Miami Herald Boxing Editorial

[enrique]

Boxing: Miami’s uniting force

BY JOE CARDONA

Famed boxing promoter Don King once said, “I don’t promote boxing, I promote people. Boxing is a catalyst to bring people together.” Far be it for anyone to cite Don King as a philosopher, but his notion that boxing unites people is reflected in Miami’s history and relationship with the sport.

To strike up a conversation with a Miamian about the fight scene in this city over the last half century is to make a friend. Often times, rather than dwelling on a certain fight or a particular fighter’s right cross, many of these animated conversations veer toward the old venues, the scene and the personalities that peppered the ambiance.

Boxing has a colorful and storied past in Miami. After all, this is the place where Cassius Clay became Muhammad Ali. Here, boxing not only took root, it flourished.

Like any popular pastime, the sport needed a stage, a distinct locale that fans could identify with and visit to soak in the sights and sounds of the game. In an unassuming corner of Miami Beach, the Fifth Street Gym opened its doors in the 1950s and quickly became one of boxing’s most hallowed grounds.

What made the Fifth Street Gym extraordinary was that it was not only a venue where history was witnessed, it was also a place where history was prompted. Italian-Americans Chris and Angelo Dundee, who opened the gym and were instrumental in molding the subsequent lore of the place, found themselves at the epicenter of Miami’s dramatic cultural tectonics. By the early 1960s, Miami became the most dynamically diverse city in America, which it still remains.

At the peak of the civil-rights movement and the beginning of a massive influx of immigrants (first from Cuba, and later from Haiti and all of the Americas) American culture was redefined every day in Miami, and the Fifth Street Gym was one of the places where these transcendental cultural transactions were taking place.

“The place was the mecca of boxing and a hell of a place if you just wanted to people watch and witness stuff unfold,” Dr. Ferdie Pacheco told me this week when we chatted about the heyday of Miami boxing. Dr. Pacheco himself is one of Miami’s most prized treasures — a physician, an accomplished author, celebrated painter, distinguished television boxing analyst and the most captivating chronicler of life I’ve ever met.

Dr. Pacheco is a true renaissance man. He also played a big part in sculpting boxing history in Miami, for he along with Angelo Dundee, Drew Bundini Brown, and Luis Sarria were the four stalwarts in Ali’s corner for 15 years.

The recently appointed president and CEO of the History Miami Museum, Ramiro Ortiz, also a bit of a renaissance man having presided over local banks and promoted boxing cards in town, says that the secret behind Miami’s affinity to boxing was in the “mastery of the Dundee brothers.”

“The formula was real simple,” Ortiz explained. “Angelo was the genius of what went on inside the ring, as one of, if not the sport’s most savvy trainers, and then you had the most creative, intelligent man I’ve ever met, his brother Chris, who was the promoter and ringleader that made everything work.”

My entry into the world of boxing was precisely at one of Chris Dundee’s smoky, Tuesday-night boxing cards at the Miami Beach Convention Center. I remember my Dad taking me there as a young boy, much to my mother’s chagrin, and at an early age gaining an appreciation for all of the different communities that made up this town.

Recently, over a bistec (steak) the size of blanket, recognized radio commentator, historian and boxing guru Enrique Encinosa, pointed out that, “Boxing has always been and will continue to be a galvanizing factor in Miami. To follow the history of boxing is to follow the history of immigrant communities striving to make their way in the United States.”

[CNorkusJr]

THe Miami Beach Auditorium today.(2010) Now called the The Fillmore Theatre at The Jackie Gleason Centre for Performing Arts. Same location.
Historical building held many great fights but was re-habbed years ago to now house concerts and plays on stage. Interior seating looks nothing like the old boxing and sports arena it once was. THe Miami Beach Convention is not too far away which was used for larger audiences for title fights or the original Orange Bowl, which held Joey Maxim vs Archie Moore title fight in 1954.



Here is one of those fights from the Miami Beach Aud. 1954. The first time the Miami Beach Aud. was ever Sold Out for a fight.
Promoted by Chris Dundee for Madison Sq Garden Productions then. Look for Angelo Dundee in Norkus's corner as cutman.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuNaRa5iCco

[addi]

in the late 80's early 90's I trained at alexis arguello gym in tropical park, never met the great man there, however got to train and spar with some good fighters, jimmy navaro trained for his fight with orlando canizales and I remember james warring training there before he became world champ, I also trained in coconut grove, with jose ribalta amongst others, I forget the name of his coach really nice fella, he took me to the convention centre to a show for ali there, 25 years after he won the title allthough it was in 91, got to hang with james toney who had recently won the middleweight title after sparking nunn and the rapper from two live crew, met a hole bunch of other fighters, didn't get near ali though, met my favourite fighter arguello, highlight of the night was hector Camacho who came in wearing a fur coat tightest pants a man can wear no shirt big macho man medallion, with an entourage of about 10 girls all gorgeous, he walked in did a lap of honour and left.

[BoxBuzz]

Charley, if you happen to drop back into this thread, please drop in to the West Coast thread.

I have some questions for you if you have the time.

Thanks.

Buzz

[CNorkusJr]

Charley, if you happen to drop back into this thread, please drop in to the West Coast thread.

I have some questions for you if you have the time.

Thanks.

Buzz

I saw your post on the California thread but will comment here.Quickly on your questions.

1) The first Nardico fight does exist on film. Two versions. Full length -no sound on youtube.com. The fight was filmed with no sound or announcers as it was a test fight for new cameras by television for the upcoming title fight between Moore and Maxim at the Orange Bowl the following week. A 10 mins Highlite film exist with dubbed sound. Its not posted on Youtube but I have a copy. It shows only the knockdowns, all 8 and the fight stoppage. I'll try to get someone to post that on youtube.
(More details on those fights with many stills on my fathers thread)

2) Ezz Charles and Archie Moore. My father has always stated that his toughest opponent was Archie Moore. My father stated that he could withstood both of their punching power, but it was Moore's defense, the peek-a-boo arms crossed style, that gave my father trouble. He couldnt land any headshots to Moore that could weaken him. Thus, my father tired out earlier than usual trying to headhunt, and eventually faded by the 10th round. With Ezz Charles. a slick Champion and much respect here also. Cutting punches and finding open shots was amazing skill.He withstood some of my fathers toughest punches at his advanced career stage..

3) LOL, I didnt realize that the Presidents names lined up. LOL

Please refer to my fathers thread for great stories and pictures. !!!! Thank You, respectfully, Charlie Norkus Jr.
http://boxrec.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=118618


Norkus vs Nardico 1- no sound-full fight

Norkus coming out of left near-side corner.
Brutal fight. First 3 rows covered in blood splatter. B/W film doesnt do it justice.
For rematch, long sheets of clear plastic was handed out by Chris Dundee to first few rows to cover their clothes for anticipation of another blood bath like the first. That didnt happen.
Enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6oagovQgs8

[BoxBuzz]

Well after watching that fight, all I can say is that your father was made of steel. Was he the underdog in the rematch as well?

Back in the 50's my father bought a Bell and Howell 8 mm projector and must have bought every fight that one could order from the various boxing magazines. I watched all of them with him with no sound, some we watched a dozen times or more...lol. Most all in B&W. That just took me back there.......I will say he would have appreciated your dad's style. He liked a no nonsense come forward approach in his favorite sport. My dad was about 12 years older than yours. There is no doubt in my mind he knew who your father was. He knew every opponent that Archie and Ezz ever had, and he saw several of their fights in real time. He took me to see Archies final fight in Phoenix Az.

When he bought his first 8mm camera, the first thing he did was ask his boys to lace 'em up so he could film some fights on his own....lol.

Both of those fights featuring your father in Miami are gems.

Are his fights with Ezz, Jackson and Moore on film? ....I'm going over to the thread you mentioned now to review and find out for myself.

[CNorkusJr]

Well after watching that fight, all I can say is that your father was made of steel. Was he the underdog in the rematch as well?

Back in the 50's my father bought a Bell and Howell 8 mm projector and must have bought every fight that one could order from the various boxing magazines. I watched all of them with him with no sound, some we watched a dozen times or more...lol. Most all in B&W. That just took me back there.......I will say he would have appreciated your dad's style. He liked a no nonsense come forward approach in his favorite sport. My dad was about 12 years older than yours. There is no doubt in my mind he knew who your father was. He knew every opponent that Archie and Ezz ever had, and he saw several of their fights in real time. He took me to see Archies final fight in Phoenix Az.

When he bought his first 8mm camera, the first thing he did was ask his boys to lace 'em up so he could film some fights on his own....lol.

Both of those fights featuring your father in Miami are gems.

Are his fights with Ezz, Jackson and Moore on film? ....I'm going over to the thread you mentioned now to review and find out for myself.

Ahh, the odds ! Thats where the mob cleaned up on favorites, or underdogs so to speak. My father was the underdog again with the 2nd Nardico fight. 5-2; I remember. No respect right ? Wrong. With my father taking Nardico fiercly in the first fight, with Danny being from Tampa, the mob set the odds for the 2nd fight in favor of the home state man again. They wanted Florida money on Nardico again, probably knowing full well my father was a sure shot in the 2nd as well. No fix was necessary. But the odds paid off lucratively for the mob. Many, many of my fathers fights he won, he was the underdog and someone cleaned up. The mob set the odds and the fighters had little to say about it, not that they would want to anyway. It was common also to see odds change drastically the closer the time got to the fight, I mean up to very time the fighters came into the ring.

My fathers fights with Hurricane Jackson and Ezzard Charles are on film. The fight vs. Moore, though on National TV was not recorded, or cannot be found.
His fight with Willie Pastrano (Pastrano Dec over Norkus 10 Rds) from Miami is also available on film or tape. Youtube has that too.

[CNorkusJr]

in the late 80's early 90's I trained at alexis arguello gym in tropical park, never met the great man there, however got to train and spar with some good fighters, jimmy navaro trained for his fight with orlando canizales and I remember james warring training there before he became world champ, I also trained in coconut grove, with jose ribalta amongst others, I forget the name of his coach really nice fella, he took me to the convention centre to a show for ali there, 25 years after he won the title allthough it was in 91, got to hang with james toney who had recently won the middleweight title after sparking nunn and the rapper from two live crew, met a hole bunch of other fighters, didn't get near ali though, met my favourite fighter arguello, highlight of the night was hector Camacho who came in wearing a fur coat tightest pants a man can wear no shirt big macho man medallion, with an entourage of about 10 girls all gorgeous, he walked in did a lap of honour and left.

Great post, Thanks for sharing ! Charlie Norkus Jr.

[addi]

in the late 80's early 90's I trained at alexis arguello gym in tropical park, never met the great man there, however got to train and spar with some good fighters, jimmy navaro trained for his fight with orlando canizales and I remember james warring training there before he became world champ, I also trained in coconut grove, with jose ribalta amongst others, I forget the name of his coach really nice fella, he took me to the convention centre to a show for ali there, 25 years after he won the title allthough it was in 91, got to hang with james toney who had recently won the middleweight title after sparking nunn and the rapper from two live crew, met a hole bunch of other fighters, didn't get near ali though, met my favourite fighter arguello, highlight of the night was hector Camacho who came in wearing a fur coat tightest pants a man can wear no shirt big macho man medallion, with an entourage of about 10 girls all gorgeous, he walked in did a lap of honour and left.

Great post, Thanks for sharing ! Charlie Norkus Jr.

you're welcome.