Classic American West Coast Boxing

[kikibalt]

Sugar Ray Robinson

[kikibalt]

Joey Barnum

[Randyman]

Saturday’s fight, at the Honda Center in Anaheim, between Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Matthew “Magic” Hatton, for the WBC Junior Middleweight title was not a great fight, it was however, a great showcase for Canelo’s talent. Canelo pitched a near perfect shutout over Hatton. I say near perfect because a point was taken away from Canelo in the 7th round for hitting after the break.

It was obvious from the start that Hatton was in over his head. He had neither the fire power nor the skill level to seriously challenge or hurt Alvarez. What he did have was grit and plenty of it. Each round was almost a carbon copy of the one that preceded it, with Canelo having his way, and with Hatton looking like he was ready to cave in and then coming back again and again with punches of his own, absolutely refusing to lay down. Still, the gutsy Brit took a lot of punishment.

Matthew Hatton was looking to step out of the shadows of his older brother, former champ Ricky Hatton, and I think to some degree he succeeded. Hatton’s style can be somewhat ugly, with all the holding, hitting behind the head, hitting after the break and hamming it up on the floor on two occasions. However, he is a survivor and he does possess a fighter‘s heart. Despite what even he must have sensed during the fight he never stopped trying to win. . Can’t fault a man for that type of thinking.

I don’t want to rain on anyone’s parade and I do agree with Max Kellerman, Bob Papa and Roy Jones Jr, that Alvarez is something special, but I do disagree that he is the complete package. Someday maybe but just not yet. That’s no knock on Alvarez either, he is after all only 20 years of age. He may one day be an all time great but at this point the kid still has a few things to learn.

In the later rounds, he became frustrated by his inability to put Hatton away and it showed. Another fighter, a better one than Hatton, might have capitalized on it. It’s one thing to take a good punch but it’s another thing altogether to take a punch foolishly. Without any defense Alvarez will never be a “Complete Package”. The history of boxing is replete with fighters with big punches, no defense and short careers. The really great fighters, the ones that hang around a while, regardless of style or punching power know enough to move their head just a little.

Canelo strikes me as a smart kid and I think he’s the type of guy that will learn from his mistakes. There was nothing I saw that couldn’t be tweaked and adjusted. Maybe I’m just nitpicking, I don’t know. Still, I know what I saw. In the post fight interview I thought both men handled themselves with grace and dignity. In Hatton’s case he was an extremely good sport about losing and made no excuses. That’s the way it should be.

Alvarez won the fight via a unanimous decision. All three judges had it 119-108 for Alvarez.

One final note. I thought Lou Moret, normally a fine referee, was asleep at the wheel during the entire fight. He seemed lost and a step or two behind the action and he almost gave the impression of not wanting to get too involved. In the long run it really doesn’t matter because the fight was so one sided. I thought Hatton got away with too much holding and hitting behind the head, and I thought the wrong guy got the point taken away form him in the 7th.

[Randyman]

Imo, Alvarez is a raw talent who is not ready to be a champion, but of course now days everybody is a champion. Kudos to Hatton for hanging in there for 12 rounds against a bigger opponent. From last night performance I don't think that Alvarez is ready for world class opponents, but he is still young and he has lots of time to improve, to learn how to shorten his punches, as he throw too wide right now, that one fault among others that he has at this time...I think the jury is still out on Alvarez....Just my take on Alvarez

Frank, I think the same thing. Alvarez, at this stage, is nothing more than a talented prospect, not a true world champion.
He has a lot to learn and all the attention given a champion, the special treatment, etc. may get in the way of his growing as a fighter.
In addition to the points you made regarding his style, be best improve his defense as well. Last night he'd have been in big trouble had he faced a hard puncher.

As for Hatton -
He fought with the courage that I always equate to a true British fighter.
He had everything against him going into the fight and didn't complain, "Let's just get on with it", was his attitude.
I have had high hopes for Alvarez, he has qualities I like. However, if you go back and look at both Frankie Jr. and Tony when they were 20 years old, and of course Mando Ramos at twenty, he just looks like another fighter.

It's really insulting to true boxing people to see world titles handed out for minor victories.

Rick, Frank, you are exactly right. All the attention, and the championship treatment will cause Alvarez to actually think he is in a higher place than he really is. Every fighter's downfall that buys into their own press. At this point though, I don't fault him. Too much too soon for a twenty year old fighter will absolutely ruin him.

All that being said, I like Alvarez.

[Randyman]

Sugar Ray Robinson

I'm not sure who Robinson was fighting here but he looks like he was getting the worst of it.

[Randyman]

Spder Man-4 . . .



We have five stages at Sony Studios for the Spider Man film. The sets are massive and some are reproductions of the New York City sewer system, where the monster in the film resides. This is one of the sewer sets. Each set is built complete, and the walls are removeable so we can shoot different angles effectivly. In this photo, you can see the set walls hanging above the crane arm that is used for the camera, which is operated from the floor by remote controls. There is a tank below this stage, and we have water flowing thruout the set, lots of water. With all of the electricity needed for our lighting units, etc. we have everything connected using a ground fault system to protect the crew from any chance of being electocuted. I'm sure Charlie is familiar with our use of such safety equipment, having worked on many NYC film sets.

By the way, this set was built on stage-15. The Sony lot used to be MGM Studios, and this stage was one of several used for the "Wizard of Oz."
If you remember the scene in that movie where the Wizard is discovered by Judy contolling things from behind the curtain, it was filmed on stage-15 more than 75 years ago.

[Rick Farris]

Saturday’s fight, at the Honda Center in Anaheim, between Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Matthew “Magic” Hatton, for the WBC Junior Middleweight title was not a great fight, it was however, a great showcase for Canelo’s talent. Canelo pitched a near perfect shutout over Hatton. I say near perfect because a point was taken away from Canelo in the 7th round for hitting after the break.

It was obvious from the start that Hatton was in over his head. He had neither the fire power nor the skill level to seriously challenge or hurt Alvarez. What he did have was grit and plenty of it. Each round was almost a carbon copy of the one that preceded it, with Canelo having his way, and with Hatton looking like he was ready to cave in and then coming back again and again with punches of his own, absolutely refusing to lay down. Still, the gutsy Brit took a lot of punishment.

Matthew Hatton was looking to step out of the shadows of his older brother, former champ Ricky Hatton, and I think to some degree he succeeded. Hatton’s style can be somewhat ugly, with all the holding, hitting behind the head, hitting after the break and hamming it up on the floor on two occasions. However, he is a survivor and he does possess a fighter‘s heart. Despite what even he must have sensed during the fight he never stopped trying to win. . Can’t fault a man for that type of thinking.

I don’t want to rain on anyone’s parade and I do agree with Max Kellerman, Bob Papa and Roy Jones Jr, that Alvarez is something special, but I do disagree that he is the complete package. Someday maybe but just not yet. That’s no knock on Alvarez either, he is after all only 20 years of age. He may one day be an all time great but at this point the kid still has a few things to learn.

In the later rounds, he became frustrated by his inability to put Hatton away and it showed. Another fighter, a better one than Hatton, might have capitalized on it. It’s one thing to take a good punch but it’s another thing altogether to take a punch foolishly. Without any defense Alvarez will never be a “Complete Package”. The history of boxing is replete with fighters with big punches, no defense and short careers. The really great fighters, the ones that hang around a while, regardless of style or punching power know enough to move their head just a little.

Canelo strikes me as a smart kid and I think he’s the type of guy that will learn from his mistakes. There was nothing I saw that couldn’t be tweaked and adjusted. Maybe I’m just nitpicking, I don’t know. Still, I know what I saw. In the post fight interview I thought both men handled themselves with grace and dignity. In Hatton’s case he was an extremely good sport about losing and made no excuses. That’s the way it should be.

Alvarez won the fight via a unanimous decision. All three judges had it 119-108 for Alvarez.

One final note. I thought Lou Moret, normally a fine referee, was asleep at the wheel during the entire fight. He seemed lost and a step or two behind the action and he almost gave the impression of not wanting to get too involved. In the long run it really doesn’t matter because the fight was so one sided. I thought Hatton got away with too much holding and hitting behind the head, and I thought the wrong guy got the point taken away form him in the 7th.

Randy, I agree with you on ref Lou Moret. Also, I can see the talent of Canelo, and I didn't say that have counted him out.
I just hope he can continue with somebody who can take him to the next step. A good fine tuning by the right guy can make a big difference.
Will it happen? I dunno? I like Pacquiao, Donaire and Alvarez to keep me interested a little longer.

[Rick Farris]

Spder Man-4 . . .



We have five stages at Sony Studios for the Spider Man film. The sets are massive and some are reproductions of the New York City sewer system, where the monster in the film resides. This is one of the sewer sets. Each set is built complete, and the walls are removeable so we can shoot different angles effectivly. In this photo, you can see the set walls hanging above the crane arm that is used for the camera, which is operated from the floor by remote controls. There is a tank below this stage, and we have water flowing thruout the set, lots of water. With all of the electricity needed for our lighting units, etc. we have everything connected using a ground fault system to protect the crew from any chance of being electocuted. I'm sure Charlie is familiar with our use of such safety equipment, having worked on many NYC film sets.

By the way, this set was built on stage-15. The Sony lot used to be MGM Studios, and this stage was one of several used for the "Wizard of Oz."
If you remember the scene in that movie where the Wizard is discovered by Judy contolling things from behind the curtain, it was filmed on stage-15 more than 75 years ago.

The scene with the "Yellow Brick Road" was shot on Stage-30. We'll film on that stage again next week.
Stage-30 has a big watere tank, and it's where they filmed all of the Water Musicals of the 30's. We also filmed Cannery Row on Stg. 30, and both Poltergeist movies, dozen's more.
And Stage 15, MGM's biggest, was where we had sets for Little House on the Praire in the early 80's.
I also worked on director Billy Wilder's last film "Buddy Buddy" on stage-15.
That one had Jack Lemmon & Walter Mathaeu. Legendary director and cinematographer, lighting designer legend. It was a flop.
I need to take some photos of the buildings, all named for MGM legends.

[Randyman]

Mike Tyson standing over Michael Spinks

I was thinking about Mike Tyson. I didn't always like him but at his peak, when he was still "Iron" Mike Tyson, he had great defensive skills. He was no dumb brawler. This was when Cus D'Amato and Kevin Rooney were handling him. After D'Amato died and after he left Rooney, Tyson was never quite the same defensively. Don King and company ruined him.

[Randyman]

Spder Man-4 . . .



We have five stages at Sony Studios for the Spider Man film. The sets are massive and some are reproductions of the New York City sewer system, where the monster in the film resides. This is one of the sewer sets. Each set is built complete, and the walls are removeable so we can shoot different angles effectivly. In this photo, you can see the set walls hanging above the crane arm that is used for the camera, which is operated from the floor by remote controls. There is a tank below this stage, and we have water flowing thruout the set, lots of water. With all of the electricity needed for our lighting units, etc. we have everything connected using a ground fault system to protect the crew from any chance of being electocuted. I'm sure Charlie is familiar with our use of such safety equipment, having worked on many NYC film sets.

By the way, this set was built on stage-15. The Sony lot used to be MGM Studios, and this stage was one of several used for the "Wizard of Oz."
If you remember the scene in that movie where the Wizard is discovered by Judy contolling things from behind the curtain, it was filmed on stage-15 more than 75 years ago.

The scene with the "Yellow Brick Road" was shot on Stage-30. We'll film on that stage again next week.
Stage-30 has a big watere tank, and it's where they filmed all of the Water Musicals of the 30's. We also filmed Cannery Row on Stg. 30, and both Poltergeist movies, dozen's more.
Andy Stage 15, MGM's biggest, was where we had sets for Little House on the Praire in the early 80's.
I also worked on director Billy Wilder's last film "Buddy Buddy" on stage-15.
That one had Jack Lemmon & Walter Mathaeu. Legendary director and cinematographer, lighting designer legend. It was a flop.
I need to take some photos of the buildings, all named for MGM legends.

Rick my friend, you have a great job!!

[Rick Farris]

The scene with the "Yellow Brick Road" was shot on Stage-30. We'll film on that stage again next week.
Stage-30 has a big watere tank, and it's where they filmed all of the Water Musicals of the 30's. We also filmed Cannery Row on Stg. 30, and both Poltergeist movies, dozen's more.
Andy Stage 15, MGM's biggest, was where we had sets for Little House on the Praire in the early 80's.
I also worked on director Billy Wilder's last film "Buddy Buddy" on stage-15.
That one had Jack Lemmon & Walter Mathaeu. Legendary director and cinematographer, lighting designer legend. It was a flop.
I need to take some photos of the buildings, all named for MGM legends.

Rick my friend, you have a great job!!

On this one, we are living on the set. Six days a week, 14-16 hour days.
I'm not complaining, it's not that hard what I do on this one. They take pretty good care of us, have a big budget.
But it can be a challenging business, as you might imagine. I have never had trouble focusing on what happens on a film set.
I pay attention, and that's hard sometimes when things are moving slow, but it's a habit I drilled into myself when I was young and hoped to be a top LD.
That was my edge. I paid attention when others didn't. I was there, so I was taught things such as stage direction, blocking, techniques of true film makers.
You have to keep improving your knowledge to keep up with the technology used today in set lighting.
I hear of something new, or see it on shows when I'm just on the crew, such as this one, and I get familiar with the technology.

[Randyman]

My son's girlfriend has her art work on display at a gallery in Uptown Whittier, it's been on display for a while. Today was the first time we had seen her work. Andrew had mentioned to us that she was an artist but we had no idea. She is amazingly talented. Her specialty is Hollywood icons but she is not limited to that. Here are a few examples. I took these photos off the wall at the gallery so any bad shadowing is my fault.




This one kind of reminds me of Roger's artwork.








My son Andrew (he goes by Drew) and his girlfriend Laurene. We were at Scottie's in Whittier for breakfast yesterday. (great breakfast's there by the way)

[CNorkusJr]

Spder Man-4 . . .



We have five stages at Sony Studios for the Spider Man film. The sets are massive and some are reproductions of the New York City sewer system, where the monster in the film resides. This is one of the sewer sets. Each set is built complete, and the walls are removeable so we can shoot different angles effectivly. In this photo, you can see the set walls hanging above the crane arm that is used for the camera, which is operated from the floor by remote controls. There is a tank below this stage, and we have water flowing thruout the set, lots of water. With all of the electricity needed for our lighting units, etc. we have everything connected using a ground fault system to protect the crew from any chance of being electocuted. I'm sure Charlie is familiar with our use of such safety equipment, having worked on many NYC film sets.

By the way, this set was built on stage-15. The Sony lot used to be MGM Studios, and this stage was one of several used for the "Wizard of Oz."
If you remember the scene in that movie where the Wizard is discovered by Judy contolling things from behind the curtain, it was filmed on stage-15 more than 75 years ago.

Wow a Great insight to a future film epic. Thanks Rick. Gotta show this to my nephews.
I can sure attest to the safety rigging that goes into these projects. Alot of the stuff I did was on the outside, with a few inside studio shoots for "Third Watch".Lots of electricity flowing from generators, gotta be very careful where you walk. Its nuts to film above tank water. I would be very nervous.

A fireman I worked with was an electrician on the side for NBC. He helped set up outdoor shooting for NBC Morning show that had Jane Paulie and Katie Couric, Al Roker and such.
About 15 years ago, he was setting up and accidently stepped on a "live" electrical junction box which killed him. Other riggers immediately started CPR and revived him with bad foot burns.
He recovered after about 6 months in various hospitals and therapies.Through the ADA he managed to keep his firefighters job by doing desk work. He had some short and some long term memory loss,even to this day. He is still beloved by NBC and the people there also.
He carries note pads and pens to write down things for him to remember all the time. He is retired now. His name is Joe Symanski. His son, Jake T Austin Syzmanski, was the voice of "Diego" on the Go,Diego Go TV character cartoon for many years. As he got older
he got into film making. Wikipedia has his story.
I got to hand it to you guys Rick. You guys put yourselves in some very dangerous spots.
Electricity is the real deal. I know we(FDNY) hated going into Con Edison Power plants in the city all the time because of the metal we carry. Movie sets and TV studios are just as bad.

[CNorkusJr]

On this one, we are living on the set. Six days a week, 14-16 hour days.
I'm not complaining, it's not that hard what I do on this one. They take pretty good care of us, have a big budget.
But it can be a challenging business, as you might imagine. I have never had trouble focusing on what happens on a film set.
I pay attention, and that's hard sometimes when things are moving slow, but it's a habit I drilled into myself when I was young and hoped to be a top LD.
That was my edge. I paid attention when others didn't. I was there, so I was taught things such as stage direction, blocking, techniques of true film makers.
You have to keep improving your knowledge to keep up with the technology used today in set lighting.
I hear of something new, or see it on shows when I'm just on the crew, such as this one, and I get familiar with the technology.

Perseverance pays off Rick. You put in long hours and days that add up to weeks/months away from friends and family to provide for them. God watches over all of us Rick and if the studio doesnt notice your value, well God does. Becoming head LD I'm sure will come your way soon.

[bennie]

Sugar Ray Robinson

I'm not sure who Robinson was fighting here but he looks like he was getting the worst of it.

It must be Turpin II.

[Rick Farris]

Spder Man-4 . . .



We have five stages at Sony Studios for the Spider Man film. The sets are massive and some are reproductions of the New York City sewer system, where the monster in the film resides. This is one of the sewer sets. Each set is built complete, and the walls are removeable so we can shoot different angles effectivly. In this photo, you can see the set walls hanging above the crane arm that is used for the camera, which is operated from the floor by remote controls. There is a tank below this stage, and we have water flowing thruout the set, lots of water. With all of the electricity needed for our lighting units, etc. we have everything connected using a ground fault system to protect the crew from any chance of being electocuted. I'm sure Charlie is familiar with our use of such safety equipment, having worked on many NYC film sets.

By the way, this set was built on stage-15. The Sony lot used to be MGM Studios, and this stage was one of several used for the "Wizard of Oz."
If you remember the scene in that movie where the Wizard is discovered by Judy contolling things from behind the curtain, it was filmed on stage-15 more than 75 years ago.

Wow a Great insight to a future film epic. Thanks Rick. Gotta show this to my nephews.
I can sure attest to the safety rigging that goes into these projects. Alot of the stuff I did was on the outside, with a few inside studio shoots for "Third Watch".Lots of electricity flowing from generators, gotta be very careful where you walk. Its nuts to film above tank water. I would be very nervous.

A fireman I worked with was an electrician on the side for NBC. He helped set up outdoor shooting for NBC Morning show that had Jane Paulie and Katie Couric, Al Roker and such.
About 15 years ago, he was setting up and accidently stepped on a "live" electrical junction box which killed him. Other riggers immediately started CPR and revived him with bad foot burns.
He recovered after about 6 months in various hospitals and therapies.Through the ADA he managed to keep his firefighters job by doing desk work. He had some short and some long term memory loss,even to this day. He is still beloved by NBC and the people there also.
He carries note pads and pens to write down things for him to remember all the time. He is retired now. His name is Joe Symanski. His son, Jake T Austin Syzmanski, was the voice of "Diego" on the Go,Diego Go TV character cartoon for many years. As he got older
he got into film making. Wikipedia has his story.
I got to hand it to you guys Rick. You guys put yourselves in some very dangerous spots.
Electricity is the real deal. I know we(FDNY) hated going into Con Edison Power plants in the city all the time because of the metal we carry. Movie sets and TV studios are just as bad.

Charlie, sometimes we will use enough electricity on a energize a small city.
We often work outside using AC power, however, we rarely have an accident.
In addition to lighting techs, we are studio electricians and attend hours of safety classes.
In 1978, I was working on the first Star Trek Motion Picture at Paramount.
In those days we rarely used AC current, everything we used in those days would require only DC power.
At the time we were converting everything to AC power, and as you know, that will kill you instantly.
We had an electrician working with an ungrounded AC fixture, and he got hooked on a 240 volt system.
He was literally cooked from the inside out, a horrific site. I'll never forget that, and it's been over thirty years.
Long hours and lots of dangerous equipment can lead to accidents, but we have very few considering.

[Rick Farris]

On this one, we are living on the set. Six days a week, 14-16 hour days.
I'm not complaining, it's not that hard what I do on this one. They take pretty good care of us, have a big budget.
But it can be a challenging business, as you might imagine. I have never had trouble focusing on what happens on a film set.
I pay attention, and that's hard sometimes when things are moving slow, but it's a habit I drilled into myself when I was young and hoped to be a top LD.
That was my edge. I paid attention when others didn't. I was there, so I was taught things such as stage direction, blocking, techniques of true film makers.
You have to keep improving your knowledge to keep up with the technology used today in set lighting.
I hear of something new, or see it on shows when I'm just on the crew, such as this one, and I get familiar with the technology.

Perseverance pays off Rick. You put in long hours and days that add up to weeks/months away from friends and family to provide for them. God watches over all of us Rick and if the studio doesnt notice your value, well God does. Becoming head LD I'm sure will come your way soon.

Charlie, I was one of the youngest LD's in the business, in my 20's.
I went to work for Michael Landon as his LD in my 30's.
Today I'll work as a second unit LD on Desperate Housewives, but I have pretty much taken myself out of that position.
Today I prefer to work on big features for other LD's who will use my experience to their advantage.
It's a lot more fun, less pressure, and allows me to concentrate on the good things in life, like writing boxing.
At 59, I will still do LD jobs, but I'm very choosy as to who I work for and on what. If I don't like the way a cameraman works, I won't take the job.

[kikibalt]

Its 5:13 in the AM, getting ready for a doctor's visit....

[Randyman]

Its 5:13 in the AM, getting ready for a doctor's visit....

Frank, good Luck at the Doctor. I hope you feel better.

[bennie]

Its 5:13 in the AM, getting ready for a doctor's visit....

Frank, good Luck at the Doctor. I hope you feel better.

Ditto, Frank, and sport your Tony "The Tiger" T-shirt.

[bennie]

Mike Tyson standing over Michael Spinks

I was thinking about Mike Tyson. I didn't always like him but at his peak, when he was still "Iron" Mike Tyson, he had great defensive skills. He was no dumb brawler. This was when Cus D'Amato and Kevin Rooney were handling him. After D'Amato died and after he left Rooney, Tyson was never quite the same defensively. Don King and company ruined him.

Tyson hits the top of the mountain and chews on his mint cake like Edmund Hillary atop Mount Everest in 1953.
Sadly, the climb down is about to begin.

[bennie]

Minter is still cut.

I'm glad to read that Hagler, who was a fine champion, was well recievedl when he returned to the UK. He was treated badly that night but I'm not casting stones. We've done the same here too, maybe worse. Sometimes a fight crowd just gets worked up.

That was my favorite of all of Hagler's wins. Marvin went into Minter's hometown, ignored a hostile crowd, and kicked his arse.

Minter said quite recently that he was relieved when it was stopped.

[CNorkusJr]

It's a good feeling when you can call your own shots on your terms Rick.After all those years-you earned it. I'm sure they all listen to you too. Like that commercial "When EF Hutton Speaks-everybody listens"

Feel better Frank. Hope all is well.

After a day full of rain yesterday- I can now officially pronounce that every bit of snow is gone from the property. A week to go for St. Pats Day. I marched in quite a few St Pat. Parades with the Fire Dept., but in a few of them we had snow flakes falling around us as we headed up 5th Ave. This year, on St Pats Day, I'll be flying down to West Palm Beach, Fla to attend a lifelong friends Wedding-on the Beach. By all reports at the Mets Spring Training games on TV, its been sunny and in the 80's. Only spending 4 days there as my wife has to be back for work-but its good enough for me.

[Panzerfaust]

Brine/Vinegar ?
Ive read that the oldtimers used to wash their face in Brine or vinegar to toughen the skin.
anyone here know if it acctually works?

[Rick Farris]

Brine/Vinegar ?
Ive read that the oldtimers used to wash their face in Brine or vinegar to toughen the skin.
anyone here know if it acctually works?

It's a great way to alienate yourself from the lady in your life.
As for toughening skin? Dempsey thought so.