Classic American West Coast Boxing

[Panzerfaust]

One for the record books,

Manuels special with carne asada tko 9 Remy Damlien

Ram, I heard you pulled a Victor Ortiz on us.....

I will let my manager and publicist answer that one

[kikibalt]

One for the record books,

Manuels special with carne asada tko 9 Remy Damlien

Ram, I heard you pulled a Victor Ortiz on us.....

I will let my manager and publicist answer that one

Where is he at??, finishing of KO Burrito??,... he had to get in the ring and finish the job??.....

[Rick Farris]

"Manuel's Special" KO's Remy
Norwegian Retires On Stool After Nine rounds (32 minutes) . . .

From the opening bite, Remy Damlien attacked the big East LA burrito with both hands, cutting, chewing and forcing his will.
After six rounds, the Norwegian was pitching a shut out and the smell of an upset was in the air.
However, like so many great Mexican warriors, Manuel is a slow starter, and his vicious body assault of beans and rice take their toll.
In the second half, Remy began to breathe hard and backed off to "box for a moment." It was then that Manuel began to put on the pressure.
After eight rounds the effect on Damlien's body was obvious, his speed began to slow and he began to retreat.
After the ninth round, Remy's cornerman, American Rick Farris asked his fighter if he wanted to continue. "I'm done."
Farris tossed in the napkin for his game, but battered warrior.
There was no request for a rematch.
After the match both Remy and Farris marveled at the feat of CAWCB's Randy De La O, who was able to KO Manuel and did so by eating twice as much as Remy had finished.
"That record won't likely be broken by a Gringo," Farris stated. "It would be the equivalent of breaking Archie Moore's KO record."
Damlien was a game challenger and a gracious loser. It ain't easy walking into ELA and walking out with a win.
To El Tepeyek, Manuel's Special & East Los Angeles

PRELIM:
"The Hollenbeck" burrito scored a close decision over Rick Farris in a rematch.
Last year The Hollenbeck KOed both Farris and his wife at the same time.
"This time things were much closer", Farris said, "I was happy with my performance this time, not bad considering I eat like a bird."
I know my limitations.

Photos will be posted later.

[Rick Farris]

The Olympic Today . . .




"Are we close to the Olympic?", Remy asked. "Not far," I answered, "We'll be there in about 15 minutes."
Our friend, Remy Damlien, is in town for this week's CBHOF lunch, and I want to show him around town a bit before he returns home next week.

We started the day at 6:30am, where we met at his hotel which is right next door to the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood.
While here, Remy has hooked up with a trainer at Wild Card, and joined me for some early morning road work & pad work in the Hollywood Hills.
We had our workout, and then we drove a few blocks to eat breakfast at Art's Deli in Studio City.
I ordered an omlette, while Remy ordered a pastrami sandwich. "We don't get much pastrami in Norway, and the sandwiches only have a few slices of meat.
Monica made sure that Remy's sandwich would not leave him hungry, and after we finished, it was off to show him what used to be The Olympic Auditorium.
We drove downtown and pulled into the Olympic's parking lot, and we would both see the Olympic, now as a Korean Church, for the first time.
We snapped a few exterior photos and then just let ourselves in the building to walk around. A few walls have been added, and a lot of seats removed, a redesign of the floor area, but it was still the same old gal, just wearing a different wardrobe.
For a moment I saw the building as an old lady, one who was smiling when she saw me enter today, as if to say, "Now don't laugh!"
I didn't laugh, and I didn't cry, I was just happy to see her still standing. I felt as if I knew the old broad's secrets. At least a few, anyway.
I tried to take a photo, but the building was pitch black. As our eyes adjusted we could see her, all dressed up for the first time in her life.
I tried to show Remy where things were, and we talked about the long gone mural of Dempsey that once decorated the north & east walls.
I pointed out where the dressing rooms were, and the aisle that took us to the ring on Thursdays nights.
I refused to get sentimental, just wanted to say hello. This was the house where Aragon was booed, and where Mando Ramos was cheered.

Remy took in the history, and we left. Maybe one day . . .


-Rick Farris

Rick, I love that old building, If only it could speak, gotta see it one of these days, shame it couldn't have stayed as it was, a shrine to all the greats who fought there..

Too bad the World Boxing Hall of Fame (which needs a permanent home building), the Los Angeles Athletic Club, and other patrons could not buy that building and turn it into the WBHOF's museum.

Nice idea, but the Olympic would be too big, and it sits on a valuable piece of Commercial/Industrial zoned real estate.
To be honest, as much as I love boxing and would enjoy a great museum, I can't imagine it ever happening. It just wouldn't generate any money.
However, you bring up a good idea with regard to the LA Athleic club, a truly classic LA building of Art Deco design.
Both buildings were the work of the same man, Frank Garbutt. Garbutt is the man who gave Aileen Eaton her chance to promote boxing at the Olympic.
It would be nice if the LAAC could donate a room that could be used for a museum. There was once talk of that, but I heard a bad move by a former WBHOF board member crushed such a possibility.

[kikibalt]

Round one: First bite.

[kikibalt]

32 minutes later: "I'm done."

[CNorkusJr]

No matter the final result-you fought a good fight !!

Its still looks and tastes alot better than that Norwegian fishy thing you posted pictures of awhile back.
You wont even get me in the ring with that fish dish-no matter how much gold is in that title belt.

[Rick Farris]

Notes on Remy vs. Manuel . . .
------------------------------

Remy had consumed half of the "Manuel Special" in exactly 12 minutes. The match ended exactly 20 minutes later.

Famous first words . . .

"I'm relieved, I once ate a Calzone that was at least that size . . ."
-Remy Damlien, after his first look at "Manuel".

Famous last words . . .

"The beans are quite heavy."
-Remy Damlien, after wrestling with "Manuel" for more than half an hour.

*It was a great day in LA, good fun. We drove around ELA for awhile, I really was at a loss to provide the history that Frank or Randy could have. I do good in downtown LA, Hollywood, etc. however. From ELA we drove thru downtown, I explained how half the Alexandria Hotel had been sealed off since the 20's or 30's(?) due to a dispute between the two brothers that once owned it. To this day, a part of the Alexandria is still sealed off and a dusty, ghostly part of the hotel. You can see it looking up from the street to the windows. That part of the building was dead long before I was born. I could show Remy that oddity, and did so on the way to the Westlake/MacArthur Park area, to the closed off building that was last known as the Park Plaza Hotel, but I knew it as The Elks Club, it's where PArnassus' office was, where I boxed with some great fighters, where Mike Mazurki would wander and visit with guests, right near his Cafe located off the lobby. This is where Suey Welch lived, and where they wanted me to live (but I didn't). The exterior of this building was used in the Kevin costner film, "The Bodyguard", the front entrance was the exterior for the Academy Awards Event scene. But the doors were locked shut, I peaked in thru the narrow crack in the door, could see a small slice of the dramatic stairway that led up to the ball room where we used to train. I then drove Remy around the corner to show Remy one of Ruben Olivares' favorite LA hangouts, La Fonda on Wishire, right around the corner from the Elks bldg. It's where El Puas would score Maragritas and senioritas in the City of Angels. And on 6th St. I showed him the Hotel that Jack Dempsey once owned when he was champ, "The Barbara". On the corner of 6th St. & Bonnie Brae. It's now, "The Barbizon". That was it for today. Possibly Goossen's Gym manana after our workout?

[kikibalt]

After 8 rounds: Body Shots taking a toll.

[Panzerfaust]

32 minutes later: "I'm done."

Notice how the buttons on my shirt is beginning to give in

[Panzerfaust]

Notes on Remy vs. Manuel . . .
------------------------------

Remy had consumed half of the "Manuel Special" in exactly 12 minutes. The match ended exactly 20 minutes later.

Famous first words . . .

"I'm relieved, I once ate a Calzone that was at least that size . . ."
-Remy Damlien, after his first look at "Manuel".

Famous last words . . .

"The beans are quite heavy."
-Remy Damlien, after wrestling with "Manuel" for more than half an hour.

*It was a great day in LA, good fun. We drove around ELA for awhile, I really was at a loss to provide the history that Frank or Randy could have. I do good in downtown LA, Hollywood, etc. however. From ELA we drove thru downtown, I explained how half the Alexandria Hotel had been sealed off since the 20's or 30's(?) due to a dispute between the two brothers that once owned it. To this day, a part of the Alexandria is still sealed off and a dusty, ghostly part of the hotel. You can see it looking up from the street to the windows. That part of the building was dead long before I was born. I could show Remy that oddity, and did so on the way to the Westlake/MacArthur Park area, to the closed off building that was last known as the Park Plaza Hotel, but I knew it as The Elks Club, it's where PArnassus' office was, where I boxed with some great fighters, where Mike Mazurki would wander and visit with guests, right near his Cafe located off the lobby. This is where Suey Welch lived, and where they wanted me to live (but I didn't). The exterior of this building was used in the Kevin costner film, "The Bodyguard", the front entrance was the exterior for the Academy Awards Event scene. But the doors were locked shut, I peaked in thru the narrow crack in the door, could see a small slice of the dramatic stairway that led up to the ball room where we used to train. I then drove Remy around the corner to show Remy one of Ruben Olivares' favorite LA hangouts, La Fonda on Wishire, right around the corner from the Elks bldg. It's where El Puas would score Maragritas and senioritas in the City of Angels. And on 6th St. I showed him the Hotel that Jack Dempsey once owned when he was champ, "The Barbara". On the corner of 6th St. & Bonnie Brae. It's now, "The Barbizon". That was it for today. Possibly Goossen's Gym manana after our workout?

It was a great tour of L.A
Goosens manana sounds great

[Rick Farris]

32 minutes later: "I'm done."

Notice how the buttons on my shirt is beginning to give in

You walked in a Seal . . .
You walked out a Whale!

[CNorkusJr]

Lots of Beans Huh ?
Dont sleep near any open flames !

Thats a great tour and tour guide you have there, Remy.
A quick ride past OJ's house and I would say you seen it all.

[Panzerfaust]

Lots of Beans Huh ?
Dont sleep near any open flames !

Thats a great tour and tour guide you have there, Remy.
A quick ride past OJ's house and I would say you seen it all.

I saw one of OJ's earlier residences.... one he shared with Charles Manson and others

[Rick Farris]

Lots of Beans Huh ?
Dont sleep near any open flames !

Thats a great tour and tour guide you have there, Remy.
A quick ride past OJ's house and I would say you seen it all.

Down & Dirty . . .

OJ's Rockingham house was raised several years go. A new home, nothing like the original occupies the lot today.
As for the Bundy Drive murder scene, the entire face of the original condo was changed, as was the gate entrance, and even the address.
The original address no longer exists. It was a quiet Sunday might on Bundy Drive, eactly severnteen years ago.

The home of Sharon Tate and Roman Polanski was also torn down ages ago.
But Mae West's "Ravenswood" still stands in full glory on Rossmoore, just a couple blocks down the street from the Wild Card Gym.
Chalky Wright was Ms. West's Chauffer, amongst other things.

[Rick Farris]

Lots of Beans Huh ?
Dont sleep near any open flames !

Thats a great tour and tour guide you have there, Remy.
A quick ride past OJ's house and I would say you seen it all.

I saw one of OJ's earlier residences.... one he shared with Charles Manson and others

I could also tell you what the place looks like from the inside.

[Panzerfaust]

Lots of Beans Huh ?
Dont sleep near any open flames !

Thats a great tour and tour guide you have there, Remy.
A quick ride past OJ's house and I would say you seen it all.

I saw one of OJ's earlier residences.... one he shared with Charles Manson and others

I could also tell you what the place looks like from the inside.

is it nice ?

[Rick Farris]

County USC Medical Center . . .

As we motored away from ELA, I pointed out County USC Medical Center.
"See that big building down the street? That's where Frank Baltazar was born in 1936."

[Rick Farris]

is it nice ?
-----------

Not.

[Cholo]

Jimmy McLarnin On Art "Golden Boy" Aragon,
"If a kid can hit, and Aragon can, he's always dangerous. He can't be blamed for his cockiness because, most of the time, he delivers.
Mickey Walker On "Golden Boy" Aragon,
"I know Aragon's cocky, and has been beaten, but none could destroy his confidence. He always snaps back, bragging as usual. He's the most 'colorful' we have had around since Bert Colima."
The always reserved lightweight champ Jimmy Carter, merely said, after his non-title and title bouts with Art: "He's a good boy." Billy Graham, who bested him in a close nod when Art ran out of gas after a whirlwind start and also receipted for a cut face, put it this way: "He's a very good fighter. He stunned me a couple of times. I think he'd take Chuck Davey. He's a hooker and Chuck would be walking into his best punch.
The evidence shows that Art, who can be as quick with an alibi as a left jab, was justified in claiming that a bad left index foreknuckle-which later required surgery-bothered him noy only in the Graham set-to but prior fights with Salas and Kim, as well. He knocked out the latter, however, despite the handicap. Art's own excuse for losing his second battle with Carter, which was for the title, was that he had difficulty in making weight. The excuse made sense for it was apparent he was too finely drawn. The operation on his damaged mitt proved successful when he belted Elmer Beltz into helplessness in one of the briefest encounters on record. In any event, win, lose, or draw it is an even bet that Art's philosophy, as expressed in his own words, will prevail: "I intend to be a fathead, come what may. What else gets the moola? You can have those starving 'good losers.' "

[kikibalt]

County USC Medical Center . . .

As we motored away from ELA, I pointed out County USC Medical Center.
"See that big building down the street? That's where Frank Baltazar was born in 1936."

And I came in over nine pounds....

[Cholo]

Frank, I've been looking through my collection of boxing magazines, there mostly of the 1950s, and i see Enrique Bolanos fighting career was coming to an end by the early 50s. Not to worry, i've purchased some 1940's Ring magazines and when i have them i'll look to see if there's anything on Bolanos, and i'll post them. There used to be a piece called In Sunny California by Harry Winkler which covered the Californian scene. Frank thanks for educating me on these great fighters Enrique Bolanos and Keeny Teran, i knew a little about the Golden Boy, today these great fighters would have been world champions, I've watched Bolanos Ike Williams on youtube several times, what a classy boxer Enrique was. Thanks again Frank, i appreciate it..

[Rick Farris]

County USC Medical Center . . .

As we motored away from ELA, I pointed out County USC Medical Center.
"See that big building down the street? That's where Frank Baltazar was born in 1936."

And I came in over nine pounds....

About the same as a "Manuel's Special"

[kikibalt]

Frank, I've been looking through my collection of boxing magazines, there mostly of the 1950s, and i see Enrique Bolanos fighting career was coming to an end by the early 50s. Not to worry, i've purchased some 1940's Ring magazines and when i have them i'll look to see if there's anything on Bolanos, and i'll post them. There used to be a piece called In Sunny California by Harry Winkler which covered the Californian scene. Frank thanks for educating me on these great fighters Enrique Bolanos and Keeny Teran, i knew a little about the Golden Boy, today these great fighters would have been world champions, I've watched Bolanos Ike Williams on youtube several times, what a classy boxer Enrique was. Thanks again Frank, i appreciate it..

Thanks Paul. I remember Harry Winkler's "In Sunny California" real well. After Winkler came Bill Miller and than Don Fraser wrote the California piece for the Ring....I always though that Bolanos was a better fighter than Oscar D. L. H....

[kikibalt]

County USC Medical Center . . .

As we motored away from ELA, I pointed out County USC Medical Center.
"See that big building down the street? That's where Frank Baltazar was born in 1936."

And I came in over nine pounds....

About the same as a "Manuel's Special"