Classic American West Coast Boxing

[Rick Farris]

There have been many of fighters who were so nice and had such a gentle way about them, that it was hard to believe they were fighters, here is my list of fighters who fit this category Floyd Patterson, Emile Griffith, Alexis Arguello,Joe Louis, and the ones that certainly didn't have the reputation for being nice , Mike Tyson, Roberto Duran, Rafael ''Bazooka'' Limon, Sonny Liston, anybody else have a good guy bad guy list.

Gentle Ways . . .

Speaking of Joe Louis, while in court for his divorce from actress Marva Trotter, the judge asks the Brown Bomber if it was true that he hit his wife.
Louis answered, "Yes your honor, don't all couples fight?"

[Rick Farris]

Rick I think there have been a few wrestlers over the years who called themselves the masked marvel, I remember you talking about Gene La bell before and how good he was at grappling and Judo and how he put Steven Segal to sleep, you think he is still active at his age ?.

Gene Lebell is getting up in age, well into his 70's.
I'm hoping that when Brian makes it to L.A. we have a chance to hook-up with Gene at his Dojo in Hollywood.

[CNorkusJr]

There have been many of fighters who were so nice and had such a gentle way about them, that it was hard to believe they were fighters, here is my list of fighters who fit this category Floyd Patterson, Emile Griffith, Alexis Arguello,Joe Louis, and the ones that certainly didn't have the reputation for being nice , Mike Tyson, Roberto Duran, Rafael ''Bazooka'' Limon, Sonny Liston, anybody else have a good guy bad guy list.

I first met Alexis Arguello in NYC's Downtown Athletic Club around 1983 when he was awarded his "Rocky Marciano" award by them. He was very kind and spoke with a little broken English, but understandable. He seemed very overwhelmed,and a "why me ?" presence by getting the award and seemed to have a quiet demure.A great fighter.

During the early 1970's, Atlantic City had a casino called "Golden Nugget". It is not there no more. It was known for having huge "sports reunions weekends" featuring entire baseball teams eg. Cinn. Reds, Balt Orioles et etc which were open to the public for talks and autographs. They ran a Boxing Greats weekend then too. Just about every living champ would be there. They also had Boxing Greats from the early TV era there also, Joe Miceli, Ernie Durando, Cesar Brion etc etc and my father was invited to come along. Almost 75 boxing greats under one roof for a two day show. Their stay and food was footed by the hotel. They sent a car to come pick-up my father and mother on Friday and returned them Monday afternoon.
I did not make the trip. I was home when the town car arrived that Monday . Out stepped my parents, along with Ernie Durando, Tami Mauriello and Jersey Joe Walcott. The car waited as they all came into the Norkus household here in Wantagh, NY. I met these gentlemen though I knew Ernie Durando all my life and was with him previously many times.
They stayed about 2 hours and talked . I remember very little what was said but there was little talk about Boxing that I recall. Mostly, what likes and dislikes they had in general. My dad made sure that I knew who these gentlemen were and who they fought. We took pictures, If I can find them I will post them later. Bottom line- Jersey Joe Walcott was one of the nicest guys who you might want to meet. Very kind and quiet, well mannered. When my mom got him cold drinks he thanked her and answered her questions "yes mame" and mine "yes,sir young Charlie" and no foul language at all. Ernie and Tami and my dad were rough around the edges,a little more "blue language" you might say.
You would have never guessed Jersey Joe Walcott was a fighter and a tough hombre' like he was in the ring. I was with him again years later and he was the same always, greeting all and very appreciative of the recognition he got from fans.
This picture was taken in the mid 1980's NYC's Downtown Athletic Club-you might like to know that Jersey Joe Walcott was the first recipient of the Rocky Marciano award (Champion in the Ring,and a Champion in Life)there in 1978. My father shared co-recipient of the first "boxing Greats award" that same year with Coley Wallace.

[CNorkusJr]

There have been many of fighters who were so nice and had such a gentle way about them, that it was hard to believe they were fighters, here is my list of fighters who fit this category Floyd Patterson, Emile Griffith, Alexis Arguello,Joe Louis, and the ones that certainly didn't have the reputation for being nice , Mike Tyson, Roberto Duran, Rafael ''Bazooka'' Limon, Sonny Liston, anybody else have a good guy bad guy list.

Gentle Ways . . .

Speaking of Joe Louis, while in court for his divorce from actress Marva Trotter, the judge asks the Brown Bomber if it was true that he hit his wife.
Louis answered, "Yes your honor, don't all couples fight?"

When Kathy Collins (lightweight Champ) (a local girl by us here on long Island) was fighting here in New York, my dad and I went to her fights.The local newspapers took pictures of my dad and her for long island NY newspapers. Kathy laughingly quipped to my father " I think I could take you, even though you are were a heavyweight". My father quickly answered " Maybe, the last girl I hit pulled through".

[THEHAMMER321]

Good morning all, has it been raining in so cal, yesterday they were issuing flash flood warnings on T.V here, I looked outside this morning it didn't look liked it rained a drop, I don't know how these weather people determine what the weather is gonna be like, but they have been wrong lately out in Vegas.

[Rick Farris]

Good morning all, has it been raining in so cal, yesterday they were issuing flash flood warnings on T.V here, I looked outside this morning it didn't look liked it rained a drop, I don't know how these weather people determine what the weather is gonna be like, but they have been wrong lately out in Vegas.

It drizzled in L.A. yesterday, nothing major, today the same. We shoot many of the exterior scenes for Desperate Housewives on Universal Studios Colonial Street, which is called Wisteria on the show. Sometimes a film company will reschedule an exterior shot when it rains, however, as long as they don't have to match a previous shot, we'll usually film right thru the rain. When the rain drops began to fall yesterday morning, we hoped they's cancel the shot since it featured three women in glamour type wardrobe and make-up, but no, we filmed anyway.

[kikibalt]

Good morning all, has it been raining in so cal, yesterday they were issuing flash flood warnings on T.V here, I looked outside this morning it didn't look liked it rained a drop, I don't know how these weather people determine what the weather is gonna be like, but they have been wrong lately out in Vegas.

It drizzled in L.A. yesterday, nothing major, today the same. We shoot many of the exterior scenes for Desperate Housewives on Universal Studios Colonial Street, which is called Wisteria on the show. Sometimes a film company will reschedule an exterior shot when it rains, however, as long as they don't have to match a previous shot, we'll usually film right thru the rain. When the rain drops began to fall yesterday morning, we hoped they's cancel the shot since it featured three women in glamour type wardrobe and make-up, but no, we filmed anyway.

[kikibalt]

Are there any barbers left that know the meaning of the word "Trim". the lady that being cutting my hair for a while now has been real sick lately, and I needed a hair cut; so I go looking for a barber in the barrio, found one, told him I wanted a trim on the sides and short on the top, what do I get? short short all the way around. I don't usually use the f word, but I'm going use it here to describe how I looked when I walked out of the barber shop, I looked like a "fresh fucked tomcat"....

[CNorkusJr]

Are there any barbers left that know the meaning of the word "Trim". the lady that being cutting my hair for a while now has been real sick lately, and I needed a hair cut; so I go looking for a barber in the barrio, found one, told him I wanted a trim on the sides and short on the top, what do I get? short short all the way around. I don't usually use the f word, but I'm going use it here to describe how I looked when I walked out of the barber shop, I looked like a "fresh fucked tomcat"....

ouch Watch out Frank - Sometimes it doesnt grow back- I'm still looking.

[kikibalt]

Are there any barbers left that know the meaning of the word "Trim". the lady that being cutting my hair for a while now has been real sick lately, and I needed a hair cut; so I go looking for a barber in the barrio, found one, told him I wanted a trim on the sides and short on the top, what do I get? short short all the way around. I don't usually use the f word, but I'm going use it here to describe how I looked when I walked out of the barber shop, I looked like a "fresh fucked tomcat"....

ouch Watch out Frank - Sometimes it doesnt grow back- I'm still looking.

Mine grows back Charlie. I lost some, not all; when I went through a mild form of chemo and it grew back...

[Panzerfaust]

Frank, you posted a brewery pic a couple of hours ago on Fb that really struck a nerve with me.
My father and all my uncles were brewery workers for large parts of their lives , they grew up next to the Ringnes brewery in Oslo , in what used to be a workingclass neighbourhood.

In 2001 foreign investors bought the brewery and moved the production so they tore down the old brick monster and built a cinema and cafe's in glass and polished crome. But they left a small part of the brewery standing. I go by there almost everyday and it makes me a bit melancholic when i think of all the men who walked through those old gates everyday. So much history. A landmark gone

[Rick Farris]

Are there any barbers left that know the meaning of the word "Trim". the lady that being cutting my hair for a while now has been real sick lately, and I needed a hair cut; so I go looking for a barber in the barrio, found one, told him I wanted a trim on the sides and short on the top, what do I get? short short all the way around. I don't usually use the f word, but I'm going use it here to describe how I looked when I walked out of the barber shop, I looked like a "fresh fucked tomcat"....

Hair Cuts . . .

I've had the same guy cutting my hair for the past ten years. He does it just as I want it.
Before him, his father cut my hair. They are not barbers, but the old man owns a hair salon.
When I go on location for more than a few weeks, I have to rely on a local barber, or one of the hair stylists on the set will usually cut our hair.
Regardless, it's always fu*ked, so I can relate to how you feel, Frank.
A barber once told me something that made sense, and that is:
The difference between a good haircut and a bad one is usually one week.
(That's what I try to tell myself when I get a bad one. )

[kikibalt]

Are there any barbers left that know the meaning of the word "Trim". the lady that being cutting my hair for a while now has been real sick lately, and I needed a hair cut; so I go looking for a barber in the barrio, found one, told him I wanted a trim on the sides and short on the top, what do I get? short short all the way around. I don't usually use the f word, but I'm going use it here to describe how I looked when I walked out of the barber shop, I looked like a "fresh fucked tomcat"....

Hair Cuts . . .

I've had the same guy cutting my hair for the past ten years. He does it just as I want it.
Before him, his father cut my hair. They are not barbers, but the old man owns a hair salon.
When I go on location for more than a few weeks, I have to rely on a local barber, or one of the hair stylists on the set will usually cut our hair.
Regardless, it's always fu*ked, so I can relate to how you feel, Frank.
A barber once told me something that made sense, and that is:
The difference between a good haircut and a bad one is usually one week.
(That's what I try to tell myself when I get a bad one. )

Connie hair dresser is the one that has being cutting my hair for some time, but she's been in poor health now for some time. 2 or 3 time I had to go to a barber shop around town and I haven't being able to find a good barber, these barber today are like today trainers and fighters, they don't know what the hell they are doing....

[Expug]

Rick I think there have been a few wrestlers over the years who called themselves the masked marvel, I remember you talking about Gene La bell before and how good he was at grappling and Judo and how he put Steven Segal to sleep, you think he is still active at his age ?.

Gene Lebell is getting up in age, well into his 70's.
I'm hoping that when Brian makes it to L.A. we have a chance to hook-up with Gene at his Dojo in Hollywood.

Im looking forward to the trip Rick and I will be in touch. It will be great to catch up.
Im also packing my Gi. If I can break away,I would love to workout there.It would be an honor.

[Rick Farris]

Rest in Peace . . . Tom Bosley.

I was working on the Paramount lot in 1978-79, there to do feature films, American Gigolo, Escape From Alcatraz, Star Trek-I.
The film business was booming in the late 70's at all the major studios. All produced their own motion pics and TV productions.
30 min. sit-coms were becoming popular again, with shows like Happy Days, Taxi, Mork & Mindy, Laverne & Shirley were filmed at Paramount.

During my lunch breaks I'd wander off the stage I was working on and visit friends who were working on the sit-coms.
In those days, sit com's easy pace and light hours made it a perfect "end of career" job for vet lighting techs. I'd visit a few.
A friend of mine was the lighting dimmer board operator on Happy Days, which would film before a live audience every friday evening.
I'd been in the business a few years, but I had never done a live audience gig. I wanted to see how it worked.
One thursday, I stop by stage 24 during a break, and I watched the cast rehearse, Tom Bosley, Marion Ross, Ron Howard, Henry Winkler were working in this scene. They break and I'm introduced to Tom Bosley by the Director of Photography.

I was introduced as a former boxer, the cameraman knew the actor loved boxing.
We sat and talked for a good ten minutes. What a nice man, and what a knowledgeable fan.
He was a fan of Randy Shields, and thought Hedgeman Lewis would have become a world champ, had it not been for Jose Napoles.
I remember him saying this, and he was pretty right on.

However, to guys like us who work on film sets, we respect those who are human beings and this man was truly the leading actor on the set, not the Fonz or Howard. He was treated with a much deserved respect and I saw him work, for just a few minutes. I didn't know sit coms, but I knew actors, and this guy was one of the best.

I never worked with Tom Bosley, and I rarely watched Happy Days, but I know Tom Bosley knew a little bit about L.A. boxing & boxers. And I know his rep in town, and on the Paramount lot in days gone by.

One of the good guys has passed, may God bless his soul.

[Rick Farris]

Rick I think there have been a few wrestlers over the years who called themselves the masked marvel, I remember you talking about Gene La bell before and how good he was at grappling and Judo and how he put Steven Segal to sleep, you think he is still active at his age ?.

Gene Lebell is getting up in age, well into his 70's.
I'm hoping that when Brian makes it to L.A. we have a chance to hook-up with Gene at his Dojo in Hollywood.

Im looking forward to the trip Rick and I will be in touch. It will be great to catch up.
Im also packing my Gi. If I can break away,I would love to workout there.It would be an honor.

That would be great. Monday night is open house. I know that both Gene & Gokar were usually there on that night.
But regardless, we'll go there.

[kikibalt]

Another TV/movie actor who was/is a big fight fan is William Devane. Devane used to sit about ten rows back from ringside; on the left side as you come down to the ring, of the aisle that the fighters would use to come down to the ring at the Olympic. I used to see him there when Frankie and Tony were fighting. He was always wearing an army field jacket and work boots.
Rick, do you know Devane?

[Rick Farris]

Another TV/movie actor who was/is a big fight fan is William Devane. Devane used to sit about ten rows back from ringside; on the left side as you come down to the ring, of the aisle that the fighters would use to come down to the ring at the Olympic. I used to see him there when Frankie and Tony were fighting. He was always wearing an army field jacket and work boots.
Rick, do you know Devane?

William Devane . . .

I worked with Devane on one episode of Knott's Landing in the mid-80's.
I was on hiatus from Highway-to-Heaven, and replaced the LD for one show.
I worked with Devane and I liked him, but we never had a long conversation or talked boxing.
The guy I talked boxing with on "Knott's Landing" was Kevin Dobson. Kevin and I knew each other from "Kojak".
I remember William Devane playing John F. Kennedy in a TV movie, I believe it was "The Missles of October".
Yes, it was Devane playing JFK and Martin Sheen who played Robert Kennedy. They won awards.

[CNorkusJr]

Rick - That was a great story & tribute about boxing fan Tom Bosley. I watched, along with millions, the Happy Days Show and got a few laughs out of it during its heyday. Gary Marshall was a writing/director genius on TV back then. I bet he was a tough guy to deal with though.

You mention Knots Landing. During the World Trade Center disaster Knots Landing star Michelle Lee was appearing on Broadway with Valerie Harper (Rhoda fame) in a musical - I forgot name. Everyday- and I mean everyday, both of them stopped by our firehouse(one block from theatre district) to offer any assistance they could before or after shows. Every now and then they would get the families(widows, parents and children) of those firefighters who died from midtown Manhattan and got them seats for shows, at Michelle & Valerie's expense, if they were up to it. They ate dinner or lunch with us often in the firehouse.
None of their time spent with us were for "photo ops" like other stars and politicians did.
We used to tease Michelle every time she came in by telling her that she was the best actress on "Falcon Crest" . We would do this seriously and she would correct each time with" Knots Landing-Knots Landing Dont you guys remember". We drove her nuts but we laughed with her everday for months.She was then and still is a most beautiful woman actress who never looked her age.
Brief note- Working one night shift, at midnight, we opened the door to find a NYC Police Capt. at the door and asking to speak to the firechief in my house. He entered and spoke privately and left. A few minutes later he came back with a most beautiful actress who entered the firehouse and asked to speak to a few widows who remained in the firehouse that evening. She was escorted into the privacy of our kitchen on the first floor and met with the girls. 40 minutes later, they all exited the room and it was obvious that they were all crying. The actress said a few words to us firefighters-very endearing stuff. She then left. She was coming from a huge affair across town at the Waldorf Astoria and was in a long Gold dress with diamonds to acessorize-Most beautiful. The Actress- the great Elizabeth Taylor.When she comes into NYC she always gets a personel PD escort.No press or fanfare for this visit either.

[kikibalt]

Don Jordan

Trainers: Jackie McCoy, Eddie Futch
Manager: Harry Kabakoff, Don Nesseth (1957, reported as manager for Jesse Bogart bout), Kirk Kerkorian (1960)

In The Ring, February 1962, page 59, it was reported that Frankie Carbo, Blinky Palermo, Joe Sica, and Louis Dragna were sentenced to jail terms for extortion, in which they muscled in on Jordan's contract. Carbo received 25 years, Sica 20 years, Palermo 15 years, and Dragna 5 years. The sentences were imposed by Judge George Boldt, who also fined the four men $10,000 each. Palermo was let out on $100,000 bail, "pending a hearing by the U.S. Court of Appeals."

Jordan died in a San Pedro, California, nursing home. Jordan had been in a coma since September 1996 when he was assaulted and robbed in a Los Angeles parking lot.

Named The Ring magazine Progress of the Year fighter for 1958.

What the above piece fail to mentioned is that Felix Villarreal was Jordan's manager at the start of his pro career, Villarreal was with Jordan when Jordan started fighting main events.

Don Jordan (in black) vs Isac Logart

[CNorkusJr]

Carbo and Palermo were just the tip of a big iceberg here in New York.
Don Jordan was a heck of a fighter who agreed to work with these men.
Just one of many. The Ike Williams story is similar.
If your into this kind of stuff- A new book is set to come out in Dec. called
"Jacobs Beach- The mob & Boxing in the Fifties" by Kevin Mitchell.
I know several people who were interviewed for this one. Its promises to be a good read on this matter. Amazon.com is taking on pre-orders now.

[raylawpc]

Another TV/movie actor who was/is a big fight fan is William Devane. Devane used to sit about ten rows back from ringside; on the left side as you come down to the ring, of the aisle that the fighters would use to come down to the ring at the Olympic. I used to see him there when Frankie and Tony were fighting. He was always wearing an army field jacket and work boots.
Rick, do you know Devane?

William Devane . . .

I worked with Devane on one episode of Knott's Landing in the mid-80's.
I was on hiatus from Highway-to-Heaven, and replaced the LD for one show.
I worked with Devane and I liked him, but we never had a long conversation or talked boxing.
The guy I talked boxing with on "Knott's Landing" was Kevin Dobson. Kevin and I knew each other from "Kojak".
I remember William Devane playing John F. Kennedy in a TV movie, I believe it was "The Missles of October".
Yes, it was Devane playing JFK and Martin Sheen who played Robert Kennedy. They won awards.

William DeVane is one of my favorite actors.

[raylawpc]

Rest in Peace . . . Tom Bosley.

I was working on the Paramount lot in 1978-79, there to do feature films, American Gigolo, Escape From Alcatraz, Star Trek-I.
The film business was booming in the late 70's at all the major studios. All produced their own motion pics and TV productions.
30 min. sit-coms were becoming popular again, with shows like Happy Days, Taxi, Mork & Mindy, Laverne & Shirley were filmed at Paramount.

During my lunch breaks I'd wander off the stage I was working on and visit friends who were working on the sit-coms.
In those days, sit com's easy pace and light hours made it a perfect "end of career" job for vet lighting techs. I'd visit a few.
A friend of mine was the lighting dimmer board operator on Happy Days, which would film before a live audience every friday evening.
I'd been in the business a few years, but I had never done a live audience gig. I wanted to see how it worked.
One thursday, I stop by stage 24 during a break, and I watched the cast rehearse, Tom Bosley, Marion Ross, Ron Howard, Henry Winkler were working in this scene. They break and I'm introduced to Tom Bosley by the Director of Photography.

I was introduced as a former boxer, the cameraman knew the actor loved boxing.
We sat and talked for a good ten minutes. What a nice man, and what a knowledgeable fan.
He was a fan of Randy Shields, and thought Hedgeman Lewis would have become a world champ, had it not been for Jose Napoles.
I remember him saying this, and he was pretty right on.

However, to guys like us who work on film sets, we respect those who are human beings and this man was truly the leading actor on the set, not the Fonz or Howard. He was treated with a much deserved respect and I saw him work, for just a few minutes. I didn't know sit coms, but I knew actors, and this guy was one of the best.

I never worked with Tom Bosley, and I rarely watched Happy Days, but I know Tom Bosley knew a little bit about L.A. boxing & boxers. And I know his rep in town, and on the Paramount lot in days gone by.

One of the good guys has passed, may God bless his soul.

Trivia question: What world boxing champion was "knocked out" by Chachi on "Happy Days?"

[telboy66]

Carbo and Palermo were just the tip of a big iceberg here in New York.
Don Jordan was a heck of a fighter who agreed to work with these men.
Just one of many. The Ike Williams story is similar.
If your into this kind of stuff- A new book is set to come out in Dec. called
"Jacobs Beach- The mob & Boxing in the Fifties" by Kevin Mitchell.
I know several people who were interviewed for this one. Its promises to be a good read on this matter. Amazon.com is taking on pre-orders now.

Jacobs Beach is already out over here it's a great read & really gives an insight into the wheeling a & dealing that that went on then. It also covers some of the slight of hand that goes on inside the alphabet ratings

[telboy66]

Charlie which Fire stations in NY did you serve at,I have visited a couple when in NY since 9/11 to pay our respects to those that gave their lives on the tragic day.
One which I was told were the first crew on site Engine 7 Battalion 1 Ladder 1, The last time I was in NY I went down to the station at Hells Kitchen at both My wife & I were made very welcome, the are without doubt a brave bunch of guys