Classic American West Coast Boxing

[dagosd2000]

El Fhooey

Ever read those interviews with fighters labeled ,"The Best I Faced"?Chris Smith told me that on the 22nd of January(that was yesterday) he was to have another of his "Meet And Greet" functions in LA's art district starting at 12 noon.I said I'd go but then something popped up. My great grandson was to play a soccer game at the stadium in Tijuana yesterday..He's on the 21 and younger team for the G.F Pachuca team. I couldn't miss that one.(BTW Pachaca won .They played the Tijuana team.My grandson is a defender and he played a fine game).

So I had to miss Chris' event.Anyway,one of the guest fighters was Ruben Olivares,the former bantamweight champion they call "El Puas."Olivares got front billing in the flyer ahead of Danny "Little Red" Lopez.I guess it was no big deal but the two did meet at the Forum and Danny lit up the Mexican stopping him in 7 frames.But I guess Rockin' Ruben was the big draw yesterday.

Olivares built his rep like a house on fire winning 61 fights(I think all by K0)with a sole draw with a fella' named German Bastides.It was an era of glorious bantam weights,practically all of them Mexican-national and Chicano.Lionel Rose however was wearing the title belt and he was an aborigine from down under Australia. I was at the Forum the night he decisioned Chucho Castillo .I thought the call was right but the other 99 percent Mexican crowd disagreed and started a riot.

Waiting in the wings was "El Puas" with his big "gancho" wanting to take Rose's head off with it.I was also at the Forum when Rose almost got his head taken off including every one of his body parts.Now Ruben was the top guy.

Well, now I want to get back to his interview with Ring Magazine after OLivares hung up his gloves.He goes down the list of who was the best he faced. He says Arguello had the best jab and that he was beating Arguello like a drum when he had Alexis on the ropes but made the "mistake"? wanting to finish him off.That's when Arguello finished Ruben off.

But here's the two most important categories on the list of Olivares' nominees that threw me for a loop.Best Overall Skills-Bobby Chacon.Best Overall-Jesus Pimentel."C'Mon man. Olivares had Bobby's number stopping him twice in 2 out of 3.(Bobby winning the last one by decision.)But Pimentel for the best overall? I saw Olivares fight Pimentel at the Forum.Pimentel was overpowered from start to finish,the fight ending with "Chuy" draped through the ring rope totally at Ruben's mercy.

There was no mention of "Little Red" nor Rafael Herrera on Olivares' "Best" list.Herrera dominated Olivares getting inside his wide hooks with straight crisp right hands. In the 8th "El Puas" was one spent rooster. (BTW-a 'puas' is a razor blade they tie onto a fighting cock's talon before he goes to battle inside the Palenque.)

The insight to Olivares' interview was that he didn't give mention to two guys who kicked his ass good.

One other caveat about "El Puas."I hope all you fans got a chance to read Chris Smith's excellent bio of Eder Jofre(Brazil's First World Boxing Champion).Chris beforehand asked for some commentaries prior to publication.i was honored to be asked along with a plethora of boxing pundits.All the responses were articulate and intelligent displaying Jofre as the great champion that he was. "El Puas" was also beckoned for words.Well,here's what he had to say.

"When I was young I admired Jofre. ...I had heard whispers that a fight with Jofre was in the works but it never panned out.If we had fought I would have knocked him out. ...I'm sorry to say this.I would have loved to tangle...but his manager having common sense would have stopped it."

Olivares' rational was the he was on his "way up" and Jofre was on his way "down."I'll make an exception to my avoiding of"mythical matchups."But in this case it would have been "El Puas" who would have been going down on the canvas

.


Ruben Olivares



















..

Roger, we had some great events over the weekend. At Maria's Grill in Downey on Friday night we played some of Ruben's fights and the one he wanted to watch most was the Jesus Pimentel fight. He said Pimentel had so much guts and that he admired him greatly. This Friday, we will be at Tamayo Restaurant in East LA if you can make it. I'll send you details in a little while. 5 pm start until around 7:30/8 pm.

Pimentel had guts alright but Olivares handed him his lunch.I can see why he wanted to watch that one.I bet he didn't ask to see the Herrera or the Lopez fights.They had guts too.

[geoffreysadao]

Around 1979, I remember when a well past his prime Olivares challenged Eusebio Pedroza for the latter's WBA Featherweight title. Although Pedroza prevailed, Olivares put up a good scrap. Years later (roughly 1986), I watched a delayed broadcast of a comeback attempt in a 4 or 6 rounder. He was way over-the-hill, and if I remember correctly, the fight was called a draw. It may have been at the Olympic Auditorium. I can't believe that this was over 35 years ago!

[geoffreysadao]

Roger,

I may have inquired about this before, but do you remember Eddie "Motorboat" Logan who fought as a bantamweight in the l970's? He beat Fidel Fraijo, Mario Chavez, "Superfly" Sandoval and Alfonso Zamora. Logan's win-loss record was decidedly "so so." I think that he was scheduled to challenge Lupe Pintor for the WBC Bantamweight Title in '79 or '80, but a neurological exam revealed damage.
If you remember him, what were your impressions of his style and ability?

As always, I look forward to your reply.

Thank You,
Geoffrey

[dagosd2000]

Roger,

I may have inquired about this before, but do you remember Eddie "Motorboat" Logan who fought as a bantamweight in the l970's? He beat Fidel Fraijo, Mario Chavez, "Superfly" Sandoval and Alfonso Zamora. Logan's win-loss record was decidedly "so so." I think that he was scheduled to challenge Lupe Pintor for the WBC Bantamweight Title in '79 or '80, but a neurological exam revealed damage.
If you remember him, what were your impressions of his style and ability?

As always, I look forward to your reply.

Thank You,
Geoffrey

Never heard of him.

[scartissue]

Roger,

I may have inquired about this before, but do you remember Eddie "Motorboat" Logan who fought as a bantamweight in the l970's? He beat Fidel Fraijo, Mario Chavez, "Superfly" Sandoval and Alfonso Zamora. Logan's win-loss record was decidedly "so so." I think that he was scheduled to challenge Lupe Pintor for the WBC Bantamweight Title in '79 or '80, but a neurological exam revealed damage.
If you remember him, what were your impressions of his style and ability?

As always, I look forward to your reply.

Thank You,
Geoffrey

Geoff, his bout with Alfonso Zamora is on YouTube and is a terrific fight and also his last. I never knew what happened to him after his greatest win. Thanks for filling in the blank on that one.

[geoffreysadao]

I know that Logan lost a competitive 8 rounder to Leo Randolph in Seattle. I really liked his style based on his televised bout against Mario "Bucket of Blood" Chavez. Shortly after, he upset Alberto Sandoval. Chavez was another great competitor from that era. He fought so many lower weight, West Coast guys, and seemingly, he was always competitive. Do you remember Mario Chavez?

[dagosd2000]

Blood Is Thicker Than Water

Maybe I'm getting punchy but I'm trying to recall the time I saw Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. have his coming out party. I checked the BoxRec records and there's nothing there about the fight I saw but then again BoxRec ain't always perfect.The fight I witnessed was at the La Pulgas nightclub on Revolution Street.They call it a "Gentleman's Club" and if you're not interested being a "gentleman" you'll have the time of your life there.Anyway, even though the kid was just starting out in a preliminary the house was packed to the doors.

Junior was going to jump in with both feet starting out of the blocks fighting as a pro.I could never understand why his old man didn't groom him in the amateurs to develop him proper. I mean the old man had the dough to give him the best.But here the kid was in this den of ill repute ready to make his pro debut. Dad was there and so was every aficianado within a hundred mile radius.They were even hyping the fight in the papers north of the border.

The guy Junior was fighting had to be cherry picked so the odds were definitely in Junior's favor. The fight went the full four which I think disappointed the throng. Everyone was expecting to see traits of his old man but the kid was raw and crude as uncooked carne asada.That was no surprise considering that this was the first time he took off his pants in public.But the thing that struck me,the red flag so to speak,was he lacked the "eye of the tiger".His old man had it.They saw it in him when he was a gym rat down in his hometown in Sinaloa. He had that killer instinct.What I saw in the son was a kid who looked uninterested in it all. You either have that aggression inside your you don't.

As Junior was running up the ladder beating guys with phony records and questionable skills he was building a fan base.But there was another Mexican middle weight who was traveling on the same path-Canelo Alvarez.The republic wanted to see these two in the ring more than any other fight that was in the works.

The aficianados were split on this pair.Junior had his following and Canelo had an equal share of adimirers.Junior got a crack at a title when he beat a so so guy named Andy Lee to win the soft WBC crown.But then in his first defense he loses to Sergio Martinez ,who was no slouch and the best had yet faced. it was pretty one sided .

Canelo on the other hand had been fighting better stuff squaring of with the likes of Sugar Shane,Pretty Boy,Amir Khan,Austin Trout,and Miguel Cotto.With that said Mexico still wanted to see the two best middleweight in the country settle things.

Well,it finally came off. Canelo dominated.Junior procrastinated.His old man was at ringside wearing his tri color headband with "Chavez" on it. I gotta' say the old man really pulled for his son.But as his son just flitted away immortality his dad couldn't take it any longer and left the house before the final bell..

Afterward the kid blamed his father for his poor performance. He griped that he grew up in a house with a father who was a drug addict and an alcoholic.(I guess that's how Junior acquired the habit )

Well,since then Canelo has built a rep that has him the best P4P in the world,And Junior?He's 35 and wants to get sloppy seconds fighting these staged psuedo fights against these celebraties.The difference will be that Junior won't have anyone his corner but his dad.Blood is thicker than water.


JUnior

[geoffreysadao]

It's a damn shame that you wasn't properly groomed and lacked dedication. In my opinion, he had some real strengths as evidenced by his 12th round rally against Sergio Martinez. He was strong, took a good punch and had some good basic fundamentals. It has got to be hard for a kid to try to follow in their father's footsteps esp. if the father is so exceptional. Look at Frank Sinatra Jr. and others. Be if you're going to try, do it right!

[dagosd2000]

It's a damn shame that you wasn't properly groomed and lacked dedication. In my opinion, he had some real strengths as evidenced by his 12th round rally against Sergio Martinez. He was strong, took a good punch and had some good basic fundamentals. It has got to be hard for a kid to try to follow in their father's footsteps esp. if the father is so exceptional. Look at Frank Sinatra Jr. and others. Be if you're going to try, do it right!

Geoff
You really know how to push my buttons. Floyd Mayweather followed in his father's footsteps and never lost a fight.. Cal Ripkin Jr. was a helleva lot better ball player than his father.Junior was a spoiled brat.Had servants and maids .Never had to work a day in his life.What did he think?Because his father was Mexico's best fighter that all he'd have to do is show up?Poor kid having to follow in daddy's footsteps.I guess if his father was a bum Junior would have been champion of the world.The kid will never grow up.He's a loser.

F--k Frank Sinatra Jr. He was always pissed at his old man because he left his mother.He had no focus.He wasn't career driven.He was his mommy's favorite and ran to her all the time to cry on her shoulder.. Frank's number one was Nancy.She did all right as a singer.

Getting back to Junior.The way he dissed his father in public for his failings as a fighter.What an asshole.Drug addict.Alcoholic. If he thought that was so bad he did a good job aping his father in that respect.As for that Martinez fight the 12th round was the only round he looked like he was trying.Way too late.Damn shame alright.

[geoffreysadao]

Hi Roger,

I was thinking that we could write Julito a sympathy letter and send him a year supply of Gerber baby food!

Without question, he was undedicated. I had no idea he was so entitled! I don't want to sound like a cynical middle age guy but that's a lot of the younger generation nowadays. That being said, I meet some younger adults who are hard working, compassionate, wise beyond their years, etc.

Didn't Bob Fitzsimmons have a son who was a fringe heavyweight contender?

Also, you didn't tell me if you remember Mario "Bucket of Blood" Chavez.

Geoffrey

[dagosd2000]

Hi Roger,

I was thinking that we could write Julito a sympathy letter and send him a year supply of Gerber baby food!

Without question, he was undedicated. I had no idea he was so entitled! I don't want to sound like a cynical middle age guy but that's a lot of the younger generation nowadays. That being said, I meet some younger adults who are hard working, compassionate, wise beyond their years, etc.

Didn't Bob Fitzsimmons have a son who was a fringe heavyweight contender?

Also, you didn't tell me if you remember Mario "Bucket of Blood" Chavez.

Geoffrey

I think I saw him fight at the Colieum once.I know he fought a lot in Las Vegas at the Silver Slipper. Can't remember too much about him.I heard he got robbed against Freddie Roach.

[dagosd2000]

The Reluctant Honoree

Burke Emery used to be the head bartender at O'Riley's Bar that was down the street from where I lived in the San Diego suburb of Clairemont.He was a hard drinker and a hard luck fighter when he was battling the pugs in his native Canada.He won the Canadian light heavyweight championship in the mid 50's andheld onto it for a cup of coffee, He was very proud of that.When he retired from fighting in San Diego he stayed and trained fighters.He also took on a night job slinging beers at O'Riley's

When he finished his shift he'd swing over to the other side of the bar and take a stool start pouring down the booze with both fists.When the owner of Riley's said he had enough of dealing with drunks and breaking up fights he put his place up for sale. Well,he didn't have to ask Burke twice. Burke was a little short on cash so he took on as a partner his girlfriend Shirley who was no stranger to O'Riley's.But there was no way Burke was gong to keep O'Riley's name on the front door. Since he was once the top dog amongst Canadian 174 pounders he tore down the old sign and bought him a new neon job with the inscription "Champs".He was very proud of that also.

Now that Burke was owner of his favorite watering hole he was no absentee landlord. This time though he was the guy throwing the drunks out into the street. Burke had a hair trigger.You didn't pick up on it most of the time but when someone said something he didn't take a liking to he would rather unload a left hook than have a battle of the words.

Burke kept on training fighters.Art Hafey.a fellow Canadian,was his big name guy. I thought for a spell that Hafey might become a champ especially after he slugged Ruben Olivares in the gut in a fight down in Monterrey causing "El Puas'" to spit his mouth guard into the cheap seats and having to carry him to the locker room dreaming of pretty senoritas.There was a rematch in LA.Again,Hafey was working him over but the fight went the distance and Oiivares got the hometown decision.Hafey ended his career with nerve damage in his arms and having Danny Lopez take target practice batterd body.Later when Hafey was inducted into Don Fraser's Cal Boxing Hall Of Fame Hafey on the dais gave credit to Burke for making him the fighter he was.

I'd go down to the Coliseum from time to time and Burke would let me workout with a heavyweight.He had his own gym in North Park but he wasn't keeping an eye on things and lost money. He'd tell me the Mexican fighters would steal his gear but the funny thing was Burke wasn't sore.
"Hell,those guys had no money to buy their own stuff so they stole mine!",he'd say laughing.

When Rick Farris was working his can off for Don Fraser's California Boxing Hall I asked Rick if he thought Burke would be a good inductee. He ran it by Fraser and since him and Burke were once drinking buddies Fraser gave him the OK.But Burke had the qualifications anyway.When I told Burke that he got in and that the function was up in LA he got a little riled.He said he wouldn't go. Shirley was there when I told Burke about his induction and took me aside.She said that she'd work on Burke and get him to go.I told her that Burke would have to buy enough seats to fill a couple of tables.Shirley handed me a 50 dollar bill.
"Take this for a down payment,"she said.
I told her to hold onto it for when the time came.

When I went up to the ceremony I opened the program and sure enough there was Burke's name and story inside.Problem was there was no Burke in the audience.Nor were there any of his fans occupying any seats at any of the tables.When Don Fraser got to his name to do Burke's introduction he skipped over it.Burke was on Fraser's pay no mind list.

When I got back to San Diego I dropped by Champs.Burke wasn't there but Shirley was.
"At the last moment he didn't want to go,"she said."They sent his plaque but that was it."
"I bet Fraser was pissed that he didn't sell any tickets".,I said.
By that time the dementia was creeping up on Burke. That probably had something for him not going. You couldn't tell with Burke what he was going to do next.He'd either smile and buy you a drink ,or he might throw one of his left hooks.


Burke and me in Champs

[geoffreysadao]

Thank you again, Roger. Burke had his pride even after dementia crept in. Man, there are people who want to use fighters to the very end!
I would appreciate it if you would share with me your impressions of Howard Smith (California Heavyweight Champion in the late 70's). I only saw his brutal loss to Earnie Shavers in '77. I was about 12 years old at that time. I knew that Ali had gotten old and worn out, and I figured that Shavers stood a real chance of "winning all of the marbles." Despite Shavers' limitations (often poor stamina and less than iron chin), I really enjoyed watching him. That overhand right! Also, he had some boxing skills, but of course, not at the level of Ali and Holmes.

[dagosd2000]

Thank you again, Roger. Burke had his pride even after dementia crept in. Man, there are people who want to use fighters to the very end!
I would appreciate it if you would share with me your impressions of Howard Smith (California Heavyweight Champion in the late 70's). I only saw his brutal loss to Earnie Shavers in '77. I was about 12 years old at that time. I knew that Ali had gotten old and worn out, and I figured that Shavers stood a real chance of "winning all of the marbles." Despite Shavers' limitations (often poor stamina and less than iron chin), I really enjoyed watching him. That overhand right! Also, he had some boxing skills, but of course, not at the level of Ali and Holmes.

I saw Smith's pro debut against "Battleship Gray" at the Valley Music Center in Woodlands.The fight was on TV.Both fighgters were on the deck,eventually Gray stayed down. Both boys were clumsy and slow but they could hit.it was a big day for boxing.i was watching fights all day long with the culmination of Carlos Monzon beating Nino Benvenuti in the rematch for the middleweight title.

If Shavers was around today he'd probably have a belt. As far as skill level goes he'd get to Fury's chin and he hit a lot harder than Wilder.Fighting's standard has always been the heavyweight division.With the exception of Patterson freezing out Machen,Folley,and Liston in the 50's,today's crop of heavyweights is at its nadir when looking back at the history of the sport..Patterson's cheese champ reign and then Liston's two massacres of a scared Floyd just about killed the sport until Clay came along and saved the day.The problem is today I don't see anyone coming along to save the day.



The man who saved the day.

[geoffreysadao]

Yes, Liston was a scorned champion. Without doubt, he was a great fighter who could box and punch like hell. Watching his demolition of talented Cleveland Williams really shows how well-rounded he was. Also, even an older Liston looked outstanding against a young, promising Henry Clark.
I wonder how Liston would've done again Ellis or Frazier in '68?
Of course, Ali was just so damn exceptional with reflexes, speed, size and the ability to take it. I enjoy watching the fights in which his challengers were somewhat competitive with him (esp. Mildenberger and Chuvalo). Actually, Cooper did well in his title fight against Ali for the first few rounds. Of course, Ali was just getting warmed him, and as expected, he cut Cooper to ribbons. Cooper was reasonably fast, awkward, and of course, had that great left hand. Folley landed a bit on Ali too, but he was way past his prime at 37. He was already somewhat slow afoot due to suffering frostbite in the Korean War.
I have a friend who is a relatively new boxing fan, and he is just enamored with Ali. I explained to him that while Ali was undoubtedly great, there were fighters who influenced his style like Willie Pastrano and Ralph Dupas. Actually, Tommy Loughran had a style similar to Ali's as well.
It's fun to look at boxers' different styles and get some contrast.

[dagosd2000]

Yes, Liston was a scorned champion. Without doubt, he was a great fighter who could box and punch like hell. Watching his demolition of talented Cleveland Williams really shows how well-rounded he was. Also, even an older Liston looked outstanding against a young, promising Henry Clark.
I wonder how Liston would've done again Ellis or Frazier in '68?
Of course, Ali was just so damn exceptional with reflexes, speed, size and the ability to take it. I enjoy watching the fights in which his challengers were somewhat competitive with him (esp. Mildenberger and Chuvalo). Actually, Cooper did well in his title fight against Ali for the first few rounds. Of course, Ali was just getting warmed him, and as expected, he cut Cooper to ribbons. Cooper was reasonably fast, awkward, and of course, had that great left hand. Folley landed a bit on Ali too, but he was way past his prime at 37. He was already somewhat slow afoot due to suffering frostbite in the Korean War.
I have a friend who is a relatively new boxing fan, and he is just enamored with Ali. I explained to him that while Ali was undoubtedly great, there were fighters who influenced his style like Willie Pastrano and Ralph Dupas. Actually, Tommy Loughran had a style similar to Ali's as well.
It's fun to look at boxers' different styles and get some contrast.

I have a friend I mention often when I post.His name is Gary Young.He was an amateur fighter,a heavyweight here in San Diego,during the late 60's and early 70's. At one time his record was 13 and 0 until Mike Weaver gave him a good going over in a tournament up in LA.Gary called it quits after that.But before he hung up his gloves he was invited to a training camp in Arizona by a promoter who was trying to handle him as a pro.He went to lunch with the promoter and a group of fighters from the stable.Zora Folley was also at the table.During lunch the talk was boxing and Folley remarked that when he fought Ali he realized early that he couldn't beat him.His speed was too overwhelming. Folley then said he rode it out for awhile and then looked for a place to "fall."I guess that opportunity showed itself during the 7th round.The punches that put Folley away didn't look that devastating but then again Zora had had enough. He told the group at the table that afternoon he was thinking about his health.He wanted to be there in one piece for his wife and kids.

When Clay finally hooked up with Angelo Dundee he was an everyday face at Chris Dundee's Gym in Miami. There was a contingent of Cuban fighters there training at the time. Clay became enamored with the styles of Luis Rodriguez and Jose Legra.This was before Legra took off to Spain.If you look at Legra he's a carbon copy of Clay:bouncy ,great non stop movement,carrying his gloves low,quick as lightning.The thing was Legra was a 125 pound featherweight. Clay was a 210 pound heavyweight.They called Legra "The Pocket Ali."It should have been the other way around:Ali being called "The Pocket Legra."


Jose Legra-"The Pocket Ali."

[geoffreysadao]

Legra is extremely underrated. Still alive in Spain, and he recently survived Covid. Beautiful, supremely talented boxer. Sharp painting. Who's the artist?!?

[dagosd2000]

Legra is extremely underrated. Still alive in Spain, and he recently survived Covid. Beautiful, supremely talented boxer. Sharp painting. Who's the artist?!?

Me.I use the forum to show my art.

[dagosd2000]

Sudden Exit

When World Featherweight Champion Vicente Saldivar's corner refused to let their fighter to continue fighting against challenger Kuniaki Shibata from Japan at the Tijuana Municipal Auditorium in Tijuana it was one of the biggest upsets in boxing history.Saldivar was running up victories against the best 125 pound fighters in the division.The list of victims was as impressive as one could muster:Dwight Hawkins,Eloy Sanchez,Ismael Laguna,Sugar Ramos(who he won the title from),Floyd Robertson,Raul Rojas,Howard Winstone(three times),Mitsunori Seki(two times),Jose Legra,and Johnny Famechon.It looked like he'd go on forever.

The defense against Shibata was looked at as a tune up,a break in the action. Nothing to take seriously. Normally, a Saldivar fight was to be staged in Tijuana's biggest venue-the Plaza De Toros. But Shibata's resume showed nothing on there that warranted more room in a larger arena.The most recognizable name was Dwight Hawkins ,who Saldivar had disposed of via KO, while Shibata couldn't last 7 frames with the American, and that fight was held in Japan.Shibata wasn't ranked in the top 10.No one knew what he looked like. This was to be a workout for Saldivar. The aficianados were hoping that their guy would carry him along for awhile and then break him down like he did to his countryman Seki.

I went to the fight by myself.I couldn't get anyone to go with me.I remember the night of the fight being cold.The Municipal Auditorium in Tijuana doesn't have a parking lot. You have to park your car on one of side streets.They're dark and lonely.Kids roam the premises and when they see you park your car they approach you saying they'll guard your car for money.It's well worth it to give them a buck because if you don't you return to your car and find it's been broken into and your radio and anything worth taking in the glove compartment is gone. The cop cars are in the vicinity but they're there so the kids can split what they've stolen(or the dollars) with "Tijuana's Finest."

I was sitting up in the bleachers for this one. The arena was a full house.But there wasn't that sense of electricity in the air that comes with a big fight. Maybe it was because Shibata was a no name. Even though for a spell there was a rivalry between Japanese and Mexican fighters this bout didn't cause any sparks.

Saldivar was a notoriously slow starter and in this one he began with his foot on the break.Shibata came out of his corner full of life typical of the Japanese fighters. They were all in good shape.That you could count on.But as the fight moved into the middle rounds instead of Saldivar gaining strength and momentum he was flagging. He looked tired.He was cut.The crowd ,including myself,sensed something was wrong. Shibata hadn't really landed anything I thought damaging. He was going non stop and its affect was draining the life out of the champion.The crowd was sitting on their hands. Saldivar showed nothing.Finally,his corner sensing that he was about to fold pulled him from the fight.He didn't protest to any extent.It was over like that.Everyone was looking at each other like"What happened?"

Afterwards, Saldivar said that in the 1st round Shibata caught him with a punch in the throat that hampered his breathing.It didn't sound right. Nothing added up right. It was a stunner to say the least.Six months later Saldivar fought Frankie Crawford in LA winning a decision. He retired after the fight. Then two and a half years later he fights Eder Jofre , who came out of retirement and had won the featherweight crown, in Brazil , and Jofre destroyed him.That was the end of him.

Some say that Saldivar's broken marriage and the loss of his family turned him to despair and to drink. He was not very open to the public. He wasn't the flamboyant macho type. He turned his agonies inward.He died of liver problems in Mexico City at the age of 42.For a man who looked like he would go on forever his sudden departure left us bewildered.


Vicente Saldivar

[geoffreysadao]

I really enjoy watching Saldivar-Winstone I and II. Both guys suffered tremendously in their personal lives. Two gentlemen whose demeanor and conduct would be a credit to any profession.

[dagosd2000]

Still In Business

I went to Tijuana today to visit my grandkids. On the way back to the border I stopped downtown to get some tacos for myself and to bring back home so my wife and son could savor the flavor. I stopped at the old "Tacos Al Gordo" on Constitution Street.There were a few people at the counter putting in their orders.The place hasn't changed much.They built an enclosure around the outside seating area. The food there is still better than the two new places they opened.One is in the Rio district. The other is on the U.S. side in Chula Vista.The food at the original Tacos Al Gordo always tastes better. I've been to the one in the Rio district and the one across the border,and it just ain't up to snuff even though they do more business than the old place. It's the locality. The area around the old "Tacos Al Gordoi" is getting long in the tooth. For my stop, before I crossed back to San Diego, I ordered two tacos al pastor,one carne asada taco,and una mula. I got plugged to the gills. To go I got a little of everything so.my wife and son will be happy when I walk in the door.

But before driving back to the border I got a flash:I decided to see if Deportes Viking was still in operation on Constitution Street. It's Tijuana's oldest sporting goods store,a tradition so to speak,for the die in the wool aficianado. When Muhammad Ali was planning to put on a workout exhibiyion in TJ before the Norton fight (he eventually backed out of it)he did go to Deportes Viking to buy some Reyes boxing gear:gloves and punching bags that he later donated to I believe Archie Moore's boys club. Viking still had it's doors open. i had to put on my mask before I walked inside.The place was empty except for a clerk,an older fellow.The shelves were sparsely filled with odds and ends. Mostly soccer gear :balls,shoes,and uniforms. I remember when boxing equipment was on an even level with the soccer stuff.I saw some Reyes gloves and but that was about all. I talked to the clerk if he had any more boxing stock in the back.
"What you see is all we have in the store,"he said. "Most of what we sell now is on line.The demand for boxing equipment isn't very much anymore."
I told him that Muhammad Ali had bought some boxing gear from the store.He didn't seem to want to pursue my interjection.The Reyes gloves were very pricey.He asked me if I wanted to buy anything. I told him I was just in here to reminisce.He thanked me and then I left.

I'm waiting for my wife to come back from her sojourn to collect her bottles and cans for recycling.Then we'll eat.Boxing may be on the wane in TJ but as far as the want for tacos you can't get better tasting ones in all of Mexico than in Tijuana

.
Strapping on the feed bag at "Tacos Al Gordo."


Deportes Viking-still inbusiness

[geoffreysadao]

Mis favoritos son de cabeza y lengua. Pero, tengo que comer con cuidado porque quiero evitar a tomar medicamento para bajar colesterol. La proxima cita con mi doctor sera en Marzo. No es mi activadad preferida!
Nosotros (mi Esposa y yo) pensamos a visitar Monterrey, Nuevo Leon en Marzo pero queremos estar seguros que podremos hacer pruebas de Covid antes de regresar a Sacramento (como se requiere ahora). Hay varias clinicas y hospitales en Monterrey donde la prueba esta disponible (Espero que si). El abuelo de esposa nacio en Nuevo Leon. Por eso, nos interesa a visitar alla.
Si, los guantes y otro equipo de boxeo cuestan mucho. Por fin, tuve que reemplazar los guantes para golpear el saco pesado y me costaron $80. Pero quiero proteger mis manos bien. Ya tengo un poco de Artritis. Quiero aguantarme con los exercicios de boxeo por muchos anos mas (Ojala que si).

[dagosd2000]

Mis favoritos son de cabeza y lengua. Pero, tengo que comer con cuidado porque quiero evitar a tomar medicamento para bajar colesterol. La proxima cita con mi doctor sera en Marzo. No es mi activadad preferida!
Nosotros (mi Esposa y yo) pensamos a visitar Monterrey, Nuevo Leon en Marzo pero queremos estar seguros que podremos hacer pruebas de Covid antes de regresar a Sacramento (como se requiere ahora). Hay varias clinicas y hospitales en Monterrey donde la prueba esta disponible (Espero que si). El abuelo de esposa nacio en Nuevo Leon. Por eso, nos interesa a visitar alla.
Si, los guantes y otro equipo de boxeo cuestan mucho. Por fin, tuve que reemplazar los guantes para golpear el saco pesado y me costaron $80. Pero quiero proteger mis manos bien. Ya tengo un poco de Artritis. Quiero aguantarme con los exercicios de boxeo por muchos anos mas (Ojala que si).

What in the hell are you writing to me in Spanish for?OK.So you know Spanish. I'll give you an "A".The Reyes gloves in the Deporetes Viking were of different types-from bag gloves up tp the ones they use in the ring.The ring gloves cost close to a 200 dollars.

I had two hips replaced in the past year-4 months apart.Just before my second operation I got my second Moderna shot. They wanted to replace my hip the following day. I refused.They said I'd be all right. I waited a week. After my operation a therapist came over in a week and took my vital signs. I had a racing heart beat.I went to the hospital and they found blood clots-one in my lung.They put me on Xaralto for the clots. Metrepolol for the heart flutter. Everything got back to normal,however,in three months but then I started to pee blood.My prostate was swollen to the point I was going to urinate every ten minutes.I kept going back to Kaiser and they said that they needed to find the "right" antibiotic and I'd be OK. They kept giving me different antibiotics and told me I'd have to stay on Xaralto for the rest of my life. I finally said to myself that if I keep this up I'm going to die. I went to Tijuana to the farmacia. Next to each farmacia there is a clinic and a doctor inside who does consultations.He told me that there was a possibility that the vaccine could have triggered my problems.He also said it could have been caused by the surgery. He told me to give up the Xaralto and see what happens.I did.Within two days I was back to normal.No more blood in my urine.No more going to the bathroom like a racehorse.My blood pressure, that I monitor twice a day ,averages 115/75 with a pulse between 65 and 75.I take a small dose of the Metrepolol to keep everything in check and feel the best I have in years.I take an Omega oil called Omega XL and a baby aspirin for the blood thinning.

This Covid thing they say is going to last forever.I'm sure glad I won't be around to see it.

[dagosd2000]

You Talk Too Much

I remember the time Muhammad Ali was going to put on a workout at the Municipal Auditorium in Tijuana before his fight with Kenny Norton. There were posters all over TJ nailed to the walls and lampposts in Spanish and English telling of the upcoming event. Ali was to bring the guys he was working out with in San Diego across the border:Billy Joiner,Tony Doyle,and and Amos Johnson to show to the crowd. But then at the last moment Ali cancelled.Now i don't know the specifics about why ne backed out but here's my take on it.Bottom line:Ali talked too much. All that hamming it up would have worked against him down there in a big way.

The Mexicans loved Joe Louis and Archie Moore.They were quiet, humble guys(at least you could say that about Joe) and Moore may have been the philosopher but he was polite and respectful.I told you about the time I saw Moore at the bullring when Olivares was fighting the main event. The ring announcer brought Moore into the ring and the Mexicans gave him a standing ovation.He's blowing kisses to the crowd.They couldn't get enough of him.When Ruben was brought to center ring he got a good hand but everyone was sitting down.

When Ali was training in the final weeks with his bout with Norton at the Town And Country Hotel in Mission Valley he spent more time with the microphone in his hand doing his schtick than he did breaking a sweat. He was spouting his poetry about how he was going to beat Ken "Fartin" and how he was The Greatest and The People's Champ and how George Foreman should watch his ass.Ali got a lot of yucks from the audience but let me tell you if he had gone to Tijuana behaving like that they would have called him every racial slur in the books.Not so much in a mean and nasty way,but to make fun of him. I think he sensed that and called the workout off.

it's different in Mexico today. Ali's name is more revered.But back then the aficianadois liked fighters(especially black ones) that weren't so into themselves. I've talked about the time I saw Sugar Ray Robinsoin fight Memo Ayon at the bullring.There was another African/American the aficianados didn't care for.Robby was too aloof and stuck up for them .Watching that fight if I had a dollar for every time I heard "pinchi n----r" bellowed from the rafters I could have bought me a Cadillac.


Sugar Ray Robinson

[geoffreysadao]

Decent boxing equipment is very expensive nowadays. The bag gloves that I recently bought (Title brand) aren't as good as Cleto Reyes, but it's difficult for me to stomach paying more that $75-$80. The last pair, which I bought in 2011, (Top Contender brand) finally started to fall apart including the knuckle padding.
I was born in Kaiser Hospital in Oakland, and I've gotten most of my medical services from Kaiser. That being said, there are times which I've felt dissatisfied. Often, kind of a "cookie cutter" approach. As you know, most doctors are way to eager to Rx medications. Granted, at times, meds. are absolutely necessary and life saving. At one point, my cholesterol was sky high, and he was ready to cut me a prescription right there. I declined, and I put myself on a strict diet for several months, and it lowered significantly. Right now, it's probably somewhat high. Too much lengua, steak, chips, etc. Blood sugar is a bit of a problem too. Now, I barely touch sweets, but I refuse to give up the IPA and dark beers. Hopefully, things will hold up o.k. My Japanese grandmother lived to be 96 yrs. old, and she was in really good shape until she was 90 when she had a stroke. My Mom is almost 88 years old. Sharp as a tack, stubborn as a mule but an angel for sure. Mom still drives, but we've convinced her to stop doing long drives like to Cache Creek Casino or Yuba City. Her friend's sister, who lives in Fresno, finally give up the keys at age 98! Now that's f-cking scary.
The gym where I go is kind of a MMA/boxing combination. The main trainer is roughly 40, and he kind of teaches in an old school style. Nowadays, every trainer emphasizes the Mayweather shoulder roll with the left arm/hand covering the midsection and liver. When I was a kid, Charley Smith taught me the basic pull back and right hand counter which is pretty damn hard to execute while sparring. Pulling back is fairly simple, but coming back with the counter without getting countered yourself is tough. He started his career in Detroit at Kronk in the 50's until he settled in California and won the state title. As he would occasionally quip, "Don't tell your Mama I'm teaching you this!"
On YouTube, there a clip from roughly 13 years ago of Kuniaki Shibata demonstrating his footwork and positioning. Several times, he mentions the "quarter step." Although I don't speak or understand Japanese, he seems like an awesome guy.