Classic American West Coast Boxing

[Randyman]

Hey guys, Jeri and I became grandparents again last night for the seventh time. Brand new granddaughter, 5,5 lbs 19 inches, named Kendra. DD

Randy

Congrats guys. You guys are catching up to us.....

Thanks Frank!

[Randyman]

I'm leaving in a few minutes to pick up three dozen tamales from Juanito's.

Randy

I'm picking 4 dozens tomorrow at 10:00 AM

Good Luck with that. Tomorrow will be more crowded than today, and crazier too. Well worth it though!

[Randyman]

Los Angeles City Hall Cross

At one time the L.A. City Hall was the tallest building in the city. I'm sure it's no longer true but atone time you could see Catalina Island from the upper level floors. I saw it for myself on a field trip in the 3rd grade. I still love that old building.

Randy

[Randyman]

Los Angeles City Hall Cross

At one time the L.A. City Hall was the tallest building in the city. I'm sure it's no longer true but atone time you could see Catalina Island from the upper level floors. I saw it for myself on a field trip in the 3rd grade. I still love that old building.

This photo looks old. I don't believe it would be legal to have a cross on the city hall anymore. more's the pity!

Randy

[kikibalt]

I'm leaving in a few minutes to pick up three dozen tamales from Juanito's.

Randy

I'm picking 4 dozens tomorrow at 10:00 AM

Good Luck with that. Tomorrow will be more crowded than today, and crazier too. Well worth it though!

Two years ago I order 6 dozens, went on the 24th to pick them up, came home with 3 dozens, I had paid for them at the time I order them, so I was piss when they told me they could only give me 3 dozens, I got my money back for the 3 dozens I didn't get but I was one pissed off guys, and I told them so....

[raylawpc]

Great Tamales I have Known……..

Jeri and I went to pick up our tamales today at Juanito’s in East L.A. It was chaotic and crowded and busy and I’m sure it will be even worse tomorrow. We had to wait an extra hour for the cheese and green chile tamales. We ordered a Champurrado, a hot thick drink made from masa and Mexican chocolate, and Bunelos, a flat crispy tortilla like desert topped with sugar and cinnamon. Both are very delicious and traditional. While we were waiting some guy came in to pick up his order, several dozen. The manager told him “I’m sorry but we gave your order away”, the guy seemed irritated but he agreed to come back later in the day, after being assured by the manager or owner that his order would be ready. Of course he said okay, the tamales are that good. The confusion is understandable because there was a constant flow of customers and they all wanted their tamales. It was better to humble yourself, bite your tongue and wait, rather than lose out on the tamales. We were there a few weeks earlier on the recommendation of Frank Baltazar Sr. and had already tried the tamales so we knew they were worth waiting for.

On the way home Jeri and I got to talking about all the great tamales we’ve had over the years from places that have either disappeared or changed hands. For years we have gone to Mary’s Mexican Deli on Whittier Blvd in Whittier for menudo and tamales, in fact I went there with my father when I was a young boy. A few years back the owner retired and someone else took over and it is no longer the same. They were at one time on par with Juanito’s but no more.

Another place was Yaqui’s in Santa Fe Springs, great tamales, in fact all their food was good and they made some really good salsa, hot just the way I like it. They too are a thing of the past.

La Pinata’s in Montebello is still in business and I still enjoy their food, especially the tamales. They fall just under Juanito’s and that’s no insult considering how good Juanito’s tamales are. Of course that’s subject to opinion. Their menudo is outstanding as well.

In 2003 Jeri and I were walking out of the market and heading for the truck when some guy standing next to a van said something to me in Spanish. I don’t speak Spanish so I looked at Jeri and she said “He selling tamales” “I’m not buying tamales from some guy in a van, let’s go” I said. He said something else to me and Jeri tells me “you can sample a few for free”. “Free?” says I. I looked at the van, a newer model, it was clean, and had the name of the business painted on the side. I looked at the guy, he seemed business like so I said “Free huh?” As it turns out I bought about four dozen tamales from him, red with pork, red with beef, green chile and cheese and whatever else he had. I prayed there wasn’t a Chihuahua in the bunch. These were tamales from Heaven. The corn husk was fresh and not dried. They were different than any tamale I have ever tasted. We got their card. The great thing about it was that they delivered. Couldn’t beat that.
Later that year, when we gave my son Andrew a going away party when he was leaving for the Coast Guard, I ordered a couple of hundred for the party. One day we called and the number was no longer in service. I don’t think I ever got over it. That as they say, was that.

About 1996, Jeri and I and the kids decided we were going to try to make our own tamales, with red chile with pork. We did a respectable job considering it was our first time. We gave some to our neighbors and they swore they were the best tamales they had ever tasted. I don’t know if they were being kind or if they were telling the truth but we thought they were good.

The worst tamales that I have ever had? I used to say to anyone and everyone that ”I never met a tamale I didn’t like”. I can’t say that anymore.

In 2003, Ed Hernandez and I were at work, finishing up our lunch, when some guy that I had never seen before walks up to us and says “Do you guys like tamales?” “Do we like tamales? Do birds fly?” Well“, he says “my son is a professional chef and he makes tamales. I’m taking orders”. He sounded so proud of his son. He gave us a list of the types of tamales his son made. He made them sound so good. I ordered four dozen at 60 bucks. Ed ordered three dozen, one for him and one each for his sons.

They came just before Christmas. I took them home and Jeri steamed them and put them on the plate. There are no words to describe just how horrible these tamales were. I’m still gagging. We threw them all in the trash. There are some things that a professional chef should never touch; a good burger, good fried chicken, burritos of any type and last but not least, tamales! I called Ed to see how his tamales were. He hadn’t tried his yet. I told him about mine. He didn’t sound too happy about it. When I talked to him later, he said he just tossed his tamales after we talked. A few months later the guy came around to see how we liked the tamales. Again, he was so proud of his son, I just didn’t have the heart to tell him. So I lied.

I enjoyed your story about tamales. I think I wrote that, until my Dad got sick, I taught a citizenship course at our church and my students were two Mexican women. I mentioned once that I loved tamales, but couldn’t find any good Mexican food in St. Louis. Lo and behold, the next week one of the women brought in about two dozen tamales. They were terrific.

Right after my citizenship class, we had a business meeting at church. So I went to my meeting with my tamales. Our associate pastor is from South Texas, so he immediately recognized the smell and asked, “Can I have one of your tamales?” “Sure,” I said, “take as many as you want.” (He took five – one for him, his wife, and each of his three kids.) The senior pastor, a Yankee from Northern Illinois, is watching and waiting and, as I put the tamales back into the bag, says “Aren’t you going to share with the rest of us?” “No. I’m not going to waste genuine tamales on a bunch of Yankees. You guys wouldn’t appreciate what you were eating.”

“But,” he replied, “Jesus praised the Gentile woman who reminded him that even the dogs under the table can eat the children’s crumbs.”

“Yes,” I said, “But Jesus also said don’t cast your pearls before swine. You Yankees aren’t getting my tamales.”

[Rick Farris]

Here is something else that made the Golden Era great in my day, Rick. Starting sometime in the 1930s the athletic commission helped to set up a couple of boxers homes in metropolitan LA, one at west third street and Westmoreland and the other at Jefferson blvd near Vermont avenue. These were places where visiting fighters in need could stay for a short time. The one on third street was managed by an old friend of amateur boxing named Tom Cox, who happened to be Henry Armstrong's early manager. The other home was under the direction of black trainer George Tolson, who also trained all of the Bert Lewis stab le offighters
When Cox died his place was taken by old time featherweight headliner Frankie Garcia. The commission had a 1% deducted from each main event fighter's purse for the boxers' fund which helped maintain the two homes.
I never knew the entire story on those homes, but I do know they existed and for the purposes I have mentioned. Great idea that eventually petered out.

take care my friend
Hap

[Rick Farris]

It was weird that she really did nothing major after True Grit.

Without sounding cruel, I always saw her as a female version of Anthony Perkins, there seemed to be something wrong with him in any role he played. Kim Darby gave me that type of feeling-there's something wrong with her. But I could be completely off base on that. What do I know?

Well, Rick did say "she was CRAZY!!! I mean CRAZZZZZY!"

Yes, she was (or is?). I worked with her a couple of times, the first on Rich Man, Poor Man at Universal.
I realize that some actors act a little different when they are working, some get into their roles, etc. However, she was very strange. The last time I saw her was in the 90's, at a restaurant in Studio City. She was wearing a terry cloth bathrobe, and her hair was dyed purple, no make-up, and she was talking to herself. She was in her late 40's, and I doubt anybody would cast her in anything today. I kinda felt sorry for her, she just seems to have lost her grip on reality.

[Randyman]

Great Tamales I have Known……..

Jeri and I went to pick up our tamales today at Juanito’s in East L.A. It was chaotic and crowded and busy and I’m sure it will be even worse tomorrow. We had to wait an extra hour for the cheese and green chile tamales. We ordered a Champurrado, a hot thick drink made from masa and Mexican chocolate, and Bunelos, a flat crispy tortilla like desert topped with sugar and cinnamon. Both are very delicious and traditional. While we were waiting some guy came in to pick up his order, several dozen. The manager told him “I’m sorry but we gave your order away”, the guy seemed irritated but he agreed to come back later in the day, after being assured by the manager or owner that his order would be ready. Of course he said okay, the tamales are that good. The confusion is understandable because there was a constant flow of customers and they all wanted their tamales. It was better to humble yourself, bite your tongue and wait, rather than lose out on the tamales. We were there a few weeks earlier on the recommendation of Frank Baltazar Sr. and had already tried the tamales so we knew they were worth waiting for.

On the way home Jeri and I got to talking about all the great tamales we’ve had over the years from places that have either disappeared or changed hands. For years we have gone to Mary’s Mexican Deli on Whittier Blvd in Whittier for menudo and tamales, in fact I went there with my father when I was a young boy. A few years back the owner retired and someone else took over and it is no longer the same. They were at one time on par with Juanito’s but no more.

Another place was Yaqui’s in Santa Fe Springs, great tamales, in fact all their food was good and they made some really good salsa, hot just the way I like it. They too are a thing of the past.

La Pinata’s in Montebello is still in business and I still enjoy their food, especially the tamales. They fall just under Juanito’s and that’s no insult considering how good Juanito’s tamales are. Of course that’s subject to opinion. Their menudo is outstanding as well.

In 2003 Jeri and I were walking out of the market and heading for the truck when some guy standing next to a van said something to me in Spanish. I don’t speak Spanish so I looked at Jeri and she said “He selling tamales” “I’m not buying tamales from some guy in a van, let’s go” I said. He said something else to me and Jeri tells me “you can sample a few for free”. “Free?” says I. I looked at the van, a newer model, it was clean, and had the name of the business painted on the side. I looked at the guy, he seemed business like so I said “Free huh?” As it turns out I bought about four dozen tamales from him, red with pork, red with beef, green chile and cheese and whatever else he had. I prayed there wasn’t a Chihuahua in the bunch. These were tamales from Heaven. The corn husk was fresh and not dried. They were different than any tamale I have ever tasted. We got their card. The great thing about it was that they delivered. Couldn’t beat that.
Later that year, when we gave my son Andrew a going away party when he was leaving for the Coast Guard, I ordered a couple of hundred for the party. One day we called and the number was no longer in service. I don’t think I ever got over it. That as they say, was that.

About 1996, Jeri and I and the kids decided we were going to try to make our own tamales, with red chile with pork. We did a respectable job considering it was our first time. We gave some to our neighbors and they swore they were the best tamales they had ever tasted. I don’t know if they were being kind or if they were telling the truth but we thought they were good.

The worst tamales that I have ever had? I used to say to anyone and everyone that ”I never met a tamale I didn’t like”. I can’t say that anymore.

In 2003, Ed Hernandez and I were at work, finishing up our lunch, when some guy that I had never seen before walks up to us and says “Do you guys like tamales?” “Do we like tamales? Do birds fly?” Well“, he says “my son is a professional chef and he makes tamales. I’m taking orders”. He sounded so proud of his son. He gave us a list of the types of tamales his son made. He made them sound so good. I ordered four dozen at 60 bucks. Ed ordered three dozen, one for him and one each for his sons.

They came just before Christmas. I took them home and Jeri steamed them and put them on the plate. There are no words to describe just how horrible these tamales were. I’m still gagging. We threw them all in the trash. There are some things that a professional chef should never touch; a good burger, good fried chicken, burritos of any type and last but not least, tamales! I called Ed to see how his tamales were. He hadn’t tried his yet. I told him about mine. He didn’t sound too happy about it. When I talked to him later, he said he just tossed his tamales after we talked. A few months later the guy came around to see how we liked the tamales. Again, he was so proud of his son, I just didn’t have the heart to tell him. So I lied.

I enjoyed your story about tamales. I think I wrote that, until my Dad got sick, I taught a citizenship course at our church and my students were two Mexican women. I mentioned once that I loved tamales, but couldn’t find any good Mexican food in St. Louis. Lo and behold, the next week one of the women brought in about two dozen tamales. They were terrific.

Right after my citizenship class, we had a business meeting at church. So I went to my meeting with my tamales. Our associate pastor is from South Texas, so he immediately recognized the smell and asked, “Can I have one of your tamales?” “Sure,” I said, “take as many as you want.” (He took five – one for him, his wife, and each of his three kids.) The senior pastor, a Yankee from Northern Illinois, is watching and waiting and, as I put the tamales back into the bag, says “Aren’t you going to share with the rest of us?” “No. I’m not going to waste genuine tamales on a bunch of Yankees. You guys wouldn’t appreciate what you were eating.”

“But,” he replied, “Jesus praised the Gentile woman who reminded him that even the dogs under the table can eat the children’s crumbs.”

“Yes,” I said, “But Jesus also said don’t cast your pearls before swine. You Yankees aren’t getting my tamales.”

That may just be the greatest counter puch ever thrown!I love it.
"Can I have one of your tamales?" Them's fighting words!

[Rick Farris]

I'm told by folks who know him that the guy who lives with Emile is not a family member, and their relationship is unclear even to those who know Emile well. But, whatever the nature of their relatrionship, the guy apparently is good to him, and keeps him clean, well-fed, and happy.

I'm told that poor Emile becomes very confused. At one recent boxing event, he apparently did not recognize Jose Napoles. At another, he reportedly became very angry with George Chuvalo because he thought George was stealing a .50 cent ballpoint pen from him. Fortunately, George kept his cool and was able to quickly defuse the situation.

Something I've heard recently is that Nino Benvenuti periodically sends money to somebody in the US to use for Emile's care. He does it without fanfare or publicity - if true, he's a classy guy in my book.

Emile's "son" is named Luis, and Emile met the man when he was just a boy. Emile was a guard at a correctionel facility for troubled youths. He and the boy became friends, and Emile "adopted" the boy, who is now a grown man. He lives with the former champ, and helps take care of him. I met him at the WBHOF banquet in '08, when I bought Emile's book. In the movie, Ring of Fire, which documents the Griffith-Paret fights, tells the story behind Emile & Luis.

[Randyman]

Without sounding cruel, I always saw her as a female version of Anthony Perkins, there seemed to be something wrong with him in any role he played. Kim Darby gave me that type of feeling-there's something wrong with her. But I could be completely off base on that. What do I know?

Well, Rick did say "she was CRAZY!!! I mean CRAZZZZZY!"

Yes, she was (or is?). I worked with her a couple of times, the first on Rich Man, Poor Man at Universal.
I realize that some actors act a little different when they are working, some get into their roles, etc. However, she was very strange. The last time I saw her was in the 90's, at a restaurant in Studio City. She was wearing a terry cloth bathrobe, and her hair was dyed purple, no make-up, and she was talking to herself. She was in her late 40's, and I doubt anybody would cast her in anything today. I kinda felt sorry for her, she just seems to have lost her grip on reality.

My instincts were right but I'm sorry to hear that things went sour for her.

Rick, I remember mini series, Rich Man, Poor Man well, with Nick Nolte and Peter Strauss. Nolte was a boxer in the series. William Smith had a great role as Falconetti. For my money that was the best mini series ever made. Ed Asner was also very good as the father.

[raylawpc]

I remember "Rich Man, Poor Man," too. It came out right after Linda and I got married in December 1975. We were living in a little apartment on NW 23rd street in Oklahoma City. I was still in college, and Linda was a school teacher. We were living off her meager salary and had started saving our "extra" income so I could someday go to law school. We were poor as the proverbial church mouse. The only "date" we could afford was to splurge on a take-out pizza or Sonic burgers, and eat while we watched "Rich Man, Poor Man" on our little black-and-white TV. If memory serves, it was broadcast on Sunday nights.

[Rick Farris]

Well, Rick did say "she was CRAZY!!! I mean CRAZZZZZY!"

Yes, she was (or is?). I worked with her a couple of times, the first on Rich Man, Poor Man at Universal.
I realize that some actors act a little different when they are working, some get into their roles, etc. However, she was very strange. The last time I saw her was in the 90's, at a restaurant in Studio City. She was wearing a terry cloth bathrobe, and her hair was dyed purple, no make-up, and she was talking to herself. She was in her late 40's, and I doubt anybody would cast her in anything today. I kinda felt sorry for her, she just seems to have lost her grip on reality.

My instincts were right but I'm sorry to hear that things went sour for her.

Rick, I remember mini series, Rich Man, Poor Man well, with Nick Nolte and Peter Strauss. Nolte was a boxer in the series. William Smith had a great role as Falconetti. For my money that was the best mini series ever made. Ed Asner was also very good as the father.

One Night on the Universal back lot . . .

Rich Man, Poor Man was a great mini-series based an even greater novel by Irwin Shaw.
A sequel to the book was, "Begger Man, Thief."
The production made Nick Nolte an instant star, and he's one of my favorite actors to work with.
A season after the mini-series was completed, Universal came up with a sequel, but it didn't do as well.
I can still remember filming a scene with Ed Asner, who played the role of Axel. What a great cast they had.
At the time, I was new in the business and would be called to work on the production several times, usually replacing a regular on the crew for a few days.
Everybody liked Nick Nolte, and I was glad to see him successful in future productions.
I remember talking with Nolte at lunch one day, he was talking about living in the hills above Malibu.
He said that he'd capture rattlesnakes close to his residence, and rather than kill them, he'd toss them in the back of his pick-up truck and drive them deep into Malibu Canyon, where he would release them.
Five years later, I was working with Nick on "Cannery Row" and asked if he still wrangled rattlesnakes? He said, "No", he no longer lived on the property and his wife, "Legs", would have a heart attack if she saw a snake.
Personally, I thought Nolte played the fighter perfectly. I remember a scene we did with Ed Asner.
It was a night shot, on the Universal back lot, on the edge of a backlot lake.
There were rain birds (rain makers), Wave makers, a couple "Ritters" (Wind machines) and an old lighting machine that had been used more than forty years earlier in the classic Universal Horror films. The Special FX guys laid in a nice layor of man made fog.
The scene was the one where Axel Jordache, walks into the ocean to end his life.
We did several takes of Asner walking toward the water and into it, disappearing in the fog.
We shot from several angles, and it turned out to be a great shot. Such great old school filmmakers there were on that set. This would be one of the first Mini-Series in production, along with Roots.

[CNorkusJr]

I'm told by folks who know him that the guy who lives with Emile is not a family member, and their relationship is unclear even to those who know Emile well. But, whatever the nature of their relatrionship, the guy apparently is good to him, and keeps him clean, well-fed, and happy.

I'm told that poor Emile becomes very confused. At one recent boxing event, he apparently did not recognize Jose Napoles. At another, he reportedly became very angry with George Chuvalo because he thought George was stealing a .50 cent ballpoint pen from him. Fortunately, George kept his cool and was able to quickly defuse the situation.

Something I've heard recently is that Nino Benvenuti periodically sends money to somebody in the US to use for Emile's care. He does it without fanfare or publicity - if true, he's a classy guy in my book.

Emile's "son" is named Luis, and Emile met the man when he was just a boy. Emile was a guard at a correctionel facility for troubled youths. He and the boy became friends, and Emile "adopted" the boy, who is now a grown man. He lives with the former champ, and helps take care of him. I met him at the WBHOF banquet in '08, when I bought Emile's book. In the movie, Ring of Fire, which documents the Griffith-Paret fights, tells the story behind Emile & Luis.

Thank You Rick. That is Luis that is in the picture I posted in the foreground. You can understand the confusion I have at remembering what "relations" he is to Emile. He is always introduced as his son (at least at NY functions.)
Also, Emile does get feisty at events. As you can imagine, his memory does not serve him as well as it once did. He does get confused and he get easily irritated if he is besieged by a big crowd at once. At certain times during the luncheon, there were moments where a person can walk up to the four seated together and get autographs. Kept orderly it worked fine for about 2 hours. Once the crowd saw it, more of a rush ensued. The Fraziers and Spinks handled it well as a security guard kept it to one person at a time. But Emile grew weary after after about 25 signatures (I mentioned he has trouble signing- very slow and will pause in the middle of his name to remember how to finish. Luis will assist and tell him how to finish his name. At that point he kind of huffed and puffed and told everyone to sit down-which about 10 people did,clearing out of the way.)
He did not sign anymore until after the dinner and then only 5 or 6 more.
Last years event also held in Dec. had Nini Benvenuti fly in to reunite with Emile at this Ring 8 lunch. We had 2 feet of snow the night before. The event was postponed 1 month. Nino had to fly back to Italy. Nino met Emile privately and some press pictures taken at that time in Dec. Yes he does send Emile money as to help him out also.

Also, Tony Mazzarella had Nino sign about 2 dozen boxing gloves during his vist.Emile added his signature to a few. At large Ring 8 events such as this one , Ring 8 will put up for auction a glove with the both signatures or just Benvenuti's. They get about $400-500 a piece at auction and all the proceeds go to Emile when needed. This is on top of what Nino helps him with. Thats their business.

[Rick Farris]

I'm told by folks who know him that the guy who lives with Emile is not a family member, and their relationship is unclear even to those who know Emile well. But, whatever the nature of their relatrionship, the guy apparently is good to him, and keeps him clean, well-fed, and happy.

I'm told that poor Emile becomes very confused. At one recent boxing event, he apparently did not recognize Jose Napoles. At another, he reportedly became very angry with George Chuvalo because he thought George was stealing a .50 cent ballpoint pen from him. Fortunately, George kept his cool and was able to quickly defuse the situation.

Something I've heard recently is that Nino Benvenuti periodically sends money to somebody in the US to use for Emile's care. He does it without fanfare or publicity - if true, he's a classy guy in my book.

Emile's "son" is named Luis, and Emile met the man when he was just a boy. Emile was a guard at a correctionel facility for troubled youths. He and the boy became friends, and Emile "adopted" the boy, who is now a grown man. He lives with the former champ, and helps take care of him. I met him at the WBHOF banquet in '08, when I bought Emile's book. In the movie, Ring of Fire, which documents the Griffith-Paret fights, tells the story behind Emile & Luis.

Thank You Rick. That is Luis that is in the picture I posted in the foreground. You can understand the confusion I have at remembering what "relations" he is to Emile. He is always introduced as his son (at least at NY functions.)
Also, Emile does get feisty at events. As you can imagine, his memory does not serve him as well as it once did. He does get confused and he get easily irritated if he is besieged by a big crowd at once. At certain times during the luncheon, there were moments where a person can walk up to the four seated together and get autographs. Kept orderly it worked fine for about 2 hours. Once the crowd saw it, more of a rush ensued. The Fraziers and Spinks handled it well as a security guard kept it to one person at a time. But Emile grew weary after after about 25 signatures (I mentioned he has trouble signing- very slow and will pause in the middle of his name to remember how to finish. Luis will assist and tell him how to finish his name. At that point he kind of huffed and puffed and told everyone to sit down-which about 10 people did,clearing out of the way.)
He did not sign anymore until after the dinner and then only 5 or 6 more.
Last years event also held in Dec. had Nini Benvenuti fly in to reunite with Emile at this Ring 8 lunch. We had 2 feet of snow the night before. The event was postponed 1 month. Nino had to fly back to Italy. Nino met Emile privately and some press pictures taken at that time in Dec. Yes he does send Emile money as to help him out also.

As Tom mentioned, Emile got hot with George Chuvalo over a ballpoint pen.
Dan Hanley happened to see it go down. He snapped a photo of Emile, and George holding the pen Emile said he stole from him.
Chuvalo was more amused than anything, but Dan said Griffith got hot.

[CNorkusJr]

Signed 2 years ago when book first came out.

[Rick Farris]

Pacquiao vs. Mosely on May 7th

Fightnews.com has confirmed that Manny Pacquiao will face Shane Mosley on May 7. The bout will be for Pacquiao’s WBO welterweight title (no catch weight) and will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Mosley officially signed to do the fight today. Promoter Bob Arum said he turned to Mosley after Floyd Mayweather Jr. was unresponsive to doing the fight. Mosley, a partner with Oscar De La Hoya and Bernard Hopkins in Golden Boy Promotions, went rogue and negotiated the fight on his own against the wishes of Golden Boy, which preferred to have Juan Manuel Marquez face Pacman.

[bennie]

Great shot.

[bennie]

Cuba's Guillermo Rigondeaux travelled to Belfast in 2001 and romped to the world amateur title on a night when David Haye could only win silver. (Carl Froch only managed bronze.) It highlights the ability and the pedigree of Rigondeaux, who also romped to a brace of Olympic gold medals before defecting to the United States last year and turning pro.
Since then, the southpaw sensation has won all seven of his fights (five early) and lifted the interim WBA super-bantamweight belt with a close 12-round decision over Panama's vastly more experienced Ricardo Cordoba last month. Now the 30-year-old Rigondeaux comes full cirle as he returns to Ireland for his first defence against Willie "Big Bang" Casey in Dublin in mid-March.
Casey is a quick learner himself after just 11 fights, all of them wins (seven early). The 29-year-old welder turned pro late but picked up the vacant European super-bantamweight belt in his last outing with an impressive four-round stoppage of Dublin's Paul Hyland, having previously excelled in Prizefighter where he cruised to three victories in one night and the £32,000 first prize.
Casey, much like Rigondeaux, cannot afford to mess around in the pros. The stocky Limerick southpaw brings determination, workrate and strength to the challenge but has yet to travel more than eight rounds, which nibbles away at his chances, particularly in what amounts to a huge leap in class. You only have to look at Rigondeaux's own giant leap against Cordoba to understand the potential pitfalls that await Casey on the night. Rigondeaux went down from a body shot in round six and failed to sparkle, pinching the rounds more than dominating them, hindered by both Cordoba and the thought of doing the full championship limit for the first time. The decision was a split.
Now that is all behind him and the champion can really push on at 12-round level, but Casey we don't know, and he doesn't know himself. Rigondeaux, quick, strong and sharp, holds the centre of the ring and is hard to push back, so Casey will probably box more than before, moving, tucking up, punching in quick bursts to head and body.
Can he do it? It has been done before by an Irishman when Bernard Dunne bagged the same interim title from that man Cordoba on a thrilling night in Dublin in March 2009, but despite his own home advantage, Casey looks likely to come up short.

[bennie]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jb0gupeoOJg


Great amateur fight between Tony Ayala and Lamont Kirkland.

[kikibalt]

Smoking and drinking




Sitting by the fire...12-23-2010

James, the Tiger, Connie and Linda, all Baltazar's

[kikibalt]

Tony, while here with us went to visit my nephew Jessie in Pico-Rivera who is a tattoo artist and had this piece of work done.

[raylawpc]

The storm system that besieged you guys out in Southern California has now hit Missouri with a vengeance - but in the form of snow instead of rain. We already have two or three inches on the ground, with total accumulation of 5 to 6 inches predicted. Temperatures are in the mid-20s.

I think I will go slit my wrists if I see another photo of Frank celebrating Christmas by sitting out on his lawn in shirtsleeves . . .

[Rick Farris]

Smoking and drinking




Sitting by the fire...12-23-2010

James, the Tiger, Connie and Linda, all Baltazar's

Frank, I like the flag in the background, the UCLA-USC "house divided".
It brings to mind Charlie & Chata. You look every bit the "kept man" in the pics.

[raylawpc]

Without sounding cruel, I always saw her as a female version of Anthony Perkins, there seemed to be something wrong with him in any role he played. Kim Darby gave me that type of feeling-there's something wrong with her. But I could be completely off base on that. What do I know?

Well, Rick did say "she was CRAZY!!! I mean CRAZZZZZY!"

Yes, she was (or is?). I worked with her a couple of times, the first on Rich Man, Poor Man at Universal.
I realize that some actors act a little different when they are working, some get into their roles, etc. However, she was very strange. The last time I saw her was in the 90's, at a restaurant in Studio City. She was wearing a terry cloth bathrobe, and her hair was dyed purple, no make-up, and she was talking to herself. She was in her late 40's, and I doubt anybody would cast her in anything today. I kinda felt sorry for her, she just seems to have lost her grip on reality.

Rick, have you worked with Sam Rockwell? I understand he is one of those actors who really gets into his role, as you describe. I read somewhere that, when he played psycho-killer/inmate “Wild Bill” Wharton in “The Green Mile,” all of the other actors – including Tom Hanks – were scared to death of him and avoided all unnecessary contact with him on or off the set.