Classic American West Coast Boxing

[Rick Farris]

On Naseem Hamed……….

To be honest, I was never a big fan of the “Prince”. Still, it’s hard to be too critical of anyone that lost only once in thirty-seven fights , with 31 KO’s to his record, the lone loss coming at the hands of the great Mexican warrior, Marco Antonio Barrera, no shame there. That night, almost ten years ago, Barrera would have beaten any featherweight in the world. He was on a mission that night.

Hamed, like Roy Jones and Muhammad Ali had a style all his own. It was a style that left him open to criticism. Hamed never so much slipped a punch but bent over backwards, almost at the knees to avoid a punch. His style, again, like Ali and Jones was instinctive and not so much a learned true boxing style. Just my opinion. If styles make fights than Barrera has the right stuff and style to beat him and would probably beat him every time, much the way Junior Jones had Barrera’s number. That’s boxing.

What made the Prince hard to handle for me was his personality. The supreme arrogance was more than I could stand. I felt the same way about Roy Jones and Hector Camacho. There is a difference in say, Ali, who did it with a wink. Again, just my opinion. However, I’ll give Naseem Hamed his due as a fighter.

The shame is not losing to Barrera, lots of good fighters lost to Barrera.
However, once he tasted defeat he refused to attempt to try again.
He was beyond arrogant, he was obnoxious. He got cute with Barrera in one exchange and Barrera rammed his head into the turn buckle, street style. So badly beaten was Hamed, he refused to return to boxing for months, he made one brief appearance against a second rater and quit for good. This is not consistent with the courage and grit one expects from the English. I grew up with my English Grandmum, that was a strong tough lady, and she was a lady, reserved, with class and fiercly loyal and proud. This is what I have found from most "true Brits." I thought that this guy was an exception, however, it seems that the British no longer consider pride a virtue. Perhaps it's just a sign of the times. I guess I'll have to adjust my thinking of contemporary Engish society. I think that most of my feelings relating to courage in ring warfare comes from my close association with L.A.'s vast Mexican population. I was under the impression that the English were a tough lot, I guess I was wrong. Well, at least the Irish are still tough.

[Rick Farris]

On Naseem Hamed……….

To be honest, I was never a big fan of the “Prince”. Still, it’s hard to be too critical of anyone that lost only once in thirty-seven fights , with 31 KO’s to his record, the lone loss coming at the hands of the great Mexican warrior, Marco Antonio Barrera, no shame there. That night, almost ten years ago, Barrera would have beaten any featherweight in the world. He was on a mission that night.

Hamed, like Roy Jones and Muhammad Ali had a style all his own. It was a style that left him open to criticism. Hamed never so much slipped a punch but bent over backwards, almost at the knees to avoid a punch. His style, again, like Ali and Jones was instinctive and not so much a learned true boxing style. Just my opinion. If styles make fights than Barrera has the right stuff and style to beat him and would probably beat him every time, much the way Junior Jones had Barrera’s number. That’s boxing.

What made the Prince hard to handle for me was his personality. The supreme arrogance was more than I could stand. I felt the same way about Roy Jones and Hector Camacho. There is a difference in say, Ali, who did it with a wink. Again, just my opinion. However, I’ll give Naseem Hamed his due as a fighter.

And this little country once ruled the world . . .

The shame is not losing to Barrera, lots of good fighters lost to Barrera.
However, once Hamed tasted defeat he refused to attempt to try again.
Junior Jones did have Barrera's number, but that didn't stop him from coming back and winning much bigger fights, did it?
You guys really seem to be missing the point, and it's odd that we are attempting to compare Barrera's loss to Jones to his guilding of Hamed.
"The Prince" was beyond arrogant, he was obnoxious. He was not a champion (WBO???), he was a featherweight terrorist.
He got cute with Barrera in one exchange and Barrera rammed his head into the turn buckle, street style.
So badly beaten was Hamed, he refused to return to boxing for months, he made one brief appearance against a second rater and quit for good.
This is not consistent with the courage and grit one expects from the English.
I grew up with my English Grandmum, that was a strong tough lady, and she was a lady, reserved, with class and fiercly loyal and proud.
This is what I have found from most "true Brits." I thought that this guy was an exception, however, it seems that the British no longer consider pride a virtue. Perhaps it's just a sign of the times. I guess I'll have to adjust my thinking of contemporary Engish society.
I think that most of my feelings relating to courage in ring warfare comes from my close association with L.A.'s vast Mexican population.
I was under the impression that the English were a tough lot, I guess I was wrong. Well, at least the Irish are still tough.
And I must ask you, Randy, what due are you giving him as a fighter? As Bennie pointed out, Hamed could whack.
Randy, what good does a hard punch do for a boxer with no balls? C'mon guys, can you really give any credit at all to a boxer with no balls.
Tell me the quaity that defines Naseem Hamed as a champion?
We all have a right to our favorites, but lets not credit a coward. And those "Mexicans" that Hamed defeated were on the low end of the Latino ring talent pool. He never ventured into the ring with Morales or Marquez. Hell, after Barrera schooled him, he was done. I could just imagine what "Irish" Frankie Crawford would have done to this imposter.
Anir Khan is a weak sister, but at least he isn't a clown. You'd never see Hamed come to L.A. to toughen himself up, would you?

OK, I'm done. No disrespect to my British friends.
Sadly, America is loaded with weak sisters, as well.

[Rick Farris]

I've never liked either. To me, they are (they really are) a couple of Jessies.

Bennie, let me see if I've got my Cockney right: Jessie James- "Dames"?

I don't think it's Cockney rhyming slang, Rick, it's just a British thing for softie. Usually we say he's a "big Jessie".

Thanks, Bennie.

[THEHAMMER321]

I was born in 1977, I know my boxing and am entitled to an opinion.

If Lennox Lewis is not in the top 2/3 British fighters of all time then I'm afraid you're stuck in the past. Feel free to come and debate it on the thread rather than joining Bennie in throwing insults around.

In 2009, as Chariman of the World Boxing Hall of Fame Selection Committee and the organization's historian, I put Lennox Lewis's name up for Hall of Fame induction.
He was a total gentleman, and I agree he's one of the greatest British boxers of recent times. Not one of three best of all-time.
Prince Naseem Hamed is an embarrassment in the overall scope of boxing history, and weak selection in comparison to any British champ of the past, mate.

I haven't time to throw insults, and we don't do that on this thread. You certainly have a right to your opinion and your favorites. If you wish to learn more about greatness in boxing please let me welcome you to this thread.

Rick, I think you should be commended for the way you handled yourself here, and by responding without vengeance we also found out ''captain hook'' was not a bad guy as reflected when he replied to this post.

[CNorkusJr]

Charlie, I had cable in the early 1980s with a madison square garden channel, I remember Randy Gordon was on most of the broadcasts of fights, and I remember John Conden was the ring announcer I believe. (Posted by The Hammer)



Thats right, Randy right before he was commissioner in NY.
People dont know-Randy Gordon in the late 70's was a boxing writer who covered the NY scene pretty well. He got this idea once-and I never heard anybody else do this- decided to apply and get his boxers License in NY State, for the express purpose to find out what it is like to fight in the ring and "to find out what it is like to get hit hard on the chin". I kid you not and I know this for a fact. Of course he did not tell the commission of his intent.
In March of 1976, at the Nassau Coliseum here on Long Island, he was matched up against Gerry Odom. My father was the referee. My father knew what he was up to and knew he had no sense of being a fighter. He was a featherweight. My father told him that if he takes one punch that hurts him he is going to stop it right away. Randy knew not to argue. Scheduled for 4 Rds. I was sitting next to the ring for this one. They danced mostly in the first Rd. Traded very little blows that were not effective. 2nd Rd- Odom came out and about 20-30 seconds later hit Randy a shot on the chin that laid him out. My father gave him a very fast 10 count to get the docs in there. He was out 10 minutes and finally got to his feet.
He got the story he wanted. There is a great photo of my father standing over him, I must find a copy and post it. Its one of my favorites. Randy went on to be the Comm. in NYS after that in the 80's.
John Condon was "the voice of Madison Sq Garden". Many people mistaken that title to Johnnie Addie or Don Dunphy.I dont think he was ring announcer-that fell to the hands of others. John would make announcements to the crowd mostly.(Upcoming cards and such).
John Condon was Mad. Sq Garden promoter and announcer voice to the Garden crowd for Knicks Basketball, College Basketball, Special events,Rangers hockey and such ,hence the title.My father reffed on numerous cards in the felt forum. Most televised. Chances are you might have seen him. Just to name a few available on DVD is Snipes-Terry Armstrong,Snipes-Lionel Washington and Mike Dokes vs KP Porter.
John Condon seated with Joe Frazier with my dad saying hello to both. Thats Don Dunphy in background.

[Chuck1052]

I remember when Randy Gordon covered the boxing scene for Stanley Weston's publications during the early 1970s.

- Chuck Johnston

[bennie]

On Naseem Hamed……….

To be honest, I was never a big fan of the “Prince”. Still, it’s hard to be too critical of anyone that lost only once in thirty-seven fights , with 31 KO’s to his record, the lone loss coming at the hands of the great Mexican warrior, Marco Antonio Barrera, no shame there. That night, almost ten years ago, Barrera would have beaten any featherweight in the world. He was on a mission that night.

Hamed, like Roy Jones and Muhammad Ali had a style all his own. It was a style that left him open to criticism. Hamed never so much slipped a punch but bent over backwards, almost at the knees to avoid a punch. His style, again, like Ali and Jones was instinctive and not so much a learned true boxing style. Just my opinion. If styles make fights than Barrera has the right stuff and style to beat him and would probably beat him every time, much the way Junior Jones had Barrera’s number. That’s boxing.

What made the Prince hard to handle for me was his personality. The supreme arrogance was more than I could stand. I felt the same way about Roy Jones and Hector Camacho. There is a difference in say, Ali, who did it with a wink. Again, just my opinion. However, I’ll give Naseem Hamed his due as a fighter.

The shame is not losing to Barrera, lots of good fighters lost to Barrera.
However, once he tasted defeat he refused to attempt to try again.
He was beyond arrogant, he was obnoxious. He got cute with Barrera in one exchange and Barrera rammed his head into the turn buckle, street style. So badly beaten was Hamed, he refused to return to boxing for months, he made one brief appearance against a second rater and quit for good. This is not consistent with the courage and grit one expects from the English. I grew up with my English Grandmum, that was a strong tough lady, and she was a lady, reserved, with class and fiercly loyal and proud. This is what I have found from most "true Brits." I thought that this guy was an exception, however, it seems that the British no longer consider pride a virtue. Perhaps it's just a sign of the times. I guess I'll have to adjust my thinking of contemporary Engish society. I think that most of my feelings relating to courage in ring warfare comes from my close association with L.A.'s vast Mexican population. I was under the impression that the English were a tough lot, I guess I was wrong. Well, at least the Irish are still tough.

He was slipping badly by the Barrrera fight, Rick, having split with mentor Brendan Ingle, looking terrible once he did so. He thought he just had to land one big punch to beat Barrera, because by that stage he was simply loading up anyway and getting away with it (up to Barrera). Naz is from Sheffield and they are a funny lot. It's one of those small cities with a village mentality. The Sheffield boys have rucks on the British forum and it gets petty and nasty.
By the way, he walked away because he kept breaking his hands.

[bennie]

Charlie, I had cable in the early 1980s with a madison square garden channel, I remember Randy Gordon was on most of the broadcasts of fights, and I remember John Conden was the ring announcer I believe. (Posted by The Hammer)



Thats right, Randy right before he was commissioner in NY.
People dont know-Randy Gordon in the late 70's was a boxing writer who covered the NY scene pretty well. He got this idea once-and I never heard anybody else do this- decided to apply and get his boxers License in NY State, for the express purpose to find out what it is like to fight in the ring and "to find out what it is like to get hit hard on the chin". I kid you not and I know this for a fact. Of course he did not tell the commission of his intent.
In March of 1976, at the Nassau Coliseum here on Long Island, he was matched up against Gerry Odom. My father was the referee. My father knew what he was up to and knew he had no sense of being a fighter. He was a featherweight. My father told him that if he takes one punch that hurts him he is going to stop it right away. Randy knew not to argue. Scheduled for 4 Rds. I was sitting next to the ring for this one. They danced mostly in the first Rd. Traded very little blows that were not effective. 2nd Rd- Odom came out and about 20-30 seconds later hit Randy a shot on the chin that laid him out. My father gave him a very fast 10 count to get the docs in there. He was out 10 minutes and finally got to his feet.
He got the story he wanted. There is a great photo of my father standing over him, I must find a copy and post it. Its one of my favorites. Randy went on to be the Comm. in NYS after that in the 80's.
John Condon was "the voice of Madison Sq Garden". Many people mistaken that title to Johnnie Addie or Don Dunphy.I dont think he was ring announcer-that fell to the hands of others. John would make announcements to the crowd mostly.(Upcoming cards and such).
John Condon was Mad. Sq Garden promoter and announcer voice to the Garden crowd for Knicks Basketball, College Basketball, Special events,Rangers hockey and such ,hence the title.My father reffed on numerous cards in the felt forum. Most televised. Chances are you might have seen him. Just to name a few available on DVD is Snipes-Terry Armstrong,Snipes-Lionel Washington and Mike Dokes vs KP Porter.
John Condon seated with Joe Frazier with my dad saying hello to both. Thats Don Dunphy in background.

I remember this vividly, Charley. Randy detailed his training regime over a period of about six months and whipped himself into great shape. The trouble is he couldn't fight. I can still see him spreadeagled on his back, out cold.

[bennie]

Is it the beginning of the end for Dagenham's Kevin Mitchell, who challenges Manchester's John Murray for the European lightweight title on a big show at Wembley on April 2?
"Mighty" Mitchell - unconventionally - jumps from a heavy three-round loss to Aussie warrior Michael Katsidis last May in London straight into a daunting fight with Murray, even if he was plagued by an eye injury after Katsidis. One loosener at least would have given Mitchell a much better chance against Murray, who is unbeaten and has just signed a major promotional deal, so it goes without saying he will be looking to impress, although you could also argue Mitchell will be fighting for his very career and that makes him a very dangerous animal indeed.
This has all the makings of a war. Murray goes forward and throws a ton of shots - two-fisted attacks like Katsidis - while the fiery Mitchell also likes to feel the knuckle part of the glove land on his opponents and hits quickly and sharply. Oh yes, both men really know how to dish it out.
Frankly, I feel that two big fights back-to-back is asking too much of Mitchell, a precocious boxing talent (at his coolest) as he showed by outboxing Breidis Prescott over 12 rounds in 2009 and a man who is hardly working out his pension at 26, the same age as Murray. However, Mitchell will have been out 11 months by the time of the Murray fight, and the relentless Murray, trained by the excellent Joe Gallagher, as long as his fragile skin stands up, is my tip to emerge as last man standing.

[bennie]

Dewsbury's Gary Sykes is defending his British super-featherweight title against Leeds veteran Carl Johanneson in a fascinating all-Yorkshire showdown in Huddersfield on March 5.
Johanneson used to hold the same title but that was a few years ago and he has gone over the mountain, although the last thing a puncher loses is his punch and "Ingemar" can really whack. This gives him a shout against the punchaholic Sykes, who needs a few rounds to work into his relentless rhythm and is vulnerable early in a fight.
We saw that in stunning fashion when Welsh underdog Gary Buckland, a former junk-food freak who fought as high as welterweight, dropped down and smashed Sykes in 45 seconds in a non-title affair in London in November, which is the champion's last fight. These quick, even brutal knockouts can be overcome (the long punishing losses tend to do the damage), so Sykes is favoured to get back to winning ways. He is younger, bigger, sharper and busier than the challenger, if not as hard-hitting, and yet nothing is ever guaranteed in a division like super-featherweight where, once upon a time, British champions could not hold on to the title for five minutes.
Sykes has just been knocked out for his first loss and goes straight back in with a proven puncher who might have one big effort left in him, who might even 'old man' him.
I go for Sykes, of course, but expect a rocky ride.

[Rick Farris]

On Naseem Hamed……….

To be honest, I was never a big fan of the “Prince”. Still, it’s hard to be too critical of anyone that lost only once in thirty-seven fights , with 31 KO’s to his record, the lone loss coming at the hands of the great Mexican warrior, Marco Antonio Barrera, no shame there. That night, almost ten years ago, Barrera would have beaten any featherweight in the world. He was on a mission that night.

Hamed, like Roy Jones and Muhammad Ali had a style all his own. It was a style that left him open to criticism. Hamed never so much slipped a punch but bent over backwards, almost at the knees to avoid a punch. His style, again, like Ali and Jones was instinctive and not so much a learned true boxing style. Just my opinion. If styles make fights than Barrera has the right stuff and style to beat him and would probably beat him every time, much the way Junior Jones had Barrera’s number. That’s boxing.

What made the Prince hard to handle for me was his personality. The supreme arrogance was more than I could stand. I felt the same way about Roy Jones and Hector Camacho. There is a difference in say, Ali, who did it with a wink. Again, just my opinion. However, I’ll give Naseem Hamed his due as a fighter.

The shame is not losing to Barrera, lots of good fighters lost to Barrera.
However, once he tasted defeat he refused to attempt to try again.
He was beyond arrogant, he was obnoxious. He got cute with Barrera in one exchange and Barrera rammed his head into the turn buckle, street style. So badly beaten was Hamed, he refused to return to boxing for months, he made one brief appearance against a second rater and quit for good. This is not consistent with the courage and grit one expects from the English. I grew up with my English Grandmum, that was a strong tough lady, and she was a lady, reserved, with class and fiercly loyal and proud. This is what I have found from most "true Brits." I thought that this guy was an exception, however, it seems that the British no longer consider pride a virtue. Perhaps it's just a sign of the times. I guess I'll have to adjust my thinking of contemporary Engish society. I think that most of my feelings relating to courage in ring warfare comes from my close association with L.A.'s vast Mexican population. I was under the impression that the English were a tough lot, I guess I was wrong. Well, at least the Irish are still tough.

He was slipping badly by the Barrrera fight, Rick, having split with mentor Brendan Ingle, looking terrible once he did so. He thought he just had to land one big punch to beat Barrera, because by that stage he was simply loading up anyway and getting away with it (up to Barrera). Naz is from Sheffield and they are a funny lot. It's one of those small cities with a village mentality. The Sheffield boys have rucks on the British forum and it gets petty and nasty.
By the way, he walked away because he kept breaking his hands.

Thanks for the inside on Hamed, Bennie. As you know, I have a bad chemistry with this one.

[bennie]

The shame is not losing to Barrera, lots of good fighters lost to Barrera.
However, once he tasted defeat he refused to attempt to try again.
He was beyond arrogant, he was obnoxious. He got cute with Barrera in one exchange and Barrera rammed his head into the turn buckle, street style. So badly beaten was Hamed, he refused to return to boxing for months, he made one brief appearance against a second rater and quit for good. This is not consistent with the courage and grit one expects from the English. I grew up with my English Grandmum, that was a strong tough lady, and she was a lady, reserved, with class and fiercly loyal and proud. This is what I have found from most "true Brits." I thought that this guy was an exception, however, it seems that the British no longer consider pride a virtue. Perhaps it's just a sign of the times. I guess I'll have to adjust my thinking of contemporary Engish society. I think that most of my feelings relating to courage in ring warfare comes from my close association with L.A.'s vast Mexican population. I was under the impression that the English were a tough lot, I guess I was wrong. Well, at least the Irish are still tough.

He was slipping badly by the Barrrera fight, Rick, having split with mentor Brendan Ingle, looking terrible once he did so. He thought he just had to land one big punch to beat Barrera, because by that stage he was simply loading up anyway and getting away with it (up to Barrera). Naz is from Sheffield and they are a funny lot. It's one of those small cities with a village mentality. The Sheffield boys have rucks on the British forum and it gets petty and nasty.
By the way, he walked away because he kept breaking his hands.

Thanks for the inside on Hamed, Bennie. As you know, I have a bad chemistry with this one.

No worries. My parents were both born and raised in Ireland, by the way. You can't keep an Irishman down.

[Rick Farris]

I remember the Long Beach Pike real well, Randy, it use to be our summer weekends hang out in the early '50's.
Below is a picture of me (L) and my late uncle, Max, at the Pike's jail around summer of '53.

Frank, even behind bars you are the epitome of cool!

I figured you were familiar with the Pike, Frank. In it's hay day it was pretty big. Another popular spot was P.O.P. (Pacific Ocean Park), I'm sure you and Rick remember that too. Both were big in the days before Disneyland. Once Disneyland took off it was just a matter of time. Just like everything else, I miss the way things used to be.

Randy, there was a few times I was behind bars where I didn't feel so cool!!!...

Ditto, Frank.

Randy, I remember both the Pike and P.O.P. very well.
What little remained of the Pike could be found when I appeared in the last fight card ever held at the old Long Beach Auditorium (A televised Don Fraser/Forum Club promotion in 11/1971)), which was demolished shortly afterwards. The boardwalk had disappeared, and the Seaside Gym would soon follow. The gym was right along the boardwalk, a short walk from the new L.B. Sports Arena, Pike, etc.

As for POP, it was closed in the late 60's but remained abondoned and fenced off well into the 70's. We actually filmed an episode of "The Six Million Dollar Man" at the ghost yard of an amusement Park, and a prop man discovered the remains of a body tacked up on the wall of the House of Mirrors. The body had been painted over with layers of paint and forensics expert believe it was that of a man who was murdered in the 30's. It made the news. The place had become a homeless haven and shortly afterwards the entire pier was demolishd.

[Rick Farris]

He was slipping badly by the Barrrera fight, Rick, having split with mentor Brendan Ingle, looking terrible once he did so. He thought he just had to land one big punch to beat Barrera, because by that stage he was simply loading up anyway and getting away with it (up to Barrera). Naz is from Sheffield and they are a funny lot. It's one of those small cities with a village mentality. The Sheffield boys have rucks on the British forum and it gets petty and nasty.
By the way, he walked away because he kept breaking his hands.

Thanks for the inside on Hamed, Bennie. As you know, I have a bad chemistry with this one.

No worries. My parents were both born and raised in Ireland, by the way. You can't keep an Irishman down.

My Grandmum was half Irish, although born in London very close to Big Ben. I'm a mutt, primarily English and Irish, with a little Native American Cherokee blood.

[bennie]

You guys think Naz is bad; check out this prick

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJPesST- ... r_embedded

[THEHAMMER321]

You guys think Naz is bad; check out this prick

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJPesST- ... r_embedded

Bennie, it couldn't have happened to a bigger arse.

[CNorkusJr]

You guys think Naz is bad; check out this prick

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJPesST- ... r_embedded

Question is-did he learn anything from this ?

[Randyman]

On Naseem Hamed……….

To be honest, I was never a big fan of the “Prince”. Still, it’s hard to be too critical of anyone that lost only once in thirty-seven fights , with 31 KO’s to his record, the lone loss coming at the hands of the great Mexican warrior, Marco Antonio Barrera, no shame there. That night, almost ten years ago, Barrera would have beaten any featherweight in the world. He was on a mission that night.

Hamed, like Roy Jones and Muhammad Ali had a style all his own. It was a style that left him open to criticism. Hamed never so much slipped a punch but bent over backwards, almost at the knees to avoid a punch. His style, again, like Ali and Jones was instinctive and not so much a learned true boxing style. Just my opinion. If styles make fights than Barrera has the right stuff and style to beat him and would probably beat him every time, much the way Junior Jones had Barrera’s number. That’s boxing.

What made the Prince hard to handle for me was his personality. The supreme arrogance was more than I could stand. I felt the same way about Roy Jones and Hector Camacho. There is a difference in say, Ali, who did it with a wink. Again, just my opinion. However, I’ll give Naseem Hamed his due as a fighter.

And this little country once ruled the world . . .

The shame is not losing to Barrera, lots of good fighters lost to Barrera.
However, once Hamed tasted defeat he refused to attempt to try again.
Junior Jones did have Barrera's number, but that didn't stop him from coming back and winning much bigger fights, did it?
You guys really seem to be missing the point, and it's odd that we are attempting to compare Barrera's loss to Jones to his guilding of Hamed.
"The Prince" was beyond arrogant, he was obnoxious. He was not a champion (WBO???), he was a featherweight terrorist.
He got cute with Barrera in one exchange and Barrera rammed his head into the turn buckle, street style.
So badly beaten was Hamed, he refused to return to boxing for months, he made one brief appearance against a second rater and quit for good.
This is not consistent with the courage and grit one expects from the English.
I grew up with my English Grandmum, that was a strong tough lady, and she was a lady, reserved, with class and fiercly loyal and proud.
This is what I have found from most "true Brits." I thought that this guy was an exception, however, it seems that the British no longer consider pride a virtue. Perhaps it's just a sign of the times. I guess I'll have to adjust my thinking of contemporary Engish society.
I think that most of my feelings relating to courage in ring warfare comes from my close association with L.A.'s vast Mexican population.
I was under the impression that the English were a tough lot, I guess I was wrong. Well, at least the Irish are still tough.
And I must ask you, Randy, what due are you giving him as a fighter? As Bennie pointed out, Hamed could whack.
Randy, what good does a hard punch do for a boxer with no balls? C'mon guys, can you really give any credit at all to a boxer with no balls.
Tell me the quaity that defines Naseem Hamed as a champion?
We all have a right to our favorites, but lets not credit a coward. And those "Mexicans" that Hamed defeated were on the low end of the Latino ring talent pool. He never ventured into the ring with Morales or Marquez. Hell, after Barrera schooled him, he was done. I could just imagine what "Irish" Frankie Crawford would have done to this imposter.
Anir Khan is a weak sister, but at least he isn't a clown. You'd never see Hamed come to L.A. to toughen himself up, would you?

OK, I'm done. No disrespect to my British friends.
Sadly, America is loaded with weak sisters, as well.

Rick, my reference to Junior Jones was not to compare the two fights but to show that sometimes a fighter just has your number. It happens with a lot of fighters. Iran Barkley had it over Tommy Hearns. Barrera would have beaten Hamed every time out.

Giving Hamed his due? I don't think he was an all time great but I think he was a minimally good fighter at best but certainly not close to the class of the fighters we write about here. I agree with you that he fought mostly lower level opponents.

I don't necessarily think Hamed is a coward. Highly overrated, weaselly, pompous, arrogant and any number of negative adjectives but I don't consider him a coward. Lots of guys retire without avenging their last loss. Sometimes a fighter knows when it's time to hang them up.

Just my opinion.

[Randyman]

You guys think Naz is bad; check out this prick

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJPesST- ... r_embedded

Bennie, you can almost see that one coming.
Good post!

[Randyman]

Back in the day when Louie Burke of Las Cruces, New Mexico, was winding down his career, after fighting the likes of Charlie “White Lightning” Brown, Freddie Roach and Hector “Macho” Camacho, he could not have anticipated that the best was yet to come. How could he know that 2011 would be his year.

On February 5th of this year, trainer Louie Burke guided super welterweight Austin “No Doubt” Trout to victory over tough Rigoberto Alvarez of Mexico, to win the WBA World Super Welterweight Championship. And on Saturday, June 25, of this year, Louie will be inducted into the California Boxing Hall of Fame. A deserved honor.

His first trainer was his father Sam Burke, a former amateur boxer, a Marine and Korean War veteran that was wounded in action during the war. After returning from the war Sam became a trainer and was eventually a boxing coach for the U.S. Boxing team. Louie had a good man in his corner. After his father’s death in 1984 Louie was trained at different times by both Jesse Reid and Angelo Dundee.

After an amateur career that saw Louie winning the Silver Gloves State Championship, several Golden Gloves and AAU Championships and at one time being ranked as high as number three in the country, Louie turned to professional boxing. Louie had his first fight on May 29, 1981, knocking out Gilbert Garza in the 3rd round at the HemisFaie Arena in San Antonio, Texas. His last fight, on May 5, 1995 was against Rosendo Alonso at the Pan American Center in Las Cruces, New Mexico, suffering a 5th round TKO. In between those two fights Louie never gave anything less than 100% of himself in every fight. In 1984 Louie fought a highly controversial fight with Charlie “White Lightning” Brown, a fight in which many fans still believe belonged to Louie. In 1983 Louie beat Freddie Roach in a 12 rounder, at the Showboat Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada to win the ESPN Lightweight Championship. They fought a rematch later on in the year, this time at Caesars Palace and again Louie got the nod in a 10 round decision win.

Louie, a father of two; a daughter and a son, and along with his brother, referee Rocky Burke, continue to give back to the community and the sport of boxing and they continue that journey that began years ago with their father, Sam Burke Sr.

Congratulations to my cousin Louie Burke and the Burke Family on his induction to the California Boxing Hall of Fame.

[kikibalt]

You guys think Naz is bad; check out this prick

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJPesST- ... r_embedded

Bennie, you can almost see that one coming.
Good post!

Chin up in the air, just like Naz....

[Randyman]

You guys think Naz is bad; check out this prick

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJPesST- ... r_embedded

Bennie, you can almost see that one coming.
Good post!

Chin up in the air, just like Naz....

Frank, I'm glad you brought that up. It seems that a lot of young fighters nowadays lead with their chin. I was taught to keep my chin tucked down and behind my left shoulder. It frustrates me when I see boxers that have been fighting long enough to know better throw a lunging right hand with their chin almost pointing to the ceiling just begging to be hit. I blame the trainers.

[kikibalt]

Left to right: Tommy Hart (referee), Bill Schroeder, Willie Pep, unknown woman, Mushy Callahan & Braven Dyer Jr..

[Randyman]

Left to right: Tommy Hart (referee), Bill Schroeder, Willie Pep, unknown woman, Mushy Callahan & Braven Dyer Jr..

Great photo Frank. I met Mushy Callahan in 1977 at Howie Steindlers funeral. Spent a few minutes talking with him. He worked as a boxing consultant and trainer for boxing scenes in the movies. He trained Elvis Presley for his role as Kid Galahad. He once said that he felt Elvis could have been a real boxer.

[Randyman]

Frank, speaking of Kid Galahad, was it Orlando De La Fuentes that played Sugar Boy Romero in the movie or his brother?