Classic American West Coast Boxing

[kikibalt]

Frank, Did you see the Aragon v Trigo fights? in one of the fights Aragon was effected by gas fumes generated from a heater in the dressing room at the Olympic..

Paul, Art and Mario fought 5-6 times, I seen 3 of their fights I believe, Art won all but one, I believe it was the first fight between them that Art lost in 1949, I was there for that fight, Art got his ass handed to him. Gas fumes?, don't know nothing about that.

[kikibalt]

Enrique & Ruby Bolanos

[Cholo]

Frank, thanks for the photos, this is what the ring magazine had to say about the fight, In one of the biggest upsets of a
year which there were many of them, Mario Trigo handed Art Aragon a humiliating defeat in a 10-rounder at the Los Angeles
Olympic. Trigo a 5-to-1 underdog , outsmarted, outboxed and outpunched the Golden Boy. Mario was credited with 9 rounds, Aragon winning but one heat, the 9th.
Trigo was at his best, moved fast on his feet and punched sharply. But, it should be stated that Aragon was probably at his worst and there may be merit to his claim of being ill from gas fumes generated from a heater in the dressing room.
A scheduled rematch should prove something. Certainly, Aragon's speed and accuracy were missing, and he was on the receiving end of a lacing for eight straight rounds.
Aragon mustered up a desperate attack in the 9th, repeatedly rocking Trigo to his heals with solid punches to the jaw. Art fought hard in the final heat to repeat the performance, but Mario had te most oomph and garnered the round, Trigo weighed 137, ragon 140.

[Cholo]

Frank, Another great quote from Art, The banner headline over a story about his first divorce read:"Wife Sues Aragon, Names 15 Women."
"She missed three," Aragon said. I like it......LOL.

[Cholo]

Enrique & Ruby Bolanos

Frank, Ruby what a Beauty, lucky Enrique..

[kikibalt]

Enrique & Ruby Bolanos

Frank, Ruby what a Beauty, lucky Enrique..

She is still a beauty...

[telboy66]

Bennie mate you must have been watching a different Kevin Mcbride to the one I remember being Tko'd 3 back in 1998 by Michael Murray 15w 16L at the time just a pretty ordinary Brit heavy, kevin built up a early ko record against no hoper's
& when ever he took on someone with a positive record he was found badly wanting & just like Cooper's famed left hook against Clay he will have some glory for beating a very much passed sell by Mike tyson,
Please don't build him up as some colossus, He was big & Irish which always sells stateside plus he weighed 271 lb for Tyson hardly the best shape , I witnessed his last trip to UK for the "prizefighter" & although he should have got the decision against Skelton when he clearly decked Matt with a good punch that the ref chose not to see the writing was on the wall all he had was the bulk to lay on punches were very rare.
He should have retired after Tyson his moment in the sun has long dimmed

[AlFrancis]

Rick I read a few years back that Olivares KO'd a lightweight champ in sparring before the fight with dad, always wondered if there was any truth in it but last month someone told me a story about it and said it was in fact Sugar Ramos. Do you know anything about it?


Alan, I saw Evan Armstrong fight Chucho Casillo on the undercard of Rose-Medel title fight in 1968. I recall that Ruben Olivares made his U.S. debut that night with a KO over Bernabe Fernandez. Armstrong had fought Medel a few months previous in Mexico, and Castillo beat him up pretty bad before the fight ended in the second round. That was the only time I saw Armstrong fight. As for Zarate, Zamora and Olivares, I know that by the time he Z boys were making headlines in L.A. Olivares was already fighting featherweights. Also, Zamora had left the stable of Cuyo Hernandez by the time he fought in Los Angeles, and was trained by his father. There was a lot of jealousy relating to Zarate, Zamora and Hernandez. I heard the two Z boys did box together when under Hernandez guidance, and I had the pleasure of attending their great fight at the Forum years later. There was a lot of bad blood between the two boxers, and after the fight, Zamora's father got into a fight with Cuyo Hernandez in the ring. I remember Raul Cruz when he was a top bantam, and later as his career went downhill. He fought our pal Danny "Little Red" Lopez on the downside of that career. Manny Elias is a legend in Arizona, and was a helluva good bantam durring a long career. Rudy Corona fought for years in Mexico and thruout the world. I knew him from his many fights in L.A. and the Main Street Gym. Here is a little Rudy Corona trivia: his real name is Trinidad Lopez Amado. I remember learning that back in the 60's and have never forgotten.

Great stuff Rick I'm loving this. Like I said before Zamora, Zarate and Herrera were at Cardiff recently together and I did ask Alfonso if he and Carlos were now friends, I've seen the fight and the afters with his father and Cuyo Hernandez. He just smiled at me and said Alan we've been friends since we were kids. I think they've definitely buried the hatchet. it's great hearing about Manny Elias and Rudy Corona. Elias drew with Jofre in 65 in Brazil and I know Corona gave Rose a tough fight. Great name, why did he ever change it. Danny Lopez was a hero of mine as a kid growing up, what a brave man and hard as nails. The Ayala fight is one of my all time favourites. Another of my favourites is Alberto Davila, beautiful boxer, any inside info on him?
How do you upload photos on here Rick? I've got some good ones.

The strongest bantamweight division ever . . .

I don't do photos, Frank does. Maybe he can help you with info?
I know Danny Lopez real well, we boxed in the gym for many years. And Albert Davila we all know from junior fights when we were kids.
Rafael Herrera kicked my ass when I was a 17-year-old amateur, at the Main Street Gym. I can laugh about it now, but I didn't like him.
I watched him get his ass kicked by an amateur Bobby Chacon, a couple years later.
But Herrera was a great fighter, and KOed Olivares for the title. And Bobby was a great fighter too, Bobby Chacon.
Also had Romeo Anaya and Rodolfo Martinez, Rogelio Lara. Mexico came strong with bantam and featherweights, some of the best ever.
There are stories thruout this thread relating to Albert Davila.
Frank and I both know Davila from amateur days, and later as pros.
Albert will occasionally show at boxing HOF events. He is a private person, but always great to converse with when he's out and about.
I'll share a couple early memories about Davila in due course.

[AlFrancis]

Great stuff Rick I'm loving this. Like I said before Zamora, Zarate and Herrera were at Cardiff recently together and I did ask Alfonso if he and Carlos were now friends, I've seen the fight and the afters with his father and Cuyo Hernandez. He just smiled at me and said Alan we've been friends since we were kids. I think they've definitely buried the hatchet. it's great hearing about Manny Elias and Rudy Corona. Elias drew with Jofre in 65 in Brazil and I know Corona gave Rose a tough fight. Great name, why did he ever change it. Danny Lopez was a hero of mine as a kid growing up, what a brave man and hard as nails. The Ayala fight is one of my all time favourites. Another of my favourites is Alberto Davila, beautiful boxer, any inside info on him?
How do you upload photos on here Rick? I've got some good ones.

The strongest bantamweight division ever . . .

I don't do photos, Frank does. Maybe he can help you with info?
I know Danny Lopez real well, we boxed in the gym for many years. And Albert Davila we all know from junior fights when we were kids.
Rafael Herrera kicked my ass when I was a 17-year-old amateur, at the Main Street Gym. I can laugh about it now, but I didn't like him.
I watched him get his ass kicked by an amateur Bobby Chacon, a couple years later.
But Herrera was a great fighter, and KOed Olivares for the title. And Bobby was a great fighter too, Bobby Chacon.
Also had Romeo Anaya and Rodolfo Martinez, Rogelio Lara. Mexico came strong with bantam and featherweights, some of the best ever.
There are stories thruout this thread relating to Albert Davila.
Frank and I both know Davila from amateur days, and later as pros.
Albert will occasionally show at boxing HOF events. He is a private person, but always great to converse with when he's out and about.
I'll share a couple early memories about Davila in due course.

Rick, a few years back I read a story that Olivares KO'd a former lightweight champ sparring for his fight with dad, always wondered if there was any truth in it. Last month I was in London and a fella told me the same story but that it was in fact Sugar Ramos. Do you know anything about it?

[Rick Farris]

The strongest bantamweight division ever . . .

I don't do photos, Frank does. Maybe he can help you with info?
I know Danny Lopez real well, we boxed in the gym for many years. And Albert Davila we all know from junior fights when we were kids.
Rafael Herrera kicked my ass when I was a 17-year-old amateur, at the Main Street Gym. I can laugh about it now, but I didn't like him.
I watched him get his ass kicked by an amateur Bobby Chacon, a couple years later.
But Herrera was a great fighter, and KOed Olivares for the title. And Bobby was a great fighter too, Bobby Chacon.
Also had Romeo Anaya and Rodolfo Martinez, Rogelio Lara. Mexico came strong with bantam and featherweights, some of the best ever.
There are stories thruout this thread relating to Albert Davila.
Frank and I both know Davila from amateur days, and later as pros.
Albert will occasionally show at boxing HOF events. He is a private person, but always great to converse with when he's out and about.
I'll share a couple early memories about Davila in due course.

Rick, a few years back I read a story that Olivares KO'd a former lightweight champ sparring for his fight with dad, always wondered if there was any truth in it. Last month I was in London and a fella told me the same story but that it was in fact Sugar Ramos. Do you know anything about it?

I never heard of Olivares boxing with Sugar Ramos, or KOing a lightweight.
Olivares had the punch to KO some lightweights, but Sugar Ramos? I don't think so.

[AlFrancis]

Rick, a few years back I read a story that Olivares KO'd a former lightweight champ sparring for his fight with dad, always wondered if there was any truth in it. Last month I was in London and a fella told me the same story but that it was in fact Sugar Ramos. Do you know anything about it?

I never heard of Olivares boxing with Sugar Ramos, or KOing a lightweight.
Olivares had the punch to KO some lightweights, but Sugar Ramos? I don't think so.

I thought as much. if it had happened I'm sure you would of heard about it.

[Cholo]

Rick, I saw a photo on the internet of you and Sugar Ray Robinson clowning about, it doesn't get any better then this working out in the same gym as the Sugarman, what do you remember about it Rick...

[Cholo]

Frank, Another piece on the "Golden Boy", Meeting pretty stiff opposition in young and aggressive Art Aragon of Los Angeles, Jesse Flores Stockton's Lightweight contender, had to go all out to earn a draw with the latest coast Lightweight sensation. It was a fast moving battle all the way with Flores slowed down somewhat by extra weight around his middle but showing nothing lost by his recent kayo at the hands of Ike Williams. The house was a slim $5200. Referee "Little" Billy Burke voted for Aragon, one judge marked his card for Flores and the other called it even. Flores came in at 141, Aragon at 136. Frank Do you remember much about Jesse Flores?..

[AlFrancis]

Rick, I saw a photo on the internet of you and Sugar Ray Robinson clowning about, it doesn't get any better then this working out in the same gym as the Sugarman, what do you remember about it Rick...

Just seen that myself on Randyman's flicker account and one of a young Rick with Henry Armstrong.

[Cholo]

Enrique & Ruby Bolanos

Frank, Ruby what a Beauty, lucky Enrique..

She is still a beauty...

Frank, Is Enrique still living?

[kikibalt]

Frank, Ruby what a Beauty, lucky Enrique..

She is still a beauty...

Frank, Is Enrique still living?

Yes, Enrique is still alive. He lives in a nursing home.



Rudy Bolanos...2009

[kikibalt]

Mr & Mrs. Enrique Bolanos

[Cholo]

Frank, Thanks for the photo's, your right about Ruby she's still a beauty, Enrique must be in his 80's..

[Cholo]

Frank, Do you get to see Enrique and Ruby very often ?..

[kikibalt]

Frank, Another piece on the "Golden Boy", Meeting pretty stiff opposition in young and aggressive Art Aragon of Los Angeles, Jesse Flores Stockton's Lightweight contender, had to go all out to earn a draw with the latest coast Lightweight sensation. It was a fast moving battle all the way with Flores slowed down somewhat by extra weight around his middle but showing nothing lost by his recent kayo at the hands of Ike Williams. The house was a slim $5200. Referee "Little" Billy Burke voted for Aragon, one judge marked his card for Flores and the other called it even. Flores came in at 141, Aragon at 136. Frank Do you remember much about Jesse Flores?..

Jesse Flores??. Don't recall ever seeing Flores fight. I do know that he was known as a very good boxer. After he retired he got busted dealing drugs. He has since pass I believe.

[kikibalt]

Frank, Do you get to see Enrique and Ruby very often ?..

No I don't. I don't see Enrique anymore. Ruby I see about once or twice a year, usually at some boxing function, like the California Boxing Hall Of Fame luncheons.

In the mid-'60's, Enrique helped me train Frankie and Tony when the boys were young kids.

[Cholo]

Frank, did Ruby go to any of Enrique's fight's?, you couldn't wish for a better trainer. Also Frank do you know if there are any of Enrique's fight's on film?

[kikibalt]

Art Aragon & Roberto Bolanos

[kikibalt]

Frank, did Ruby go to any of Enrique's fight's?, you couldn't wish for a better trainer. Also Frank do you know if there are any of Enrique's fight's on film?

Just one that I know of. The second Ike Williams fight is on Youtube, a fight I have on DVD. Art Aragon fights I have about 5.

[kikibalt]

Enrique Bolanos vs Ike Williams
I believe this is from the second fight, not sure though