Classic American West Coast Boxing

[raylawpc]

I bet you saw Scrap plenty of times, Frank. What did you think of him?

Scrap left Oklahoma City before I came on the scene, but I knew his first trainer. He said Scrap could have been a better fighter but he was overmatched early and often at the beginning of his career, and developed an "opponent" mentality from the git go. However, going the distance with Frazier gave him a confidence boost that carried over into some of the success he had later career. At least, that's what this guy thought. What do you think Frank?

As a person, Scrap was well-liked in Oklahoma City. I never heard anybody say a bad word about him.

[Robinson]

A few Scrap Iron fights have been uploaded onto YouTube.

A tough guy, but always entertaining to watch.

[kikibalt]

Scrap Iron and that Joe dude.

[kikibalt]

I bet you saw Scrap plenty of times, Frank. What did you think of him?

Scrap left Oklahoma City before I came on the scene, but I knew his first trainer. He said Scrap could have been a better fighter but he was overmatched early and often at the beginning of his career, and developed an "opponent" mentality from the git go. However, going the distance with Frazier gave him a confidence boost that carried over into some of the success he had later career. At least, that's what this guy thought. What do you think Frank?

As a person, Scrap was well-liked in Oklahoma City. I never heard anybody say a bad word about him.

Yeah, Tom, I did see Scrap Iron fight a few times, tough guy that always gave his best, unfortunatelly for him, his best was not good enough to beat the likes of Frazier, Quarry, et al'

[raylawpc]

I bet you saw Scrap plenty of times, Frank. What did you think of him?

Scrap left Oklahoma City before I came on the scene, but I knew his first trainer. He said Scrap could have been a better fighter but he was overmatched early and often at the beginning of his career, and developed an "opponent" mentality from the git go. However, going the distance with Frazier gave him a confidence boost that carried over into some of the success he had later career. At least, that's what this guy thought. What do you think Frank?

As a person, Scrap was well-liked in Oklahoma City. I never heard anybody say a bad word about him.

Yeah, Tom, I did see Scrap Iron fight a few times, tough guy that always gave his best, unfortunatelly for him, his best was not good enough to beat the likes of Frazier, Quarry, et al'

You saw him, I bet, in fights before and after the Frazier bout. Did he seem to have what I call "opponent mentality" before the Frazier fight?

[kikibalt]

I bet you saw Scrap plenty of times, Frank. What did you think of him?

Scrap left Oklahoma City before I came on the scene, but I knew his first trainer. He said Scrap could have been a better fighter but he was overmatched early and often at the beginning of his career, and developed an "opponent" mentality from the git go. However, going the distance with Frazier gave him a confidence boost that carried over into some of the success he had later career. At least, that's what this guy thought. What do you think Frank?

As a person, Scrap was well-liked in Oklahoma City. I never heard anybody say a bad word about him.

Yeah, Tom, I did see Scrap Iron fight a few times, tough guy that always gave his best, unfortunatelly for him, his best was not good enough to beat the likes of Frazier, Quarry, et al'

You saw him, I bet, in fights before and after the Frazier bout. Did he seem to have what I call "opponent mentality" before the Frazier fight?

No, I don't believe that, he was not one to just go in for a payday, he gave 100% of himself everytime, he just didn't have the skills to beat the good fighters


George Johnson

Alias Scrap Iron
Birth Name George Raft Johnson
Country USA
Global Id 115
Division Heavyweight
Stance Orthodox
Height 175cm


Career Record © http://www.boxrec.com

Date Opponent Location Result
1975-11-13 Duane Bobick Bloomington, USA L RTD 4
1975-08-14 Scott LeDoux Saint Paul, USA D PTS 10
1975-03-18 Leroy Jones Honolulu, USA L PTS 10
1975-02-25 Jerry Quarry Honolulu, USA L UD 10
1974-09-16 Johnny Boudreaux Houston, USA L PTS 10
1973-10-23 Boone Kirkman Seattle, USA L PTS 10
1973-07-03 Joe Tiger Harris Las Vegas, USA W KO 3
1973-05-16 John Robinson Las Vegas, USA W KO 3
1973-04-25 Terry Sorrell Las Vegas, USA W KO 4
1973-04-10 Dave Sherman Las Vegas, USA W KO 3
1972-03-25 Ron Lyle Denver, USA L KO 3
1971-10-01 Juergen Blin Germany L TKO 2
1971-06-30 Johnny Mac Las Vegas, USA W PTS 10
1970-11-03 Joe Bugner Kensington, United Kingdo L PTS 10
1970-05-16 George Foreman Inglewood, USA L TKO 7
1970-03-19 Jerry Quarry Los Angeles, USA L UD 10
1969-05-19 Sonny Liston Las Vegas, USA L TKO 7
1969-02-18 Bob Felstein Los Angeles, USA W PTS 10
1968-10-02 Al Carter Las Vegas, USA W TKO 6
1968-08-22 Roy Wallace Los Angeles, USA W UD 10
1967-11-28 Ray White San Diego, USA W PTS 10
1967-10-26 Earl Averette Los Angeles, USA W UD 10
1967-08-02 Santo Amonti Los Angeles, USA W TKO 10
1967-05-04 Joe Frazier Los Angeles, USA L UD 10
1966-12-15 Otha Brown Los Angeles, USA W TKO 7
1966-09-29 Eddie Machen Los Angeles, USA L UD 10
1966-07-26 Emil Umek Oklahoma City, USA W UD 10
1966-04-07 Jerry Quarry Los Angeles, USA L TKO 2
1966-01-06 Chuck Leslie Los Angeles, USA D PTS 10
1965-11-04 Manuel Ramos Los Angeles, USA D PTS 10
1965-10-21 Jimmy Harryman Los Angeles, USA W TKO 10
1965-09-27 Elmer Rush Las Vegas, USA L UD 10
1965-09-23 Henry Clark San Francisco, USA L PTS 10
1965-08-05 Amos Lincoln Los Angeles, USA L KO 5
1965-06-22 Roy Rogers Lubbock, USA W TKO 7
1964-11-09 Roy Rogers Dallas, USA L PTS 10
1964-08-04 Thad Spencer Las Vegas, USA L KO 4
1964-05-25 Sonny Moore Dallas, USA L PTS 10
1964-05-12 Andy Kendall Portland, USA L KO 1
1964-04-14 Sonny Moore Oklahoma City, USA W SD 10
1964-04-07 John L Davey Oklahoma City, USA D PTS 10
1964-03-17 Roy Crear Oklahoma City, USA W SD 10
1964-02-11 Leo Bennett Oklahoma City, USA W TKO 2
1962-11-05 Buddy Turman Tyler, USA D PTS 10
1961-04-25 Ernie Cab Houston, USA L KO 6
1961-03-07 Tod Herring Houston, USA L KO 6
1960-11-28 Donnie Fleeman Dallas, USA L TKO 7
1960-09-15 Leo Bennett Oklahoma City, USA W KO 1
1960-08-02 Benny Lee Bowser Port Arthur, USA W PTS 6
1960-04-12 Wayne Heath Oklahoma City, USA L PTS 6
1959-11-24 Wayne Heath Oklahoma City, USA L PTS 4
1959-11-10 Ted Hester Oklahoma City, USA W PTS 4
1959-05-01 Floyd Joyner L PTS 6
1958-06-09 Johnny Carroll Tucson, USA L TKO 2

Record to Date
Won 21 (KOs 11) Lost 28 Drawn 5 Total 54

[dagosd2000]

George Raft "Scrap Iron" Johnson . . .

This guy is an L.A. legend. He fought some of the best heavyweights in the world and the only guy I ever saw flatten him was a young Jerry Quarry. Jerry had a couple embarrassing draws to blemish his unbeaten record, so he needed something to get L.A. fans excited again. In round two, Quarry backs into the corner and the moment his back touches the turn-buckle, he fired a beautiful right cross that caught the on-coming Scrap-Iron right on the chin. The punch turned him around and he literally spun across the ring before boucing off the ropes and going down for the count. Scarp fought everybody, including Liston, Frazier, and many more. He had a granite chin

Scrap got his nickname as a boy, stacking scrap iron at his fathers auto dismantling business in Oklahoma. His father was a big fan of actor George Raft, thus came his first and middle names.

Scrap is still around. Mando Ramos would cross paths with him occasionally in the Harbor area of L.A.


-Rick Farris

Scrap/Frazier was a pretty good fight. Similar body types. Joe threw everything he had at him,but Scrap's low body leverage kept him toe to toe with Smokin' Joe. Joe was red hot at the time,but couldn't put Johnson down,let alone stop him.

[kikibalt]

"Tio Juan"

[dagosd2000]

"Tio Juan"

I have a feeling when the bottom drops out of the economy,Tio Juan won't feel a thing

[kikibalt]

"Tio Juan"

I have a feeling when the bottom drops out of the economy,Tio Juan won't feel a thing

When? it already did!!....

[dagosd2000]

"Tio Juan"

I have a feeling when the bottom drops out of the economy,Tio Juan won't feel a thing

When? it already did!!....

I hope you're right,but things look like they're getting worse. I hate turning this thread into a political platform because it will wind up being a pissing contest. Let's just say we're getting pissed on already. :(

[kikibalt]

Not to worry Rog, Tio Juan and Joe The Plummer will take care of everything....

[dagosd2000]

WHEN THINGS GET TOUGH GO TO THE BARRIO

Lately I've been spending more time in Barrio Logan and South East San Diego. Don't get me wrong. I'm not carousing with the dope fiends or the gang bangers. I just like to rub elbows with people who've always struggled a little more than the Cleaver family. Poor people know how to roll with the punches. They don't make majors out of minors. They're not compulsive control freaks. Winning an argument about what are the principle products of New Hamphire(stealing Ring Lardner's line) is no big deal to them.

They work their tired bones to have a little left at the end of the week to take their kids to the Circus Vargas that's in town now.It's in the parking lot next to the old Balboa Naval Hospital. Circus Vargas. A tent with a trapeez artist,some white horses being ridden by a pretty girl doing handstands on the horses' back,a tiger that jumps through a hoop,lots of clowns. There's a midway outside. Plenty of hot dogs and pop corn. The poor people's circus. The barrio's circus.

Go to the barrio where people have learned to live without. No bad hair days there. People move slowly. You see the boys waiting outside Jerry's Barber Shop to get their hair cut. Sometiomes they wait for hours. They sit outside and sling the bull. By the way,Jerry's has a hand painted sign. If you don't feel like sitting for too long,across the street is the Mexican bakery. I like those yellow and pink cookies.

Not much to do in the barrio. Lots of space and time to make up your mind. Sit down on a bench in Chicano Park. That's it. I'll walk over to the hand painted cart under the bridge and get a lime flavored raspado.

[kikibalt]

By Francisco Salazar: The hottest ticket in Southern California on Saturday night could be for the much anticipated Vic Darchinyamn-Jorge Arce fight at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA. “We have already sold 4,000 thus far for Saturday night,” said Top Rank publicist Ricardo Jimenez. Showtime will televise the Darchinyan-Arce fight along with the 12 round Lightweight bout between Antonio DeMarco and Almazbek “Kid Diamond” Raiymkulov. Jimenez did go on to state that, over two years ago, half of the over 7,000 tickets sold at Honda Center headlining Arce on January 27th, 2007 were sold on Friday and Saturday night. Arce faced Julio David Roque Ler, while Kelly Pavlik took Jose Luis Zertuche.

[dagosd2000]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUE2zG3R-hc

O MIO BABBINO CARO(My Beloved Baby) sung by Kiri Ti Kanawa

PUCCINI

[dagosd2000]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8A3zetSuYRg

LA DONA MOBILE from Rigoletto

PAVAROTTI

[raylawpc]

Yeah, Tom, I did see Scrap Iron fight a few times, tough guy that always gave his best, unfortunatelly for him, his best was not good enough to beat the likes of Frazier, Quarry, et al'

You saw him, I bet, in fights before and after the Frazier bout. Did he seem to have what I call "opponent mentality" before the Frazier fight?

No, I don't believe that, he was not one to just go in for a payday, he gave 100% of himself everytime, he just didn't have the skills to beat the good fighters


George Johnson

Alias Scrap Iron
Birth Name George Raft Johnson
Country USA
Global Id 115
Division Heavyweight
Stance Orthodox
Height 175cm


Career Record © http://www.boxrec.com

Date Opponent Location Result
1975-11-13 Duane Bobick Bloomington, USA L RTD 4
1975-08-14 Scott LeDoux Saint Paul, USA D PTS 10
1975-03-18 Leroy Jones Honolulu, USA L PTS 10
1975-02-25 Jerry Quarry Honolulu, USA L UD 10
1974-09-16 Johnny Boudreaux Houston, USA L PTS 10
1973-10-23 Boone Kirkman Seattle, USA L PTS 10
1973-07-03 Joe Tiger Harris Las Vegas, USA W KO 3
1973-05-16 John Robinson Las Vegas, USA W KO 3
1973-04-25 Terry Sorrell Las Vegas, USA W KO 4
1973-04-10 Dave Sherman Las Vegas, USA W KO 3
1972-03-25 Ron Lyle Denver, USA L KO 3
1971-10-01 Juergen Blin Germany L TKO 2
1971-06-30 Johnny Mac Las Vegas, USA W PTS 10
1970-11-03 Joe Bugner Kensington, United Kingdo L PTS 10
1970-05-16 George Foreman Inglewood, USA L TKO 7
1970-03-19 Jerry Quarry Los Angeles, USA L UD 10
1969-05-19 Sonny Liston Las Vegas, USA L TKO 7
1969-02-18 Bob Felstein Los Angeles, USA W PTS 10
1968-10-02 Al Carter Las Vegas, USA W TKO 6
1968-08-22 Roy Wallace Los Angeles, USA W UD 10
1967-11-28 Ray White San Diego, USA W PTS 10
1967-10-26 Earl Averette Los Angeles, USA W UD 10
1967-08-02 Santo Amonti Los Angeles, USA W TKO 10
1967-05-04 Joe Frazier Los Angeles, USA L UD 10
1966-12-15 Otha Brown Los Angeles, USA W TKO 7
1966-09-29 Eddie Machen Los Angeles, USA L UD 10
1966-07-26 Emil Umek Oklahoma City, USA W UD 10
1966-04-07 Jerry Quarry Los Angeles, USA L TKO 2
1966-01-06 Chuck Leslie Los Angeles, USA D PTS 10
1965-11-04 Manuel Ramos Los Angeles, USA D PTS 10
1965-10-21 Jimmy Harryman Los Angeles, USA W TKO 10
1965-09-27 Elmer Rush Las Vegas, USA L UD 10
1965-09-23 Henry Clark San Francisco, USA L PTS 10
1965-08-05 Amos Lincoln Los Angeles, USA L KO 5
1965-06-22 Roy Rogers Lubbock, USA W TKO 7
1964-11-09 Roy Rogers Dallas, USA L PTS 10
1964-08-04 Thad Spencer Las Vegas, USA L KO 4
1964-05-25 Sonny Moore Dallas, USA L PTS 10
1964-05-12 Andy Kendall Portland, USA L KO 1
1964-04-14 Sonny Moore Oklahoma City, USA W SD 10
1964-04-07 John L Davey Oklahoma City, USA D PTS 10
1964-03-17 Roy Crear Oklahoma City, USA W SD 10
1964-02-11 Leo Bennett Oklahoma City, USA W TKO 2
1962-11-05 Buddy Turman Tyler, USA D PTS 10
1961-04-25 Ernie Cab Houston, USA L KO 6
1961-03-07 Tod Herring Houston, USA L KO 6
1960-11-28 Donnie Fleeman Dallas, USA L TKO 7
1960-09-15 Leo Bennett Oklahoma City, USA W KO 1
1960-08-02 Benny Lee Bowser Port Arthur, USA W PTS 6
1960-04-12 Wayne Heath Oklahoma City, USA L PTS 6
1959-11-24 Wayne Heath Oklahoma City, USA L PTS 4
1959-11-10 Ted Hester Oklahoma City, USA W PTS 4
1959-05-01 Floyd Joyner L PTS 6
1958-06-09 Johnny Carroll Tucson, USA L TKO 2

Record to Date
Won 21 (KOs 11) Lost 28 Drawn 5 Total 54

Thanks Frank

[dagosd2000]

JOSE NAPOLES

[El Gato]

Hello everyone---

I received the sad news this morning from Johnny Ortiz that our friend, the Legendary cutman, Chuck Bodak passed away this morning at the age of 92 due to the long term effects of a stroke that he suffered in August of 2007.

I will always treasure the handmade watch he made for me a few years ago. Also I have from him a memorable collage of my boxing career he presented to me in the ring at one of the Ken Thompson boxing shows a number of years ago.
He was a wonderful, giving person.

May he rest in peace.

El Gato

[Rick Farris]

Irish Mike Flynn- "The Fighting Lepracon" (spelling?) . . .

This guy looked like the little charactor from a "Lucky Charms" cereal commercial. He stood about 5'3", and fought as a bantam in L.A. as an amateur in the mid 60's, and a pro to about 1970 or so. Flynn had no punch, but used a speedy hands-down style that could overwhelm an inexperienced opponent. He had a very strong chin. He was just a prelim guy but fought all around town and was always in an action fight.

I boxed many rounds with Mike in the late 60's, he was handled by former boxer & local amateur promoter Sammy Saunders. He was one of these guys who could take a solid shot on the jaw and if you didn't over power him he'd make you look bad. At 16, I had trouble with him in the gym. At 18, I pretty much did what I wanted with him. Irish Mike Flynn was an action fighter and many of his fights ended with the crowd tossing coins in the ring.

Frank might remember Mike from Sammy Saunders' shows at the old "Victoria Hall", prior to Sammy shifting his operation to the El Monte Legion the following year. I remember Mike Flynn worked as a bell boy at a hotel in West Covina. He really looked like a charactor out of a Dickens novel.

-Rick Farris

[Rick Farris]

Danny Alameda . . .

A top L.A. amateur in the late 60's, Alameda was trained by Bill Slayton at Main Street Gym.
He had a series of wars with Petey Vital at El Monte Legion.
I know he turned pro, but I lost track of him.

Frank, do you remember Danny Alameda?

-Rick

[Rick Farris]

Lee Williams . . .

This South L.A. welterweight fought amateur in L.A. under Jerry Moore & Henry Blouin. One thursday night in late 1966, Lee Williams fought favorite Armando Muniz in an amateur bout at the Olympic that was part of Aileen Eaton's "Youth Development Program". We were accustomed to watching Muniz dominate everybody he fought, however, he took a lacing from Lee Williams this night. I remember how slick Williams looked against Armando that night, I expcted big things for him later in the pros. However, I can't remember seeing him again. So common in boxing.

-Rick Farris

[Rick Farris]

Pete Vital . . .

During the 60's, Pete was a hot Jr. Glover and amateur in Los Angeles, one of the best amateurs of my era. Vital was a slick moving boxer who hit good and was trained by his dad, Pete Vital Sr. at the Main Street Gym. I know that Pete lives near Frank in the San Gabriel Valley, and used to fight out of Baldwin Park. Pete regularly headlined amateur shows at El Monte Legion and other L.A. amateur venues.

Pete turned pro as a lightweight, and fought for about six years. He did pretty well until 1974, when he was KOed in one round by Ray Lampkin. A few months after the loss to Lampkin, Pete would have one more pro fight, before losing one of his hands in a work related accident. What a tragic end to his career.

Pete still lives in the old neighborhood, and occasionally visits a friend of mine who lives in Rosemead. I hope he is doing well. Frank, have you heard anything of Pete recently?

I'll never forget traveling with the 1969 Los Angeles Golden Gloves team to the National GG "Tournament of Champions" in Kansas City. Pete Vital was our lightweight that year, Walter Moore was our heavyweight (who won the nat'l title), Mike Quarry at light-heavy, Rudy Acuna at jr. lightweight, Florentino Ramirez bantam, I was the flyweight rep. Bobby Torrance was our middleweight, and a few more names that escape me at the moment.

Pete's last amateur bout would take place at El Monte Legion Stadium, in the Southern Pacific AAU finals, a bout that he won. Pete chose to pass on traveling with our team to San Diego for the Nationals, instead choosing to turn pro. I know that Frank was in the audience that night, because when the Quarry women started a riot with another family, he jumped up into the safety of the ring where they were taking our team photo. I don't blame him, nobody wanted to tangle with Ma Quarry.

-Rick Farris

[Rick Farris]

Henry Walker . . .

Another guy who first gained attention fighting on TV as an amateur from the Olympic. Henry was a strong middleweight prospect, who showed promise at the beginning of his career, but after losing to Denny Moyer, his career went down hill. I recall in the mid-70's, Walker had a work related accident and suffered what appeared to be a career ending hand injury. He showed it to me at the gym one day, and indicated he was going to start training boxers. However, a few years later he returned to action and fought thru early 80's. In October, 1970, Walker gave Frenchman Jean Claude Bouttier a good fight at the Olympic, losing a ten round decision. I was scheduled to fight that night, but my opponent didn't show up, so I watched the Main event, and Henry Walker gave a good account of himself.

-Rick Farris

[bennie]

Hello everyone---

I received the sad news this morning from Johnny Ortiz that our friend, the Legendary cutman, Chuck Bodak passed away this morning at the age of 92 due to the long term effects of a stroke that he suffered in August of 2007.

I will always treasure the handmade watch he made for me a few years ago. Also I have from him a memorable collage of my boxing career he presented to me in the ring at one of the Ken Thompson boxing shows a number of years ago.
He was a wonderful, giving person.

May he rest in peace.

El Gato

Chuck Bodak is a name every boxing fan knows, even those from different continents. It shows you what a great cutsman he must have been.