Classic American West Coast Boxing

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Frankie Duarte...Aug., 2007

Frankie you look GREAT !!!

[max hord]

Standing (L-to-R)
Ruben Olivares,Chucho Castillo, Evan Armstrong & Jose Medel...1968
Strumming guitar is Lionel Rose

5 BAD ASSES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[dagosd2000]

"I Used To Love You A Lot,But Now I Have To Let You Go"

"I heard that song at a Mexican party years ago,"said the old Mongoose.
After work I'd sometimes stop at his Boys Club before I went home and help him and his son with the young kids that were learning how to fight.
"You were very popular in Mexico,"I said.
"Yes,I have many Mexican friends."
I remember when I saw Olivares fight a title bout in the old downtown bullring. The place was a sellout. Before the main go,they announced Archie. He climbed through the ropes. When he got to the middle of the ring everyone was on their feet applauding. He was blowing kisses to everyone. Hell,he got a bigger hand than Reuben.
"I bet you sang that song to your wives,"I said.
"No",he said laughing."They sang it to me."
Archie's son was getting two kids ready to spar in the ring. The old guy was watching closely.
"So how's the club running?"I asked.
"Good. The City is taking care of my salary and the bills. If I could just get more kids in here."
"Boxing is not easy."
The old guy was watching his son put the gloves on the two boys.
"Roger,if you could have all the money, power, and glory in the world or make the right decisions,what would you choose?"
"I've never been tempted like that."
"I had it all once. I was angry that I didn't get a title shot sooner. I was mad at Clay the way he talked. I had all those wives."
"I still don't know what I'd pick."
"I'll give you an insight. Like people who like you."
"Didn't someone say'Love your enemies?'"
"You'll get nowhere fast thinking that."
"You know Arch,you're pretty philosophical."
"Think what you want ,"he said.
Archie was still looking up at the ring while he was talking.
"Rog you work with that kid in this corner. Be sure he has his mouthgard."




Archie Moore

[CNorkusJr]

"I Used To Love You A Lot,But Now I Have To Let You Go"

"I heard that song at a Mexican party years ago,"said the old Mongoose.
After work I'd sometimes stop at his Boys Club before I went home and help him and his son with the young kids that were learning how to fight.
"You were very popular in Mexico,"I said.
"Yes,I have many Mexican friends."
I remember when I saw Olivares fight a title bout in the old downtown bullring. The place was a sellout. Before the main go,they announced Archie. He climbed through the ropes. When he got to the middle of the ring everyone was on their feet applauding. He was blowing kisses to everyone. Hell,he got a bigger hand than Reuben.
"I bet you sang that song to your wives,"I said.
"No",he said laughing."They sang it to me."
Archie's son was getting two kids ready to spar in the ring. The old guy was watching closely.
"So how's the club running?"I asked.
"Good. The City is taking care of my salary and the bills. If I could just get more kids in here."
"Boxing is not easy."
The old guy was watching his son put the gloves on the two boys.
"Roger,if you could have all the money, power, and glory in the world or make the right decisions,what would you choose?"
"I've never been tempted like that."
"I had it all once. I was angry that I didn't get a title shot sooner. I was mad at Clay the way he talked. I had all those wives."
"I still don't know what I'd pick."
"I'll give you an insight. Like people who like you."
"Didn't someone say'Love your enemies?'"
"You'll get nowhere fast thinking that."
"You know Arch,you're pretty philosophical."
"Think what you want ,"he said.
Archie was still looking up at the ring while he was talking.
"Rog you work with that kid in this corner. Be sure he has his mouthgard."




Archie Moore

Charley Norkus and Archie with pre-fight promo.1957

Out of Ring "Love your enemies"- Archie never had an enemy !
Charley and Archie -old friends- 1980's- in NYC Irving Rudd Mad Sq Garden Publicist in forefront

[El Gallo]

Brian, congrats on the Black Hawks success this year. -Rick

[BoxBuzz]

Your Moore piece is outstanding! All have been good, but you captured Archie's relaxed confident fighting spirit quite will IMHO.

[dagosd2000]

Your Moore piece is outstanding! All have been good, but you captured Archie's relaxed confident fighting spirit quite will IMHO.

Thanks Buzzer.It's good to be writing again. I hope all enjoy.

[dagosd2000]

Fatha

I know in the 60's the NCAA wouldn't allow freshmen to play on the varsity.The colleges drafted their talent from the rosters of the Junior Colleges. In California there were a lot of Junior College football teams that could have beaten a lot of the big schools. For example O.J Simpson played his freshman and sophomore years at San Francico City College. Now it's changed. Freshmen and redhirt freshmen are plentifull on college teams.

I played a season at San Diego City College in 1968. We were loaded with talent.At one time we were ranked number one in the state. One thing about playing at the Junior College level was their were no age requirements. There a lot of guys coming back from the service and playing ball on that team.

I remember on fellow in particular.His name was a black guy named Earl Hines. He was older than the rest of us. He played high school ball at Lincoln High in South East San Diego.He was one of those all everything athletes. He lead his team at Lincoln to a CIF title.Won the state heavyweight wrestling championship.After high school he went into the Army. He wasn't drafted I don't think. He was a paratrooper. They said he earned all kind of decorations in Viet Nam.

The first day of two a days Earl was sloted to be our fullback. He was tall,fast ,and strong. He didn't say a lot on the field,but we all looked up to him. He was born in the South and brought with him that Southern politeness and easy voice.No one screwed around with him. He didn't warrant that.

The first day of practice we were suiting up in the locker room. Earl had the widest back span I have ever seen that tapered down to a small waist. As he took his shirt off I saw something I'll never forget. He had these long dark whip lash scars on his back. He must of had a dozen of them. I was a guy that liked to horse around,but when I saw his back I was stunned. No one said anything. Maybe some of the fellows knew about those scars. I don't know.

After calesthentics we broke off into groups. Earl was with the running backs. Our line coach walked up to him.
"Wasn't there a piano player named Earl Hines?"he asked him.
Earl looked up at him and said with that polite voice,"Yes there was. Earl 'Fatha' Hines. A fine musician and gentleman. I'm honored to have his name. I hope I can live up to him."
The line coach didn't seam intersted in pursuing his question.We then broke off into offensive defensive squads.

It's a little cloudy My back was turned. I heard a loud crack. Earl was on the ground. He had run a play and snapped a bone in his leg. You could see it was terrible. They took Earl off on the cart.

It was career ender. Earl didn't come around to the field after that.First day of practice and he went down.A reaI dirty deal.It was years later that I saw Earl again. He was with a bunch of little Pop Warner kids practicing at Ocean View Park.They were getting ready to play a game. I asked how things were going. He smiled and said,"Things can't get better than this."



Earl "Fatha" Hines

http://youtu.be/rR35n5KRf0c

I Ain't Got Nobody-Earl "Fatha" Hines

[CNorkusJr]

Brian, congrats on the Black Hawks success this year. -Rick

My sentiments exactly- CHICAGO UNDEFEATED AT HOME !!

Took in Rangers/ Islanders rivalry last night. We always get first row on glass for our games. Took my camera for this one.
My Isles went down at very end-which kills me each time.




My longtime friend Bob, who is a huge Boxing fan also. He has been attending boxing events and all sports events with me since our teens. He couldnt make it out to California this past October, and it stills bothers him to this day.

[El Gallo]

Standing (L-to-R)
Ruben Olivares,Chucho Castillo, Evan Armstrong & Jose Medel...1968
Strumming guitar is Lionel Rose

5 BAD ASSES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I boxed in the ring with the two best of the five, Olivares & Castillo.
Yeah, it doesn't get much better.

[dagosd2000]

The Rematch

After the fight I went to Sid's dressing room. He had a towel draped on his head. He was looking at the floor.
"I thought you got a quick count,"I said to the Irishman.
"I was on a knee. I thought I got up in time."
Sid Ford was fighting the return bout against Olivares in Mexico City. I flew down for the fight. After the bout as he was walking up the ramp to the dressing room,the crowd whistles and pelted him with beer.

The first fight was a war. Sid was outboxing the Mexican and was ahead on all the cards. Then in the 13th round Olivares caught him bouncing off the ropes with his big hook. They could have counted Sid out with a calender.The aficianados went wild.
"I should have beat him the first time,"said Sid. "I had him up there at the Forum. Their camp thought they'd have an easy time with me because of my age,but I knew I could out box him."
Les was cutting the tape from his hands. Sid was sweating hard like he'd been in there for the distance. The fight lasted less than a round.
"Rog,I should have never taken this fight. The first time I trained like I'd never trained before. The fight was going the way I thought until the 13th round. I never saw the punch."
"It was a hard fight ,"I said.
"Maybe the hardest thing I ever went through."
"I still think you got a fast count."
"I shouldn't have been out there. My heart wasn't in it. I got the flu in camp. I couldn't even get out of bed.Then I have to fight him in his back yard. But that's what the public wanted."
"Is it over then?"
"Yeah,this was my last fight. They'll talk about this one though. Like I didn't train. They're right you know."
"Well they'll talk about the first one though. That was the hardest things you ever went through."
"No Roger,"said the old fighter."Tonight was."

[dagosd2000]

"Battling" Torres

[Expug]

Rick and Charley,thanks for the nice words. We finally got beat last night in Colorado. It was a fun historic run going 21-0-3 the best start to a season in NHL history. I got home at three in the morning and everyones tired with the busy schedule but chins are up for sure.

The Islanders are gonna be a good team real soon Charley.Tavares and Moulson are the real deal.

[CNorkusJr]

Rick and Charley,thanks for the nice words. We finally got beat last night in Colorado. It was a fun historic run going 21-0-3 the best start to a season in NHL history. I got home at three in the morning and everyones tired with the busy schedule but chins are up for sure.

The Islanders are gonna be a good team real soon Charley.Tavares and Moulson are the real deal.

[El Gallo]

Rick and Charley,thanks for the nice words. We finally got beat last night in Colorado. It was a fun historic run going 21-0-3 the best start to a season in NHL history. I got home at three in the morning and everyones tired with the busy schedule but chins are up for sure.

The Islanders are gonna be a good team real soon Charley.Tavares and Moulson are the real deal.

[El Gallo]

Charlie . . .

The original poster on this forum, the one who created it, was Expug, Brian Higgins.
Brian was here first. And it soon became the best thread in the Boxrec Forum, and the moderators will confirm this.
It started out as a thread focusing on Ernie "Indian Red" Lopez, and quickly expanded to cover all of California boxing, primarily L.A.
Shortly after it started, the direction of the postings led to it's being renamed "Classic American West Coast Boxing".
I think all of us who were here from those first few months, are very proud of it.
And if anybody wants a cool history of West Coast boxing from those of us who lived it, this is the place you'll find that.

-Rick Farris

[CNorkusJr]

Charlie . . .

The original poster on this forum, the one who created it, was Expug, Brian Higgins.
Brian was here first. And it soon became the best thread in the Boxrec Forum, and the moderators will confirm this.
It started out as a thread focusing on Ernie "Indian Red" Lopez, and quickly expanded to cover all of California boxing, primarily L.A.
Shortly after it started, the direction of the postings led to it's being renamed "Classic American West Coast Boxing".
I think all of us who were here from those first few months, are very proud of it.
And if anybody wants a cool history of West Coast boxing from those of us who lived it, this is the place you'll find that.

-Rick Farris

its a great thread

[dagosd2000]

Fried Chicken

"Looks like you got the chicken again Arch,"I said to the former champion.
"Huffman's still makes great bar b q chicken,"he said."I see you got the links."
"I'm a sucker for hot links. I always want to get something else,but I always go with the hot links."
Me and the champ were having lunch at Huffman's Bar B Q in South East San Diego.The place was up the street from Boys Club.
"Rog,I have a recipe for chicken that's the best in the world,"he said as he dipped a wing in some sauce.
"I'd like to try it some time."
"The secret is in the sauce."
"You should put it out there."
"When Logan has the M.L. King Day I have my stand with the chicken. They all come around."
"What's the secret of your sauce?"
The old Mongoose smiled wide.
"If I tell you then it won't be a secret no more."



Huffman's



Archie Moore and Roy Huffman

[dagosd2000]

As Rick mentioned,Brian's opening on the thread "Indian Red" Lopez.

[El Gallo]

Fried Chicken

"Looks like you got the chicken again Arch,"I said to the former champion.
"Huffman's still makes great bar b q chicken,"he said."I see you got the links."
"I'm a sucker for hot links. I always want to get something else,but I always go with the hot links."
Me and the champ were having lunch at Huffman's Bar B Q in South East San Diego.The place was up the street from Boys Club.
"Rog,I have a recipe for chicken that's the best in the world,"he said as he dipped a wing in some sauce.
"I'd like to try it some time."
"The secret is in the sauce."
"You should put it out there."
"When Logan has the M.L. King Day I have my stand with the chicken. They all come around."
"What's the secret of your sauce?"
The old Mongoose smiled wide.
"If I tell you then it won't be a secret no more."



Huffman's



Archie Moore and Roy Huffman

Boxing is still alive in San Diego . . .

How cool. Roger, during the past couple of years I have gotten close with a number of San Diego boxing figures, mostly through my Hall of Fame endeavers. This past year we made a great induction when we took in former Cal bantam champ, Norman "Bumpy" Parra. Parra quit boxing in the mid-60's, but in the decades since, he has carried on as a trainer, boxing club creator, and currently is an "advisor" to the up & coming Mercito Gesta (who also lives & trains in SD). Parra'a son Vincent trains Gesta. And another great fight club in S.D. is where MMA star Liz Carmouche trains, and where former champ Priest "Tiger" Smalls trains fighters. Smalls has a brilliant story, and he was one of my choices for CBHOF induction this year. I am happy that the CBHOF will induct my nominee this year, as they are with several boxers I had promised to induct in 2013, such as Jose "Portillo" Lopez, Frank Santillan, Joey Giambra and Harold Ledderman. Smalls son, amateur champ Prince "Tiger" Smalls, makes his pro debut in Tijuana on March 29th. I have been invited to attend this fight as Tiger's guest, and I may do this. Hey Rog, wanna catch a fight in TJ in a few weeks? And of course, other San Diego fighters, some legends, have been inducted in recent years. My last fight was in San Diego. What makes me proud of that is that so many greats fought in that little building before me. One of them was Hall of Famer Charley Norkus. I poke fun as SD as a place where LA fighters go to die, but I know better, it's where we go to work out our careers, trying to avoid looking like a dog before those in L.A. Ironically, I have been contacted by boxing writer Steve Randall, an SD guy who used to write for Boxing international & Boxing World back in the 70's. I'm helping him with a project he's writing about that era. The San Diego Coliseum is a part of that story. -Rick Farris

[Expug]

Ive said it before,but man its great seeing this thread humming along again the way it is.
Thanks for all the great stuff guys. Its a very good feeling when we travel to the west coast,even though I have been in Chicago my whole life,its good to knowI have friends in California. Even if I am unable to touch base when Im there its a good feeling.

[El Gallo]

Brian, hope to see you and the Black Hawks in LA again, whenever that happens.
Also, I plan to be involved in California Boxing history and events until the day I die (and I'm in great shape!).
You have a second home & boxing family here. Same for Dan Hanley & Charley Norkus.

-Rick Farris

[dagosd2000]

Fried Chicken

"Looks like you got the chicken again Arch,"I said to the former champion.
"Huffman's still makes great bar b q chicken,"he said."I see you got the links."
"I'm a sucker for hot links. I always want to get something else,but I always go with the hot links."
Me and the champ were having lunch at Huffman's Bar B Q in South East San Diego.The place was up the street from Boys Club.
"Rog,I have a recipe for chicken that's the best in the world,"he said as he dipped a wing in some sauce.
"I'd like to try it some time."
"The secret is in the sauce."
"You should put it out there."
"When Logan has the M.L. King Day I have my stand with the chicken. They all come around."
"What's the secret of your sauce?"
The old Mongoose smiled wide.
"If I tell you then it won't be a secret no more."



Huffman's



Archie Moore and Roy Huffman

Boxing is still alive in San Diego . . .

How cool. Roger, during the past couple of years I have gotten close with a number of San Diego boxing figures, mostly through my Hall of Fame endeavers. This past year we made a great induction when we took in former Cal bantam champ, Norman "Bumpy" Parra. Parra quit boxing in the mid-60's, but in the decades since, he has carried on as a trainer, boxing club creator, and currently is an "advisor" to the up & coming Mercito Gesta (who also lives & trains in SD). Parra'a son Vincent trains Gesta. And another great fight club in S.D. is where MMA star Liz Carmouche trains, and where former champ Priest "Tiger" Smalls trains fighters. Smalls has a brilliant story, and he was one of my choices for CBHOF induction this year. I am happy that the CBHOF will induct my nominee this year, as they are with several boxers I had promised to induct in 2013, such as Jose "Portillo" Lopez, Frank Santillan, Joey Giambra and Harold Ledderman. Smalls son, amateur champ Prince "Tiger" Smalls, makes his pro debut in Tijuana on March 29th. I have been invited to attend this fight as Tiger's guest, and I may do this. Hey Rog, wanna catch a fight in TJ in a few weeks? And of course, other San Diego fighters, some legends, have been inducted in recent years. My last fight was in San Diego. What makes me proud of that is that so many greats fought in that little building before me. One of them was Hall of Famer Charley Norkus. I poke fun as SD as a place where LA fighters go to die, but I know better, it's where we go to work out our careers, trying to avoid looking like a dog before those in L.A. Ironically, I have been contacted by boxing writer Steve Randall, an SD guy who used to write for Boxing international & Boxing World back in the 70's. I'm helping him with a project he's writing about that era. The San Diego Coliseum is a part of that story. -Rick Farris

Rick

My grandson Adam works out the gym where Tiger Smalls trains his fighters. Adam says his son is a very good fighter. Sure I'd like to watch him fight. Rog

[El Gallo]

Fried Chicken

"Looks like you got the chicken again Arch,"I said to the former champion.
"Huffman's still makes great bar b q chicken,"he said."I see you got the links."
"I'm a sucker for hot links. I always want to get something else,but I always go with the hot links."
Me and the champ were having lunch at Huffman's Bar B Q in South East San Diego.The place was up the street from Boys Club.
"Rog,I have a recipe for chicken that's the best in the world,"he said as he dipped a wing in some sauce.
"I'd like to try it some time."
"The secret is in the sauce."
"You should put it out there."
"When Logan has the M.L. King Day I have my stand with the chicken. They all come around."
"What's the secret of your sauce?"
The old Mongoose smiled wide.
"If I tell you then it won't be a secret no more."



Huffman's



Archie Moore and Roy Huffman

Boxing is still alive in San Diego . . .

How cool. Roger, during the past couple of years I have gotten close with a number of San Diego boxing figures, mostly through my Hall of Fame endeavers. This past year we made a great induction when we took in former Cal bantam champ, Norman "Bumpy" Parra. Parra quit boxing in the mid-60's, but in the decades since, he has carried on as a trainer, boxing club creator, and currently is an "advisor" to the up & coming Mercito Gesta (who also lives & trains in SD). Parra'a son Vincent trains Gesta. And another great fight club in S.D. is where MMA star Liz Carmouche trains, and where former champ Priest "Tiger" Smalls trains fighters. Smalls has a brilliant story, and he was one of my choices for CBHOF induction this year. I am happy that the CBHOF will induct my nominee this year, as they are with several boxers I had promised to induct in 2013, such as Jose "Portillo" Lopez, Frank Santillan, Joey Giambra and Harold Ledderman. Smalls son, amateur champ Prince "Tiger" Smalls, makes his pro debut in Tijuana on March 29th. I have been invited to attend this fight as Tiger's guest, and I may do this. Hey Rog, wanna catch a fight in TJ in a few weeks? And of course, other San Diego fighters, some legends, have been inducted in recent years. My last fight was in San Diego. What makes me proud of that is that so many greats fought in that little building before me. One of them was Hall of Famer Charley Norkus. I poke fun as SD as a place where LA fighters go to die, but I know better, it's where we go to work out our careers, trying to avoid looking like a dog before those in L.A. Ironically, I have been contacted by boxing writer Steve Randall, an SD guy who used to write for Boxing international & Boxing World back in the 70's. I'm helping him with a project he's writing about that era. The San Diego Coliseum is a part of that story. -Rick Farris

Rick

My grandson Adam works out the gym where Tiger Smalls trains his fighters. Adam says his son is a very good fighter. Sure I'd like to watch him fight. Rog

OK. I'm going to talk to Tiger tonight. He sent me the info, so I will forward it to you. I need to confirm that I will be available on that day.
I actually have a lot of photos of both fighters, which are easily shared over Facebook, not so easy to share here. Both father and son are gentleman, and last week Tiger Smalls was honored with the Key to the City of San Diego, it was officially "Tiger Smalls Day" in San Diego.

[scartissue]

Fried Chicken

. Ironically, I have been contacted by boxing writer Steve Randall, an SD guy who used to write for Boxing international & Boxing World back in the 70's. I'm helping him with a project he's writing about that era. The San Diego Coliseum is a part of that story. -Rick Farris

Rick, I used to love Steve Randall's pieces in World and International Boxing. He was the one who did California Grapevine, isn't he? Please convey to him there are still boxing fans out there who remember his coverage and obvious appreciation of west coast boxing.