Classic American West Coast Boxing

[dagosd2000]

My Father, Green Chile and Duran vs Leonard II

Thirty three years ago today my father came to our home on Newlin Avenue in Whittier for the last time. I remember the date well because this was the day of the Roberto Duran and Sugar Ray Leonard rematch. The fight was taking place at the Superdome in New Orleans.

My father had been suffering from cancer at the time and was not doing well at all. I knew he wanted to see the fight but didn't have ON TV (subscription television). ON TV and Select TV were still a new concept and not every one had it installed in their homes. I told my father that if he wanted to see the fight I would order it. He and I were both big Duran fans and I just knew that regardless of how he felt, he would not want to miss it.

In the early evening my father, mother and my brother Dennis arrived at the house. Also there were some friends of mine that knew my father well. With all the guest and the kids running around, it was a full house. We were all looking forward to a good fight and hopefully another victory for Duran. Duran had already beat Leonard in their first fight, why would we think otherwise?

My father did not have much of an appetite around that time but Jeri and I decided to make some Chile Verde (Green Chile) for him. It was his favorite dish but just making it was not enough. I knew my father well and he believed that no one made Chile Verde like he did, and he was right. The thing is, I learned by watching. I always paid 100% attention when he made it. I was confident I could make it for him, it would be just like eating his own chile. I also wanted to make it with potatoes on the side, a sort of home fries but not quite (nowadays we just call them “grandpa's potatoes”. It was a unique style taught to him by his father (as was the Chile Verde). It was this simple way of cooking that my father loved best. Jeri and I would put our hearts into it for my father.

We ate our dinner informally, in the living room and with tv trays. As I recall, we were watching the undercard while we ate. I'm happy to tell you that my father not only finished his meal but wanted seconds. It was a shock to my mother who had been unable to get him to eat anything. He really enjoyed it and he let us know. It gave us some hope.

It was now time for the main event, Roberto Duran, "Manos de Piedra" (Hands of Stone) vs Sugar Ray Leonard. The die was cast and the stage was set. My dad and all the rest of us were getting anxious. We expected Duran to win, but he was fighting Leonard, and in boxing, as you know, anything could happen. Years later HBO boxing analyst/announcer Larry Merchant would call boxing "The Theater of the Unexpected". Boy was he ever right. Especially on this night. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

First we had to get through the formalities and the introductions. This was made all the easier when the great Ray Charles sang 'America the Beautiful”. I don't believe anyone ever sang it better. That bothered my father though. He could see it giving Leonard some juice. You could see Leonard moving around behind Ray Charles. He looked pumped up and confidant, he was smiling. Duran, by contrast, showed no emotion on his face. The savage panther that paced to and fro was not there.

Duran and Leonard met in the center of the ring and referee Octavio Meyran gave the final instructions. As always when one of my favorite boxers is fighting, especially in a big event, my heart is in my throat. I always get nervous. Howard Cosell, love him or hate him, God rest his soul, was the announcer. Ray Arcel, along with Freddie Brown, were in Duran's corner. Angelo Dundee in Leonard's. The two best fighters in the world backed by the best cornermen loyalty and money could buy. But it wasn't only money that brought everyone there that night. It was a true battle for welterweight supremacy. It didn't get any better, it didn't get any bigger. This was it.

Suddenly the fight was on. It was quiet at first. You could see right way that Leonard was fighting differently. He was feinting and boxing right off. I wasn't worried though, it was still early in the fight but as the rounds went on we could see that this was a different kind of fight. Duran seemed to be a step or two behind Leonard. I felt uncomfortable. My father, God Bless him, was yelling for Duran to pick it up. It was hard for all of us to watch Duran get hit with the sucker bolo punches, harder still to watch him get mocked by Leonard. Duran certainly did as much in his career, so sometimes Karma picks the worst time possible to give it back. You could see the frustration in Duran's eyes. “Stand still and fight me, Cabron”, they seemed to say. Leonard would have none of that. Let me say right here and now to dispel any notion of Leonard being a runner. Leonard was a fighter. He could hit, move side to side, get inside, hit and get out of the way, and he could take it. I wouldn't be an honest fan of the sport of boxing if I said otherwise. He was one of the greats.

Still, going into the eighth round, and despite the fact that Leonard was ahead on points, it was still anybody's fight. Duran was never close to being hurt. There seemed to be a moment of confusion. We all stopped talking and tried to figure out what just happened. It's been shown over the years; on television, Youtube and with countless stories and photos but on that night it unfolded so fast, so damned unexpectedly, everyone was in a state of shock. My father, the entire household, were dumbstruck! They announced that Roberto Duran had just quit. Leonard had won the fight. It was unthinkable.

The ending was a blur. I remember Duran walking away, his hands down and Leonard walking up to Duran and landing a blow but Duran was unfazed by it. He waved his arms and the fight was stopped. Leonard was ecstatic. He jumped up to the ring corner and and threw his hands up in victory. At that moment we knew it was true. Duran quit! That was the long and short of it and try as we might nothing was going to change it. The era of Roberto Duran was over.

My father was disappointed to say the least. We all were. I was hoping Duran would win this one for my father. It didn't happen. Instead it was the worst of all possible scenarios. It was a dark day in boxing if you were a Latino boxing fan. There was no argument to fight back with. No legs to argue with. There was no opportunity to make up a reasonable (however unlikely) excuse.

That was the last time my father visited my home. His cancer worsened and he was in and out of the hospital or home in bed. Either way he was mostly bedridden until his death the following year at the Whittier Hospital, where he finally succumbed to prostate cancer on May 7, 1981.

My father was a boxer in the Army, a featherweight. He was proud of the fact that he remained at 126 pounds all of his life. He believed that the best punch a fighter could possess was a good jab. Everything else worked off the jab. His heavyweight champions were; Joe Louis and Rocky Marciano. He was a boxing fan to the core, a knowledgeable boxing fan.

A side note: my father was still alive when the Leonard vs Tommy Hearns fight was announced. We made a twenty dollar bet on the fight. He thought Hearns would knock out Leonard. He died before the fight. His reasoning's for his picks were sound. Again, it's like Larry Merchant says, Boxing is the Theater of the Unexpected”, to which I would add, so is life.

So you see, whenever I think or hear of Duran and Leonard's second fight, I automatically think of my father.

Heart warming story pal. Your idol may have quit that night in New Orleans. I know it makes you feel uneasy.You search for answers. But you can always fall back upon your greatest idol-your dad. He never quit.

[Randyman]

My Father, Green Chile and Duran vs Leonard II

Thirty three years ago today my father came to our home on Newlin Avenue in Whittier for the last time. I remember the date well because this was the day of the Roberto Duran and Sugar Ray Leonard rematch. The fight was taking place at the Superdome in New Orleans.

My father had been suffering from cancer at the time and was not doing well at all. I knew he wanted to see the fight but didn't have ON TV (subscription television). ON TV and Select TV were still a new concept and not every one had it installed in their homes. I told my father that if he wanted to see the fight I would order it. He and I were both big Duran fans and I just knew that regardless of how he felt, he would not want to miss it.

In the early evening my father, mother and my brother Dennis arrived at the house. Also there were some friends of mine that knew my father well. With all the guest and the kids running around, it was a full house. We were all looking forward to a good fight and hopefully another victory for Duran. Duran had already beat Leonard in their first fight, why would we think otherwise?

My father did not have much of an appetite around that time but Jeri and I decided to make some Chile Verde (Green Chile) for him. It was his favorite dish but just making it was not enough. I knew my father well and he believed that no one made Chile Verde like he did, and he was right. The thing is, I learned by watching. I always paid 100% attention when he made it. I was confident I could make it for him, it would be just like eating his own chile. I also wanted to make it with potatoes on the side, a sort of home fries but not quite (nowadays we just call them “grandpa's potatoes”. It was a unique style taught to him by his father (as was the Chile Verde). It was this simple way of cooking that my father loved best. Jeri and I would put our hearts into it for my father.

We ate our dinner informally, in the living room and with tv trays. As I recall, we were watching the undercard while we ate. I'm happy to tell you that my father not only finished his meal but wanted seconds. It was a shock to my mother who had been unable to get him to eat anything. He really enjoyed it and he let us know. It gave us some hope.

It was now time for the main event, Roberto Duran, "Manos de Piedra" (Hands of Stone) vs Sugar Ray Leonard. The die was cast and the stage was set. My dad and all the rest of us were getting anxious. We expected Duran to win, but he was fighting Leonard, and in boxing, as you know, anything could happen. Years later HBO boxing analyst/announcer Larry Merchant would call boxing "The Theater of the Unexpected". Boy was he ever right. Especially on this night. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

First we had to get through the formalities and the introductions. This was made all the easier when the great Ray Charles sang 'America the Beautiful”. I don't believe anyone ever sang it better. That bothered my father though. He could see it giving Leonard some juice. You could see Leonard moving around behind Ray Charles. He looked pumped up and confidant, he was smiling. Duran, by contrast, showed no emotion on his face. The savage panther that paced to and fro was not there.

Duran and Leonard met in the center of the ring and referee Octavio Meyran gave the final instructions. As always when one of my favorite boxers is fighting, especially in a big event, my heart is in my throat. I always get nervous. Howard Cosell, love him or hate him, God rest his soul, was the announcer. Ray Arcel, along with Freddie Brown, were in Duran's corner. Angelo Dundee in Leonard's. The two best fighters in the world backed by the best cornermen loyalty and money could buy. But it wasn't only money that brought everyone there that night. It was a true battle for welterweight supremacy. It didn't get any better, it didn't get any bigger. This was it.

Suddenly the fight was on. It was quiet at first. You could see right way that Leonard was fighting differently. He was feinting and boxing right off. I wasn't worried though, it was still early in the fight but as the rounds went on we could see that this was a different kind of fight. Duran seemed to be a step or two behind Leonard. I felt uncomfortable. My father, God Bless him, was yelling for Duran to pick it up. It was hard for all of us to watch Duran get hit with the sucker bolo punches, harder still to watch him get mocked by Leonard. Duran certainly did as much in his career, so sometimes Karma picks the worst time possible to give it back. You could see the frustration in Duran's eyes. “Stand still and fight me, Cabron”, they seemed to say. Leonard would have none of that. Let me say right here and now to dispel any notion of Leonard being a runner. Leonard was a fighter. He could hit, move side to side, get inside, hit and get out of the way, and he could take it. I wouldn't be an honest fan of the sport of boxing if I said otherwise. He was one of the greats.

Still, going into the eighth round, and despite the fact that Leonard was ahead on points, it was still anybody's fight. Duran was never close to being hurt. There seemed to be a moment of confusion. We all stopped talking and tried to figure out what just happened. It's been shown over the years; on television, Youtube and with countless stories and photos but on that night it unfolded so fast, so damned unexpectedly, everyone was in a state of shock. My father, the entire household, were dumbstruck! They announced that Roberto Duran had just quit. Leonard had won the fight. It was unthinkable.

The ending was a blur. I remember Duran walking away, his hands down and Leonard walking up to Duran and landing a blow but Duran was unfazed by it. He waved his arms and the fight was stopped. Leonard was ecstatic. He jumped up to the ring corner and and threw his hands up in victory. At that moment we knew it was true. Duran quit! That was the long and short of it and try as we might nothing was going to change it. The era of Roberto Duran was over.

My father was disappointed to say the least. We all were. I was hoping Duran would win this one for my father. It didn't happen. Instead it was the worst of all possible scenarios. It was a dark day in boxing if you were a Latino boxing fan. There was no argument to fight back with. No legs to argue with. There was no opportunity to make up a reasonable (however unlikely) excuse.

That was the last time my father visited my home. His cancer worsened and he was in and out of the hospital or home in bed. Either way he was mostly bedridden until his death the following year at the Whittier Hospital, where he finally succumbed to prostate cancer on May 7, 1981.

My father was a boxer in the Army, a featherweight. He was proud of the fact that he remained at 126 pounds all of his life. He believed that the best punch a fighter could possess was a good jab. Everything else worked off the jab. His heavyweight champions were; Joe Louis and Rocky Marciano. He was a boxing fan to the core, a knowledgeable boxing fan.

A side note: my father was still alive when the Leonard vs Tommy Hearns fight was announced. We made a twenty dollar bet on the fight. He thought Hearns would knock out Leonard. He died before the fight. His reasoning's for his picks were sound. Again, it's like Larry Merchant says, Boxing is the Theater of the Unexpected”, to which I would add, so is life.

So you see, whenever I think or hear of Duran and Leonard's second fight, I automatically think of my father.

Heart warming story pal. Your idol may have quit that night in New Orleans. I know it makes you feel uneasy.You search for answers. But you can always fall back upon your greatest idol-your dad. He never quit.

Roger, you hit the nail right on the head. Boxing, I love it but it's secondary, a deep second to anyone in my family. We gotta fill up our time here with something. Yes, my dad was my real hero. Even at my age, I still see him that way. Same with my brother and sister (God rest her soul). I try to be that kind of father to my kids and grandkids. That is my real mission in life. Thanks Rog!

[dagosd2000]

Cutting Off The Ring

In San Diego they call the area out on El Cajon Boulevard "Little Saigon." It's that area around Hoover High School where Ted Williams grew up. The neighborhood is getting worn out. The modest little homes are showing their age. Granted. that area is like stepping into another world,but there's another part of San Diego that's similar. The part of San Diego I'm talking about is in an industrial part of town in Kearny Mesa. It used to be mostly car dealerships ,automotive repair places,hardware stores,plumbing supply houses,and fast food joints,but in recent years has put on an Asian face. The merchants are the various mixtures of Asian races. Even the banks are Asian. Most of the store fronts are some type of Asian eateries.It's not a Chinatown because of all the different races of people. Funny, the only establishments I don't see are Japanese.The Japanese have always seperated themselves from their cousins.

The gym where my grandson trains for boxing is located in one the many ,I guess you would call, industrial strip centers. A couple of doors down from the gym is a Korean bakery. Before I watch Adam,my grandson train,I buy a cup of coffee there and talk to the girl behind the counter. Her and her father own the business. The bakery is very presentable with cases of cakes and cookies with Korean names on the shelves. The thing is that I hardly ever see anyone inside the bakery.Sometimes I wonder if much of that stuff spoils. The other night while my coffee was brewing I asked the girl why the place was always empty.
"Not that much Korean people close by,"she said.
"Do you do more of a morning business?"I asked.
"Sometimes more people come in morning."
An old man wearing an apron came out from the kitchen. He stopped to listen to us talk.
"Only one Korean beauty parlor here.No other Korean business."
"Well I don't have any problem going to any bakery.If the food is good,I'll be a customer."
I could see the old man begin to smile.
"He my father ,"said the girl."Our family own the business."
"That's good. You can trust each other better."
The old man walked over to the cash register and taped a piece of paper on the front of the register. There was writing on the paper. It must have been in Korean, and English. It read"Don't take food outside to eat."
"Why can't you take the food outside?"I asked the girl.
"The Vietnam restaurant next door says our food smells bad. Their food smells more bad."
"Well.,"I said joking,'that's because they're Vietnamese."
I had baited her for a response.
"That's right. They start problem first. Now landlord say no eating outside."
The girl put my coffee on the counter. I thanked her and waved good by to her father. He walked back inside the kitchen.

I walked to the gym and saw Adam putting on his hand wraps.
"You going to spar with Samuel tonight?"I asked him.
"Yes,he showed up tonight."
"Well remember to cut off the ring with him. If you put him against the ropes you can do what you want."
"I know abuelito.It won't be a problem.

[dagosd2000]

Max Baer

[El Gallo]

A real fighter from 9/11!

One of the greatest moments I have had during my involvement with the Boxing Hall of Fame, was the induction of the late heavyweight contender, Charlie Norkus. Mr. Norkus passed away a few years back, however, his son, Charlie Jr. was on hand to accept his father's induction award.

Charlie Norkus Jr. wasn't a boxer, but he was a fighter, A New York City fire fighter, one of the first to respond on 9/11, to the World Trade Center after both towers had fallen. Today Charlie is disabled, but he and wife Roseann came here from New York to be a part of our honoring his father.

This is his acceptance speech, and after he finished, I asked him to say a few words about that tragic day a dozen years ago . . .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pGTjSvn1dE

[dagosd2000]

Carvin' The Bird

"Why can't we have turkey on Thanksgiving?",I used to always ask my father.
"Why would you want turkey when you could eat egg plant parmesian and ravioli,"he'd answer with a smirk.
"We could have turkey on the side,"I'd plead.
"Talk to your mother then."
My mother would go shopping for food for Thanksgiving a few days before the holiday. This time I put in my two cents.
"Dad said I should talk to you about also having turkey for Thanksgiving," I said to my mother as she was writing down the shopping list.
"I know you want a turkey. I'll buy a small one."
My mind was put at ease. I finally got my way with this turkey thing for Thanksgiving. I couldn't understand why my father couldn't be a little traditional. We ate Italian just about all the time.

That Thanksgiving morning I could smell the food cooking from the kitchen. My sisters were assisting ,while my father and I were watching the traditional Packer/Lion football game. The Packers were favored. It was the time when Lombardi's teams were practically invincible.My father was a huge Packer fan because Lombardi was the coach.
"No one can beat the Packers.Lombardi is the best. He's Italian,"my father would always say.

But this afternoon the Lions were matching them score for score. After a tremendous battle ,the Lions prevailed and won the game.After the final gun ,I looked over to my father.
"It's not so bad. The Lions had Nick Pietrosante,"he sighed.

My father turned off the television and everyone sat at the table. My mother and sisters brought out the food. I looked for the turkey.
"Be sure to carve me some turkey,"I said to my father.
"I think you'll like the stuffing,"he said.
I moved aside the raviolis and egg plant to scoop up a little stuffing onto my fork and put it in my mouth. The taste was familiar.
"What do you think of the stuffing?" my asked me with a big smile.
"It's got Italian sausage in it."
"I told your mother to make it that way."
"Italian sausage in a turkey?"I said chewing slowly.
"Of course,"said my father."It tastes better that way."




Vince Lombardi

[Randyman]

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you here on CAWCB. I am thankful for you friendship! Eat your fill and enjoy your time with your family! God Bless you!

[Chuck1052]

Happy Thanksgiving!

- Chuck Johnston

[dagosd2000]

Happy Thanksgiving to all the posters on the thread and your families. Ciao,Rog

[Ric]

Happy Thanksgiving!

- Chuck Johnston

Happy Thanksgiving!
Chuck, I just saw a Charles Johnston from Los Angeles interviewed about sports on a 2013 HBO documentary called Sport in America: Our Defining Stories. Was that you?

[Chuck1052]

Happy Thanksgiving!

- Chuck Johnston

Happy Thanksgiving!
Chuck, I just saw a Charles Johnston from Los Angeles interviewed about sports on a 2013 HBO documentary called Sport in America: Our Defining Stories. Was that you?

Rick- No, I didn't have anything to do with it. In fact, I wasn't aware of such a documentary.

- Chuck Johnston

[CNorkusJr]

A real fighter from 9/11!

One of the greatest moments I have had during my involvement with the Boxing Hall of Fame, was the induction of the late heavyweight contender, Charlie Norkus. Mr. Norkus passed away a few years back, however, his son, Charlie Jr. was on hand to accept his father's induction award.

Charlie Norkus Jr. wasn't a boxer, but he was a fighter, A New York City fire fighter, one of the first to respond on 9/11, to the World Trade Center after both towers had fallen. Today Charlie is disabled, but he and wife Roseann came here from New York to be a part of our honoring his father.

This is his acceptance speech, and after he finished, I asked him to say a few words about that tragic day a dozen years ago . . .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pGTjSvn1dE

The honor was all mine as my father was Inducted into the California Boxing HOF. It is a memory I will have forever. More so, is the fact I was with many new friends whom I have talked to via online boxing rooms such as this one, emails and phone calls before going West. All of those I met on our Family trip to California have left an indelible mark on my soul and in my heart through kind words and rememberances. The pleasure was all mine. All handshakes were firm and long lasting and a wonderful sign of friendship. Thank You. Charlie N.

[CNorkusJr]

Happy Thanksgiving!

- Chuck Johnston

Happy Thanksgiving!
Chuck, I just saw a Charles Johnston from Los Angeles interviewed about sports on a 2013 HBO documentary called Sport in America: Our Defining Stories. Was that you?

Chuck, are you related to J.J. Johnston from California ? Back in the early 80's, my father and I had business with him as he was a go between us meeting Tony Fosco of Chicago. Tony was a lauded boxing film collector, as was JJ Johnston, who helped my father out immensely. JJ Johnston we spoke to on a few occaisions and was also sincerly helpful.
I know he was well regarded out West by you guys. Since its been awhile and with Tony's passing, we had no communication with each other for some time now.

Any help on this. If anyone sees JJ Johnston or talks to him, please send my family regards. Thank You, Charlie Norkus Jr.

[Chuck1052]

Happy Thanksgiving!

- Chuck Johnston

Happy Thanksgiving!
Chuck, I just saw a Charles Johnston from Los Angeles interviewed about sports on a 2013 HBO documentary called Sport in America: Our Defining Stories. Was that you?

Chuck, are you related to J.J. Johnston from California ? Back in the early 80's, my father and I had business with him as he was a go between us meeting Tony Fosco of Chicago. Tony was a lauded boxing film collector, as was JJ Johnston, who helped my father out immensely. JJ Johnston we spoke to on a few occaisions and was also sincerly helpful.
I know he was well regarded out West by you guys. Since its been awhile and with Tony's passing, we had no communication with each other for some time now.

Any help on this. If anyone sees JJ Johnston or talks to him, please send my family regards. Thank You, Charlie Norkus Jr.

Charlie- JJ Johnston and I are not related, but I do know him. I will relay the regards of your family to him.

- Chuck Johnston

[Randyman]

Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends on CAWCB!!

[dagosd2000]

Don't Believe It

"But Guiseppe,what about the part when they put the horses head in the bed with that guy?"asked my uncle Joe talking about the Godfather movie to my father.
"How can you watch that crap?",shot back my father not bothering to look at my uncle.
My uncle Joe had talked my father into sitting down on the couch and watching the Godfather movie on the television. Physically, my uncle was bigger than my father. I always thought he had the biggest biceps the world.
"But Guiseppe,"my uncle went on,"The godfather won the best picture of the year."
"I thought the movie was horrible,"said my father still not even giving my uncle a glance.
"Didn't you think Al Pacino and Marlon Brando were terrific?"
"No."
'I'm surprised you think that way,"said my uncle.
I could see my uncle leaning away from my father on the couch.
"All those mafia movies are bullshit. It would have never happened that way,"said my father getting up from the couch.
"Well the public liked it,"said my uncle.
"The public is stupid like you. You can sell them anything."
My uncle Joe didn't say a word.
"You know Joe,"said my father finally looking down at my uncle,"You grew up in the neighborhood.You should know better."
"Well I liked the movie."
"That's because you're a big fake.You work slinging drinks in one of Bompansiero's crappy bars downtown and you act like you're a don or somethin'."
"Now Guiseppe don't get upset."
I could see my uncle shift his weight on the couch.
"Don't give mt that Guiseppe crap. You're like all the rest on your sister's side. You're all a bunch of morons."
"Don't talk that way about your wife."
"Your sister is a moron and you are a moron and everyone in your family is one too. I can't stand to be around you."
Just then my mother walked in.
"What's going on here?"she asked looking at my father.
"You're brother is a moron. I can't take him."
"What started this?"she asked.
"I was watching the Godfather with your brother,"answered my uncle," and I said I liked the part about when they put the horses head in bed with the guy."
"So why all the fuss?,"asked my mother with her hands on her hips.
"Because that wasn't the way it happened,"shouted my father."We shoved a gun in that Cohn's mouth and that's when he saw it our way and that's how Sinatra got the part."
My father stormed out the door and slammed it shut behind him.
"Marion,"said my uncle looking up at his sister,"Why does he get so upset like that?"
"You should ask Harry Cohn,"said my mother with a smile.



Marlon Brando as the Godfather

[dagosd2000]

Go Along To Get Along

"It didn't matter .If you were a fighter you had to go along with what they wanted,"answered my father to my question about why Henry Armstrong never got another shot at the title after losing a second time to Fritzie Zivic.
"Zivic never got another shot after he lost his title to Cochrane either,"I said.
My father was frying sausages in a pan on the stove in the kitchen. He looked down as he talked to me.I thought I knew a lot about boxing.
"Those guys had lost their juice with the mob,"said my father.
"Why was that?"
"I don't know the particulars. There wasn't any interest in Armstrong.He was a west coast draw mostly,and he was black. Zivic made more money going in the tank."
"How many of those fights were fixed?"
"A lot of them. Remember the mob made money on the gambling end of it. Everything was in their control. The stadiums,the promoters,managers,the commission.It was all locked up."
"Did many of the fighters know about it?"
"They knew about it,but there was nothing they could do.Go to the commission? Hell,that Norris was in our pocket.The Feds looked the other way. Carbo,Palermo,and Giancana called the shots."
"Why did some of those guys keep on fighting when they knew they'd never get a title shot?"
"What else did they know how to do? If it wasn't for fighting half of them would have wound up in prison and the other half would have died of syphilis."
"That's kind of cold,"I said lowering my voice.
My father stuck a fork into the sausages and put them on a paper towel that soaked up the grease.
"Well look at it this way. The wiseguys that controlled boxing either wound up in jail or got syphilis...or worse yet,got a bullet in the head."




Jake LaMotta

[dagosd2000]

Rocky Marciano

[dagosd2000]

Black Friday

When I walked through the door I saw my wife sitting on the couch talking on the telephone.
"Ya llegado,"she said."Here talk to Jorge."
My wife handed the phone to me.She had been talking to her nephew Jorge. He lise in New York City. He's been there for the past fifteen years since my mother in law died. that was when he was taking care of her in Jiquilpan before she died of cancer.
"How are you uncle?"he said.
"I'm doing good."
"I hear you went to Michoacan?"
"Yes.We went in August"
"How are things down there?"
"I won't go back. I've had it."
The wife and I went down to our house in Mexico for our annual visit. My wife wanted to celebrate her birthday in her hometown.
"I heard you had some problems,"said my nephew.
"Your uncle Arturo came over to the house drunk. He was mouthing off. When he got into an argument with your aunt,I told him to leave."
"I hate that guy. He say when I grow up he want to kick my ass."
"He's always bullied the family. Later he came back with a machete and said he wanted to kill me."
"What did you do?"
"I wasn't there. I went into town. He knew I wasn't in the house because my car wasn't there. It was all an act.But he lost face. There was a lot of family in the house. He's brooding about what happened."
"I'll never go back,"said my nephew."There's nothing for me in Mexico."
"Jorge,just about everyone is here now. There are no jobs. Prices are high. Can you believe beans are more expensive in Mexico than here?"
"Yes,I can believe that."
"The cartels control everything.Families are separated. Husbands in the U.S. trying to send money down to support their families. Some kids have never seen their fathers."
"I'll never go back,"said my nephew again.
"It's everyone for themselves. Nobody helps anyone. You're lucky if the family is together. And your family is not. They all are jealous of each other."
"That's why I won't go back."
"Did you see how people here acted on Black Friday? All the pushing and shoving to buy presents. I bet the people in Michoacan would have loved to have the money to buy all that stuff."
"No uncle. This is how they think. They see that on the television and say there is my daddy buying all that stuff for himself."




Capulina

[dagosd2000]

Nelson Mandela. A man who walked the walk. Rest In Peace

[dagosd2000]

I Love Ricky

"What did you think of that TV show 'The Untouchables'"?,I asked my father.
"I watched it to see if it was real or not.Why do you ask?"
My father and I were sitting in the livingroom waiting for the football game to begin.
"I read where the Italian Mafia was very upset with Desi Arnaz for producing that program."
"A lot of Italians didn't like that show,but it was all a bunch of bullshit. It didn't happen that way."
"Is it true that the Mafia put out a contract on Desi Arnaz?"
"They were upset with him,but they weren't going to whack him."
"I read a story where they were going to have him killed,but then Al Capone's wife told the Mob not to kill him because her son went to school with Desi Arnaz and they were friends."
"That's a lot of baloney. Sonny Capone went to school with Desi Arnaz,but that isn't why they didn't kill him."
"The story said the hitmen lost interest."
"If the Outfit puts out a contract on someone,they don't lose interest."
"Then why wasn't Desi Arnaz killed?"
"The last think the Mafia wants is heat to be put on them. They kill each other and the G doesn't care. But kill a civilian,especially a popular star like Desi Arnaz and that will bring the Feds."
"I see."
"Imagine finding Ricky Ricardo in some alley with his head blown off?"said my father laughing.
"The public wouldn't like that."
"No they wouldn't."
My father looked at the clock on the wall.
"Turn on the television set,"said my father. "It's time for the game to begin."

[dagosd2000]

Carmen Basilio

[Chuck1052]

I Love Ricky

"What did you think of that TV show 'The Untouchables'"?,I asked my father.
"I watched it to see if it was real or not.Why do you ask?"
My father and I were sitting in the livingroom waiting for the football game to begin.
"I read where the Italian Mafia was very upset with Desi Arnaz for producing that program."
"A lot of Italians didn't like that show,but it was all a bunch of bullshit. It didn't happen that way."
"Is it true that the Mafia put out a contract on Desi Arnaz?"
"They were upset with him,but they weren't going to whack him."
"I read a story where they were going to have him killed,but then Al Capone's wife told the Mob not to kill him because her son went to school with Desi Arnaz and they were friends."
"That's a lot of baloney. Sonny Capone went to school with Desi Arnaz,but that isn't why they didn't kill him."
"The story said the hitmen lost interest."
"If the Outfit puts out a contract on someone,they don't lose interest."
"Then why wasn't Desi Arnaz killed?"
"The last think the Mafia wants is heat to be put on them. They kill each other and the G doesn't care. But kill a civilian,especially a popular star like Desi Arnaz and that will bring the Feds."
"I see."
"Imagine finding Ricky Ricardo in some alley with his head blown off?"said my father laughing.
"The public wouldn't like that."
"No they wouldn't."
My father looked at the clock on the wall.
"Turn on the television set,"said my father. "It's time for the game to begin."

I think the fact that Organized Crime figures didn't like public heat put them is the reason that they didn't have anything to do with the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

- Chuck Johnston

[dagosd2000]

I Love Ricky

"What did you think of that TV show 'The Untouchables'"?,I asked my father.
"I watched it to see if it was real or not.Why do you ask?"
My father and I were sitting in the livingroom waiting for the football game to begin.
"I read where the Italian Mafia was very upset with Desi Arnaz for producing that program."
"A lot of Italians didn't like that show,but it was all a bunch of bullshit. It didn't happen that way."
"Is it true that the Mafia put out a contract on Desi Arnaz?"
"They were upset with him,but they weren't going to whack him."
"I read a story where they were going to have him killed,but then Al Capone's wife told the Mob not to kill him because her son went to school with Desi Arnaz and they were friends."
"That's a lot of baloney. Sonny Capone went to school with Desi Arnaz,but that isn't why they didn't kill him."
"The story said the hitmen lost interest."
"If the Outfit puts out a contract on someone,they don't lose interest."
"Then why wasn't Desi Arnaz killed?"
"The last think the Mafia wants is heat to be put on them. They kill each other and the G doesn't care. But kill a civilian,especially a popular star like Desi Arnaz and that will bring the Feds."
"I see."
"Imagine finding Ricky Ricardo in some alley with his head blown off?"said my father laughing.
"The public wouldn't like that."
"No they wouldn't."
My father looked at the clock on the wall.
"Turn on the television set,"said my father. "It's time for the game to begin."

I think the fact that Organized Crime figures didn't like public heat put them is the reason that they didn't have anything to do with the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

- Chuck Johnston

Chuck,they certainly didn't order the hit on JFK(they don't have that much clout),but they supplied the hitmen. Johnny Roselli had worked with the CIA on the Bay Of Pigs and was approached to supply the shooters.When The House Committee on Assassinations was organized in the late 70's. Johnny Roselli,Chuck Nicoletti,and Sam Giancana were to testify before the committee about what they knew.They were all murdered before they could talk.Remember,these are made guys.Who put the contract out on them?This wasn't like Joey Gallo killing Joe Bonanno because he wanted to head up the family. Or John Gotti putting out a contract on Paul Castellano because he wanted to take over the Gambino gang. Giancana,Roselli,and Nicoletti were made guys. No one replaced them. Tony Accardo was above all of them,but let Giancana run things.Even Accardo wouldn't want to have these guys rubbed out unless someone above him gave the order,and Accardo was the number one guy in the Outfit.Giancana and his crew(Roselli,Nicoletti) hated the Kennedys.The Outfit and the CIA had a long history together,and when JFK didn't support the Bay Of Pigs strike with a military intervention and consequently fired Allen Dulles(the director of the CIA),Richard Bissell(deputy director),and Gen.Charles Cabell(who supervised the military end of it) the die was cast. Add the Kennedy's hatred of J.Edgar Hoover(they were planning to replace him),LBJ)who they were going to kick off the '64 Presidential ticket(and indict him along with his cronies Bobby Baker and Billie Sol Estes),and wanting to take away the oil companies depletiation allowance on their oil sales...well go figure.The night before the assassination Richard Nixon,LBJ,Hoover,H.L, Hunt and Clint Murchison met at Murchison's mansion in Dallas. Hunt and Murchison were along with Sid Richardson the oil barons of the U.S. Madeline Brown,LBJ's mistress was therealso.She said that they all went inside a room and talked for an hour. When they left the room,she asked LBJ what they talked about.Johnson told her that after tomorrow,"Kennedy won't be a pain in my ass anymore." The next morning Nixon,Hoover and Hunt flew out of Dallas.The Mafia are little pipsqueaks when it comes to who really has the muscle.

[dagosd2000]

Phantom Puncher

Frank Sinatra liked to think of himself as a tough guy. A lot of people today think that Sinatra was a hard ass that he didn't take no sh*t.One of Sinatra's boasts was that he fought in the ring. Sinatra's father fought some,but his son never put on the gloves.

Sinatra was born in Jersey and got his start working in Mob run joints like a lot of other entertainers of that era. "Skinny D'Amato's 500 Club was one of Frank's launching spots.D'Amato was connected with the syndicate and was also a real nice guy. Everyone liked "Skinny." When The Outfit moved out to Nevada,the gangsters let him operate the Cal-Neva Lodge casino. Sinatra was a frequent visitor and entertained there.The Cal-Neva was always run by Mob connected guys and was a good getaway for them if they wanted a place to conduct business or just relax.

When Joe Kennedy was greasing everybody with any juice to get his son elected President,the Cal Neva was a good spot to buy votes from the boys with the pull.When Peter Lawford married Pat Kennedy,Frank Sinatra brought Lawford into the Rat Pack. Between booze,drugs,and broads everyone was in their element.However,old man Kennedy know knew he had a pipeline to Sam Giancana because Sinatra was close to him. Joe Kennedy wanted Giancana to swing the votes in Chicago to JFK and asked Sinatra to hold court with Giancana. To make a long story short,it was a big risk. Old man Kennedy promised to call off John ,and especially Bobby Kennedy to call off the heat against organized crime. Jimmy Hoffa saw through it. He knew Joe Kennedy would say anything to bring home the election for his son,but the Outfit guys went for the bait. When it came election time voters in Chicago were driven to the polls with a check in their hands. The voting booths were stacked and JFK carried Illinois with the help of the spaghetti benders. Like Capone used to say,"Vote early and vote often."

When old man Kennedy got his stroke in Florida on the golf course in 1961 and turned into an Irish potato,JFK and Bobby put the heat on the FBI to go after the gangsters. Now back to Sinatra.There were a lot of Mob guys that were saying to Giancana,"I told you so." They were thinking of taking Sinatra off the set,but knew that would only bring more heat. After the Kennedys 'double crossed' the Mob,Sinatra was treated like a little pimp. He might have acted like he was connected ,but he was considered by the Mob as a lightweight. Yeah,Sinatra bragged and postured his way around Hollywood,but what the hell...he could get away with that crap with movie stars. They didn't have the balls to do anything to him.But the Mob?They pushed him around and he sang at their daughters' weddings.As far as Frank Sinatra being a fighter? He was like one of the rat pack,just an act.



Frank Sinatra