Classic American West Coast Boxing

[kikibalt]

Flashback: Was L.A. ever more cool than in the 1960's

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/the_big ... 1960s.html

[dagosd2000]

Flashback: Was L.A. ever more cool than in the 1960's

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/the_big ... 1960s.html

Frank
That brought back memories. Remember seeing the Byrds at the Whiskey A Go Go.

[kikibalt]

Flashback: Was L.A. ever more cool than in the 1960's

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/the_big ... 1960s.html

Frank
That brought back memories. Remember seeing the Byrds at the Whiskey A Go Go.

Roger...I never did get to go to the Whiskey A Go Go, I missed seeing the Go Go dancers.

[Randyman]

It was thirty three years ago today that I had my second and last fight.

Mel Epstein called me two weeks before the fight which was scheduled for October 30, 1976. "Randy, I got a fight for you if you want it. It'll be at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas and it's going to be televised on "The Wide World of Sports". "Yeah, I want it!" I said. "The problem" Mel said "is he's a ten round fighter. His opponent pulled out and Howie (Steindler) mentioned your name. It'll be a six round fight. You don't have to take it if you don't want to".

I began sparring with Felipe Torres for the next two weeks, I sparred with other boxers but I spent more time with Felipe than anyone else. It was a grueling two weeks. I was in shape but I only had two weeks to prepare for the fight and I wanted to be ready. I ran five miles everyday. I felt good by the time the fight neared.

We flew to Las Vegas via TWA. It was a short trip. We took a shuttle or a cab to the hotel. As soon as we entered the hotel it was a hub of activity. It seemed as if everyone from the fight game at that time was there. Eddie Futch, Ken Norton, Duane Bobick, Joey Giambra and of course Mike Quarry and Tom Bethea. There were many other fighters there but a lot of that day is a blur now. Mel knew everyone and introduced me to everyone. He introduced me to Joey Giambra and mentioned that he going to be the referee for my fight. We had an early dinner and went up to our room to rest.

After a couple of hours we went down to weighin. Back then the weighins were done the day of the fight. It was crowded and there was a lot of activity. I weighed in at 152. I was supposed to weigh 147. The guy that weighed me, whoever he was, he said " Don't worry about it, Barba came in heavy too. I never did know what Barba weighed.

I was sent to a dressing room and it just happened to be the same room as Joey Giambra, the ref for the fight. He was a very nice guy. I liked him immediately. He felt the same way. Before he went out the door he said "I like you kid, good luck tonight".

Mel brought in some guy to help him with the corner. I can't remember who he was for the life of me. He was a tall, somewhat heavy black guy that Mel knew. I wish I knew his name. Whoever he was he was another nice guy. He wrapped my hands while Mel went over a few things. Mel could wrap hands well enough but he was generally too nervous and shaky.

Before I knew it I was making the walk to the ring. As I climbed onto the ring and went to my corner I saw Barba. he was staring directly at me. I wasn't sure what else to do so I stared back at him. What I remember most was his flat nose. His hair was long and Mel mentioned something about it to me.

This is how I remember the fight. The bell for the first round sounded and I had made up my mind I was going to box. I came forward and kept pumping my jab in his face. I knew he was more experienced but I wasn't worried. I felt confident. I was landing my right hand fairly easy. I was moving my head and kept coming forward. I felt like I was beating him to the punch. We exchanged several times and I felt like I got the best of him. I could hear Ken Norton in the background as he was announcing.

At about the end of the third round I started to tire but I sucked it up. In the fourth round things began to change. Not in a huge way but he seemed to be coming on. Still, I kept coming forward. My pride wouldn't let me do anything else. I wanted to win. I don't remember what round it was but it was during the last half of the fight when Barba landed a right hand to my solar plexus. It was like an explosion going off in my body. Suddenly it was like a bad nightmare. My body was racked in pain and everything in me said to lie down. I had no breath. I had nothing in me. Honest to God, I willed myself to keep standing. I was not going to be knocked out.

I looked at Barba and I realized he had no idea I was hurt. My plan was to move my nostrils slowly as if I was still breathing. I did my best to keep him from knowing. My face revealed nothing. Whenever he came forward I stuck my jab out. It was the jab that saved me. It bought me time to recover. It took the rest of the round to get my breath, and clarity back. I was still trying to win in the next round but there was moment when I was against the ropes when my arms were so tired that they hurt more than the punches. I thought "What the hell" and I dropped my hands for about two seconds rest. he got a couple of shots in but they didn't really bother me. What did bother me was hearing Ken Orton say "It looks like Randy De La O (he pronounced it Deelayo) is getting tired. I remember thinking "Sh*t, it shows.

Things were going pretty much his way going into the sixth and last round. I remember several exchanges and I still kept pressing him. I was still doing my damnedest to win. Now the last round might not have looked pretty but I decided I was going to knock him out. I went after him. My arms were tired but I threw everything I had. I landed some and so did he. I might be wrong and maybe someday I'll see some footage of the fight but I remember him against the ropes as I was doing everything I could to knock that SOB out. I couldn't and didn't.

When the fight was over and before the announcer announced the winner, Mel said, "go over and shake his hand. He won the fight". The guy that was working the corner with Mel came up to me and with some emotion in his voice said to me "You gotta lot of heart kid, a lot of heart." He shook his head as he said it. Later Howie Steindler, almost verbatim and in the same way said the same thing to me. I always wondered if it was because I got my ass kicked really bad or if i really did put up a great fight.

Now years later I wonder if I was just an opponent that was meant to fail. Maybe I surprised everyone by giving Barba a good fight.

On the flight back from Las Vegas, Mel and I were sitting quietly. I was disappointed that I didn't get the win. A man walked up to me and introduced himself to me as Alex Calderon, he was some exec with TWA, whose flight we were on. He said "Excuse me but weren't you one of the fighters that fought at the Aladdin?" I looked up, more embarrassed than anything else and said "Yes". He grabbed my hand and started to shake it with excitement. I was still confused because I had lost the fight. Suddenly he was no longer an executive for TWA but a fight fan. He told me what a great fight it was and that I had really fought a good fight. I didn't know what to say.

I was wearing sunglasses to hide my swollen left eye and just didn't want any attention but then he asked me for my autograph! I was shocked and to tell the truth I felt undeserving, I felt he was mistaking me for someone else. I looked at Mel and he said "Just sign it" he was smiling. So I signed it. Then Calderon says "Excuse me for one minute". Mel was laughing at my discomfort. The guy comes back with a wine bottle, with all the stewardess' and stands next to me. I was completely unprepared for what he did next.

He said to everyone on board, "Excuse me, Ladies and gentleman, can I have your attention please? I want to introduce you to Randy De La O, he just fought a great fight at the Aladdin Hotel this weekend" He went on for a while, I can't remember everything he said because it was pretty much a blur. He then presented me with a wine bottle with a notation on it the read: "To Randy De La O, Good luck in the fight game". from Alex Calderon. I just remember everyone clapping and Mel saying to me, still laughing "Stand up and thank the people". So I did. I thanked everyone. I can tell you after that the flight home was a lot easier to bear

Sometimes in life we have to take our victories as they come. I learned that day that win, lose or draw that I had the right stuff. I learned that I was capable of doing something that most men wouldn't do. It was just one ingredient in my life's learning process, there would be many, but it was a vital one one and one that I am proud of. Sometimes a loss is a victory in disguise.

[Randyman]

Glad to know I haven't completely lost my mind when it comes to boxing. As I recall, both Bobick and Houpe were undefeated going into that fight. I think that's why I remembered it.

Tom, don't worry. You're just as sane as all the rest of us nuts here!

Randy

[dagosd2000]

Flashback: Was L.A. ever more cool than in the 1960's

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/the_big ... 1960s.html

Frank
That brought back memories. Remember seeing the Byrds at the Whiskey A Go Go.

Roger...I never did get to go to the Whiskey A Go Go, I missed seeing the Go Go dancers.

Frank
There weren't any Go Go Dancers. :(

[dagosd2000]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WH6UnvSlahc

8 Miles High


The Byrds

[dagosd2000]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U88KuWxayLg

Fire

Jimi Hendrix

[dagosd2000]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnamP4-M9ko

Soul Sacrafice(Woodstock)

Santana

I saw him at the Boom Boom Club . 5 years later he's at Woodstock

[kikibalt]

Flashback: Was L.A. ever more cool than in the 1960's

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/the_big ... 1960s.html

Frank
That brought back memories. Remember seeing the Byrds at the Whiskey A Go Go.

Roger...I never did get to go to the Whiskey A Go Go, I missed seeing the Go Go dancers.

Frank
There weren't any Go Go Dancers. :(

No Go Go dancers? what kind of a place was it?

[kikibalt]

It was thirty three years ago today that I had my second and last fight.

Mel Epstein called me two weeks before the fight which was scheduled for October 30, 1976. "Randy, I got a fight for you if you want it. It'll be at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas and it's going to be televised on "The Wide World of Sports". "Yeah, I want it!" I said. "The problem" Mel said "is he's a ten round fighter. His opponent pulled out and Howie (Steindler) mentioned your name. It'll be a six round fight. You don't have to take it if you don't want to".

I began sparring with Felipe Torres for the next two weeks, I sparred with other boxers but I spent more time with Felipe than anyone else. It was a grueling two weeks. I was in shape but I only had two weeks to prepare for the fight and I wanted to be ready. I ran five miles everyday. I felt good by the time the fight neared.

We flew to Las Vegas via TWA. It was a short trip. We took a shuttle or a cab to the hotel. As soon as we entered the hotel it was a hub of activity. It seemed as if everyone from the fight game at that time was there. Eddie Futch, Ken Norton, Duane Bobick, Joey Giambra and of course Mike Quarry and Tom Bethea. There were many other fighters there but a lot of that day is a blur now. Mel knew everyone and introduced me to everyone. He introduced me to Joey Giambra and mentioned that he going to be the referee for my fight. We had an early dinner and went up to our room to rest.

After a couple of hours we went down to weighin. Back then the weighins were done the day of the fight. It was crowded and there was a lot of activity. I weighed in at 152. I was supposed to weigh 147. The guy that weighed me, whoever he was, he said " Don't worry about it, Barba came in heavy too. I never did know what Barba weighed.

I was sent to a dressing room and it just happened to be the same room as Joey Giambra, the ref for the fight. He was a very nice guy. I liked him immediately. He felt the same way. Before he went out the door he said "I like you kid, good luck tonight".

Mel brought in some guy to help him with the corner. I can't remember who he was for the life of me. He was a tall, somewhat heavy black guy that Mel knew. I wish I knew his name. Whoever he was he was another nice guy. He wrapped my hands while Mel went over a few things. Mel could wrap hands well enough but he was generally too nervous and shaky.

Before I knew it I was making the walk to the ring. As I climbed onto the ring and went to my corner I saw Barba. he was staring directly at me. I wasn't sure what else to do so I stared back at him. What I remember most was his flat nose. His hair was long and Mel mentioned something about it to me.

This is how I remember the fight. The bell for the first round sounded and I had made up my mind I was going to box. I came forward and kept pumping my jab in his face. I knew he was more experienced but I wasn't worried. I felt confident. I was landing my right hand fairly easy. I was moving my head and kept coming forward. I felt like I was beating him to the punch. We exchanged several times and I felt like I got the best of him. I could hear Ken Norton in the background as he was announcing.

At about the end of the third round I started to tire but I sucked it up. In the fourth round things began to change. Not in a huge way but he seemed to be coming on. Still, I kept coming forward. My pride wouldn't let me do anything else. I wanted to win. I don't remember what round it was but it was during the last half of the fight when Barba landed a right hand to my solar plexus. It was like an explosion going off in my body. Suddenly it was like a bad nightmare. My body was racked in pain and everything in me said to lie down. I had no breath. I had nothing in me. Honest to God, I willed myself to keep standing. I was not going to be knocked out.

I looked at Barba and I realized he had no idea I was hurt. My plan was to move my nostrils slowly as if I was still breathing. I did my best to keep him from knowing. My face revealed nothing. Whenever he came forward I stuck my jab out. It was the jab that saved me. It bought me time to recover. It took the rest of the round to get my breath, and clarity back. I was still trying to win in the next round but there was moment when I was against the ropes when my arms were so tired that they hurt more than the punches. I thought "What the hell" and I dropped my hands for about two seconds rest. he got a couple of shots in but they didn't really bother me. What did bother me was hearing Ken Orton say "It looks like Randy De La O (he pronounced it Deelayo) is getting tired. I remember thinking "Sh*t, it shows.

Things were going pretty much his way going into the sixth and last round. I remember several exchanges and I still kept pressing him. I was still doing my damnedest to win. Now the last round might not have looked pretty but I decided I was going to knock him out. I went after him. My arms were tired but I threw everything I had. I landed some and so did he. I might be wrong and maybe someday I'll see some footage of the fight but I remember him against the ropes as I was doing everything I could to knock that SOB out. I couldn't and didn't.

When the fight was over and before the announcer announced the winner, Mel said, "go over and shake his hand. He won the fight". The guy that was working the corner with Mel came up to me and with some emotion in his voice said to me "You gotta lot of heart kid, a lot of heart." He shook his head as he said it. Later Howie Steindler, almost verbatim and in the same way said the same thing to me. I always wondered if it was because I got my ass kicked really bad or if i really did put up a great fight.

Now years later I wonder if I was just an opponent that was meant to fail. Maybe I surprised everyone by giving Barba a good fight.

On the flight back from Las Vegas, Mel and I were sitting quietly. I was disappointed that I didn't get the win. A man walked up to me and introduced himself to me as Alex Calderon, he was some exec with TWA, whose flight we were on. He said "Excuse me but weren't you one of the fighters that fought at the Aladdin?" I looked up, more embarrassed than anything else and said "Yes". He grabbed my hand and started to shake it with excitement. I was still confused because I had lost the fight. Suddenly he was no longer an executive for TWA but a fight fan. He told me what a great fight it was and that I had really fought a good fight. I didn't know what to say.

I was wearing sunglasses to hide my swollen left eye and just didn't want any attention but then he asked me for my autograph! I was shocked and to tell the truth I felt undeserving, I felt he was mistaking me for someone else. I looked at Mel and he said "Just sign it" he was smiling. So I signed it. Then Calderon says "Excuse me for one minute". Mel was laughing at my discomfort. The guy comes back with a wine bottle, with all the stewardess' and stands next to me. I was completely unprepared for what he did next.

He said to everyone on board, "Excuse me, Ladies and gentleman, can I have your attention please? I want to introduce you to Randy De La O, he just fought a great fight at the Aladdin Hotel this weekend" He went on for a while, I can't remember everything he said because it was pretty much a blur. He then presented me with a wine bottle with a notation on it the read: "To Randy De La O, Good luck in the fight game". from Alex Calderon. I just remember everyone clapping and Mel saying to me, still laughing "Stand up and thank the people". So I did. I thanked everyone. I can tell you after that the flight home was a lot easier to bear

Sometimes in life we have to take our victories as they come. I learned that day that win, lose or draw that I had the right stuff. I learned that I was capable of doing something that most men wouldn't do. It was just one ingredient in my life's learning process, there would be many, but it was a vital one one and one that I am proud of. Sometimes a loss is a victory in disguise.

Randy...Thats one great memory that will stay with you for the rest of you life, something to tell the grandkids about....

[dagosd2000]

Frank
Come to think of it the place did have Go Go Dancers.The ones in the cages. But I don't think the place served booze. All I know was that I was plenty fortified with other intoxicants.

[dagosd2000]

It was thirty three years ago today that I had my second and last fight.

Mel Epstein called me two weeks before the fight which was scheduled for October 30, 1976. "Randy, I got a fight for you if you want it. It'll be at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas and it's going to be televised on "The Wide World of Sports". "Yeah, I want it!" I said. "The problem" Mel said "is he's a ten round fighter. His opponent pulled out and Howie (Steindler) mentioned your name. It'll be a six round fight. You don't have to take it if you don't want to".

I began sparring with Felipe Torres for the next two weeks, I sparred with other boxers but I spent more time with Felipe than anyone else. It was a grueling two weeks. I was in shape but I only had two weeks to prepare for the fight and I wanted to be ready. I ran five miles everyday. I felt good by the time the fight neared.

We flew to Las Vegas via TWA. It was a short trip. We took a shuttle or a cab to the hotel. As soon as we entered the hotel it was a hub of activity. It seemed as if everyone from the fight game at that time was there. Eddie Futch, Ken Norton, Duane Bobick, Joey Giambra and of course Mike Quarry and Tom Bethea. There were many other fighters there but a lot of that day is a blur now. Mel knew everyone and introduced me to everyone. He introduced me to Joey Giambra and mentioned that he going to be the referee for my fight. We had an early dinner and went up to our room to rest.

After a couple of hours we went down to weighin. Back then the weighins were done the day of the fight. It was crowded and there was a lot of activity. I weighed in at 152. I was supposed to weigh 147. The guy that weighed me, whoever he was, he said " Don't worry about it, Barba came in heavy too. I never did know what Barba weighed.

I was sent to a dressing room and it just happened to be the same room as Joey Giambra, the ref for the fight. He was a very nice guy. I liked him immediately. He felt the same way. Before he went out the door he said "I like you kid, good luck tonight".

Mel brought in some guy to help him with the corner. I can't remember who he was for the life of me. He was a tall, somewhat heavy black guy that Mel knew. I wish I knew his name. Whoever he was he was another nice guy. He wrapped my hands while Mel went over a few things. Mel could wrap hands well enough but he was generally too nervous and shaky.

Before I knew it I was making the walk to the ring. As I climbed onto the ring and went to my corner I saw Barba. he was staring directly at me. I wasn't sure what else to do so I stared back at him. What I remember most was his flat nose. His hair was long and Mel mentioned something about it to me.

This is how I remember the fight. The bell for the first round sounded and I had made up my mind I was going to box. I came forward and kept pumping my jab in his face. I knew he was more experienced but I wasn't worried. I felt confident. I was landing my right hand fairly easy. I was moving my head and kept coming forward. I felt like I was beating him to the punch. We exchanged several times and I felt like I got the best of him. I could hear Ken Norton in the background as he was announcing.

At about the end of the third round I started to tire but I sucked it up. In the fourth round things began to change. Not in a huge way but he seemed to be coming on. Still, I kept coming forward. My pride wouldn't let me do anything else. I wanted to win. I don't remember what round it was but it was during the last half of the fight when Barba landed a right hand to my solar plexus. It was like an explosion going off in my body. Suddenly it was like a bad nightmare. My body was racked in pain and everything in me said to lie down. I had no breath. I had nothing in me. Honest to God, I willed myself to keep standing. I was not going to be knocked out.

I looked at Barba and I realized he had no idea I was hurt. My plan was to move my nostrils slowly as if I was still breathing. I did my best to keep him from knowing. My face revealed nothing. Whenever he came forward I stuck my jab out. It was the jab that saved me. It bought me time to recover. It took the rest of the round to get my breath, and clarity back. I was still trying to win in the next round but there was moment when I was against the ropes when my arms were so tired that they hurt more than the punches. I thought "What the hell" and I dropped my hands for about two seconds rest. he got a couple of shots in but they didn't really bother me. What did bother me was hearing Ken Orton say "It looks like Randy De La O (he pronounced it Deelayo) is getting tired. I remember thinking "Sh*t, it shows.

Things were going pretty much his way going into the sixth and last round. I remember several exchanges and I still kept pressing him. I was still doing my damnedest to win. Now the last round might not have looked pretty but I decided I was going to knock him out. I went after him. My arms were tired but I threw everything I had. I landed some and so did he. I might be wrong and maybe someday I'll see some footage of the fight but I remember him against the ropes as I was doing everything I could to knock that SOB out. I couldn't and didn't.

When the fight was over and before the announcer announced the winner, Mel said, "go over and shake his hand. He won the fight". The guy that was working the corner with Mel came up to me and with some emotion in his voice said to me "You gotta lot of heart kid, a lot of heart." He shook his head as he said it. Later Howie Steindler, almost verbatim and in the same way said the same thing to me. I always wondered if it was because I got my ass kicked really bad or if i really did put up a great fight.

Now years later I wonder if I was just an opponent that was meant to fail. Maybe I surprised everyone by giving Barba a good fight.

On the flight back from Las Vegas, Mel and I were sitting quietly. I was disappointed that I didn't get the win. A man walked up to me and introduced himself to me as Alex Calderon, he was some exec with TWA, whose flight we were on. He said "Excuse me but weren't you one of the fighters that fought at the Aladdin?" I looked up, more embarrassed than anything else and said "Yes". He grabbed my hand and started to shake it with excitement. I was still confused because I had lost the fight. Suddenly he was no longer an executive for TWA but a fight fan. He told me what a great fight it was and that I had really fought a good fight. I didn't know what to say.

I was wearing sunglasses to hide my swollen left eye and just didn't want any attention but then he asked me for my autograph! I was shocked and to tell the truth I felt undeserving, I felt he was mistaking me for someone else. I looked at Mel and he said "Just sign it" he was smiling. So I signed it. Then Calderon says "Excuse me for one minute". Mel was laughing at my discomfort. The guy comes back with a wine bottle, with all the stewardess' and stands next to me. I was completely unprepared for what he did next.

He said to everyone on board, "Excuse me, Ladies and gentleman, can I have your attention please? I want to introduce you to Randy De La O, he just fought a great fight at the Aladdin Hotel this weekend" He went on for a while, I can't remember everything he said because it was pretty much a blur. He then presented me with a wine bottle with a notation on it the read: "To Randy De La O, Good luck in the fight game". from Alex Calderon. I just remember everyone clapping and Mel saying to me, still laughing "Stand up and thank the people". So I did. I thanked everyone. I can tell you after that the flight home was a lot easier to bear

Sometimes in life we have to take our victories as they come. I learned that day that win, lose or draw that I had the right stuff. I learned that I was capable of doing something that most men wouldn't do. It was just one ingredient in my life's learning process, there would be many, but it was a vital one one and one that I am proud of. Sometimes a loss is a victory in disguise.

Randy...Thats one great memory that will stay with you for the rest of you life, something to tell the grandkids about....

Randy
It's like Michael Jordan says,"I don't have a fear of failing,only a fear of not trying."
If only I could have understood that early in life :(

[kikibalt]

Frank
Come to think of it the place did have Go Go Dancers.The ones in the cages. But I don't think the place served booze. All I know was that I was plenty fortified with other intoxicants.

I didn't want to say you were wrong, but I was kind of sure you were, because I remember watching them on TV, the dancers were in cages like you say.....

[dagosd2000]

Going to see Amanda dance tonight at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. She's going to perform at a Andalucian Horse Show that's supposed to be on Cable TV. I'll get some pics.OLE!

[kikibalt]

Going to see Amanda dance tonight at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. She's going to perform at a Andalucian Horse Show that's supposed to be on Cable TV. I'll get some pics.OLE!

Have fun...

[Rick Farris]

It was thirty three years ago today that I had my second and last fight.

Mel Epstein called me two weeks before the fight which was scheduled for October 30, 1976. "Randy, I got a fight for you if you want it. It'll be at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas and it's going to be televised on "The Wide World of Sports". "Yeah, I want it!" I said. "The problem" Mel said "is he's a ten round fighter. His opponent pulled out and Howie (Steindler) mentioned your name. It'll be a six round fight. You don't have to take it if you don't want to".

I began sparring with Felipe Torres for the next two weeks, I sparred with other boxers but I spent more time with Felipe than anyone else. It was a grueling two weeks. I was in shape but I only had two weeks to prepare for the fight and I wanted to be ready. I ran five miles everyday. I felt good by the time the fight neared.

We flew to Las Vegas via TWA. It was a short trip. We took a shuttle or a cab to the hotel. As soon as we entered the hotel it was a hub of activity. It seemed as if everyone from the fight game at that time was there. Eddie Futch, Ken Norton, Duane Bobick, Joey Giambra and of course Mike Quarry and Tom Bethea. There were many other fighters there but a lot of that day is a blur now. Mel knew everyone and introduced me to everyone. He introduced me to Joey Giambra and mentioned that he going to be the referee for my fight. We had an early dinner and went up to our room to rest.

After a couple of hours we went down to weighin. Back then the weighins were done the day of the fight. It was crowded and there was a lot of activity. I weighed in at 152. I was supposed to weigh 147. The guy that weighed me, whoever he was, he said " Don't worry about it, Barba came in heavy too. I never did know what Barba weighed.

I was sent to a dressing room and it just happened to be the same room as Joey Giambra, the ref for the fight. He was a very nice guy. I liked him immediately. He felt the same way. Before he went out the door he said "I like you kid, good luck tonight".

Mel brought in some guy to help him with the corner. I can't remember who he was for the life of me. He was a tall, somewhat heavy black guy that Mel knew. I wish I knew his name. Whoever he was he was another nice guy. He wrapped my hands while Mel went over a few things. Mel could wrap hands well enough but he was generally too nervous and shaky.

Before I knew it I was making the walk to the ring. As I climbed onto the ring and went to my corner I saw Barba. he was staring directly at me. I wasn't sure what else to do so I stared back at him. What I remember most was his flat nose. His hair was long and Mel mentioned something about it to me.

This is how I remember the fight. The bell for the first round sounded and I had made up my mind I was going to box. I came forward and kept pumping my jab in his face. I knew he was more experienced but I wasn't worried. I felt confident. I was landing my right hand fairly easy. I was moving my head and kept coming forward. I felt like I was beating him to the punch. We exchanged several times and I felt like I got the best of him. I could hear Ken Norton in the background as he was announcing.

At about the end of the third round I started to tire but I sucked it up. In the fourth round things began to change. Not in a huge way but he seemed to be coming on. Still, I kept coming forward. My pride wouldn't let me do anything else. I wanted to win. I don't remember what round it was but it was during the last half of the fight when Barba landed a right hand to my solar plexus. It was like an explosion going off in my body. Suddenly it was like a bad nightmare. My body was racked in pain and everything in me said to lie down. I had no breath. I had nothing in me. Honest to God, I willed myself to keep standing. I was not going to be knocked out.

I looked at Barba and I realized he had no idea I was hurt. My plan was to move my nostrils slowly as if I was still breathing. I did my best to keep him from knowing. My face revealed nothing. Whenever he came forward I stuck my jab out. It was the jab that saved me. It bought me time to recover. It took the rest of the round to get my breath, and clarity back. I was still trying to win in the next round but there was moment when I was against the ropes when my arms were so tired that they hurt more than the punches. I thought "What the hell" and I dropped my hands for about two seconds rest. he got a couple of shots in but they didn't really bother me. What did bother me was hearing Ken Orton say "It looks like Randy De La O (he pronounced it Deelayo) is getting tired. I remember thinking "Sh*t, it shows.

Things were going pretty much his way going into the sixth and last round. I remember several exchanges and I still kept pressing him. I was still doing my damnedest to win. Now the last round might not have looked pretty but I decided I was going to knock him out. I went after him. My arms were tired but I threw everything I had. I landed some and so did he. I might be wrong and maybe someday I'll see some footage of the fight but I remember him against the ropes as I was doing everything I could to knock that SOB out. I couldn't and didn't.

When the fight was over and before the announcer announced the winner, Mel said, "go over and shake his hand. He won the fight". The guy that was working the corner with Mel came up to me and with some emotion in his voice said to me "You gotta lot of heart kid, a lot of heart." He shook his head as he said it. Later Howie Steindler, almost verbatim and in the same way said the same thing to me. I always wondered if it was because I got my ass kicked really bad or if i really did put up a great fight.

Now years later I wonder if I was just an opponent that was meant to fail. Maybe I surprised everyone by giving Barba a good fight.

On the flight back from Las Vegas, Mel and I were sitting quietly. I was disappointed that I didn't get the win. A man walked up to me and introduced himself to me as Alex Calderon, he was some exec with TWA, whose flight we were on. He said "Excuse me but weren't you one of the fighters that fought at the Aladdin?" I looked up, more embarrassed than anything else and said "Yes". He grabbed my hand and started to shake it with excitement. I was still confused because I had lost the fight. Suddenly he was no longer an executive for TWA but a fight fan. He told me what a great fight it was and that I had really fought a good fight. I didn't know what to say.

I was wearing sunglasses to hide my swollen left eye and just didn't want any attention but then he asked me for my autograph! I was shocked and to tell the truth I felt undeserving, I felt he was mistaking me for someone else. I looked at Mel and he said "Just sign it" he was smiling. So I signed it. Then Calderon says "Excuse me for one minute". Mel was laughing at my discomfort. The guy comes back with a wine bottle, with all the stewardess' and stands next to me. I was completely unprepared for what he did next.

He said to everyone on board, "Excuse me, Ladies and gentleman, can I have your attention please? I want to introduce you to Randy De La O, he just fought a great fight at the Aladdin Hotel this weekend" He went on for a while, I can't remember everything he said because it was pretty much a blur. He then presented me with a wine bottle with a notation on it the read: "To Randy De La O, Good luck in the fight game". from Alex Calderon. I just remember everyone clapping and Mel saying to me, still laughing "Stand up and thank the people". So I did. I thanked everyone. I can tell you after that the flight home was a lot easier to bear

Sometimes in life we have to take our victories as they come. I learned that day that win, lose or draw that I had the right stuff. I learned that I was capable of doing something that most men wouldn't do. It was just one ingredient in my life's learning process, there would be many, but it was a vital one one and one that I am proud of. Sometimes a loss is a victory in disguise.

That is a great story, Randy. You are right about so many things. I wish Icould have seen you fight, however, something better would happen for me, I would meet you and we became friends. That is priceless.


-Rick Farris

[Chuck1052]

Frank- According to the U.S. Census Records database on Ancestry.com, one Francisco Baltazar, a farm laborer, and his wife, Guadalupe, were living with their four children and a cousin in Montebello, California during 1930. Their oldest child, Aurelio, was seventeen at the time. The family came to the U.S. in 1918.

According to the World War I Draft Registration Records database on Ancestry.com, one Francisco Baltazar, a married man, was working as a railroad section hand while living in Churchill County, Nevada.

- Chuck Johnston

[scartissue]

It was thirty three years ago today that I had my second and last fight.

Mel Epstein called me two weeks before the fight which was scheduled for October 30, 1976. "Randy, I got a fight for you if you want it. It'll be at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas and it's going to be televised on "The Wide World of Sports". "Yeah, I want it!" I said. "The problem" Mel said "is he's a ten round fighter. His opponent pulled out and Howie (Steindler) mentioned your name. It'll be a six round fight. You don't have to take it if you don't want to".

I began sparring with Felipe Torres for the next two weeks, I sparred with other boxers but I spent more time with Felipe than anyone else. It was a grueling two weeks. I was in shape but I only had two weeks to prepare for the fight and I wanted to be ready. I ran five miles everyday. I felt good by the time the fight neared.

We flew to Las Vegas via TWA. It was a short trip. We took a shuttle or a cab to the hotel. As soon as we entered the hotel it was a hub of activity. It seemed as if everyone from the fight game at that time was there. Eddie Futch, Ken Norton, Duane Bobick, Joey Giambra and of course Mike Quarry and Tom Bethea. There were many other fighters there but a lot of that day is a blur now. Mel knew everyone and introduced me to everyone. He introduced me to Joey Giambra and mentioned that he going to be the referee for my fight. We had an early dinner and went up to our room to rest.

After a couple of hours we went down to weighin. Back then the weighins were done the day of the fight. It was crowded and there was a lot of activity. I weighed in at 152. I was supposed to weigh 147. The guy that weighed me, whoever he was, he said " Don't worry about it, Barba came in heavy too. I never did know what Barba weighed.

I was sent to a dressing room and it just happened to be the same room as Joey Giambra, the ref for the fight. He was a very nice guy. I liked him immediately. He felt the same way. Before he went out the door he said "I like you kid, good luck tonight".

Mel brought in some guy to help him with the corner. I can't remember who he was for the life of me. He was a tall, somewhat heavy black guy that Mel knew. I wish I knew his name. Whoever he was he was another nice guy. He wrapped my hands while Mel went over a few things. Mel could wrap hands well enough but he was generally too nervous and shaky.

Before I knew it I was making the walk to the ring. As I climbed onto the ring and went to my corner I saw Barba. he was staring directly at me. I wasn't sure what else to do so I stared back at him. What I remember most was his flat nose. His hair was long and Mel mentioned something about it to me.

This is how I remember the fight. The bell for the first round sounded and I had made up my mind I was going to box. I came forward and kept pumping my jab in his face. I knew he was more experienced but I wasn't worried. I felt confident. I was landing my right hand fairly easy. I was moving my head and kept coming forward. I felt like I was beating him to the punch. We exchanged several times and I felt like I got the best of him. I could hear Ken Norton in the background as he was announcing.

At about the end of the third round I started to tire but I sucked it up. In the fourth round things began to change. Not in a huge way but he seemed to be coming on. Still, I kept coming forward. My pride wouldn't let me do anything else. I wanted to win. I don't remember what round it was but it was during the last half of the fight when Barba landed a right hand to my solar plexus. It was like an explosion going off in my body. Suddenly it was like a bad nightmare. My body was racked in pain and everything in me said to lie down. I had no breath. I had nothing in me. Honest to God, I willed myself to keep standing. I was not going to be knocked out.

I looked at Barba and I realized he had no idea I was hurt. My plan was to move my nostrils slowly as if I was still breathing. I did my best to keep him from knowing. My face revealed nothing. Whenever he came forward I stuck my jab out. It was the jab that saved me. It bought me time to recover. It took the rest of the round to get my breath, and clarity back. I was still trying to win in the next round but there was moment when I was against the ropes when my arms were so tired that they hurt more than the punches. I thought "What the hell" and I dropped my hands for about two seconds rest. he got a couple of shots in but they didn't really bother me. What did bother me was hearing Ken Orton say "It looks like Randy De La O (he pronounced it Deelayo) is getting tired. I remember thinking "Sh*t, it shows.

Things were going pretty much his way going into the sixth and last round. I remember several exchanges and I still kept pressing him. I was still doing my damnedest to win. Now the last round might not have looked pretty but I decided I was going to knock him out. I went after him. My arms were tired but I threw everything I had. I landed some and so did he. I might be wrong and maybe someday I'll see some footage of the fight but I remember him against the ropes as I was doing everything I could to knock that SOB out. I couldn't and didn't.

When the fight was over and before the announcer announced the winner, Mel said, "go over and shake his hand. He won the fight". The guy that was working the corner with Mel came up to me and with some emotion in his voice said to me "You gotta lot of heart kid, a lot of heart." He shook his head as he said it. Later Howie Steindler, almost verbatim and in the same way said the same thing to me. I always wondered if it was because I got my ass kicked really bad or if i really did put up a great fight.

Now years later I wonder if I was just an opponent that was meant to fail. Maybe I surprised everyone by giving Barba a good fight.

On the flight back from Las Vegas, Mel and I were sitting quietly. I was disappointed that I didn't get the win. A man walked up to me and introduced himself to me as Alex Calderon, he was some exec with TWA, whose flight we were on. He said "Excuse me but weren't you one of the fighters that fought at the Aladdin?" I looked up, more embarrassed than anything else and said "Yes". He grabbed my hand and started to shake it with excitement. I was still confused because I had lost the fight. Suddenly he was no longer an executive for TWA but a fight fan. He told me what a great fight it was and that I had really fought a good fight. I didn't know what to say.

I was wearing sunglasses to hide my swollen left eye and just didn't want any attention but then he asked me for my autograph! I was shocked and to tell the truth I felt undeserving, I felt he was mistaking me for someone else. I looked at Mel and he said "Just sign it" he was smiling. So I signed it. Then Calderon says "Excuse me for one minute". Mel was laughing at my discomfort. The guy comes back with a wine bottle, with all the stewardess' and stands next to me. I was completely unprepared for what he did next.

He said to everyone on board, "Excuse me, Ladies and gentleman, can I have your attention please? I want to introduce you to Randy De La O, he just fought a great fight at the Aladdin Hotel this weekend" He went on for a while, I can't remember everything he said because it was pretty much a blur. He then presented me with a wine bottle with a notation on it the read: "To Randy De La O, Good luck in the fight game". from Alex Calderon. I just remember everyone clapping and Mel saying to me, still laughing "Stand up and thank the people". So I did. I thanked everyone. I can tell you after that the flight home was a lot easier to bear

Sometimes in life we have to take our victories as they come. I learned that day that win, lose or draw that I had the right stuff. I learned that I was capable of doing something that most men wouldn't do. It was just one ingredient in my life's learning process, there would be many, but it was a vital one one and one that I am proud of. Sometimes a loss is a victory in disguise.

Randy, truly a wonderful memory and great story.

Scartissue

[Rick Farris]

Frank- According to the U.S. Census Records database on Ancestry.com, one Francisco Baltazar, a farm laborer, and his wife, Guadalupe, were living with their four children and a cousin in Montebello, California during 1930. Their oldest child, Aurelio, was seventeen at the time. The family came to the U.S. in 1918.

According to the World War I Draft Registration Records database on Ancestry.com, one Francisco Baltazar, a married man, was working as a railroad section hand while living in Churchill County, Nevada.

- Chuck Johnston

Chuck, that's really cool! Gotta hear what Frank has to say.


-Rick Farris

[dagosd2000]

Nice looking horse



My nice looking grand daughters. Kalina and Amanda



The star of the show




I thought this was a Spanish horse show


ANDALUCIAN HORSE SHOW.DEL MAR FAIRGROUNDS. 2009

[dagosd2000]

UNTURNED STONE


I'm feeling my age because I'm starting to feel the pains. My mind is as sharp as it's ever been,but the bad hip makes me stop to think if I had just taken a few more risks. Easier said than trying to accomplish things now . The physical challenges are done. Maybe just walking around the block a few times will suffice. Mentally,the vigor is there,but what should I do with it? How to use it?

I'm with my grand daughter a lot. People come up to me and admire my devotion to her. I don't think of it as devotion so much as a responsibility. I want her to leave no stone unturned.

Amanda is on her way. When she is ready to go out on her own,not needing my financial assistance nor guidance,the psychological coaching,the tricks that I've learned over the years (mainly from my mistakes),then I can go to "mi rincon en el cielo" in Mexico and pass the time satisfied that I've finally done something unshelfishly.

She knows what she wants- to be-a Flamenco dancer and teacher. Travel the world. Entertain people,who perhaps are like me,and think that they should have turned another stone over.

[Expug]

It was thirty three years ago today that I had my second and last fight.

Mel Epstein called me two weeks before the fight which was scheduled for October 30, 1976. "Randy, I got a fight for you if you want it. It'll be at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas and it's going to be televised on "The Wide World of Sports". "Yeah, I want it!" I said. "The problem" Mel said "is he's a ten round fighter. His opponent pulled out and Howie (Steindler) mentioned your name. It'll be a six round fight. You don't have to take it if you don't want to".

I began sparring with Felipe Torres for the next two weeks, I sparred with other boxers but I spent more time with Felipe than anyone else. It was a grueling two weeks. I was in shape but I only had two weeks to prepare for the fight and I wanted to be ready. I ran five miles everyday. I felt good by the time the fight neared.

We flew to Las Vegas via TWA. It was a short trip. We took a shuttle or a cab to the hotel. As soon as we entered the hotel it was a hub of activity. It seemed as if everyone from the fight game at that time was there. Eddie Futch, Ken Norton, Duane Bobick, Joey Giambra and of course Mike Quarry and Tom Bethea. There were many other fighters there but a lot of that day is a blur now. Mel knew everyone and introduced me to everyone. He introduced me to Joey Giambra and mentioned that he going to be the referee for my fight. We had an early dinner and went up to our room to rest.

After a couple of hours we went down to weighin. Back then the weighins were done the day of the fight. It was crowded and there was a lot of activity. I weighed in at 152. I was supposed to weigh 147. The guy that weighed me, whoever he was, he said " Don't worry about it, Barba came in heavy too. I never did know what Barba weighed.

I was sent to a dressing room and it just happened to be the same room as Joey Giambra, the ref for the fight. He was a very nice guy. I liked him immediately. He felt the same way. Before he went out the door he said "I like you kid, good luck tonight".

Mel brought in some guy to help him with the corner. I can't remember who he was for the life of me. He was a tall, somewhat heavy black guy that Mel knew. I wish I knew his name. Whoever he was he was another nice guy. He wrapped my hands while Mel went over a few things. Mel could wrap hands well enough but he was generally too nervous and shaky.

Before I knew it I was making the walk to the ring. As I climbed onto the ring and went to my corner I saw Barba. he was staring directly at me. I wasn't sure what else to do so I stared back at him. What I remember most was his flat nose. His hair was long and Mel mentioned something about it to me.

This is how I remember the fight. The bell for the first round sounded and I had made up my mind I was going to box. I came forward and kept pumping my jab in his face. I knew he was more experienced but I wasn't worried. I felt confident. I was landing my right hand fairly easy. I was moving my head and kept coming forward. I felt like I was beating him to the punch. We exchanged several times and I felt like I got the best of him. I could hear Ken Norton in the background as he was announcing.

At about the end of the third round I started to tire but I sucked it up. In the fourth round things began to change. Not in a huge way but he seemed to be coming on. Still, I kept coming forward. My pride wouldn't let me do anything else. I wanted to win. I don't remember what round it was but it was during the last half of the fight when Barba landed a right hand to my solar plexus. It was like an explosion going off in my body. Suddenly it was like a bad nightmare. My body was racked in pain and everything in me said to lie down. I had no breath. I had nothing in me. Honest to God, I willed myself to keep standing. I was not going to be knocked out.

I looked at Barba and I realized he had no idea I was hurt. My plan was to move my nostrils slowly as if I was still breathing. I did my best to keep him from knowing. My face revealed nothing. Whenever he came forward I stuck my jab out. It was the jab that saved me. It bought me time to recover. It took the rest of the round to get my breath, and clarity back. I was still trying to win in the next round but there was moment when I was against the ropes when my arms were so tired that they hurt more than the punches. I thought "What the hell" and I dropped my hands for about two seconds rest. he got a couple of shots in but they didn't really bother me. What did bother me was hearing Ken Orton say "It looks like Randy De La O (he pronounced it Deelayo) is getting tired. I remember thinking "Sh*t, it shows.

Things were going pretty much his way going into the sixth and last round. I remember several exchanges and I still kept pressing him. I was still doing my damnedest to win. Now the last round might not have looked pretty but I decided I was going to knock him out. I went after him. My arms were tired but I threw everything I had. I landed some and so did he. I might be wrong and maybe someday I'll see some footage of the fight but I remember him against the ropes as I was doing everything I could to knock that SOB out. I couldn't and didn't.

When the fight was over and before the announcer announced the winner, Mel said, "go over and shake his hand. He won the fight". The guy that was working the corner with Mel came up to me and with some emotion in his voice said to me "You gotta lot of heart kid, a lot of heart." He shook his head as he said it. Later Howie Steindler, almost verbatim and in the same way said the same thing to me. I always wondered if it was because I got my ass kicked really bad or if i really did put up a great fight.

Now years later I wonder if I was just an opponent that was meant to fail. Maybe I surprised everyone by giving Barba a good fight.

On the flight back from Las Vegas, Mel and I were sitting quietly. I was disappointed that I didn't get the win. A man walked up to me and introduced himself to me as Alex Calderon, he was some exec with TWA, whose flight we were on. He said "Excuse me but weren't you one of the fighters that fought at the Aladdin?" I looked up, more embarrassed than anything else and said "Yes". He grabbed my hand and started to shake it with excitement. I was still confused because I had lost the fight. Suddenly he was no longer an executive for TWA but a fight fan. He told me what a great fight it was and that I had really fought a good fight. I didn't know what to say.

I was wearing sunglasses to hide my swollen left eye and just didn't want any attention but then he asked me for my autograph! I was shocked and to tell the truth I felt undeserving, I felt he was mistaking me for someone else. I looked at Mel and he said "Just sign it" he was smiling. So I signed it. Then Calderon says "Excuse me for one minute". Mel was laughing at my discomfort. The guy comes back with a wine bottle, with all the stewardess' and stands next to me. I was completely unprepared for what he did next.

He said to everyone on board, "Excuse me, Ladies and gentleman, can I have your attention please? I want to introduce you to Randy De La O, he just fought a great fight at the Aladdin Hotel this weekend" He went on for a while, I can't remember everything he said because it was pretty much a blur. He then presented me with a wine bottle with a notation on it the read: "To Randy De La O, Good luck in the fight game". from Alex Calderon. I just remember everyone clapping and Mel saying to me, still laughing "Stand up and thank the people". So I did. I thanked everyone. I can tell you after that the flight home was a lot easier to bear

Sometimes in life we have to take our victories as they come. I learned that day that win, lose or draw that I had the right stuff. I learned that I was capable of doing something that most men wouldn't do. It was just one ingredient in my life's learning process, there would be many, but it was a vital one one and one that I am proud of. Sometimes a loss is a victory in disguise.

Wonderful story Randy.
Thankyou for posting it. You are a man with heart. Its the most important thing in life.
And from having the honor of becoming friends with you, I can see that you have carried it over to your life.
Beautiful family and good pals who I know you are loyal to. That gentleman on the plane wasnt just admiring you for your fight in the ring. I think he saw what kind of man you were. A man with heart and determination. A true winner.

[Rick Farris]

Randy wrote . . .
"Sometimes a loss is a victory in disguise."
_________________________________

Randy, looking at what you have today, nothing can disguise it being the best.


-Rick Farris

[kikibalt]

Frank- According to the U.S. Census Records database on Ancestry.com, one Francisco Baltazar, a farm laborer, and his wife, Guadalupe, were living with their four children and a cousin in Montebello, California during 1930. Their oldest child, Aurelio, was seventeen at the time. The family came to the U.S. in 1918.

According to the World War I Draft Registration Records database on Ancestry.com, one Francisco Baltazar, a married man, was working as a railroad section hand while living in Churchill County, Nevada.

- Chuck Johnston

Chuck..Francisco and Guadalupe Baltazar were my grandparents, their son Aurelio was my dad, as far as I know my grandparents and my dad came to the U.S. in 1914, my dad was one year old, they, with other relatives went to Chicago, then up to Wisconsin, after four years, in 1918, my grandparents and my dad came to Montebello, California, (Simons Brickyard) the rest of the relatives stay in Wisconsin, their off-springs are still living there, my dad's 2 brothers and one sister were born in L.A., of the family, two are still living, my uncle Mel is 89 years old and my aunt Lala is 90.

Churchill County, Nevada? don't know nothing about that.