Guys, check this out. Parts 1 & 2 (they're short) of an interview with Alan Minter. Really good.
Scartissue
Thanks for posting, Scar. I have no audio on my computer but I can make out what Minter is saying, certainly about the Hagler fight, when he fought as if his brains were in his arse. It didn't help that the atmosphere in the crowd that night was poison. Vito Antuofermo was at ringside and when he was introduced before the fight, he was roundly jeered. That sums it up.
Been to L.A. more in the last year than I'd been in the last twenty. Drove up there today to the L.A. County Museum of Art on Wilshire Boulevard. The wing with the paintings by Rembrandt was closed for remodeling. Went back along the Pacific Coast Highway. It's been so long everything was new and different. More crowded and built up. No more beach towns.
So I got a little nostalgic. Pining for the days when I was a lot younger.Things were more simple. More relaxed. Didn't have all this technology to speed things up.
Yeah,the old days were better. The kids today don't get it. We can't explain it to them so they can change it back to the way it once was.They like it the way it is.
I remember just after high school working at a place that sold chicken for take out called "Chicken A Go." Made a 1.75 an hour. Rented a house by the beach for 50 dollars a month. Man,I was clearing almost 300 a month. Gas was 25 cents a gallon. Hot dogs at Weinerschnitzel were a penny less than a dime. During the summer we had the beach to ourselves.
My boss at "Chicken A Go" was this Samoan dude we called Ed Pineapple. One night I come into work and he said that his parents were moving away from the beach and going back to American Samoa.
"My dad and mom say San Diego grow too fast. Beach too crowded. Not like before. No more peace and quiet", said the big Pacific Islander.
That was back in 1965. I think about life along the coast today. When I feel I'm lost in another world that's indifferent and foreign to to me,I think of what Ed Pineapple's parents said almost fifty years ago.
I guess this generation of young folk will think the same way fifty years from now. It's hard for me to put that together right now.
Guys, check this out. Parts 1 & 2 (they're short) of an interview with Alan Minter. Really good.
Scartissue
Thanks for posting, Scar. I have no audio on my computer but I can make out what Minter is saying, certainly about the Hagler fight, when he fought as if his brains were in his arse. It didn't help that the atmosphere in the crowd that night was poison. Vito Antuofermo was at ringside and when he was introduced before the fight, he was roundly jeered. That sums it up.
Bennie, the interview is well worth hearing. A point Minter brought up that really sums up the state of the game today is when asked if he still followed boxing. Minter said, "Not really, there's no interest. Years ago you could go to a fight show and bet on who was going to win. Today you can pick every single winner. There's no competition. And even though I get in for free (he probably gets comped so the promoter can introduce him before the main event) for what they're charging it's not worth it." This is a tremendous statement IMO on the state of the game, moreso on promoters and matchmakers who foist showcase cards geared to beef up a fighter's record rather than concentrate on the spectator who paid hard cash to see a fight.
When I read the AP story stating people who eat a lot of tortillas apparently absorb less strontium 90 from nuclear explosions than other persons, I knew right off here was a matter crying out for immediate attention.
After all, Los Angeleans possibly consume as many tortillas in one form or another as Mexico City, where Dr. Carlos Graef Fernandez, nuclear scientist, made the statement.
Fortunately, I happen to have friends behind the tortilla curtain.
I checked Alberto Diaz, self-appointed mayor of Belvedere, who has been campaigning vigorously for a National Tortilla Week.
"I have suspected all along that what Dr. Fernandez said was true," he said. "The only fallout we get in Belvedere is when the chili colorado drips out of our tacos." After a reminicent moment he added irrelevantly, ""And after all, what is an enchilada but a bloodshot blintz?"
NEXT I alerted Paul Fierro, fresh from a role in "Never So Few" with Sinatra and Lollobridida. Paul, known as El Bandido because he has played so many gad guys in TV westerns, was an Indian Indian in this one: that is, a Hindu with turban. He is also a connoisseur of Mexican cookery and was not surprised at Senor Fernandez's statement either.
Recognizing the need for action we jumped into his Volkswagen and made a run for the Nayarit restaurant on North Spring Street, barely ahead of a lynch mob. There we prevailed upon the waitress to hustle us a double order of tortillas, along with somelengua en mole, our favorite, and refritos con queso.
Not only was our concern over radioactivity gone but when we got outside we noticed that even the smog had disappeared. Of course, it could have been the beer.
But did you fellas catch that rare moment in the Cotto vs Clottey fight where Miguel floors Joshua with a left jab to the face? I have not seen that happen in about 50 years. In pro boxing that is rarer than a body shot knockout, IMO.
But did you fellas catch that rare moment in the Cotto vs Clottey fight where Miguel floors Joshua with a left jab to the face? I have not seen that happen in about 50 years. In pro boxing that is rarer than a body shot knockout, IMO.
hap navarro
Hap, My son Tony did that in one of his fights, I'll see if I can fine it.
But did you fellas catch that rare moment in the Cotto vs Clottey fight where Miguel floors Joshua with a left jab to the face? I have not seen that happen in about 50 years. In pro boxing that is rarer than a body shot knockout, IMO.
hap navarro
Good point, Hap. I can't remember seeing an experienced boxer hit the deck from a jab, unless he was off balance.
However, I remember watching Sonny Liston at the Main Street Gym in the late 60's.
Watching the way Liston's jab would "jolt" the hired help made me realize that a jab can be a far greater weapon that many suspect.
-Rick Farris
Last edited by Rick Farris on 20 Jun 2009, 16:08, edited 1 time in total.
But did you fellas catch that rare moment in the Cotto vs Clottey fight where Miguel floors Joshua with a left jab to the face? I have not seen that happen in about 50 years. In pro boxing that is rarer than a body shot knockout, IMO.
hap navarro
Hap, My son Tony did that in one of his fights, I'll see if I can fine it.
Not surprised, Frank. What did the poor bastard do when he caught Tony's hook?
When I read the AP story stating people who eat a lot of tortillas apparently absorb less strontium 90 from nuclear explosions than other persons, I knew right off here was a matter crying out for immediate attention.
After all, Los Angeleans possibly consume as many tortillas in one form or another as Mexico City, where Dr. Carlos Graef Fernandez, nuclear scientist, made the statement.
Fortunately, I happen to have friends behind the tortilla curtain.
I checked Alberto Diaz, self-appointed mayor of Belvedere, who has been campaigning vigorously for a National Tortilla Week.
"I have suspected all along that what Dr. Fernandez said was true," he said. "The only fallout we get in Belvedere is when the chili colorado drips out of our tacos." After a reminicent moment he added irrelevantly, ""And after all, what is an enchilada but a bloodshot blintz?"
NEXT I alerted Paul Fierro, fresh from a role in "Never So Few" with Sinatra and Lollobridida. Paul, known as El Bandido because he has played so many gad guys in TV westerns, was an Indian Indian in this one: that is, a Hindu with turban. He is also a connoisseur of Mexican cookery and was not surprised at Senor Fernandez's statement either.
Recognizing the need for action we jumped into his Volkswagen and made a run for the Nayarit restaurant on North Spring Street, barely ahead of a lynch mob. There we prevailed upon the waitress to hustle us a double order of tortillas, along with somelengua en mole, our favorite, and refritos con queso.
Not only was our concern over radioactivity gone but when we got outside we noticed that even the smog had disappeared. Of course, it could have been the beer.
Totilla's, huh? Which kills the radio activity best, corn or flour?
As for the Cerveza and smog, I have found that a couple doses of beer rids my world of smog and a variety ailments.
Add a tortilla or two for radioactivity control, and I'd have to say that my world will be a much safer place to live.
That means that your son was well taught in mastering the left jab, boxing's prime offensive weapon. Hope you find the clilp to share with us. Saludos, Kiki.
But did you fellas catch that rare moment in the Cotto vs Clottey fight where Miguel floors Joshua with a left jab to the face? I have not seen that happen in about 50 years. In pro boxing that is rarer than a body shot knockout, IMO.
hap navarro
Hap, My son Tony did that in one of his fights, I'll see if I can fine it.
Not surprised, Frank. What did the poor bastard do when he caught Tony's hook?
-Rick
Rick...That fight was against Joe Alexander at Bally's in Vegas, Tony drop Alexander with a hard lelf jab in the first round, and finish him up with a double lelf hook in the second round.
I'm going to ask my friend John in N.J to see if he can upload it on You Tube for me, if he does I'll post it here.
But did you fellas catch that rare moment in the Cotto vs Clottey fight where Miguel floors Joshua with a left jab to the face? I have not seen that happen in about 50 years. In pro boxing that is rarer than a body shot knockout, IMO.
hap navarro
Saw that Hap. Legitimate for sure,but it didn't seem to hurt Clottey. I thought Clottey's feet were side by side after he threw his left and it made him eat Cotto's left hand. This was happening throughout the fight. BTW. Hap did you score that fight? It could have gone either way in my book.Rog
But did you fellas catch that rare moment in the Cotto vs Clottey fight where Miguel floors Joshua with a left jab to the face? I have not seen that happen in about 50 years. In pro boxing that is rarer than a body shot knockout, IMO.
hap navarro
Saw that Hap. Legitimate for sure,but it didn't seem to hurt Clottey. I thought Clottey's feet were side by side after he threw his left and it made him eat Cotto's left hand. This was happening throughout the fight. BTW. Hap did you score that fight? It could have gone either way in my book.Rog
From the old timers: Jeffries dropped Fitzsimmons with a left jab in the second round of their first fight. He knocked down another fighter with the jab, but I can't remember which one off the top of my head. He also reportedly dropped 280+ pound Ed Dunkhorst in the gym with - you guessed it - his left jab. Interesting that Jeff and Tony were converted southpaws.
Press accounts say that, unlike Clottey, Fitzsimmons was seriously dazzed by the punch and his manager speculated that he never really recovered from it the rest of the fight.
(I saw Sean O'Grady do it, too. But it was in one of his early fights and the guy was a real stiff, so I don't think it ranks up there with Jeff, Cotto or Tony.)
I did not score the fight but in truth Clottey's style will always serve him well in a close fight. The guy takes a flurry of shots and appears to be losing, but he suddenly lashes out, fighting back with both hands and that adds up in the judge's mind.
And Rog: My lousy eyesight betrays me a lot......but wasn't that a one-two combination that dropped the fellow in that clip you told us about?
Aside to friend Tom:
What was Jim Jeffries' last fight, against whom, and where? Of course, it is a trick question.
I did not score the fight but in truth Clottey's style will always serve him well in a close fight. The guy takes a flurry of shots and appears to be losing, but he suddenly lashes out, fighting back with both hands and that adds up in the judge's mind.
And Rog: My lousy eyesight betrays me a lot......but wasn't that a one-two combination that dropped the fellow in that clip you told us about?
Aside to friend Tom:
What was Jim Jeffries' last fight, against whom, and where? Of course, it is a trick question.
hap navarro
Hap, the chap that went down was hit with a left jab. As he was falling, the other guy followed with a right hand that sailed over the top of the head.
I have to live with that guy, who often invokes the imagery of better days as a refreshing memory. Where were you when I was 22 and yearning to court a Flamenco dancer from the famed Trio Pompa in L.A ?. Of course, that was in the great times of Triana and Carmen Amaya, with Antonio and Rosario not far behind. Remember?
I have to live with that guy, who often invokes the imagery of better days as a refreshing memory. Where were you when I was 22 and yearning to court a Flamenco dancer from the famed Trio Pompa in L.A ?. Of course, that was in the great times of Triana and Carmen Amaya, with Antonio and Rosario not far behind. Remember?
I have to live with that guy, who often invokes the imagery of better days as a refreshing memory. Where were you when I was 22 and yearning to court a Flamenco dancer from the famed Trio Pompa in L.A ?. Of course, that was in the great times of Triana and Carmen Amaya, with Antonio and Rosario not far behind. Remember?
hap navarro
Hap 'Ol Pal
I don't remember any of that. Have only read about it. Guys like you and Frank and my dad were lucky to be around and sample the finer things. The class and style,like I said,are only in the pages of history books.
Carmen Amaya
Will be going to Spain next week. The Andalucia. My grand daughter will be dancing Flamenco. I'll be dancing in my heart.
You score KO's on canvas just like a young Mike Tyson did on his trail to the title.
