Classic American West Coast Boxing

[bennie]

Charlie . . . Jeffries passed in 1954. If he was on any TV production I'm unaware of it. A few years before his death, his wife was killed walking across the street from the couple's Burbank home to his barn where he trained boxers and staged amateur boxing. The loss was hard on the former champ.

My mistake: Jeffries died in 1953, not '54 as I posted.
His barn was disassembled and moved to Knotts Berry Farm in 1954.

Thanks Rick.

Just got in from Ring 8 meeting tonite. Teddy Atlas on hand to talk about what he feels could be corrected in boxing and getting future youths into the game. Mentioned how ESPN chastised him on calling the Alphabet's Belts organizations crooks. He tells it like it is and too bad if he steps on toes. Nice speech. He also talked about his days with Michael Moorer and how some trainers need to be more of a "psychologist" than a trainer,and his tip of the cap to Cus D'amato back in the day.. Good Stuff there also.
Found out the John Duddy/Andy Lee Fight on March 12 will not be in The Garden, but rather Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut. Slated for HBO that night. No news on the Irish Card in Garden yet, maybe there wont be this year.

Duddy bottled it, Rick, and announced his retirement.

[bennie]

Two Celts, Andy Lee and Craig McEwan, could face off in the States on March 12 after Lee's original opponent, John Duddy, suddenly and surprisingly announced his retirement.
Southpaw Lee, big and strong but slow and open, is on a decent run since he was destroyed by the unlikely Brian Vera three years ago in Connecticut, having won his last nine contests (five early). The Limerick man may have scared off Duddy, who clearly doesn't fancy it for one reason or another, which makes you wonder if the Derry battler is badly advised, one punch short of a combination, or just Irish. Duddy stood a puncher's chance against someone like Lee, particularly in the early rounds of an all-Ireland showdown set to make them a lot of dough in Connecticut in St Patrick's week.
As for southpaw McEwan, big and strong but slow and open himself, he outscored that man Vera over 10 rounds in 2009 in Texas so has one over Lee, although neither fighter can really fight. Lee, 24-1 (18), is trained by Manny Steward who keeps telling him he's looking great when in reality he's looking great against body bags, while McEwan, 19-0 (10), also looks great against corpses and supposedly has Freddie Roach in his corner but "Red" can't spare the time with the tall, pale-looking Scot, prompting a McEwan tantrum quite recently and a career that seems to be going nowhere. McEwan, 28, fought just twice last year.
As for the result, both men men bust up and I'll mention that in case of a cuts ending, but McEwan has shown a little bit more of nothing than Lee down the years and I lean towards him.

[telboy66]

My mistake: Jeffries died in 1953, not '54 as I posted.
His barn was disassembled and moved to Knotts Berry Farm in 1954.

Thanks Rick.

Just got in from Ring 8 meeting tonite. Teddy Atlas on hand to talk about what he feels could be corrected in boxing and getting future youths into the game. Mentioned how ESPN chastised him on calling the Alphabet's Belts organizations crooks. He tells it like it is and too bad if he steps on toes. Nice speech. He also talked about his days with Michael Moorer and how some trainers need to be more of a "psychologist" than a trainer,and his tip of the cap to Cus D'amato back in the day.. Good Stuff there also.
Found out the John Duddy/Andy Lee Fight on March 12 will not be in The Garden, but rather Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut. Slated for HBO that night. No news on the Irish Card in Garden yet, maybe there wont be this year.

Duddy bottled it, Rick, and announced his retirement.

I don't think he necessarily bottled it it's every boxers right to chose the time to retire & he hasn't shown much in his last couple of fights

[bennie]

2011 California Boxing Hall Of Fame inductees

It's great that Adrian Arreola is getting some due. He is one of those fighters who went in with all the big prospects, and he shocked a fair few.

[Panzerfaust]

Is there a paypal option?
Being a bit younger than the typical attendant i have never seen a cheque nevermind used one

[CNorkusJr]

My mistake: Jeffries died in 1953, not '54 as I posted.
His barn was disassembled and moved to Knotts Berry Farm in 1954.

Thanks Rick.

Just got in from Ring 8 meeting tonite. Teddy Atlas on hand to talk about what he feels could be corrected in boxing and getting future youths into the game. Mentioned how ESPN chastised him on calling the Alphabet's Belts organizations crooks. He tells it like it is and too bad if he steps on toes. Nice speech. He also talked about his days with Michael Moorer and how some trainers need to be more of a "psychologist" than a trainer,and his tip of the cap to Cus D'amato back in the day.. Good Stuff there also.
Found out the John Duddy/Andy Lee Fight on March 12 will not be in The Garden, but rather Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut. Slated for HBO that night. No news on the Irish Card in Garden yet, maybe there wont be this year.

Duddy bottled it, Rick, and announced his retirement.

Well, there you have it. The news of Duddy being in Connecticut and not New york to me is barely 6 hours old and Duddy gets up and retires. Shows you how much pull I have here in the Boxing News of things. Thanks for the update Bennie.

Talk at the meeting was that Duddy had his hands full with Mr. Lee. Lets see if he comes back with a little less to show for it.

[kikibalt]

Tony "Tiger" Baltazar

[kikibalt]

Our late body shop .Notice the boxing gloves under the phone number, by the door.
Pomona,Ca.

[kikibalt]

Tony "Tiger" Baltazar with co-trainer, Jimmy Montoya

[Rick Farris]

Tony "Tiger" Baltazar with co-trainer, Jimmy Montoya

This is one guy that never rode in Jimmy's "Meat Wagon."

[kikibalt]

Tony "Tiger" Baltazar with co-trainer, Jimmy Montoya

This is one guy that never rode in Jimmy's "Meat Wagon."

Neither Tony or Frankie ever rode that "Meat Wagon", nor did I ever drive it......

[Rick Farris]

Our late body shop .Notice the boxing gloves under the phone number, by the door.
Pomona,Ca.

That's cool, Frank. When did you close the shop?

[Rick Farris]

Tony "Tiger" Baltazar with co-trainer, Jimmy Montoya

This is one guy that never rode in Jimmy's "Meat Wagon."

Neither Tony or Frankie ever rode that "Meat Wagon", nor did I ever drive it......

Speaking of Frankie, and you driving, reminds of the story of you driving Johnnie Flores and Joe Louis around Miami when Jr. was fighting in Don King's U.S. Boxing Championships. Was Frankie with the three of you on that memorable ride?
That was a great story!

[kikibalt]

Rick, we sold it in 1987....

[kikibalt]

This is one guy that never rode in Jimmy's "Meat Wagon."

Neither Tony or Frankie ever rode that "Meat Wagon", nor did I ever drive it......

Speaking of Frankie, and you driving, reminds of the story of you driving Johnnie Flores and Joe Louis around Miami when Jr. was fighting in Don King's U.S. Boxing Championships. Was Frankie with the three of you on that memorable ride?
That was a great story!

He might had stay at the hotel (Fontainbleau) when I drove Johnnie and Louis, we had gone out for some drinks, we didn't drink much, I remember that we only had one drink each....man! that was 34 years ago, where did the years go?....

[Rick Farris]

Neither Tony or Frankie ever rode that "Meat Wagon", nor did I ever drive it......

Speaking of Frankie, and you driving, reminds of the story of you driving Johnny Flores and Joe Louis around Miami when Jr. was fighting in Don King's U.S. Boxing Championships. Was Frankie with the three of you on that memorable ride?
That was a great story!

He might had stay at the hotel (Fontainbleau) when I drove Johnnie and Louis, we had gone out for some drinks, we didn't drink much, I remember that we only had one drink each....man! that was 34 years ago, where did the years go?....

Frank, I don't know where the time has gone, but it goes faster everyday.
It has finally occured to me that I am no longer young. As Johnny Flores would say, "Ain't that a bitch!"
Beau Jack used to shine shoes at the Fontainbleau.

[kikibalt]

Beau Jack used to shine shoes at the Fontainbleau.

Yes, he shine my and Johnnie shoes...

[Rick Farris]

Beau Jack used to shine shoes at the Fontainbleau.

Yes, he shine my and Johnnie shoes...

One of the greatest boxing interviews I ever saw was on HBO, when Beau Jack and Ike Williams were interviewed.
They talked about their fights with such respect and class. Not like today's excuses for champions.
It was watching that interview that gave me the idea that it would be great to try and capture the greatness and class of boxing legends thru interviewing them on film. We started a few years ago, and will start again this year.

[kikibalt]

Beau Jack used to shine shoes at the Fontainbleau.

Yes, he shine my and Johnnie shoes...

One of the greatest boxing interviews I ever saw was on HBO, when Beau Jack and Ike Williams were interviewed.
They talked about their fights with such respect and class. Not like today's excuses for champions.

I missed that interview, Rick...

[Rick Farris]

Yes, he shine my and Johnnie shoes...

One of the greatest boxing interviews I ever saw was on HBO, when Beau Jack and Ike Williams were interviewed.
They talked about their fights with such respect and class. Not like today's excuses for champions.

I missed that one Rick...

It was an HBO special featuring Mike Tyson co-hosting with Larry Merchant. The special focused on brutal fights.
More than 20 years ago.

[Rick Farris]

GSBA Notes: Carol Steindler . . .

Talked with Carol Steindler at the meeting yesterday. She is still getting over the recent loss of her husband.
She was telling us that she has kept all of the memorabelia from walls of the Main Street Gym.
She has everything in storage, and doesn't know what to do with it?
Too bad there isn't a true West Coast boxing Hall of Fame. A place where the memorabelia could be showcased.
Of course, as time passes, people have no idea what the Main Street Gym was. It was torn down 27-years-ago.

[Rick Farris]

Charlie . . .

In L.A. we had the Main Street Gym, New York had Stillman's Gym.
Do you have any memories of Stillman's? I know it has been gone for decades, perhaps before your time?
I've heard alot of stories about Lou Stillman.

[CNorkusJr]

Stillman's Gym.....

My father related alot of stories about Stillmans Gym to me. First a little History.
The Marshall Stillman Athletic Club got its start in Harlem about 1920.It was later moved to midtown when Madison Square Garden III opened up at 50th St & 8th Ave.in 1925 (Madison Sq Garden IV is the present day Garden on 34th St and that opened up about 1967 or so).
The Garden on 8th Ave is where the all the fights you see from the 30,40's & 50's took place.

A guy by the name of Louis Ingbar was hired to run the gym at the new location moving from Harlem down to 8th Ave between 54th st & 55th St in Manhattan. Stillmans gym got its name when the Marshall Stillman AC backers dropped out and Lou Ingbar changed HIS
name to Lou Stillman because of its popularity and took over the place. It was the main gym for Jack Dempsey,Primo Carnera when they were in town fighting. Alot of people associate Marciano training there, but Marciano trained downtown at the Gramercy Park Gym or the 14th St YMCA when he was in town as it was quieter and he could train in a not-so-hectic atmosphere.
Al Weill used to have a office in the Garden where he match-maked fights for the Mad. Sq Garden Productions and people just assumed Rocky was in Stillmans.Rocky Passed through its doors to be seen and watch the action of others, but he trained primarily downtown.
25 cents a day to watch in the 30's & 40's, 50 cents in the 50's,and Lou Stillman collected every dime.
My dad said there was two shifts at Stillmans for the big named guys..Morning 10 am-12 noon.He would then lock up for 2 hours and reopen at 2pm. 3pm to 5pm was the other afternoon guys. My father preferred the afternoon hours as it was less crowded and he did his roadwork in Queens Parks (Cunningham Park,Along Little Neck Pwy,etc etc)in the morning..Then take the train to go to the gym.
Stillman Gym was known to be filthy. He never cleaned the windows and Lou refused to clean the grime off the windows to open them up. (Gym was on 2nd & 3rd floor of 3 story bldg.) Reportedly Gene Tunney refused to train there because of the lack of fresh air. My dad said you could smell the liniment and sweat which were embedded in the floors.A famous Lou Stillman quote was " I cant open up the windows, the fighters will get sick from the fresh air in their lungs".
End of part 1

[CNorkusJr]

Part 2 Stillmans Gym:

Guys like Hurricane Jackson,Cesar Brion,Roland LaStarza trained there regularly in the AM session. My father along with Billy Graham,Joe Miceli, Carlos Ortiz in the afternoons.
Later on my dad was sparring partner there for Jose Torres who trained there regularly too.

You must remember that there were a few other gyms about which were equally popular in New York. Original Gleasons Gym in Bronx was active with the likes of Jake LaMotta,The Belloise brothers (Sal & Steve),Nino Valdez & a great champ Phil Terranova and mostly Bronx guys.Gleasons moved to midtown in the late 1970's when no body wanted to go into that tough-rough area of burnt out bldgs in the Bronx-and was relocated near the present day Garden.Many fighters like Ali,Roberto Duran and Sugar Ray Leonard trained there when in town.Bobby Gleason passed away shortly after moving his gym to midtown.In 1987, The Savarese(Bobby Gleasons daughter) family (good friends and neighbors sold it to Bruce Silverglade) and he moved gleasons to Brooklyn where it stands active today.
Personal note: John Savarese (Bobby Gleasons Grandson) is a lifelong friend and was my Best Man at my Wedding 4 years back.
Brooklyn had a couple (their name escapes me at this moment) but guys who fought at Eastern Pwy arena & Ridgewood Grove Arena would get final tune-ups in the area.

Back to Stillmans-Located just 3 blocks from the Garden,Jacobs Beach and home offices of the IBC, It was the place to be in the 1940's & 50's. Promoters walked into Stillmans all the time and would announce that they need a middleweight or lightwt or whatever to fill in on a substitution at the Garden in a day or two, or that night. for a pre-lim. If you were in decent shape and could put up a good fight-you could make a living on it. Teddy Brenner also had St Nicks arena only 10 blocks up & over 2 blocks (ABC studios stand there now-Regis Philbin & Kelly Ripa do their show in that exact spot) and filled cards there too.
Boxing was second only to baseball in popularity. Football was growing and basketball & Hockey drew crowds but nothing compared to Boxing at the Garden on Fight Nights.
Equally important as a famed hangout for sports in the day; The Neutral Corner Bar was located just 2 blocks north of Stillmans on 8th Ave also. When the gym was packed-managers and promoters moved their business up there for making deals.Its where fighters went to go after training to meet writers and newsmen for interviews. Damon Runyon and the like called it home after the fights.The phones at both Stillmans & Neutral Corner were always ringing with deals my father said.
In 1959 with boxing beginning to wane from the "good old days"- My father hung them up in 1959-Lou Stillman sold the place to a developer. On a few month to month basis the gym became 8th Ave gym run by Irving Cohen. The developer eventually KO the building and built a no-class looking highrise apt bldg which still stands today. Lou Stillman died in 1969 in a nursing home in Santa Barbara,CA. He lived with his daughter, Joyce, near there just previous to his passing. He was 82..It was estimated in print that 35,000 fighters trained there from when it opened its doors till Stillman sold it and walked out.

The Garden on 8th & 50th being gone-now stands a full block complex called "worldwide Plaza". on 8th Ave stands a tall skyscraper with Comm'l offices. Behind it on the 9th ave side is a condo complex about 6 stories high with courtyard and seats in the middle and accessible to the public. You can get to the exact middle of the complex and sit on benches-very nice. My father visited my firehouse which is located on 48th St & 8th Ave. He remembered the old firehouse there when he fought in the 50's. A memorable moment between my dad and I when we walked over to the bench in the middle of the complex when I got off work one night in the late 1980's and opened two cans of beer.. It would be approx where the Ring would have been set up in the old Garden where my dad fought. We talked about climbing through its ropes, The Ezzard Charles fight, The crowd and Stillmans gym. After not too long my dad, would shift his head as if his memories where right there with him in the moment. He began to choke up and I stood up and told him to come we got to go home. He looked around again as if the crowd was there. We walked off and I changed the subject to firefighting. I can tell he missed the place and the people who were part of his life then.



Final Note: Ring 8 is in the final stages of commemorating by Bronze plaque to be affixed to a outdoor side wall of a Wendys Hamburger Joint-denoting where Sunnyside Gardens Arena once stood in Queens. It is a beginning of what we hope to be a plaque being affixed to walls of bldgs denoting where famed Boxing Locations once stood in New York and people to see where such history was made. Why Sunnyside Gardens now? Many active members of Ring 8 from the 40's & 50's fought there and the org. feels lets get that one up first before we lose these guys before they can see it. There is alot of prep & politics to get such a thing going.(2 years in the making) Wendys -much to their credit-was well on board with this.

[telboy66]

Great tale Charlie on the gyms of NY, on my trips to NY I have often thought it would be great if the old places were plagued up so I could find them with ease,I have visited Gleasons gym on many occasions & been made most welcome by Bruce but are there any other of the old gyms left in NY, I'm hoping to return this year & would love visit if there are any