Classic American West Coast Boxing

[kikibalt]

Lou Filippo
By Rick Farris

I had the pleasure of meeting Lou Filippo in 2006, when I joined the Board of Directors of the World Boxing Hall of Fame. I didn't have time to get to know Lou Filippo very well, but I was well aware of his career in the ring, both as a rough lightweight fighting out of the Jackie McCoy stable in the 50's, and also as a referee/ringside official. My boxing partner Dan Hanley and I had the opportunity to interview Lou in 2007. It would be the Hall of Famer's last interview, and it was a good one.

Shortly after we interviewed Lou, I learned that around the time I was born, Frank Baltazar worked at a car wash where Lou would take his car every week. It was a flashy blue Pontiac and Frank told of how Lou would keep his gym bag on the back seat of the car. I believe the car was was on Whittier Blvd. From that, I spoke with Lou at a WBHOF meeting one day and mentioned "that flashy blue Pontiac" he used to have. Filippo would look at me suprised, and then I would say, "you remember the one you used to take to the so& so car wash. I used to work there and recall seeing your equipment in the back seat." This would have taken place around the time I was born, so Lou is now really confused . . . "How could you, uh?
Yeah, I remember that Pontiac, but, uh . . . How old are you?"

Well that little incident was the start of a respectful relationship between Lou Filippo and myself. I appreciate Frank's sharing that little piece of knowledge, because it led to a positive moment between myself and an L.A. boxing legend.


Below is Lou Filippo's Boxrec bio:

Attended John C. Fremont High School in south Los Angeles, and began boxing at the 97th Street Arena to become one of California's top amateur boxers of the 1940s. He joined the U.S. Navy during World War II, became a Pharmacist Mate, 2nd Class (medic), serving aboard the USS South Dakota. He won the South Pacific All-Services 125-pound title in 1944 at Guadacanal, South Pacific; as well as the 1945 Naval Base 125-pound Championship. After his discharge from the Navy, Filippo won the US Diamond Belt (in the lightweight division). He had more than 250 amateur bouts before embarking on a professional career.

Filippo fought professionally from 1947-1957, compiling a record of 28-9-3 (8), and was named Action Fighter of the Year in Los Angeles (1957). During his career he fought former lightweight champions Carlos Ortiz and Lauro Salas. Filippo was known to cut easily, and once quipped that he would start bleeding while the referee was still giving opening instructions.

He later became a boxing manager and trainer (he trained World Champion Don Jordan for a couple of fights). Filippo went into refereeing and judging in the early 1970s at the suggestion of Olympic Auditorium promoter Aileen Eaton, and eventually officiated over 85 championship bouts. He was the judge who favored Hagler 115-113 in the controversial Marvin Hagler vs. Sugar Ray Leonard middleweight championship fight in Las Vegas. Filippo also handled the first Shane Mosley-Oscar De La Hoya welterweight championship fight in 2000 in Los Angeles.

Filippo appeared as either a referee or announcer in five of the six "Rocky" boxing movies. (He was not in the sixth installment, "Rocky Balboa.") Filippo's reputation as a "loyal, straight-up guy" helped him win Sylvester Stallone's attention. (In "Rocky II" Filippo tells Stallone's bloodied character Rocky Balboa before the epic 15th round: "Hey, Rock, you get in trouble one more time...," to which Balboa answers: "Don't stop nothing!" When both fighters fall to the canvas on a Balboa punch and opponent Apollo Creed slumps in a corner, Filippo tells Rocky: "You're out!")

He also spent 43 years working for Thermo-Electron, Cal Duran Division. And, from 1983 to about 2005, Filippo served as an executive with the World Boxing Hall of Fame--serving two terms as its President from 1993.

He was the husband of Pat (who died in 2007), and father of Debbye and Patti.
Lou Filippo passed away Nov. 2, 2009, in Los Angeles, of a stroke--having judged his final bout only two weeks earlier.


-Rick Farris / Photo-Dawn Paradis

[Rick Farris]

Progressive Insanity . . .


After watching veteran champ Erik Morales win another title last night, I saw a close-up of his battered face as he smiled, the winner. I remembered back when I first saw him, just a teenager.

These are my thoughts this morning:

"I see another tough Mexican fighter, former champ Israel Vasquez on occasion. Such a gentleman he is. When we first met in 2007, he was sharp of mind, clear eyes, a compelling personality. Today his mind wanders, he slurs his speech and is going blind. This in less than four years. Dementia is a progressive reality."

[Rick Farris]

The Happiest Man in the House . . .

Last night, when the Mayweather-Ortiz fight ended, the happiest man in the house was Victor Ortiz.
He didn't have to cry "no mas", and he didn't have to lay down, or disqualify himself (the intentional head butt).
Floyd took care of all that for him.
Always interesting to witness a "happy loser"?

[Randyman]

There is an age old adage in boxing that goes something like this, "You are never so naked as when you are standing in the ring". It's not the physical nakedness they are referring to, it's the character of a man (or a women) that's exposed. Your courage and heart and sense of fair play, and your ability or inability to handle pressure, or the propensity to resort to cowardly acts and cheat when frustrated, or a lack of character when it's time to face your actions when caught. You are never so naked a when you are standing in the ring. Ask Victor Ortiz, he got caught completely naked last night.

[Randyman]

The Happiest Man in the House . . .

Last night, when the Mayweather-Ortiz fight ended, the happiest man in the house was Victor Ortiz.
He didn't have to cry "no mas", and he didn't have to lay down, or disqualify himself (the intentional head butt).
Floyd took care of all that for him.
Always interesting to witness a "happy loser"?

Rick, I pride myself on being a good judge of character. I think that's what's really pissing me off. The chickensh*t coward had me fooled.

[Rick Farris]

Lou Filippo
By Rick Farris

I had the pleasure of meeting Lou Filippo in 2006, when I joined the Board of Directors of the World Boxing Hall of Fame. I didn't have time to get to know Lou Filippo very well, but I was well aware of his career in the ring, both as a rough lightweight fighting out of the Jackie McCoy stable in the 50's, and also as a referee/ringside official. My boxing partner Dan Hanley and I had the opportunity to interview Lou in 2007. It would be the Hall of Famer's last interview, and it was a good one.

Shortly after we interviewed Lou, I learned that around the time I was born, Frank Baltazar worked at a car wash where Lou would take his car every week. It was a flashy blue Pontiac and Frank told of how Lou would keep his gym bag on the back seat of the car. I believe the car was was on Whittier Blvd. From that, I spoke with Lou at a WBHOF meeting one day and mentioned "that flashy blue Pontiac" he used to have. Filippo would look at me suprised, and then I would say, "you remember the one you used to take to the so& so car wash. I used to work there and recall seeing your equipment in the back seat." This would have taken place around the time I was born, so Lou is now really confused . . . "How could you, uh?
Yeah, I remember that Pontiac, but, uh . . . How old are you?"

Well that little incident was the start of a respectful relationship between Lou Filippo and myself. I appreciate Frank's sharing that little piece of knowledge, because it led to a positive moment between myself and an L.A. boxing legend.


Below is Lou Filippo's Boxrec bio:

Attended John C. Fremont High School in south Los Angeles, and began boxing at the 97th Street Arena to become one of California's top amateur boxers of the 1940s. He joined the U.S. Navy during World War II, became a Pharmacist Mate, 2nd Class (medic), serving aboard the USS South Dakota. He won the South Pacific All-Services 125-pound title in 1944 at Guadacanal, South Pacific; as well as the 1945 Naval Base 125-pound Championship. After his discharge from the Navy, Filippo won the US Diamond Belt (in the lightweight division). He had more than 250 amateur bouts before embarking on a professional career.

Filippo fought professionally from 1947-1957, compiling a record of 28-9-3 (8), and was named Action Fighter of the Year in Los Angeles (1957). During his career he fought former lightweight champions Carlos Ortiz and Lauro Salas. Filippo was known to cut easily, and once quipped that he would start bleeding while the referee was still giving opening instructions.

He later became a boxing manager and trainer (he trained World Champion Don Jordan for a couple of fights). Filippo went into refereeing and judging in the early 1970s at the suggestion of Olympic Auditorium promoter Aileen Eaton, and eventually officiated over 85 championship bouts. He was the judge who favored Hagler 115-113 in the controversial Marvin Hagler vs. Sugar Ray Leonard middleweight championship fight in Las Vegas. Filippo also handled the first Shane Mosley-Oscar De La Hoya welterweight championship fight in 2000 in Los Angeles.

Filippo appeared as either a referee or announcer in five of the six "Rocky" boxing movies. (He was not in the sixth installment, "Rocky Balboa.") Filippo's reputation as a "loyal, straight-up guy" helped him win Sylvester Stallone's attention. (In "Rocky II" Filippo tells Stallone's bloodied character Rocky Balboa before the epic 15th round: "Hey, Rock, you get in trouble one more time...," to which Balboa answers: "Don't stop nothing!" When both fighters fall to the canvas on a Balboa punch and opponent Apollo Creed slumps in a corner, Filippo tells Rocky: "You're out!")

He also spent 43 years working for Thermo-Electron, Cal Duran Division. And, from 1983 to about 2005, Filippo served as an executive with the World Boxing Hall of Fame--serving two terms as its President from 1993.

He was the husband of Pat (who died in 2007), and father of Debbye and Patti.
Lou Filippo passed away Nov. 2, 2009, in Los Angeles, of a stroke--having judged his final bout only two weeks earlier.


-Rick Farris / Photo-Dawn Paradis

What I remember and liked most about Lou Filippo was that he was a "firecracker"!
If he had to, would still fight at the drop of a hat, and I'm talking well into his 80's!
He was a proud man, and a true fighter!
His biggest trouble in the ring was cuts. It was said Lou Filippo would start to bleed during the instructions.
But he fought a lot of great fighters, and right before we interviewed Lou on this day, we interviewed a guy he'd fought twice, former world champ Carlos Ortiz.

[Rick Farris]

There is an age old adage in boxing that goes something like this, "You are never so naked as when you are standing in the ring". It's not the physical nakedness they are referring to, it's the character of a man (or a women) that's exposed. Your courage and heart and sense of fair play, and your ability or inability to handle pressure, or the propensity to resort to cowardly acts and cheat when frustrated, or a lack of character when it's time to face your actions when caught. You are never so naked a when you are standing in the ring. Ask Victor Ortiz, he got caught completely naked last night.

Good post, Randy. Beautifully written!

[coach greg v]

There is an age old adage in boxing that goes something like this, "You are never so naked as when you are standing in the ring". It's not the physical nakedness they are referring to, it's the character of a man (or a women) that's exposed. Your courage and heart and sense of fair play, and your ability or inability to handle pressure, or the propensity to resort to cowardly acts and cheat when frustrated, or a lack of character when it's time to face your actions when caught. You are never so naked a when you are standing in the ring. Ask Victor Ortiz, he got caught completely naked last night.

Good post, Randy. Beautifully written!

> It was but. This is a big but. we saw ortiz before. we were warned. but delahoya marketed him right and fooled everybody into paying the money to see this stuff.

[Randyman]

I'm no fan of Floyd Mayweather Jr, never have been and most likely, never will be. What I am is a fan of the sport of boxing. As difficult as that can be at times, especially when someone like Mayweather is involved, I do try my absolute best to put aside my own personal bias and dislikes and focus just on the fighter and the fights. It's not always easy. Saturday night's fight between Mayweather and Victor Ortiz is a good example. Coming into this fight I wanted Ortiz to put the trash talking Mayweather in his place. I wasn't 100% sure he could but I was rooting for him to pull it off. The other reason I was rooting for Ortiz was that I wanted to see the guy redeem himself. I was hoping he would prove once and for all, that his blatant quitting in the Marcos Maidana fight was an anomaly, just something that happened, a one time quirky act. I thought that Ortiz understood what true character was, and that he was going to work like hell to prove himself. Maybe position himself along side some of the great fighters of the past.

Us guys from the West Coast and the L.A. fight scene are a proud bunch, We love our fighters and their exploits passionately. We have as rich a history in the sport as any town in the country, or the world too for that matter. We cherish and defend that history. The fighters that were either born here or came here to live and fight, range from the completely mediocre to the legendary. They trained at the Main Street Gym, the Teamsters Gym, the Hoover Street Gym and Canto Robledo's backyard gym. The names of these fighters stand with the best from anywhere in the world when it comes to courage, heart and fair play and they include fighters such as Manny Ortiz, Gil Cadilli, Kenny Teran, Art Aragon, Enrique Bolanos,Lauro Salas, Denny Moyer, Mando Ramos, Hedgeman Lewis, Randy Shields, Mando Muniz, Bobby Chacon, Danny "Little Red" Lopez, Rick Farris, the Fighting Irish Brothers Jerry and Mike Quarry, Frankie Baltazar, Tony Baltazar, and more recently, Sugar Shane Mosley and Oscar De La Hoya. I couldn't begin to list them all. Guys like Ruben Olivares, Chucho Castillo, Jesus Pimental came north from Mexico to lay it on the line at the Olympic Auditorium and the Forum because they knew L.A. was a fight town like no other and appreciated a fighter worth his salt. Art Hafey headed south from Canada to Southern California, to jump into the midst of what has come to be known as the "West Coast Featherweight Wars". The West Coast has been a hot bed of boxing for decades and L.A. has been the epicenter of it all. We don't care what nationality you are, what color you are or what your religion is. If you can fight and are willing, and can take it as good as you can give, than you are our kind of fighter. it's as simple as that. We'll be with you all the way.

Then along comes Victor Ortiz, wanting to stand tall with all the rest. Quit against Maidana and was given a second chance at a career. Positioned himself with one of the two pound for pound best fighters in the world, and was making a fight of it. Mayweather began picking up some steam and the fighter who has ironically come to be known as "Vicious" began to crumble. Ortiz had Mayweather against the ropes and was actually landing some good shots, when for reasons known only to him, he decided to take the low road with a headbutt so obviously intentionally a blind man would have had no trouble seeing it. Anomaly? No, lack of character, lack of true courage, a complete lack of fair play.

Am I being too harsh here? I don't think so. Given that Ortiz had a shot at redemption and spit in our eyes in the process, I think he's getting off easy. The crowd at the Staples Center, judging by the boos for Mayweather seem to be excusing Ortiz' behavior. Mayweather did what any sane fighter would and should do when facing a man who has already shown himself to be a cheater. I would lay some pretty good money that many of the same people that think Floyd sucker punched Ortiz, were jumping for joy a few years back when, Marco Antonio Barrera, like Mayweather, took matters into his own hands and grabbed Nassem Hamed in a half nelson and rammed him face first into the ring post. I don't recall ever hearing of one fan that thought Barrera was in the wrong. Neither was Floyd Mayweather in the wrong. But for the headbutt there would have been no controversy or knockout, at least not that particular knockout.

To borrow quote from Dorothy and "The Wizard of Oz", "Victor, you're not in Kansas anymore!"

[kikibalt]

I'm no fan of Floyd Mayweather Jr, never have been and most likely, never will be. What I am is a fan of the sport of boxing. As difficult as that can be at times, especially when someone like Mayweather is involved, I do try my absolute best to put aside my own personal bias and dislikes and focus just on the fighter and the fights. It's not always easy. Saturday night's fight between Mayweather and Victor Ortiz is a good example. Coming into this fight I wanted Ortiz to put the trash talking Mayweather in his place. I wasn't 100% sure he could but I was rooting for him to pull it off. The other reason I was rooting for Ortiz was that I wanted to see the guy redeem himself. I was hoping he would prove once and for all, that his blatant quitting in the Marcos Maidana fight was an anomaly, just something that happened, a one time quirky act. I thought that Ortiz understood what true character was, and that he was going to work like hell to prove himself. Maybe position himself along side some of the great fighters of the past.

Us guys from the West Coast and the L.A. fight scene are a proud bunch, We love our fighters and their exploits passionately. We have as rich a history in the sport as any town in the country, or the world too for that matter. We cherish and defend that history. The fighters that were either born here or came here to live and fight, range from the completely mediocre to the legendary. They trained at the Main Street Gym, the Teamsters Gym, the Hoover Street Gym and Canto Robledo's backyard gym. The names of these fighters stand with the best from anywhere in the world when it comes to courage, heart and fair play and they include fighters such as Manny Ortiz, Gil Cadilli, Kenny Teran, Art Aragon, Enrique Bolanos,Lauro Salas, Denny Moyer, Mando Ramos, Hedgeman Lewis, Randy Shields, Mando Muniz, Bobby Chacon, Danny "Little Red" Lopez, Rick Farris, Frankie Baltazar, Tony Baltazar, and more recently, Sugar Shane Mosley and Oscar De La Hoya. I couldn't begin to list them all. Guys like Ruben Olivares, Chucho Castillo, Jesus Pimental came north from Mexico to lay it on the line at the Olympic Auditorium and the Forum because they knew L.A. was a fight town like no other and appreciated a fighter worth his salt. Art Hafey headed south from Canada to Southern California, to jump into the midst of what has come to be known as the "West Coast Featherweight Wars". The West Coast has been a hot bed of boxing for decades and L.A. has been the epicenter of it all. We don't care what nationality you are, what color you are are what your religion is. If you can fight and are willing, and can take it as good as you can give, than you are our kind of fighter. it's as simple as that. We'll be with you all the way.

Then along comes Victor Ortiz, wanting to stand tall with all the rest. Quit against Maidana and was given a second chance at a career. Positioned himself with one of the two pound for pound best fighters in the world, and was making a fight of it. Mayweather began picking up some steam and the fighter who has ironically come to be known as "Vicious" began to crumble. Ortiz had Mayweather against the ropes and was actually landing some good shots, when for reasons known only to him, he decided to take the low road with a headbutt so obviously intentionally a blind man would have had no trouble seeing it. Anomaly? No, lack of character, lack of true courage, a complete lack of fair play.

Am I being too harsh here? I don't think so. Given that Ortiz had a shot at redemption and spit in our eyes in the process, I think he's getting off easy. The crowd at the Staples Center, judging by the boos for Mayweather seem to be excusing Ortiz' behavior. Mayweather did what any sane fighter would and should do when facing a man who has already shown himself to be a cheater. I would lay some pretty good money that many of the same people that think Floyd sucker punched Ortiz, were jumping for joy a few years back when, Marco Antonio Barrera, like Mayweather, took matters into his own hands and grabbed Nassem Hamed in a half nelson and rammed him face first into the ring post. I don't recall ever hearing of one fan that thought Barrera was in the wrong. Neither was Floyd Mayweather in the wrong. But for the headbutt there would have been no controversy or knockout, at least not that particular knockout.

To borrow quote from Dorothy and "The Wizard of Oz", "Victor, you're not in Kansas anymore!"

Great writing Randy...

[Randyman]

I'm no fan of Floyd Mayweather Jr, never have been and most likely, never will be. What I am is a fan of the sport of boxing. As difficult as that can be at times, especially when someone like Mayweather is involved, I do try my absolute best to put aside my own personal bias and dislikes and focus just on the fighter and the fights. It's not always easy. Saturday night's fight between Mayweather and Victor Ortiz is a good example. Coming into this fight I wanted Ortiz to put the trash talking Mayweather in his place. I wasn't 100% sure he could but I was rooting for him to pull it off. The other reason I was rooting for Ortiz was that I wanted to see the guy redeem himself. I was hoping he would prove once and for all, that his blatant quitting in the Marcos Maidana fight was an anomaly, just something that happened, a one time quirky act. I thought that Ortiz understood what true character was, and that he was going to work like hell to prove himself. Maybe position himself along side some of the great fighters of the past.

Us guys from the West Coast and the L.A. fight scene are a proud bunch, We love our fighters and their exploits passionately. We have as rich a history in the sport as any town in the country, or the world too for that matter. We cherish and defend that history. The fighters that were either born here or came here to live and fight, range from the completely mediocre to the legendary. They trained at the Main Street Gym, the Teamsters Gym, the Hoover Street Gym and Canto Robledo's backyard gym. The names of these fighters stand with the best from anywhere in the world when it comes to courage, heart and fair play and they include fighters such as Manny Ortiz, Gil Cadilli, Kenny Teran, Art Aragon, Enrique Bolanos,Lauro Salas, Denny Moyer, Mando Ramos, Hedgeman Lewis, Randy Shields, Mando Muniz, Bobby Chacon, Danny "Little Red" Lopez, Rick Farris, Frankie Baltazar, Tony Baltazar, and more recently, Sugar Shane Mosley and Oscar De La Hoya. I couldn't begin to list them all. Guys like Ruben Olivares, Chucho Castillo, Jesus Pimental came north from Mexico to lay it on the line at the Olympic Auditorium and the Forum because they knew L.A. was a fight town like no other and appreciated a fighter worth his salt. Art Hafey headed south from Canada to Southern California, to jump into the midst of what has come to be known as the "West Coast Featherweight Wars". The West Coast has been a hot bed of boxing for decades and L.A. has been the epicenter of it all. We don't care what nationality you are, what color you are are what your religion is. If you can fight and are willing, and can take it as good as you can give, than you are our kind of fighter. it's as simple as that. We'll be with you all the way.

Then along comes Victor Ortiz, wanting to stand tall with all the rest. Quit against Maidana and was given a second chance at a career. Positioned himself with one of the two pound for pound best fighters in the world, and was making a fight of it. Mayweather began picking up some steam and the fighter who has ironically come to be known as "Vicious" began to crumble. Ortiz had Mayweather against the ropes and was actually landing some good shots, when for reasons known only to him, he decided to take the low road with a headbutt so obviously intentionally a blind man would have had no trouble seeing it. Anomaly? No, lack of character, lack of true courage, a complete lack of fair play.

Am I being too harsh here? I don't think so. Given that Ortiz had a shot at redemption and spit in our eyes in the process, I think he's getting off easy. The crowd at the Staples Center, judging by the boos for Mayweather seem to be excusing Ortiz' behavior. Mayweather did what any sane fighter would and should do when facing a man who has already shown himself to be a cheater. I would lay some pretty good money that many of the same people that think Floyd sucker punched Ortiz, were jumping for joy a few years back when, Marco Antonio Barrera, like Mayweather, took matters into his own hands and grabbed Nassem Hamed in a half nelson and rammed him face first into the ring post. I don't recall ever hearing of one fan that thought Barrera was in the wrong. Neither was Floyd Mayweather in the wrong. But for the headbutt there would have been no controversy or knockout, at least not that particular knockout.

To borrow quote from Dorothy and "The Wizard of Oz", "Victor, you're not in Kansas anymore!"

Great writing Randy...

Thanks Frank!

Somehow, I forgot to mention the Quarrys, I added them.

[kikibalt]

Floyd Mayweather basks in aftermath of knockout of Victor Ortiz

Outspoken fighter, 34, says the decisive punch that caught his 24-year-old opponent off guard right after the referee gave the OK to resume fighting was the result of his vast experience.
Floyd Mayweather

By Lance Pugmire, Los Angeles Times

September 18, 2011

Floyd Mayweather Jr. enhanced his villainous image by the way he registered a fourth-round knockout of Victor Ortiz on Saturday night.

By striking the instant he was allowed to punch after referee Joe Cortez stopped action to deduct a point from Ortiz for a head butt, Mayweather landed a left hand to Ortiz's face that stunned the welterweight champion from Ventura.

With Cortez and Ortiz caught off guard, Mayweather (42-0, 26 knockouts) then finished the fight with a devastating straight right hand to Ortiz's jaw that sent the 24-year-old to la-la land.

"I spaced a bit," said Ortiz, who asked Mayweather for a rematch, contending the punches were "not fair."

Mayweather, 34, chalked up the ending to his advantage in experience, and expressed no remorse after the frustrated, beaten-to-the-punch Ortiz (29-3-2) bloodied Mayweather's lip and mouth with the head butt.

"What goes around," Mayweather said, "comes around."

When HBO's Larry Merchant tried to interview Mayweather after the fight, Mayweather suggested the 80-year-old boxing analyst talk to Ortiz "since you've never given me a fair shake." Mayweather used an expletive and questioned Merchant's knowledge of the sport, to which Merchant replied, "If I was 50 years younger, I'd kick your [rear]."

Mayweather didn't exactly embrace Ortiz's rematch request.

"If he feels it was a fluke, I'll do the same thing again," Mayweather said. "But he was slowly breaking down as each round went. He was going to go down, anyway."

It's more likely that Ortiz will end up as a participant in a welterweight tournament his promoter, Richard Schaefer, will propose to HBO and Showtime this week.

Schaefer signed former junior-welterweight world champion Devon Alexander on Saturday, and said Alexander, Ortiz, Marcos Maidana, Andre Berto, Paulie Malignaggi and Lucas Matthysse are candidates to participate in a 147-pound tournament that will help increase those fighters' recognition.

Mayweather has more thoughts to ponder beyond a possible 2012 matchup with Manny Pacquiao, who fights Nov. 12 against Juan Manuel Marquez.

"I move when I want to move, and I fight when I want to fight," Mayweather said.

First, he has to deal with his criminal case.

Mayweather is due in Clark County (Nev.) Court on Oct. 15 for a preliminary hearing in his multi-felony domestic violence case in which the mother of his three children and some of the children are alleged victims.

"The only thing I can do is keep my fingers crossed," Mayweather said. "I chose the best team of attorneys I know. I know I haven't done anything. People want to create something because of who you are. With that [domestic] case, I say, 'Where are the pictures?'.

"The rest [claims by security guards] it's a bunch of bull. These guys say they got beat up, but they could walk to the hospital? It's not real."

Mayweather said after the bout he was unsure how much time he'd be away from the ring.

"I hope it's not this long," he said, referring to the 16-month layoff before he fought Ortiz.

He spent several minutes of his postfight news conference expressing skepticism about the Pacquiao fight, even though their schedules are close enough to meet in May.

Mayweather again pressed Pacquiao to commit to Olympic-standard testing for performance-enhancing drugs — Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum says the Filipino superstar will — and continued insinuating Pacquiao has engaged in doping even though Mayweather faces a defamation lawsuit on that matter.

"To say a guy goes from 105 pounds to this, and it's all natural … come on, man," Mayweather said.

He chided Pacquiao for "fighting all my leftovers," and lashed out at critics, complaining, "When I beat that little dude [Pacquiao], they're going to say he was too small or too old. They never appreciate me."

Mayweather said Pacquiao "doesn't want to fight me. Once he loses, it's over. They're tricking y'all saying they'll fight me. Don't be tricked."

Schaefer said he expects to discuss Mayweather's future with the fighter and his representatives within the next two or three weeks.

One of the top alternatives to Pacquiao is England's Amir Khan, the junior-welterweight world champion who could help create a major boxing event at London's Wembley Stadium.

Mayweather said, "I'm more popular in England than Khan," and added, "I'm loyal to MGM."

What mattered most to Mayweather was victory, and he appreciated being told his speed, defense and counter-punching were as strong as ever Saturday.

"Did I look sharp?" he said, smiling widely.

[email protected]

[Randyman]

Floyd Mayweather basks in aftermath of knockout of Victor Ortiz

Outspoken fighter, 34, says the decisive punch that caught his 24-year-old opponent off guard right after the referee gave the OK to resume fighting was the result of his vast experience.
Floyd Mayweather

By Lance Pugmire, Los Angeles Times

September 18, 2011

Floyd Mayweather Jr. enhanced his villainous image by the way he registered a fourth-round knockout of Victor Ortiz on Saturday night.

By striking the instant he was allowed to punch after referee Joe Cortez stopped action to deduct a point from Ortiz for a head butt, Mayweather landed a left hand to Ortiz's face that stunned the welterweight champion from Ventura.

With Cortez and Ortiz caught off guard, Mayweather (42-0, 26 knockouts) then finished the fight with a devastating straight right hand to Ortiz's jaw that sent the 24-year-old to la-la land.

"I spaced a bit," said Ortiz, who asked Mayweather for a rematch, contending the punches were "not fair."

Mayweather, 34, chalked up the ending to his advantage in experience, and expressed no remorse after the frustrated, beaten-to-the-punch Ortiz (29-3-2) bloodied Mayweather's lip and mouth with the head butt.

"What goes around," Mayweather said, "comes around."

When HBO's Larry Merchant tried to interview Mayweather after the fight, Mayweather suggested the 80-year-old boxing analyst talk to Ortiz "since you've never given me a fair shake." Mayweather used an expletive and questioned Merchant's knowledge of the sport, to which Merchant replied, "If I was 50 years younger, I'd kick your [rear]."

Mayweather didn't exactly embrace Ortiz's rematch request.

"If he feels it was a fluke, I'll do the same thing again," Mayweather said. "But he was slowly breaking down as each round went. He was going to go down, anyway."

It's more likely that Ortiz will end up as a participant in a welterweight tournament his promoter, Richard Schaefer, will propose to HBO and Showtime this week.

Schaefer signed former junior-welterweight world champion Devon Alexander on Saturday, and said Alexander, Ortiz, Marcos Maidana, Andre Berto, Paulie Malignaggi and Lucas Matthysse are candidates to participate in a 147-pound tournament that will help increase those fighters' recognition.

Mayweather has more thoughts to ponder beyond a possible 2012 matchup with Manny Pacquiao, who fights Nov. 12 against Juan Manuel Marquez.

"I move when I want to move, and I fight when I want to fight," Mayweather said.

First, he has to deal with his criminal case.

Mayweather is due in Clark County (Nev.) Court on Oct. 15 for a preliminary hearing in his multi-felony domestic violence case in which the mother of his three children and some of the children are alleged victims.

"The only thing I can do is keep my fingers crossed," Mayweather said. "I chose the best team of attorneys I know. I know I haven't done anything. People want to create something because of who you are. With that [domestic] case, I say, 'Where are the pictures?'.

"The rest [claims by security guards] it's a bunch of bull. These guys say they got beat up, but they could walk to the hospital? It's not real."

Mayweather said after the bout he was unsure how much time he'd be away from the ring.

"I hope it's not this long," he said, referring to the 16-month layoff before he fought Ortiz.

He spent several minutes of his postfight news conference expressing skepticism about the Pacquiao fight, even though their schedules are close enough to meet in May.

Mayweather again pressed Pacquiao to commit to Olympic-standard testing for performance-enhancing drugs — Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum says the Filipino superstar will — and continued insinuating Pacquiao has engaged in doping even though Mayweather faces a defamation lawsuit on that matter.

"To say a guy goes from 105 pounds to this, and it's all natural … come on, man," Mayweather said.

He chided Pacquiao for "fighting all my leftovers," and lashed out at critics, complaining, "When I beat that little dude [Pacquiao], they're going to say he was too small or too old. They never appreciate me."

Mayweather said Pacquiao "doesn't want to fight me. Once he loses, it's over. They're tricking y'all saying they'll fight me. Don't be tricked."

Schaefer said he expects to discuss Mayweather's future with the fighter and his representatives within the next two or three weeks.

One of the top alternatives to Pacquiao is England's Amir Khan, the junior-welterweight world champion who could help create a major boxing event at London's Wembley Stadium.

Mayweather said, "I'm more popular in England than Khan," and added, "I'm loyal to MGM."

What mattered most to Mayweather was victory, and he appreciated being told his speed, defense and counter-punching were as strong as ever Saturday.

"Did I look sharp?" he said, smiling widely.

[email protected]

"By striking the instant he was allowed to punch after referee Joe Cortez stopped action to deduct a point from Ortiz for a head butt, Mayweather landed a left hand to Ortiz's face that stunned the welterweight champion from Ventura."
Huh? Should he have waited ten minutes, or for Ortiz to throw the first punch. I'm still amazed at the reactions. Everyone seems to having trouble separating their hate for Mayweather and reality. He says himself "He was allowed".

[coach greg v]

I'm no fan of Floyd Mayweather Jr, never have been and most likely, never will be. What I am is a fan of the sport of boxing. As difficult as that can be at times, especially when someone like Mayweather is involved, I do try my absolute best to put aside my own personal bias and dislikes and focus just on the fighter and the fights. It's not always easy. Saturday night's fight between Mayweather and Victor Ortiz is a good example. Coming into this fight I wanted Ortiz to put the trash talking Mayweather in his place. I wasn't 100% sure he could but I was rooting for him to pull it off. The other reason I was rooting for Ortiz was that I wanted to see the guy redeem himself. I was hoping he would prove once and for all, that his blatant quitting in the Marcos Maidana fight was an anomaly, just something that happened, a one time quirky act. I thought that Ortiz understood what true character was, and that he was going to work like hell to prove himself. Maybe position himself along side some of the great fighters of the past.

Us guys from the West Coast and the L.A. fight scene are a proud bunch, We love our fighters and their exploits passionately. We have as rich a history in the sport as any town in the country, or the world too for that matter. We cherish and defend that history. The fighters that were either born here or came here to live and fight, range from the completely mediocre to the legendary. They trained at the Main Street Gym, the Teamsters Gym, the Hoover Street Gym and Canto Robledo's backyard gym. The names of these fighters stand with the best from anywhere in the world when it comes to courage, heart and fair play and they include fighters such as Manny Ortiz, Gil Cadilli, Kenny Teran, Art Aragon, Enrique Bolanos,Lauro Salas, Denny Moyer, Mando Ramos, Hedgeman Lewis, Randy Shields, Mando Muniz, Bobby Chacon, Danny "Little Red" Lopez, Rick Farris, Frankie Baltazar, Tony Baltazar, and more recently, Sugar Shane Mosley and Oscar De La Hoya. I couldn't begin to list them all. Guys like Ruben Olivares, Chucho Castillo, Jesus Pimental came north from Mexico to lay it on the line at the Olympic Auditorium and the Forum because they knew L.A. was a fight town like no other and appreciated a fighter worth his salt. Art Hafey headed south from Canada to Southern California, to jump into the midst of what has come to be known as the "West Coast Featherweight Wars". The West Coast has been a hot bed of boxing for decades and L.A. has been the epicenter of it all. We don't care what nationality you are, what color you are are what your religion is. If you can fight and are willing, and can take it as good as you can give, than you are our kind of fighter. it's as simple as that. We'll be with you all the way.

Then along comes Victor Ortiz, wanting to stand tall with all the rest. Quit against Maidana and was given a second chance at a career. Positioned himself with one of the two pound for pound best fighters in the world, and was making a fight of it. Mayweather began picking up some steam and the fighter who has ironically come to be known as "Vicious" began to crumble. Ortiz had Mayweather against the ropes and was actually landing some good shots, when for reasons known only to him, he decided to take the low road with a headbutt so obviously intentionally a blind man would have had no trouble seeing it. Anomaly? No, lack of character, lack of true courage, a complete lack of fair play.

Am I being too harsh here? I don't think so. Given that Ortiz had a shot at redemption and spit in our eyes in the process, I think he's getting off easy. The crowd at the Staples Center, judging by the boos for Mayweather seem to be excusing Ortiz' behavior. Mayweather did what any sane fighter would and should do when facing a man who has already shown himself to be a cheater. I would lay some pretty good money that many of the same people that think Floyd sucker punched Ortiz, were jumping for joy a few years back when, Marco Antonio Barrera, like Mayweather, took matters into his own hands and grabbed Nassem Hamed in a half nelson and rammed him face first into the ring post. I don't recall ever hearing of one fan that thought Barrera was in the wrong. Neither was Floyd Mayweather in the wrong. But for the headbutt there would have been no controversy or knockout, at least not that particular knockout.

To borrow quote from Dorothy and "The Wizard of Oz", "Victor, you're not in Kansas anymore!"

Great writing Randy...

Thanks Frank!

Somehow, I forgot to mention the Quarrys, I added them.

>great stuff randy really good writing. those of us from the north coast are also proud of what we had once...

[Rick Farris]

Floyd Mayweather basks in aftermath of knockout of Victor Ortiz

Outspoken fighter, 34, says the decisive punch that caught his 24-year-old opponent off guard right after the referee gave the OK to resume fighting was the result of his vast experience.
Floyd Mayweather

By Lance Pugmire, Los Angeles Times

September 18, 2011

Floyd Mayweather Jr. enhanced his villainous image by the way he registered a fourth-round knockout of Victor Ortiz on Saturday night.

By striking the instant he was allowed to punch after referee Joe Cortez stopped action to deduct a point from Ortiz for a head butt, Mayweather landed a left hand to Ortiz's face that stunned the welterweight champion from Ventura.

With Cortez and Ortiz caught off guard, Mayweather (42-0, 26 knockouts) then finished the fight with a devastating straight right hand to Ortiz's jaw that sent the 24-year-old to la-la land.

"I spaced a bit," said Ortiz, who asked Mayweather for a rematch, contending the punches were "not fair."

Mayweather, 34, chalked up the ending to his advantage in experience, and expressed no remorse after the frustrated, beaten-to-the-punch Ortiz (29-3-2) bloodied Mayweather's lip and mouth with the head butt.

"What goes around," Mayweather said, "comes around."

When HBO's Larry Merchant tried to interview Mayweather after the fight, Mayweather suggested the 80-year-old boxing analyst talk to Ortiz "since you've never given me a fair shake." Mayweather used an expletive and questioned Merchant's knowledge of the sport, to which Merchant replied, "If I was 50 years younger, I'd kick your [rear]."

Mayweather didn't exactly embrace Ortiz's rematch request.

"If he feels it was a fluke, I'll do the same thing again," Mayweather said. "But he was slowly breaking down as each round went. He was going to go down, anyway."

It's more likely that Ortiz will end up as a participant in a welterweight tournament his promoter, Richard Schaefer, will propose to HBO and Showtime this week.

Schaefer signed former junior-welterweight world champion Devon Alexander on Saturday, and said Alexander, Ortiz, Marcos Maidana, Andre Berto, Paulie Malignaggi and Lucas Matthysse are candidates to participate in a 147-pound tournament that will help increase those fighters' recognition.

Mayweather has more thoughts to ponder beyond a possible 2012 matchup with Manny Pacquiao, who fights Nov. 12 against Juan Manuel Marquez.

"I move when I want to move, and I fight when I want to fight," Mayweather said.

First, he has to deal with his criminal case.

Mayweather is due in Clark County (Nev.) Court on Oct. 15 for a preliminary hearing in his multi-felony domestic violence case in which the mother of his three children and some of the children are alleged victims.

"The only thing I can do is keep my fingers crossed," Mayweather said. "I chose the best team of attorneys I know. I know I haven't done anything. People want to create something because of who you are. With that [domestic] case, I say, 'Where are the pictures?'.

"The rest [claims by security guards] it's a bunch of bull. These guys say they got beat up, but they could walk to the hospital? It's not real."

Mayweather said after the bout he was unsure how much time he'd be away from the ring.

"I hope it's not this long," he said, referring to the 16-month layoff before he fought Ortiz.

He spent several minutes of his postfight news conference expressing skepticism about the Pacquiao fight, even though their schedules are close enough to meet in May.

Mayweather again pressed Pacquiao to commit to Olympic-standard testing for performance-enhancing drugs — Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum says the Filipino superstar will — and continued insinuating Pacquiao has engaged in doping even though Mayweather faces a defamation lawsuit on that matter.

"To say a guy goes from 105 pounds to this, and it's all natural … come on, man," Mayweather said.

He chided Pacquiao for "fighting all my leftovers," and lashed out at critics, complaining, "When I beat that little dude [Pacquiao], they're going to say he was too small or too old. They never appreciate me."

Mayweather said Pacquiao "doesn't want to fight me. Once he loses, it's over. They're tricking y'all saying they'll fight me. Don't be tricked."

Schaefer said he expects to discuss Mayweather's future with the fighter and his representatives within the next two or three weeks.

One of the top alternatives to Pacquiao is England's Amir Khan, the junior-welterweight world champion who could help create a major boxing event at London's Wembley Stadium.

Mayweather said, "I'm more popular in England than Khan," and added, "I'm loyal to MGM."

What mattered most to Mayweather was victory, and he appreciated being told his speed, defense and counter-punching were as strong as ever Saturday.

"Did I look sharp?" he said, smiling widely.

[email protected]

"By striking the instant he was allowed to punch after referee Joe Cortez stopped action to deduct a point from Ortiz for a head butt, Mayweather landed a left hand to Ortiz's face that stunned the welterweight champion from Ventura."
Huh? Should he have waited ten minutes, or for Ortiz to throw the first punch. I'm still amazed at the reactions. Everyone seems to having trouble separating their hate for Mayweather and reality. He says himself "He was allowed".

Anybody who claims Mayweather was "wrong" does not know boxing and are full of shit!
It really showed the true boxing breeding that makes up FM Jr. As a boxer, I respect his talent.
As a man? I see a focused fighter combined with a confused personna. I don't like his shit.
I think he is very special, and also a perfect match for another great fighter.
I bet the other guy whips him convincingly. But once the winner & loser are history, who is left?
In Mayweather and Pacquiao, we are seeing the end of the best of the last.
Where is the next coming from? Certainly not from Kansas.

What we have here is Aragon, Ramos, Quarry, Teran, Bolanos, Williams, La Barba, and even Oscar.
Forget the next generation - disgrassa!

[Rick Farris]

Charley . . .

Congrats to the Jet's. Great win!

[CNorkusJr]

There is an age old adage in boxing that goes something like this, "You are never so naked as when you are standing in the ring". It's not the physical nakedness they are referring to, it's the character of a man (or a women) that's exposed. Your courage and heart and sense of fair play, and your ability or inability to handle pressure, or the propensity to resort to cowardly acts and cheat when frustrated, or a lack of character when it's time to face your actions when caught. You are never so naked a when you are standing in the ring. Ask Victor Ortiz, he got caught completely naked last night.

Good post, Randy. Beautifully written!

> It was but. This is a big but. we saw ortiz before. we were warned. but delahoya marketed him right and fooled everybody into paying the money to see this stuff.

Didnt fool me into buying it. I learned my lesson too many times on this PPV stunt. $70 a pop on this one. Though I would have liked Ortiz to put a cork into Mayweather, I agree with Rick's point that maybe now it might coax Mayweather vs Pac-man fight. Hopefully it will work. That one I might spring the money for, but After getting burned on crap PPV before(especially since they show the darn fight a week later on TV) and a lousy HBO cards for awhile- I am waiting for worthwhile Heavies to come come to PPV.
I might reach old age before that happens though.

That is a great post Randy.I agree.

[CNorkusJr]

Charley . . .

Congrats to the Jet's. Great win!

Yes it was a fun game to be there and watch. Finally scored early and often,so Sanchez didnt have to pull off a miracle finish like they did against Dallas last week, and for most of last season. Its just a matter of time before The Jets wont be able to rely on Defensive turnover points, like they been doing for awhile. The offense better ramp up soon.
Jets will be out your way next week. Jets vs Oakland in CA.

Security at stadium very tight today. Pat downs for all. Ever since that loony bastid snuck in a stun gun last week and Tasered 3 or 4 guys in the process we all are now paying the price.

If you hadnt heard- During special Rememberance Day Game for 9-11 at Jets game- Black man wearing Dallas Jersey from Texas sits during National Anthem,with hat, on yapping to friends with him.(bad but not so bad-seen worse)- Crowd is asked for moment of silence and Taps played by US Marine on Field. This guy continues to yap and yuk it up with friends during this crowd quiet moment,and could be heard for several sections in stadium.
After being told to shut the F..K up ,he argues that he's athiest and doesnt give a shit,then 3 US Marines(not in uniform) decided to pound the guy into oblivion,but not before he takes out taser and zaps a few in the crowd. Bottom line-he's arrested on Taser weapons charge,and assault. He claims he was beaten because he's black.News for ya pal- You would have been beaten if you were white,red, purple or green too.Best picture seen in paper was a different white Dallas fan throwing a punch at him as he was being led away in cuffs. Cops turned a blind eye on that one !

Ridiculous rule #1- Those with cell phones,cameras,ipods,or small radio devices had to take them out and turn them on in front of security so they can confirm that each device was actually that kind of device that its suppose to be-reason why-stun guns can come in all shapes and sizes nowadays I guess.
No rules for checking fists yet though at the door and hence several punches thrown in drunken stadium brawls here and there. Mostly kids doing kid things.Oakland Stadium brawls are the best I heard though. Woe be to the man wearing an opposing jersey.

Glad to see you posting again Rick.

[Cholo]

Lou Filippo
By Rick Farris

I had the pleasure of meeting Lou Filippo in 2006, when I joined the Board of Directors of the World Boxing Hall of Fame. I didn't have time to get to know Lou Filippo very well, but I was well aware of his career in the ring, both as a rough lightweight fighting out of the Jackie McCoy stable in the 50's, and also as a referee/ringside official. My boxing partner Dan Hanley and I had the opportunity to interview Lou in 2007. It would be the Hall of Famer's last interview, and it was a good one.

Shortly after we interviewed Lou, I learned that around the time I was born, Frank Baltazar worked at a car wash where Lou would take his car every week. It was a flashy blue Pontiac and Frank told of how Lou would keep his gym bag on the back seat of the car. I believe the car was was on Whittier Blvd. From that, I spoke with Lou at a WBHOF meeting one day and mentioned "that flashy blue Pontiac" he used to have. Filippo would look at me suprised, and then I would say, "you remember the one you used to take to the so& so car wash. I used to work there and recall seeing your equipment in the back seat." This would have taken place around the time I was born, so Lou is now really confused . . . "How could you, uh?
Yeah, I remember that Pontiac, but, uh . . . How old are you?"

Well that little incident was the start of a respectful relationship between Lou Filippo and myself. I appreciate Frank's sharing that little piece of knowledge, because it led to a positive moment between myself and an L.A. boxing legend.


Below is Lou Filippo's Boxrec bio:

Attended John C. Fremont High School in south Los Angeles, and began boxing at the 97th Street Arena to become one of California's top amateur boxers of the 1940s. He joined the U.S. Navy during World War II, became a Pharmacist Mate, 2nd Class (medic), serving aboard the USS South Dakota. He won the South Pacific All-Services 125-pound title in 1944 at Guadacanal, South Pacific; as well as the 1945 Naval Base 125-pound Championship. After his discharge from the Navy, Filippo won the US Diamond Belt (in the lightweight division). He had more than 250 amateur bouts before embarking on a professional career.

Filippo fought professionally from 1947-1957, compiling a record of 28-9-3 (8), and was named Action Fighter of the Year in Los Angeles (1957). During his career he fought former lightweight champions Carlos Ortiz and Lauro Salas. Filippo was known to cut easily, and once quipped that he would start bleeding while the referee was still giving opening instructions.

He later became a boxing manager and trainer (he trained World Champion Don Jordan for a couple of fights). Filippo went into refereeing and judging in the early 1970s at the suggestion of Olympic Auditorium promoter Aileen Eaton, and eventually officiated over 85 championship bouts. He was the judge who favored Hagler 115-113 in the controversial Marvin Hagler vs. Sugar Ray Leonard middleweight championship fight in Las Vegas. Filippo also handled the first Shane Mosley-Oscar De La Hoya welterweight championship fight in 2000 in Los Angeles.

Filippo appeared as either a referee or announcer in five of the six "Rocky" boxing movies. (He was not in the sixth installment, "Rocky Balboa.") Filippo's reputation as a "loyal, straight-up guy" helped him win Sylvester Stallone's attention. (In "Rocky II" Filippo tells Stallone's bloodied character Rocky Balboa before the epic 15th round: "Hey, Rock, you get in trouble one more time...," to which Balboa answers: "Don't stop nothing!" When both fighters fall to the canvas on a Balboa punch and opponent Apollo Creed slumps in a corner, Filippo tells Rocky: "You're out!")

He also spent 43 years working for Thermo-Electron, Cal Duran Division. And, from 1983 to about 2005, Filippo served as an executive with the World Boxing Hall of Fame--serving two terms as its President from 1993.

He was the husband of Pat (who died in 2007), and father of Debbye and Patti.
Lou Filippo passed away Nov. 2, 2009, in Los Angeles, of a stroke--having judged his final bout only two weeks earlier.


-Rick Farris / Photo-Dawn Paradis

Rick, Excellent piece on Filippo, glad you're back buddy..

[bennie]

I'm pretty sure Filipo judged the first Ali-Spinks fight, although the memory plays a lot of tricks on me today.
I remember listening to the fight on the radio as a teenager.

[kikibalt]

although the memory plays a lot of tricks on me.

That happens to the best of us, Bennie...

[Chuck1052]

Great piece, Randy!

I didn't see the bout between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Victor Ortiz. The bout didn't excite me that much because I thought Mayweather was far too skillful and experienced for Ortiz even if Mayweather had a long layoff. Moreover, I couldn't afford to pay sixty or seventy dollars to see it.

It appears that Ortiz didn't protect himself at all times, a cardinal sin in boxing. In such a situation, Ortiz doesn't have anyone to blame but himself because Mayweather took full advantage of the situation in a legitimate manner.

- Chuck Johnston

[Rick Farris]

Great piece, Randy!

I didn't see the bout between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Victor Ortiz. The bout didn't excite me that much because I though Mayweather was far too skillful and experienced for Ortiz even if Mayweather had a long layoff. Moreover, I couldn't afford to pay sixty or seventy dollars to see it.

It appears that Ortiz didn't protect himself at all times, a cardinal sin in boxing. In such a situation, Ortiz doesn't have anyone to blame but himself because Mayweather took full advantage of the situation in a legitimate manner.

- Chuck Johnston

Chuck, my thoughts before the fight were exactly the same. Don Fraser did not buy it, either. I didn't order it until the last minute and was surprised to discover a pretty good card. Mayweather stayed within the boundries of the rules thruout the fight. Although still early in the match when it ended, what we saw was something that was going to happen down the line anyway. Ortiz went to the dirt early in the fight, and not in response to himself being fouled. What that tells me is that he was looking to get disqualified? So easily frustrated, he's lucky he never stepped in with a punishing fighter like Manny Pacquiao. I bet we see Pac & Floyd in the ring together before next summer? Without question, these two are the best boxers in the ring today.

[CNorkusJr]

Famed fighter & trainer George Benton passed away this morning.
Here is a good piece on him written by a Dear friend.
RIP George Benton

http://www.phillyboxinghistory.com/figh ... ses_01.htm

[scartissue]

Rick, with the passing of Georgie Benton, that's 3 already along with Lou and Mando that have passed since we filmed those interviews. This is the importance of getting these interviews down. Fame is fleeting not to mention life of these great old pugs.

Scartissue