Classic American West Coast Boxing

[Randyman]

Tony's daughter

Great photo Frank. You have a beautiful granddaughter. Looks like Tony's done a good job. Life is good!

Randy

[dagosd2000]

Tony's daughter

Great photo Frank. You have a beautiful granddaughter. Looks like Tony's done a good job. Life is good!

Randy

Another heart breaker

[Rick Farris]

Tony's daughter

Great photo Frank. You have a beautiful granddaughter. Looks like Tony's done a good job. Life is good!

Randy

Another heart breaker

Another good looking Baltazar. From genertaion-to-generation.


-Rick Farris

[dagosd2000]

TEPITO

I got a sister in law that lives in Tepito. Her name is Virginia. She's my wife's oldest sister. We don't visit her anymore. My wife's youngest sister Margarita used to live in Mexico City. We'd visit her primarily. Out of consideration we'd make a stop to visit Virginia. My wife loves everbody in her family,but she's given a cold shoulder to Virginia. I'm OK with Virginia,but my wife's got her on the pay no mind list. Funny,they look an awful a like.

I guess the beef started back in Michoacan when they were kids living on that little ranch in Paderrones. Virginia had to help take care of the 9 kids that were younger than her.The oldest brother,Pancho,went off on his own. Virginia had to help out her mother. From what my wife has told me Virginia was always sore about watching over her younger brothers and sisters.

Their mother was 18 when she married her husband who was a frisky 75. The old guy worked in a coal mine down there and was killed by bandits. He carried the payroll and when coming home on horseback one day was when the bandits did him in. My mother in law was pregnant with my wife at the time. My wife never saw her father.

My mother in law remarried. This guy was an alky. Died from a heart attack in Mexico City. With 9 kids(5 from the new husband) to take care of and no man interested in my mother in law,there was a lot of responsibility on Virginia.

She wanted no part in it. My wife said that Virginia was pretty rough on the kids. Beating them all the time with sticks and belt buckles.My wife told me that all she could remember was everyone cryin' all the time. Virginia took off to Mexico City with some guy and never came back.

My wife assumed the duties of washing and feeding the younger ones. She's still kind of that way now. Always helping out with a buck or doing a favor.

Virginia's husband died in Tepito from drinking wood alcohol. She had 4 girls and two boys to take care of. Her back was against the wall. I remember they all lived in a small apartment. The girls lived in a room,their beds seperated by a clothes line and a sheet. The boys lived down stairs. One of sons,Elario, was like his old man,drunk all the time. One night he staggered in and smashed a bottle against his brother's face. We had to rush him to the Red Cross. In Mexico you pay by the day in a hospital or you can't stay. That little episode cost me a bundle.

Virginia and her sons sold cheese and eggs in the street. During the day Tepito is a sea of street vendors. The merchants that owned the stores were pissed all the time.but there was nothing they could do about it.

The daughters were studying to become nurses. I don't know where they were doing their studying,but I looked one time in one of their text books and the copywrite date was 1937(this was in 1984). I think one of the girl's instructors got her pregnant . I don't know what happened after that.

Tepito is an area of struggle that doesn't forgive anyone. I guess all you can do is fight your way out of it or get pregnant and hope the guy marries you.

[Rick Farris]

Basileo vs. Aragon . . .

Thanks for this one, Frank.


-Rick

[Rick Farris]

deleted.

[Expug]

Speaking of smells, Saint Andrews Gym in Chicago hosts The Chicago Golden Gloves every year.
Its a great old gym attached to St Andrews Catholic grade school.You guys would love the place.
It will forever smell like boxing. Sweat , leather etc.Ive boxed there a handful of times and the place stirs up great memories. I would recognize it blindfolded.Dan knows the place well also.
Recently, I went there to watch my son play basketball vs. St Andrews.He goes to a different school.
Walking in, the smell hit me right away. I had a smile ear to ear. Another parent of one of the kids asked me why I was in such a good mood. I didnt bother explaining it to him. He wouldnt understand.

[scartissue]

Speaking of smells, Saint Andrews Gym in Chicago hosts The Chicago Golden Gloves every year.
Its a great old gym attached to St Andrews Catholic grade school.You guys would love the place.
It will forever smell like boxing. Sweat , leather etc.Ive boxed there a handful of times and the place stirs up great memories. I would recognize it blindfolded.Dan knows the place well also.
Recently, I went there to watch my son play basketball vs. St Andrews.He goes to a different school.
Walking in, the smell hit me right away. I had a smile ear to ear. Another parent of one of the kids asked me why I was in such a good mood. I didnt bother explaining it to him. He wouldnt understand.

Brian, I know exactly what you mean. I saw my first amateur fight at St. Andrews and was captivated by it. By any chance were you lucky enough to get to the old Windy City Gym under the 'L' tracks on east 63rd street? Man, when I walked up those creaking stairs and into that gym there was history wafting through the air. My coach had me spar for the 1st time that day with this dude a little shorter than me and I was just taken with the fact that I was in the ring in the Windy City Gym. I won't say I got my ass kicked that day, but he was hitting me with right hands that were coming out of nowhere. I eventually spoke to my sparring partner to get a sense of how long he's been at this, and his answer began with a jaw dropping, "Well, I won the Golden Gloves title in 19..." As a matter of fact, just about all the guys my coach had me spar with had the same answer. He always put me in deep. The funniest thing about that day that I didn't think of at the time was the owner Clarence Griffin -who passed away working a corner on an ESPN show- introduced me to his little son running around in a little green 'going to meeting' suit. Who'd have thought then little Montell would hang the first loss on Roy Jones in winning the title. His old man would have been proud.

Scartissue

[Expug]

Dan, Ive only been to the old Windy City Gym a couple times. Never worked out there. Its gone now of course.
Sam Colona was running it for awhile before it closed. Hes made a nice rep for himself. I remember when he and Jim Strickland just got started rolling. They used to bring guys over to Fuller Park where I trained.Have you ever been in that place? Its at about 45th and Princeton. Right off the Dan Ryan expressway.

[Chuck1052]

Looking at films of Carmen Basilio in action, I can say that he didn't have a pretty boxing style, but he knew how to fight. As a result, I can see why Basilio would be a handful for Art Aragon, who didn't have the strength or size to match up with him. By the way, it is my understanding that the California State Athletic Commission turned thumbs down on a bout between Aragon and Sugar Ray Robinson. It looks like the commission should have done the same thing in regards to Aragon fighting Basilio.

- Chuck Johnston

[Rick Farris]

d

[Randyman]

Abie Han report: weigh-ins

From Louie Burke

After a Long drawn Out weigh-in, which was scheduled for 2:00 and didn’t take place til about 4:30 the starving, thirsty fighters were finally weighed. Luckily Abie ate a good breakfast and was hydrated, but most of the other fighters appeared to be suffering as they had to wait for the commissioners to shuffle through the mess of paperwork and then wait again for the doctor to show up. When it finally got under way, abraham and Ibahiem were called to the scales.

Abie Han weighed in at 155, a pound under the 156 contracted weight and his opponent Ibahiem King was two pounds under coming in at 154. Both looked lean and are fighting at a lower weight than they fought in the amateur ranks.

During the face off, matchmaker Vince Parra was hollering out "this is the fight of the night" referring to Abie’s and King’s fight. The fight’s scheduled for 6 rounds, a first for Abie and the second go ‘round for King. I have to agree with Vince and foresee a tough battle, but feel good about Abie’s pre fight preparation.

After the weigh-in we found a pasta joint and put down a hefty plate of angel hair with red meat sauce, drank plenty of water and toped it off with a dish of spamoni ice cream. We then went for a walk and had Vince take us to the hotel to rest and watch the NBA play-offs.

Thanks for your support
Louie

[dagosd2000]

Carmen Amaya,Flamenco Dancer

[Rick Farris]

deleted

[kikibalt]

Ring Rope Thieves!
By Michele Chong

Alhambra Youth Boxing Club Hit By Burglary
“Ring Rope Thieves” may sound like the next blockbuster opening at your local movie theatre, but unfortunately this is the harsh reality for one nonprofit boxing club in the Los Angeles area. The theft happened last week in Alhambra, California and the trainers and fighters are all distressed about this recent crime. I received a call yesterday from the gym’s owner, Rudy Tellez, who was still reeling about this incident.

“I trusted people. It’s horrible; I’m heartbroken,” says Tellez, founder of the Alhambra Youth Boxing Club. “Last Thursday, I went to the gym early. When I arrived, the door was unlocked. When I entered, I looked up and saw the ring ropes gone. It looked like a stage with four poles.”

We never pay much attention to the ropes that stretch across each side of a boxing ring, but if they were suddenly gone you would definitely


Photo courtesy of Rudy Tellez: Earlier days in the ring--before the theft
notice the void.

For Tellez, the theft of his ring ropes leaves a much larger void felt by his stable of young fighters. Tellez remains incredulous that someone would outright steal from the children, “It’s for the youth, it actually says YOUTH boxing on our sign.” I hear the disgust in his voice as he continues, “Why would anyone steal our ropes? The neighbors are all shocked, they can’t believe it.”

After filing a police report and changing the locks, Tellez hopes to get ring ropes back up soon. He worries that the break-in (and the break in sparring) will affect the youngsters in the club who were right in the midst of training for amateur shows. “We’ve got a new trainer, Joe Casillas, who worked with Antonio Margarito and Javier Capetillo. The kids love him. He had just told me the boxers are ready for competition–and now this.”

Also known as “The Mouthpiece Doctor,” Tellez is well-known in the boxing circles. He is also a World Boxing Council (WBC) Supervisor and is a fixture at various pro fights. As a trainer and manager of fighters for over three decades, his nonprofit gym helps keeps youth off the streets through the discipline of boxing. His gym is located in the San Gabriel Valley area of L.A. and is home to almost 40 young boxers.

“We try and set an example here. The kids have a clean-cut reputation,” he explains. The theft has left Tellez numb, his normally cheerful manner replaced by anger from this senseless crime. “No one has ever done anything like that before. We’ve never had any problems–not even graffiti!”

He repeats several times through our conversation: Why would anyone steal something that is there for the kids? “Even if just a spit bucket was stolen, it matters. It’s for the kids. It’s crazy. The kids always tell me, ‘We’re having so much fun.’ This is all for the kids.”

Since 1990, the amateur boxing club has provided an alternative for children looking for a chance to better themselves and their lives. Tellez has seen many success stories come out of his gym, while not necessarily becoming pro fighters. “Some of the kids have gone on to have great careers,” he recounts. “We’ve had kids go on to become attorneys, nurses, doctors and city managers.”

One boxer that started his early amateur career at the Alhambra gym is new pro fighter Walter “School Boy” Sarnoi (3-0, 2 KOs). The 22-year-old is currently in South Africa with Yonnhy Perez’s training camp. Tellez is proud of the super bantamweight’s success in and out of the ring. Sarnoi will be going back to school to earn his MBA. “Walter is a wonderful example! He worked very hard and I’m happy for his success,” Tellez comments.

The Alhambra Youth Boxing Club is a nonprofit organization and Tellez is trying to raise funds to replace the ring ropes that were plucked from his ring just a few days ago. “Ring ropes are so expensive! It could cost us $2,500 or more. Right now, we don’t have that money.

“I’ve called Johnny Flores Jr. to see how we can replace the ropes and get the ring repaired. He’s great to work with. I also want to get the word out, maybe someone knows something about this. If you have any information, please help the kids!”

Tellez is cautious about recovering the ropes. But if his ring ropes were to turn up somehow, he’d be grateful–no questions asked. For now, he’s asking the local boxing community to for any support with either leads of who might have done this to financial donations for the purchase of new ring ropes.

If you have any information, please call Rudy Tellez at 323-722-2473. Donations can be sent to: Rudy Tellez/Dental Lab, 5267 E. Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90022

[dagosd2000]

SHOULD HAVE GOT A CALL

The list thing on the Forum is something that I've never felt enthusiasm for. I make a list. Then you make a list. Then there's a disagreement. In a perfect world ,we just leave each other alone and don't comment. I don't think anyone has agreed 100% with anyone's list of the greatest or the worst.

I'm watching ESPN "Who's Number One?" documentary on the greatest athletes past the age of 40. OK,I'm going against my nature and I'll stick around for the end to watch this one. There were 20 picks by the "experts". I was curious to see how many fighters made the list.

Big George Foreman was the only pugilist. He was in the top 10. The merit of that pick was his one punch knockout of Michael Moorer to win the Heavyweight Title. It's been rehashed a million times of how George was losing every round until he caught Moorer with a big right hand.

So I'll disagree,not with the Foreman selection,but the fact that an old San Diegan was omitted.Now I'll put in a quick 2 cents. Make it a penny. .

I knew they weren't even going to think of Archie Moore. Ted Williams,Satchel Paige,Babe Didrickson were on the list. Those athletes performed in the same era as Moore. There were Pete Roses and Jack Nicklauses and Nolan Ryans and Jerry Rices. No Mongooses.

I didn't hold my breath as they started the countdown for the greatest athletes over 40. Archie Moore holding the title during the 50's I guess was not good enough. Maybe if he'd beaten Marciano or Patterson,he'd have gotten a mention.

OK,I put in my two cents. I said I'd only ante one. You can keep the extra penny.

[Expug]

SHOULD HAVE GOT A CALL

The list thing on the Forum is something that I've never felt enthusiasm for. I make a list. Then you make a list. Then there's a disagreement. In a perfect world ,we just leave each other alone and don't comment. I don't think anyone has agreed 100% with anyone's list of the greatest or the worst.

I'm watching ESPN "Who's Number One?" documentary on the greatest athletes past the age of 40. OK,I'm going against my nature and I'll stick around for the end to watch this one. There were 20 picks by the "experts". I was curious to see how many fighters made the list.

Big George Foreman was the only pugilist. He was in the top 10. The merit of that pick was his one punch knockout of Michael Moorer to win the Heavyweight Title. It's been rehashed a million times of how George was losing every round until he caught Moorer with a big right hand.

So I'll disagree,not with the Foreman selection,but the fact that an old San Diegan was omitted.Now I'll put in a quick 2 cents. Make it a penny. .

I knew they weren't even going to think of Archie Moore. Ted Williams,Satchel Paige,Babe Didrickson were on the list. Those athletes performed in the same era as Moore. There were Pete Roses and Jack Nicklauses and Nolan Ryans and Jerry Rices. No Mongooses.

I didn't hold my breath as they started the countdown for the greatest athletes over 40. Archie Moore holding the title during the 50's I guess was not good enough. Maybe if he'd beaten Marciano or Patterson,he'd have gotten a mention.

OK,I put in my two cents. I said I'd only ante one. You can keep the extra penny.

No Mongoose huh?
What they should have done is had a list called "After Archie Moore, what OTHER athletes should be listed as the top athletes after 40".
Theres Archie,and then theres everyone else.
Nothing against Jack Nicklaus, but golfers should be able to play past 40. It shouldnt be a big deal.
Now if they allowed golfers to hit each other over the head with the club as part of the game, then it would be an accomplishment playing past 40.
Thats one reason why I never liked golf.Theres never any golf brawls.

[Rick Farris]

SHOULD HAVE GOT A CALL

The list thing on the Forum is something that I've never felt enthusiasm for. I make a list. Then you make a list. Then there's a disagreement. In a perfect world ,we just leave each other alone and don't comment. I don't think anyone has agreed 100% with anyone's list of the greatest or the worst.

I'm watching ESPN "Who's Number One?" documentary on the greatest athletes past the age of 40. OK,I'm going against my nature and I'll stick around for the end to watch this one. There were 20 picks by the "experts". I was curious to see how many fighters made the list.

Big George Foreman was the only pugilist. He was in the top 10. The merit of that pick was his one punch knockout of Michael Moorer to win the Heavyweight Title. It's been rehashed a million times of how George was losing every round until he caught Moorer with a big right hand.

So I'll disagree,not with the Foreman selection,but the fact that an old San Diegan was omitted.Now I'll put in a quick 2 cents. Make it a penny. .

I knew they weren't even going to think of Archie Moore. Ted Williams,Satchel Paige,Babe Didrickson were on the list. Those athletes performed in the same era as Moore. There were Pete Roses and Jack Nicklauses and Nolan Ryans and Jerry Rices. No Mongooses.

I didn't hold my breath as they started the countdown for the greatest athletes over 40. Archie Moore holding the title during the 50's I guess was not good enough. Maybe if he'd beaten Marciano or Patterson,he'd have gotten a mention.

OK,I put in my two cents. I said I'd only ante one. You can keep the extra penny.

No Mongoose huh?
What they should have done is had a list called "After Archie Moore, what OTHER athletes should be listed as the top athletes after 40".
Theres Archie,and then theres everyone else.
Nothing against Jack Nicklaus, but golfers should be able to play past 40. It shouldnt be a big deal.
Now if they allowed golfers to hit each other over the head with the club as part of the game, then it would be an accomplishment playing past 40.
Thats one reason why I never liked golf.Theres never any golf brawls.

Good point. I don't like golf.

-Rick

[kikibalt]

For Roger.....

[dagosd2000]

SHOULD HAVE GOT A CALL

The list thing on the Forum is something that I've never felt enthusiasm for. I make a list. Then you make a list. Then there's a disagreement. In a perfect world ,we just leave each other alone and don't comment. I don't think anyone has agreed 100% with anyone's list of the greatest or the worst.

I'm watching ESPN "Who's Number One?" documentary on the greatest athletes past the age of 40. OK,I'm going against my nature and I'll stick around for the end to watch this one. There were 20 picks by the "experts". I was curious to see how many fighters made the list.

Big George Foreman was the only pugilist. He was in the top 10. The merit of that pick was his one punch knockout of Michael Moorer to win the Heavyweight Title. It's been rehashed a million times of how George was losing every round until he caught Moorer with a big right hand.

So I'll disagree,not with the Foreman selection,but the fact that an old San Diegan was omitted.Now I'll put in a quick 2 cents. Make it a penny. .

I knew they weren't even going to think of Archie Moore. Ted Williams,Satchel Paige,Babe Didrickson were on the list. Those athletes performed in the same era as Moore. There were Pete Roses and Jack Nicklauses and Nolan Ryans and Jerry Rices. No Mongooses.

I didn't hold my breath as they started the countdown for the greatest athletes over 40. Archie Moore holding the title during the 50's I guess was not good enough. Maybe if he'd beaten Marciano or Patterson,he'd have gotten a mention.

OK,I put in my two cents. I said I'd only ante one. You can keep the extra penny.

No Mongoose huh?
What they should have done is had a list called "After Archie Moore, what OTHER athletes should be listed as the top athletes after 40".
Theres Archie,and then theres everyone else.
Nothing against Jack Nicklaus, but golfers should be able to play past 40. It shouldnt be a big deal.
Now if they allowed golfers to hit each other over the head with the club as part of the game, then it would be an accomplishment playing past 40.
Thats one reason why I never liked golf.Theres never any golf brawls.

Good point. I don't like golf.

-Rick

I always get a laugh when golfers tattle on each other.
"He moved his ball."
"He didn't sign his score card."
Or,
"Let's not vote the black guy into our club."
"The Jews have their own clubs. Let them join there."
San Diego has to be the golf capitol of the world. Someone said there's more golf courses here than any other city. There's one down the hill from where I live. I go out to my balcony to paint and see the golf course. Can't miss it. When I paint, my back is to the golf course.

[Expug]

My most recent experience with golf was at my wedding reception which was at a Country club,20 years ago. The photographer decided to take us out onto the course to take a few polaroids.My Wife, myself, the Bridesmaids and the six drunken reprobate Irishmen who were my groomsmen.Some golfers didnt like us savages strolling out onto their fairway and got lippy.
It was tense there for a few minutes and a couple golfers almost went for a swim in the water hazzard with nine irons shoved up there dupas. But , thankfully cooler heads prevailed. My Mother , God rest her sole, calmed matters down.She'd seen the movie before.A few times.

[dagosd2000]

DRIVING AWAY

The other day I'm driving back from my warehouse where I store my art. Driving up the hill towards home there's this car in front of me stopping and going, and swerving over the line. It looks like a guy with a girl in the car. I'm guessing his daughter.

Well I try to get around this guy and he decides to make a left turn. My car is besides this guy when he turns and I'm thinking he's going to hit me. I turn hard and lean on the horn. We both slam on the brakes. No collision thank God.

I continue driving and I see this guy following me in rear view mirror aways back. I turn at the next corner and he turns too. I pull over. He slowly pulls parralell to me ,but slightly behind my side window. I've got my window down and I see inside his car the girl is not as young as I thought. Maybe his wife or girlfriend. Both probably in their late 20's. The girl has her window down.

"What's up bitch?,"she says to me laughing.
Right off I could tell they were both drunk.
"I'm no bitch."
Then the guy intercedes.
"What's wrong?"he says looking at me. I could tell he's trying to size me up. He doesn't pull his car along side mine.
"So you two have been drinking",I said.
I wanted to keep him on the defence.
"No we haven't," he says back.

In the mean time I'm looking him over too. He's pretty big. Thick through the shoulders. Now if he gets out of the car,I'll have to also. But he sits there and wants to jaw jack with me. I give him a nasty look and tell him to screw himself. I drive away slowly. I turn at the next corner and he drives straight.

I was glad it didn't come down to fighting him. I probably wouldn't have won. My hips are getting real bad. I can walk in a straight line,but if I have to turn or plant my feat with sudden moves I'll collapse. I have very little stregnth in my back now. If he had known that maybe he would have gotten out of the car.

It's a bitch knowing you're past your prime.

[dagosd2000]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xi8jXy9Zrnw
Muhammad Ali vs. Buddy Wolf

It doesn't get wierder than this

[Rick Farris]

I always get a laugh when golfers tattle on each other.
"He moved his ball."
"He didn't sign his score card."
Or,
"Let's not vote the black guy into our club."
"The Jews have their own clubs. Let them join there."
San Diego has to be the golf capitol of the world. Someone said there's more golf courses here than any other city. There's one down the hill from where I live. I go out to my balcony to paint and see the golf course. Can't miss it. When I paint, my back is to the golf course.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Not another Golf tournament . . .

For the past few years, the WBHOF has put on an annual golf tournament as a fund raiser.
This year it won't happen, can't get any sponsors, the golf course won't cut them as good a deal as in the past, etc. etc.
The Board Directors can't understand why this is happening?
I suggested they think about the day they held the tournament last year.

They decided to hold it at the Soboba Casino Golf Course just a few miles from Palm Springs.
They set the date for late July.
For those of you who don't live in Southern Cal, Palm Springs is right in the middle of the desert. Temps over 110 degrees daily in July.

Most of the foggies who attend these functions are older than dirt, they aren't built to take 18 holes in a microwave.
My dad is a golfer, lives on a course and has played since he was a kid. However, he's 85 and if he's going to die on a golf course, it's not going to be my fault.
The old man is pretty game about facing the elements in life, but a golf tournament on the edge of the sun didn't make sense to him.
"I'll go sometime when they do it in a cooler place," he said. I was happy he bailed, I thought I was doing it for him, something he'd enjoy- golf.

I always wondered what kind of a tournament they would have? The only people who play golf are about 3 or 4 board directors.
Most of the fighters can't play, I don't think too many of the golf balls go in the holes. Most are probably lost in the pond or in the high grass.

I don't know who invented golf, but something tells me he was a boring a-hole.
I'd have been much happier had my dad been a baseball fan, however, we came together behind boxing. That suited us both.
As a kid, he took me to a few games at Dodger Stadium, and he never forced me out on the golf course. So I guess I had it pretty good.

I'm with you guys on the golf.


-Rick Farris

[Expug]

[quote="kikibalt"]For Roger.....

[/quot

I fought on the same card with Ramzi Hassan in 1983.
I was looking at his record and he got a few shots at some good fighters.
When he stepped up he had a tough go. I wondered whatever happened to him. He looked like an excellent prospect in 83.
He was a sharp boxer.