Classic American West Coast Boxing

[CNorkusJr]

Ken Norton

Excellent Rog!!!
El Pintor De Los Campeones!

Norton is on the canvas!

Roger Esty has never boasted of his boxing past, however, I know that back in the day he traded blows with Kenny Norton in the gym.
Glad to see him put Norton on "the canvas" in a way that Foreman never could!!

[dagosd2000]

The Price Of Freedom

"Hey Rogelio!"yelled out the clown from the middle of the crowd. I stopped and held out my hands.
"Rogelio. It's me Payaso Gomez,"said the clown.
I was with my grandson at the park. I had taken him to the Natural History Museum. We were walking back to the car when the clown shouted at me. I studied his face through the grease paint.
"Payaso,"I yelled back. "I didn't recognize you."
Payaso Gomez had once been the flyweight champion of the world. He was stretching and tying balloons for the kids that were huddled around him. He was laughing with the kids as he was making the balloons into different shapes of animals.
"When I am done here,let's get a soda,"he said.
After making the last balloon and handing it to a little boy,he walked over. I introduced my grandson to him.
"I didn't recognize you behind the make up," I said walking.
"Oh that's the real me,"he said.
We ordered three sodas and sat down on a bench.
"I thought you were back in Mexico after you retired,"I said.
"Yes. I went back,but I didn't stay long."
Payaso had worked in his grandmother's circus in Sonora before he became a fighter. That's how he got his name.
"After my family split up,I left. Now this is my life."
"You make some pretty interesting balloons,"I said.
"Oh I make more than balloons. I juggle the bottles, I do the slight of hand tricks. Acrobatics."
"You making a living with it?"
"Believe it. I have more money now than when I was fighting."
"How long are you here in San Diego?"
"Not long.I come here to see my daughter and grandson."
"Where will you go from here?"
"Back to Europe."
"Really."
'Life is better for a street performer in Europe. There I am considered an artist. I am. In the U.S. the people see you as a beggar."
"I didn't know that."
"It's not always like that,but in Europe you have a following. After finishing they invite you to their homes for dinner."
We finished our sodas and started walking back to Payaso's "spot."
"What do you like the best about street performing ,"I asked.
"The freedom. I get up when I want. Go to bed when I want. Work when I want."
"What's the down size?"
"The freedom. You see everyday I have to make something of myself."
We reached the spot where Payaso was working. He opened up his case and grabbed a handfull of balloons.
" I like to make people happy really,"he said.
My grandson helped get Payaso's things out of his case.
"Mr.Payaso,"said my grandson,"You think you could show me how to make the balloons?"

[dagosd2000]

Iron Mike Tyson

[El Gallo]

Iron Mike Tyson

[dagosd2000]

Ken Norton

Excellent Rog!!!
El Pintor De Los Campeones!

Norton is on the canvas!

Roger Esty has never boasted of his boxing past, however, I know that back in the day he traded blows with Kenny Norton in the gym.
Glad to see him put Norton on "the canvas" in a way that Foreman never could!!

Wasn't exactly trading blows.I was on the receiving end mostly. When Norton came out of the Marines ,he started his career in San Diego.They put him up against some so so opponents,but the fact was he didn't look that good. He had a stamina problem. His tank would run out in the middle rounds. When Luis Rodriguez fought Rafa Gutierrez here at the Sports Arena,Norton was on the under card. His opponent was a Puerto Rican named Pedro Sanchez. I sparred a few rounds with Norton at the North Park Gym. Norton was rough on sparring partners. (He broke my nose). Norton disposed of Sanchez in 2 rounds,but Ken got ass whipped in LA. against Jose Luis Garcia shortly after that. Norton was out cold. I really thought that was the end of career,but Norton employed a local hypnotist ,Dean Ezell,who worked with Norton about his stamina problem .The shrink said it was psychological. When Norton beat Henry Clark I could see there was a changed Norton. He didn't run out of steam. I thought Clark would beat him ,but it was Clark who got stopped in 9. After that Norton fought Ali in San Diego.It was Ali who was gassed. However after the fight Norton said his therapy with the shrink had nothing to do with it. Who knows?

[Cholo]

Rog, What an era for heavyweights that was, the best.

[dagosd2000]

Rog, What an era for heavyweights that was, the best.

Paul

Sometimes I think of fighters like Lyle,Shavers,Bonavena,Chuvalo,and Quarry and think how they would fare today. I think all of those guys could whip what's out there today.

[Cholo]

Rog, What an era for heavyweights that was, the best.

Paul

Sometimes I think of fighters like Lyle,Shavers,Bonavena,Chuvalo,and Quarry and think how they would fare today. I think all of those guys could whip what's out there today.

[dagosd2000]

Circuses

When Artie from the gym called me that Benny was in the hospital I rushed over to see him. Benny used to be a fighter. At one time he fought for the bantam weight championship of the world.I asked the girl at the desk what room Benny was in. After checking the computer she directed me to the intensive care floor. I walked carefully to his room. I peeked inside from the side of the door. I saw Marie sitting beside him. Benny was asleep.He was breathing heavily. Tubes and wires were connnected to him. Maria looked up and saw me.
"Rogelio,"she said.
"Marie,I came right over when I heard .They called from the gym.How is Benny?
"It's his liver. It's failing.He's been in a coma."
Marie was trying to hold herself together ,but began to weep.
"They'll take care of him here,"I said trying to comfort her.
A nurse walked in .She didn't look at us or say anything.She picked up his chart and read it.
"How's he doing nurse?,"I asked.
"The doctor will be in soon,"she said in pigeon English.
The nurse walked out and drew the curtain at the door.
"Has anyone else been to see him?"I asked Marie.
Marie took a tissue from her purse and wiped her eyes.
"No. Just you. I've been here all night."
"Has he woken up?"
"No. He was like this since I arrived."
"How about his sister?"
"She's in Mexico City."
"How about Sergio or Ivan?"
"I don't know if they know yet. I don't know how to get a hold of them."
"They'll be here.'
Marie took a deap breath.
"Rogelio,when Benny was fighting he had all kinds of friends. All those women threw themselves at him. As time went, he had less time for me and the kids. Now I sit by him when he has nothing."
"Does he know you're here."
"I've speak to him. I hold his hand. I tell him I love him."
I felt a little sick.
"I'm sure he knows you're here Marie."
"When we were young and he was starting to fight I made sure he ate right and I took care of the kids.I made sure things were in order. But then he got popular. The wrong people started to come around. I lost my influence. He didn't listen to me. He thought I was against him."
"He knew you were always on his side."
"Yes,he knew but it didn't matter. The drugs and the drinking began. The women. And then he was washed up fighting."
"When he gets well,he'll know,"I said.
"Last month he told me he wanted to take the girls to the circus."
Marie fell silent. She looked out the window of the room.
"You know something Rogelio?"she said looking out the window.
"What?"I said softly.
"There aren't many circuses anymore. And when the last one disappears they will never come back."
The nurse returned to the room and picked up his chart again. When she left she drew the curtain again.

[dagosd2000]

Nino Valdes

[El Gallo]

Rog, What an era for heavyweights that was, the best.

Paul

Sometimes I think of fighters like Lyle,Shavers,Bonavena,Chuvalo,and Quarry and think how they would fare today. I think all of those guys could whip what's out there today.

[dagosd2000]

The Art Of Living

When I was a kid in Chicago I went with my father to Meadow Moor Dairy. I think it must have been the corporate offices because I remember being in the city.My father told me he had worked there once when he was younger,but that was the first and only time he had ever mentioned that to me. He didn't tell me what his job was and I didn't ask. I remember the weather was cold. There was snow on the ground.

We climbed a flight of stairs leading to the front door. Someone was waiting in the lobby to talk to my father. He took us to his office. Inside his office sitting on a sofa was Sugar Ray Robinson.It was quite a surprise. Robinson was still fighting and looking back it must have been when he came out of retirement.

"Hello Joe,"Sugar said to my father.
"Sugar,"said my dad,"you're looking good. It's been a while."
My father introduced me to the champ.I remember his wide smile. His presence in the room was enormous,but my dad wasn't at all star struck. I felt that they had known each other before. The man whose office we were in sat behind his desk. He lit a cigar.
"Remember Joe,"said Sugar Ray to my dad,"when they shot Manny Goldblatt on the front steps of this place."
"You were pretty shaken up,"said my dad laughing.
"I thought they were shooting at me.I was standing at the corner when it happened.,"said Sugar.
The man behind the desk cleared his throat.
"We're working with Sugar Ray on marketing a soft drink with his name on it,"said the man with the cigar.
"Have you got a name for it?"asked my dad.
"We're working on that with a few other things,"he replied.
I was hoping the topic would change to boxing instead of soda pop. Then Sugar Ray left me an opening.
"You ever watch me fight?"he said to me.
"Sure.My dad took me to see you fight at the Chicago Stadium,"I said excitingly.
"I'm getting in shape to fight for the title,"said Robinson.
I wanted to tell him how great he was. I wanted to say something unique.
"You are the greatest."
The words just popped out. I didn't know what to think.
"You know ,"said the Sugar Man,"some people are fighters. Others take it to another level.They are artists. Like actors. Some just act. Others take it to another level. Those are the artists."
I was impressed.
"This art then leads to the greatest level of all. The art of living,"said Sugar Ray.
I was really impressed.
"Well I've got to get going ,"said Sugar Ray.
"We'll talk again,"said the man behind the desk.
Sugar Ray excused himself .Before he left he gave me that smile again and shook my hand. Then he walked out the door.
"Joe,"said the man behind the desk,"You can tell the boys downtown to hold on to their money. I wouldn't put up a dime to go in with something with that guy. He wants too much."
"Is that so ?"asked my dad.
"Yeah,he's a real SOB."

[dagosd2000]

Sugar Ray Robinson

[dagosd2000]

Retirement Day

I've been out of teaching for almost two years. Do I miss it? No. At least I don't miss going to work. To tell the truth I don't miss the other teachers that much. Oh if I bumped into them on the street,it'd be ok. Sling the crap for a few minutes. Smile and say how nice it was to see you again.

Right now when I look back on it,it is the students that I miss the most. I was never recognized by my peers much. One time they gave me a cake when I was teaching in the student recovery program. The counselors gave me the cake. They heard through their students that Mr. Esty was a nice teacher. In fact all the counselors I worked with always said that the students liked me. At least more than the other teachers.They wanted me to be their teacher.

I wasn't competing for kids' friendship. I didn't expect them to like me back. I didn't demand anything of them. I didn't have a lot of rules. I wasn't one of these guys that "challenged" them. My classes were well behaved in comparision of what was going on in other ckassrooms. I didn't have them hate coming to my class. There was always some levity.

Teaching U.S. History can be dry to a 15 year old. Considering the environment it was hard for those kids to see the relationship they had to George Washington. Teaching school is not like you see in the movies. It always cracked me up that in that rebelious movie Blackboard Jungle the kids went to class everyday.

Kids that qualify for advanced placement classes and honors classes are different. I never had those classes. To be honest I never wanted them. My kids were always dealing with something at home. A parent in jail. A parent on drugs. A parent that was physically abusive. No parents.Living from house to house. Living in Tijuana.Bottom line-poverty.

My classes wasn't hard to pass. I'd put the test up on the board on Monday. Take it down on Friday(the day of the test). A homework assignment once a week. The kids had to keep a folder with their daily work. Most of them did what was required. The ones that didn't failed. The ones that failed didn't complain. Most of those kids failed because they never showed up to class.

The kids were always bringing me gifts after they went on vacation. On my birthday they would give me presents. I'd have to hide the tequila from the administration. If a kid was in juvenile hall,I'd go there to bring him his homework. I even set up a satellite program on the other side of the freeway so kids that lived there could go to school. The classes were at night at the rec center.I went to their weddings,the baptiusms of their babies,and sorrowfully there were even some funerals. I knew their familes. I was the real article. I liked myself for that.

Like I said,my fellow teachers,the administration,the district never gave me a plaque or a certificate . In 25 years I was never recognized as teacher of the year at the school.But know this,the school never interfered with me. They knew I took care of things in house. I never wrote referrels,sent kids to the office,gripped to my administrators or counselors about this kid or that kid. I brought them no problems so they looked the other way. They were happy with me,but they couldn't say to me that I was a good teacher. I was ok.

The last day I worked the kids(most of them that weren't even in my classes )came to my room wearing shirts and hats they had made with my name on them They threw me a party. They brought food and signs and balloons.We played music and danced and carried the party out to the athletic field. All the school was watching. They didn't want to say nothing.If they would have tried to put a stop to it,there would have been a riot.

Even though I didn't get any flack from the administration or the staff,I think they were happy I left. Being a popular teacher doesn't mean you're popular with the grown ups necessarily.

[dagosd2000]

Randy Turpin

[CNorkusJr]

Nice article on your teaching of classes Roger. It sounds you had the respect of the children because of the latitude you had with them. Sometimes you get more with sugar than with vinegar.
An example from my school days. I graduated high school in 1975. Marijuana was the drug of choice of those, and easily available. I dabbled in it but I didnt let it affect my obligations to school and sports and afterschool work. Cocaine was still a few years away from the main stream of high school near me, but could be found if searched for.
My school problem in my Jr. year was English. Breaking sentences down etc etc. My teacher was a decent guy but I got was lost and fell behind. Spring was here and summer school was a possibilty for me. My longtime friend who's name was Charlie also (and by sheer coincindence is buried in a small cemetary near Laguna Niguel, CA after passing away at 48 years of pancreactic cancer), shared the same class and both of us would get in trouble in the class. Our fathers both taught us to play golf at around 13 years of age and we can play very well at 17. Our English teacher over heard us talking one day of our golf strokes, which in the spring, we played virtually every saturday.

Our teacher was a laid back casual guy who wanted us to pass along with being a good golfer himself. He suggested we bring our clubs in on a Friday morning to school and put them in his car. Our class was the last period of the day and as soon as that days class bell rung to start, he put the top student in charge of the class, and the three of us headed out for a late round at a nearby course. By the 18th hole we forged a friendship, and though we had a common bond through golf, my friends' and my test scores improved and our teacher gave my friend and I "B's" for the class though we were borderline D's-F's (and avoiding the dreaded summer school).
Over the next year and college, my English grammar improved to a point, but I still think it was the best thing a teacher ever did for me in trying to get me to take a interest in a class, and showing me how to knock down 45 foot putts up hill at the same time.

I hope you are enjoying your retirement Roger, as I know it is well deserved.

[Cholo]

Randy Turpin

[Cholo]

[quote="dagosd2000"]

Sugar Ray Robinson[/quote
Great, Rog.

[dagosd2000]

Thanks Paul and Charley for the compliments.
Kids today don't have much of a frame of reference anymore on anything. When I was young we'd study something like World War II,and even though I wasn't alive then,I can converse with someone of my age on its history.

We weren't rocket scientists,but history of anything was not only interesting,but gave us an understanding of why things today are the way they are.

Drugs and alcohol became a major part of the American culture in the 60's that spilled over everywhere else in the world.Anything goes was a way with a lot of us. A country like North Korea that tries to repress what the rest of the world is doing will eventually implode.You can't keep things from changing.People can learn from their mistakes,but if you keep them from making them,bigger mistakes will be made down the road. Sometimes it's good. Sometimes it's bad.

Behaviors that lend itself to self indilgence make people just focus on themselves.Selfishness. Self pity and false pride run rampant. But here's my take on all this rhetoric. Things are better today than yesterday.With the communications the way they are today,more is known than before. And since bad news sells more papers than good news people think the world is going to hell in a hand basket. We just know more about the bad things than we used to. We can't cheat death.That's always been around. That's a constant,but if we can come to grips with today's world,more people would walk around with smiles on their faces.No matter how hard you try to treat everyone with good intentions,there's always one SOB out there that hates your guts for no reason at all.That's a gimmee.

[dagosd2000]

Nino Benvenuti

[dagosd2000]

Helicopter Gunship

Now that I'm closer to 70 I'm I'm carefull about dealing with my aches and pains. I still go to the gym twice a week. Mondays and Fridays in the mornings. I've been working out there for 20 years. I started lifting in 1962 when the gyms were primarily owned by a fellow weightlifter who knew more about building your biceps than running a business. The joints were crude jobs mostly. A converted garage that was small and musty. Sometimes a converted garage,a lightbulb hanging from the ceiling,some pictures of body builders like Steve Reeves who played in the Hercules movies on the wall. There weren't any women in these places though there was no law they could join up. The weights were the basics. Dumbells,Olympic Bars ,lots of plates,lots of mirrors.The atmoshere was pretty intense.Pretty sweaty.Everyone wanted to get big and strong. No place for wimps.

It's different now. I don't have to describe it much. They're called clubs or spas. Showers ,saunas,pools,stair climbers cardio machines hooked up to electronic gadgets.You can have a personal trainer and get a massage.All the amenities for the average American. I work out in a place like that except it doesn't have a swimming pool.

I used to lift heavy.I was lifting heavy in the gym I'm at now. I was benching over 500 pounds when I was in my 40's.The owner didn't want me in there.He thought I was scaring customers away. Bad for business. The owner was from Long Island and I don't think he ever lifted a weight in his life or knew anything about lifting weights.I don't think he ever played sports or even exercised. But all that went by the wayside when my body started to break down. The joints and ligaments. The tendons-all pretty much shot. Now I come in in the morning and workout with all the other retired guys. I'm the newcomer and baby to the club. I still try to move around the Nautilus machines to keep the blood pumping a bit. Most of the other guys sit on the machines and sling the bull. The machines are like park benches.

There's one older guy who comes in with his wife. He's got a crewcut and no belly. Don't get me wrong. He doesn't lift much or work that hard.But he's the nicest guy you'd ever want to meet. Always a smile. Never stirring up anything. Nods in agreement with you. Laughs at your jokes. I heard him saying something once about being in the Marine Corps. My dad was in the Marines in WWII. Okinawa and Pelilieu. I brought that up to old guy.
"I hear you were in the Corps.So was my dad. My dad was at Okinawa and Peliliieu."
"That must have been somethin'"said the oldtimer smiling.
"He passed away a while back,"I said. "I know he was proud of that,but he didn't talk about it much to me about it and I didn't want to pry."
"Well you can be pretty proud of your dad."
"I think after all those years that was what he felt best about,I said.
The old guy nodded his head smiling.
"Where were you at?"I asked him.
"Oh I was in Vietnam. I joined in 1970 when I turned 18."
I was a little stunned. I was four years older than him.He seemed so friendly. Soft spoken.
"You lift a lot of weight,"he said .
"Not anymore. Not for a long time."
"You lift more than I ever will."
Just then another of the older group walked in. It was Newt.He could have been in that movie,"Grumpy Old Men."
"Another week,"he grumped. "They're all the same."
"What happened Newt?"asked one of the old timers,"get up on the wrong side of bed."
"Both sides are wrong for me,"he replied.
No one said anything.
"I couldn't get my car started this morning,"said Newt as he threw his towel down. "I had to walk to get here."
"But you only live three blocks from here,"laughed someome.
"You complain about walking three blocks,"I said to him.
Then I pointed to the ex Marine.
"This guy was a Marine. I bet he's used to walking."
"No,"said the ex Marine smiling. "I was a helocopter gunship pilot. I was carried all the way."

[dagosd2000]

My dad, the Marine

[crib73]

Couldn't see any posting of this (if duplicate, I apologise) so here goes:

Luis Molina from San Jose, former No 1 contender for Carlos Ortiz's title had died.

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/former- ... ses-188579

http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_ ... &cat=boxer

[El Gallo]

Nino Benvenuti

Nice!

[El Gallo]

Nino Benvenuti

Nice!

Nino Benvenuti retired good looking, with all of his marbles and money.
You don't hear about guys like Nino Benvenuti, just those who lost everything after they were done with boxing.
This man is a national hero in Italy, an Olympic champ the same year as Ali, and the two-time world middleweight champ.
He lost the title to Carlos Monzon, an all-time great, and then he got out when the time was right.
Today he looks like a well groomed leading man, and has proven his heart as big as his talent.
He has been very generous with his former 3-time title opponent, Emile Griffith, but does this quietly. Respect!
If only all could have the blessings of this great middleweight champ, who shares them with the world around him.
Thank you, Roger. This portrait inspired some good thoughts about a great man whose name you rarely hear these days.

-Rick Farris