Classic American West Coast Boxing

[CNorkusJr]

When I started reading the Laguna posts-the name rang a bell with me but I couldnt quite place it. When I looked over his record -I saw the fight with vs. Buchanan in New York in 1971. Duran was training in the newly re-located Gleasons Gym (from Bronx to midtown Manhattan). My father talked to Bobby Gleason alot as his gym was just outside of Madison Sq. Garden. ( Gleason's daughter Bernadette Savarese married and resided just a few blocks away from us here in Wantagh. I grew up with Bobby Gleason's grandson, John Savarese and he was my Best man at my wedding in 2006).
Often we rode the train in to watch the boxers train. This particular day-my father took me out of school half day to go watch Roberto Duran train in Gleason's for his upcoming fight in Garden. Also training next to Roberto Duran was Ismael Laguna,fellow Panamanian. He was fighting vs, Buchanan for title in Garden and was Main Event.
Duran got alot of press from media, I'd say a bit more than Laguna did at the time, but Bobby Gleason said it was going to be a helluva fight vs. Buchanan, even though Ismael wasnt getting the deserved attention. I couldnt make it to the Garden that night-but my father was there as he was good friends with Long Island boxing prospect, Walter Seeley, who was on card that nite. My father said the Laguna vs Buchanan fight was close, but Buchanan got the nod.

I remember Laguna hitting the speed bag and dance(shadow) in the Ring, and for me being 14 years old at the time, it was great to see. Duran's hands also were so fast. Quite mesmerizing and both were powerful memories.

[Cholo]

When I started reading the Laguna posts-the name rang a bell with me but I couldnt quite place it. When I looked over his record -I saw the fight with vs. Buchanan in New York in 1971. Duran was training in the newly re-located Gleasons Gym (from Bronx to midtown Manhattan). My father talked to Bobby Gleason alot as his gym was just outside of Madison Sq. Garden. ( Gleason's daughter Bernadette Savarese married and resided just a few blocks away from us here in Wantagh. I grew up with Bobby Gleason's grandson, John Savarese and he was my Best man at my wedding in 2006).
Often we rode the train in to watch the boxers train. This particular day-my father took me out of school half day to go watch Roberto Duran train in Gleason's for his upcoming fight in Garden. Also training next to Roberto Duran was Ismael Laguna,fellow Panamanian. He was fighting vs, Buchanan for title in Garden and was Main Event.
Duran got alot of press from media, I'd say a bit more than Laguna did at the time, but Bobby Gleason said it was going to be a helluva fight vs. Buchanan, even though Ismael wasnt getting the deserved attention. I couldnt make it to the Garden that night-but my father was there as he was good friends with Long Island boxing prospect, Walter Seeley, who was on card that nite. My father said the Laguna vs Buchanan fight was close, but Buchanan got the nod.

I remember Laguna hitting the speed bag and dance(shadow) in the Ring, and for me being 14 years old at the time, it was great to see. Duran's hands also were so fast. Quite mesmerizing and both were powerful memories.

Charlie, great memories, Duran fought Benny Huertas on the undercard of Buchanan/Laguna. Duran KO 1.

[Cholo]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=p ... ZKR1T9Dy08#!

Ismael Laguna TKO 9 Mando Ramos

Ismael Laguna was a great fighter from a great era. One of Panama's best.
This thread is very familiar with our pal Mando Ramos, but it's nice to see him against one of the best lightweights of the era.
The Panamanians will also be featured in Alan Swyer's "El Boxeo".

Ismael Laguna

birthdate 1943-06-28
division lightweight
stance orthodox
height 5′ 9″ / 175cm
reach 68″ / 173cm
alias El Tigre Colonense
Panama
residence Colon City, Panama
birth place Colon City, Panama
birth name Ismael Laguna Meneses
won 65 (KO 37) + lost 9 (KO 0) + drawn 1 = 75
rounds boxed 598
1971-09-13 135 Ken Buchanan 133½ 40-1-0
Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, USA L UD 15 15
referee: Jimmy Devlin 6-9 | judge: Harold Lederman 5-10 | judge: Tony Castellano 6-8
WBA World lightweight title

1971-06-22 139 Eddie Linder 139 27-6-6
Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, USA L MD 10 10
referee: Cy Gottfried 45-44 | judge: Gus Jacobson 44-46 | judge: Bunny Lovett 46-48
Laguna was knocked down in 3rd round.

1971-04-03 135 Chango Carmona 135¼ 43-8-2
Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, Panama W UD 10 10
referee: Isaac Herrera 98-94 | judge: Carlos Aldana 100-92 | judge: Roberto Navarro 99-94

1971-03-06 137 Lloyd Marshall 133 22-7-0
Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, Panama W UD 10 10
referee: Roberto Lopez | judge: Juan Carlos Tapia 100-93

1970-09-26 134½ Ken Buchanan 134 36-1-0
Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico L SD 15 15
referee: Waldemar Schmidt 144-143 | judge: Pito Lopez 144-145 | judge: Jose Soto 143-144
WBA World lightweight title
NYSAC World lightweight title

1970-06-06 135 Guts Ishimatsu 135 16-5-4
Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, Panama W TKO 13 15
time: 2:45 | referee: Juval Horta 120-108 | judge: Harmodio Cedeno 119-111 | judge: Juan Carlos Tapia 120-107
WBC lightweight title
WBA World lightweight title

1970-03-03 135 Mando Ramos 134½ 28-3-0
Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California, USA W TKO 9 15
referee: Lee Grossman 6-3 | judge: Dick Young 5-4 | judge: John Thomas 5-3
WBC lightweight title
WBA World lightweight title
Ramos' manager Jackie McCoy asked the referee to stop the bout, due to cuts over both of Ramos' eyes.

1970-01-24 134¾ Jose Luis Vallejo 137½ 18-6-1
Arena de Colon, Colon City, Panama W TKO 3 10
referee: Roberto Lopez

1969-07-14 136 Genaro Soto 135½ 26-9-2
Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, USA W UD 10 10
referee: Tony Perez | judge: Al Berl | judge: Jack Gordon
Scoring: Referee Tony Perez 8-2, Judge Al Berl 8-1-1, Judge Jack Gordon 6-3-1.

1969-07-05 135½ Eugenio Espinoza 137 60-9-4
Estadio Juan D. Arosemena, Panama City, Panama W UD 10 10
referee: Alfonso Rodriguez | judge: Osvaldo Reyes 99-95 | judge: Harmodio Cedeno 100-92 | judge: Harry Boyd 100-92

1969-05-24 135 Eugenio Espinoza 138 58-9-4
Quito, Ecuador L UD 10 10
judge: Juan Carlos Tapia

1969-03-31 Maurice Tavant 46-13-4
Palais des Sports, Lyon, Rhône, France W PTS 10 10
1969-03-01 136 Curley Aguirre 134½ 26-20-1
Estadio Juan D. Arosemena, Panama City, Panama W TKO 4 10
time: 2:24 | referee: Isaac Herrera

1968-11-15 136 Roman Blanco 136 22-4-0
Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, USA W MD 10 10
referee: Jimmy Devlin 7-3 | judge: Johnny Dran 7-3 | judge: Tony Rossi 5-5

1968-10-22 137½ Grady Ponder 134 29-9-0
Miami Beach, Florida, USA W UD 10 10
1968-10-07 136 Gabe LaMarca 16-6-4
Catholic Youth Center, Scranton, Pennsylvania, USA W TKO 8 10
This bout did not occur on 10/05 in Portland, Maine as a 7th round KO as previously displayed here.

1968-08-20 136 Lloyd Marshall 131½ 19-4-0
Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, USA W TKO 9 10
time: 2:49 | referee: Johnny LoBianco
A cut over Marshall's left eye forced the stoppage.

1968-07-17 136 Victor Melendez 136 16-0-4
Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, USA W UD 10 10
referee: Harold Valan 7-3 | judge: Tony Castellano 9-1 | judge: Tony Rossi 9-1

1968-04-29 136 Frankie Narvaez 136¼ 34-6-1
Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico W UD 10 10
1968-04-15 135 Bud Anderson 138 16-9-3
Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA W TKO 10 10
1968-02-26 136 Ray Adigun 135¼ 33-6-0
Paris, Paris, France W PTS 10 10
1967-10-28 133¼ Paul Armstead 135 50-16-3
Estadio Juan D. Arosemena, Panama City, Panama W PTS 10 10
referee: Isaac Herrera 98-94 | judge: Harry Boyd 98-94 | judge: Harmodio Cedeno 98-94

1967-08-16 135 Carlos Ortiz 135 50-5-1
Shea Stadium, Queens, New York, USA L UD 15 15
referee: Arthur Mercante 4-10 | judge: Al Berl 4-10 | judge: Jack Gordon 3-11
WBC lightweight title
WBA World lightweight title

1967-06-03 136 Alfredo Urbina 135¼ 48-16-3
Estadio Juan D. Arosemena, Panama City, Panama W PTS 10 10
referee: Isaac Herrera 99-95 | judge: Harry Boyd 98-94 | judge: Harmodio Cedeno 99-95

1967-04-01 135½ Vicente Rivas 136 33-13-3
Estadio Juan D. Arosemena, Panama City, Panama W KO 5 10
time: 3:03 | referee: Isaac Herrera
Rivas was counted out after the bell.

1967-03-10 134¼ Frankie Narvaez 135½ 30-4-1
Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, USA W UD 12 12
referee: Jimmy Devlin 7-5 | judge: Jack Gordon 8-3 | judge: Artie Aidala 9-1

1966-12-03 135 Daniel Guanin 138¼ 30-4-3
Estadio Juan D. Arosemena, Panama City, Panama W KO 8 10
time: 1:45 | referee: Roberto Lopez

1966-10-02 135½ Percy Hayles 136 25-15-6
Estadio Nacional, Kingston, Jamaica W TKO 6 10
time: 2:05 | referee: Emilio Sanchez

1966-07-28 135 Al Grant 139 19-9-3
Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, USA W UD 10 10
referee: Dick Young

1966-03-19 134 Flash Elorde 135 78-19-2
Araneta Coliseum, Barangay Cubao, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines L UD 10 10
referee: Teodorico Reyes | judge: Arturo Cayetano 45-48 | judge: Alfredo Quiazon 44-46 | judge: Jaime Valencia 44-45
Laguna was knocked down once in the 4th and 9th rounds.

1966-02-19 133½ Carlos Hernandez 134¼ 39-4-3
Estadio Juan D. Arosemena, Panama City, Panama W TKO 8 10
time: 0:30 | referee: Servio Tulio Lay | judge: Harmodio Cedeno | judge: Ramon Moynes

1965-11-13 133 Carlos Ortiz 134½ 45-5-0
Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico L UD 15 15
referee: Rocky Marciano 143-148 | judge: Jose Soto 138-150 | judge: Harry Boyd 143-145
WBC lightweight title
WBA World lightweight title

1965-07-17 136¾ Nicolino Locche 134 57-2-11
Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal, Argentina D PTS 10 10
1965-06-19 136 Raul Soriano 136¾ 24-8-1
Estadio Nacional, Panama City, Panama W TKO 8 10
referee: Servio Tulio Lay

1965-04-10 132 Carlos Ortiz 134¾ 45-4-0
Estadio Nacional, Panama City, Panama W MD 15 15
referee: Jersey Joe Walcott 143-132 | judge: Ben Green 145-145 | judge: Ramon Moynes 149-137
WBC lightweight title
WBA World lightweight title

1964-12-20 132½ Sebastiao Nascimento 130½ 26-5-7
Estadio Olimpico, Panama City, Panama W UD 10 10
referee: Servio Tulio Lay 99-92 | judge: Harmodio Cedeno 98-93 | judge: Harry Boyd 99-92

1964-10-24 134½ Percy Hayles 133 22-10-6
Estadio Olimpico, Panama City, Panama W TKO 7 10
time: 1:10 | referee: Servio Tulio Lay | judge: Harmodio Cedeno | judge: Harry Boyd

1964-08-02 132½ Vicente Milan Derado 132¾ 49-17-14
Estadio Olimpico, Panama City, Panama W UD 10 10
referee: Roberto Lopez 100-93 | judge: Harmodio Cedeno 99-94 | judge: Ramon Moynes 99-89

1964-07-06 130 Kid Anahuac 132 59-31-7
Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California, USA W TKO 8 10
time: 1:41 | referee: Lee Grossman

1964-06-01 125 Vicente Saldivar 126 24-1-0
Plaza de Toros, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico L PTS 10 10
1964-03-09 130¾ Angel Robinson Garcia 132 66-22-5
Palais des Sports, Paris, Paris, France W PTS 10 10
Laguna was knocked down in the 1st for no count, and for a three count in the 5th (UPI)

1964-02-21 128½ Oripes Dos Santos 125½ 10-5-4
Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil W KO 7 10
1964-01-26 Pedro Miranda 58-15-13
Arena de Colon, Colon City, Panama W KO 4 10
time: 0:20 | referee: Colon Al Brown

1963-11-18 127½ Rafiu King 127½ 40-7-4
Palais des Sports, Paris, Paris, France W UD 10 10
referee: Paul Castellano

1963-09-15 126¼ Antonio Herrera 126¼ 26-2-4
Estadio Nacional, Panama City, Panama W TKO 6 10
referee: Isaac Herrera

1963-08-25 126¼ Eduardo Guerrero 125¾ 35-10-3
Estadio Nacional, Panama City, Panama W UD 10 10
1963-07-21 126 Don Johnson 125½ 28-7-3
Estadio Nacional, Panama City, Panama W TKO 3 10
Injury

1963-06-07 125½ Antonio Herrera 125¼ 24-2-4
Plaza de Toros Santamaria, Bogota, Colombia L PTS 10 10
referee: Ismael Barboza 94-97

1963-05-20 127¾ Fili Nava 131¾ 66-19-6
Estadio Nacional, Panama City, Panama W KO 3 10
time: 2:56 | referee: Isaac Herrera

1963-03-17 125 Auburn Copeland 124½ 59-13-2
Plaza de Toros La Macarena, Panama City, Panama W UD 10 10
referee: Rogelio Pinzon 99-95 | judge: Humberto Figueroa Sr. 99-93 | judge: Jose Graham 98-93

1963-02-22 124¾ Juan Ramirez 125 39-7-4
Estadio Nacional, Panama City, Panama W UD 10 10
referee: Isaac Herrera
Laguna knocked down in 8th round

1963-01-20 125 Bobby Gray 126 13-10-4
Arena de Colon, Colon City, Panama W TKO 9 10
referee: Servio Tulio Lay
Injury

1962-12-16 124 Tony Herrera 122¾ 22-4-0
Gimnasio Nacional, Panama City, Panama W KO 2 10
time: 1:58 | referee: Rogelio Pinzon

1962-11-18 121½ Enrique Hitchman 121½ 12-5-1
Gimnasio Nacional, Panama City, Panama W KO 2 10
time: 2:20 | referee: Rogelio Pinzon

1962-10-28 123¾ Beresford Francis 125¾ 7-6-1
Arena de Colon, Colon City, Panama W TKO 5 10
time: 1:10 | referee: Colon Al Brown

1962-09-16 122 Pedro (Manhattan Kid) Ortiz 122½ 16-4-2
Gimnasio Nacional, Panama City, Panama W TKO 7 10
1962-07-29 122 Jorge Baby Salazar 118¾ 33-12-3
Arena de Colon, Colon City, Panama W KO 6 10
1962-06-24 123 Carlos Celis 126 22-4-1
Arena de Colon, Colon City, Panama W TKO 5 10
1962-06-10 Agustin Carmona 8-2-0
Gimnasio Nacional, Panama City, Panama W KO 6 10
time: 1:20 | referee: Vivian Stewart

1962-06-03 120 Jorge Uzcategui 120
Arena de Colon, Colon City, Panama W TKO 2 10
time: 1:04 | referee: Servio Tulio Lay

1962-04-15 117 Nelson Estrada 119 24-10-0
Arena de Colon, Colon City, Panama W TKO 7 10
Laguna down for first time in career in second

1962-03-02 Castor Castillo 2-0-0
Maracaibo, Venezuela W PTS 10 10
1962-01-14 118¼ Eloy Sanchez 118¼ 28-14-1
Arena de Colon, Colon City, Panama W KO 4 10
time: 0:23 | referee: Servio Tulio Lay
Sanchez knocked down in 2nd round

1961-12-01 120 Hector Hicks 121 18-5-1
Arena de Colon, Colon City, Panama W KO 5 10
time: 2:11 | referee: Servio Tulio Lay

1961-10-15 118½ Euro Partides 118½ 0-1-0
Gimnasio Nacional, Panama City, Panama W KO 4 10
time: 1:05 | referee: Vivian Stewart

1961-08-27 118½ Enrique Hitchman 119¾ 11-4-1
Gimnasio Nacional, Panama City, Panama W UD 10 10
1961-06-25 116½ Claudio Martinez 117¾ 11-7-2
Arena de Colon, Colon City, Panama W TKO 4 10
Martinez knocked down three times in 4th round

1961-06-04 Killer Solomon 27-6-3
Arena de Colon, Colon City, Panama W KO 7 10
1961-05-21 117 Battling Escudero 120¼ 3-3-1
Arena de Colon, Colon City, Panama W KO 2 6
time: 2:55

1961-04-30 116 Ernesto Campbell 119 10-7-0
Gimnasio Nacional, Panama City, Panama W UD 6 6
1961-04-16 118 Jose Pacheco 119 2-6-1
Gimnasio Nacional, Panama City, Panama W KO 3 4
time: 2:00

1961-03-26 117¾ Carlos Real 113 5-4-0
Gimnasio Nacional, Panama City, Panama W SD 6 6
1961-03-05 120 Javier Valle 118 1-0-0
Gimnasio Nacional, Panama City, Panama W UD 4 4
1961-01-22 118¾ Eduardo Frutos 118½ 3-5-1
Arena de Colon, Colon City, Panama W UD 4 4
1960-08-21 117¾ Antonio Morgan 117¾
Gimnasio Nacional, Panama City, Panama W KO 2 4
Laguna´s pro debut

Mando Ramos never got good enough to beat Ismael Laguna.
He might have but who knows? He blew his candle out early.

Rick, Mando could have been one of the best.

[El Gallo]

Rick, Mando could have been one of the best.
-------------------------------------------------

He was the youngest man to ever win the world lightweight title. He was an amazingly exciting box-office attraction in L.A.?
That is what Mando Ramos was, and it was a lot. However, Mando didn't have what it takes to be "one of the best".
Great heart, great charisma, great ability and likeability Mando had in bulk, but he didn't have the mind of a champion, not a great one.
The greats prepared themselves for greatness, while Mando prepared himself for a party life.
I loved Mando, but he would have never had a chance with a Duran, and likely not his stablemate Rodolfo Gonzalez, and certainly not Esteban DeJesus. He was like Art Aragon, a big star here in L.A. who could compete with anybody. But not defeat the greats.

[dagosd2000]

The Bartender's Daughter

Whenever you hear you're geting a new principal at a school,the rumors start flying around like crazed bats. The high school I was at near the border got the low down from the district office that we were to get a new principal at the semester. Her name was Christine Aranda Smith. She was a former assistant superintendant under the former head superintendant. But the former head superintendant got cancer and the new superintendant kicked Christine Aranda Smith down to being a principal at our school.

Being a principal at that school was no cake walk. Most of the kids lived across the border and test scores were the lowest in the county. It was a time when the white teachers were fed up with the kids speaking Spanish all the time. Of course in the classroom they'd answer the teacher in English,but that was the about the only time they spoke it. During lunch period the ASB would bring groups to play in the lunch court like Los Tucanes De Tijuana.It was more of a cultural shock for the white teachers.

But it was difficult for the Mexican teachers too.They didn't want to see the lowest test scores in the county anymore than the white teachers,but the reasons were different with both groups. The white teachers fringed on racial explanations and the Mexican teachers saw poverity and cultural differences as the part of the problem. It was an uncomfortable place to work and Christins Aranda Smith was headed right for it.

I worked at the "Learning Center" which was another name for kids who were on their last chance to make it. They only went to school 2 hours a day and were to do the bulk of their work at home. In the beginning the program was successful when they knew that if they didn't show up or didn't turn in their work they get booted out. But then the district didn't want us to drop any kids and then the kids knew there were no penalties for not trying and just languished around.I remember the day Christine walked into the "Learning Center."
She was very pretty,older than I was and had a nice smile.
We talked and struck up a fast friendship. She told me she grew up in Boyle Heights with her grandmother and her father. She was a poor "chicana" like most everyone else and didn't get much direction at home. She told me she probobly would have dropped out of scool and gotten pregnant if it wasn't for one of her teachers that served as a mentor. The teacher later became a principal and she married him. Her husband was a Tuskegee Pilot in the war. He was well liked and brought Christine up through the ranks. She earned a PHD at La Verne College in Los Angeles.She was very proud of that. She wanted to called "Dr. Smith.". Her husband retired and they decided to move to San Diego,but he died of a heart attack and she was on her own working in a new school district.

She felt comfortable with me and me with her because we knew the ramifications of what it was like to work at a school near Mexico. She emphasized a lot remembering herself as a young girl going to scool in LA. I saw it like her too. There are just some things that take a long time to change and sometimes they never do. One day she started to talk about her father.
"My father owned a bar in Boyle Heights."
"That must have been interesting,"I said.
"He was an alcoholic. Sometimes he wouldn't come home at night."
"Must have been rough on you."
"Yes. He didn't understand how to raise a girl,but he loved me."
"Sounds like he was a character."
"He'd take me with him to parties he was bartending at and show me how to mix drinks."
"Did you like that?"
"No. But like I said he loved me and I loved him,but he didn't know any better."
"Did he ever get off the bottle?"
"No he didn't.Eventually it killed him.I remember he liked to go to the fights and a lot of the fighters were in his place. Him and Mando Ramos would leave with a different blond each night in Mando's convertable."
"That's the kind of stuff that brought Mando Ramos down,"I said.
"It destroyed my father too,"she sighed,"but like I said, he loved me."

[dagosd2000]

Albert Davila -today

[Cholo]

Rick, Mando could have been one of the best.
-------------------------------------------------

He was the youngest man to ever win the world lightweight title. He was an amazingly exciting box-office attraction in L.A.?
That is what Mando Ramos was, and it was a lot. However, Mando didn't have what it takes to be "one of the best".
Great heart, great charisma, great ability and likeability Mando had in bulk, but he didn't have the mind of a champion, not a great one.
The greats prepared themselves for greatness, while Mando prepared himself for a party life.
I loved Mando, but he would have never had a chance with a Duran, and likely not his stablemate Rodolfo Gonzalez, and certainly not Esteban DeJesus. He was like Art Aragon, a big star here in L.A. who could compete with anybody. But not defeat the greats.

Rick, Mando's crazy lifestyle.

[dagosd2000]

Happy Birthday Pedro

Today is Pedro Infante's birthday. He'd probably be over a hundred if he were still alive. He was popular when he was alive and he's still popular in Mexico. The kids don't go out and buy his music necessarily,but they have his respect. Their parents,grandparents listen to Pedro Infante. I know when I go to Michoacan his songs are always on the radio. I've never heard any controversy let alone anyone say anything bad about Pedro Infante. He died young. He was 54 when he died in that plane crash. Sinatra went to his funeral. Pedro Infante was an immortal. Mexico holds people like him very close to their hearts. He is a symbol. He is "puro Mexicano." He is something that can't be Americanized.A personal treasure. So when it is his birthday, and even when it is not,when Mexico hears his music,they know it is something that can't be taken away.


http://youtu.be/bdDVSqQ6LEg

Amorcito Corazon-Pedro Infante

[dagosd2000]

Charro-Puro Mexicano

[El Gallo]

Rick, Mando could have been one of the best.
-------------------------------------------------

He was the youngest man to ever win the world lightweight title. He was an amazingly exciting box-office attraction in L.A.?
That is what Mando Ramos was, and it was a lot. However, Mando didn't have what it takes to be "one of the best".
Great heart, great charisma, great ability and likeability Mando had in bulk, but he didn't have the mind of a champion, not a great one.
The greats prepared themselves for greatness, while Mando prepared himself for a party life.
I loved Mando, but he would have never had a chance with a Duran, and likely not his stablemate Rodolfo Gonzalez, and certainly not Esteban DeJesus. He was like Art Aragon, a big star here in L.A. who could compete with anybody. But not defeat the greats.

Rick, Mando's crazy lifestyle.

Despite Mando's ability to win the title with only partial training focus durng his young career, he did not prepare to hold on the title he won at such a young age. He told me . . .
"I set a goal to win the world title, but I didn't set another goal focused on keeping the title. I wanted to become a champ, and once I had done that I had nowhere to go."

[Cholo]

Rick, Mando could have been one of the best.
-------------------------------------------------

He was the youngest man to ever win the world lightweight title. He was an amazingly exciting box-office attraction in L.A.?
That is what Mando Ramos was, and it was a lot. However, Mando didn't have what it takes to be "one of the best".
Great heart, great charisma, great ability and likeability Mando had in bulk, but he didn't have the mind of a champion, not a great one.
The greats prepared themselves for greatness, while Mando prepared himself for a party life.
I loved Mando, but he would have never had a chance with a Duran, and likely not his stablemate Rodolfo Gonzalez, and certainly not Esteban DeJesus. He was like Art Aragon, a big star here in L.A. who could compete with anybody. But not defeat the greats.

Rick, Mando's crazy lifestyle.

Despite Mando's ability to win the title with only partial training focus durng his young career, he did not prepare to hold on the title he won at such a young age. He told me . . .
"I set a goal to win the world title, but I didn't set another goal focused on keeping the title. I wanted to become a champ, and once I had done that I had nowhere to go."

Rick, I've received some of Mando's fights on DVD, Salazar, Gonzalez, Teo Cruz. Great watching a young Mando Ramos, what a talent. Love the sound of the bell at the Olympic, classic stuff.

[dagosd2000]

The Nice Critic

Read where Roger Ebert passed away. I liked him. And I liked when he was teamed with the late Gene Siskel. They were funny and entertaining. I generally don't like critics. What they are criticizing is subjective. A matter of taste. But I liked these guys because they weren't so vehement with their likes and dislikes. Sports critics are probobly the most irritating to me. I'd put them alongside politicians,but at least lawmakers are argiung about the law. Movies and sports? That's for the toy department.

I've really seen guys get worked up over sports. Riots at soccer matches. Fights in the stands at ball games. Back and forth name calling on boxing threads. Funny,I've never talked to a boxer,present or past,that threw himself into a fight about who was the best pound for pound fighter of all time. At least not keeping the argument going and going. They'd just assume retiring in their corner. When Burke Emery was running his bar,I'd see him back away and let the customer have his way with "who had the best left hook in the heavyweight division." Now if the critic disrespected Burke,he wouldn't call him a "fag",but demonstrate his personal left hook to the critic's jaw.

Roger Ebert was friends with my late aunt who was my father's sister and daughter of "Diamond Joe" Esposito. Ebert wrote a nice introduction for the book Wicked City,that featured "Diamond Joe"as one of the flambouyant characters of Chicago's roaring 20's.

Roger Ebert criticized entertainment.It wasn't engraved in stone. He wasn't a shock jock. I wish some of these sports fanatics wouldn't be so strong with their opinions. Maybe they haven't grown up yet. If that's the case,you can always say a burro is most beautifull when it's young.

[dagosd2000]

Frankie Duarte

[El Gallo]

Rick, I've received some of Mando's fights on DVD, Salazar, Gonzalez, Teo Cruz. Great watching a young Mando Ramos, what a talent. Love the sound of the bell at the Olympic, classic stuff.[/quote]
---------------------------------------------------------


Paul, that bell was a brake drum from an old Buick. It had the best ring I ever heard. And those are great fights. I was lucky to attend many and have enjoyed them even more in recent years. He was beyond a dream come true for a great manager/trainer in Jackie McCoy. Sadly, that dream turned into a nightmare for some, including the youngest man to win the lightweight title. He was a boxing prodigy, but potential is not worth a dime if it isn't realized. I believe he could been a lot better and done greater things. But with guys like Napoles and Duran around, Mando Ramos was a guy who would have put on a dead game performance before getting beat up pretty bad.

[Cholo]

Rick, I've received some of Mando's fights on DVD, Salazar, Gonzalez, Teo Cruz. Great watching a young Mando Ramos, what a talent. Love the sound of the bell at the Olympic, classic stuff.

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Paul, that bell was a brake drum from an old Buick. It had the best ring I ever heard. And those are great fights. I was lucky to attend many and have enjoyed them even more in recent years. He was beyond a dream come true for a great manager/trainer in Jackie McCoy. Sadly, that dream turned into a nightmare for some, including the youngest man to win the lightweight title. He was a boxing prodigy, but potential is not worth a dime if it isn't realized. I believe he could been a lot better and done greater things. But with guys like Napoles and Duran around, Mando Ramos was a guy who would have put on a dead game performance before getting beat up pretty bad.[/quote]

Thanks Rick for the info on the bell at the Olympic, I'll second what you said about the bell, the best. Shame about Mando, he was a big talent, smooth boxer. Duran one of the best ever, Napoles great too.

[El Gallo]

Rick, I've received some of Mando's fights on DVD, Salazar, Gonzalez, Teo Cruz. Great watching a young Mando Ramos, what a talent. Love the sound of the bell at the Olympic, classic stuff.

---------------------------------------------------------


Paul, that bell was a brake drum from an old Buick. It had the best ring I ever heard. And those are great fights. I was lucky to attend many and have enjoyed them even more in recent years. He was beyond a dream come true for a great manager/trainer in Jackie McCoy. Sadly, that dream turned into a nightmare for some, including the youngest man to win the lightweight title. He was a boxing prodigy, but potential is not worth a dime if it isn't realized. I believe he could been a lot better and done greater things. But with guys like Napoles and Duran around, Mando Ramos was a guy who would have put on a dead game performance before getting beat up pretty bad.

Thanks Rick for the info on the bell at the Olympic, I'll second what you said about the bell, the best. Shame about Mando, he was a big talent, smooth boxer. Duran one of the best ever, Napoles great too.[/quote]


Paul, I think Mando Ramos was one of the greatest gifts to boxing in Los Angeles. One of my all-time favorites, like Art Aragon.
Dan Hanley and I interviewed Mando on camera a few months before his death. We have the last interview of Mando Ramos, and it is great!

[Cholo]

Rick, I've received some of Mando's fights on DVD, Salazar, Gonzalez, Teo Cruz. Great watching a young Mando Ramos, what a talent. Love the sound of the bell at the Olympic, classic stuff.

---------------------------------------------------------


Paul, that bell was a brake drum from an old Buick. It had the best ring I ever heard. And those are great fights. I was lucky to attend many and have enjoyed them even more in recent years. He was beyond a dream come true for a great manager/trainer in Jackie McCoy. Sadly, that dream turned into a nightmare for some, including the youngest man to win the lightweight title. He was a boxing prodigy, but potential is not worth a dime if it isn't realized. I believe he could been a lot better and done greater things. But with guys like Napoles and Duran around, Mando Ramos was a guy who would have put on a dead game performance before getting beat up pretty bad.

Thanks Rick for the info on the bell at the Olympic, I'll second what you said about the bell, the best. Shame about Mando, he was a big talent, smooth boxer. Duran one of the best ever, Napoles great too.

Paul, I think Mando Ramos was one of the greatest gifts to boxing in Los Angeles. One of my all-time favorites, like Art Aragon.
Dan Hanley and I interviewed Mando on camera a few months before his death. We have the last interview of Mando Ramos, and it is great![/q

Rick, how about a Mando Ramos documentary? would be great.

[dagosd2000]

The Other 30 Percent

"You can beat 70% of the guys out there right now,"said Benny.
"I've never even had an amateur fight,"I responded.
I was at the 32nd Street Naval Gym in San Diego with my friend Gary Young helping him get in shape for a Golden Gloves tourney in Los Angeles. Benny was a hanger on at the gym and was looking for someone to take into his charge. The old guy was a fighter himself,a bantam weight, and had the pan to prove it. He'd fought in Mexico and the small arenas in Southern California. He was a tough little bastard and even though at that size, weight is more or less the same, he had a short reach and was lacking in height even for a 118 pounder.He was a guy who'd had take shots to land his own.He wasn't "cute enough" to fight any other way.
"Gary pounds me over pretty good,"I said to Benny as he worked the big gloves on me.
"Gary is at the top in the amateurs,"said Benny.
"But you want me to turn pro."
"Oh I'll start you off for free at first,then we'll make some money."
I could see Gary was ready to spar. He shook out his arms in the corner of the ring. Benny then yelled"time."

Gary was a big man with about a half a head taller than me and without an ounce of fat. He was from the North West and had spared with Boone Kirkman to get ready for his fight with George Foreman. We had just seen Kirkman get leveled in two rounds by George Foreman on television. Boone didn't exactly impose himself. Gary started the session off fast. He jumped his left into my face and came down with a right to my jaw. I knew I had to move my head more.I was right in front of everything he threw at me. But I did feel good because I blocked a couple of his right hands with my left glove,but for most of the three rounds Gary had his way with me. The only punches I landed were a couple of rights that caught him high on the shoulder. After three rounds I was gassed.
"You looked good,"said Benny pulling off my gloves.
"If that was looking good then how did Gary look?"
"You'll be fine," said Benny grinning.
"I felt those punches on my shoulders Rog,"said Gary walking towards me.
"Well I hope I did you some good,"I said.
"I'm going to need it. This Shavers kid I'm fighting they say is pretty good."
I took off my head gear. I was getting a headache.
"I'll see you tomorrow Roger?" asked Benny.
"I'll be here with Gary."
I grabbed a towel from the ring ropes and put it over my head.
"Like I told you,"said Benny,"you can beat 70% of the guys out there right now."
"Yeah,but it's the other 30% I'm worried about."

[dagosd2000]

Miguel Canto

[El Gallo]

Paul, a Mando Ramos docu would be brilliant. But to be honest, it will never be made.
He was of great interest to you & I, and many who post here, but there are so few of us, there would be no financial benefit to the project.
In other words, if somebody was willing to put up all the cash necessary to finance the filming of the project, who would buy it?
And would they be able to equal the cost of production, distribution, etc. I know & love boxing, and I say "not".
A great idea, and if one gets made I would likely be involved, but in reality it will never happen.
In the USA boxing has lost mucb of it's appeal, and aside from you & I and people who post here, who knows who Mando Ramos is?
Sad reality.
We will keep Mando's name alive, but aside from his very last interview, which was conducted by myself & Dan Hanley, that's it.

[El Gallo]

Happy Birthday Pedro

Today is Pedro Infante's birthday. He'd probably be over a hundred if he were still alive. He was popular when he was alive and he's still popular in Mexico. The kids don't go out and buy his music necessarily,but they have his respect. Their parents,grandparents listen to Pedro Infante. I know when I go to Michoacan his songs are always on the radio. I've never heard any controversy let alone anyone say anything bad about Pedro Infante. He died young. He was 54 when he died in that plane crash. Sinatra went to his funeral. Pedro Infante was an immortal. Mexico holds people like him very close to their hearts. He is a symbol. He is "puro Mexicano." He is something that can't be Americanized.A personal treasure. So when it is his birthday, and even when it is not,when Mexico hears his music,they know it is something that can't be taken away.


http://youtu.be/bdDVSqQ6LEg

Amorcito Corazon-Pedro Infante

Pedro Infante is a direct & close relative of 2012 California boxing Hall of Famer Petey Vital.
That family has so much history (the Vital family). I had to fight to get Pete Vital inducted into the CBHOF.
The President did not see any financial gain for the CBHOF by inducting him.
So I told the President, you induct him or I walk. That is what it took to get this worthy inductee into the CBHOF.
Frank B., be sure to copy and paste this so you don't screw up the spelling. -Rick Farris

[Cholo]

Paul, a Mando Ramos docu would be brilliant. But to be honest, it will never be made.
He was of great interest to you & I, and many who post here, but there are so few of us, there would be no financial benefit to the project.
In other words, if somebody was willing to put up all the cash necessary to finance the filming of the project, who would buy it?
And would they be able to equal the cost of production, distribution, etc. I know & love boxing, and I say "not".
A great idea, and if one gets made I would likely be involved, but in reality it will never happen.
In the USA boxing has lost mucb of it's appeal, and aside from you & I and people who post here, who knows who Mando Ramos is?
Sad reality.
We will keep Mando's name alive, but aside from his very last interview, which was conducted by myself & Dan Hanley, that's it.

That's a shame rick, Bolanos, Aragon, Ramos, would be be great to have something on film about these legendary fighters.

[El Gallo]

Paul, a Mando Ramos docu would be brilliant. But to be honest, it will never be made.
He was of great interest to you & I, and many who post here, but there are so few of us, there would be no financial benefit to the project.
In other words, if somebody was willing to put up all the cash necessary to finance the filming of the project, who would buy it?
And would they be able to equal the cost of production, distribution, etc. I know & love boxing, and I say "not".
A great idea, and if one gets made I would likely be involved, but in reality it will never happen.
In the USA boxing has lost mucb of it's appeal, and aside from you & I and people who post here, who knows who Mando Ramos is?
Sad reality.
We will keep Mando's name alive, but aside from his very last interview, which was conducted by myself & Dan Hanley, that's it.

That's a shame rick, Bolanos, Aragon, Ramos, would be be great to have something on film about these legendary fighters.

I dream of documentaries about Mando, Art Aragon, Jerry Quarry, and so many others. I can't say that nobody would do such a film, but as time goes on the chances of that happening are very small, and the interest limited. This is just my opinion, Paul. And I hope I am wrong.

[Cholo]

Paul, a Mando Ramos docu would be brilliant. But to be honest, it will never be made.
He was of great interest to you & I, and many who post here, but there are so few of us, there would be no financial benefit to the project.
In other words, if somebody was willing to put up all the cash necessary to finance the filming of the project, who would buy it?
And would they be able to equal the cost of production, distribution, etc. I know & love boxing, and I say "not".
A great idea, and if one gets made I would likely be involved, but in reality it will never happen.
In the USA boxing has lost mucb of it's appeal, and aside from you & I and people who post here, who knows who Mando Ramos is?
Sad reality.
We will keep Mando's name alive, but aside from his very last interview, which was conducted by myself & Dan Hanley, that's it.

That's a shame rick, Bolanos, Aragon, Ramos, would be be great to have something on film about these legendary fighters.

I dream of documentaries about Mando, Art Aragon, Jerry Quarry, and so many others. I can't say that nobody would do such a film, but as time goes on the chances of that happening are very small, and the interest limited. This is just my opinion, Paul. And I hope I am wrong.

Rick, the Toy Tiger Art Hafey was a good one, lets hope something happens

[dagosd2000]

The Sore Loser

I guess it's part of the contract with the promotor or the commission or the league or whoever is calling the shots, that certain players and the coaches must do interviews with the press after a game. Now it's not so hard for the winning side to be humble and gracious. "Oh they played hard. They were tough. They had tremendous courage. We're thankfull we won." But the losing side? An awkward spot to be in,perhaps. At least just after the game.

Didn't see the game,but I guess Syracuse's basketball team went down to the wire and finally lost last night. After the contest the first to be interviewed were two kids on the Syracuse team. This was after the the winning side had the mike.

The two kids were pretty good. I guess there was a charging call that could have gone either way that factored big in perhaps in them losing the game. The two players(who were referred to by the moderator as 'student athletes')took it with poise. Their heads were a little down,but said they were proud the way they played and said the other team played hard and that the charging call could have gone either way.

The two "student athletes" were thanked and asked to leave. The place was like a tomb.Then the Syracuse coach was asked a question,whether he was thinking of retiring. He's been around a long time. Well he got a little upset. He didn't blow his stack,but patronized the reporter who asked him the question that he should know better to ask a question like that and why didn't you ask the other coach the same thing and I know you and am surprised you asked me that and reporters are a thin skinned group of guys.

I guess the reporter left the room because the Syracuse coach commented before answering the next question, that the first reporter that asked him the question about retiring, couldn't take it.

All I can say is if the two players that were on Syracuse being interviewed turn pro and get into the big money they'll still know how to talk in front of a microphone.