Classic American West Coast Boxing

[kikibalt]

Did the CSAC occpy the same space as the old gym?

I don't think so, I say that because I never saw the old gym...

[bennie]

[raylawpc]

Did the CSAC occpy the same space as the old gym?

I don't think so, I say that because I never saw the old gym...

Is the Arcade Building still standing? I've seen some photos of the exterior, and it appeared to be an interesting looking old building. It think it was close to Jim Jeffries' old Saloon location at 333 S. Spring Street.

[kikibalt]

Did the CSAC occpy the same space as the old gym?

I don't think so, I say that because I never saw the old gym...

Is the Arcade Building still standing? I've seen some photos of the exterior, and it appeared to be an interesting looking old building. It think it was close to Jim Jeffries' old Saloon location at 333 S. Spring Street.

Tom, I'm told that the Arcade is still standing.

[kikibalt]

Spring Arcade Building



541 S. Spring St
Los Angeles, CA 90013

Javier J.

8/2/2009 Oh how the mighty have fallen.... It's really a shame that one of the most beautiful buildings in downtown gets turned into a place that you buy tube socks and cheap NES rom systems from.

The Spring Arcade Building was built in 1924, a local spot that Charles Bukowski wrote about in his poems. So you know it has to be essential Los Angeles. The building itself is pretty much the peak of beauty. It has two towers with a middle glass ceiling that can't be beat. A lot of detail has been put into the actual insignia and sides of the building. You can really just tell how old and how much history this place has.

The building was designed by Kenneth MacDoanld and Maurice Couchot. Those names more than likely mean little to nothing to anyone. But I have to tip my hat to them. They designed one of the best buildings in Los Angeles that seldom anyone has ever seen.

It originally was known as the Mercantile Arcade Building and modeled on the burlington arcade in London. So it has some connections to the old world. The skylight when walking down the open ended building takes you from one street to another.

Even though it's covered with people selling M.J. memorial t-shirts, tube socks, cheap mexican toys and other crap like that, it's worth a walk through from one end to the other. Look up to the skylight and look at the detail in the walls and just take it all in. This is Los Angeles history that you should soak in.

[Randyman]

To all Boxrec readers and writers,

Today has been a sad day for my hometown Guadalajara and for the whole country of Mexico.
My friend and stablemate Efren "Alacran" Torres died this morning. He and I started training on the same day at the Police Station in the City of San Andres, about twenty miles south of downtown Guadalajara in July of 1959. My cousin, Jose Becerra taught us both the left hook to the liver and all the classic boxing moves he knew. What he taught us was enough for me and Alacran Torres to start winning fights. The two of us were racing to see who could win more knockouts in a row.
In my opinion Alacran was one of the best Flyweight World Champions that Mexico has ever had.
Perhaps many of you remember his fights against Susumu Hanagata and Chartchai Chionoi. Those were outstanding fights. Fights like that you don't see anymore.

I just saw Alacran Torres in Guadalajara in November, 2009 where they placed our pictures and a star in the beautiful sports museum. He was so happy and seemed to be in good shape. He was just a little older than me. May God rest his soul.

El Gato

Gato, my condolences to Efren Torres' family and friends, and just as importantly, to you too. I'm sorry for your loss. I know how it is to lose a friend. Rest in peace.

Randy

[Randyman]

sometimes I look at the other threads on boxers of the past and it amazes me how these guys can't debate who could beat who without calling each other names at least on this thread we might not always agree who beats who but we are here for the love of the fight game of past years life is to short to argue

As far as I'm concerned there is no better site on the web, in regards to boxing. I've said it before and I'll say it again, this site could just as well be called Boxing 101. If I was a teacher and I was serious about my students learning about boxing and good manners, reading this thread would be mandatory. Some of the best and most honest boxing minds are on this thread. I'm learning something everyday.

Randy

[Randyman]

Efren "Alacran" Torres

[Randyman]

Here's a pretty cool link to a website dedicated to the old L.A. restaurants. It's in alphabetical order and you have to scroll down to the bottom to get to the next page. There is also a link to old San Diego restaurants too. If you've lived in L.A. for most of your life you'll recognize a lot of these places.

http://www.latimemachines.com/new_page_7.htm

Randy

[kikibalt]

sometimes I look at the other threads on boxers of the past and it amazes me how these guys can't debate who could beat who without calling each other names at least on this thread we might not always agree who beats who but we are here for the love of the fight game of past years life is to short to argue

As far as I'm concerned there is no better site on the web, in regards to boxing. I've said it before and I'll say it again, this site could just as well be called Boxing 101. If I was a teacher and I was serious about my students learning about boxing and good manners, reading this thread would be mandatory. Some of the best and most honest boxing minds are on this thread. I'm learning something everyday.

Randy

[dagosd2000]

Alacran Torres

[dagosd2000]

DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES

For years I've studied the JFK assassination. All the books and videos and government reports. The conspiracy and the non conspiracy stuff. I'm not here to open up the thread to JFK's murder. But I was reading a book by a fella' from Europe about a guy who's in Stateville Pen in Joiiet ,Illinois. This guy,James Files,says that he was the shooter on the grassy knoll in Dallas Nov.22,1963.Files says he fired the fatal head shot.

A reporter by the name of Joe West was tipped off by an FBI agent,Zack Shelton,that Files (was in jail)knew something about the assassination. West approached Files, and he began to open up.

Yeah,it's a long story and this ain't the spot to tell it,but when James Files was talking about his involvement,he painted a picture of what Organized Crime was in Chicago. Files was part of the Chicago Outfit. At the last moment ,according to him,he was asked by Chuck Nicoletti to be a part of the assassination team.

Files real name is Jimmy Sutton. The video of his confession was made in 1994. I asked my father if he knew James Sutton. He gave me a blank stare.
"Yeah. I knew him."
That was it. This was back in 1994. Like a dummy ,I didn't explain to my father why I asked him that question.

My father didn't like the Kennedys. My father worked under Sam Giancana in Chicago. So did Chuck Nicoletti,and Jimmy Sutton(Files).

I was reading a book on James Files by this fella' from Europe,Wim Dankbaar. He's interviewing Files about the mob in Chicago. Files tells him that if he has any doubts about what he is saying,he should ask some of the people who were close to him. Files ran off a list of names. One of those names was my Father's.

[kikibalt]

Alacran Torres

[Rick Farris]

Guys, some sad news. El Gato phoned me a little while ago and told me his old stablemate former flyweight champion of the world Efren 'Alacran' Torres just passed away. RIP.

Scartissue

God bless a great champion and Hall of Famer. May he rest in peace.

-Rick Farris

Another great fighter who fought when the division was very deep in talent. Sorry to hear about his passing.

You are so correct, Rog. Frank remembers what happened at the Olympic in 1964. Torres challenged Hiroyuki Ebihara of Japan for the undisputed world flyweight title. The fight was close, and Ebihara was awarded a fifteen round decision. An explosive crowd from below the border rioted and left the 18th & Grand arena witha few scars that need patching. I remember how happy I was as a teenager in the late 60's when Torres finally won the title. The flyweight division was very deep in those days, and at the end of his career Alacran Torres stepped up to bantam and took on the great Ruben Olivares.


-Rick Farris

[Rick Farris]

Alacran Torres

Excellent, as always.

[kikibalt]

God bless a great champion and Hall of Famer. May he rest in peace.

-Rick Farris

Another great fighter who fought when the division was very deep in talent. Sorry to hear about his passing.

You are so correct, Rog. Frank remembers what happened at the Olympic in 1964. Torres challenged Hiroyuki Ebihara of Japan for the undisputed world flyweight title. The fight was close, and Ebihara was awarded a fifteen round decision. An explosive crowd from below the border rioted and left the 18th & Grand arena witha few scars that need patching. I remember how happy I was as a teenager in the late 60's when Torres finally won the title. The flyweight division was very deep in those days, and at the end of his career Alacran Torres stepped up to bantam and took on the great Ruben Olivares.


-Rick Farris

I remember the Ebihara fight well, and of course the riot too, I was just standing watch the punches and the chair fly when sonebody hit me on the jaw, but I didn't go down...LOL!

Now the fight, on April 4, 1964, after 12 rounds I thought Ebihara won a close fight.

[dagosd2000]

Old Joe Louis

[Randyman]

Alacran Torres

Good job Rog. As always you capture the essence of you subject.

Randy

[Randyman]

Back in 1993 when I was taking my son Andrew to the Brooklyn Ave Gym in Boyle Heights I met a man who said he was Alacran Torres. I bought some gloves, handwraps and a few other things from him. He took some time to show my son how to hook to the liver and a few other things. It was obvious he had experience. I talked with him almost everyday.

A few months back when we were discussing Torres someone mentioned that he returned to Mexico when he retired. I started to wonder if the guy I met was the real deal. Up until the other day, when I posted that photo of him when he was older, I thought he was Alacran, now I'm not so sure but that was 17 years ago. The man I met looked a little different but had some of the same features. Does anyone know if Torres was in California in the early 90's?

Randy

[Randyman]

Old Joe Louis

The eyes, it's the eyes. The windows to the soul.

Randy

[dagosd2000]

THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH

Circus people and fighters.Those two circles have always given me the reality check on people experiencing life in the real world. Circuses and boxing. Occupations the normal school kid doesn't give much thought about. Seems like endeavors for the dreamer. Definitely pushing the envelope. Yeah,maybe a rap star or a point guard in the NBA. That's a dream. Hear it all the time being a teacher though.
"Yep. That's what I want to be when I grow up!"

Hung around fighters and boxing gyms. Worked out with the boys. My father would bring the "carny" characters home once in a while when he worked the state fair in southern Illinois. Wherever's a tent, the carnival people will migrate to.

Clowns always scared me a little. The trapeez artists are family acts. The women are beautifull and powerfull. The animal trainers who work with the big cats is something I'd wouldn't want to risk doing. The first time I saw midgets I thought they were little kids like meyself until I got close and they snarled at me. They must have known by my approach that I'd never seen a midget. I ran away.

Fighters thinking nothing of fighting.Like they were getting dressed to go to work. Tightrope walkers working without a net. Day after day night after night doing that. For me it would take a lifetime to do that only once.

All the fighters and all the circus people who call it their living. Their life.Sawdust in their veins. A born fighter. Occupations you won't find on the board at the unemployment office.

Yet looking down from the stars and seeing them perform. What made them go in that direction?For a planet that's a spec of dust in the scheme of things,their performances can be said to be"The Greatest Show On Earth."

[Randyman]

This is my youngest grandchild, Maddie. It was her birthday today. My daughter gave her a party at "Pump it Up" in Chino Hills. All the kids wear me out but it was a good time. Family, you know.

[dagosd2000]

Back in 1993 when I was taking my son Andrew to the Brooklyn Ave Gym in Boyle Heights I met a man who said he was Alacran Torres. I bought some gloves, handwraps and a few other things from him. He took some time to show my son how to hook to the liver and a few other things. It was obvious he had experience. I talked with him almost everyday.

A few months back when we were discussing Torres someone mentioned that he returned to Mexico when he retired. I started to wonder if the guy I met was the real deal. Up until the other day, when I posted that photo of him when he was older, I thought he was Alacran, now I'm not so sure but that was 17 years ago. The man I met looked a little different but had some of the same features. Does anyone know if Torres was in California in the early 90's?

Randy

Randy
When Gato talked to me about Torres at the WBHOF Banquet,he told me he had white hair and was missing his teeth. Gato would know for sure.

[dagosd2000]

Randy,Rick
Thanks for the compliments on my paintings. Joe Louis's face has always said more to me than other boxer.

[dagosd2000]

This is my youngest grandchild, Maddie. It was her birthday today. My daughter gave her a party at "Pump it Up" in Chino Hills. All the kids wear me out but it was a good time. Family, you know.

Randy
How many kids in this world have never had a birthday party? How many kids have never had a family that cared much about them?

The smile on Maddie's face says that she will never know what it's like not to be loved.