Classic American West Coast Boxing

[Rick Farris]

San Diego Juniors from 1967 . . .

I fought a good southpaw from San Diego in the '67 Jr. GG finals. I won a close decision, but not by much.
The kid I fought was named George Combite.
He had a younger, smaller stablemate that I believe was also a southpaw, and he was very good.
His name was Ernie Grenier, and I believe he won a championship that year. He was exceptional, but I never heard of him again.
I was always amazed that some of these guys were so good, yet didn't continue on. LA was rich in young boxing talent.
I agree Frank, a story should be written about some of these kids. It's a story that I could write.
You are a great source of info, and between the two of us and the others that are still around, I need to go for it.


-Rick

[kikibalt]

Frankie Reyes who fought for Pete Avalos is a locksmith here in this parts

Pete Avalos died from cancer years ago, was a good friend of mine back in the day...

[kikibalt]

Victor Valenzuela runs the "Duarte Boxing Club" in Duarte, Ca.

[Rick Farris]

Frank, there are a number of great stories about these guys buried in time.
There is no judging, no right or wrong, just a variety of lives whose paths crossed in the Jr. Golden Gloves.
Thanks for the head start.


-Rick Farris

[Rick Farris]

Frank . . . Just saw a name I had completely forgotten about.
He was a Teamsters fighter I beat named, Lester "Spider Webb" Jordan. He was Louie's fighter.

[kikibalt]

Frank . . . Just saw a name I had completely forgotten about.
He was a Teamsters fighter I beat named, Lester "Spider Webb" Jordan. He was Louie's fighter.

Thats one name that I don't remember at all....

[Rick Farris]

Here's one from the final bout of the '67 Jr. Golden Gloves Championships. . .
___________________________________________________________

Olympic Auditorium - September 1, 1967

148-155 pounds:
Mike Quarry (Norwalk Teen Post) vs. Johnny Huntley (Bill Slayton, coach)

45-55 pounds:
Bobby Valenzuela (Duarte BC) vs. Frankie Baltazar (Eastside BC)

86-95 pounds:
Jimmy Cruz (Stanton AC) vs. Rick Farris (Johnny Flores Gym)

43 pounds:
Tony Baltazar (Eastside BC) vs. Steve Huggins (Haw. Gardens TP. Horn/Muniz)

[Rick Farris]

Frank . . . Just saw a name I had completely forgotten about.
He was a Teamsters fighter I beat named, Lester "Spider Webb" Jordan. He was Louie's fighter.

Thats one name that I don't remember at all....

He was a forgetable boxer. Hell, I forgot about him and I fought the guy.

[Rick Farris]

Happy belated Birthday El Gato . . .

This past wedensday, December 16th was Rodolfo "El Gato" Gonzalez's 65th birthday.

[kikibalt]

Happy B-Day Rodolfo....

[Rick Farris]

This year's World Boxing Hall of Fame Selection Committee . . .

Armando Muniz - WBHOF President.
Rick Farris - WBHOF Historian/Selection Committee Chairman.
Tony Triem - Boxing historian.
Dan Hanley - WBHOF Hon. Director/Historian.

Tom, Wajima will likely make the ballot. But not as first choice.
The four selected to replace the four candidates who were inducted last year are likely to be:
Mike Tyson, Julio Cesar Chavez, Jose Legra and Bennie Briscoe.
In line to replace previous candidates are Wajima, Spider Webb, + others.

-Rick Farris

[Expug]

Courtesy Rick Farris



Dwight Hawkins & Rick Farris

1966

Rick, this is too cool. Do you have anymore?

Scartissue

Great picture Rick. What a treasure!

[kikibalt]

Will be going to Juanito's in East L.A. today to pick up some tamales for Xmas....

[Rick Farris]

This year's World Boxing Hall of Fame Selection Committee . . .

Armando Muniz - WBHOF President.
Rick Farris - WBHOF Historian/Selection Committee Chairman.
Tony Triem - Boxing historian.
Dan Hanley - WBHOF Hon. Director/Historian.

Tom, Wajima will likely make the ballot. But not as first choice.
The four selected to replace the four candidates who were inducted last year are likely to be:
Mike Tyson, Julio Cesar Chavez, Jose Legra and Bennie Briscoe.
In line to replace previous candidates are Wajima, Spider Webb, + others.

-Rick Farris

I will be taking on a feature film in the new year that will interfere with my responsibilities for the WBHOF.
I have just called President Muniz and have notified him I must withdraw from my position with the group.
It was an interesting experience and hopefully some of the candidates above will make the ballot & induction.
It will be up to those who in charge as to who is nominated, etc. I am no longer involved.


-Rick Farris

[kikibalt]

This year's World Boxing Hall of Fame Selection Committee . . .

Armando Muniz - WBHOF President.
Rick Farris - WBHOF Historian/Selection Committee Chairman.
Tony Triem - Boxing historian.
Dan Hanley - WBHOF Hon. Director/Historian.

Tom, Wajima will likely make the ballot. But not as first choice.
The four selected to replace the four candidates who were inducted last year are likely to be:
Mike Tyson, Julio Cesar Chavez, Jose Legra and Bennie Briscoe.
In line to replace previous candidates are Wajima, Spider Webb, + others.

-Rick Farris

I will be taking on a feature film in the new year that will interfere with my responsibilities for the WBHOF.
I have just called President Muniz and have notified him I must withdraw from my position with the group.
It was an interesting experience and hopefully some of the candidates above will make the ballot & induction.
It will be up to those who in charge as to who is nominated, etc. I am no longer involved.


-Rick Farris

Rick...Sorry to hear that you're not going to be with WBHOF anymore, but you have to do what you have to do, job and famliy comes first, here's wishing you the best in the new year....

[scartissue]

Armando Muniz and Manuel Medina at WBHF this past October.

Scartissue

[Rick Farris]

Frank . . . I'm enjoying my work at the moment and a good opportunity awaits in the new year.
I will remain an advisor to Armando, help him relating to boxing history, information.
As a director, I've accomplished everything I set out to do. Armando and I were behind major change.
We fixed a few things that were long broken, however, I'll do boxing history better thru my writing and other projects.
I don't need to hand out plaques or pose for pictures. I'm about the boxers, and so is Armando Muniz.
Dan and I have a production company, we have taken a two-year hiatus but time waits for nobody.
A perfect example: We interviewed Mando Ramos in 2007. A few months later he was gone.
Lou Filippo passed away recently. Dan and I caught Lou on tape the same day we taped Mando Ramos.
According to Sylvia Ramos and Trudie Latka, these two interviews were the last that either man would give on camera.
We let them tell their story in their own words. We took them back to places that other interviewers don't know about.
You'll see that look in their eyes, a sparkle, when you ask the question that takes them back to a special place few are aware of.
Some interviews are harder than others, but when we hook them with the right words, get a reaction, then things get good.
Not evevrybody can do this, we already have, and I want to expand on this good thing. We have a technical edge, as well.
As always, I'll have a table for us at the banquet, regardless of in L.A. or Las Vegas. And, I'll have more time to enjoy it.
This forum has made it's mark on the WBHOF as well. A good mark!


-Rick Farris

[kikibalt]

Mayweather promoter requests use of MGM Grand for Pacquiao fight
December 22, 2009

Although, a squabble over drug testing has apparently put the bout in "jeopardy," according to Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s representatives, the boxer's promoter has petitioned the state of Nevada for a permit to stage the megafight against Manny Pacquiao at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, a state official told The Times Tuesday.

"They've made a date request for MGM for the fight, for both March 13 and May 1," Nevada State Athletic Commission executive officer Keith Kizer said.

A source close to the negotiations but not authorized to speak publicly told The Times on Tuesday "MGM ... that's where it is going to be."

The bout has been verbally negotiated to take place March 13, although the May 1 option was earlier considered.

Kizer said the Nevada commission will consider the date request by Golden Boy Promotions at its meeting in January.

A host of other sites, including Staples Center ($20-million guarantee) and Jerry Jones' Dallas Cowboys Stadium ($25 million), offered to stage the bout.

But the MGM Grand offers a possible $28-million live gate, according to fight sources, and another $4 million in closed-circuit sales.

--Lance Pugmire

[Randyman]

Testing has megafight in jeopardy

BOXING: Pacquiao so far will not submit to an Olympic-style drug test.
By Robert Morales, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/23/2009 12:10:20 AM PST

Manny Pacquiao's promotional company, Top Rank Inc., on Tuesday informed Golden Boy Promotions the Filipino boxing star is not willing to submit to Olympic-style drug testing as requested by the camp of Floyd Mayweather Jr.

This puts the welterweight title fight between Pacquiao and Mayweather tentatively scheduled for March 13 in jeopardy. The fight had yet to be formally announced, though that was expected any day.

"I hope that an athlete of his magnitude at the top of his game, having a whole nation on his shoulders, running for political office (in the Philippines), I have to hope that this was actually a decision that wasn't made by Manny Pacquiao but someone in his camp, somehow a miscommunication," said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy, which is representing Mayweather.

"Having said that, I think it would be very easy for Manny when he wakes up (in the Philippines), given the time difference, to say, `That is fine with me, I will submit to the Olympic-style drug testing.' If he does that, we have a fight because we have agreed to everything else."

If not, the highly anticipated fight is off.

"Then, absolutely, we cannot go on with the fight," Schaefer said.

Olympic-style testing for this fight would consist of random testing from the first of the new year through the fight. There would be eight to 10 urine tests and three to five blood tests, all at random, Schaefer said.

Schaefer said this system is considered more sophisticated than the basic urine tests done by state boxing commissions. Keith Kizer, executive director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, confirmed only urine samples are taken to determine if a fighter is doping. But he said experts queried over the past few years "are very confident of the testing" done by the commission.
Schaefer said Todd duBoef, president of Top Rank, told him Pacquiao is not willing to have blood drawn within 30 days of a fight out of superstition.

"Todd told me that Pacquiao has difficulty with taking blood and doesn't want to do it so close to the fight," Schaefer said. "He, Pacquiao, would only agree to have blood drawn before the kickoff press conference (in early January) and after the fight."

Pacquiao has won sanctioned titles in five weight classes and two people's-champion titles in two others, giving him success in seven weight classes. He has not lost any power, the first thing that happens to a fighter upon moving up.

Pacquiao knocked out Miguel Cotto in the 12th round last month at MGM Grand. In the weeks leading to that fight, Floyd Mayweather Sr. went on record and said Pacquiao must be on steroids to be able to do what he had done. Pacquiao never has tested positive for a banned substance.

"Forget what Floyd Sr. said and this has nothing to do with suspicion," Schaefer said. "It has to do with the fact that Floyd Mayweather Jr. really wanted to have these tests done."

Mayweather Jr. is hopeful Pacquiao agrees to them.

"I understand Pacquiao not liking having his blood taken because, frankly, I don't know anyone who really does," he said. "But in a fight of this magnitude, I think it is our responsibility to subject ourselves to sportsmanship at the highest level.

"I have already agreed to the testing and it is a shame that he is not willing to do the same. It leaves me with great doubt as to the level of fairness I would be facing in the ring that night."

Freddie Roach, Pacquiao's trainer, suggested this request for Olympic-style testing might be negotiable.

"I will not let my fighter take a blood test the day before a fight," Roach told the Associated Press. "If they give me a five-day window or something like that, I have no problem with it."

Roach wondered if Mayweather is looking for an exit.

"He's looking for a back door out," Roach said. "We're eager to fight."

[email protected]

[Rick Farris]

Hey I got a ton of pics., if you like I'll post them over the next few day.

This was posted by Frank at the very beginning of this thread, nearly two years ago.
Those "few days" are pushing 700. We are close to 1000 pages, 25,000 posts and hundreds of thousands of "views".
We all have contributed a lot, and I have a lot more that I am digging up.
It all stated with Pug's Indian Red Lopez post. It's now the biggest thread on this forum, maybe the biggest on the net?
If this were to just disappear, I'd be at a loss. I value my friends here, I have great respect for all of you.
I love you all like brothers. During my time with the WBHOF, I knew if I could do something that you guys would appreciate, then others would appreciate it too. Thanks for all of your help and support.

To everybody and their families, I wish a Merry Christmas and happy new year.
When I look at this forum I think, "this is a nice start". Mucho mas to come!


-Rick Farris

[raylawpc]

delete

[kikibalt]

Hey I got a ton of pics., if you like I'll post them over the next few day.

This was posted by Frank at the very beginning of this thread, nearly two years ago.
Those "few days" are pushing 700. We are close to 1000 pages, 25,000 posts and hundreds of thousands of "views".
We all have contributed a lot, and I have a lot more that I am digging up.
It all stated with Pug's Indian Red Lopez post. It's now the biggest thread on this forum, maybe the biggest on the net?
If this were to just disappear, I'd be at a loss. I value my friends here, I have great respect for all of you.
I love you all like brothers. During my time with the WBHOF, I knew if I could do something that you guys would appreciate, then others would appreciate it too. Thanks for all of your help and support.

To everybody and their families, I wish a Merry Christmas and happy new year.
When I look at this forum I think, "this is a nice start". Mucho mas to come!


-Rick Farris

Its been a great journey Rick. "This thread is to GREAT to die"

[kikibalt]

Courtesy Rick Farris



Bobby Bell, Rick Farris, Dwight Hawkins & Manny Diaz.
1967 - Victoria Hall, L.A.

These were my three amateur boxing coaches.
I always did well with Dwight Hawkins in my corner.
On this night, I stopped a boxer who fought out of the Jerry Moore/Henry Blouin stable.

[Rick Farris]

One Kid . . .

We were all kids once. Some of us were lucky to have good parents, who were strong enough to put us on the right track. Sometimes we strayed, discovered that all the bad things they say would happen if we screwed up, actually would happen. Some of us like to push the envelope, learn the hard way, and such behavior takes a toll. One bad kid can sure do a lot of damage, and it has a ripple effect.

Sometimes home is not a happy place, and we have nobody to tell us what to do, or how to do it. Somebody will.
Hopefully that somebody is the right person, more often than not it's the wrong person. I knew a lot of kids in similar situations when I started boxing, just kids who'd wander off the street and make their way back to the gym behind manager Johnny Flores' garage in Pacoima.

Sometimes they were loaded, like this kid about my age who showed up with two buddies one evening in early 1967. He was loaded. His two buddies stood silent in the corner, as the kid told Johnny Flores that he could fight, and wanted to fight that night. He pointed to me, as I shadowboxed in the ring. "I want to fight him." the kid announced. We were about the same size, same age.

Flores smiled, he turned to me and winked, then turned back to the kid. "You want to box Ricky? OK."
The kid loooked at his friends and smiled big, the friends smiled back. They wanted to see their buddy kick some ass.
We didn't wear headgear, but Flores made the kid wear a mouthpiece. My trainer, Manny Diaz smiled when he put the mouthpiece in the kid's mouth. "You have to wear this, he'll knock your teeth out," I heard .

This was not a first. This happened once in awhile at Johnny's. I'd kicked a couple kid's asses, and my stablemates had too. Johnny never denied a young man a chance to realize his dream, and if trading blows with his boxers was their dream, he'd grant their wish. In the 60's, liability wasn't an issue, and you still could find men sporting a pair of balls.
When men were taught a lesson, they didn't have legal recourse, they just learned a valuable life lesson.

The kid who came in stoned with his buddies got his ass kicked that day. But he was tough, he didn't quit, his body just could not continue. He promised he'd be back the next day, he didn't show. However, about six months later he did show up. This time he came with a trainer, and his hair was cut. He was smiling, confident and clear. He and I would box again, and he had learned a few things during the months since we last slugged it out. His trainer was a good one. We would continue to box off and on, on occasion, many times over the next eight years. He did pretty well for himself, won a couple world titles, and became an L.A. legend. His name is Bobby Chacon.

Like me, Bobby Chacon found a safe haven in a boxing gym. We found a place where we belonged. I was lucky, several men such as Johnny Flores, Bobby Bell, Manny Diaz and Dwight Hawkins provided a solid example. I had great parents, my dad and I would bump heads a lot, my grandfather made it possible for me to box. That saved me. It doesn't matter how much opportunity a person appears to have, it all comes down to influence and choice. A fine line often seperates the best from the worst in life.

I don't know what motivated this thought. Maybe these photos are taking me back. I have a story I want to share with you guys. It's about my heavyweight stablemate, my best buddy. No, it wasn't Jerry Quarry, but our stablemate that was Quarry's sparring partner for the Mathis, Frazier & Chuvalo fights at the Garden. His story is better than Quarry's. Maybe next time?


-Rick Farris

[telboy66]

Another great story Rick I haven't been on this thread very long but some of these posts that you guys put up just hold me, there were some many morals in this one. what a shame that there aren't more guys out there ready to guide the young down the right path it seems there are more showing the wrong one.
In the UK there are so many single parent families that lack a father & kids do need that in their life or at least a male roll model to put them on the right track.
I used to run a Judo club for 20 years & kids that were the most disruptive generally came from families without male influence