Classic American West Coast Boxing

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Rick, I don't know much about Bobby Scanlon other then seeing him fight on tv.

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Tony Alongi

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Mando Ramos 'ol foe


Jorge "Baby" Salazar

[Randyman]

Lets go to Randy's

Looks like my kind of place!

[Randyman]

Penalized for hitting too hard. That's one for the books.

Randy

[Randyman]

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

Brian, I agree with Rick, work and family first. The time will come when we'll all get together again.

Randy

[Randyman]

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,"Talent For The Game" is one of my favorite movies. Olmos did a great job with that role as Virgil Sweet. I don't think it got too much press and I think it is a vastly underrated sports movie. How was it working with Olmos? I met him about 1994 or 1995. He was completely different than I would have thought. A very nice guy.

Randy

[Rick Farris]

Tony Alongi

Tony Alongi and Jerry Quarry . . .

Tony Alongi would twice fight unbeaten Jerry Quarry, early in Jerry's career. Although Jerry remained unbeaten after both bouts, he never defeated Tony Alongi. Both bouts were declared draws in 1966. The first one marked Quarry's Madison Square debut (at the old Garden) and he was not impressive.

The second, a couple months later, was held at the L.A. Sports Arena. Same reult. At the time Jerry Quarry needed a lesson, and very soon he would get one from Eddie Machen.

Last I heard Tony Alongi was in a rest home in Florida, suffering from dementia.
He passed away in 2003.


-Rick Farris

[Randyman]

Randall "Tex" Cobb

Randall "Tex" Cobb, the original "Wild Man from Borneo". Cobb took a beating so savage and one sided, from Larry Holmes, that Howard Cosell swore off the fights. That's either good or bad depending on how you felt about Cosell.

After getting the beating of his life, all Cobb had to say was "Let's Party!" or something closed to that. He was entertaining I'll give him that.

Great job on the canvass Rog!!

Randy

[Randyman]

Tony Alongi

Tony Alongi and Jerry Quarry . . .

Tony Alongi would twice fight unbeaten Jerry Quarry, early in Jerry's career. Although Jerry remained unbeaten after both bouts, he never defeated Tony Alongi. Both bouts were declared draws in 1966. The first one marked Quarry's Madison Square debut (at the old Garden) and he was not impressive.

The second, a couple months later, was held at the L.A. Sports Arena. Same reult. At the time Jerry Quarry needed a lesson, and very soon he would get one from Eddie Machen.

Last I heard Tony Alongi was in a rest home in Florida, suffering from dementia.
He passed away in 2003.


-Rick Farris

Even in death it was a draw. God rest both their souls.

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Tony Alongi

Tony Alongi and Jerry Quarry . . .

Tony Alongi would twice fight unbeaten Jerry Quarry, early in Jerry's career. Although Jerry remained unbeaten after both bouts, he never defeated Tony Alongi. Both bouts were declared draws in 1966. The first one marked Quarry's Madison Square debut (at the old Garden) and he was not impressive.

The second, a couple months later, was held at the L.A. Sports Arena. Same reult. At the time Jerry Quarry needed a lesson, and very soon he would get one from Eddie Machen.

Last I heard Tony Alongi was in a rest home in Florida, suffering from dementia.
He passed away in 2003.


-Rick Farris

Name: Tony Alongi

Nationality: US American
Birthplace: Passaic, NJ, USA
Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
Born: 1939-08-31
Died: 2003-11-27
Age at Death: 64
Stance: Orthodox
Height: 6′ 3″
Reach: 203

Career Review
Tony Alongi was a highly regarded and highly touted heavyweight prospect in the early 1960s.

Standing over 6 feet 5 inches, Alongi had a keen interest in boxing as a teenager. His favorite fighter was undefeated world heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano. Alongi dreamed of not only a professional boxing career and winning the world heavyweight title, but of also retiring undefeated.

In 1955, Tony made his first amateur boxing start. Within two short years, Alongi won the 1956 New Jersey Golden Gloves Middleweight Championship, and the 1957 New Jersey Golden Glove Lightheavyweight Championship. Tony retired from amateur boxing with an undefeated record of 27-0 (12 knockouts).

Alongi came under the guidance of legendary trainer and former boxer, Charley Goldman. Goldman had trained Alongi's idol Marciano. In a storybook setting, Alongi became the protege of Rocky Marciano.

Using a stand-up boxer-puncher style, the lanky Alongi soon took the boxing world by storm. He scored impressive victories over undefeated fellow prospects, Todd Herring and Jefferson Davis. After two years in the ring, Alongi had complied an unbeaten record of 27-0 (16 knockouts). He made the cover of boxing magazines. In Miami, his adopted hometown, he became the number 1 drawing card for promoter Chris Dundee. A title shot seemed certain. Then, just like that, the Tony Alongi express-train to greatness was derailed.

On February 7, 1962, Alongi was on his way to a points victory over Argentine heavyweight Rodolfo Diaz, when the referee stopped the fight with only seconds remaining in the 10th and final round. Alongi's eye was swollen shut and the ring official felt he was in danger of serious injury. Many Alongi fans blamed the eye injury on a head-butt; Diaz's followers said it was his jab which caused the eye to swell.

Alongi's dream of remaining undefeated was ended. He seemed to lose that spark which had so inspired his career. Two fights later he lost an upset stoppage to promising Billy Daniels; it seemed Tony Alongi days as a future champion had come to an end.

Alongi surprised the experts by launching a comeback. He went 11-0-4 on his return, including draws with top-rated Jerry Quarry and George Chuvallo. Then in 1967, at age 27, Tony suddenly announced his retirement.

Once he left the fighting world, Tony lived a quiet and normal life in South Florida.

When he died at age 64 on November 27, 2003, his Miami Herald published death notice never even mentioned his professional boxing career.

[Rick Farris]

Mando Ramos 'ol foe


Jorge "Baby" Salazar

I remember Baby Salazar extending a young Mando Ramos ten rounds in one of the 17-year-old's early main events at the Olympic.
About a year later, he lost another one-sided ten rounder to my stablemate, Dwight Hawkins at the Melodyland Theatre in Anaheim.
It seems he fought just about every top featherweight during his career, Saldivar a couple times, Laguna, Crawford, many more.

-Rick Farris

[Randyman]

Jimmy Robertson, Duran and "Gordon Shaw's Gym" . . .

In the 1960's-70's, there was a well known boat dealership in Hawthorne, California.
"Shaw's Boat & Marine" was located on Rosecrans Ave. just east of the (405) Fwy.

Shaw was one of the South Bay's most successful businessmen. He was also a boxing manager.
One of Shaw's boat mechanics had been his best fighter, lightweight Jimmy Robertson.
Robertson was one of those tough, raw boned warriors who had an unorthodox style, a big punch and strong chin.
He would be the first lightweight contender to challenge the great Roberto Duran for the World title.

I didn't meet Jimmy Robertson until after he and I had both quit boxing, although he fought my stablemate, Ruben Navarro, twice.
In 1976, I was living in Manahatten Beach and a friend of mine wanted to try boxing as an amateur.
Manhatten Beach was right next to Hawthorne, and I remembered that Shaw had a boxing gym behind his boat store.
I located the gym for my friend and we drove down to check it out.

Shaw's Marine was easy to find and after parking we went around back and found the entrance to the gym.
When I stepped thru the door of the small gym, I see a good sized ring, a couple of heavy bags hanging, two speed bags, a double-end bag, room to jump rope or shadow box in front of mirrors on the walls.

The gym had a good feel to it. It was the real deal. Posters on the walls, many featuring the bouts of Shaw's greatest boxer, Robertson.
It was swept clean and maintained, but still had that "sweat on the walls" atmosphere.
I liked it, and I liked Shaw's chief amateur trainer, a guy named Jim Walsh.
This would be a good place for my friend to learn, and if he wanted to have a couple amateur bouts, he could do so thru this club.

I knew that his career would be a short one, so no use taking him to the Main Street Gym. No use breaking his heart on day one.
After setting my friend up with Jim Walsh, I looked around the gym and saw a sign painted on the wall in big letters:

"MR. SHAW WILL PROVIDE EVERYTHING BUT THE GUTS & THE GAS"
Yeah, this was a boxing gym.

I see a guy step in thru the back door wearing a mechanics uniform, I recognized him immediatly.
It was "Irish" Jimmy Robertson.

i walk over to the former lightweight contender and introduce myself. "I remember you", he tells me.
We fought on a couple Olympic cards together a few years back.
Jimmy and I talk awhile, and I introduce him to my friend, who was working as a bouncer in a Manhatten Beach Bar.

A couple weeks later, my friend and Jimmy have struck up a friendship.
My friend gets Robertson a job working as a bouncer at "Brennan's Pub", which happened to be my watering hole of the day.
This gives me a chance to visit with Jimmy Robertson, who shares a great story about his title fight with the great Duran in Panama.

Robertson said he felt anything but welcome when he was in Panama.
His memores of the title fight are simple . . .
"In the second round, Duran and I exchange rights. His lands, mine doesn't."
"The last thing I remember is laying in a hospital bed with my front teeth knocked out."

Jimmy then said, "look at this . . ."
He pulled his two flase front teeth out of his mouth and suddenly looked like a vampire with fangs.
"That's what Duran did. 'Hands of Stone' is no joke. Nobody hits like Roberto Duran."

I shared my experience with Duran at the Main Street Gym.
After all that, it was time for a drink. We toasted Roberto Duran.


-Rick Farris

Great story Rick. I love hearing about Duran. I've been soaking up a lot of L.A. boxing lore from you these past several weeks. You're on a roll.

Randy

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Frankie's 'ol foe, Frankie ko Fukuyama in 4 rounds.


Shig Fukuyama

[Rick Farris]

Frankie's 'ol foe, Frankie ko Fukuyama in 4 rounds.


Shig Fukuyama

This guy was one of the best Japanese boxers to fight in L.A.
He caught Danny Lopez on a bad night and handed him his second loss.

A few years later he almost upset Sean O'Grady, as well.
Had that fight been held anywhere but Oklahoma, Sean would have been stopped on a cut.

One more example of the quality of Frankie Baltazar Jr.
Fukuyama stops Danny Lopez. Get's KOed by Baltazar in four, then comes back to bust up Sean O'Grady.


-Rick Farris

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Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States
Ruben Navarro L Jimmy Robertson MD 12 12
Armando Muniz W Cipriano Hernandez UD 10 10
Jose Luis Martin Del Campo W David Sotelo SD 10 10
Rick Farris W Gabe Gutierrez PTS 4 4

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Frankie's 'ol foe, Frankie ko Fukuyama in 4 rounds.


Shig Fukuyama

This guy was one of the best Japanese boxers to fight in L.A.
He caught Danny Lopez on a bad night and handed him his second loss.

A few years later he almost upset Sean O'Grady, as well.
Had that fight been held anywhere but Oklahoma, Sean would have been stopped on a cut.

Then he fought Frankie Baltazar, and his luck was over.


-Rick Farris

Rick...Fukuyama fought Frankie one fight before he fought O'Grady.

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Coliseum, San Diego, California, United States
Manuel Lujan D Miguel Meza PTS 10 10
Randy De La O D Ignacio Cota PTS 4 4
Manuel Castellanos W Joe DeBaker KO 2
Lobito Gonzalez W Paul Teibl KO 4

[dagosd2000]

THE MEN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH

Ever see the assassination scene at Albert Hall in Hitchcock's movie,"The Man Who Knew Too Much"?. The second Hitchcock version. Many critics say the first version was the better one. I disagree. Why would a genius want to direct a second rendition? The asssassination scene in the second version is unequaled.

Doris Day and Jimmy Stewart aren't heard during the "Storm Cantata" conducted by Bernard Hermann. The choir and musicians build to a crescendo leading to the failed fatal shot by the assassin on the foreign prime minister. The panic on Day's and Stewarts's faces. Their frantic movements don't require dialogue. The camera prancing along the sheet music with Hermann's hand shadow conducting. Hitchcock at one of his finest moments. How did he foresee that? You have to ask the genius. Can he even explain it? We just watch it over and over that's all.

After Sugar Ray Robinson killed Jimmy Doyle,they matched him with a Philippino fighter by the name of Flashy Sebastian. Sebastian was an unknown here,but the promoters thought it would be a proper choice for Robinson to get his beak wet again.

In the opening round it was apparent that Sebastian was ,at best, rudimentary against the Sugar Man. The referee told Sebastian,"Son you're dropping your right hand when you throw your jab. You're fighting Sugar Ray Robinson." Imagine that. Coaching from the referee.

Well Robbie uncorked a left hook after Sebastian jabbed and Flashy went lights out. A genius in total command. All confidence. A masterpiece,although painted on a small canvas. Maybe we can call it a quick sketch. DaVinci sketched a lot.

So when these special people reach their prime,how is it explained? We've asked them and it's still not clear. So we explain it for them. I wonder what they are thinking when they hear the explanations?

[dagosd2000]

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

Brian, I agree with Rick, work and family first. The time will come when we'll all get together again.

Randy

Brian
If anything opens up at the end of April in Long Beach ,that would be a double coup for me. Amanda is dancing in Long Beach April 25th. Flamenco Dancing and Submission Fighting.I could dig it. Rog

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WildCard Gym with Manny & Freddie


By Dan Hernandez


“I don’t know if Manny will knock out Hatton in three, but he will knock him out! I just said in three to get Mayweather’s goat.
Freddie Roach, Boxing Trainer Extraordinaire


Freddie Roach, the WBC and everyone else’s Trainer of the Year for 2008 and Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao, who tops most lists as the current holder of the mythical pound-for-pound championship, make a spectacular team. In training they are a well-oiled machine, preparing themselves for the major fights ahead and the media frenzy that accompanies their every move. It is always one fight at a time, with Ricky “Hit Man” Hatton the designated opponent on May 2 2009, at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, broadcast live via HBO PPV. However, the talk of future challengers, with the plethora of excellent choices, Juan Manuel Marquez and Floyd Mayweather Jr. being the most prominent, is constantly being bantered about. Hattan, a worthy adversary, is never-the-less being glossed over as a mere stumbling block for the express ride the Pacquiao Team is experiencing. This may be valid; nevertheless, Hattan has won all but one of his bouts and most in convincing style. Ricky could conceivably pull a major upset and defeat the Pac Man Team and all their plans.

I expect Pacquiao to prevail; he looks good, real good. He has been blowing out his sparring partners with comparative ease, in addition; Manny is already at 145 pounds of solid muscle, displaying extreme confidence and determination. Observing the ebb and flow of Manny & Freddie, is remindful of the camaraderie reserved only for the closest of family members or the best of friends. Their communication appears to be effortless as their mutual goals materialize. As congested as this gym was, there was still a feeling of family and friendliness that made the wait for the arrival of Pacquiao enjoyable.

The excitement in the air didn’t hurt either, with people like boxing advisor Michael Moorer, the former Heavyweight Champion of the World, along with, mega-promoter Bob Arum, and actor/host Mario Lopez, in addition to media from around the world in attendance, it was a show. Arum said that he “expected a good fight, maybe not a great one, but a good fight” He also predicted a Pacquiao victory. Moorer was there as an advisor and additional trainer to the Pac Man and said that he likes this role better than fighting. He stated that he “enjoys training and teaching”. “I’ve always wanted to be on this side of boxing. “ He seems right at home in this position and must believe enough to be here even though, as he says, “I don’t like California, It’s too crowded, too busy.” Mario Lopez trains here at the gym and is just one of the guys. He graciously took time out from his workout schedule to pose with Lead Photographer of www.myboxingfans.com, Raymond Rodriguez. Raymond was kind enough to share many of his excellent photos for this piece.

Roach was holding court and answering a non-stop deluge of questions for all the radio, television, newspaper, and internet reporters. A contact of mine, professional photographer and an integral part of the Team Pacquiao, Miguel Salazar, secured me an opportunity to speak with Roach directly. Freddie was kind and in good spirits as always, the dialogue went as follows:

DH: Hello Freddie, it’s good to see you again.

Hello (we shook hands)

DH: How could you be so sure that Manny will knock out Hatton within three rounds?

I’m not! (Laughing) I just said that to get Mayweather’s goat. I believe Manny will knock Ricky out; he’s too good and too strong. He will win by knockout.

DH: So are you saying that this feud with Mayweather is not real?

No, it’s real all right. That guy says things that really bother me. I wish I was the kind of person that could say nothing when I feel this way about someone, but I can’t do that. Floyd senior puts himself before his fighters, like he was the attraction. I don’t believe in that.

DH: Hatton says he’ll be faster than Pacquiao for this fight, what do you think about that?

Your basic style always comes out and it’s hard to believe he could change that much from his previous fights. Besides Manny is ready, he’s so very fast, and hits with the best in the business. We have a good game plan and I believe it will be successful.

DH: How ready is Manny?

He’s about 95% right now. He’s got a little bit of a cold, but he does not show much. He’ll be just fine.

DH: How do you feel about the De La Hoya retirement announcement?

I think it’s good. It’s hard to leave, I stayed too long on the fighting end of this business and I was never as good as Oscar. I’m glad he’s retiring. I’m very happy for him; he has a family, his promotions, and other business, its best that he made this decision.

DH: You have won so many awards capped off last year by the WBC acknowledging you as Trainer of the Year. How does that make you feel?
It feels great. I am honored and excited by these awards and it gives me great pride to be treated so kindly. It means a lot.

DH: What has all this fuss meant to your business?

We’ve had over 300 new memberships so far this year. That is a positive response to a successful program and all the acknowledgements.

DH: Does one award mean more than another?

They are all terrific and equally appreciated. The WBC was very nice and came at the end of the year, so it was memorable.

DH: Do you have any parting words for the public?

Just to thank everybody for all the support. Manny and the entire Team is very grateful and plan on providing top entertainment and winning boxing matches.


Manny and his handlers came into the ring amid applause, hand shakers, and more cameras clicking and whirring than you’d think could fit into this small space. I received a quick handshake and smile and then I lost him to the TV crews. Manny was answering questions, some in English and many in his native Philippine, although the Executive Vice President and Station Manager of The First Tri-Media Group of Companies, Aurora “Awee” Abayari, said that, ” the language spoken by Manny is a different dialect than the one most commonly heard. She then added that “Pacquiao is very popular in the Philippines.” It was clear that she was proud of all that the Pac Man has accomplished, particularly considering his humble beginnings.

Bobby Pacquiao, Manny’s brother, an excellent fighter in his own right, was observing the festivities and seemed to take it all in stride. He was in good spirits, mugging for the camera and apparently accepting his place in the shadow of his brother. In spite of all the dignitaries in the audience, it was the Manny Pacquiao Hour and he wears his crown as the present King of Boxing with the utmost of dignity.

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For Rog