East Los Angeles, who do they think about? Not Danny Valdez. When I visualize a boxer from ELA, it ain't Oscar De L Hoya or Paul Gonzalez. I see the face of a Danny Valdez in the early 60's, and Ruben Navarro in the late 60's-early 70's. Frank and Hap can take us deeper into ELA fistic greats of days gone by, and I would appreciate this very much. I know Randy will also appreciate anything related to boxing and the Eastside.

-Rick Farris

Danny Valdez

Rick...I met Danny in 1954-55 when he was about 14 years old, at that time he was living in a new home that was right behind (off Brooklyn Ave.) the Marvilla Projects, his trainer and later his manager was Art Arvizu, Art had, like Johnnie Flores did, a gym in his back yard, I used to pick Danny at home and drive over to Art's, who lived on Fisher St. E.L.A. and we would train and spar in the ring Art had under some trees, will never forget the left hook Danny hit me with one time, I trained with Art and Danny for about 6 months, then went back to the Teamsters, after that I would run into Danny here and there in E.L.A.

Btw Danny had a twin brother (David) who have since passed.

Art Arvizu has a daughter who is a real good singer, she had a top ten song years ago with "El Chicano" "Sabor A Mi".

[dagosd2000]

Cero 39

Mike Laure

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22tH0yRdCBg

[kikibalt]

Art Arvizu's daughter's name Ersi Arvizu, she is on you tube.

[dagosd2000]

Frank
I watch the fights of Frankie and Tony. I like the way you guys handled them in the corner. No panic. No screaming or yelling. And when the boys won no jumping around like you just won the lottery. And when you were interviewed afterwards, you were modest and gratefull. Same with your sons.

[kikibalt]

Hey Frank . . . about the time I turned professional, in spring 1970, I worked out after school for a couple weeks at an East L.A. Gym off La Reina, it was an old church turned into a gym. I was there to spar with a boxer who trained there. I think it was Resurrection Gym, the one that Oscar has put a lot of money into in recent years.

I know there isn't a man walking the planet that knows ELA gyms like you. Do you have any thoughts about the place. How and when it started? Who was behind the gym and what popular ELA boys trained there? Hey Frank, I just flashed back on an image from springtime 1968 . . . Eastside Boys Club, friday night. Your kids are all there, you are making the matches. I'm flying solo that night, Johnny Flores was in N.Y. with Jerry Quarry. My dad left work early that night, drove me to the Eastside. We came to you, you knew me, found a good match for me. My dad worked my corner with Dwight Hawkins. Tough kid, a little green. I won. The "Outstanding Fighter" that night was a 12-year-old from Pomona, Albert Davila.

Just a memory . . .

Rick Farris

Rick...it was/is the Resurrection Gym on Lorena St. in E.L.A., we had Jr GG fights there in the 1960's when you were fighting in the Jr's.

That gym was started by Jim Lopez and Baltazar Torres and Torres's brother whom's name I don't remember, until Oscar, the biggest name out of that gym was Art Frias.

[kikibalt]

Frank
I watch the fights of Frankie and Tony. I like the way you guys handled them in the corner. No panic. No screaming or yelling. And when the boys won no jumping around like you just won the lottery. And when you were interviewed afterwards, you were modest and gratefull. Same with your sons.

We were cool....

[kikibalt]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDIriqei_q8
"Mil Besos"

Ersi Arvizu

[dagosd2000]

Every evening in Jiquilpan I'd take Adam and Amanda and their cousins to the Cafe Colonial for lattes and Italian Ices. The big girl is my niece Chucha. Ahhhhh... Chuchana. Que bonita!!!

[dagosd2000]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDIriqei_q8
"Mil Besos"

Ersi Arvizu

Very nice. Very nice

[Rick Farris]

Frank
I watch the fights of Frankie and Tony. I like the way you guys handled them in the corner. No panic. No screaming or yelling. And when the boys won no jumping around like you just won the lottery. And when you were interviewed afterwards, you were modest and gratefull. Same with your sons.

Roger . . . I'm not attempting to answer for Frank, but I knew those boys and winning fights for a Baltazar was as common as waking up in the morning. Somehow losing was something Frank forgot to teach them. You could pretty much figure a Baltazar loss to come around about as often as a major L.A. earthquake. I've lived in Los Angeles all my life and can remember only two earthquakes big enough to mention. Same goes with Baltazar losses.

-Rick

[kikibalt]

One for you, Roger

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43WyP5rvcHQ
"Mi Ultima Parranda"

Los Caminantes

[dagosd2000]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCklK7TbT0E

Los Tres Diamantes

Usted

[dagosd2000]

One for you, Roger

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43WyP5rvcHQ
"Mi Ultima Parranda"

Los Caminantes

You are definitely on target

I remember this song.I think I was hangin' on Beatriz. Or was it Petunia? I know. It was Ufemia

[kikibalt]

For my wife, Connie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MH7-wZBebtU
"Porque Tengo Tu Amor"

Los Caminantes

[Rick Farris]

Hey Frank . . . about the time I turned professional, in spring 1970, I worked out after school for a couple weeks at an East L.A. Gym off La Reina, it was an old church turned into a gym. I was there to spar with a boxer who trained there. I think it was Resurrection Gym, the one that Oscar has put a lot of money into in recent years.

I know there isn't a man walking the planet that knows ELA gyms like you. Do you have any thoughts about the place. How and when it started? Who was behind the gym and what popular ELA boys trained there? Hey Frank, I just flashed back on an image from springtime 1968 . . . Eastside Boys Club, friday night. Your kids are all there, you are making the matches. I'm flying solo that night, Johnny Flores was in N.Y. with Jerry Quarry. My dad left work early that night, drove me to the Eastside. We came to you, you knew me, found a good match for me. My dad worked my corner with Dwight Hawkins. Tough kid, a little green. I won. The "Outstanding Fighter" that night was a 12-year-old from Pomona, Albert Davila.

Just a memory . . .

Rick Farris

Rick...it was/is the Resurrection Gym on Lorena St. in E.L.A., we had Jr GG fights there in the 1960's when you were fighting in the Jr's.

That gym was started by Jim Lopez and Baltazar Torres and Torres's brother whom's name I don't remember, until Oscar, the biggest name out of that gym was Art Frias.

Frank . . .Baltazar Torres was a friend of mine, his brother's name was George (the one I knew). Baltazar and I boxed many times at Main St. Gym and I would always think to myself, "Baltazar" as a first name? I only knew of the Baltazar family. As for Art Frias, I didn't know he was from the Resurrection Club. Thanks Frank.

-Rick

[Rick Farris]

The new "First Couple"

Frank,
What a great picture, what a great day! I left work for a couple of hours to go watch the inauguration with my father he's 78 and said thoughout the election that he never would have believed he would see a woman or a person of color elected so he is thrilled. Throughout my life he has preached and practiced civil rights, rights for working people and their families as an elected union official in the construction trades in S.F. I am happy for him to be able to see this but even more happy for the rest of us because Change is coming and we're over due!
Bruce

Bruce . . . I'm proud to be an American again. The past eight years were disheartening, what went on before that, not much better. I'm not about politics or conservative/liberal differences. This man feels right, I like his class, his strength, his family and his dreams. I may be wrong, but I believe he will be the best president in modern history. He has to be, the last guy was a moron in the eyes of the world, so he hasn't big shoes to fill. In an age where nobody can afford to believe in anything, I choose to believe in Barrack Obama. Anybody who disagrees, cool . . . this is America, we have that right.

-Rick

[Bobbin & Weavin]

The new "First Couple"

Frank,
What a great picture, what a great day! I left work for a couple of hours to go watch the inauguration with my father he's 78 and said thoughout the election that he never would have believed he would see a woman or a person of color elected so he is thrilled. Throughout my life he has preached and practiced civil rights, rights for working people and their families as an elected union official in the construction trades in S.F. I am happy for him to be able to see this but even more happy for the rest of us because Change is coming and we're over due!
Bruce

Bruce . . . I'm proud to be an American again. The past eight years were disheartening, what went on before that, not much better. I'm not about politics or conservative/liberal differences. This man feels right, I like his class, his strength, his family and his dreams. I may be wrong, but I believe he will be the best president in modern history. He has to be, the last guy was a moron in the eyes of the world, so he hasn't big shoes to fill. In an age where nobody can afford to believe in anything, I choose to believe in Barrack Obama. Anybody who disagrees, cool . . . this is America, we have that right.

-Rick

Rick,
I wish I would have worded it as eloquently as you!
Bruce