Classic American West Coast Boxing

[Rick Farris]

When Mel was the Manager . . .


Mel was not a typical fight manager.
"I just ordered you a pair of Ray Flores training gloves, they are the best!"
I ask what the gloves will cost, as they are hand made.
"He charges twenty bucks, and that includes shipping. But I already paid for it, took the money out of my cash register." he said smiling.
That was what Mel would say, "I've got to reach into my cash register again," when he was buying.
He didn't care about spending the money, he just wanted to remind me that nothing was free in the world.

I remember one time, before we had a contract, I'd cash my check and hand Mel his cut.
I once tried to give him extra to cover the cost of some equipment he had purchased.
Mel liked that I rememered his contribution, but he wouldn't take it: "I'll put it on your tab and when you start making some real money we'll settle up."
"Real Money?" One day I would make real money, but not in boxing. By the time that day came, Mel was gone.
What I took from Mel was a lesson, and that was that one day it would be my turn to help somebody attempt to reach a goal, realize a dream.
More often than not, those youthful dreams will pass, but having the opportunity to make them happen is fulfilling in itself, even if the goals never reach fruition.

Today I might be able to assist somebody in their pursuit of a goal, and if it's a positive goal, it's my turn to contribute.
The world is a better place when people are in pursuit of positive goals, the good energy evolves into something good, even if it's something different.
People need a chance to succeed, and a chance to fail without judgement.
Mel taught me that it's not a bad thing to "reach into your cash register" and invest in a person.

I was talking with John Bardelli a few weeks back, and we were discussing Mel.
Before Mel died, John had contacted him and interviewed him over the phone, recording the conversation.
John replayed the conversation to me and I found myself sitting on a busy sound stage, cell phone pressed to my ear, and hearing Mel speak again.
Mel didn't mince words and went right to the point. He wasn't well, his voice was strong in spirit, but he was weakened physically.
But he was still Mel, the same sharp jabbing conversaltionalist.
I was almost transfixed listening, and when it ended, John's voice brought me back to the present.

"What do you think?", Bardelli asked.
All I could say was, "Wow!"


-Rick Farris

[Panzerfaust]

When Mel was the Manager . . .


Mel was not a typical fight manager.
"I just ordered you a pair of Ray Flores training gloves, they are the best!"
I ask what the gloves will cost, as they are hand made.
"He charges twenty bucks, and that includes shipping. But I already paid for it, took the money out of my cash register." he said smiling.
That was what Mel would say, "I've got to reach into my cash register again," when he was buying.
He didn't care about spending the money, he just wanted to remind me that nothing was free in the world.

I remember one time, before we had a contract, I'd cash my check and hand Mel his cut.
I once tried to give him extra to cover the cost of some equipment he had purchased.
Mel liked that I rememered his contribution, but he wouldn't take it: "I'll put it on your tab and when you start making some real money we'll settle up."
"Real Money?" One day I would make real money, but not in boxing. By the time that day came, Mel was gone.
What I took from Mel was a lesson, and that was that one day it would be my turn to help somebody attempt to reach a goal, realize a dream.
More often than not, those youthful dreams will pass, but having the opportunity to make them happen is fulfilling in itself, even if the goals never reach fruition.

Today I might be able to assist somebody in their pursuit of a goal, and if it's a positive goal, it's my turn to contribute.
The world is a better place when people are in pursuit of positive goals, the good energy evolves into something good, even if it's something different.
People need a chance to succeed, and a chance to fail without judgement.
Mel taught me that it's not a bad thing to "reach into your cash register" and invest in a person.

I was talking with John Bardelli a few weeks back, and we were discussing Mel.
Before Mel died, John had contacted him and interviewed him over the phone, recording the conversation.
John replayed the conversation to me and I found myself sitting on a busy sound stage, cell phone pressed to my ear, and hearing Mel speak again.
Mel didn't mince words and went right to the point. He wasn't well, his voice was strong in spirit, but he was weakened physically.
But he was still Mel, the same sharp jabbing conversaltionalist.
I was almost transfixed listening, and when it ended, John's voice brought me back to the present.

"What do you think?", Bardelli asked.
All I could say was, "Wow!"


-Rick Farris

As the president of the Norwegian chapter of the Mel Epstein fan club, I would like to inquire if there is any way our membership(me) could get access to this interview ?

[Rick Farris]

When Mel was the Manager . . .


Mel was not a typical fight manager.
"I just ordered you a pair of Ray Flores training gloves, they are the best!"
I ask what the gloves will cost, as they are hand made.
"He charges twenty bucks, and that includes shipping. But I already paid for it, took the money out of my cash register." he said smiling.
That was what Mel would say, "I've got to reach into my cash register again," when he was buying.
He didn't care about spending the money, he just wanted to remind me that nothing was free in the world.

I remember one time, before we had a contract, I'd cash my check and hand Mel his cut.
I once tried to give him extra to cover the cost of some equipment he had purchased.
Mel liked that I rememered his contribution, but he wouldn't take it: "I'll put it on your tab and when you start making some real money we'll settle up."
"Real Money?" One day I would make real money, but not in boxing. By the time that day came, Mel was gone.
What I took from Mel was a lesson, and that was that one day it would be my turn to help somebody attempt to reach a goal, realize a dream.
More often than not, those youthful dreams will pass, but having the opportunity to make them happen is fulfilling in itself, even if the goals never reach fruition.

Today I might be able to assist somebody in their pursuit of a goal, and if it's a positive goal, it's my turn to contribute.
The world is a better place when people are in pursuit of positive goals, the good energy evolves into something good, even if it's something different.
People need a chance to succeed, and a chance to fail without judgement.
Mel taught me that it's not a bad thing to "reach into your cash register" and invest in a person.

I was talking with John Bardelli a few weeks back, and we were discussing Mel.
Before Mel died, John had contacted him and interviewed him over the phone, recording the conversation.
John replayed the conversation to me and I found myself sitting on a busy sound stage, cell phone pressed to my ear, and hearing Mel speak again.
Mel didn't mince words and went right to the point. He wasn't well, his voice was strong in spirit, but he was weakened physically.
But he was still Mel, the same sharp jabbing conversaltionalist.
I was almost transfixed listening, and when it ended, John's voice brought me back to the present.

"What do you think?", Bardelli asked.
All I could say was, "Wow!"


-Rick Farris

As the president of the Norwegian chapter of the Mel Epstein fan club, I would like to inquire if there is any way our membership(me) could get access to this interview ?

To the Norweigian Chapter President:

Yes! John will be happy to share this with us. I have heard it a couple times.
It should be accessable to the posters on this thread, in light of all the references to Mel.
You must remember, this is more than 30 years ago. When he discusses fighters, compares them to the old timers, he's comparing guys like Bob Foster, Victor Galendez with Young Firpo, Tiger Jack Fox, etc.
If he was asked about the guys in the ring today, he'd just laugh. He'd like Pacquiao, but he'd tell of when there were lots of great Filippino boxers.
He'd tell about Flash Elorde fighting in San Francisco, and how he was a southpaw as good as Pacquiao. And he'd be right, just watch Elorde on Youtube.
He'd like Klitschko's haircuts. And then I'd bate him, "Well, Vitali is just too big and strong for Dempsey . . . "
Mel would look at me like I was crazy, shake his head and say something like, "The bastid would be scared to death of Dempsey, would never fight him."
And he'd be right. Just watch Vitali on Youtube.

[Panzerfaust]

When Mel was the Manager . . .


Mel was not a typical fight manager.
"I just ordered you a pair of Ray Flores training gloves, they are the best!"
I ask what the gloves will cost, as they are hand made.
"He charges twenty bucks, and that includes shipping. But I already paid for it, took the money out of my cash register." he said smiling.
That was what Mel would say, "I've got to reach into my cash register again," when he was buying.
He didn't care about spending the money, he just wanted to remind me that nothing was free in the world.

I remember one time, before we had a contract, I'd cash my check and hand Mel his cut.
I once tried to give him extra to cover the cost of some equipment he had purchased.
Mel liked that I rememered his contribution, but he wouldn't take it: "I'll put it on your tab and when you start making some real money we'll settle up."
"Real Money?" One day I would make real money, but not in boxing. By the time that day came, Mel was gone.
What I took from Mel was a lesson, and that was that one day it would be my turn to help somebody attempt to reach a goal, realize a dream.
More often than not, those youthful dreams will pass, but having the opportunity to make them happen is fulfilling in itself, even if the goals never reach fruition.

Today I might be able to assist somebody in their pursuit of a goal, and if it's a positive goal, it's my turn to contribute.
The world is a better place when people are in pursuit of positive goals, the good energy evolves into something good, even if it's something different.
People need a chance to succeed, and a chance to fail without judgement.
Mel taught me that it's not a bad thing to "reach into your cash register" and invest in a person.

I was talking with John Bardelli a few weeks back, and we were discussing Mel.
Before Mel died, John had contacted him and interviewed him over the phone, recording the conversation.
John replayed the conversation to me and I found myself sitting on a busy sound stage, cell phone pressed to my ear, and hearing Mel speak again.
Mel didn't mince words and went right to the point. He wasn't well, his voice was strong in spirit, but he was weakened physically.
But he was still Mel, the same sharp jabbing conversaltionalist.
I was almost transfixed listening, and when it ended, John's voice brought me back to the present.

"What do you think?", Bardelli asked.
All I could say was, "Wow!"


-Rick Farris

As the president of the Norwegian chapter of the Mel Epstein fan club, I would like to inquire if there is any way our membership(me) could get access to this interview ?

Yes! John will be happy to share this with us. I have heard it a couple times.
It should be accessable to the posters on this thread, in light of all the references to Mel.
You must remember, this is more than 30 years ago. When he discusses fighters, compares them to the old timers, he's comparing guys like Bob Foster, Victor Galendez with Young Firpo, Tiger Jack Fox, etc.
If he was asked about the guys in the ring today, he'd just laugh. He'd like Pacquiao, but he'd tell of when there were lots of great Filippino boxers.
He'd tell about Flash Elorde fighting in San Francisco, and how he was a southpaw as good as Pacquiao. And he'd be right, just watch Elorde on Youtube.
He'd like Klitschko's haircuts. And then I'd bate him, "Well, Vitali is just too big and strong for Dempsey . . . "
Mel would look at me like I was crazy, smirk, shake his head and say something like, "The bastid would be scared to death of Dempsey, would never fight him."
And he'd be right. Just watch Vitali on Youtube.

Great, im looking forward to hearing it

On Dempsey- V Klitschko, does this guy remind you of anyone?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srrmj6eAFGc `

Maybe of one of these guys: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3BTycNuY44

[Rick Farris]

As the president of the Norwegian chapter of the Mel Epstein fan club, I would like to inquire if there is any way our membership(me) could get access to this interview ?

Yes! John will be happy to share this with us. I have heard it a couple times.
It should be accessable to the posters on this thread, in light of all the references to Mel.
You must remember, this is more than 30 years ago. When he discusses fighters, compares them to the old timers, he's comparing guys like Bob Foster, Victor Galendez with Young Firpo, Tiger Jack Fox, etc.
If he was asked about the guys in the ring today, he'd just laugh. He'd like Pacquiao, but he'd tell of when there were lots of great Filippino boxers.
He'd tell about Flash Elorde fighting in San Francisco, and how he was a southpaw as good as Pacquiao. And he'd be right, just watch Elorde on Youtube.
He'd like Klitschko's haircuts. And then I'd bate him, "Well, Vitali is just too big and strong for Dempsey . . . "
Mel would look at me like I was crazy, smirk, shake his head and say something like, "The bastid would be scared to death of Dempsey, would never fight him."
And he'd be right. Just watch Vitali on Youtube.

Great, im looking forward to hearing it

On Dempsey- V Klitschko, does this guy remind you of anyone?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srrmj6eAFGc `

Maybe of one of these guys: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3BTycNuY44

Very good, Remy. Anybody know how tall Jess Willard was? As tall as the Klitschkos.
Remember Mel died 30 years ago. He passed as the Ali heavyweight era passed.
He never experienced the garbage we take for granted today. I can only take so much of contemporary boxing, myself.

[Panzerfaust]

Yes! John will be happy to share this with us. I have heard it a couple times.
It should be accessable to the posters on this thread, in light of all the references to Mel.
You must remember, this is more than 30 years ago. When he discusses fighters, compares them to the old timers, he's comparing guys like Bob Foster, Victor Galendez with Young Firpo, Tiger Jack Fox, etc.
If he was asked about the guys in the ring today, he'd just laugh. He'd like Pacquiao, but he'd tell of when there were lots of great Filippino boxers.
He'd tell about Flash Elorde fighting in San Francisco, and how he was a southpaw as good as Pacquiao. And he'd be right, just watch Elorde on Youtube.
He'd like Klitschko's haircuts. And then I'd bate him, "Well, Vitali is just too big and strong for Dempsey . . . "
Mel would look at me like I was crazy, smirk, shake his head and say something like, "The bastid would be scared to death of Dempsey, would never fight him."
And he'd be right. Just watch Vitali on Youtube.

Great, im looking forward to hearing it

On Dempsey- V Klitschko, does this guy remind you of anyone?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srrmj6eAFGc `

Maybe of one of these guys: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3BTycNuY44

Very good, Remy. Anybody know how tall Jess Willard was? As tall as the Klitschkos.
Remember Mel died 30 years ago. He passed as the Ali heavyweight era passed.
He never experienced the garbage we take for granted today. I can only take so much of contemporary boxing, myself.

Willard was one inch shorter than Vitali but with 3 inch longer reach according to boxrec.

[Rick Farris]

Great, im looking forward to hearing it

On Dempsey- V Klitschko, does this guy remind you of anyone?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srrmj6eAFGc `

Maybe of one of these guys: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3BTycNuY44

Very good, Remy. Anybody know how tall Jess Willard was? As tall as the Klitschkos.
Remember Mel died 30 years ago. He passed as the Ali heavyweight era passed.
He never experienced the garbage we take for granted today. I can only take so much of contemporary boxing, myself.

Willard was one inch shorter than Vitali but with 3 inch longer reach according to boxrec.

And how did things work out for the big boy?
I used to love it when Mel talked of Dempsey, and he spoke of Teddy Hayes, Dempsey's trainer.
Mel was a great observer, but he was not tolerent of what he considered social perasites. And that included Ed Sullivan.

[raylawpc]

Very good, Remy. Anybody know how tall Jess Willard was? As tall as the Klitschkos.
Remember Mel died 30 years ago. He passed as the Ali heavyweight era passed.
He never experienced the garbage we take for granted today. I can only take so much of contemporary boxing, myself.

Willard was one inch shorter than Vitali but with 3 inch longer reach according to boxrec.

And how did things work out for the big boy?

Not so great against Dempsey, but he knocked the sh*t out of Jack Johnson!

[raylawpc]

I always think of Jess Willard as the bridge between eras. I think of the heavyweights up to Jack Johnson as the real pioneers of the sport under the QB rules. Boxing wasn't regulated to any extent, and was illegal in most states. These guys fought with no mouthpieces, and hand wraps came later into their era. (Jeffries didn't wear hand wraps for most of his fights.) Many fought in eight-post rings - no turn-buckles! And then I think of Jack Dempsey as one of the first modern fighters, one of those who fought in a regulated era using more modern styles and equipment.

And there is Jess Willard right in the middle - the transition between the two eras. It's hard sometimes to comprehend (at least for me) that Jess beat Jack Johnson only four years before losing to Dempsey. . . Jess really was the bridge.

I guess you guys know that Jess lived most of his life after retiring in Southern California, and he's buried next to his beloved Hattie in Forest Lawn Cemetery. I believe he had a grocery store or liquor store somewhere in the LA area.

[Rick Farris]

Willard was one inch shorter than Vitali but with 3 inch longer reach according to boxrec.

And how did things work out for the big boy?

Not so great against Dempsey, but he knocked the sh*t out of Jack Johnson!

In the heat of Havana, no less. 26 rounds, and so on. Conditioning?
Even more impressive the accomplishment of Dempsey.

[raylawpc]

Very good, Remy. Anybody know how tall Jess Willard was? As tall as the Klitschkos.
Remember Mel died 30 years ago. He passed as the Ali heavyweight era passed.
He never experienced the garbage we take for granted today. I can only take so much of contemporary boxing, myself.

Willard was one inch shorter than Vitali but with 3 inch longer reach according to boxrec.

And how did things work out for the big boy?
I used to love it when Mel talked of Dempsey, and he spoke of Teddy Hayes, Dempsey's trainer.
Mel was a great observer, but he was not tolerent of what he considered social perasites. And that included Ed Sullivan.

It's interesting how we tend to always put on a pedestal the heros of our youth. When I was a youngster, I remember my Dad and Granddad debating the merits of the great heavyweight champions. My granddad (born 1900) favored Jack Dempsey; my dad (born 1927) liked Joe Louis. Me? I gave a shout-out to Joe Frazier. (This was in 1971 just after Joe had defeated the self-proclaimed "Greatest"). I remember at one point, my Granddad chuckled and said, "I had a similar discussion with my father about 50 years ago . . . he favored John L. Sullivan . . ."

[kikibalt]

It's interesting how we tend to always put on a pedestal the heros of our youth.

That's because we're all products of our times...

[Rick Farris]

Willard was one inch shorter than Vitali but with 3 inch longer reach according to boxrec.

And how did things work out for the big boy?
I used to love it when Mel talked of Dempsey, and he spoke of Teddy Hayes, Dempsey's trainer.
Mel was a great observer, but he was not tolerent of what he considered social perasites. And that included Ed Sullivan.

It's interesting how we tend to always put on a pedestal the heros of our youth. When I was a youngster, I remember my Dad and Granddad debating the merits of the great heavyweight champions. My granddad (born 1900) favored Jack Dempsey; my dad (born 1927) liked Joe Louis. Me? I gave a shout-out to Joe Frazier. (This was in 1971 just after Joe had defeated the self-proclaimed "Greatest"). I remember at one point, my Granddad chuckled and said, "I had a similar discussion with my father about 50 years ago . . . he favored John L. Sullivan . . ."

Funny the heros of my youth, aside from Dwight Hawkins and Jerry Quarry (stablemates) were guys like Dempsey.
Ali was my era, and I started boxing about the time Cassius Clay won the heavyweight title. I liked Clay/Ali . My hero was Dempsey.
Dempsey was not a myth. He was without question one of the most devistating heavyweight champions in history.
John L. Sullivan, is he any relation to Ed Sullivan?
According to Mel Epstein Ed Sullivan ruined the country . . .

And by the way, my grandfather was born in 1900 (Oklahoma) on an Indian reservation in Bartlesville.
My Grandfather spent his earliest child hood with Cherokees, and unlike myself, he walked with his toes pointed straight forward.
I recall my mother talking about how he walked, me I kinda walk like Randy, like a duck, hence Mel scolding us.
I didn't think of it until many years later that when Mel said "Walk like an Indian" my half Cherokee Grandad walked as Mel said.

Like your grandad, he favored Dempsey. I favored my Grandad and he had a great deal of influence, so if he was OK with Grandpa he was OK with me. As a teen, one gets a mind of his own, and he questions those early influences. How would Dempsey do with Ali, I pondered? Ali is pretty big, takes a good shot "and runs like a bitch", as Johnny Flores once commented. And so would go the big question in life . . . "What if???"

[scartissue]

It's interesting how we tend to always put on a pedestal the heros of our youth.

That's because we're all products of our times...

Man, you got that right, Frank. As fight fans, knee-deep in the sport, we always had our heroes and despite thinking that we're being impartial, it does bleed over into our choices of the best of the best. I always loved the statistics of picking one's top ten, which I have done numerous times over the years, always tweaking it a bit. I guess I did that when I first read Nat Fleischer's top ten. I always thought his top ten was a joke. I used to think, "Oh, man, how could he pick 167 lb. Bob Fitzsimmons as the #3 heavyweight of all time?" I used to think that if I had Fitzsimmons hypothetically against Sonny Liston that I would have to whisper into the ref's ear to watch this real close so as not to let Fitz get killed. But they were his heroes from the turn of the century and you can't knock a man's heroes. Admittedly, even though I truly believe my picks are as impartial as one can get, I must also realize that my picks are littered with fighters of the '70s. My time, my heroes. My #1 bantam is Ruben Olivares. Yours is Manuel Ortiz. We're both positive of this. How can we bet against our heroes.

Scartissue

[kikibalt]

It's interesting how we tend to always put on a pedestal the heros of our youth.

That's because we're all products of our times...

Man, you got that right, Frank. As fight fans, knee-deep in the sport, we always had our heroes and despite thinking that we're being impartial, it does bleed over into our choices of the best of the best. I always loved the statistics of picking one's top ten, which I have done numerous times over the years, always tweaking it a bit. I guess I did that when I first read Nat Fleischer's top ten. I always thought his top ten was a joke. I used to think, "Oh, man, how could he pick 167 lb. Bob Fitzsimmons as the #3 heavyweight of all time?" I used to think that if I had Fitzsimmons hypothetically against Sonny Liston that I would have to whisper into the ref's ear to watch this real close so as not to let Fitz get killed. But they were his heroes from the turn of the century and you can't knock a man's heroes. Admittedly, even though I truly believe my picks are as impartial as one can get, I must also realize that my picks are littered with fighters of the '70s. My time, my heroes. My #1 bantam is Ruben Olivares. Yours is Manuel Ortiz. We're both positive of this. How can we bet against our heroes.

Scartissue

Well said Dan, thanks....

[Rick Farris]

It's interesting how we tend to always put on a pedestal the heros of our youth.

That's because we're all products of our times...

Man, you got that right, Frank. As fight fans, knee-deep in the sport, we always had our heroes and despite thinking that we're being impartial, it does bleed over into our choices of the best of the best. I always loved the statistics of picking one's top ten, which I have done numerous times over the years, always tweaking it a bit. I guess I did that when I first read Nat Fleischer's top ten. I always thought his top ten was a joke. I used to think, "Oh, man, how could he pick 167 lb. Bob Fitzsimmons as the #3 heavyweight of all time?" I used to think that if I had Fitzsimmons hypothetically against Sonny Liston that I would have to whisper into the ref's ear to watch this real close so as not to let Fitz get killed. But they were his heroes from the turn of the century and you can't knock a man's heroes. Admittedly, even though I truly believe my picks are as impartial as one can get, I must also realize that my picks are littered with fighters of the '70s. My time, my heroes. My #1 bantam is Ruben Olivares. Yours is Manuel Ortiz. We're both positive of this. How can we bet against our heroes.

Scartissue

I can't help but be partial to Olivares as well. That was the most important era to me, my era.
But I used to see traces of prior eras in the gym, some master fighter, a guy like Carlos Ortiz, for example.
What a master boxer with explosive power, and then I'd hear them talk about Ike Williams, Bolanos.
Although those names were from the past, it was a recent past and they still were living and breathing around town.
I'd see Jimmy McLarnin when he'd visit George Parnassus or attend a Cauliflower Alley meeting at the Elks.
Then I'd hear of Manuel Ortiz, and I was already aware of the Brazilian, Jofre.
Now all of the names are fading off. Now Olivares is the guy from a half century ago.
But Olivares was a hot attraction and a true all-time great. All I can say is he is at least competitive with anybody whoever fought at 118 pounds. And possibly the best, depending on the night of the week, etc. Most consider him among the top three.

[kikibalt]

CBHOF...2010



Rodolfo Gonzalez, Rick Farris, Armando Muniz

[raylawpc]

It's interesting how we tend to always put on a pedestal the heros of our youth.

That's because we're all products of our times...

Yep. Exactly the point I was trying to make.

[Rick Farris]

The great and important part that the Hollywood Legion Stadium played in California boxing has never been totally acknowledged.

[kikibalt]

The ‘Carmageddon’ bridge



By: Scott Harrison

Feb. 8, 1961: A giant earth mover rumbles down the path of what will be the right-of-way of the San Diego Freeway. The Mulholland Drive Bridge is in the background.

Before the San Diego Freeway could be built through the Sepulveda Pass, Mulholland Drive had to be relocated. According to Metro.net, a little over a mile of Mulholland Drive and a bridge were built. The cost was $1.8 million. The bridge opened in 1960.

Once built, Sepulveda Boulevard was relocated, and earth-moving equipment removed about 100,000 cubic yards of material, lowering the freeway roadbed under the bridge.

Flash forward 51 years: A 405 Freeway widening project means the Mulholland Drive Bridge will be demolished and rebuilt. To accomplish part of the work, an entire section of the freeway will be closed the weekend of July 16-17 – an event that has been dubbed “Carmageddon.”



April 2, 1961: An aerial view of the San Diego Freeway construction project shows the Mulholland Drive Bridge. Dirt is being dug from beneath the bridge and hauled to the San Fernando Valley for freeway fill. Credit: Bob Lindbeck / Los Angeles Times



June 6, 2011: A view of the Mulholland Drive Bridge along the I-405 (northbound) freeway. Credit: Gary Friedman/Los Angeles Times

[Rick Farris]

You won't find me on the road weekend after next. When they shut down the 405 from Friday night-Monday morning, side streets will be packed. I live right off of Laurel Canyon, and they will use that to short cut to and from Hollywood and the Westside.

[Randyman]

You bet he was!
"Walk like an Indian"


But this was Mel . . .

Mel had so much inside, but he was different. His personality alienated him more than once in life.
Mel and Young Firpo were often at odds, and one could understand the tension.
Parnassus and Suey Welched liked Mel to a point, knew of his true skills, but they also knew he was contrary and difficult.
Don Fraser knew the same thing. One night in July of 1972 I had a rough fight at the Forum, toe-to-toe on TV.
We both left the ring busted up, busted noses, cuts over eyes, one of those six-rounders that went back & forth, etc.
The following monday, I get a call from Don Fraser, who got my number from Suey Welch.
Fraser invites me to the fights that night and asks me to step into the ring to take a bow before the main event.
So I arrive with my girlfriend and her dad at the Forum and take seats not to far from the ring. We save a seat for Mel, who came with Jerry Beldering.
I deliberatly didn't tell Mel that I was going to be introduced because he thought I looked like crap in the fight and didn't want me rewarded or acknowledged.
That was just how he was. I was 20, had been fighting pro more than two years, wasn't going anywhere, so what difference does it make?
Mel takes a seat next to us and he keeps looking at me with his eyes squinting, like he knows something is up.
Suddenly Don Fraser is seen walking toward us. He points to me and I stand up. "Come with me", Fraser said.
I got up and saw Mel's eyes glaring like, "What in the hell is this?" I follow Don up the stairs toward the Forum Club, which was right next to his office.
Don unlocks his office door and invited me in. He walks to his desk and opens a drawer. He reaches in and pulls out a box, a jewelry type box.
He hands it to me and says that this was a present for putting on such a good fight the week before. It was a Seco watch, a nice one.
We returned to ringside and I sit down. Mel is all over me, "What in the hell was that?"
I show Mel the watch, Mel looks at the watch and goes into a tantrum, "You don't deserve a watch, you looked like a bum last week. You were out all hours, I could see it in your eyes, you had one of your saturday night specials two nights before the fight and you was no good. Now they reward you." Mel told me I should give the watch back. I told him No way.
Mel suddenly clammed up, silent. It was the loudest silence you could imagine. His arms folded in front of his chest, occasionally shooting a comment to his invisable friend, but he wasn't just being contrary, he was mad.
So we watch the semi-main and there is an intermission.
As the boxers leave the ring interviews are taking place at ringside, Tom Harmon is talking to Frankie Crawford for KTLA-Ch-5.
A moment later Don returns to where we are sitting and motions me over. Mel see this and barks, "What does he want now?"
I tell him, "I'm going to take a bow." that was more than Mel could take, he stood up and told me that I better not take a bow or that we were finished.
I stood up and said, "Then we're done." I went up into the ring, along with Frankie Crawford, and we were both introduced to the crowd on TV.
Fraser watched the whole thing and told Mel to sit down, "let him be introduced, he earned it!" Mel sat down, he was livid.
Mel's ride had left early and I was giving him a ride home. He didn't say a word on the way home. Not one word.

I thought you were gonna say that Mel wanted to wear the watch on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesday mornings as his cut of the purse.

Tom, if I handed the watch to Mel as a gift, he'd have tossed it in the garbage. He'd have no part of it.
By the way, I still remember the purse and my cut. A Mando Muniz main event, I was in the semi-main.
6 rds- $150. I got $90. Mel got $45. Johnny Villaflore got $15. Mel spent more than $45 on me before a fight, he just did it. I never asked for anything, but he wanted things his way and would pay for that control. What to eat, etc. Her never made a dime on me, his cut never covered what I knew he spent. Mel was a highly evolved personality, when he died I know he could look anybody in the eye, God himself.

Rick, well said, Mel bought almost all of my equipment for me; robe, trunks, handwraps, etc and meals. He loved to bitch and moan but it was almost always with a wink. I didn't have much money back then, so he would make sure I either had gas money or bus money. No, he never made a dime off of us but I have no doubt the late, great Mel Epstein got his rewards.

Like you Rick, I try to pass on that generosity. It's the only way to payback someone like Mel. His character was beyond reproach.

[Randyman]

Mel could be stern and gruff, and would often feign impatience. It was his way of getting our attention, he wanted to make sure we got it. When my mind wandered he brought me back to realty with a feinted jab followed by a right hand, and you sure as hell better be paying attention. After a good scolding, that little grin, that might have scared the bejeebers out of babies, let you know that you were still on good terms with him, but pay attention dammit!

[Randyman]

CBHOF...2010



Rodolfo Gonzalez, Rick Farris, Armando Muniz

Three classy west coast guys!!

[scartissue]

CBHOF...2010



Rodolfo Gonzalez, Rick Farris, Armando Muniz

Three classy west coast guys!!

That pic is a keeper. And is that Ed Hernandez lurking in the background again? Something tells me if I look up that classic photo of the sailor kissing the Nurse in Times Square in '45, that Ed Hernandez is in that picture somewhere.

Scartissue