Classic American West Coast Boxing

[kikibalt]

Dick Benedict was a movie actor.

[kikibalt]

"El Gato"

He's smiling here, but moments later Dan had former World Champ Rodolfo Gonzalez in tears.
Hanley is the Michael Landon of the boxing media. Pass the Kleenex.
Up close, personal, and from the heart.


-Rick Farris

[bennie]

Alvaro "Yaqui" Lopez . . .

Just moments after this photo was taken, Hall of Famer Yaqui Lopez was in tears.
It was all Dan Hanley's fault. I hate when he does that.
Dan knows what to say, and how to say it, and his words are often aimed at the heart.
The legends will open their hearts, thus giving our talk much more than mere words.


-Rick Farris

Just something which occurred to me, what does "Yaqui" mean.

Bennie, Yaqui's are an Native American tribe in Northern Mexico and the Southwestern United States. I recall reading years ago that Lopez showed up for a fight somewhere in central California, on a Indian reservation, he was told that only Indians (Native Americans) were allowed to fight on the card. He told them he was a Yaqui Indian, in order to fight and the name stuck.

I'm oversimplifying it and I my not be 100% correct but that is the gist of it.

Randy

Thanks, Randy.

[bennie]

Have you seen this s hit of Duran fighting a wrestler. It's actually quite funny, in a perverse sort of way, and Duran was never a good loser.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OeABCzal-w

[Rick Farris]

Have you seen this s hit of Duran fighting a wrestler. It's actually quite funny, in a perverse sort of way, and Duran was never a good loser.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OeABCzal-w

Bennie . . . Thanks for this clip.

[Boxingnut]

801 pages and over 20,000 posts. What a thread this is. Thanks to all the guys who contribute and make it the great thread that it is. Sometimes I wish this thread was a book, it would sure make it easier to dip in and out of. Before this thread I had read many "History of Boxing" books but California never got too much of a mention. I thought US boxing history mainly centered around New York and Las Vegas and that was about it. Now I know different, thanks mainly to this thread and the knowledgeable guys that post here. Cheers fellas!!!

[kikibalt]

801 pages and over 20,000 posts. What a thread this is. Thanks to all the guys who contribute and make it the great thread that it is. Sometimes I wish this thread was a book, it would sure make it easier to dip in and out of. Before this thread I had read many "History of Boxing" books but California never got too much of a mention. I thought boxing history mainly centered around New York and Las Vegas and that was about it. Now I know different, thanks mainly to this thread and the knowledgeable guys that post here. Cheers fellas!!!

Thanks Rob, Yes, California, especially the Los Angeles area does have a big and rich boxing history, and most of us that post here are part of that history.

[kikibalt]

"The Man"

Unlike El Gato & Yaqui, Armando Muniz didn't shed any tears.
Remembering his first title fight against Jose Napoles, tears were justified.
An uncrowned Champion of the World.


-Rick Farris

[kikibalt]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



ESPN Radio 1100 to Host 4th Annual “Longest Radio Show Ever”

Benefiting The Caring Place

UFC President Dana White to be honored as Sportsman of the Year 2009

Showtime Championship Boxing’s Al Bernstein to host Caring Place Fund Raiser

LAS VEGAS – July 8, 2009 – For the fourth year in a row, ESPN Radio 1100 will host “The Longest Radio Show Ever” to benefit The Caring Place, a non-profit facility that provides services, free of charge, for the mind, body and spirit of those touched by cancer. The 24-hour radio show, at the Key West Room in The Palms Casino Resort, will start at 10 a.m.on Friday, July 24 and conclude at 10 a.m.on Saturday, July 25.

National and local celebrities in the sports and entertainment industry are donating their time to the cause and will host each hour of the 24-hour radiothon. ESPN Radio 1100 listeners and others around the country have the chance to co-host an hour of their choice, by submitting their bid in the online auction. Bids can be placed by visiting WeAreLV.com and clicking on the ESPN Radio 1100 logo. The online auction will run from Thursday, July 9 to Friday, July 17.

Legendary boxing announcer Al Bernstein will be among the confirmed celebrities hosting on the radio. Al’s wife Connie, herself a cancer survivor, co-founded the Caring Place along with Dr. Mary Ann Allison. There will also be one of the greatest gatherings ever of UFC fighters including Chuck Liddell, Forrest Griffin, Stephan Bonnar, Amir Sadollah, Brandon Vera, Randy Couture, Rashad Evans, Matt Serra, Arianny and honoree Dana White. Additional co-hosts include UNLV Basketball Coach Lon Kruger, former UNLV Basketball Coach Charlie Spoonhour, and Head Football Coach Mike Sanford. A complete listing of the celebrities and the hour they are tied to is available at http://www.WeAreLV.com so fans can bid to co-host with that chosen celebrity.

On Friday, July 24, when the radio show is taking place, a cocktail reception will be held from 7-9 pm, at The Key West Room at the Palms Casino Resort honoring UFC President Dana White as ESPN Radio 1100’s Sportsman of The Year. Guests will have an opportunity to meet with Dana and other top celebrities participating in the 24-hour radio broadcast. Al Bernstein will be the host of the cocktail party. Tickets to the reception are $50 per person and can be purchased by calling The Caring Place at 702.871.7333. Previous Sportsman of The Year honorees have been Joe and Gavin Maloof, UNLV Basketball Coach Lon Kruger and Boxing Promoter Bob Arum. For additional information, go to http://www.WeAreLV.com.

About The Caring Place

The Caring Place, located at 4425 S. Jones Blvd, is a 501 © 3 non-profit organization that provides free services for the mind, body and spirit of those touched by cancer. Founded by Connie Bernstein and Dr. Mary Ann Allison, The Caring Place services include a variety of healing arts such as meditation, yoga, reiki and therapeutic massage. There are also support groups led by qualified and experienced facilitators; nutritional experts to provide dietary planning and consultation; and a resource library, with materials about all aspects of cancer. For more information, go to http://www.thecaringplacenv.org.

About ESPN Radio 1100

ESPN Radio 1100 is Las Vegas’ station for sports and the official affiliate of UNLV football and basketball; the NBA Playoffs, Finals and Lakers basketball; NFL Playoffs, Superbowl and San Diego Chargers football; and MLB Playoffs, World Series and the Yankees basketball. ESPN Radio 1100 offers ESPN Radio network programming, featuring the top names in the sports talk business. Mike Golic & Mike Greenberg and Colin Cowherd keep listeners up to the minute in the world of sports each weekday morning. Weekday afternoons brings in the local flavor with Cofield & Cokin from noon to 3 p.m. and Mitch Moss & Seat Williams for Afternoon Gridlock from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

###

For media information, please contact:

Aimee Stephens

PR Plus

702.696.1999

[email protected]

[kikibalt]

SHOWTIME FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
July 9, 2009 by Edgar Gonzalez

BankAtlantic Center, Sunrise, Fla., Live On SHOWTIME,

This Saturday, July 11, at 9 p.m. ET/PT



Two of the pound-for-pound hardest hitting boxers in the world could barely contain themselves and had to be separated during Thursday’s press conference at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Fla. IBF bantamweight champion Joseph King Kong Agbeko will defend against four-time world champion Vic “Raging Bull” Darchinyan, but the two fighters seemed more interested in settling matters on Thursday rather than waiting for Saturday’s LIVE SHOWTIME telecast (9 p.m. ET/PT) from the BankAtlantic Center.

Thursday’s press conference started as a tribute to the late Michael Jackson, who Don King worked with promoting the historic Jacksons Victory Tour in 1984 that reunited the Jackson 5 and brokered a colossal endorsement deal between Jackson and Pepsi. King plans a traditional 10-count and a video tribute to honor the King of Pop

But, once it was the fighters’ turn to speak, things turned ugly. What began as a few, innocent verbal shots escalated into a shouting match between the Agbeko and Darchinyan camps. While Thursday’s press conference was tense, it proved that one thing was for certain: Saturday’s main event is going to be a real “Thriller.”

Two of the pound-for-pound hardest hitting boxers, both main event fighters possess outrageous knockout percentages. Agbeko (26-1, 22 KOs) of Accra, Ghana, now fighting out of Bronx, N.Y., has knocked out over 81 percent of his opponents with Darchinyan (32-1, 26 KOs), from Sydney, Australia, by way of Armenia, is right behind him at 76 percent.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING co-feature will pit two top-10 ranked 135-pound contenders in the biggest fight of their lives when Antonio DeMarco (21-1-1, 15 KOs), of Tijuana, Mexico, takes on West African native Anges “Baby Face” Adjaho (25-1, 14 KOs) in a 12-round bout. The winner of Saturday’s scheduled 12-rounder becomes the WBC lightweight mandatory challenger to defending champion Edwin Valero.

What the fighters and promoters had to say on Thursday:

JOSEPH KING KONG AGBEKO:

“King Kong in the movie dies in New York City, but King Kong will live in the ring on Saturday night.

“They call him ‘Raging Bull.’ After this fight, they’re going to call him “Raging Bulls(p)it.”

“I wish this fight was today. When is July 11 going to come? I’ve been looking at this date on my calendar for weeks, months. Get ready. I’m going to give you the worst beating of your career.”

“Vic, this time you’re going to fight the king, the king of the ring, King Kong.

“I respect you. You’re a great boxer. But, because I respect you, I’m going to beat you real hard.

“This fight is going to give me another opportunity to show the world how good I really am.

“On Saturday night, Vic’s fans are going to be very surprised. But I’m not going to be surprised and neither will Vic. He knows he’ll get beat on Saturday night.

VIC DARCHINYAN:

“I thank Don King for bringing me a new belt. Don, you’ll be sorry for your boxer in the ring on Saturday night.

“You’re going to see a very exciting fight. I always go for the knockout. Decisions in boxing are boring, so I will knock him out.

“Don and the crowd will hear my punches and you’ll feel sorry for him (Agbeko).

“I keep my promises. I’m going to slow him down, punish him and knock him out.

“Your friend (Anges Adjaho) said women in Africa talk a lot. Well, you just proved that here.”

DON KING:

“This event is dedicated to Michael Jackson. Michael was the best entertainer of all time, and what better way to honor his memory than an amazing night of boxing like this.”

GARY SHAW:

“I’m glad Don is dedicating this fight to Michael Jackson, because these fights are going to be ‘Thrillers.’ You could play MJ’s music in the background to these fights and you wouldn’t miss a beat.

“We also want to dedicate this fight to the late Alexis Arguello (former world champion boxer who died last week). He was a great fighter. He was a true credit to Nicaragua and a true credit to boxing. Vic wants to dedicate this fight to the memory of Alexis.’’

ANTONIO DEMARCO:

“First, I’d like to thank SHOWTIME for this opportunity.

“It’s a dream to be on the same card as Vic Darchinyan again. Not many people know this, but we have the same birthday.

“I know I’ll come out of this fight victorious. I’ve prepared well for it and I’m going to win it for my wife and young daughter.

“I’d like to send my condolences to the families of Alexis Arguello and Michael Jackson. ‘’

ANGES ADJAHO:

“No one from my country (Benin, in Africa) has ever fought for the WBC title. The winner of Saturday’s fight becomes the mandatory challenger for the WBC lightweight title. I have a huge opportunity to take a step toward history on Saturday night.

“This is a great opportunity for me and I plan on taking advantage of it.

“In Africa, women are known for talking a lot, so I’m going to sit down and stop talking.”

Photo by Tom Casino/SHOWTIME

[Rick Farris]

WBHOF Interview photos
Courtesy, Dawn Paradis

[kikibalt]

Tijuana’s New Golden Age!
July 9, 2009 by Felipe Leon


Tijuana, Baja California Norte, Mexico

Many times as I sit ringside at El Foro or el Auditorio in TIjuana, MX, I listen to those around me talk about the golden era of Tijuana boxing. Many of these old timers consider the 80’s and the early 90’s the golden era of boxing in Tijuana, when Memo Mayen used to put on fights every Monday at the Municipal Auditorium. In the early eighties to the middle years of the decade, it wouldn’t be surprising to find a young Julio Cesar Chavez, Manuel “Mantecas” Medina or Raul “Jibaro” Perez plying their trade in the Auditorium and then in the mid nineties Erik “Terrible” Morales or Jorge “Travieso” Arce also lacing them up and fighting in front of the loyal Tijuana fight fans.

I think there is a resurgence of talent in Tijuana now.

This Saturday, you will find two transplants competing at the highest levels of the sport, two fighters that have reached the pinnacles of their careers so far while living and training in Tijuana. Cristobal “Lacandon” Cruz, originally of the southern Mexican state of Chiapas but living in Tijuana for quite some time, will defend his IBF featherweight title this Saturday against his one time previous conqueror Jorge “Coloradito” Solis. The fight will take place in Cruz’s home state of Chiapas. Also performing this weekend will be Antonio DeMarco of Los Mochis, MX. The 23-year-old has been living in Tijuana since the tender age of fourteen when he followed an uncle to the CREA gym to follow his dream of becoming a world champion under the tutelage of Don Romulo Quirarte. DeMarco captured the NABO lightweight title earlier this year by stopping Kid Diamond in Anaheim, CA, and now will be battling Agnes Adjaho in a WBC title eliminator that if he wins, will give him the right to face current WBC lightweight champion Edwin Valero later this year.

Although suspended by the CSAC until at least early next year, nobody can forget that TIjuana boasts the three time welterweight champion Antonio Margarito as one of their own. Despite the fact that Margarito was actually born in the LA area, he has always maintained Tijuana as his true home and began his career here at fifteen years of age.

Former two time super welterweight WBA champion Alejandro “Terra” Garcia is a native of Tijuana who grew up in the rough and tumble Colonia El Rubi and made his name in his division in the early part of this decade and still looking for one more opportunity for a run at a title despite the fact that he has not had that much luck lately, losing more fights that he has won.

Besides the current or former world champions that call Tijuana home, there is a new wave of up and coming prospects that are still sharpening their weapons in the tough Tijuana gyms and who some of them are ready for the next step in their careers.

[Chuck1052]

It is true that a lot of the boxing history books do not have too much about what took place in California boxing during the period from 1914 to about 2000. But it is a different story in regards to the period from the 1880s to about 2000, a time when many of the most important bouts took place in California and a staggering of the top boxers were Californians or had quite a few bouts in the state.

Boxing was illegal or severely restricted in most of the United States from the 1880s to 1914, which meant that California was an important boxing state at the time largely by default. This is despite the fact that California had a relatively small population at the time.

- Chuck Johsnton

[El Gato]

Thanks, Rick, for posting the photo of me smiling. Do you remember why I was smiling? I don't remember what was going on at that time.

I remember right after that when Dan asked me about my miracle healing and the Virgen of Guadalupe who came to me in a dream. Every time I talk about it, it brings me memories of those days and brings tears to my eyes. It was a very emotional experience and a life changing experience for me. I feel so blessed that I am alive today to tell my story.

El Gato

[Expug]

My interest in California boxing started in the seventies. All the great fighters who fought at The Olympic .
Many of the great fighters on the West Coast were well covered in the Boxing magazines that were all over the place back then.
Years ago here in Chicago we had a real good , thriving scene with alot of small clubs and great cards at The Chicago Stadium.
However, much of that was before my time. In the seventies I couldnt really feel it.
Pro Boxing here in The Seventies was largely Ernie Terrels promotions.
I always felt that if a fighter here really wanted to make it, he should leave town. Get a good trainer out west or out east and relocate. Fight amateur here, as the Chicago amateur program was solid and then when its time to turn pro, adios.
There are those that may disagree, but I thought the midwest didnt have the best trainers.

[Rick Farris]

Thanks, Rick, for posting the photo of me smiling. Do you remember why I was smiling? I don't remember what was going on at that time.

I remember right after that when Dan asked me about my miracle healing and the Virgen of Guadalupe who came to me in a dream. Every time I talk about it, it brings me memories of those days and brings tears to my eyes. It was a very emotional experience and a life changing experience for me. I feel so blessed that I am alive today to tell my story.

El Gato

We are all blessed that you are alive today to tell your story.


-Rick Farris

[Expug]

Thanks, Rick, for posting the photo of me smiling. Do you remember why I was smiling? I don't remember what was going on at that time.

I remember right after that when Dan asked me about my miracle healing and the Virgen of Guadalupe who came to me in a dream. Every time I talk about it, it brings me memories of those days and brings tears to my eyes. It was a very emotional experience and a life changing experience for me. I feel so blessed that I am alive today to tell my story.

El Gato

We are all blessed that you are alive today to tell your story.


-Rick Farris

Yes ,indeed.

[Rick Farris]

My interest in California boxing started in the seventies. All the great fighters who fought at The Olympic .
Many of the great fighters on the West Coast were well covered in the Boxing magazines that were all over the place back then.
Years ago here in Chicago we had a real good , thriving scene with alot of small clubs and great cards at The Chicago Stadium.
However, much of that was before my time. In the seventies I couldnt really feel it.
Pro Boxing here in The Seventies was largely Ernie Terrels promotions.
I always felt that if a fighter here really wanted to make it, he should leave town. Get a good trainer out west or out east and relocate. Fight amateur here, as the Chicago amateur program was solid and then when its time to turn pro, adios.
There are those that may disagree, but I thought the midwest didnt have the best trainers.

Brian, I do believe the opprtunity was here if a fighter had talent.
One thing is certain, if the audience bought into a fighter in L.A. they'd buy tickets to watch him live.
You may have been one of those fighters, like the Lopez brothers, and if you were you'd have found a home here.
It may be a little late for a boxing career, but you still have a home and friends in L.A., a place to crash when in town.


-Rick Farris

[Expug]

My interest in California boxing started in the seventies. All the great fighters who fought at The Olympic .
Many of the great fighters on the West Coast were well covered in the Boxing magazines that were all over the place back then.
Years ago here in Chicago we had a real good , thriving scene with alot of small clubs and great cards at The Chicago Stadium.
However, much of that was before my time. In the seventies I couldnt really feel it.
Pro Boxing here in The Seventies was largely Ernie Terrels promotions.
I always felt that if a fighter here really wanted to make it, he should leave town. Get a good trainer out west or out east and relocate. Fight amateur here, as the Chicago amateur program was solid and then when its time to turn pro, adios.
There are those that may disagree, but I thought the midwest didnt have the best trainers.

Brian, I do believe the opprtunity was here if a fighter had talent.
One thing is certain, if the audience bought into a fighter in L.A. they'd buy tickets to watch him live.
You may have been one of those fighters, like the Lopez brothers, and if you were you'd have found a home here.
It may be a little late for a boxing career, but you still have a home and friends in L.A., a place to crash when in town.


-Rick Farris

Thanks , Rick.
That means alot to me.
When I get to L.A. for the WBHOF, Dinner is on me for you and the rest of the crew.
You guys pick the restaraunt.
But,its gotta be Mexican food.

[kikibalt]

[Rick Farris]

My interest in California boxing started in the seventies. All the great fighters who fought at The Olympic .
Many of the great fighters on the West Coast were well covered in the Boxing magazines that were all over the place back then.
Years ago here in Chicago we had a real good , thriving scene with alot of small clubs and great cards at The Chicago Stadium.
However, much of that was before my time. In the seventies I couldnt really feel it.
Pro Boxing here in The Seventies was largely Ernie Terrels promotions.
I always felt that if a fighter here really wanted to make it, he should leave town. Get a good trainer out west or out east and relocate. Fight amateur here, as the Chicago amateur program was solid and then when its time to turn pro, adios.
There are those that may disagree, but I thought the midwest didnt have the best trainers.

Brian, I do believe the opprtunity was here if a fighter had talent.
One thing is certain, if the audience bought into a fighter in L.A. they'd buy tickets to watch him live.
You may have been one of those fighters, like the Lopez brothers, and if you were you'd have found a home here.
It may be a little late for a boxing career, but you still have a home and friends in L.A., a place to crash when in town.


-Rick Farris

Thanks , Rick.
That means alot to me.
When I get to L.A. for the WBHOF, Dinner is on me for you and the rest of the crew.
You guys pick the restaraunt.
But,its gotta be Mexican food.

Sounds good, Brian. Look forward to seeing you this year.
With the induction of Al Bernstein I have been able to make arrangements with Showtime and ESPN to record parts of the event.
The cable giants will publicize all of the inductees, with a special eye on their Hall of Fame announcer.
After years of being ignored byt he press, this should give the WBHOF some positive visability.
Roger will present Al with one of his paintings and the presentation will be on camera.

We will all be involved in some way, however, the highlight of the event for me will be the gathering of amigos from this thread.
Mexican food sounds great!


-Rick Farris

[kikibalt]

Had lunch with a new friend, Rene Ramirez, know him from the CBZ, hopefully he'll join us here at the West Coast thread, Rene is a nice guy and knows his boxing, he and his wife will also be sitting at one of my tables at the CBHOF luncheon, so guys when he shows up welcome him with open arms...

[Randyman]

Had lunch with a new friend, Rene Ramirez, know him from the CBZ, hopefully he'll join us here at the West Coast thread, Rene is a nice guy and knows his boxing, he and his wife will also be sitting at one of my tables at the CBHOF luncheon, so guys when he shows up welcome him with open arms...

Count on it Frank. Looking forward to meeting him.

Randy

[Randyman]

My interest in California boxing started in the seventies. All the great fighters who fought at The Olympic .
Many of the great fighters on the West Coast were well covered in the Boxing magazines that were all over the place back then.
Years ago here in Chicago we had a real good , thriving scene with alot of small clubs and great cards at The Chicago Stadium.
However, much of that was before my time. In the seventies I couldnt really feel it.
Pro Boxing here in The Seventies was largely Ernie Terrels promotions.
I always felt that if a fighter here really wanted to make it, he should leave town. Get a good trainer out west or out east and relocate. Fight amateur here, as the Chicago amateur program was solid and then when its time to turn pro, adios.
There are those that may disagree, but I thought the midwest didnt have the best trainers.

Brian, those are nice things to say. Us California boys appreciate all your good words you have expressed on this site as well as when we all met last year at the WBHF. You're a straight up kinda guy. A stand up guy. My kinda guy. You speak from the heart!

Randy

[Randyman]

My interest in California boxing started in the seventies. All the great fighters who fought at The Olympic .
Many of the great fighters on the West Coast were well covered in the Boxing magazines that were all over the place back then.
Years ago here in Chicago we had a real good , thriving scene with alot of small clubs and great cards at The Chicago Stadium.
However, much of that was before my time. In the seventies I couldnt really feel it.
Pro Boxing here in The Seventies was largely Ernie Terrels promotions.
I always felt that if a fighter here really wanted to make it, he should leave town. Get a good trainer out west or out east and relocate. Fight amateur here, as the Chicago amateur program was solid and then when its time to turn pro, adios.
There are those that may disagree, but I thought the midwest didnt have the best trainers.

Brian, I do believe the opprtunity was here if a fighter had talent.
One thing is certain, if the audience bought into a fighter in L.A. they'd buy tickets to watch him live.
You may have been one of those fighters, like the Lopez brothers, and if you were you'd have found a home here.
It may be a little late for a boxing career, but you still have a home and friends in L.A., a place to crash when in town.


-Rick Farris

Thanks , Rick.
That means alot to me.
When I get to L.A. for the WBHOF, Dinner is on me for you and the rest of the crew.
You guys pick the restaraunt.
But,its gotta be Mexican food.

What a guy Brian! This year I'm going to try and get there the night before and spend some quality time with my friends.

Randy