Classic American West Coast Boxing

[Randyman]

Alacran Torres

I've seen this photo before. It's at the Main Street Gym.

I had posted it before Randy, and yes that the Main St. Gym.

Gotta leave for a while but I'll be back.

[Expug]

I've never met Rick in person. But when I saw a picture from his fighting days, I thought he reminded me of an old-timer from Jeffries time. Last night it occurred to me who he looks like.

Is it just me, or does anybody else think a 20-something Rick looked like the ATG lightweight champion Ad Wolgast?

They look like brothers. Rick and Ad.

Wolgast , when told he had a fight coming up,used to say, "Wheres it being held and what is the weight"?
He didnt even ask who he was fighting. Didnt matter to him at all who it was.
The guy would fight ANYONE.
He had heart and balls. I say Rick is also the same type of guy that Wolgast was.
It took me about five seconds after meeting Rick to make that call.

[dagosd2000]

Alacran Torres

The last time I was in Jiquilpan my wife's nephew said Alacran Torres was in the furniture business in Guadalajara. I think Gato would know for sure.

[dagosd2000]

I've never met Rick in person. But when I saw a picture from his fighting days, I thought he reminded me of an old-timer from Jeffries time. Last night it occurred to me who he looks like.

Is it just me, or does anybody else think a 20-something Rick looked like the ATG lightweight champion Ad Wolgast?

They look like brothers. Rick and Ad.


Wolgast , when told he had a fight coming up,used to say, "Wheres it being held and what is the weight"?
He didnt even ask who he was fighting. Didnt matter to him at all who it was.
The guy would fight ANYONE.
He had heart and balls. I say Rick is also the same type of guy that Wolgast was.
It took me about five seconds after meeting Rick to make that call.

Brian
Read Hemingway's short story"The Battler". It alludes to Ad Wolgast. Great writing.

[dagosd2000]

I see "Alacran" Torres listed above. I didn't know too much about "Alacran" Torres when I met him in 1993 at the Brooklyn Street Gym in Boyle Heights where I was taking my son Andrew at the time. He saw me working with my son and came over and started a conversation with me. He more or less gave me some pointers to pass on to my son. He introduced himself to me as "Alacran" Torres. He said it with pride and as if it meant something. He must have noticed the blank stare in my eyes. He said " You don't know who I am? "No, I'm sorry, I don't." I felt a little embarrassed. He seemed irked but after a while he let it go.

He would hang around the gym a lot. He was selling boxing equipment at the time. I bought a few things from him, including a few pairs of gloves. Is he still alive, Frank?

Randy

As far as I know he is, but I heard some time back that he was in bad shape.

I saw him fight live a few times, tough guys. I think I have one of his fights on tape.

Check out that card. Napoles,Sugar Ramos,and Alacran Torres. 3 World Champs. Ringside seats:25 dollars.

[kikibalt]

[raylawpc]

I've never met Rick in person. But when I saw a picture from his fighting days, I thought he reminded me of an old-timer from Jeffries time. Last night it occurred to me who he looks like.

Is it just me, or does anybody else think a 20-something Rick looked like the ATG lightweight champion Ad Wolgast?

You're right!!...

Tom . . . I take that as a great compliment. Ad Wolgast is one of my favorite legends of the past, one YOU pointed out was not in the WBHOF and a guy who should be.
As a kid, I became interested in Ad Wolgast when I read of his life. His bouts with Battling Nelson, fighting at Port Richmond, California. I read of his struggles after retirement, etc. IT's not in my plans to be involved in the WBHOF much longer, but it was my goal to get Wolgast inducted along with Barbados Joe Wolcott & George Dixon.

-Rick Farris

Yes, I meant it very much as a compliment. I'd like to have people be able to say I bore a resemblance to a great fighter like Ad Wolgast. As it is, people tell me that, without the beard, I look like Garrison Keillor. (Actually, my cousin Ron looks alot more like Garrison Keillor than I do.)

[telboy66]

For the benifit of the ignorant mate who f**k is Garrison keillor

[kikibalt]

Mando Muniz & daughter Yvette

[kikibalt]

For the benifit of the ignorant mate who f**k is Garrison keillor

Yeah! who is Garrison Keillor? the masses want to know....

[kikibalt]

Just booked my room at the Marriott for Sat. Oct. 24. WBHOF...

[Rick Farris]

Jeffries Barn . . .

Here's one for Tom that was forwarded to me as I did research on a California boxer Joe Cardoza.
Nice shot of Jim Jeffries red barn in Burbank.
This site has some interesting California boxing history.

http://www.geocities.com/jwcardoza/redbarn.html



-Rick Farris

[Rick Farris]

I see "Alacran" Torres listed above. I didn't know too much about "Alacran" Torres when I met him in 1993 at the Brooklyn Street Gym in Boyle Heights where I was taking my son Andrew at the time. He saw me working with my son and came over and started a conversation with me. He more or less gave me some pointers to pass on to my son. He introduced himself to me as "Alacran" Torres. He said it with pride and as if it meant something. He must have noticed the blank stare in my eyes. He said " You don't know who I am? "No, I'm sorry, I don't." I felt a little embarrassed. He seemed irked but after a while he let it go.

He would hang around the gym a lot. He was selling boxing equipment at the time. I bought a few things from him, including a few pairs of gloves. Is he still alive, Frank?

Randy

Randy . . .

Alacran Torres is very close with Rodolfo Gonzalez.
They both started out together as young boys in Guadalajara, training under El Gato's cousin, Jose Beccera.
The WBHOF inducted Torres into the WBHOF in 2007, but his failing health prevented from him attending the banquet.
He still lives in his native Mexico.

I'm certain Rodolfo will want to comment on his friend, and he has some great stories, behind-the-scenes stuff.


-Rick Farris

[raylawpc]

For the benifit of the ignorant mate who f**k is Garrison keillor

Yeah! who is Garrison Keillor? the masses want to know....

Garrison Keillor is a radio personality who broadcasts a weekly variety show called "A Prairie Home Companion." My wife listens to it every Sunday afternoon. It is very popular with the 50+ crowd here in the USA Midwest, and they even made a movie about it a couple of years ago with Meryl Streep, Woody Harrelson and Kevin Kline in it.

Here's a link to the show:

http://prairiehome.publicradio.org/

[raylawpc]

Jeffries Barn . . .

Here's one for Tom that was forwarded to me as I did research on a California boxer Joe Cardoza.
Nice shot of Jim Jeffries red barn in Burbank.
This site has some interesting California boxing history.

http://www.geocities.com/jwcardoza/redbarn.html



-Rick Farris

Thanks Rick! I have a few pictures of the barn, but not that one. I appreciate it!!

[Rick Farris]

Hap . . . I was wondering if you had any memories of Joe Cardoza?


-Rick Farris

[Rick Farris]

Subject: Profound words

Whether or not you are a country music fan, these are truly the words of a deep thinker, and a highly intelligent person. So simple, yet so profound!
Read the words of wisdom from that famous philosopher Willie Nelson, iconic country and western singer, on his 75th birthday below his esteemed portrait.
Only a man with such wisdom and maturity could be so concise and succinct in phrasing his feelings at this turning point in his life. Read below and digest carefully.



"I have outlived my pecker."

[kikibalt]

Subject: Profound words

Whether or not you are a country music fan, these are truly the words of a deep thinker, and a highly intelligent person. So simple, yet so profound!
Read the words of wisdom from that famous philosopher Willie Nelson, iconic country and western singer, on his 75th birthday below his esteemed portrait.
Only a man with such wisdom and maturity could be so concise and succinct in phrasing his feelings at this turning point in his life. Read below and digest carefully.



"I have outlived my pecker."

Lots of us have Rick....

[raylawpc]

Subject: Profound words

Whether or not you are a country music fan, these are truly the words of a deep thinker, and a highly intelligent person. So simple, yet so profound!
Read the words of wisdom from that famous philosopher Willie Nelson, iconic country and western singer, on his 75th birthday below his esteemed portrait.
Only a man with such wisdom and maturity could be so concise and succinct in phrasing his feelings at this turning point in his life. Read below and digest carefully.



"I have outlived my pecker."

Oh boy . . . something else to look forward to . . .

[Rick Farris]

Mando Muniz & daughter Yvette

Proud of each other . . .

And for very good reason. When this photo was taken, Armando Muniz was one of the most dangerous welterweights in the world.
His wins over some of the best 147 pounders in the division earned him a title shot against the great Mantequilla Napoles, however, at home he was devoted family man, and a proud papa.

Yvette Muniz was just a child in the above photo, and I have never met her personally, however, she was instrumental in reconnecting me with her dad.
In the year '2000 I began writing about some of my L.A. boxing experiences and friends.
One my early stories in the Cyber Boxing Zone focused on Armando Muniz, whom I'd known from the late 60's where we both boxed amateur in Los Angeles.
I shared my early memories of this special man, and a few months after it had been published, receive an E-mail from Armando Muniz's daughter, Yvette.
She told me how touched both she and her father were by the story. She just wanted to say "thank you".

It was more than my pleasure.
Just had it had been more than sheer pleasure watching Armando rise from a local amateur superstar to the "uncrowned" Welterweight Champion of the world.

We all know the story, he kicked the great Jose "Mantequilla" Napoles ass, in Mexico no less, and was robbed.

Mando and I both were competing the 1969 National AAU Championships in San Diego, he for the ARMY, and myself with the L.A. team, about the time Armando's wife, Yolanda, gave birth to Yvette.
A year later, I made my pro debut at the the Olympic Auditorium, and a month later a recently discharged Pvt. Armando Muniz made his pro debut in the same ring.

During the next two years, Armando Muniz and I would fight on the same night on eight occasions. We both appeared on cards at the The Olympic, The Forum, The L.A. Sports Arena, The Anaheim Convention Center, Long Beach Arena, Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, and Valley MusicTheatre.

I opened the show in Long Beach the night Armando whipped Clyde Grey, and a couple months later, I closed the show the night he lost to the great Emile Griffith.
We both fought on the undercard of the Mando Ramos-Raul Rojas showdown, and a couple months later both scored KO's on the undercard of Ken Buchanan-Ruben Navarro lightweight title fight.
A month later we both fought prelims to the second Ruben Navarro-Jimmy Robertson fight.
I was barely out of high school when we both fought on the same card for the first time, and I remember us talking at the morning weigh-in (we weighed-in on fight day, 11am).

I watched the career of Armando Muniz develop from his early amateur days in Los Angeles.
Mando was one of the favorites showcased on televised amateur bouts proceeding the pro card every thursday night at the Olympic.
By the time Mando turned pro, in addition to being an Olympian, and all-time amateur great, he already had a built-in following waiting for him in Los Angeles.

I have many memories of this man, and was happy to share E-mail with him after his daughter had contacted me.
In the years since Yvette Muniz reconnected Armando and I, we've come to work well together, in a most positive direction for the WBHOF.


-Rick Farris

[kikibalt]

Bulletproof vests and Guns found in Mayweather’s home

August 27, 2009 by Edgar Gonzalez

LAS VEGAS — Las Vegas police investigating a shooting outside a skating rink seized two handguns, ammunition and two bulletproof vests from the home of boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. and two cars.

One of the alleged victims in the shooting incident also told investigators that the six-time champion threatened him 10 minutes before another man shot at his car from the rink’s parking lot as they drove away on Sunday night, according to search warrant documents obtained by the Associated Press on Thursday.

No one was hurt in the shooting. Mayweather has not been named as a suspect, and a man police are seeking has not been arrested, police Sgt. John Loretto said.

The alleged victim, Quincey Williams, said Mayweather confronted him with two other men because Williams had sent Mayweather a text message one month earlier saying he hopes he loses his upcoming fight. One of the men was later identified as the shooter by the other alleged victim, Damein Bland.

Police have said they suspect a man named “O.C.,” whom the victims said is an associate of Mayweather’s known to carry firearms.

Leonard Ellerbe, Mayweather’s manager, told the AP on Thursday that Mayweather was not involved in the incident. He referred questions to Mayweather’s lawyer, Richard Wright.

“Whatever happened, if they say it had to do with Mr. Mayweather, they’re mistaken,” Wright said. “Other than that, he’s concentrating on training for his fight.”

Mayweather is scheduled for a Sept. 19 comeback fight against Juan Manuel Marquez at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

His home, a gray and blue 2008 Rolls-Royce and a second car parked in his garage were searched on Monday, the warrant said.

The warrant said Mayweather told police that he drove the Rolls-Royce to the Crystal Palace Skating Center, but was unaware of any shooting. Mayweather said he did not know an “O.C.,” the warrant said.

Wright said Mayweather was at the rink with his children, and that the guns seized from his home were taken from security guards, and registered to them.

Bland and Williams told police that as they left the rink, Mayweather, “O.C.” and a third man, Jackie Ray Jones, were standing next to Mayweather’s Rolls-Royce, the warrant said.

Bland said he then saw “O.C.” reach down before he heard shots, then saw him holding a gun and flashes coming from it. He said Mayweather stood next to “O.C.” and Jones during the shooting.

A silver Smith & Wesson handgun that police seized had one cartridge in its chamber, the documents said. Police also took a 9mm silver and black Bryco Arms handgun, a holster and three magazines containing live rounds. Police also said they took two cell phones, a photo album and two plastic drinking bottles.

[kikibalt]

Chula Vista Little League. Homies from my neck of the woods. GO ALL THE WAY

Chula Vista will play Texas for the U.S. championship on Saturday....

Its going to be a tough game for Chula Vista to win, as Texas is a very good team, as they showed beating Chula Vista earlier in the week, so this is a rematch. May the better team win...

[Rick Farris]

Randy, the Torres fight that I have is the Chartchi Chionoi I fight, which he won by 8th round tko, he lost the rematch.

Frank . . .

I know we've discussed this before, but the Hiroyuki Ebihara-Alacran Torres flyweight title fight was a barn burner, literally!
It was 1964 at the Olympic Auditorium and I know you were there.
In a close one, the Japanses world champ gets the nod and Torres' fans from below the border were not happy.

After the decision, a riot started. First, cups of beer were tossed from the balcony, then cherry bombs, fights broke out everywhere and the place started to smoke.
Seats that were bolted into the cement floors were dislodged and broken. All exits to the parking lot, Grand Ave. and 18th St. were filled with people trying to escape the violence.
I always considered the solid cement structure of the Olympic to be "bullet proof."
Well, the Olympic survived but not without a few scars. I forget the dollar amount affixed to damages but it was in the $thousands back when that was a lot of money.

I was always a fan of Efren "Alacran" Torres. When he won the title from Chionoi in 1969, five years after losing to Ebihara at the Olympic, I remember how happy I was.



-Rick Farris

[dagosd2000]

DEJA VU

I picked up the phone. On the other end was a familiar voice. It was my buddy Pat.
"Hey Rog,I've got two tickets ringside for the fights tomorrow night."
"That's the night I take Amanda to Flamenco. I don't want to give that up."
There was a moment's silence on the other end.
"Oh. Yeah. Sure, we'll hook up later I guess."
I could hear people talking in the backround. He was at the bar. Since the divorce,he'd been spending more time in the bar.

Pat had tried his hand at boxing when I was going to the gym. He went ahead with it. I'd work out with him. He had a few fights. We all palled around Flaherty's fighters. We couldn't fight like them,but we could last with them in the drinking department. After Pat saw that he had no future with boxing,he got involved with unions. He was a union rep. He could talk and knew the law,but he was always juggling too many things at one time. Union rep,bar owner,bought a 7 Eleven. Even ran an ice cream parlor. If he'd concentrated on one thing I think he would have been successfull,but he lost everything.He was always in hock. And now his wife was leaving him.

I felt bad that I couldn't go to the fights with Pat,but I figured there'd be more cards we could go to. Last week a neighbor gave me two free passes to the fights at the Indian reservation. I tried calling Pat,but he didn't answer the phone. That wasn't unusual so I drove out to his place. He was living in a trailer park.

I pounded on the door. There was a sign written in pencil that read"Do Not Disturb." Bill,one of the rummies that hung out at the bar, opened the door. Bill was staying with Pat.
"Bill,where's Pat?"
"Oh,he's in his room,but he isn't doing that good," answered Bill.
I could smell the booze on Bill's breath.
"I'll knock on his door,"I said.
"Go ahead ,"said Bill.
Bill walked outside.

I knocked hard on the door. I heard a sudden movement inside the room.
"Who is it?"shouted Pat.
"It's me ,Roger."
"Open the door,"yelled Pat.
I opened the door. There was Pat curled in the fetal position. He looked up at me.
"What the hell do you want?"he screamed. He was crying uncontrollably.
"Pat,I have two ringside seats for the fights tonight."
I'd never seen him like this. His hair was uncombed .He needed a shave.
"I'm in bad shape he sobbed. If I had a gun I'd put a bullet in my head,"he wailed.
I was a little scared.
"Don't talk like that. Do you want me to take you somewhere?"
"Get out of here.Bill knows. I just want to die."
I slowly walked away. I didn't know what to think. When I was outside ,I looked for Bill. I couldn't find him.

The other night Pat called. He wanted to know if I wanted to go to the fights at the Sheraton. It was the same night again that I take my grand daughter to Flamenco. I asked Pat if he was all right.
"What do you mean?"he asked indifferently.
"The other night. You looked in bad shape. Are you OK?"
"Yeah. I had 15 bottles of wine. I was drunk."
I could hear the people talking in the backround.
"Well,"I said. "I guess we'll hook up later."
"Yeah,"said Pat. "I guess we will."

[dagosd2000]

Chula Vista Little League. Homies from my neck of the woods. GO ALL THE WAY

Chula Vista will play Texas for the U.S. championship on Saturday....

Its going to be a tough game for Chula Vista to win, as Texas is a very good team, as they showed beating Chula Vista earlier in the week, so this is a rematch. May the better team win...

Frank
The Chula kids need to keep their poise. If they get thru and play China or Curacao,they'll need it. And then there's that team from Reynoso, Mexico. I'm having more fun watching these kids than watching the pros.