I agree. But he fighting in LA soon. Dont know if he's in local gym there yet.kikibalt wrote:I don't know if its the right thing to do...
I didnt realize Sauol Mamby fought a 60 yrs of age. !!
Classic American West Coast Boxing
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
I didnt realize Sauol Mamby fought a 60 yrs of age. !!
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Remembering forgotten hero Kenny Washington
Washington, an alumnus of L.A.'s Lincoln High, broke the NFL's color line a year before Jackie Robinson reached the major leagues. Some at Lincoln hope to give him long-delayed recognition.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-pla ... 685.column
Washington, an alumnus of L.A.'s Lincoln High, broke the NFL's color line a year before Jackie Robinson reached the major leagues. Some at Lincoln hope to give him long-delayed recognition.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-pla ... 685.column
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Mando and Sylvia Ramos
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Can't figure out what these old guys are thinking....CNorkusJr wrote:I agree. But he fighting in LA soon. Dont know if he's in local gym there yet.kikibalt wrote:I don't know if its the right thing to do...
I didnt realize Sauol Mamby fought a 60 yrs of age. !!
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Living in denial! A good way to end up hurt...... or worse!kikibalt wrote:Can't figure out what these old guys are thinking....CNorkusJr wrote:I agree. But he fighting in LA soon. Dont know if he's in local gym there yet.kikibalt wrote: I don't know if its the right thing to do...
I didnt realize Sauol Mamby fought a 60 yrs of age. !!
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
They really look happy.kikibalt wrote:
Mando and Sylvia Ramos
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
It's hard to believe that James Dean only made three movies. East of Eden, Giant and "Rebel". "Rebel" will always be my favorite James Dean movie. I missed this showing. I'll catch it next time.kikibalt wrote:Watching a classic on TCM...."Rebel Without A Cause"
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
They need to get a life before they get hurt....Randyman wrote:Living in denial! A good way to end up hurt...... or worse!kikibalt wrote:Can't figure out what these old guys are thinking....CNorkusJr wrote: I agree. But he fighting in LA soon. Dont know if he's in local gym there yet.
I didnt realize Sauol Mamby fought a 60 yrs of age. !!
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
They sure do...Randyman wrote:They really look happy.kikibalt wrote:
Mando and Sylvia Ramos
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Great actor, imo, Randy...Randyman wrote:It's hard to believe that James Dean only made three movies. East of Eden, Giant and "Rebel". "Rebel" will always be my favorite James Dean movie. I missed this showing. I'll catch it next time.kikibalt wrote:Watching a classic on TCM...."Rebel Without A Cause"
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
You can put Ken Buchanan in the mix too. Why would any commission grant these guys a license? There needs to be some accountability.kikibalt wrote:They need to get a life before they get hurt....Randyman wrote:Living in denial! A good way to end up hurt...... or worse!kikibalt wrote: Can't figure out what these old guys are thinking....
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
I agree. I think he would have continued along the lines of hi contemporaries, like Paul Newman, Marlon Brando, Steve McQueen, etc. He would have adapted as they did. A great actor that died way too young.kikibalt wrote:Great actor, imo, Randy...Randyman wrote:It's hard to believe that James Dean only made three movies. East of Eden, Giant and "Rebel". "Rebel" will always be my favorite James Dean movie. I missed this showing. I'll catch it next time.kikibalt wrote:Watching a classic on TCM...."Rebel Without A Cause"
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Frank/Rick, Do you remember Jimmy Heair, I've just got hold of dvd with Heair fighting the great Roberto Duran, Jimmy took one hell of a beating, I don't think Roberto was in the best of condition but what a gutsy fighter Jimmy Heair.. Duran boxed superb a joy to watch, who said Duran couldn't box a complete fighter Roberto Duran..
Duran boxed superb a joy to watch, who said Duran couldn't box a complete fighter Roberto Duran.. Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Wrongfully convicted Dewey Bozella to make pro fight debut
Bozella served 26 years for a murder he didn't commit. Now at 52, he will realize a longtime dream with a cruiserweight bout on the Bernard Hopkins-Chad Dawson undercard.
Dewey Bozella
By Lance Pugmire
October 12, 2011
Dewey Bozella is an inspirational speaker these days, reminding America why it should believe in innocence until proven guilty.
Two years after walking out of New York's Sing Sing prison a free man following a 26-year prison stint for a murder he did not commit, Bozella will spend Saturday living out one of the wishes he held close as his life withered behind bars.
An aspiring boxer as a youth, Bozella, now 52, has earned a spot as a cruiserweight on the undercard of the fight between world light-heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins and Chad Dawson at Staples Center.
"I'm not just here to fight, I'm here to win," Bozella said Wednesday of his pro debut against winless Larry Hopkins (0-3), no relation to Bernard. "I'm telling a lot of people now to never give up. That's what this is all about for me.
"I never gave up on doing this. I need to do this. It's from the heart."
Bozella's tragic tale began in 1977, when a 92-year-old woman named Emma Crapser was murdered inside her Poughkeepsie, N.Y., home after returning from playing bingo. The killer shoved six feet of cloth down Crapser's throat, and took off with valuables inside the home.
The testimony of two convicts and one of their siblings resulted in a 1983 murder conviction for Bozella, even when the fingerprint of another man who later committed a similar murder in the area was secured from the Crapser crime scene.
In prison, Bozella won a Sing Sing boxing tournament, met and married his wife, Treena, attained bachelor's and master's degrees in theology and even staged plays, including "A Few Good Men," and "12 Angry Men," with fellow prisoners.
"Mind my business and do my time," Bozella said of his prison life. "Boxing helped ensure I was left alone."
In 1990, he was given a second trial. With the jury deliberating, a prosecutor offered him a plea deal that would have allowed Bozella to walk out with time served as long as he admitted guilt in the Crapser murder. He refused. He was convicted again.
Why not just give the prosecutor what he wanted and take freedom?
"I wasn't thinking like that," Bozella said. "I can't admit to something I didn't do. Period.
"There were times I felt down, frustrated. I'd watch people [inmates] die in front of me. The possibility of dying in prison, that was hard. I decided after the second conviction, though, that I'd have no anger. … I had to find my peace."
He was denied parole four times. The parole board told his attorneys it didn't want to hear claims of innocence, but rather remorse over the murder. "Catch-22," Bozella said.
But a legal clinic, the Innocence Project, referred his case to attorney Ross Firsenbaum, a securities/bankruptcy litigator whose New York law firm, WilmerHale assisted Bozella pro bono.
Firsenbaum said one of those who testified against Bozella recanted his story, and the fingerprint of the other suspect and the lack of physical evidence was part of his successful appeal to the New York Supreme Court.
Finally, on Oct. 28, 2009, a Dutchess County, N.Y., judge affirmed a state Supreme Court justice ruling and released Bozella, who was awarded the Arthur Ashe Courage Award in July at the ESPYs in Los Angeles.
Bozella originally tried and failed in August to earn a boxing license from the California State Athletic Commission, and was then invited to work out with former prisoner Bernard Hopkins in Philadelphia.
He staged another workout before regulators last month, passing.
"It was a special moment for everyone who was there," said Oscar De La Hoya, Saturday's fight promoter.
"This is not a charity case," Bernard Hopkins said Wednesday. "This is a man fulfilling his dream."
[email protected]
Bozella served 26 years for a murder he didn't commit. Now at 52, he will realize a longtime dream with a cruiserweight bout on the Bernard Hopkins-Chad Dawson undercard.
Dewey Bozella
By Lance Pugmire
October 12, 2011
Dewey Bozella is an inspirational speaker these days, reminding America why it should believe in innocence until proven guilty.
Two years after walking out of New York's Sing Sing prison a free man following a 26-year prison stint for a murder he did not commit, Bozella will spend Saturday living out one of the wishes he held close as his life withered behind bars.
An aspiring boxer as a youth, Bozella, now 52, has earned a spot as a cruiserweight on the undercard of the fight between world light-heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins and Chad Dawson at Staples Center.
"I'm not just here to fight, I'm here to win," Bozella said Wednesday of his pro debut against winless Larry Hopkins (0-3), no relation to Bernard. "I'm telling a lot of people now to never give up. That's what this is all about for me.
"I never gave up on doing this. I need to do this. It's from the heart."
Bozella's tragic tale began in 1977, when a 92-year-old woman named Emma Crapser was murdered inside her Poughkeepsie, N.Y., home after returning from playing bingo. The killer shoved six feet of cloth down Crapser's throat, and took off with valuables inside the home.
The testimony of two convicts and one of their siblings resulted in a 1983 murder conviction for Bozella, even when the fingerprint of another man who later committed a similar murder in the area was secured from the Crapser crime scene.
In prison, Bozella won a Sing Sing boxing tournament, met and married his wife, Treena, attained bachelor's and master's degrees in theology and even staged plays, including "A Few Good Men," and "12 Angry Men," with fellow prisoners.
"Mind my business and do my time," Bozella said of his prison life. "Boxing helped ensure I was left alone."
In 1990, he was given a second trial. With the jury deliberating, a prosecutor offered him a plea deal that would have allowed Bozella to walk out with time served as long as he admitted guilt in the Crapser murder. He refused. He was convicted again.
Why not just give the prosecutor what he wanted and take freedom?
"I wasn't thinking like that," Bozella said. "I can't admit to something I didn't do. Period.
"There were times I felt down, frustrated. I'd watch people [inmates] die in front of me. The possibility of dying in prison, that was hard. I decided after the second conviction, though, that I'd have no anger. … I had to find my peace."
He was denied parole four times. The parole board told his attorneys it didn't want to hear claims of innocence, but rather remorse over the murder. "Catch-22," Bozella said.
But a legal clinic, the Innocence Project, referred his case to attorney Ross Firsenbaum, a securities/bankruptcy litigator whose New York law firm, WilmerHale assisted Bozella pro bono.
Firsenbaum said one of those who testified against Bozella recanted his story, and the fingerprint of the other suspect and the lack of physical evidence was part of his successful appeal to the New York Supreme Court.
Finally, on Oct. 28, 2009, a Dutchess County, N.Y., judge affirmed a state Supreme Court justice ruling and released Bozella, who was awarded the Arthur Ashe Courage Award in July at the ESPYs in Los Angeles.
Bozella originally tried and failed in August to earn a boxing license from the California State Athletic Commission, and was then invited to work out with former prisoner Bernard Hopkins in Philadelphia.
He staged another workout before regulators last month, passing.
"It was a special moment for everyone who was there," said Oscar De La Hoya, Saturday's fight promoter.
"This is not a charity case," Bernard Hopkins said Wednesday. "This is a man fulfilling his dream."
[email protected]
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Paul, I seen most of Heair LA fights. You will find we discussed him extensively in back pages on this thread.Cholo wrote:Frank/Rick, Do you remember Jimmy Heair, I've just got hold of dvd with Heair fighting the great Roberto Duran, Jimmy took one hell of a beating, I don't think Roberto was in the best of condition but what a gutsy fighter Jimmy Heair..
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Greatest sports figures in L.A. history, No. 20: Wilt Chamberlain
October 11, 2011
We begin our countdown of your selections of the 20 greatest sports figures in L.A. history with No. 20, Wilt Chamberlain.
We received 1,712 ballots listing their choices from first to tenth, with first place receiving 12 points, second place 10, third place eight, fourth place seven, on down to one point for 10th place. We will unveil one a day, Monday-Friday, until we reach No. 1.
No. 20 Wilt Chamberlain (seven first-place votes, 446 points)
The NBA’s first true superstar, Wilt Chamberlain was a dominant figure during his 16-year career. His size and power made him virtually unstoppable around the basket, allowing him to set records that probably never will be broken.
A native of Philadelphia, the 7-foot-1, 275-pound center was an imposing physical force, dominating the inside game to such a degree that he changed the way the game was played, forcing teams to develop more physical defensive tactics. He is the only NBA player to score 100 points in a game or average more than 50 points per game in a season. He won seven scoring and 11 rebounding titles on his way to being selected the league's most valuable player four times.
"I loved the fact that no one could really block my shot," Chamberlain said in an interview with NBA Entertainment in 1996. "I jumped so high that there was nothing that they could do. When you have no fear, it's just going to make you much better at what you're doing."
The Lakers acquired Chamberlain from Philadelphia in July 1968 in exchange for Darrall Imhoff, Archie Clark and Jerry Chambers. Chamberlain grew weary playing for the 76ers after Coach Alex Hannum's departure and threatened to jump to the American Basketball Assn. if General Manager Jack Ramsay did not trade him.
Chamberlain, who preferred "the Big Dipper" among his several nicknames, was still a dominant player when he arrived in Los Angeles at 32. Working alongside Elgin Baylor and Jerry West, Chamberlain developed into a better team player, focusing more on his passing and defense. During the 1968-69 season, he led the Lakers in rebounding, but for the first time in his career was not the team’s leading scorer. Despite meshing nicely with his new teammates, the team continued to fall short of winning a title, losing in the NBA Finals two times over the next three seasons.
Chamberlain preached that winning was more important than individual achievements, and remained adamant that the decrease in the shots he took on the court were because of a conscious decision he made and not a byproduct of tougher defenses or injuries.
"I look back and know that my last seven years in the league versus my first seven years were a joke in terms of scoring," Chamberlain told the Philadelphia Daily News. "I stopped shooting. Coaches asked me to do that, and I did. I wonder sometimes if that was a mistake."
He continued to focus on his rebounding and defensive play, helping the Lakers win a record 33 consecutive games in the 1971-72 season. He then led them to their first title since 1954, putting up a stunning, two-way performance against the New York Knicks despite suffering a broken bone in a hand to earn his only Finals most valuable player award.
Chamberlain played his last season in 1972-73, shooting a still-standing NBA record of .727% from the field. He also won the rebounding title for an 11th time as an injury-marred Lakers team managed to reach the NBA Finals before losing to New York.
Perhaps sensing the Lakers' best days were behind them, Chamberlain became player-coach for San Diego of the American Basketball Assn. in 1973. The Lakers still had an option year left on his contract and sued Chamberlain, barring him from playing. He helped coach the team before retiring in 1974.
Chamberlain continued to receive offers to play from at least two NBA teams throughout the next decade, but he turned them down. Instead, he focused on his film career and played briefly in a professional volleyball league. He was inducted into the basketball Hall of Fame in 1978 and his jersey was retired by the Lakers in 1983. He died of congestive heart failure in 1999.
Chamberlain, who was never shy about his accomplishments, understood the impact he had on the game.
"I think they had no way to compare what I was doing," he said during a 1996 interview with NBA Entertainment. "It was so far out of the realm of believability. People came to a game and they said 'He's capable of scoring 100 points,' and every night they were looking for 100 points. It had to be very, very special for them to say, 'Wow! Wilt did this or did that,' so 50 points was shrugged off, like, 'Well, he can do that any time he wants.' "
October 11, 2011
We begin our countdown of your selections of the 20 greatest sports figures in L.A. history with No. 20, Wilt Chamberlain.
We received 1,712 ballots listing their choices from first to tenth, with first place receiving 12 points, second place 10, third place eight, fourth place seven, on down to one point for 10th place. We will unveil one a day, Monday-Friday, until we reach No. 1.
No. 20 Wilt Chamberlain (seven first-place votes, 446 points)
The NBA’s first true superstar, Wilt Chamberlain was a dominant figure during his 16-year career. His size and power made him virtually unstoppable around the basket, allowing him to set records that probably never will be broken.
A native of Philadelphia, the 7-foot-1, 275-pound center was an imposing physical force, dominating the inside game to such a degree that he changed the way the game was played, forcing teams to develop more physical defensive tactics. He is the only NBA player to score 100 points in a game or average more than 50 points per game in a season. He won seven scoring and 11 rebounding titles on his way to being selected the league's most valuable player four times.
"I loved the fact that no one could really block my shot," Chamberlain said in an interview with NBA Entertainment in 1996. "I jumped so high that there was nothing that they could do. When you have no fear, it's just going to make you much better at what you're doing."
The Lakers acquired Chamberlain from Philadelphia in July 1968 in exchange for Darrall Imhoff, Archie Clark and Jerry Chambers. Chamberlain grew weary playing for the 76ers after Coach Alex Hannum's departure and threatened to jump to the American Basketball Assn. if General Manager Jack Ramsay did not trade him.
Chamberlain, who preferred "the Big Dipper" among his several nicknames, was still a dominant player when he arrived in Los Angeles at 32. Working alongside Elgin Baylor and Jerry West, Chamberlain developed into a better team player, focusing more on his passing and defense. During the 1968-69 season, he led the Lakers in rebounding, but for the first time in his career was not the team’s leading scorer. Despite meshing nicely with his new teammates, the team continued to fall short of winning a title, losing in the NBA Finals two times over the next three seasons.
Chamberlain preached that winning was more important than individual achievements, and remained adamant that the decrease in the shots he took on the court were because of a conscious decision he made and not a byproduct of tougher defenses or injuries.
"I look back and know that my last seven years in the league versus my first seven years were a joke in terms of scoring," Chamberlain told the Philadelphia Daily News. "I stopped shooting. Coaches asked me to do that, and I did. I wonder sometimes if that was a mistake."
He continued to focus on his rebounding and defensive play, helping the Lakers win a record 33 consecutive games in the 1971-72 season. He then led them to their first title since 1954, putting up a stunning, two-way performance against the New York Knicks despite suffering a broken bone in a hand to earn his only Finals most valuable player award.
Chamberlain played his last season in 1972-73, shooting a still-standing NBA record of .727% from the field. He also won the rebounding title for an 11th time as an injury-marred Lakers team managed to reach the NBA Finals before losing to New York.
Perhaps sensing the Lakers' best days were behind them, Chamberlain became player-coach for San Diego of the American Basketball Assn. in 1973. The Lakers still had an option year left on his contract and sued Chamberlain, barring him from playing. He helped coach the team before retiring in 1974.
Chamberlain continued to receive offers to play from at least two NBA teams throughout the next decade, but he turned them down. Instead, he focused on his film career and played briefly in a professional volleyball league. He was inducted into the basketball Hall of Fame in 1978 and his jersey was retired by the Lakers in 1983. He died of congestive heart failure in 1999.
Chamberlain, who was never shy about his accomplishments, understood the impact he had on the game.
"I think they had no way to compare what I was doing," he said during a 1996 interview with NBA Entertainment. "It was so far out of the realm of believability. People came to a game and they said 'He's capable of scoring 100 points,' and every night they were looking for 100 points. It had to be very, very special for them to say, 'Wow! Wilt did this or did that,' so 50 points was shrugged off, like, 'Well, he can do that any time he wants.' "
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Greatest sports figures in L.A. history, No. 19: Jim Murray
October 12, 2011
Continuing our countdown of the 20 greatest sports figures in L.A. history, as chosen by our readers.
No. 19, Jim Murray (no first-place votes, 550 points).
Jim Murray was the master of the written word in a golden era of Los Angeles media that included the greatness of the spoken word from the likes of Vin Scully, Chick Hearn and Bob Miller. They each had a sport to describe. Murray had the universe.
He was one of just a handful of sportswriters ever to win a Pulitzer Prize and he did it by painting a daily Picasso on the sports pages of the Los Angeles Times.
If you were a sports figure, he gave you his own dimensions. On the famous jockey: “Billy Shoemaker was born 2 pounds 4 ounces, and it was the only edge he ever needed in life.” Or, describing a boxer at weigh-in: “Buster Douglas looked like something that should be flying over a Thanksgiving Day parade.”
If you were a city, the wonderful needle was ever-present: “They haven’t finished the stadium in Cincinnati yet, because Kentucky had the cement mixer last year.”
Most sportswriters make enemies along the way. Murray made none. Most sportswriters struggle to get athletes to sit for interviews. With Murray, they lined up, just waiting for him to come.
People read papers back then by the millions, and a big portion of those in Los Angeles did so mainly because of Jim Murray.
October 12, 2011
Continuing our countdown of the 20 greatest sports figures in L.A. history, as chosen by our readers.
No. 19, Jim Murray (no first-place votes, 550 points).
Jim Murray was the master of the written word in a golden era of Los Angeles media that included the greatness of the spoken word from the likes of Vin Scully, Chick Hearn and Bob Miller. They each had a sport to describe. Murray had the universe.
He was one of just a handful of sportswriters ever to win a Pulitzer Prize and he did it by painting a daily Picasso on the sports pages of the Los Angeles Times.
If you were a sports figure, he gave you his own dimensions. On the famous jockey: “Billy Shoemaker was born 2 pounds 4 ounces, and it was the only edge he ever needed in life.” Or, describing a boxer at weigh-in: “Buster Douglas looked like something that should be flying over a Thanksgiving Day parade.”
If you were a city, the wonderful needle was ever-present: “They haven’t finished the stadium in Cincinnati yet, because Kentucky had the cement mixer last year.”
Most sportswriters make enemies along the way. Murray made none. Most sportswriters struggle to get athletes to sit for interviews. With Murray, they lined up, just waiting for him to come.
People read papers back then by the millions, and a big portion of those in Los Angeles did so mainly because of Jim Murray.
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Okay Frank, I'll take a look back..kikibalt wrote:Paul, I seen most of Heair LA fights. You will find we discussed him extensively in back pages on this thread.Cholo wrote:Frank/Rick, Do you remember Jimmy Heair, I've just got hold of dvd with Heair fighting the great Roberto Duran, Jimmy took one hell of a beating, I don't think Roberto was in the best of condition but what a gutsy fighter Jimmy Heair..
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Wilt Chamberlain #20 is bit of a surprise- not knowing who the other 19 top LA names are-I figured Wilt would be higher. Once you figure in Rick Barry and 9 other lakers and a slew of Dodgers, I guess it doesnt leave much room for the other sports greats (and the writers of course).My personnal LA KING Best-Marcel Dionne.
One Wilt the Stilt fact that was omitted from article-His self proclaimed personal Best of bedding 10,000 + women. Now thats a "Tall" order.
One Wilt the Stilt fact that was omitted from article-His self proclaimed personal Best of bedding 10,000 + women. Now thats a "Tall" order.
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Greatest sports figures in LA history..#18 Marcus Allen
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_ ... allen.html
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_ ... allen.html
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
How is Don doing, Frank? Didn't he have his surgery this week?
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Tom, his surgery got postponed last week, because as he was been ready for surgery, his BP went over 200. He is now schedule for Wednesday, the 19 of this month. Talked to him this morning, he sounded okay...raylawpc wrote:How is Don doing, Frank? Didn't he have his surgery this week?
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Thanks Frank. I hope all goes well for him next week.kikibalt wrote:Tom, his surgery got postponed last week, because as he was been ready for surgery, his BP went over 200. He is now schedule for Wednesday, the 19 of this month. Talked to him this morning, he sounded okay...raylawpc wrote:How is Don doing, Frank? Didn't he have his surgery this week?
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
A couple of notes in explaining some of the above reading:
At the time my father owned a bar and grill in Manhattan "Charley Norkus's Bar & Grill".
He had it only a few years before he found out the guy running the place robbed him blind and my father closed it up.
My father was a talented painter in oils. Mostly landscapes and got lauditory remarks about his talent that he had since childhood. He went to art school in Queens during his career too.
Famed Bandleader Art Norkus from CA. is not a relative, just a talented musician who shares same last name. Papers & my dad gave him a plug.
Moore's secret to quick weight loss-Sauerkraut & Sauerkraut juice. Steady diet of it while working out.
My father told me that with many reliable sources as well.
The rest is self explanatory.1958 was the last full year my father had in his career.
I will try to post more articles about his fights from California on the site.
Last edited by CNorkusJr on 15 Oct 2011, 23:53, edited 1 time in total.