Classic American West Coast Boxing

[coach greg v]

A rerun

How I met and became best friends with John Martinez

In the early summer of 1968 I was holding a meeting at the Teamsters Gym to plan our Jr Golden Glove tournament, a new group of guys, John was among them, came to our meeting, said they were with the AAU, their leader, Tony Cerda told us that we needed to have the AAU sanction our Jr GG tournament and that they, the AAU, would run the tournament, John was one of the guys pushing hard to get me out as tournament director, I told them that they were welcome to enter their boys in the Jr. GG tournament if they liked, (they did) but, I told them I was running the tournament, that I had been running it for the last four years, their ploy didn't worked, I run the tournament in 1968 and did so for another six years after that. After that I would see John around town, he lived close to me at the time, he had a youth boxing club and he was having a benefit dance for the club at the local handball club, Connie and I decided to go to the dance, when John seen me there he looked at me like,
"what are you doing here?"
After a beer or two we started talking, after that everytime we would run into each other we would talk, soon we were visiting each others home, going out to dinner with the wives, one time during dinner John started laughing and he tells me,
"You know I didn't like you before I met you" through the years John, Bea and Connie and I became best friends.

Frank Baltazar

> Amateur boxing politics gets deep. I had been running the high school boxing night in my county for about 5 yrs when the AAU tried to take them over. I said take a walk. Or words to that effect. Oh they threatened me said some of my amamteur boys could not fight on their shows. Made a big stink. Nothing came of it. I still ran the high school shows until they stopped that in 82. My boys fought in hte amateurs. Then the became the ABF and things got worse instead of better...

The AAU didn't like me and I didn't like the AAU, so you can say the feeling was mutual...

> Have you ever been to their meetings?????Never heard such a bunch of whiney crybabies in all my life...

[Rick Farris]

A rerun

How I met and became best friends with John Martinez

In the early summer of 1968 I was holding a meeting at the Teamsters Gym to plan our Jr Golden Glove tournament, a new group of guys, John was among them, came to our meeting, said they were with the AAU, their leader, Tony Cerda told us that we needed to have the AAU sanction our Jr GG tournament and that they, the AAU, would run the tournament, John was one of the guys pushing hard to get me out as tournament director, I told them that they were welcome to enter their boys in the Jr. GG tournament if they liked, (they did) but, I told them I was running the tournament, that I had been running it for the last four years, their ploy didn't worked, I run the tournament in 1968 and did so for another six years after that. After that I would see John around town, he lived close to me at the time, he had a youth boxing club and he was having a benefit dance for the club at the local handball club, Connie and I decided to go to the dance, when John seen me there he looked at me like,
"what are you doing here?"
After a beer or two we started talking, after that everytime we would run into each other we would talk, soon we were visiting each others home, going out to dinner with the wives, one time during dinner John started laughing and he tells me,
"You know I didn't like you before I met you" through the years John, Bea and Connie and I became best friends.

Frank Baltazar

> Amateur boxing politics gets deep. I had been running the high school boxing night in my county for about 5 yrs when the AAU tried to take them over. I said take a walk. Or words to that effect. Oh they threatened me said some of my amamteur boys could not fight on their shows. Made a big stink. Nothing came of it. I still ran the high school shows until they stopped that in 82. My boys fought in hte amateurs. Then the became the ABF and things got worse instead of better...

The AAU didn't like me and I didn't like the AAU, so you can say the feeling was mutual...

More than one way to skin a cat . . .

The AAU tried to put muscle on Aileen Eaton to pay them off for using Amateurs on her pro cards. Aileen told them to shove it.
They sent us all letters stating that if we fought for the Olympic, we'd lose our AAU card and L.A. would lose it's Golden Gloves sanction.
That's what happened, but we just kept on fighting for Mrs. Eaton. She was doing a better job of preparing amateurs for pro success than the corrupt AAU.
We lost our sanction, so our Managers & Coaches Assoc. created our own tournament known as the "Diamond Belt Championships".
The winners of the Diamond Belt tourney would travel to Las Vegas, enter the Golden Gloves tournament, defeat all the locals, and rep LV in the Nationals.
We all ended up at the Natonal tournament anyway. More than one way to skin a cat!

[Randyman]

Joseph Agbecko vs Abner Mares

Wow, I hardly know where to begin. Last night's fight, low blow's and questionable referring aside, was actually pretty good. Lot's of action and a good performance by both fighters, though for the most part the fight was dominated by Abner Mares. Joseph Agbecko, for his part, started coming on in the late rounds, though it was, perhaps, a case of too little too late.

Mares, a bold fighter by nature, immediately took the fight to "King Kong" Agbecko, working the body (and more) with left hooks that would take their toll on Agbecko. Mares showed a good set of whiskers in the fight, especially in the fourth when Agbecko landed his best punch, a right hand flush on Mares' kisser, buckling him. His knees buckled but his will stood and Mares never lost a beat. Mares was simply in better form last night.

Still, you can't get away from the low blows by Mares or the lousy referring by Russell Mora, Agbecko is correct when he says he was fighting both Mares and the referee. It eventually became uncomfortable to watch. I like Mares and I think he is a terrific fighter. It pained me to see him win like this. I don't think it was done intentionally and I do think that some of the low blows were caused by Agbecko holding Mares' head down, some of them were borderline, landing just at or below the belt line. Still, there were just too many actual low blows to ignore and Mares should have had a point or two deducted.

The first knockdown by Mares, of Agbecko, was somewhat questionable but both sides could make a case for it's legitimacy but it was not the worst call I've seen. The second knockdown in the 11th round was too obvious to excuse. Not only was a point not deducted from Mares but it was called a knockdown by the usually competent Mora. That Mora allowed the fouls to continue without a point deduction was inexcusable and beyond belief. It was almost surreal.

I don't know how the fight would have turned out if a point had been taken away from Mares. He might have become more aware and kept his punches up or he might not have, maybe Agbecko would have fought differently not having to worry about being hit low but we'll never know because Mora did not do his job. It was a bad night for everyone, though Mora was not without his own culpability, I couldn't help feel for him when he said, almost pleadingly to Jim Gray, "Hey, don't ruin my night for me". It was definitely a bad night for Agbecko who feels, and rightly so, that he unjustly lost his title. It was a bad night for fight fans at the Hard Rock Casino and at home watching the fight. Mora himself seemed almost puzzled by the questions from Jim Gray. Everyone was cheated out of a good and fair outcome. No pun intended but it was a low blow for boxing last night.

Mares said he would give Agbecko a rematch. Let's hope that he's man of his word and that it happens soon. If ever a fighter deserves an immediate rematch, it's Agbecko.

[Randyman]

Tough time for my mother. Looks like it's going to be impossible to sell the house due to negligible bureaucratic incompetency similar to Russell Mora's officiating. When my mother bought her house in 2005 in Spring Valley Lake it was listed as a 2092 sq. ft home with an addition. Her taxes paid reflect that.

Now years later just as my mother is about to sell the house, it's been determined that the 750 sq. ft addition was done without a permit so the size of the house has been reduced. It's going to cost thousands to bring it up to code, including over 5000.00 just for school fees or taxes alone. The buyers backed out of the deal. Can't blame them. The realtor and appraiser and everyone involved in selling or helping my mother buy the house did not do their job. Because of the economy my mother has no equity, can't unload the house and lost thousands of dollar. It's a very confusing and entangled mess. We don't know what to do.

[kikibalt]

> Amateur boxing politics gets deep. I had been running the high school boxing night in my county for about 5 yrs when the AAU tried to take them over. I said take a walk. Or words to that effect. Oh they threatened me said some of my amamteur boys could not fight on their shows. Made a big stink. Nothing came of it. I still ran the high school shows until they stopped that in 82. My boys fought in hte amateurs. Then the became the ABF and things got worse instead of better...

The AAU didn't like me and I didn't like the AAU, so you can say the feeling was mutual...

> Have you ever been to their meetings?????Never heard such a bunch of whiney crybabies in all my life...

No, never had a reason to...

[kikibalt]

Tough time for my mother. Looks like it's going to be impossible to sell the house due to negligible bureaucratic incompetency similar to Russell Mora's officiating. When my mother bought her house in 2005 in Spring Valley Lake it was listed as a 2092 sq. ft home with an addition. Her taxes paid reflect that.

Now years later just as my mother is about to sell the house, it's been determined that the 750 sq. ft addition was done without a permit so the size of the house has been reduced. It's going to cost thousands to bring it up to code, including over 5000.00 just for school fees or taxes alone. The buyers backed out of the deal. Can't blame them. The realtor and appraiser and everyone involved in selling or helping my mother buy the house did not do their job. Because of the economy my mother has no equity, can't unload the house and lost thousands of dollar. It's a very confusing and entangled mess. We don't know what to do.

Maybe Tom Ray can help you...good luck to you guys...

[Rick Farris]

Tough time for my mother. Looks like it's going to be impossible to sell the house due to negligible bureaucratic incompetency similar to Russell Mora's officiating. When my mother bought her house in 2005 in Spring Valley Lake it was listed as a 2092 sq. ft home with an addition. Her taxes paid reflect that.

Now years later just as my mother is about to sell the house, it's been determined that the 750 sq. ft addition was done without a permit so the size of the house has been reduced. It's going to cost thousands to bring it up to code, including over 5000.00 just for school fees or taxes alone. The buyers backed out of the deal. Can't blame them. The realtor and appraiser and everyone involved in selling or helping my mother buy the house did not do their job. Because of the economy my mother has no equity, can't unload the house and lost thousands of dollar. It's a very confusing and entangled mess. We don't know what to do.

Randy I'm sorry that your mother has to deal with this at her age.
My mother, who will turn 80 next month, seemed well set when she retired.
She sold her home in Burbank which was paid off. She & her husband retired, He had two pensions, my mother hers.
They made a few bad investments, my step dad had to return to work, then suddenly died after they'd relocated to Arizona.
My mother had to seel their home at a big loss, she returned to California with very little.
How terrible our parents have to struggle today after working for decades and doing the right thing.
My father is in good shape, but even he and his wife lost big in the stock market.
Today my mother's well being is foremost in my mind. This country,our government is quite heartless when it comes to the elderly.
Disgusting is a better word. God Bless America, huh? Other cultures honor the elderly, ours kicks them to the curb.
By the way Randy, I'll pray for your mother as I do my own.

[Randyman]

Tough time for my mother. Looks like it's going to be impossible to sell the house due to negligible bureaucratic incompetency similar to Russell Mora's officiating. When my mother bought her house in 2005 in Spring Valley Lake it was listed as a 2092 sq. ft home with an addition. Her taxes paid reflect that.

Now years later just as my mother is about to sell the house, it's been determined that the 750 sq. ft addition was done without a permit so the size of the house has been reduced. It's going to cost thousands to bring it up to code, including over 5000.00 just for school fees or taxes alone. The buyers backed out of the deal. Can't blame them. The realtor and appraiser and everyone involved in selling or helping my mother buy the house did not do their job. Because of the economy my mother has no equity, can't unload the house and lost thousands of dollar. It's a very confusing and entangled mess. We don't know what to do.

Maybe Tom Ray can help you...good luck to you guys...

my daughter Meranda, who works for a reverse mortgage company just called with a few ides. She's pretty sharp about these things (she didn't get it from Jeri or me). It's a real quagmire Frank. my mother's health is not what it used to be. I don't want this thing sapping her strength.

[Randyman]

Tough time for my mother. Looks like it's going to be impossible to sell the house due to negligible bureaucratic incompetency similar to Russell Mora's officiating. When my mother bought her house in 2005 in Spring Valley Lake it was listed as a 2092 sq. ft home with an addition. Her taxes paid reflect that.

Now years later just as my mother is about to sell the house, it's been determined that the 750 sq. ft addition was done without a permit so the size of the house has been reduced. It's going to cost thousands to bring it up to code, including over 5000.00 just for school fees or taxes alone. The buyers backed out of the deal. Can't blame them. The realtor and appraiser and everyone involved in selling or helping my mother buy the house did not do their job. Because of the economy my mother has no equity, can't unload the house and lost thousands of dollar. It's a very confusing and entangled mess. We don't know what to do.

Randy I'm sorry that your mother has to deal with this at her age.
My mother, who will turn 80 next month, seemed well set when she retired.
She sold her home in Burbank which was paid off. She & her husband retired, He had two pensions, my mother hers.
They made a few bad investments, my step dad had to return to work, then suddenly died after they'd relocated to Arizona.
My mother had to seel their home at a big loss, she returned to California with very little.
How terrible our parents have to struggle today after working for decades and doing the right thing.
My father is in good shape, but even he and his wife lost big in the stock market.
Today my mother's well being is foremost in my mind. This country,our government is quite heartless when it comes to the elderly.
Disgusting is a better word. God Bless America, huh? Other cultures honor the elderly, ours kicks them to the curb.
By the way Randy, I'll pray for your mother as I do my own.

Thanks Rick, I appreciate that. God Bless America but screw the politician's and big business! Yes, disgusting is a better word and pretty much describes my feelings right now.

[kikibalt]

Joseph Agbecko vs Abner Mares

Wow, I hardly know where to begin. Last night's fight, low blow's and questionable referring aside, was actually pretty good. Lot's of action and a good performance by both fighters, though for the most part the fight was dominated by Abner Mares. Joseph Agbecko, for his part, started coming on in the late rounds, though it was, perhaps, a case of too little too late.

Mares, a bold fighter by nature, immediately took the fight to "King Kong" Agbecko, working the body (and more) with left hooks that would take their toll on Agbecko. Mares showed a good set of whiskers in the fight, especially in the fourth when Agbecko landed his best punch, a right hand flush on Mares' kisser, buckling him. His knees buckled but his will stood and Mares never lost a beat. Mares was simply in better form last night.

Still, you can't get away from the low blows by Mares or the lousy referring by Russell Mora, Agbecko is correct when he says he was fighting both Mares and the referee. It eventually became uncomfortable to watch. I like Mares and I think he is a terrific fighter. It pained me to see him win like this. I don't think it was done intentionally and I do think that some of the low blows were caused by Agbecko holding Mares' head down, some of them were borderline, landing just at or below the belt line. Still, there were just too many actual low blows to ignore and Mares should have had a point or two deducted.

The first knockdown by Mares, of Agbecko, was somewhat questionable but both sides could make a case for it's legitimacy but it was not the worst call I've seen. The second knockdown in the 11th round was too obvious to excuse. Not only was a point not deducted from Mares but it was called a knockdown by the usually competent Mora. That Mora allowed the fouls to continue without a point deduction was inexcusable and beyond belief. It was almost surreal.

I don't know how the fight would have turned out if a point had been taken away from Mares. He might have become more aware and kept his punches up or he might not have, maybe Agbecko would have fought differently not having to worry about being hit low but we'll never know because Mora did not do his job. It was a bad night for everyone, though Mora was without his own culpability, I couldn't help feel for him when he said, almost pleadingly to Jim Gray, "Hey, don't ruin my night for me". It was definitely a bad night for Agbecko who feels, and rightly so, that he unjustly lost his title. It was a bad night for fight fans at the Hard Rock Casino and at home watching the fight. Mora himself seemed almost puzzled by the questions from Jim Gray. Everyone was cheated out of a good and fair outcome. No pun intended but it was a low blow for boxing last night.

Mares said he would give Agbecko a rematch. Let's hope that he's man of his word and that it happens soon. If ever a fighter deserves an immediate rematch, it's Agbecko.

I too seen the fight last nite, and my thoughts were that Mora was overly protective of Mares. Mares is a good enough fighter that he can win without the referee's help. Mora put a dark cloud over Mares win, a cloud that Mares can do without. I think that DLH put Mora in his pocket and that Mora wasn't a good enough actor to keep people from seeing it...

[coach greg v]

Tough time for my mother. Looks like it's going to be impossible to sell the house due to negligible bureaucratic incompetency similar to Russell Mora's officiating. When my mother bought her house in 2005 in Spring Valley Lake it was listed as a 2092 sq. ft home with an addition. Her taxes paid reflect that.

Now years later just as my mother is about to sell the house, it's been determined that the 750 sq. ft addition was done without a permit so the size of the house has been reduced. It's going to cost thousands to bring it up to code, including over 5000.00 just for school fees or taxes alone. The buyers backed out of the deal. Can't blame them. The realtor and appraiser and everyone involved in selling or helping my mother buy the house did not do their job. Because of the economy my mother has no equity, can't unload the house and lost thousands of dollar. It's a very confusing and entangled mess. We don't know what to do.

Randy I'm sorry that your mother has to deal with this at her age.
My mother, who will turn 80 next month, seemed well set when she retired.
She sold her home in Burbank which was paid off. She & her husband retired, He had two pensions, my mother hers.
They made a few bad investments, my step dad had to return to work, then suddenly died after they'd relocated to Arizona.
My mother had to seel their home at a big loss, she returned to California with very little.
How terrible our parents have to struggle today after working for decades and doing the right thing.
My father is in good shape, but even he and his wife lost big in the stock market.
Today my mother's well being is foremost in my mind. This country,our government is quite heartless when it comes to the elderly.
Disgusting is a better word. God Bless America, huh? Other cultures honor the elderly, ours kicks them to the curb.
By the way Randy, I'll pray for your mother as I do my own.

Thanks Rick, I appreciate that. God Bless America but screw the politician's and big business! Yes, disgusting is a better word and pretty much describes my feelings right now.

>My thoughts are with you too my mother is in a care center as I can no longer look after her. my prayers for both of you!!!

[Randyman]

Randy I'm sorry that your mother has to deal with this at her age.
My mother, who will turn 80 next month, seemed well set when she retired.
She sold her home in Burbank which was paid off. She & her husband retired, He had two pensions, my mother hers.
They made a few bad investments, my step dad had to return to work, then suddenly died after they'd relocated to Arizona.
My mother had to seel their home at a big loss, she returned to California with very little.
How terrible our parents have to struggle today after working for decades and doing the right thing.
My father is in good shape, but even he and his wife lost big in the stock market.
Today my mother's well being is foremost in my mind. This country,our government is quite heartless when it comes to the elderly.
Disgusting is a better word. God Bless America, huh? Other cultures honor the elderly, ours kicks them to the curb.
By the way Randy, I'll pray for your mother as I do my own.

Thanks Rick, I appreciate that. God Bless America but screw the politician's and big business! Yes, disgusting is a better word and pretty much describes my feelings right now.

>My thoughts are with you too my mother is in a care center as I can no longer look after her. my prayers for both of you!!!

Thanks Greg, any and all prayers are welcome!!

[Randyman]

Joseph Agbecko vs Abner Mares

Wow, I hardly know where to begin. Last night's fight, low blow's and questionable referring aside, was actually pretty good. Lot's of action and a good performance by both fighters, though for the most part the fight was dominated by Abner Mares. Joseph Agbecko, for his part, started coming on in the late rounds, though it was, perhaps, a case of too little too late.

Mares, a bold fighter by nature, immediately took the fight to "King Kong" Agbecko, working the body (and more) with left hooks that would take their toll on Agbecko. Mares showed a good set of whiskers in the fight, especially in the fourth when Agbecko landed his best punch, a right hand flush on Mares' kisser, buckling him. His knees buckled but his will stood and Mares never lost a beat. Mares was simply in better form last night.

Still, you can't get away from the low blows by Mares or the lousy referring by Russell Mora, Agbecko is correct when he says he was fighting both Mares and the referee. It eventually became uncomfortable to watch. I like Mares and I think he is a terrific fighter. It pained me to see him win like this. I don't think it was done intentionally and I do think that some of the low blows were caused by Agbecko holding Mares' head down, some of them were borderline, landing just at or below the belt line. Still, there were just too many actual low blows to ignore and Mares should have had a point or two deducted.

The first knockdown by Mares, of Agbecko, was somewhat questionable but both sides could make a case for it's legitimacy but it was not the worst call I've seen. The second knockdown in the 11th round was too obvious to excuse. Not only was a point not deducted from Mares but it was called a knockdown by the usually competent Mora. That Mora allowed the fouls to continue without a point deduction was inexcusable and beyond belief. It was almost surreal.

I don't know how the fight would have turned out if a point had been taken away from Mares. He might have become more aware and kept his punches up or he might not have, maybe Agbecko would have fought differently not having to worry about being hit low but we'll never know because Mora did not do his job. It was a bad night for everyone, though Mora was without his own culpability, I couldn't help feel for him when he said, almost pleadingly to Jim Gray, "Hey, don't ruin my night for me". It was definitely a bad night for Agbecko who feels, and rightly so, that he unjustly lost his title. It was a bad night for fight fans at the Hard Rock Casino and at home watching the fight. Mora himself seemed almost puzzled by the questions from Jim Gray. Everyone was cheated out of a good and fair outcome. No pun intended but it was a low blow for boxing last night.

Mares said he would give Agbecko a rematch. Let's hope that he's man of his word and that it happens soon. If ever a fighter deserves an immediate rematch, it's Agbecko.

I too seen the fight last nite, and my thoughts were that Mora was overly protective of Mares. Mares is a good enough fighter that he can win without the referee's help. Mora put a dark cloud over Mares win, a cloud that Mares can do without. I think that DLH put Mora in his pocket and that Mora wasn't a good enough actor to keep people from seeing it...

I hope that's not the case Frank.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d95mZeZ ... ture=feedu

[kikibalt]

Joseph Agbecko vs Abner Mares

Wow, I hardly know where to begin. Last night's fight, low blow's and questionable referring aside, was actually pretty good. Lot's of action and a good performance by both fighters, though for the most part the fight was dominated by Abner Mares. Joseph Agbecko, for his part, started coming on in the late rounds, though it was, perhaps, a case of too little too late.

Mares, a bold fighter by nature, immediately took the fight to "King Kong" Agbecko, working the body (and more) with left hooks that would take their toll on Agbecko. Mares showed a good set of whiskers in the fight, especially in the fourth when Agbecko landed his best punch, a right hand flush on Mares' kisser, buckling him. His knees buckled but his will stood and Mares never lost a beat. Mares was simply in better form last night.

Still, you can't get away from the low blows by Mares or the lousy referring by Russell Mora, Agbecko is correct when he says he was fighting both Mares and the referee. It eventually became uncomfortable to watch. I like Mares and I think he is a terrific fighter. It pained me to see him win like this. I don't think it was done intentionally and I do think that some of the low blows were caused by Agbecko holding Mares' head down, some of them were borderline, landing just at or below the belt line. Still, there were just too many actual low blows to ignore and Mares should have had a point or two deducted.

The first knockdown by Mares, of Agbecko, was somewhat questionable but both sides could make a case for it's legitimacy but it was not the worst call I've seen. The second knockdown in the 11th round was too obvious to excuse. Not only was a point not deducted from Mares but it was called a knockdown by the usually competent Mora. That Mora allowed the fouls to continue without a point deduction was inexcusable and beyond belief. It was almost surreal.

I don't know how the fight would have turned out if a point had been taken away from Mares. He might have become more aware and kept his punches up or he might not have, maybe Agbecko would have fought differently not having to worry about being hit low but we'll never know because Mora did not do his job. It was a bad night for everyone, though Mora was without his own culpability, I couldn't help feel for him when he said, almost pleadingly to Jim Gray, "Hey, don't ruin my night for me". It was definitely a bad night for Agbecko who feels, and rightly so, that he unjustly lost his title. It was a bad night for fight fans at the Hard Rock Casino and at home watching the fight. Mora himself seemed almost puzzled by the questions from Jim Gray. Everyone was cheated out of a good and fair outcome. No pun intended but it was a low blow for boxing last night.

Mares said he would give Agbecko a rematch. Let's hope that he's man of his word and that it happens soon. If ever a fighter deserves an immediate rematch, it's Agbecko.

I too seen the fight last nite, and my thoughts were that Mora was overly protective of Mares. Mares is a good enough fighter that he can win without the referee's help. Mora put a dark cloud over Mares win, a cloud that Mares can do without. I think that DLH put Mora in his pocket and that Mora wasn't a good enough actor to keep people from seeing it...

I hope that's not the case Frank.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d95mZeZ ... ture=feedu

Who the hell is that guy to tell us what we saw or what to think....

[Randyman]

I too seen the fight last nite, and my thoughts were that Mora was overly protective of Mares. Mares is a good enough fighter that he can win without the referee's help. Mora put a dark cloud over Mares win, a cloud that Mares can do without. I think that DLH put Mora in his pocket and that Mora wasn't a good enough actor to keep people from seeing it...

I hope that's not the case Frank.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d95mZeZ ... ture=feedu

Who the hell is that guy to tell us what we saw or what to think....

Absolutely nobody, I feel like you do Frank, Mares is good enough to win on his own. whether the ref was just to incompetent or he was bought, either way, Mares career will suffer. A good and fair rematch can patch things up, provided there are no more low blows.

My personal hope is that Oscar had no hand in this.

[coach greg v]

I too seen the fight last nite, and my thoughts were that Mora was overly protective of Mares. Mares is a good enough fighter that he can win without the referee's help. Mora put a dark cloud over Mares win, a cloud that Mares can do without. I think that DLH put Mora in his pocket and that Mora wasn't a good enough actor to keep people from seeing it...

I hope that's not the case Frank.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d95mZeZ ... ture=feedu

Who the hell is that guy to tell us what we saw or what to think....

> thank you frank I am getting tired of people telling me what to do where to squat in boxing....

[Rick Farris]

Joseph Agbecko vs Abner Mares

Wow, I hardly know where to begin. Last night's fight, low blow's and questionable referring aside, was actually pretty good. Lot's of action and a good performance by both fighters, though for the most part the fight was dominated by Abner Mares. Joseph Agbecko, for his part, started coming on in the late rounds, though it was, perhaps, a case of too little too late.

Mares, a bold fighter by nature, immediately took the fight to "King Kong" Agbecko, working the body (and more) with left hooks that would take their toll on Agbecko. Mares showed a good set of whiskers in the fight, especially in the fourth when Agbecko landed his best punch, a right hand flush on Mares' kisser, buckling him. His knees buckled but his will stood and Mares never lost a beat. Mares was simply in better form last night.

Still, you can't get away from the low blows by Mares or the lousy referring by Russell Mora, Agbecko is correct when he says he was fighting both Mares and the referee. It eventually became uncomfortable to watch. I like Mares and I think he is a terrific fighter. It pained me to see him win like this. I don't think it was done intentionally and I do think that some of the low blows were caused by Agbecko holding Mares' head down, some of them were borderline, landing just at or below the belt line. Still, there were just too many actual low blows to ignore and Mares should have had a point or two deducted.

The first knockdown by Mares, of Agbecko, was somewhat questionable but both sides could make a case for it's legitimacy but it was not the worst call I've seen. The second knockdown in the 11th round was too obvious to excuse. Not only was a point not deducted from Mares but it was called a knockdown by the usually competent Mora. That Mora allowed the fouls to continue without a point deduction was inexcusable and beyond belief. It was almost surreal.

I don't know how the fight would have turned out if a point had been taken away from Mares. He might have become more aware and kept his punches up or he might not have, maybe Agbecko would have fought differently not having to worry about being hit low but we'll never know because Mora did not do his job. It was a bad night for everyone, though Mora was without his own culpability, I couldn't help feel for him when he said, almost pleadingly to Jim Gray, "Hey, don't ruin my night for me". It was definitely a bad night for Agbecko who feels, and rightly so, that he unjustly lost his title. It was a bad night for fight fans at the Hard Rock Casino and at home watching the fight. Mora himself seemed almost puzzled by the questions from Jim Gray. Everyone was cheated out of a good and fair outcome. No pun intended but it was a low blow for boxing last night.

Mares said he would give Agbecko a rematch. Let's hope that he's man of his word and that it happens soon. If ever a fighter deserves an immediate rematch, it's Agbecko.

I too seen the fight last nite, and my thoughts were that Mora was overly protective of Mares. Mares is a good enough fighter that he can win without the referee's help. Mora put a dark cloud over Mares win, a cloud that Mares can do without. I think that DLH put Mora in his pocket and that Mora wasn't a good enough actor to keep people from seeing it...

[Rick Farris]

Joseph Agbecko vs Abner Mares

Wow, I hardly know where to begin. Last night's fight, low blow's and questionable referring aside, was actually pretty good. Lot's of action and a good performance by both fighters, though for the most part the fight was dominated by Abner Mares. Joseph Agbecko, for his part, started coming on in the late rounds, though it was, perhaps, a case of too little too late.

Mares, a bold fighter by nature, immediately took the fight to "King Kong" Agbecko, working the body (and more) with left hooks that would take their toll on Agbecko. Mares showed a good set of whiskers in the fight, especially in the fourth when Agbecko landed his best punch, a right hand flush on Mares' kisser, buckling him. His knees buckled but his will stood and Mares never lost a beat. Mares was simply in better form last night.

Still, you can't get away from the low blows by Mares or the lousy referring by Russell Mora, Agbecko is correct when he says he was fighting both Mares and the referee. It eventually became uncomfortable to watch. I like Mares and I think he is a terrific fighter. It pained me to see him win like this. I don't think it was done intentionally and I do think that some of the low blows were caused by Agbecko holding Mares' head down, some of them were borderline, landing just at or below the belt line. Still, there were just too many actual low blows to ignore and Mares should have had a point or two deducted.

The first knockdown by Mares, of Agbecko, was somewhat questionable but both sides could make a case for it's legitimacy but it was not the worst call I've seen. The second knockdown in the 11th round was too obvious to excuse. Not only was a point not deducted from Mares but it was called a knockdown by the usually competent Mora. That Mora allowed the fouls to continue without a point deduction was inexcusable and beyond belief. It was almost surreal.

I don't know how the fight would have turned out if a point had been taken away from Mares. He might have become more aware and kept his punches up or he might not have, maybe Agbecko would have fought differently not having to worry about being hit low but we'll never know because Mora did not do his job. It was a bad night for everyone, though Mora was without his own culpability, I couldn't help feel for him when he said, almost pleadingly to Jim Gray, "Hey, don't ruin my night for me". It was definitely a bad night for Agbecko who feels, and rightly so, that he unjustly lost his title. It was a bad night for fight fans at the Hard Rock Casino and at home watching the fight. Mora himself seemed almost puzzled by the questions from Jim Gray. Everyone was cheated out of a good and fair outcome. No pun intended but it was a low blow for boxing last night.

Mares said he would give Agbecko a rematch. Let's hope that he's man of his word and that it happens soon. If ever a fighter deserves an immediate rematch, it's Agbecko.

I too seen the fight last nite, and my thoughts were that Mora was overly protective of Mares. Mares is a good enough fighter that he can win without the referee's help. Mora put a dark cloud over Mares win, a cloud that Mares can do without. I think that DLH put Mora in his pocket and that Mora wasn't a good enough actor to keep people from seeing it...

I hope that's not the case Frank.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d95mZeZ ... ture=feedu

And another moron sets us straight!

[Panzerfaust]

I too seen the fight last nite, and my thoughts were that Mora was overly protective of Mares. Mares is a good enough fighter that he can win without the referee's help. Mora put a dark cloud over Mares win, a cloud that Mares can do without. I think that DLH put Mora in his pocket and that Mora wasn't a good enough actor to keep people from seeing it...

I hope that's not the case Frank.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d95mZeZ ... ture=feedu

And another moron sets us straight!

Rick , thats the moron that challenged Mario Lopez to fight Mario got like what? 30-40 lbs on him aswell as being a pretty decent fighter, who im sure could have had a quite a decent amateur career

[Panzerfaust]

Randy, my thoughts are with your mother. hope this thing sorts itself out

[Randyman]

Randy, my thoughts are with your mother. hope this thing sorts itself out

Thanks Remy!

[Randyman]

I hope that's not the case Frank.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d95mZeZ ... ture=feedu

And another moron sets us straight!

Rick , thats the moron that challenged Mario Lopez to fight Mario got like what? 30-40 lbs on him aswell as being a pretty decent fighter, who im sure could have won quite a few amateur fights

Lopez would annihilate him, no question about it.

[kikibalt]

They sure went on defense quick though....

[coach greg v]

And another moron sets us straight!

Rick , thats the moron that challenged Mario Lopez to fight Mario got like what? 30-40 lbs on him aswell as being a pretty decent fighter, who im sure could have won quite a few amateur fights

Lopez would annihilate him, no question about it.

> you know the internet is like a barstool. you never know what moron will sit there and tell you your business. Sometimes after the fights I would sit with some coachs in a local club and people would just come up and tell you what the hell kind of coach are you or their thoughts on boxing. Nobody unless they have done it themsleves know the time invested and little rewards are given. Would I trade it all?? not one minute of it. In 2005 when I was sick my mother told me a man with his family came to the hospital and gave his name which my mom forgot. he just wanted to say if I had not taken him off the streets he would not have made it. Thats respect. The respect I have for fighters who get in the ring has never stopped. It takes balls to stand up there half naked and fight in front of the world and these morons should remember that before they open their pie holes. Just my two cents lol

[Rick Farris]

And another moron sets us straight!

Rick , thats the moron that challenged Mario Lopez to fight Mario got like what? 30-40 lbs on him aswell as being a pretty decent fighter, who im sure could have won quite a few amateur fights

Lopez would annihilate him, no question about it.

Steve Harpst of the WBHOF introduced me to Mario Lopez at his Burbank Boxing Club gym, where Lopez worked out with a few of Steve's amateurs. I will tell you that Lopez is one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet, and he really can box. I'm not saying what he'd do in the ring, but what I saw in the gym was a cool, pro style with slick moves. You can tell he disciplined himself to be good, and sometimes the "actor" tag inspires a guy to be even better. He reminds me of a fighter in the gym, like the guys I saw thruout my career. He would have fit in to the L.A. boxing scene I remember.