Classic American West Coast Boxing

[dagosd2000]

HEDGE

I used to see Hedgemon Lewis at the fights and working out at the Coliseum. He buddied around with Ken Norton. Bill Slayton had replaced Eddie Futch so he was working with both of them. Norton and Lewis were at the peaks of their careers. It was tough for both of them to break through to the top. Kenny had Frazier,Ali,and Big George in front of him. Hedge had Indian Red,Mando Muniz,and a guy they called "Mantequilla" standing in his way. The 70's was an exciting era for boxing in So Cal and Norton and Lewis were in the thick of it.

But Hedge Lewis was a different personality make up than Kenny Norton. Norton could be surly. Even a trace of bully in him. He certainly didn't hold back on a big football player from San Diego who had never sparrred that much when they worked together. I can still see the dent on the side of my nose. Hedge Lewis was soft spoken and non intimidating. Articulate and very friendly to converse with.

I was at the fights one night with a friend at the Coliseum and sitting in front of me was Hedge and Kenny. My friend was at the beer stand getting fortified for the evening. As he was filling up,I started talking to the pugs who occupied the seats in front of me. From behind it looked like Mt. Rushmore beside Little Round Top.

The thing that was a little funny was that both of them had shoulder bags strapped over their shoulders. When my drunk buddy got back to his seat with two beers in his hands,he peered at the fellas' in front.
"Hey Rog,"he blurted out. "Since when do dudes wear purses?"

Norton turned around,but Hedge was the calmer of the two. He tapped Norton on the shoulder as to say the guy has just had too much to drink.

After seeing that nothing was going to develop from my friends remark,I decided I needed a beer and excused myself.

[kikibalt]

Guys, be sure to watch the Raul Rojas vs Yoshiaki Numata fight that I posted (page 621), even if you don't watch any of the other fights I've been posting from You Tube.

What a fight and what a comeback!....

Be sure to watch it in full screen.

[dagosd2000]

Guys, be sure to watch the Raul Rojas vs Yoshiaki Numata fight that I posted (page 621), even if you don't watch any of the other fights I've been posting from You Tube.

What a fight and what a comeback!....

Be sure to watch it in full screen.

Frank
I have that fight on disk. One of the guys on the thread sent it to me. Yeh,one hell of a fight

[Rick Farris]

Raul Rojas vs Yoshiaki Numata

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

Frank . . . Thanks for bringing Raul Rojas back into our minds and what a great fight! Raul's career was starting to go south with this loss. However, I remember how much fun we in L.A. had watching Rojas go to war with just about every major featherweight in the world. Of course, Rojas and management were smart enough to avoid Dwight Hawkins. Whether Hawkins would have defeated Rojas is not known? Regardless of the result, such a battle would have taken something out of the great San Pedro featherweight. I always liked the way Rojas carried himself in the ring, no showboating, hands up, body punches, the ability to box. Two great rounds of action you posted.

-Rick

[dagosd2000]

Guys, be sure to watch the Raul Rojas vs Yoshiaki Numata fight that I posted (page 621), even if you don't watch any of the other fights I've been posting from You Tube.

What a fight and what a comeback!....

Be sure to watch it in full screen.

Frank
Can you post Fighting Harada/Joe Medel fight? Another great fight with a comeback.

[Rick Farris]

HEDGE

I used to see Hedgemon Lewis at the fights and working out at the Coliseum. He buddied around with Ken Norton. Bill Slayton had replaced Eddie Futch so he was working with both of them. Norton and Lewis were at the peaks of their careers. It was tough for both of them to break through to the top. Kenny had Frazier,Ali,and Big George in front of him. Hedge had Indian Red,Mando Muniz,and a guy they called "Mantequilla" standing in his way. The 70's was an exciting era for boxing in So Cal and Norton and Lewis were in the thick of it.

But Hedge Lewis was a different personality make up than Kenny Norton. Norton could be surly. Even a trace of bully in him. He certainly didn't hold back on a big football player from San Diego who had never sparrred that much when they worked together. I can still see the dent on the side of my nose. Hedge Lewis was soft spoken and non intimidating. Articulate and very friendly to converse with.

I was at the fights one night with a friend at the Coliseum and sitting in front of me was Hedge and Kenny. My friend was at the beer stand getting fortified for the evening. As he was filling up,I started talking to the pugs who occupied the seats in front of me. From behind it looked like Mt. Rushmore beside Little Round Top.

The thing that was a little funny was that both of them had shoulder bags strapped over their shoulders. When my drunk buddy got back to his seat with two beers in his hands,he peered at the fellas' in front.
"Hey Rog,"he blurted out. "Since when do dudes wear purses?"

Norton turned around,but Hedge was the calmer of the two. He tapped Norton on the shoulder as to say the guy has just had too much to drink.

After seeing that nothing was going to develop from my friends remark,I decided I needed a beer and excused myself.

Nice story, Rog. Hedge was one of my favorites. I still remember seeing him make his L.A. debut in 1966, he flattened Phil Garcia with a picture perfect left hook to the chin (one of those Robinson-Fullmer hooks). A few nights later I see Garcia with his son at a Jr. Golden Gloves tourney Frank was running. That KO was the beginning of something big for the Detroit native. We in L.A. loved Lewis, and in my mind I thought Sugrar Ray Leonard had nothing on Hedge Lewis. In Fact, Hedge's early competition was a lot tougher than what Ray started out with. I've heard people question Lewis' chin and then I wonder, does anybody realize the power possessed by guys like Ernie Lopez or Mantequilla Napoles? How many other guys KOed a prime Hedge Lewis? And keep in mind Hedge whipped Ernie once and really got the best of Napoles in their first fight.

It's always great to see Hedge at Don Fraser's Calif. HOF luncheons. He shows up with his buddy and former manager, actor Ryan O'Neal. Year before last, both were stage side to honor Frank Baltazar's induction into the Hall. You feature a Balatzar on a boxng card and the stars turn out.

-Rick Farris

[Wildhawke11]

Rick
Did you check your PM box
Anyway your back now so i guess we can forget my message to you.

[Rick Farris]

Women Behind The Boxer Award



Group pictures

Charlie Powell is one of the greatest "all around" athletes in history. He fought heavyweight champs, played for the San Francisco Forty-Niners, was sought out by the S.F. Giants to play baseball, was recruited by an NBA team, set track and field high school records in L.A. and I've been told a couple still exist.

Last I heard lives in Alta Dena and has a furniture business in South L.A.

This is a guy that people should be interviewing today.


-Rick Farris

[kikibalt]

Fighting Harada vs Jose Medel I, (highlights)

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

[kikibalt]

Art "Golden Boy" Aragon vs Henry Davis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMq8Vlkcoso

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCei3YP0H3o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piody2QCRJU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjJ_rU5SdL0

[scartissue]

HEDGE

I used to see Hedgemon Lewis at the fights and working out at the Coliseum. He buddied around with Ken Norton. Bill Slayton had replaced Eddie Futch so he was working with both of them. Norton and Lewis were at the peaks of their careers. It was tough for both of them to break through to the top. Kenny had Frazier,Ali,and Big George in front of him. Hedge had Indian Red,Mando Muniz,and a guy they called "Mantequilla" standing in his way. The 70's was an exciting era for boxing in So Cal and Norton and Lewis were in the thick of it.

But Hedge Lewis was a different personality make up than Kenny Norton. Norton could be surly. Even a trace of bully in him. He certainly didn't hold back on a big football player from San Diego who had never sparrred that much when they worked together. I can still see the dent on the side of my nose. Hedge Lewis was soft spoken and non intimidating. Articulate and very friendly to converse with.

I was at the fights one night with a friend at the Coliseum and sitting in front of me was Hedge and Kenny. My friend was at the beer stand getting fortified for the evening. As he was filling up,I started talking to the pugs who occupied the seats in front of me. From behind it looked like Mt. Rushmore beside Little Round Top.

The thing that was a little funny was that both of them had shoulder bags strapped over their shoulders. When my drunk buddy got back to his seat with two beers in his hands,he peered at the fellas' in front.
"Hey Rog,"he blurted out. "Since when do dudes wear purses?"

Norton turned around,but Hedge was the calmer of the two. He tapped Norton on the shoulder as to say the guy has just had too much to drink.

After seeing that nothing was going to develop from my friends remark,I decided I needed a beer and excused myself.

Nice story, Rog. Hedge was one of my favorites. I still remember seeing him make his L.A. debut in 1966, he flattened Phil Garcia with a picture perfect left hook to the chin (one of those Robinson-Fullmer hooks). A few nights later I see Garcia with his son at a Jr. Golden Gloves tourney Frank was running. That KO was the beginning of something big for the Detroit native. We in L.A. loved Lewis, and in my mind I thought Sugrar Ray Leonard had nothing on Hedge Lewis. In Fact, Hedge's early competition was a lot tougher than what Ray started out with. I've heard people question Lewis' chin and then I wonder, does anybody realize the power possessed by guys like Ernie Lopez or Mantequilla Napoles? How many other guys KOed a prime Hedge Lewis? And keep in mind Hedge whipped Ernie once and really got the best of Napoles in their first fight.

It's always great to see Hedge at Don Fraser's Calif. HOF luncheons. He shows up with his buddy and former manager, actor Ryan O'Neal. Year before last, both were stage side to honor Frank Baltazar's induction into the Hall. You feature a Balatzar on a boxng card and the stars turn out.

-Rick Farris

Rick, your story on Hedge stirred a memory in the old noggin. It had to be about 30 years ago Hedge appeared with Ryan O'Neal on the Mike Douglas show. I believe it was right after the second Napoles fight. Anyways, O'Neal went on to say to Douglas that he was watching this kid from Detroit KO this fighter with the most perfect combination in 3 rounds and that he said he just had to be associated with him. It's amazing when you talk about the fight with Phil Garcia, it had to be the same fight.

Scartissue

[dagosd2000]

Fighting Harada vs Jose Medel I, (highlights)

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

Thanks Buddy

[Rick Farris]

Rick
Did you check your PM box
Anyway your back now so i guess we can forget my message to you.

Danny, I'll check my messages. Sometimes I don't look up at the tool bar and miss them.

By the way, I wanted to let you know that you are one of us and this coming October, if you can make it to L.A. for the World Boxing Hall of Fame annual banquet, I will see you have two tickets at my table. We did this last year and many of us were able to come. I know that England isn't just around the corner, but if you should be in the area around that time, you are welcome to join our Boxrec group. Our friend Bennie is also in the U.K. as well as our friend Rob. All of you are welcome, just let me know for sure a few weeks ahead of the October date so I can mail your tickets in time.

This coming years event should be better than the last. It's important to President Armando Muniz and myself to take the event and everything related to it up a notch. this year, our program will be better than ever and this is important as back issues are permanently kept at:

The United States Capitol Historical Society
Los Angeles County Museum of Natural Hisotry
Bancroft Library, University of California- Berkley.

The cover will be one we are especially proud of with the art work being done by our own "Roger" (Dagos20000). I have a feeling that Roger's brilliant art is going to become very well known in the world of boxing. I can see a long line of all-time greats hoping to commission Roger to paint their image. I believe the collection he has showcased on these pages merits it's own showing, perhaps at the WBHOF memorabelia exhibit? However, I've not discussed this with Roger, so I'm getting ahead of myself. If Roger is willing to sell his work, I think he could be sitting on a gold mine? The WBHOF would fully support Roger in such a project. It would do nothing but raise the level of the event. I'm not joking, I think that Roger could easily become the official WBHOF "Artist to the Champions". He deserves recognition and compensation for his brilliant art work.

Anyway Danny, great to have you here. This place feels more like home everyday.

-Rick Farris

[dagosd2000]

Rick
Did you check your PM box
Anyway your back now so i guess we can forget my message to you.

Danny, I'll check my messages. Sometimes I don't look up at the tool bar and miss them.

By the way, I wanted to let you know that you are one of us and this coming October, if you can make it to L.A. for the World Boxing Hall of Fame annual banquet, I will see you have two tickets at my table. We did this last year and many of us were able to come. I know that England isn't just around the corner, but if you should be in the area around that time, you are welcome to join our Boxrec group. Our friend Bennie is also in the U.K. as well as our friend Rob. All of you are welcome, just let me know for sure a few weeks ahead of the October date so I can mail your tickets in time.

This coming years event should be better than the last. It's important to President Armando Muniz and myself to take the event and everything related to it up a notch. this year, our program will be better than ever and this is important as back issues are permanently kept at:

The United States Capitol Historical Society
Los Angeles County Museum of Natural Hisotry
Bancroft Library, University of California- Berkley.

The cover will be one we are especially proud of with the art work being done by our own "Roger" (Dagos20000). I have a feeling that Roger's brilliant art is going to become very well known in the world of boxing. I can see a long line of all-time greats hoping to commission Roger to paint their image. I believe the collection he has showcased on these pages merits it's own showing, perhaps at the WBHOF memorabelia exhibit? However, I've not discussed this with Roger, so I'm getting ahead of myself. If Roger is willing to sell his work, I think he could be sitting on a gold mine? The WBHOF would fully support Roger in such a project. It would do nothing but raise the level of the event. I'm not joking, I think that Roger could easily become the official WBHOF "Artist to the Champions". He deserves recognition and compensation for his brilliant art work.

Anyway Danny, great to have you here. This place feels more like home everyday.

-Rick Farris

Rick
You handle the technacalities and I'll be happy to paint the legends of boxing. Thanks, Rog

[Rick Farris]

Rick
Did you check your PM box
Anyway your back now so i guess we can forget my message to you.

Danny, I'll check my messages. Sometimes I don't look up at the tool bar and miss them.

By the way, I wanted to let you know that you are one of us and this coming October, if you can make it to L.A. for the World Boxing Hall of Fame annual banquet, I will see you have two tickets at my table. We did this last year and many of us were able to come. I know that England isn't just around the corner, but if you should be in the area around that time, you are welcome to join our Boxrec group. Our friend Bennie is also in the U.K. as well as our friend Rob. All of you are welcome, just let me know for sure a few weeks ahead of the October date so I can mail your tickets in time.

This coming years event should be better than the last. It's important to President Armando Muniz and myself to take the event and everything related to it up a notch. this year, our program will be better than ever and this is important as back issues are permanently kept at:

The United States Capitol Historical Society
Los Angeles County Museum of Natural Hisotry
Bancroft Library, University of California- Berkley.

The cover will be one we are especially proud of with the art work being done by our own "Roger" (Dagos20000). I have a feeling that Roger's brilliant art is going to become very well known in the world of boxing. I can see a long line of all-time greats hoping to commission Roger to paint their image. I believe the collection he has showcased on these pages merits it's own showing, perhaps at the WBHOF memorabelia exhibit? However, I've not discussed this with Roger, so I'm getting ahead of myself. If Roger is willing to sell his work, I think he could be sitting on a gold mine? The WBHOF would fully support Roger in such a project. It would do nothing but raise the level of the event. I'm not joking, I think that Roger could easily become the official WBHOF "Artist to the Champions". He deserves recognition and compensation for his brilliant art work.

Anyway Danny, great to have you here. This place feels more like home everyday.

-Rick Farris

Rick
You handle the technacalities and I'll be happy to paint the legends of boxing. Thanks, Rog

Roger . . . Mando and I are really excited about bringing a new look to an old organization, one that has been anything but progressive in recent years. Too many people attempting to use the WBHOF for their own benefit, and giving too little in return. We can create a lot of "win-win" situations here for the Hall, it's members and, MOST IMPORTANT the BOXERS who we are honoring!!!.

One day we will have a real museum, however, until then, an exhibition of your art could be showcased at the autograph signing/memorabelia show. Here, any champ who wants you to paint their image can negotiate with you a price, etc. I would like to create the idea that a champ really hasn't "arrived" until his image has been put to canvas by Roger.

We'll discuss this Roger.

-Rick

[dagosd2000]

PLENTY OF AIR

"Gato,did you ever fight at the Arena Coliseo in Mexico City?"
"No Roger,but I fight plenty of times in the arena in Guadalajara."
The former champ was stuffing my wife's carne asada inside a warm flour tortilla.
"The altitude Roger. The altitude. I didn't want to fight there."
I somehow thought all the Mexican champions would hone their teeth at the Arena Coliseo. Or at least pass through it. The Arena Coliseo was sort of like our Madison Square Garden.
"Roger that city is one of the highest in the world. If you live at the bottom and then go up,you run out of breath."
Gato was starting to make a point.
"If you are not used to it,you lose your breath and get sick. If you do this in the ring...well it's too late."

My wife plopped more breaded shrimp onto his plate. Gato's eyes were wide open.
"Gato has been invited by the WBC by Carlos Slim to attend a dinner honoring Mexico's great champions,"said Gato's girlfriend Barb.
"Yes Roger. It will be in Mexico City," said Gato.
"That's great."
I was happy for the guy. I was happy for all the fighters that Carlos Slim had invited. Slim owns the telecommunications in Mexico. He's one of the wealthiest men in the world.
"Roger,I go with Mando Muniz,Carlos Palomino,Rene Arredondo. We leave Tuesday."
I was thinking that would be a great get together. Those guys would have a lot to talk about.
"Roger when I get back I'll tell you about it."
"Thanks Champ,"I said.
As I watched Gato scoop more beens and rice onto his plate,I kind of chuckled to myself. I don't think he'll run out of breath enjoying himself with those guys.

[Rick Farris]

WIFREDO GOMEZ

Roger Esty . . . "El Pintor De Los Campeons"

[Rick Farris]

Painting by Diego

Art Aragon

Classic!

[Rick Farris]

"Two Ton" Tony Galento

By Roger Esty

[Rick Farris]

Henry Cooper...1969

Sir 'Enry . . .

This is for our U.K. friends. Last year we inducted Lennox Lewis into the WBHOF. Personally, I'm considering Sir Henry Cooper for the ballot this year. Maurice Hope is another. Cooper was a legendary British, Commonwealth and European Champion. He is also one of only three men to "legitimatly" floor Ali, and the image of the young Cassius Clay blinking his eyes in the corner, trying to regain his senses after coming off the canvas hurt, is one that I'll never forget. Any input from across the pond is appreciated. Bennie, Danny & Rob?

-Rick Farris

[Rick Farris]

Kid Chocolate

By Diego

An idea . . .

If you take the boxing related art that Roger has shared here. Put most of it on display in a room full of Hall of Famer's, boxing enthusiasts, collectors, fans, boxer "groupies" (yeah, they exist) . . . I think the result would be a great Exhibition, to say the least.

-Rick Farris

[Rick Farris]

Joe Louis

Another legend . . .
Something about that yellow sweater caught my eye.

-Rick

[Rick Farris]

Bob Fitzsimmons


"Ruby"

By Diego

"El Pintor De Los Campeons" . . . Roger Esty

[kikibalt]

Flash Elorde

[Rick Farris]

Ernie Terrell by Diego(Computer Geek) Esty

You got it!...

Ernie Terrell is at every WBHOF banquet. This past year's banquet change of month, from October-to-November (to accomodate Lennox Lewis's schedule) made it impossible for Ernie to attend. Dan Hanley and I missed out on an opportunity to put him in front of our camera's in '07. We'll get him this year, and maybe we can capture the look on his face when he sees Roger's painting?