Chuck1052 wrote:For awhile, Flash Gordon called Don King, "Dung King."
By the way, it may be that Flash use to say "stiffs teach you nothing" rather than "stiffs don't teach you nothing," but you get the idea either way.
I think that Flash started in producing a boxing publication which he sold at boxing venues located in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. In his prime, he must've an incrediable amount of energy to produce his weekly boxing publication by himself. But he appeared to burn out in the middle 1960s.
I use to subscribe to Flash's publication because it was very informative and entertaining. He also did not hesitate to state his opinion.
At the time, I also use to subscribe to the weekly British publication, Boxing News. Jack Fiske's great boxing column in the San Francisco Chronicle also was something I tried read on a regular basis. For coverage about Los Angeles boxing, the Los Angeles Herald-Examiner was the best for English speaking fans.
- Chuck Johnston
I remember "Flash" roaming the ringsides here in NY arenas in the 70's & 80's. He was a man on a mission and was considered quite "quirky" in his mannerisms.He did however get his interviews and published timely articles when in downstate NY -fight nites were weekly or every two weeks.I thought he wrote good stuff, but I saw numerous "officials" avoid him if a controversial decision was made.He didn't quite have that reputation as a "made" newspaperman like Mike Waters,Bill Gallo or Mike Katz,or media men like Art Rusk Jr and Bert Sugar here.
I remember he handed out one or two page briefs to the other writers and photogs on hand before the card started of his previous writings and insights.
He was very up on the news and I thought more on the ball than Lew Eskine's rigged "Ring" reports.
Back in the 50's. Eddie Borden wrote "Boxing Weekly" covering New Jersey & New York and could be had at arenas for 25 cents. It was not an official program-but gave you fight updates and a few articles on the big news.You could contact Eddie at the old Forrest Hotel on 47th St in NYC. The same place where Carbo & Palermo set up shop with the IBC and Jim Norris. I wasnt around then,but if the shoe fits.
It was my observation and inside info that all writers for any periodicals could be bought for a certain price to help soften the blow to losers, and go into great details to the winners.
Magrs paid a nice price for "features" that would attract more at the gate (hence a bigger slice of the pie).
If anything-Flash Gordon didnt get paid(take) a red cent. Hence his true honesty.
Also I remember, Before & During his Chairmanship of the NYS Boxing Comm.,Randy Gordon despised being mistaken for Flash Gordon. I remember him being set-up a few times by "officials" in telling out of state fighters/trainers and whoever,that Randy was "Flash" pointing him out,and them going over to him in hopes of getting into print. It was pretty funny to watch everyone's faces involved.
I think Flash burnt out in the late 80's here as boxing cards became more rare than the norm,with many of the smaller arenas shuttering forever.
