Classic American West Coast Boxing

[bennie]

A bomb just went of in the goverment quarter in Oslo, Norway. I passed the spot an hour earlier...

It's a frightening world.

[raylawpc]

My collie is in the wars. He turned suddenly on the back seat of the car on Wednesday (to bark at a dog being walked on the pavement) and slipped a bloody disc, screaming in pain all the way to the vets, who stuck him on morphine and kept him in overnight. He's back home now but he's still unsteady and generally lame. He has eaten something today, at least.

I had a border collie years ago, and recall that my vet told me border collies have a propensity for back problems because they run and jump so much. Too bad, bennie. He is a handsome dog, and I hope he's on the mend.

[bennie]

I know there is a championship fight on Saturday, but I can't remember who's fighting....

Is Kahn-Judah a title fight? There may be another, I'll have to check the schedule.

Judah surprised me with his last performance. I'm not sure Team Khan has done the right thing in accepting the lunatic, foul-mouthed, spiteful but reasonably talented New Yorker.

[bennie]

My collie is in the wars. He turned suddenly on the back seat of the car on Wednesday (to bark at a dog being walked on the pavement) and slipped a bloody disc, screaming in pain all the way to the vets, who stuck him on morphine and kept him in overnight. He's back home now but he's still unsteady and generally lame. He has eaten something today, at least.

I had a border collie years ago, and recall that my vet told me border collies have a propensity for back problems because they run and jump so much. Too bad, bennie. He is a handsome dog, and I hope he's on the mend.

Yeah, he had damage there already, Tom, and the sudden twist just set it off. The vets say he has trapped nerves as well as disc damage but that rest and medication should sort it. I hope so because he is the only dog I have left now.

[Rick Farris]

My collie is in the wars. He turned suddenly on the back seat of the car on Wednesday (to bark at a dog being walked on the pavement) and slipped a bloody disc, screaming in pain all the way to the vets, who stuck him on morphine and kept him in overnight. He's back home now but he's still unsteady and generally lame. He has eaten something today, at least.

Bennie . . . Sorry to hear your pup is ailing.
I've been reading about the amazing healing powers that dogs have upon people.
Hope your dog isn't in pain. Some people take dogs for granted, but I believe they are gift from heaven.

[Panzerfaust]

I just heard about it. You okay Ram??

yeah, i only witnessed it from the tv... just a bit surprised, even though ive been waiting for something like this to happen.

Why have you been waiting for something like this to happen? The Scandinavians have a reputation in the U.S of being a very non-belligerent region with few enemies. I am not disagreeing with you; just curious why you thought Norway would be targeted for something like this.

The caricatur drawings were printed in norwegian newspapers and we a have quite a few extremists in the oslo area(i personally saw several people celebrating on 9/11 2001. As well has the deaths of our troops in foreign countries been celebrated .) several people ive talked to was not very surprised that this finally happened

[bennie]

My collie is in the wars. He turned suddenly on the back seat of the car on Wednesday (to bark at a dog being walked on the pavement) and slipped a bloody disc, screaming in pain all the way to the vets, who stuck him on morphine and kept him in overnight. He's back home now but he's still unsteady and generally lame. He has eaten something today, at least.

Bennie . . . Sorry to hear your pup is ailing.
I've been reading about the amazing healing powers that dogs have upon people.
Hope your dog isn't in pain. Some people take dogs for granted, but I believe they are gift from heaven.

You know, Rick, without a dog, I barely get out.

[Rick Farris]

I know there is a championship fight on Saturday, but I can't remember who's fighting....

Is Kahn-Judah a title fight? There may be another, I'll have to check the schedule.

Judah surprised me with his last performance. I'm not sure Team Khan has done the right thing in accepting the lunatic, foul-mouthed, spiteful but reasonably talented New Yorker.

I have always respected the talent of Zab Judah but he's an obnoxious prick.
If I wish to smile all I need to do is reflect on his hitting the canvas twice after being drilled by Kostya Tszyu.

[raylawpc]

yeah, i only witnessed it from the tv... just a bit surprised, even though ive been waiting for something like this to happen.

Why have you been waiting for something like this to happen? The Scandinavians have a reputation in the U.S of being a very non-belligerent region with few enemies. I am not disagreeing with you; just curious why you thought Norway would be targeted for something like this.

The caricatur drawings were printed in norwegian newspapers and we a have quite a few extremists in the oslo area(i personally saw several people celebrating on 9/11 2001. As well has the deaths of our troops in foreign countries been celebrated .) several people ive talked to was not very surprised that this finally happened

Thanks, Remy. Most people in the US have a different impression. I'm glad you are okay, and I hope none of your friends or loved ones were hurt in the explosion.

[Rick Farris]

yeah, i only witnessed it from the tv... just a bit surprised, even though ive been waiting for something like this to happen.

Why have you been waiting for something like this to happen? The Scandinavians have a reputation in the U.S of being a very non-belligerent region with few enemies. I am not disagreeing with you; just curious why you thought Norway would be targeted for something like this.

The caricatur drawings were printed in norwegian newspapers and we a have quite a few extremists in the oslo area(i personally saw several people celebrating on 9/11 2001. As well has the deaths of our troops in foreign countries been celebrated .) several people ive talked to was not very surprised that this finally happened

Remy, just saw it on the news myself. Sad that decent countries such as Norway have to deal with the human crap that comes from that other part of the world.

[Rick Farris]

But knowing Art he would probably try to pay them off to take a dive... , Art never did things the easy way....
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You can't blame him for trying to get the edge?

[Panzerfaust]

A man has also opened fire at a youth convention outside of Oslo... several people reported shot

[Rick Farris]

First Captain America is a superhero in Camarillo
By Marjorie Hernandez

Reb Brown played the role of Captain America in two 1970s television movies.


When Marvel Comics fans make their way to the movie theaters this weekend for the opening of the latest superhero flick —"Captain America: The First Avenger," starring Chris Evans — Camarillo resident Reb Brown plans to watch the film with some neighborhood kids.

There's probably no better local expert on the shield-wielding superhero than Brown. He donned the same outfit more than 30 years ago when he starred as Captain America for two television movies.

"As far as the superheroes go, Captain America was the one for me," Brown, 63, said. "It's about someone who was an underdog who had the qualities and the virtues that you need to be a hero. It's fun being a superhero and the kids love it."

Brown attended the star-studded Hollywood premier Tuesday at the El Capitan Theatre, where he walked alongside actors Chris Evans, Hugo Weaving and Samuel L. Jackson. Walking the red carpet brought back fond memories for the award-winning veteran actor.

Brown was 25 when he landed the first Captain America role for Universal Pictures. He played the son of Captain America, who did not know his late father's secret. As the television script goes, the son was almost killed by spies who were searching for his late father's secret, but government officials injected the son with a serum that gave him superhuman powers. Add some blue spandex, a bulletproof shield and a special motorcycle equipped with crime-fighting gadgets and Brown's character took on the titular role as the star-spangled superhero.

Fighting bad guys on the big and small screen was actually not such a huge leap for Brown. Before becoming an actor, the USC graduate worked as a bouncer at clubs and served as a Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy for a year and a half before he landed his first television role.

An agent spotted Brown throwing some drunk men out of a bar at a Pasadena nightclub where he worked as a bouncer, he said. "I asked him, 'What do I have to do?' after I threw a couple of guys out, and he responded, 'That will work,' " Brown said as he recalled the night he was discovered.

Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall with a muscular build, the former Temple City High School standout and USC running back quickly landed a role in a horror movie called "Sssssss" in 1973. When he landed a contract with Universal in 1974, Brown began appearing in various guest-starring roles in television series, including "Emergency!," "Kojak," and "The Rockford Files."

Playing Captain America, however, was a special treat, Brown said. He still vividly remembers the first time he put on his "very manly" blue superhero spandex and driving around the studio lot in the Captain America's motorcycle while waving to tourists.

The first "Captain America" television movie was released in 1979 and was followed by "Captain America II: Death Too Soon" in 1979. Universal planned to create a television series, but lost the rights to Marvel Comics, Brown said. While the series never materialized on the small screen, Brown said the comic book character is still one of his most favorite roles.

"I've done a tremendous amount of movies over a period of time, but people still identify me with Captain America because it's such an iconic character," Brown said. "People still write to me and when I go to autograph shows it's just unbelievable."

Brown continued to play various roles in television series in the '80s, including "The Love Boat," "Bosom Buddies" and "The Facts of Life." Brown landed a role as a soldier named Blaster in the 1983 film "Uncommon Valor," where he played alongside Hollywood heavyweights like Gene Hackman, Patrick Swayze and Robert Stack.

Outside of Captain America, Brown said his most intense role came in 1986 when he played the true story of a confessed psychotic killer in the film "Death of a Soldier" set in World War II in Australia. Brown received a nomination for Best Lead Actor in a Dramatic Role by the Australian Film Institute for his portrayal of Private Edward Leonski.

As far as the superheroes go, Captain America was the one for me. It's about someone who was an underdog who had the qualities and the virtues that you need to be a hero. It's fun being a superhero and the kids love it.
Reb Brown
.
While the commercial roles kept coming in the late '90s, film roles began to wane, Brown said.

"I was out of acting for about 10 years because I just didn't fit too old to be young and too young to be old," Brown said. "Physically, I looked younger than I was. I was a very physical character. I don't fit the normal dad role."

Brown decided to leave acting from 1996 to 2006 and started a production company called Sunn Classic Pictures with some partners. It was only in the past few years that Brown said he decided to get back into film roles.

Brown will appear in the 2011 film "Night Claws," which is currently in postproduction. He also is set to play the catcher in the upcoming "The Bad News Bears" film, with the premise of the 1970s cast all grown up and hitting the baseball field once again with more shenanigans.

"Considering that we are older, I asked the director if I can sit on an apple box instead of being in a crouch all day," Brown said with a laugh.

Despite his Hollywood connections, Brown is still Captain America to the neighborhood kids, said his neighbor the Rev. Father Gary Kyriacou of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Camarillo.

He said the children are looking forward to watching the new movie, which opened today, with their neighborhood superhero.

"Reb is a great guy and has always been friendly with everyone and very loving and kind, especially to the kids," Kyriacou said. "You always see him exercising around the neighborhood and is just a great role model."

Brown said walking the red carpet during the "Captain America: The First Avenger" premier on Tuesday with his wife of 32 years, Cisse Cameron, was a memorable experience.

So what was the difference between the 3D 2011 big screen version of Captain America compared to the 1970s television movie?

"About $150 million," Brown said with a laugh.

"There's nothing like make-believe. To be able to jump over buildings and cars and catch bad guys — these are things you dream of as a kid when your imagination runs wild. It's so much fun to have been a part of that ... and see it transferred onto the screen."

[raylawpc]

A man has also opened fire at a youth convention outside of Oslo... several people reported shot

This is terrible news. Apparently, 25 to 30 people have died at the youth camp. I agree with the sentiment expressed the Swedish foreign minister, Carl Bildt: "Today, we are all Norwegians."

My prayers are with my Scandinavian brothers and sisters.

Fox News' ticker just said Norwegian police believe the bombing and shooting are linked . . .

[kikibalt]

Remy in front of the former Olympic Auditorium box office

[CNorkusJr]

First Captain America is a superhero in Camarillo
By Marjorie Hernandez
"

Nice piece on Reb Brown. Hope to see him at the HOF Luncheon.
Today I went with Rose and her family -nephews and niece included- to see the new Capt America Movie 3D.

With the kids-I enjoy watching all these Marvel Comics Movies coming out ,especially the 3D effect ones. When we were growing up- there were a few 3D effects shows or movies that came on that we had to go and purchase those cardboard one red lens -one blue lens glasses to view them. I remember the original "Creature of The Black Lagoon" was on TV back in the 80's or 90's that was 3D.
Today of course with blue screen technology and combined with numerous special effects makes for an exciting story line with lots of things exploding. I enjoy it as much as the kids.
I then ask the kids for the story line thats in their head over the next few weeks and its always the Nazis against the world.

A far cry from reb Brown's Capt America (thanks for the youtube links)- but those shows was what we enjoyed and top of the line at that time. Today as we left my brother-in laws house, the boys were calling me "Red Skull" (the movies enemy) and throwing Capt. A's shield (pillows) at me as I left. I suppose I will get that treatment till the next movie comes out.

When we left the theatre located in Farmingdale LI today it was 105 degrees and sunny. No rain till maybe Sat. nite. Around the corner stands Republic Airport. The movie cineplex is actually on former Fairchild Republic Defense Plant property. The airport still exists for smaller aircraft (not comml) and the defense plant is now a strip mall.
On an outer edge of the airstrip stands the American airpower Museum housing old wartime aircrafts (WW II). Today as we passed a Movie set has closed the museum and using an old Eastern Airlines Comml Jet as part of the set, I briefly stopped to watch about 100 background actors getting their last minute instructions from the AD.
The Stars were stilled holed up in their air conditioned trailers parked a short walk away, guarded by local police. I couldnt get name of production or who's in it, but it is a period piece (1950's or 60's set and costumes). Camera lifts and lighting techs had their diffusers out. It was brutal hot today and I for one dont know how they stayed hydrated.

They filmed many movies over the years on LI, and a recent one called "Salt" starring Angelina Jolie was filmed about 200 yds from my house on a expressway that was shutdown at night and morning.Its always interesting to watch whats going on and hope to see the end result in the movie house a year later. I am not a nut chasing movie stars, but I find the movie making business interesting.

[CNorkusJr]

A man has also opened fire at a youth convention outside of Oslo... several people reported shot

This is terrible news. Apparently, 25 to 30 people have died at the youth camp. I agree with the sentiment expressed the Swedish foreign minister, Carl Bildt: "Today, we are all Norwegians."

My prayers are with my Scandinavian brothers and sisters.

Fox News' ticker just said Norwegian police believe the bombing and shooting are linked . . .

Terrible news Remy. I hope its the work of a small faction and they catch the bastids.
So sorry to hear the worlds troubles come to your door. Like Tom said earlier, we here in the US has always viewed Norway as a place of Peace and neutrality, but the news said your country had support aid in the fight on terrorism abroad that might of had something to do with this. Another report said that the attack was on your govt bldg. and could be a local govt terror group.Either way-those cowardly radicals have no conscious or care for life. Be safe brother.

[CNorkusJr]

Is Kahn-Judah a title fight? There may be another, I'll have to check the schedule.

Judah surprised me with his last performance. I'm not sure Team Khan has done the right thing in accepting the lunatic, foul-mouthed, spiteful but reasonably talented New Yorker.

I have always respected the talent of Zab Judah but he's an obnoxious prick.
If I wish to smile all I need to do is reflect on his hitting the canvas twice after being drilled by Kostya Tszyu.

I dont even think Zab has the support that he and his family had years ago from fellow New Yorkers. Of course those around him in Bklyn,NY (Gleasons Gym) will tell you different-he is grasping at straws to keep his boxing career afloat.
I dont know who sought out who here but I would think Khan had better put a good show on too. What I still cant get over is that is that this is a unification of the Jr Welterwt belt.
Eliminate Jr welterwts and put them in Welters and see where they rank. Sadly probably 5 or 6 anyway.
Way to go HBO for taking a full page ad out on this one in todays paper-not.

[Rick Farris]

Sweet Pea science: Former boxing champ Pernell Whitaker becomes the accidental trainer

By Robert Morales Staff Writer


Former professional boxer Pernell Whitaker, right, works out with local fighter Dorin Spivey at a gym in Portsmouth, Va., Dec. 12, 2005. Whitaker has begun a career as a trainer and Spivey is his first pupil. Spivey credits Whitaker with turning his career around in the short time they've been working together. (AP Photo/The Virginian-Pilot, L.Todd Spencer)
Any time a fighter can make an opponent swing and miss as much as Pernell Whitaker did during his heyday, it seems logical he would make a good trainer because his defense and counter-punching made him one of the top boxers of his era.

But Whitaker never expected to become one.

"It wasn't my idea that I wanted to be a trainer," said Whitaker, who will be in Zab Judah's corner when he tangles with Amir Khan in a super lightweight title unification bout Saturday at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas (on HBO). "I was a fighter for 30 years. I had no idea I was going to get into this."

Whitaker probably had no idea he was going to have problems with cocaine that led to a 27-month prison sentence in 2003, two years after he retired, either. Not that he wanted to talk about that when contacted by telephone earlier this week in Las Vegas.

"That is irrelevant, that is personal," said Whitaker, 47, of Norfolk, Va.

Whitaker only wanted to talk about boxing, the past - when he was making opponents look foolish with incredible upper-body movement - and his current duty as trainer.

Whitaker has been training only "about two, three years" and works mostly with fighters who toil for New Jersey-based Main Events, the company for which Whitaker fought.

"I was just helping out Main Events," he said. "I'm working with the more experienced guys, helping them out. If you've got some skills, then I can help you enhance your skills; then I'm available."
He doesn't want to teach kids from scratch.

"No, no. I will be 90 years old by the time I teach someone how to box. That's too long," he said, laughing.

Judah, 33, likes what he sees.

"Pernell Whitaker brought back a lot from my game, and he tapped into my memory status and has made me remember a lot of good things and just showed me what it is to be a scientific boxer," said Judah, who became a three-time super lightweight champion when he stopped Kaizer Mabuza in the seventh round in March, with Whitaker in his corner for the first time.

"I think he's an underestimated trainer. He was one of the best defensive fighters in the world. ... He was a great fighter in his day, and great fighters make great coaches."

Whitaker not surprisingly is stressing defense.

"Yeah, most of the time they don't understand how important it is to have a good defense," Whitaker said. "All of those guys think they are going to go out there and throw all those punches. You are not going to be the only one out there throwing punches.

"How are you going to defend? Most of those guys have no clue."

Kathy Duva, president of Main Events, is amazed at the job Whitaker is doing. She witnessed his work from close proximity during Judah's fight with Mabuza.

"What an outstanding corner man he is," she said. "I was sitting where I could see all the interaction that was going on in the corner. I have to tell you, I was impressed. He was focused and the way he was talking, giving him instructions that were useful.

"It wasn't just, `Go get 'em, champ.' He was giving him more information and calming him down. After (Judah) was knocked down (in the fourth round), he told him, `Don't worry about it, that was only one point.' He had a true calming influence."

Three rounds after he was floored, Judah knocked down and stopped Mabuza.

"I was back in those moments when he (Whitaker) used to win the fights," Duva said. "We ran across the ring and hugged each other."

Whitaker also enjoyed his first taste of a championship as a trainer.

"It's a good feeling," he said.

Whitaker, inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2007, was better than good as a fighter. He won world titles in four weight classes.

In 2002 Ring Magazine compiled a list of the top 80 fighters of the previous 80 years.

Whitaker was ranked 10th behind Sugar Ray Robinson, Henry Armstrong, Muhammad Ali, Joe Louis, Roberto Duran, Willie Pep, Harry Greb, Benny Leonard and Sugar Ray Leonard.

The Ring perhaps overlooked Whitaker's loss to Jose Luis Ramirez in 1988 and draw with Julio Cesar Chavez in 1993 because Whitaker should have been declared the winner in both bouts. Whitaker also believes his loss to Oscar De La Hoya in 1997 should have gone his way.

Regardless, Whitaker (40-4-1, 17 KOs) was a gem of a boxer, especially considering he did not hit that hard.

"One of the greatest fighters who ever lived," he said, when asked how he wants to be remembered. "An excellent defensive fighter, a spectacular boxer."

He's a trainer now. He's just not sure for how long.

"I'm not going to predict what's going to happen in the future," he said. "Right now, it's kind of fun."

For Duva, it's fun having Whitaker working with her company. Especially this Whitaker, the one who has turned his life around.

"As everyone knows, it's not easy," she said of cocaine addiction. "It's a disease and it takes a lot to overcome it and I'm delighted that he is well, here and functioning. He is one of my favorite people.

"Part of recovery is to find your path and find something you can do that is more important to you. Hopefully, this is it."

[raylawpc]

The latest news from Norway:

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/ ... -2,00.html

[Rick Farris]

Tim Bradley=Dead Issue . . .

Timothy Bradley backed out of tonight's fight with Amir Khan. I was never impressed with Bradley. He had a great promoter (Ken Thompson), who was finally able to set him up with a competitive fight with another unbeaten fighter, and he backs out. It would have been his biggest purse, over a guy he had a chance to defeat? Dumb bastid. He had to fear Kahn? Why else would he back out? Money was good, opportunity was great. This is what happens when everybody that would have once been considered a "top ten" fighter is handed a world title. These days, I far prefer to watch guys with no title, who are just in an willing to fight. But to find this, you have to go to prelims. Soon, you will see 6-round fighters with a championship belt.

[Rick Farris]

Butch Lewis has passed away from a heart attack. Age 60. RIP
Lewis handled the Spinks brothers.

[Rick Farris]

The El Monte Legion Stadium . . .

http://elmontelegionstadium.com/history.html

[Rick Farris]

Singer Amy Winehouse is dead. Age 27.

[kikibalt]

The El Monte Legion Stadium . . .

http://elmontelegionstadium.com/history.html

Great post Rick, Thanks.

In 1964 I had my last fight at the El Monte Legion. And yes I got my ass handed to me...