Classic American West Coast Boxing

[dagosd2000]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hh4MzFupw90

Las Golandrinas

Pedro Infante(for Ramon Fuentes)

[kikibalt]

In the mid-1950's I used to hang out at a nite club "Bradley's" that was on Whittier Blvd. corner of Arizona St/Ave?. it was a hang out for the fighters from the the Eastside, used to run into the Fuentes brothers there all the time. easy going guys , like most fighters, didn't need to prove how tough they were, hell everybody knew how tough they were

[dagosd2000]

My wife,Maria,her uncle Jose,my nephew Chelis and his wife Rebecca. Sitting on the porch at the rancho in Paderrones,Michoacan. The rancho is on top of the mountain. I think this rancho is very close to heaven.

[Rick Farris]

Rick, if you lived in Westlake Village, I would think that you would remember the
Du-par's Restaurant in Thousand Oaks. According to an article in today's Ventura County Star, the restaurant closed down for good on last Friday.

There were two versions of the Du-par's Restaurant in Thousand Oaks, each in a different location. The was opened from 1961 to 1991. A few years later, the second version of the restaurant opened a few years later. I remember the first version a lot better than the second one.

- Chuck Johnston

Chuck . . . One of my close friends was a major auto dealer in Westlake/Thousand Oaks. Gary Nesen had a number of high end dealerships until the late 90's. His father started the Nesen Motor Car Company in Oxnard after WW2, and in 1968 moved the operation to the brand new Westlake Auto Center. I bought a home in Westlake in 1981, and would often stop by Du-Pars to buy one of their great pies. I would occasionally have breakfast there and see an old actor, Strother Martin, who had that great line in "Cool Hand Luke". You no doubt remember T.O. before the freeway went thru.

I remember in 1968, riding with Johnny Flores and a few amateur boxers to a tournament in Ventura. I remember the freeway wasn't in yet, and we took Ventura Blvd. all the way from the T.O. to Ventura.

Ironically, I live in Studio City today, where the only remaining Du-Par's is located on Ventura Blvd. near Laurel Canyon. Remember "Jungle Land" in Thousand Oaks? It was closed in the mid-60's after a lion mauled the son of Jayne Mansfield and Mickey Hargitay. Today the T.O. Arts Center sits on the site.

I think Ventura County is one of the best in California. My opinion.


-Rick Farris

[Rick Farris]

Ramon Fuentes

Rest In Peace. What a helluva fighter he was!

[Rick Farris]

Special from John Bardelli

Several have sent me articles discussing the entry of Michael Baden, M.D., into the picture precipitating Arturo Gatti's body being exhumed and a second autopsy having been undertaken. The media is abuzz - Gatti's legion of fans lining up as though, somehow, sensing that a report is going to put Amanda Rodrigues away for life. There is a frenzy about the rabid name calling directed to Amanda Rodrigues which was brought on by the psychological concept of primacy when the Brazilian police prematurely stated that Amanda Rodrigues was responsible for the death of Arturo Gatti. Psychological primacy is the principal that what is first heard is most often believed and it becomes a irrefutable governing fact. Now, those exposed and believing have their hopes lifted by headlines which boldly declare and assert --- Baden Autopsy Does Not Rule Out Gatti Murder --- the headlines scream coast to coast and worldwide.

I was earlier alerted to Baden's being hired and sniffed it out for what it is. Regardless, make no mistake about it. Baden or no Baden, rule of primacy or no rule of primacy, Arturo Gatti committed suicide --- its that simple.

Now that pathologist Michael Baden, M.D., is involved - controversy is guaranteed - forever - and that controversy has an avowed purpose behind it. Baden was or is the chief forensic pathologist for the New York City Police Department. As far as I know, he is not conducting this examination at the expense of or on behalf of the citizens of the state of New York or for the New York City Police Department or for any other governmental entity. Most likely, he has been privately engaged and just who is footing the bill and the amount he is charging for his engagement is unknown at the present time. And why, might one ask, was he engaged at all?

There is a lot going on behind the scenes, legal maneuverings of a kind and nature which have not been, to my knowledge, disclosed anywhere ... either on line in cyber space or within any specific media coverage. When analyzed from the prospects of a civil litigant, it is apparent what is transpiring. At the outset, let us assume as one scenario, that Arturo Gatti left no Last Will and Testament. When one has no Last Will and Testament and that person dies, it is said that he/she dies "intestate." To die "intestate" simply means that the decedent left no Last Will and Testament. When that happens, his state of domicile or residence at the time of death, through statutory enactments, writes the Last Will and Testament for the decedent.

One of the arguments advanced by a Gatti family member, or one linked to Arturo Gatti through boxing ties, against the contention that Gatti committed suicide is that Gatti had millions of dollars in the bank and in investments. Ergo, we are supposed to believe that rich people don't commit suicide. That may be true and I assume that there is less of an incentive to take one's life when the accounts are filled. However, people commit suicide for multiple reasons --- rich or poor and for better and for worse. Regardless, let us assume that Gatti does have millions set aside. Who does that estate, i.e., those millions, pass to upon his death under the fact scenario of his having left no Will?

In New York and New Jersey, when a person dies without having left a Last Will and Testament, the intestate laws provide that the estate of the decedent passes (1) to the surviving spouse and, if no surviving spouse then to (2) surviving children, and if no spouse or children, then to (3) surviving parent(s), and if no spouse, children, or parents, then to (4) brothers and/or sisters (siblings), and beyond. At the forefront, note it is Amanda Rodrigues who stands first in line to inherit Arturo Gatti's estate and the Gatti family are in arms and vocal about that prospect..

If Gatti were to have died from natural causes or committed suicide, at first glance, Gatti's estate would pass to Amanda Rodrigues as Gatti's surviving spouse by operation of law. However, both New York and New Jersey have enacted "slayer statutes" which provide that a "slayer" cannot inherit from the estate of one slain nor be the beneficiary under a life insurance policy of the person so slain. Ergo, if it is established that Amanda Rodrigues is determined by a court proceeding to be "a slayer" as defined in the applicable statute, then she personally cannot inherit any portion of Gatti's estate either through the estate laws nor the insurance beneficiary laws. Consequently, one has to ask: Is there is a need to establish a "slayer" who meets the definition of Amanda Rodrigues or she will inherit the entirety of Gatti's estate and his life insurance proceeds if she is named as the beneficiary? If the Gatti family seek to prevent Amanda Rodrigues from becoming the sole beneficiary of Arturo Gatti's Estate, and she presently is in that position, most assuredly, if Gatti died intestate, one mechanism to prevent that from becoming a reality is to have her declared a "slayer" within the confines of applicable law. The answer to the posed question is, most assuredly, there is a need to have Amanda Rodrigues declared a "slayer."

I presume, in large measure, once Baden's report concludes that Gatti was murdered, the anti-thesis to one having committed suicide, then you will also see litigation simultaneously commenced as follows: (1) probate initiated where the administrator of Gatti's estate seeks to have Amanda Rodrigues declared a "slayer" thereby precluding her from inheriting any portion of Gatti's estate and (2) a custody action which seeks to deprive Amanda Rodrigues of custody of their son, Arturo, Jr., because as one of two surviving Arturo Gatti children, those children stand next in line to inherit once the Administrator can secure a court order which declares Amanda Rodrigues as a "slayer." Unless she challenges that finding, whoever has custody of Gatti's son will control at least 50% of his estate and the Gatti family, again, have been very is vocal that they intend to seek custody of Arturo, Jr.

I am sure that Gatti's family will do what it can do, as well, to preclude Gatti's daughter Sofia from inheriting her 50% of the estate. The Gatti family is at odds with Erika Rivera, a one time fiance of Arturo Gatti, the woman who Gatti referred to the public at large as "Satin's daughter," and worse, during their tumultuous relationship. From Ms. Rivera's perspective, their troubles grew in large measure because Arturo Gatti, though the acknowledged father of Sofia, did not want to pay support money to Ms. Rivera and she brought into play the Courts, much to Arturo Gatti's displeasure. However, it appears that Gatti's brother is on somewhat better terms with Erika than the rest of the Gatti family but when it all is cut, sliced, and examined, blood is thicker than water and whichever way the Gatti Family is drifting, one can be assured it will be with unanimity.

It is highly likely that Baden's engagement is no different than scenarios where unfortunate employees who are injured during the course of their employment. In the majority of instances when that happens, and a claim is thereafter made against the Department of Labor and Industries or Workers Compensation for any given state, the state puts the injured worked through a litany of medical examinations by doctors engaged as so-called "independent examiners" whereupon an unsuspecting worker, believing initially that a doctor would not lie about a worker's injuries and health, soon learns that the meaning of "independent" and "physician" are strange and twisted beyond all measure. Questions to be asked of individuals such as Michael Baden, M.D., and those "independent examiners" who, in reality, are hired guns, include: How much money do you make doing forensic examinations when hired by private parties during the course of the past 10 years and how many times did your report favor the party who hired you versus the adverse party and specific requests for written documentation in confirmation of the answer rendered must be sought as well.

Anyone subjected to the process, understands immediately the import of the message I seek to convey. As physicians, one would think they were honorable people engaged in the pursuit of truth and justice. Au contraire, as one suddenly learns at great expense and delay. These hired guns were engaged to create controversy and to force a settlement at the injured worker's overall expense. What the worker went through is being played out literally thousands of times a day in this country. I strongly suspect that it is being played out again through the engagement of Baden as well. And there is no intent to denigrate Michael Baden, M.D., as it may be that he has the best intentions of conducting an examination which is truly elevated to the concept of justice rather than for partisanship purposes. Who knows in this instance what his report will reveal? The proof is in the pudding.

Will Baden's report convince me otherwise as to what transpired in Brazil? I won't close my eyes to his conclusions and the report, in general, but it will not serve to change my analysis as to what transpired. It appears that the fight has just begun. This fight, however, pits the Gatti family against Amanda Rodrigues. This is not what Arturo Gatti would have wanted. This is not how Arturo Gatti wanted to be remembered.

John
I think it's more like the Gatti family against the country of Brazil.Whatever happened that tragic night ,Brazil is going to take the side of Amanda Rodrigues. They are not going to sell her out to a foreigner(Gatti's family and lawyer). They'll protect her. The strip club,the arguments,the drunkeness,and the bizarre crime scene is something that Brazil is going to look at like Gatti was the instigator. An ugly scene. An ugly relationship. It reminds me of Americans who go to Mexico getting involved with drug cartels. You read about them floating inside oil drums in the Pacific Ocean. Not much cooperation from the Mexican authorities. Something like that applies with Gatti's death. Brazil won't want anyone north of the border dictating to them of how they conduct the case. They'll protect their own on this, and the more the Gatti's and the lawyer push,Brazil will push back harder.

Take care pal. Rog.

North East Brazil . . .

Brazil has no interest in Arturo Gatti or how he died. Life is desperate there, they haven't time for BS. To Brazilian's this is B.S.

Life has little value in Brazil. When a guy stands atop a high building in Brazil, threatening to take his life by jumping, a crowd below will form, immediatly they will begin to chant . . . "Jump, Jump, Jump . . . ". If the guy changes his mind, the crowd will be angered that he wasted their time, and they'll beat the crap out of guy and probably kill him.

They don't care about a foreigner dying in their country. Why should they?
The girl had been a stripper, she knows Brazil, maybe she slipped a "Goodnight Cenderella" into his Caipirinha. He got rough with her.
I really don't care. He's dead, he took the wrong path one night? Maybe he pulled his own plug?

As for the girl, I'm glad she's free.
She reminds me of several girls I've met thru Monica, young and beautiful Brazilians.
I believe what I feel for these women is not unlike the way Rog feels about Morena's.
They are fun, simple, stunning and free. They understand men, and men are very scarce in Brazil.
However, you have to understand the culture, and I think Gatti had a problem with it.
I don't believe she killed him, not that way he died.

One thing we know for sure, Arturo Gatti made a bad decision that night.
By the way John, thank you for the great legal information regarding the estate, etc.


-Rick Farris

[Rick Farris]

Salvador, Bahia. North-East Brazil
Monica's hometown . . .

Samba De Roda Capoeira . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP_XcqDl ... L&index=23


-Rick Farris

[Rick Farris]

This white girl can street Samba . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Mf_PTB8 ... ure=browch


-Rick

[Rick Farris]

This is where I will eventually retire . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EfV_9N4--c

Roger will understand.

[dagosd2000]

Salvador, Bahia. North-East Brazil
Monica's hometown . . .

Samba De Roda Capoeira . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP_XcqDl ... L&index=23


-Rick Farris

Rick
Interesting video.It gets the message across of what you and I were saying about the Gatti incident. Those people don't care. They have more pressing issues on their minds. Like surviving. Not as mellow as Jiquilpan ,Michoacan,but the take on Arturo Gatti would be the same in Mexico. Don't bother us about justice when we know that the injustices we put on our own people everyday is part of the culture. Justice for Arturo Gatti? Maybe that's why so many people in Latin America want to come to the United States.

You might say "Why would you want to retire to Mexico when the system isn't fair?"
Well if you're like me their system and their view of me,gives me a greater advantage. They know I'm like them, although I'm not one of them. Having Italian lineage,not imposing myself on anyone,and living their culture,in a way,makes life better for me,at least in Jiquilpan. Besides my wife's family(and there's a lot of them)likes me.

[Rick Farris]

Lambada Brazil from late 80's.
These kids can dance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfQfyZS88oE

[Rick Farris]

Salvador, Bahia. North-East Brazil
Monica's hometown . . .

Samba De Roda Capoeira . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP_XcqDl ... L&index=23


-Rick Farris

Rick
Interesting video.It gets the message across of what you and I were saying about the Gatti incident. Those people don't care. They have more pressing issues on their minds. Like surviving. Not as mellow as Jiquilpan ,Michoacan,but the take on Arturo Gatti would be the same in Mexico. Don't bother us about justice when we know that the injustices we put on our own people everyday is part of the culture. Justice for Arturo Gatti? Maybe that's why so many people in Latin America want to come to the United States.

You might say "Why would you want to retire to Mexico when the system isn't fair?"
Well if you're like me their system and their view of me,gives me a greater advantage. They know I'm like them, although I'm not one of them. Having Italian lineage,not imposing myself on anyone,and living their culture,in a way,makes life better for me,at least in Jiquilpan. Besides my wife's family(and there's a lot of them)likes me.

I just love the people Roger, and I am more at peace in their culture than I am in my own.
Yes, it is a desperate place, but I do well in desperate places for many of the same reasons you get along well in Mexico.
They are such beautiful people, poor but happy, they open their arms and want to feed me, welcome me in their home.
The girls are sweet, they take care of me, Monica shoos them away after awhile, but she understands me, and my love for her.
Like you, I'm not one of them, but they like me and make me feel as if I am Brazilian. Monica's family loves me too.

They don't have the color hang-ups that American's are so hung-up on, there are bigger issues than skin color.
People are mixed in Brazil, many white of Italian, German blood. Monica's father is Brazilian of German blood, blonde-blue eyes.
Her mother was a real mutt, Portugese, African, Indian.
Her family was successful. Her dad a mayor, her mother a school principal, her brothers are a dentist and a chemical engineer, her oldest sister an architect. But none are rich. Most have a maid, cook, etc. Very inexpensive for domestic help in Bahia.

I am an American, will always spend part of the year here, at least at first.
I'm 57, I'll retire from the film business in 4 1/2 years, age 62.
From then on, the world is my home.


-Rick

[JABARDELLI]

John
I think it's more like the Gatti family against the country of Brazil.Whatever happened that tragic night ,Brazil is going to take the side of Amanda Rodrigues. They are not going to sell her out to a foreigner(Gatti's family and lawyer). They'll protect her. The strip club,the arguments,the drunkeness,and the bizarre crime scene is something that Brazil is going to look at like Gatti was the instigator. An ugly scene. An ugly relationship. It reminds me of Americans who go to Mexico getting involved with drug cartels. You read about them floating inside oil drums in the Pacific Ocean. Not much cooperation from the Mexican authorities. Something like that applies with Gatti's death. Brazil won't want anyone north of the border dictating to them of how they conduct the case. They'll protect their own on this, and the more the Gatti's and the lawyer push,Brazil will push back harder.

Take care pal. Rog.

North East Brazil . . .

Brazil has no interest in Arturo Gatti or how he died. Life is desperate there, they haven't time for BS. To Brazilian's this is B.S.

Life has little value in Brazil. When a guy stands atop a high building in Brazil, threatening to take his life by jumping, a crowd below will form, immediatly they will begin to chant . . . "Jump, Jump, Jump . . . ". If the guy changes his mind, the crowd will be angered that he wasted their time, and they'll beat the crap out of guy and probably kill him.

They don't care about a foreigner dying in their country. Why should they?
The girl had been a stripper, she knows Brazil, maybe she slipped a "Goodnight Cenderella" into his Caipirinha. He got rough with her.
I really don't care. He's dead, he took the wrong path one night? Maybe he pulled his own plug?

As for the girl, I'm glad she's free.
She reminds me of several girls I've met thru Monica, young and beautiful Brazilians.
I believe what I feel for these women is not unlike the way Rog feels about Morena's.
They are fun, simple, stunning and free. They understand men, and men are very scarce in Brazil.
However, you have to understand the culture, and I think Gatti had a problem with it.
I don't believe she killed him, not that way he died.

One thing we know for sure, Arturo Gatti made a bad decision that night.
By the way John, thank you for the great legal information regarding the estate, etc.

-Rick Farris


Rog and Rick --- You may both be right in noting that as a country, Brazil might not be interested in what transpired leading up to and including the date of his death. Hell, the same is true with mainstream America. Very few people that I have spoken to, especially those who do not follow boxing, were aware of any of the circumstances surrounding Gatti's death let alone know who Arturo Gatti was.

However, it is clear that Amanda Rodrigues was held for approximately 20 days until the investigation, autopsy and pathology reports were submitted to the court along with blood studies. She probably was detained for her own safety and, additionally, there may have been a plant in jail with her trying to get her to talk more to determine if there was a basis to implicate her.

Furthermore, well over 30 individuals were interviewed concerning what transpired within the restaurant/bar when Arturo Gatti apparently lost control and brought the wrath of patrons and security down on him for his abusive conduct. It appears all major bases were covered in the investigation undertaken by the authorities in Brazil.

Incidentally, Roger --- your paintings are superb! I look forward to them everytime I engage this site. The first thing I notice and look for are the eyes of your subject. For whatever reason, my looking at the eyes allows me to identify who you've captured without seeing the entire painting. These paintings are really special. I've shared them with my brother who is an artist as well. In the spirit of a da Vinci, Michelangelo, and a Raphael, he loves your creativity and the explosiveness of your colors as well as do I. I shared with him a beautiful bronze bust of Jack Johnson which is beautiful in its own right and he told me that he likes your paintings better. I am amazed at the rapidity with which you generate your creations. Superb! Superb! Superb! The Dempsey you recently forged is one of my favorites and there is so much explosive energy in that painting that I expect to see Dempsey ready to enter the ring in all his fury any minute now. Thank you for sharing your gift, Roger.

[Rick Farris]

A mature Josephine Baker - "Cha Cha Cha"
From a French TV special

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4MqCcVX ... re=related

[Rick Farris]

John
I think it's more like the Gatti family against the country of Brazil.Whatever happened that tragic night ,Brazil is going to take the side of Amanda Rodrigues. They are not going to sell her out to a foreigner(Gatti's family and lawyer). They'll protect her. The strip club,the arguments,the drunkeness,and the bizarre crime scene is something that Brazil is going to look at like Gatti was the instigator. An ugly scene. An ugly relationship. It reminds me of Americans who go to Mexico getting involved with drug cartels. You read about them floating inside oil drums in the Pacific Ocean. Not much cooperation from the Mexican authorities. Something like that applies with Gatti's death. Brazil won't want anyone north of the border dictating to them of how they conduct the case. They'll protect their own on this, and the more the Gatti's and the lawyer push,Brazil will push back harder.

Take care pal. Rog.

North East Brazil . . .

Brazil has no interest in Arturo Gatti or how he died. Life is desperate there, they haven't time for BS. To Brazilian's this is B.S.

Life has little value in Brazil. When a guy stands atop a high building in Brazil, threatening to take his life by jumping, a crowd below will form, immediatly they will begin to chant . . . "Jump, Jump, Jump . . . ". If the guy changes his mind, the crowd will be angered that he wasted their time, and they'll beat the crap out of guy and probably kill him.

They don't care about a foreigner dying in their country. Why should they?
The girl had been a stripper, she knows Brazil, maybe she slipped a "Goodnight Cenderella" into his Caipirinha. He got rough with her.
I really don't care. He's dead, he took the wrong path one night? Maybe he pulled his own plug?

As for the girl, I'm glad she's free.
She reminds me of several girls I've met thru Monica, young and beautiful Brazilians.
I believe what I feel for these women is not unlike the way Rog feels about Morena's.
They are fun, simple, stunning and free. They understand men, and men are very scarce in Brazil.
However, you have to understand the culture, and I think Gatti had a problem with it.
I don't believe she killed him, not that way he died.

One thing we know for sure, Arturo Gatti made a bad decision that night.
By the way John, thank you for the great legal information regarding the estate, etc.

-Rick Farris


Rog and Rick --- You may both be right in noting that as a country, Brazil might not be interested in what transpired leading up to and including the date of his death. Hell, the same is true with mainstreams Americans. Very few people that I have spoken to, especially those who do not follow boxing, were aware of any of the circumstances surrounding Gatti's death let alone know who Arturo Gatti was.

However, it is clear that Amanda Rodrigues was held for approximately 20 days until the investigation, autopsy and pathology reports were submitted to the court along with blood studies. She probably was detained for her own safety and, additionally, there may have been a plant in jail with here trying to get her to talk more to determine if there was a basis to implicate her.

Furthermore, well over 30 individuals were interviewed concerning what transpired within the restaurant/bar when Arturo Gatti apparently lost control and brought the wrath of patrons and security down on him for his abusive conduct. It appears all major bases were covered in the investigation undertaken by the authorities in Brazil.

Incidentally, Roger --- your paintings are superb! I look forward to them everytime I engage this site. The first thing I notice and look for are the eyes of your subject. For whatever reason, my looking at the eyes allows me to identify who you've captured without seeing the entire painting. These paintings are really special. I've shared them with my brother who is an artist as well. In the spirit of a da Vinci, Michelangelo, and a Raphael, he loves your creativity and the explosiveness of your colors as well as do I. I shared with him a beautiful bronze bust of Jack Johnson which is beautiful in its own right and he told me that he likes your paintings better. I am amazed at the rapidity with which you generate your creations. Superb! Superb! Superb! The Dempsey you recently forged is one of my favorites and there is so much explosive energy in that painting that I expect to see Dempsey ready to enter the ring in all his fury any minute now. Thank you for sharing your gift, Roger.

John . . Thank you for sharing your gift, as well.

Rog . . . Another fan of your art

[bennie]

ISLE OF MAN

The world of motorcycle racing turns its spotlight on the small island once a year
The nation's charms and history take a back seat to the din of whizzing bikes during the TT.

By Susan Carpenter
August 2, 2009

Reporting from The Isle Of Man -- If I'd been able to sleep on the 10-hour overnight flight, it might have been a good plan. But I didn't, which left me riding a motorcycle on the wrong side of the road in the rain while jet-lagged with no idea where I was going.

My destination was the Isle of Man, a tiny island in the middle of the Irish Sea off the northwest coast of England. It's best known for two things: its status as a tax haven and a 102-year-old motorcycle race called the TT, which is run on real roads by unsung racers who whiz, at speeds approaching 200 mph, within inches of stone walls and spectators.

I planned to catch the tail end of the legendary TT, then enjoy the island in its natural state -- that is, not overrun by motorcycles. I just had to get here, which meant flying to London, renting a motorcycle, biking 250 miles across England and taking a 3 1/2 -hour ferry ride to the port town of Douglas.

It was quite the slog but worth it.

The Isle of Man, a British crown possession, is a mythological place, especially for motorcyclists, who revere this tiny island's embrace of man's need for speed and the talented risk-takers who live for it. Nowhere else in the world does the government shut down 37.73 miles of its roads for two weeks to host a grueling race that probably will result in death; 224 racers have died on the course over the years -- including one while I was here -- yet the race continues.

Its fans swarm the island every year in late May and early June, loading their sport bikes like pack mules to sprint around the island imitating their idols. When I arrived in Douglas in June, the island was in full TT swing. Cars were in the minority. The streets were a cacophony of up- and down-shifting motorcycles.

The parking spaces along the seaside promenade were jammed handlebar to handlebar with candy-colored race-bike replicas, and the sidewalks were shoulder to shoulder with bikers, who hadn't bothered to change out of their full leathers and race boots as they strolled the cobblestones while eating ice cream -- one of the specialties on this largely agricultural island.

Coming from a place where motorcyclists are a minority, I felt among my tribe. But I was also exhausted. I squeezed my Honda ST1300 into one of the few remaining vacant parking spaces and checked in to the Admiral House, the first in a long line of inns along the city's main drag. This being the TT fortnight, I paid about $350 a night instead of the usual $175. Still, I felt grateful, having booked my trip eight weeks earlier. The best accommodations start to sell out 10 months before the TT.

My third-floor suite was smack in the center of the action. Looking out of my alcove window, I had a bird's-eye view into the beer tent that was serving Bushy's Piston Brew and Manx Bitter -- the island's local ales -- and shots of a paint-thinner-esque whiskey called ManX Spirit, the only locally distilled alcohol.

Manx is the name for the people who inhabit this island nation of 81,000. About half of the people who live here are from the Isle of Man; the rest are "comeovers" from nearby England, Scotland and Ireland who, I was told, came here because it is safer than their native countries. Few people lock their house or car doors.

Rolling down to the Bushy's tent after a short nap, I met a nonbiker from Scotland who lived on the island and worked in banking, the island's main industry. The second person I met was from Ireland.

Both conversations were cut short by the Red Arrows, a stunt show by the Royal Air Force Display Team, a pair of bi-wing planes topped with scantily clad women doing quasi-calisthenics over Douglas Bay.

Such displays aren't the usual Wednesday night fare in Douglas, the island's capital, business center and only real city. It was part of the TT-week entertainment, along with performances by the band Whitesnake and Celtic-flavored cover acts such as the Red Hot Chilli Pipers.

The entertainment pickings were less than slim, so I chose to stroll. At 8 on a weeknight any other time of year, all of the shops in town would be closed, but not during the TT. Walking along the Loch Promenade, I stopped for a "whippy with a flake" -- a towering, extra-creamy, vanilla soft serve with a candy bar shoved in its side -- at Davison's Manx Dairy Ice Cream Parlor, then wandered the island's main shopping district, where many of the windows of cellphone shops, clothing boutiques, beauty salons and art galleries displayed motorcycles along with their usual merchandise.

In celebration of the TT, Sayle Gallery had an Ace Cafe mods and rockers exhibit as well as pieces from a local named Adam Berry, who is now my favorite artist. I bought three of his Summer of Love meets Isle of Man prints, which blend speeding motorcycles with come-hither vixens and TT racecourse checkpoints, such as Black Dub, Ramsey Hairpin and Glen Duff.

To non-race fans, these names are charmingly Celtic though meaningless, but to the thousands of people who come to the TT each year, they're the places where high-flying racers test their mettle -- and their bikes' suspensions -- speeding through tight switchbacks and catching air.

I rented a bike for this trip to experience the course up close, though at distinctly lower speeds. I started my trip in Douglas because it's home to the course starting gate, which was a mile from my hotel and, unnervingly, next to the town cemetery.

For an island that embraces motorcycling, it's odd that motorcycles are not rented on the isle itself. Neither of the two motorcycle shops rents bikes because of high insurance rates. So I rented my bike in England and ferried over. A bike isn't necessary, of course. The island has excellent public transportation, both bus and rail, or you can rent a car or a bicycle. But I wanted to experience the island on a motorcycle.

I was on the island for the last few days of the races, which I viewed from the grandstand, just above the pits where the racers were speeding so ear-shatteringly and blindingly fast I couldn't tell who was whom without the benefit of the announcer. There weren't any big screens to show what was happening in real time, just Manx Radio, which was giving the play by play. To see the race, I had to watch the televised recap each night.

The races were over when I decided to wheel my bike around the island course. I didn't know where I was going, but the course is marked with enormous orange signs and arrows. Many hay bales and foam pads cushion potentially deadly roadside obstacles, such as lamp posts, stone fences and trees. Even if the course hadn't been marked, I would've been able to find my way. I just had to follow the steady stream of Ducatis, Gixxers and Ninjas.

It took me about an hour to ride the course during the day, when there's street traffic. The racers do the same thing in about 20 minutes. But at my leisurely pace, I could experience the scenery that makes this island special.

Clusters of charming stone cottages in Douglas gave way to fields of grazing sheep and cows in nearby Kirk Michael, then sweeping coastal vistas and twisty, mountainous chaparral coming out of Ramsey.

It was such a gorgeous ride that I decided to ride it again -- and again, which isn't hard to do. The island is just 32 miles long and 12 miles wide, or just a little smaller than L.A. proper but without the traffic, so getting around is quick. After three round trips of the "track" at gradually increasing speeds, I decided I'd had my fill and parked my bike.

My next stop was the Fairy Bridge just outside of Douglas. According to island lore, those who pass over the bridge must say hello to the fairies unless they want bad luck. I wanted to see if the locals actually did that, so I hopped on a London-style double-decker headed for Castletown. I also planned to check out the well-preserved medieval-era Castle Rushen, from which the town gets its name, and go to the local pub.

About halfway through the 20-minute ride, the bus riders waved and called out, "Hello, fairies!" as we passed over the short bridge and under a lush canopy of trees.

One of them was Gina, whom I'd met before boarding. She patted the seat next to her when I walked down the aisle, and we chatted the rest of the way about her work as a banker, the fact that she'd moved to the island from England because she felt it was safer for her kids, and my plans for the rest of my stay. When I told her I'd be heading around the island clockwise by bike but didn't have accommodations outside Douglas, she called a friend about a homestay.

The next night, I was sleeping in her friend's house in Port Erin, a sleepy coastal village in the southeast corner of the island with a stunning beach and kayak rentals. Homestays are one of the most common accommodations on the Isle of Man and offer an up-close view of island life. Sanctioned homestays cost about $40 a night, a relief given the exchange rate.

The Isle of Man is not part of the European Union. It is a self-governing crown dependency affiliated with Britain only for its defense and international trade representation. So its currency is in pounds.

Not that there's much to buy, other than motorcycle paraphernalia and trinkets paying tribute to the Manx cats (cats without tails). There is, however, quite a bit to do to experience the history.

The Norse occupied the isle in the 7th century, but its culture also was influenced by the Irish, Scottish and English, all of whom occupied the island for centuries at a time. It wasn't until the late 19th century that the island became autonomous, but its history of occupation by other peoples and its landscape-inspired trade is evident across the island.

In the days after the races, I visited Cregneash, an old-world farming community of thatched cottages that is the Manx version of the Amish, and Peel, a fishing village and beach town that offers a spectacular juxtaposed skyline: The enormous Peel castle is a backdrop for the boat-packed harbor.

My favorite place on the island, however, was probably the Great Laxey Wheel in Laxey, said to be the largest working water wheel in the world, with a circumference of about 228 feet and once used to pump water from the island's lead and zinc mines. It's spectacular to see this giant red structure rising from the lush landscape.

And it was calm. It was three days since the races had ended, and the island felt like a different place. There was almost no traffic when I decided to circle the course one last time, encountering mostly trucks picking up the hay bales.

Arriving in Douglas for my last night before ferrying back to England, even this, the most cosmopolitan city on the island, felt dead. At 6 p.m., parking was easy to find, and everything but the pubs was closed, which made the Isle of Man seem very much like an island.

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A crazy if exciting annual race, in which competitiors die every year without exception. They have on-bike cameras now and the speed they go on ordinary roads with bumps and potholes, etc, makes one wince.

[kikibalt]

[dagosd2000]

John
I think it's more like the Gatti family against the country of Brazil.Whatever happened that tragic night ,Brazil is going to take the side of Amanda Rodrigues. They are not going to sell her out to a foreigner(Gatti's family and lawyer). They'll protect her. The strip club,the arguments,the drunkeness,and the bizarre crime scene is something that Brazil is going to look at like Gatti was the instigator. An ugly scene. An ugly relationship. It reminds me of Americans who go to Mexico getting involved with drug cartels. You read about them floating inside oil drums in the Pacific Ocean. Not much cooperation from the Mexican authorities. Something like that applies with Gatti's death. Brazil won't want anyone north of the border dictating to them of how they conduct the case. They'll protect their own on this, and the more the Gatti's and the lawyer push,Brazil will push back harder.

Take care pal. Rog.

North East Brazil . . .

Brazil has no interest in Arturo Gatti or how he died. Life is desperate there, they haven't time for BS. To Brazilian's this is B.S.

Life has little value in Brazil. When a guy stands atop a high building in Brazil, threatening to take his life by jumping, a crowd below will form, immediatly they will begin to chant . . . "Jump, Jump, Jump . . . ". If the guy changes his mind, the crowd will be angered that he wasted their time, and they'll beat the crap out of guy and probably kill him.

They don't care about a foreigner dying in their country. Why should they?
The girl had been a stripper, she knows Brazil, maybe she slipped a "Goodnight Cenderella" into his Caipirinha. He got rough with her.
I really don't care. He's dead, he took the wrong path one night? Maybe he pulled his own plug?

As for the girl, I'm glad she's free.
She reminds me of several girls I've met thru Monica, young and beautiful Brazilians.
I believe what I feel for these women is not unlike the way Rog feels about Morena's.
They are fun, simple, stunning and free. They understand men, and men are very scarce in Brazil.
However, you have to understand the culture, and I think Gatti had a problem with it.
I don't believe she killed him, not that way he died.

One thing we know for sure, Arturo Gatti made a bad decision that night.
By the way John, thank you for the great legal information regarding the estate, etc.

-Rick Farris


Rog and Rick --- You may both be right in noting that as a country, Brazil might not be interested in what transpired leading up to and including the date of his death. Hell, the same is true with mainstream America. Very few people that I have spoken to, especially those who do not follow boxing, were aware of any of the circumstances surrounding Gatti's death let alone know who Arturo Gatti was.

However, it is clear that Amanda Rodrigues was held for approximately 20 days until the investigation, autopsy and pathology reports were submitted to the court along with blood studies. She probably was detained for her own safety and, additionally, there may have been a plant in jail with her trying to get her to talk more to determine if there was a basis to implicate her.

Furthermore, well over 30 individuals were interviewed concerning what transpired within the restaurant/bar when Arturo Gatti apparently lost control and brought the wrath of patrons and security down on him for his abusive conduct. It appears all major bases were covered in the investigation undertaken by the authorities in Brazil.

Incidentally, Roger --- your paintings are superb! I look forward to them everytime I engage this site. The first thing I notice and look for are the eyes of your subject. For whatever reason, my looking at the eyes allows me to identify who you've captured without seeing the entire painting. These paintings are really special. I've shared them with my brother who is an artist as well. In the spirit of a da Vinci, Michelangelo, and a Raphael, he loves your creativity and the explosiveness of your colors as well as do I. I shared with him a beautiful bronze bust of Jack Johnson which is beautiful in its own right and he told me that he likes your paintings better. I am amazed at the rapidity with which you generate your creations. Superb! Superb! Superb! The Dempsey you recently forged is one of my favorites and there is so much explosive energy in that painting that I expect to see Dempsey ready to enter the ring in all his fury any minute now. Thank you for sharing your gift, Roger.

Thanks John for the kind words. I've never had an art lesson and have been painting only for 9 years. I kind of stumbled upon it. I had a small photo of my father in the Marine Corps in WWII. I asked an artist if he could paint that. He tried,but said the image was too small. So I took the photo and tried. To my surprise I painted my father. Since then I've been painting. I wish I could have been doing this at an earlier age.Rog

[Rick Farris]

I kinda miss Walter Cronkite, too.
I miss a lot of things from his era.
Things felt a little more solid, people were more solid.
Life goes on . . .

[kikibalt]

Boxing’s “Big Mac”
By Jim Amato

Long before Mark McGwire was launching tape measure home runs in Oakland and acquiring the nickname “Big Mac”, West Coast sports fans used to cheer the feats of another “Big Mac”. MacArthur Foster a heavyweight boxer from Fresno, California won his first 24 professional bouts all by knockout. Six came in the first round, four in the second round and seven in the third round. By the spring of 1970 he was the number one rated contender for Joe Frazier’s crown.

Mac turned pro in November of 1966 and by the end of 1967 he had racked up nine kayos. Among his victims were veterans Floyd Joyner and Roy “Cookie” Wallace. He piled up seven more kayos in 1968 and in 1969 he made some serious noise in the heavyweight ratings. With Muhammad Ali banned from boxing, Joe Frazier and Jimmy Ellis shared the heavyweight crown. The division needed some new blood and much felt Foster was the answer. Mac added six more knockouts in 1969 stopping Roger Rischer, Thad Spencer, Roger Russell, Cleveland Williams (twice) and Bob Felstein. Although Williams was well past his prime he could still punch and Mac took all he had to offer and come back to win both times.

After stopping Jack O’Halloran in one round on April 9th, 1970 for his 24th straight kayo victory, Mac decided to come east to New York. In his Madison Square Garden debut was to take on veteran contender Jerry Quarry. A victory over Quarry would no doubt ensure a big money fight with Frazier. On June 17th as Jerry Quarry was to do several times during his exciting career, he upset the odds stopping a tentative Foster in six rounds. Quarry outboxed his less experienced foe until lowering the boom in the sixth. Mac showed none of his storied power. Quarry used the Foster victory as a springboard to match with the comeback Muhammad Ali. Three months later Mac returned to stop shopworn ex-contender Zora Folley in one round. Mac rolled off three more victories and then signed to meet Muhammad Ali. Ali had lost to Joe Frazier in the March 8, 1971 “Battle of the Century”. Now Ali was taking on all new comers proclaiming himself to be the “People’s Champion”. Mac met Ali on April 1st, 1972 in Tokyo, Japan. Although Mac went the fifteen round distance, Ali won by a very comfortable margin. Mac looked slow and ponderous and did not the power of a fighter with a record of 28-1, all 28 wins by knockout coming into this contest.

The loss to Ali was probably the highlight of Mac’s career. He would score knockouts over journeymen Sam McGill and Charley Williams. Then he was out-hustled over ten rounds by Bob Stallings. Mac closed out 1973 dropping a ten round duke in England to Joe Bugner. Foster had one fight in 1974 being outscored by slick Henry Clark. Mac took 1975 off and had his last bout in 1976 losing a ten rounder to Stan Ward.

Although overrated at the beginning of his career Mac proved to be a competent fighter. He finished with a 30-6 record, all wins coming by knockout and he was only stopped once, Mac’s biggest claim to fame may have been in a late 1960’s sparring session when he reportedly flattened Charles “Sonny” Liston!

[Rick Farris]

d

[kikibalt]

This damn forum won't keep me login, everytime I come to the forum I have to login, and yes I'm checking the keep me login box....

[Rick Farris]

This damn forum won't keep me login, everytime I come to the forum I have to login, and yes I'm checking the keep me login box....

Frank, I've had the same problem since yesterday.

[kikibalt]

This damn forum won't keep me login, everytime I come to the forum I have to login, and yes I'm checking the keep me login box....

Frank, I've had the same problem since yesterday.

Same here Rick, it all started yesterday for me too.

[dagosd2000]

This damn forum won't keep me login, everytime I come to the forum I have to login, and yes I'm checking the keep me login box....

Frank, I've had the same problem since yesterday.

Same here Rick, it all started yesterday for me too.

Tambien yo. Que pasa?