Classic American West Coast Boxing

[Randyman]

Time to hit the hay guys...

Tomorrow is a work day...

Grrrr...

[Rick Farris]

Time to hit the hay guys...

Tomorrow is a work day...

Frank . . .

For who? Me, Randy, Rog, Dan, maybe Brian and Bennie, John Bardelli & Tom, Bruce . . .yeah.
You? Don't break that "kept man" image I have of you.
If you are sweeping and mopping and dusting and tidying, please just lie and tell me it ain't so.
It's OK to pick-up a couple small things at the store, but only if you are planning to be there anyway, to get something important, like beer.


-Rick Farris





-Rick

[dagosd2000]

WHEN THE MOMENT ARRIVES

I heard Rocky Marciano say once that the thing that convinced him to hang up his gloves was the day he walked into the gym and couldn't take the smell anymore. The smell of the sweat soaked canvas and the mildewy shower.

Ted Williams said that one afternoon of a game he was standing on second base and looked down at home plate.
"That's a hell of a long way to run on a hit through the infield."
That look at home plate standing on second convinced The Kid to hang up his cleats.

Arnold Palmer said that he just didn't want to compete to win on the golf course anymore during a tournament.
"I just let go of the rope. I was tired of it."
He never won another tournament.

Then there's the story of Andy Heilman not coming out for the next round against Ronnie Wilson. A fight Andy was winning easily. He told his corner that he didn't want to fight anymore. And he didn't.

Sometimes the moment is that fast. Triggers just as fast a decision. The fire's extinguished.It's over. No contemplation. Maybe they weren't even thinking about before the moment arrived.

[Rick Farris]

WHEN THE MOMENT ARRIVES

I heard Rocky Marciano say once that the thing that convinced him to hang up his gloves was the day he walked into the gym and couldn't take the smell anymore. The smell of the sweat soaked canvas and the mildewy shower.

Ted Williams said that one afternoon of a game he was standing on second base and looked down at home plate.
"That's a hell of a long way to run on a hit through the infield."
That look at home plate standing on second convinced The Kid to hang up his cleats.

Arnold Palmer said that he just didn't want to compete to win on the golf course anymore during a tournament.
"I just let go of the rope. I was tired of it."
He never won another tournament.

Then there's the story of Andy Heilman not coming out for the next round against Ronnie Wilson. A fight Andy was winning easily. He told his corner that he didn't want to fight anymore. And he didn't.

Sometimes the moment is that fast. Triggers just as fast a decision. The fire's extinguished.It's over. No contemplation. Maybe they weren't even thinking about before the moment arrived.

Heilman vs. Wilson . . .

I was at that fight, Rog. I'll never forget it. It was at the Valley Music Theatre, I believe in '72.
He just quit. Jackie McCoy was startled. There was talk of a fix.
Wilson wasn't in the fight. And it was televised via KTLA CH.5 also. A Don Fraser promotion.
I wish we could find that tape. And yeah, Heilman's excuse was, "I lost my desire . . ."
Damn, why couldn't he have waited a couple more rounds to lose his desire? He could have gone out a winner.
It validates your point.


-Rick Farris

[kikibalt]

Time to hit the hay guys...

Tomorrow is a work day...

Frank . . .

For who? Me, Randy, Rog, Dan, maybe Brian and Bennie, John Bardelli & Tom, Bruce . . .yeah.
You? Don't break that "kept man" image I have of you.
If you are sweeping and mopping and dusting and tidying, please just lie and tell me it ain't so.
It's OK to pick-up a couple small things at the store, but only if you are planning to be there anyway, to get something important, like beer.


-Rick Farris

Rick, its was you guys I was thinking about when I said "Tomorrow is a work day", me?, I'm still a "Kept Man", its to late to change.....

[Rick Farris]

Time to hit the hay guys...

Tomorrow is a work day...

Frank . . .

For who? Me, Randy, Rog, Dan, maybe Brian and Bennie, John Bardelli & Tom, Bruce . . .yeah.
You? Don't break that "kept man" image I have of you.
If you are sweeping and mopping and dusting and tidying, please just lie and tell me it ain't so.
It's OK to pick-up a couple small things at the store, but only if you are planning to be there anyway, to get something important, like beer.


-Rick Farris

Rick, its was you guys I was thinking about when I said "Tomorrow is a work day", me?, I'm still a "Kept Man", its to late to change.....

Thanks Frank, gives me hope for the future.

-Rick

[Rick Farris]

WHEN THE MOMENT ARRIVES

I heard Rocky Marciano say once that the thing that convinced him to hang up his gloves was the day he walked into the gym and couldn't take the smell anymore. The smell of the sweat soaked canvas and the mildewy shower.

Ted Williams said that one afternoon of a game he was standing on second base and looked down at home plate.
"That's a hell of a long way to run on a hit through the infield."
That look at home plate standing on second convinced The Kid to hang up his cleats.

Arnold Palmer said that he just didn't want to compete to win on the golf course anymore during a tournament.
"I just let go of the rope. I was tired of it."
He never won another tournament.

Then there's the story of Andy Heilman not coming out for the next round against Ronnie Wilson. A fight Andy was winning easily. He told his corner that he didn't want to fight anymore. And he didn't.

Sometimes the moment is that fast. Triggers just as fast a decision. The fire's extinguished.It's over. No contemplation. Maybe they weren't even thinking about before the moment arrived.

Roger . . .

Your story goes beyond sports, and brings to mind something that happened on a film set some years back.
When I was new in the business, I had the luck of meeting and befriending a very successful motion picture lighting director.
His name was Don Nygren and he had one of the best resumes of motion picture lighting in the business.
He was a generation older than I, and he became a mentor. Under Don, I worked on a lot of big films, including four Clint Eastwood pics in the 80's.

Don had married his high school sweetheart (whose father was an MGM lighting legend) back in the 50's.
He and his wife had a wonderful relationship, he was a solid family man. The kids had grown up and Judy got sick. Cancer took her and Don was devistated.
Don pulled himself together and continued to work, one big film after another.

I get a phone call from him one day and he asks if I'll work with him on an Eddie Murphy picture, The Nutty Professor.
We hadn't worked together in years and the last time happened to also be on an Eddie Murphy film, Beverly Hills Cop.

Don was a great lighting gaffer and it seemed if everything was going good for him on the film.
I was an LD myself, but had dropped back down to a tech to work with him on this film.

One morning, after having our breakfast, Don got a set-up for the first shot from the director.
He told me to stay by his side as he lit the set and let the other tech's do all the work.
When the master shot was lit, he asked me to join him as he spoke to the cinematographer.

I had no idea what was on his mind and was shocked when he told the cameraman, "I'm done. Rick is a fine gaffer he can finish this film with you."
The cameraman was shocked, as well. "Is something wrong?" he asked.

"No. I've just lit my last set. I'm going to the Motion Picture Health & Wealthfare office and file for my retirement."

Don shook our hands and left the set for good. I called him several times after that, just to say hello and visit. He sounded great.

When he was done, he was done.
I remember asking him before he left the set why he didn't wait another six weeks until the film's principle photography was complete.
"When I woke this morning I told myself, I don't want to do this anymore," he told me.
That was it.

Not long after, Don Nygren was diagnosed with cancer and passed shortly afterwards.


-Rick Farris

[kikibalt]

Time to hit the hay guys...

Tomorrow is a work day...

Frank . . .

For who? Me, Randy, Rog, Dan, maybe Brian and Bennie, John Bardelli & Tom, Bruce . . .yeah.
You? Don't break that "kept man" image I have of you.
If you are sweeping and mopping and dusting and tidying, please just lie and tell me it ain't so.
It's OK to pick-up a couple small things at the store, but only if you are planning to be there anyway, to get something important, like beer.


-Rick Farris

Rick, its was you guys I was thinking about when I said "Tomorrow is a work day", me?, I'm still a "Kept Man", its to late to change.....

Thanks Frank, gives me hope for the future.

-Rick

Rick,
Always looking out for my buddys..

[kikibalt]

Emile Griffith vs Jorge Fernandez
December 8 1962, WBA Welterweight Championship

Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada

[Rick Farris]

Emile Griffith vs Jorge Fernandez
December 8 1962, WBA Welterweight Championship

Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada

That's trainer Teddy Bentham, cradeling the head of Fernandez as he lay on the canvas.
Bentham also trained Carlos Ortiz and Jerry Quarry, and worked with Johnny Flores as a second in one of my early matches.
Looks like Griffith did a number on Fernanadez!


-Rick Farris

[kikibalt]

Ray Arcel, (1899-1994)

[Randyman]

I thought you guys might get a kick out of this old photo of Jeri (on the right) and her sister Mary. This is in San Antonio, Texas, just before her family moved to California.

[kikibalt]

How old was Jeri in that pic. Randy?

[Randyman]

Emile Griffith vs Jorge Fernandez
December 8 1962, WBA Welterweight Championship

Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada

That's trainer Teddy Bentham, cradeling the head of Fernandez as he lay on the canvas.
Bentham also trained Carlos Ortiz and Jerry Quarry, and worked with Johnny Flores as a second in one of my early matches.
Looks like Griffith did a number on Fernanadez!


-Rick Farris

I remember Teddy from the Main Street Gym. I believe he worked, along with Memo Soto, with Danny Lopez. Rick would know better than I. I don't remember when he died but it seems he spent most of 1976 sitting on the bench. I don't think he was feeling too well at that time.

Randy

[Randyman]

How old was Jeri in that pic. Randy?

I think she might have been about eight. She was eight or nine when they came to California.

[Randyman]

Ray Arcel, (1899-1994)

One of the all time greats, Frank. Trained both Benny Leonard and Roberto Duran, the two greatest lightweights of all time. From the Mel Epstein school of thought.

Randy

[Randyman]

Time to hit the hay guys...

Tomorrow is a work day...

Frank . . .

For who? Me, Randy, Rog, Dan, maybe Brian and Bennie, John Bardelli & Tom, Bruce . . .yeah.
You? Don't break that "kept man" image I have of you.
If you are sweeping and mopping and dusting and tidying, please just lie and tell me it ain't so.
It's OK to pick-up a couple small things at the store, but only if you are planning to be there anyway, to get something important, like beer.


-Rick Farris

Rick, its was you guys I was thinking about when I said "Tomorrow is a work day", me?, I'm still a "Kept Man", its to late to change.....

That's the Frank we know and love!

Randy

[dagosd2000]

I thought you guys might get a kick out of this old photo of Jeri (on the right) and her sister Mary. This is in San Antonio, Texas, just before her family moved to California.

Two future heart breakers

[kikibalt]

Time to hit the hay guys...

Tomorrow is a work day...

Frank . . .

For who? Me, Randy, Rog, Dan, maybe Brian and Bennie, John Bardelli & Tom, Bruce . . .yeah.
You? Don't break that "kept man" image I have of you.
If you are sweeping and mopping and dusting and tidying, please just lie and tell me it ain't so.
It's OK to pick-up a couple small things at the store, but only if you are planning to be there anyway, to get something important, like beer.


-Rick Farris

Rick, its was you guys I was thinking about when I said "Tomorrow is a work day", me?, I'm still a "Kept Man", its to late to change.....

That's the Frank we know and love!

Randy

Thanks Randy....

[dagosd2000]

Here's a good one. Maria,our son Ramon,and her sister with the shotgun.At her sister's ranch. Valle De Juarez,Jalisco. !970

[dagosd2000]

Another good one. Our son Ramon on the right and two amigos. Canon Jhonson,Tijuana. !972

[raylawpc]

Guys: Friends of my son here in St. Louis are moving to LA. He's going to work at UCLA; she thinks she has a job in Pasadena. What would be a good area in which they can look for a house thats convenient for both of them. Young couple - early 30s - planning to have children. Any suggestions?

[dagosd2000]

THE VIDEO GAME

"I'm looking for Terrible Morales's gym,"I inquired at the barber shop at the corner. There was one barber chair and it was empty.
"At the corner down the block,"said the barber.
"Gracias amigo,"I smiled back.
"You no want hair cut?" asked the barber.
"No gracias."
"Good price."
"I know, but I just got a hair cut last week."
"You want a shave?"
"No thanks."
The barber turned his back and started to clean the mirror.

I walked to the end of the block.The gym was in the Zona Norte a few blocks away from all the bars in the Coahuila. Just for those few blocks, the neighborhood was real quiet.It was sunny outside. Looked like any other colonia in Tijuana. Not the rich colonias,but the average colonia of Tijuana. At the corner was a small store. They call them "abarrotes."

I walked inside. There was an old man behind the counter. Off to the corner a couple of boys were playing an video machine game. The boys were enthusiastic.
"Where's the Morales gym?,"I asked the old man.
"Around the corner.Up the stairs at the door."

I walked up the stairs,but the gym was closed. I looked through the window on the door. There was the ring,a heavy bag,and the speed bag hanging from the ceiling. Everything was still. I walked down the stairs back to the store.
"Nobody there."
"They open at 3 o'clock."
It was 2 thirty.
"I'll come back then."
The old man nodded his head. The boys were playing the video game still. They were hitting the side of the machine with their hands.

I sat on a bench across the street in front of a taco stand. I sat there drinking an orange soda I bought from the stand. I was thinking of Morales's recent victory over Paquiao. I was anxious to maybe get an interview with Morales and take some photographs of the gym. A little past 3 o'clock I saw two men go through the door. I walked across the street.
"Is Morales here yet?"I asked the old man.
"No. Not yet."
"Is he coming?"
"I don't know."
Just then one of the boys at the video game kicked the machine."
"Chinga,"he yelled.
I was beginning to lose hope that Morales was going to show up.
"I'll wait a little longer," I said.
"You no want to buy something?"asked the old man.
"No thanks,"I replied."I think I'll wait a little while longer."
The old man said nothing. Then he went to where the boys were playing the video game. He gave them a quarter to play the machine again.

[kikibalt]

Guys: Friends of my son here in St. Louis are moving to LA. He's going to work at UCLA; she thinks she has a job in Pasadena. What would be a good area in which they can look for a house thats convenient for both of them. Young couple - early 30s - planning to have children. Any suggestions?

I think maybe Rick can help you with that, he know the L.A. area better then anybody here, I think, I just know the barrios...

[Randyman]

Guys: Friends of my son here in St. Louis are moving to LA. He's going to work at UCLA; she thinks she has a job in Pasadena. What would be a good area in which they can look for a house thats convenient for both of them. Young couple - early 30s - planning to have children. Any suggestions?

I can tell you where to eat but not where to live. What's wrong with Pasadena? It seems like a nice town.

Randy