Classic American West Coast Boxing

[CNorkusJr]

I like your post Tom. When I was growing up my parents use to say to me,and I am pretty sure that you all might have heard the same over the years too, that I should try to refrain from talking about "Politics & Religion " in public. It is bound to rub people the wrong way eventually and cause disagreements. I dont think I offended anybody- but I agree that there is a better time and place for such. Your story is so true as things can mushroom from such misconstrued statements, I certainly seen it many times before, and have lasting effects.
I rather be talking about Stallone & the HOF item anyway.

[Chuck1052]

I remember seeing the thrilling bout between Bruce Curry and Monroe Brooks on television very well. Instead of using his boxing skills, Brooks tried to take it to Curry, which played right into the latter's hands. Jackie McCoy did manage Brooks.

Bruce Curry had a lot of heart, far more than his much more talented and skillful brother, Donald. It is too bad that Bruce had to battle some personal demons during his career.

- Chuck Johnston

[CNorkusJr]

I got a chance to make my only visit to the Intl. Boxing HOF in Canastota, NY two summers ago. My wife Roseann and I enjoy the Moody Blues Rock Band. They were playing the Turning Stone Casino & Resort, which is located about 15 minutes away from the HOF. (The HOF is approx 5 hours from me on Long Island). We decided to make it a 4 day trip to take it all in.
Our trip to the HOF was a beautiful day weather wise.
This was not an induction day weekend. Only seen seven people for the 4 hours I was there.
When we arrived, my wife and I decided to take pictures in front of the entrance before going in.
A black family arrived and did the same thing. We were all talking when we were soon joined by a man who turned out to be Ed Brophy. I heard of Ed but never met him before. He asked us who we liked as boxers and maybe there is some piece of memorabilia inside that he can show us. One black fellow said that Archie Moore was his favorite all-time and saw him fight years ago. After some Archie Moore career talk by Ed and this man, I mentioned that my dad fought Archie in San Francisco. I talked about what I knew of the fight and we then all entered the museum.
Ed started us all off on the self guided tour of the museum and disappeared.
We all took our time looking at the robes, tickets, pictures etc etc that they have on display.
In short time, a young lad who turned out to be Ed's nephew (I regret I forgot his name) appeared and he had my dads record printed out on a piece of paper. He asked if he may show me some key pieces of the collections. "Of Course" I said. He took us to the Ezz Charles boxing gloves, Archie Moore plaque and pictures, a few things. He then produced a small camera and asked if he may take pictures of me in front of some items. I felt funny but said sure. When my wife and I finished in the museum- he walked us over to the larger bldg next door that housed the old Madison Sq Garden Ring. This ring was used from 1928-1968. My father fought in this ring several times-Golden Gloves to Pro. I admit as I was left alone for a few minutes, tears welled up in my eyes. You are not allowed to enter the ring (I wouldn't anyway) but you be can be right next to it. I took pictures with my wife and I in front of it. Ed's nephew was kind enough to talk candid about some of the fighters and their inductions. A very nice man and a great time had by all. He asked for some contact info from me and I receive their usual monthly mailings and raffles tickets to buy in support of the HOF. A month later I appeared on their website (picture) that this man took about that depicted visitors to the museum in 2009. (Son of Heavyweight Charley Norkus). I thought it was nice to do and unexpected.
Like so many other museums- They too need as much backing as possible from whatever resources they get it from. NY State gives very little or Nothing I understand monetary wise.
If not for anything else-if they should receive funds from Stallone or if he brings them in money- so be it. It maybe not large or what you might expect from what its title claims- but there is very few Boxing museums that are not "Virtual"- you can walk the aisles and see some nice stuff.
If we lose this museum- its one more place less to keep boxing alive and its memories within eternal.

[Chuck1052]

It appears that there were a number of former fighters who passed away while they were patients at Camarillo State Hospital, including Ad Wolgast, Terry Kellar and Frank Fields.

Wolgast doesn't need any introduction.

Kellar was a journeyman light-heavyweight/heavyweight who fought both Jack Dempsey and Harry Greb several times each during an interesting career. It is probable that his real name was Roy Walter Keller (note the spelling of his last name).

Fields was a California clubfighter who fought in the welterweight and middleweight divisions during a career which lasted from 1901 to the early 1910s. He also was a versatile boxing man who promoted boxing cards, trained and managed boxers, and refereed bouts. I became interested in Fields because he and Sam McVey were virtual stablemates who resided in Oxnard, California during the beginning of their respective careers.

- Chuck Johnston

[kikibalt]

Bitter Husband says to Wife, "On your Headstone, I'll put Cold As Ever", Wife says,"That's okay, on yours I'll put Stiff At Last"........

[kikibalt]

Darchinyan vows to make bookies - and Mares - pay

Daniel Lane
December 11, 2010

AUSTRALIAN boxing champion Vic Darchinyan has received extra motivation to destroy Mexico's Abner Mares in Washington today from the most unusual of sources - the hard-nosed American bookies.

Darchinyan, the IBO's super-flyweight champion, has moved up a weight division to fight the highly rated Mares for the IBO's bantamweight crown and the WBC's silver title, a new belt that replaces "interim" world titles.

However, Armenian-born Darchinyan was incensed to realise the US bookies had no faith in him when the betting market opened earlier in the week and they'd installed him as the underdog.

"Can you believe?" the devastating southpaw fumed down the phone. "I cannot believe it. I could not believe it. I fought for the world title 16 times, Mares has fought for it once. You know how it works, the Mexicans have Mexican money placed on him, but this I cannot believe. The bookies have no idea."

Darchinyan and Mares are competing in a Showtime bantamweight tournament which also features Ghanaian warrior Joseph Agbeko and Columbia's Yonnhy Perez. Between them the quartet has a combined total of 76 KO victories from their 109 bouts, and Darchinyan vowed to improve his 71.05 per cent KO rate by flooring Mares.

"It will be an early Christmas present for Australia," said Darchinyan, who is known internationally as the Raging Bull. "He is a good kid, very good. He drew with [Yonnhy] Perez in his last fight but that has only made me focus more on the job.

"They [Mares's supporters] see him as fast and a big puncher but I will punish him. I will make him look silly and I will then knock him out. The bookies will look silly, too."

Darchinyan, who until only recently included 1000 sit-ups, as many push-ups and 1½ hours of skipping in his daily training routine, said those who expected him to falter had placed too much of an emphasis on his age. At 34, the Sydneysider is nine years older than Mares.

"They count my age," he said. "They think I am too old for him, but boxing is not about age. My speed is good, and he will feel my power."

While Mares is assured of vocal support at the Emerald Queen Casino from the local Mexican community, Darchinyan was buoyed by the thought many Armenian-born Americans, and a healthy contingent of Australian supporters, would be present to cheer him. However, he's promised to convert Mares's supporters by brute force.

"After a couple of rounds the [Mares] crowd will change, they will turn to me," he said. "They will see I have come to fight, and they will respect that."

Darchinyan said he was as "pumped" for this bout in much the same as he was in 2004 when he was granted his first shot at the world title against Irene Pacheco. The Columbian was battered into submission over 11 brutal rounds.

"I was the underdog then too, but I knocked him out," he said. "My preparation for this fight has been very good. I am excited by this fight."

[kikibalt]

Connie and I were sitting up in bed, I, reading the LATimes, her, watching TV, she can't read the paper because she lost her glasses... !!. Anyway while we're doing this she said:
"Its a bitch getting old, my arms and legs hurt"
"But look at the bright side Baby, we are going on 56 years" I said
"Huh?" goes Connie
"56 years of marriage!" I said
"OMG! how could I!!" goes my Baby
Damn!!

[bennie]

Have a great birthday on Monday, Frankie, and a belated Happy Birthday to Rick's dad.

[Rick Farris]

Have a great birthday on Monday, Frankie, and a belated Happy Birthday to Rick's dad.

Frank, I think I'm going to be at the GSBA event on Tuesday.
I will bring with me a birthday present for you from Charlie Norkus
Some great classic DVD's!
And thank you Bennie for my dad's birthday wishes.

[Rick Farris]

Connie and I were sitting up in bed, I, reading the LATimes, her, watching TV, she can't read the paper because she lost her glasses... !!. Anyway while we're doing this she said:
"Its a bitch getting old, my arms and legs hurt"
"But look at the bright side Baby, we are going on 56 years" I said
"Huh?" goes Connie
"56 years of marriage!" I said
"OMG! how could I!!" goes my Baby
Damn!!

As a master "kept man" I know you know how to handle negative input.
This is something I have trouble dealing with. I need to aquire that "Say what you want" attitude.
A master kept man knows how to avoid a war, I'm too quick to jump into the mud and roll around in it.
Training Monica is a full time job. She wasn't a young bride, doesn't believe something true just because I say it is.
I got used to the younger ones, they'd believe just about anything, at least for awhile.

[kikibalt]

Have a great birthday on Monday, Frankie, and a belated Happy Birthday to Rick's dad.

Thank you, Bennie....

[kikibalt]

Have a great birthday on Monday, Frankie, and a belated Happy Birthday to Rick's dad.

Frank, I think I'm going to be at the GSBA event on Tuesday.
I will bring with me a birthday present for you from Charlie Norkus
Some great classic DVD's!
And thank you Bennie for my dad's birthday wishes.

Great, looking forward to seeing you....

[Rick Farris]

"People with thin lips like to argue" . . .

Monica told me that when she was growing up her mother used to tell her that people with thin lips like to argue.
She then says, "My mother was correct. You have thin lips and you like to argue."

I was shocked, "Baby, I hate to argue."
Monica replied, "If you hate to argue than why do you do so much?"

[Rick Farris]

It appears that there were a number of former fighters who passed away while they were patients at Camarillo State Hospital, including Ad Wolgast, Terry Kellar and Frank Fields.

Wolgast doesn't need any introduction.

Kellar was a journeyman light-heavyweight/heavyweight who fought both Jack Dempsey and Harry Greb several times each during an interesting career. It is probable that his real name was Roy Walter Keller (note the spelling of his last name).

Fields was a California clubfighter who fought in the welterweight and middleweight divisions during a career which lasted from 1901 to the early 1910s. He also was a versatile boxing man who promoted boxing cards, trained and managed boxers, and refereed bouts. I became interested in Fields because he and Sam McVey were virtual stablemates who resided in Oxnard, California during the beginning of their respective careers.

- Chuck Johnston

Ad Wolgast at Camarillo . . .

Chuck, in the mid-60's I read a great story on Ad Wolgast in Boxing Illustrated.
In the story, it details how Wolgast was abused physically while a patient at the Camarillo State Hospital.
For those unaware, Camrillo State Hospital is a mental health facility in Ventura County.
According to the story. Two large hospital aides didn't like Wolgasts foul language, and beat the former champ badly, breaking his ribs.
Later they were heard bosting of their conquest over a former boxing champion.
Wolgast is one of my favorite's from the past.
Thanks to Tom Ray, I learned that Wolgast's name was not among the greats honored by the WBHOF.
In 2009, the name Ad Wolgast took it's place on the World Boxing Hall of Fame Honor Roll.

[scartissue]

On the subject of wives. I shared this one with Rick, whom I have to call immediately when laughing my arse off. The wife and I are driving along in the car:

Scartissue: "How'd you sleep last night?"

Mrs. Scartissue: "OK. Took awhile to get to sleep though. When I have a hard time getting to sleep I try to think of kids names I went to school with. Helps me nod off."

Scartissue: "Umm...I think of fighters."

Pause

Scartissue: "Soooo (sheepishly)...were there any kids in your class named Octavio "Famoso" Gomez?"

Mrs. Scartissue: (very sarcastically) "Yes!! As a matter of fact they were all named Octavio "Famoso" Gomez!"

I don't know what she was getting so bent out of shape about. It was a simple question. LOL!

Scartissue

[Rick Farris]

On the subject of wives. I shared this one with Rick, whom I have to call immediately when laughing my arse off. The wife and I are driving along in the car:

Scartissue: "How'd you sleep last night?"

Mrs. Scartissue: "OK. Took awhile to get to sleep though. When I have a hard time getting to sleep I try to think of kids names I went to school with. Helps me nod off."

Scartissue: "Umm...I think of fighters."

Pause

Scartissue: "Soooo (sheepishly)...were there any kids in your class named Octavio "Famoso" Gomez?"

Mrs. Scartissue: (very sarcastically) "Yes!! As a matter of fact they were all named Octavio "Famoso" Gomez!"

I don't know what she was getting so bent out of shape about. It was a simple question. LOL!

Scartissue

They just don't get it!

[kikibalt]

Connie and I were sitting up in bed, I, reading the LATimes, her, watching TV, she can't read the paper because she lost her glasses... !!. Anyway while we're doing this she said:
"Its a bitch getting old, my arms and legs hurt"
"But look at the bright side Baby, we are going on 56 years" I said
"Huh?" goes Connie
"56 years of marriage!" I said
"OMG! how could I!!" goes my Baby
Damn!!

As a master "kept man" I know you know how to handle negative input.
This is something I have trouble dealing with. I need to aquire that "Say what you want" attitude.
A master kept man knows how to avoid a war, I'm too quick to jump into the mud and roll around in it.
Training Monica is a full time job. She wasn't a young bride, doesn't believe something true just because I say it is.
I got used to the younger ones, they'd believe just about anything, at least for awhile.

How do I handle negatively?, I laugh at it, just as I laugh at life. You can say I'm full of laughter, I laughed when I was told I had cancer, "Really"... " I said to my doctor. Don't take life too serious, Rick, turn a negative into a positive and you won't be rolling in the mud and you will be much happier for it...

[raylawpc]

It appears that there were a number of former fighters who passed away while they were patients at Camarillo State Hospital, including Ad Wolgast, Terry Kellar and Frank Fields.

Wolgast doesn't need any introduction.

Kellar was a journeyman light-heavyweight/heavyweight who fought both Jack Dempsey and Harry Greb several times each during an interesting career. It is probable that his real name was Roy Walter Keller (note the spelling of his last name).

Fields was a California clubfighter who fought in the welterweight and middleweight divisions during a career which lasted from 1901 to the early 1910s. He also was a versatile boxing man who promoted boxing cards, trained and managed boxers, and refereed bouts. I became interested in Fields because he and Sam McVey were virtual stablemates who resided in Oxnard, California during the beginning of their respective careers.

- Chuck Johnston

Ad Wolgast at Camarillo . . .

Chuck, in the mid-60's I read a great story on Ad Wolgast in Boxing Illustrated.
In the story, it details how Wolgast was abused physically while a patient at the Camarillo State Hospital.
For those unaware, Camrillo State Hospital is a mental health facility in Ventura County.
According to the story. Two large hospital aides didn't like Wolgasts foul language, and beat the former champ badly, breaking his ribs.
Later they were heard bosting of their conquest over a former boxing champion.
Wolgast is one of my favorite's from the past.
Thanks to Tom Ray, I learned that Wolgast's name was not among the greats honored by the WBHOF.
In 2009, the name Ad Wolgast took it's place on the World Boxing Hall of Fame Honor Roll.

Now, see there? You and Frank Stallone do have something in common. He's nuts for Ad Wolgast.

[raylawpc]

"People with thin lips like to argue" . . .

Monica told me that when she was growing up her mother used to tell her that people with thin lips like to argue.
She then says, "My mother was correct. You have thin lips and you like to argue."

I was shocked, "Baby, I hate to argue."
Monica replied, "If you hate to argue than why do you do so much?"

Arguing is fun! It's also good for you. It stimulates the mind, and it keeps you sharp. Nothing wrong with arguing as long as nobody takes it personally, and nobody gets pissed off.

And its even more fun when you get paid to do it!

[kikibalt]

As I'm sitting on the patio computer Connie walks over and told me "Get you ass in the house and do house work" so I'm of to do house work....

[Panzerfaust]

Frank , something that have worked for me is performing the house dutys laid on me sooooo faaaar sub anything remotely resembling a standard...like when i vacumed the fireplace and broke the vacumer..... so i not allowed to do housework anymore

[kikibalt]

Frank , something that have worked for me is performing the house dutys laid on me sooooo faaaar sub anything remotely resembling a standard...like when i vacumed the fireplace and broke the vacumer..... so i not allowed to do housework anymore

[kikibalt]

I talked my way out of doing any house work today, to close to my birthday I told Connie. "get out of here and go play with your toys" she told me...

[Panzerfaust]

I talked my way out of doing any house work today, to close to my birthday I told Connie. "get out of here and go play with your toys" she told me...

[kikibalt]

A friend of mine just came back from visiting Mexico and he told me that some Mexicans call us Mexican-Americans gringos, and I’m having a hard time trying to figure out if that’s a step up or a step down from been called chicano....