Classic American West Coast Boxing

[Randyman]

What a beautiful day it has been, not a cloud in the sky, being sitting outside most of the day...

I was out in the backyard for awhile today too and you're right, it's a beautiful day. It's been almost eerily quiet and peaceful.

[Rick Farris]

There's something funny going on with Pacquiao with him not wanting to take the Olympic type drug test. It threw a monkey wrench with the last negotiations with Mayweather. This issue with the testing is going to be on the table again.

Manny is very popular. Mayweather is in good with the "brothers",but the rest of the world doesn't like him much. But Mayweather is right. If Manny has nothing to hide,TAKE THE TEST! This fight may never take place only because Manny doesn't want to take the Olympic type test.This is the state of the art exam for testing. I figure Mayweathers camp heard something. Maybe something leaked out. I don't blame him.

If it turns out that Manny is using something,I might just as well go to the wrestling matches.

I have to disagree with you Rog, who the hell made PBF God that he can demand Pac or anyother fighter for that matter to take any kind of test, that what the boxing commission's are for, thats their job, not PBF's, sorry....

Steroids?? BS!

Mayweather is not willing to face a boxer who will likely beat him, and in the process embarrass him. The steriod allegations are crap. Floyd refuses to face a fighter with a solid chance of whipping him. Remember, guys like Robinson, Napoles, Griffith, McLarnin, etc. held this title. Leonard didn't shy away from Duran, Napoles past prime stepped in with Monzon, Robinson fought everybody as did Armstrong. This is for this era's version of a true welterweight show down. Unlike the past, one of today's boy's is a little light in the jock strap. And his advisors are light between the ears. Mayweather knows PAC has politcal aspirations that will taint his boxing skills in oncoming months. When Pac loses the election, or if he wins, he will one day do what all boxers do, and return to pick up that mega pay day with Floyd Jr. At that time, odds will be on Floyd's side. The sand is running out of Pac's timer. Floyd knows this. He's a typical version of a contemporary talk sh-t coward. He's not smart, just willing to avoid a true challenge in hopes he can fare better with a watered down version in the future. Floyd will go in a solid favorite over Shane Mosely. I don't see his chances of winning as solid. Mosely brings more to the table than a pair of old legs. Love to see him send PBF to the showers a loser. Regardless, as much as I would miss a true "throw back" warrior like Manny Pac, I prefer he do what nobody else has done and just quit right now. This is what Freddie Roach is hoping. We'll all miss Pac, but we'll forever be able to enjoy him as a happy healthy version of an ex-champ. Mayweather will lose his fortune within months of his last fight. Pacmight to if he keeps giving it away.

-Rick Farris

-Rick Farris

[Rick Farris]

What a beautiful day it has been, not a cloud in the sky, being sitting outside most of the day...

I was out in the backyard for awhile today too and you're right, it's a beautiful day. It's been almost eerily quiet and peaceful.

I've been with my friends on the Marina Del Rey Penninsula this weekend. It was so beautiful, warm, sunny, clear.
No place on earth could have been more beautiful or comfortable, weatherwise.

[kikibalt]

TV clip about the US boxing team that got kill in a plane crash in 1980

http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video?id=2950930

[THEHAMMER321]

Hi good morning all, I know most of you are Californians on here so I am sure a lot of you remember on the drive down to Vegas the old Mcdonalds train in barstow that burned down about 1984, we always stopped there on the way coming from vegas as kids going to Disneyland and Magic Mountain

[raylawpc]

Today, I met with a client whose grandfather was the prison guard who taught Sonny Liston to box in the early 1950s at the Missouri State Pen in Jefferson City.

We only discussed Sonny briefly, but he said that his grandfather was convinced that Liston did not kill himself from an accidental overdose. The reason: Sonny was deathly afraid of needles. He would have newver been an IV drug user.

He said that he has a few pictures of his granddad with Sonny Liston and he will bring them for his next appointment. I'll ask if he will let me scan them to post here, if you guys are interested.

[THEHAMMER321]

Today, I met with a client whose grandfather was the prison guard who taught Sonny Liston to box in the early 1950s at the Missouri State Pen in Jefferson City.

We only discussed Sonny briefly, but he said that his grandfather was convinced that Liston did not kill himself from an accidental overdose. The reason: Sonny was deathly afraid of needles. He would have newver been an IV drug user.

He said that he has a few pictures of his granddad with Sonny Liston and he will bring them for his next appointment. I'll ask if he will let me scan them to post here, if you guys are interested.

I always heard the same thing about Liston that he was afraid of needles,one time I saw an interview with the late Davey Pearl I am sure most remember him refereed many championship fights he was a personal friend of listons and he doubted the needle theory

[kikibalt]

Today, I met with a client whose grandfather was the prison guard who taught Sonny Liston to box in the early 1950s at the Missouri State Pen in Jefferson City.

We only discussed Sonny briefly, but he said that his grandfather was convinced that Liston did not kill himself from an accidental overdose. The reason: Sonny was deathly afraid of needles. He would have newver been an IV drug user.

He said that he has a few pictures of his granddad with Sonny Liston and he will bring them for his next appointment. I'll ask if he will let me scan them to post here, if you guys are interested.

I always heard the same thing about Liston that he was afraid of needles,one time I saw an interview with the late Davey Pearl I am sure most remember him refereed many championship fights he was a personal friend of listons and he doubted the needle theory

Yes Tom, I would love to see the photos....

[raylawpc]

Today, I met with a client whose grandfather was the prison guard who taught Sonny Liston to box in the early 1950s at the Missouri State Pen in Jefferson City.

We only discussed Sonny briefly, but he said that his grandfather was convinced that Liston did not kill himself from an accidental overdose. The reason: Sonny was deathly afraid of needles. He would have newver been an IV drug user.

He said that he has a few pictures of his granddad with Sonny Liston and he will bring them for his next appointment. I'll ask if he will let me scan them to post here, if you guys are interested.

I always heard the same thing about Liston that he was afraid of needles,one time I saw an interview with the late Davey Pearl I am sure most remember him refereed many championship fights he was a personal friend of listons and he doubted the needle theory

I have heard about Liston's fear of needles from other sources. This is the first time I've heard from anyone who knew Liston and confirmed the story.

He also said that his grandfather found the whole thing inexplicable because, if someone had murdered Liston, it would have taken ten men to hold him down and inject him with heroin, and the house should have been a wreck. Sonny would have fought hard for his life. Yet the police said the interior of the home showed no evidence of violence.

[kikibalt]

Hi good morning all, I know most of you are Californians on here so I am sure a lot of you remember on the drive down to Vegas the old Mcdonalds train in barstow that burned down about 1984, we always stopped there on the way coming from vegas as kids going to Disneyland and Magic Mountain

Paulino, that Mac is still open, stopped there myself a few times coming or going to L-V

[THEHAMMER321]

Hi good morning all, I know most of you are Californians on here so I am sure a lot of you remember on the drive down to Vegas the old Mcdonalds train in barstow that burned down about 1984, we always stopped there on the way coming from vegas as kids going to Disneyland and Magic Mountain

Paulino, that Mac is still open, stopped there myself a few times coming or going to L-V

yeah they rebuilt it but the old one was made of wood which is probably why it burned down

[kikibalt]

Hi good morning all, I know most of you are Californians on here so I am sure a lot of you remember on the drive down to Vegas the old Mcdonalds train in barstow that burned down about 1984, we always stopped there on the way coming from vegas as kids going to Disneyland and Magic Mountain

Paulino, that Mac is still open, stopped there myself a few times coming or going to L-V

yeah they rebuilt it but the old one was made of wood which is probably why it burned down

Right!!

[THEHAMMER321]

also as a kid I always remember seeing ''in and out burger '' off the freeways in California but we never ate there we didn't get one here in vegas till about 1990 I love there hamburgers,also a friend of mine from California used to talk about Tommy's hamburgers and we just got a couple of them here I tried them good chili burgers

[Rick Farris]

Today, I met with a client whose grandfather was the prison guard who taught Sonny Liston to box in the early 1950s at the Missouri State Pen in Jefferson City.

We only discussed Sonny briefly, but he said that his grandfather was convinced that Liston did not kill himself from an accidental overdose. The reason: Sonny was deathly afraid of needles. He would have newver been an IV drug user.

He said that he has a few pictures of his granddad with Sonny Liston and he will bring them for his next appointment. I'll ask if he will let me scan them to post here, if you guys are interested.

I always heard the same thing about Liston that he was afraid of needles,one time I saw an interview with the late Davey Pearl I am sure most remember him refereed many championship fights he was a personal friend of listons and he doubted the needle theory

I have heard about Liston's fear of needles from other sources. This is the first time I've heard from anyone who knew Liston and confirmed the story.

He also said that his grandfather found the whole thing inexplicable because, if someone had murdered Liston, it would have taken ten men to hold him down and inject him with heroin, and the house should have been a wreck. Sonny would have fought hard for his life. Yet the police said the interior of the home showed no evidence of violence.

Tom . . . I was told by Johnny Tocco, who worked with Liston, the same thing and this back in the late 70's. Liston was not a junkie, and he was afraid of needles. His poison was double vodka on the rocks, not drugs. He was creating a lot of problems for the mob in Las Vegas, and they got rid of him. I agree, it would take an army to hold Sonny down and inject him, however, he could have been drugged prior. And in the early 70's didn't the mob run Vegas? Seems to me controlling a coroner's report wouldn't be that difficult a task. Look what was done in L.A. when Marilyn died.


-Rick Farris

[raylawpc]

I always heard the same thing about Liston that he was afraid of needles,one time I saw an interview with the late Davey Pearl I am sure most remember him refereed many championship fights he was a personal friend of listons and he doubted the needle theory

I have heard about Liston's fear of needles from other sources. This is the first time I've heard from anyone who knew Liston and confirmed the story.

He also said that his grandfather found the whole thing inexplicable because, if someone had murdered Liston, it would have taken ten men to hold him down and inject him with heroin, and the house should have been a wreck. Sonny would have fought hard for his life. Yet the police said the interior of the home showed no evidence of violence.

Tom . . . I was told by Johnny Tocco, who worked with Liston, the same thing and this back in the late 70's. Liston was not a junkie, and he was afraid of needles. His poison was double vodka on the rocks, not drugs. He was creating a lot of problems for the mob in Las Vegas, and they got rid of him. I agree, it would take an army to hold Sonny down and inject him, however, he could have been drugged prior. And in the early 70's didn't the mob run Vegas? Seems to me controlling a coroner's report wouldn't be that difficult a task. Look what was done in L.A. when Marilyn died.


-Rick Farris

I have no idea what was done in LA when Marilyn died - lots of rumors and gossp about that one too.

Pat O'Grady told me once that he had heard Liston got whacked for failing to throw the Chuck Wepner fight, as Sonny had previously agreed to do. I have no idea whether that was true or not, but Pat certainly seemed to believe it.

Something interesting about Liston: I have known a few people through the years who knew Liston, and, remarkably, I've never heard them say anything bad about him. And, if you ever did anything nice for Sonny, you had a friend for life. According to my client this morning, Sonny was always grateful to my client's grandfather for teaching him to box, and Sonny visited him frequently - even after he became a celebrity boxing champion. His guy's grandfather was a guard in Jeff City for many years, but Liston is the only inmate he ever befriended or with whom he stayed in contact.

[THEHAMMER321]

Anybody body on here like jazz,was just listening to one of my favorites on UTUBE Grover Washington Jr's mister magic,I like what they call smooth jazz guys like George Benson,David Sanborn,Chuck Mangione,Kenny G

[Rick Farris]

I have heard about Liston's fear of needles from other sources. This is the first time I've heard from anyone who knew Liston and confirmed the story.

He also said that his grandfather found the whole thing inexplicable because, if someone had murdered Liston, it would have taken ten men to hold him down and inject him with heroin, and the house should have been a wreck. Sonny would have fought hard for his life. Yet the police said the interior of the home showed no evidence of violence.

Tom . . . I was told by Johnny Tocco, who worked with Liston, the same thing and this back in the late 70's. Liston was not a junkie, and he was afraid of needles. His poison was double vodka on the rocks, not drugs. He was creating a lot of problems for the mob in Las Vegas, and they got rid of him. I agree, it would take an army to hold Sonny down and inject him, however, he could have been drugged prior. And in the early 70's didn't the mob run Vegas? Seems to me controlling a coroner's report wouldn't be that difficult a task. Look what was done in L.A. when Marilyn died.


-Rick Farris

I have no idea what was done in LA when Marilyn died - lots of rumors and gossp about that one too.

Pat O'Grady told me once that he had heard Liston got whacked for failing to throw the Chuck Wepner fight, as Sonny had previously agreed to do. I have no idea whether that was true or not, but Pat certainly seemed to believe it.

Something interesting about Liston: I have known a few people through the years who knew Liston, and, remarkably, I've never heard them say anything bad about him. And, if you ever did anything nice for Sonny, you had a friend for life. According to my client this morning, Sonny was always grateful to my client's grandfather for teaching him to box, and Sonny visited him frequently - even after he became a celebrity boxing champion. His guy's grandfather was a guard in Jeff City for many years, but Liston is the only inmate he ever befriended or with whom he stayed in contact.

I've written about a little experience watching Liston train in L.A. I liked what I saw and a simple jesture toward me.
I like fighter's and Sonny was a good one, an under rated one, IMO.

[raylawpc]

Anybody body on here like jazz,was just listening to one of my favorites on UTUBE Grover Washington Jr's mister magic,I like what they call smooth jazz guys like George Benson,David Sanborn,Chuck Mangione,Kenny G

Jazz ain't my thing . . . but I love to ROCK AND ROLL!!!

[raylawpc]

Tom . . . I was told by Johnny Tocco, who worked with Liston, the same thing and this back in the late 70's. Liston was not a junkie, and he was afraid of needles. His poison was double vodka on the rocks, not drugs. He was creating a lot of problems for the mob in Las Vegas, and they got rid of him. I agree, it would take an army to hold Sonny down and inject him, however, he could have been drugged prior. And in the early 70's didn't the mob run Vegas? Seems to me controlling a coroner's report wouldn't be that difficult a task. Look what was done in L.A. when Marilyn died.


-Rick Farris

I have no idea what was done in LA when Marilyn died - lots of rumors and gossp about that one too.

Pat O'Grady told me once that he had heard Liston got whacked for failing to throw the Chuck Wepner fight, as Sonny had previously agreed to do. I have no idea whether that was true or not, but Pat certainly seemed to believe it.

Something interesting about Liston: I have known a few people through the years who knew Liston, and, remarkably, I've never heard them say anything bad about him. And, if you ever did anything nice for Sonny, you had a friend for life. According to my client this morning, Sonny was always grateful to my client's grandfather for teaching him to box, and Sonny visited him frequently - even after he became a celebrity boxing champion. His guy's grandfather was a guard in Jeff City for many years, but Liston is the only inmate he ever befriended or with whom he stayed in contact.

I've written about a little experience watching Liston train in L.A. I liked what I saw and a simple jesture toward me.
I like fighter's and Sonny was a good one, an under rated one, IMO.

I remember you writing about Wayne heath sh*tting in his trunks from a body shot . . . but I guess having the picture of that in my head made me forget the little gesture. What was it?

(I assume since you liked it, it wasn't the "little gesture" I get from other drivers from time to time. )

[kikibalt]

[THEHAMMER321]

Frank nice layout but what does it say no speak espanol

[Rick Farris]

I remember you writing about Wayne heath sh*tting in his trunks from a body shot . . . but I guess having the picture of that in my head made me forget the little gesture. What was it?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Tom . . . After Liston had literally knocked the crap out of Wayne Heath and finshed his workout, I followed him and his company back to the dressing room. My gear was in Johnny Flores room, which was across from the one Sonny was using. Liston didn't have seconds wrap his hands with gauze, he did it himself. I sat down on a bench in the middle of the dressing area, right outside where Sonny was sitting on a rubbing table and pulling off the taped gauze. I guess I was staring quite intently, I was fifteen, but looked about twelve. Liston glanced up and looked me in the eyes. I wasn't trying to be rude, but I just looked him in his eyes, deliberatly not looking away. I guess he found that amusing, that some kid who didn't smile would not break a stare. His somber look turned to a big smile. I then began to smile and he nodded at me. I nodded back. No words, nothing. I felt very good. Liston hadn't changed his expression all afternoon he was on the gym floor. In my own teenage mind, I'd been validated. Go figure?


-Rick Farris

[Rick Farris]

[kikibalt]

Frank nice layout but what does it say no speak espanol

I couldn't tell you what it say because I don't read Espanol.....

[raylawpc]

I remember you writing about Wayne heath sh*tting in his trunks from a body shot . . . but I guess having the picture of that in my head made me forget the little gesture. What was it?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Tom . . . After Liston had literally knocked the crap out of Wayne Heath and finshed his workout, I followed him and his company back to the dressing room. My gear was in Johnny Flores room, which was across from the one Sonny was using. Liston didn't have seconds wrap his hands with gauze, he did it himself. I sat down on a bench in the middle of the dressing area, right outside where Sonny was sitting on a rubbing table and pulling off the taped gauze. I guess I was staring quite intently, I was fifteen, but looked about twelve. Liston glanced up and looked me in the eyes. I wasn't trying to be rude, but I just looked him in his eyes, deliberatly not looking away. I guess he found that amusing, that some kid who didn't smile would not break a stare. His somber look turned to a big smile. I then began to smile and he nodded at me. I nodded back. No words, nothing. I felt very good. Liston hadn't changed his expression all afternoon he was on the gym floor. In my own teenage mind, I'd been validated. Go figure?


-Rick Farris

Great story, Rick.

I knew Wayne Heath back in Oklahoma when he ran a camp for amateur boxers out of Midwest City. He used to tell everyone that he had been Sonny Liston's sparring partner - but for some reason he always left out the part about crapping in his trunks . . .