Classic American West Coast Boxing

[scartissue]

Likewise, amigo.

Scartissue

[kikibalt]

E-mail from Brad Little

hi mr. baltazar- hope you can make it on saturday. feel free to bring a few guests. just email me how many. should be lots of fun. here's some info:

Just a reminder Toy Tiger is premiering at the El Portal Theatre October 3rd @ 3:30 pm

Here is the address for the Toy Tiger website: Just click

http://www.toytigermovie.com/

Here are the Directions to the Theater Just Click:

http://www.valleyfilmfest.com/valleyfil ... p/location

Remember to email me your guest list.


brad

[Rick Farris]

Featherweight Wars . . .

Dan, I know that Brad Little used your great story on the "Featherweight Wars" of the 70's to help promote his movie.
It was the featherweight wars of the sixties that captured my interest and motivated me to become a boxer.

My first featherweight favorite was Danny Valdez, who a few years earlier had challeneged Davey Moore for the featherweight title.
I saw Danny drop a close, hard fought decision at the Olympic to a guy he'd beaten earlier, Pete Gonzalez. That was a war.

Then I got to see another favorite of mine, Raul Rojas, go toe-to-toe with Mexican KO legend, Ricardo "Pajarito" Moreno at the Olympic in their first bout.
This was one of the most explosive contests I'd ever see. Both men were rocked early, but a deep cut over Moreno's eye ended the match in round three.
Wearing a mask of blood, Moreno demanded a rematch. He got the rematch and this time Rojas took him apart, KOing "Little Bird" in round two at the Sports Arena.

A year later, my favorite 126 pounder, Dwight Hawkins, went toe-to-toe with San Diego's Bobby Valdez in a bout that would be voted 1967 "Fight of the Year" at the Olympic.
The match ended in a draw and shall always remain one of the greatest matches I've ever seen.

Another great fight took place in 1965, and offered Raul Rojas his first shot at the World Featherweight title.
Raul was just 23 when he challenged 22-year-old Vicente Saldivar for the title. Rojas was stopped in the 15th round, suffering his first pro loss.

We had a kid named "Irish" Frankie Crawford who was also a hot attraction.
As great as the "Featherweight Wars of the 70's" were, they were just carrying on a tradition from days gone by.
From the turn of the century thru the 70's, L.A. put on some of the greatest featherweight wars in history. Of course, today those wars are just a memory.


-Rick Farris

[Rick Farris]

Mando Ramos would love this . . .

Do you know that there is a semi-pro Soccer team in Maryland named "Mando Ramos F.C." (F.C. for football club).
The team was named in honor of the late lightweight champ, and consists of talented soccer players from Brazil, Jamaica and other parts of the world.
The following words are in the website:

"Mando Ramos whom the club is named after died of respiratory arrest Sunday July 6, 2008, he was 59. Armando "Mando" Ramos was a 2 time Lightweight Boxing Champion with a record of 37-11-1 with 23 knockouts. He turned his life around from drugs and alcohol abuse during his time in boxing to give back to the community and started the Boxing Against Alcohol And Drugs Foundation. He was a great warrior in the ring and we are honored to be named after such a man."

Here is a link to the teams web site:

http://mandoramosfc.com/



-Rick Farris

[kikibalt]

Mando Ramos would love this . . .

Do you know that there is a semi-pro Soccer team in Maryland named "Mando Ramos F.C." (F.C. for football club).
The team was named in honor of the late lightweight champ, and consists of talented soccer players from Brazil, Jamaica and other parts of the world.
The following words are in the website:

"Mando Ramos whom the club is named after died of respiratory arrest Sunday July 6, 2008, he was 59. Armando "Mando" Ramos was a 2 time Lightweight Boxing Champion with a record of 37-11-1 with 23 knockouts. He turned his life around from drugs and alcohol abuse during his time in boxing to give back to the community and started the Boxing Against Alcohol And Drugs Foundation. He was a great warrior in the ring and we are honored to be named after such a man."

Here is a link to the teams web site:

http://mandoramosfc.com/



-Rick Farris

Thats great that they would honor Mando that way....

[Rick Farris]

http://www.toytigermovie.com

I hope this comes out. This is the link for the Art Hafey Toytiger documentary. There is oodles of info on here. Also, Roger, you 'll be interested to see a Burke Emery interview on Art. I guess Burke's memory ain't what it used to be.

Scartissue

Dan
I was just going to the thread to comment on Burke and his reaction to the movie. His girlfriend Shirley was going to call me about maybe getting him up there tomorrow. No call yet. I won't be going. Still can't put too much together on what happened after talking to Burke about Toy Bulldog.

I'll give you an example of how this goes. I talked to Burke about the CBHOF Banquet. Told him who was there. Little Red. Bobby Chacon. Mando Muniz. etc. He becomes very enthusiastic.Interested. Starts opening up about his past and his memories of past fighters.Then.
"By the way,was Little Red Lopez at the banquet?"

He's a great guy .Everybody loves him and Shirley. Burke will lament about his boxing career.
"I had over 80 fights,"he says staring at the video dart game he has in the bar.

I asked him if he would like to be inducted into the CBHOF.
"Oh no. Not me."
He never gives an explanation and I never ask why. I don't want to upset him.

He talks a lot about Hafey. Burke says that he let him go because Art was taking too much punishment. Art's side is different. Maybe the take on this movie was that Hafey wasn't handled right and that's why he never got his shot and wound up with health issues. Maybe that's why Burke doesn't want to go up there tomorrow.

But what do I know? He could show up. If he does,I wonder what him and Hafey will have to discuss?

Sure am looking forward to seeing you and your "Pops" at the WBHOF. Rog

Hafey . . .

Rog . . . Brad did interview Burke. He may not remember the interview, but if he attends the screening he'll see himself on the screen talking about Art Hafey.
Personally, I don't put much in anything this guy says, and I really don't think he ever had anybody's best interest in mind but his own. Same as Suey Welch and the rest.
All these guys got screwed. Emory was a fighter, many are bitter. However, he didn't do Hafey any favors.

I know the concept Brad Little had for this film. I hope it's successful. He and I don't see things the same relating to Art Hafey.
Brad was born in Canada at the time Art was boxing here in L.A. The time I worked with him at the Elks Club.
I recall that Suey Welch was in the gym that day, as was Burke, and Jerry Beldering, Mel Epstein, Phil Silvers.
Windmill White was also there and Terry Lee.

I had a pretty good idea what the era was like, and what Hafey's place was in this town. I boxed the same guys he did in the gym, and guys he'd fight.
I had a good yardstick for comparison of Art Hafey with others from the era. I've been in the ring with Olivares, Lopez, Chacon, Arguello, Sotelo, etc.
Brad told me that he'd studied the era so closely from Canada, that he knew it as well, possibly better, than I did.
I was amazed. I told Brad that there were two things preventing Art from being the best in L.A. and their names were Lopez and Chacon.
Best in the world? Add Arguello, Olivares and a few others.

Art fought Danny, and afterwards he'd never fight again. He'd return to Canada with his face partially paralyzed.
There is talk of Hafey fighting partially blind, that he was a victim of a life long disease? Maybe so? However, in L.A. it would have made no difference.
We just had better fighters.

I want to see the final cut. I'd drive around with Brad, show him L.A. boxing sites, help set-up a couple interviews.
We'd finish, have a few beers, smoke a joint and I'd attempt to help him understand the era in L.A. boxing that Art fought in. He'd turn on the camera and interview me.
I gotta see this, I doubt either one of us was sober during the interviews. The photography and sound will be on the crude side, but it's a documentary so what the hell?

Tomorrow night, I'll review the film here.


-Rick Farris

[scartissue]

Featherweight Wars . . .

Dan, I know that Brad Little used your great story on the "Featherweight Wars" of the 70's to help promote his movie.
It was the featherweight wars of the sixties that captured my interest and motivated me to become a boxer.

My first featherweight favorite was Danny Valdez, who a few years earlier had challeneged Davey Moore for the featherweight title.
I saw Danny drop a close, hard fought decision at the Olympic to a guy he'd beaten earlier, Pete Gonzalez. That was a war.

Then I got to see another favorite of mine, Raul Rojas, go toe-to-toe with Mexican KO legend, Ricardo "Pajarito" Moreno at the Olympic in their first bout.
This was one of the most explosive contests I'd ever see. Both men were rocked early, but a deep cut over Moreno's eye ended the match in round three.
Wearing a mask of blood, Moreno demanded a rematch. He got the rematch and this time Rojas took him apart, KOing "Little Bird" in round two at the Sports Arena.

A year later, my favorite 126 pounder, Dwight Hawkins, went toe-to-toe with San Diego's Bobby Valdez in a bout that would be voted 1967 "Fight of the Year" at the Olympic.
The match ended in a draw and shall always remain one of the greatest matches I've ever seen.

Another great fight took place in 1965, and offered Raul Rojas his first shot at the World Featherweight title.
Raul was just 23 when he challenged 22-year-old Vicente Saldivar for the title. Rojas was stopped in the 15th round, suffering his first pro loss.

We had a kid named "Irish" Frankie Crawford who was also a hot attraction.
As great as the "Featherweight Wars of the 70's" were, they were just carrying on a tradition from days gone by.
From the turn of the century thru the 70's, L.A. put on some of the greatest featherweight wars in history. Of course, today those wars are just a memory.


-Rick Farris

Rick, talking about Danny Valdez, I hope he's at the WBHF this year. I've met him before and found him to be quite a character. But there is a question I've been wanting to throw at him. The South American Featherweight champ Ricardo Gonzalez came to L.A. for that final push towards a shot at Davey Moore's 126 lb. title. He beat Boots Monroe and Henry Aceves and needed one more name on his record. A 14-5 clubfighter named Danny Valdez. The task looked daunting for Valdez taking on the #1 contender with a record of 94-5-7 (I looked it up). However, Danny decked Gonzalez and won a wide unanimous decision. They rematched and Valdez stopped him in 5 and got the title shot. That was a massive upset and again, I would love to ask him a little about that. It's really piqued my interest. Do any of you guys remember this?

Scartissue

[Rick Farris]

Featherweight Wars . . .

Dan, I know that Brad Little used your great story on the "Featherweight Wars" of the 70's to help promote his movie.
It was the featherweight wars of the sixties that captured my interest and motivated me to become a boxer.

My first featherweight favorite was Danny Valdez, who a few years earlier had challeneged Davey Moore for the featherweight title.
I saw Danny drop a close, hard fought decision at the Olympic to a guy he'd beaten earlier, Pete Gonzalez. That was a war.

Then I got to see another favorite of mine, Raul Rojas, go toe-to-toe with Mexican KO legend, Ricardo "Pajarito" Moreno at the Olympic in their first bout.
This was one of the most explosive contests I'd ever see. Both men were rocked early, but a deep cut over Moreno's eye ended the match in round three.
Wearing a mask of blood, Moreno demanded a rematch. He got the rematch and this time Rojas took him apart, KOing "Little Bird" in round two at the Sports Arena.

A year later, my favorite 126 pounder, Dwight Hawkins, went toe-to-toe with San Diego's Bobby Valdez in a bout that would be voted 1967 "Fight of the Year" at the Olympic.
The match ended in a draw and shall always remain one of the greatest matches I've ever seen.

Another great fight took place in 1965, and offered Raul Rojas his first shot at the World Featherweight title.
Raul was just 23 when he challenged 22-year-old Vicente Saldivar for the title. Rojas was stopped in the 15th round, suffering his first pro loss.

We had a kid named "Irish" Frankie Crawford who was also a hot attraction.
As great as the "Featherweight Wars of the 70's" were, they were just carrying on a tradition from days gone by.
From the turn of the century thru the 70's, L.A. put on some of the greatest featherweight wars in history. Of course, today those wars are just a memory.


-Rick Farris

Rick, talking about Danny Valdez, I hope he's at the WBHF this year. I've met him before and found him to be quite a character. But there is a question I've been wanting to throw at him. The South American Featherweight champ Ricardo Gonzalez came to L.A. for that final push towards a shot at Davey Moore's 126 lb. title. He beat Boots Monroe and Henry Aceves and needed one more name on his record. A 14-5 clubfighter named Danny Valdez. The task looked daunting for Valdez taking on the #1 contender with a record of 94-5-7 (I looked it up). However, Danny decked Gonzalez and won a wide unanimous decision. They rematched and Valdez stopped him in 5 and got the title shot. That was a massive upset and again, I would love to ask him a little about that. It's really piqued my interest. Do any of you guys remember this?

Scartissue

Dan . . . Danny Valdez was at the CBHOF, but I doubt he'll show at our event. They need to make it easy for guys like Valdez, a true WORLD class fighter, to attend.
He should get comp tickets.

[dagosd2000]

Mando Ramos would love this . . .

Do you know that there is a semi-pro Soccer team in Maryland named "Mando Ramos F.C." (F.C. for football club).
The team was named in honor of the late lightweight champ, and consists of talented soccer players from Brazil, Jamaica and other parts of the world.
The following words are in the website:

"Mando Ramos whom the club is named after died of respiratory arrest Sunday July 6, 2008, he was 59. Armando "Mando" Ramos was a 2 time Lightweight Boxing Champion with a record of 37-11-1 with 23 knockouts. He turned his life around from drugs and alcohol abuse during his time in boxing to give back to the community and started the Boxing Against Alcohol And Drugs Foundation. He was a great warrior in the ring and we are honored to be named after such a man."

Here is a link to the teams web site:

http://mandoramosfc.com/



-Rick Farris

Thats great that they would honor Mando that way....

THE LION

When I went to Wilmington for the Mando Ramos Testimonial last year, I was introduced to Sylvia Ramos. Mando's son and Sylvia made me feel very good when they showed their appreciation for the portrait I did of Mando.The son said that the painting of his dad would be displayed in the "Ramos living room."

I talked a bit with Sylvia Ramos. I told her that every year I go to Spain and that Mando is remembered in Spain as conquering the man that was voted "Spain's Most Famous Athlete."Pedro Carrasco. When Pedro "beat" Mando.(he was actually disqualified for 'shoving' Pedro),Spain was turned on it's ear. Spain had never had a world boxing champion before. Carrasco was put into the movies and television,married a famous actress,and even when he was defeated in two subsequent matches with Mando,Carrasco was still an idol. Still Spain's most famous athlete.

Then I think of what happened to Mando later in his career. Broke,homeless,fighting drugs and booze,health problems. But Sylvia was in his corner. She was very pleased that Mando is remembered in Spain. They call Mando "El Leon"(the Lion) over there.

Carrasco died before Mando. He was very popular.Had it made. But we know that The Lion from Long Beach kicked his ass that first time over there.They know that in Spain too. They just don't want to talk about it. Like Jackie McCoy said after that fight.
"If Carrasco was 'pushed',why didn't he get back up?"

I remember that testimonial in Wilmington. A town that seems as worn out as was Mando Ramos. But inside that hall that day,I got to meet Sylvia Ramos and Mando's son. I gave the family my portrait of The Lion. And oh yes,that's when we got to see Brian's uncle John.

[Randyman]

E-mail from Brad Little

hi mr. baltazar- hope you can make it on saturday. feel free to bring a few guests. just email me how many. should be lots of fun. here's some info:

Just a reminder Toy Tiger is premiering at the El Portal Theatre October 3rd @ 3:30 pm

Here is the address for the Toy Tiger website: Just click

http://www.toytigermovie.com/

Here are the Directions to the Theater Just Click:

http://www.valleyfilmfest.com/valleyfil ... p/location

Remember to email me your guest list.


brad

Jeri and I will be there too Frank. Are you and Connie going? I'm looking forward to it.

Randy

[Randyman]

Mando Ramos would love this . . .

Do you know that there is a semi-pro Soccer team in Maryland named "Mando Ramos F.C." (F.C. for football club).
The team was named in honor of the late lightweight champ, and consists of talented soccer players from Brazil, Jamaica and other parts of the world.
The following words are in the website:

"Mando Ramos whom the club is named after died of respiratory arrest Sunday July 6, 2008, he was 59. Armando "Mando" Ramos was a 2 time Lightweight Boxing Champion with a record of 37-11-1 with 23 knockouts. He turned his life around from drugs and alcohol abuse during his time in boxing to give back to the community and started the Boxing Against Alcohol And Drugs Foundation. He was a great warrior in the ring and we are honored to be named after such a man."

Here is a link to the teams web site:

http://mandoramosfc.com/



-Rick Farris

What an honor!

[Rick Farris]

Forty Years Ago Tonight at the Olympic . . .


Oct. 2, 1969. It was a thursday. I had just started my senior year in high school, I was 17.
At the time, The Olympic Auditorium would stage boxing matches fifty weeks each year, every thursday except the last two of the year, during the holidays.
Each thursday night card would begin with two amateur bouts between 8-8:30pm. From 8:30 on it was all professional boxing. The entire card was televised.

On this particular thursday, the main event at the Olympic would be a pair of world class lightweights. Shinichi Kadota of Japan vs. Juan Collado of the Dominican Republic.
I get home from school, and start to load my gym bag. It was about 4pm and I wanted to get an early start to the Johnny Flores Gym in Pacoima.
Just as I'm ready to leave my home the phone rings. It's Johnny Flores. "You're going to fight tonight at the Olympic. So is Kit Boursse', and he's going to pick you up."
I hung up and dumped my gym gear out of my big leather equipment bag. I replaced the contents with my robe, trunks, newer boxing shoes, mouthpiece, cup, personal items.

The phone rings and it's my heavyweight stable mate. He was on his way and would be there in fifteen minutes.
I grabbed a banana and a handful lunch meat from the frig. I had to eat something. I'd be entering the ring at either 8 or 8:15 sharp.
I rinsed the food down with some O.J. and heard Boursse' pull into my dirveway. Before I could get out the door he honks. I toss my gear in the back and climb in.

We head thru the evening work traffic as it drives out of downtown L.A. as we drive into the Civic Center of the Boxing Capitol of the World. That's what L.A. was in 1969.
We quickly convert from the Harbor Freeway to Interstate 10, and a moment later exit on Grand Ave. the exit that puts us right on the corner of 18th & Grand Ave.
That's where the Olympic Auditorium had been holding professional boxing since the mid-1920's.

As we pulled into the parking lot, the sidewalks in front of the legendary arena were packed with fight fans, down & out ex-pugs hawking programs, scalpers selling ringside seats.
There was an energy that took over that intersection every thursday night. It was the oxygen that kept boxing in Los Angeles alive at the time.
We entered the building, the fans saw us carrying our robes over our shoulders and would pat us on our backs as we made our way back to the dressing room.
I loved the Olympic, and each time I'd fight there I felt a part of something very big.

I passed by "Norm the Cop", the LAPD officer who stood guard at the entrance to the dressing room for years. "Good luck, Ricky" he'd say.
We then made our way down into the "catacombs" of the Olympic Auditorium. That's what Frankie Duarte calls the Olympic dressing rooms . . . the catacombs.
I'd weigh-in, see my opponent. He was 23, weighed 121 to my 115 1/2. His name was Julio Valdez, originally from Mexico.

To make a long story shorter, my buddy Kit took out his opponent in the first round, so I was soon in the ring behind him.
I was in very good condition, and very loose and relaxed for my fight.
In round two, Valdez threw a lazy jab, I fired a straight right over it and caught him flush on the chin.
I saw his eyes roll up in his head and he collapsed to the canvas. He was out cold. That was my first one punch KO as an amateur. I'll never forget it.
The good thing was my dad was there to see it. Before I left the house, I called his office downtown and he said he'd meet me there and drive me home.

The next day when I went to school, two of my teachers had seen the fight on TV and had been unaware that I was a boxer.
Same thing with the Boys dean, who called me to his office to discuss the fight. Before that they didn't notice me, now I was popular, I guess.
That morning, The L.A.Times had the story on the fights and I still have the clip. Kadota had stopped Collado in the ninth round.
And in small print at the bottom the results of the prelims. At the very bottom were the amateur card results:

Kit Boursse', 193, KO1- Fred Everette, 201.
Ricky Farris 115 1/2, KO2- Julio Valdez, 121.

What were you doing forty years ago? October 2, 1969.



-Rick Farris

[raylawpc]

Forty Years Ago Tonight at the Olympic . . .


Oct. 2, 1969. It was a thursday. I had just started my senior year in high school, I was 17.
At the time, The Olympic Auditorium would stage boxing matches fifty weeks each year, every thursday except the last two of the year, during the holidays.
Each thursday night card would begin with two amateur bouts between 8-8:30pm. From 8:30 on it was all professional boxing. The entire card was televised.

On this particular thursday, the main event at the Olympic would be a pair of world class lightweights. Shinichi Kadota of Japan vs. Juan Collado of the Dominican Republic.
I get home from school, and start to load my gym bag. It was about 4pm and I wanted to get an early start to the Johnny Flores Gym in Pacoima.
Just as I'm ready to leave my home the phone rings. It's Johnny Flores. "You're going to fight tonight at the Olympic. So is Kit Boursse', and he's going to pick you up."
I hung up and dumped my gym gear out of my big leather equipment bag. I replaced the contents with my robe, trunks, newer boxing shoes, mouthpiece, cup, personal items.

The phone rings and it's my heavyweight stable mate. He was on his way and would be there in fifteen minutes.
I grabbed a banana and a handful lunch meat from the frig. I had to eat something. I'd be entering the ring at either 8 or 8:15 sharp.
I rinsed the food down with some O.J. and heard Boursse' pull into my dirveway. Before I could get out the door he honks. I toss my gear in the back and climb in.

We head thru the evening work traffic as it drives out of downtown L.A. as we drive into the Civic Center of the Boxing Capitol of the World. That's what L.A. was in 1969.
We quickly convert from the Harbor Freeway to Interstate 10, and a moment later exit on Grand Ave. the exit that puts us right on the corner of 18th & Grand Ave.
That's where the Olympic Auditorium had been holding professional boxing since the mid-1920's.

As we pulled into the parking lot, the sidewalks in front of the legendary arena were packed with fight fans, down & out ex-pugs hawking programs, scalpers selling ringside seats.
There was an energy that took over that intersection every thursday night. It was the oxygen that kept boxing in Los Angeles alive at the time.
We entered the building, the fans saw us carrying our robes over our shoulders and would pat us on our backs as we made our way back to the dressing room.
I loved the Olympic, and each time I'd fight there I felt a part of something very big.

I passed by "Norm the Cop", the LAPD officer who stood guard at the entrance to the dressing room for years. "Good luck, Ricky" he'd say.
We then made our way down into the "catacombs" of the Olympic Auditorium. That's what Frankie Duarte calls the Olympic dressing rooms . . . the catacombs.
I'd weigh-in, see my opponent. He was 23, weighed 121 to my 115 1/2. His name was Julio Valdez, originally from Mexico.

To make a long story shorter, my buddy Kit took out his opponent in the first round, so I was soon in the ring behind him.
I was in very good condition, and very loose and relaxed for my fight.
In round two, Valdez threw a lazy jab, I fired a straight right over it and caught him flush on the chin.
I saw his eyes roll up in his head and he collapsed to the canvas. He was out cold. That was my first one punch KO as an amateur. I'll never forget it.
The good thing was my dad was there to see it. Before I left the house, I called his office downtown and he said he'd meet me there and drive me home.

The next day when I went to school, two of my teachers had seen the fight on TV and had been unaware that I was a boxer.
Same thing with the Boys dean, who called me to his office to discuss the fight. Before that they didn't notice me, now I was popular, I guess.
That morning, The L.A.Times had the story on the fights and I still have the clip. Kadota had stopped Collado in the ninth round.
And in small print at the bottom the results of the prelims. At the very bottom were the amateur card results:

Kit Boursse', 193, KO1- Fred Everette, 201.
Ricky Farris 115 1/2, KO2- Julio Valdez, 121.

What were you doing forty years ago? October 2, 1969.



-Rick Farris

I have no idea, but I'm pretty sure I wasn't scoring a one-punch kayo over anyone. Nice memory, Rick!

[raylawpc]

Mando Ramos would love this . . .

Do you know that there is a semi-pro Soccer team in Maryland named "Mando Ramos F.C." (F.C. for football club).
The team was named in honor of the late lightweight champ, and consists of talented soccer players from Brazil, Jamaica and other parts of the world.
The following words are in the website:

"Mando Ramos whom the club is named after died of respiratory arrest Sunday July 6, 2008, he was 59. Armando "Mando" Ramos was a 2 time Lightweight Boxing Champion with a record of 37-11-1 with 23 knockouts. He turned his life around from drugs and alcohol abuse during his time in boxing to give back to the community and started the Boxing Against Alcohol And Drugs Foundation. He was a great warrior in the ring and we are honored to be named after such a man."

Here is a link to the teams web site:

http://mandoramosfc.com/



-Rick Farris

Thats great that they would honor Mando that way....

THE LION

When I went to Wilmington for the Mando Ramos Testimonial last year, I was introduced to Sylvia Ramos. Mando's son and Sylvia made me feel very good when they showed their appreciation for the portrait I did of Mando.The son said that the painting of his dad would be displayed in the "Ramos living room."

I talked a bit with Sylvia Ramos. I told her that every year I go to Spain and that Mando is remembered in Spain as conquering the man that was voted "Spain's Most Famous Athlete."Pedro Carrasco. When Pedro "beat" Mando.(he was actually disqualified for 'shoving' Pedro),Spain was turned on it's ear. Spain had never had a world boxing champion before. Carrasco was put into the movies and television,married a famous actress,and even when he was defeated in two subsequent matches with Mando,Carrasco was still an idol. Still Spain's most famous athlete.

Then I think of what happened to Mando later in his career. Broke,homeless,fighting drugs and booze,health problems. But Sylvia was in his corner. She was very pleased that Mando is remembered in Spain. They call Mando "El Leon"(the Lion) over there.

Carrasco died before Mando. He was very popular.Had it made. But we know that The Lion from Long Beach kicked his ass that first time over there.They know that in Spain too. They just don't want to talk about it. Like Jackie McCoy said after that fight.
"If Carrasco was 'pushed',why didn't he get back up?"

I remember that testimonial in Wilmington. A town that seems as worn out as was Mando Ramos. But inside that hall that day,I got to meet Sylvia Ramos and Mando's son. I gave the family my portrait of The Lion. And oh yes,that's when we got to see Brian's uncle John.

I saw Mando in one of his last fights - in 1975 when he defeated Al Franklin in Oklahoma City. In fact, I was in Franklin's corner. By then, Mando was no longer a great fighter. He looked quite pedestrian by then, showing only flashes of his former brilliance. I wish I could have seen him in a glory days like all of you.

[dagosd2000]

Tom
The best pure boxing match I ever saw in my life was between Mando Ramos and Sugar Ramos when both boys were in their primes. I can't remember a clinch. Fast a pace that I've ever seen with both men in the center of the ring using every trick in the book. The crowd was standing on their feet throwing money in the ring after the last bell. I never saw Mando Ramos any better than that night. It went the full ten with Mando winning the decision.

I thought after seeing that fight that Mando Ramos was going to be on top for a long time. Little did I know about his personal demons that were eventually going to destroy him.

[scartissue]

Kit Boursse', 193, KO1- Fred Everette, 201.
Ricky Farris 115 1/2, KO2- Julio Valdez, 121.

What were you doing forty years ago? October 2, 1969.



-Rick Farris[/quote]

Dude, I hang on every word of your stories, they're so vivid. What was I doing 40 yrs. ago? Just arriving back in the country, having lived in Birmingham, England for the last year a half and settling back into the start of 7th grade on the southside of Chicago. Should have realized then and there that school and I never got along. Would have much rather been working your corner against Julio Valdez.

Scartissue

[scartissue]

Tom
The best pure boxing match I ever saw in my life was between Mando Ramos and Sugar Ramos when both boys were in their primes. I can't remember a clinch. Fast a pace that I've ever seen with both men in the center of the ring using every trick in the book. The crowd was standing on their feet throwing money in the ring after the last bell. I never saw Mando Ramos any better than that night. It went the full ten with Mando winning the decision.

I thought after seeing that fight that Mando Ramos was going to be on top for a long time. Little did I know about his personal demons that were eventually going to destroy him.

Rog, I know a guy who said that he never saw Mando better than his rematch with Frankie Crawford. I have not seen as much of Mando as you guys, but for me, it would be hard to imagine him better than his bout with Yoshiaki Numata, which is on youtube. Rick, Frankie, what was the best (peak) you saw of him?

Scartissue

[kikibalt]

E-mail from Brad Little

hi mr. baltazar- hope you can make it on saturday. feel free to bring a few guests. just email me how many. should be lots of fun. here's some info:

Just a reminder Toy Tiger is premiering at the El Portal Theatre October 3rd @ 3:30 pm

Here is the address for the Toy Tiger website: Just click

http://www.toytigermovie.com/

Here are the Directions to the Theater Just Click:

http://www.valleyfilmfest.com/valleyfil ... p/location

Remember to email me your guest list.


brad

Jeri and I will be there too Frank. Are you and Connie going? I'm looking forward to it.

Randy

No, Randy, won't be able to be there....

[Rick Farris]

Tom
The best pure boxing match I ever saw in my life was between Mando Ramos and Sugar Ramos when both boys were in their primes. I can't remember a clinch. Fast a pace that I've ever seen with both men in the center of the ring using every trick in the book. The crowd was standing on their feet throwing money in the ring after the last bell. I never saw Mando Ramos any better than that night. It went the full ten with Mando winning the decision.

I thought after seeing that fight that Mando Ramos was going to be on top for a long time. Little did I know about his personal demons that were eventually going to destroy him.

Rog, I know a guy who said that he never saw Mando better than his rematch with Frankie Crawford. I have not seen as much of Mando as you guys, but for me, it would be hard to imagine him better than his bout with Yoshiaki Numata, which is on youtube. Rick, Frankie, what was the best (peak) you saw of him?

Scartissue

I loved to watch Mando from his early days thru the Carmona fight.
However, I think he was really coming into his own in 1970.
He started by losing his title to Laguna, however, he then came back with his great wins over Sugar Ramos & Raul Rojas.
He never came close to what would have been a brilliant prime, never gave himself the chance.
He never became a vet, he was gone too soon, just as he was in life.
We will never know just how good Mando Ramos could have been, but it would have been amazing, I believe.


-Rick Farris

[scartissue]

I loved to watch Mando from his early days thru the Carmona fight.
However, I think he was really coming into his own in 1970.
He started by losing his title to Laguna, however, he then came back with his great wins over Sugar Ramos & Raul Rojas.
He never came close to what would have been a brilliant prime, never gave himself the chance.
He never became a vet, he was gone too soon, just as he was in life.
We will never know just how good Mando Ramos could have been, but it would have been amazing, I believe.


-Rick Farris[/quote]

Rick, here's a write-up on the Ramos-Rojas fight. I know you were close to the action at this time.

Scartissue

1970-12-10 : Mando Ramos 135¼lbs beat Raul Rojas 135¼lbs by KO in round 6 of 10
Location: Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, USA
Referee: John Thomas

Pre-fight comments

"Raul was a veteran and Mando was just starting out. They used to spar and Raul would beat him to a pulp. Anyway, in a year or so Mando improved to the point that when they'd spar you'd think the title was on the line. There was a tremendous amount of jealousy involved. It got so bad that I had to stop their working out together. Raul is a veteran and I know he's going to try and test Mando's eye surgery. If that eye opens again, Mando could be finished for life. Raul knows this and it's no secret that he's going to try and open it again anyway he can. There is hate involved in this fight and I mean real hate. These guys aren't angels in or out of the ring." -Jackie McCoy, Ramos' manager and Rojas' former manager.

"He still remembers the beating I used to give him in the gym when we were stablemates. In the back of his mind he has to be worrying about those punches I rocked him with. And I'll get those tender eyes of his open anyway I can and I do mean ANYWAY. I used to destroy him when we sparred in front of a few fans in the gym for nothing. Now I get to do it in front of 10,000 people and get paid for it." -Raul Rojas

"He did alot of mouthing off in those days when he was older than me and I was just starting. Now he can try and prove it. I know that Raul is going to try and butt me and open my eyes. The only way he can win is on cuts and he knows it. I want my lightweight championship back and this sawed-off loudmouth isn't going to stand in my way. I'm going to humiliate him in front of all his friends. He'll be sorry he ever agreed to the fight. When I get through with him he'll be selling programs at my future fights." -Mando Ramos



"Mando Ramos won the "battle of the grudge" at the Olympic Auditorium Thursday night as he knocked out former stablemate Raul Rojas in :48 seconds of the 6th round. As expected, the bout was a toe-to-toe brawl from the outset. But although Rojas gained an early lead, Mando started to get to him in the 3rd round and Raul began to tire noticeably as Ramos continually jabbed him with lefts. Almost before the 6th round started, Mando caught his man. He jammed a roaring left hook into Rojas' face and Raul went down like a shot. Rojas got up, but was on rubbery legs and staggered along the ropes. He obviously was in no condition to continue and referee John Thomas mercifully stopped the affair." -Pasadena Star-News

Attendance: 8,281
Gate: $54,441.00
Retrieved from "http://www.boxrec.com/media/index.php/M ... Raul_Rojas"

[Rick Farris]

I loved to watch Mando from his early days thru the Carmona fight.
However, I think he was really coming into his own in 1970.
He started by losing his title to Laguna, however, he then came back with his great wins over Sugar Ramos & Raul Rojas.
He never came close to what would have been a brilliant prime, never gave himself the chance.
He never became a vet, he was gone too soon, just as he was in life.
We will never know just how good Mando Ramos could have been, but it would have been amazing, I believe.


-Rick Farris

Rick, here's a write-up on the Ramos-Rojas fight. I know you were close to the action at this time.

Scartissue

1970-12-10 : Mando Ramos 135¼lbs beat Raul Rojas 135¼lbs by KO in round 6 of 10
Location: Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, USA
Referee: John Thomas

Pre-fight comments

"Raul was a veteran and Mando was just starting out. They used to spar and Raul would beat him to a pulp. Anyway, in a year or so Mando improved to the point that when they'd spar you'd think the title was on the line. There was a tremendous amount of jealousy involved. It got so bad that I had to stop their working out together. Raul is a veteran and I know he's going to try and test Mando's eye surgery. If that eye opens again, Mando could be finished for life. Raul knows this and it's no secret that he's going to try and open it again anyway he can. There is hate involved in this fight and I mean real hate. These guys aren't angels in or out of the ring." -Jackie McCoy, Ramos' manager and Rojas' former manager.

"He still remembers the beating I used to give him in the gym when we were stablemates. In the back of his mind he has to be worrying about those punches I rocked him with. And I'll get those tender eyes of his open anyway I can and I do mean ANYWAY. I used to destroy him when we sparred in front of a few fans in the gym for nothing. Now I get to do it in front of 10,000 people and get paid for it." -Raul Rojas

"He did alot of mouthing off in those days when he was older than me and I was just starting. Now he can try and prove it. I know that Raul is going to try and butt me and open my eyes. The only way he can win is on cuts and he knows it. I want my lightweight championship back and this sawed-off loudmouth isn't going to stand in my way. I'm going to humiliate him in front of all his friends. He'll be sorry he ever agreed to the fight. When I get through with him he'll be selling programs at my future fights." -Mando Ramos



"Mando Ramos won the "battle of the grudge" at the Olympic Auditorium Thursday night as he knocked out former stablemate Raul Rojas in :48 seconds of the 6th round. As expected, the bout was a toe-to-toe brawl from the outset. But although Rojas gained an early lead, Mando started to get to him in the 3rd round and Raul began to tire noticeably as Ramos continually jabbed him with lefts. Almost before the 6th round started, Mando caught his man. He jammed a roaring left hook into Rojas' face and Raul went down like a shot. Rojas got up, but was on rubbery legs and staggered along the ropes. He obviously was in no condition to continue and referee John Thomas mercifully stopped the affair." -Pasadena Star-News

Attendance: 8,281
Gate: $54,441.00
Retrieved from "http://www.boxrec.com/media/index.php/M ... Raul_Rojas"[/quote]


Dan, I have a great story about what went on before this match. Things that didn't come outin the Los Angeles Times or Ring Magazine.

[dagosd2000]

Dwight Hawkins

[Rick Farris]

Two weeks prior to Ramos vs. Rojas . . .

Mando Ramos was deep into training for Raul Rojas. There was a lot at stake.
A couple weeks before the fight, Mando and his wife Stella throw a first birthday part for one-year-old, Mando Jr.
Of course, the party is for adults, and Mando hires one of the best bands from Mexico.

The party is going great. Mando has a lot of friends attending, including his manager, Jackie McCoy and wife Shirley.
Mando has been clean & sober for a few weeks, a first for him. He really wanted to beat Rojas.

Not long after the party is underway, Jackie McCoy pulls Mando to the side and tells him that he just saw Raul Rojas enter the house.
McCoy smelled trouble and Mando confronted his former stablemate.
"I invited Raul in and welcomed him to join the party," Mando told me.
Rojas said he needed to talk with Mando and they stepped outside for a moment. McCoy was suspicious.

Mando told me that Rojas came to apologize for all of the bad words he'd said in the press and that he was just trying to hype the match.
He then told Mando, "This will be my last fight and I want to cash out big. I'm not even training for the match and plan to lay down early."
He also told Mando he knew he couldn't beat him and asked Ramos to "Please go easy on me."

Ramos and Rojas embraced and Mando asked him to come in and enjoy the party.
Rojas said he was to embarrassed to be seen and left. When Mando returned he told McCoy not to worry, that everything was alright.
Now Jackie was very suspicious. Shortly afterwards, Jackie and Shirley left the party.
Mando, confident he was going to have an easy match, opened a beer the moment his manager left and went outside with friends to fire up a joint.
For Mando, the party was now really on.

About a week later, Jackie McCoy is furious. Mando had missed a couple days in the gym and he could see he was hung over when he did show.
McCoy pulled Mando aside and told he was going to lose and Mando laughed, telling McCoy about what Rojas had told him at the party.

Mando told me Jackie was livid, "You dumb bastard, Rojas had been training his ass off. Reports I get say he's never looked better!"
Mando was speechless, and for the remainder of days leading up to the fight, he tried to get himself back in rhythm.
Of course, Mando was able to put an end to Rojas' career with his KO win, but it goes to show you how easily he could be blown off course.


-Rick Farris

[scartissue]

Two weeks prior to Ramos vs. Rojas . . .

Mando Ramos was deep into training for Raul Rojas. There was a lot at stake.
A couple weeks before the fight, Mando and his wife Stella throw a first birthday part for one-year-old, Mando Jr.
Of course, the party is for adults, and Mando hires one of the best bands from Mexico.

The party is going great. Mando has a lot of friends attending, including his manager, Jackie McCoy and wife Shirley.
Mando has been clean & sober for a few weeks, a first for him. He really wanted to beat Rojas.

Not long after the party is underway, Jackie McCoy pulls Mando to the side and tells him that he just saw Raul Rojas enter the house.
McCoy smelled trouble and Mando confronted his former stablemate.
"I invited Raul in and welcomed him to join the party," Mando told me.
Rojas said he needed to talk with Mando and they stepped outside for a moment. McCoy was suspicious.

Mando told me that Rojas came to apologize for all of the bad words he'd said in the press and that he was just trying to hype the match.
He then told Mando, "This will be my last fight and I want to cash out big. I'm not even training for the match and plan to lay down early."
He also told Mando he knew he couldn't beat him and asked Ramos to "Please go easy on me."

Ramos and Rojas embraced and Mando asked him to come in and enjoy the party.
Rojas said he was to embarrassed to be seen and left. When Mando returned he told McCoy not to worry, that everything was alright.
Now Jackie was very suspicious. Shortly afterwards, Jackie and Shirley left the party.
Mando, confident he was going to have an easy match, opened a beer the moment his manager left and went outside with friends to fire up a joint.
For Mando, the party was now really on.

About a week later, Jackie McCoy is furious. Mando had missed a couple days in the gym and he could see he was hung over when he did show.
McCoy pulled Mando aside and told he was going to lose and Mando laughed, telling McCoy about what Rojas had told him at the party.

Mando told me Jackie was livid, "You dumb bastard, Rojas had been training his ass off. Reports I get say he's never looked better!"
Mando was speechless, and for the remainder of days leading up to the fight, he tried to get himself back in rhythm.
Of course, Mando was able to put an end to Rojas' career with his KO win, but it goes to show you how easily he could be blown off course.


-Rick Farris

What a great con job. Sounds like it would have worked too, if not for McCoy.

Scartissue

[Rick Farris]

Mando, Frankie and Raul . . .

The night before Mando Ramos fought Raul Rojas at the Olympic, he sat in the livng room of his Belmont Shores apartment, smoking a joint.
There is a knock at the door and when Mando opens it he sees his stablemate, former foe and trouble maker, "Irish" Frankie Crawford.
Crawford had been a sparring partner for Ramos before this bout. Frankie would be featured in the televised main event, facing Jose Luis Martinez.

When Frankie walks in and smells the burning weed, he asks Mando, "What the hell are you doing?"
Crawford would drink a bit, but wasn't into drugs, at least not at the time.
Ramos told Crawford that the pot relaxed him, that he often fought stoned.

"You're crazy!", Frankie told him. And then he left.

The next night I open the show with four round win. Mando Muniz scores a KO in the semi. Then Crawford lands a late blow after the final bell, and KO's Martinez.
In the main event, Mando Ramos was right on target. He boxed beautifully and cut down Raul Rojas for good with a perfect left hook in the sixth.

Crawford had seen his stablemate's masterful performance and was impressed.

A few years back, Mando would tell me that Crawford met him in the dressing room after he'd KOed Rojas.
Ramos said that Crawford pulled him aside and whispered quietly, "Hey, where can I buy some of that marijuana?"


-Rick Farris