Classic American West Coast Boxing

[kikibalt]

What a beautifull little girl. You're blessed Frank.

Thanks Rog, you're not doing so bad yourself with you granddaughter....

[Rick Farris]

What a beautifull little girl. You're blessed Frank.

Ditto

[kikibalt]

Benito Juarez

Country USA
Global Id 23010
Birthplace Austin, TX, USA
Division Lightweight


Career Record © www.boxrec.com

Date Opponent Location Result
1973-04-04 Dave Simmonds Las Vegas, USA L TKO 8
1971-06-23 Jamie Campos Las Vegas, USA D PTS 6
1971-06-03 Eddie Mazon Stateline, USA L PTS 10
1971-05-28 Angel Mayoral Stateline, USA L PTS 10
1971-03-16 Angel Mayoral Stateline, USA L PTS 10
1971-02-22 Eddie Mazon National City, USA L PTS 10
1971-02-16 Eltefat Talebi Stateline, USA L PTS 10
1971-02-10 David Arellano Las Vegas, USA L PTS 6
1970-12-21 Eddie Mazon San Diego, USA L PTS 10
1970-12-02 Eddie Mazon Las Vegas, USA L UD 10
1970-10-26 Clyde Gray Toronto, Canada L KO 5
1970-10-09 Aristeo Castro San Diego, USA L PTS 10
1970-09-04 Aristeo Castro San Diego, USA D PTS 6
1970-08-31 Nick Aghai San Jose, USA L PTS 6
1970-08-14 Jorge Rodriguez San Diego, USA L PTS 10
1970-08-03 Henry Olea Phoenix, USA W PTS 10
1970-07-20 Roy DeFilippas San Diego, USA L SD 10
1970-07-08 Turco Leyva Las Vegas, USA W PTS 6
1970-05-03 Takeshi Fuji Japan L KO 3
1970-03-04 Jerry Stevens Las Vegas, USA W PTS 10
1970-01-17 Carlos Teo Cruz San Juan, Puerto Rico L UD 10
1969-11-04 Aristeo Castro San Diego, USA L PTS 8
1969-10-07 Turco Leyva San Diego, USA W PTS 6
1969-09-23 Tony Marrera Phoenix, USA W PTS 0
1969-09-17 Tony Marrera Las Vegas, USA W PTS 6
1969-09-10 Max Harding Las Vegas, USA D PTS 5
1969-09-02 Aristeo Castro San Diego, USA L KO 2
1969-08-20 Aristeo Castro Las Vegas, USA L PTS 10
1969-08-12 Turco Leyva San Diego, USA W PTS 10
1969-07-10 Maurice Hart Las Vegas, USA W PTS 6
1969-06-04 Dave Oropeza Las Vegas, USA L PTS 5
1969-05-22 Shinichi Kadota Los Angeles, USA L UD 10
1969-04-03 Larry Harding Los Angeles, USA L UD 10
1969-03-26 Manny Gullatt Las Vegas, USA D PTS 5
1969-03-05 Manuel Lugo Las Vegas, USA W PTS 6
1969-02-19 Mercer Smith Las Vegas, USA W PTS 6
1969-01-23 Mercer Smith Las Vegas, USA D PTS 6
1968-12-04 Cipriano Hernandez Las Vegas, USA D PTS 8
1968-11-06 Cipriano Hernandez Las Vegas, USA W PTS 5
1968-10-23 Tony Aguirre Houston, USA L PTS 10
1968-10-02 Manny Linson Las Vegas, USA W PTS 5
1968-09-04 Miguel Hernandez Las Vegas, USA L SD 10
1968-08-14 Tony Aguirre Phoenix, USA L PTS 10
1968-08-01 Manuel Lugo Las Vegas, USA W PTS 5
1968-06-26 Billy Coleman Las Vegas, USA W PTS 10
1968-04-05 Victor Melendez New York, USA L PTS 10
1968-03-20 Lee Norman Las Vegas, USA W KO 4
1968-03-12 Hermancio Lugo Las Vegas, USA W PTS 5
1967-09-11 Joe Brown New Orleans, USA L PTS 10
1967-06-03 Willie Ludick Johannesburg, South Afric L KO 1
1967-03-06 Ernie Lopez Las Vegas, USA L PTS 10
1967-02-20 Rugene Parker Las Vegas, USA W SD 10
1967-01-16 Larry Flores Las Vegas, USA W PTS 10
1966-12-19 Ray Coleman Las Vegas, USA W PTS 10
1966-12-08 Alton Colter Las Vegas, USA L PTS 10
1966-10-24 Tony Aguirre Las Vegas, USA L PTS 10
1966-10-10 Dan Ries Las Vegas, USA L PTS 6
1966-08-29 Al Ramirez Las Vegas, USA W PTS 6
1966-08-22 Hermancio Lugo Las Vegas, USA W PTS 6
1966-08-08 Francisco Santos Las Vegas, USA L PTS 10
1966-08-01 Bobby Allen Las Vegas, USA W PTS 10
1966-06-28 Andy Montoya Las Vegas, USA W KO 3
1966-06-21 Keith Laufenberg Las Vegas, USA L PTS 5
1966-05-16 Al Ramirez Las Vegas, USA W PTS 6
1966-05-02 Cosme Rodriguez Las Vegas, USA W PTS 5
1966-04-25 Charley Harvey Las Vegas, USA W PTS 5
1966-04-06 Percy Pugh New Orleans, USA L KO 5
1966-01-19 Joe Barrientes Corpus Christi, USA D PTS 8
1965-12-07 Efrain Castillo San Antonio, USA W KO 1
1965-11-16 Blackie Zamora Houston, USA W PTS 10
1965-11-02 Frank Taylor San Antonio, USA W KO 1
1965-07-23 Floyd Molina Austin, USA L KO 2
1965-05-20 Blackie Zamora Corpus Christi, USA L KO 3
1965-03-16 Manuel Avitia Corpus Christi, USA W SD 10
1964-11-05 Henry Dominguez Corpus Christi, USA L KO 3
1964-09-16 Vic Graffio Corpus Christi, USA W PTS 10
1964-08-25 Willie Watson Austin, USA W PTS 6
1964-08-21 Manuel Avitia San Antonio, USA L PTS 10
1964-07-15 Richard Marquez Corpus Christi, USA W PTS 6
1964-05-04 Pete Herrera Austin, USA W PTS 6
1964-04-22 Webster Culver Phoenix, USA W KO 2
1964-04-01 Jeff Carter Phoenix, USA W KO 1
1964-03-24 Melvin Mott Beaumont, USA D PTS 4
1964-02-04 Frank Garza Corpus Christi, USA W PTS 6
1964-01-20 Pedro Aceves Austin, USA W PTS 4
1964-01-06 Ricardo Medrano Bronx, USA L PTS 6
1963-11-05 Frank Souza Sacramento, USA L PTS 6
1963-10-21 Dave Patterson Las Vegas, USA L PTS 12
1963-08-26 Dave Patterson Las Vegas, USA L PTS 10
1963-06-24 Johnny Brooks Dallas, USA L TKO 8
1963-03-26 Al Franklin Beaumont, USA L PTS 6
1963-03-18 Pete Herrera Austin, USA W PTS 4
1963-01-28 Johnny Brooks Amarillo, USA L PTS 4
1963-01-15 Joey Parks Albuquerque, USA L UD 6
1963-01-07 Henry Watson Longview, USA L UD 10
1962-12-10 Beldon Paton Dallas, USA W PTS 6
1962-12-04 Fernando Garcia San Antonio, USA W PTS 6
1962-11-15 George Gatlin Albuquerque, USA W KO 1
1962-09-10 Kid Davis Austin, USA W UD 6
1962-09-04 Ruben Chato Herrera San Antonio, USA D PTS 6
1962-08-17 Louis del Garza Amarillo, USA W PTS 10
1962-08-06 Narcisco Garcia Corpus Christi, USA W KO 2
1962-06-01 Jose de la Cerda Laredo, USA L PTS 6
1962-05-03 Sixto San Miguel Laredo, USA L KO 4
1961-06-05 Artie Clark San Antonio, USA W PTS 4
1961-05-16 Lalo Varela San Antonio, USA L KO 5
1961-03-07 Pete Gutierrez San Antonio, USA W PTS 4
1961-01-24 Baltazar Junior Flores Beaumont, USA L PTS 6
1961-01-10 Jesse Fernandez San Antonio, USA D PTS 4

Record to Date
Won 47 (KOs 8) Lost 52 Drawn 10 Total 109

[Rick Farris]

Rick
You and Monica have a dog?

Not yet, Rog.
But eventually.

[kikibalt]

Pepe was punch drunk before he even turn pro, his dad was the bravest dad I ever seen in boxing, he used to have him spar with all the top fighters at the Main St. Gym when he was in his mid-teens, no holding back on the pro's part, balls to the wall sparring, by the time he turn pro he was already in a daze, slurring his words....

Jose Dominguez

Alias Pepe
Country USA
Global Id 77482
Division Welterweight


Career Record © http://www.boxrec.com

Date Opponent Location Result
1985-02-17 Kenneth Releford Houston, USA W UD 6
1981-06-09 Bruce Finch Las Vegas, USA L TKO 2
NABF Welterweight Title
1981-04-07 Bruce Finch Las Vegas, USA L TKO 2
NABF Welterweight Title
1980-11-11 Greg Stephens Las Vegas, USA W PTS 12
1980-07-02 Greg Stephens Las Vegas, USA L SD 12
NABF Welterweight Title
1980-05-28 Steve Chase Portland, USA W PTS 10
1980-05-05 Santiago Valdez Phoenix, USA L PTS 10
1980-03-18 Pete Ranzany Sacramento, USA L UD 10
1980-01-23 Allan Webb Portland, USA W SD 10
1979-12-14 Bert Lee Orange County, USA L PTS 10
1979-10-30 Greg Stephens Las Vegas, USA L PTS 10
1979-07-27 Howard Jackson Las Vegas, USA W SD 10
1979-05-25 Darryl Penn Pico Rivera, USA W PTS 10
1979-05-04 Horace Shufford Pico Rivera, USA W PTS 10
1979-03-28 Curtis Ramsey Stateline, USA L PTS 10
1979-01-20 JJ Cottrell Ogden, USA W PTS 10
1978-11-08 Ron Cummings Stockton, USA D PTS 8
1978-10-27 Felix Pintor New York, USA W PTS 8
1978-08-25 Bert Lee San Diego, USA L PTS 8
1978-08-17 Modesto Concepcion Los Angeles, USA D TD 6
1978-07-27 Jose Luis Solano Las Vegas, USA W TKO 8
1978-01-23 Howard Jackson Las Vegas, USA D PTS 8
1977-12-20 Gary Raymond Las Vegas, USA W UD 7
1977-07-20 Dick Fisher Las Vegas, USA W PTS 6

Record to Date
Won 12 (KOs 1) Lost 9 Drawn 3 Total 24

[Rick Farris]

THE HAIRCUT

My wife wanted to go to Tijuana today because they're going to have a baby shower for my grand daughter at my sister in law's place. I dropped my wife off outside. She wanted me to go inside and say "hello",but my bad manners got a hold of me and I sped on. I pulled into a parking lot near by. I wanted to get a haircut.It was raining on and off all day.

I passed this salon that had written on the window"Corte de Pelo de Hombres 50 Pesos." 2 months ago that would have been around 5 bucks American. Today,it was down to four. There were a couple of women attending to their customers. One customer was an old lady that was getting her hair dyed. The other was a middle aged guy getting the trim. I like going to TJ for a hair cut. They use the scissors a lot and the straight razor. Don't use the straight razor in San Diego no more. Blood pathogens. Can you believe that? I figure if I get AIDS sitting in a barber chair with all the whoring around I've done...well then it's my time.

I sat on a sofa waiting for someone to get up from one of the barber's chairs. There was a little kid in a "walker" moving around the barber shop. The two women cutting hair would look at him and say,"Papi,que quieres? Papi, Yo voy ahorrita."
I don't know who's kid it was between the two of them.

It started to rain again. First a drizzle,then hard. There was a bucket on the floor collecting drops of water that was leaking from the ceiling. At first the drops plopped in the bucket at 5 second intervals. I was counting. The when it started to came down harder, it was a steady trickle.

I watched a portable TV with the rabbit ears while waiting. They had on some variety program with girls in skimpy out fits dancing and strobe flashing on and off. The camera jerked around. It was noisy. The color on the TV screen was bright and smeary looking.

Finally the guy was done with his haircut and I sat in the chair. It wasn't a real barber chair,but one of those salon chairs. I thought I was going to lose my balance.
"No te precupos. No worry. You no fall down. You OK," said the gal that was going to cut my hair.
Just then the little kid bumped into my leg.
"Papi,Yo voy Papi. You want dulce? Candy?"
The gal who was about to cut my hair unwrapped a candy bar for the kid.
"Papi,you like?"
The kid stuck the candy in his mouth.

She asked me how I wanted my hair cut. I told her a number 2 and trim the eyebrows.Before, I never felt right about women cutting my hair,but now I prefer it. Women are attentive and very carefull about pleasing a man about how he wants to be cared for. At least Mexican women barbers are that way.

While she was trimming around,I looked through the nail polsh bottles that were on the rack ,outside to the street. The rain was coming down hard. It was a darkening sky and the wind was picking up. I saw a woman with an umbrella walkng on the other side of the street. I recognized the walk. It was fast and pronounced. Beatriz. I knew were she was walking from. Yes,there was no use standing outside in the rain. No one would come around today. Not in weather like this. She'd just get a cold. The when the sun came out,she'd be sick. I knew were she was walking to. The calafia stand to catch the bus to La Presa. It would take her over an hour to get home in all the traffic and rain. Her head was down .She was walking at a good pace.

The gal finished up cutting my hair and trimming the eyebrows. A liitle talc on the back of the neck,and she took off the apron.
"Listo senor."she said.
I looked in the mirror she was holding in front of me.
"Buen hecho. Very good."
I tipped her a dollar.

As I went outside, the rain had let up. I saw a rainbow to the West. Inside the barber shop I looked at the two women. They were looking at the little kid.
"Ven Papi. Want more candy?"

"I figure if I get AIDS sitting in a barber chair with all the whoring around that I've done...well then it's my time."

Classic!

[dagosd2000]

JACK'S ISLAND

Jack's Island was in a section of Logan that was really down and out. A cop told me that that area was the herion center of San Diego. During the day that part of town barely moved. That's because all the hypes were still sleeping. At night the shadows,as I called the hypes, would be moving like cockroaches. Lost souls lurking through the alleys and between cars. Anything that they could grab and trade in for a fix was their prey. In the middle of it all was Jack's Island.

Me and some black guys from Logan got ourselves a snootfull and we talked ourselves to giving Jack's Island a whirl. I parked the car right in front of the open door. I wanted to be able to see the car at all times. As dark as the neighborhood was inside, the Island didn't add much to the illumination. A bar with eight stools,four booths,and a pool table. There were no pictures on the wall. No sports emblems. A mirror behind the bar. That was it. The shadows would be walking around outside. Sometimes they'd stumble in and have word with the bartender who was this old Mexican guy who wore a stained apron. Couldn't hear what was discussed. Every shadow that walked in went over to the bartender ,said something,and walked out. Me and the black guys from Logan ordered some bottles of beer. The refigeration must have been turned down because the beer tasted stale.

The only lights in the place were behind the bar next to the mirror. The bartender didn't feel like talking to us. He just smoked a cigarette and leaned on the bar. There was a juke box with a bunch of 45 records. I walked over thinking some music would perk up the joint. Most of the songs were Mexican. I put in four quarters. When the music came on it was so low you could hardly hear it. I didn't bother asking the bartender to turn it up.

Me and my pals sat there thinking what to do next. About half way through the beers we decided that we had vacationed enough at Jack's Island. I put a quarter on the bar and we walked out.The bartender didn't say anything.

As we walked out the door another shadow went by us. He was rubbing his nose.
"Well we got that curiosity out of our system,"I said to my friends.
They kind of gave a laugh.
"You know,"I said. "There was more intrigue wondering what it was like before we went inside."
As I said that,the shadow that had passed by us at the door emerged outside rubbing his nose.

[dagosd2000]

My wife's in Tijuana at her sister's doing the baby shower thing,and I'm watching Humphrey Bogart in Sahara eating bolony with crackers. I think that means something, but I can't put my finger on it yet.

[dagosd2000]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gma104ltbaU

WHITE PORT AND LEMON JUICE

The Bel Airs

[dagosd2000]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCuyQeVeUa8

CLEO'S MOOD

Junior Walkers and The All Stars

[dagosd2000]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YApNirMC9gM

I'd Rather Go Blind

ETTA JAMES

[dagosd2000]

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

Stormy Weather

DINAH WASHINGTON(married to Dick"Night Train" Lane)

[kikibalt]

THE HAIRCUT

My wife wanted to go to Tijuana today because they're going to have a baby shower for my grand daughter at my sister in law's place. I dropped my wife off outside. She wanted me to go inside and say "hello",but my bad manners got a hold of me and I sped on. I pulled into a parking lot near by. I wanted to get a haircut.It was raining on and off all day.

I passed this salon that had written on the window"Corte de Pelo de Hombres 50 Pesos." 2 months ago that would have been around 5 bucks American. Today,it was down to four. There were a couple of women attending to their customers. One customer was an old lady that was getting her hair dyed. The other was a middle aged guy getting the trim. I like going to TJ for a hair cut. They use the scissors a lot and the straight razor. Don't use the straight razor in San Diego no more. Blood pathogens. Can you believe that? I figure if I get AIDS sitting in a barber chair with all the whoring around I've done...well then it's my time.

I sat on a sofa waiting for someone to get up from one of the barber's chairs. There was a little kid in a "walker" moving around the barber shop. The two women cutting hair would look at him and say,"Papi,que quieres? Papi, Yo voy ahorrita."
I don't know who's kid it was between the two of them.

It started to rain again. First a drizzle,then hard. There was a bucket on the floor collecting drops of water that was leaking from the ceiling. At first the drops plopped in the bucket at 5 second intervals. I was counting. The when it started to came down harder, it was a steady trickle.

I watched a portable TV with the rabbit ears while waiting. They had on some variety program with girls in skimpy out fits dancing and strobe flashing on and off. The camera jerked around. It was noisy. The color on the TV screen was bright and smeary looking.

Finally the guy was done with his haircut and I sat in the chair. It wasn't a real barber chair,but one of those salon chairs. I thought I was going to lose my balance.
"No te precupos. No worry. You no fall down. You OK," said the gal that was going to cut my hair.
Just then the little kid bumped into my leg.
"Papi,Yo voy Papi. You want dulce? Candy?"
The gal who was about to cut my hair unwrapped a candy bar for the kid.
"Papi,you like?"
The kid stuck the candy in his mouth.

She asked me how I wanted my hair cut. I told her a number 2 and trim the eyebrows.Before, I never felt right about women cutting my hair,but now I prefer it. Women are attentive and very carefull about pleasing a man about how he wants to be cared for. At least Mexican women barbers are that way.

While she was trimming around,I looked through the nail polsh bottles that were on the rack ,outside to the street. The rain was coming down hard. It was a darkening sky and the wind was picking up. I saw a woman with an umbrella walkng on the other side of the street. I recognized the walk. It was fast and pronounced. Beatriz. I knew were she was walking from. Yes,there was no use standing outside in the rain. No one would come around today. Not in weather like this. She'd just get a cold. The when the sun came out,she'd be sick. I knew were she was walking to. The calafia stand to catch the bus to La Presa. It would take her over an hour to get home in all the traffic and rain. Her head was down .She was walking at a good pace.

The gal finished up cutting my hair and trimming the eyebrows. A liitle talc on the back of the neck,and she took off the apron.
"Listo senor."she said.
I looked in the mirror she was holding in front of me.
"Buen hecho. Very good."
I tipped her a dollar.

As I went outside, the rain had let up. I saw a rainbow to the West. Inside the barber shop I looked at the two women. They were looking at the little kid.
"Ven Papi. Want more candy?"

"I figure if I get AIDS sitting in a barber chair with all the whoring around that I've done...well then it's my time."

Classic!

What's a number 2?

[Rick Farris]

JACK'S ISLAND

Jack's Island was in a section of Logan that was really down and out. A cop told me that that area was the herion center of San Diego. During the day that part of town barely moved. That's because all the hypes were still sleeping. At night the shadows,as I called the hypes, would be moving like cockroaches. Lost souls lurking through the alleys and between cars. Anything that they could grab and trade in for a fix was their prey. In the middle of it all was Jack's Island.

Me and some black guys from Logan got ourselves a snootfull and we talked ourselves to giving Jack's Island a whirl. I parked the car right in front of the open door. I wanted to be able to see the car at all times. As dark as the neighborhood was inside, the Island didn't add much to the illumination. A bar with eight stools,four booths,and a pool table. There were no pictures on the wall. No sports emblems. A mirror behind the bar. That was it. The shadows would be walking around outside. Sometimes they'd stumble in and have word with the bartender who was this old Mexican guy who wore a stained apron. Couldn't hear what was discussed. Every shadow that walked in went over to the bartender ,said something,and walked out. Me and the black guys from Logan ordered some bottles of beer. The refigeration must have been turned down because the beer tasted stale.

The only lights in the place were behind the bar next to the mirror. The bartender didn't feel like talking to us. He just smoked a cigarette and leaned on the bar. There was a juke box with a bunch of 45 records. I walked over thinking some music would perk up the joint. Most of the songs were Mexican. I put in four quarters. When the music came on it was so low you could hardly hear it. I didn't bother asking the bartender to turn it up.

Me and my pals sat there thinking what to do next. About half way through the beers we decided that we had vacationed enough at Jack's Island. I put a quarter on the bar and we walked out.The bartender didn't say anything.

As we walked out the door another shadow went by us. He was rubbing his nose.
"Well we got that curiosity out of our system,"I said to my friends.
They kind of gave a laugh.
"You know,"I said. "There was more intrigue wondering what it was like before we went inside."
As I said that,the shadow that had passed by us at the door emerged outside rubbing his nose.

Roger . . . I spoke with El Gato's lady Barb this morning, she said he'd check in a little later. She said he had some news regarding Logan, wanted to share it with you. Possibly something about a gym the champ might run. Sounds like the right neighborhood for a gym. Boxing gyms thrive in areas haunted by "shadows". Wouldn't it be great to have a "real" boxing gym close by, one supervised by a real "old school" boxing legend.

We'll see what happens.

-Rick Farris

[kikibalt]

For about 25 years I used to go to a barber shop, "Jimmy's Scissor Cut's", Jimmy Espinoza and his son Dino were the barbers, only two ways they would cut hair, scissors or straight razor, take it or leave it, mostly everybody would take it as that shop was pack all the time, it was also a local hang out, I would stop there even if I didn't need a hair cut, have a couple of beer and shoot the bull with the guys, Albert "Superfly" Sandoval's dad also used to hang out there, in the mid-1990's Jimmy died, a year late Dino died, after that I had a hard time fining a good barber, one day my wife tells me, "go with Blanca", Blanca is connie's hair dresser, "Blanca will cut your hair any you want", so now I go to "Blanca's" and listen to all the ladies gossip, I don't like to gossip because somebody that gossips with you will gossip about you....

[Rick Farris]

Blackie Zamora . . .

This tough Texan came to Los Angeles in late 1964 to fight unbeaten Raul Rojas at the Olympic. The 23-year-old featherweight from San Pedro stopped Zamora, setting into works a title fight. Six months later, before a big crowd at the L.A. Coliseum, Rojas challenged a brilliant 22-year-old Champion, Mexico's Vicente Saldivar, for the world title.

The fight was a war, both fighters were cut and swollen going into the 15th and final round. Saldivar would stop Rojas before the final bell, defending his world title for the first time after taking it from Sugar Ramos the year before.

In a five round prelim, 19-year-old Nat'l Golden Gloves heavyweight champ, Jerry Quarry, made his professional debut.

-Rick Farris

[Rick Farris]

L.A. Cut Men . . .

Today everyone is a specialist. Used to be a boxer's manager or trainer would work on cuts. Some were better than others and most had their own "medicine". When I was with Johnny Flores I never cut, so I never gave it much thought, however if I had been cut, Johnny would have handled it. I know that Johnny had his own special cut "formula" and it was a medicine that surgeons used to stop internal bleeding during stomach surgery. Johnny said that it stopped major hemmoraging in surgery in less than five seconds.

When Flores worked the corner of his heavyweight, Jerry Quarry, Teddy Bentham was Quarry's trainer/cutman in the gym and between rounds. Teddy was great with cuts and had worked with world champ Carlos Ortiz for years, as well as other greats. Bentham had come up in New York, and was around guys like Whitey Bimstein and other's who knew how to stop bleeding. Teddy worked my corner twice, along with Johnnie & Julio Flores.

When I was with Mel Epstein, Mel made sure he had somebody else capable of handling a cut, usually Johnny Villaflor worked my corner. Mel was half blind and his hands were shakey, he'd have turned a simple slice into blood bath. Mel knew boxing strategy, but you didn't want him wrapping your hands or trying to seal a cut. Once, Mel used Jerry Beldering, who was of no use in a corner beyond carrying the bucket and handing in the water bottle. Jerry was a guy who hung around boxing gyms but really didn't know much about the game. He was not a teacher, although I saw him trying to teach others. He'd work corners of top guys occasionally, like Art Hafey, but in the corner he was a lost ball in high grass. If you needed somebody to carry something, Jerry was your guy, but that was it. Luckily, I didn't cut when Jerry was in the corner.

Phil Silvers also was an L.A. corner man, but I don't know how good he was at stopping bleeding. Back in those days, guys wore many hats in the corner. Today, I recall an up and coming young boxer, Francisco "Panchito" Bojado. Here was a kid who turned pro young after doing well in the Olympics. Racked up a few wins and soon had a whole entourage, Joe Chavez was his hand wrapper/cutman, A guy named Rob, who was De La Hoya's nutritionist/conditioning trainer was brought in to "condition" Panchito's body, and Floyd Mayweather Jr. would actually "train" the boxer, and there was an internet mgr, and there was a PR man, and their was a physician on the payroll as "camp doctor", and the attorney, and there was Bojado's dad, collecting a check for making sure his son got up early every morning to run, and then there was Shelly Finkle, his "advisor". Keep in mind this young fighter hasn't yet reached the top ten, or even the top twenty. As it turned out, they spoiled a great prospect, ruined him with Bullshit. The kid thought he was already a champ, and lost his drive, he finally lost to an old vet, and today is nothing more than a De La Hoya sparring partner.

Too many specialists.

-Rick Farris

Rick
You've really been on a roll lately with your stories on LA. area boxing. You could put that stuff together and have a nice little book. Throw in Frank's photos and you've got something that's a credit to the sport and to good writing. BTW. I suggested this last year. Hey the 14th is coming up. Brian's post on Indian Red.

Roger . . . As the first anniversary for "Classic American West Coast Boxing" approaches, we are pushing 15,000 posts and 600 pages. Instead of fizzling out, we just get stronger. This is only the tip of the iceberg, I think we're going to around for awhile?

As for the book, I'll do the writing if Frank will help me with the pics. And Rog, if I'm able to turn out something decent, would you consider doing a painting for the book cover? I'm serious- I'm going to write the book!

-Ricardo

[Rick Farris]

Kenny Watkins Jr. . . .

This guy's dad campaigned as a middleweight/light-heavy in Southern Cal years before, but Kenny Watkins Jr. fought in L.A. between 1965-70. Made his pro debut at Olympic, losing to another young L.A. middleweight, Dub Huntley, and then finished his career defeating Amado Vasquez in San Diego, five years later. Toward the end he dropped a couple decisions to Mike Quarry in six rounders.

Kenny Watkins Sr. was a big talent during California's "Golden Age" of boxing. He fought Bobo Olson, Bob Murphy, Milo Savage, Jack Chase and many others. Watkins was a headliner everywhere he fought in L.A. including the Olympic, Hollywood Legion and Wilmington Bowl arenas.

I bet Hap Navarro could give us the scoop on Kenny Watkins Sr.

-Rick Farris

[Rick Farris]

Ernie "Indian Red" Lopez Day . . .

Hey Rog, you pointed out that Feb. 14th is the one year anniversary of this thread.
Since Ernie Lopez was the focus of Pug's original post, on the 14th, I'm going to share a couple of special "Indian Red" memories.
I have several.

Seems appropriate.

-Rick

[Rick Farris]

For about 25 years I used to go to a barber shop, "Jimmy's Scissor Cut's", Jimmy Espinoza and his son Dino were the barbers, only two ways they would cut hair, scissors or straight razor, take it or leave it, mostly everybody would take it as that shop was pack all the time, it was also a local hang out, I would stop there even if I didn't need a hair cut, have a couple of beer and shoot the bull with the guys, Albert "Superfly" Sandoval's dad also used to hang out there, in the mid-1990's Jimmy died, a year late Dino died, after that I had a hard time fining a good barber, one day my wife tells me, "go with Blanca", Blanca is connie's hair dresser, "Blanca will cut your hair any you want", so now I go to "Blanca's" and listen to all the ladies gossip, I don't like to gossip because somebody that gossips with you will gossip about you....

I also get my hair cut in a Salon.
The guy who cuts my hair is gay, but he's still in the closet. He does a good job.
When I'm alone, we talk about boxing, he's a fan.
However, if Monica is with me, he turns into a girl and they talk about cosmetics, fashion, etc.
Suddenly, I'm odd man out.

-Rick

[kikibalt]

Pops

Kenny Watkins

Country USA
Global Id 21356
Division Light Heavyweight


Career Record © http://www.boxrec.com

Date Opponent Location Result
1951-10-23 Ray Louis Los Angeles, USA W UD 6
1949-04-12 Bob Murphy Los Angeles, USA W MD 10
1949-02-21 Milo Savage Ocean Park, USA W MD 10
1948-10-26 Bobo Olson Honolulu, USA L UD 10
1948-10-18 Bob Murphy Ocean Park, USA L TKO 9
1948-03-08 Milo Savage Ocean Park, USA W UD 10
1948-02-09 Milo Savage Ocean Park, USA D PTS 10
1948-01-02 Bobby Castro Hollywood, USA L SD 10
1947-10-20 Milo Savage Ocean Park, USA W UD 10
1947-09-12 Frankie Angustain San Diego, USA W PTS 10
1947-08-15 Allen Faulkner San Diego, USA L PTS 10
1947-06-09 Henry Rich Ocean Park, USA W UD 10
1947-03-21 Henry Rich San Diego, USA D PTS 10
1947-02-14 Henry Rich San Diego, USA L PTS 10
1946-12-09 Junius Washington Ocean Park, USA W RTD 8
1946-11-27 Vern Lester Oakland, USA L PTS 8
1946-11-04 Emory Jackson Ocean Park, USA W SD 10
1946-10-25 Paulie Peters Hollywood, USA W TKO 7
1946-08-30 Jack Chase Hollywood, USA L SD 10
1946-08-05 Johnny Eaton Ocean Park, USA W TKO 8
1946-07-08 Jimmy Coleman Ocean Park, USA W PTS 10
1946-06-05 George Evans Oakland, USA W PTS 10
1946-03-08 Frankie Angustain Hollywood, USA W UD 10
1946-02-11 Jimmy Richards Ocean Park, USA W KO 2
1946-01-07 Allen Arnett Long Beach, USA W PTS 8
1945-11-23 Jack Chase Hollywood, USA L UD 10
1945-09-25 Oakland Billy Smith Los Angeles, USA L TKO 7
1945-09-14 Reecy Davis Hollywood, USA W KO 3
1945-08-29 Oakland Billy Smith Oakland, USA L TKO 2
1945-08-07 Jack Chase Los Angeles, USA W PTS 12
1945-07-17 Jack Chase Los Angeles, USA W UD 10
1945-07-05 Billy Mitchell Pasadena, USA W RTD 5
1945-01-22 Ray Acosta Ocean Park, USA W KO 4
1944-10-16 Gaston Miller Ocean Park, USA W PTS 10
1944-09-05 Roy Miller Los Angeles, USA W PTS 10
1944-08-23 Gaston Miller Wilmington, USA W PTS 10
1944-07-12 Amado Rodriguez Wilmington, USA W KO 5
1944-06-28 Reecy Davis Wilmington, USA W UD 10
1944-06-07 Kenny LaSalle Wilmington, USA W TKO 8
1944-05-24 Roman Starr Wilmington, USA W PTS 10
1944-02-04 Gaston Miller Hollywood, USA W PTS 6
1944-01-21 Amado Rodriguez Hollywood, USA W PTS 6
1943-11-26 Rusty Payne San Diego, USA L PTS 6
1943-11-09 Jimmy Grinnage Los Angeles, USA W PTS 8
1943-11-05 Jackie Burke San Francisco, USA W PTS 10
1943-09-29 Herman Graves Long Beach, USA W TKO 8
1943-09-17 Louis Wise Hollywood, USA W PTS 4
1943-09-10 Herman Graves Hollywood, USA D PTS 4
1943-08-18 Reecy Davis Long Beach, USA W TKO 9
1943-06-26 Reecy Davis San Diego, USA W KO 3
1943-05-04 Reecy Davis Los Angeles, USA L TKO 4
1943-03-15 Acey Haynesworth Ocean Park, USA W PTS 6
1943-03-09 Willie Collins Los Angeles, USA W PTS 4
1943-02-23 Reecy Davis Los Angeles, USA D PTS 4
1943-01-04 Chester Parks Ocean Park, USA W TKO 4
1942-10-20 Walter Fuller Los Angeles, USA W PTS 4
1942-09-11 Louis Wise Hollywood, USA W PTS 4
1942-05-18 Acey Haynesworth Ocean Park, USA W KO 4
1942-03-09 Willie Wright Ocean Park, USA W TKO 1
1942-02-09 Wilson Mackey Ocean Park, USA W PTS 4
1942-01-26 Ray Acosta Ocean Park, USA W PTS 4

Record to Date
Won 45 (KOs 15) Lost 12 Drawn 4 Total 61

Kenny Watkins Jr. . . .

This guy's dad campaigned as a middleweight/light-heavy in Southern Cal years before, but Kenny Watkins Jr. fought in L.A. between 1965-70. Made his pro debut at Olympic, losing to another young L.A. middleweight, Dub Huntley, and then finished his career defeating Amado Vasquez in San Diego, five years later. Toward the end he dropped a couple decisions to Mike Quarry in six rounders.

Kenny Watkins Sr. was a big talent during California's "Golden Age" of boxing. He fought Bobo Olson, Bob Murphy, Milo Savage, Jack Chase and many others. Watkins was a headliner everywhere he fought in L.A. including the Olympic, Hollywood Legion and Wilmington Bowl arenas.

I bet Hap Navarro could give us the scoop on Kenny Watkins Sr.

-Rick Farris

The Son

Ken Watkins

Country USA
Global Id 30765
Division Light Heavyweight


Career Record © www.boxrec.com

Date Opponent Location Result
1970-03-13 Amado Vasquez San Diego, USA W PTS 6
1969-09-09 Mike Quarry Woodland Hills, USA L UD 6
1969-08-15 Mike Quarry San Bernardino, USA L PTS 6
1969-07-24 Filifili Alaiasa Los Angeles, USA W KO 3
1969-07-17 Clarence Archie Los Angeles, USA W KO 2
1968-11-12 Roger Webster Bakersfield, USA W KO 6
1966-06-23 Billy Walker Los Angeles, USA L KO 1
1966-06-17 Billy Walker San Bernardino, USA L PTS 4
1966-05-26 Bobby Shack Los Angeles, USA W KO 4
1966-01-06 Jose Luis Rodriguez Los Angeles, USA L KO 1
1965-06-05 Billy King North Hollywood, USA W KO 1
1965-05-20 Doug Huntley Los Angeles, USA L PTS 5

Record to Date
Won 6 (KOs 5) Lost 6 Drawn 0 Total 12

[kikibalt]

Blackie Zamora . . .

This tough Texan came to Los Angeles in late 1964 to fight unbeaten Raul Rojas at the Olympic. The 23-year-old featherweight from San Pedro stopped Zamora, setting into works a title fight. Six months later, before a big crowd at the L.A. Coliseum, Rojas challenged a brilliant 22-year-old Champion, Mexico's Vicente Saldivar, for the world title.

The fight was a war, both fighters were cut and swollen going into the 15th and final round. Saldivar would stop Rojas before the final bell, defending his world title for the first time after taking it from Sugar Ramos the year before.

In a five round prelim, 19-year-old Nat'l Golden Gloves heavyweight champ, Jerry Quarry, made his professional debut.

-Rick Farris

Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States
Raul Rojas W Blackie Zamora KO 6 10
Pete Gonzalez L Junior Ramos PTS 6 6
Pedro Reyes D Allen Syers PTS 5 5
Manuel 'Chango' Magallanes W Hector Flores PTS 5 5

Blackie Zamora

Birth Name Porfirio Zamora
Country USA
Global Id 28965
Birthplace Nordheim, TX
Division Lightweight
Born 1940-01-05


Career Record © http://www.boxrec.com

Date Opponent Location Result
1977-10-04 Gilbert Galvan Corpus Christi, USA L KO 6
1977-05-06 Ezequiel Cocoa Sanchez Sunnyside, Queens, USA L KO 5
1977-01-25 Rocky Ramon Corpus Christi, USA L PTS 12
1976-10-26 Lorenzo Trujillo Corpus Christi, USA W PTS 10
1976-09-21 Rodney Cooper Corpus Christi, USA W KO 3
1976-08-31 Jimmy Martinez Corpus Christi, USA W KO 3
1976-08-03 Tino Falcon Corpus Christi, USA W KO 2
1976-05-17 Jose Medina Corpus Christi, USA W KO 8
1976-04-20 Ricky Ramos Corpus Christi, USA W KO 3
1972-11-11 Ernest Vann Clovis, USA L KO 1
1971-06-08 Juan Hernandez Corpus Christi, USA W SD 10
1971-04-20 Gilbert Ortiz Corpus Christi, USA W TKO 5
1971-03-19 Carmelo De Leon Corpus Christi, USA W TKO 6
1969-10-19 Julio Viera San Juan, Puerto Rico L PTS 10
1969-09-02 Isaias Martinez Corpus Christi, USA L PTS 8
1969-06-17 Allen Moten Houston, USA W KO 2
1969-05-06 Steve Freeman Corpus Christi, USA L TKO 12
1969-04-08 Severo Balboa Corpus Christi, USA L UD 10
1968-12-17 Bobby Garza Corpus Christi, USA W UD 10
1968-11-19 Harold Brown Corpus Christi, USA W KO 2
1968-10-29 Miguel Coronado Corpus Christi, USA W SD 6
1968-10-05 Isaias Martinez Monterrey, Mexico L TKO 9
1968-08-13 Freddie Burris Corpus Christi, USA W TKO 3
1968-06-25 Pat Bishop Houston, USA W PTS 6
1968-06-04 Ricardo Medrano Beaumont, USA L PTS 10
1968-03-26 Al Black Corpus Christi, USA W KO 3
1967-11-22 Esteban Olvera Houston, USA W PTS 8
1967-06-16 Joe Brown Baton Rouge, USA L TKO 8
1966-08-08 Herbie Lee New Orleans, USA L PTS 10
1966-03-28 Jose Gabino Corpus Christi, USA W UD 10
1966-02-08 Chucho Garcia Corpus Christi, USA L PTS 10
1965-12-07 Jose Gabino San Antonio, USA L MD 10
1965-11-16 Benito Juarez Houston, USA L PTS 10
1965-08-03 Henry Dominguez Houston, USA W KO 7
1965-06-29 Joe Brown Corpus Christi, USA L UD 10
1965-05-20 Benito Juarez Corpus Christi, USA W KO 3
1964-12-15 Henry Dominguez San Antonio, USA W TKO 8
1964-11-12 Raul Rojas Los Angeles, USA L KO 6
1964-08-19 Juan Perales Corpus Christi, USA W PTS 10
1964-07-22 Jessie Alaniz Corpus Christi, USA W TKO 3
1964-03-31 Jorge Ceja San Antonio, USA L UD 10
1964-03-03 Dave White Corpus Christi, USA W RTD 6
1964-02-04 Eloy Sanchez Corpus Christi, USA L KO 4
1963-12-17 Beldon Paton San Antonio, USA W PTS 10
1963-10-21 Freddie Burris Corpus Christi, USA W TKO 3
1963-10-01 Jose Moreno San Antonio, USA L UD 10
1963-09-10 Beldon Paton Corpus Christi, USA W TKO 8
1963-08-16 Indio Puente San Antonio, USA W KO 1
1963-04-16 Ruben Chato Herrera San Antonio, USA W KO 5
1963-04-01 Antonio Martinez San Antonio, USA W SD 8
1963-03-13 Jessie Alaniz San Antonio, USA W TKO 6
1963-02-18 Juan DeLeon Corpus Christi, USA W KO 6
1963-01-29 Al Franklin San Antonio, USA W UD 8
1963-01-15 Miguel Hernandez San Antonio, USA W KO 4
1962-12-04 Miguel Hernandez San Antonio, USA D PTS 8
1962-09-14 Manuel Ochoa San Antonio, USA W TKO 3
1962-07-30 Willie Hawkins Corpus Christi, USA W TKO 1
1962-06-25 Bobby Gregory Corpus Christi, USA W KO 4
1962-05-21 Bobby Gregory Corpus Christi, USA W PTS 6
1962-04-10 Ruben Chato Herrera San Antonio, USA D PTS 6
1962-03-28 Daniel Lopez San Antonio, USA W TKO 3
1962-03-26 Robert Lopez Corpus Christi, USA W KO 1
1962-02-21 Lalo Hernandez San Antonio, USA W PTS 4

Record to Date
Won 41 (KOs 28) Lost 20 Drawn 2 Total 63

[kikibalt]

Ernie "Indian Red" Lopez Day . . .

Hey Rog, you pointed out that Feb. 14th is the one year anniversary of this thread.
Since Ernie Lopez was the focus of Pug's original post, on the 14th, I'm going to share a couple of special "Indian Red" memories.
I have several.

Seems appropriate.

-Rick

Expug's original post from the "Ernie "Indian Red" Lopez . The Lost Decade." thread that started this popular topic:


Expug wrote:
Many remember Ernie Lopez the older brother of Danny "Lil Red" Lopez.

A real solid fighter in the 60s and early 70s out of L. A.
Ernie came up short in two title shots against Jose Napoles.
He had a very tough life from day one.
Born on a Ute Indian reservation with 7 siblings, his Mom cared for the kids while his Dad drank and was abusive.
The kids were taken away by Social Services andscattered about to different foster homes.
The Mother heartbroken, wound up wandering the streets.
After Ernies boxing career Lopez would work odd construction jobs and he would occasionaly disappear, hitchhiking across the country for no apparent reason.
He would always turn up eventually.
However one day in 1993 that changed.
Ernie asked his sister (who he was living with) to drop him off at the Bus station.
She probably figured he would be gone for a while , like usual.
Noone in his family heard or saw him again for 11 years.
It was not until The California Boxing Hall of Fame decided to enshrine him , that anyone was able to locate him.
That was in 2004.
He was found living in a homeless shelter in Fort Worth Texas.
When someone told him that he had been lost for 11 years , Lopez said "Im not lost, Ive been here all along".
Hes back with his Family in L.A. now.
Hes forgetfull from all the tough fights but it seems like hes doing ok.
Looking back, his Sister said that Ernie never really was able to get over his losses to Napoles.
He had put so much of his identity in being a fighter that he had a helluva time getting back on track.
Sometimes losing like that is very tough to deal with emotionaly I guess.
Although in the end it turned out ok, its still a harrowing experience for the people who cared about Lopez.
Sometimes fight fans dont realize the toll it takes on guys who climb them steps.
Im sure there are many many more stories similar to this.

His story is incredible.

[kikibalt]

Hollywood Legion Stadium

[kikibalt]