Classic American West Coast Boxing

[Randyman]

Monica's mother . . . "Maria"

She was a school principal in Terra Nova, Bahia, Brazil.
Passed away in 1981, at age 53. Monica was 17.

As the saying goes "The apple doesn't fall to far from the tree......

Rick, Tell Monica that I think both her and her mother are gorgeous.
Randy

[Randyman]

Our own, Rick Farris.
1968

Rick, that is such a classic photo. I can see the dertermination in your eyes.

Randy

[Randyman]

Its raining....

It was pouring here all night.
It's kind of nice, as long as I don't have to work in it.


-Rick

It was coming down like cats and dogs this morning as I was leaving for work. It was about 5:15am. I don't like driving in the rain anymore and I avoid it when I can. Can't escape going to work though.

Not so much anymore but when I was working on the MD-11 during the 90's I enjoyed working outside in the pressure pit. Sometimes during the day, sometimes through the night. When the weather was really bad (California Style) and the rain was really coming down, it was all voluntary. I enjoyed being out there in the rain. No one came outside, no one bothered us. I loved the solidtude. We would park our rollaways under the wing, bring out the coffe and sit around and bullshit all night long, about fights, women, cars or whatever. In the rain, at night it was almost surreal. It was probably some of the best times we had.

Randy

[Randyman]

Hello to You All
Hope you can forgive this intrusion on your forum but i know some of the guys here know Rocky. Below is a copy of a post done by former ref Alan Sugar on cyberzone.
Danny


I am sure our collective prayers and get well wishes go out to a man amongst men Rocky Alkazoff of the CyberboxingZone family. He is such a good man who has had so many bad things happen to him. I trust and believe with all my heart that Rocky is a stand up guy and honourable man who unfortunately has had a very tough life with many losses. I was in law enforcement a long time and know both sides of the fence and he is one of the strongest and most honourable men it has been my privilege to know.

About 3 weeks ago some cowardly intruder entered his home while he was sleeping and shot him 5 times with a .22. Rocky was awakened by being shot and fought with all his heart against this cowardly sneak attack by a murdering coward. Only his powerful body and iron will enabled him to survive the 5 shots and subsequent operation. The guy that shot him did not even know him, Rocky never saw him before, he just snuck into his home and kept shooting him in the back while he was sleeping. They had to open up his intestine, shoulders etc. He is lucky to be alive after such a cowardly attack. Just horrible.


So clean a trainer and liver is Rocky he even refused pain medication and seeks holistic healing. He actually ran 8 miles on the day of this terrible attack upon his sleeping person and swing a sledgehammer two hours a day. I have NEVER in all my life met a man more into honour and truth than Rocky and I am grief stricken that such a fate has befallen him. I spoke to him tonight and he is recuperating and leaving this totally in the police's hands to bring this attempted murderer to justice.

My prayers go out to him and the worst of it is he cannot exercise now and has a tough road to recovery. No one loves boxing more than Rocky who has lost his fiancee, his brother and went through the worst ordeals in the last year anyone could imagine and still has a good word and respect for all he meets. I hope God looks over him and heals him for another chance at a healthy and productive life and with all my prayers I wish him the best.

No intrusion Danny. This thread was created by guys that love and respect boxing and boxers, for those that love and respect boxing and boxers. Welcome. Our prayers are with Rocky!!

Randy

[Rick Farris]

JOSE LUIS GARCIA
By Jim Amato

There may have never been a more talent rich period in the heavyweight division then from 1968 to 1978. With Muhammad Ali (a.k.a. Cassius Clay) on the sidelines due to his draft case, other big men emerged. They would compete with each other on an almost equal basis for the next decade. Joe Frazier had risen to the top of the heap but the level below him would remain as mainstays in the ratings for years to come. Jimmy Ellis, Jerry Quarry, Oscar Bonevena, Floyd Patterson, George Chuvalo and Henry Cooper would eventually give way to Ron Lyle, Joe Bugner, Ken Norton, Earnie Shavers and Jimmy Young. All time great champions like George Foreman and Larry Holmes also made their mark and Ali re-emerged to reclaim his throne.

Lost among the giants of that time period was a fine heavyweight from Venezuela named Jose Luis Garcia. Although Jose never challenged for the world championship he did meet three who did. He also met three world champions in a career that never seemed to reach its full potential.

Jose turned pro in his native country in 1968. He would go undefeated in his first nine bouts before losing a decision to future light-heavyweight champion Vincente Rondon. Three fights later Jose was halted by though Allen Thomas in his first U.S. appearance. The lean Garcia was beginning to grow into a full-fledged heavyweight. On July 2, 1970 Garcia scored the biggest victory of his career. In Los Angeles as a heavy underdog, Jose met unbeaten and upcoming future champion Ken Norton. Garcia’s superior hand speed and deceptive power sent Norton crashing in round eight.

The huge upset of Norton landed Garcia smack in the middle of the heavyweight picture. Four months later Garcia halted used up ex-contender Thad Spencer. By now Garcia was going substantial weight. He was, by today’s standards, a cruiserweight when he beat Norton. Now he was ballooning to over 200 plus pounds. In 1971 he moved up in the ratings with wins over veterans Charlie Polite, James J. Woody, John Griffin and Alberto Lovell. Jose opened 1973 with victories over Roby Harris, Florida Al Jones and Johnny Hudgins.

It all came crashing down on October 23rd, 1972 when ex-WBA champion Earnie Terrell came to Caracas. Earnie had been written off after late 60’s losses to Thad Spencer and Manuel Ramos. Against Garcia though he looked the part of a rejuvenated former champ as he pounded Garcia into submission in the sixth round. In Jose’s comeback bout seven months later Joe Alexander destroyed him in one round. Next came a crushing kayo loss to Ron Lyle. Jose put together four wins but then lost a decision to Jimmy Young. In his next bout Joe Bugner stopped him in two. Finally on August 14, 1975, Jose got a rematch with Ken Norton. At this time Norton was the top heavyweight contender. They met in St. Paul; MN and this time Kenny took all Garcia could throw at him and eventually wore Jose down in the fifth round of a tough fight. Even in defeat Garcia proved he was still world class.

I fought the night Jose Luis Garcia KO'ed Lou Hicks at the Olympic. I just found the program and have the news clip from the nights card. I'll get them to Frank to post. And by the way, thanks again Frank for helping us cyber idiots getting our momentos on this thread.

-Rick

[Rick Farris]

Monica's mother . . . "Maria"

She was a school principal in Terra Nova, Bahia, Brazil.
Passed away in 1981, at age 53. Monica was 17.

As the saying goes "The apple doesn't fall to far from the tree......

Rick, Tell Monica that I think both her and her mother are gorgeous.
Randy

Monica sends her sincere thanks, Randy.

[Rick Farris]

The second program is from Jan. 1970. Pro-amateur-Jr. amateur bouts.
Frankie Jr. vs. Ruben Castillo
Rick Farris-Joey Sandoval

For those who don't remember Clay Hodges, he lost a close decision to Joe Frazier in the '64 Olympic Trials. The following year he puts Jerry Quarry on the canvas twice at Valley Gardens Arena, but lost the decision to Jerry in the '65 L.A. Golden Gloves tourney. Jerry went on to KO five straight in Kansas City on his way to a Nat'l GG title. In 1967, Clay finally won a National Golden Gloves Heavyweight title himself, along with two other L.A. boxers, Thurman Durden and Paul Bad Horse. In 1968, Clay Hodges scored scored two wins over George Foreman, a few months later Big George won his Olympic Gold Medal in the Mexico City games.

Clay finally turned pro, and in his pro debut easily whipped Jimmy Young (the same guy who beat Foreman and nearly upset Ali). A couple bouts later, a serious eye injury ended Clay's pro boxing career. Clay turned pro late, was considered by most here in L.A. as a "career amateur". At 6'4" and a solid 218 lbs. Clay Hodges was a stand up boxer with good power. He was handled in L.A. by Jerry Moore.

Clay and I would become close friends a few years after our boxing careers were over. Clay worked as an actor and we met on a film production. He would play the role of Jess Willard in the 80's TV Movie "Dempsey" starring Treat Williams.

-Rick Farris

[El Gato]

Scar,

We never did any research uner the name that I used when I first started fighting. My first professional fights were under the name of Joe Gomez. I don't know if there is a record of them anywhere. I had five knockout fights under this name and they may be lost forever. I fought in small towns in small rodeo arenas where only farmers showed up with guns on their belts. They only knew how to deal with rattlesnakes. I remember there were times where I had to go around the dogs so I could get into the ring. If I were to count these five fights in my boxing record then I would have a record of 40 consecutive knockouts.

El Gato

[Randyman]

That goofy looking kid in the photo is me at five years of age.

Randy :)

[kikibalt]

That goofy looking kid in the photo is me at five years of age.

Randy :)

Randy, you look the same as now, had that mischievous look as a kid too....

[kikibalt]

A piece of noir


My mom, Eulalia Adame-Baltazar, circa-1950
Simons Brickyard

Classic Noir, FranK. God Bless that beautiful woman!!

Randy

Thanks, Randy, you don't know how much that means to me....

[kikibalt]

Frankie Baltazar

[Randyman]

Frankie Baltazar

I like this photo of Frankie. It's a no frills, old school photo. I always liked Frankie, same with Tony. Both of them gave their all in the ring. I think though, comparing the both of them to today's fighters I can appreciate them even more. Frankie would make one hell of a trainer.

Randy

[kikibalt]

[kikibalt]

[Randyman]

A piece of noir


My mom, Eulalia Adame-Baltazar, circa-1950
Simons Brickyard

Classic Noir, FranK. God Bless that beautiful woman!!

Randy

Thanks, Randy, you don't know how much that means to me....

There is a special place in Heaven for mothers. They give so much and ask for so little in return. When all the world is against you, Mom is still there, with open arms. She'll love you when no one else will, even during those times when we acted less than honorable and probably didn't deserve it. She'll give you the food off her plate to satisfy your hunger. When you really, really screw up, she'll threaten to tell the old man, but at the last minute she'll give you a break and keep it to herself. She'll scrimp and save to make sure you have something nice to wear for your birthday. She'll make sure you wear your rain coat on a rainy day, even if you dump it by the side of the house when you walk out the door. She'll cook you your favorite meal in a way that no one else will ever be able to. When she has to she'll stand up for you in a way that will shock you, like a lioness protecting her cubs, consequences be damned, and when they have to, when you really need it, they'll knock you upside the head, we deserved it no doubt. There is no one like mom. God Bless them all!!

Randy

[Rick Farris]

That goofy looking kid in the photo is me at five years of age.

Randy :)

Randy, you look the same as now, had that mischievous look as a kid too....

A little prizefighter in the making, and a helluva man. Great pic. I'm really enjoying this. You guys are my extended family. Randy, did you ever see Mel around little kids? He liked them, but didn't really know what to make of them. I recall one of the trainers at the Main St. Gym had a little boy about the age you were above. Mel and I were sitting on the bleachers waiting for somebody and the little boy just walks up and sits between us. Mel leans down and whispers in the kid's ear, "Watch out for the guy sitting next to you, he's going to try to steal your ears." Mel is telling the kid I'm an ear bandit. "He also tells the kid to punch me if I get out of line. The kid gives me a strange look and and says nothing. A couple minutes later, Mel quietly reaches around and touches the boy's ear closest to me. The kid jumps off the bench, takes a stance right in front of me punches me in the arm, "Don't touch my ear," he tells me. I look over at Mel and he has that little smile of satisfaction on his face. The kid sits down and Mel starts making barking sounds. Again the kid jumps up, looks at Mel, then me, shakes his head and moves to another seat. He thought we were crazy.

-Rick

[Rick Farris]

There is a special place in Heaven for mothers. They give so much and ask for so little in return. When all the world is against you, Mom is still there, with open arms. She'll love you when no one else will, even during those times when we acted less than honorable and probably didn't deserve it. She'll give you the food off her plate to satisfy your hunger. When you really, really screw up, she'll threaten to tell the old man, but at the last minute she'll give you a break and keep it to herself. She'll scrimp and save to make sure you have something nice to wear for your birthday. She'll make sure you wear your rain coat on a rainy day, even if you dump it by the side of the house when you walk out the door. She'll cook you your favorite meal in a way that no one else will ever be able to. When she has to she'll stand up for you in a way that will shock you, like a lioness protecting her cubs, consequences be damned, and when they have to, when you really need it, they'll knock you upside the head, we deserved it no doubt. There is no one like mom. God Bless them all!!

Randy [/quote]
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Beautifully written, Randy. Better than a Hallmark card.

-Rick

[Rick Farris]

Richard Armenderiz . . .

Hey Frank . . . Do you remember this boxer. He was from Indio, I believe. Fought on a lot of the amateur bouts part of Aileen Eaton's "Youth Development Program" at the Olympic. He turned pro, but not for long. I may be wrong, but I seem to remember he was part of the same stable as Bobby Sedillo, another kid from Indio.

-Rick

[kikibalt]

There is a special place in Heaven for mothers. They give so much and ask for so little in return. When all the world is against you, Mom is still there, with open arms. She'll love you when no one else will, even during those times when we acted less than honorable and probably didn't deserve it. She'll give you the food off her plate to satisfy your hunger. When you really, really screw up, she'll threaten to tell the old man, but at the last minute she'll give you a break and keep it to herself. She'll scrimp and save to make sure you have something nice to wear for your birthday. She'll make sure you wear your rain coat on a rainy day, even if you dump it by the side of the house when you walk out the door. She'll cook you your favorite meal in a way that no one else will ever be able to. When she has to she'll stand up for you in a way that will shock you, like a lioness protecting her cubs, consequences be damned, and when they have to, when you really need it, they'll knock you upside the head, we deserved it no doubt. There is no one like mom. God Bless them all!!

Randy

Beautifully written, Randy. Better than a Hallmark card.

That belongs in Randy's web site, Think I'll post it there....

[kikibalt]

Richard Armenderiz . . .

Hey Frank . . . Do you remember this boxer. He was from Indio, I believe. Fought on a lot of the amateur bouts part of Aileen Eaton's "Youth Development Program" at the Olympic. He turned pro, but not for long. I may be wrong, but I seem to remember he was part of the same stable as Bobby Sedillo, another kid from Indio.

-Rick

Can't say I do, Rick.

[kikibalt]

Jimmy Carter

[kikibalt]

Frankie Baltazar

I like this photo of Frankie. It's a no frills, old school photo. I always liked Frankie, same with Tony. Both of them gave their all in the ring. I think though, comparing the both of them to today's fighters I can appreciate them even more. Frankie would make one hell of a trainer.

Randy

Randy,

You know that Frankie don't follow boxing now days, I guess been in boxing for over 25 years was enough for him, he only show up to events when I drag him along.

I agree that he would make a good trainer....

[Rick Farris]

Jimmy Carter

I don't know who the two guys are with Jimmy Carter.
Heard he took his instructions from "Mr. Grey"?

Anybody recognize the two men with Carter?


-Rick Farris

[dagosd2000]

THE VIG

It's like adding insult to injury. They only let you win if they wanted. Threw some guy a bone. Made the suckers think they had a chance. They had a chance. Slim and none.

The East Side of Chicago in those days was a lock. The Outfit controlled everything illegal. From the slots in back of the Moose Lodge,the numbers being run,the girls sitting in the juke joints to the watered down whiskey that was being served. Calumet City was a no brainer.On the outskirts of Chicago. On the outskirts of law and order.

Accardo passed it along to Mooney who handed that part of the city to LaPorte. My dad collected. Oh,it wasn't any muscle type stuff. He was a tax collecter for the State Liquor Commission that was answering to the Outfit. All above board. Once in a while if he had to pay a visit to the South Side,he'd put the pearl handled .45 on the bar,but soon everyone wised up. There'd be no trouble. No resistance. No questions. Didn't have to kill anybody. No legs broken. That was only in the movies. You paid or you lost your license. Your books would be audited.

The only guys who got whacked came from the inside. No promotions in the Outfit. You promoted yourself. If you didn't get the OK to take someone out,and if you had the balls,you took it upon yourself. Bang! I just promoted myself.

And everything raked in? It came with the vig. The mob's percentage on top of what they were stealing. It must have been a heady atmoshere. I remember my mother reminding my dad to cash his government check. Make it look good at least.

Don't want to add insult to injury.