Classic American West Coast Boxing

[dagosd2000]

No Adios Here

I was watching the Friday Night fights on ESPN last night. The announcers were talking about the upcoming fight between Canelo Alvarez and Floyd Mayweather. The announcers also were interviewing Mike Tyson,who professes to be a boxing promotor,about the big fight in September. Everyone agrees that this will be the fight of the year.Maybe the fight of the decade(says Iron Mike).

I won't pay to see it on television. As big a fight as it is,there won't be any local watering holes that will have it on the tube. Whatever cable network that has the rights to the fight will charge a king's ransom to a bar in San Diego. If I want to see it live I'll drive down to Tijuana. There'll be a slew of places there that will have it on their screens. The cable network doesn't charge an arm and a leg in TJ for the fights. If I was down in my wife's hometown of Jiquilpan,the fight would be shown for free. It's all hinged on what the market can afford to pay.

I heard this last night on the TV and I've heard this before. Canelo Alvarez and Julio Chavez Jr. are the two most popular fighters in the U.S.(so the surveys say). It's a bit of a surprise. Not Pacquiao? Not Floyd? Not a fighter from back east?

Boxing is slowly dying out in this country. The UFC is taking over. But in the west and southwest boxing is still riding the crest of the wave. The Mexican population still loves the sport.Take the Mexican fan out of the equation and I can bet you that boxing would just barely exist.

But I've always felt that boxing's focal center was here in the Southland.When the heavyweight division dried up in the U.S. I think the evidence is more apparent. Starting in the early 60's through today,the sport has never lost momentum in the Southland. The talent originates from Mexico. The Mexican fighters don't need to fight in Madison Square Garden. Las Vegas or cities like San Antonio and Albequrque are big venues.I used to think because old war horses like the Olympic Auditorium and the San Diego Coliseum went dark that boxing was finished.Only the venues have changed. Now the matches are in hotel conference rooms and Indian casinos. Mexicans will pay what they want to watch a big fight with one or both countrymen involved.

There are more Mexicans living in Los Angeles that in Guadalajara which is the scond largest city in Mexico. I don't see boxing ever doing a swan song in the Southland. With enough talent crossing the border wanting to make a buck instead of a peso boxing is alive and doing very well.

[dagosd2000]

Canelo Alvarez

[dagosd2000]

Two Cents Worth Is Worth That

"I'm not one for making lists,"I said to Ed as he topped off my glass.
Ed the bartender had just started his shift. He had finished counting his drawer. It was Wednesday evening. He didn't expect much action.
"Me either",he said."I have my favorites and that's it."
"That's why I write my stories on the thread and post my art.I try to come up with something original."
"You don't repeat yourself?"
"Eventually something sounds similar. I just try to give it a different twist."
Ed turned on the TV. I think the channel was locked onto ESPN.
"There's a channel that gets stale,"I said.
"Once you get the scores,it's about all you need,"said Ed.
"Then they get into those lists. The top ten plays. The bottom ten plays."
"And then they talk about football when it's still baseball season."
"And it's the same names all the time. Tiger Woods and Lebron and Cabrera."
"And the projected draft."
"And when it all well and done,they repeat the same thing over again."
Ed went to the storeroom and brought back a case of booze.
"Did you hear where George Foreman said the best heavyweight of all time was Lennox Lewis?"exclaimed Ed as he put a bottle of bourbon in the shelf.
"He should go on one of those threads on the forum and post that."
"I'm sure he'd get straightened out,"said Ed laughing.

[dagosd2000]

Lennox Lewis

[Expug]

Thanks Rick for the kind words.
I hope all is well with you my friend.
Rog, great portrait of Lenny Lapaglia. I had not seen or talked to him in a long time.
Dan, I know what you mean about boxing coverage here. Its non existent. I dont even know if there are any local prospects on the horizon. I dont follow it at all because it appears that there is nothing to follow.

[dagosd2000]

One More For Your Momma

How many times have you heard someone say,"Do it for your mother?" When you want to draw deep down inside to bring out that last ounce of effort,think"Do it for your mother."

This afternoon I went down to see Tiger Small's son ,Prince,go through some final preparations for his second pro fight Thursday at the 4 Points Sheraton Hotel in San Diego.The gym is located in the Mission Gorge area amongst a small industrial complex.The gym looks like it was once a garage. It's small and basic. Something I'm more used to than some of the more fancy places around town.

It was an invitation to an open workout. Some press was invited. Tiger called me up this morning wanting to make sure I'd be present. I told him I didn't forget. I brought my grandson Adam and his friend Jim. Tiger provided hamburgers on the grill and soft drinks for the turnout.I snapped some shots of the workout with my camera.

Prince shadowed boxed,skipped rope,and did floor exercises.He's in good shape. He works hard. Tiger sees to that.

In addition to Tiger,Princes's brothers and sisters were there including Trisha Smalls his mom. I watched Trisha Smalls as her son broke a sweat under Tiger's carefull eye.I introduced myself.
"Are you Princes's mom?,"I asked the pretty lady who wouldn't take her eyes off her son.
"Yes I am ,"she said turning and smiling graciously.
"My name is Roger.Glad to meet you."
"My name is Trisha,"she said as she looked back up at her son.
"Did you watch your son fight in Tijuana?",I asked her.
"No,but I saw the fight on Youtube."
She had a camera taking pictures of her son.
"Do you get nervous watching your son fight?"I asked.
"I do,"she replied,"but I'm better with it now. This is what he wants and I give him my unconditional support."
"Did you know Tiger when he was a fighter?"
"Yes I did."
"Where you nervous about him fighting?"
Mrs. Smalls looked up a little.I could tell she was trying to find the right words.
"Yes,I was at first."
"But it's different with you son,"I said cutting in.
"Yes it's different,"she said to me with a warm smile.A little helplessnes was on her face.

Tiger was finishing his instructions to Prince as he was grinding out his crunches.
"Work hard son,"he shouted."Give me two more. Do it for your Momma."
That broke up the crowd.If anything Tiger knows how to loosen up not only the crowd,but his fighters. You have to have that in the gym.Fight training is rough enough.

After Tiger calling it a day,Prince climbed down from the ropes. He was greeted by his mother.
"Please Prince,could I have shot with your mother standing beside you?"
Prince stood tall beside his mom. I snapped the picture. I looked into the viewfinder.
"Good,"I said."This is the best shot I have."

[Randyman]

Our pal Roger with Emile Griffith and Gaspar Ortega at the 2009 World Boxing Hall of Fame in Los Angeles.
Emile Griffith passed away today. R.I.P. Champ!

[Randyman]

Thanks Rick for the kind words.
I hope all is well with you my friend.
Rog, great portrait of Lenny Lapaglia. I had not seen or talked to him in a long time.
Dan, I know what you mean about boxing coverage here. Its non existent. I dont even know if there are any local prospects on the horizon. I dont follow it at all because it appears that there is nothing to follow.

Brian, glad to see you're doing well! Even the good boxing news ain't what it used to be!!

[Randyman]

Canelo Alvarez

Wow! great job Rog!

[dagosd2000]

Going Up

"Press going up,"said the man at the elevator with Emile Griffith the former champion.My wife and I were standing in front of them.
"Are you going to the dining room ?",I asked.
"Yes ,"said the man."Emile is hungry."
I was invited to the World Boxing Hall of Fame ceremonies in Inglewood,California.The wife and I had a room on the basement floor. Emile Griffith and his friend were staying on the same floor as us. As we waited for the elevator Emile pushed forward and pressed his nose against the elevator door.
"Emile,you better step back from the door,"said the man."You don't want to get hurt."
I could here the elevator motor and tell the the car was decending.
"Step back Emile. The elevator is going to take you up,"said the man.
The former welterweight and middleweight champion of the world took a step back.
"Are they going to have something I like to eat?,"asked the former champ staring straight ahead at the door.
"Oh I'm sure they'll everything that you like upstairs,"said the man.
"That's good,"said the champion."I feel better now."
"You have nothing to worry about,"said the man.
The elevator arrived.The doors opened.A women and a small child were standing inside the elevator.
"Is the elevator going up?"asked the old champ staring at the little boy.
"Yes,"answered the woman."You'll be going up."



Emile Griffith as I remember him at the WBHOF ceremony.RIP champ. Man would I have liked to watch Emile in his prime box Mayweather. I think Emile would pin his first loss on the guy.

[dagosd2000]

Canelo Alvarez

Wow! great job Rog!

thanks Randy

[Randyman]

Going Up

"Press going up,"said the man at the elevator with Emile Griffith the former champion.My wife and I were standing in front of them.
"Are you going to the dining room ?",I asked.
"Yes ,"said the man."Emile is hungry."
I was invited to the World Boxing Hall of Fame ceremonies in Inglewood,California.The wife and I had a room on the basement floor. Emile Griffith and his friend were staying on the same floor as us. As we waited for the elevator Emile pushed forward and pressed his nose against the elevator door.
"Emile,you better step back from the door,"said the man."You don't want to get hurt."
I could here the elevator motor and tell the the car was decending.
"Step back Emile. The elevator is going to take you up,"said the man.
The former welterweight and middleweight champion of the world took a step back.
"Are they going to have something I like to eat?,"asked the former champ staring straight ahead at the door.
"Oh I'm sure they'll everything that you like upstairs,"said the man.
"That's good,"said the champion."I feel better now."
"You have nothing to worry about,"said the man.
The elevator arrived.The doors opened.A women and a small child were standing inside the elevator.
"Is the elevator going up?"asked the old champ staring at the little boy.
"Yes,"answered the woman."You'll be going up."



Emile Griffith as I remember him at the WBHOF ceremony.RIP champ. Man would I have liked to watch Emile in his prime box Mayweather. I think Emile would pin his first loss on the guy.

Rog, you just might have out did yourself with this one. An incredible likeness. Thanks for sharing that memory!

[dagosd2000]

Going Up

"Press going up,"said the man at the elevator with Emile Griffith the former champion.My wife and I were standing in front of them.
"Are you going to the dining room ?",I asked.
"Yes ,"said the man."Emile is hungry."
I was invited to the World Boxing Hall of Fame ceremonies in Inglewood,California.The wife and I had a room on the basement floor. Emile Griffith and his friend were staying on the same floor as us. As we waited for the elevator Emile pushed forward and pressed his nose against the elevator door.
"Emile,you better step back from the door,"said the man."You don't want to get hurt."
I could here the elevator motor and tell the the car was decending.
"Step back Emile. The elevator is going to take you up,"said the man.
The former welterweight and middleweight champion of the world took a step back.
"Are they going to have something I like to eat?,"asked the former champ staring straight ahead at the door.
"Oh I'm sure they'll everything that you like upstairs,"said the man.
"That's good,"said the champion."I feel better now."
"You have nothing to worry about,"said the man.
The elevator arrived.The doors opened.A women and a small child were standing inside the elevator.
"Is the elevator going up?"asked the old champ staring at the little boy.
"Yes,"answered the woman."You'll be going up."



Emile Griffith as I remember him at the WBHOF ceremony.RIP champ. Man would I have liked to watch Emile in his prime box Mayweather. I think Emile would pin his first loss on the guy.

Rog, you just might have out did yourself with this one. An incredible likeness. Thanks for sharing that memory!

Thanks again Randy. Feel free to use anything I write or paint on your blogsite. Rog

[dagosd2000]

Sittin' And Waitin'

The day before a fight is the most frustrating for a fighter. Training is over.He has to weigh in. Meet with the commission people.Get examined by the doctor. And hope his opponent shows up and doesn't have any problem that would prevent him getting into the ring.

I've heard of an array of excuses why a fighter defaults. Got in a car wreck.Got lost on the way to the weigh in. Got thrown in jail. Wanted more money.Tested positive for drugs. Or just didn't feel like it.

The weigh in for tomorrow's card at the 4 Points Sheraton was at 4:30 PM. That's a real shitty time. Unless a fighter can make weight with his street clothes he has to starve himself all day. Prince Smalls was at 129 and a half yesterday. The fight was set at 128.

I brought my grandson Adam to the weigh in.Fighters and the powers to be of boxing aren't necessarily clock watchers. The promoter arrived late as did the commission people and the doctor. There were the managers and trainers,wives and kids,girlfriends,expugs,and the usual schmoozers in attendance.

Tiger Smalls brought his family. I asked him if Prince's opponent showed up.
"Yeah,he's that Mexican kid on the end over there,"said Tiger pointing to a bench with a row of people sitting on it.
"Well you've at least got some opposition,"I said.
"Do you want to go over and talk to him?"asked Tiger.
"Naw. Why would I do that?"
I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was a reporter who writes for a blog who was at Prince's open workout on Monday.
"Did you hear about the guy from England who's going to rate all the fighters and compare them by punch count ?"he asked me.
I gave him a strange look.
"What kind of bullshit is that?"
"He sure has his work cut out for him,"said the reporter.
I didn't feel like responding to him.

Everything was taking a long time. I've never liked weigh ins. All the formality of it. And the waiting. I saw Prince sitting alone at a table. I went over and sat next to him.
"Did you eat today?"I asked him.
"No,"he answered."Can you see that my face is sunk in?"
"You look OK. Are you going to eat after this?"
"Yes.I'm going to the buffet."
"The Hometown Buffet?"
"Yes.The one in Clairemont."
"Why that's right down the street where I live."
"Well I might meet you there,"I said.

It was after six o'clock.There was still a ways to go before all the fighters got through the red tape. I looked at Tiger. He was busy with everyone. I asked Adam if he wanted to wait and later go to the Hometown Buffet.
"No mama is making shrimp for me tonight."
"Well I'll drive you home."
I went over to Tiger and told him I might meet him at the restaurant. I then walked to the car with Adam.
"Abuelito,"he said. "By the time they finish,the Hometown Buffet will be closed."
"You're probably right."
I dropped Adam off at his house and drove home. When I went inside I saw my daughter eating carne asada with her mother.
"I just dropped Adam off,"I said.
"I'm surprised he hasn't called me yet,"she said.
"Yeah.He thinks you have shrimp waiting for him."




Prince Smalls with my grandson Adam



Prince getting checked out by the doc. Tiger in backround

[El Gallo]

Going Up

"Press going up,"said the man at the elevator with Emile Griffith the former champion.My wife and I were standing in front of them.
"Are you going to the dining room ?",I asked.
"Yes ,"said the man."Emile is hungry."
I was invited to the World Boxing Hall of Fame ceremonies in Inglewood,California.The wife and I had a room on the basement floor. Emile Griffith and his friend were staying on the same floor as us. As we waited for the elevator Emile pushed forward and pressed his nose against the elevator door.
"Emile,you better step back from the door,"said the man."You don't want to get hurt."
I could here the elevator motor and tell the the car was decending.
"Step back Emile. The elevator is going to take you up,"said the man.
The former welterweight and middleweight champion of the world took a step back.
"Are they going to have something I like to eat?,"asked the former champ staring straight ahead at the door.
"Oh I'm sure they'll everything that you like upstairs,"said the man.
"That's good,"said the champion."I feel better now."
"You have nothing to worry about,"said the man.
The elevator arrived.The doors opened.A women and a small child were standing inside the elevator.
"Is the elevator going up?"asked the old champ staring at the little boy.
"Yes,"answered the woman."You'll be going up."



Emile Griffith as I remember him at the WBHOF ceremony.RIP champ. Man would I have liked to watch Emile in his prime box Mayweather. I think Emile would pin his first loss on the guy.

Rog, you just might have out did yourself with this one. An incredible likeness. Thanks for sharing that memory!

Thanks again Randy. Feel free to use anything I write or paint on your blogsite. Rog

I agree, Roger. Excellent!
I remember the photo of you with Emile & Gaspar Ortega.
We had some nice moments at those events. I did for sure!
We aren't done. El Boxeo will be screened for a select group inlcuding yourself & Randy, on September 8th, a Sunday morning at 11am.
The Monica 4 Theater in Santa Monica. It's the day after a big J.C. Chavez Jr. fight at the Staples Center, and we'll have an amazing audience of legends.
This will be a an event by a new Hall of Fame I am organizing, for the benefit of the Retired Boxers Foundation.
The money will go to boxer's best interest, not into the pocket of a promoter, or "lost" by an irresponsible treasurer.
More details later.

-Rick Farris

[dagosd2000]

Rick,will be back from Mexico by then. Keep me posted.Rog

[CNorkusJr]

Our pal Roger with Emile Griffith and Gaspar Ortega at the 2009 World Boxing Hall of Fame in Los Angeles.
Emile Griffith passed away today. R.I.P. Champ!

Yes, Emile passed away the other day. After a long dibiltating illness (some newspapers called "dementia", and certainly that had alot to do with it, but he had many ailments). Confined to a wheelchair the last few years, he could hear you and speak in drabs if he wanted. He had selective hearing. I think aging had alot to do with Emile.

The picture you post has his stepson in it. (In shorts on left background). Luis was adopted early on and was the only one (that I know of) from his family that took care of him til Emile had to be put in a assisted care facility near me on Long Island. Emile's blood family stole his millions years ago (Emile would tell you he gave them the money in the Virgin Islands, but truth be told, not one has shown their face since Emile aged).Luis was a great son-and was ALWAYS near.

Luis was always with Emile and made sure he made appearances if he could. If Emile couldnt, Luis would simply say-"not this one". He comes to most Ring 8 meetings and always gave updates on Emile. Ring 8 had helped Emile as much as possible as well as some other boxing orgs. and fans in his medical plight.
Luis deserves a humitarian award for taking care of Emile medically and as personal aide when out of the home, and in his endeavors to keep Emile upfront and meeting the fans. I remember fans asking Emile for an autograph and Luis helping Emile spell out his name on the boxing gloves or what have you.

Ring 8 would often sponsor parties or visitations with Emile to let him know that people were still in his corner, including a huge birthday bash a few months ago in the home. Ron Ross-author, was a constant visitor. Emile welcomed all except if he was on treatments that day.

I'll remember Emile for his friendship, omly because he knew my father well. My dad and I would sit with Emile when he attended fights at the Garden. Both were introduced in the Ring with other boxers. Emile got a huge reception for his 25 fights fought in the Garden. RIP Emile.

My dad with Emile during "Fight Night At The Garden" 1980's. I loved taking many pictures of my dad with his friends. Emile always dressed to the nines I remember-often Gold suits were in order.LOL

[dagosd2000]

Get That First Win Out Of The Way

After several proposed matches that fell through,Prince Smalls finally climbed into the ring with all his ducks in order.Last month his dad,Tiger,made a ballsy move and matched Prince for his opener in Tijuana. Prince got a draw,but if the fight was anywhere else on the planet he would have been 1 and O when he stepped into the ring tonight.

Everything was working tonight inside the ring at the 4 Points Sheraton Hotel. The jab.The cross. Slipping.Countering. The Mexican kid Prince fought kept spitting out his mouthguard everytime when it looked like he was going to succumb to one of Prince's assaults. After the final gong it was all academic.

There was a big entourage of Prince's fans from the San Diego Combat Academy where Prince trains at.They were screaming their heads off. After the fight I took my grandson Adam to congratulate the winner and his proud dad.I also was sure to give mom a hug.

A happy ending. It was a long time coming. Now it's back to the gym. Get ready for the next one. I'm sure Bobby D,the promoter ,was satisfied.There'll be more fights on the way and more wins.

Man,I'm sure glad Prince got that first win under his belt.I don't have to ask him if he's happy.



Tiger instructing his son



Tiger pointing to the man.Mom in the backround relieved that it's over.



At the fights with Fritz Werner,a graduate of Father Flanagan's Boys Town and the US Marine
Corps with my pal local Southland referee Jose Cobian



Hall of Fame ref Pat Russell

[El Gallo]

Congrats to Prince!

[dagosd2000]

Blind Spot

Prior to the opening bout last night at the 4 Points Sheraton Hotel the ring announcer asked for everyone to stand up to hear the bell toll ten times for Emile Griffith.After the moment of silence the ring announcer talked about Griffith. The ring announcer talked about how he saw Griffith kill Benny "Kid" Paret on the television screen.The ring announcer said that it was the first time he saw a boxing match. He went on to say that Griffith was "never the same" after that fight. Many years later at the World Boxing Hall Of Fame ceremonies in LA., Dan Hanley told me of how some guy asked Emile Griffith to autograph a picture of him standing over the fallen Paret.Dan said that Emile signed the picture like nothing. Of course Emile was in the stages of dementia.

I wonder if that same guy would ask Ray Mancini to sign a picture of him standing over a fallen Kim or Lupe Pintor to sign a shot of him celebrating after Johnny Owen was on the floor?

The ring announcer said there was special guest in the house,former heavyweight champ,Leon Spinks.Leon Spinks III was on the card. I was at the fights with my grandson Adam. We were sitting close to ringside.
"You know Adam I don't see Leon Spinks. I've looked around and I don't see him. When we walked into the dressing room I saw people with "Spinks" on the backs of their shirts,but I didn't recognize Leon Spinks."
"When was he champion?"asked Adam.
"A long time ago. He beat Ali to win the title."
"Is he related to Leon Spinks III?"
"I guess so,but I don't know how."
A fellow next to me leaned over.
"He's his grandson."

After Prince Smalls won easily over his opponent I brought Adam to the dressing room to give our congratulations.Again I saw the people with the "Spinks" shirts. This time I looked closer. Nothing registered as far as me identifying Leon Spinks.
"We saw Prince win,"I said to Adam."Want to go back and get something to eat?"
"Sure,"said my grandson.
Just then from inside the venue I heard the ring announcer.
"And now ladies and gentlemen I want to have the honor of introducing and bring up to the ring the man who beat Muhammad Ali,the former heavyweight champion of the world,Leon Spinks."
One of the men wearing a "Spinks"shirt grabbed hold of a big man's arm and guided him out the door.The big man walked on unsteady legs. I told my grandson to follow me back to the ring. The big man appraoched the ring steps and held onto the ropes as he slowly climbed up to the mat and pulled himself through the ropes. It was then that the crowd and myself realized who the big man was. Everyone stood up and applauded loudly. Leon was standing uneasily in ring center smiling and waving. He seemed to be alone standing there. Off in a dream.

The ring announcer said that there would have to be some repairs made to the ring and if anyone wanted to bring their camera up to the ring and take picture with Leon they could.The rush was sudden. Adam was right behind me as I followed Leon Spinks to the ring.
"Jump up there Adam. Don't try to get in line. You'll never get in."
I told Adam to follow Leon through the ropes to the ring. Adam was the first to get his picture taken.I looked at the line that was forming in the opposite corner. it was out the door. I asked Leon to turn around so I could snap a picture. He didn't hear me. Adam pointed him towards where I was standing with my camera. Leon was smiling . He never stopped smiling.
"Well,"I said to Adam,"I'll make a copy of that and give it to you."
"Thanks abuelito. I really will take care of that."
"Do you still want to go back and get something to eat?"
"Sure.We saw Prince win and I took a picture with the heavyweight champion of the world."

[CNorkusJr]

I'm glad to see you had a chance to meet Leon Spinks. He is one heck of a nice guy and very open to fans for pictures and autographs. I first met Leon 3 years ago when he started making some appearances at boxing events here in NYC. You can see he had hs teeth done over and never fails to flash a huge smile to show them new pearly whites off. His wife told me they live in the mid-west on a huge sprawl with a ranch house. When not in the boxing arenas, he can be found on a tractor on his farm.
I had a chance to sit next to him and his caucasion wife at a event 2 years ago. We talked about Ali and how much he was surprised he came out Champ that night with only a few fights under his belt. He said he can see Ali was in not in shape to fight that night which made him more aggressive to be on the attack than what was originally planned for.
He doesnt make that much contact with his brother Michael that much. He said that maybe once or twice a year both would be asked to come to an event and Leon said that if he was available he would go, but Mike turns down alot of requests. Mike lives in Maryland and so he doesnt get to see him often, but he said that they get along fine together -no rift, its just distance that keeps them apart.

Dec. 2010 Ring 8 awards L-R Griffith, Leon Spinks, Marvis & Joe Frazier

[El Gallo]

Blind Spot

Prior to the opening bout last night at the 4 Points Sheraton Hotel the ring announcer asked for everyone to stand up to hear the bell toll ten times for Emile Griffith.After the moment of silence the ring announcer talked about Griffith. The ring announcer talked about how he saw Griffith kill Benny "Kid" Paret on the television screen.The ring announcer said that it was the first time he saw a boxing match. He went on to say that Griffith was "never the same" after that fight. Many years later at the World Boxing Hall Of Fame ceremonies in LA., Dan Hanley told me of how some guy asked Emile Griffith to autograph a picture of him standing over the fallen Paret.Dan said that Emile signed the picture like nothing. Of course Emile was in the stages of dementia.

I wonder if that same guy would ask Ray Mancini to sign a picture of him standing over a fallen Kim or Lupe Pintor to sign a shot of him celebrating after Johnny Owen was on the floor?

The ring announcer said there was special guest in the house,former heavyweight champ,Leon Spinks.Leon Spinks III was on the card. I was at the fights with my grandson Adam. We were sitting close to ringside.
"You know Adam I don't see Leon Spinks. I've looked around and I don't see him. When we walked into the dressing room I saw people with "Spinks" on the backs of their shirts,but I didn't recognize Leon Spinks."
"When was he champion?"asked Adam.
"A long time ago. He beat Ali to win the title."
"Is he related to Leon Spinks III?"
"I guess so,but I don't know how."
A fellow next to me leaned over.
"He's his grandson."

After Prince Smalls won easily over his opponent I brought Adam to the dressing room to give our congratulations.Again I saw the people with the "Spinks" shirts. This time I looked closer. Nothing registered as far as me identifying Leon Spinks.
"We saw Prince win,"I said to Adam."Want to go back and get something to eat?"
"Sure,"said my grandson.
Just then from inside the venue I heard the ring announcer.
"And now ladies and gentlemen I want to have the honor of introducing and bring up to the ring the man who beat Muhammad Ali,the former heavyweight champion of the world,Leon Spinks."
One of the men wearing a "Spinks"shirt grabbed hold of a big man's arm and guided him out the door.The big man walked on unsteady legs. I told my grandson to follow me back to the ring. The big man appraoched the ring steps and held onto the ropes as he slowly climbed up to the mat and pulled himself through the ropes. It was then that the crowd and myself realized who the big man was. Everyone stood up and applauded loudly. Leon was standing uneasily in ring center smiling and waving. He seemed to be alone standing there. Off in a dream.

The ring announcer said that there would have to be some repairs made to the ring and if anyone wanted to bring their camera up to the ring and take picture with Leon they could.The rush was sudden. Adam was right behind me as I followed Leon Spinks to the ring.
"Jump up there Adam. Don't try to get in line. You'll never get in."
I told Adam to follow Leon through the ropes to the ring. Adam was the first to get his picture taken.I looked at the line that was forming in the opposite corner. it was out the door. I asked Leon to turn around so I could snap a picture. He didn't hear me. Adam pointed him towards where I was standing with my camera. Leon was smiling . He never stopped smiling.
"Well,"I said to Adam,"I'll make a copy of that and give it to you."
"Thanks abuelito. I really will take care of that."
"Do you still want to go back and get something to eat?"
"Sure.We saw Prince win and I took a picture with the heavyweight champion of the world."

This is EXCELLENT!!! Damn, Rog . . . that's him. This one jumps right at you !
My compliments!
I will always respect this great Olympic LightHeavy Gold Medalist for whipping the biggest boxing legend of the last half century.
What makes it so special is that he did so with only 8 pro bouts under his belt.
We all know he got lost immediatly afterwards. However, this small heavyweight was as big as any heavyweight champ in history on that night.
Some look at him as a "joke" due to his choices. I see him as a very important part of boxing history, a real fighter, with world champion skills.


-Rick

[El Gallo]

"El Boxeo" - Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini . . .

On Sunday, September 8th - 11 am. the boxing documentary "El Boxeo" will be screened for the very first time at the Monica 4 Theater in Santa Monica. Filmmaker Alan Swyer just informed me that former world lightweight champion, Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini will be in attendence, along with the biggest names in boxing from the past & present.

The event will be presented by the new West Coast Boxing Hall of Fame for the benefit of the Retired Boxer's Foundation. All proceeds will go toward this great organization. There will be limited seating, and tickets will go sale soon. An official announcement will be made later this week!

This will be California's biggest Veteran Boxer event of 2013.



Rick Farris
President, West Coast Boxing Hall of Fame

[dagosd2000]

Three Weeks


Next Thursday me and the wife will be flying into Guadalajara and then make the drive with my nephew to Jiquilpan,Michoacan to our house.We'll be there three weeks. The flight is two hours and a half. The drive is almost three hours. The road from the airport winds around through hills and valleys,passes along Lake Chapala ,and small out of the way little towns. Jiquilpan's population has been pretty constant. Around 15,000.It would probably be double that,but half of the town has moved to the U.S. Between Westchester County in New York and Calumet City in Chicago you'll find an abudance of Michoacanos. They are like fish out of water there.The men walk around with theit tjanas,big leather boots and cowboy boots. Most of the women never learned how to speak English. Their kids that were born there do however.They go to public schools.When their families go on a vacation to Jiquilpan,their kids are bored and restless and they show it to their parents.Many are disrespectfull. They're very different than their cousins who haven't lived in "El Norte."

The people who have migrated to the U.S. have funneled money back to Jiquilpan to build homes for their future retirements. Often they overdo it. They want to construct structures that are too much. It's all for appearances. They want to show their neighbors and their families that they have more than the other guy. It's a status thing. Status is very big in Mexico.

I have a niece who is having a house built with 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. Her sister doesn't want to be outdone so she's building house with 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms.Of course to show you have status you have to have two stories and a spiral staircase going up to the second floor. And also to keep up, you have to have a big wooden carved door with a stained glass window.They have gotten in over their heads. The construction is done piecemeal. Little by little. Some of those houses have been under costruction forever. The irony of this is that their kids will never move to Jiquilpan with their parents. It's too boring like I say. When those kids have kids, the grandparents won't want to move back to their big houses because their kids and grandkids won't want to live in Mexico.

Our house is a single floor. Me and the wife don't want to be climbing stairs in our old age.It's very comfortable.As we grow older we want to spend more time there.We don't care about status.

Name dropping and status draws negativity in Mexico unless you're a stuck up Chilango.Then the bullshit realy gets thick. And it only matters to them anyway. Try to impress a Mexican with how smart you are or how much money you have and you'll be ignored. It's a common defense mechanism. You'd think my neices and nephews living in the U.S. would know by now,but they just have to show it off.When it comes to material things it's hard to humble.For my neices and nephews it will come back to haunt them.

[dagosd2000]

Michael Spinks