Classic American West Coast Boxing

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I was at the Olympic that night..Peanut Gallery

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Art "Golden Boy" Aragon, Marilyn Monroe and Mickey Rooney

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[Cholo]

Art "Golden Boy" Aragon, Marilyn Monroe and Mickey Rooney

Nothing diminished the Golden Boy's aura. He was a true star among stars, as the dozens of photos in his home attest. Here he is seen with William Holden, Robert Mitchum, Marilyn Monroe ("I never screwed her.") Sammy Davis Jr. ("We played golf together every day for two years.") and other luminaries of the era. Remembering a bygone age, "They wanted to been at the fights," Art recalls. "[Back then there were fights] every Thursday at the Olympic, every Friday at Hollywood, and every Monday at Ocean Park. Three fights a week in the old days. A guy could make money. [Although] if you're a fighter, you die broke."

[Cholo]

Art "Golden Boy" Aragon, Marilyn Monroe and Mickey Rooney

Frank, I've seen another photo of Art with his arms around Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe outside of there dressing room, on the set of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes 1953, Joey Barnum is there too..

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I was at the Olympic that night..Peanut Gallery

Frank, Great memories..

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Art Aragon vs Chico Vejar

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Art Aragon vs Chico Vejar

Frank, Great shot, I see there wearing Flores gloves..

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Art "Golden Boy" Aragon/Alvaro Gutierrez Jan, 21. 1960...
At 32 years of age, welterweight boxer Art Aragon said Friday he is through with the fight game. Aragon was stopped in the ninth round of a rousing brawl Thursday night by Alvaro gutierrez at the Olympic Auditorium. Before the match Aragon said he would retire if he lost, or even looked bad winning. The "Golden boy" of local boxing looked game, but that was all as he took a bad beating. For some 14 years Aragon has been the target of boos in almost every fight, win or lose. Thursday night a crowd of 8,100 reversed the procedure. He got applause when he entered the ring and a big ovation when he left, beaten though he was. At first Aragon said he would decide in a few days about retirement. Later he announced without qualifactions that he was through. Aragon, was the biggest box office magnet in Los Angeles fight annuals. His future plans are indefinite. "But" he said, "this was my last fight."

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The following boxing news letters from the Olympic Auditorium were sent to me by Mike Cortese via Greg Beyer. Greg and Mike were big boxing fans (and still are) and would attend the fight at the Olympic every Thursday night during the 1970’s and 1980’s. Thanks guys, much appreciated.







More to follow

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Art Aragon vs Chico Vejar

Frank, Great shot, I see there wearing Flores gloves..

Yeah, Paul, Ray Flores gloves were used in California in the 50's if the fighters asked for them to be used in their fights..They were great gloves, not sure if they are still been made. Ray Flores died some years ago. My boys used them in training, they loved them!

[Cholo]

Art Aragon vs Chico Vejar

Frank, Great shot, I see there wearing Flores gloves..

Yeah :, Paul, Ray Flores gloves were used in California in the 50's if the fighters asked for them to be used in their fights..They were great gloves, not sure if they are still been made. Ray Flores died some years ago. My boys used them in training, they loved them!

Frank, I would have loved to have owned a pair, there's nothing like a good fitting glove. I bet Tony dropped a few guys in sparring with those gloves..

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Frank, Great shot, I see there wearing Flores gloves..

Yeah :, Paul, Ray Flores gloves were used in California in the 50's if the fighters asked for them to be used in their fights..They were great gloves, not sure if they are still been made. Ray Flores died some years ago. My boys used them in training, they loved them!

Frank, I would have loved to have owned a pair, there's nothing like a good fitting glove. I bet Tony dropped a few guys in sparring with those gloves..

He almost ko lightweight champ Art Frias with a beautiful short left hook wearing Flores 12 oz. gloves. Tony had to step back after he landed the punch, had he landed one more punch Frias would had been out cold.

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Emile Griffith & Mike Nixon

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A very young Aragon



Art "Golden Boy" Aragon

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Is this Mamie Van Dore with Art Aragon (L) and Julian Eget

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Is this Mamie Van Dore with Art Aragon (L) and Julian Eget

Frank, I think so, they say Art went out with every female in town.

[Cholo]

A very young Aragon



Art "Golden Boy" Aragon

Frank, Do you know the gym where this photo was taken?.

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Yeah :, Paul, Ray Flores gloves were used in California in the 50's if the fighters asked for them to be used in their fights..They were great gloves, not sure if they are still been made. Ray Flores died some years ago. My boys used them in training, they loved them!

Frank, I would have loved to have owned a pair, there's nothing like a good fitting glove. I bet Tony dropped a few guys in sparring with those gloves..

He almost ko lightweight champ Art Frias with a beautiful short left hook wearing Flores 12 oz. gloves. Tony had to step back after he landed the punch, had he landed one more punch Frias would had been out cold.

FranK, I remember Frias, he had that one round brawl with "Boom Boom" Mancini , tough kid..

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Is this Mamie Van Dore with Art Aragon (L) and Julian Eget

Frank, I think so, they say Art went out with every female in town.

He did! Paul, he did!!

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Frank, I would have loved to have owned a pair, there's nothing like a good fitting glove. I bet Tony dropped a few guys in sparring with those gloves..

He almost ko lightweight champ Art Frias with a beautiful short left hook wearing Flores 12 oz. gloves. Tony had to step back after he landed the punch, had he landed one more punch Frias would had been out cold.

FranK, I remember Frias, he had that one round brawl with "Boom Boom" Mancini , tough kid..

Paul, Art was one tough dude, but not much of a punch or boxing skills..

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The "Golden Boy" with MM...The Golden Boy was a star among stars.

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The "Golden Boy" with MM...The Golden Boy was a star among stars.

Frank, Lucky Golden Boy, he sure had his share..

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