AlFrancis wrote:
Thanks for posting that Rick, it makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck. I don't know if you know but that song by Gerry was adopted by the Liverpool football club fans as our anthem. It is a very emotional song for us, Here is a clip of the fans singing it, see how powerful it is.
As it happens Gerry was on tour in Australia only last month and we arranged for him to meet Lionel Rose at one of his concerts. Gerry dedicated a song that night to Dad and Lionel. I believe it was a very emotional moment for Lionel.
Amazing! Just last month, you say. What great timing. That was a kind moment you arranged!
As for the song, I had no idea of it's importance in Liverpool. You can feel the energy of that crowd. Brilliant!
I'm really enjoying this exchange. This is truly boxing history from the inside.
This is what makes this thread so great.
I've made the claim before on dad's behalf that if it wasn't for him giving Gerry that beating as schoolboys Liverpool FC wouldn't of had that beautiful anthem
Al, I admittedly don't know too much about your father but it has been a pleasure reading and learning more about him here on this thread. Thank you for your contributions!
Randyman wrote:I was privileged, recently, to view a video of the new documentary "Joe Frazier: When the Smoke Clears". Joe Frazier's story has been told time and time again. The story is familiar to us by now. Yet director Mike Todd still managed to give us a fresh perspective on Frazier's life and career. Narrated by Joe's eldest son, Marvis Frazier, along with testimonials from family, friends and boxing personalities, including George Foreman, Bernard Hopkins and Larry Merchant, who share some candid memories. However, this is much more than a "This is Your Life" documentary. It is more like a well crafted, tightly woven tapestry that comes together to form a beautifully clear picture of it's subject, in this case "Smokin' Joe" Frazier, former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
The film begins with Frazier singing a reworked song made famous by Frank Sinatra, "My Way" and he was indeed doing it his way, as only "Smokin' Joe" can, a little slow perhaps and a little off key but with a passion and heart that has defined Joe Frazier to his legion of fans and admirers. The common belief is that Joe Frazier has been left bitter on the issue of Muhammad Ali, maybe at one time, but this peek into his current life says otherwise. If anything Frazier seems content with his place in boxing history, he is content with what he knows. So is his family. Joe Frazier is truly loved by his family, friends and fans and the film seems to answer that question "is it better to be popular or well liked?" As this film shows, being well liked, or loved, in this case, travels a lot deeper than popularity. I believe this is where Frazier draws his contentment and satisfaction. Frazier seems to relish the attention and enjoys talking about the 1971 "Fight of the Century", a fight he won by unanimous decision.
Marvis Frazier, who wears his love for his famous father on his sleeves, has become, in a sense, the defender and protector of his father's legacy. The bond between father and son is at the core of the film. A brief look back at Marvis Frazier's fight with Larry Holmes was somewhat emotional and we see Joe's pain, immediately after the fight. Both Frazier's have continually given back to the community both in the rural south where Joe was born and in Philadelphia where he lives today. In the south he is remembered as a local boy made good who has never forgotten where he came from and in Philadelphia, a town known for the ferocious gym wars and tough fighters, where he is heralded as the epitome of a "Philly Fighter". There are a couple of other clips, including Ali vs Frazier I and Frazier vs Foreman I, but the film focuses more on the Joe Frazier of today. This is the story that is being told
Growing up in the South, and later Philadelphia, Frazier experienced the full gamut of the black experience in America, contrary to the way he was portrayed by Muhammad Ali during their well covered rivalry. Joe, a proud man and more importantly, a proud black man has stayed close to his roots; family, friends and community. He has done so as the owner and operator of the Joe Frazier Gym, along with his son Marvis. Much of this documentary was filmed in the gym. Sadly, the gym was closed earlier this year for financial reasons. Still, that doesn't take away from what Frazier has accomplished over the years, nor can we ever count the number of young men that have been helped along the way, whether they became fighters or just good citizens.
There are some scenes in the film where an elderly Frazier is seen working the bag and shadowboxing in the ring. If you look closely, into his eyes, you can still see the fire burning inside. That wry smile and knowing look gives the impression that Muhammad Ali is still on the receiving end of his punches, thus the look of satisfaction on his face. I cannot say with 100% certainty, that Joe Frazier has exorcised the bitter memories of his rivalry with Ali, nor can I say that he has truly forgiven him for the cruel words that cut Joe deeply. All I can say for sure is, that Joe Frazier has learned to deal with it, and is living life "His Way" and on his terms.
If you are a fight fan, especially if you are a life long fan of Smokin' Joe Frazier, as I am, than you will be moved by this film, and in the long run, isn't that what art is all about?
Written and Directed by: Mike Todd
Produced by: Geseth Garcia, Mike Todd & Louise Rosen
Director of Photography: Quenell Jones
Narrated by: Marvis Frazier
Alan mentioned York Hall in a previous post. I've heard what a legendary venue that is.
An actor I worked with a few years ago, Johnny Lee Miller (Angelina Jolie's ex), is a Brit and he told me watching boxing there.
He said it was a wild place.
I made a mistake there, York Hall is a great venue, a real cockpit. There isn't a bad seat in the house. I was in London a couple of months ago for the London ex boxers awards dinner. Luckily thare was a show the night before at York hall and I managed to take that in also.
The reunion I was talking about was actualy at Shoreditch Town Hall, a great venue of years gone by. London ex boxers reunited most of the ex fighters who'd fought there. Champions to prelim fighters going back to the 1950's, it was a fantastic day!
Rick Farris wrote:
Amazing! Just last month, you say. What great timing. That was a kind moment you arranged!
As for the song, I had no idea of it's importance in Liverpool. You can feel the energy of that crowd. Brilliant!
I'm really enjoying this exchange. This is truly boxing history from the inside.
This is what makes this thread so great.
I've made the claim before on dad's behalf that if it wasn't for him giving Gerry that beating as schoolboys Liverpool FC wouldn't of had that beautiful anthem
Al, I admittedly don't know too much about your father but it has been a pleasure reading and learning more about him here on this thread. Thank you for your contributions!
telboy66 wrote:How many of you guys remember Terry Downes when he lived in the states He started his amateur career over there fought in the golden gloves & was even shortlisted for the Olympics until they realised he was British, he served in your marines on returning to UK he turned pro & went on to Fight Paul Pender for the title losing the first winning the second & losing the third.
For me the best fight I saw him was against Joey Giardello who he beat over 10 rounds,Terry an aggressive boxer used skill rather than brute force that night to beat a very tough boxer who even 3 years later was good enough to beat teak tough Dick Tiger for the light heavyweight title.
On 28Th May we are celebrating 50 years since that title win with a grand celebration night at the Thistle Hotel near Heathrow London UK, as Britain's oldest surviving world champion terry has never received any royal recognition for this or the unstinting charity work he has carried out during & after his career
I hope it's a great night, i've met Terry on a couple of occasions and shared a few drinks with him. He's a real character. I last saw him in September at the York Hall Reunion in London. There is a push at the moment for Terry to be recognised with an MBE for all the charity work he's done over the years.
Terry Downes merits World Boxing Hall of Fame honors.
Until last year I was Chariman of the WBHOF selection commitee, but I stepped away from the organization.
Terry's name has been on our ballot, but the majority of voters today are unaware of anything in boxing that took place before Sugar Ray Leonard.
As the WBHOF historian, I fought for the recognition of forgotten champions, etc.
In such cases, the vote must be taken out of the hands of the majority who have no knowledge of boxing history.
If the group gets itself together one day, I'll push for Terry Downes induction.
telboy66 wrote:How many of you guys remember Terry Downes when he lived in the states He started his amateur career over there fought in the golden gloves & was even shortlisted for the Olympics until they realised he was British, he served in your marines on returning to UK he turned pro & went on to Fight Paul Pender for the title losing the first winning the second & losing the third.
For me the best fight I saw him was against Joey Giardello who he beat over 10 rounds,Terry an aggressive boxer used skill rather than brute force that night to beat a very tough boxer who even 3 years later was good enough to beat teak tough Dick Tiger for the light heavyweight title.
On 28Th May we are celebrating 50 years since that title win with a grand celebration night at the Thistle Hotel near Heathrow London UK, as Britain's oldest surviving world champion terry has never received any royal recognition for this or the unstinting charity work he has carried out during & after his career
I hope it's a great night, i've met Terry on a couple of occasions and shared a few drinks with him. He's a real character. I last saw him in September at the York Hall Reunion in London. There is a push at the moment for Terry to be recognised with an MBE for all the charity work he's done over the years.
Terry Downes merits World Boxing Hall of Fame honors.
Until last year I was Chariman of the WBHOF selection commitee, but I stepped away from the organization.
Terry's name has been on our ballot, but the majority of voters today are unaware of anything in boxing that took place before Sugar Ray Leonard.
As the WBHOF historian, I fought for the recognition of forgotten champions, etc.
In such cases, the vote must be taken out of the hands of the majority who have no knowledge of boxing history.
If the group gets itself together one day, I'll push for Terry Downes induction.
Terry is our oldest living world champ at 75 years young.
ROBERT MORALES: Ward's handlers insist he isn't favorite in Super Six
By Robert Morales, boxing columnist
sgvt.com
Boxers like Mikkel Kessler of Denmark and then Arthur Abraham of Germany were probably the favorites to win Showtime's Super Six super middleweight tournament at the beginning.
A lot has happened since then.
Kessler was upset early by Andre Ward and Abraham has lost twice - to Andre Dirrell via disqualification and to Carl Froch by wide decision. Only Abraham's 12th-round knockout of Jermain Taylor has kept him in this tournament.
Now Ward (23-0, 13 KOs) appears to be the favorite. Aside from his victory over Kessler, he easily defeated Allan Green over 12 rounds and he took a win by forfeit when Andre Dirrell had to pull out with an injury. But Virgil Hunter, Ward's trainer, doesn't want to hear that.
"Andre Ward is not the favorite," said Hunter, who will be in Ward's corner tonight when he squares off with Abraham in the tournament semifinals at Home Depot Center. "He has not beat Glen Johnson, he has not beaten Carl Froch (the other two in the final four), he has not beat Arthur Abraham. We don't think he deserves that yet, until he wins the Super Six. Then he will be the favorite."
Showtime will televise this fight, which hopefully will be 10times better than the 12-round snooze-fest between Manny Pacquiao and "Sugar" Shane Mosley a week ago; incidentally, Showtime also will show a replay of that tonight.
A trimmer Chris Arreola of Riverside will take on Nagy Aguilera of the Dominican Republic in the heavyweight semi-main event,
Advertisement
but that fight will not be televised. First bell is 5p.m.
Hunter might not want Ward to be favored, but he is at this point.
In Abraham, Ward is taking on a hard-hitter who was thoroughly out-boxed by Froch, losing by 10, 12 and 12 points last November. This does not bode well for Abraham because Ward is a clever fighter who can make opponents look bad. But Abraham is confident he has figured out how to go about dealing with someone more technically sound than himself.
"Of course, after my loss (to Froch), I had to make some adjustments," Abraham said.
"I analyzed my mistakes and, hopefully, that won't happen again."
With a knockout percentage of 76.4 percent compared to Ward's 56.5, Abraham would appear to have a clear advantage in the power department. But most of Abraham's work has been at middleweight. This will be only his fifth fight at super middleweight since moving up in October 2009. He is 2-2 at this weight, with two knockouts.
"The problems he represents remains to be seen, but his strengths are he believes in his punching power," Ward said. "They call him a puncher, they say that he hits hard and that he is physically very strong. But I believe that my physical strength is right up there with the best ever and I think he will see and notice that I hit a lot harder than what people perceive me to be.
"With that being said, it's going to be the same Arthur Abraham, in terms of stylistically. He's going to cover up and maybe open up a little bit earlier, but he is going to look for that one big shot. That's what he does."
There has been a beef between the camps, which could add some punch once the fighters are in the ring. Abraham's camp, led by promoter Wilfried Sauerland, said the Ward side - headed by promoter Dan Goossen - tried to go back on a deal that would ensure only one California judge works this fight and that the referee is neutral.
Goossen has claimed all along no one ever told Sauerland it was going to be anything different. The referee is Luis Pabon of Puerto Rico. The judges are Stanley Christodoulou (South Africa), Ingo Barrabas (Germany) and Dr. James Jen-Kin (California).
Sauerland said at Wednesday's final news conference he was notified Raul Caiz of West Covina was going to be the referee.
Goossen countered by saying that was for an undercard fight.
Whatever the case, it has stirred emotions. Hunter stood on the dais Wednesday at Arnie Morton's The Steakhouse in Burbank, looked at Abraham and began speaking to the former middleweight champion.
"When your promoter has to get up here and complain about officials, he has lost confidence in you," Hunter told Abraham.
Hunter went on and basically asked the Abraham camp to show him respect while he was talking. To which Abraham responded, "You can talk, but not for two hours."
Sauerland did not respond at that time to Hunter's comment. He did, after a day of reflection.
"I am not sure what leads Virgil to believe that we have lost confidence in Arthur," he said Thursday. "Maybe he is getting a little nervous because Andre Ward is not fighting in Oakland this time."
Ward's past three fights - including the victories over Kessler and Green - were at Oracle Arena in Oakland.
Ward on Friday weighed in at 168 pounds. Abraham was 167.
Arreola (30-2, 26 KOs) tipped the scales at only 234 pounds, by far the lightest he has been in years. Aguilera (16-5, 11 KOs) weighed 238.
Rose remembered as `a good little fighter'
Don Fraser, longtime matchmaker and promoter from Toluca Lake, vividly remembers the night Lionel Rose of Australia defended his two bantamweight world titles against Chucho Castillo of Mexico.
It was Dec. 6, 1968, and a large pro-Castillo crowd at the Forum in Inglewood was on hand. Rose was knocked down in the 10th round, but he still came away with a 15-round split decision. A riot ensued that spilled outside the venue.
"They burned cars in the parking lot," said Fraser, president of the California Boxing Hall of Fame. "The Mexicans thought Castillo won and they (the judges) gave it to Rose."
It was a fond memory Fraser had of Rose, who Sunday died after being ill for several months, according to the Associated Press. He suffered a stroke in 2007 that left him partially paralyzed.
When Rose won his two titles against Fighting Harada via 15-round majority decision in Feb. 1968 in Japan, he became the first Australian Aborigine to win a major world boxing championship.
"He was a good little fighter," Fraser said.
Rose, who was 62, made his second successful defense against Castillo, then made his third with a 15-round split decision over Alan Rudkin in Australia. Rose made it back to the Forum in August 1969 and was knocked out by Mexican great Ruben Oliveras in the fifth round.
Besides being a world-class fighter, Fraser said Rose had an interesting habit before a fight. "He used to smoke a pipe in his dressing room," Fraser said.
Rose fought for seven more years, but was never again champion. In his second-to-last fight, he was stopped in the third round by Rafael "Bazooka" Limon in August 1976 at the Forum. He finished with a record of 42-11 with 12 knockouts.
Etc.
Freddie Roach announced he will partner with USA Boxing for the upcoming 2012 Olympic Games. Roach said he will open his Wild Card Gym in Hollywood to Team USA, whose head coach is Joe Zanders of Long Beach. Roach said he has not been given a title for this endeavor, but it sounds like he will be a special assistant to Zanders. "I want to help the American team get back and get some gold medals," Roach said. Team USA has won just one gold medal over the past two Games, by Andre Ward in 2004. ... Juan Manuel Marquez signed an offer sheet with Top Rank Inc. to fight Manny Pacquiao a third time, the Manilla Bulletin reported. That doesn't mean it's going to happen. Golden Boy Promotions still retains rights to Marquez and can match any monetary offer he receives, and the opponent would not necessarily have to be Pacquiao. Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy, on Friday refused to comment on the situation. ... Bernard Hopkins, 46, again will challenge Jean Pascal (26-1-1, 15 KOs) of Canada for his light heavyweight championship next Saturday in Montreal (on HBO). The two tangled in December in Quebec City with the fight being scored a majority draw. Many experts had Hopkins (51-5-2, 32 KOs) winning. If he wins the rematch, he will become the oldest man to win a world title, surpassing George Foreman's mark.
kikibalt wrote:Paul, a short story I wrote about going to the fights in 1951. The guys here read it when I first posted it, not sure if you have. either way I hope you enjoy it.
Going To The Fights...1951
By Frank "kiki" Baltazar
Eddie Gomez was watching a boxing match on a nineteen inch TV when his dad, Rudy, came in the house and told Eddie.
“Eddie, look what I have here”
“Pops, did you get some tickets for the title fight?”
Eddie had been bugging his pop to take him to see the Art Argon vs Jimmy Carter lightweight title fight at the Olympic Auditorium for some time, his pop thought that Eddie; been twelve years old was to young to go to the fights.
“Yes, Eddie, I bought four tickets, your uncles, Tony and Ray, will be going with us. Now I hope your mom doesn't get mad at me, she too thinks you are to young to go to the fights”.
Eddie's mom, Lupe, was not too crazy to see Eddie going to the fights, but she did agree with Rudy; that their son would be disappointed if he was not allowed to go with his pop and uncles, so she gave her okay for Eddie to go.
Eddie couldn't wait to find his best friend, Cheno Diaz, to tell him the good news. He found Cheno tending his two cows and one goat at a nearby pasture.
“Cheno, my pops is taking me to see the Aragon and Carter title fight”,
"Gee Eddie, you are lucky, I wish I could go”.
“I'll ask my pop if he can get another ticket for you. Cheno, you think your mom and pops would let you go?”.
“I'll ask them” said Cheno.,
Eddie ask his pop if he could get a ticket for Cheno.
“Yes, I'm sure I can get one, Eddie, you tell Cheno, that if his mom and pop say its okay for him to go; we'll take him with us”.
Next day in school, Eddie told Cheno the good news.
“Cheno, my pops said that he'll get you a ticket if your mom and pop say that's its okay for you to go”.
“Eddie, mom and pop said I could go as long as your father was going, they trust your father, but not your uncle Ray, they say he is crazy, that he himself will get into a fight at the fights”.
“Yeah, uncle Ray is a bit wild, especially when he is drinking beer, but pops won't let him drink too much, he'll be okay”.
Two weeks later, they all piled into Rudy's 1946 Dodge and headed west from Simons on Washington Boulevard. Eddie and Cheno were so excited that they couldn't sit still and it was starting to bug uncle Ray.
“If you kids don't sit still, we are going to stop and drop you off here; and you are going to have to wait for us to pick you up after the fights” said uncle Ray.
“Leave them alone Ray, they are just excited to be going to the fights, after all, its their first time to see boxing live. You remember when you went for the first time and you got all crazy on us?, wanting to fight everybody there” said uncle Tony.
“Yeah, but I was drunk; and let me remind you that I was doing okay until that big guy cold-cock me and knocked me on my ass” uncle Ray laughed.
The area was so pack that they had to park 3 blocks away. Eddie and Cheno were shadow boxing as they walked up 18th Avenue.
“Hey Eddie, Cheno, you two want to become fighters, because if you do, I'll train you guys” said uncle Ray.
“Ray, what the hell do you know about training fighters? asked Rudy.
“Hey, Rudy, I have fighting experience”
“Yes, you do but, its street fighting experience, an I don't think you ever won a fight”
“At least I've never been ko, always finish on my feet” laughed Ray.
As the group approached the front entrance of the Olympic, they started seeing movie and boxing celebrities hanging around the sidewalk of Grand Avenue.
“Cheno! There's John Wayne and Pedro Armendariz” said the excitable Eddie
“And over there is Rosemary Cooney and her husband Jose Ferrer” said uncle Tony
“I see Tommy Campbell, Frankie Muche, Bob Murphy, Enrique Bolanos and Freddie Babe Herman over there talking to two men” said Cheno
“That's Cal Eaton and Babe McCoy they are talking too, they are probably talking about upcoming fights” said Rudy
Before entering the Olympic, they all bought the Knockout program from Speedy Dado. Eddie and Cheno started getting autographs on their programs to show their friends in school the next day.
They found their sits in the second to last roll in the peanut gallery. No sooner had they sat down when rolls of toilet paper started flying around, soon some ladies underwear were flying by. Eddie and Cheno started making paper plane and would fly them down to the ring.
“This is fun, Eddie, thanks for bringing me” said Cheno
“Thank my pop, Cheno, he is the one who bought your ticket”
The fighters for the first fight came in the ring. Rudy, Tony and Ray started betting on the fights, they would bet one dollar on the white or black corner, what ever fighter went to the corner they had, that was their bet.
The first fight was won by Al Galindo over Bobby Brewer, Rudy and Tony won a dollar each, Ray lost a dollar.
Second fight was between Joey Gurrola and Sammy Figueroa.
“Cheno, see that big guy in Figueroa's corner? That's big Jake Horn, he's a great trainer” said Eddie
The fight ended in a draw.
“Guess it didn't help Figueroa having Jake Horn in the corner, did it, Eddie? Said Cheno, as he threw a roll of toilet paper.
“He didn't lose did he?” said Eddie
“Well no, he didn't”
.
After a couple of more fights it was time for the main event, Art Aragon and Jimmy Carter would be coming into the ring soon.
Aragon looking weak is the first to come into the ring.
“Aragon is going to lose” said Eddie
“How do you know? Asked uncle Ray.
“Look how pale he looks, I read in the Mirror that he was having trouble making '35” said Eddie.
Carter comes into the ring looking great. After both fighters have been gloved in the ring they are introduce by Jimmy Lennon , referee Mushy Callahan calls the fighters to the center of the ring for their instructions.
The fight started fairly even for the first four rounds, from the fifth round on it was all Carter who won an easy 15 round unanimous decision.
Right after the fight ended uncle Ray wanted to leave.
'Okay guys, our guy lost; so lets get out of here”
“No! We have to stay and watch Keeny Teran fight Bobby Garza, they are fighting a six rounder” said Eddie.
“Ray, Keeny is the toast of the town, we have to stay and watch him fight” said uncle Tony
They stayed and watch Keeny win a unanimous decision.
On the way home Uncle Ray asked Eddie and Cheno if they wanted to fight.
“Guys, if you want to fight, I'll train you, after you train for a couple of months; I'll take you to the downtown CYO where Johnny Flores run the boxing program, I'm sure we can get you some sparring. Johnny is my friend and he'll help us out.
“Ray, you don't even know Johnny Flores” said Rudy
“Well maybe not, but I know where the CYO is at” laughed uncle Ray
Next day at school Eddie and Cheno were the toast of the school as they were holding court with their friends.
“You should have seen Aragon land that left hook of his” said Cheno as he threw a left hook.
“To bad he didn't landed it enough” said Eddie
“He was too weak from making weight”
“He was” agree Eddie
“But you should have seen that little Keeny Teran” Eddie and Cheno said in unison.
“Guys, Cheno and I are going to start training next week, my uncle Ray is going to train us” said Eddie
Thanks again Frank great story buddy, wish i'd been there....
Alan mentioned York Hall in a previous post. I've heard what a legendary venue that is.
An actor I worked with a few years ago, Johnny Lee Miller (Angelina Jolie's ex), is a Brit and he told me watching boxing there.
He said it was a wild place.
Rick there is not a boxing venue in London that can match the electric atmosphere of the York hall I Try to get there as often as I can & will be back there on June 7Th for the "prizefighter " competition . it only holds about 2,000 but every one a die hard boxing fan
Very interested to read that Freddie Roach is to work with your Olympic squad as our own coach Robert Mccracken has been baned by the Olympic boxing authorities because he also trains a professional namely Carl Froch
telboy66 wrote:Very interested to read that Freddie Roach is to work with your Olympic squad as our own coach Robert Mccracken has been baned by the Olympic boxing authorities because he also trains a professional namely Carl Froch
It's a shame they don't fight under more professional rules, as in days past.
The nature of today's amateur boxing is the foundation of why professional boxing suffers today. It's BORING!!!!
Body punches don't count. A jab scores as much as a knockdown. The headgear is not an asset, or safer than without.
The standing eight counts are insulting. And worse of all . . . the POLITICS!
However, good for Freddie Roach and the USA Team. Freddie is one of the best things in boxing today.
Alan mentioned York Hall in a previous post. I've heard what a legendary venue that is.
An actor I worked with a few years ago, Johnny Lee Miller (Angelina Jolie's ex), is a Brit and he told me watching boxing there.
He said it was a wild place.
Rick there is not a boxing venue in London that can match the electric atmosphere of the York hall I Try to get there as often as I can & will be back there on June 7Th for the "prizefighter " competition . it only holds about 2,000 but every one a die hard boxing fan
It's my goal to see a fight there one day. Hopefully the next time in the U.K.
kikibalt wrote:ROBERT MORALES: Ward's handlers insist he isn't favorite in Super Six
By Robert Morales, boxing columnist
sgvt.com
Boxers like Mikkel Kessler of Denmark and then Arthur Abraham of Germany were probably the favorites to win Showtime's Super Six super middleweight tournament at the beginning.
A lot has happened since then.
Kessler was upset early by Andre Ward and Abraham has lost twice - to Andre Dirrell via disqualification and to Carl Froch by wide decision. Only Abraham's 12th-round knockout of Jermain Taylor has kept him in this tournament.
Now Ward (23-0, 13 KOs) appears to be the favorite. Aside from his victory over Kessler, he easily defeated Allan Green over 12 rounds and he took a win by forfeit when Andre Dirrell had to pull out with an injury. But Virgil Hunter, Ward's trainer, doesn't want to hear that.
"Andre Ward is not the favorite," said Hunter, who will be in Ward's corner tonight when he squares off with Abraham in the tournament semifinals at Home Depot Center. "He has not beat Glen Johnson, he has not beaten Carl Froch (the other two in the final four), he has not beat Arthur Abraham. We don't think he deserves that yet, until he wins the Super Six. Then he will be the favorite."
Showtime will televise this fight, which hopefully will be 10times better than the 12-round snooze-fest between Manny Pacquiao and "Sugar" Shane Mosley a week ago; incidentally, Showtime also will show a replay of that tonight.
A trimmer Chris Arreola of Riverside will take on Nagy Aguilera of the Dominican Republic in the heavyweight semi-main event,
Advertisement
but that fight will not be televised. First bell is 5p.m.
Hunter might not want Ward to be favored, but he is at this point.
In Abraham, Ward is taking on a hard-hitter who was thoroughly out-boxed by Froch, losing by 10, 12 and 12 points last November. This does not bode well for Abraham because Ward is a clever fighter who can make opponents look bad. But Abraham is confident he has figured out how to go about dealing with someone more technically sound than himself.
"Of course, after my loss (to Froch), I had to make some adjustments," Abraham said.
"I analyzed my mistakes and, hopefully, that won't happen again."
With a knockout percentage of 76.4 percent compared to Ward's 56.5, Abraham would appear to have a clear advantage in the power department. But most of Abraham's work has been at middleweight. This will be only his fifth fight at super middleweight since moving up in October 2009. He is 2-2 at this weight, with two knockouts.
"The problems he represents remains to be seen, but his strengths are he believes in his punching power," Ward said. "They call him a puncher, they say that he hits hard and that he is physically very strong. But I believe that my physical strength is right up there with the best ever and I think he will see and notice that I hit a lot harder than what people perceive me to be.
"With that being said, it's going to be the same Arthur Abraham, in terms of stylistically. He's going to cover up and maybe open up a little bit earlier, but he is going to look for that one big shot. That's what he does."
There has been a beef between the camps, which could add some punch once the fighters are in the ring. Abraham's camp, led by promoter Wilfried Sauerland, said the Ward side - headed by promoter Dan Goossen - tried to go back on a deal that would ensure only one California judge works this fight and that the referee is neutral.
Goossen has claimed all along no one ever told Sauerland it was going to be anything different. The referee is Luis Pabon of Puerto Rico. The judges are Stanley Christodoulou (South Africa), Ingo Barrabas (Germany) and Dr. James Jen-Kin (California).
Sauerland said at Wednesday's final news conference he was notified Raul Caiz of West Covina was going to be the referee.
Goossen countered by saying that was for an undercard fight.
Whatever the case, it has stirred emotions. Hunter stood on the dais Wednesday at Arnie Morton's The Steakhouse in Burbank, looked at Abraham and began speaking to the former middleweight champion.
"When your promoter has to get up here and complain about officials, he has lost confidence in you," Hunter told Abraham.
Hunter went on and basically asked the Abraham camp to show him respect while he was talking. To which Abraham responded, "You can talk, but not for two hours."
Sauerland did not respond at that time to Hunter's comment. He did, after a day of reflection.
"I am not sure what leads Virgil to believe that we have lost confidence in Arthur," he said Thursday. "Maybe he is getting a little nervous because Andre Ward is not fighting in Oakland this time."
Ward's past three fights - including the victories over Kessler and Green - were at Oracle Arena in Oakland.
Ward on Friday weighed in at 168 pounds. Abraham was 167.
Arreola (30-2, 26 KOs) tipped the scales at only 234 pounds, by far the lightest he has been in years. Aguilera (16-5, 11 KOs) weighed 238.
Rose remembered as `a good little fighter'
Don Fraser, longtime matchmaker and promoter from Toluca Lake, vividly remembers the night Lionel Rose of Australia defended his two bantamweight world titles against Chucho Castillo of Mexico.
It was Dec. 6, 1968, and a large pro-Castillo crowd at the Forum in Inglewood was on hand. Rose was knocked down in the 10th round, but he still came away with a 15-round split decision. A riot ensued that spilled outside the venue.
"They burned cars in the parking lot," said Fraser, president of the California Boxing Hall of Fame. "The Mexicans thought Castillo won and they (the judges) gave it to Rose."
It was a fond memory Fraser had of Rose, who Sunday died after being ill for several months, according to the Associated Press. He suffered a stroke in 2007 that left him partially paralyzed.
When Rose won his two titles against Fighting Harada via 15-round majority decision in Feb. 1968 in Japan, he became the first Australian Aborigine to win a major world boxing championship.
"He was a good little fighter," Fraser said.
Rose, who was 62, made his second successful defense against Castillo, then made his third with a 15-round split decision over Alan Rudkin in Australia. Rose made it back to the Forum in August 1969 and was knocked out by Mexican great Ruben Oliveras in the fifth round.
Besides being a world-class fighter, Fraser said Rose had an interesting habit before a fight. "He used to smoke a pipe in his dressing room," Fraser said.
Rose fought for seven more years, but was never again champion. In his second-to-last fight, he was stopped in the third round by Rafael "Bazooka" Limon in August 1976 at the Forum. He finished with a record of 42-11 with 12 knockouts.
Etc.
Freddie Roach announced he will partner with USA Boxing for the upcoming 2012 Olympic Games. Roach said he will open his Wild Card Gym in Hollywood to Team USA, whose head coach is Joe Zanders of Long Beach. Roach said he has not been given a title for this endeavor, but it sounds like he will be a special assistant to Zanders. "I want to help the American team get back and get some gold medals," Roach said. Team USA has won just one gold medal over the past two Games, by Andre Ward in 2004. ... Juan Manuel Marquez signed an offer sheet with Top Rank Inc. to fight Manny Pacquiao a third time, the Manilla Bulletin reported. That doesn't mean it's going to happen. Golden Boy Promotions still retains rights to Marquez and can match any monetary offer he receives, and the opponent would not necessarily have to be Pacquiao. Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy, on Friday refused to comment on the situation. ... Bernard Hopkins, 46, again will challenge Jean Pascal (26-1-1, 15 KOs) of Canada for his light heavyweight championship next Saturday in Montreal (on HBO). The two tangled in December in Quebec City with the fight being scored a majority draw. Many experts had Hopkins (51-5-2, 32 KOs) winning. If he wins the rematch, he will become the oldest man to win a world title, surpassing George Foreman's mark.
I'd like to be able to root for the American, but I believe that Andre Ward is the type of boxer that is ruining the sport today.
Another boring, on the run, defense first excuse for a champion.
I think Abraham is highly over-rated, but I hope the Germenian knocks out Ward tonight.
Last edited by Rick Farris on 14 May 2011, 19:27, edited 1 time in total.
This is an incredible video.
You have to watch the intro, and the ref give these guys instructions (Classic!), what a great memory, followed by two good rounds of boxing.
Watched the replay, what Art Aragon might say . . .
Manny Pacquiao didn't carry anybody (my opinion). Shane dogged it the distance. Agree Pac needed to work harder after knockdown.
Pac's biggest challenge was finding an opponent willing to fight. A cash-out fight.
In the early 70's, I met Art Aragon in the office of his Bail Bond business in downtown L.A. near the County Jail.
A buddy, who today is known as actor Reb Brown, needed a bond over a battery issue from a bouncer job he had at the time.
Of course, when I heard the word's "bail bond" my mind went to Art Aragon. I bring Reb to Art Aragon. I introduce Reb as an amateur boxer from the Flores stable.
The Golden Boy looks Brown up & down and says, "He doesn't look like boxer, he looks more like a cocker spaniel."
I almost fell to my knees laughing, Reb's mouth dropped, like a scolded schoolboy.
The reason I bring up Aragon's name is we talked about a fighter who looked like he quit in his last pro fight.
Art said, "Why not? I did. Never bet on a guy who tells you beforehand that's he's fighting for the last time. He's going to lay down."
telboy66 wrote:Very interested to read that Freddie Roach is to work with your Olympic squad as our own coach Robert Mccracken has been baned by the Olympic boxing authorities because he also trains a professional namely Carl Froch
It's a shame they don't fight under more professional rules, as in days past.
The nature of today's amateur boxing is the foundation of why professional boxing suffers today. It's BORING!!!!
Body punches don't count. A jab scores as much as a knockdown. The headgear is not an asset, or safer than without.
The standing eight counts are insulting. And worse of all . . . the POLITICS!
However, good for Freddie Roach and the USA Team. Freddie is one of the best things in boxing today.
Second only to the politics,computer scoring,& a sport run by old men that have never pulled on a boxing glove
Alan mentioned York Hall in a previous post. I've heard what a legendary venue that is.
An actor I worked with a few years ago, Johnny Lee Miller (Angelina Jolie's ex), is a Brit and he told me watching boxing there.
He said it was a wild place.
Rick there is not a boxing venue in London that can match the electric atmosphere of the York hall I Try to get there as often as I can & will be back there on June 7Th for the "prizefighter " competition . it only holds about 2,000 but every one a die hard boxing fan
It's my goal to see a fight there one day. Hopefully the next time in the U.K.
When your next in London Rick it will be my pleasure to take you there
Rick Farris wrote:Watched the replay, what Art Aragon might say . . .
Manny Pacquiao didn't carry anybody (my opinion). Shane dogged it the distance. Agree Pac needed to work harder after knockdown.
Pac's biggest challenge was finding an opponent willing to fight. A cash-out fight.
In the early 70's, I met Art Aragon in the office of his Bail Bond business in downtown L.A. near the County Jail.
A buddy, who today is known as actor Reb Brown, needed a bond over a battery issue from a bouncer job he had at the time.
Of course, when I heard the word's "bail bond" my mind went to Art Aragon. I bring Reb to Art Aragon. I introduce Reb as an amateur boxer from the Flores stable.
The Golden Boy looks Brown up & down and says, "He doesn't look like boxer, he looks more like a cocker spaniel."
I almost fell to my knees laughing, Reb's mouth dropped, like a scolded schoolboy.
The reason I bring up Aragon's name is we talked about a fighter who looked like he quit in his last pro fight.
Art said, "Why not? I did. Never bet on a guy who tells you beforehand that's he's fighting for the last time. He's going to lay down."
Who would know better?
Rick, Great piece on Art, he sure had a way with words.....
Rick, Pro boxing is poor over in the U.K., i look forward to watching ESPN Friday night fights, always competitive fights, the informative Teddy Atlas. We have a crap programe called Ringside, terrible.....
Rick/Frank, I've been looking up Carlos Chavez, he had victory's over Lauro salas, Harold Dade, Alfredo Escobar and Manuel Ortiz. Was the Featherweight Champion of Californiain 1947 and top contender for the world title held by Willie Pep, at this time several attempts had been made to get Pep and Phil Terranova in the ring with Chavez to no avail. He was shot and killed in 1990, Rick did you find out anything on the Aragon/Chavez fight?.....
Rick Farris wrote:Watched the replay, what Art Aragon might say . . .
Manny Pacquiao didn't carry anybody (my opinion). Shane dogged it the distance. Agree Pac needed to work harder after knockdown.
Pac's biggest challenge was finding an opponent willing to fight. A cash-out fight.
In the early 70's, I met Art Aragon in the office of his Bail Bond business in downtown L.A. near the County Jail.
A buddy, who today is known as actor Reb Brown, needed a bond over a battery issue from a bouncer job he had at the time.
Of course, when I heard the word's "bail bond" my mind went to Art Aragon. I bring Reb to Art Aragon. I introduce Reb as an amateur boxer from the Flores stable.
The Golden Boy looks Brown up & down and says, "He doesn't look like boxer, he looks more like a cocker spaniel."
I almost fell to my knees laughing, Reb's mouth dropped, like a scolded schoolboy.
The reason I bring up Aragon's name is we talked about a fighter who looked like he quit in his last pro fight.
Art said, "Why not? I did. Never bet on a guy who tells you beforehand that's he's fighting for the last time. He's going to lay down."
Who would know better?
Art Aragon was good with his one-liners, but he didn't quit in his last fight vs Alvaro Gutierrez, Connie and I were ringside for Art's last fight in 1960 and I can tell you he didn't quit.He was too proud of a fighter to have quit. Art was down in the first round and than took a beating for the next 8 rounds, he was still on his feet when the ref stopped the fight in the 9th round. Art just didn't have it anymore at that point. A few years back it would have been a different fight. Many thanks to Art Aragon for the memories of my youth.
My friend Wicho Morales fought on the card, Wicho and I would spar often at the Teamsters Gym.
Cholo wrote:Rick/Frank, I've been looking up Carlos Chavez, he had victory's over Lauro salas, Harold Dade, Alfredo Escobar and Manuel Ortiz. Was the Featherweight Champion of Californiain 1947 and top contender for the world title held by Willie Pep, at this time several attempts had been made to get Pep and Phil Terranova in the ring with Chavez to no avail. He was shot and killed in 1990, Rick did you find out anything on the Aragon/Chavez fight?.....
Paul, I seen Carlos Chavez fight many a times. He was another Johnny Forbes/Bert Lewis trained fighter, that tells you he was a classy boxer who on any given night could have beaten any fighter around at that time.
