Classic American West Coast Boxing

[Randyman]

Are everyone but me proffesional writers on this thread? great piece Randy

Thanks Remy

[Randyman]

If the press conference for Saturday night's fight between Bernard Hopkins and Jean Pascal is any indication, Hopkins may have just won the preflight psychological battle over Pascal. There was a brief scuffle over Pascal’s title belt in which Hopkins appeared to dominate and then in the following stare down, Pascal couldn’t or wouldn’t meet Hopkins gaze. Hopkins came off as cool and in control, while Pascal seemed flustered and intimidated. We’ll see how that plays out in the fight.

Hopkins, at 45 years of age, has been through this countless times and has a huge edge in experience, especially in the quality of opponents. But Pascal, at 28, has the advantage of youth. Hopkin’s fights can sometimes seem dull and tedious but he always has a plan and he almost always sticks with it. If Pascal goes into the fight angry it won’t take much for Hopkins to frustrate him. Hopkins knows every trick in the book and my gut feeling is that Hopkins is going to give Pascal a spanking Saturday but the fight will go the distance.

There’s no way tp honestly predict what will happen but if hard work counts for anything Hopkins should be in great shape. Hopkins has the height and reach advantage and you can bet your last dollar that he’ll use that advantage to the fullest.

If Hopkins wins, he’ll become the oldest boxer to win a prominent world title, replacing the venerable George Foreman, who recaptured the heavyweight title by knocking out Michael Moorer in 1994, twenty years after losing the title to Muhammad Ali in 1974.

I’ll be rooting for Hopkins to win this fight. If he wins it’ll be good for boxing and it’ll be good for us old guys, but win, lose or draw, you can be sure that we are seeing the end of an amazing career and one that has had it’s share adversity. Someday he can tell his grandkids that no one ever handed him anything on a silver platter, he earned everything the hard way. Can’t fault a man like that.

Bernard Hopkins and Jean Pascal will fight on Satursay night at the Pepsi Coliseum, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. Both the WBC light heavyweight title and the International Boxing Organization light heavyweight title will be at stake. The fight will be Shown on Showtime Championship Boxing.

As always, let the best man win.

Are everyone but me proffesional writers on this thread? great piece Randy

I second that, Remy. Randy is a great writer and I agree with him completely on his analysis of tonight's fight.
I watched the "wiegh-in drama" and saw Pascal attempt to intimidate Hopkins. What was the dumb bastid thinking?
I don't know much about Pascal, but I believe he's going to get a good dose of "OLD POWER" tonight.
The thing about Hopkins being the "oldest champ" if he wins means little today.
If there were good young fighters active than their wouldn't be so many old ones active.
Boxers don't fight as often anymore, so they are able to last longer, and as time passes, true old school skills diminish.
The old guys today are able to "borrow time" that was not available when boxing was in it's heyday.

Agreed!

[Randyman]

I apologize in advance for my sentimentalism in December.


My father and I - Christmas 1962

It’s important to me that I write down this memory. My mother and my sister have long since forgotten about it and my brother was yet to be born, and the Rio Hondo Hospital no longer exists. It’s part of my father’s history and a part of our family genealogy and history as well. Certain moments in a persons life should not be forgotten. With that in mind, I would like to share this memory.

We moved into our new home in Pico Rivera in November, 1962, a day before Thanksgiving. Christmas came quickly for us that year, adjusting to a new home, making new friends and getting to know our new neighbors and trying hard to return to a normal pattern. Christmas that year was a blur. It came and went without much ado.

The next year was a busy one for my parents, especially the second half, as they prepared to open a women’s clothing store, “Ann’s Dress Shop” at the old Hickory Hop Center in Pico Rivera. The store opened sometime in late fall or early winter of that year. I can’t quite recall exactly.

In the early part of December, 1963, my father was sick with the flu. I think he was worn out from the last year, between moving into the new house, working at his job and opening the store. His birthday on the 16th came and went, he turned forty that year. Not too many days after that I was awakened by my mother, it was very late at night. She told me that she had taken my father to the hospital and that he was sick with pneumonia. She seemed pretty shaken up.

It was just my Mother, sister Evelyn and me, my brother Dennis would be born the following December.. The house was lonely and quiet without my father. He was really sick and for a time we weren’t 100% sure that he was going to make it. We all prayed privately for my father. We continued to prepare for Christmas to keep busy, my mother did the Christmas shopping and my sister and her wrapped all the gifts and we waited.


A day came when I was able to go to the hospital to see him. It was the Rio Hondo Hospital in Downey. I wasn’t allowed to go to the room with my mother and sister, I think it was my age, I was nine. As I was sitting in the waiting room my mother called out to me and when I looked up, my father was standing at the doorway. I wasn’t allowed to go to him but we did talk for a minute before he went back to his room.

Christmas came and I made a decision that none of us would open our presents until my father came home from the hospital. It wasn’t negotiable. It was just another day of either moping around and waiting or keeping busy and waiting.

It was a few days after Christmas, December 28th, when my mother brought my father home. He was home. I couldn’t run out of the house to greet him fast enough. He was still in his pajamas and robe. I wasn’t used to seeing my father like this but I was just glad to have him home. By the time I reached my father I was in tears. We hugged and I just couldn’t let go of him, neither could my sister. I still remember his exact words “This is the best Christmas present I ever had”. We were all together again. December 28th was Christmas day for us that year. The following December, 1964 ,on the 26th, my brother Dennis would be born and twenty-four years later on the 28th, to the exact day, my youngest daughter Savannah was born.

[Rick Farris]

Keep 'em busy . . .

When boxers fight often, they stay sharp.
If they are hurt, naturally you give them time to recover, but if not, keep them active.
This is what makes for much better fights.
Frank has told us about the great six round war between Keeny Teran and Gil Cadilli.
Cadilli and Teran were main eventers, but stepped down to fight a six on the undercard of a Bolanos fight.
Everybody in L.A. knew that Gil & Keeny were quality talent, however that talent was honed by activity.
When they tangled at the Legion, Teran & Cadilli were sharp, and they put on the fight of the night.
Good boxers become better boxers when they are kept active.
Sadly, busy boxers are a thing of the past.

[Bobbin & Weavin]

I apologize in advance for my sentimentalism in December.


My father and I - Christmas 1962

It’s important to me that I write down this memory. My mother and my sister have long since forgotten about it and my brother was yet to be born, and the Rio Hondo Hospital no longer exists. It’s part of my father’s history and a part of our family genealogy and history as well. Certain moments in a persons life should not be forgotten. With that in mind, I would like to share this memory.

We moved into our new home in Pico Rivera in November, 1962, a day before Thanksgiving. Christmas came quickly for us that year, adjusting to a new home, making new friends and getting to know our new neighbors and trying hard to return to a normal pattern. Christmas that year was a blur. It came and went without much ado.

The next year was a busy one for my parents, especially the second half, as they prepared to open a women’s clothing store, “Ann’s Dress Shop” at the old Hickory Hop Center in Pico Rivera. The store opened sometime in late fall or early winter of that year. I can’t quite recall exactly.

In the early part of December, 1963, my father was sick with the flu. I think he was worn out from the last year, between moving into the new house, working at his job and opening the store. His birthday on the 16th came and went, he turned forty that year. Not too many days after that I was awakened by my mother, it was very late at night. She told me that she had taken my father to the hospital and that he was sick with pneumonia. She seemed pretty shaken up.

It was just my Mother, sister Evelyn and me, my brother Dennis would be born the following December.. The house was lonely and quiet without my father. He was really sick and for a time we weren’t 100% sure that he was going to make it. We all prayed privately for my father. We continued to prepare for Christmas to keep busy, my mother did the Christmas shopping and my sister and her wrapped all the gifts and we waited.


A day came when I was able to go to the hospital to see him. It was the Rio Hondo Hospital in Downey. I wasn’t allowed to go to the room with my mother and sister, I think it was my age, I was nine. As I was sitting in the waiting room my mother called out to me and when I looked up, my father was standing at the doorway. I wasn’t allowed to go to him but we did talk for a minute before he went back to his room.

Christmas came and I made a decision that none of us would open our presents until my father came home from the hospital. It wasn’t negotiable. It was just another day of either moping around and waiting or keeping busy and waiting.

It was a few days after Christmas, December 28th, when my mother brought my father home. He was home. I couldn’t run out of the house to greet him fast enough. He was still in his pajamas and robe. I wasn’t used to seeing my father like this but I was just glad to have him home. By the time I reached my father I was in tears. We hugged and I just couldn’t let go of him, neither could my sister. I still remember his exact words “This is the best Christmas present I ever had”. We were all together again. December 28th was Christmas day for us that year. The following December, 1964 ,on the 26th, my brother Dennis would be born and twenty-four years later on the 28th, to the exact day, my youngest daughter Savannah was born.

That's a great memory Randy, thanks for sharing.
Bruce

[Rick Farris]

I apologize in advance for my sentimentalism in December.


My father and I - Christmas 1962

It’s important to me that I write down this memory. My mother and my sister have long since forgotten about it and my brother was yet to be born, and the Rio Hondo Hospital no longer exists. It’s part of my father’s history and a part of our family genealogy and history as well. Certain moments in a persons life should not be forgotten. With that in mind, I would like to share this memory.

We moved into our new home in Pico Rivera in November, 1962, a day before Thanksgiving. Christmas came quickly for us that year, adjusting to a new home, making new friends and getting to know our new neighbors and trying hard to return to a normal pattern. Christmas that year was a blur. It came and went without much ado.

The next year was a busy one for my parents, especially the second half, as they prepared to open a women’s clothing store, “Ann’s Dress Shop” at the old Hickory Hop Center in Pico Rivera. The store opened sometime in late fall or early winter of that year. I can’t quite recall exactly.

In the early part of December, 1963, my father was sick with the flu. I think he was worn out from the last year, between moving into the new house, working at his job and opening the store. His birthday on the 16th came and went, he turned forty that year. Not too many days after that I was awakened by my mother, it was very late at night. She told me that she had taken my father to the hospital and that he was sick with pneumonia. She seemed pretty shaken up.

It was just my Mother, sister Evelyn and me, my brother Dennis would be born the following December.. The house was lonely and quiet without my father. He was really sick and for a time we weren’t 100% sure that he was going to make it. We all prayed privately for my father. We continued to prepare for Christmas to keep busy, my mother did the Christmas shopping and my sister and her wrapped all the gifts and we waited.


A day came when I was able to go to the hospital to see him. It was the Rio Hondo Hospital in Downey. I wasn’t allowed to go to the room with my mother and sister, I think it was my age, I was nine. As I was sitting in the waiting room my mother called out to me and when I looked up, my father was standing at the doorway. I wasn’t allowed to go to him but we did talk for a minute before he went back to his room.

Christmas came and I made a decision that none of us would open our presents until my father came home from the hospital. It wasn’t negotiable. It was just another day of either moping around and waiting or keeping busy and waiting.

It was a few days after Christmas, December 28th, when my mother brought my father home. He was home. I couldn’t run out of the house to greet him fast enough. He was still in his pajamas and robe. I wasn’t used to seeing my father like this but I was just glad to have him home. By the time I reached my father I was in tears. We hugged and I just couldn’t let go of him, neither could my sister. I still remember his exact words “This is the best Christmas present I ever had”. We were all together again. December 28th was Christmas day for us that year. The following December, 1964 ,on the 26th, my brother Dennis would be born and twenty-four years later on the 28th, to the exact day, my youngest daughter Savannah was born.

That was thoughtful story.
I know the quality of your parents, Randy.
Their reflection is in your eyes.
Your father is very proud of you, and I'm proud to be your friend.

[Rick Farris]

That's a great memory Randy, thanks for sharing.
Bruce
--------------------------------------------------------

Hey Bruce! Good to see you here again. Hope things are good up north. I was thinking of you the other day.

[kikibalt]

I apologize in advance for my sentimentalism in December.


My father and I - Christmas 1962

It’s important to me that I write down this memory. My mother and my sister have long since forgotten about it and my brother was yet to be born, and the Rio Hondo Hospital no longer exists. It’s part of my father’s history and a part of our family genealogy and history as well. Certain moments in a persons life should not be forgotten. With that in mind, I would like to share this memory.

We moved into our new home in Pico Rivera in November, 1962, a day before Thanksgiving. Christmas came quickly for us that year, adjusting to a new home, making new friends and getting to know our new neighbors and trying hard to return to a normal pattern. Christmas that year was a blur. It came and went without much ado.

The next year was a busy one for my parents, especially the second half, as they prepared to open a women’s clothing store, “Ann’s Dress Shop” at the old Hickory Hop Center in Pico Rivera. The store opened sometime in late fall or early winter of that year. I can’t quite recall exactly.

In the early part of December, 1963, my father was sick with the flu. I think he was worn out from the last year, between moving into the new house, working at his job and opening the store. His birthday on the 16th came and went, he turned forty that year. Not too many days after that I was awakened by my mother, it was very late at night. She told me that she had taken my father to the hospital and that he was sick with pneumonia. She seemed pretty shaken up.

It was just my Mother, sister Evelyn and me, my brother Dennis would be born the following December.. The house was lonely and quiet without my father. He was really sick and for a time we weren’t 100% sure that he was going to make it. We all prayed privately for my father. We continued to prepare for Christmas to keep busy, my mother did the Christmas shopping and my sister and her wrapped all the gifts and we waited.


A day came when I was able to go to the hospital to see him. It was the Rio Hondo Hospital in Downey. I wasn’t allowed to go to the room with my mother and sister, I think it was my age, I was nine. As I was sitting in the waiting room my mother called out to me and when I looked up, my father was standing at the doorway. I wasn’t allowed to go to him but we did talk for a minute before he went back to his room.

Christmas came and I made a decision that none of us would open our presents until my father came home from the hospital. It wasn’t negotiable. It was just another day of either moping around and waiting or keeping busy and waiting.

It was a few days after Christmas, December 28th, when my mother brought my father home. He was home. I couldn’t run out of the house to greet him fast enough. He was still in his pajamas and robe. I wasn’t used to seeing my father like this but I was just glad to have him home. By the time I reached my father I was in tears. We hugged and I just couldn’t let go of him, neither could my sister. I still remember his exact words “This is the best Christmas present I ever had”. We were all together again. December 28th was Christmas day for us that year. The following December, 1964 ,on the 26th, my brother Dennis would be born and twenty-four years later on the 28th, to the exact day, my youngest daughter Savannah was born.

Thanks for sharing Randy

[CNorkusJr]

Thanks Randy on your fine memory and writing. A Christmas story beyond words.

Thanks for the early present on posting the top ten Boxing news conferences with Don King. Very Amusing.

The upcoming Garden bout in March falls in with past few years of promoting fights that coincide with various ethnic Holidays. Without even looking, I'll bet the date for this event will either be the eve of St. Patricks day or THE St Patricks Day night itself. The Garden have been running such shows for a few years now successfully. If you were to check the boxing career of John Duddy-You will see he boxed on many of these shows in New York.
The Garden has found a windfall for such nights-usually coming close to sellouts in the big arena. My guess it will be an all-Irish card and Martinez
just might have a tough time pulling out from a hometown decision if it goes to the cards close. By the way, many of the fights in the crowd are more entertaining than the ring fights that night.

Also, The Puerto Rican Day cards feature Puerto Ricans as the ring specialists on that night also.

Haven't seen Martin Luther King Day card yet- but many of the "other nights of the year" fight cards feature many up and coming fighters. No offense here to my black friends.

A person who is packing in the Polish population is New Jersey's top slugging heavyweight Thomas Adamek. There is a huge support group of Polish nationalists and US citizens who are turning out in droves here in the NY City-New Jersey metro area including Long Island. Right now there is a huge stable of Polish fighters gaining big support here. I find them, kind, approachable and will give you the time of day if you show interest in their careers. Reminds me of appreciative fighters from the past.

Overall, fights seem to be on a bit of an upswing here-laden with many foreign bred and raised and relocated geographically to the New York area.
Philadelphia too. 10 years ago-boxing was waning here with occaisional big name fight in the Garden-but of late, some very good local cards are being promoted with equally matched fighters given it 110 %.
The fighters are seeing an opening of getting in on the inside track in some of the "lesser" ranked weight classes. It all makes good for Boxing overall.

Europe(England included) is showing itself to be a leader now in producing champs-especially in the Heavy Divisions- but give it time.

[Rick Farris]

About a week of rain . . .

That's what Southern California has to look forward too.
I like the rain, we need it, but it kills one of my favorite things, my hike workouts.
I live in Studio City, at the foot of the Hollywood Hills. There is this great hiking trail about two blocks into Laurel Canyon.
I can walk to the trail from my home.
I guess you'd say it's trendy as you'll see locals who are film stars taking their walk up the trail, most the girls from Desperate Housewives, etc.
I hit it with a guy I train on Sunday mornings. He isn't a fighter, but we do a boxing workout with pads, as we hike.
We'll stop off the side of the trail, where it's flat and work the pads, and I have him working while moving up the trail.
This means I go up backwards, holding pads, catching punches with the pads, etc. which is good for me.
I'm careful, aware of my footing and balance, but it really works your stamina.

When I'm alone I'll hike with small weights, little dumbells only 2lbs. each.
As you work your way up the trail you work the weights, light weights with lots of reps, breathe.
Before I leave the house I stretch for ten minutes, I do a lot of stomach work on an Ab-Lounge, pushups using the "perfect push-up grips", other excercise. I shadow box, hit the heavy bag as best I can with arthritus in my left wrist, I've done this all my life.
I eat what I want, drink what I want, do what I want.
But I try to get enough rest and take care of myself.

Now I've been sitting out on my back porch, staring at the hillside toward the trail.
I really want to be on it, but I've tried it in the rain before and that trail becomes a muddy mess that's crossed by small raging streams.
I'll end up falling on my ass in the mud and won't be happy.
Isn't it odd that fifty years ago, when I was a kid, the thought of slipping and sliding in mud was cool, an adventure, fun.
Today it's a major inconvenience.
I think I'll go watch "The Fighter" again. Monica does not want to see it. She'll be in the theatre down the hall watching "Black Swan".
Both play at the same time, so we have a perfect situation.
All I need is for the rain to break for a few hours and I'll be back on that trail. Mud or not.

My work is on Hiatus thru the New Year, so I have two weeks off.

[Randyman]

Jeri and I went to go see "The Fighter" today. Good movie, great acting by Christian Bale and Amy Adams but Melissa Leo was really great as Alice Ward, Mark Wahlberg as Mickey Ward was just a little too timid and complacent for me, but maybe that's the way Ward is, I don't know. A bizarre family for sure. I kept expecting to see Jerry Springer somewhere in the movie. I couldn't help but think of "Everybody Loves Raymond", two full grown men afraid of their mother. Amy Adams played her role with balls! Too bad the Gotti-Ward fights weren't in the movie.

[Randyman]

The fight between Hopkins and Pascal was a majority draw but I can't be the only one here that thinks Bernard Hopkins got screwed. He fought a great fight against Jean Pascal. He was knocked down in the first round by a blow that was clearly thrown at the back of his head. Pascal continued to hit Hopkins on the back of the head throughout the fight, The ref warned him several times but never took a point away. He was knocked down again in the third. From the fourth round on he started taking control of the fight. He really had Pascal backing up. He was landing good to the body. I thought Hopkins really imposed himself physically and mentally on Pascal. Hopkins was obviously angry by the decision but all things considered he kept his cool. Even Pascal's son looked embarrassed.

[Rick Farris]

Jeri and I went to go see "The Fighter" today. Good movie, great acting by Christian Bale and Amy Adams but Melissa Leo was really great as Alice Ward, Mark Wahlberg as Mickey Ward was just a little too timid and complacent for me, but maybe that's the way Ward is, I don't know. A bizarre family for sure. I kept expecting to see Jerry Springer somewhere in the movie. I couldn't help but think of "Everybody Loves Raymond", two full grown men afraid of their mother. Amy Adams played her role with balls! Too bad the Gotti-Ward fights weren't in the movie.

A classic American family story?
Not the best movie I've ever seen, but it wasn't bad.
I worked with Amy Adams once, a few years back on "Enchanted".
Great actress, and I agree she was good in this one.
I didn't know Mickey Ward. I saw him on TV like everybody else. I enjoyed his high-action fights.
I know a guy from New England, he fought Mickey Ward, losing a ten rounder in his last fight.
The friend's name is David Rivello. David also whipped Freddie Roach, in Freddie's final fight.
David lives in L.A. now, and works as a personal trainer. I'll call him and ask his thoughts on the film.
Fighters are fighters, but there is a big difference in the personality of big cities.
Rivello is from the Mass. area

[Rick Farris]

The fight between Hopkins and Pascal was a majority draw but I can't be the only one here that thinks Bernard Hopkins got screwed. He fought a great fight against Jean Pascal. He was knocked down in the first round by a blow that was clearly thrown at the back of his head. Pascal continued to hit Hopkins on the back of the head throughout the fight, The ref warned him several times but never took a point away. He was knocked down again in the third. From the fourth round on he started taking control of the fight. He really had Pascal backing up. He was landing good to the body. I thought Hopkins really imposed himself physically and mentally on Pascal. Hopkins was obviously angry by the decision but all things considered he kept his cool. Even Pascal's son looked embarrassed.

Randy, thanks for the info. I will watch it later, try to score it.

[CNorkusJr]

About a week of rain . . .

That's what Southern California has to look forward too.
I like the rain, we need it, but it kills one of my favorite things, my hike workouts.
I live in Studio City, at the foot of the Hollywood Hills. There is this great hiking trail about two blocks into Laurel Canyon.
I can walk to the trail from my home.
I guess you'd say it's trendy as you'll see locals who are film stars taking their walk up the trail, most the girls from Desperate Housewives, etc.
I hit it with a guy I train on Sunday mornings. He isn't a fighter, but we do a boxing workout with pads, as we hike.
We'll stop off the side of the trail, where it's flat and work the pads, and I have him working while moving up the trail.
This means I go up backwards, holding pads, catching punches with the pads, etc. which is good for me.
I'm careful, aware of my footing and balance, but it really works your stamina.

When I'm alone I'll hike with small weights, little dumbells only 2lbs. each.
As you work your way up the trail you work the weights, light weights with lots of reps, breathe.
Before I leave the house I stretch for ten minutes, I do a lot of stomach work on an Ab-Lounge, pushups using the "perfect push-up grips", other excercise. I shadow box, hit the heavy bag as best I can with arthritus in my left wrist, I've done this all my life.
I eat what I want, drink what I want, do what I want.
But I try to get enough rest and take care of myself.

Now I've been sitting out on my back porch, staring at the hillside toward the trail.
I really want to be on it, but I've tried it in the rain before and that trail becomes a muddy mess that's crossed by small raging streams.
I'll end up falling on my ass in the mud and won't be happy.
Isn't it odd that fifty years ago, when I was a kid, the thought of slipping and sliding in mud was cool, an adventure, fun.
Today it's a major inconvenience.
I think I'll go watch "The Fighter" again. Monica does not want to see it. She'll be in the theatre down the hall watching "Black Swan".
Both play at the same time, so we have a perfect situation.
All I need is for the rain to break for a few hours and I'll be back on that trail. Mud or not.

My work is on Hiatus thru the New Year, so I have two weeks off.

Your pictures of you and Monica show that your workouts are paying off.
As I read your article above, just for the heck of it, I played the theme song to "Rocky". It works well. I think I can be one of those Hollywood music editors directors types. Let me know if there are openings Rick.
Especially if "Desperate Housewives" is looking for one.

[kikibalt]

The fight between Hopkins and Pascal was a majority draw but I can't be the only one here that thinks Bernard Hopkins got screwed. He fought a great fight against Jean Pascal. He was knocked down in the first round by a blow that was clearly thrown at the back of his head. Pascal continued to hit Hopkins on the back of the head throughout the fight, The ref warned him several times but never took a point away. He was knocked down again in the third. From the fourth round on he started taking control of the fight. He really had Pascal backing up. He was landing good to the body. I thought Hopkins really imposed himself physically and mentally on Pascal. Hopkins was obviously angry by the decision but all things considered he kept his cool. Even Pascal's son looked embarrassed.

Ol' school boxing

Randy, I too thought Hopkins did more than enough to have won the fight even with the two knock downs against him. That been said, let me say that I been one of Hopkins biggest critics for his past performances, I did not find anything in his performance last night to be critical about, in fact I was amazed at the ol' fighter and the way he performed, kudo to the ol' master.

Hopkins to Pascal after the second knock down: "laddie, let me show you how the job works" and then proceeded to take him to school.

[Rick Farris]

The fight between Hopkins and Pascal was a majority draw but I can't be the only one here that thinks Bernard Hopkins got screwed. He fought a great fight against Jean Pascal. He was knocked down in the first round by a blow that was clearly thrown at the back of his head. Pascal continued to hit Hopkins on the back of the head throughout the fight, The ref warned him several times but never took a point away. He was knocked down again in the third. From the fourth round on he started taking control of the fight. He really had Pascal backing up. He was landing good to the body. I thought Hopkins really imposed himself physically and mentally on Pascal. Hopkins was obviously angry by the decision but all things considered he kept his cool. Even Pascal's son looked embarrassed.

Ol' school boxing

Randy, I too thought Hopkins did more than enough to have won the fight even with the two knock downs against him. That been said, let me say that I been one of Hopkins biggest critics for his past performances, I did not find anything in his performance last night to be critical about, in fact I was amazed at the ol' fighter and the way he performed, kudo to the ol' master.

Hopkins to Pascal after the second knock down: "laddie, let me show you how the job works" and proceeded to take him to school.

Randy & Frank . . . I caught the fight replay last night and agree with you both.
Hopkins came to fight and I believe got a bad deal. As Frank said, Kudos to the old master.
I'd like to see a rematch held in Philly. I imagine that Pascal will avoid a rematch.

[Rick Farris]

About a week of rain . . .

That's what Southern California has to look forward too.
I like the rain, we need it, but it kills one of my favorite things, my hike workouts.
I live in Studio City, at the foot of the Hollywood Hills. There is this great hiking trail about two blocks into Laurel Canyon.
I can walk to the trail from my home.
I guess you'd say it's trendy as you'll see locals who are film stars taking their walk up the trail, most the girls from Desperate Housewives, etc.
I hit it with a guy I train on Sunday mornings. He isn't a fighter, but we do a boxing workout with pads, as we hike.
We'll stop off the side of the trail, where it's flat and work the pads, and I have him working while moving up the trail.
This means I go up backwards, holding pads, catching punches with the pads, etc. which is good for me.
I'm careful, aware of my footing and balance, but it really works your stamina.

When I'm alone I'll hike with small weights, little dumbells only 2lbs. each.
As you work your way up the trail you work the weights, light weights with lots of reps, breathe.
Before I leave the house I stretch for ten minutes, I do a lot of stomach work on an Ab-Lounge, pushups using the "perfect push-up grips", other excercise. I shadow box, hit the heavy bag as best I can with arthritus in my left wrist, I've done this all my life.
I eat what I want, drink what I want, do what I want.
But I try to get enough rest and take care of myself.

Now I've been sitting out on my back porch, staring at the hillside toward the trail.
I really want to be on it, but I've tried it in the rain before and that trail becomes a muddy mess that's crossed by small raging streams.
I'll end up falling on my ass in the mud and won't be happy.
Isn't it odd that fifty years ago, when I was a kid, the thought of slipping and sliding in mud was cool, an adventure, fun.
Today it's a major inconvenience.
I think I'll go watch "The Fighter" again. Monica does not want to see it. She'll be in the theatre down the hall watching "Black Swan".
Both play at the same time, so we have a perfect situation.
All I need is for the rain to break for a few hours and I'll be back on that trail. Mud or not.

My work is on Hiatus thru the New Year, so I have two weeks off.

Your pictures of you and Monica show that your workouts are paying off.
As I read your article above, just for the heck of it, I played the theme song to "Rocky". It works well. I think I can be one of those Hollywood music editors directors types. Let me know if there are openings Rick.
Especially if "Desperate Housewives" is looking for one.

I love this trail, it perfect for fighters because you can make it as tough a workout as you desire, or just have a nice walk.
As you go up the hill you look down over the San Fernando Valley. Monica used to go with me once in awhile, but no more.
I'll say, "C'mon baby, go up the hill with me."
She'll answer, "You need a dog, you've got too much energy for me."

[Rick Farris]

Charlie, the Jets have a tough one today in Pittsburgh.
Hope they can turn things around.

[kikibalt]

Charlie, the Jets have a tough one today in Pittsburgh.
Hope they can turn things around.

Hope so....

[THEHAMMER321]

About Hopkins, I have never been a fan of his, but I am impressed by how effective he still is at 45, not to take anything away from Bernard Hopkins,but Archie Moore he is not, The ''old mongoose'' not only was effective at the same age but had over 40 fights, over the age of forty,a whole career by todays standard, not to mention 160 fights before 40, now that is impressive !

[Rick Farris]

Charlie, the Jets have a tough one today in Pittsburgh.
Hope they can turn things around.

Hope so....

Frank . . . It's on TV at 1:15 in L.A.

[kikibalt]

Charlie, the Jets have a tough one today in Pittsburgh.
Hope they can turn things around.

Hope so....

Frank . . . It's on TV at 1:15 in L.A.

Going to watch it Rick...in bed!....LOL!

[Rick Farris]

About Hopkins, I have never been a fan of his, but I am impressed by how effective he still is at 45, not to take anything away from Bernard Hopkins,but Archie Moore he is not, The ''old mongoose'' not only was effective at the same age but had over 40 fights, over the age of forty,a whole career by todays standard, not to mention 160 fights before 40, now that is impressive !

Paul . . . When you look at Moore's career, just a couple months short of thirty years of constant activity, people of today are amazed. I only met Archie Moore once, and it was real brief, at the Olympic Auditorium in 1995. He was well into his 80's and would soon pass away. The "Old Mongoose" was sitting near ringside with Don Chargin, Jackie McCoy, and Bennie Georgino. He was wearing a multi-colored knit cap. My father was with me and wanted to say hello to Jackie McCoy & Chargin. We visited with Jackie, Bennie, and then Don introduced us to Archie Moore. We didn't visit, just acknowledged each other. I recall looking Jackie McCoy in the eyes and noticed something different. His wife Shirley had passed away not long before. I was unaware that Jackie had cancer and he'd pass away shortly afterwards, Archie would pass away around the same time. I'm happy that Don Chargin, Don Fraser, Bennie Georgino and Hap Navarro are still with us. These are some of the good guys of Classic American West Coast boxing!

[Rick Farris]

Hope so....

Frank . . . It's on TV at 1:15 in L.A.

Going to watch it Rick...in bed!....LOL!

As a "Kept Man" should!