Classic American West Coast Boxing

[kikibalt]

Joe Louis

[raylawpc]

Jimmy Robertson did all of the above even in his prime. I never could understand how he could hang with the top LA. lightweights of the time; much less beat some of them....
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Frank, I understand what you're talking about. All I can say is there is something about these awkward guys, the one's who are tough and not afraid to take a chance. Robertson was a pretty good puncher, one of those guys who bruises you when he lands, you feel his crack. This is what I got from a friend of mine that Jimmy KOed early in his career. And he's always ready to jump on you. Like you, I was surprised when he started shooting down contenders. However, he was the unfortunate candidate to be Roberto Duran's first lightweight title defense. Although videos reveal something a little different, what Jimmy told me was that he and Duran exchanged right hands, Duran's landed. "I don't remember anything except the hospital, where I learned I'd had my front teeth knocked out." Jimmy worked as a mechanic at Gordon Shaw's Boat dealership, before, during and after his boxing career. Don't know what's become of him? Shaw has been dead for years.

His awkwardness was probably his best weapon. I think this explains my problem as a boxer . . . I was too graceful.

[Randyman]

Jimmy Robertson did all of the above even in his prime. I never could understand how he could hang with the top LA. lightweights of the time; much less beat some of them....
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Frank, I understand what you're talking about. All I can say is there is something about these awkward guys, the one's who are tough and not afraid to take a chance. Robertson was a pretty good puncher, one of those guys who bruises you when he lands, you feel his crack. This is what I got from a friend of mine that Jimmy KOed early in his career. And he's always ready to jump on you. Like you, I was surprised when he started shooting down contenders. However, he was the unfortunate candidate to be Roberto Duran's first lightweight title defense. Although videos reveal something a little different, what Jimmy told me was that he and Duran exchanged right hands, Duran's landed. "I don't remember anything except the hospital, where I learned I'd had my front teeth knocked out." Jimmy worked as a mechanic at Gordon Shaw's Boat dealership, before, during and after his boxing career. Don't know what's become of him? Shaw has been dead for years.

His awkwardness was probably his best weapon. I think this explains my problem as a boxer . . . I was too graceful.

That was awkward

[Randyman]

Thanks for all the Art Aragon quotes Paul, keep'em coming....

I'll second that

[Randyman]

Connie and Marshmallow

My best to Connie and Marshmellow

[kikibalt]

Jimmy Robertson did all of the above even in his prime. I never could understand how he could hang with the top LA. lightweights of the time; much less beat some of them....
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Frank, I understand what you're talking about. All I can say is there is something about these awkward guys, the one's who are tough and not afraid to take a chance. Robertson was a pretty good puncher, one of those guys who bruises you when he lands, you feel his crack. This is what I got from a friend of mine that Jimmy KOed early in his career. And he's always ready to jump on you. Like you, I was surprised when he started shooting down contenders. However, he was the unfortunate candidate to be Roberto Duran's first lightweight title defense. Although videos reveal something a little different, what Jimmy told me was that he and Duran exchanged right hands, Duran's landed. "I don't remember anything except the hospital, where I learned I'd had my front teeth knocked out." Jimmy worked as a mechanic at Gordon Shaw's Boat dealership, before, during and after his boxing career. Don't know what's become of him? Shaw has been dead for years.

His awkwardness was probably his best weapon. I think this explains my problem as a boxer . . . I was too graceful.

As smooth as silk Tom was.....

[kikibalt]

Connie and Marshmallow

My best to Connie and Marshmellow

Connie says thanks Randy...

[Rick Farris]

Jimmy Robertson did all of the above even in his prime. I never could understand how he could hang with the top LA. lightweights of the time; much less beat some of them....
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Frank, I understand what you're talking about. All I can say is there is something about these awkward guys, the one's who are tough and not afraid to take a chance. Robertson was a pretty good puncher, one of those guys who bruises you when he lands, you feel his crack. This is what I got from a friend of mine that Jimmy KOed early in his career. And he's always ready to jump on you. Like you, I was surprised when he started shooting down contenders. However, he was the unfortunate candidate to be Roberto Duran's first lightweight title defense. Although videos reveal something a little different, what Jimmy told me was that he and Duran exchanged right hands, Duran's landed. "I don't remember anything except the hospital, where I learned I'd had my front teeth knocked out." Jimmy worked as a mechanic at Gordon Shaw's Boat dealership, before, during and after his boxing career. Don't know what's become of him? Shaw has been dead for years.

His awkwardness was probably his best weapon. I think this explains my problem as a boxer . . . I was too graceful.

As smooth as silk Tom was.....

"Dancing with the Stars" material.

[kikibalt]

His awkwardness was probably his best weapon. I think this explains my problem as a boxer . . . I was too graceful.

As smooth as silk Tom was.....

"Dancing with the Stars" material.

[scartissue]

Thanks for the feedback on Robertson, guys. Y'know, regarding Jimmy's title shot against Duran, he really didn't deserve it. He had lost 3 out of his last 4, with the only win against a clubfighter. Duran's management had a thing about avoiding certain fighters and defending in Panama only, for awhile. Until I believe they really understood they had something incredibly special there. The DeJesus loss probably had a lot to do with it. I think when they realized they shouldn't baby him they let him off his leash and that's when they really started making money.

Scartissue

[Cholo]

BASILIO-ARAGON
The highly touted clash between Carmen Basilio, 155 1/2, and Art Aragon, 152, at wrigley Field, Los Angeles, lived up to its advance billing. Although one-sided in the hawk-faced Basilio's favor, Aragon's amazing display of raw courage was a real highlight of the fight. The famed Golden Boy took a frightful lacing for seven rounds, but stayed on his feet all the time, his tortured face twisting in pain each time Basilio's booming hooks bit into his flesh. One of Aragon's seconds threw in the towel during the eighth round as Art swayed helplessly against the ropes. Referee Tommy Hart, without ever seeing the surrender signal, stopped the one-sided bloodbath on his own volition at 1 minute 27 second mark. The gross receipts of $236,521 was an all time California record. There was no last minute price cutting of tickets as was the case for the Patterson-Harris bout held a few weeks before in the same city..

[raylawpc]

His awkwardness was probably his best weapon. I think this explains my problem as a boxer . . . I was too graceful.

As smooth as silk Tom was.....

"Dancing with the Stars" material.

Now there's an idea. . . maybe you could hook me up with one of those Desperate Housewives or Gossip Girls you get to hang out with . . .

[Randyman]

As smooth as silk Tom was.....

"Dancing with the Stars" material.

Now there's an idea. . . maybe you could hook me up with one of those Desperate Housewives or Gossip Girls you get to hang out with . . .

I hope your wife wasn't looking over your shoulders when you wrote that.

[Randyman]

BASILIO-ARAGON
The highly touted clash between Carmen Basilio, 155 1/2, and Art Aragon, 152, at wrigley Field, Los Angeles, lived up to its advance billing. Although one-sided in the hawk-faced Basilio's favor, Aragon's amazing display of raw courage was a real highlight of the fight. The famed Golden Boy took a frightful lacing for seven rounds, but stayed on his feet all the time, his tortured face twisting in pain each time Basilio's booming hooks bit into his flesh. One of Aragon's seconds threw in the towel during the eighth round as Art swayed helplessly against the ropes. Referee Tommy Hart, without ever seeing the surrender signal, stopped the one-sided bloodbath on his own volition at 1 minute 27 second mark. The gross receipts of $236,521 was an all time California record. There was no last minute price cutting of tickets as was the case for the Patterson-Harris bout held a few weeks before in the same city..

Maybe this fight went a long ways toward Aragon becoming a more well liked West Coast boxing figure in his later years. A big heart can make some fight fans a little more forgiving. Just a thought.

[Chuck1052]

As a fan who saw quite a few fights in Los Angeles during the 1970s and 1980s, I remember that the crowds favored Mexican-based fighters over the American-based fighters, even when the latter were natives of Mexico. If Art Aragon was based in Mexico, would he have received far less boos while fighting in Los Angeles during his career?

- Chuck Johnston

[Randyman]

As a fan who saw quite a few fights in Los Angeles during the 1970s and 1980s, I remember that the crowds favored Mexican-based fighters over the American-based fighters, even when the latter were natives of Mexico. If Art Aragon was based in Mexico, would he have received far less boos while fighting in Los Angeles during his career?

- Chuck Johnston

A perceptive and accurate assessment Chuck, he probably would have been a lot more accepted. The fact that he knew and they knew, that he never would probably just added to the animosity. They never favored Oscar De La Hoya either no matter how hard he courted them. Yet, they were feverishly behind Rafeal Ruelas and Fernando Vargas, whom they considered "true Mexican" when they fought Oscar. Both Ruelas and Vargas lived in Southern California at the time, still do.

[scartissue]

As a fan who saw quite a few fights in Los Angeles during the 1970s and 1980s, I remember that the crowds favored Mexican-based fighters over the American-based fighters, even when the latter were natives of Mexico. If Art Aragon was based in Mexico, would he have received far less boos while fighting in Los Angeles during his career?

- Chuck Johnston

A perceptive and accurate assessment Chuck, he probably would have been a lot more accepted. The fact that he knew and they knew, that he never would probably just added to the animosity. They never favored Oscar De La Hoya either no matter how hard he courted them. Yet, they were feverishly behind Rafeal Ruelas and Fernando Vargas, whom they considered "true Mexican" when they fought Oscar. Both Ruelas and Vargas lived in Southern California at the time, still do.

Another anomaly would be the Acapulco crowd getting behind Jose Napoles over Armando Muniz. There was Muniz, a native of Chiahuahua (I think I have too many "H's" there) but who left when he was young, represented the U.S. in the Olympics and was now a Los Angeleno and he was the red-headed stepchild to the native of Cuba who made Mexico his home. Go figure.

Scartissue

[raylawpc]

"Dancing with the Stars" material.

Now there's an idea. . . maybe you could hook me up with one of those Desperate Housewives or Gossip Girls you get to hang out with . . .

I hope your wife wasn't looking over your shoulders when you wrote that.

Well, I guess I didn't phrase that quite right . . . I meant hook me up with one of them to complete on "Dancing with the Stars," not hook me up for the kind of dancing my message may have implied.

[Randyman]

Now there's an idea. . . maybe you could hook me up with one of those Desperate Housewives or Gossip Girls you get to hang out with . . .

I hope your wife wasn't looking over your shoulders when you wrote that.

Well, I guess I didn't phrase that quite right . . . I meant hook me up with one of them to complete on "Dancing with the Stars," not hook me up for the kind of dancing my message may have implied.

[Rick Farris]

As smooth as silk Tom was.....

"Dancing with the Stars" material.

Now there's an idea. . . maybe you could hook me up with one of those Desperate Housewives or Gossip Girls you get to hang out with . . .

Tom . . . Haven't worked with the Housewives yet this year, but today on Gossip Girl, I worked with Elizabeth Hurley, and I must say this Brit is wothout question one of the most naturally beautiful women I have ever seen. She's a guest star in this episode. She'll work with us again on Wedensday. Maybe I'll ask if she feels like going a couple rounds on the dance floor with a tall, smooth, Swede?

[raylawpc]

"Dancing with the Stars" material.

Now there's an idea. . . maybe you could hook me up with one of those Desperate Housewives or Gossip Girls you get to hang out with . . .

Tom . . . Haven't worked with the Housewives yet this year, but today on Gossip Girl, I worked with Elizabeth Hurley, and I must say this Brit is wothout question one of the most naturally beautiful women I have ever seen. She's a guest star in this episode. She'll work with us again on Wedensday. Maybe I'll ask if she feels like going a couple rounds on the dance floor with a tall, smooth, Swede?

[Cholo]

"Dancing with the Stars" material.

Now there's an idea. . . maybe you could hook me up with one of those Desperate Housewives or Gossip Girls you get to hang out with . . .

Tom . . . Haven't worked with the Housewives yet this year, but today on Gossip Girl, I worked with Elizabeth Hurley, and I must say this Brit is wothout question one of the most naturally beautiful women I have ever seen. She's a guest star in this episode. She'll work with us again on Wedensday. Maybe I'll ask if she feels like going a couple rounds on the dance floor with a tall, smooth, Swede?

Rick, Liz Hurley..

[kikibalt]

Sam Langford

[Rick Farris]

Sam Langford

Hard to believe a guy who became a studio lighting technician, Willie Meehan, actually defeated Sam Langford and Jack Dempsey in the ring.

[kikibalt]

West Los Angeles from above the Sunset Strip where We are filming today.

Rick Farris