dagosd2000 wrote:RandyRandyman wrote:This song has to be one of my all time favorites and reminds me of my father. At the right moment with the right amount of alcohol it can bring me to tears.
"Crei" By Juan Mendoza
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXea6e-Vp_s
One of the most beautifull songs ever written .I have a version with "Los Tecolines." Man ,have I shed a few tears listening to that song.![]()
Classic American West Coast Boxing
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
May they rest in peace!kikibalt wrote:"Crei" reminds of my mother and father in-law, they both loved that song, Tina and Alfonso Martinez...May they both R.I.P....Randyman wrote:This song has to be one of my all time favorites and reminds me of my father. At the right moment with the right amount of alcohol it can bring me to tears.
"Crei" By Juan Mendoza
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXea6e-Vp_s
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
I'm going to let my granddaughter get on computer for a while. Homework
Randy![[icon_witsend.gif] :witzend:](./images/smilies/icon_witsend.gif)
Randy
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dagosd2000
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Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing

This gentleman's name is Alfredo Pantoja,maker of handmade guitars in the old Macarena section of Seville,Spain. He sits in his shop making his guitars with his nephew who's learning the trade from Alfredo. Alfredo told me he makes three or four guitars a year. Cost:10,000 dollars. He is a craftsman. BTW. He's made guitars for Segovia,Los Romeros,Paco De Lucia,and Los Panchos. The pictures are on his wall. Of course he reminds me that it's the "old" Trio De Los Panchos. We visit him every year. He asks my grandson if he is practicing everyday. Then we drink the local wine out of a goat skin pouch with him. Good times
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dagosd2000
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Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing

Maria,with Amanda watching in amusement,having a drink of the local Spanish Red.
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
David Haye’s mandatory defence of his WBA heavyweight title against John Ruiz in Manchester in April raises a question – a serious question – about our man’s intention to “clean up” the dire heavyweight scene.
The 29-year-old Haye, 23-1 (21), largely breezed through the cruiserweight division with a deadly combination of speed and power, and among the heavies it is a case of so far, so good. Tomasz Bonin was destroyed in one round (down three times) and Monte Barrett in five (down five times); Nikolai Valuev – all 317 pounds of him – stayed upright for 12 but was reduced to the lumbering giant he is.
Now comes Ruiz, a 38-year-old American with a penchant for sheer awkwardness and survival. This makes it the serious question for Haye.
Unbelievably, Ruiz has held Haye’s title twice in quite recent times. Perhaps one should add ‘effective’ to his unworthy traits. He does have a decent jab, a decent dig, a decent chin. His body looks soft and would be a good place for Haye to start in April, although Ruiz cried “foul” as he crumbled to the floor repeatedly from what looked like perfectly legal body blows from Evander Holyfield many moons ago. Ruiz knows how to play the system, to unsettle his opponents, to make them look bad, to get an ugly job done.
Ruiz is 6-0 in this country. He had early career fights under Frank Maloney, the man who developed Lennox Lewis so brilliantly and who also promoted Valuev several times (surroundered by bad people, said Frank). At a height of seven foot, Valuev thrives on intimidation yet Haye goaded the monstrous Russian before their November showdown in Germany, questioned his personal hygiene and then stayed way and outboxed him on the way to the title, wobbling him in the last round to seal a points victory in a country where decision wins are not given away.
Valuev had twice beaten Ruiz.
For his own history, Ruiz looked at Britain behind him (Phew!) and was soon inevitably captured by big Don King, which explains his two forgettable tenures as WBA champion. “The Quiet Man” (no, not Don, never Don, unless he is pleading the Fifth) is still best known for a lunatic ex-manager by the name of Norman Stone and a single loss amid a record of 44-8-1 (30). Roy Jones Junior, whose father once tackled Marvin Hagler, moved up and became the first former world middleweight champ to capture the ‘world’ heavyweight title since the days of Bob Fitzsimmons in 1897 when he outscored Ruiz in March 2003. God, it was an embarrassing loss! Ruiz has boxed only nine times since. He remains a frustrating fellow to watch. He remains “Who cares?”
On the contrary, the dedicated, articulate, happy-go-lucky Haye, a good size for a heavyweight at 6ft 3ins, an Ali size, looks the part and ‘up for it’ whenever he fights. Even his only loss, when he punched himself out against Carl “The Cat” Thompson” in London in September 2004, was thrill-a-minute stuff as Thompson used up the very last of his nine lives and never fought again.
Haye took stock. His form since includes full 12-rounders, late stoppage wins, a sensible ‘knee’ against French bull Jean-Marc Mormeck on the way to the undisputed cruiserweight title in Paris, a solid jab and a dangerous left hook. He was – and is - always lethal with the right, a brutal right uppercut in particular. He may have stopped Valuev but for an early injured right hand and a weight defecit totalling 99 pounds. He’s won his last 13 fights, 11 of them early. His improvement is obvious and admirable.
Haye knows this is a real opportunity to shaft his only two rivals for heavyweight supremacy - the ageing, dreary, stiff-legged Klitschko brothers, Vitali and Wladimir, who have never fought Ruiz because they know Ruiz stinks. If Haye can dispose of the challenger impressively, he will surely force a showdown with at least one of them this year, maybe both. This is more than a ‘must’ win for the refreshingly fearless Londoner, this is a ‘must look good’ win.
Back in his homeland, it is time for Haye to explode.
The 29-year-old Haye, 23-1 (21), largely breezed through the cruiserweight division with a deadly combination of speed and power, and among the heavies it is a case of so far, so good. Tomasz Bonin was destroyed in one round (down three times) and Monte Barrett in five (down five times); Nikolai Valuev – all 317 pounds of him – stayed upright for 12 but was reduced to the lumbering giant he is.
Now comes Ruiz, a 38-year-old American with a penchant for sheer awkwardness and survival. This makes it the serious question for Haye.
Unbelievably, Ruiz has held Haye’s title twice in quite recent times. Perhaps one should add ‘effective’ to his unworthy traits. He does have a decent jab, a decent dig, a decent chin. His body looks soft and would be a good place for Haye to start in April, although Ruiz cried “foul” as he crumbled to the floor repeatedly from what looked like perfectly legal body blows from Evander Holyfield many moons ago. Ruiz knows how to play the system, to unsettle his opponents, to make them look bad, to get an ugly job done.
Ruiz is 6-0 in this country. He had early career fights under Frank Maloney, the man who developed Lennox Lewis so brilliantly and who also promoted Valuev several times (surroundered by bad people, said Frank). At a height of seven foot, Valuev thrives on intimidation yet Haye goaded the monstrous Russian before their November showdown in Germany, questioned his personal hygiene and then stayed way and outboxed him on the way to the title, wobbling him in the last round to seal a points victory in a country where decision wins are not given away.
Valuev had twice beaten Ruiz.
For his own history, Ruiz looked at Britain behind him (Phew!) and was soon inevitably captured by big Don King, which explains his two forgettable tenures as WBA champion. “The Quiet Man” (no, not Don, never Don, unless he is pleading the Fifth) is still best known for a lunatic ex-manager by the name of Norman Stone and a single loss amid a record of 44-8-1 (30). Roy Jones Junior, whose father once tackled Marvin Hagler, moved up and became the first former world middleweight champ to capture the ‘world’ heavyweight title since the days of Bob Fitzsimmons in 1897 when he outscored Ruiz in March 2003. God, it was an embarrassing loss! Ruiz has boxed only nine times since. He remains a frustrating fellow to watch. He remains “Who cares?”
On the contrary, the dedicated, articulate, happy-go-lucky Haye, a good size for a heavyweight at 6ft 3ins, an Ali size, looks the part and ‘up for it’ whenever he fights. Even his only loss, when he punched himself out against Carl “The Cat” Thompson” in London in September 2004, was thrill-a-minute stuff as Thompson used up the very last of his nine lives and never fought again.
Haye took stock. His form since includes full 12-rounders, late stoppage wins, a sensible ‘knee’ against French bull Jean-Marc Mormeck on the way to the undisputed cruiserweight title in Paris, a solid jab and a dangerous left hook. He was – and is - always lethal with the right, a brutal right uppercut in particular. He may have stopped Valuev but for an early injured right hand and a weight defecit totalling 99 pounds. He’s won his last 13 fights, 11 of them early. His improvement is obvious and admirable.
Haye knows this is a real opportunity to shaft his only two rivals for heavyweight supremacy - the ageing, dreary, stiff-legged Klitschko brothers, Vitali and Wladimir, who have never fought Ruiz because they know Ruiz stinks. If Haye can dispose of the challenger impressively, he will surely force a showdown with at least one of them this year, maybe both. This is more than a ‘must’ win for the refreshingly fearless Londoner, this is a ‘must look good’ win.
Back in his homeland, it is time for Haye to explode.
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
I seen and matchmake lots of amatuer fights at the Olympic and can't think of one that stands-out in my mind.....mhagler91490 wrote:I just watched an amatuer fight from the Olympic from some time during the seventies, it was Sammy Hernandez against Billy Rey with Hernandez winning the decision. It was a very sloppy fight, both men having balance issues as well as neither seemed to throw a straight punch during the bout but it was an entertaining fight.
I was just wondering what were some of the best amatuer fights that you gentlemen saw at the Olympic Auditorium?
Last edited by kikibalt on 26 Jan 2010, 11:52, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Photo by Theo Ehret)
Jose "Manteqilla" Napoles vs. Emile Griffith
The Forum - October 17, 1969
This one is for Roger . . .
Undisputed welterweight champ Jose Napoles scored a unanimous fifteen round decision over former champ Emile Griffith at the Forum. Griffith was down in the third round.
-Rick Farris
Jose "Manteqilla" Napoles vs. Emile Griffith
The Forum - October 17, 1969
This one is for Roger . . .
Undisputed welterweight champ Jose Napoles scored a unanimous fifteen round decision over former champ Emile Griffith at the Forum. Griffith was down in the third round.
-Rick Farris
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dagosd2000
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Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
I was telling Rick that I have a copy of this fight(though poor quality).Jose really suckered Emile into leading then countering nicely. A short uppercut dropped him.You can see how the fight progresses that Emile can't figure Jose out. I thought the scoring was a bit onesided,but Emile knew he was beaten. Aside from Carter's stoppage of Griffith,this fight was the only other fight where Emile lost fair and square in his prime. I'm sure Jose wanted to square things for Paret and the questionable decisions Emile won over "El Feo",but afterwards both fighters congradulated each other like the class individuals they are.kikibalt wrote:Photo by Theo Ehret)
Jose "Manteqilla" Napoles vs. Emile Griffith
The Forum - October 17, 1969
![]()
This one is for Roger . . .
Undisputed welterweight champ Jose Napoles scored a unanimous fifteen round decision over former champ Emile Griffith at the Forum. Griffith was down in the third round.
-Rick Farris
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Rick Farris
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Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Cubanos . . .
Cuba really turned out some great prizefighters right up to, and beyond, Castro's take over.
The welters alone from our era were amazing, but then you think back to Gavilan, Kid Chocolate and so many others.
For Cubans such as Jose Napoles and Sugar Ramos to be embraced by Mexico says a lot for them..
-Rick Farris
Cuba really turned out some great prizefighters right up to, and beyond, Castro's take over.
The welters alone from our era were amazing, but then you think back to Gavilan, Kid Chocolate and so many others.
For Cubans such as Jose Napoles and Sugar Ramos to be embraced by Mexico says a lot for them..
-Rick Farris
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
I like the postings here of songs that take us back.
Its funny, no matter how long you have been in the United States, the music of your ancestary puts you back to the old days.
When the old Irish ballads start, I might as well be Victor McGlaglen for crying out loud.Doesnt matter that my family has been here for years and years.
Its funny, no matter how long you have been in the United States, the music of your ancestary puts you back to the old days.
When the old Irish ballads start, I might as well be Victor McGlaglen for crying out loud.Doesnt matter that my family has been here for years and years.
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dagosd2000
- Heavyweight

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Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
BrianExpug wrote:I like the postings here of songs that take us back.
Its funny, no matter how long you have been in the United States, the music of your ancestary puts you back to the old days.
When the old Irish ballads start, I might as well be Victor McGlaglen for crying out loud.Doesnt matter that my family has been here for years and years.
I remember way back my mother took my sisters and I to the Ambassador Hotel in LA. Coming out of the elevator was Victor McLaglin. I didn't know who he was,but my mother seemed very pleased to see him.
"Oh my,"she said. "It's Victor McLaglin."
McLaglin looked up and smiled.
My mother didn't go in for pretty boys. Maybe that's why she was a fan of Victor's. Maybe that's why she liked me.
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Rick Farris
- Heavyweight

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Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
McLaglin was a rough bastid. Not just an actor, but fought world class heavyweightsdagosd2000 wrote:BrianExpug wrote:I like the postings here of songs that take us back.
Its funny, no matter how long you have been in the United States, the music of your ancestary puts you back to the old days.
When the old Irish ballads start, I might as well be Victor McGlaglen for crying out loud.Doesnt matter that my family has been here for years and years.
I remember way back my mother took my sisters and I to the Ambassador Hotel in LA. Coming out of the elevator was Victor McLaglin. I didn't know who he was,but my mother seemed very pleased to see him.
"Oh my,"she said. "It's Victor McLaglin."
McLaglin looked up and smiled.
My mother didn't go in for pretty boys. Maybe that's why she was a fan of Victor's. Maybe that's why she liked me.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Victor McLaglen
birth date 1883-12-11
death date 1959-11-07
division heavyweight
height 6′ 3″ / 191cm
alias Sharkey McLaglen
nationality United Kingdom
residence Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
birth place Tunbridge Wells, Kent
birth name Victor Andrew McLaglen
won 11 (KO 10) + lost 6 (KO 4) + drawn 1 = 19
rounds boxed 94 KO% 52.63
1920-10-11 Arthur Townley 9-4-0
National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, United Kingdom L KO 7 15x3
London Sportsman October 12, 1920
1920-06-01 Gordon Coghill 7-6-0
London, United Kingdom W TKO ?
Exact date & round number unknown.
1920-02-23 Frank Ray 1-1-0
National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, United Kingdom W TKO 10 20x2
1919-11-24 Frank Goddard 10-2-0
National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, United Kingdom L KO 3 20x2
1915-06-24 Dan McGoldrick 11-5-4
Stamford Bridge, Chelsea, London, United Kingdom W RTD 5 15x3
Corner threw in the towel. Info - Miles Templeton.
1913-02-04 196½ Art Nelson 184½ 2-1-0
Brown's Gym, New York, New York, United States L DQ 4
1913-01-30 197½ Sailor White 196 12-8-0
Forty-Fourth Street A.C., New York, New York, United States W KO 3
~ referee: William J. Rothwell ~
1913-01-03 199 Sailor White 201 11-8-0
Forty-Fourth Street A.C., New York, New York, United States L KO 3
White subbed for the Dublin Giant, Jim Coffee. (Also reported as a fourth-round knockout. Jan. 9 Tacoma Daily News.)
1910-08-19 Charley Miller 4-3-1
San Francisco, California, United States L PTS 4 4
1910-08-12 Tad Riordan 2-3-1
Western A.C., San Francisco, California, United States W KO 3
Date approximate. Source (San Francisco Call, 8/16/1910) reports the fight as having taken place a week before and does not give round in which McLaglen "disposed of Tad Riordan."
1910-07-15 Charley Miller 4-3-0
San Francisco, California, United States D PTS 4 4
1909-11-01 Young Sailor Burke
Palouse, Washington, United States W KO 6
Exact date unknown. At this time McLaglen is a boxing instructor in a physical culture school and athletic gymnasium at Palouse, WA. Source: Jan. 1, 1910 Tacoma Daily Ledger.
1909-10-01 Jim Griffen
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada W KO 1
Exact date unknown. Source: Jan. 1, 1910 Tacoma Daily Ledger.
1909-09-01 Ed Parker
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada W KO 5
Exact date unknown. Source: Jan. 1, 1910 Tacoma Daily Ledger.
1908-08-10 Denver Ed Martin 17-7-0
Grand Theater, Aberdeen, Washington, United States L KO 3 20
After this bout ended, a local judge handed Martin a card, requesting that the boxer come see him the following day. Martin did as requested, out of curiosity. The judge told Martin that people in Aberdeen admired clean and honest boxers such as Martin was, and immediately had him fitted for a $50.00 suit of clothes -- paid by the jurist, which was soon-after shipped to Martin. Meanwhile, the referee of this bout, "Honest" Jim Arnold, a boxer himself, who had been training for a comeback, reportedly broke a blood vessel during or soon after this bout, and died Sept. 15 at St. Joseph's Hospital. Tacoma Daily News
1908-05-28 Phil Schlossberg 1-0-0
Glide Rink, Tacoma, Washington, United States NC NC 5 10
~ referee: Mark Shaughnessy ~
1908-05-18 210 Fred Russell 245 15-13-4
Savoy Theater, Tacoma, Washington, United States W KO 2 6
Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Title
McLaglen's third professional bout.
1908-03-08 Curley Carr 0-1-0
Puget Sound, Washington, United States W TKO 6 20
The bout occurred on an unidentified island 25 miles north of Tacoma. Carr's second, Emil Schock, pulled his charge "to his corner in token of defeat" 1:12 into the round. McLaglen's second professional bout. Tacoma Daily News
1908-01-22 Emil Schock 2-1-1
Palm Theater, Aberdeen, Washington, United States W PTS 20 20
McLaglen's professional debut, after arriving in Tacoma a few weeks earlier from South Africa, via Vancouver, B.C., Canada. He scored seven knockdowns during the fourth round. Referee Eddie Burns's decision was "well received by the large crowd." Tacoma Daily News. (However, the Jan. 1, 1910 Tacoma Daily Ledger reported that a first-round KO over Kid Grant at Port Arthur may have
-Rick Farris
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Rick Farris
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Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
kikibalt wrote:I seen and matchmake lots of amatuer fights at the Olympic and can't think of one that stands-out in my mind.....mhagler91490 wrote:I just watched an amatuer fight from the Olympic from some time during the seventies, it was Sammy Hernandez against Billy Rey with Hernandez winning the decision. It was a very sloppy fight, both men having balance issues as well as neither seemed to throw a straight punch during the bout but it was an entertaining fight.
I was just wondering what were some of the best amatuer fights that you gentlemen saw at the Olympic Auditorium?
I can't think of any specific bouts either. I remember my bouts and a few of friend's fights.
I will say that when Aileen started televising the amateurs along with the pros, she developed some instant favorites.
Many of those favorites went on to successfull pro careers under the Olympic's promotion.
The early stars who made their names well known were Armando Muniz, Jimmy Robertson, Larry Harding, Henry Walker, Richard Armendariz, Davey Contreras, Wayne Kindred, and a few others.
-Rick Farris
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dagosd2000
- Heavyweight

- Posts: 8638
- Joined: 01 Sep 2007, 03:31
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Rick Farris wrote:kikibalt wrote:I seen and matchmake lots of amatuer fights at the Olympic and can't think of one that stands-out in my mind.....mhagler91490 wrote:I just watched an amatuer fight from the Olympic from some time during the seventies, it was Sammy Hernandez against Billy Rey with Hernandez winning the decision. It was a very sloppy fight, both men having balance issues as well as neither seemed to throw a straight punch during the bout but it was an entertaining fight.
I was just wondering what were some of the best amatuer fights that you gentlemen saw at the Olympic Auditorium?
I can't think of any specific bouts either. I remember my bouts and a few of friend's fights.
I will say that when Aileen started televising the amateurs along with the pros, she developed some instant favorites.
Many of those favorites went on to successfull pro careers under the Olympic's promotion.
The early stars who made their names well known were Armando Muniz, Jimmy Robertson, Larry Harding, Henry Walker, Richard Armendariz, Davey Contreras, Wayne Kindred, and a few others.
-Rick Farris
I saw a friend of mine around 40 years ago lose an amateur bout against an African/American heavyweight. My friend did everything he could to finish on his feet.He took a beating. The guy he fought was Earnie Shavers. After that bout,my friend Gary Young,hung up his gloves. I'm trying to remember where that fight was. I thought the Olympic,but I'm not sure. Frank,Rick,can you help me with this?
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Rick Farris
- Heavyweight

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Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Regarding Shavers . . . Earnie didn't fight here in California early in his pro career.dagosd2000 wrote:Rick Farris wrote:kikibalt wrote: I seen and matchmake lots of amatuer fights at the Olympic and can't think of one that stands-out in my mind.....
I can't think of any specific bouts either. I remember my bouts and a few of friend's fights.
I will say that when Aileen started televising the amateurs along with the pros, she developed some instant favorites.
Many of those favorites went on to successfull pro careers under the Olympic's promotion.
The early stars who made their names well known were Armando Muniz, Jimmy Robertson, Larry Harding, Henry Walker, Richard Armendariz, Davey Contreras, Wayne Kindred, and a few others.
-Rick Farris
I saw a friend of mine around 40 years ago lose an amateur bout against an African/American heavyweight. My friend did everything he could to finish on his feet.He took a beating. The guy he fought was Earnie Shavers. After that bout,my friend Gary Young,hung up his gloves. I'm trying to remember where that fight was. I thought the Olympic,but I'm not sure. Frank,Rick,can you help me with this?
He fought here in the 1969 National AAU tournament and perhaps Gary Young fought him in that tournament?
The tournament was held at the San Diego Sports Arena, and Shavers won the title that year.
Earnie's power was on display back then. He KOed favored Jim Elder in one round for the title.
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Rick Farris
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Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
World Boxing Hall of Fame
2010 Selection Committee:
Armando Muniz - President
Rick Farris - Chairman
Frank Baltazar - Advisor
Dan Hanley - Advisor
In association with boxing historians & afficianados world wide.
2010 Selection Committee:
Armando Muniz - President
Rick Farris - Chairman
Frank Baltazar - Advisor
Dan Hanley - Advisor
In association with boxing historians & afficianados world wide.
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dagosd2000
- Heavyweight

- Posts: 8638
- Joined: 01 Sep 2007, 03:31
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
RickRick Farris wrote:Regarding Shavers . . . Earnie didn't fight here in California early in his pro career.dagosd2000 wrote:Rick Farris wrote:
I can't think of any specific bouts either. I remember my bouts and a few of friend's fights.
I will say that when Aileen started televising the amateurs along with the pros, she developed some instant favorites.
Many of those favorites went on to successfull pro careers under the Olympic's promotion.
The early stars who made their names well known were Armando Muniz, Jimmy Robertson, Larry Harding, Henry Walker, Richard Armendariz, Davey Contreras, Wayne Kindred, and a few others.
-Rick Farris
I saw a friend of mine around 40 years ago lose an amateur bout against an African/American heavyweight. My friend did everything he could to finish on his feet.He took a beating. The guy he fought was Earnie Shavers. After that bout,my friend Gary Young,hung up his gloves. I'm trying to remember where that fight was. I thought the Olympic,but I'm not sure. Frank,Rick,can you help me with this?
He fought here in the 1969 National AAU tournament and perhaps Gary Young fought him in that tournament?
The tournament was held at the San Diego Sports Arena, and Shavers won the title that year.
Earnie's power was on display back then. He KOed favored Jim Elder in one round for the title.
Thanks for getting back with me,but I would have known if the fight was down here. I don't think it was at the Olympic either. All I know is that my friend,who I used to spar with often,took a real pasting from Earnie.
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dagosd2000
- Heavyweight

- Posts: 8638
- Joined: 01 Sep 2007, 03:31
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Couldn't ask for a better groupRick Farris wrote:World Boxing Hall of Fame
2010 Selection Committee:
Armando Muniz - President
Rick Farris - Chairman
Frank Baltazar - Advisor
Dan Hanley - Advisor
In association with boxing historians & afficianados world wide.
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
How I miss the Olympic....
An enthusiastic crowd had pack the Olympic before Connie and I arrived, our seats were about nine rows back. The air was already thick with blue smoke and the sweet smell of rosin and leather and sweat, we watch a couple of lightweights mix it up in a four rounder....
How I miss the Olympic....
An enthusiastic crowd had pack the Olympic before Connie and I arrived, our seats were about nine rows back. The air was already thick with blue smoke and the sweet smell of rosin and leather and sweat, we watch a couple of lightweights mix it up in a four rounder....
How I miss the Olympic....
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Rick Farris
- Heavyweight

- Posts: 7200
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Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
kikibalt wrote:How I miss the Olympic....
An enthusiastic crowd had pack the Olympic before Connie and I arrived, our seats were about nine rows back. The air was already thick with blue smoke and the sweet smell of rosin and leather and sweat, we watch a couple of lightweights mix it up in a four rounder....![]()
How I miss the Olympic....
Me too, Frank . . .
When you close your eyes, and think to the main event that you & Connie would have seen that night, who was in it?
My eyes see Mando Ramos coming down the aisle. Red robe, black shoes, he was Mando, very cool.
You knew with Mando Ramos you were about to be entertained by precocious talent.
The Olympic introduced us to a lot of precocious talent, the young over achievers, kids who spank the vets.
Before my time, I know there were the Cadilli's and Terans. I saw Mando Ramos, the Baltazar's, Joey Orbillo.
But the Olympic had the smokey haze, which was backlit by the TV lights, giving the arena a magical quality.
The atmosphere and look inside the Olympic on a big fight night was mesmerizing.
I was hooked the moment I stepped inside the place.
I'll never forget it.
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dagosd2000
- Heavyweight

- Posts: 8638
- Joined: 01 Sep 2007, 03:31
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
What we missed in San Diego was a great fighter who fought here in his prime.Archie didn't fight any big fights here. Norton fought Ali. That was about as big as it got with a local boy. LA. and Tijuana had some real big shows with area talent(in the case of Tijuana it was national talent) that was unequaled. That's why I wasn't shy about making a road trip north or south to see A REALLY BEEG SHOW!Rick Farris wrote:kikibalt wrote:How I miss the Olympic....
An enthusiastic crowd had pack the Olympic before Connie and I arrived, our seats were about nine rows back. The air was already thick with blue smoke and the sweet smell of rosin and leather and sweat, we watch a couple of lightweights mix it up in a four rounder....![]()
How I miss the Olympic....
Me too, Frank . . .
When you close your eyes, and think to the main event that you & Connie would have seen that night, who was in it?
My eyes see Mando Ramos coming down the aisle. Red robe, black shoes, he was Mando, very cool.
You knew with Mando Ramos you were about to be entertained by precocious talent.
The Olympic introduced us to a lot of precocious talent, the young over achievers, kids who spank the vets.
Before my time, I know there were the Cadilli's and Terans. I saw Mando Ramos, the Baltazar's, Joey Orbillo.
But the Olympic had the smokey haze, which was backlit by the TV lights, giving the arena a magical quality.
The atmosphere and look inside the Olympic on a big fight night was mesmerizing.
I was hooked the moment I stepped inside the place.
I'll never forget it.
-
dagosd2000
- Heavyweight

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Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
THE HAPPY WARRIOR
Jose Napoles had that poker face when he stepped through the ropes.He was the smoothest fighter I ever saw. Never wasted a movement. How could a fighter who looked so casual dispatch an opponent with such a calculating attack?Like he'd been born to fight.
I remember the first time I saw him in person. He fought a journeyman by the name of Herbie Lee in the Tijuana Auditorium.The year was 1968. Tijuana in those days had a fight poster nailed to every lamp post and telephone pole in town. If I'd had some foresight I should have gathered them up.I look at fight posters on Ebay and my heart sinks.
I remember seeing Jose's face on the fight posters for that fight with Herbie Lee. That big happy smile. I used to watch him workout in TJ. When it wasn't a real fight,Mantequilla Napoles really knew how to work the audience with his bravado. A bounce in his step. He'd crack a joke. He was THE man in a crowd.All eyes were on him and he knew it. He loved Mexico and Mexico responded. They called him "Mantequilla or "El Maestro". He took a Mexican wife and had eight kids. Later his wife would sing in Jose's salsa band. The guy loved to party and gamble the nags and dressed to the nines.Jose opened up a night club in the Zona Rosa in Mexico City when he was in the black. A couple of thugs walked in one night and tried to shake him down. Jose invited them to the back room for a drink. He then proceded to offer them a left hook and a right cross. He stripped the unconscious bad boys of their clothes and threw them out into the street.
He reminded me of Sugar Ray(the original) and I remember Robby saying that Jose was the best fighter out there. Yeah,Jose was the master craftsman in there always with that deadpan focus. He wouldn't stare down his opponent at center ring,but all his adversaries new he was ready to fight even though he might have spent more time at the track when he should have been working inside the gym.At introduction,I'd see his opponents looking at the guy. He was so cool before the fight.Didn't show any nerves.
But it was the contrast that caught the attention of the aficianados. Only inside the ring did he get serious. At weigh ins. Press conferences. In the gym. Jose Napoles exuded a charm and casualness that men envied and women found exciting. They wrote songs about him. He made movies. The President of Mexico even made him a citizen.
Gato Gonzalez told me Jose is in the stages of diabetes.He's gaunt. Lost a lot of weight. He's trying to train a stable of fighters in Ciudad Juarez,but isn't coming up with anything. As usual Jose spends more than he takes in. But you can take this to the bank. Whatever is going on with Jose Napoles,I know he's smiling.
Jose Napoles had that poker face when he stepped through the ropes.He was the smoothest fighter I ever saw. Never wasted a movement. How could a fighter who looked so casual dispatch an opponent with such a calculating attack?Like he'd been born to fight.
I remember the first time I saw him in person. He fought a journeyman by the name of Herbie Lee in the Tijuana Auditorium.The year was 1968. Tijuana in those days had a fight poster nailed to every lamp post and telephone pole in town. If I'd had some foresight I should have gathered them up.I look at fight posters on Ebay and my heart sinks.
I remember seeing Jose's face on the fight posters for that fight with Herbie Lee. That big happy smile. I used to watch him workout in TJ. When it wasn't a real fight,Mantequilla Napoles really knew how to work the audience with his bravado. A bounce in his step. He'd crack a joke. He was THE man in a crowd.All eyes were on him and he knew it. He loved Mexico and Mexico responded. They called him "Mantequilla or "El Maestro". He took a Mexican wife and had eight kids. Later his wife would sing in Jose's salsa band. The guy loved to party and gamble the nags and dressed to the nines.Jose opened up a night club in the Zona Rosa in Mexico City when he was in the black. A couple of thugs walked in one night and tried to shake him down. Jose invited them to the back room for a drink. He then proceded to offer them a left hook and a right cross. He stripped the unconscious bad boys of their clothes and threw them out into the street.
He reminded me of Sugar Ray(the original) and I remember Robby saying that Jose was the best fighter out there. Yeah,Jose was the master craftsman in there always with that deadpan focus. He wouldn't stare down his opponent at center ring,but all his adversaries new he was ready to fight even though he might have spent more time at the track when he should have been working inside the gym.At introduction,I'd see his opponents looking at the guy. He was so cool before the fight.Didn't show any nerves.
But it was the contrast that caught the attention of the aficianados. Only inside the ring did he get serious. At weigh ins. Press conferences. In the gym. Jose Napoles exuded a charm and casualness that men envied and women found exciting. They wrote songs about him. He made movies. The President of Mexico even made him a citizen.
Gato Gonzalez told me Jose is in the stages of diabetes.He's gaunt. Lost a lot of weight. He's trying to train a stable of fighters in Ciudad Juarez,but isn't coming up with anything. As usual Jose spends more than he takes in. But you can take this to the bank. Whatever is going on with Jose Napoles,I know he's smiling.
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
How can I forget the electricity in the air when Enrique Bolanos, Art Aragon, Keeny Teran, et al, fought at the Olympic, Can't forget....Rick Farris wrote:kikibalt wrote:How I miss the Olympic....
An enthusiastic crowd had pack the Olympic before Connie and I arrived, our seats were about nine rows back. The air was already thick with blue smoke and the sweet smell of rosin and leather and sweat, we watch a couple of lightweights mix it up in a four rounder....![]()
How I miss the Olympic....
Me too, Frank . . .
When you close your eyes, and think to the main event that you & Connie would have seen that night, who was in it?
My eyes see Mando Ramos coming down the aisle. Red robe, black shoes, he was Mando, very cool.
You knew with Mando Ramos you were about to be entertained by precocious talent.
The Olympic introduced us to a lot of precocious talent, the young over achievers, kids who spank the vets.
Before my time, I know there were the Cadilli's and Terans. I saw Mando Ramos, the Baltazar's, Joey Orbillo.
But the Olympic had the smokey haze, which was backlit by the TV lights, giving the arena a magical quality.
The atmosphere and look inside the Olympic on a big fight night was mesmerizing.
I was hooked the moment I stepped inside the place.
I'll never forget it.
Rick...The main event that I was thinking about when I wrote those lines was Keeny Teran vs Tommy Umeda II.