Classic American West Coast Boxing

[Rick Farris]

"Putting Pernell in with Chavez would be criminal".

Oh, how wrong that prediction was.
----------------------------------------

It might have been accurate a few years previous, but Whitaker made a jaded Chavez look bad.

[kikibalt]

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/enterta ... enue-.html

'Happy Days' cast members sue CBS for $10 million over merchandise revenue

[Ric]

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/enterta ... enue-.html

'Happy Days' cast members sue CBS for $10 million over merchandise revenue

Isn't that what they call "monkey points"?

[Rick Farris]

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/enterta ... enue-.html

'Happy Days' cast members sue CBS for $10 million over merchandise revenue

So at the moment it's "Not so Happy Days"?
Surprisingly CBS (current owner of Paramount) jumped up and agreed the actors were due compensation.
They must have had a good case or the network/studio would have hung them out to dry.

[Rick Farris]

A Classic Don Fraser quote . . .


This is from Don Fraser's "Van-O-Grams" column of KO Magazine from the early 50's (posted above).
With reference to an impending Art Aragon-Lauro Salas match that almost wasn't made:

"That fight was colder than one of Roxie Eisen's old cigars . . . "

I had to ask Don about that one and he laughed, "Rusty Eisen was kind of a low end loan shark, the kind who would loan small amounts, a hundred bucks."
Fraser said that Eisen was well known around the boxing crowd, a local charactor of the early 50's.

[AlFrancis]

I've just had a fry-up after waking up blurry-eyed - one egg, four slices of black pudding and half a ripe tomato, plus toast. I threw in the tomato because I'm on a diet.

I had one this morning. Egg, bacon, sausages, black pudding, tomatoes, mushrooms, hash brown, toast and a cup of tea.

[AlFrancis]

Where about in Liverpool are you nut?

[Cholo]

Frank, you sparred Keeny, they say he was a sharp-shooting fighter, what was it like to be in there with Teran, Frank?..

Paul, I was just a kid of 14-15 years at the time he was about 18 years old, he would take it easy on me, beside been a bit older then me he was too damn good for me, he never opened up on me, he was too nice of a guy to do that....

Frank, Great experience though sparring with a top fighter, Frank is Ramon Tiscareno still living? fought Aragon twice..

[kikibalt]

A Classic Don Fraser quote . . .


This is from Don Fraser's "Van-O-Grams" column of KO Magazine from the early 50's (posted above).
With reference to an impending Art Aragon-Lauro Salas match that almost wasn't made:

"That fight was colder than one of Roxie Eisen's old cigars . . . "

I had to ask Don about that one and he laughed, "Rusty Eisen was kind of a low end loan shark, the kind who would loan small amounts, a hundred bucks."
Fraser said that Eisen was well known around the boxing crowd, a local charactor of the early 50's.

[kikibalt]

Frank, you sparred Keeny, they say he was a sharp-shooting fighter, what was it like to be in there with Teran, Frank?..

Paul, I was just a kid of 14-15 years at the time he was about 18 years old, he would take it easy on me, beside been a bit older then me he was too damn good for me, he never opened up on me, he was too nice of a guy to do that....

Frank, Great experience though sparring with a top fighter, Frank is Ramon Tiscareno still living? fought Aragon twice..

Yes Paul, Ramon T. is still alive, we're inducting him into the CBHOF this coming June. He lives here in SoCal (the High Desert)

[Boxingnut]

Where about in Liverpool are you nut?

Huyton, Alan. You kindly added me on facebook, my name is Rob Morris.

[Cholo]

Paul, I was just a kid of 14-15 years at the time he was about 18 years old, he would take it easy on me, beside been a bit older then me he was too damn good for me, he never opened up on me, he was too nice of a guy to do that....

Frank, Great experience though sparring with a top fighter, Frank is Ramon Tiscareno still living? fought Aragon twice..

Yes Paul, Ramon T. is still alive, we're inducting him into the CBHOF this coming June. He lives here in SoCal (the High Desert)

Frank, Give Ramon T. my regards when you see him, and tell him Cholo's a big fan of you old-timer's, wish i could be there in June....

[Rick Farris]

A Classic Don Fraser quote . . .


This is from Don Fraser's "Van-O-Grams" column of KO Magazine from the early 50's (posted above).
With reference to an impending Art Aragon-Lauro Salas match that almost wasn't made:

"That fight was colder than one of Roxie Eisen's old cigars . . . "

I had to ask Don about that one and he laughed, "Rusty Eisen was kind of a low end loan shark, the kind who would loan small amounts, a hundred bucks."
Fraser said that Eisen was well known around the boxing crowd, a local charactor of the early 50's.

Roxie was a marginal player in local boxing, always had a cigar stub in his mouth, but it was never lit.
He took over the old Main Street Gym from Willie Orner for awhile, but soon gave it back to Orner.
It's rumored that he once managed a fighter, but my my source wasn't sure.
His face was visible in L.A. boxing in days gone by.

[kikibalt]

Frank, Great experience though sparring with a top fighter, Frank is Ramon Tiscareno still living? fought Aragon twice..

Yes Paul, Ramon T. is still alive, we're inducting him into the CBHOF this coming June. He lives here in SoCal (the High Desert)

Frank, Give Ramon T. my regards when you see him, and tell him Cholo's a big fan of you old-timer's, wish i could be there in June....

I'll tell Ramon you send your regards Paul..... ....you can be there if you jump on the next red eye....

[Cholo]

Yes Paul, Ramon T. is still alive, we're inducting him into the CBHOF this coming June. He lives here in SoCal (the High Desert)

Frank, Give Ramon T. my regards when you see him, and tell him Cholo's a big fan of you old-timer's, wish i could be there in June....

I'll tell Ramon you send your regards Paul..... ....you can be there if you jump on the next red eye....

Frank,.....

[kikibalt]

"El Sobaco"

Circa 1964 my friend Joe (not real name), who used to run a boxing gym in downtown L.A., and I were coming back from the Chino State Prison after attending some fights, as I was driving back to L.A. Joe asked me: “you want to go dancing?”, “I don’t know Joe, what do you have in mind?”, “I have a lady waiting for me at the International Ballroom”. The International Ballroom which was on First Street west of Soto was known as "El Sobaco” (The Underarm) because it stank, I don’t think the people that used to go dancing there believed in deodorant. ”I don’t know Joe, that place is for old people and I am told it stinks in there”, at the time I was 27 years old, Joe was in his mid-60’s. It was a place that drew people over 50 years old; so I was not comfortable going there, but Joe wanted to go and since we were in my car I said okay. We got there and walked up stair where the ballroom was at, first thing I did was get a close look at the band that was playing, the guys on the band looked so old that they must have started playing back in ’09, I then got a good look at the people, the youngest looked like they were in their mid-50’s. Joe spotted his friend sitting at a table with other people: “c’mon let go to their table”, Joe introduced me to his friend Rosie (not real name) and the rest of the people. As Joe was taking Rosie out to dance he said to me: “find somebody to dance with”, I looked around at the old people and said “I’ll be at the bar”. I sat at the bar and after drinking a couple of beers I felt like dancing. I looked for the youngest looking lady to ask to dance, I spotted one, she looked to be in her mid-50’s, I walked up to her and asked: “would you like to dance?”, she looked me up and down: “No, I don’t dance with just anybody, beside you’re too young”, “Oh!”, first time I was turned down for been too young!, went back to the bar and nurse a beer until closing time. Back in the car Joe asked me: “how come you didn’t dance?”, “I am too young”, “what?”, “oh never mind!”

[Cholo]

Frank, I like it......

[kikibalt]

Frank, I like it......

Yeah Paul, can't win for losing...

[Panzerfaust]

Frank, im watching Tony vs Danny Vargas ... and the first question that popped up in my mind was....whats up with the guy in the tiger costume?

[kikibalt]

Frank, im watching Tony vs Danny Vargas ... and the first question that popped up in my mind was....whats up with the guy in the tiger costume?

That was Greg, Tony's cop friend. I don't know what the hell they were doing....

[CNorkusJr]

http://boxingmemories.com/2011/03/26/ta ... ry-holmes/

Good written interview with Larry Holmes. Touches on a few subjects: Ali,Norton, MMA
on todays heavyweights. etc etc

Wasnt a huge Holmes fan but he comes across nice and seemingly down-to-earth in this interview.

[AlFrancis]

Where about in Liverpool are you nut?

Huyton, Alan. You kindly added me on facebook, my name is Rob Morris.

Alright Rob!

[Rick Farris]

http://boxingmemories.com/2011/03/26/ta ... ry-holmes/

Good written interview with Larry Holmes. Touches on a few subjects: Ali,Norton, MMA
on todays heavyweights. etc etc

Wasnt a huge Holmes fan but he comes across nice and seemingly down-to-earth in this interview.

Larry Holmes & Lennox Lewis, a difference in class . . .


Interesting story, Charlie. In 2007, we inducted Larry Holmes into the World Boxing Hall of Fame.
When Larry Holmes was notified of his pending induction, he immediatly made demands regarding first class air fare and lodging for himself, family and enourage.
We explained we were a non-profit organization, and would guarantee first class accomodations plus business class airfare for he and his wife.
We would also set up a media event, press conference, etc. etc. We'd treat him like a Hall of Famer, but we could not cover his entourage.
Holmes refused to attend unless we'd satisfy his demands. We treat all honorees the same, and that's the best we could do.
We also present them with a bronze statue, "The Fighter" created by a well known Bronze artist.
Mainly, we put a special prizefighter in the eyes of his fans once again. Boxers rarely walk away from the ring with much, even champs.
We try to give them something that they deserve and have earned. Holmes earned $millions. We who are honoring him are basicly working people.
Holmes was surly, said we could mail him his bronze. He wasn't coming.

We sent Larry Holmes a message. We told him that he would be inducted into the WBHOF, as he is deserving and was voted in.
However, we will not send him his bronze. We will also not acknowledge him in the banquet, or discuss his induction in the media.
He was told that if he should one day like to attend a future WBHOF banquet, we'd cover his flight & accomodations, and present him the bronze on stage.
No appearance - No bronze or accomodations, etc.

The following year we induct Lennox Lewis. What a difference. Lennox was already committed to call a fight for HBO on the date of our banquet.
Lewis said he really wanted to attend the event, and since he was the biggest name being inducted that year we decided to push the date of the event back one month, to accomodate the former 3-time heavyweight champ. Lennox Lewis was so grateful he refused to accept our offer of airline tickets and hotel room, etc. Lennox said he'd cover any travel and lodging expenses, all he wanted was four seats, for himself, wife, mother and attorney. What a gentleman! Such a class act is Lennox Lewis. Many of us who post here were at the event, and Randy put together a great video.

I'm disappointed Larry Holmes could not show that championship class you want from a great heavyweight.
However, Lennox Lewis made us forget all about Larry Holmes.

Randy's 2008 WBHOF Video :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Av6c8sVK6no

[Rick Farris]

"El Sobaco"

Circa 1964 my friend Joe (not real name), who used to run a boxing gym in downtown L.A., and I were coming back from the Chino State Prison after attending some fights, as I was driving back to L.A. Joe asked me: “you want to go dancing?”, “I don’t know Joe, what do you have in mind?”, “I have a lady waiting for me at the International Ballroom”. The International Ballroom which was on First Street west of Soto was known as ‘El Sobaco” (The Underarm) because it stank, I don’t think the people that used to go dancing there believed in deodorant. ”I don’t know Joe, that place is for old people and I am told it stinks in there”, at the time I was 27 years old, Joe was in his mid-60’s. It was a place that drew people over 50 years old; so I was not comfortable going there, but Joe wanted to go and since we were in my car I said okay. We got there and walked up stair where the ballroom was at. First thing I did was get a close look at the band that was playing, the guys on the band looked so old that they must have started playing back in ’09, I then got a good look at the people, the youngest looked like they were in their mid-50’s. Joe spotted his friend sitting at a table with other people: “c’mon let go to their table”, Joe introduced me to his friend Rosie (not real name) and the rest of the people. As Joe was taking Rosie out to dance he said to me: “find somebody to dance with”, I looked around at the old people and said “I’ll be at the bar”. I sat at the bar and after drinking a couple of beers I felt like dancing. I looked for the youngest looking lady to ask to dance, I spotted one, she looked to be in her mid-50’s, asked her to dance: “would you like to dance?”, she looked me up and down: “No, I don’t dance with just anybody, beside you’re too young”, “Oh!”, first time I was turned down for been too young!, went back to the bar and nurse a beer until closing time. Back in the car Joe asked me: “how come you didn’t dance?”, “I am too young”, “what?”, “oh never mind!”

[kikibalt]

Rick, call me and I'll tell who Joe and Rosie were....I don't want to use their real names here.