Classic American West Coast Boxing

[Rick Farris]

Started work on the 2010 CBHOF....

Frank, you can reserve at least one table in my name, maybe more?
I truly enjoyed the event this year.
There may be bigger events of this nature, but not better.

I'm happy you'll be returning to the Sportsman's Lodge.
The warmth of the venue suits the personality of the event (and it's right around the corner from my home ).


-Rick Farris

[Rick Farris]

Emile Griffith

One of my all-time favorites.
He was the welterweight champ when I started boxing.
He held the undisputed 147lb. title three times, and the middleweight championship twice.
We only had one champ per division in those days, and only half the divisions. Only true champions held titles.

He fought in Los Angeles several times during his career, the last time in 1972, when he fought Armando Muniz.
I boxed that night, in a prelim. It meant something to me to be a part of an event that featured Emile Griffith.

Last year, I saw him again, at the WBHOF banquet. He was there with his adopted son, Luis.
The trademark smile and friendly nature are still in tact. The aura of greatness still radiating from his spirit.
He brought with him copies of his biography, a book that he signed for me.
I'm not into autographs, and I'm used to spending time around celebrities. I'm not easily impressed.
However, all that went out the window when I stood beside Emile Griffith. I was really impressed, as if I were a kid.

In my eyes, Emile Griffith defines the word, "Champion."


-Rick Farris

[Rick Farris]

Another Ruben Navarro memory . . .

This one comes from the Main Street Gym.
After fighting in Tokyo a couple of times, The Maravilla Kid spoke a few words of Japanese.
In 1969, a Japanese bantamweight, Mamoru Minami, came to L.A. and began fighting in prelims locally.
Minami was a tough fighter, and he and I would box together regularly in the gym.

Those of you who knew Ruben Navarro are aware that he liked to have fun and joke around, except for on fight night.
One saturday morning, as Ruben and I were shadow boxing on the gym floor, the Japanese boxer joined us.
Mamoru Minami was a gentleman, and he was well aware of Ruben's celebrity in Japan.

When Minami passed Ruben he smiled and bowed his head, respectfully.
The Maravilla Kid had a mishievious look in his eye, and approached the Japanese boxer.
He said something in Japanese to the boxer and the fighter looked surprised.
Minami then looked at Ruben and said, "NO, NO, NO . . ."
Navarro then gave a big smile and repeated the words, and he reached around and patted the Mamoru on his butt.

The Japanese boxer jumped back, smiling but seriously worried. As Navarro went to pat his butt again, the fighter ran away.

Navarro dropped to the floor laughing. Johnny Flores stood near us watching the whole thing. He was also smiling.
I asked Ruben, "What did you say to him?"

Ruben told me that he asked the boxer, "How are you, young lady?"
From that day on, Mamoru Minami would avoid Ruben Navarro.
Whenever Ruben would see the Japanese boxer, he'd give him a smile and a wink.
Minami would smile back weakly, nod, and make a quick exit.


-Rick Farris

[kikibalt]

Started work on the 2010 CBHOF....

Frank, you can reserve at least one table in my name, maybe more?
I truly enjoyed the event this year.
There may be bigger events of this nature, but not better.

I'm happy you'll be returning to the Sportsman's Lodge.
The warmth of the venue suits the personality of the event (and it's right around the corner from my home ).


-Rick Farris

Yeah!, we will be returning to the lodge, trying for late June or mid-July...

[dagosd2000]

Kenny Norton

[Rick Farris]

Kenny Norton

6/12/71 - Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica, California, United States:

Ken Norton W Vic Brown KO 5 10
Ricky Farris L Rafael Munoz KO 4 5
Miguel Mayan W Tony Mar PTS 5 5
Tony Romero W Ruben Coria PTS 5 5

______________________________________________

*A good night for Kenny. Not so good for me.

[kikibalt]

Frankie and Tony fighting on the same card....

Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States

Frankie Baltazar W Ignacio Campos KO 6 10

Guillermo Arreola W Mike Rodriguez PTS 6 6

Tony Baltazar W Jaime Nava PTS 6 6

Humberto De Los Rios W Otis Bell KO 2

------------------------------------------

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

Marlon Starling W Tommy Ayers PTS 12 12

Tony Baltazar L Robin Blake TKO 9 10

Frankie Baltazar W Pat Duran KO 8

Sunday 24 July 1983

Tony's fight was on natioal T.V. (CBS)

[kikibalt]

Hey guys, I'm back from a business trip to Oklahoma City. I finally got to catch up with Sean O'Grady. If I can do the technology (Apparently, Bennie gave up waiting on my New Zealand pixs), I'll post a photo tomorrow. We had a great time, told lots of stories, and consoled one another about the sorry shape of the sport today.

And, Randy, he hopes you're not mad at him for almost stealing your towel . . . (He got a kick out of that story.)

Tom, sounds like you had a very good time with Sean O', would like to see some pics....

[dagosd2000]

I GOT A SPELL ON YOU

When Kenny Norton came out from the Marines Corps beginning his pro career in San Diego,he quickly became the most popular local fighter since Archie Moore. Kenny went through basic training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot and Camp Pendelton. He was made to order for fight fans in San Diego.Put together like an Adonis and with a personality that was sort of quiet and well mannered,his appeal was growing to an extent where boxing was waking up after a long sleep in this military town.

Norton was brought along carefully by Eddie Futch. Most of his first pro fights were in the old San Diego Coliseum. He fought the likes of Stamford Harris and Pedro Sanchez. Guys with losing records and could have afforded to lose a few pounds in the process. However fans were getting pretty excited about Kenny.

I always thought the fans in San Diego were looking at him through rose colored glasses. Kenny's opposition was fairly weak,but what struck me about Norton was that he would "hit the wall" in the middle rounds of a fight. It didn't matter if his opponent was some guy they found under a rock,if the guy could last through the fifth round ,he had a good chance of winning. But Kenny's opponents were so overmatched that Norton would win by just flexing his muscles.

But then came the night in Los Angeles at the Olympic Auditorium. Kenny was going to fight away from home and against a very good fighter.Jose Luis Garcia. Garcia was tall and strong and was well schooled.He had only lost once. The big Venezualan knocked out Kenny cold just as the bell sounded (you guessed it)during one of the middle rounds. The ref could have counted over him with a calender.

After that fight,I thought Norton was going to take a nose dive. It wasn't that he was not in shape. Nobody could figure out why he ran out of gas so suddenly.Kenny must of had a mental block.

To prove it was something between his ears,Norton went to see a hypnotist. There was hypnotist that had an act at Yale Kahn's Chuck Wagon on Midway Boulevard near the Naval Training Center .The hypnotist was a guy named Dean Ezell. His act was called the Dr. Dean Show. Upstairs at the Chuck Wagon was a big room where he put on his show.He'd have on a tux and was really a huckster. I believe at the time Regis Philbin introduced him.

San Diego is a far cry from Las Vegas. The Dr. Dean Show was a sellout every weekend. Dr. Dean would take volunteers from the audience, put them under,and then make them behave like idiots. You know . The same old routine. Laugh like a hyena. Roll around the floor like a dog. Dance the hula. Yeah,San Diegans ate that up.

Well Kenny was desperate to come out of his funk.He wasn't about to become a stiff. Dr. Dean would put him under at his office(or somewhere) and tell Norton that the next time he fought,he would have plenty of stamina.

They put Kenny together with a match with a veteran heavy weight by the name of Henry Clark. I saw Clark fight a few times. He kind of looked like Muhammad Ali and boxed a little like him too. The problem with Henry was he couldn't reach deep when the fight was on the line.But aside from that,I thought he had enough to beat Norton. Not so. When the middle rounds approached,Norton was breathing through his nose. He didn't quiver a bit. He beat Henry Clark in 9 rounds.

Well you can bet Dr. Dean was ecstatic along with Norton and everyone in his camp. The fight with Clark validated a match with Muhammad Ali. Ali had just dusted off Bob Foster and was doing his 'bum of the month" circuit trying to win back the Heavy Weight Title. So when they signed him up with Kenny,it looked like a another guy from the bread line.

I admit Ali didn't train too hard for that fight. He referred to Norton as "Ken Fartin." That fight in the San Diego Sports Arena it was a pretty big upset. Norton broke Ali's jaw.It was Ali who was sh----n bricks. I remember when the decision was announced.I saw Dr. Dean jump into the ring to congradulate Kenny. Norton moved away from him. Later Norton said that Dr. Dean's sessions had nothing to do with his victory.

I thought that was kind of cheap. Norton never used Dr. Dean again. I know Dean felt slighted. But let's face it. A fighter doesn't want to admit he has a mental block when it comes to fighting. He would rather say something like he had double pneumonia if he got his ass kicked.

[Rick Farris]

Ken Norton . . .

My first impressions of Ken Norton were of him working at the Main Street Gym.
Trainer Bill Slayton and Norton were a good team, later in his career Eddie Futch joined the camp, after Frazier was thru.
I saw he and Quarry trade blows, Norton went down. Jerry wasn't impressed, neither was I.

It's no disgrace hitting the deck from a Quarry shot, but it's what a guy does when he gets to his feet that counts.
It took Norton too long to stand up. In boxing you've got ten seconds, or forever hold your peace.
Norton had real skills, and I believe he had heart, however, his chin was a liability.
George Foreman hit too hard, so did a young and motivated Jerry Cooney. Norton was not a smart bet vs. power.
He's lucky that he and Joe Frazier were nothing more than friends.
Muhammad Ali? Now there was the secret of Ken Norton's success.

"The Greatest" had a great chin, but he had no punch. With no fire power to hold him at bay, Kenny Norton was free to fight.
All Norton had to do was press a flat-footed Muhammed and cut him off, push him in corners, take advantage of Ali's questionable condition.
He scored a major upset, and Ali's mystique carried no weight when matched with Ken Norton.
Personally, I think he was better than Ali in all three matches.

I doubt he'd have beaten the Quarry I knew, but sadly, Jerry didn't know himself. I won't make excuses for Quarry, I know better.
Ken Norton made boxing history, and you have to give Ali an "assist" for that. Ali could beat just about everybody, but not Ken Norton.

I turned pro about the time Garcia flattened Kenny. I fought on the indercard of Garcia's next KO.
I remember Jose Luis Garcia very well. He was Willie Ketchum's fighter, a 6'1" blown up light-heavy, maybe 190lbs at most.
He was from Venezuela, and looked awesome against guys like Lou Hicks and Wayne Kindred. However, how'd he beat Norton?
Jose Luis Garcia's fame was short lived. Mel Epstein told me he had syphlils, a congenital disease in his case?
Sure enough, Garcia didn't stay on top too long after his lucky KO of Norton.
However, it would be three years before Ken Norton wuld venture into the ring with Garcia a second time.
Kenny won the second bout easily, over a sickly Garcia.

The moment I came to appreciate Ken Norton was after seeing he and Larry Holmes battle fifteen rounds for the title.
Ken's career was starting to turn, but he fought Holmes very close, many thought he won.
Today I see this physical speciman and I'm saddened to know his health is failing, strokes, etc.
I never feel sorry for fighters who are mentally or physicaly challenged because it's the risk they take.
However, in Norton's case his bad health is not much the product of boxing, but a serious post-career auto accident.

In a world when boxing had guys like Ali, Frazier, Foreman, Quarry, etc. Ken Norton doesn't get much attention from me.
Today? He'd be a God send.


-Rick Farris

[Rick Farris]

Another message from Ruben Navarro . . .


Rick,

Thank you for all your hard work. Glad to hear you are doing fine. I will look forward to hearing from you.
I was surprised to hear of Gladys Nelson's death. I remember her fondly as "Happy Bottom", a name she gave herself.
So many good memories of the Nelson family. Thank's for the update on Bob and Kam and yourself too.

A little update on our family. Todd is now 44 yrs old. He and his wife Ann Marie have been married 22 years and live in San Dimas. Julie and her husband Bruce just recently celebrated their 20 years of marriage and live in Tucson Arizona.
Lance, his wife Merary and their two children, Victoria and Ian, live in Kailua-Kona Hawaii. They recently celebrated their 17th wedding anniversary.
Our baby Lance is the only one with children so we waited for quite a while for grand children.
Well,there you have a very brief update.

Thanks again,
Ruben

[raylawpc]

My wife took a couple of pictures of us on Sunday:






Sean is doing very well. He is involved in commercial real estate sales with his wife Robin.

Sean is in great shape and still maintains his old fighting weight. I, on the otherhand, moved into the superheavyweight ranks many years ago.

BTW, for those of you who might be confused, Sean is on the right.

[kikibalt]

Tom, thanks so much for those photos of you and the champ, O' is lookin' great... , so are you Tom... . Take care.....

[raylawpc]

Sean and I talked about a lot of things on Sunday, but mostly about the old days in Oklahoma City that probably wouldn’t interest most of you.

However, I did ask him about the Danny Lopez fight, since so many of you have asked why Pat matched Sean with Lopez at that point in Sean’s young career.

I had always speculated that Pat matched Sean with Lopez because Sean needed a test and a loss to a fighter of Lopez’ caliber wouldn’t hurt his reputation too much. Sean confirmed that was the reason. (“I could have stayed in Oklahoma City and gone 40-0 and it wouldn’t have done anything for my reputation.”) He said that Pat had been contacted by the folks in LA to fight somebody out there. They were given several names, and picked Lopez. That kind of surprised me. Why Lopez, who turned out to be a great fighter?

Sean told me that they picked Danny because, in the past year, Lopez had lost three times – twice on stoppages. Although Danny had defeated former world champs Castillo and Olivares, Pat was told by friends in LA that both Castillo and Olivares were out-of-shape for those fights, and that Lopez would have never beaten Olivares had Ruben been in shape. Also, Lopez had a reputation of being easy to hit, and Sean figured he could beat anybody at that point that was easy to hit.

And that’s why Pat matched 17-year-old Sean with Danny Lopez.

[dagosd2000]

Sean and I talked about a lot of things on Sunday, but mostly about the old days in Oklahoma City that probably wouldn’t interest most of you.

However, I did ask him about the Danny Lopez fight, since so many of you have asked why Pat matched Sean with Lopez at that point in Sean’s young career.

I had always speculated that Pat matched Sean with Lopez because Sean needed a test and a loss to a fighter of Lopez’ caliber wouldn’t hurt his reputation too much. Sean confirmed that was the reason. (“I could have stayed in Oklahoma City and gone 40-0 and it wouldn’t have done anything for my reputation.”) He said that Pat had been contacted by the folks in LA to fight somebody out there. They were given several names, and picked Lopez. That kind of surprised me. Why Lopez, who turned out to be a great fighter?

Sean told me that they picked Danny because, in the past year, Lopez had lost three times – twice on stoppages. Although Danny had defeated former world champs Castillo and Olivares, Pat was told by friends in LA that both Castillo and Olivares were out-of-shape for those fights, and that Lopez would have never beaten Olivares had Ruben been in shape. Also, Lopez had a reputation of being easy to hit, and Sean figured he could beat anybody at that point that was easy to hit.

And that’s why Pat matched 17-year-old Sean with Danny Lopez.

Tom
Nice pics of you and Sean. The rational they gave for putting Sean in there with Little Red was understandable,but considering Sean being 17 years of age and not having gone with anyone od Danny's caliber...well if Sean could have reached Danny's chin a few times,things might have turned out different.

[Randyman]

Frank, I just polished off a huge bowl of Menudo con Patas. I was thinking of you. Jeri went this morning to get a pot at Super Burrito. They do a good job with their Menudo.

Menudo does for me what spinach does for Popeye. It can cure a cold and save you from a hangover. It's good for what ails you.

Randy

Man, no sooner do I extol the curative powers of a bowl of Menudo then I come down with a killer cold. I have been off my feet since Saturday. I stayed home from work yesterday and today. Jeri made a pot of homemade chicken soup. I'm counting on that myth being true.

Randy

[Randyman]

Hey guys, I'm back from a business trip to Oklahoma City. I finally got to catch up with Sean O'Grady. If I can do the technology (Apparently, Bennie gave up waiting on my New Zealand pixs), I'll post a photo tomorrow. We had a great time, told lots of stories, and consoled one another about the sorry shape of the sport today.

And, Randy, he hopes you're not mad at him for almost stealing your towel . . . (He got a kick out of that story.)

Tom, Tell Sean I've been laughing about it ever since. It gave me a little Sean O'Grady story to tell. When Sean beat Hilmer Kenty a few years later for the lightweight title I was happy for him.

Tell Sean an old fan says hello.
Randy

[Randyman]

Sean and I talked about a lot of things on Sunday, but mostly about the old days in Oklahoma City that probably wouldn’t interest most of you.

However, I did ask him about the Danny Lopez fight, since so many of you have asked why Pat matched Sean with Lopez at that point in Sean’s young career.

I had always speculated that Pat matched Sean with Lopez because Sean needed a test and a loss to a fighter of Lopez’ caliber wouldn’t hurt his reputation too much. Sean confirmed that was the reason. (“I could have stayed in Oklahoma City and gone 40-0 and it wouldn’t have done anything for my reputation.”) He said that Pat had been contacted by the folks in LA to fight somebody out there. They were given several names, and picked Lopez. That kind of surprised me. Why Lopez, who turned out to be a great fighter?

Sean told me that they picked Danny because, in the past year, Lopez had lost three times – twice on stoppages. Although Danny had defeated former world champs Castillo and Olivares, Pat was told by friends in LA that both Castillo and Olivares were out-of-shape for those fights, and that Lopez would have never beaten Olivares had Ruben been in shape. Also, Lopez had a reputation of being easy to hit, and Sean figured he could beat anybody at that point that was easy to hit.

And that’s why Pat matched 17-year-old Sean with Danny Lopez.

Regardless of the reason, I have always admired his willingness, at the age of 17, to come to Los Angeles and face a fighter of Danny's stature. It took some stones!

Randy

[raylawpc]

Hey guys, I'm back from a business trip to Oklahoma City. I finally got to catch up with Sean O'Grady. If I can do the technology (Apparently, Bennie gave up waiting on my New Zealand pixs), I'll post a photo tomorrow. We had a great time, told lots of stories, and consoled one another about the sorry shape of the sport today.

And, Randy, he hopes you're not mad at him for almost stealing your towel . . . (He got a kick out of that story.)

Tom, Tell Sean I've been laughing about it ever since. It gave me a little Sean O'Grady story to tell. When Sean beat Hilmer Kenty a few years later for the lightweight title I was happy for him.

Tell Sean an old fan says hello.
Randy

He told me he should have realized he had walked off with somebody else's towel. His were embroidered . . . "Holiday Inn."

[raylawpc]

Sean and I talked about a lot of things on Sunday, but mostly about the old days in Oklahoma City that probably wouldn’t interest most of you.

However, I did ask him about the Danny Lopez fight, since so many of you have asked why Pat matched Sean with Lopez at that point in Sean’s young career.

I had always speculated that Pat matched Sean with Lopez because Sean needed a test and a loss to a fighter of Lopez’ caliber wouldn’t hurt his reputation too much. Sean confirmed that was the reason. (“I could have stayed in Oklahoma City and gone 40-0 and it wouldn’t have done anything for my reputation.”) He said that Pat had been contacted by the folks in LA to fight somebody out there. They were given several names, and picked Lopez. That kind of surprised me. Why Lopez, who turned out to be a great fighter?

Sean told me that they picked Danny because, in the past year, Lopez had lost three times – twice on stoppages. Although Danny had defeated former world champs Castillo and Olivares, Pat was told by friends in LA that both Castillo and Olivares were out-of-shape for those fights, and that Lopez would have never beaten Olivares had Ruben been in shape. Also, Lopez had a reputation of being easy to hit, and Sean figured he could beat anybody at that point that was easy to hit.

And that’s why Pat matched 17-year-old Sean with Danny Lopez.

Tom
Nice pics of you and Sean. The rational they gave for putting Sean in there with Little Red was understandable,but considering Sean being 17 years of age and not having gone with anyone od Danny's caliber...well if Sean could have reached Danny's chin a few times,things might have turned out different.

When Sean confirmed that Danny Lopez was supposed to be a test, I thought - "Man, Lopez wasn't just a test - he was the whole friggin bar exam!!"

[Randyman]

My wife took a couple of pictures of us on Sunday:






Sean is doing very well. He is involved in commercial real estate sales with his wife Robin.

Sean is in great shape and still maintains his old fighting weight. I, on the otherhand, moved into the superheavyweight ranks many years ago.

BTW, for those of you who might be confused, Sean is on the right.

Great photos Tom, you look great. It's good to know that Sean is doing well. He's what Mel Epstein would call "A deserving guy". He still looks healthy and that smile would give Oscar De La Hoya competition should they ever share a photo shoot together. I enjoyed his time as a commentator too but I wish he would have stayed away from the toughman stuff.

Randy

[Randyman]

Sean and I talked about a lot of things on Sunday, but mostly about the old days in Oklahoma City that probably wouldn’t interest most of you.

However, I did ask him about the Danny Lopez fight, since so many of you have asked why Pat matched Sean with Lopez at that point in Sean’s young career.

I had always speculated that Pat matched Sean with Lopez because Sean needed a test and a loss to a fighter of Lopez’ caliber wouldn’t hurt his reputation too much. Sean confirmed that was the reason. (“I could have stayed in Oklahoma City and gone 40-0 and it wouldn’t have done anything for my reputation.”) He said that Pat had been contacted by the folks in LA to fight somebody out there. They were given several names, and picked Lopez. That kind of surprised me. Why Lopez, who turned out to be a great fighter?

Sean told me that they picked Danny because, in the past year, Lopez had lost three times – twice on stoppages. Although Danny had defeated former world champs Castillo and Olivares, Pat was told by friends in LA that both Castillo and Olivares were out-of-shape for those fights, and that Lopez would have never beaten Olivares had Ruben been in shape. Also, Lopez had a reputation of being easy to hit, and Sean figured he could beat anybody at that point that was easy to hit.

And that’s why Pat matched 17-year-old Sean with Danny Lopez.

Tom
Nice pics of you and Sean. The rational they gave for putting Sean in there with Little Red was understandable,but considering Sean being 17 years of age and not having gone with anyone od Danny's caliber...well if Sean could have reached Danny's chin a few times,things might have turned out different.

When Sean confirmed that Danny Lopez was supposed to be a test, I thought - "Man, Lopez wasn't just a test - he was the whole friggin bar exam!!"

Tom, my father always told me that it was good for a fighter to get the loss out of the way early in his career. In the long run an early loss can make a guy a better fighter. In that respect, Sean passed his exam. It's what a fighter does after a loss that counts.

By the way and maybe I already mentioned this but I recall reading years ago, maybe even before the Lopez fight, that Sean once had to knock out an opponent twice, once in English and again in Spanish. It was a Pat O'Grady interview. Do you recall that?

Randy

[Randyman]

Hey guys, I'm back from a business trip to Oklahoma City. I finally got to catch up with Sean O'Grady. If I can do the technology (Apparently, Bennie gave up waiting on my New Zealand pixs), I'll post a photo tomorrow. We had a great time, told lots of stories, and consoled one another about the sorry shape of the sport today.

And, Randy, he hopes you're not mad at him for almost stealing your towel . . . (He got a kick out of that story.)

Tom, Tell Sean I've been laughing about it ever since. It gave me a little Sean O'Grady story to tell. When Sean beat Hilmer Kenty a few years later for the lightweight title I was happy for him.

Tell Sean an old fan says hello.
Randy

He told me he should have realized he had walked off with somebody else's towel. His were embroidered . . . "Holiday Inn."

[Rick Farris]

Sean and I talked about a lot of things on Sunday, but mostly about the old days in Oklahoma City that probably wouldn’t interest most of you.

However, I did ask him about the Danny Lopez fight, since so many of you have asked why Pat matched Sean with Lopez at that point in Sean’s young career.

I had always speculated that Pat matched Sean with Lopez because Sean needed a test and a loss to a fighter of Lopez’ caliber wouldn’t hurt his reputation too much. Sean confirmed that was the reason. (“I could have stayed in Oklahoma City and gone 40-0 and it wouldn’t have done anything for my reputation.”) He said that Pat had been contacted by the folks in LA to fight somebody out there. They were given several names, and picked Lopez. That kind of surprised me. Why Lopez, who turned out to be a great fighter?

Sean told me that they picked Danny because, in the past year, Lopez had lost three times – twice on stoppages. Although Danny had defeated former world champs Castillo and Olivares, Pat was told by friends in LA that both Castillo and Olivares were out-of-shape for those fights, and that Lopez would have never beaten Olivares had Ruben been in shape. Also, Lopez had a reputation of being easy to hit, and Sean figured he could beat anybody at that point that was easy to hit.

And that’s why Pat matched 17-year-old Sean with Danny Lopez.

Regardless of the reason, I have always admired his willingness, at the age of 17, to come to Los Angeles and face a fighter of Danny's stature. It took some stones!

Randy

I agree, Randy. Like you, I remember those days very well. Remember the Main Streey Gym?
When Sean was in town they decorated the gym with Clover leafs and photos of O'Grady.
I've always liked Sean O'Grady. Great picture of Tom & Sean!


-Rick

[raylawpc]

Sean and I talked about a lot of things on Sunday, but mostly about the old days in Oklahoma City that probably wouldn’t interest most of you.

However, I did ask him about the Danny Lopez fight, since so many of you have asked why Pat matched Sean with Lopez at that point in Sean’s young career.

I had always speculated that Pat matched Sean with Lopez because Sean needed a test and a loss to a fighter of Lopez’ caliber wouldn’t hurt his reputation too much. Sean confirmed that was the reason. (“I could have stayed in Oklahoma City and gone 40-0 and it wouldn’t have done anything for my reputation.”) He said that Pat had been contacted by the folks in LA to fight somebody out there. They were given several names, and picked Lopez. That kind of surprised me. Why Lopez, who turned out to be a great fighter?

Sean told me that they picked Danny because, in the past year, Lopez had lost three times – twice on stoppages. Although Danny had defeated former world champs Castillo and Olivares, Pat was told by friends in LA that both Castillo and Olivares were out-of-shape for those fights, and that Lopez would have never beaten Olivares had Ruben been in shape. Also, Lopez had a reputation of being easy to hit, and Sean figured he could beat anybody at that point that was easy to hit.

And that’s why Pat matched 17-year-old Sean with Danny Lopez.

Regardless of the reason, I have always admired his willingness, at the age of 17, to come to Los Angeles and face a fighter of Danny's stature. It took some stones!

Randy

I agree, Randy. Like you, I remember those days very well. Remember the Main Streey Gym?
When Sean was in town they decorated the gym with Clover leafs and photos of O'Grady.
I've always liked Sean O'Grady. Great picture of Tom & Sean!


-Rick

Sean has a lot of great memories from the Main Street Gym. Do you guys remember that Howie Steindler had some kind of peep-hole through which he used to watch things in the gym from his office? Sean remembered his Dad threatening to nail a board across it so that Howie wouldn't spy on Sean when he was training for Lopez. (Pat was kidding, of course.)

Sean also told me that he sparred quite a bit with Bobby Chacon whenever he was in California - something I didn't know. Do you guys remember those sparring sessions?