Classic American West Coast Boxing

[dagosd2000]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6Uo-Aoh-zA

Mean Old Frisco

Little Walter

[Rick Farris]

Jackie McCoy on Carlos Palomino . . .

"When we went to London for Carlos Palomino's shot at the welterweight title in 1976, the papers were saying he'd last four rounds, maybe five. Carlos was a 10-to-one underdog, nobody thought he had any kind of chance. All the papers talked about was what a great fighter John Stracey was and how he wanted Carlos Monzon next. The promoter, Mickey Duff, even told me, "I think Palomino is very ordinary, to be honest with you". Mickey's a sharp guy. Obviously it was a big advantage for Mickey as a promoter to keep the title. But when Mickey told me that I didn't say a word."

"Just before the fight started, Mickey's walking around inside the ring wearing a tuxedo, I walked over to him and said, "Hey Mickey, we didn't come here for a payday, because we aren't getting one." We were getting $10,000. which even then was small. Then I told him, "We came over here to take the title, and that's exactly what we are going to do." Mickey looked at me and said, "Oh, my God!"

Afterwards, I asked Mickey, "How come you acted so scared when I talked to you in the ring?" And he said, "Because you usually don't talk like that." I don't, but I did that time because I just knew we were going to win. When I first started with Carlos, he had an AAU style. Stood straight up, jab, straight right hand. But he developed a great hook to the liver. Early on against Stracey, he started digging that hook in the body. In the twelfth that's what he knocked Stracey out with. The second time Stracey went down he was in agony."


-Jackie McCoy
("In The Corner" by Dave Anderson)

[kikibalt]

Randy...Ever been to Lupe"s on Paramount and Beverly in Old Pico for burritos, burgers, etc etc.?
Took Connie and our daughter Linda today for some burritos.

[Rick Farris]

Jackie McCoy's Favorite Punches . . .

"My two favorite punches are the jab and the left hook to the body or to the head.
Carlos Palomino had a real good left hook. Don Jordan had a strong, hard jab. He was a converted southpaw."



-Jackie McCoy
("In The Corner" by Dave Anderson)

[bennie]

Jackie McCoy on Carlos Palomino . . .

"When we went to London for Carlos Palomino's shot at the welterweight title in 1976, the papers were saying he'd last four rounds, maybe five. Carlos was a 10-to-one underdog, nobody thought he had any kind of chance. All the papers talked about was what a great fighter John Stracey was and how he wanted Carlos Monzon next. The promoter, Mickey Duff, even told me, "I think Palomino is very ordinary, to be honest with you". Mickey's a sharp guy. Obviously it was a big advantage for Mickey as a promoter to keep the title. But when Mickey told me that I didn't say a word."

"Just before the fight started, Mickey's walking around inside the ring wearing a tuxedo, I walked over to him and said, "Hey Mickey, we didn't come here for a payday, because we aren't getting one." We were getting $10,000. which even then was small. Then I told him, "We came over here to take the title, and that's exactly what we are going to do." Mickey looked at me and said, "Oh, my God!"

Afterwards, I asked Mickey, "How come you acted so scared when I talked to you in the ring?" And he said, "Because you usually don't talk like that." I don't, but I did that time because I just knew we were going to win. When I first started with Carlos, he had an AAU style. Stood straight up, jab, straight right hand. But he developed a great hook to the liver. Early on against Stracey, he started digging that hook in the body. In the twelfth that's what he knocked Stracey out with. The second time Stracey went down he was in agony."


-Jackie McCoy
("In The Corner" by Dave Anderson)

Mickey mentioned this in his book.

[dagosd2000]

THE NUTCRACKER
When Jose Napoles lost on a cut to Billy Backus in Syracuse,the rematch clause was automatically exercised. But before the boys went back to Los Angeles for the return go,Jose wanted a tune up fight to make sure he went into the ring with a "W"on his record in his last fight.

I thought he made a good move. Cuco Conde put him into the Arena Coliseo with a veteran fighter who had fought them all. Manny Gonzalez. The Arena Coliseo is the heart of boxing in Mexico and Gonzalez was no stiff,yet not the caliber of fighter as Jose Napoles.

Everytime I'd seen Jose Napoles fight,he looked fantastic. Even with the loss to Backus in Syracuse he looked good. He was desperately trying to get to Billy before the referee stopped the fight.The Syracuse boys knew that Napoles needed just to buy some time and that would have avoided the upset. Jose had the same cut in the rematch in LA.(opened up in the first round)and Dick Young let it go. Well Billy was eventually torn to shreds.

I remember watching the Gonzalez fight on TV Azteca in Tijuana. We were all sitting in the Perico Bar in downtown. It was a real fight aficianados hangout. No B girls. (Once in a while 'ol Rosie would come in and work the place for a drink or whatever).Just plenty of beer and tequila and Tony the bartender,who'd sing a song once in a while with the jukebox. This guy missed his calling. He had pipes like Vicente Fernandez.

I don't ever remember seeing a color TV in one of those little local bars. Just a small screen black and white. The Perico was packed. Cigarette smoke and clinking glasses and plenty of noisy customers were waiting for Mantequilla to spread his punches on Manny Gonzalez's face.

But the fight wasn't going according to plan. At least not for Jose Napoles. Gonzalez was proving to be a pretty slick fighter. He was the one that slipped around like butter. For 5 rounds it wasn't much of a fight. Jose kept pressing and Manny kept smothering Jose's attacks and tying him up.

It was the first time I heard the crowd become disfavored with Jose Napoles. I heard the "chifles"(whistles) from the arena. Jose was ahead. He was gong to win,but it wasn't much of a fight.

At the opening gong for round 6 Jose came out with that herky jerky shuffle of his and cornered Gonzalez. Jose threw a stiff jab to the face and then hooked a shot to the liver. El higado. Gonzalez fell like he was shot. They could have counted ten over him with a calendar.

Well the aficianados at the Arena Coliseo went home happy and satisfied. The crowd in the Perico didn't feel like leaving. Jose Napoles was safe as a church again. And Manny Gonzalez? Well I can't take anything away from him. He was a tough nut to crack that night in Mexico City. I guess the best way to crack a nut is with a left hook to the liver.

[Randyman]

I received the following message on my blog today. I thought you guys might enjoy reading it.

anthony sanchez said...

Hi my name is Anthony J. Sanchez. I grew up in Boyle Hieghts. I also was a fan of Keeny Teran, but in a different context. My uncle Danny Gallardo, was a good a friend of Kenny's, in the prison life. Growing up my grandmother (Danny's mother) used to give me the Folsom and San Quitin prison monthly news letters that were sent to us by my uncle Danny.

My uncle Danny was also a boxer. I don't know if he was as well known as Keeny, or where they met.
However, in the news letter from San Quintin, I remember that it said that if Danny Gallardo and Keeny Teran ever met in the ring, it would be a blood bath. Well, they did....it ended it in a draw....but it was an indeed a blood bath!

In 1976 at my uncle Danny Gallardo's funeral, a nice looking gentleman that resembled a boxer, turned to me, and suprisingly introduced himself as Keeny Teran.

I used to follow them both. Danny Gallardo followed in his older brother's footsteps, David Gallardo (aka Davey Gallardo)who was inducted into the 2009California Boxing Hall of Fame, just prior to his death on January 9th, 2010.

I wish with all my heart, I could have taken my uncle Davey Gallardo to the ceremony at Steven's Steak House. I will be sending this link to his family. If you would like to contact me to obtain pictures of Davey Gallardo, please do. I am listed as one of the site's followers as ajofdiamondbar. Also, if you have any information on Danny Gallardo, please post it.




I would like to close with God Bless, and Rest in peace

[Randyman]

Randy...Ever been to Lupe"s on Paramount and Beverly in Old Pico for burritos, burgers, etc etc.?
Took Connie and our daughter Linda today for some burritos.

Frank, it's been a while but I have been there. The food is good too. I'll have to make it a point to stop by soon.

Randy

[kikibalt]

Connie ask me,"Why do they make a big deal out of Valentine day?"
"It for lovers babe, you suppose to give me one"
"Why? said Connie
"Arent't we lovers?" I say
"No we're enemies" says Connie....

[Randyman]

Connie ask me,"Why do they make a big deal out of Valentine day?"
"It for lovers babe, you suppose to give me one"
"Why? said Connie
"Arent't we lovers?" I say
"No we're enemys" says Connie....

Maybe she'll give you a box of candy..

[kikibalt]

Connie ask me,"Why do they make a big deal out of Valentine day?"
"It for lovers babe, you suppose to give me one"
"Why? said Connie
"Arent't we lovers?" I say
"No we're enemys" says Connie....

Maybe she'll give you a box of candy..

Poison candys?....

[kikibalt]

Randy...Ever been to Lupe"s on Paramount and Beverly in Old Pico for burritos, burgers, etc etc.?
Took Connie and our daughter Linda today for some burritos.

Frank, it's been a while but I have been there. The food is good too. I'll have to make it a point to stop by soon.

Randy

Being going there since it open 30-35 years ago, The lady that first open the place was Lupe, before she open the stand she used to work at a burrito stand on Third St. in ELA, about 2-3 block east of Ford Blvd. on the south side of the street.
After about 15 years or so she sold the joint, never seen her again.

[milmascaras1]

kikibalt,

speaking about great mexican fast food restaurants, ever hear or been to a little fast food joint in culver city named Tito's Tacos? i was raised in culver city
in the early seventies and my dad would always take us there. it's right on washington blvd. just off the freeway. great place! live in albuquerque, nm. now but
everytime i visit california i always go there. i swear if i were a millionaire, i would have food flown from that place everyday.

[Randyman]

kikibalt,

speaking about great mexican fast food restaurants, ever hear or been to a little fast food joint in culver city named Tito's Tacos? i was raised in culver city
in the early seventies and my dad would always take us there. it's right on washington blvd. just off the freeway. great place! live in albuquerque, nm. now but
everytime i visit california i always go there. i swear if i were a millionaire, i would have food flown from that place everyday.

Mil, have you ever been to Garcia's on 4th st in Albuquerque? Great food. Give it a try.

I may give Tito's a try. The little Taco stands are the best.

Randy

[kikibalt]

kikibalt,

speaking about great mexican fast food restaurants, ever hear or been to a little fast food joint in culver city named Tito's Tacos? i was raised in culver city
in the early seventies and my dad would always take us there. it's right on washington blvd. just off the freeway. great place! live in albuquerque, nm. now but
everytime i visit california i always go there. i swear if i were a millionaire, i would have food flown from that place everyday.

No, never have, I think I been to CC maybe once or twice in my life time, and that 70+ years.

[Rick Farris]

kikibalt,

speaking about great mexican fast food restaurants, ever hear or been to a little fast food joint in culver city named Tito's Tacos? i was raised in culver city
in the early seventies and my dad would always take us there. it's right on washington blvd. just off the freeway. great place! live in albuquerque, nm. now but
everytime i visit california i always go there. i swear if i were a millionaire, i would have food flown from that place everyday.

Mil, have you ever been to Garcia's on 4th st in Albuquerque? Great food. Give it a try.

I may give Tito's a try. The little Taco stands are the best.

Randy

Randy, Titos's is a winner. It's just a few blocks west of MGM (Sony Studios today) and film companies will often send out for Tito's Tacos for a late snack for the crew. Just around the corner is another well known Culver City eatery, "Johnny's Pastrami". There is always a line in front of Tito's, day or night.


-Rick

[Rick Farris]

Connie ask me,"Why do they make a big deal out of Valentine day?"
"It for lovers babe, you suppose to give me one"
"Why? said Connie
"Arent't we lovers?" I say
"No we're enemys" says Connie....

Maybe she'll give you a box of candy..

Poison candys?....

I suppose being a kept man has it's challenges?

[THEHAMMER321]

was catching up on my reading on page 90 I remember Pappy Gault as somebodies trainer anybody know who Pappy gault trained

[Rick Farris]

was catching up on my reading on page 90 I remember Pappy Gault as somebodies trainer anybody know who Pappy gault trained

Hammer . . . I remember Pappy Gault as one of our better amateur coaches.
I believe he coached at least one of our Olympic teams.

[THEHAMMER321]

was catching up on my reading on page 90 I remember Pappy Gault as somebodies trainer anybody know who Pappy gault trained

Hammer . . . I remember Pappy Gault as one of our better amateur coaches.
I believe he coached at least one of our Olympic teams.

thx Rick

[Rick Farris]

"It doesn't matter who's in the corner, it's who's on the stool."

-Angelo Dundee

[Rick Farris]

was catching up on my reading on page 90 I remember Pappy Gault as somebodies trainer anybody know who Pappy gault trained

Hammer . . . I remember Pappy Gault as one of our better amateur coaches.
I believe he coached at least one of our Olympic teams.

thx Rick

Hammer . . . Pappy Gault was shot to death in 1972. He was 42-years-old.

[kikibalt]

Extending a hand to a faded East L.A. handball court

The Maravilla court, built in the 1920s, 'was holy ground' even when the neighborhood got rough. A local group is trying to buy it and reopen it as a community center.



A group of Mixteca Indians demonstrates a different form of handball at an event to raise money to buy the Maravilla Handball Court in East Los Angeles. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times / February 13, 2010)

By Hector Becerra

February 14, 2010

About a year ago, Amanda Perez of East Los Angeles called a friend and asked her to come to an old handball court she was trying to save.

When Virginia Sandoval parked her car and beheld the red brick facade of the building, she cried.

The Maravilla Handball Court on Mednik Avenue was built with bricks from the nearby former Davidson Brick Yard, where Sandoval's father used to work and where she used to play as a girl. Sandoval, 66, soon joined Perez, 54, in her effort to preserve the court, which was completed in 1923.

"This place means a lot to a lot of people," Sandoval said Saturday. "I cried because those bricks were my father's life, that's how he supported us. And this handball court is part of our culture."

Louie Herrera, 53, used to play handball on the court. He fondly recalled Michi Nishiyama, who with her husband, Tommy, had owned the court since 1940. Nishiyama ran a grocery store next door and even organized dances at the property. She was known for her abiding tenderness, even when the neighborhood could be rough.

"You could be shot by a stray bullet outside, but this place was holy ground," Herrera said. "It was special. It was treated with respect. And Michi was an angel. She showed a lot of affection to the neighborhood."

Nishiyama died in 2006, and her husband a year later, and the Maravilla court began a rapid decline. Soon it was shut. For about a year, squatters haunted the fading court.

Perez said she was driving by and saw how bedraggled it had become. She recalled Tommy's and Michi's kindness, and this didn't seem right. She finally asked the couple's son whether his parents had ever been honored for their dedication to the neighborhood. He said no, and that clinched it, Perez said. She and some friends from the neighborhood decided to take action.

"That was it," she said. "I said, 'It's not too late; we want to honor your parents.' "

They formed the Maravilla Historical Society and, with help from the Los Angeles Conservancy, kicked off an effort to buy the property and reopen it as a community center and a handball court geared toward children.

Perez said they are hoping to raise about $100,000 by May to begin buying the property.

She has enlisted the help of Tony Huante, a legendary handball coach known for churning out national and world champions from working-class Eastside neighborhoods. Beginning Wednesday, the 81-year-old Huante will conduct clinics twice a week for children who want to learn the sport.

In December he organized the first-ever coed tournament for children at the Maravilla court. Huante has coached young players who became police officers, firefighters and doctors.

"We're going to teach you to be a champion," he told a group of children during the launch of the fundraising campaign.

In its early years, the handball court drew a diverse group of players: white, Latino, Armenian, Japanese American.

Many old players admit that the court wasn't always the place for children to be.

For a while it had a reputation as a hangout for gang members from the neighborhood. Some players drank beer there, and there was even a small gambling hall next to the court.

"There was a casino here 24 hours," Perez said, showing a small room with an ancient-looking refrigerator. "It was a boys' club."

But "this place is going to be for children," she said. "We've got girls signed up along with boys, and our goal is to make champion players here."

Sara Guerrero, 9, said she looked forward to attending the clinics. For almost all of its history, the handball court was open only to male players.

"You get a lot of exercise, and you get energy, and you get better," Sara said. "It's really fun."

hector.becerra@ latimes.com

[kikibalt]

was catching up on my reading on page 90 I remember Pappy Gault as somebodies trainer anybody know who Pappy gault trained

Hammer . . . I remember Pappy Gault as one of our better amateur coaches.
I believe he coached at least one of our Olympic teams.

Two different dudes, the black & white thing here, the Pappy that fought Keeny was white, the amateur coach was black.

Btw, I was at the Keeny/Pappy fight, didn't miss any of Keeny's fights other than the ones he had up North.

[kikibalt]

Extending a hand to a faded East L.A. handball court

The Maravilla court, built in the 1920s, 'was holy ground' even when the neighborhood got rough. A local group is trying to buy it and reopen it as a community center.



A group of Mixteca Indians demonstrates a different form of handball at an event to raise money to buy the Maravilla Handball Court in East Los Angeles. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times / February 13, 2010)

By Hector Becerra

February 14, 2010

About a year ago, Amanda Perez of East Los Angeles called a friend and asked her to come to an old handball court she was trying to save.

When Virginia Sandoval parked her car and beheld the red brick facade of the building, she cried.

The Maravilla Handball Court on Mednik Avenue was built with bricks from the nearby former Davidson Brick Yard, where Sandoval's father used to work and where she used to play as a girl. Sandoval, 66, soon joined Perez, 54, in her effort to preserve the court, which was completed in 1923.

"This place means a lot to a lot of people," Sandoval said Saturday. "I cried because those bricks were my father's life, that's how he supported us. And this handball court is part of our culture."

Louie Herrera, 53, used to play handball on the court. He fondly recalled Michi Nishiyama, who with her husband, Tommy, had owned the court since 1940. Nishiyama ran a grocery store next door and even organized dances at the property. She was known for her abiding tenderness, even when the neighborhood could be rough.

"You could be shot by a stray bullet outside, but this place was holy ground," Herrera said. "It was special. It was treated with respect. And Michi was an angel. She showed a lot of affection to the neighborhood."

Nishiyama died in 2006, and her husband a year later, and the Maravilla court began a rapid decline. Soon it was shut. For about a year, squatters haunted the fading court.

Perez said she was driving by and saw how bedraggled it had become. She recalled Tommy's and Michi's kindness, and this didn't seem right. She finally asked the couple's son whether his parents had ever been honored for their dedication to the neighborhood. He said no, and that clinched it, Perez said. She and some friends from the neighborhood decided to take action.

"That was it," she said. "I said, 'It's not too late; we want to honor your parents.' "

They formed the Maravilla Historical Society and, with help from the Los Angeles Conservancy, kicked off an effort to buy the property and reopen it as a community center and a handball court geared toward children.

Perez said they are hoping to raise about $100,000 by May to begin buying the property.

She has enlisted the help of Tony Huante, a legendary handball coach known for churning out national and world champions from working-class Eastside neighborhoods. Beginning Wednesday, the 81-year-old Huante will conduct clinics twice a week for children who want to learn the sport.

In December he organized the first-ever coed tournament for children at the Maravilla court. Huante has coached young players who became police officers, firefighters and doctors.

"We're going to teach you to be a champion," he told a group of children during the launch of the fundraising campaign.

In its early years, the handball court drew a diverse group of players: white, Latino, Armenian, Japanese American.

Many old players admit that the court wasn't always the place for children to be.

For a while it had a reputation as a hangout for gang members from the neighborhood. Some players drank beer there, and there was even a small gambling hall next to the court.

"There was a casino here 24 hours," Perez said, showing a small room with an ancient-looking refrigerator. "It was a boys' club."

But "this place is going to be for children," she said. "We've got girls signed up along with boys, and our goal is to make champion players here."

Sara Guerrero, 9, said she looked forward to attending the clinics. For almost all of its history, the handball court was open only to male players.

"You get a lot of exercise, and you get energy, and you get better," Sara said. "It's really fun."

hector.becerra@ latimes.com

I remember trying to play handball in the basement of the Teamsters Gym, never could get the hang of it...