Classic American West Coast Boxing

[Dongee]

My Mistake, not Boxrec's . . .

In an earlier post I stated that Boxrec had an incomplete record for featherweight Carlos Chavez. The error is mine, not Boxrec's. I didn't access Chavez complete record correctly. Apology to Hap Navarro for this. However, the post brought to light Carlos Chavez' bouts with Manuel Ortiz. The earliest taking place at the Legion and latter at the Olympic.

Hap, you mentioned that Ortiz would often let his 118lbs. balloon into a lightweight. A boxrec side note suggests in their very last go at the Olympic, Ortiz was in poor condition, not like their previous matches.

-Rick Farris

Manuel Ortiz was a bit of a riddle. He took his boxing career seriously only on a few occasions. When he did he was undoubtedly one of the best lighter men of all time. A master boxer who could lure an opponent into fierce exchanges which he usually won. The worst I ever saw him was in an Olympic match with Lauro Salas, terribly out of shape.

When Manny pealed off his robe the audience actually gasped at the layers of fat around his midsection. He weighed just under 135 pounds for that one and paid the price for his misstep.
Salas pounded him easily and repeatedly until Manny had to take a voluntary knock down to stop the onslaught. He fought back on guts alone and survived without getting floored again but lost a lopsided duke.

I remember that tears streamed down his cheeks as he realized how futile his efforts were against a well conditioned foe like Lauro. It was a sight, Rick, so much so that some of us at ringside kept pleading with Lauro to let up on Manny, whom he could never kayo. In a subsequent rematch, Lauro got his come-uppance and lost the duke.

hap navarro

[Dongee]

My Mistake, not Boxrec's . . .

In an earlier post I stated that Boxrec had an incomplete record for featherweight Carlos Chavez. The error is mine, not Boxrec's. I didn't access Chavez complete record correctly. Apology to Hap Navarro for this. However, the post brought to light Carlos Chavez' bouts with Manuel Ortiz. The earliest taking place at the Legion and latter at the Olympic.

Hap, you mentioned that Ortiz would often let his 118lbs. balloon into a lightweight. A boxrec side note suggests in their very last go at the Olympic, Ortiz was in poor condition, not like their previous matches.

-Rick Farris

Manuel Ortiz was a bit of a riddle. He took his boxing career seriously only on a few occasions. When he did he was undoubtedly one of the best lighter men of all time. A master boxer who could lure an opponent into fierce exchanges which he usually won. The worst I ever saw him was in an Olympic match with Lauro Salas, terribly out of shape.

When Manny pealed off his robe the audience actually gasped at the layers of fat around his midsection. He weighed just under 135 pounds for that one and paid the price for his misstep.
Salas pounded him easily and repeatedly until Manny had to take a voluntary knock down to stop the onslaught. He fought back on guts alone and survived without getting floored again but lost a lopsided duke.

I remember that tears streamed down his cheeks as he realized how futile his efforts were against a well conditioned foe like Lauro. It was a sight, Rick, so much so that some of us at ringside kept pleading with Lauro to let up on Manny, whom he could never kayo. In a subsequent rematch, Lauro got his come-uppance and lost the duke.

hap navarro

[kikibalt]

Khan Gets The Win Over Barrera – But Has He Come of Age?
By Geoff "The Professor" Poundes-March 16, 2009

Sometimes a fight throws up more questions than it answers, and when Amir Khan, 20-1, 15 KO’s, took a technical fifth round decision over Marco Antonio Barrera, 65-7, 43 KO’s, in Manchester Saturday night we were left none the wiser as to Khan's world title credentials.

The contest was effectively over in the first round, when a vicious clash of heads opened a four inch gash high on the Mexican's head. Thereafter Barrera boxed through a curtain of blood, and the only surprise was that he was allowed to continue for as long as four more rounds, when it was clear that he was to all intents and purposes blind.

Khan's proponents waxed lyrical after the event about the Englishman's speed and defense, but that was more about finance than any accurate reflection of the 12 or so minutes of action. Sky television pundits, doubtless prompted by their paymasters who have a significant pay-per-view investment in Khan, talked of a world-class performance and of future championship bouts - but the truth is that this contest taught us nothing that we didn't already know about Khan.

There's no doubt that Amir's people should be congratulated for taking the fight at all, even if their hands were somewhat tied by a television deal that demanded high-class opposition after Khan's pay-per-view potential was effectively crippled by a first round demolition at the fists of Breidis Prescott. There must have been a huge sigh of relief that Khan has come through unscathed, and allegedly can be excused for trumpeting his fighter after the event, even if the outcome was in reality a tad unsatisfactory.

To the uninitiated, Amir looked the part. From the first bell he threw fast and hard punches from behind a high guard, and was sure to get his gloves back into place after each flurry. Barrera boxed to script, struggling to reach the taller, bigger man but comfortable in the knowledge that all he needed was one big punch to shatter Khan's brittle chin. The shape of the fight was pretty much as expected, until a minute before the round ended, when the heads came together, and Barrera emerged with blood streaming down his forehead.

His corner worked feverishly in the interval to stem the flow, but in vain. The second round saw Khan maintaining his distance, Barrera blinking and peeping through his blood blanket and taking fast combinations. The ring doctor took a look at the injury, and long discussions took place between fighter, physician and referee, and the fight, surprisingly, was allowed to continue - even though the contest was no longer a viable one.

Two rounds later, with the pattern established, the three conferred again and called it off. Protocol dictated that because the bout was ended by an injury caused by a head-butt, the scorecards were consulted and the judges correctly had Khan winning every round.

It’s not Khan’s fault that the bout ended the way it did, and he boxed immaculately while it lasted, although a desperate right hand from Barrera in the fifth when the Mexican knew the end was in sight seemed to inconvenience him slightly. He would do well to put the victory in perspective and recognize that for four rounds he looked the part against a man who was boxing through a veil – and with that recognition go back to the gym and keep working.

So whilst Amir Khan can add the illustrious name of Maco Antonio Barrera to his win column - the jury is still out. Barrera was naturally disappointed that events transpired against him:

"I didnt feel his punches. i couldnt see from the first round on - if I had two eyes I would have won the fight."

Amir, of course, saw things differently - desperate for a win over such a big name to propel him into a world title fight:

"I hope I've shut the critics up. I moved to Freddie Roach's gym, the Wild Card gym, and I'm a completely different fighter."

On the undercard two other house fighters had shocking nights. Enzo Macarinelli, 29-3, 22 KO’s, the former WBO Cruiserweight champion, was looking to continue his rehabilitation after being beaten to the punch by David Haye a year ago, but got a whole lot more than he bargained for. He acknowledged after the fight that he’d under-estimated Ola Afolabi,14-1, 6 KO’s, an Americanised Brit, and that his complacency was the cause of his 9th round stoppage defeat. In truth, Afolabi looked a high quality fighter who kidded and showboated through the first two rounds, taking Macarinelli’s trademark body-shots and hooks with little discomfort, and then exploding a right off of the Welshman’s temple in the third to have him dancing along the ropes like a baby giraffe. Things settled for the next five rounds, with Afolabi soaking up Macarinelli’s punches, and waiting for the opportunity to land one more big one, which he found in the ninth as Enzo began to tire. A huge right hook dropped Macarinelli, who got up only to be mercifully pulled out by the referee. It’s difficult to know where Macarinelli gan go from here, but with Afolabi now threatening to base his career in his native England, we may have found a new star on this side of the Atlantic.

In the third big fight of the night Nicky Cook, 29-2, 16 KO’s, surrendered his WBO Super-Featherweight title to the hard-punching Puerto-Rican Roman Martinez, 22-0, 13 KO’s. Cook started the fight well, and looked much stronger than the pasty and thin-limbed Martinez, and he seemed to be well on his way to a win when he badly shook the visitor in the 2nd round with a peach of a left hook. It was to be his only success however, as Martinez began to find his range, and walked Cook onto a heavy right uppercut in the fourth, which dropped the Englishman along the ropes. He rose, but was clearly out on his feet, and after another flurry of punches he went down again and the referee rightly stopped the contest despite Cook’s protests.

[kikibalt]

Transition Time in Puerto Rico
By Ted Sares

Puerto Rico has produced a most compelling tapestry of sports in general and boxing in particular. --The Author

Felix “Tito” Trinidad (1990-2008) -- “Tito” is the last of his generation. There is little doubt that this three time champion will become a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame. This great KO artist now looks to be retired with a fine slate of 42-3. Before losing to Bernard Hopkins in 2001, he was 40-0. He also made fifteen successful defenses of his welterweight title. With a suspect chin and bricks in his glove, he brought great excitement into the square circle, and in that regard, he was not unlike another great bomber, Edwin “El Chapo“Rosario..

Hector “Macho” Camacho (1980-present)

After running into trouble with the law, Camacho is now towing the line. He even won a TKO over Perry Ballard in July 2008 for something called the World Boxing Empire’s middleweight title. But far more significantly, he also won titles in the Super Featherweight, Lightweight, and Featherweight divisions!

With an old school mark of (79-5-2), he likely will (and should) be inducted into the Hall when his time comes, particularly when one considers he fought the likes of Greg Haugen, Julio Cesar Chavez, Oscar De La Hoya, Roberto Duran, Tito Trinidad, Vinny Pazienza, Ray Mancini, Edwin Rosario, Jose Louis Ramirez, Rafael Limon, and many other mean hombres.

Orlando Fernandez, Sammy Fuentes, Eric Morel, Jake Rodriguez, and Felix Camacho are now only memories. Still, each was a world champion. And so were the very capable Sammy Serrano and Julian Solis. Victor Callejas was one tough hombre as was Juan Nazario who once TKOd Edwin Rosario after having been stopped by the same Rosario in an earlier duke.

“Cagüitas,” “Cheito,” “Jaws,” “Cholo,” "Joe King,” “Tonito,” “Monon,” “Sugar” called it a day some time ago. So did Laporte, John John, both Wilfredo‘s, Wilfred, "El Chapo,” “Salsero,” “Vita,” "Chegui," Carlos, and, of course, the legendary “El Gallito” Many are in the Hall.

The Present

Daniel “El Pillin” Santos (1996-present)

A great amateur, Santos won his third professional championship in July 2008 by knocking out Joacchim Alcine to win the WBA Light middleweight belt. Interestingly, he holds a TD win over rugged Antonio Margarito, a fight in which Tony received a bad cut forcing a halt to the action in the 10 stanza. His current record stands at 32-3-1 and he remains very much a factor in the light middleweight slot.

Rugged Louis Collazo still fights, but Lou "Honey Boy" Del Valle last fought in July 2008, and appears near the end.

The Transition: Going Forward

Miguel “Junito” Cotto (2001-present)

“Junito” is another in a long line of Puerto Rican warriors who has stormed upon the scene. He participated in one of the great fights of 2008 when he lost to Tony Margarito with his WBA welterweight title at stake. “Junito” was 32-0 at the time and is now set to regain his status as one of the very best pound for pound fighters. Time will tell, as a recent win over outmatched but game Daniel Jennings was little more than a confidence builder

Ivan Calderon (2001-present)

Calderon, otherwise known as “El Niño De Hierro,” is currently at 32-0 and won the WBO minimumweight title in 2003. After defending it eleven times, he took the WBO light flyweight title in 2007 and has successfully defended that crown three times. He could well be another three-time champion.

Roman “Rocky” Martinez (2001-present)

Coming off a recent stoppage win over Nicky Cook in the U.K, Rocky is now 22-0-1 and is now the WBO super featherweight title holder. Like many others before him, he is most dangerous when he is hurt. His level of opposition also has been admirable.

Alex de Jesus (2005-present)

“El Pollo,” a native of San Juan, is currently undefeated at 19-0 and holds the WBO Latino light welterweight title and several other regional belts. He became the first Puerto Rican to win an Olympic medal since Daniel Santos won a bronze in 1996. He defeated Brazilain Myke Carvallo to win his medal at the 2004 games in Athens, but lost in the next round.

Juan Manuel "Juanma" López (2005-present)

"Juanma" is the latest Puerto Rican super sensation having exploded upon the scene with a 24-0 record and a remarkable KO percentage of 91.67. He served notice by icing Giovanni Andrade in one round in 2007 to win the WBO Latino super bantamweight title. In June 2008, he knocked out rugged Daniel Ponce de Leon in the first round by moving in between Ponce wide punches and taking him out with short and crisp shots the power of which were generated by super hand speed.. He the did the same with Cesar Figueroa, but this time it only took him 47 seconds to close the show. Two months later, he met Sergio “Rocky” Medina and ended this fight in 1.38 of the first stanza by rocking “Rocky.” In Juanma’s last 5 outings, he has gone only 8 rounds--which begs the question, is he that good or are his opponents that bad? We will soon find out as he is scheduled to fight the great Filipino warrior Gerry Penalosa on April 25, 2009 in Bayamon, Puerto Rico.

Many think “Tito” has passed the baton to "Juanma." I think so as well.

The list goes on and on

Nelson Dieppa, Kermit “El Asesino” Cintron and Carlos “El Indio” Quintana are still factors. So are Mario “Principe Ponce” Santiago(19-1-1), Manny Siaca, Cesar Ceda (16-0), undefeated Victor Fonseca (who won the vacant International Boxing Association bantamweight title in 2008), Orlando Cruz (16-0-1), Wilfredo Vazquez, Jr (15-0),and Henry “El Nitro” Bruseles who has won six in a row since losing to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2005.

Edgar “El Chamaco” Santana (24-3) shows promise but needs to get his personal life in order. Carlos Ivan Velasquez (9-0) has potential as well. At the 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games, he defeated Marlon Almagro of Venezuela. He the pulled off a monster upset pf highly touted Olympic champion Yuriorkis Gamboa in the semi-finals and then won Gold against Dominican Ronald de la Rosa.

Fres “Fast Fres" Oquendo, a great all-around amateur athlete from Chicago via Puerto Rico, has come this close to reaching the top tier, but each time has been thwarted--whether by highly questionable decisions (against Toney and Holyfield), or late round collapses (Ruiz and Tua). Still, he remains a viable heavyweight.

Heavy handed Jose Miguel Cotto is at 28-1-1, but has been inactive since 2007 (His last tiff was in May 2007 when he and Prawat Singwangcha fought to a twelve round draw in a bout for the vacant WBA lightweight title). As well, Alex Trujillo has not fought since 2007. There are still others, but the real story here is that Puerto Rico has produced more great fighters than space allows.

There are others, but the real story here is that Puerto Rico continues to produce World champions like they were the Island Nation’s top resource.


Visit the author’s site at www.tedsares.com

[Rick Farris]

My Mistake, not Boxrec's . . .

In an earlier post I stated that Boxrec had an incomplete record for featherweight Carlos Chavez. The error is mine, not Boxrec's. I didn't access Chavez complete record correctly. Apology to Hap Navarro for this. However, the post brought to light Carlos Chavez' bouts with Manuel Ortiz. The earliest taking place at the Legion and latter at the Olympic.

Hap, you mentioned that Ortiz would often let his 118lbs. balloon into a lightweight. A boxrec side note suggests in their very last go at the Olympic, Ortiz was in poor condition, not like their previous matches.

-Rick Farris

Manuel Ortiz was a bit of a riddle. He took his boxing career seriously only on a few occasions. When he did he was undoubtedly one of the best lighter men of all time. A master boxer who could lure an opponent into fierce exchanges which he usually won. The worst I ever saw him was in an Olympic match with Lauro Salas, terribly out of shape.

When Manny pealed off his robe the audience actually gasped at the layers of fat around his midsection. He weighed just under 135 pounds for that one and paid the price for his misstep.
Salas pounded him easily and repeatedly until Manny had to take a voluntary knock down to stop the onslaught. He fought back on guts alone and survived without getting floored again but lost a lopsided duke.

I remember that tears streamed down his cheeks as he realized how futile his efforts were against a well conditioned foe like Lauro. It was a sight, Rick, so much so that some of us at ringside kept pleading with Lauro to let up on Manny, whom he could never kayo. In a subsequent rematch, Lauro got his come-uppance and lost the duke.

hap navarro

Thank you, Hap.

[iskigoe]

Hey Frank,

Thought this was of interest. Just wanted to share my find. Can't believe
Hype is not in the IBHOF, maybe soon.
---------------------------------------------------------


Hype Igoe takes credit for fistic improvement
san antiono light sports.
Jan 1931

If either Joseph James Braddock or Ernest Schaaf does a funny fall out of the roped enclosure of Madison Square Garden Friday night, he’ll Not find a nestling place on top of the heads of the chroniclers.
The commission which irons everything out for boxing has warned all clubs that the dumping ground outside the ropes must be extended from 18” now in vogue to 3 ½ feet.

That ought to be ample room for any of the athletes who may be belted or bumped through the strands or over them for that matter.

Score another improvement for the “old Hypus”. I pointed out the three wise men on Saturday that the spilling margin in use now was altoghter too narrow. I make an exceeding low ----

Who ever said the fistic fathers would never listen to reason? This writer asked for the abolition of the metal protector. Granted. Asked for the rubber mouth piece. Permitted. Urged the abolition of towel swinging and you never see that anymore. And now following the tip , the ring platforms will make it next to impossible for a fighter to to be smacked into the laps of the scribes. I’m nor guaranteeing the three and on half feet leeway outside the ropes is going to make it curtain that the impromptu visits from the athletes will never occur again. Lords, I’ve seen fighters knocked 10 feet through the ropes and into the laps of the front row spectators, having gone over the heads of the newspaper men completely.

It is possible Mr. Braddock can knock Mr. Schaaf beyond the 3 and one half mile – I mean [one--- limit, the young lad with the deadly right wallop can hit harder then Max Schmeling, and that is quite a compliment.
Schaaf socks too, but were the pair of them to measure the heft of their blows on one of those old time punching machines Bob Fitzsimmons used to delight in larruping. I think Braddock’s would be the one to win the cookie.

[Rick Farris]

Amir Khan . . .

Just watched the fight for the first time. It was Khan's fight, but I'm not impressed. Only today could Amir Khan have a chance at winning a world title, but I doubt he'll get that far before being starched again.

People keep remarking about Khan's handspeed. Speed is a good quality, but highly over rated. He may have good power, but he isn't heavy handed. And so far, when he went down, he didn't get up. He fired his trainer, went to Hollywood hoping Freddie Roach could make him right, however, Freddie used to climb off the canvas when he was fighting. You can't teach that.

Best he stay clear of the Mexican border. I have a feeling that Mexican lightweights are licking their chops.


-Rick Farris

[kikibalt]

Hey Frank,

Thought this was of interest. Just wanted to share my find. Can't believe
Hype is not in the IBHOF, maybe soon.
---------------------------------------------------------


Hype Igoe takes credit for fistic improvement
san antiono light sports.
Jan 1931

If either Joseph James Braddock or Ernest Schaaf does a funny fall out of the roped enclosure of Madison Square Garden Friday night, he’ll Not find a nestling place on top of the heads of the chroniclers.
The commission which irons everything out for boxing has warned all clubs that the dumping ground outside the ropes must be extended from 18” now in vogue to 3 ½ feet.

That ought to be ample room for any of the athletes who may be belted or bumped through the strands or over them for that matter.

Score another improvement for the “old Hypus”. I pointed out the three wise men on Saturday that the spilling margin in use now was altoghter too narrow. I make an exceeding low ----

Who ever said the fistic fathers would never listen to reason? This writer asked for the abolition of the metal protector. Granted. Asked for the rubber mouth piece. Permitted. Urged the abolition of towel swinging and you never see that anymore. And now following the tip , the ring platforms will make it next to impossible for a fighter to to be smacked into the laps of the scribes. I’m nor guaranteeing the three and on half feet leeway outside the ropes is going to make it curtain that the impromptu visits from the athletes will never occur again. Lords, I’ve seen fighters knocked 10 feet through the ropes and into the laps of the front row spectators, having gone over the heads of the newspaper men completely.

It is possible Mr. Braddock can knock Mr. Schaaf beyond the 3 and one half mile – I mean [one--- limit, the young lad with the deadly right wallop can hit harder then Max Schmeling, and that is quite a compliment.
Schaaf socks too, but were the pair of them to measure the heft of their blows on one of those old time punching machines Bob Fitzsimmons used to delight in larruping. I think Braddock’s would be the one to win the cookie.

He was suppose to be inducted into the CBHOF, don't know why it didn't happen.

[Randyman]

Photos by: ANDY TEMPLETON, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Members of the TKO Boxing Club in Santa Ana on the red carpet in front of their Center Street gym before the screening of a documentary filmed there called "Center Street Rising."
Santa Ana boxing club fights against gangs

Documentary about TKO Boxing Club in Santa Ana debuts Sunday.
By ALEJANDRA MOLINA
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

SANTA ANA – John Raya, a Santa Ana businessman, hopes that a 30-minute documentary film about a boxing club he started 15 years ago – aimed at keeping youth off the streets – will help create a larger understanding that gangs are not unique to Santa Ana.

"Gangs are not a Santa Ana problem. If you live in OC, gangs are an issue for you," Raya said. "This is not the OC you see on TV. This is what happens when the lights go out. I hope the outcome is that people quit looking away from it."

The film is called "Center Street Rising" and it documents how volunteers and members of TKO Boxing Club in Santa Ana have struggled against adversity and financial hardships to pursue boxing and academic careers and keep the club open to all at-risk youth.

The film made its debut Sunday at the boxing club in front of an estimated 100 that included children, parents, volunteers, and city leaders.

"It's about regular people doing extraordinary things," said producer and executive director Tracy Sabeti, a Mission Viejo resident.

The film was six months in the making and will premiere at the Newport Beach Film Festival on April 29. It was self-funded and cost and estimated $20,000.

"We hope that this recognition will bring a new awareness to the plight of families in nearby Santa Ana and make a difference for the TKO club and all its participants," Sabeti said.

The club has produced more than 10 national champions. It was founded in 1994 after Raya, who was born and raised in Santa Ana, began attending gang truce meetings.

"I knew we needed an attractive alternative," Raya said. "There's a certain macho appeal to the sport. There's a cultural following of the sport."

TKO is run by volunteers and just recently moved to a new and larger location on Center Street. The new site now has a learning center with computers to go along with the gym.

"We have a bunch of kids who know the difference between this and what the streets have to offer," Raya added. "We're competing for the same kids gangs do. Not every kid that's in here is at risk of joining a gang but every kid is at risk from gangs, violence from the influences."

The most-recent FBI statistics show that Santa Ana had the highest rate of violent crime in Orange County in 2007. And according to the film, there are 5,000 gang members with 90 active gangs in Santa Ana.

Luis Ramos Jr. and Ronny Rios are two club boxers featured in the film. They both narrowly missed making the U.S. Olympic Boxing team last year and went on to make their professional debuts.

"I probably would have been like any other kid. I think I would have been in trouble without the gym," Ramos said.

Ramos said he's excited about the film as others will now get to experience what "this little gym can do for everybody."

Contact the writer: [email protected] or 949-454-7360


"Center Street Rising" producer Dot Leach and TKO Boxer Luis Ramos Jr. after the movie screening Sunday afternoon.


"Center Street Rising" director Tracy Sabeti and TKO Boxing Club owner John Raya talk after the movie screening Sunday afternoon.

[kikibalt]

Fighting For Life; Boxer in Critical Condition

03/16/09 Madras

19 year old Jovany Medina of Madras is a star boxer at the Central Oregon Golden Gloves Academy. Training since he was 12 years old with Coach Mark Evans he was favored to win the Oregon Golden Gloves Tournament over the weekend at the Deschutes County Expo Center. In the 152 weight class during the finals Saturday he was punched in the face and knocked down four times before the referee called the fight in favor of his Vancouver opponent. Ten minutes later, his coach noticed something was wrong and called for help. At St. Charles Medical Center in Bend, Jovany quickly underwent surgery. "He's got probably more heart than most of the boxers I've ever seen, and maybe that heart might have been part of the problem here, you know, a lesser fighter might have went down and stayed down but his idea when he got hurt was to fight harder," said his coach Mark Evans.

Jovany trained hard and worked hard. Coach Evans says he worked ten hour days at Central Oregon Seed Incorporated to support his family and three brothers. In his career, Jovany has boxed in over 50 matches with no signs of complications. "I know he didn't think about it, but we know there's risks we're going to have to take when we go in there," said his friend Antonio Villanueva.

"Once in a while you read about these things happening especially in the pros once in a great while but it's very rare for it to take place, especially in the amateurs," said Evans.

Jovany's friends say they thought of all the boxers, he'd turn pro. It's unknown what caused Jovany's injury. Evan's said in cases like this it's usually an unknown, pre-existing injury. Jovany's medical bills will be covered through the boxing association's medical insurance. But an account has been set up to help the family pay cost of living expenses. Jovany's father was recently laid off and his mother can't work since she just had a baby.

If you would like to help-- donations are being taken at any Wells Fargo location under the name Boxer, Jovany Medina.

[dagosd2000]

LADY AND THE CHAMP

Sometimes I think fighters' wives take as much of a beating as their husbands. I could make list,but I'll try this couple. I won't mention the names because it's not important. The expug wasn't a high profile guy. Had his share of fights. During the 50's when there were a slew of fighters, he was somwhere in the middle. That was his average. He never got to the upper tier,but he never languished at the bottom of the barrel either.

If you look at his pan and know anything about sports,you know only a fighter's mug could turn out that way. His wife has been with him from the early days. Now instead of rubbing his sore muscles after a fight,she rubs his hands to get the circulation going. She told me once that she never liked to see her man in the ring. Maybe it was the apprehensive female that worried about his safety.

In the end he came out of it with a face full of scars. Those scars today are faded white lines. The eyelids are droopy. When he smiles a lot of his face doesn't want to take the upswing with the rest of it. It's a little sad to see him smile because all the skin that's hangin' is kind of saying ,"this is what came from all the years of forgetting when to duck."

But I like that face. He didn't pussy foot around. He did a man's thing. He heard the cheers and he heard the boos. His wife was always his best cornerman. She will always be that. She heard the boos at the end too. She's still cheerin'.

[Randyman]

LADY AND THE CHAMP

Sometimes I think fighters' wives take as much of a beating as their husbands. I could make list,but I'll try this couple. I won't mention the names because it's not important. The expug wasn't a high profile guy. Had his share of fights. During the 50's when there were a slew of fighters, he was somwhere in the middle. That was his average. He never got to the upper tier,but he never languished at the bottom of the barrel either.

If you look at his pan and know anything about sports,you know only a fighter's mug could turn out that way. His wife has been with him from the early days. Now instead of rubbing his sore muscles after a fight,she rubs his hands to get the circulation going. She told me once that she never liked to see her man in the ring. Maybe it was the apprehensive female that worried about his safety.

In the end he came out of it with a face full of scars. Those scars today are faded white lines. The eyelids are droopy. When he smiles a lot of his face doesn't want to take the upswing with the rest of it. It's a little sad to see him smile because all the skin that's hangin' is kind of saying ,"this is what came from all the years of forgetting when to duck."

But I like that face. He didn't pussy foot around. He did a man's thing. He heard the cheers and he heard the boos. His wife was always his best cornerman. She will always be that. She heard the boos at the end too. She's still cheerin'.

Straight from the heart Mr. Esty, straight from the heart!

[kikibalt]

LADY AND THE CHAMP

Sometimes I think fighters' wives take as much of a beating as their husbands. I could make list,but I'll try this couple. I won't mention the names because it's not important. The expug wasn't a high profile guy. Had his share of fights. During the 50's when there were a slew of fighters, he was somwhere in the middle. That was his average. He never got to the upper tier,but he never languished at the bottom of the barrel either.

If you look at his pan and know anything about sports,you know only a fighter's mug could turn out that way. His wife has been with him from the early days. Now instead of rubbing his sore muscles after a fight,she rubs his hands to get the circulation going. She told me once that she never liked to see her man in the ring. Maybe it was the apprehensive female that worried about his safety.

In the end he came out of it with a face full of scars. Those scars today are faded white lines. The eyelids are droopy. When he smiles a lot of his face doesn't want to take the upswing with the rest of it. It's a little sad to see him smile because all the skin that's hangin' is kind of saying ,"this is what came from all the years of forgetting when to duck."

But I like that face. He didn't pussy foot around. He did a man's thing. He heard the cheers and he heard the boos. His wife was always his best cornerman. She will always be that. She heard the boos at the end too. She's still cheerin'.

Straight from the heart Mr. Esty, straight from the heart!

Yes, and its a big HEART....

[Randyman]

LADY AND THE CHAMP

Sometimes I think fighters' wives take as much of a beating as their husbands. I could make list,but I'll try this couple. I won't mention the names because it's not important. The expug wasn't a high profile guy. Had his share of fights. During the 50's when there were a slew of fighters, he was somwhere in the middle. That was his average. He never got to the upper tier,but he never languished at the bottom of the barrel either.

If you look at his pan and know anything about sports,you know only a fighter's mug could turn out that way. His wife has been with him from the early days. Now instead of rubbing his sore muscles after a fight,she rubs his hands to get the circulation going. She told me once that she never liked to see her man in the ring. Maybe it was the apprehensive female that worried about his safety.

In the end he came out of it with a face full of scars. Those scars today are faded white lines. The eyelids are droopy. When he smiles a lot of his face doesn't want to take the upswing with the rest of it. It's a little sad to see him smile because all the skin that's hangin' is kind of saying ,"this is what came from all the years of forgetting when to duck."

But I like that face. He didn't pussy foot around. He did a man's thing. He heard the cheers and he heard the boos. His wife was always his best cornerman. She will always be that. She heard the boos at the end too. She's still cheerin'.

Straight from the heart Mr. Esty, straight from the heart!

Yes, and its a big HEART....

Ain't it though!

[dagosd2000]

Fellas'
I don't have the big heart,it's the people I write about.

[Rick Farris]

Director Ridley Scott . . . "Blade Runner"

I joined the "Blade Runner" crew about six weeks after principal photography had started. At the time, the company was shooting an "all-night" schedule in downtown L.A. At the historic Bradbury Building.

On my first night there, I met the cinematographer, Jordan Cronenweth. Jordan was usually cool, but he seemed a bit frustrated when he stopped to shake my hand and welcome me. He was moving quickly with a few others, and said he'd speak with me later.

"That's Ridley Scott, the director," said Richard Hart, the lighting gaffer. Hart was pointing to the man leading the group, including Jordan. The high energy director was barking orders in a clear Brithish accent as they walked, the Art Director was busy taking notes, the first A.D. opened the door to the "set" of a genetic engineer, a man who lived among his creations, robots, etc.

The Director told the Art Director to clear the set and to bring in several dozen mannequins. When he returned later, he began pointing and set decoraters quickly began to set the mannequins up. The Director tossed one of the dummies over into a corner, he tossed another on the floor. He then barked at his assistant director, "I want you to hire three mimes, have them in costume as a mannequins, and pose them among. It will bring life to the wooden models."

The set was decorated and the next day we shot the scene. In the room, you could not tell the real mannequins from the mimes. The live ones were placed in the background, slightly out of focus. There was no movement from any, except one small, subtle "wink" of the eye, by one mime. Nobody will notice it visually, but the eye sees it and the sub-concious mind reads it, and this brings the scene to life, giving the wooden mannequins life.

This would be a great film, and it was the product of Ridley Scott and great suppoting artists. However, it was the subtle little extras that Ridley Scott brought to the table that made this something special. Like the fighter that just happenes to have the right skills and moves for any situation. I learned something about the subtle power of suggestion in cinema, as well as art in general.

Scott was arrogant, and there was a little above line production rivalry going on behind closed doors. However, Ridley Scott is one of the most gifted film makers to walk the planet. His younger brother Tony is pretty good himself. Ridley has done a lot of great work and also owns his own Commercial Production company, aside from all the major feature work he has done.

Blade Runner was the only film I'd work with Ridley Scott, however, over the years I would work with him on a number of commercials.

It's the "little things" that count.


-Rick Farris

[kikibalt]

Los Angeles Times file photo
The Fearsome Foursome: Merlin Olsen, David "Deacon" Jones, Lamar Lundy and Rosey Grier make their singing debut on "Shindig," 1965.

[kikibalt]

Gil Cadilli

I've already posted this one before, but here it is again.

[kikibalt]

Frankie Baltazar vs Charles Young
Frankie's last fight

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvHVj6Ewiy0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAT6L2mxuww

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjcPSci3rYI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAL1SvPXq34

[Randyman]

Angering The Irish...

Three Englishmen were in a bar and spotted an Irishman. So, one of the Englishmen walked over to the Irishman, tapped him on the shoulder, and said, "Hey, I hear your St. Patrick was a drunken loser."

"Oh really, hmm, didn't know that."

Puzzled, the Englishman walked back to his buddies. "I told him St. Patrick was a loser, and he didn't care." The second Englishman remarked, "You just don't know how to set him off...watch and learn." So, the second Englishman walked over to the Irishman, tapped him on the shoulder and said, "Hey, I hear your St. Patrick was lying, cheating, idiotic, low-life scum!"

"Oh really, hmm, didn't know that."

Shocked beyond belief, the Englishman went back to his buddies. "You're right. He's unshakable!"

The third Englishman remarked, "Boys, I'll really tick him off... just watch." So the third Englishman walked over to the Irishman, tapped him on the shoulder and said, "I hear St. Patrick was an Englishman!"

"Yeah, that's what your buddies were trying to tell me."

[Rick Farris]

Frankie Baltazar vs Charles Young
Frankie's last fight

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvHVj6Ewiy0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAT6L2mxuww

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjcPSci3rYI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAL1SvPXq34

This is the first time I saw Frankie's last bout. It's great that he went out a winner. When you think of the many years that he fought it's great that he left the business on top and with all his senses. It was great seeing him last week at the amateur show and in time I must interview him for his place in the book I have planned. He and Tony have great stories that will show where L.A. legends of the era came from.

-Rick Farris

[Rick Farris]

Los Angeles Times file photo
The Fearsome Foursome: Merlin Olsen, David "Deacon" Jones, Lamar Lundy and Rosey Grier make their singing debut on "Shindig," 1965.

I had the pleasure of working with Merlin Olson on "Little House on the Praire". Very nice man, class act. I remember these guys very well when they played for the L.A. Rams.

-Rick

[Rick Farris]

A Mando Ramos Memory . . .

This is a little story that Mando shared with me in 2002, shortly after I'd returned to Los Angeles from Arizona, where I had started writing about my Los Angeles boxing experiences.

Mando liked a story I had written about him and we hooked up shortly after I returned to Los Angeles. On a number of occasions I'd drive down to San Pedro and visit Mando and his wife Sylvia at their hillside condo over looking the Los Angeles Harbor, where Mando had worked as a long shoreman after retiring from the ring. We would usually go out to lunch, or Sylvia would make sandwiches and we'd just sit and watch tapes of some of the former lightweight champions fights.

I can still see the smile on Mando's face as he told me about a time when he was fifteen years old and attending a fight at the Olympic Auditorium with his future manager, Jackie McCoy. While walking up Grand Ave. to the entrance of the Olympic, Mando saw a down & out former boxing great, Filippino Speedy Dado, selling programs in front of the 18th & Grand Ave. arena.

Mando told me that Dado was wearing dirty, tattered clothes and would reach into his pocket and pull out a bottle of whiskey, take a swig and then call out, "programs, get tonights program here!" Mando was fascinated by the punch drunk former champ, who not only had the typical boxer's broken nose and scar tissue, but was also missing and eye. "You shoulda seen this guy", Mando said. "He had lost one of his eyes, but instead of wearing a patch or having the lid stitched closed, he just had an empty socket. Man, you could look right into his head."

Mando told me he couldn't resist approaching Dado and struck up a conversation. As young Mando listened wide-eyed, Dado told him how he had earned over a million dollars in the ring, had worn the finest clothes, driven the most exensive cars and made love to some of the most beautiful women in the world. After a couple of minutes listening to Speedy Dado talk, McCoy grabbed Mando by the arm and said, "OK, we gotta go now".

Mando was amazed and told Jackie, "I want to be just like him. That's what I want!" McCoy shook his head and looked the future superstar right in the eye, "OK Mando, but what does he have today? Mando didn't understand what McCoy was trying to tell him.

Mando finished his story and with a smile, "Today I understand."


-Rick Farris

[Rick Farris]

Uncle John


"The Man"

St. Patrick's Day . . .

In honor of Saint Patrick's Day, I toast "Uncle John", Pug, Scartissue and Pop, the Quarry's, the spirit of Jimmy McLarnin, our Danny "Wildhawke", Mickey Walker, the spirit of Frankie Crawford, the spirit of Bob Murphy, the great John L. Sullivan, Sean O'Grady and everybody else with a spot of Mick blood flowing thru their veins.

"May your spirit be heaven ten minutes before the Devil knows your dead."


-"Irish" Ricky Farris D

[Randyman]

Uncle John


"The Man"

St. Patrick's Day . . .

In honor of Saint Patrick's Day, I toast "Uncle John", Pug, Scartissue and Pop, the Quarry's, the spirit of Jimmy McLarnin, our Danny "Wildhawke", Mickey Walker, the spirit of Frankie Crawford, the spirit of Bob Murphy, the great John L. Sullivan, Sean O'Grady and everybody else with a spot of Mick blood flowing thru their veins.

"May your spirit be heaven ten minutes before the Devil knows your dead."


-"Irish" Ricky Farris D

A tip of the hat, to all my Irish friends, and all of God's blessings.

For today only I'm
Randy O'DeLa

By the way, I just finished off a plate of Corned Beef and Cabbage. It was good, very good.