Classic American West Coast Boxing

[Expug]

Rick,I may be in Detroit a few times while you are there. Blackhawks -Redwings games.
At some point,give me a contact number for you. Maybe we can checkout a couple of the fine Detroit establishments.

[Rick Farris]

Rick,I may be in Detroit a few times while you are there. Blackhawks -Redwings games.
At some point,give me a contact number for you. Maybe we can checkout a couple of the fine Detroit establishments.

That would be great.

[kikibalt]

Frankie Duarte

[Rick Farris]

Frankie Duarte

One of the greatest action fighters of his era, and just a great guy overall.

[Chuck1052]

Did anyone see the obituary of the son of Frank Klaus, a world middleweight champion from Pittsburgh during the 1910s, in the paid obituaries of the Los Angeles Times today? It is evident that the son (also named Frank Klaus) was a highly successful in the business world during his lifetime.

- Chuck Johnston

[Rick Farris]

Did anyone see the obituary of the son of Frank Klaus, a world middleweight champion from Pittsburgh during the 1910s, in the paid obituaries of the Los Angeles Times today? It is evident that the son (also named Frank Klaus) was a highly successful in the business world during his lifetime.

- Chuck Johnston

Chuck, I did see the name in the L.A. Times obit and immediatly caught my eye.

[Rick Farris]

Frankie Duarte

One of the greatest action fighters of his era, and just a great guy overall.

A true Classic American West Coast Boxing match . . .

One of my favorite fights of the 80's, Frankie Duarte vs. Albert Davila-2.
Both were 32-years-old, toward the end of their careers, but they still had something left in the tank.
They let it all out at the Forum, in early 1987:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhHYnW2tVX8

[THEHAMMER321]

Frankie Duarte

One of the greatest action fighters of his era, and just a great guy overall.

A true Classic American West Coast Boxing match . . .

One of my favorite fights of the 80's, Frankie Duarte vs. Albert Davila-2.
Both were 32-years-old, toward the end of their careers, but they still had something left in the tank.
They let it all out at the Forum, in early 1987:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhHYnW2tVX8

Rick I missed this fight, but saw Davila in the rain come from behind vs Enrique Sanchez, I remember reading a story on Duarte in one of the boxing magazines back in the 1980s where he overcame the bottle, hope he is doing well now.

[Randyman]

Frankie Duarte

One of the greatest action fighters of his era, and just a great guy overall.

A true Classic American West Coast Boxing match . . .

One of my favorite fights of the 80's, Frankie Duarte vs. Albert Davila-2.
Both were 32-years-old, toward the end of their careers, but they still had something left in the tank.
They let it all out at the Forum, in early 1987:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhHYnW2tVX8

I had ringside seats for that fight. Still one of the best fights I ever saw, at any weight.

Randy

[Bobbin & Weavin]

One of the greatest action fighters of his era, and just a great guy overall.

A true Classic American West Coast Boxing match . . .

One of my favorite fights of the 80's, Frankie Duarte vs. Albert Davila-2.
Both were 32-years-old, toward the end of their careers, but they still had something left in the tank.
They let it all out at the Forum, in early 1987:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhHYnW2tVX8

I had ringside seats for that fight. Still one of the best fights I ever saw, at any weight.

Randy

Rick thanks a million times over for posting the link to this fight. That was a ridiculously good fight combined with the fact that I couldn’t remember who won made for an enjoyable afternoon watching these two warriors. Everything from their classic trunks and shoes to their beautiful skills made my eyes water knowing they were exercising the art as we so seldom see anymore. I think my favorite part was watching them fight inside where both fighters used their movement and experience to land beautiful combinations and upper cuts; neither reaching for a clinch and a referee wise enough to stay back and let them do it. Their footwork, working off of the balls of their feet, bouncing, moving, “bobbin & weavin”, slipping punches, letting punches glance off their shoulders…all of these things went through my mind as I watched and longed for more…Hail to the kings!
Bruce

[kikibalt]

A true Classic American West Coast Boxing match . . .

One of my favorite fights of the 80's, Frankie Duarte vs. Albert Davila-2.
Both were 32-years-old, toward the end of their careers, but they still had something left in the tank.
They let it all out at the Forum, in early 1987:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhHYnW2tVX8

I had ringside seats for that fight. Still one of the best fights I ever saw, at any weight.

Randy

Rick thanks a million times over for posting the link to this fight. That was a ridiculously good fight combined with the fact that I couldn’t remember who won made for an enjoyable afternoon watching these two warriors. Everything from their classic trunks and shoes to their beautiful skills made my eyes water knowing they were exercising the art as we so seldom see anymore. I think my favorite part was watching them fight inside where both fighters used their movement and experience to land beautiful combinations and upper cuts; neither reaching for a clinch and a referee wise enough to stay back and let them do it. Their footwork, working off of the balls of their feet, bouncing, moving, “bobbin & weavin”, slipping punches, letting punches glance off their shoulders…all of these things went through my mind as I watched and longed for more…Hail to the kings!
Bruce

Great post, Bruce

[Randyman]

Photo by by Emily Harney and courtesy of Fight news.com


It’s very rare that I really want to see a fighter literally get his ass kicked raelly good in the ring. Usually my feelings are-Let the best man win. However, every once in while a fighter comes along just begging for it. Watching them “get it” can be a very satisfying experience. That was the case last Friday when John Molina of Covina, California met Henry Lundy of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in a scheduled 12 round fight for the WBO NABO Lightweight title, at the Twin River Event Center in Lincoln, Rhode island.

Prior to the fight Lundy called Molina a “Dumb Fighter”. That was a pretty low blow thrown at a guy that seems to have plenty of respect for his opponents. That remark didn’t set right with me. Thrash talking is one thing but this was personal. Before the fight Lundy had this to say “I’d like to thank ESPN for showcasing my talents again. There were fireworks on July 4th and there will be even more tomorrow night. You can teach fighters how to fight but, if you don’t have heart, you don’t have it. Anybody who knows Hank Lundy knows I’ll fight anybody. Training in Philadelphia I’ve fought everything including elephants and lions.” Considering how the fight played out that statement wasn’t too bright.

Lundy started out quick against and was able to find his range against Molina. Molina, who possess a good jab when he uses it, decided to fight Lundy’s fight. Lundy did a fair job but not quite as good, in my opinion as commentator Teddy Atlas thought. Still, up to the seventh round Lundy won most of the rounds. Molina, who proved to be a game fighter, weathered the storm, still looking to turn the fight around. It came in the eighth round when he landed a fire cracker right hand that caught the cocky Lundy moving to the side with his hands held low, knocking Lundy down.

Lundy seemed to be pissed that the ref ruled it a knock down. He mouthed the word “What? To the ref and shook his head in disgust. His expression said it all. He seemed to be saying “You’re calling it a knock down just because he landed a right hand and I hit the floor? I know how he feels, I thought Roberto Duran was robbed when his fight with Tommy Hearns was stopped just because Hearns knocked him out. I mean, where’s the justice.

Lundy survived the eighth and ninth round doing his best Pernell Whitaker imitation by turning his back and running. He threw a strange behind his back punch and was warned by the ref. He seemed to be fighting scared from that point on and Molina assumed control of the fight. Referee Ricky Gonzalez stopped the fight at 2:18 of the eleventh round after Lundy was unable or unwilling to answer a barrage of punches thrown by Molina. Lundy seemed upset by the whole affair. It has to be hard losing to a “Dumb Fighter”

I have no idea how far Molina will go in his career. He seemed to learn a few things from his loss last year to Martin Honorio. Maybe in time he will prove to be top flight championship material. Friday night he proved that between he and Lundy, he was the one that had the right stuff inside, the bigger heart. That makes him the kind of fighter I like to root for.

[kikibalt]

Both Frankie Duarte and Albert Davila were part of a great crop of Los Angeles Jr. Golden Glovers from the '60's, the likes that we haven't seen since. A big number of them went on to become top contenders, some like Davila champions. I think I can speak for Rick Farris on this and say that we are proud to say we were part of that L.A. boxing history.

[Randyman]

Both Frankie Duarte and Albert Davila were part of a great crop of Los Angeles Jr. Golden Glovers from the '60's, the likes that we haven't seen since. A big number of them went on to become top contenders, some like Davila champions. I think I can speak for Rick Farris on this and say that we are proud to say we were part of that L.A. boxing history.

[Randyman]

I had ringside seats for that fight. Still one of the best fights I ever saw, at any weight.

Randy

Rick thanks a million times over for posting the link to this fight. That was a ridiculously good fight combined with the fact that I couldn’t remember who won made for an enjoyable afternoon watching these two warriors. Everything from their classic trunks and shoes to their beautiful skills made my eyes water knowing they were exercising the art as we so seldom see anymore. I think my favorite part was watching them fight inside where both fighters used their movement and experience to land beautiful combinations and upper cuts; neither reaching for a clinch and a referee wise enough to stay back and let them do it. Their footwork, working off of the balls of their feet, bouncing, moving, “bobbin & weavin”, slipping punches, letting punches glance off their shoulders…all of these things went through my mind as I watched and longed for more…Hail to the kings!
Bruce

Great post, Bruce

I agree with Frank. Great insight.

[Chuck1052]

Although Albert Davila wasn't the most exciting fighter in the world, I loved to watch him in action because he had such a beautiful boxing style. Frankie Duarte was a very exciting, aggressive fighter with a tremendous amount of heart, but could be hit easily.

A few years ago, I read that Davila has kids who have done well academically. How the kids are doing at the present time? I like it when the kids of former boxers do well in life.

- Chuck Johnston

[bennie]

Rick thanks a million times over for posting the link to this fight. That was a ridiculously good fight combined with the fact that I couldn’t remember who won made for an enjoyable afternoon watching these two warriors. Everything from their classic trunks and shoes to their beautiful skills made my eyes water knowing they were exercising the art as we so seldom see anymore. I think my favorite part was watching them fight inside where both fighters used their movement and experience to land beautiful combinations and upper cuts; neither reaching for a clinch and a referee wise enough to stay back and let them do it. Their footwork, working off of the balls of their feet, bouncing, moving, “bobbin & weavin”, slipping punches, letting punches glance off their shoulders…all of these things went through my mind as I watched and longed for more…Hail to the kings!
Bruce

Great post, Bruce

I agree with Frank. Great insight.

They showed this classic in Blighty a few days after it happened. Davila was unlucky but you couldn't begrudge Duarte the win.

[THEHAMMER321]

Good morning all, Frank was there ever any offers from the Mancini people for a fight with Tony ? , now that fight had the makings of a war, neither man was a dancer Tony was by far the bigger puncher, I think a lot of people including myself didn't give Mancini enough credit but it is hard to question his heart, I just feel though that Mancini's wide open style was made for a puncher like Tony, something like a lightweight version of Frazier vs Foreman.

[kikibalt]

CBHOF...2010

http://www.myboxingfans.com/2010/07/cal ... of-fame-2/

[THEHAMMER321]

CBHOF...2010

http://www.myboxingfans.com/2010/07/cal ... of-fame-2/

Thx for the link Frank

[kikibalt]

Good morning all, Frank was there ever any offers from the Mancini people for a fight with Tony ? , now that fight had the makings of a war, neither man was a dancer Tony was by far the bigger puncher, I think a lot of people including myself didn't give Mancini enough credit but it is hard to question his heart, I just feel though that Mancini's wide open style was made for a puncher like Tony, something like a lightweight version of Frazier vs Foreman.

There was talk about a fight between Tony and Ray, but Ray's people were not crazy about such a fight, I think they felt the same way as you do, that Ray was to easy to hit and it was too dangerous to put him in with a puncher like Tony, to bad the fight never happened.

[kikibalt]

Golden Boy Promotions Suspended By NY Commission
By George Kimball from Sweet Science


NEW YORK --- In recent years Golden Boy Promotions’ relationship with the boxing world has often seemed a case of the tail wagging the dog. Between an ever-expanding client list, a cozy relationship with HBO, the nation’s most powerful cable conglomerate, and institutional control over ratings and even “championships” through its ownership of the onetime “bible of boxing,” The Ring, the multi-tentacled Las Vegas-based company has increasingly appeared to call the tune for U.S. regulatory bodies as well, cajoling GBP-friendly state commissions and bullying those displaying a more independent streak.

But last week one of them bared its own teeth. The 90 year-old New York State Athletic Commission has placed Golden Boy on suspension, meaning that the firm, its Teutonic CEO Richard Schaefer, and its figurehead and namesake Oscar De La Hoya have been indefinitely barred from conducting business in the Empire State.

The unprecedented action was taken after a Friday hearing, which found Golden Boy guilty of deceptive and fraudulent practices in direct violation of the federal Muhammad Ali Act, in connection with the May 15 Amir Khan-Paulie Malignaggi card at the Madison Square Garden Theatre.

The disciplinary action came as a result of some creative accounting with the co-featured bout of that night’s show, in which Kansas prospect Victor Ortiz won a unanimous decision over 38 year-old former lightweight champion Nate Campbell. Although HBO had agreed to underwrite a total purse of $750,000 for the fight, Campbell was paid just $125,000, Ortiz ($100,000) even less. The half-million dollar discrepancy was apparently concealed from both of the boxers, and, had Golden Boy had its way, would have been concealed from the NYSAC as well, but unlike some of its brethren commissions, New York refused to roll over and play dead.

The Ali act prohibits concealing such usurious arrangements from the hired help – ie, the boxers; moreover, to be in compliance with the statute, Golden Boy would have had to file the contractual particulars with either the NYSAC or with the Association of Boxing Commissioners. It did neither, and further incurred the wrath of the commission by ignoring repeated demands for the paperwork.

What happened to the missing half-mil remains a matter of conjecture, but there are really only three possibilities, in my opinion.

One, obviously, is that Golden Boy simply skimmed the money off the top and lined its own coffers.

Another is that Golden Boy, which had earlier poached, in the opinion of some fight game insiders, Ortiz and Campbell from their previous promoters, used the part of the windfall produced by short-changing the fighters to pay reparations to Bob Arum (Ortiz) and Don King (Campbell). If that was indeed the case, money used to stave off potential lawsuits is supposed to come from the promoter’s end, not by dipping into the boxers’ purses.

The third possibility is that Golden Boy had so overreached in its guarantee to Khan (on a night when there were nearly 1,000 unsold seats in the Theatre) that they made up the difference by diverting two-thirds of the intended Ortiz-Campbell purse to keep the Boy from Bolton happy. Should that prove to be the case, the New York suspension could only be the beginning of Golden Boy’s worries: Golden Boy’s contract with DiBella Entertainment for the Khan-Malignaggi main event called for a 60/40 split of all such revenues.

If it were proven that the missing money was funneled straight to Khan, and concealed from Malignaggi and DiBella, it could well expose Schaefer and Golden Boy to criminal charges.

Whatever the purpose of the manipulation of the Ortiz-Campbell purse might have been, it seems inconceivable that the deceit could have taken place without HBO’s knowledge, but – even though they bankroll Golden Boy’s shows and exercise the right of approval in selecting opponents – the network is technically not a “promoter” and is hence not subject to the provisions of the Ali act.

By the same token, it seems extremely unlikely that the skullduggery could have taken place without some complicity on the part of Shelly Finkel, who was both Ortiz’ de facto manager and a Golden Boy consultant. Even though Ortiz’ name is included on the client list posted on his website, Finkel is technically an “advisor” and not a manager, and hence not subject to the normal constraints imposed by the Muhammad Ali act.

GBP was already in hot water with the New York commission as a result of the unseemly riot perpetrated by an army of Khan supporters who invaded the May 14 weigh-in, conducted at the Essex House on Central Park South. Although attendance at the weigh-in was supposed to be limited to NYSAC officials, the fighters and their camps, and the press, it seemed plain enough that the presence of an extra hundred or so hooligans had been encouraged by Golden Boy. Although Schaefer claimed to Chairman Melvina Lathan that he had no idea where the interlopers came from, Golden Boy had in fact stationed a pair of bikini-clad Tecate Girls to hand out hundreds of souvenir boxing-glove key-chains at the weigh-in.

Arranging safe passage to the weigh-in for the members of Khan’s Army – and even lying about it after the fact – might have gotten Golden Boy slapped around a bit by the commission, but a tongue-lashing and perhaps a modest fine would have been the end of it. Given the magnitude of the irregularities which subsequently came to light, Golden Boy’s part in the weigh-in fiasco was never even addressed at Friday’s hearing.

The sanctioning of Golden Boy was defined as an “administrative suspension” in details that have already been forwarded to FightFax. Other state regulatory bodies are not automatically obliged to reciprocally honor the New York action. Rather, states entertaining requests for dates from Golden Boy are supposed to contact the NYSAC for an explanation of the particulars, after which they determine their own course of action.

Although some jurisdictions may cite the New York example and think better of approving future Golden Boy shows, the expectation is that in states where Schaefer & Co. already exert a profound influence, the suspension will not be an impediment. But Golden Boy has been put on notice that its days functioning as a law unto itself may be numbered.

[kikibalt]

If only today's heavyweights would fight like this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKROgsPIw-4

Joe Frazier vs Manuel Ramos

[raylawpc]

Golden Boy Promotions Suspended By NY Commission
By George Kimball from Sweet Science


NEW YORK --- In recent years Golden Boy Promotions’ relationship with the boxing world has often seemed a case of the tail wagging the dog. Between an ever-expanding client list, a cozy relationship with HBO, the nation’s most powerful cable conglomerate, and institutional control over ratings and even “championships” through its ownership of the onetime “bible of boxing,” The Ring, the multi-tentacled Las Vegas-based company has increasingly appeared to call the tune for U.S. regulatory bodies as well, cajoling GBP-friendly state commissions and bullying those displaying a more independent streak.

But last week one of them bared its own teeth. The 90 year-old New York State Athletic Commission has placed Golden Boy on suspension, meaning that the firm, its Teutonic CEO Richard Schaefer, and its figurehead and namesake Oscar De La Hoya have been indefinitely barred from conducting business in the Empire State.

The unprecedented action was taken after a Friday hearing, which found Golden Boy guilty of deceptive and fraudulent practices in direct violation of the federal Muhammad Ali Act, in connection with the May 15 Amir Khan-Paulie Malignaggi card at the Madison Square Garden Theatre.

The disciplinary action came as a result of some creative accounting with the co-featured bout of that night’s show, in which Kansas prospect Victor Ortiz won a unanimous decision over 38 year-old former lightweight champion Nate Campbell. Although HBO had agreed to underwrite a total purse of $750,000 for the fight, Campbell was paid just $125,000, Ortiz ($100,000) even less. The half-million dollar discrepancy was apparently concealed from both of the boxers, and, had Golden Boy had its way, would have been concealed from the NYSAC as well, but unlike some of its brethren commissions, New York refused to roll over and play dead.

The Ali act prohibits concealing such usurious arrangements from the hired help – ie, the boxers; moreover, to be in compliance with the statute, Golden Boy would have had to file the contractual particulars with either the NYSAC or with the Association of Boxing Commissioners. It did neither, and further incurred the wrath of the commission by ignoring repeated demands for the paperwork.

What happened to the missing half-mil remains a matter of conjecture, but there are really only three possibilities, in my opinion.

One, obviously, is that Golden Boy simply skimmed the money off the top and lined its own coffers.

Another is that Golden Boy, which had earlier poached, in the opinion of some fight game insiders, Ortiz and Campbell from their previous promoters, used the part of the windfall produced by short-changing the fighters to pay reparations to Bob Arum (Ortiz) and Don King (Campbell). If that was indeed the case, money used to stave off potential lawsuits is supposed to come from the promoter’s end, not by dipping into the boxers’ purses.

The third possibility is that Golden Boy had so overreached in its guarantee to Khan (on a night when there were nearly 1,000 unsold seats in the Theatre) that they made up the difference by diverting two-thirds of the intended Ortiz-Campbell purse to keep the Boy from Bolton happy. Should that prove to be the case, the New York suspension could only be the beginning of Golden Boy’s worries: Golden Boy’s contract with DiBella Entertainment for the Khan-Malignaggi main event called for a 60/40 split of all such revenues.

If it were proven that the missing money was funneled straight to Khan, and concealed from Malignaggi and DiBella, it could well expose Schaefer and Golden Boy to criminal charges.

Whatever the purpose of the manipulation of the Ortiz-Campbell purse might have been, it seems inconceivable that the deceit could have taken place without HBO’s knowledge, but – even though they bankroll Golden Boy’s shows and exercise the right of approval in selecting opponents – the network is technically not a “promoter” and is hence not subject to the provisions of the Ali act.

By the same token, it seems extremely unlikely that the skullduggery could have taken place without some complicity on the part of Shelly Finkel, who was both Ortiz’ de facto manager and a Golden Boy consultant. Even though Ortiz’ name is included on the client list posted on his website, Finkel is technically an “advisor” and not a manager, and hence not subject to the normal constraints imposed by the Muhammad Ali act.

GBP was already in hot water with the New York commission as a result of the unseemly riot perpetrated by an army of Khan supporters who invaded the May 14 weigh-in, conducted at the Essex House on Central Park South. Although attendance at the weigh-in was supposed to be limited to NYSAC officials, the fighters and their camps, and the press, it seemed plain enough that the presence of an extra hundred or so hooligans had been encouraged by Golden Boy. Although Schaefer claimed to Chairman Melvina Lathan that he had no idea where the interlopers came from, Golden Boy had in fact stationed a pair of bikini-clad Tecate Girls to hand out hundreds of souvenir boxing-glove key-chains at the weigh-in.

Arranging safe passage to the weigh-in for the members of Khan’s Army – and even lying about it after the fact – might have gotten Golden Boy slapped around a bit by the commission, but a tongue-lashing and perhaps a modest fine would have been the end of it. Given the magnitude of the irregularities which subsequently came to light, Golden Boy’s part in the weigh-in fiasco was never even addressed at Friday’s hearing.

The sanctioning of Golden Boy was defined as an “administrative suspension” in details that have already been forwarded to FightFax. Other state regulatory bodies are not automatically obliged to reciprocally honor the New York action. Rather, states entertaining requests for dates from Golden Boy are supposed to contact the NYSAC for an explanation of the particulars, after which they determine their own course of action.

Although some jurisdictions may cite the New York example and think better of approving future Golden Boy shows, the expectation is that in states where Schaefer & Co. already exert a profound influence, the suspension will not be an impediment. But Golden Boy has been put on notice that its days functioning as a law unto itself may be numbered.

Very interesting . . . the answer to whether Golden Boy bought off Arum and King will come if either Ortiz or Campbell file suit against Gold Boy Promotions as an aggrieved third party beneficiary to the contract between HBO and GB. If I represented either Ortiz or Campbell, I can guarantee that a lawsuit would be in the works. Next, I predict a Justice Department investigation for anti-trust violations.

Just what boxing needs - another scandal.

I thought that since de la Hoya was himself as former fighter, he would treat other boxers with civility and honesty. Such is the naivety of this country lawyer.

[Randyman]

If only today's heavyweights would fight like this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKROgsPIw-4

Joe Frazier vs Manuel Ramos

Frank, thanks for posting the video. I really haven't seen to much of Ramos. He had a good left hook, especially to the body. He had the same problem as a lot of the good heavyweights of the 60's and 70's, he just happened to be fighting in one of the greatest eras for heavyweights. His record is pretty spotty but he fought some good guys.

Two thoughts come to mind while watching this video (this is the first time I have seen this fight). First, how would this Joe Frazier, who is at his peak here, do against George Foreman? When he was at his peak he was a steamroller. He never stopped coming. Secondly, how would Ramos do against the current crop of heavies? We don't see this type of fight or action anymore. My guess is he would be more than enough for todays "fighters".

Thanks
Randy