Classic American West Coast Boxing

[kikibalt]

Saul Alvarez.....Lots of people have been jumping on Alvarez's bandwagon, and I just don't see a wagon to jump on.

I have seen him fight a few times

He didn't looked too good last night

I watched Canelo last night, also. He didn't look good and appeared to be sucking air after a few rounds. Lovemore Ndou kept the pressure on and made him work. We'll see if he continues to grow or whether he has peaked early and is already at his best? Maybe he has reached the top step of his ladder, maybe he was just having an off night?

I thought I was looking at a replay when I tuned into the fight last night on HBO's Boxeo. Was that the only showing or was there an earlier one in English?

I think that was it Randy

[Rick Farris]

Me too!

I got side tracked yesterday and never made it to ELA, so I'm having oatmeal this morning. :(
I told Monica I was going for tamales yesterday, and as I was leaving mentioned that Frank said to warm them with steam, not microwave.
She turned to me with her hands on her hips and shook her head, "I know that. You just bring them home and I'll do the rest."
I never made it out of the Valley. I stopped by Warner Bros. to pick up a light meter I'd left there and ran into some friends.
Monica works at Art's Deli in Studio City, which is the best Delicatessen in the Valley. Although Mexican food is not served at Art's, the cooks are all Latino and freinds of ours. Monica has become a fairly good cook of Mexican dishes but hasn't yet learned to make menudo, tamales, etc. Our friend Tony, one of Art's cooks, makes great flan. My step mother is Latina and she makes it good too, but not like Tony.
I told Monica I was ging to pick up tamales today at Juanito's and she just said, "yeah, rght."

Juanito's is open on Sunday's....

Frank, I hit the hills for a hike this morning and then stopped by this outdoor market that takes place between 9am-1pm every sunday. It's right around the corner from where I live. A family from the Eastside has a stand where they sell tamales. I bought four different types and brought them home. I took a photo which I'll post later. These were very good, but I want to go to Juanito's next time. No driving today. Everything I need is in the neighborhood.

[kikibalt]

Saul Alvarez.....Lots of people have been jumping on Alvarez's bandwagon, and I just don't see a wagon to jump on.

I have seen him fight a few times

He didn't looked too good last night

I watched Canelo last night, also. He didn't look good and appeared to be sucking air after a few rounds. Lovemore Ndou kept the pressure on and made him work. We'll see if he continues to grow or whether he has peaked early and is already at his best? Maybe he has reached the top step of his ladder, maybe he was just having an off night?

I thought I was looking at a replay when I tuned into the fight last night on HBO's Boxeo. Was that the only showing or was there an earlier one in English?

The fight will be shown at 5:30 PM today on HBO Boxeo....

[kikibalt]

I got side tracked yesterday and never made it to ELA, so I'm having oatmeal this morning. :(
I told Monica I was going for tamales yesterday, and as I was leaving mentioned that Frank said to warm them with steam, not microwave.
She turned to me with her hands on her hips and shook her head, "I know that. You just bring them home and I'll do the rest."
I never made it out of the Valley. I stopped by Warner Bros. to pick up a light meter I'd left there and ran into some friends.
Monica works at Art's Deli in Studio City, which is the best Delicatessen in the Valley. Although Mexican food is not served at Art's, the cooks are all Latino and freinds of ours. Monica has become a fairly good cook of Mexican dishes but hasn't yet learned to make menudo, tamales, etc. Our friend Tony, one of Art's cooks, makes great flan. My step mother is Latina and she makes it good too, but not like Tony.
I told Monica I was ging to pick up tamales today at Juanito's and she just said, "yeah, rght."

Juanito's is open on Sunday's....

Frank, I hit the hills for a hike this morning and then stopped by this outdoor market that takes place between 9am-1pm every sunday. It's right around the corner from where I live. A family from the Eastside has a stand where they sell tamales. I bought four different types and brought them home. I took a photo which I'll post later. These were very good, but I want to go to Juanito's next time. No driving today. Everything I need is in the neighborhood.

Rick, take that drive to ELA, you won't be sorry.....

[Rick Farris]

I watched Canelo last night, also. He didn't look good and appeared to be sucking air after a few rounds. Lovemore Ndou kept the pressure on and made him work. We'll see if he continues to grow or whether he has peaked early and is already at his best? Maybe he has reached the top step of his ladder, maybe he was just having an off night?

I thought I was looking at a replay when I tuned into the fight last night on HBO's Boxeo. Was that the only showing or was there an earlier one in English?

The fight will be shown at 5:30 PM today on HBO Boxeo....

Thanks, Frank. To be honest, I watched it last night and saw Alvarez look OK early, but seemed to be slipping going into the late rounds. I closed my eyes after round nine and slept thru the rest of the fight. Monica shakes me about midnight and I go to bed. It's been a long week.

[Rick Farris]

Juanito's is open on Sunday's....

Frank, I hit the hills for a hike this morning and then stopped by this outdoor market that takes place between 9am-1pm every sunday. It's right around the corner from where I live. A family from the Eastside has a stand where they sell tamales. I bought four different types and brought them home. I took a photo which I'll post later. These were very good, but I want to go to Juanito's next time. No driving today. Everything I need is in the neighborhood.

Rick, take that drive to ELA, you won't be sorry.....

I will, just as I did to try the "Manuel's Special" burrito. I have some days off around the holidays, I'll stop by for a pick-up.

[kikibalt]

Frank, I hit the hills for a hike this morning and then stopped by this outdoor market that takes place between 9am-1pm every sunday. It's right around the corner from where I live. A family from the Eastside has a stand where they sell tamales. I bought four different types and brought them home. I took a photo which I'll post later. These were very good, but I want to go to Juanito's next time. No driving today. Everything I need is in the neighborhood.

Rick, take that drive to ELA, you won't be sorry.....

I will, just as I did to try the "Manuel's Special" burrito. I have some days off around the holidays, I'll stop by for a pick-up.

The closer we get to the holidays, the harder to "WALK" in and buy tamales, as they are just making them to fill orders. Two years ago I ordered six dozens and when I went to pick them up they only give me three dozen, they were having a hard time keeping up with their orders.
Juanito's is a very small place, I think they accept more orders then they can deliver....

[Randyman]

Rick, take that drive to ELA, you won't be sorry.....

I will, just as I did to try the "Manuel's Special" burrito. I have some days off around the holidays, I'll stop by for a pick-up.

The closer we get to the holidays, the harder to "WALK" in and buy tamales, as they are just making them to fill orders. Two years ago I ordered six dozens and when I went to pick them up they only give me three dozen, they were having a hard time keeping up with their orders.
Juanito's is a very small place, I think they accept more orders then they can deliver....

Frank's right Rick, you might be alright this week but as Christmas gets close it's pretty hard to just walk up and order tamales, they're too busy filling orders. By the way, at Juanito's, this Friday is the last day to place your orders. It'll be like that with almost the good Mexican Deli's, those that make good tamales anyways.

[Randyman]

I watched Canelo last night, also. He didn't look good and appeared to be sucking air after a few rounds. Lovemore Ndou kept the pressure on and made him work. We'll see if he continues to grow or whether he has peaked early and is already at his best? Maybe he has reached the top step of his ladder, maybe he was just having an off night?

I thought I was looking at a replay when I tuned into the fight last night on HBO's Boxeo. Was that the only showing or was there an earlier one in English?

The fight will be shown at 5:30 PM today on HBO Boxeo....

I don't see the point now. I'm not missing much.

[kikibalt]

I thought I was looking at a replay when I tuned into the fight last night on HBO's Boxeo. Was that the only showing or was there an earlier one in English?

The fight will be shown at 5:30 PM today on HBO Boxeo....

I don't see the point now. I'm not missing much.

I just seen 9 rounds, I couldn't take no more so I turned the TV off....

[kikibalt]

Jose Napoles

By Rick Farris

Throughout boxing history the welterweight division has been blessed with exceptional prizefighters. Names such as Walker, Ross, McLarnin, Armstrong, Robinson, Griffith and Leonard are just a few of the greats that come to mind. However, another name cannot be overlooked when considering great 147 pounders, Jose Napoles.

Napoles' nickname "Mantequilla" is the Spanish word for butter and anybody who had the pleasure of watching this brilliant boxer perform understands that Napoles’ style was as smooth as butter. It was a style that combined great boxing skill, devastating punching power and cool control of the ring. It was a style that created trouble for any opponent he faced. I'd have to say the best way to describe Napoles’ style is "timeless". It was a style that could unravel the old timers and the new breed as well.

I had the opportunity to watch this great welterweight's career evolve into a world championship during the years I was boxing. Napoles started out as a lightweight, but had to take on the best junior welterweights and welterweights in the world in order to get fights. Napoles beat them all in convincing fashion until finally, with the help of a great promoter, a champion finally gave him a title shot.

I'll give a brief run down of Napoles early career, however, my story begins in 1968, about a year before he won the title. Although I never boxed with Napoles, I know three men who challenged Mantequilla for the title. Ironically, all three of these welterweight contenders challenged Napoles for the crown twice. Much of my opinion of Napoles is based on the words of these three men who know him far better than those of us who saw him from ringside or watched him train in the gym. You get to know exactly how great a fighter is, or is not, after banging it out with him for fifteen rounds.

The three contenders whom I am referring to are Ernie "Indian Red" Lopez, Hedgeman Lewis and Armando Muniz. All three were talented and tough welterweights during the 60's and 70's, and all three agree that they never fought anybody better than Jose Napoles.

Jose Napoles was born in Cuba on April 13, 1940. He made his pro boxing debut in 1958, at the age of 18, and fought the first four years of his professional career in Cuba. Between 1958 and 1961, Napoles put together a record of 17-1 (8 KO's) before fleeing the regime of Fidel Castro and making his home in Mexico. Without the perils of living in a communist country, Napoles would now have a chance to make a name for himself in the world of boxing.

Mexico was almost perfect for Napoles, a Spanish speaking culture and rich in boxing talent. Many of the world's best boxers under 147 pounds hailed from Mexico and the Cuban lightweight would have the opposition necessary to take him to the next level. Of course, it wouldn't be easy. Napoles wasn't a Mexican.

After sixteen months of inactivity, Napoles resumed his boxing career in Mexico in July of 1962. Napoles quickly scored three straight knockouts before winning a ten round decision over Tony Perez. In a rematch, Perez was awarded a controversial decision over Napoles. Napoles scored two more victories including a decision over the highly regarded Baby Vasquez before losing again, this time in a ten rounder to Alfredo Urbina, one of the greatest lightweights Mexico ever produced.

After losing to Urbina, Napoles went on a rampage and won 18 straight with 17 knockouts, including KO's over Urbina and Perez in rematches. He also defeated Junior Welterweight champs Carlos Hernandez and Eddie Perkins, Adolph Pruitt and scored two knockouts over L.C. Morgan. After losing on a cut to Morgan in their third fight, Napoles KO'd Morgan for the third time. From there, Napoles put together a string of victories that would lead right up to a shot at the welterweight championship.

In 1968, the legendary George Parnassus became the boxing promoter for the newly built "Forum" in Inglewood, California. Parnassus had promoted boxing for years in the Los Angeles area, as well as in Mexico. Parnassus had a connection that would allow him to bring the very best talent up from below the border to Los Angeles. He would feature the very best Mexican stars at the Forum and it was here that many would become world champions. Champions such as Ruben Olivares, Chucho Castillo and Carlos Zarate won world titles in Parnassus promotions at the Forum, and so did Jose "Mantequilla" Napoles.

Napoles made his U.S. debut at the Forum in Parnassus' initial promotion that featured bantamweight contenders Jesus Pimentel and Chucho Castillo. I was anxious to see Napoles and was at the Forum that night. However, Mantequilla didn't give us a long look. He KO'ed Lloyd Marshall half way thru the opening round.

A few months later I got a little longer look at the future welterweight king when I saw him flatten Ireland's Des Rea in five rounds on the undercard of a featherweight main event featuring Dwight Hawkins and Frankie Crawford at the Forum.

Hawkins was the number one rated featherweight at the time and helped train me for manager Johnny Flores. I had heard Flores and Hawkins talk about how great a fighter this Napoles was and after seeing him in person at the Forum and in the gym I had to agree. Anybody amazed by the talent of Roy Jones Jr. would be a lot less impressed had they seen Jose Napoles up close.

In April of 1969, Jose Napoles would finally get a shot at World Welterweight Champion Curtis Cokes. Napoles was 29-years-old and had been fighting professionally and defeating the best for 11 years when he stepped into the ring at the Forum before a sellout crowd of more than 18,000. Many of the spectators had come up from Mexico in buses that Parnassus had chartered and the sound of mariachis filled the arena. Mexico had adopted the transplanted Cuban as one of their own and when Napoles climbed thru the ropes the Forum exploded with excitement.

Napoles had his way with Cokes and battered the champion at well. After 13 rounds referee Dick young stopped the fight to save Cokes from further punishment. Jose Napoles had escaped communism, defeated the best in three divisions and now, after 11 difficult years was the Welterweight Champion of the world.

Less than three months after winning the title, Napoles gave Cokes a rematch and again stopped the former champion in the 13th round. Like most champions of the era, Napoles didn't sit on the title between title defenses and stayed sharp with several non-title fights, which he won by knockout. Mantequilla finished out 1969 with a unanimous fifteen round decision over former welterweight and middleweight champ Emile Griffith in his second defense of the title.

In 1970, Napoles KO'd number one rated Ernie "Indian Red" Lopez in fifteen rounds and scored two more knockouts in non-title matches. Napoles closed out 1970 with his fourth title defense in Syracuse, New York against Billy Backus, the nephew of former champ Carmen Basilio.

Backus was given little chance of beating Napoles. However, after opening a cut over the champion's eye with a head butt in the 4th round, the bout was stopped and awarded to Backus.

Six months later, on June 6, 1971, Napoles would regain his title by destroying Backus in six rounds at the Forum. I was 19-years-old at the time and had been fighting professionally for exactly one year. I was scheduled to fight on the undercard of the Napoles-Backus rematch and remember all the excitement in the dressing room after Napoles had regained the title. I had won my fight that night but the biggest thrill for me was not my win, but having Carmen Basilio compliment me after my fight. Basilio had worked his nephew's corner that night and was kind enough to recognize that I had done well in my fight.

My most vivid memory of Napoles took place six months later, as he trained for his next title defense against Hedgeman Lewis. This would be one of two championship fights at the Forum along with a World Bantamweight title fight between champion Ruben Olivares and Jesus Pimentel.

I was one of Ruben Olivares' sparring partners for the Pimentel fight and each day we would workout immediately following Napoles before a paying audience. Promoter George Parnassus had his office at the old Elks Building, located right off Wilshire Blvd. near Alvarado St. in downtown Los Angeles. Today the Elks Building is the Park Plaza Hotel and sits right across from Macarthur Park.

Parnassus had a gym set up in the ball room of the Elks Bldg. with a ring at one end of the room against the stage and a couple of heavy bags, a speed bag and double-end bag on the stage. People would pay $1 admission to watch the boxers train and we'd usually have several hundred spectators for each workout. I recall that former lightweight champion Lauro Salas, one of Parnassus' friends who'd fallen on hard times, would collect admission at the door and Parnassus would let Salas keep the money so as the former champ could pay his rent and feed himself. Parnassus was a legendary promoter and had a legendary soft spot in his heart for ex-boxers.

Boxers are some of the friendliest people you could meet but people don't realize that most boxers, regardless of how nice, have a mean streak. This was especially true of Jose Napoles.

One of Napoles chief sparring partners was an L.A. club fighter named Baby Cassius. Baby Cassius (Eric Thomas) knew this all too well after sparring with the champ. I remember talking with Baby Cassius in the dressing room following one of his sparring sessions with Napoles. Both of Eric's eyes were swollen and his nose was bloody. Cassius would moan, "All I wanna do is earn a little Christmas money, but this guy is killing me". He also told me that he knew Napoles was drinking because he could smell alcohol on the champion as they were sparring. I didn't feel sorry for Baby Cassius because he didn't receive any worse an ass whipping from Napoles than what I (or any sparring partner) receive when trying to punch it out with a great world champ. That's the business. However, one incident involving Napoles between rounds of a sparring session will always stick out in my mind.

Napoles had an assistant trainer in L.A. named Phil Silvers. I never cared much for Silvers personally and it was obvious that Napoles didn't either. Silvers job was to tie the champions gloves and give him water between rounds of sparring sessions. One day, after pouring some water into Napoles mouth between rounds of a sparring session, the champ spit the water back into Silver's face. He then smirked and turned around. Not even the wildest fans watching the workout made a noise. I remember how surprised I was to see this, and obviously, so was everybody else. "What a jerk", I thought.

A couple of days later I had a strange experience with Napoles myself. One day after he finished sparring, I was warming up for my sparring session with Olivares. I was punching one of the two heavy bags on the stage and had my eye on Napoles as his trainer helped him slip on his bag gloves. I wanted to see if Napoles was ready to hit the bag that I was warming up on and if he was I'd move to the other bag. Napoles was the champ and he could hit whatever bag he wanted to hit. It was his show, not mine. When I saw Napoles moving my way I assumed he wanted the bag I was punching and I respectfully moved to the other bag. Napoles started banging away at the bag and I began doing the same on the other bag.

As the next round started I saw Napoles approaching me out of the corner of my eye and he tapped me on the shoulder. When I looked at him he motioned for me to move away from the bag and pointed at the other bag. "No problem", I thought to myself, and moved to the other bag. As I'm punching the other bag I see Napoles heading toward me again and noticed a few of his friends smiling. It occurred to me that Napoles was either trying to play a joke on me, or intimidate me, or whatever. Napoles again tapped me on the shoulder and waved me off the bag. When Napoles began to hit the bag, I tapped him on the shoulder and pointed to the other bag, then stepped in front of him and began hitting the bag again. Napoles grabs my arm and I turn to face him.

In my mind, I had set myself up for an ass whipping by the welterweight champion of the world. However, a fighter does not let himself get pushed around by another fighter and I looked him directly in the eyes. We stood face-to-face for a few seconds that seemed like hours to me. Napoles had a very serious look on his face and I didn't know what was coming next. My trainer, Mel Epstein, saw what was going on and quickly stepped in. "C'mon Ricky, let's get ready for Olivares", he said, trying to pull me out of the situation. All of a sudden Napoles begins to smile and turns toward Epstein, motioning that it was Ok for me to continue working on the bag.

I will never know what Napoles was doing but I assume he was having fun trying to see how much I would take. One thing I did notice was that Napoles reeked of alcohol. I was surprised, despite having this told me earlier by Baby Cassius.

A couple of weeks later, Olivares stopped Jesus Pimentel in twelve rounds and Napoles won a very close fifteen round decision over the flashy Hedgeman Lewis. Lewis was a very flashy welterweight along the lines of a Sugar Ray Leonard, but not the class of Napoles. I realized that Napoles partying had affected his performance. three years later, Napoles and Lewis fight again and this time Mantequilla would ruin Hedge. Lewis was never the same after the beating he took from Napoles in this title fight.

The same was true with Ernie 'Indian Red" Lopez. Three years after losing to Napoles in his first bid for the welterweight crown, Lopez was given a second chance in 1973. After the beating Lopez took from Napoles in this fight he was never any good again. I remember talking with Lopez at the Main Street Gym in Los Angeles just a few days after his second fight with Napoles. I told Ernie I thought he gave Napoles a good fight and was shocked by Ernie's response. "I'll never fight that guy again . . . for any amount of money!" These aren't the kind of words that came out of the mouth of Ernie "Indian Red" Lopez.

At 34, Jose Napoles, a blown-up lightweight who had become one of the greatest welterweight champs in history, challenged another great fighter, Carlos Monzon for the undisputed Middleweight title. Napoles was stopped in seven rounds.

Napoles defended the welterweight title fifteen times and when he was the undisputed champ, something that no longer exists. His last two title defenses were against a friend of mine, Armando Muniz.

Like Lewis, Muniz caught Napoles out of shape in their first match and almost won the title. However, in the rematch held three months later in Mexico City, Napoles had his way with Muniz and scored a unanimous fifteen round decision win.

On December 6, 1975, after holding the welterweight title nearly eight years, Jose Napoles would make his last defense of the title at age 35. Englishman John Stracey would stop Napoles in his hometown of Mexico City.

After the fight, Napoles would announce his retirement from boxing after spending more than half his life in the professional boxing ring.

When thinking about the great welterweights in boxing, don't forget the guy they called 'Mantequilla". He was a true all-time great.

[Rick Farris]

The fight will be shown at 5:30 PM today on HBO Boxeo....

I don't see the point now. I'm not missing much.

I just seen 9 rounds, I couldn't take no more so I turned the TV off....

It has just ended. I watched the whole fight. Good work for Alvarez for twelve rounds. What else can you say?
Lovemore Ndou is no bum. He was a tough guy with a lot to gain. He came to win, a good fight for Alvarez, I think.
I like Alvarez, although he has a long way to go. He is not one of Mexico's best ever, but he's one of the best today.
His conditioning was questionable. He wins most his fights by KO. He needed to be taken twelve in a tough one.

[Rick Farris]

Jose Napoles

By Rick Farris

Throughout boxing history the welterweight division has been blessed with exceptional prizefighters. Names such as Walker, Ross, McLarnin, Armstrong, Robinson, Griffith and Leonard are just a few of the greats that come to mind. However, another name cannot be overlooked when considering great 147 pounders, Jose Napoles.

Napoles' nickname "Mantequilla" is the Spanish word for butter and anybody who had the pleasure of watching this brilliant boxer perform understands that Napoles’ style was as smooth as butter. It was a style that combined great boxing skill, devastating punching power and cool control of the ring. It was a style that created trouble for any opponent he faced. I'd have to say the best way to describe Napoles’ style is "timeless". It was a style that could unravel the old timers and the new breed as well.

I had the opportunity to watch this great welterweight's career evolve into a world championship during the years I was boxing. Napoles started out as a lightweight, but had to take on the best junior welterweights and welterweights in the world in order to get fights. Napoles beat them all in convincing fashion until finally, with the help of a great promoter, a champion finally gave him a title shot.

I'll give a brief run down of Napoles early career, however, my story begins in 1968, about a year before he won the title. Although I never boxed with Napoles, I know three men who challenged Mantequilla for the title. Ironically, all three of these welterweight contenders challenged Napoles for the crown twice. Much of my opinion of Napoles is based on the words of these three men who know him far better than those of us who saw him from ringside or watched him train in the gym. You get to know exactly how great a fighter is, or is not, after banging it out with him for fifteen rounds.

The three contenders whom I am referring to are Ernie "Indian Red" Lopez, Hedgeman Lewis and Armando Muniz. All three were talented and tough welterweights during the 60's and 70's, and all three agree that they never fought anybody better than Jose Napoles.

Jose Napoles was born in Cuba on April 13, 1940. He made his pro boxing debut in 1958, at the age of 18, and fought the first four years of his professional career in Cuba. Between 1958 and 1961, Napoles put together a record of 17-1 (8 KO's) before fleeing the regime of Fidel Castro and making his home in Mexico. Without the perils of living in a communist country, Napoles would now have a chance to make a name for himself in the world of boxing.

Mexico was almost perfect for Napoles, a Spanish speaking culture and rich in boxing talent. Many of the world's best boxers under 147 pounds hailed from Mexico and the Cuban lightweight would have the opposition necessary to take him to the next level. Of course, it wouldn't be easy. Napoles wasn't a Mexican.

After sixteen months of inactivity, Napoles resumed his boxing career in Mexico in July of 1962. Napoles quickly scored three straight knockouts before winning a ten round decision over Tony Perez. In a rematch, Perez was awarded a controversial decision over Napoles. Napoles scored two more victories including a decision over the highly regarded Baby Vasquez before losing again, this time in a ten rounder to Alfredo Urbina, one of the greatest lightweights Mexico ever produced.

After losing to Urbina, Napoles went on a rampage and won 18 straight with 17 knockouts, including KO's over Urbina and Perez in rematches. He also defeated Junior Welterweight champs Carlos Hernandez and Eddie Perkins, Adolph Pruitt and scored two knockouts over L.C. Morgan. After losing on a cut to Morgan in their third fight, Napoles KO'd Morgan for the third time. From there, Napoles put together a string of victories that would lead right up to a shot at the welterweight championship.

In 1968, the legendary George Parnassus became the boxing promoter for the newly built "Forum" in Inglewood, California. Parnassus had promoted boxing for years in the Los Angeles area, as well as in Mexico. Parnassus had a connection that would allow him to bring the very best talent up from below the border to Los Angeles. He would feature the very best Mexican stars at the Forum and it was here that many would become world champions. Champions such as Ruben Olivares, Chucho Castillo and Carlos Zarate won world titles in Parnassus promotions at the Forum, and so did Jose "Mantequilla" Napoles.

Napoles made his U.S. debut at the Forum in Parnassus' initial promotion that featured bantamweight contenders Jesus Pimentel and Chucho Castillo. I was anxious to see Napoles and was at the Forum that night. However, Mantequilla didn't give us a long look. He KO'ed Lloyd Marshall half way thru the opening round.

A few months later I got a little longer look at the future welterweight king when I saw him flatten Ireland's Des Rea in five rounds on the undercard of a featherweight main event featuring Dwight Hawkins and Frankie Crawford at the Forum.

Hawkins was the number one rated featherweight at the time and helped train me for manager Johnny Flores. I had heard Flores and Hawkins talk about how great a fighter this Napoles was and after seeing him in person at the Forum and in the gym I had to agree. Anybody amazed by the talent of Roy Jones Jr. would be a lot less impressed had they seen Jose Napoles up close.

In April of 1969, Jose Napoles would finally get a shot at World Welterweight Champion Curtis Cokes. Napoles was 29-years-old and had been fighting professionally and defeating the best for 11 years when he stepped into the ring at the Forum before a sellout crowd of more than 18,000. Many of the spectators had come up from Mexico in buses that Parnassus had chartered and the sound of mariachis filled the arena. Mexico had adopted the transplanted Cuban as one of their own and when Napoles climbed thru the ropes the Forum exploded with excitement.

Napoles had his way with Cokes and battered the champion at well. After 13 rounds referee Dick young stopped the fight to save Cokes from further punishment. Jose Napoles had escaped communism, defeated the best in three divisions and now, after 11 difficult years was the Welterweight Champion of the world.

Less than three months after winning the title, Napoles gave Cokes a rematch and again stopped the former champion in the 13th round. Like most champions of the era, Napoles didn't sit on the title between title defenses and stayed sharp with several non-title fights, which he won by knockout. Mantequilla finished out 1969 with a unanimous fifteen round decision over former welterweight and middleweight champ Emile Griffith in his second defense of the title.

In 1970, Napoles KO'd number one rated Ernie "Indian Red" Lopez in fifteen rounds and scored two more knockouts in non-title matches. Napoles closed out 1970 with his fourth title defense in Syracuse, New York against Billy Backus, the nephew of former champ Carmen Basilio.

Backus was given little chance of beating Napoles. However, after opening a cut over the champion's eye with a head butt in the 4th round, the bout was stopped and awarded to Backus.

Six months later, on June 6, 1971, Napoles would regain his title by destroying Backus in six rounds at the Forum. I was 19-years-old at the time and had been fighting professionally for exactly one year. I was scheduled to fight on the undercard of the Napoles-Backus rematch and remember all the excitement in the dressing room after Napoles had regained the title. I had won my fight that night but the biggest thrill for me was not my win, but having Carmen Basilio compliment me after my fight. Basilio had worked his nephew's corner that night and was kind enough to recognize that I had done well in my fight.

My most vivid memory of Napoles took place six months later, as he trained for his next title defense against Hedgeman Lewis. This would be one of two championship fights at the Forum along with a World Bantamweight title fight between champion Ruben Olivares and Jesus Pimentel.

I was one of Ruben Olivares' sparring partners for the Pimentel fight and each day we would workout immediately following Napoles before a paying audience. Promoter George Parnassus had his office at the old Elks Building, located right off Wilshire Blvd. near Alvarado St. in downtown Los Angeles. Today the Elks Building is the Park Plaza Hotel and sits right across from Macarthur Park.

Parnassus had a gym set up in the ball room of the Elks Bldg. with a ring at one end of the room against the stage and a couple of heavy bags, a speed bag and double-end bag on the stage. People would pay $1 admission to watch the boxers train and we'd usually have several hundred spectators for each workout. I recall that former lightweight champion Lauro Salas, one of Parnassus' friends who'd fallen on hard times, would collect admission at the door and Parnassus would let Salas keep the money so as the former champ could pay his rent and feed himself. Parnassus was a legendary promoter and had a legendary soft spot in his heart for ex-boxers.

Boxers are some of the friendliest people you could meet but people don't realize that most boxers, regardless of how nice, have a mean streak. This was especially true of Jose Napoles.

One of Napoles chief sparring partners was an L.A. club fighter named Baby Cassius. Baby Cassius (Eric Thomas) knew this all too well after sparring with the champ. I remember talking with Baby Cassius in the dressing room following one of his sparring sessions with Napoles. Both of Eric's eyes were swollen and his nose was bloody. Cassius would moan, "All I wanna do is earn a little Christmas money, but this guy is killing me". He also told me that he knew Napoles was drinking because he could smell alcohol on the champion as they were sparring. I didn't feel sorry for Baby Cassius because he didn't receive any worse an ass whipping from Napoles than what I (or any sparring partner) receive when trying to punch it out with a great world champ. That's the business. However, one incident involving Napoles between rounds of a sparring session will always stick out in my mind.

Napoles had an assistant trainer in L.A. named Phil Silvers. I never cared much for Silvers personally and it was obvious that Napoles didn't either. Silvers job was to tie the champions gloves and give him water between rounds of sparring sessions. One day, after pouring some water into Napoles mouth between rounds of a sparring session, the champ spit the water back into Silver's face. He then smirked and turned around. Not even the wildest fans watching the workout made a noise. I remember how surprised I was to see this, and obviously, so was everybody else. "What a jerk", I thought.

A couple of days later I had a strange experience with Napoles myself. One day after he finished sparring, I was warming up for my sparring session with Olivares. I was punching one of the two heavy bags on the stage and had my eye on Napoles as his trainer helped him slip on his bag gloves. I wanted to see if Napoles was ready to hit the bag that I was warming up on and if he was I'd move to the other bag. Napoles was the champ and he could hit whatever bag he wanted to hit. It was his show, not mine. When I saw Napoles moving my way I assumed he wanted the bag I was punching and I respectfully moved to the other bag. Napoles started banging away at the bag and I began doing the same on the other bag.

As the next round started I saw Napoles approaching me out of the corner of my eye and he tapped me on the shoulder. When I looked at him he motioned for me to move away from the bag and pointed at the other bag. "No problem", I thought to myself, and moved to the other bag. As I'm punching the other bag I see Napoles heading toward me again and noticed a few of his friends smiling. It occurred to me that Napoles was either trying to play a joke on me, or intimidate me, or whatever. Napoles again tapped me on the shoulder and waved me off the bag. When Napoles began to hit the bag, I tapped him on the shoulder and pointed to the other bag, then stepped in front of him and began hitting the bag again. Napoles grabs my arm and I turn to face him.

In my mind, I had set myself up for an ass whipping by the welterweight champion of the world. However, a fighter does not let himself get pushed around by another fighter and I looked him directly in the eyes. We stood face-to-face for a few seconds that seemed like hours to me. Napoles had a very serious look on his face and I didn't know what was coming next. My trainer, Mel Epstein, saw what was going on and quickly stepped in. "C'mon Ricky, let's get ready for Olivares", he said, trying to pull me out of the situation. All of a sudden Napoles begins to smile and turns toward Epstein, motioning that it was Ok for me to continue working on the bag.

I will never know what Napoles was doing but I assume he was having fun trying to see how much I would take. One thing I did notice was that Napoles reeked of alcohol. I was surprised, despite having this told me earlier by Baby Cassius.

A couple of weeks later, Olivares stopped Jesus Pimentel in twelve rounds and Napoles won a very close fifteen round decision over the flashy Hedgeman Lewis. Lewis was a very flashy welterweight along the lines of a Sugar Ray Leonard, but not the class of Napoles. I realized that Napoles partying had affected his performance. three years later, Napoles and Lewis fight again and this time Mantequilla would ruin Hedge. Lewis was never the same after the beating he took from Napoles in this title fight.

The same was true with Ernie 'Indian Red" Lopez. Three years after losing to Napoles in his first bid for the welterweight crown, Lopez was given a second chance in 1973. After the beating Lopez took from Napoles in this fight he was never any good again. I remember talking with Lopez at the Main Street Gym in Los Angeles just a few days after his second fight with Napoles. I told Ernie I thought he gave Napoles a good fight and was shocked by Ernie's response. "I'll never fight that guy again . . . for any amount of money!" These aren't the kind of words that came out of the mouth of Ernie "Indian Red" Lopez.

At 34, Jose Napoles, a blown-up lightweight who had become one of the greatest welterweight champs in history, challenged another great fighter, Carlos Monzon for the undisputed Middleweight title. Napoles was stopped in seven rounds.

Napoles defended the welterweight title fifteen times and when he was the undisputed champ, something that no longer exists. His last two title defenses were against a friend of mine, Armando Muniz.

Like Lewis, Muniz caught Napoles out of shape in their first match and almost won the title. However, in the rematch held three months later in Mexico City, Napoles had his way with Muniz and scored a unanimous fifteen round decision win.

On December 6, 1975, after holding the welterweight title nearly eight years, Jose Napoles would make his last defense of the title at age 35. Englishman John Stracey would stop Napoles in his hometown of Mexico City.

After the fight, Napoles would announce his retirement from boxing after spending more than half his life in the professional boxing ring.

When thinking about the great welterweights in boxing, don't forget the guy they called 'Mantequilla". He was a true all-time great.

I've some vivid memories of the greatest welterweight I ever saw up close.
I truly believe that at his best, Jose Napoles was beyond great.

[CNorkusJr]

Jose Napoles was a Great Fighter. I was a young boy when my father first pointed him out to me on TV and said he was a fighter who's career I should follow because he was reminiscent of the old days style and can punch with authority.
As I get older, I find it terribly hard to point to any particular fighter and say "He was the Greatest of his weight Class" ever. This one weight class alone can be cause of great arguments depending on who impresses you at any particular event or stretch of time.
The only fighter that comes closest to be singled out in my opinion as the Greatest is "The Greatest" himself-Muhammed Ali. I dont think I have to make an argument here for his upsides on this. Detractors will cite his end of career bouts and/or his first loss to Joe Frazier, but overall in the stretch of time that counts-there was absolutely no match for him. Its a tough call because we see little of Jack Johnson or Jack Dempsey, but Ali re-defined the heavyweight class.
Boxing is the only sport I think that guys like us and millions more out there can argue, to no forgone conclusion, who is the "Best Of All Time" in their classes.
What counts is what each of us have in our own minds ,who we think is our "Champions" are.
We are Blessed to have our wits about us, our memories, and I for one am still learning about great fighters of the past as I read the posts in this room.

Rick, You are a gifted writer. So are a few others in this forum. A sheer joy to read about boxing and other places.

[CNorkusJr]

Jets vs Patriots Monday Nite. Thank God its on TV for all to see.
NY papers here are writing on just about every angle that these two teams have on various game match-ups.
Reminds me a little about the Boxing coverage the newspapers used to give to the big bouts coming up at the Garden. Starting with boxers training camps and right on through the post-fight interviews.
Todays paper has a story about the shoes Revis will wear when he covers Welker.
Can you imagine. They exhausted their brain power to come up with this crapola.
They spent 3 days talking about Tom Bradys hair or lack there of. Trash.
Loss of Jim Leonhard (broken foot in practice-out for year)- kickoff/punt returner and Safety will leave the duties to Brad Smith.
Ex-Jet Woodhead now Patriot RB hoping to make a splash against old team.
Sanchez vs Brady- Jet Defense advantage but Brady quick release a force to be reckoned with. Crowd non-factor as Jets do better on road games.
I think this game will be one for the ages. Loser goes to #5 slot in conference maybe and fighting for wildcard spot the rest of the way. Jets dont have it easy in 3 of last 4 weeks after this game.
No prediction here, just smelling salts and a cold compress nearby. Please God-no overtime.
(Unless Jets need it).

[CNorkusJr]

Here is an article by Keith Morelli-Tampa Tribune.


Daniel R. "Danny" Nardico was awarded the Silver Star on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands on May 2, 1945, during World War II, while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. The Silver Star is the third highest medal awarded by the Corps for bravery above and beyond the call of duty. His legs bore the scars of his war-time experience. Commenting on going into professional boxing, "After World War II, everything in life is a cakewalk."


The only fighter to deck former world middleweight champion Jake LaMotta, Nardico was furious when the movie, Raging Bull, failed to mention his knockdown of LaMotta.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ta3GFGc2 ... embedded#1

Danny Nardico, former boxer from Tampa, dies at 85
By KEITH MORELLI | The Tampa Tribune

In his 85 years, Daniel R. "Danny" Nardico had seen the horrors of war and stared down a raging bull in the boxing ring. The former U.S. Marine veteran who won the Silver Star for valor in Okinawa during World War II and professional fighter who boxed out of Tampa in the early 1950s, died on Nov. 22 in California.

He is credited with being the only fighter to legitimately knock out Jake LaMotta, the brash middleweight and light-heavyweight champion from the Bronx. The fight was in Coral Gables on New Year's Eve 1952 and was the first professional boxing match fought in Florida televised to a national audience. At the time, Nardico was ranked fifth in the world in the light-heavyweight division.

The match was part of a 67-fight career for Nardico which included 50 wins, 35 by knockout, 13 losses and four draws over five years ending in 1954.

A career in pugilism was no big deal, Nardico said after moving to Tampa to launch his life in the ring.

"After World War II," he was quoted as saying, "everything in life is a cakewalk."

According to BoxRec.com, an online boxing encyclopedia, Nardico used a right hook to deck LaMotta in the seventh round of the 10-round light-heavyweight bout. The bout is available on YouTube and shows Nardico pummeling LaMotta after the knockdown, as LaMotta held on to the ropes to keep his balance. LaMotta left his guard down for clear shots to the head. Still, he did not go down again before the bell.

LaMotta's corner stopped the fight before the eighth round began.

LaMotta was the subject of a Martin Scorsese movie, "The Raging Bull", but there was no mention of Nardico's knockdown, which made Nardico furious, BoxRec.com said.

Nardico's daughter, Danella Plum, who lives in California, said her father died Nov. 22.

"I remember my father as being as strong as an ox, just strong but tenderhearted," she said. "He also was a godly man with a strong faith. He had a hard exterior but inside, he was as soft as a marshmallow.

"Everybody loved him," she said. "Through the years, he made a lot of friends. He was fortunate to be surrounded by so many people that loved him."

She has fond memories growing up in Tampa with a father who was a professional fighter.

"As a little girl," she said, "I recalled my dad faithfully working out to stay fit and sometimes when he had exhausted all the weights, he'd actually use me instead.

"I remember the neighborhood kids peering in under the garage door as my dad would lift me above his head over and over again."

"I remember when he got his cauliflower ear from a hard fight and his manager bringing him home, laying him on the sofa," she said, "and letting loose a whole jar full of colorful leeches to suck out some of the excessive fluids."

Plum said that while his boxing career brought him some measure of fame, it was his actions in World War II and later Korea that defined his life.

"His bravery began much earlier when he entered the U.S. Marines and fought in the Korean War, winning two Purple Hearts and a Silver Star at the age of 18 for his, 'brave actions while serving as a squad leader in a Marine rifle platoon on Okinawa Shima, Ryukyu Islands on May 2, 1945.' "

She said Nardico moved his family from California to Tampa five years later and launched his boxing career under the management of Willie Pep, himself a former boxing champion.

During his boxing career, Nardico twice fought Charley Norkus, a top-ranked heavyweight who outweighed Nardico by nearly 20 pounds. Norkus won both fights, the first by a TKO in the ninth round. "The fight," according to BoxRec.com, "was a thriller with eight knockdowns."

The fight was so bloody, Plum said, that two months later, when the two boxed again, ringside spectators brought newspapers to protect themselves from being splattered by blood. Norkus won that bout by decision.

Plum said her father was honored in 1996 by the Veteran Boxers Association which called him a "great competitor, a dynamic puncher, a credit to the boxing game and yet a very mild-mannered gentleman."

After his boxing career, he served as the recreational director of the Northern Nevada Correctional Center in Carson City for 13 years.

When Nardico retired, he and his wife Rachael of 42 years moved to Cool, Calif.

Plum said his last few years of his life, her father suffered from Alzheimer's disease, believed to have stemmed from the hard blows to the head accumulated throughout his short boxing career.

[raylawpc]

The only fighter that comes closest to be singled out in my opinion as the Greatest is "The Greatest" himself-Muhammed Ali. I dont think I have to make an argument here for his upsides on this.

Actually, you probably need to make as many arguments as you can. Ali has very few fans on this thread. The good news is that, even when we disagree, we do so amiably, and nobody takes it too seriously.

[kikibalt]

RIP, Dandy Don Meredith

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/afterwo ... at-72.html

[Panzerfaust]

Manuel Ortiz vs Theo Medina:http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=51557

Manuel Ortiz vs Jackie Peterson : http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=26663

[CNorkusJr]

The only fighter that comes closest to be singled out in my opinion as the Greatest is "The Greatest" himself-Muhammed Ali. I dont think I have to make an argument here for his upsides on this.

Actually, you probably need to make as many arguments as you can. Ali has very few fans on this thread. The good news is that, even when we disagree, we do so amiably, and nobody takes it too seriously.

Okay Tom. Point taken. I thought that would stir things up

Don Meredith. Cosell and Don had a good rap going.
Made mon. nite football fun if not for anything else.

Correction needed: I stated above that the Jets vs Pats game was going to be on national TV. I must be living in the 70's or something. Brain freeze.
The game is on ESPN and on local New York station Channel 11.
Hope some of you can watch it. Now Sun nite football is on NBC.
Thurs nite NFL is on the cables NFL network.
Baseball-
For many years here in NY, The NY Mets were carried locally on NY station WOR channel 9.- 95 % of games. NY Yankees were on WPIX channel 11 about same percentage maybe a little less.
About 10-15 yrs ago both teams had fallen out with local networks. They switched stations. No crap. Mets now on Channel 11 -I estimate about 40% of cable-free games -rest on cable SNY. Yankees show about 5 % of their games on local TV channel 9 now-rest on Yankee owned cable station here Y.E.S.

[raylawpc]

It's a bit ironic that Don Meredith died this week. This week is the 30th anniversary of John Lennon's murder, and Meredith was part of the Monday Night Football broadcast team that was the first to announce Lennon had been shot. (ABC got the scoop on Lennon because an ABC producer happened to be at the emergency room at the hospital where Lennon was taken. He saw Yoko at the hospital, realized what had happened, and had the presence of mind to call it into the New York bureau. So Monday Night Football broke the news.)

[kikibalt]

The only fighter that comes closest to be singled out in my opinion as the Greatest is "The Greatest" himself-Muhammed Ali. I dont think I have to make an argument here for his upsides on this.

Actually, you probably need to make as many arguments as you can. Ali has very few fans on this thread. The good news is that, even when we disagree, we do so amiably, and nobody takes it too seriously.

Okay Tom. Point taken. I thought that would stir things up

Don Meredith. Cosell and Don had a good rap going.
Made mon. nite football fun if not for anything else.

Correction needed: I stated above that the Jets vs Pats game was going to be on national TV. I must be living in the 70's or something. Brain freeze.
The game is on ESPN and on local New York station Channel 11.
Hope some of you can watch it. Now Sun nite football is on NBC.
Thurs nite NFL is on the cables NFL network.
Baseball-
For many years here in NY, The NY Mets were carried locally on NY station WOR channel 9.- 95 % of games. NY Yankees were on WPIX channel 11 about same percentage maybe a little less.
About 10-15 yrs ago both teams had fallen out with local networks. They switched stations. No crap. Mets now on Channel 11 -I estimate about 40% of cable-free games -rest on cable SNY. Yankees show about 5 % of their games on local TV channel 9 now-rest on Yankee owned cable station here Y.E.S.

Getting ready to watch the big game on ESPNHD. I want the Jets to win, but I don't see how they can do that on the Pats home field....GO JETS!!!!!

[THEHAMMER321]

The only fighter that comes closest to be singled out in my opinion as the Greatest is "The Greatest" himself-Muhammed Ali. I dont think I have to make an argument here for his upsides on this.

Actually, you probably need to make as many arguments as you can. Ali has very few fans on this thread. The good news is that, even when we disagree, we do so amiably, and nobody takes it too seriously.[/quote Charlie we don't throw pies and insult you on this thread when we don't agree, on this thread we tend to like no nonsense type fighters no bs let the fist do the talking, Ali in my opinion convinced a whole generation of people that he was ''The greatest'' unfortunately I never bought it, but than again to each his own.

[Randyman]

Posted this Letter today in the hope of getting my second fight listed in the official records. Any and all support from you guys would be appreciated. I just want that fight accounted for.
http://boxrec.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=130731

To the Boxrec.com Administrators

I am making a formal petition to have my fight with Eduardo Barba entered into the BoxRec records. I am asking that the entry be based solely on my word of honor and my conduct on the boxing forums on this site, most specifically the “Classic American West Coast Boxing” thread to which I am a contributing member. I have 100% faith that the members will support my claim.

The fight in question is a 6 round welterweight bout at The Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada that was won by Eduardo Barba on 10/30/1976. Our fight was the opening bout in a card that included Duane Bobick vs. Fred Houpe and Mike Quarry vs. Tom Bethea. The referee for my fight was Joey Giambra. My manager/trainer was Mel Epstein., a second man worked the corner but I no longer remember his name.

The fight was officially listed as a welterweight (147) bout but both Barba and I were a couple of pounds over the limit. The fight was a closely fought contest won by unanimous decision by Barba. I cannot recall the actual scores.

My only other fight, a welterweight bout with Ignacio “Nacho” Cota is already entered in the records and I make no other claims to any other fights or contest, professional or otherwise, in boxing.

http://boxrec.com/show_display.php?show_id=20236

My Global ID is: 487870

Thank You

Randy De La O

[Randyman]

On Muhammad Ali....

Was he the greatest? I don't know. I only know that I have been a fan of Ali since I was a kid. He was the Champ when I was kid and he was still a champ long after I reached manhood. Yes, he was loud and bombastic, two qualities which I can't stand in a boxer, or anyone for that matter but with Ali it was different. he did it with a wink. I know that he over did it at times as was the case with both Ernie Terrell and Joe Frazier. Still his heart and ability can't be denied. His fights with Joe Frazier alone speak volumes on the man. You either get him or you don't.

I met Ali once and it was something I'll never forget. He took the time to meet with each of my kids as well as my wife and I. He was humble and respectful to all of us. I will always be a supporter of Muhammad Ali. I honestly believe that he is regretful of certain acts in his life, who isn't? He was and is someone who backed up everything he ever claimed. That's my honest feeling.