Classic American West Coast Boxing

[Rick Farris]

Jeri and I took a break today and drove down to Balboa Island in Orange County. It's nice place to spend an afternoon. We stopped at Ciao's Italian restaurant for dinner. It was worth the drive.

Randy . . . This makes 21,000 posts! You and Jeri look like you're having fun. Balboa Island is a great place, haven't been there in years.


-Rick Farris

[bennie]

Once-beaten American duo Paul Williams and Kelly Pavlik duke it out for Pavlik’s world middleweight title in October. Williams, nicknamed “The Punisher”, is on a hot run since Puerto Rican southpaw Carlos Quintana took a shock 12-round decision over him last year. Williams cruised to a 12-round decision over gifted Florida veteran Ronald “Winky” Wright last time out and belted remarkable Denver veteran Verno Phillips in eight rounds before that. He also belted out Quintana in the first round of a quick rematch - a sparkling revenge win - and 17-1 middleweight Andy Kolle, also in the first.
At 37-1 (27) the rangy, bird-legged Williams is a man who can actually make welterweight (where he once licked Antonio Margarito) but moves up and down the weights to secure work. He makes it look easy.
Pavlik tried the same against canny Philadelphia veteran Bernard Hopkins last year, moving up from middleweight to light-heavy (well, 170 pounds). He made it look impossible. Pavlik took a real pasting from Hopkins, who was coming off a loss to Welshman Joe Calzaghe but in front of huge Pavlik support boxed the straight-ahead favourite to a standstill and simply romped to the points. This is bad news for the defending champion because Williams knows how to use his height and reach in classic stick and move fashion and will undoubtedly look to develop the jab, as Hopkins did, although in fairness to the gaunt-looking Pavlik, nicknamed “Ghost”, at middleweight Kelly can undoubtedly bang at 35-1 (31) and won his title with a stunning come-from-behind stoppage of a previously unbeaten Jermain Taylor in 2007, a man he convincingly outpointed just a few months later. These were the days when Pavlik looked like one of the best pound for pound fighters in the business. He destroyed our own Gary Lockett round this time (three rounds).
The 27-year-old Pavlik may have gained from the Hopkins lesson, however, as Williams gained from Quintana, and wore down Mexico’s rugged and experienced Marco Antonio Rubio in nine typically remorseless rounds last time out in February, although Pavlik wasn’t able to floor Rubio and his inactivity since is a reflection on how much his star has dimmed. This is the chance for Pavlik to redeem himself against boxing’s biggest bogeyman, a 28-year-old who can whack himself alongside his better boxing skills, a naturally quicker man. a stinking southpaw.
Nevertheless, I have a feeling the greater natural strength, power and aggression of Pavlik makes this 50-50. It won’t be easy (obviously), but Pavlik brings home the bacon.

[kikibalt]

Jeri and I took a break today and drove down to Balboa Island in Orange County. It's nice place to spend an afternoon. We stopped at Ciao's Italian restaurant for dinner. It was worth the drive.

Lookin' good guys....

[dagosd2000]

Jeri and I took a break today and drove down to Balboa Island in Orange County. It's nice place to spend an afternoon. We stopped at Ciao's Italian restaurant for dinner. It was worth the drive.

Lookin' good guys....

That's Amore

[kikibalt]

Manny Madrid was managed by Don Fraser & Georgie Latka



division lightweight
nationality United States
residence Los Angeles, California, United States
won 29 (KO eight) + lost eight (KO 4) + drawn 4 = 41
rounds boxed 291 : KO% 19.51

1953-10-12 139 Aberdeen Lynch 139 4-7-0
Arena, South Gate, California, United States W MD 10 10
~ referee: Mushy Callahan 57-53 | judge: Jimmy Wilson 55-55 | judge: Reggie Gilmore 60-50 ~

1952-07-26 140½ Philip Kim 140 32-5-2
Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, United States L RTD 7 10
~ referee: Frankie Van 31½-35½ ~
Madrid retired in his corner after the 7th round, due to cuts.

1952-06-21 138½ Joey Gurrola 140 15-3-5
Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, United States D PTS 10 10
~ referee: Frankie Van 55-55 | judge: Tommy Herman 55-55 | judge: Dynamite Jackson 56½-53½ ~

1952-02-05 142½ Art Aragon 143½ 50-12-5
Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States L TKO 6 10
~ time: 2:15 | referee: Abe Roth 27-28 | judge: Dynamite Jackson 26½-28½ | judge: Reggie Gilmore 26-29 ~
According to the Los Angeles Times, Madrid suffered from a badly swollen right eye, and had taken a bad beating when Roth stopped the bout.

1951-12-15 140 Don Rogers 139 14-4-1
Eureka, California, United States W KO 8

1951-11-30 137 Enrique Bolanos 137¼ 67-15-3
Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, United States D PTS 10 10
~ referee: Abe Roth 56-54 | judge: Dynamite Jackson 55-55 | judge: Jack McDonald 55-55 ~
Madrid was knocked down for a two-count in the 1st round.

1951-10-21 Chuchu Ruiz 15-12-2
Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico W PTS 10 10

1951-10-05 138¼ Rudy Cruz 138¼ 45-10-3
Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, United States L TD 5 10
~ time: 2:02 | referee: Mushy Callahan 22-22 | judge: Dynamite Jackson 20½-23½ | judge: Frank Holborow 20½-23½ ~
Fights stopped when an accidental butt by Madrid opened a gash over Cruz' right eye

1951-09-17 Bobby Brewer 13-17-4
Sports Center, Tucson, Arizona, United States W TKO 5 10
~ time: 1:34 ~
Brewer was stopped on a cut left eye.

1951-08-01 137 Julio Cesar Jimenez 139 29-17-1
Arena Coliseo, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico W UD 10 10
Madrid "outboxed and outclassed Jiménez during most of the fight, and in the final rounds pinned (Jiménez) with flurries to the head and body." (United Press)

1951-07-06 137 Chu Chu Jiminez 135 21-5-5
Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, United States W UD 10 10
~ referee: Charley Randolph 59-51 | judge: Frankie Van 60-50 | judge: Dynamite Jackson 61-49 ~

1951-05-25 139¼ Enrique Bolanos 136½ 66-12-2
Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, United States D PTS 10 10
~ referee: Joe Stone 55-55 | judge: Jack McDonald 55-55 | judge: Jimmy Wallace 52½-57½ ~

1951-04-10 137 Chu Chu Jiminez 137 20-4-5
Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States W UD 10 10
~ referee: Reggie Gilmore 59-51 | judge: Tommy Hart 58-52 | judge: Jack McDonald 57-53 ~

1951-04-02 138½ Rafael Hadad Carrillo 136 6-10-1
Arena, Ocean Park, California, United States W TKO 9 10
~ time: 0:37 | referee: Mushy Callahan ~

1951-02-03 Alfredo Escobar 33-20-8
Eureka, California, United States W PTS 10 10

1951-01-13 Ernie Greer 11-5-4
Eureka, California, United States W PTS 10 10

1950-12-01 137¾ Enrique Bolanos 137½ 62-10-2
Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, United States L RTD 6 10
~ referee: Joe Stone ~
Madrid retired in his corner following the sixth round, due to a cut lip. Madrid was down for a three-count in the 1st, Bolanos for no-count in the 4th round.

1950-08-25 136 Jackie Weber 136 45-16-3
Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, United States W TKO 10 10
~ time: 1:50 | referee: Joe Stone ~
Weber was knocked down for a two-count in the 9th round, and for a seven-count in the 10th.

1950-08-01 138¼ Emil Barao 137½ 27-26-9
Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States L UD 10 10
~ referee: Charley Randolph 54-56 | judge: Billy Kershner 54-56 | judge: Jimmy Wilson 54½-55½ ~

1950-07-11 138 Eddie Johnson 135½ 13-1-2
San Jose, California, United States D PTS 10 10

1950-06-19 138 Babe Picazo 137 17-12-7
Arena, Ocean Park, California, United States W TKO 10 10
~ referee: Johnny Indrisano ~

1950-06-13 Oscar Price 7-10-4
San Jose, California, United States W KO 5

1950-05-29 137 Louis Williams 133 5-3-2
Arena, Ocean Park, California, United States W UD 10 10

1950-04-24 138¾ Hugh Sublett 138¾ 14-16-1
Arena, Ocean Park, California, United States W TKO 8 10
~ referee: Frankie Van ~

1950-04-17 136¼ Bolton Ford 136 22-11-0
Arena, Ocean Park, California, United States W UD 10 10

1950-03-07 135½ Louis Williams 2-1-2
Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States W PTS 6 6

1950-02-21 137½ Pee Wee Swingler 137 30-25-9
Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States W PTS 6 6

1950-02-07 137 Pee Wee Swingler 137 30-24-9
Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States W PTS 6 6

1949-09-13 137 Archie Whitewater 136 28-6-2
Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States L TKO 4 8
~ referee: Reggie Gilmore ~
A badly cut lip suffered by Madrid, led to a stoppage.

1949-08-16 137½ Harold Jordan 136 13-16-6
Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States W KO 2 6
~ referee: Tommy Herman ~

1949-07-05 139½ Ray Perez 142 10-9-1
Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States W PTS 4 4

1948-12-17 136¾ Jean Mougin 136½ 13-7-1
Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, United States L SD 6 6

1948-11-19 135½ Al Gonzales 135½ 18-11-5
Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, United States W PTS 6 6

1948-11-12 134 Ray Ramon 132¼ 11-5-1
Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, United States W PTS 4 4

1948-10-19 135½ Butch Maxwell 132¾ 43-42-14
Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States W PTS 4 4

1948-10-08 135½ Jesse Salazar 134¾ 5-18-2
Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, United States W PTS 4 4

1948-08-03 135 Tommy Vargas 135 15-9-2
Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States L PTS 4 4

1948-07-27 134¾ Tommy Vargas 136 15-8-2
Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States W PTS 4 4

1948-06-18 133¼ Jess Bojorquez 135¾ 5-2-1
Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, United States W PTS 4 4

1948-06-07 134 Danny Jordan 138 0-0-0
Arena, Ocean Park, California, United States W PTS 4 4

1948-06-04 Lee Walker 7-38-4
Coliseum, San Diego, California, United States

[kikibalt]

I seen Manny Madrid's three fights with Enrique Bolanos live and also his fight with Art Aragon.
Good ol' days at the Hollywood Legion and the Olympic...

[kikibalt]

Connie & I just got back from having menudo con pata and a hard taco on the side, I had a Bohemia beer to wash the menudo and taco down....

[dagosd2000]

Connie & I just got back from having menudo con pata and a hard taco on the side, I had a Bohemia beer to wash the menudo and taco down....

Good Boy Maria just came back from Michoacan. Brought back a lot of food(that bread"choreadas" that you like Frank) and some homemade mezcal. Will post later.

[dagosd2000]

Young Firpo(Guido Bardelli)

[Rick Farris]

Young Firpo(Guido Bardelli)

Rog . . . I have a beautifully framed portrait of Young Firpo in a fighting stance that hangs in my home.
When I was looking at your painting, I scrolled up just enough to hide the name below the image.
I then showed the painting to Monica and asked if she recognized the fighter.
She answered, "Roger painted John's father, That's beautiful."



-Rick Farris

[dagosd2000]

Choreadas(pan dulce),crema,queso(Frank's favorite),chorizo,tomatillos,and chiles from Michoacan.Not pictured:homemade Mezcal.(post later)

[dagosd2000]

Young Firpo(Guido Bardelli)

Rog . . . I have a beautifully framed portrait of Young Firpo in a fighting stance that hangs in my home.
When I was looking at your painting, I scrolled up just enough to hide the name below the image.
I then showed the painting to Monica and asked if she recognized the fighter.
She answered, "Roger painted John's father, That's beautiful."



-Rick Farris

Thanks Rick and Monica
I was long overdue painting John's father.

[dagosd2000]

WAITING AROUND

The wife and kids were to arrive at the Tijuana Airport at 4 thirty in the afternoon so I made sure i crossed the border early. I think I told you that my sister in law and her husband own a little bar just off Revolution on 8th Street. The bar is named after her husband,Ruben's Bar.

It might be the smallest bar in TJ. 5 bar stools and three booths. I figured I'd play it safe in there. I didn't want to get in trouble so I was sticking to Coca Cola.

When i arrived it was just me and the bartendress and an old gal sitting in one of the booths. I pulled up to the bar. The old gal got up and sat down next to me.
"How are you doing my friend?"she asked.
She had a gold tooth in front.
"Oh,pretty good."
I'd seen her in there before. I'd also seen her at the bar across the street. It was the middle of the day and it was hot outside. It was hot inside the bar too. Being so small their wasn't much air circulating.
"You buy one beer for me?"
"Sure."
The bartendress heard me and popped open a bottle of Tecate and set a glass on the counter.
"So how's business,"I asked kind of indifferently.
"No business. Nada,"the old gal answered.
I could have asked anyone doing business on the block and I'd gotten the same answer. So why did I ask? I don't even know.

After a half hour or so this younger looking Mexican guy came in and sat at the bar. He was wearing sun glasses. A bottle of Tecate beer with no glass was plopped in front of him. The old gal was half finished with her glass of beer.
"You buy me another one?"she asked.
"No thanks."
She smiled and then slid off the bar stool and went back to the booth.

A while back I gave Ruben a couple of paintings I'd done. Pancho Villa and Zapata. They were hanging on the side wall. I told Ruben that if he sold them I'd split the profits. i was asking 500 a piece American money. They'd been up on that wall for over a year. Then I played dumb.
"Who painted those paintings?" I asked the bartendress.
She looked at the young Mexican guy with the sun glasses.
"I don't know.,"she answered.
The Mexican shrugged his shoulders.
"I painted those,"I said.
They looked surprised.
"You painted those?"asked the Mexican dude.
"Yeah."
"Why that's amazing. "
He stared at the paintings.
"Now that's Zapata. I like that one."
"Thanks."
"The other guy..."
He was squinting trying to put it together.
"That's Pancho Villa," I said.
"Really! Man I dig Pancho Villa. He's my favorite. My grandfather rode with him in the day. This is really crazy."
"He's my favorite too. I have a lot of paintings of him."
"Man,I'd like one. You sell your paintings?"
"Yes I do."
"How much for that one on the wall?"
"500 dollars."
"Man,I want a regular one. Sell me that one for a hundred?"
"Not that one,but I might have a smaller one."

The Mexican dude was smiling at me shaking his head. He never took off the sun glasses.
"Man,I don't believe it. My grandfather road with him."
"Do you know where the statue of Panch Villa is in TJ?"I asked him.
He looked up at the ceiling.
"Naw man .Where?"
"You know where Colonia 20 De Noviembre is?"
He looked up again.
"Where the auditorium is across the boulevard. It's at the end of a little dead end street. The statue is about 4 feet high. It's covered with pigeon poop."
"Man that ain't right."
He was still smiling at me all the time we were having the conversation.
"Mexico likes to keep Pancho Villa under wraps. If he was around today he wouldn't put up with what is going on," I told him.
"You're right man. It's the government that keeps us down."

The young Mexican finished his bottle of beer. I needed to head out to the airport. The bartendress came over.
"I'm going."
The Mexican had his head down.
"Get this guy another on me,"I said.
He looked up smiling again.
"Man it was good talking to you."
He gave me one of those ghetto handshakes.
"You sure you won't sell me the one on the wall for a hundred?"
"I'm sure,"I said.

[dagosd2000]

Ruben's Bar

[kikibalt]

Ruben's Bar

Does Ruben sell Bohemia?

[Rick Farris]

Choreadas(pan dulce),crema,queso(Frank's favorite),chorizo,tomatillos,and chiles from Michoacan.Not pictured:homemade Mezcal.(post later)

Damn, Rog. A guy could gain weight visiting this thread.
I happen to be starving at the moment.
Moni's making a Brazilian dinner tonight, it's called "Frigideira," and it's almost ready.


-Rick

[JABARDELLI]

Rick Farris wrote:
dagosd2000 wrote:


Young Firpo(Guido Bardelli)


Rog . . . I have a beautifully framed portrait of Young Firpo in a fighting stance that hangs in my home.
When I was looking at your painting, I scrolled up just enough to hide the name below the image.
I then showed the painting to Monica and asked if she recognized the fighter.
She answered, "Roger painted John's father, That's beautiful."



-Rick Farris

Thanks Rick and Monica
I was long overdue painting John's father.

Oh Roger --- thank you for the portrait of Young Firpo! Others have tried to capture an intangible --- and failed ... and that is the dual capacity reflected within those eyes. In one breath, there is a viciousness that became apparent as soon as the bell rang confirming that those eyes were the eyes of a rampaging bull --- but in the same breath, there is a lamenting in those eyes which you've captured --- a lamenting revealing to those who knew him best --- "I don't want to do what I am about to do." It was that contradiction, played out in the later years of his life, when he would reveal the innermost qualities of his soul saying, "What did those kids ever do to me to deserve the beatings I gave them --- tell me, what the hell did they ever do to me?" Thank you, Roger.

[dagosd2000]

Ruben's Bar

Does Ruben sell Bohemia?

Yep,Bohemia,Tecate,and Sol. When you're in town we'll take a trip down there.

[dagosd2000]

Rick Farris wrote:
dagosd2000 wrote:


Young Firpo(Guido Bardelli)


Rog . . . I have a beautifully framed portrait of Young Firpo in a fighting stance that hangs in my home.
When I was looking at your painting, I scrolled up just enough to hide the name below the image.
I then showed the painting to Monica and asked if she recognized the fighter.
She answered, "Roger painted John's father, That's beautiful."



-Rick Farris

Thanks Rick and Monica
I was long overdue painting John's father.

Oh Roger --- thank you for the portrait of Young Firpo! Others have tried to capture an intangible --- and failed ... and that is the dual capacity reflected within those eyes. In one breath, there is a viciousness that became apparent as soon as the bell rang confirming that those eyes were the eyes of a rampaging bull --- but in the same breath, there is a lamenting in those eyes which you've captured --- a lamenting revealing to those who knew him best --- "I don't want to do what I am about to do." It was that contradiction, played out in the later years of his life, when he would reveal the innermost qualities of his soul saying, "What did those kids ever do to me to deserve the beatings I gave them --- tell me, what the hell did they ever do to me?" Thank you, Roger.

Thanks John
Reading your comments convince me that the painting of your father belongs in your living room. Email Rick your address and I'll send it up to you. Rog

[Randyman]

Young Firpo(Guido Bardelli)

Rog, let me echo everyone else's sentiment about this painting of Young Firpo. great job, Rog. It truly is beautiful. You are a generous man.

Randy

[Randyman]

WAITING AROUND

The wife and kids were to arrive at the Tijuana Airport at 4 thirty in the afternoon so I made sure i crossed the border early. I think I told you that my sister in law and her husband own a little bar just off Revolution on 8th Street. The bar is named after her husband,Ruben's Bar.

It might be the smallest bar in TJ. 5 bar stools and three booths. I figured I'd play it safe in there. I didn't want to get in trouble so I was sticking to Coca Cola.

When i arrived it was just me and the bartendress and an old gal sitting in one of the booths. I pulled up to the bar. The old gal got up and sat down next to me.
"How are you doing my friend?"she asked.
She had a gold tooth in front.
"Oh,pretty good."
I'd seen her in there before. I'd also seen her at the bar across the street. It was the middle of the day and it was hot outside. It was hot inside the bar too. Being so small their wasn't much air circulating.
"You buy one beer for me?"
"Sure."
The bartendress heard me and popped open a bottle of Tecate and set a glass on the counter.
"So how's business,"I asked kind of indifferently.
"No business. Nada,"the old gal answered.
I could have asked anyone doing business on the block and I'd gotten the same answer. So why did I ask? I don't even know.

After a half hour or so this younger looking Mexican guy came in and sat at the bar. He was wearing sun glasses. A bottle of Tecate beer with no glass was plopped in front of him. The old gal was half finished with her glass of beer.
"You buy me another one?"she asked.
"No thanks."
She smiled and then slid off the bar stool and went back to the booth.

A while back I gave Ruben a couple of paintings I'd done. Pancho Villa and Zapata. They were hanging on the side wall. I told Ruben that if he sold them I'd split the profits. i was asking 500 a piece American money. They'd been up on that wall for over a year. Then I played dumb.
"Who painted those paintings?" I asked the bartendress.
She looked at the young Mexican guy with the sun glasses.
"I don't know.,"she answered.
The Mexican shrugged his shoulders.
"I painted those,"I said.
They looked surprised.
"You painted those?"asked the Mexican dude.
"Yeah."
"Why that's amazing. "
He stared at the paintings.
"Now that's Zapata. I like that one."
"Thanks."
"The other guy..."
He was squinting trying to put it together.
"That's Pancho Villa," I said.
"Really! Man I dig Pancho Villa. He's my favorite. My grandfather rode with him in the day. This is really crazy."
"He's my favorite too. I have a lot of paintings of him."
"Man,I'd like one. You sell your paintings?"
"Yes I do."
"How much for that one on the wall?"
"500 dollars."
"Man,I want a regular one. Sell me that one for a hundred?"
"Not that one,but I might have a smaller one."

The Mexican dude was smiling at me shaking his head. He never took off the sun glasses.
"Man,I don't believe it. My grandfather road with him."
"Do you know where the statue of Panch Villa is in TJ?"I asked him.
He looked up at the ceiling.
"Naw man .Where?"
"You know where Colonia 20 De Noviembre is?"
He looked up again.
"Where the auditorium is across the boulevard. It's at the end of a little dead end street. The statue is about 4 feet high. It's covered with pigeon poop."
"Man that ain't right."
He was still smiling at me all the time we were having the conversation.
"Mexico likes to keep Pancho Villa under wraps. If he was around today he wouldn't put up with what is going on," I told him.
"You're right man. It's the government that keeps us down."

The young Mexican finished his bottle of beer. I needed to head out to the airport. The bartendress came over.
"I'm going."
The Mexican had his head down.
"Get this guy another on me,"I said.
He looked up smiling again.
"Man it was good talking to you."
He gave me one of those ghetto handshakes.
"You sure you won't sell me the one on the wall for a hundred?"
"I'm sure,"I said.

Nice story. I felt like I was in the bar eavesdropping. Thanks for sharing.

Randy

[Rick Farris]

Young Firpo(Guido Bardelli)

World Boxing Hall of Famer - 2008

Trainer- Mel Epstein

[Randyman]

Choreadas(pan dulce),crema,queso(Frank's favorite),chorizo,tomatillos,and chiles from Michoacan.Not pictured:homemade Mezcal.(post later)

Damn, Rog. A guy could gain weight visiting this thread.
I happen to be starving at the moment.
Moni's making a Brazilian dinner tonight, it's called "Frigideira," and it's almost ready.


-Rick

Good stuff there Rog, makes me hungry and I just ate. I know just the thought of cheese is enough to make Frank gag.

Rick, Frigideira? Sounds like Frigidaire, as in the "Fridge" as in whatever is in the fridge tonight. Am I close? Or is that a real dish?

Randy

[Rick Farris]

Rick Farris wrote:
dagosd2000 wrote:


Young Firpo(Guido Bardelli)


Rog . . . I have a beautifully framed portrait of Young Firpo in a fighting stance that hangs in my home.
When I was looking at your painting, I scrolled up just enough to hide the name below the image.
I then showed the painting to Monica and asked if she recognized the fighter.
She answered, "Roger painted John's father, That's beautiful."



-Rick Farris

Thanks Rick and Monica
I was long overdue painting John's father.

Oh Roger --- thank you for the portrait of Young Firpo! Others have tried to capture an intangible --- and failed ... and that is the dual capacity reflected within those eyes. In one breath, there is a viciousness that became apparent as soon as the bell rang confirming that those eyes were the eyes of a rampaging bull --- but in the same breath, there is a lamenting in those eyes which you've captured --- a lamenting revealing to those who knew him best --- "I don't want to do what I am about to do." It was that contradiction, played out in the later years of his life, when he would reveal the innermost qualities of his soul saying, "What did those kids ever do to me to deserve the beatings I gave them --- tell me, what the hell did they ever do to me?" Thank you, Roger.

Powerful words John, about a powerful image. Roger's gift is boxing's gift. He's brilliant!
How lucky we are to have him our friend. Roger's art makes us think, makes obvious what the naked eye does not always catch.
I hope the idiots involved with the WBHOF recognize what they have. However, it does not matter, Roger's art will become a part of boxing history regardless.
I know this and believe this. We will see Roger's art in books, museums and galleries.
This is just the beginning of Roger Esty's path in boxing. We will have the fun of watching this grow right before our eyes.


-Rick Farris

[Randyman]

Rick Farris wrote:
dagosd2000 wrote:


Young Firpo(Guido Bardelli)


Rog . . . I have a beautifully framed portrait of Young Firpo in a fighting stance that hangs in my home.
When I was looking at your painting, I scrolled up just enough to hide the name below the image.
I then showed the painting to Monica and asked if she recognized the fighter.
She answered, "Roger painted John's father, That's beautiful."



-Rick Farris

Thanks Rick and Monica
I was long overdue painting John's father.

Oh Roger --- thank you for the portrait of Young Firpo! Others have tried to capture an intangible --- and failed ... and that is the dual capacity reflected within those eyes. In one breath, there is a viciousness that became apparent as soon as the bell rang confirming that those eyes were the eyes of a rampaging bull --- but in the same breath, there is a lamenting in those eyes which you've captured --- a lamenting revealing to those who knew him best --- "I don't want to do what I am about to do." It was that contradiction, played out in the later years of his life, when he would reveal the innermost qualities of his soul saying, "What did those kids ever do to me to deserve the beatings I gave them --- tell me, what the hell did they ever do to me?" Thank you, Roger.

Powerful words John, about a powerful image. Roger's gift is boxing's gift. He's brilliant!
How lucky we are to have him our friend. Roger's art makes us think, makes obvious what the naked eye does not always catch.
I hope the idiots involved with the WBHOF recognize what they have. However, it does not matter, Roger's art will become a part of boxing history regardless.
I know this and believe this. We will see Roger's art in books, museums and galleries.
This is just the beginning of Roger Esty's path in boxing. We will have the fun of watching this grow right before our eyes.


-Rick Farris

I second that opinion and prediction!

Randy