Classic American West Coast Boxing

[Rick Farris]

Good morning all , went out last night for dinner last night at the Las Vegas Hilton , ate at Benihana's Japanese restaurant where they cook in front of you , I highly recommend it to anyone coming out to Vegas , stopped at the Wildfire casino on the way home for a drink at the bar , saw Tony Tucker , he was at the bar with a couple of people , I am pretty sure he lives here now because I have seen him in different casinos several times.

The Las Vegas Hilton . . .

Paul, about twenty years ago I was on location in Las Vegas with James Garner.
We were staying at the Hilton, and also filming there. We went up to the private suites and were filming in one that was right next to the Elvis suite.
There was a little elevator that was put in for Elvis, and would take him down to the stage where he'd perform.
For years I heard the suite had remained just as it was when Elvis was alive, decorated in the same tacky way as his Memphis estate, Graceland.
We saw it shortly after it had been updated and redecorated, and now accomodate's the biggest of high rollers.
I recall sitting with a cameraman and having dinner at Benihana's, and we ending up rolling out of the place quite drunk.
I like the Hilton, lots of great history, and also the place where Mike Tyson became the youngest heavyweight champ ever.

[bennie]

Lloyd Marshall vs. Freddie Mills . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-Ptbswv ... re=related

There's a story behind this one, Rick. The King was introduced to the fighters in the ring before the fight. Marshall was so delighted he went out there and took apart poor Freddie.

Interesting, Bennie. Marshall was one of those great black light-heavies of his era, along with Jack Chase, Holman Williams, etc. guys who never got a break.
I also found interesting Mills friendship with the Kray's, which may have something to do with his death?

Freddie was allegedly homosexual, when it was strictly illegal, and was allegedly involved with Ronnie, who was openly gay. When they found Freddie dead in his car, the shotgun he had used to kill himself was standing upright in the car, as if placed in that position. This has led to endless conspiracy theories which continue to this day but the simple fact of the matter is Freddie took too many punches in the ring, was suffering terrible headaches and took his own life to escape the pain.

[Rick Farris]

Give the guy some respect he's always in condition & does have a ram rod jam that most have found difficult to get by, a couple of rounds eating that then the big hook comes over & it's usually good night, robotic the Klitschko's maybe but their records stand up well.If Haye can get inside the jab & the leading foot then his power may be enough but it's a very big ask

It doesn't matter, telboy. They are both bums. What merits respect?
Regardless of who wins, the result will be a bum defeating a bum.

That's very harsh, Rick, and most unlike you. Haye learned from defeat (as did Klitschko) and come back a better fighter - and is still improving. OK, the modern heavies would not have lived with those of the 1970s but no matter where you are, you do what you can, with what you have.

Very true, Bennie. True on all accounts.

[bennie]

It doesn't matter, telboy. They are both bums. What merits respect?
Regardless of who wins, the result will be a bum defeating a bum.

That's very harsh, Rick, and most unlike you. Haye learned from defeat (as did Klitschko) and come back a better fighter - and is still improving. OK, the modern heavies would not have lived with those of the 1970s but no matter where you are, you do what you can, with what you have.

Very true, Bennie. True on all accounts.

I 'borrowed' the latter line from Teddy Roosevelt.

[Rick Farris]

There's a story behind this one, Rick. The King was introduced to the fighters in the ring before the fight. Marshall was so delighted he went out there and took apart poor Freddie.

Interesting, Bennie. Marshall was one of those great black light-heavies of his era, along with Jack Chase, Holman Williams, etc. guys who never got a break.
I also found interesting Mills friendship with the Kray's, which may have something to do with his death?

Freddie was allegedly homosexual, when it was strictly illegal, and was allegedly involved with Ronnie, who was openly gay. When they found Freddie dead in his car, the shotgun he had used to kill himself was standing upright in the car, as if placed in that position. This has led to endless conspiracy theories which continue to this day but the simple fact of the matter is Freddie took too many punches in the ring, was suffering terrible headaches and simply took his own life to escape the pain.

Bennie, I have read several theories relating to Mills death, including the one you mentioned above.
He was a rough customer in the ring, maybe not the best ever, but a guy who fought some tremendous fighters.
In the ring he did himself proud. Out of the ring there is a lot of mystery.
Very intersting charactor.

[Rick Farris]

Bennie wrote:
I 'borrowed' the latter line from Teddy Roosevelt.
-------------------------------------------------------------

Teddy had a way with words.

[bennie]

Interesting, Bennie. Marshall was one of those great black light-heavies of his era, along with Jack Chase, Holman Williams, etc. guys who never got a break.
I also found interesting Mills friendship with the Kray's, which may have something to do with his death?

Freddie was allegedly homosexual, when it was strictly illegal, and was allegedly involved with Ronnie, who was openly gay. When they found Freddie dead in his car, the shotgun he had used to kill himself was standing upright in the car, as if placed in that position. This has led to endless conspiracy theories which continue to this day but the simple fact of the matter is Freddie took too many punches in the ring, was suffering terrible headaches and simply took his own life to escape the pain.

Bennie, I have read several theories relating to Mills death, including the one you mentioned above.
He was a rough customer in the ring, maybe not the best ever, but a guy who fought some tremendous fighters.
In the ring he did himself proud. Out of the ring there is a lot of mystery.
Very intersting charactor.

He had a few film roles after his career came to an end, and the sheer aura of the man, his sheer intimidating presence, is there for all to see.
Nobody but nobody would have had the balls to confront him, even with a shotgun.

[Panzerfaust]

Nesheim was given or took the moniquers of: ''The demon of Bunker Hill'' and ''The Bunker Hill KO king''

I understood from a google search that Bunker Hill is/was located in downtown L.A? http://onbunkerhill.org/

Was there a Bunker Hill in NY aswell? (Charley??)

I think a large part of his L.A career is missing the earliest fights recorded are from Oregon, but i got it from Norwegian newspaper from 2 years after he went to NY that he stayed for a while in L.A. (he fought at least once at the Olympic Auditorium)

[kikibalt]

Hey guys glad to be back, was in Laughlin Nevada for a week, Frank you were half right I was at the tables, wrong venue though , how have you guys been, didn't do much gambling though mostly relaxed and went out for a nice dinner every night and stayed in the hotel room and read a lot, gonna go back to bed, talk to you all when I wake up.

Hell, Paul!!, you might just as well stayed in Vegas. Vegas/Laughlin is pretty much the same, you should had come to L.A, I would have taken you to E.L.A where a white boy can really relax...

Frank do they have a taco bell there ?

Not no more, the Homies bruned it down....

[Panzerfaust]

School sports programs being dropped in Toledo, boxing thrives :

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/27/us/27 ... ml?_r=3&hp

[CNorkusJr]

Charlie Norkus

Jacob Javits Convention Center


Ronny

This where James and Ronny are at.

When you first emailed me and told me that they were going to be at a convention- the chances were great that it was to be the Javits Center. Several city blocks long 34 St-39 St between 11th & 12 Ave.It is the primary spot now. NY City use to have numerous sites to hold such things but it now whittles down to two spots most used. The Javits Center or the Hilton Hotel on 6th ave.
The Javits Center is huge and can hold several things at once. Its where the annual Car and Boat shows are held each year. The New York Coliseum use to be THE place but was torn down in early 1990's.
I was detailed to drive the Battalion Chief one day working. We had a few site inspections as part of the Chiefs job to do. It took us past the Javits Center as we travelled downtown. Stopped at a light in front of the Javits center,we looked over and saw Muhammed Ali exiting
the place on a Friday afternoon. He was accompanied by 2 or 3 men and no one else around.
We didnt have a chance to turn around and say hello, the only thing I could think of was he was going to make an appearance at a large Baseball Card-Sports memorabilia Show coming up and needed to sign some paperwork early on.That was about early 1990's also.
One of the best things about being in New York,is that you pass celebrities all the time.Sometimes they have a huge following behind them-sometimes by themselves.
Another time was late 1980's, George Burns was holding court outside on corner of 42 St & 5th ave. Nat Sherman's Cigar Store was located there and he probably stopped in to get supplies. We drove by on firetruck and gave us a wave and gave us a nice compliment. There were about 20 people around him just listening him talk. Great stuff.

[CNorkusJr]

Nesheim was given or took the moniquers of: ''The demon of Bunker Hill'' and ''The Bunker Hill KO king''

I understood from a google search that Bunker Hill is/was located in downtown L.A? http://onbunkerhill.org/

Was there a Bunker Hill in NY aswell? (Charley??)

I think a large part of his L.A career is missing the earliest fights recorded are from Oregon, but i got it from Norwegian newspaper from 2 years after he went to NY that he stayed for a while in L.A. (he fought at least once at the Olympic Auditorium)

Remy, The just might be a Bunker Hill area in New York. As New York started opening up to be the melting pot,when Ellis Island was bringing in 1,000's of immigrants a day-many people of the same nationalities settled into the same areas New York. There were several German areas as well as Italian & Jewish(Russian,slavic,Polish), Irish areas. New York was divided territorial by area names such as Yorkville,Spanish Harlem,Hells Kitchen,Little Italy,Chinatown etc etc. Though still known today as those areas, they are so mixed with ethnic groups, they basically lost some of their identities. Chinatown and Little Italy still persevere, but the border line is moving north as Asians are moving out the Italian border lines.When the bridges were built connecting Brooklyn and Queens with Manhattan, the often overcrowded Manhattan emptied out and those ethnic influences spread out to the outer boros then.
I dont know of Norwegian areas, but Germans were huge in Ridgewood,Queens & Yorkville,Manhattan and lower eastside too. I would think they were mixed in with those of white European backgrounds.I do think there is a Bunker Hill area in Manhattan, but I do not recall that area. Manhattan is flat at the south end and around 80th Street begins to rise up hill wise. It then flattens out again until you get to Bronx and it becomes very hilly with granite formations. I think Bunker Hill is in the 80th St. area westside.

Many cities boast of a Bunker hill area, Boston being a well known one as it is believed our Revolutionary war started there in the 1700's.

[Rick Farris]

School sports programs being dropped in Toledo, boxing thrives :

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/27/us/27 ... ml?_r=3&hp

Good story!

[CNorkusJr]

Hey Rick, Oscars night. Doing anything special. I am sure its a good feeling when a picture you worked on gets nominated or really special if it wins.
Do you go to any of those after-awards parties, maybe for the winning lighting directors !?
Tonite is Hollywood's shining jewel. Hope its a winning nite for you or your friends.

[Rick Farris]

Hey Rick, Oscars night. Doing anything special. I am sure its a good feeling when a picture you worked on gets nominated or really special if it wins.
Do you go to any of those after-awards parties, maybe for the winning lighting directors !?
Tonite is Hollywood's shining jewel. Hope its a winning nite for you or your friends.

Charlie, I've never attended the Oscar's. There is no catagory for Lighting designers, only cinematographers. Most Academy Awards for "Best Cinematography" are the product of brilliant lighting. It's always a part of the consideration in dealing with visuals. I have been to "The Emmy Awards" several times, was credited by Michael Landon's Emmy-winning cinematographer Ted Voightlander for my lighting contribution to his award. It's kinda fun if your with the right people, they give away a lot of "swag". Swag is free crap that comes in bags, designer boxes, designer jeans, all kinds of give aways. I was amazed. I saw a number of people that I had worked with, but most were studio execs and people never seen on film sets. This year I have no favorites, but enjoyed "The Fighter". Next year I will likely have my eye on Spider Man-4 nominations? We are filming some amazing stuff in amazing sets built on stage. NY sewer system sets, massive. Real water . . . Should be good in 3-D.
And for the record, yes it feels good to know that something you worked on is up for Best Picture. I remember how it felt when On Golden Pond, Coal Miner's Daughter, Terms of Endearment, Ordinary People, Norma Rae, Absence of Malice and a few others were up for that honor. Most of them won.

[SUGARRAYSMELEE]

Damn, why does this topic have so many posts?

[Rick Farris]

Damn, why does this topic have so many posts?

Start on page one, and read on for awhile. Your question will soon be answered.

[Rick Farris]

Melissa Leo of "The Fighter" won best supporting actress.
Damn, her speech was long winded. Said nothing and took forever to do it.
Congratulations, however.

[Randyman]

A Little more L.A. Boxing History


Entrance and tower of Los Angeles' Wrigley Field on E 42nd Place at Avalon Blvd. 1956


Joe Louis vs Jack Roper boxing match with surrounding crowd at Wrigley Field, Los Angeles, Calif, 1939

[Rick Farris]

Christian Bale won Best Supporting Actor for "The Fighter".

[Randyman]

Melissa Leo of "The Fighter" won best supporting actress.
Damn, her speech was long winded. Said nothing and took forever to do it.
Congratulations, however.

Shades of John Beyrooty

Rick, along with everything else, the Academy Awards ain't what they used to be.

[Randyman]

Christian Bale won Best Supporting Actor for "The Fighter".

Deserving!

[raylawpc]

Melissa Leo of "The Fighter" won best supporting actress.
Damn, her speech was long winded. Said nothing and took forever to do it.
Congratulations, however.

Kind of like the film . . . said nothing but took forever . . .

[raylawpc]

Christian Bale won Best Supporting Actor for "The Fighter".

Deserving!

Absolutely . . . terrific actor!

[CNorkusJr]

Christian Bale won Best Supporting Actor for "The Fighter".

Deserving!

Absolutely . . . terrific actor!

He's Batman I would expect that from him

No statuette to show for it, but your a winner in heart and for us here Rick.
Thanks for sharing all your Hollywood stories.