Classic American West Coast Boxing

[kikibalt]

February 11, 2009 by Michele Chong

Final Update: Cutman Chuck Bodak
Latest news about planned memorial service!
By Michele Chong

Thank you to everyone who has called and emailed in regards to one of boxing’s most famed cutmen Chuck Bodak who passed away last Friday morning after suffering the long-term effects of a 2007 stroke.

I just spoke with close family friends of Chuck, the Marconi brothers, who have known the Gary, Indiana native since they were teens. The latest update in regards to the planned memorial service is that unfortunately there will be NO funeral service at the Riverside National Cemetery in California. The Marconis just got word that it will be a “direct burial” with no service on site.
Many of you have expressed that you would like to attend the service to honor the enigmatic personality that Chuck was, and it is regrettable that it won’t take place at this time. The
Marconis and the Bodak family did want everyone to be able to pay tribute to Chuck but with the military burial procedure it cannot be arranged to handle the crowd that would have attended. But on one positive note, the fact that there will be no memorial service is keeping in line with the feisty veteran’s final wishes.

There is some solace that in the end the boisterous, colorful, generous, eccentric and humble cutman had the very last say in these matters. Ray Marconi said of the 92-year-old, “He wanted to be buried in a pine box with a military burial and no funeral service. So I am glad we are going to be able to honor Chuck’s request.”

Thanks again for everyone’s kindness and thoughtfulness–Chuck was certainly one-of-a-kind who was appreciated by so many. A lot of negative things have been said lately about the current state of boxing, but in times like these the fight community is always 101% supportive!
One more positive thing I’d like to share with you: Here are some personal photos given to me from December 2006 when the Burbank Boxing Club featured Chuck as a special guest speaker. Along with the club members, Hall of Fame referee and judge Gwen Adair, WWE Smackdown! writer Dan Madigan, pro fighter George Moreno and L.A. Times reporter Jeff Tully all came out to meet and join Chuck at the function.

The club made him an honorary member and were inspired by the cutman’s stories, adventures and experiences during his star-studded career that spanned decades. He entertained the group with anecdotes about his favorite boxer Muhammad Ali and the hundreds of other champions he had worked with. Chuck also answered questions about his unique diet (orange soda, chicken and almonds almost every day), why he chose to sleep on the hard floor instead of a comfortable bed, and the secret to his longevity as he told us, “Always do something you really love–it will keep you young and happy!”

And at this lively event Chuck did what made him so memorable to everyone–patiently helping the youngest kids with the focus mitts, handing out handmade jewelry and caps, telling off-color jokes and spouting off in general, staying until closing time to sign autographs and pose for photos. He loved boxing and for all of us, Chuck Bodak will always be remembered and revered.

[Rick Farris]

Syers was no Palooka . . .

Those of us who know the career of Mando Ramos are aware that he was only 17 when he KO'ed Allen Syers, not 18 as he led everyone to believe in order to obtain a pro boxing license in California. Allen Syers was no "set up" like you see fighters of today facing early in their careers. As noted in the above article, Syers had just blasted out Herman Escobar in one round. Escobar a good fighter, and the younger brother of 1950's headliners Andy & Alfredo Escobar.

-Rick Farris

Another Mando Ramos memory outlined in the above article was Mando's lead right cross. He had this really cool move where he'd shift to the right, and then suddenly spring back off his right foot, sending his entire body weight behind a straight right to the chin. It was Mando's signature move and evident in the war he waged with Sugar Ramos, a few years later.

Frankie Duarte idolized Mando Ramos, and used to practice that lead right move when he was in the amateurs. It would work for "El Huero" thruout his career.

-Rick Farris

[dagosd2000]

BREAKFAST

My brother in law Arturo, who I often refer to as El Momia(the mummy),came down with this malady tha runs in my wife's family. His face swelled up. Everything. Lips,eyes,nose. And then his skin became painfull to touch. He had a splitting migraine to top it off. We put ice packs on him,but he was threw till at least the next morning. So it was me and my other brother in law Juan(El Momia's brother)who were going to to go to the fights at the Arena Coliseo in Ciudad Mexico.

El Momia was a boxing fan,but Juan didn't care for boxing that much. I didn't want to go alone so I asked him to keep me company. Besides I was paying for everything. I mean everything. Tickets ,beer,tacos,and the after boxing activities at a place in the Tepito section of the city called The Paradise Club.

The boxing matches that night were really slow. I remember Mario Olmedo was in the main event. All the fighters looked like they were walking on mattresses. No knockouts,no knockdowns. All went a real slow distance. I almost nodded off during the main event. I felt that Juan was a bit put out that I had forced him to go with me.

Feeling guilty I said to my brother in law that we should blow off some steam in one of the seedier establishments in the city. My wife's sister lived in Tepito so we drove over to that area. Figured if I couldn't drive we could sleep it off at her place.

Now the Tepito part of the city isn't what I'd call something you'd find on the tourist map. If you look at a grid of the city all you see are these parallel lines where the Tepito is. Nothing there for the tourist to see unless he wants a course in getting mugged,getting his pocket picked,or a someting a little more sreious like getting killed. But that's where the action was,and besides if my sister in law was brave enough to live there,I could certainly spend a night of having fun in the Tepito.

Me and Juan groped our way inside the Paradise Club and right away I could feel the girls groping us with their needy hands. Two of the lovelies steered us over to a booth. By this time my eyes had adjusted to the darkness. The waiter came over with two drinks for the lovelies and then requested what my and Juan wanted to get liquered up on. Juan knew I was buying so he ordered Tequila. Ditto for me.

Well me and juan are sitting there with the lovelies drinking and getting groped and rubbed,and our pockets picked. I made sure my money was in my sock. I went through that before in TJ.
"Sit up honey so I can put my finger there."
Walk outside and your wallet is gone.I remembered going back hot as a two dollar pistol.
"Where's my wallet? I'm calling the cops."
The waiter pointed to a booth in the corner. Yeh,there was my wallet along with around twenty others. All were empty of anyting that even resembled a picture of George Washington.

Anyway back at the Paradise. They got this band playing in the corner. I think they were all on heroin. They'e playing loud and Juan starts dancing with his lovely. Now Juan might move slow,but on the dance floor he looks like Fred Astaire on meth. He's swinging this gal around. He doesn't stop. In the mean time each dance is costing me a dollar. Nothing is for free at tha Paradise. Next thing I know he approaches me with his arm wrapped around this girl and asks me for 20 dollars. They duck into a back room,and now I just want to get out of there. I'm tapped and pissed off.

Well I wait and I wait. I waited over an hour. No Juan. Screw this guy. I go to the car figuring that if I'm lucky someone will stick a shiv in me and put me out of my misery. I find my way back to my sister in law's where I was staying and when I walk in all the women are giving me the stare.
"Donde esta Juan?"
"I think he got married,"I said to my wife.

Juan was already married. The women didn't say too much. The next morning Juan showed up at the house.
"Well,"I said. "How was it?"
"Muy bonita mujer,"said Juan.

Just then my wife,Juan's sister, came into the room and asked him what he wanted for breakfast.

[Ron C]

Great Mando Ramos article thanks for posting!

[Expug]

Thanks for the nice words Rick.
Michael is a nice guy.He was at the United Center for the Bulls- Pistons game because he was a part of a tribute to a long time Bulls announcer and former coach Johnny "Red" Kerr who is very sick with cancer.
Michael paid him a very nice tribute in a speech at half time.Scottie Pippen did as well.
I havent come in contact with the amount of famous people and celebreties that you have Rick. I think that you could write a great book yourself.
Ive been in contact with quite a few though and for the most part they have been pretty cool.
As I mentioned before, the NHL players are real good guys.
Sunday I will be at the Chicago Auto Show at McCormick place with Johnathan Toews and Patrick Kane .They are two BlackHawk stars and real good kids.
They are doing a signing .
If it winds up on youtube like everything else does these days, I will give you guys a shout out.

[Rick Farris]

Alfredo Angulo . . . Will he one day be "A Classic American West Coast Boxer"???

Stepping back into the present for a moment, has anybody here seen unbeaten Jr. Middleweight Alfredo Angulo in action? I know he's 14-0 (11 KO's) and fights on HBO this Saturday in the "Boxing After Dark" series.

This past November at the WBHOF Banquet, Gwen Adair introduced me to Angulo, and I really didn't know anything about the guy to comment on. It was one of those situations where it was expected that I'd know who he was. I acted happy to meet him and wished him luck.

That's how it is today, we no longer get to know these guys up close & personal, like we once did. Today it's not like the old days when I'd have seen him at the Olympic, or the Forum, or on any number of local promotions. In today's world, Los Angeles boxing no longer exists, except for a rare card at the Staples Center like the recent Mosley-Margarito match. And with the exception of Mosely, there were few L.A boxers on the card. HBO brings in their house fighters from around the world, Golden Boy's stars, Top Rank's fighters, Gary Shaw's, etc. The promoters no longer give Howie a call down at the Main Street Gym to find a substitute for a fighter that didn't show up.

In the old days, the prelim boys came from the local gyms, and so did at least one of the headliners. I remember there was always enough world class opposition ranging from world champs, top contenders, solid club fighters and hungry prelim boxers ready to go on a moments notice. What if somebody doesn't show up today? Who do they call? Howie no longer picks up.

And even on the Indian Reservations, the big ticket promoters push aside the small one's, like George Foreman walking over a school boy. Indian Willie had been promoting successfully at the Morongo Casino. But then Oscar De La Hoya's Ruchard Shaeffer made a deal with the Morongo Tribe leaders and without warning, Indian Willie, one of their own tribe is given his walking papers. When Willie complained about his treatment to the WBHOF we just listened in silence. Certain catch phrases kept going thru my mind such as "money talks". I doubt Willie would have found humor if we'd have described his tribal leaders as "Indian Givers". Oscar's key guy sprinkled a little gold dust around the Casino and it was adios Willie.

Tomorrow's "Classic American West Coast Boxing" posts will talk about the good old days of commeraderie at the Chumash Casino, or Morongo Casino, or one of the other venues located far from L.A. County borders on Indian Reservation land. It's cheaper for promoters to put on shows there so who cares if local clubs go by way of the Dinosaur.

As for Alfredo Angulo, he's from South of the Border, and that's in his favor as far as I'm concerned. He was a nice young man, a strong, serious type. He's said to be a family man, a hard worker, a guy that everybody respects. His power has gained him a lot of respect, I hear. Saturday we'll see what this guy is about.

-Rick Farris

[Rick Farris]

"Joltin" Johnny Smith . . .

Johnny Smith was another Los Angeles fighter who was "too good for his own good". That was the way his manager, Johnnie Flores, would describe his hard hitting middleweight. Smith started out at the Hollywood Legion in the late 50's and fought thru the late 60's, first headlining in L.A. before being forced to travel world wide in order to get work.

I remember meeting Smith a few times at Johnnie Flores Gym in the San Fernando Valley. He usually worked out at Main Street Gym, but would workout at Johnnie's to get some strong sparring from my trainer, Bobby Bell. Flores told us that in his opinion, Smith had championship quality and power, but the rep that goes along with it made it impossible to get him good matches.

My memory of Johnny Smith is that of a tall middleweight, with long skinny legs and a massive upper body. I recall sitting on the ring apron watching he and Bobby Bell doing some toe-to-toe fighting, not wild stuff, but the subtle, slick, explosive punching that you rarely see today, aside from "Classic Boxing" reruns.

One night, as Bob Bell pulled off his hand wraps, I asked him about Smith's power. "Was it like Johnnie says?" I asked. Bobby Bell just smiled and said, "He's got the bomb, you better believe it!" Bobby Bell had worked with Henry Hank and Harold Johnson, so I guess he would know.

Frank, I never saw "Joltin" Johnny Smith box outside the gym. Do you remember him?


-Rick Farris

[bennie]

Alfredo Angulo . . . Will he one day be "A Classic American West Coast Boxer"???

Stepping back into the present for a moment, has anybody here seen unbeaten Jr. Middleweight Alfredo Angulo in action? I know he's 14-0 (11 KO's) and fights on HBO this Saturday in the "Boxing After Dark" series.

This past November at the WBHOF Banquet, Gwen Adair introduced me to Angulo, and I really didn't know anything about the guy to comment on. It was one of those situations where it was expected that I'd know who he was. I acted happy to meet him and wished him luck.

That's how it is today, we no longer get to know these guys up close & personal, like we once did. Today it's not like the old days when I'd have seen him at the Olympic, or the Forum, or on any number of local promotions. In today's world, Los Angeles boxing no longer exists, except for a rare card at the Staples Center like the recent Mosley-Margarito match. And with the exception of Mosely, there were few L.A boxers on the card. HBO brings in their house fighters from around the world, Golden Boy's stars, Top Rank's fighters, Gary Shaw's, etc. The promoters no longer give Howie a call down at the Main Street Gym to find a substitute for a fighter that didn't show up.

In the old days, the prelim boys came from the local gyms, and so did at least one of the headliners. I remember there was always enough world class opposition ranging from world champs, top contenders, solid club fighters and hungry prelim boxers ready to go on a moments notice. What if somebody doesn't show up today? Who do they call? Howie no longer picks up.

And even on the Indian Reservations, the big ticket promoters push aside the small one's, like George Foreman walking over a school boy. Indian Willie had been promoting successfully at the Morongo Casino. But then Oscar De La Hoya's Ruchard Shaeffer made a deal with the Morongo Tribe leaders and without warning, Indian Willie, one of their own tribe is given his walking papers. When Willie complained about his treatment to the WBHOF we just listened in silence. Certain catch phrases kept going thru my mind such as "money talks". I doubt Willie would have found humor if we'd have described his tribal leaders as "Indian Givers". Oscar's key guy sprinkled a little gold dust around the Casino and it was adios Willie.

Tomorrow's "Classic American West Coast Boxing" posts will talk about the good old days of commeraderie at the Chumash Casino, or Morongo Casino, or one of the other venues located far from L.A. County borders on Indian Reservation land. It's cheaper for promoters to put on shows there so who cares if local clubs go by way of the Dinosaur.

As for Alfredo Angulo, he's from South of the Border, and that's in his favor as far as I'm concerned. He was a nice young man, a strong, serious type. He's said to be a family man, a hard worker, a guy that everybody respects. His power has gained him a lot of respect, I hear. Saturday we'll see what this guy is about.

-Rick Farris

We certainly will, Rick. Angulo is fighting Cosme Rivera, one tough hombre

[kikibalt]

"Joltin" Johnny Smith . . .

Johnny Smith was another Los Angeles fighter who was "too good for his own good". That was the way his manager, Johnnie Flores, would describe his hard hitting middleweight. Smith started out at the Hollywood Legion in the late 50's and fought thru the late 60's, first headlining in L.A. before being forced to travel world wide in order to get work.

I remember meeting Smith a few times at Johnnie Flores Gym in the San Fernando Valley. He usually worked out at Main Street Gym, but would workout at Johnnie's to get some strong sparring from my trainer, Bobby Bell. Flores told us that in his opinion, Smith had championship quality and power, but the rep that goes along with it made it impossible to get him good matches.

My memory of Johnny Smith is that of a tall middleweight, with long skinny legs and a massive upper body. I recall sitting on the ring apron watching he and Bobby Bell doing some toe-to-toe fighting, not wild stuff, but the subtle, slick, explosive punching that you rarely see today, aside from "Classic Boxing" reruns.

One night, as Bob Bell pulled off his hand wraps, I asked him about Smith's power. "Was it like Johnnie says?" I asked. Bobby Bell just smiled and said, "He's got the bomb, you better believe it!" Bobby Bell had worked with Henry Hank and Harold Johnson, so I guess he would know.

Frank, I never saw "Joltin" Johnny Smith box outside the gym. Do you remember him?


-Rick Farris

Rick...I seen Smith fight a few fights, he was good, a good fighter that in these days would be a champion, he was a fighter that most managers would avoid putting their fighters in with because he had 50-50 chance of beat who ever he fought, managers would use the excuse that Smith didn't bring the fans in, true, not been Mexican, the Mexicans who were the ticket buyers would not buy tickets to see Simth fight, it was a shame, but true.

[kikibalt]

Alfredo Angulo . . . Will he one day be "A Classic American West Coast Boxer"???

Stepping back into the present for a moment, has anybody here seen unbeaten Jr. Middleweight Alfredo Angulo in action? I know he's 14-0 (11 KO's) and fights on HBO this Saturday in the "Boxing After Dark" series.

This past November at the WBHOF Banquet, Gwen Adair introduced me to Angulo, and I really didn't know anything about the guy to comment on. It was one of those situations where it was expected that I'd know who he was. I acted happy to meet him and wished him luck.

That's how it is today, we no longer get to know these guys up close & personal, like we once did. Today it's not like the old days when I'd have seen him at the Olympic, or the Forum, or on any number of local promotions. In today's world, Los Angeles boxing no longer exists, except for a rare card at the Staples Center like the recent Mosley-Margarito match. And with the exception of Mosely, there were few L.A boxers on the card. HBO brings in their house fighters from around the world, Golden Boy's stars, Top Rank's fighters, Gary Shaw's, etc. The promoters no longer give Howie a call down at the Main Street Gym to find a substitute for a fighter that didn't show up.

In the old days, the prelim boys came from the local gyms, and so did at least one of the headliners. I remember there was always enough world class opposition ranging from world champs, top contenders, solid club fighters and hungry prelim boxers ready to go on a moments notice. What if somebody doesn't show up today? Who do they call? Howie no longer picks up.

And even on the Indian Reservations, the big ticket promoters push aside the small one's, like George Foreman walking over a school boy. Indian Willie had been promoting successfully at the Morongo Casino. But then Oscar De La Hoya's Ruchard Shaeffer made a deal with the Morongo Tribe leaders and without warning, Indian Willie, one of their own tribe is given his walking papers. When Willie complained about his treatment to the WBHOF we just listened in silence. Certain catch phrases kept going thru my mind such as "money talks". I doubt Willie would have found humor if we'd have described his tribal leaders as "Indian Givers". Oscar's key guy sprinkled a little gold dust around the Casino and it was adios Willie.

Tomorrow's "Classic American West Coast Boxing" posts will talk about the good old days of commeraderie at the Chumash Casino, or Morongo Casino, or one of the other venues located far from L.A. County borders on Indian Reservation land. It's cheaper for promoters to put on shows there so who cares if local clubs go by way of the Dinosaur.

As for Alfredo Angulo, he's from South of the Border, and that's in his favor as far as I'm concerned. He was a nice young man, a strong, serious type. He's said to be a family man, a hard worker, a guy that everybody respects. His power has gained him a lot of respect, I hear. Saturday we'll see what this guy is about.

-Rick Farris

We certainly will, Rick. Angulo is fighting Cosme Rivera, one tough hombre

I've seen Angulo fight, he is tough, strong but super slow, nothing special imo, he should beat Rivera who is and always has been an opponent.

[kikibalt]

John Henry Smith

Alias Joltin - Bad News
Country USA
Global Id 16489
Birthplace Monroe, LA
Division Middleweight
Born 1938-03-29


Career Record © www.boxrec.com

Date Opponent Location Result
1969-07-15 Paul Patin Woodland Hills, USA W TKO 6
1968-07-05 Oscar Freeman Torino, Italy W DQ 3
1968-06-07 Johnny Hendrickson Roma, Italy W PTS 8
1968-04-30 Dramane Ouedraogo Barcelona, Spain W KO 2
1967-08-02 Wilbert McClure Los Angeles, USA W KO 5
1966-10-27 Clarence James Los Angeles, USA W KO 4
1965-06-01 Freddie Little Las Vegas, USA L KO 3
1965-03-26 Luis Manuel Rodriguez Los Angeles, USA L KO 10
1965-02-26 Luis Gutierrez Los Angeles, USA W TKO 2
1964-10-19 Hank Casey Santa Monica, USA W PTS 10
1964-03-02 Tevel Holman Santa Monica, USA W KO 2
1963-08-31 George Benton Los Angeles, USA L KO 2
1963-06-20 Charley Austin Los Angeles, USA W KO 3
1963-01-11 Gene Bryant Los Angeles, USA W KO 3
1962-09-14 Sonny Gill Los Angeles, USA W KO 6
1962-02-13 Cleo Frazier Sacramento, USA W KO 4
1961-12-14 Tuna Scanlan Auckland, New Zealand L PTS 12
1961-11-09 Tuna Scanlan Auckland, New Zealand L KO 12
1961-10-23 Peter Read Auckland, New Zealand W KO 2
1961-10-09 Johnny Nomura Auckland, New Zealand W TKO 2
1961-06-20 Jesse Smith New Orleans, USA L TKO 9
1961-05-04 Tiger Al Williams Los Angeles, USA W TKO 5
1961-02-16 Ramon Hernandez Los Angeles, USA W KO 1
1961-01-26 Neal Rivers Los Angeles, USA W TKO 8
1960-08-16 Tiger Al Williams Los Angeles, USA W KO 9
1960-07-05 Eusebio Hernandez Los Angeles, USA W KO 2
1960-06-07 Artie Dixon Los Angeles, USA W TKO 8
1960-03-29 Billy Hester Los Angeles, USA W TKO 5
1959-11-19 Edgar Jones Los Angeles, USA W KO 2
1959-11-05 Louis Ringo Los Angeles, USA W PTS 4
1959-09-26 Ed Hickman Los Angeles, USA W PTS 4
1959-04-17 Baby Ike Hollywood, USA W TKO 2
1959-04-04 Bob Anderson Hollywood, USA W PTS 4
1959-03-21 Harvey Burke Hollywood, USA W KO 3
1959-02-14 Jeff Jones Hollywood, USA W KO 1
1959-01-31 Jimmy Buber Hollywood, USA W KO 1
1958-11-20 Willie Bell Los Angeles, USA L PTS 4
1958-10-04 Ed Hickman Hollywood, USA L PTS 4
1958-09-23 Perry Hicks Fresno, USA W PTS 4
1958-03-08 Al Gameros Hollywood, USA L KO 2

Record to Date
Won 31 (KOs 24) Lost 9 Drawn 0 Total 40

[Rick Farris]

Alfredo Angulo . . . Will he one day be "A Classic American West Coast Boxer"???

Stepping back into the present for a moment, has anybody here seen unbeaten Jr. Middleweight Alfredo Angulo in action? I know he's 14-0 (11 KO's) and fights on HBO this Saturday in the "Boxing After Dark" series.

This past November at the WBHOF Banquet, Gwen Adair introduced me to Angulo, and I really didn't know anything about the guy to comment on. It was one of those situations where it was expected that I'd know who he was. I acted happy to meet him and wished him luck.

That's how it is today, we no longer get to know these guys up close & personal, like we once did. Today it's not like the old days when I'd have seen him at the Olympic, or the Forum, or on any number of local promotions. In today's world, Los Angeles boxing no longer exists, except for a rare card at the Staples Center like the recent Mosley-Margarito match. And with the exception of Mosely, there were few L.A boxers on the card. HBO brings in their house fighters from around the world, Golden Boy's stars, Top Rank's fighters, Gary Shaw's, etc. The promoters no longer give Howie a call down at the Main Street Gym to find a substitute for a fighter that didn't show up.

In the old days, the prelim boys came from the local gyms, and so did at least one of the headliners. I remember there was always enough world class opposition ranging from world champs, top contenders, solid club fighters and hungry prelim boxers ready to go on a moments notice. What if somebody doesn't show up today? Who do they call? Howie no longer picks up.

And even on the Indian Reservations, the big ticket promoters push aside the small one's, like George Foreman walking over a school boy. Indian Willie had been promoting successfully at the Morongo Casino. But then Oscar De La Hoya's Ruchard Shaeffer made a deal with the Morongo Tribe leaders and without warning, Indian Willie, one of their own tribe is given his walking papers. When Willie complained about his treatment to the WBHOF we just listened in silence. Certain catch phrases kept going thru my mind such as "money talks". I doubt Willie would have found humor if we'd have described his tribal leaders as "Indian Givers". Oscar's key guy sprinkled a little gold dust around the Casino and it was adios Willie.

Tomorrow's "Classic American West Coast Boxing" posts will talk about the good old days of commeraderie at the Chumash Casino, or Morongo Casino, or one of the other venues located far from L.A. County borders on Indian Reservation land. It's cheaper for promoters to put on shows there so who cares if local clubs go by way of the Dinosaur.

As for Alfredo Angulo, he's from South of the Border, and that's in his favor as far as I'm concerned. He was a nice young man, a strong, serious type. He's said to be a family man, a hard worker, a guy that everybody respects. His power has gained him a lot of respect, I hear. Saturday we'll see what this guy is about.

-Rick Farris

We certainly will, Rick. Angulo is fighting Cosme Rivera, one tough hombre

I've seen Angulo fight, he is tough, strong but super slow, nothing special imo, he should beat Rivera who is and always has been an opponent.

Frank . . . To be honest, that's what went thru my mind as I looked him in the eyes. I thought I was looking at a Yori Boy Campas, etc. His eyes already are getting scarred up and I just had a feeling that this guy's power is the draw today, but what happenes when he faces a kid who can really box and hit too?

-Rick

[Rick Farris]

Untied Sporting Goods . . .

Frank, remember United Sporting Goods on 9th & Hill? They were one of the few sporting goods stores that carried boxing equipment downtown. Personally, I preferred the gear that came up from Mexico . . . Reyes, Casanova, MM, etc. United never had trunks that fit me, and the stuff was pretty generic. There was a company that made the robes & trunks that were given out to the Jr. GG champs, I think they also made bowling shirts or something like that. I went there to have some trunks made since I couldn't find what I wanted in local stores. Johnny Flores would go down to Mexico occasionally and he'd bring me back the pro stuff that fit me. Your son Tony had that zarape robe when he was little, I always wondered where that stuff was made.

-Rick

[kikibalt]

Untied Sporting Goods . . .

Frank, remember United Sporting Goods on 9th & Hill? They were one of the few sporting goods stores that carried boxing equipment downtown. Personally, I preferred the gear that came up from Mexico . . . Reyes, Casanova, MM, etc. United never had trunks that fit me, and the stuff was pretty generic. There was a company that made the robes & trunks that were given out to the Jr. GG champs, I think they also made bowling shirts or something like that. I went there to have some trunks made since I couldn't find what I wanted in local stores. Johnny Flores would go down to Mexico occasionally and he'd bring me back the pro stuff that fit me. Your son Tony had that zarape robe when he was little, I always wondered where that stuff was made.

-Rick

Rick...Yeah! I remember United Sporting Goods real well, in the 1950's I used to buy my boxing equipment there, I never bought for the boys there, I used to go to T.J. and buy their stuff there.
Tony's "sarape robe" was made by my late aunt Mary, btw Tony never liked it....

[kikibalt]

The 1950's


The old backyard gyms

[El Gato]

Rick--

Since we talked on the phone I have tried posting three different times, but it hasn't gone through. This is a test.

El Gato

[raylawpc]

Untied Sporting Goods . . .

Frank, remember United Sporting Goods on 9th & Hill? They were one of the few sporting goods stores that carried boxing equipment downtown. Personally, I preferred the gear that came up from Mexico . . . Reyes, Casanova, MM, etc. United never had trunks that fit me, and the stuff was pretty generic. There was a company that made the robes & trunks that were given out to the Jr. GG champs, I think they also made bowling shirts or something like that. I went there to have some trunks made since I couldn't find what I wanted in local stores. Johnny Flores would go down to Mexico occasionally and he'd bring me back the pro stuff that fit me. Your son Tony had that zarape robe when he was little, I always wondered where that stuff was made.

-Rick

Rick...Yeah! I remember United Sporting Goods real well, in the 1950's I used to buy my boxing equipment there, I never bought for the boys there, I used to go to T.J. and buy their stuff there.
Tony's "sarape robe" was made by my late aunt Mary, btw Tony never liked it....

Hmmm . . . I wonder what Tony should give Rick for Christmas . . .

[kikibalt]

Untied Sporting Goods . . .

Frank, remember United Sporting Goods on 9th & Hill? They were one of the few sporting goods stores that carried boxing equipment downtown. Personally, I preferred the gear that came up from Mexico . . . Reyes, Casanova, MM, etc. United never had trunks that fit me, and the stuff was pretty generic. There was a company that made the robes & trunks that were given out to the Jr. GG champs, I think they also made bowling shirts or something like that. I went there to have some trunks made since I couldn't find what I wanted in local stores. Johnny Flores would go down to Mexico occasionally and he'd bring me back the pro stuff that fit me. Your son Tony had that zarape robe when he was little, I always wondered where that stuff was made.

-Rick

Rick...Yeah! I remember United Sporting Goods real well, in the 1950's I used to buy my boxing equipment there, I never bought for the boys there, I used to go to T.J. and buy their stuff there.
Tony's "sarape robe" was made by my late aunt Mary, btw Tony never liked it....

Hmmm . . . I wonder what Tony should give Rick for Christmas . . .

Tom...Dont't have it no more to give....

[kikibalt]

This one he liked, we still have it, but not to give....

[raylawpc]

This one he liked, we still have it, but not to give....

That's a nice robe. The only robe I ever had was a terrycloth Everlast robe. It was one of those short robes, which I liked because Jerry Quarry wore a short robe.

[El Gato]

Great! It went through.

Scartissue...

You asked me what my relationship was with Chuck Bodak.

I met him after I retired in the mid 70's, when he was training fighters in Barstow. We would see each other from time to time at different boxing shows and events. He would always encourage me to train fighters to teach them my style of fighting. He told me he loved to watch me fight.
He was a giving person and gave me a beaded watch that he had made for me. He also gave me a very special collage of my boxing career that he presented to me one night at a Ken Thompson boxing show. I had great respect for him as a cut man. He was one of the best, absolutely a legend. As a matter of fact, he gave me his formula that he used to treat cuts which I feel honored to have.
He was a one of a kind person and a true friend.

El Gato

[Rick Farris]

This one he liked, we still have it, but not to give....

That's a nice robe. The only robe I ever had was a terrycloth Everlast robe. It was one of those short robes, which I liked because Jerry Quarry wore a short robe.

Ray . . . I liked those short Jerry Quarry style robes myself. My girlfriend's best friend in high school was a great seamstress, she was only 16 at the time, but made me a short red velvet robe I wore in my first year as a pro. By the way, that 16-year-old seamstress was named Laura Lyons, and she was "Playmate of the Month" a few years later, in Playboy's Feb. 1976 edition. 8)

-Rick

[raylawpc]

This one he liked, we still have it, but not to give....

That's a nice robe. The only robe I ever had was a terrycloth Everlast robe. It was one of those short robes, which I liked because Jerry Quarry wore a short robe.

Ray . . . I liked those short Jerry Quarry style robes myself. My girlfriend's best friend in high school was a great seamstress, she was only 16 at the time, but made me a short red velvet robe I wore in my first year as a pro. By the way, that 16-year-old seamstress was named Laura Lyons, and she was "Playmate of the Month" a few years later, in Playboy's Feb. 1976 edition. 8)

-Rick

Yeah, I thought those short robes were sharp. I always thought Jerry Quarry looked very sharp - both in the ring and out . . . and then you burst that particular bubble with your story about the Quarry family hygiene.

[kikibalt]

I'm posting this videos again because the the other ones were taken off You Tube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6_lPKTqslQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKqh7KnhCj8

Frankie Baltazar vs Juan Escobar

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DF2A4ZJLn-4

[dagosd2000]

A STANDING OVATION

Everytime I saw Archie Moore at the fights across the border he got a standing ovation. I've talked about it before,but one time in particular I remember because Sugar Ray Robinson was fighting the main event against a local by the name of Memo Ayon.The fight was at the old bull ring downtown. They tore it down because they thought it was unsafe. Wasn't strong enough to hold the weight of the crowd. Well they were saying this in 1964 when Sugar Ray was climbing into the ring against Memo Ayon.

My dad took me to that fight. I knew I'd never see Robinson in a live fight again. I'd settle for him in a Mexican bull ring. Robinson lost the decision that night even thouigh I thought the Mexicans rigged the verdict like they rig their elections. But getting back to Moore.

The crowd hated Sugar Ray .As soon as he walked down to the ring,the whistling and racial slurs filled the air. But then they introduced Archie Moore. I didn't see him sitting ringside,but when he rose up,the crowd rose with him. He got the biggest applause. He always did down there.Archie wasn't cocky. Wasn't a show off. A genuinly humble person. Mexicans like that in a foreign fighter. Especially a black fighter.I know Joe Louis fought a couple of exhibitions against Godoy in Mexico. They were probably standing for Joe also. Whether Olivares was on the card or Vicente or any of the local heros,if Arch was at ringside, the crowd was on their feet.

Archie fought one time in Tijuana. I didn't see it,but I guess he put the trial horse Howard King away in the first frame. I assume the crowd was on its feet that night long ago too.