Classic American West Coast Boxing

[Randyman]

At last, a fight of interest . . .

I used to love the excitment that proceeded a big fight.
We used to experience this quite often, but today there is little be excited over.
Tonight is different. I know these guys can both fight and they will.
The result, despite the odds, is not a given. Anything can happen in the ring and does.
I hope everybody here has a chance to enjoy it tonight.

I'm with you Rick, more excited than I have been for a while, I'll go into the city, (San Francisco) and watch with my father who took me to sooooo many fights when I was a kid and talk about excitement, most of those fights were on weeknights and thats all I could think about during the school day. But today I feel some of that some excitement and will enjoy watching the fight with my now 80 year old father and for a while I'll be a kid again sitting there with him doing what we both love...watching a fight.
Enjoy everyone :!:
Bruce

Bruce, enjoy that time with your dad tonight! Some of the best times I had with my dad were in front of a TV watching a good fight.

Randy

[Randyman]

At last, a fight of interest . . .

I used to love the excitment that proceeded a big fight.
We used to experience this quite often, but today there is little be excited over.
Tonight is different. I know these guys can both fight and they will.
The result, despite the odds, is not a given. Anything can happen in the ring and does.
I hope everybody here has a chance to enjoy it tonight.

I'm with you on that Rick. "Anything can happen in the ring and does". When boxing is at it's best (inside the ring) there is no better sport on Earth. A great fight and performance by these two can help put boxing back where it belongs-on top again. The potential is there. Two contrasting personalities and styles, both guys come to fight, national pride (Mexico and the Philippines) a major venue and a fight starved fan base.

A great fight with no weird stoppage or decision is all I ask for.

Randy

[Rick Farris]

A great fight with no weird stoppage or decision is all I ask for.

Randy
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Randy, I want to watch this one closely. There has been controversy from the start.
Something tells me there will be more before it's over?

-Ricardo

[Rick Farris]

At last, a fight of interest . . .

I used to love the excitment that proceeded a big fight.
We used to experience this quite often, but today there is little be excited over.
Tonight is different. I know these guys can both fight and they will.
The result, despite the odds, is not a given. Anything can happen in the ring and does.
I hope everybody here has a chance to enjoy it tonight.

I'm with you Rick, more excited than I have been for a while, I'll go into the city, (San Francisco) and watch with my father who took me to sooooo many fights when I was a kid and talk about excitement, most of those fights were on weeknights and thats all I could think about during the school day. But today I feel some of that some excitement and will enjoy watching the fight with my now 80 year old father and for a while I'll be a kid again sitting there with him doing what we both love...watching a fight.
Enjoy everyone :!:
Bruce

Fathers & Sons . . .

Bruce, I'm with you and Randy. Some of the best times of my youth were spent watching fights with my father.
I know Frank's dad took him to a lot of great fights, as well. It was my dad who took me to the Olympic, The Forum, the Sports Arena and Coliseum to see boxing. He knew I loved boxing, and made it possible for me to see my favorites from ringside. My dad is going to turn 87 on December 10th, and will watch the fight from his home on PPV. I won't be able to watch it with him, and wish I could. Ironic, that my dad is in top shape, works out every morning in his garage, plays golf regularly as he lives on a golf course in Upland. He is never sick, however, late the night before I was to be inducted into the CBHOF, he began to experience intense stomach pain. His wife took him to the hospital shortly after midnight and he was diagnosed with a blocked intestine. He was hospitalized for four days and today he's fine. I so wanted him to be there that day, however, I'm grateful that he's OK today. Allen Malamud wrote a feaure story on my father and I for his sunday column in the L.A. Herald-Examiner, during the first year of my pro career. He was at all my fights, and he would have enjoyed the CBHOF luncheon. My fahter knew Danny Lopez, and a lot of the people who attended. I'll stop here, but your post brought this to mind.

[Rick Farris]

I used to see John Baca train in the golden gloves gym here in Vegas about 1982 he was a lot heavier when I saw him than he was in this picture, I also saw him fight once at Caesars Palace, he was on the undercard of Mike Dokes vs Mike Weaver ''The infamous stop the fight'' where Mike Weaver got shafted by ref Joey Curtis.

Paulie, I remember Baca well. We started out about the same time, more or less, at the Main Street Gym. He was a big, strong guy with great personality and a big punch. He won all of his early fights by KO then had a few scattered losses and wins, and then I never heard anything more about him. I hope he's doing well.

I spoke with Pat Ruggiero last night, he's the one that sent me the photos. The first thing he says to me is "Randy, I don't really follow boxing anymore like I used to. It's not the same sport anymore. We were lucky to be around to see the last great era in boxing"

Where have I heard that before?

Randy

Randy, thanks for posting these great pictures!

[BoxBuzz]

rich and historic stuff....thanks as always.

[kikibalt]

download veetle so you can watch the fights tonighthttp://www.veetle.com/Pacquiao Vs Margaritohttp://boxingguru.co.uk/gurutv.htmlUsername: admin Password: boxingguru

Link to the fight

Another link

http://vip---tv.yolasite.com/

[kikibalt]

James & Veronika invited Connie & I out to breakfast at El Mercado, East Los. See pictures below.







Manudo con pata for me





First ST. East Los, Looking west



The 'hood, East Los

[kikibalt]

More picture from El Mercado



Weird looking dog, his name?, El Escamoso, the "Scary One"



We even had live Norteno music



Connie has been bugging me for new a washer & dryer set, I offer to buy her these two washboards instead, she offer to put them up where the sun don't shine....

[CNorkusJr]

From Rick Farris,
Fathers & Sons . . .

Bruce, I'm with you and Randy. Some of the best times of my youth were spent watching fights with my father.
I know Frank's dad took him to a lot of great fights, as well. It was my dad who took me to the Olympic, The Forum, the Sports Arena and Coliseum to see boxing. He knew I loved boxing, and made it possible for me to see my favorites from ringside. My dad is going to turn 87 on December 10th, and will watch the fight from his home on PPV. I won't be able to watch it with him, and wish I could. Ironic, that my dad is in top shape, works out every morning in his garage, plays golf regularly as he lives on a golf course in Upland. He is never sick, however, late the night before I was to be inducted into the CBHOF, he began to experience intense stomach pain. His wife took him to the hospital shortly after midnight and he was diagnosed with a blocked intestine. He was hospitalized for four days and today he's fine. I so wanted him to be there that day, however, I'm grateful that he's OK today. Allen Malamud wrote a feaure story on my father and I for his sunday column in the L.A. Herald-Examiner, during the first year of my pro career. He was at all my fights, and he would have enjoyed the CBHOF luncheon. My fahter knew Danny Lopez, and a lot of the people who attended. I'll stop here, but your post brought this to mind.[/quote]

This post really touched my heart. Rick your dad was a very special man and God Bless that he is doing fine after all that.
I too use to sit with my dad and watch fights on TV-before cable TV got most of it. I was in my teens and my father would tell me what was going on right and wrong in the ring. Sometimes during the heavyweight bouts=my father remained silent in his sofa chair-sitting upright and I'd watch as his hands were moving with a little shoulder action. He bobbed and weaved to avoid punches thrown on TV. He got into it.
The fights we actually attended were sweet too-watching him get introduced in the ring before the Main Events at the Garden was BIG for me.

I never saw my dad as a fighter in the ring, but for 20 years I attended fights all around the NYC metro area when he referee'd. He always seemed to draw the heavyweight fights on the card as he knew what the tolerances should be. Alot fighters looked for a stoppage early - they were out of shape and tired but not hurt- but my father told them to fight during the round, earn your money, much to their chagrin.
For me it is a memory that I will never forget-all those fights.

Charlie in Felt Forum, NYC about 1983 or so. I think the fighter is Wayne Kelly, now himself a referee here in NY, awaiting pre fight instructions:

[raylawpc]

Connie has been bugging me for new a washer & dryer set, I offer to buy her these two washboards instead, she offer to put them up where the sun don't shine....

Frank, Frank, Frank . . . A kept man all these years and you still haven't learned . . .

Connie wanted a washer AND a dryer set.

I'm sure if you had promised to throw in a new clothes line for the backyard, everything would have been fine and Connie'd be a happy woman this evening . . .

[kikibalt]

Connie has been bugging me for new a washer & dryer set, I offer to buy her these two washboards instead, she offer to put them up where the sun don't shine....

Frank, Frank, Frank . . . A kept man all these years and you still haven't learned . . .

Connie wanted a washer AND a dryer set.

I'm sure if you had promised to throw in a new clothes line for the backyard, everything would have been fine and Connie'd be a happy woman this evening . . .

Damn!! I forgot to throw in a new clothes line and new pins....

[kikibalt]

Connie I think is a happy woman tonight, she's making tacos for us to eat while we watch the fights....

[kikibalt]

While at El Mercado I found cactus fruit, "tunas", which I haven't had since I was a Kid in Simons, they are good!!

[Randyman]

AP Photo/Jon Super

David Haye defeats Audley Harrison
Associated Press

MANCHESTER, England -- David Haye stopped Audley Harrison in the third round to retain the WBA heavyweight title Saturday.

Haye proved too strong for 39-year-old Harrison, knocking him down in the third round and prompting referee Luis Pabon to stop the first all-British heavyweight title bout in 13 years to prevent further punishment.

Haye promised to spoil's Harrison's first major title bout a decade after winning the heavyweight gold medal in the Sydney Olympics, and he delivered quickly.

Harrison, bitter at Haye for ignoring him at his lowest point after helping Haye rise to the top, was more than 40 pounds heavier and two inches taller than Haye, but it didn't matter to the champion.

Harrison barely brushed Haye's in a cautious opening and took more than a minute to even throw a punch as the first round ended in jeers from the sellout crowd of 20,000 at MEN Arena.

The second round was marginally better as Haye landed a couple of hits on Harrison, who looked fearful and hesitant.

Haye finally unleashed at the start of the third round, knocking down Harrison, who took an eight count.

When Haye landed more unanswered heavy blows, Pabon moved in to end a lopsided contest.

Harrison left to more boos, his future uncertain after a performance and a career that never lived up to his pre-match hype.

"I was patient," Haye said. "I knew the boos would turn into cheers.

"I put a lot of money on the third round and lot of my friends and family did. I didn't want to let them down by doing him too early."

Haye has set his sights on a unification bout with the Klitschko brothers. Wladimir, the IBF champion, looks a more likely option before WBC champ Vitali.

"Next year I promise that fight is going to happen," Haye said. "I know there is nowhere else for them guys to go."


Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

[BoxBuzz]

While at El Mercado I found cactus fruit, "tunas", which I haven't had since I was Kid in Simons, they are good!!

Wow that's a blast from the past for me too! I loved those! The pic does not do them justice, but they are a treat!

[kikibalt]

While at El Mercado I found cactus fruit, "tunas", which I haven't had since I was Kid in Simons, they are good!!

Wow that's a blast from the past for me too! I loved those! The pic does not do them justice, but they are a treat!

[Rick Farris]

From Rick Farris,
Fathers & Sons . . .

Bruce, I'm with you and Randy. Some of the best times of my youth were spent watching fights with my father.
I know Frank's dad took him to a lot of great fights, as well. It was my dad who took me to the Olympic, The Forum, the Sports Arena and Coliseum to see boxing. He knew I loved boxing, and made it possible for me to see my favorites from ringside. My dad is going to turn 87 on December 10th, and will watch the fight from his home on PPV. I won't be able to watch it with him, and wish I could. Ironic, that my dad is in top shape, works out every morning in his garage, plays golf regularly as he lives on a golf course in Upland. He is never sick, however, late the night before I was to be inducted into the CBHOF, he began to experience intense stomach pain. His wife took him to the hospital shortly after midnight and he was diagnosed with a blocked intestine. He was hospitalized for four days and today he's fine. I so wanted him to be there that day, however, I'm grateful that he's OK today. Allen Malamud wrote a feaure story on my father and I for his sunday column in the L.A. Herald-Examiner, during the first year of my pro career. He was at all my fights, and he would have enjoyed the CBHOF luncheon. My fahter knew Danny Lopez, and a lot of the people who attended. I'll stop here, but your post brought this to mind.

This post really touched my heart. Rick your dad was a very special man and God Bless that he is doing fine after all that.
I too use to sit with my dad and watch fights on TV-before cable TV got most of it. I was in my teens and my father would tell me what was going on right and wrong in the ring. Sometimes during the heavyweight bouts=my father remained silent in his sofa chair-sitting upright and I'd watch as his hands were moving with a little shoulder action. He bobbed and weaved to avoid punches thrown on TV. He got into it.
The fights we actually attended were sweet too-watching him get introduced in the ring before the Main Events at the Garden was BIG for me.

I never saw my dad as a fighter in the ring, but for 20 years I attended fights all around the NYC metro area when he referee'd. He always seemed to draw the heavyweight fights on the card as he knew what the tolerances should be. Alot fighters looked for a stoppage early - they were out of shape and tired but not hurt- but my father told them to fight during the round, earn your money, much to their chagrin.
For me it is a memory that I will never forget-all those fights.

Charlie in Felt Forum, NYC about 1983 or so. I think the fighter is Wayne Kelly, now himself a referee here in NY, awaiting pre fight instructions:
[/quote]


Charlie . . . Man, I can only imagine being a kid, and attending a major boxing match, and seeing my father introduced in the ring, a guy who fought Archie Moore, and should have fought Marciano. It's 2010, your dad's career ended when I was in the first or second grade. Now I'm a student of boxing, so I have studied the great fighters of every era, and the best fighters. I knew who Charlie Norkus was and when I saw your name as a poster on these forums, I thought to myself, he must be the son of the former contender. Of course, today I know him much better, as well as the era. Thanks for your memories, and this great inside history.

[Rick Farris]

Manny Pacquiao
One of the greatest prizefighters I have ever seen.
I don't believe that Duran or Napoles are better. And I saw both up close.
My opinion.

[bennie]

AP Photo/Jon Super

David Haye defeats Audley Harrison
Associated Press

MANCHESTER, England -- David Haye stopped Audley Harrison in the third round to retain the WBA heavyweight title Saturday.

Haye proved too strong for 39-year-old Harrison, knocking him down in the third round and prompting referee Luis Pabon to stop the first all-British heavyweight title bout in 13 years to prevent further punishment.

Haye promised to spoil's Harrison's first major title bout a decade after winning the heavyweight gold medal in the Sydney Olympics, and he delivered quickly.

Harrison, bitter at Haye for ignoring him at his lowest point after helping Haye rise to the top, was more than 40 pounds heavier and two inches taller than Haye, but it didn't matter to the champion.

Harrison barely brushed Haye's in a cautious opening and took more than a minute to even throw a punch as the first round ended in jeers from the sellout crowd of 20,000 at MEN Arena.

The second round was marginally better as Haye landed a couple of hits on Harrison, who looked fearful and hesitant.

Haye finally unleashed at the start of the third round, knocking down Harrison, who took an eight count.

When Haye landed more unanswered heavy blows, Pabon moved in to end a lopsided contest.

Harrison left to more boos, his future uncertain after a performance and a career that never lived up to his pre-match hype.

"I was patient," Haye said. "I knew the boos would turn into cheers.

"I put a lot of money on the third round and lot of my friends and family did. I didn't want to let them down by doing him too early."

Haye has set his sights on a unification bout with the Klitschko brothers. Wladimir, the IBF champion, looks a more likely option before WBC champ Vitali.

"Next year I promise that fight is going to happen," Haye said. "I know there is nowhere else for them guys to go."


Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

Harrison exposed yet again.

[telboy66]

Manny Pacquiao
One of the greatest prizefighters I have ever seen.
I don't believe that Duran or Napoles are better. And I saw both up close.
My opinion.

His record speaks for it's self Rick I hear he's moving up to heavy to take on Under achiever audley harrison my money will be on Manny

[kikibalt]

Had a full house last nite to see the ass whipping Paq gave Marg.

[Panzerfaust]

Manny looked a million dollars ! whats next? Mayweather? Dont think he got the balls. Paul Williams? enough money on the table? Any other worthy challenges?

[Randyman]

Victory and Redemption


Antonio Margarito

What ever you thought about him, what ever you wanted to happen to him, however bad you wanted to see him fail and get his ass kicked, you’ve got to admit, he took his lickin’ like a man. Not a whimper from the man. He did the only thing he knows how to do and that is forge ahead, take punches, suck it up and punch back. It has almost always been enough. For some, Manny Pacquiao was judge, jury and executioner and the fight was divine retribution, maybe but if so, the flip side would be divine redemption. Debt paid in full.

Margarito, clearly losing the fight almost from the opening round, never stopped trying. He never ran, never hid, never looked for a way to deceive the judges. He fought and lost in the most honest and basic of ways, simply by fighting to the best of his ability against the most dominating fighter of his era.

His face was taco meat, or hamburger meat if you prefer, by the end of the fight. Pacquiao’s face also showed signs of a being in a fight. Though Pacquiao’s performance was dominating and the fight one sided, Margarito did have a few scattered moments throughout the fight and by Pacquiao‘s own admission, Margarito did hurt him on more than one occasion, especially with the left hook to the body and the uppercuts. It was just never enough.

I couldn’t help but think of Robert DeNiro as Jake LaMotta in Martin Scoresese’s “The Raging Bull” when DeNiro as LaMotta says to Sugar Ray Robinson after the fight was stopped in the 13th round of a fight that has come to be known as “The St. Valentines Day Massacre”, You never got me down Ray, you never got me down”. Sometimes just staying on your feet is victory enough.



Manny Pacquiao

For my money, this was the first legitimate win against a bigger fighter. With just a years difference between them, there was no age advantage for Pacquiao. He was fighting a man still considered to be one of the best fighters in the world. There was no asterisk in this fight.

Going into this fight I didn’t think Manny could do it. Despite the odds I felt Margarito would be too much for him size wise. Now? Now, I don’t think the Klitscho Brothers, on the same night would be too much for him. Pacquiao has proven himself to be as good as any fighter in history. There is no denying it. His name belongs with the best; Sugar Ray Robinson, Roberto Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard, Benny Leonard, Julio Cesar Chavez, Alexis Arguello, Aaron Pryor and Henry Armstrong. Each and every one of them would have had their hands full with the Filipino sensation, Manny Pacquiao.

That he was able to withstand the punches of a man that had a 17 pound weight advantage is nothing short of remarkable. It’s easy to believe that it all comes easy for him but listening to Pacquiao after the fight when he was being interviewed by Jim Lampley, you could sense the tiredness, the weariness that comes from giving your all. Along with his great skills and endurance it is Pacquiao’s tremendous heart that wins the fights for him. Manny Pacquiao refused to lose and always finds a way to win.

If it’s true that the whole world loves a winner, than it’s also true that we love a guy that can take what he’s got coming to him.

[Randyman]

Manny looked a million dollars ! whats next? Mayweather? Dont think he got the balls. Paul Williams? enough money on the table? Any other worthy challenges?

Considering that Williams and Margarito fought a close fight a couple of years ago, it's not inconceivable that Manny could win, though I do think it's asking too much.

Floyd Mayweather Jr.? He shows good sense in avoiding Manny Pacquiao, which proves he's not as dumb as he looks!.