Classic American West Coast Boxing

[Dongee]

On Ferrer and Clooney:

They would attend our Legion shows frequently and even pay a visit to our press room for a belt or two. That lady was breathtakingly beautiful in those days. She would wear a black velvet dress to accentuate the string of pearls around her neck. Wholesomely beautiful, and fragile as a white rose....wow! And our guys here would have stared a bit at two gals who used to show up together on fight night, unescorted, dressed to kill with furs up to here......Linda Darnell and Ann Miller.

hap navarro

[Dongee]

Rick Farris:

I answered your question about Juan Manuel and Manuel Ortiz on the preceding page if you are still interested.

regards

hap navarro

[dagosd2000]

Marilyn

[Wildhawke11]

Rog
That is a beautiful painting of our screen goddess. Now i don't know which one is my favourite, the one of Joe Louis or this one of Marilyn Monroe.
Thanks for posting these

[Wildhawke11]

On Ferrer and Clooney:

They would attend our Legion shows frequently and even pay a visit to our press room for a belt or two. That lady was breathtakingly beautiful in those days. She would wear a black velvet dress to accentuate the string of pearls around her neck. Wholesomely beautiful, and fragile as a white rose....wow! And our guys here would have stared a bit at two gals who used to show up together on fight night, unescorted, dressed to kill with furs up to here......Linda Darnell and Ann Miller.

hap navarro

So pleased to see you here Hap
This is Danny from the cyberzone

[kikibalt]

On Ferrer and Clooney:

They would attend our Legion shows frequently and even pay a visit to our press room for a belt or two. That lady was breathtakingly beautiful in those days. She would wear a black velvet dress to accentuate the string of pearls around her neck. Wholesomely beautiful, and fragile as a white rose....wow! And our guys here would have stared a bit at two gals who used to show up together on fight night, unescorted, dressed to kill with furs up to here......Linda Darnell and Ann Miller.

hap navarro

So pleased to see you here Hap
This is Danny from the cyberzone

Danny from the block.....

[dagosd2000]

Rog
That is a beautiful painting of our screen goddess. Now i don't know which one is my favourite, the one of Joe Louis or this one of Marilyn Monroe.
Thanks for posting these

Thanks Danny

[kikibalt]

Frankie Durate vs Albert Davila

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

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

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLnAZ6_4BYA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5utFqqAmmx8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lrj7lgZAND8

[kikibalt]

J.C.Chavez vs R. Sandoval, Jamie Garza vs Bobby Berna & Frankie Garcia vs The Jeep

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oF5dVmjznY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSXVLVgD2Y8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Xto0IW1dBA

[Dongee]

On Ferrer and Clooney:

They would attend our Legion shows frequently and even pay a visit to our press room for a belt or two. That lady was breathtakingly beautiful in those days. She would wear a black velvet dress to accentuate the string of pearls around her neck. Wholesomely beautiful, and fragile as a white rose....wow! And our guys here would have stared a bit at two gals who used to show up together on fight night, unescorted, dressed to kill with furs up to here......Linda Darnell and Ann Miller.

hap navarro

So pleased to see you here Hap
This is Danny from the cyberzone

Of course, friend Danny. And I am happy to have accepted Rick's kind invitation to participate.
We'll have some fun disturbing the molecules.
hap navarro

[Rick Farris]

To Rick Farris:

Buddy, I did see the Juan Manuel-Juan Diaz fight and it was all that I expected and a bit more. From the opening bell we expected one or the other would be kayoed. lI was Juan Manuel's superior chin and punching power that made the difference. In fact,I make sure I watch the re-runs of the match every time it is scheduled.....it was that kind of a fight. There was class, stamina, a battle of wills and not just a brawl. The exchanges were far and above a mediocre brawl. Great bout!

You know my feeling when it comes to Manuel Ortiz. Juan Manuel appears to be a late bloomer. If he is at his best at 35, he would not have handled Ortiz when both were in their 20s, and I am not saying he would not be competing. I just think that Manny would welcome Juan Manuel's eagerness to exchange at close quarters. Carlos Chavez had a style similar to Juan Manuel's and was built along those lines, he just lacked the punching power to scale the heights.

Rick. when Enrique Bolanos was on the rise, knocking every opponent out, he was matched against Ortiz at the Olympic. Manny kept it evenly close for about four rounds, or until Bolanos stung him with a pulverizing shot. Ortiz went to work and the fight was over less than a minute later.

hap navarro

Hap, thanks for keeping me on track with my respect for the great Manuel Ortiz. I rarely get carried away by what I see today, but Marquez is one of the rare examples of a true prizefighter today, so it brings back memories of better days. You have no idea how much I wish I could have been with you and Kiki back in the day at the Legion. To see Manny Ortiz, Bolanos, Aragon, Teran and Cadilli, to name a few. Those days are lost forever to some, but I would like to help keep them alive. I know what I had was better than what we have today, so I can only appreciate the knowledge that what you helped create in previous days was even better. Times and people have changed, and so has boxing. Thankfully, a guy like Marquez shows his face once in awhile to remind us that there was once something greater.

Take care, Hap. And thank you for your words. They are very important to us here.


-Rick Farris

[Rick Farris]

Marilyn

When the Stars come out . . .

Breathtaking! Roger, you bring this to the WBHOF exhibit and it's going to look like the ringside gallery of the "Hollywood Legion Stadium". It must have been great in Hap's days, a perfect mixture of the elite of boxing and the elite of the entertainment industry. This is something I am also working for the WBHOF . . . I'm going to get some movie people there!

Thinking back on stories that Hap shared with me about the Legion, and how he made it easy for the film world to participate, has motivated me in the same direction. I do have the resources to put this together, not like the Legion maybe, but to get film people to be a part of our event.

One of the greatest stories Hap shared on the CBZ, is about how he arranged thru the publicity dept. of Columbia Studios for actor William Holden (star of the movie "Golden Boy") to attend an Art Aragon fight and "bequeath" the title "Golden Boy" to Artie. Pure genius. I know times have changed, but I aso know that the value of good publicity. Hap's idea worked for both the actor & fighter, not to mention the Hollywood Legion, Columbia Pictures and, most important, the fans who were able to be a part of it simply by buying a ticket.

-Rick Farris

[Randyman]

Frankie Durate vs Albert Davila

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

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

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLnAZ6_4BYA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5utFqqAmmx8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lrj7lgZAND8

Frank, thanks for posting this great fight. I know you were there that day.I was there as well. I had ringside seats. It was a tough way for Davila to lose the fight. Both guys fought their hearts out. It ranks as one of the best fights that I have seen live. I'm still waiting for the rubber match. Thank God for Youtube!

Randy

[Randyman]

To Rick Farris:

Buddy, I did see the Juan Manuel-Juan Diaz fight and it was all that I expected and a bit more. From the opening bell we expected one or the other would be kayoed. lI was Juan Manuel's superior chin and punching power that made the difference. In fact,I make sure I watch the re-runs of the match every time it is scheduled.....it was that kind of a fight. There was class, stamina, a battle of wills and not just a brawl. The exchanges were far and above a mediocre brawl. Great bout!

You know my feeling when it comes to Manuel Ortiz. Juan Manuel appears to be a late bloomer. If he is at his best at 35, he would not have handled Ortiz when both were in their 20s, and I am not saying he would not be competing. I just think that Manny would welcome Juan Manuel's eagerness to exchange at close quarters. Carlos Chavez had a style similar to Juan Manuel's and was built along those lines, he just lacked the punching power to scale the heights.

Rick. when Enrique Bolanos was on the rise, knocking every opponent out, he was matched against Ortiz at the Olympic. Manny kept it evenly close for about four rounds, or until Bolanos stung him with a pulverizing shot. Ortiz went to work and the fight was over less than a minute later.

hap navarro

Hap, thanks for keeping me on track with my respect for the great Manuel Ortiz. I rarely get carried away by what I see today, but Marquez is one of the rare examples of a true prizefighter today, so it brings back memories of better days. You have no idea how much I wish I could have been with you and Kiki back in the day at the Legion. To see Manny Ortiz, Bolanos, Aragon, Teran and Cadilli, to name a few. Those days are lost forever to some, but I would like to help keep them alive. I know what I had was better than what we have today, so I can only appreciate the knowledge that what you helped create in previous days was even better. Times and people have changed, and so has boxing. Thankfully, a guy like Marquez shows his face once in awhile to remind us that there was once something greater.

Take care, Hap. And thank you for your words. They are very important to us here.


-Rick Farris

Hap, it's always a treat to read your comments. You were not only there but like Frank, you were a big part of Southern California's boxing history. I know I speak for everyone here when I say that we appreciate it.

I'm with you Rick, I wish I could have been with them too. What great days those were for boxing.
The greatest single education I have received on this thread has been Manuel Ortiz' career. I knew who he was but I had no real knowledge of the depth of the man, of the fighter. I learn something new almost every day.

We were lucky to catch the tail end of some great times in boxing. Like you I want to keep the past alive but I have to admit my friend, you are a true historian, your memory and experiences amazes me.

Randy

[Randyman]

Marilyn

Rog, absolutely beautiful. You do Marilyn Monroe justice, as you do all your subjects. This painting is breathtaking.

Randy

[Dongee]

To Rick Farris:

Buddy, I did see the Juan Manuel-Juan Diaz fight and it was all that I expected and a bit more. From the opening bell we expected one or the other would be kayoed. lI was Juan Manuel's superior chin and punching power that made the difference. In fact,I make sure I watch the re-runs of the match every time it is scheduled.....it was that kind of a fight. There was class, stamina, a battle of wills and not just a brawl. The exchanges were far and above a mediocre brawl. Great bout!

You know my feeling when it comes to Manuel Ortiz. Juan Manuel appears to be a late bloomer. If he is at his best at 35, he would not have handled Ortiz when both were in their 20s, and I am not saying he would not be competing. I just think that Manny would welcome Juan Manuel's eagerness to exchange at close quarters. Carlos Chavez had a style similar to Juan Manuel's and was built along those lines, he just lacked the punching power to scale the heights.

Rick. when Enrique Bolanos was on the rise, knocking every opponent out, he was matched against Ortiz at the Olympic. Manny kept it evenly close for about four rounds, or until Bolanos stung him with a pulverizing shot. Ortiz went to work and the fight was over less than a minute later.

hap navarro

Hap, thanks for keeping me on track with my respect for the great Manuel Ortiz. I rarely get carried away by what I see today, but Marquez is one of the rare examples of a true prizefighter today, so it brings back memories of better days. You have no idea how much I wish I could have been with you and Kiki back in the day at the Legion. To see Manny Ortiz, Bolanos, Aragon, Teran and Cadilli, to name a few. Those days are lost forever to some, but I would like to help keep them alive. I know what I had was better than what we have today, so I can only appreciate the knowledge that what you helped create in previous days was even better. Times and people have changed, and so has boxing. Thankfully, a guy like Marquez shows his face once in awhile to remind us that there was once something greater.

Take care, Hap. And thank you for your words. They are very important to us here.


-Rick Farris

Hap, it's always a treat to read your comments. You were not only there but like Frank, you were a big part of Southern California's boxing history. I know I speak for everyone here when I say that we appreciate it.

I'm with you Rick, I wish I could have been with them too. What great days those were for boxing.
The greatest single education I have received on this thread has been Manuel Ortiz' career. I knew who he was but I had no real knowledge of the depth of the man, of the fighter. I learn something new almost every day.

We were lucky to catch the tail end of some great times in boxing. Like you I want to keep the past alive but I have to admit my friend, you are a true historian, your memory and experiences amazes me.

Randy

Thanks, Randy. One of these days, the fates allowing it, we will take triip down memory lane and let our friends here know more about the finest boxing venue I have ever known, my old stamping grounds the Hollywood Legion Stadium. It was a whole different game, the background, the old wooden shack, the ultra-modern new facility (1938) the full orchestra, the dressing rooms where the fellow in charge was an aging, long-time silent movie star (Walter Long), the very visible movie celebs who often didn't take a seat, instead continually wandering around the stadium's catwalk (Bob Hope), stopping to chat with other folks, the deference shown to screen star Lupe Velez, whose ringside seats held nothing but a fresh bouquet of flowers for days after her tragic death, and those seats eventually passing on to Frank Sinatra.
When I hired in there were two most celebrated boxing venues, east and west, the Garden in New York and the Legion in Hollywood.

We'll have some fun with it all.

hap navarro

[kikibalt]

Frankie Durate vs Albert Davila

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

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

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLnAZ6_4BYA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5utFqqAmmx8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lrj7lgZAND8

Frank, thanks for posting this great fight. I know you were there that day.I was there as well. I had ringside seats. It was a tough way for Davila to lose the fight. Both guys fought their hearts out. It ranks as one of the best fights that I have seen live. I'm still waiting for the rubber match. Thank God for Youtube!

Randy

Thanks, Randy,...Yes I was there for that fight, I really hated to see those two guys fight, I know that it was a great fight for the fans but, I wasn't a fan, I was personal friends of both Frankie and Albert since the 1960s, saw both come up like Rick in the Jr. GG, Frankie being in my Nation GG team (1973), making matchs for both in the Jr's, so my heart was in both corners, to bad it was not a draw like the Keeny Teran/Gil Cadilli fight....

[kikibalt]

Charles Laughton


I remember back one night in the mid-1950s, Connie and I
sitting at the Hollywood Legion watching some fights, can't
remember who was fighting the main, but sitting right behind
Connie was the great actor Charles Laughton, real friendly man.....

[kikibalt]

Simons Brickyard Reunion, as I have said before, Simon Brickyard is the barrio I grew up in

[Rick Farris]

Frankie Durate vs Albert Davila

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

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

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLnAZ6_4BYA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5utFqqAmmx8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lrj7lgZAND8

Frank, thanks for posting this great fight. I know you were there that day.I was there as well. I had ringside seats. It was a tough way for Davila to lose the fight. Both guys fought their hearts out. It ranks as one of the best fights that I have seen live. I'm still waiting for the rubber match. Thank God for Youtube!

Randy

Thanks, Randy,...Yes I was there for that fight, I really hated to see those two guys fight, I know that it was a great fight for the fans but, I wasn't a fan, I was personal friends of both Frankie and Albert since the 1960s, saw both come up like Rick in the Jr. GG, Frankie being in my Nation GG team (1973), making matchs for both in the Jr's, so my heart was in both corners, to bad it was not a draw like the Keeny Teran/Gil Cadilli fight....

Frank . . . My heart was in both corners, as well. I knew and liked both of them, although at the time I was close to Frankie. What a Classic American West Coast War that was! Thanks for posting it.

-Rick Farris

[kikibalt]

Rick...The time that I spent running the Jr. program was with out a doubt the most rewarding period that I spent in boxing, getting to know all the kids from differed clubs, puting the shows together, my boys fought for the Teamsters Boys Club, as did Frankie Duarte, so I got to know Frankie good back in those days, there were other kids that fought for the Teamsters Boys Club under different trainers, my boys, Frankie Duarte, Johnny Jensen. et al. fought for the Louie J. wing of the club, when Frankie Duarte was getting ready to go pro, Louie talked to me about him and I been co-mangers but, before we could sigh Frankie up Johnny Cabrera stole Frankie & Johnny Jensen from Louie, not long after that my boys out grew the Jrs and we had to move on, which happen just in time, because that about the time when all those guys and some gals too in all white started running all the amateurs....

[Randyman]

Frankie Durate vs Albert Davila

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

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

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLnAZ6_4BYA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5utFqqAmmx8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lrj7lgZAND8

Frank, thanks for posting this great fight. I know you were there that day.I was there as well. I had ringside seats. It was a tough way for Davila to lose the fight. Both guys fought their hearts out. It ranks as one of the best fights that I have seen live. I'm still waiting for the rubber match. Thank God for Youtube!

Randy

Thanks, Randy,...Yes I was there for that fight, I really hated to see those two guys fight, I know that it was a great fight for the fans but, I wasn't a fan, I was personal friends of both Frankie and Albert since the 1960s, saw both come up like Rick in the Jr. GG, Frankie being in my Nation GG team (1973), making matchs for both in the Jr's, so my heart was in both corners, to bad it was not a draw like the Keeny Teran/Gil Cadilli fight....

I didn't know Frankie Duarte. I met him years later but it was brief. I knew Alberto Davila from the gym. Still I was a fan of both. I think most of the fans were divided up that way. It was a case of "Let the best man win".

Frank, Teran and Cadilli were special fighters at a special time. It was a great era.

Randy

[kikibalt]

Randy, there are some amateur fights in El Monte tonight, going?

[Randyman]

Guys, this is an early photo of Jeri and I, in fact, this is the the first photograph we took together. This was 1975. I was about 145 pounds when this photo was taken. It was in my parents backyard. It's a little fuzzy.

Mel never met Jeri but he always gave a hard time about her back then. When it came to women, Mel hated them all. Whenever I tell Jeri what Mel would say about her, she says "That jackass" (sorry Mel).

Randy

[Randyman]

Randy, there are some amateur fights in El Monte tonight, going?

Where are they at?