Facing north on Main St. toward 3rd St. To the extreme right is a chain link fence with a green gate. The gate marks the spot of the entrance to the "Main St. Gym" just beyond that drive way was the front door leading to a stairway up to the gym on the second floor, 318 1/2 S. Main St. On the left, directly across the street, was where the Follies Theatre and Johnny's Shrimp Boat were located.
I found myself completely lost in that short block of South Main St. Things have changed.
Facing north on Main St. toward 3rd St. To the extreme right is a chain link fence with a green gate. The gate marks the spot of the entrance to the "Main St. Gym" just beyond that drive way was the front door leading to a stairway up to the gym on the second floor, 318 1/2 S. Main St. On the left, directly across the street, was where the Follies Theatre and Johnny's Shrimp Boat were located.
I found myself completely lost in that short block of South Main St. Things have changed.
-Rick Farris
Downtown L.A. is not what it used to be....is that good or bad?
Rick Farris wrote:Thoughts about our history . . .
It's great to remember how "things used to be". However, I'm not so sure about posting pictures of how things are today. When I photographed the Hollywood Legion Building, I thought to myself, "Hap is going to get a kick out of seeing this". That was my intention.
To be honest, I felt saddened to see today's version of this special landmark. Same when I drove down Main Street, and even today when I returned to my hometown to photograph the Jeffries site.
I felt hurt by the change and I wish to share my regret if stirring up these memories of days gone by, cherished memories, made anybody else feel badly. I truly care for EVERYONE of you who post here.
-Rick Farris
Rick, go ahead and keep on posting. That's life. It's like I said to Hap in an earlier post. "Sweet Melancholy" when remembering the past brings both happiness and just a little sadness.
I felt the same way, a few months ago, when I passed by the spot where the gym once stood. It's good to remember, talk about the way things were, and then get back to reality and the business of today. Someday, these too will be the "Good old days".
We see it all around us. not just in the old boxing memories but everywhere. none of the old neighborhoods are the same. Time waits for no man.
Just a thought: That's probably about 99.9 % of why Mel was always so pissed off.
My friend Coy (R) (aka Florentino Diaz) and I, we went school together through K-12,
above as teenagers, below at Connie's and mine 50th annivesary party, 2004
Last edited by kikibalt on 13 Mar 2009, 10:30, edited 6 times in total.
The latest email update from my cousin Louie Burke in Torreon, Mexico
Well our suspicion of bad news was confirmed today at 8:00 am, but their could be some good news with it.
We're extremely disapointed that Avendano pulled out due to a contract dispute, there goes the tiltle eliminator. In Avendanos place will be Martin Avilla, a local from Torreon residing in juarez. Austin knows he cannot look pass this kid, even with a less than steller record, it appears as if he's been the victim of mis-management, His losse have been against experienced foes and he has a win over Saul Duran, has been the Mexican light middle-weight champ and has gonne 12 rounds. He was KO'd his last fight but it was overseas against an undeafeted fighter, Koji Sato who is 13-0 with 12 KO's and is a full fledged middle-weight.
I wish we could have fought the fight we prepared for, But since it's not going to happen we can't look past Avila.
The good news is that there is a possibliry according to Nacho Huizar that the Avendano fight will happen in El Paso sometime in May. I'll gladly take it on the home turf.
It was a long day. Two huge press conferences, that reminded me of the way boxing was covered a couple of decades ago, a full house of spectators and media.
Austin and David then had to tape the Telivisa entry for Saturday, then go get physicals.
Why isn't it this easy in the states?
Abie Han arrived at 8:00pm, ate and went for a short walk. He then called it a night at 10:00pm.
David's fight is still a go for the NABA title. Austin's fight looks like it will probably be reduced to a 10 rounder. David has to be ready to go in the ring by 8:45 and austin is know the swing bout.
During the press conference tempers flaired between Pucheta and David. David felt when Pucheta put his fist up to his chin during the stand-off, Pucheta shoved his fist into his chin a little to rough while posing for cameras, so he knocked his hand away causing a little pre fight mayhem. Not Much came of it, just some finger pointing and a few curse words.
Abie's opponent is Juan Carlos Ochoa, a debuter from Gomez Palacio, the sister city that lies just accross the river from Torreon. We know nothing about him.
I wanted to make a correction. expected attendance is 9,000 not 40,000. Sorry I misunderstood, but a sell out is expected.
The card as it stands today is 11 bouts long.
Featherweights 4 rds
Tomoki Kameda vs Carlos Hernandez
3-0 0-1
Japan Gomez Palacio, Durango
Light-weights 4 rds
Gerardo Diaz vs Cristian Rojas
6-0-1 7-0-1
gomez Pl. Monclova
Welter 4rds
Francisco Reza vs Adres Reyes
6-0 8-1-0
Torreon Gomez Pl
Middle 4 rds
Abie han vs jaun Carlos Ochoa
2-0 debut
El Paso Gomez Pl
fly 4 rds
Noe Rosas vs Irving Cortez
5-2 5-1-1
Mexico City Nuevo Loredo
Mini-fly 6rds
Jose Rodriguez vs Tony Rodriguez
15-0 4-4-1
Mazatlan Gomez pl
Middle 4 rounds
Gerrado rojas vs Alberto Martinez
2-0 debut
Torreon Monterrey
Randyman wrote:Frank, you're lucky to have your old friends. I'm still tight with the guys I grew up with too.
Randy
Yeah, Randy, its great to be able to see the old gang and reminisce about the old days, you see at our age (Coy's & mine) we don't have much more then memories now, oh, but what memories...
Last edited by kikibalt on 13 Mar 2009, 10:31, edited 1 time in total.
Randyman wrote:The latest email update from my cousin Louie Burke in Torreon, Mexico
Well our suspicion of bad news was confirmed today at 8:00 am, but their could be some good news with it.
We're extremely disapointed that Avendano pulled out due to a contract dispute, there goes the tiltle eliminator. In Avendanos place will be Martin Avilla, a local from Torreon residing in juarez. Austin knows he cannot look pass this kid, even with a less than steller record, it appears as if he's been the victim of mis-management, His losse have been against experienced foes and he has a win over Saul Duran, has been the Mexican light middle-weight champ and has gonne 12 rounds. He was KO'd his last fight but it was overseas against an undeafeted fighter, Koji Sato who is 13-0 with 12 KO's and is a full fledged middle-weight.
I wish we could have fought the fight we prepared for, But since it's not going to happen we can't look past Avila.
The good news is that there is a possibliry according to Nacho Huizar that the Avendano fight will happen in El Paso sometime in May. I'll gladly take it on the home turf.
It was a long day. Two huge press conferences, that reminded me of the way boxing was covered a couple of decades ago, a full house of spectators and media.
Austin and David then had to tape the Telivisa entry for Saturday, then go get physicals.
Why isn't it this easy in the states?
Abie Han arrived at 8:00pm, ate and went for a short walk. He then called it a night at 10:00pm.
David's fight is still a go for the NABA title. Austin's fight looks like it will probably be reduced to a 10 rounder. David has to be ready to go in the ring by 8:45 and austin is know the swing bout.
During the press conference tempers flaired between Pucheta and David. David felt when Pucheta put his fist up to his chin during the stand-off, Pucheta shoved his fist into his chin a little to rough while posing for cameras, so he knocked his hand away causing a little pre fight mayhem. Not Much came of it, just some finger pointing and a few curse words.
Abie's opponent is Juan Carlos Ochoa, a debuter from Gomez Palacio, the sister city that lies just accross the river from Torreon. We know nothing about him.
Whew! I didn't realize how many fights there was, I guess we're in for a long night.
thanks for the support.
Louie
Randy, next time you're talking to Louie, you let him know for me that I think he was robbed blind against Charlie 'White Lightning' Brown.
Randyman wrote:The latest email update from my cousin Louie Burke in Torreon, Mexico
Well our suspicion of bad news was confirmed today at 8:00 am, but their could be some good news with it.
We're extremely disapointed that Avendano pulled out due to a contract dispute, there goes the tiltle eliminator. In Avendanos place will be Martin Avilla, a local from Torreon residing in juarez. Austin knows he cannot look pass this kid, even with a less than steller record, it appears as if he's been the victim of mis-management, His losse have been against experienced foes and he has a win over Saul Duran, has been the Mexican light middle-weight champ and has gonne 12 rounds. He was KO'd his last fight but it was overseas against an undeafeted fighter, Koji Sato who is 13-0 with 12 KO's and is a full fledged middle-weight.
I wish we could have fought the fight we prepared for, But since it's not going to happen we can't look past Avila.
The good news is that there is a possibliry according to Nacho Huizar that the Avendano fight will happen in El Paso sometime in May. I'll gladly take it on the home turf.
It was a long day. Two huge press conferences, that reminded me of the way boxing was covered a couple of decades ago, a full house of spectators and media.
Austin and David then had to tape the Telivisa entry for Saturday, then go get physicals.
Why isn't it this easy in the states?
Abie Han arrived at 8:00pm, ate and went for a short walk. He then called it a night at 10:00pm.
David's fight is still a go for the NABA title. Austin's fight looks like it will probably be reduced to a 10 rounder. David has to be ready to go in the ring by 8:45 and austin is know the swing bout.
During the press conference tempers flaired between Pucheta and David. David felt when Pucheta put his fist up to his chin during the stand-off, Pucheta shoved his fist into his chin a little to rough while posing for cameras, so he knocked his hand away causing a little pre fight mayhem. Not Much came of it, just some finger pointing and a few curse words.
Abie's opponent is Juan Carlos Ochoa, a debuter from Gomez Palacio, the sister city that lies just accross the river from Torreon. We know nothing about him.
Whew! I didn't realize how many fights there was, I guess we're in for a long night.
thanks for the support.
Louie
Randy, next time you're talking to Louie, you let him know for me that I think he was robbed blind against Charlie 'White Lightning' Brown.
Scartissue
I'm pretty sure Louie fought Boza, too, but I might be wrong. He was a tough fighter, one of those fighters too good for the prospects but not quite good enough for the elite.
I hope Randy does not mind me saying this.
Spot on, Dan. Martinez is a real threat to Cook and his short reign, and F rank Warren (Cook's promoter) has done his job in getting the challenger over here. A win for Martinez would not surprise me in the least, but at home, Cook has a much better shout.[/quote]
I'd say it will be a good fight whomever wins. I won't be ordering it, got too much on the plate that night and I know you're headed to Birmingham for a card, but I will be curious how the fight plays out. Incidentally, I lived in Birmingham from '68-'69 and picked up the dialect being so young and impressionable. By the time I returned to Chicago I was pronouncing it, "Berrrmingummmm". Damn Brummie dialect.
scartissue wrote:Spot on, Dan. Martinez is a real threat to Cook and his short reign, and F rank Warren (Cook's promoter) has done his job in getting the challenger over here. A win for Martinez would not surprise me in the least, but at home, Cook has a much better shout.
I'd say it will be a good fight whomever wins. I won't be ordering it, got too much on the plate that night and I know you're headed to Birmingham for a card, but I will be curious how the fight plays out. Incidentally, I lived in Birmingham from '68-'69 and picked up the dialect being so young and impressionable. By the time I returned to Chicago I was pronouncing it, "Berrrmingummmm". Damn Brummie dialect.
Scartissue[/quote]
I don't believe I'm reading this, Dan. The Brummie accent (and even you deep down would have to admit it, mate) is absolutely ghastly.
Last edited by bennie on 13 Mar 2009, 11:00, edited 1 time in total.
Reading stylist Michael Sprott takes on former WBO heavyweight champion Lamon Brewster in an eight-rounder in Germany tomorrow night (what a big night for boxing tomorrow is!).
Brewster, of Indianapolis in the United States, now fights under the giant Wilfried Sauerland umbrella in Germany, hence the sudden match with Sprott, a regular on Sauerland promotions against the likes of Taras Bidenko, Paolo Vidoz, Cengiz Koc, Rene Dettweiler, Vladimir Virchis, Ruslan Chagaev, the latter of whom stopped him in eight rounds in 2006... At his best nice guy Michael can really look the part: he outscored the previously unbeaten duo of Koc and Dettweiler (39-0 between them) over there. Over here he pipped Danny Williams six months before Williams thumped Mike Tyson in the States (that was funny), and flattened Audley Harrison in three (that was funnier).
At his worst... Well, the 34-year-old Sprott blew a chance to build on his big Harrison triumph at Wembley in February 2007 when he sleepwalked to defeat against Matt Skelton a fight later. Either way, this fight will prove a nice little earner for the removals man but the outcome, or certainly its competitive spirit, depends on which Michael Sprott shows his beaming face, obviously.
The American, in contrast, is much more consistent and won his WBO in a huge upset against Wladimir Klitschko in Las Vegas in 2004 and made three exciting defences, including a thrilling nine-round stoppage of an incredibly brave Luan Krasniqi in Germany in 2005, before Belarussian "White Wolf" Serguei Lyakhovich shocked him on a unanimous decision in the States in 2006. The stocky, in-your-face Brewster dropped Lyakhovich in that one but suffered eye problems, and later took a bad beating at the hands of Klitschko in a rematch in Germany in 2007. He has fought only once since, stopping New York clubfighter Danny Batchelder in five rounds in the States last August. He did not look particularly "Relentless" (his nickname) and at 35, after all those wars, the usually rugged and powerful Brewster might just be there for the taking, although his greater level of power, experience and consistency give him a big edge.
Last edited by bennie on 13 Mar 2009, 10:57, edited 1 time in total.
scartissue wrote:Spot on, Dan. Martinez is a real threat to Cook and his short reign, and F rank Warren (Cook's promoter) has done his job in getting the challenger over here. A win for Martinez would not surprise me in the least, but at home, Cook has a much better shout.
I'd say it will be a good fight whomever wins. I won't be ordering it, got too much on the plate that night and I know you're headed to Birmingham for a card, but I will be curious how the fight plays out. Incidentally, I lived in Birmingham from '68-'69 and picked up the dialect being so young and impressionable. By the time I returned to Chicago I was pronouncing it, "Berrrmingummmm". Damn Brummie dialect.
Scartissue
I don't believe I'm ready this, Dan. The Brummie accent (and even you deep down would have to admit it, mate) is absolutely ghastly. [/quote]
Oh man, you got that right. I went back there in '90 (grabbed a puddle-jumper while visiting Belfast and shot over to see the old digs and school). I pigged out at the chip shop (nothing like a lot of chips wrapped in a grease-soaked newspaper) and had a couple of pints while watching England-Argentina in the world cup (unfortunate result). But still wondered to myself, "Did I really talk like this once?"
scartissue wrote:Spot on, Dan. Martinez is a real threat to Cook and his short reign, and F rank Warren (Cook's promoter) has done his job in getting the challenger over here. A win for Martinez would not surprise me in the least, but at home, Cook has a much better shout.
I'd say it will be a good fight whomever wins. I won't be ordering it, got too much on the plate that night and I know you're headed to Birmingham for a card, but I will be curious how the fight plays out. Incidentally, I lived in Birmingham from '68-'69 and picked up the dialect being so young and impressionable. By the time I returned to Chicago I was pronouncing it, "Berrrmingummmm". Damn Brummie dialect.
Scartissue
I don't believe I'm ready this, Dan. The Brummie accent (and even you deep down would have to admit it, mate) is absolutely ghastly.
Oh man, you got that right. I went back there in '90 (grabbed a puddle-jumper while visiting Belfast and shot over to see the old digs and school). I pigged out at the chip shop (nothing like a lot of chips wrapped in a grease-soaked newspaper) and had a couple of pints while watching England-Argentina in the world cup (unfortunate result). But still wondered to myself, "Did I really talk like this once?"
Scartissue[/quote]
I like Birmingham, though. I'm a keen dog-walker and you have all those canals in Brum, more than in Venice, they say.
PS: The canals all have towpaths, in case you think I can walk on water.
Last edited by bennie on 13 Mar 2009, 11:09, edited 1 time in total.
scartissue wrote:
Randy, next time you're talking to Louie, you let him know for me that I think he was robbed blind against Charlie 'White Lightning' Brown.
Scartissue
Dan, I'll do just that. Thanks. He'll appreciate that. By the way, after he was done boxing Louie became a firefighter for the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico. He's one of the good guys.
bennie wrote:I'm pretty sure Louie fought Boza, too, but I might be wrong. He was a tough fighter, one of those fighters too good for the prospects but not quite good enough for the elite.
I hope Randy does not mind me saying this.
Don't mind at all Bennie, we should all be so lucky to be in that place. Louie never fought Boza, he did however, fight Hector Camacho. He lost by a 5 round TKO but he did himself and his family proud.
Facing north on Main St. toward 3rd St. To the extreme right is a chain link fence with a green gate. The gate marks the spot of the entrance to the "Main St. Gym" just beyond that drive way was the front door leading to a stairway up to the gym on the second floor, 318 1/2 S. Main St. On the left, directly across the street, was where the Follies Theatre and Johnny's Shrimp Boat were located.
I found myself completely lost in that short block of South Main St. Things have changed.
-Rick Farris
Downtown L.A. is not what it used to be....is that good or bad?
Frank, on one hand, I applaud the effort to revitalize downtown. It needs it badly, especially if we still want to be considered a world class city. L.A. ain't what it used to be and at it's peak it was something special. It can be again. On the other hand it really pisses me off that the powers that be in Los Angeles have no true sense of history, unless they think there's a buck to be made. There's no sense of preservation. It doesn't have to be either / or. We can preserve what was best about the past and still continue to build. We just need the right people in place.
One more thing. The new entertainment center in los Angeles "L.A.Live" calls itself the "Times Square" of the west Coast. F*ck that! We're not N.Y. we're L.A. We shouldn't try to be anything other then what we are,... L.A.. That's pretty good just by itself. We don't need to copy anything from any other city. It's a pet peeve of mine.
Randy
Last edited by Randyman on 13 Mar 2009, 11:28, edited 2 times in total.
bennie wrote:I'm pretty sure Louie fought Boza, too, but I might be wrong. He was a tough fighter, one of those fighters too good for the prospects but not quite good enough for the elite.
I hope Randy does not mind me saying this.
Don't mind at all Bennie, we should all be so lucky to be in that place. Louie never fought Boza, he did however, fight Hector Camacho. He lost by a 5 round TKO but he did himself and his family proud.
Randy
Yes, I got Louie confused with Guy Villegas. Louie fought a scary Camacho, a pre-Rosario Camacho. Camacho in 1985 was a special talent.
Louie beat Freddie Roach on the Hagler-Duran bill, of course. That must have been some night. My overriding memory of that night (from TV) is Duran's ring entrance. The way the man waltzed into the ring and coolly acknowledged the crowd sent tingles down my spine. There was not one trace of self-doubt.
bennie wrote:I'm pretty sure Louie fought Boza, too, but I might be wrong. He was a tough fighter, one of those fighters too good for the prospects but not quite good enough for the elite.
I hope Randy does not mind me saying this.
Don't mind at all Bennie, we should all be so lucky to be in that place. Louie never fought Boza, he did however, fight Hector Camacho. He lost by a 5 round TKO but he did himself and his family proud.
Randy
Yes, I got Louie confused with Guy Villegas. Louie fought a scary Camacho, a pre-Rosario Camacho. Camacho in 1985 was a special talent.
Louie beat Freddie Roach on the Hagler-Duran bill, of course. That must have been some night. My overriding memory of that night (from TV) is Duran's ring entrance. The way the man waltzed into the ring and coolly acknowledged the crowd sent tingles down my spine. There was not one trace of self-doubt.
Bennie, I loved the Duran-Hagler bout. The best part of the whole fight was the end (I think it was at the end) when Duran, unbowed stood with his hands down, somewhat extended and glared in defiance at Hagler. talk about a Kodak moment. Duran had some bad moments in his career, to be sure, but as they say, when "Duran was Duran".........
