Classic American West Coast Boxing

[CNorkusJr]

My sincerest "Thanks" to Roger Esty for the wonderful painting he did of me. Originally, Roger was going to do one of my dad, honoree Charley Norkus, but after seeing a photo of me and realizing that a "Esty Rendition" was needed for such a handsome guy, he decided to do one of me. Alot of people say I look like my father, and how good looking he was, but after awhile I realized that 90% of those saying that are wearing really thick eyeglasses at the time. As soon as Rick sends me the lifesize painting Roger honored me and with arrives by truck, I will take a picture of it and post it.

All kidding aside, Thank You Roger Esty, I am honored and it will hang next to my dads in our house for all to see. Your Friend, Charlie Norkus jr.

[dagosd2000]

Sausage And Peppers

Me and my dad went to see the fight between Louie Rodriguez and Rafa Gutierrez at the Sports Arena in San Diego. I think my dad was more interested in seeing Carmen Basilio(who was working Guitirrez's corner)than seeing the fight.

"That Carmen Basilio was one tough dago,"my dad turned to me.

We sat front row as always. Now way my dad would sit in the back.

"Man you should of seen what he did to Sugar Ray Robinson. We were all jumping up and down screaming and yelling. We all had a big party at Johnny Haircut's in Melrose Park."

"Didn't Basilio lose once to Robinson?" I asked.

My father pretended he didn't hear me.

I remember the fight that night. I thought Rodriguez was going to walk through Guiterrez,but the Mexican was tough and in good shape. After 5 rounds he was ahead. Well ahead.

Then midway in the next frame Rodriguez let's go a left hoof somewhere up from San Pedro and Rafa is on his back taking a long siesta.

Rodriguez goes to the corner and Basilio is pulling off his gloves and wiping him down. The next thing I see is my dad in the ring with them. I 'm standing there like a ghost and my dad has his arm around Basilio's shoulder as they walk to the dressing room. I heard my dad say,"Well paisan,you've got your title shot."
Later I asked my dad what that was all about. He turned to me and said. "You know Carmen was a Marine. You should have seen what he did to Ray Robinson."

Carmen Basilio passed away today. Once he gets his clearance from Saint Peter,I know what's going to happen. My dad will put his arm around him
and say,"Paisan they make the best sausage and peppers up here."

[scartissue]

A TOUGH DAGO

Me and my dad went to see the fight between Louie Rodriguez and Rafa Gutierrez at the Sports Arena in San Diego. I think my dad was more interested in seeing Carmen Basilio(who was working Guitirrez's corner)than seeing the fight.

"That Carmen Basilio was one tough dago,"my dad turned to me.

We sat front row as always. Now way my dad would sit in the back.

"Man you should of seen what he did to Sugar Ray Robinson. We were all jumping up and down screaming and yelling. We all had a big party at Johnny Haircut's in Melrose Park."

"Didn't Basilio lose once to Robinson?" I asked.

My father pretended he didn't hear me.

I remember the fight that night. I thought Rodriguez was going to walk through Guiterrez,but the Mexican was tough and in good shape. After 5 rounds he was ahead. Well ahead.

Then midway in the next frame Rodriguez let's go a left hoof somewhere up from San Pedro and Rafa is on his back taking a long siesta.

Rodriguez goes to the corner and Basilio is pulling off his gloves and wiping him down. The next thing I see is my dad in the ring with them. I 'm standing there like a ghost and my dad has his arm around Basilio's shoulder as they walk to the dressing room. I heard my dad say,"Well paisan,you've got your title shot."
Later I asked my dad what that was all about. He turned to me and said. "You know Carmen was a Marine. You should have seen what he did to Ray Robinson."

Carmen Basilio passed away today. Once he gets his clearance from Saint Peter,I know what's going to happen. My dad will put his arm around him.

Rog, I could just smell the pasta hearing about Melrose Park. Great story, dude. I can tell you about another dude from Ireland who recently charmed his way in. Basilio was his favorite of all time and I can imagine the first thing he'll say to Carmen is, "I saw you get robbed against Johnny Saxton in Chicago Stadium!" Thinking more on the subject, there was this buddy of mine whom I worked with who talked boxing with me everyday. I was 22 and he was 35 and 100% dago from the west side. He died very young, about 61, but he would tell me stories when he was about 15 and there was a Basilio fight coming up. He would tell me how he would be getting so excited in the days leading up to the fight that he would be badgering his father with goofy questions like, "Dad, what do you think Basilio's doing right now?" And i remember that type of giddiness when it was your favorite fighter who was involved. Admittedly, I haven't felt that in some time. But I think Carmen's getting a lot of questions aimed at him because he had a lot of fans. RIP Carmen.

[dagosd2000]

A TOUGH DAGO

Me and my dad went to see the fight between Louie Rodriguez and Rafa Gutierrez at the Sports Arena in San Diego. I think my dad was more interested in seeing Carmen Basilio(who was working Guitirrez's corner)than seeing the fight.

"That Carmen Basilio was one tough dago,"my dad turned to me.

We sat front row as always. Now way my dad would sit in the back.

"Man you should of seen what he did to Sugar Ray Robinson. We were all jumping up and down screaming and yelling. We all had a big party at Johnny Haircut's in Melrose Park."

"Didn't Basilio lose once to Robinson?" I asked.

My father pretended he didn't hear me.

I remember the fight that night. I thought Rodriguez was going to walk through Guiterrez,but the Mexican was tough and in good shape. After 5 rounds he was ahead. Well ahead.

Then midway in the next frame Rodriguez let's go a left hoof somewhere up from San Pedro and Rafa is on his back taking a long siesta.

Rodriguez goes to the corner and Basilio is pulling off his gloves and wiping him down. The next thing I see is my dad in the ring with them. I 'm standing there like a ghost and my dad has his arm around Basilio's shoulder as they walk to the dressing room. I heard my dad say,"Well paisan,you've got your title shot."
Later I asked my dad what that was all about. He turned to me and said. "You know Carmen was a Marine. You should have seen what he did to Ray Robinson."

Carmen Basilio passed away today. Once he gets his clearance from Saint Peter,I know what's going to happen. My dad will put his arm around him.

Rog, I could just smell the pasta hearing about Melrose Park. Great story, dude. I can tell you about another dude from Ireland who recently charmed his way in. Basilio was his favorite of all time and I can imagine the first thing he'll say to Carmen is, "I saw you get robbed against Johnny Saxton in Chicago Stadium!" Thinking more on the subject, there was this buddy of mine whom I worked with who talked boxing with me everyday. I was 22 and he was 35 and 100% dago from the west side. He died very young, about 61, but he would tell me stories when he was about 15 and there was a Basilio fight coming up. He would tell me how he would be getting so excited in the days leading up to the fight that he would be badgering his father with goofy questions like, "Dad, what do you think Basilio's doing right now?" And i remember that type of giddiness when it was your favorite fighter who was involved. Admittedly, I haven't felt that in some time. But I think Carmen's getting a lot of questions aimed at him because he had a lot of fans. RIP Carmen.

Dan,my dad said that evertime Robinson fought in Chicago,the mob would tell him to "carry" his guy. Robinson would never take a dive ,but he'd "carry" his opponent so the wiseguys would bet on him to go the distance.

Basilio never liked fighting in Chicago. He "lost" a lot of fights he should have won. He said Al Nitro and Johnny DeJohn, who handled him, owed the bookies a lot of money they lost at the Washington Park.

[CNorkusJr]

RIP Carmen Basilio

Charley Norkus, Carmen, Frankie Ryff, Jim Winters (NY Promoter)
Norkus reffed Charity Exhibition Bout of Carmens' 1970's



Carmen, Charley, Gene Fullmer, Harry Woods(Norkus relative)

[Expug]

R.I.P Carmen.
Great stuff Rog and Charley. Thanks for those.
Basilio was the definition of tough as far as Im concerned. what a great fighter and great human being.
A few thoughts come to mind when I think of him.One is when he fought Robinson in one of their fights and Ray unloaded about ten shots on him and Carmen,you could see tell himself,Im gonna come back and hit him with eleven. He did too. What a battler!
Another was that interview with Cosell where Howard tells him "eight sports writers pick Robinson to beat you.What do you have to say". Carmen said "eight of em are wrong".
Growing up the old timers hanging around the gyms here used to always talk about certain fighters.
Two guys who were always discussed with total respect were Billy Graham and Carmen Basilio. It always stuck with me.
Man,not only do I wish there were more fighters around like Carmen Basilio,I wish there were more people around like Carmen Basilio.

[CNorkusJr]

Some pictures from the CA Boxing HOF 2012 Event. More on my father's thread (Charley Norkus, Friends & Foes) Page 13

One of Ca. toughest fighters, my good friend, Randy De La O; who was also Honored that day.



Top Lt-Heavy Contender Honoree, and a pleasure to talk to about his life experiences, Jesse Burnett


My Good Friend from California and a BoxRec Poster, Chuck Johnston

[CNorkusJr]

One of the nicest moments of the trip was after the event. Our Hotel -Sportsman's Lodge sits next to the event center. Afterwards we went back to our rooms, only to look out and see behind our rooms at a poolside Tiki Bar, Armando Muniz, Carlos Palomino, Rick Farris, Dan Hanley, Art Frias and Bobby Chacon having libations and discussing old times. Having changed into relaxing clothes, my brother in-law and I joined the crowd.
Carlos Palomino held court telling stories of his amateur career and Pro career. All had many laughs and beers to boot for several hours.

Carlos Palomino on Oct 20,2012




Armando Muniz, Rick Farris,myself,Carlos, Many Thanks to Dan Hanley for taking photo.Isn't Carlos suppose to be drinking Miller Lite ? I meant to ask him about that.

[dagosd2000]

I Want To Be A Macho Man

I am down here in my wife´s hometown in central Mexico. I saw on the television that Macho Camacho is in real bad shape. Probably be counted out.
This guy was a classic stand up boxer. Really had the skills. His fight with Chavez was a big one in Latin America. The Mexican versus the Puerto Rican.

Funny,in this Latin world of ¨machismo¨,at first I couldn´t figure out why Camacho was so popular. With the trunks slit up the sides and all the sparkles and moving his hips dancing and the earrings. But I know now. I understand. If you are a man inLatin America(or Italy or Spain)you can do whatever you want.You are still a man .De Sica said that in the movie ¨The Bicÿcle Thief. At least you think of yourself that way.

[El Gallo]

I Want To Be A Macho Man

I am down here in my wife´s hometown in central Mexico. I saw on the television that Macho Camacho is in real bad shape. Probably be counted out.
This guy was a classic stand up boxer. Really had the skills. His fight with Chavez was a big one in Latin America. The Mexican versus the Puerto Rican.

Funny,in this Latin world of ¨machismo¨,at first I couldn´t figure out why Camacho was so popular. With the trunks slit up the sides and all the sparkles and moving his hips dancing and the earrings. But I know now. I understand. If you are a man inLatin America(or Italy or Spain)you can do whatever you want.You are still a man .De Sica said that in the movie ¨The Bicÿcle Thief. At least you think of yourself that way.

Roger, as usual, you are spot on about the charactor of a champion. With Hector Camacho, what people saw wasn't what they would get. I always admired the amazingly fast hand and foot speed of Macho Camacho, but it was the Chavez fight that validated a rock hard chin and the heart of a lion. Chavez beat him up, but he didn't quit, he did what a true champion would do, he endured. May he rest in peace.

[Cholo]

I Want To Be A Macho Man

I am down here in my wife´s hometown in central Mexico. I saw on the television that Macho Camacho is in real bad shape. Probably be counted out.
This guy was a classic stand up boxer. Really had the skills. His fight with Chavez was a big one in Latin America. The Mexican versus the Puerto Rican.

Funny,in this Latin world of ¨machismo¨,at first I couldn´t figure out why Camacho was so popular. With the trunks slit up the sides and all the sparkles and moving his hips dancing and the earrings. But I know now. I understand. If you are a man inLatin America(or Italy or Spain)you can do whatever you want.You are still a man .De Sica said that in the movie ¨The Bicÿcle Thief. At least you think of yourself that way.

Roger, as usual, you are spot on about the charactor of a champion. With Hector Camacho, what people saw wasn't what they would get. I always admired the amazingly fast hand and foot speed of Macho Camacho, but it was the Chavez fight that validated a rock hard chin and the heart of a lion. Chavez beat him up, but he didn't quit, he did what a true champion would do, he endured. May he rest in peace.

[dagosd2000]

I Want To Be A Macho Man

I am down here in my wife´s hometown in central Mexico. I saw on the television that Macho Camacho is in real bad shape. Probably be counted out.
This guy was a classic stand up boxer. Really had the skills. His fight with Chavez was a big one in Latin America. The Mexican versus the Puerto Rican.

Funny,in this Latin world of ¨machismo¨,at first I couldn´t figure out why Camacho was so popular. With the trunks slit up the sides and all the sparkles and moving his hips dancing and the earrings. But I know now. I understand. If you are a man inLatin America(or Italy or Spain)you can do whatever you want.You are still a man .De Sica said that in the movie ¨The Bicÿcle Thief. At least you think of yourself that way.

Roger, as usual, you are spot on about the charactor of a champion. With Hector Camacho, what people saw wasn't what they would get. I always admired the amazingly fast hand and foot speed of Macho Camacho, but it was the Chavez fight that validated a rock hard chin and the heart of a lion. Chavez beat him up, but he didn't quit, he did what a true champion would do, he endured. May he rest in peace.

Was watching the fights on TV down in Michoacan last night. It was a card from TJ. Some good action. Some nice young prospects. Julio Cesar Chavez was doing the color.

He talked about the Macho Man. Nothing but praise. He was happy. I know he was sad in his heart.But he had something special. He fought with guy. There was a lot of footage of Macho´s fights. A recounter with Julio much later at ringside somewhere. They happily embraced. You knew they were having a good time. Last night at the fights in TJ,they rang the bell 10 times. It was a celebration.

[El Gallo]

Roger, I want to commend you on your beautiful boxing art.
It's showing up on the East Coast.

[dagosd2000]

Roger, I want to commend you on your beautiful boxing art.
It's showing up on the East Coast.

That s great. Hope people enjoy it.

[dagosd2000]

Will be pullin' for Andre Trout tomorrow with his match against Miguel Cotto. Andre is handled by Louie Burke,a friend of mine and recent CBHOF recipient. Louie is also Randy De La O's cousin,another friend of mine.

[El Gallo]

Will be pullin' for Andre Trout tomorrow with his match against Miguel Cotto. Andre is handled by Louie Burke,a friend of mine and recent CBHOF recipient. Louie is also Randy De La O's cousin,another friend of mine.

I believe it will be a good fight, as Cotto always comes to fight. However, I think Trout is going to whip him over 12.
The end of one era, and the beginning of another. It's nice to see good things happen for guys like Austin Trout and Louie Burke.
I have met Louie Burke, as well.

[CNorkusJr]

Congratulations to Louie Burke and my good friend Randy De La O. Austen Trout big winner here in New York tonite. Decisive UD over Cotto who used to rule the Garden (7-0)now 7-1 here in NY. Austen power punches did Cotto did in.
Austen Trout 154 lb champ wants to unite all titles in his weight- Good Luck, we are behind ya all the way.

[armandoblt]

hello

[dagosd2000]

Congratulations to Austin Trout and Louie Burke for a big night at MSG. I know you're happy too Randy. Big fight,big venue,big win over a top notch fighter. Now go out and make some big money.

[dagosd2000]

The Cut

They do these post fight interviews after these big fights now. I guess it's in the contract. I was sent up to cover Jerry's last fight with Martin at the Forum.They usually sent up Nick to cover the big fights,but the paper wanted me to go because Nick was in Miami to cover the bowl game. It was Jerry's last chance to get a title shot if he got by Martin.

Martin hadn't lost since coming out of the amateurs. He was a former Marine and was put together like a bodybuilder,not a fighter. Jerry was on the down slope then. He lost against Cassius for the title earlier. Then when the Muslim retired Jerry had an elimination bout with Humes. But Humes had that prototype jab that busted open the cut and Jerry couldn't see it coming. He lost the decision.

But it was always that cut above his left eye that gave him problems. He got it fighting The Scrapman before he was a contender. It was one of those accidental butts when they were in a clinch.

The cut always came open after that. Even when he Jerry upset The Hammer in the first frame in Boston. They told him to watch himself,but Jerry fought only one way. Whether he was stupid or what ,he wanted to show he was tough.

Jerry's go with Martin was going to be it. It looked that way. The cut above that left eye was getting worse. They tried doing plastic surgery on it once. Something to do with collagen. Put it in the cut like putty. But like trying to glue a broken cup handle,the littlest bump,and it would break again.

That was the story with Jerry's eye with Martin. Martin was taller and had the reach not to say he had 20 pounds on Jerry. But Martin had a good jab. It worked like a piston that night. From the first round on he kept jumping it into Jerry's eye. Hadfield tried everything to stem the flow,but it kept splitting open.Jerry even shifted southpaw, so he could see that jab better. But by the last few rounds it was apparent. Jerry's face looked horrible, blood soaked through his trunks.

In the last round Martin caught him with overhand right that Jerry didn't see coming. He took a flash count. He didn't want to show that he was stunned. He never wanted nobody to know he was hurt. When he was hurt,he'd just get madder.

The decision was academic. Jerry showed up at the post fight with Hadfield. Jerry was wearing those dark wrap around glasses to not show the eye. Jery had his hands folded.

A reporter from the back asked,"Why is it that you can't get by the big fight?" The reporter was carefull about how he said it. I guess he was trying to be bold,but was only asking the obvious.
"Is that your opinion or someone else's?" Jerry answered back. Usually Jerry had a short fuse with this,but this time he seemed resolved.
"No,"answered the reporter."Everyone says it."
"Well,"Jerry said,"if it's your opinion,you're entitled to say it."

The room was pretty quiet. There was a pause like no one knew what to ask next. Then Jerry got up .Hadfield followed him behind the curtain,then Jerry reappeared. Se stood in front of everybody this time with dark glasses off.
"If you guys think I didn't give 100% percent tonight...well you're crazy." And the Jerry walked behind the curtain again.

It was over. Jerry never fought again. He started to sip inti fighter's dementia. I saw him on a local interview show. He was with his mother. He was talking pretty incoherently. He said he'd gotten that way from playing football. If you looked close enough you see the scar above Jerry's left eye.

[El Gallo]

The Cut

They do these post fight interviews after these big fights now. I guess it's in the contract. I was sent up to cover Jerry's last fight with Martin at the Forum.They usually sent up Nick to cover the big fights,but the paper wanted me to go because Nick was in Miami to cover the bowl game. It was Jerry's last chance to get a title shot if he got by Martin.

Martin hadn't lost since coming out of the amateurs. He was a former Marine and was put together like a bodybuilder,not a fighter. Jerry was on the down slope then. He lost against Cassius for the title earlier. Then when the Muslim retired Jerry had an elimination bout with Humes. But Humes had that prototype jab that busted open the cut and Jerry couldn't see it coming. He lost the decision.

But it was always that cut above his left eye that gave him problems. He got it fighting The Scrapman before he was a contender. It was one of those accidental butts when they were in a clinch.

The cut always came open after that. Even when he Jerry upset The Hammer in the first frame in Boston. They told him to watch himself,but Jerry fought only one way. Whether he was stupid or what ,he wanted to show he was tough.

Jerry's go with Martin was going to be it. It looked that way. The cut above that left eye was getting worse. They tried doing plastic surgery on it once. Something to do with collagen. Put it in the cut like putty. But like trying to glue a broken cup handle,the littlest bump,and it would break again.

That was the story with Jerry's eye with Martin. Martin was taller and had the reach not to say he had 20 pounds on Jerry. But Martin had a good jab. It worked like a piston that night. From the first round on he kept jumping it into Jerry's eye. Hadfield tried everything to stem the flow,but it kept splitting open.Jerry even shifted southpaw, so he could see that jab better. But by the last few rounds it was apparent. Jerry's face looked horrible, blood soaked through his trunks.

In the last round Martin caught him with overhand right that Jerry didn't see coming. He took a flash count. He didn't want to show that he was stunned. He never wanted nobody to know he was hurt. When he was hurt,he'd just get madder.

The decision was academic. Jerry showed up at the post fight with Hadfield. Jerry was wearing those dark wrap around glasses to not show the eye. Jery had his hands folded.

A reporter from the back asked,"Why is it that you can't get by the big fight?" The reporter was carefull about how he said it. I guess he was trying to be bold,but was only asking the obvious.
"Is that your opinion or someone else's?" Jerry answered back. Usually Jerry had a short fuse with this,but this time he seemed resolved.
"No,"answered the reporter."Everyone says it."
"Well,"Jerry said,"if it's your opinion,you're entitled to say it."

The room was pretty quiet. There was a pause like no one knew what to ask next. Then Jerry got up .Hadfield followed him behind the curtain,then Jerry reappeared. Se stood in front of everybody this time with dark glasses off.
"If you guys think I didn't give 100% percent tonight...well you're crazy." And the Jerry walked behind the curtain again.

It was over. Jerry never fought again. He started to sip inti fighter's dementia. I saw him on a local interview show. He was with his mother. He was talking pretty incoherently. He said he'd gotten that way from playing football. If you looked close enough you see the scar above Jerry's left eye.

Jerry told the story a little different. He had that pride, you know?
But we'll never know, will we? Time & distance seem to alter one's perspective, especially the pugilist's. :)

[El Gallo]

Congratulations to Austin Trout and Louie Burke for a big night at MSG. I know you're happy too Randy. Big fight,big venue,big win over a top notch fighter. Now go out and make some big money.

Yes! The world is now yours, stay the course, follow the same path, keep your hands up in business!
Stay with Louie Burke until the end! You are an emerging all-time great! Trout will decision Canelo in a one-sided 12 rounder.
My not-so-humble opinion!

[CNorkusJr]

The other day, all the local news channels here in New York carried a video story of Hector Camacho's wake and funeral. As you all probably saw, hundreds, maybe a couple thousand native and transplanted Puerto Ricans lined the E 106 Street corridor (Spanish Harlem, called now East Harlem by the TV) to honor, pay respects and make sure Hector got one last ovation from his former hometown crowd. Well remembered by many as a top notch amateur and NY Gold Glove Boxer, and a local hero in tough streets, interviews of many residents who claimed to know "Macho" Camacho personally gave their final thoughts of the man on camera.
You can tell that many knew the man from that period, and others appeared, I think, just to get their mug on TV.
One such mug in a heavy Puerto Rican Island accent said " Macho Camacho was well respected up here in Harlem, gave alot to many folks here, and was quite a humble guy".

They just then showed the white, horse driven carriage showing the glass enclosure that contained Hector's casket with his son,sitting upfront, waving a huge Puerto Rican Flag to the cheering throngs as it passed. In death, as in life, Hector got the huge ovation with an outlandish finish for the loving masses.
I couldn't help but think of the "over the top" outfits and boxing trunks he wore in the heights of his career.

Since that day, I can't seem to get the term "Humble" out of my head as it was used by a so-called fan in the definition of the Champ.

[dagosd2000]

The Cut

They do these post fight interviews after these big fights now. I guess it's in the contract. I was sent up to cover Jerry's last fight with Martin at the Forum.They usually sent up Nick to cover the big fights,but the paper wanted me to go because Nick was in Miami to cover the bowl game. It was Jerry's last chance to get a title shot if he got by Martin.

Martin hadn't lost since coming out of the amateurs. He was a former Marine and was put together like a bodybuilder,not a fighter. Jerry was on the down slope then. He lost against Cassius for the title earlier. Then when the Muslim retired Jerry had an elimination bout with Humes. But Humes had that prototype jab that busted open the cut and Jerry couldn't see it coming. He lost the decision.

But it was always that cut above his left eye that gave him problems. He got it fighting The Scrapman before he was a contender. It was one of those accidental butts when they were in a clinch.

The cut always came open after that. Even when he Jerry upset The Hammer in the first frame in Boston. They told him to watch himself,but Jerry fought only one way. Whether he was stupid or what ,he wanted to show he was tough.

Jerry's go with Martin was going to be it. It looked that way. The cut above that left eye was getting worse. They tried doing plastic surgery on it once. Something to do with collagen. Put it in the cut like putty. But like trying to glue a broken cup handle,the littlest bump,and it would break again.

That was the story with Jerry's eye with Martin. Martin was taller and had the reach not to say he had 20 pounds on Jerry. But Martin had a good jab. It worked like a piston that night. From the first round on he kept jumping it into Jerry's eye. Hadfield tried everything to stem the flow,but it kept splitting open.Jerry even shifted southpaw, so he could see that jab better. But by the last few rounds it was apparent. Jerry's face looked horrible, blood soaked through his trunks.

In the last round Martin caught him with overhand right that Jerry didn't see coming. He took a flash count. He didn't want to show that he was stunned. He never wanted nobody to know he was hurt. When he was hurt,he'd just get madder.

The decision was academic. Jerry showed up at the post fight with Hadfield. Jerry was wearing those dark wrap around glasses to not show the eye. Jery had his hands folded.

A reporter from the back asked,"Why is it that you can't get by the big fight?" The reporter was carefull about how he said it. I guess he was trying to be bold,but was only asking the obvious.
"Is that your opinion or someone else's?" Jerry answered back. Usually Jerry had a short fuse with this,but this time he seemed resolved.
"No,"answered the reporter."Everyone says it."
"Well,"Jerry said,"if it's your opinion,you're entitled to say it."

The room was pretty quiet. There was a pause like no one knew what to ask next. Then Jerry got up .Hadfield followed him behind the curtain,then Jerry reappeared. Se stood in front of everybody this time with dark glasses off.
"If you guys think I didn't give 100% percent tonight...well you're crazy." And the Jerry walked behind the curtain again.

It was over. Jerry never fought again. He started to sip inti fighter's dementia. I saw him on a local interview show. He was with his mother. He was talking pretty incoherently. He said he'd gotten that way from playing football. If you looked close enough you see the scar above Jerry's left eye.

Jerry told the story a little different. He had that pride, you know?
But we'll never know, will we? Time & distance seem to alter one's perspective, especially the pugilist's. :)

Befrore i got off the thread for a time,I was writing stories that were pretty much biographical. I want to stay away from that now. Deep into the thread I have a lot of stories that my grand daughter is trying to extract for me. I'll change some things around,especially the names.

"The Cut" is purely fiction loosely based on the life of Jerry Quarry(pretty obvious). If i can get some of my prior stories together along with a few changes,I'll take shot at getting them published.

[El Gallo]

The Cut

They do these post fight interviews after these big fights now. I guess it's in the contract. I was sent up to cover Jerry's last fight with Martin at the Forum.They usually sent up Nick to cover the big fights,but the paper wanted me to go because Nick was in Miami to cover the bowl game. It was Jerry's last chance to get a title shot if he got by Martin.

Martin hadn't lost since coming out of the amateurs. He was a former Marine and was put together like a bodybuilder,not a fighter. Jerry was on the down slope then. He lost against Cassius for the title earlier. Then when the Muslim retired Jerry had an elimination bout with Humes. But Humes had that prototype jab that busted open the cut and Jerry couldn't see it coming. He lost the decision.

But it was always that cut above his left eye that gave him problems. He got it fighting The Scrapman before he was a contender. It was one of those accidental butts when they were in a clinch.

The cut always came open after that. Even when he Jerry upset The Hammer in the first frame in Boston. They told him to watch himself,but Jerry fought only one way. Whether he was stupid or what ,he wanted to show he was tough.

Jerry's go with Martin was going to be it. It looked that way. The cut above that left eye was getting worse. They tried doing plastic surgery on it once. Something to do with collagen. Put it in the cut like putty. But like trying to glue a broken cup handle,the littlest bump,and it would break again.

That was the story with Jerry's eye with Martin. Martin was taller and had the reach not to say he had 20 pounds on Jerry. But Martin had a good jab. It worked like a piston that night. From the first round on he kept jumping it into Jerry's eye. Hadfield tried everything to stem the flow,but it kept splitting open.Jerry even shifted southpaw, so he could see that jab better. But by the last few rounds it was apparent. Jerry's face looked horrible, blood soaked through his trunks.

In the last round Martin caught him with overhand right that Jerry didn't see coming. He took a flash count. He didn't want to show that he was stunned. He never wanted nobody to know he was hurt. When he was hurt,he'd just get madder.

The decision was academic. Jerry showed up at the post fight with Hadfield. Jerry was wearing those dark wrap around glasses to not show the eye. Jery had his hands folded.

A reporter from the back asked,"Why is it that you can't get by the big fight?" The reporter was carefull about how he said it. I guess he was trying to be bold,but was only asking the obvious.
"Is that your opinion or someone else's?" Jerry answered back. Usually Jerry had a short fuse with this,but this time he seemed resolved.
"No,"answered the reporter."Everyone says it."
"Well,"Jerry said,"if it's your opinion,you're entitled to say it."

The room was pretty quiet. There was a pause like no one knew what to ask next. Then Jerry got up .Hadfield followed him behind the curtain,then Jerry reappeared. Se stood in front of everybody this time with dark glasses off.
"If you guys think I didn't give 100% percent tonight...well you're crazy." And the Jerry walked behind the curtain again.

It was over. Jerry never fought again. He started to sip inti fighter's dementia. I saw him on a local interview show. He was with his mother. He was talking pretty incoherently. He said he'd gotten that way from playing football. If you looked close enough you see the scar above Jerry's left eye.

Jerry told the story a little different. He had that pride, you know?
But we'll never know, will we? Time & distance seem to alter one's perspective, especially the pugilist's. :)

Befrore i got off the thread for a time,I was writing stories that were pretty much biographical. I want to stay away from that now. Deep into the thread I have a lot of stories that my grand daughter is trying to extract for me. I'll change some things around,especially the names.

"The Cut" is purely fiction loosely based on the life of Jerry Quarry(pretty obvious). If i can get some of my prior stories together along with a few changes,I'll take shot at getting them published.

Roger, I have read most of this thread, and your writing is brilliant! You should pursue your goals along these lines.