Classic American West Coast Boxing

[kikibalt]

[Expug]

Hey gents,
The Blachawks making the playoffs, with home ice advantage, messes up my plans to get out there for nationals.
Their first home game is thurs the 16th. Second game is Sat . the 18th.
Naionals is from the 17th -19th.
I was going to fly out the 16th as weigh ins are on the 17th.
I waited till the last minute to see if they were going to clinch home ice and face Calgary.
In order to do this, they needed to beat Detroit on this past Sunday. They did and thats that.
I have to work .When I started training for the tourny, three months ago, I never figured the Hawks would get to the playoffs with home ice advantage on the exact days of Nationals.
There is no way that I can miss working two playoff games and still hold onto my job.
Its a drag and Im in shape to compete.
I made a commitment to get out there though and I will.
Im looking into some other submission grappling tournies that are out there in the next few weeks and I'll do what I can.
There is one out there at the end of April in Long Beach which is a possibility.
But that is contingent upon the Bulls playoff schedule as it looks like they are in as well.
Thats a BIG surprise as they looked done a month ago.
Either way, I will figure it out .

Brian

[Rick Farris]

Hey gents,
The Blachawks making the playoffs, with home ice advantage, messes up my plans to get out there for nationals.
Their first home game is thurs the 16th. Second game is Sat . the 18th.
Naionals is from the 17th -19th.
I was going to fly out the 16th as weigh ins are on the 17th.
I waited till the last minute to see if they were going to clinch home ice and face Calgary.
In order to do this, they needed to beat Detroit on this past Sunday. They did and thats that.
I have to work .When I started training for the tourny, three months ago, I never figured the Hawks would get to the playoffs with home ice advantage on the exact days of Nationals.
There is no way that I can miss working two playoff games and still hold onto my job.
Its a drag and Im in shape to compete.
I made a commitment to get out there though and I will.
Im looking into some other submission grappling tournies that are out there in the next few weeks and I'll do what I can.
There is one out there at the end of April in Long Beach which is a possibility.
But that is contingent upon the Bulls playoff schedule as it looks like they are in as well.
Thats a BIG surprise as they looked done a month ago.
Either way, I will figure it out .

Brian

Brian . . . Work and Family comes before everything.
Glad your teams are doing well.

-Rick

[Dongee]

Good people:

The shot of Mr. Malamud brings back memories of the last clipping my kid brother sent me. It was one of the writer's personal opinions, a tiny blurb in his column which stated very simply "The most perfect boxing arena I ever saw was Hollywood Legion Stadium."
------------------

Now then. I will gladly join the ranks of those expressing their choices of favorite fighters, but I must forewarn the readers that they will be just that......a list of fighters I really enjoyed watching in action, despite their particular record of achievement. Some obvious greats will be missing because of their hum-drum style or total domination of their contemporaries. To me, it would be something like watching a great actor emote, but preferring to watch a character actor steal a scene in a motion picture.

hap navarro

[Rick Farris]

Good people:

The shot of Mr. Malamud brings back memories of the last clipping my kid brother sent me. It was one of the writer's personal opinions, a tiny blurb in his column which stated very simply "The most perfect boxing arena I ever saw was Hollywood Legion Stadium."
------------------

Now then. I will gladly join the ranks of those expressing their choices of favorite fighters, but I must forewarn the readers that they will be just that......a list of fighters I really enjoyed watching in action, despite their particular record of achievement. Some obvious greats will be missing because of their hum-drum style or total domination of their contemporaries. To me, it would be something like watching a great actor emote, but preferring to watch a character actor steal a scene in a motion picture.

hap navarro

Malamud was a "Trojan" . . .

Hap, Allan Malamud was a USC grad. He was the sports editor of the "Daily Trojan" while studying Journalism there.
I first saw him on the pages of the L.A. Herald-Examiner, with Bud Furillo the sports editor.
Furillo retired and Allan held the position until the newspaper folded about 20 years ago.
From there, he took the "3rd" page spot in the Times under Jim Murray.

He had a personal bond with the boxers, and a great sense of humor.
He dated one of the Quarry sisters during the mid 60's, and wasn't afraid to say his mind.
He and Bud Furillo were a fun pair together, and I loved their style. You felt you knew them thru their writing.

Allan Malamud wrote a nice article on my father and I in 1971, giving me a lot more ink than I deserved.
I was honored that he did that.

I was sad to read of his passing a few years back.
He lived in an apartment in the Bunker Hill District, right near the old "Angel's Flight".
What a great part he played in my era of Los Angles boxing.
A World Boxing Hall of Famer.


-Rick Farris

[Rick Farris]

Steve Harpst

This is a very special guy, and a good friend.
Steve is one of my fellow Board Directors at the WBHOF.
He is also a brilliant bronze artist/sculpter.

His 12"+ bronze statue, "The Boxer" is presented to all living boxers upon "Induction" into the World Boxing Hall of Fame.
He gives of his time to the Burbank Boxing Club, which he operates thru the Burbank YMCA.
He's an active amateur boxing promoter and organizer.
His girlfriend, Michele Chong, is a boxing journalist whose articles are posted on this thread.


-Rick Farris

[Dongee]

Rick:

If memory serves my kid brother was also Sports Editor of the Daily Trojan and a member of their gymnastics team. He put himself through Troy by modeling clothes on campus for Phelps-Terkel,
the collegiate men's shop near USC. My two brothers and I grew up at 37th and Normandie, not far from the Coliseum and SC. Another SC grad was Legion Matchmaker Cal Working's daughter, Jean, who was student body president there.

I guess you, too, are an SC fan. I have admired the Trojans through most of my life and still sport a USC cap on occasion.

hap navarro

[Rick Farris]

Rick:

If memory serves my kid brother was also Sports Editor of the Daily Trojan and a member of their gymnastics team. He put himself through Troy by modeling clothes on campus for Phelps-Terkel,
the collegiate men's shop near USC. My two brothers and I grew up at 37th and Normandie, not far from the Coliseum and SC. Another SC grad was Legion Matchmaker Cal Working's daughter, Jean, who was student body president there.

I guess you, too, are an SC fan. I have admired the Trojans through most of my life and still sport a USC cap on occasion.

hap navarro

Cardinal & Gold . . .

Yes Hap, I'm a USC fan. I didn't attend the school, but when I was 18, I spent a lot of time with my friend & future borther-in-law, Bob Seagren. Bob got a rare USC track scholorship, and while vaulting for USC, broke the World record more than a half dozen times and won an Olympic Gold medal in Mexico City in '68. In 1970, when I was a young pro boxer, Seagrean would take me with him to USC to workout. He was no longer a student, but was like a legend at the campus.

We'd drive in the Corvette that Addidas had given him for wearing their shoes in the Olympics, and when we walked into the locker room, I'd meet USC track coach, Verne Wolfe. everybody treated Seagren like a God. We'd change there, run a lap around Exposition Park, twice do the stadium stairs of the Coliseum followed by ten wind sprints up the ramp to the Sports Arena, right across the park. We'd then run back, shower, and leave.

That was quite an experience for me. And of course, over the next six years I'd learn a lot about the world of USC and track & field. Seagren would also learn about boxing, and would attend my fights at the Olympic with his wife Kam, my sister-in-law. Running with Bob Seagren was a big help to my training, and often Ruben Navarro would join us.

I used to box a lot with Danny Lopez at the time, and he and I and our wives were friends. To this day, everytime I see Danny, he asls about bob Seagren, who was a big fan of Ernie and Danny. Danny was at the 21st birthday party for Bob's wife, Kam.

In 1984, Seagren was President of Puma USA, and represented the company for the '84 Olympics. Bob did our ex-father-in-law and I good when he got us great seats for a couple of the boxing events. We saw Holyfield, Tate, Taylor, and Paul Gonzalez . . . one of out best teams.

Yeah Hap, I like the Trojans.


-Rick Farris

[kikibalt]

John L. Davis

[kikibalt]

[kikibalt]

Ward Yee

[Rick Farris]

John L. Davis

Look at the title belts of the day.
Talent was big, championship belts were small.

Today, the talent is small, and the belt's are big.
In fact, the belts are HUGE. And they are everywhere.
Today's promoters pass title belts like business cards.


-Rick Farris

[kikibalt]

John L. Davis fought and beat some good fighters of the 1940s-50s

John L Davis

Alias Chocolate Ice Cube
Country USA
Global Id 26399
Birthplace El Dorado, AR, USA
Division Lightweight
Born 1926-04-06


Career Record © www.boxrec.com

Date Opponent Location Result
1951-03-23 Eddie Giosa New York, USA D PTS 10
1951-03-06 Philip Kim Honolulu, USA W PTS 10
1951-02-27 Nick Moran Los Angeles, USA D TD 8
1950-12-15 Charley Salas Hollywood, USA L UD 10
1950-12-05 Freddie Herman Los Angeles, USA W MD 12
1950-11-15 Freddie Dawson Oakland, USA W SD 12
1950-10-31 Bernard Docusen Los Angeles, USA W TKO 3
1950-09-26 Art Aragon Los Angeles, USA W UD 12
1950-08-29 Carlos Chavez Los Angeles, USA W UD 12
1950-08-08 Harold Jones Detroit, USA L PTS 10
1950-07-21 Irvin Steen Hollywood, USA W UD 12
1950-06-30 Harold Jones Hollywood, USA W MD 10
1950-06-16 Joe Brown Hollywood, USA W UD 10
1950-05-10 Sammy Angott Emeryville, USA W UD 10
1950-04-05 Gene Burton Oakland, USA W MD 10
1950-03-15 Giuseppe Colasanti Oakland, USA W PTS 10
1950-02-27 Ike Williams Seattle, USA L SD 10
1950-01-20 Nick Diaz Hollywood, USA W TKO 3
1949-12-30 Baby Neff Ortiz Hollywood, USA W KO 1
1949-12-06 Bill Eddy Seattle, USA W KO 2
1949-10-18 Harold Jones Seattle, USA W MD 10
1949-09-30 Art Aragon Hollywood, USA L MD 10
1949-09-20 Joey Velez Seattle, USA W UD 10
1949-07-26 Tommy Campbell Los Angeles, USA L TKO 5
1949-06-24 Tommy Campbell Hollywood, USA L MD 10
1949-05-02 Chucho Llanes Ocean Park, USA W TKO 5
1949-03-30 Mario Trigo Oakland, USA W TKO 6
1949-03-08 Enrique Bolanos Los Angeles, USA L UD 10
1949-02-15 Raul Esqueda Campos Los Angeles, USA W UD 10
1949-01-19 Irvin Steen Oakland, USA W PTS 10
1948-11-17 Bernard Docusen Oakland, USA L PTS 10
1948-11-03 Maxie Docusen Oakland, USA L UD 10
1948-09-29 Benny Walker Oakland, USA W UD 10
1948-07-21 Art Aragon Oakland, USA L PTS 10
1948-06-23 Art Aragon Oakland, USA W PTS 8
1948-05-14 Tommy Campbell Hollywood, USA L TKO 8
1948-03-10 Mario Trigo Oakland, USA W UD 10
1948-02-18 Rudy Cruz Oakland, USA L PTS 10
1948-01-07 Enrique Bolanos Oakland, USA L UD 10
1947-12-17 Dave Hernandez Oakland, USA W TKO 4
1947-10-08 Al Medrano Oakland, USA W TKO 4
1947-09-10 Joe Kelly Oakland, USA W PTS 6
1947-08-20 Darnell Carter Oakland, USA W PTS 8
1947-07-23 Jimmy Florita Oakland, USA W PTS 6
1947-07-16 Joe Kelly Oakland, USA W TKO 1
1947-06-25 Johnny Miller Oakland, USA W PTS 6
1947-06-04 Maxie Ankele Oakland, USA W TKO 1
1947-05-16 Leroy Willis San Francisco, USA L PTS 6
1947-04-11 Henry Paz San Francisco, USA D PTS 6
1947-03-17 Jimmy Florita Stockton, USA L TKO 2
1947-02-05 Leroy Willis Oakland, USA L TKO 1
1947-01-17 Paul Guerrero San Jose, USA W KO 1
1946-12-11 Hammo Kazarian Oakland, USA W TKO 2
1946-11-12 Frankie Gallardo San Jose, USA W TKO 3
1946-10-15 Emil Barao San Jose, USA W KO 3

Record to Date
Won 36 (KOs 14) Lost 16 Drawn 3 Total 55

[scartissue]

Good people:

The shot of Mr. Malamud brings back memories of the last clipping my kid brother sent me. It was one of the writer's personal opinions, a tiny blurb in his column which stated very simply "The most perfect boxing arena I ever saw was Hollywood Legion Stadium."
------------------

Now then. I will gladly join the ranks of those expressing their choices of favorite fighters, but I must forewarn the readers that they will be just that......a list of fighters I really enjoyed watching in action, despite their particular record of achievement. Some obvious greats will be missing because of their hum-drum style or total domination of their contemporaries. To me, it would be something like watching a great actor emote, but preferring to watch a character actor steal a scene in a motion picture.

hap navarro

Hap, even if they're good honest club-fighters, if they brought you pleasure and excitement, that constitutes your favorite fighter. Looking forward to your list.

Scartissue

[dagosd2000]

Have you guys seen this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-KiGva9dV4

YOU CAN'T JUDGE A SINGER BY HER BODY

Maybe that title is a bit sarcarstic. I'll apologize on that score. It don't mean nothin' to me. Of course we knew this was going to be a knockout performance or it wouldn't have been broadcast on all the news stations. So we knew that everyone in the audience was going to be knocked over. They weren't rolling their eyes or making faces after she finished singing like they were doing before. They even admitted they thought it might have been a "put on".

I guess you have to look attractice. Sexy to sing well. Even if you don't sing quite as good,if you've gut drop dead looks,you sound better. But who's listening?

I'll say this about good 'ol Mexico,the audience wouldn't be pre judging anyone's voice because she looked like someone's nanny. Those pretentious a-- holes on that show apologizing because they thought she was going to be no good as a singer. Your apologies you can stick in your pork pot pies.

I've talked to you about Kiko,the simple kid in my wife's hometown,who hangs around the church. He's considered a child of God. He's got more friends than all the fish and chips in England. To know Kiko is to bring you good luck.

So why do some people pre judge this way? It's the cruel unforgiving media that warps their minds. The media that is their mentors. That teaches them to put someone down who isn't pretty. To hurt people's feelings.But in the end if you sing good,it's OK. Go to hell!

Once there was a heavy set girl who lived in Harlem. She wanted to enter a jitterbug contest at the Apollo Theater. When she saw the other contestants,she knew she couldn't dance as well. So she entered the singing contest. She won. She was a big girl. Her name was Ella Fitzgerald. They loved her in Harlem. They didn't care what she looked like. Neither did her fans around the world.Her voice was a gift from God.

[Rick Farris]

Ward Yee

Frank . . . This guy was a real hard luck case, and a helluva southpaw, I understand.
Ward Yee went to Mexico and took on Jose Beccera, out boxing the bantam champ but loosing a highly disputed decision.

Any memories of him?


-Rick Farris

[Rick Farris]

John L. Davis fought and beat some good fighters of the 1940s-50s

John L Davis

Alias Chocolate Ice Cube
Country USA
Global Id 26399
Birthplace El Dorado, AR, USA
Division Lightweight
Born 1926-04-06


Career Record © http://www.boxrec.com

Date Opponent Location Result
1951-03-23 Eddie Giosa New York, USA D PTS 10
1951-03-06 Philip Kim Honolulu, USA W PTS 10
1951-02-27 Nick Moran Los Angeles, USA D TD 8
1950-12-15 Charley Salas Hollywood, USA L UD 10
1950-12-05 Freddie Herman Los Angeles, USA W MD 12
1950-11-15 Freddie Dawson Oakland, USA W SD 12
1950-10-31 Bernard Docusen Los Angeles, USA W TKO 3
1950-09-26 Art Aragon Los Angeles, USA W UD 12
1950-08-29 Carlos Chavez Los Angeles, USA W UD 12
1950-08-08 Harold Jones Detroit, USA L PTS 10
1950-07-21 Irvin Steen Hollywood, USA W UD 12
1950-06-30 Harold Jones Hollywood, USA W MD 10
1950-06-16 Joe Brown Hollywood, USA W UD 10
1950-05-10 Sammy Angott Emeryville, USA W UD 10
1950-04-05 Gene Burton Oakland, USA W MD 10
1950-03-15 Giuseppe Colasanti Oakland, USA W PTS 10
1950-02-27 Ike Williams Seattle, USA L SD 10
1950-01-20 Nick Diaz Hollywood, USA W TKO 3
1949-12-30 Baby Neff Ortiz Hollywood, USA W KO 1
1949-12-06 Bill Eddy Seattle, USA W KO 2
1949-10-18 Harold Jones Seattle, USA W MD 10
1949-09-30 Art Aragon Hollywood, USA L MD 10
1949-09-20 Joey Velez Seattle, USA W UD 10
1949-07-26 Tommy Campbell Los Angeles, USA L TKO 5
1949-06-24 Tommy Campbell Hollywood, USA L MD 10
1949-05-02 Chucho Llanes Ocean Park, USA W TKO 5
1949-03-30 Mario Trigo Oakland, USA W TKO 6
1949-03-08 Enrique Bolanos Los Angeles, USA L UD 10
1949-02-15 Raul Esqueda Campos Los Angeles, USA W UD 10
1949-01-19 Irvin Steen Oakland, USA W PTS 10
1948-11-17 Bernard Docusen Oakland, USA L PTS 10
1948-11-03 Maxie Docusen Oakland, USA L UD 10
1948-09-29 Benny Walker Oakland, USA W UD 10
1948-07-21 Art Aragon Oakland, USA L PTS 10
1948-06-23 Art Aragon Oakland, USA W PTS 8
1948-05-14 Tommy Campbell Hollywood, USA L TKO 8
1948-03-10 Mario Trigo Oakland, USA W UD 10
1948-02-18 Rudy Cruz Oakland, USA L PTS 10
1948-01-07 Enrique Bolanos Oakland, USA L UD 10
1947-12-17 Dave Hernandez Oakland, USA W TKO 4
1947-10-08 Al Medrano Oakland, USA W TKO 4
1947-09-10 Joe Kelly Oakland, USA W PTS 6
1947-08-20 Darnell Carter Oakland, USA W PTS 8
1947-07-23 Jimmy Florita Oakland, USA W PTS 6
1947-07-16 Joe Kelly Oakland, USA W TKO 1
1947-06-25 Johnny Miller Oakland, USA W PTS 6
1947-06-04 Maxie Ankele Oakland, USA W TKO 1
1947-05-16 Leroy Willis San Francisco, USA L PTS 6
1947-04-11 Henry Paz San Francisco, USA D PTS 6
1947-03-17 Jimmy Florita Stockton, USA L TKO 2
1947-02-05 Leroy Willis Oakland, USA L TKO 1
1947-01-17 Paul Guerrero San Jose, USA W KO 1
1946-12-11 Hammo Kazarian Oakland, USA W TKO 2
1946-11-12 Frankie Gallardo San Jose, USA W TKO 3
1946-10-15 Emil Barao San Jose, USA W KO 3

Record to Date
Won 36 (KOs 14) Lost 16 Drawn 3 Total 55

Look at the names he fought, and beat. Very impressive.

-Rick

[Rick Farris]

Last time I saw Allan Malamud, was when he played himself in a cameo role for an Edward James Olmos film, "Talent For The Game."
It was a baseball flick and we were shooting scenes at Dodger Stadium, I believe it was 1990.
I had a chance to speak with the legendary L.A. sports writer and share some boxing memories.
I credit his skill as a boxing writer, but Malamud covered every sport just as well.

-Rick Farris

[Rick Farris]

John L. Davis fought and beat some good fighters of the 1940s-50s

John L Davis

Alias Chocolate Ice Cube
Country USA
Global Id 26399
Birthplace El Dorado, AR, USA
Division Lightweight
Born 1926-04-06


Career Record © http://www.boxrec.com

Date Opponent Location Result
1951-03-23 Eddie Giosa New York, USA D PTS 10
1951-03-06 Philip Kim Honolulu, USA W PTS 10
1951-02-27 Nick Moran Los Angeles, USA D TD 8
1950-12-15 Charley Salas Hollywood, USA L UD 10
1950-12-05 Freddie Herman Los Angeles, USA W MD 12
1950-11-15 Freddie Dawson Oakland, USA W SD 12
1950-10-31 Bernard Docusen Los Angeles, USA W TKO 3
1950-09-26 Art Aragon Los Angeles, USA W UD 12
1950-08-29 Carlos Chavez Los Angeles, USA W UD 12
1950-08-08 Harold Jones Detroit, USA L PTS 10
1950-07-21 Irvin Steen Hollywood, USA W UD 12
1950-06-30 Harold Jones Hollywood, USA W MD 10
1950-06-16 Joe Brown Hollywood, USA W UD 10
1950-05-10 Sammy Angott Emeryville, USA W UD 10
1950-04-05 Gene Burton Oakland, USA W MD 10
1950-03-15 Giuseppe Colasanti Oakland, USA W PTS 10
1950-02-27 Ike Williams Seattle, USA L SD 10
1950-01-20 Nick Diaz Hollywood, USA W TKO 3
1949-12-30 Baby Neff Ortiz Hollywood, USA W KO 1
1949-12-06 Bill Eddy Seattle, USA W KO 2
1949-10-18 Harold Jones Seattle, USA W MD 10
1949-09-30 Art Aragon Hollywood, USA L MD 10
1949-09-20 Joey Velez Seattle, USA W UD 10
1949-07-26 Tommy Campbell Los Angeles, USA L TKO 5
1949-06-24 Tommy Campbell Hollywood, USA L MD 10
1949-05-02 Chucho Llanes Ocean Park, USA W TKO 5
1949-03-30 Mario Trigo Oakland, USA W TKO 6
1949-03-08 Enrique Bolanos Los Angeles, USA L UD 10
1949-02-15 Raul Esqueda Campos Los Angeles, USA W UD 10
1949-01-19 Irvin Steen Oakland, USA W PTS 10
1948-11-17 Bernard Docusen Oakland, USA L PTS 10
1948-11-03 Maxie Docusen Oakland, USA L UD 10
1948-09-29 Benny Walker Oakland, USA W UD 10
1948-07-21 Art Aragon Oakland, USA L PTS 10
1948-06-23 Art Aragon Oakland, USA W PTS 8
1948-05-14 Tommy Campbell Hollywood, USA L TKO 8
1948-03-10 Mario Trigo Oakland, USA W UD 10
1948-02-18 Rudy Cruz Oakland, USA L PTS 10
1948-01-07 Enrique Bolanos Oakland, USA L UD 10
1947-12-17 Dave Hernandez Oakland, USA W TKO 4
1947-10-08 Al Medrano Oakland, USA W TKO 4
1947-09-10 Joe Kelly Oakland, USA W PTS 6
1947-08-20 Darnell Carter Oakland, USA W PTS 8
1947-07-23 Jimmy Florita Oakland, USA W PTS 6
1947-07-16 Joe Kelly Oakland, USA W TKO 1
1947-06-25 Johnny Miller Oakland, USA W PTS 6
1947-06-04 Maxie Ankele Oakland, USA W TKO 1
1947-05-16 Leroy Willis San Francisco, USA L PTS 6
1947-04-11 Henry Paz San Francisco, USA D PTS 6
1947-03-17 Jimmy Florita Stockton, USA L TKO 2
1947-02-05 Leroy Willis Oakland, USA L TKO 1
1947-01-17 Paul Guerrero San Jose, USA W KO 1
1946-12-11 Hammo Kazarian Oakland, USA W TKO 2
1946-11-12 Frankie Gallardo San Jose, USA W TKO 3
1946-10-15 Emil Barao San Jose, USA W KO 3

Record to Date
Won 36 (KOs 14) Lost 16 Drawn 3 Total 55

Look at the names he fought, and beat. Very impressive.

-Rick

Frank . . . I notice that John Davis fought a "Joe Kelly" in Oakland in 1947.
Could that be the same Joe Kelly from the Teamsters Gym?

-Rick

[Rick Farris]

Frank . . . I remember attending this fight at the Sports Arena in 1979.
At the time, promoter Harry Kabakoff looked the same as ever, had that big Hawaiian shirt.
Jesus Pimentel was working for him, I hadn't seen him since he lost to Olivares, still looked pretty fit.

I recall thinking back more than a dozen years previous, when Pimentel was scheduled to fight Canadian Jackie Burke at the Olympic.
As publicity for the bout, the Herald-Examiner featured a pic of Kabakoff & Pimentel dressed as "Batman & Robin", the Dynamic Duo.
Kabakoff was quite a piece of work, and he had one helluva a bantam in Pimentel. A guy who shoulda been champ!


-Rick Farris

[Rick Farris]

Young Sanford . . .

Hey guys, anybody remember late 70's heavyweight, "Young Sanford"?
He was managed by comedian Redd Fox. Fought at the Olympic.


-Rick Farris

[Dongee]

A bit about John L. Davis:

The lad should be remembered for two salient reasons. (l) As a late bloomer he was really just hitting his stride as a star bout fighter when he was forced to call it quits due to a serious eye injury. A rare unorrthodox boxer, he usually wore down his opponents for an upset victory.(2) John L. had one of the kookiest series of championship bouts in the history of California boxing.
For example: After Irvin Steen had wen the vacant state middleweight title from Benny Walker at San Diego early in 1950 (although both men were natural welterweights) Davis defeated Steen in a match for the state welterweight crown. He weighed 137 lbs to Steen's 144. By right, he could have claimed Steen's 160 lbs. title. John L.then won the state lightweight championship. Factoring in the "synthetic" middleweight title, that would give Davis, a natural lightweight, three divisional championships.
I remember clearly that we later matched John L. against one of my favorite fighter/friends, welterweight Charley Salas, who walloped Davis for an easy ten round decision, and when I spoke with John's manager, Harry Fine after the bout, Harry shrugged his shoulders and said meekly, "the weight difference was too much to overcome".

hap navarro

[Bobbin & Weavin]

Have you guys seen this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-KiGva9dV4

Is that Tex Cobb's twin sister?
Bruce

[bennie]

Young Sanford . . .

Hey guys, anybody remember late 70's heavyweight, "Young Sanford"?
He was managed by comedian Redd Fox. Fought at the Olympic.


-Rick Farris

I think Fox chucked him in with Holmes.

[kikibalt]

Young Sanford . . .

Hey guys, anybody remember late 70's heavyweight, "Young Sanford"?
He was managed by comedian Redd Fox. Fought at the Olympic.


-Rick Farris

Fred Houpe-(spelling)