Classic American West Coast Boxing

[Rick Farris]

More on Tom Gallery

1. During late 1938, "Marshall" (George Marshall, the owner of the Washington Redskins?); Bill Henry, sports editor of the Los Angeles Times and Gallery established the Pro Bowl game between the National Football League Champions and a group of NFL All-Stars. The New York Giants won the first Pro Bowl game over the All-Stars by a score of 13-to-10 at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles on in 1939.

2. During the 1944-45 season, Gallery was the vice-president and general manager of the Brooklyn Tigers of the National Football League.

3. During the late 1940s, Gallery had a stint as the general sales manager and promotion chief of the New York Yankees.

4. According to the December 25, 1948 edition of Billboard Magazine, Gallery was named the public relations director of the Du Mont Television Network and was scheduled to assume the post on January 2, 1949. His duties included handling special promotions.

5. From 1952 to 1963, Gallery was the director of sports programing at NBC.

6. Jim Murray wrote a column about Gallery which was in the November 14, 1985 edition of the Los Angeles Times. The title of the column was "Dog Bites Actor, Giving Us Promoter."

According to the column, Gallery was in a movie with Rin-Tin-Tin, who was featured in doing dramatic rescues of people in a number of films. Part of the method of the dog handlers to persuade Rin-Tin-Tin to perform such rescues was send the clothing of the leading man over for the dog to get familiar with the scent. When Gallery appeared wearing the clothing afterwards, Rin-Tin-Tin tried to grab his throat.

The script called for Gallery to be pulled from a burning plane by Rin-Tin-Tin. For the scene, Gallery was fitted with a special harness under his neck for Rin-Tin-Tin to grab when pulling him out. Instead, Rin-Tin-Tin bit Gallery in the ear and left him in the flames. According to the column, the incident drove him from acting in the movies and into being the boxing matchmaker of the Hollywood Legion Stadium.

Note- Gallery did appear in his last known movie with Rin-Tin-Tin during 1927. However, Gallery was the boxing matchmaker at the Hollywood Legion Stadium starting about 1925.

- Chuck Johnston

Thank you, Chuck!

[Rick Farris]

2013 California BoxingHall of Fame . . .

Next year's event is a long ways off, but the Melbourne boxing community in Australia will sponsor the posthumous induction of the late Lionel Rose into the CBHOF next year. Rose's widow and sons will attend the event, as well as boxers Johnny Famechon, Barry Michael, Alan Rudkin Jr. (son of Rose's challenger) & Timmy Rudkin. Following the lead set by DonFraser, the CBHOF will enter a new generation and evolve into an International/National/State event featuring boxers from around the world. Lennox Lewis, Roberto Duran, Ruben Olivares,and many more legends who fought in the Golden State will be honored along with California's best.

This year's event is almost sold out, limited tables, and individual seating is available. Don Fraser 818/761-4887

[Rick Farris]

SOLD OUT!

The CBHOF will no longer accept orders for TABLES to our Oct. 20th event. A limited number of individual tickets are still available, however, the seating will be at several "open tables" on a first come-first serve basis. The only way tickets can be purchased is through the California Boxing Hall of Fame. A rumor has been floating around that tickets are being "scalped" to the event. The only way to buy a ticket to the event is to call Don Fraser and then send him a check. Don will send the tickets out once payment has been received. Two weeks away, never have tickets gone so fast. As predicted, this is the biggest CBHOF event ever with regard to attendence and sponsorship. Next year I will take over the event from Don Fraser. Expect even bigger!

[Expug]

Outstanding Rick! All the best. Its going to be a great event.

[Rick Farris]

Outstanding Rick! All the best. Its going to be a great event.

Thanks, Brian! And here is more . . .

Record breaking CBHOF event!

Today Don Fraser and I were at the printer, putting the fine touches on a great Souvenir Journal. Yesterday we did our seating chart, putting names with tables, etc. A few years ago, when Orlando De La Fuente was inducted, the Fuentes family purchased five tables to celebrate his CBHOF induction. That was the most tables ever sold to friends & family of a single inductee. That record was broken for this year's event by the friends and family opf former light-heavy contender, Jesse Burnette. Burnette's group purchased 7 tables! That's 70 people coming to support Jesse Burnette, about 10% of the audience. Al Stankie's friends have purchased five tables. Supporters of "Bumpy" Parra, Bobby De Philippis, and Randy De La O have purchesed four tables each. In addition to the above, a number of others have multiple tables.

From CBHOF President Don Fraser and myself, thanks to all for your support of the biggest event yet, the largest audience, and the best Collector's Souvenir Journal (Double the size of any previous event program) with support ads from across the country.

We are proud of our new associations with The New York State Boxing Hall of Fame, the New Jersey Boxing HOF, and Ring #8 Veteran Boxer's Assocition of New York. Next year we will induct 3 International boxers, all world champions who fought in classic L.A. bouts, including a very popular World Heavyweight Champion. But I'll talk about that in January, when I begin work on the 2013 event.

-Rick Farris
CBHOF Vice President.

[BoxBuzz]

The great Rocky Marciano will be inducted into the CBHOF on October 20th.
Amazing that morons on a boxing forum site (not Boxrec) are challenging the legend of Marciano.
As Mel Epsten would say: "Dumb bastids!"
Louis Marciano, Rocky's nephew will be on hand, and John Bardelli, who is sponsoring Marciano's induction.

Love him or hate him, if you can't clearly see that Rocky belongs in any Boxing Hall of fame, then my guess is yo' daddy may well have met Suzi Q, and she did damage that is showing itself into the next generation. That sort of moronic babbling has to be part of the young brain drained crowd. Cuz no one who lived through those days would utter a word against that idea. Not even those in the throws of late stage dementia would be that short on grey matter.

[Rick Farris]

The 2012 CBHOF Banquet of Champions is completly SOLD OUT!

Don Fraser just informed me that we are now completely sold out. There are no more tables or induvidual seats available for our event. There will be no ticket sales at the front gate. This is the first time we have sold out before the event. In the past, there were always a few dozen tickets available at the door, but the demand has been heavy this year, and as of this morning at 10am. all have been sold.

Rick Farris
CBHOF Vice President

[Rick Farris]

The great Rocky Marciano will be inducted into the CBHOF on October 20th.
Amazing that morons on a boxing forum site (not Boxrec) are challenging the legend of Marciano.
As Mel Epsten would say: "Dumb bastids!"
Louis Marciano, Rocky's nephew will be on hand, and John Bardelli, who is sponsoring Marciano's induction.

Love him or hate him, if you can't clearly see that Rocky belongs in any Boxing Hall of fame, then my guess is yo' daddy may well have met Suzi Q, and she did damage that is showing itself into the next generation. That sort of moronic babbling has to be part of the young brain drained crowd. Cuz no one who lived through those days would utter a word against that idea. Not even those in the throws of late stage dementia would be that short on grey matter.

I agree BoxBuzz! But in this case I think there is an element of prejudice involved, the guy who was dissing Rocky and his brother Louis, is actually in his mid-70's. Of course, such nonsense does nothing but expose the lack of credability of the poster. We are proud to be inducting this all-time great into our HOF!

[BoxBuzz]

Ok....well maybe LATE LATE stage dementia..........

[Rick Farris]

Ok....well maybe LATE LATE stage dementia..........

And in this case, thin skin is a factor.

[Randyman]

Had a great time yesterday at the California Boxing Hall of Fame. My thanks to Rick Farris, Frank Baltazar, Don Fraser and the 2012 CBHOF selection committee for giving me such a great day to share with my family. I will forever be grateful for my induction to the CBHOF. Thanks for everything.

[Randyman]

2012 Califoria Boxing Hall of Fame Banquet

Dan Hanley, me and Rick Farris

[Randyman]

2012 California Boxing Hall of Fame Banquet

Shaking the hand of a great America, Charlie Norkus Jr.

[Randyman]

2012 California Boxing Hall of Fame Banquet

Me, Tony "The Tiger" Lopez and Richard "Mr KO" Savala

[Rick Farris]

Had a great time yesterday at the California Boxing Hall of Fame. My thanks to Rick Farris, Frank Baltazar, Don Fraser and the 2012 CBHOF selection committee for giving me such a great day to share with my family. I will forever be grateful for my induction to the CBHOF. Thanks for everything.

Randy, it was great seeing you and your family again, as well as Lucia Rijker, my special guest Lamon Brewster, our pals Mando Muniz, Ruben Navarro, Joey Orbillo, Tony "The Tiger" Lopez, Carlos Palomino, Trino Savala, John Bray, Rudy Hernandez, Roger Esty and his great paintings, Gabe & Rafa Ruelas who are the only two brothers I can think of from LA that both won world titles, and so many others. Actors Rance and Clint Howard , Ricky Shroeder, and actress Cristina Sasso, were popular with the crowd and were very accessable for pics & auotgraphs. But next year will be bigger, and better, as I will have the freedom to take it a step higher. We broke the attendence record by more than 100 guests, our program (Journal) was twice as thick and will grow thicker with history, photos & ads, the crowd did not leave before the end of the event as usually happens becasue they were enjoying it! Next year Dan Hanley will be involved as I take over, also Roger Esty, Ray Maynez and a few others. Rick Resnick will remain with us, as will Bill & Linda Young. Charley Norkus's Induction broke the record for full page ads for an individual boxer, Jesse Burnette broke the record for tables sold with NINE tables (ending the record held by the DeLaFuente family). We will expand into a more National & International organization to cover the absence of the now defunct WBHOF. We have two International Inductees on deck, as well two who will come in from the East Coast. We are now are associated with the New York State Boxing HOF, the New Jersy HOF, and VBA Ring # of New York. Looking forward to next year. I'm going to take a breather for a few weeks and then back to work on the 2013 event.

[kikibalt]

Had a great time yesterday at the California Boxing Hall of Fame. My thanks to Rick Farris, Frank Baltazar, Don Fraser and the 2012 CBHOF selection committee for giving me such a great day to share with my family. I will forever be grateful for my induction to the CBHOF. Thanks for everything.

[raylawpc]

Had a great time yesterday at the California Boxing Hall of Fame. My thanks to Rick Farris, Frank Baltazar, Don Fraser and the 2012 CBHOF selection committee for giving me such a great day to share with my family. I will forever be grateful for my induction to the CBHOF. Thanks for everything.

And much deserved IMO. I wish I could have been there . . .

[dagosd2000]

Had a great time yesterday at the California Boxing Hall of Fame. My thanks to Rick Farris, Frank Baltazar, Don Fraser and the 2012 CBHOF selection committee for giving me such a great day to share with my family. I will forever be grateful for my induction to the CBHOF. Thanks for everything.

Randy, it was great seeing you and your family again, as well as Lucia Rijker, my special guest Lamon Brewster, our pals Mando Muniz, Ruben Navarro, Joey Orbillo, Tony "The Tiger" Lopez, Carlos Palomino, Trino Savala, John Bray, Rudy Hernandez, Roger Esty and his great paintings, Gabe & Rafa Ruelas who are the only two brothers I can think of from LA that both won world titles, and so many others. Actors Rance and Clint Howard , Ricky Shroeder, and actress Cristina Sasso, were popular with the crowd and were very accessable for pics & auotgraphs. But next year will be bigger, and better, as I will have the freedom to take it a step higher. We broke the attendence record by more than 100 guests, our program (Journal) was twice as thick and will grow thicker with history, photos & ads, the crowd did not leave before the end of the event as usually happens becasue they were enjoying it! Next year Dan Hanley will be involved as I take over, also Roger Esty, Ray Maynez and a few others. Rick Resnick will remain with us, as will Bill & Linda Young. Charley Norkus's Induction broke the record for full page ads for an individual boxer, Jesse Burnette broke the record for tables sold with NINE tables (ending the record held by the DeLaFuente family). We will expand into a more National & International organization to cover the absence of the now defunct WBHOF. We have two International Inductees on deck, as well two who will come in from the East Coast. We are now are associated with the New York State Boxing HOF, the New Jersy HOF, and VBA Ring # of New York. Looking forward to next year. I'm going to take a breather for a few weeks and then back to work on the 2013 event.

Maria and I want to give congrats to Randy for being inducted into the CBHOF and having us as guests at his table with his beautifull wife Jeri and his family. Good seeing Dan Hanley from the Windy City.(gave him a kick in the balls),my good bud Rick Farris,my pal Ed Hernandez. Got to meet a real stand up guy,Charley Norkus. Got a surprise from a fellow co worker who'a a California ref and also across the border,Jose Cobian. Always great to see Chuck Johnson. Mando Muniz grabbed my shoulder . I can still feel it. See ya' next year. Rog

[Expug]

Congrats to Randy! Congrats also to Rick and all for a great event.
Looks fantastic.
Randy,you look great partner.

[Rick Farris]

Well guys, Don Fraser made a lot of money off of this event, I asked for none of it, this is a passion. Charley Norkus, knowing I would not have any part of the financial take from this year's success, had a Cashiers Check made out for $3000 to serve as my deposit money for next year's event. With me present, he told don, "This is for the next year, for Rick when he takes over to get things started. At that point, Don had no plans to reurn. When I asked about that check he said, "I'm the CBHOF, and I'll put it where I want". When I protested, he told me I was "fired". Now he is sayinf he plans to keep the event going and will return next year witha new group. Sadly for Don, there is nobody around who can do what I did to make it worl easier for him. He told me, "All my last VP did was complain". And all i did was help him as a caretaker, write all the bios, sell ads, hook us up with new york, etc. I lost money as a result of my involvment, but I have a good job and never asked for money. that is why Charley donated the check, as he will verify. But Don wants to keep all the money, so I have already secured financial backing for an event a little bigger, that will not have the restrictions of the CBHOF. I think Don wants the CBHOF to die with him? I know this, he does not want anybody that might do it as well or better than he could. So he cn keep the CBHOF, I have a lot of HOF experience and East Coast connections that will shy away from future involvment with that group. The East Coast guys are more stand up than the West coast. One thing i have is the fighters behind me. One thing I learned from Don was is "what not to do". This year's event could have been more organized, but Don is only interested in the cash count. A promoter he is right to the bone. Don told me this is a business for him, for me is a passion, I'm not money motivated, I have plenty of financial support these days. so look forward to something a little different and a little better, bigger too NEXT YEAR! I'm ain't goin nowhere!

[scartissue]

Rick, my brother, I have spent the last five days with you and no one outside of Monica knows how hard you worked to make that event happen. You said it right, he's a promoter right to the very end and nothing else should be expected. However, as always, you have proven yourself to be a stand-up guy. Roger, mi amigo, it was so great to see you and Maria again and thank you so much for the wonderful painting. BTW, my nads are still friggin' aching. Randy, likewise, so good to see you and Jeri. You looked great accepting and couldn't have gone to a more gracious guy. Chuck, so sorry I didn't get a chance to talk with you. Saw you, then got pulled in another direction. Charley, you are the man. thanks again for the DVDs of your Dad. Got a great shot of you, Rick, Mando Muniz and Carlos Palomino talking turkey poolside, not to mention one of you 'duking' it out with Bobby Chacon that I must send you. Rick, once again, thank you so much for the last five days. Your hospitality is unmatched.

[dagosd2000]

Well guys, Don Fraser made a lot of money off of this event, I asked for none of it, this is a passion. Charley Norkus, knowing I would not have any part of the financial take from this year's success, had a Cashiers Check made out for $3000 to serve as my deposit money for next year's event. With me present, he told don, "This is for the next year, for Rick when he takes over to get things started. At that point, Don had no plans to reurn. When I asked about that check he said, "I'm the CBHOF, and I'll put it where I want". When I protested, he told me I was "fired". Now he is sayinf he plans to keep the event going and will return next year witha new group. Sadly for Don, there is nobody around who can do what I did to make it worl easier for him. He told me, "All my last VP did was complain". And all i did was help him as a caretaker, write all the bios, sell ads, hook us up with new york, etc. I lost money as a result of my involvment, but I have a good job and never asked for money. that is why Charley donated the check, as he will verify. But Don wants to keep all the money, so I have already secured financial backing for an event a little bigger, that will not have the restrictions of the CBHOF. I think Don wants the CBHOF to die with him? I know this, he does not want anybody that might do it as well or better than he could. So he cn keep the CBHOF, I have a lot of HOF experience and East Coast connections that will shy away from future involvment with that group. The East Coast guys are more stand up than the West coast. One thing i have is the fighters behind me. One thing I learned from Don was is "what not to do". This year's event could have been more organized, but Don is only interested in the cash count. A promoter he is right to the bone. Don told me this is a business for him, for me is a passion, I'm not money motivated, I have plenty of financial support these days. so look forward to something a little different and a little better, bigger too NEXT YEAR! I'm ain't goin nowhere!

Go for it buddy.Funny,these inductees buy all these tables for their friends and families and Don Fraser is cuttung them off when they make their acceptance speaches. How much dough did he make off these guys inside and outside the ring? Every time I go to this event Fraser looks like he's having the least amount of fun.

[dagosd2000]

Read that Manny Steward passed. I thought he was good for boxing. Didn't exploit his guys. If Manny thought they were threw,he'd tell them to get out of the sport. Never heard a beef from one of his fighters.

I remeber Steward said before the fight with Duran,Roberto did all this "macho posturing" at Tommy Hearns. Manny said that it didn't phase Hearns. I guess Duran would try to get to guys like Liston and the young Foreman with the intimidation act.I couldn't see Hearns succumbing to that.

R.I.P Manny. The boxing world is gonna' miss you.

[dagosd2000]

Read that Manny Steward passed. I thought he was good for boxing. Didn't exploit his guys. If Manny thought they were through,he'd tell them to get out of the sport. Never heard a beef from one of his fighters.

I remeber Steward said before the fight with Duran,Roberto did all this "macho posturing" at Tommy Hearns. Manny said that it didn't phase Hearns. I guess Duran would try to get to guys like Liston and the young Foreman with the intimidation act.I couldn't see Hearns succumbing to that.

R.I.P Manny. The boxing world is gonna' miss you.

[CNorkusJr]

As of this writing, I have returned back to my home on Long Island. I want to Thank foremost, Rick Farris, for putting my father up for induction committee to oversee.
At the event last week, Don Fraser made it clear that Rick Farris was the man who I should Thank for my father's induction into this years CA Boxing HOF. My father was however inducted with Don's Blessing as well, as he has mentioned to me several times he saw my father's fights with Charlie Powell and Archie Moore.

I can not express in enough written words how grateful I am for my father's Induction to this prestigious HOF. Recognized in the Past by California Greats and I can tell you envied by East Coast State HOF's and Ring Orgs. Since before I left for this years ceremony and continuing now, several internet writers along with several newspapers here in New York have contacted me about this years Induction Ceremony. I am grateful.

I will not bite the hand that honored my father.I want it known that Don Fraser has only good words for me and my father. For that, I am Thankful for.

Facts are facts though.
Rick is correct in saying "That any monies I donated to the Ca HOF was to be used by Rick at his descretion towards next year. I personally told this to Don as I handed him the check. At that particular moment, Don and Rick were still partners in CA Boxing HOF board of Directors.
I was caught off-guard and disgusted by hearing that Don had fired Rick the next day. Without Rick I think the HOF event could not be as successful as it was. You cannot put 700+ people in a Hall without an incredible effort put forth with two working legs and connections. Rick Farris still is and the only connection to East Coast organizations support as it was for this years ceremony. Already word on the East Coast has reached several families and organizations that Rocky Marciano,Joe Frazier, Floyd Patterson, Bobo Olsen and Kid Gavilan got absolutely "no mention at all" at the dinner, and yet two Great Champs are on the cover of the journal !
We here in New York would never operate with such a slight on the some of the biggest Champs in Boxing History, yet use their images on the journal.

As I stated, I am extremely Grateful for my father's induction into the CA Boxing HOF, and so honored to be able to speak at this years ceremony.
As for future support coming from New York, I do not speak for any family or any East Coast Orgs., but rest assured they are not happy to see such treatment of Champions, nor see the ouster of such a very good associate in Rick Farris. They are aware that it is not the membership of the CA HOF, but the actions of one man acting alone. A few days from now, I will post some pictures here and on my father's thread.

Charlie Norkus Jr. Oct 26, 2012