Classic American West Coast Boxing

[dagosd2000]

That Old Adage

That old adage of boxing came into play last night,"A good bigger man will beat a good smaller man."The good bigger man was Dimitri Bivol. The good smaller man,Canelo Alvarez.It's happened before and will again.But the fight lacked the drama and brutality of when let's say Alexis Arguello, when he kept going up the ladder, finally getting wupped by that better bigger man, Aaron Pryor.But then last night's fight didn't fall into the category of Jose Napoles, laying the biggest egg of his career when he refused to answer the for the 7th round, against Carlos Monzon.Arguello had the will and gave it his all. Jose lacked the will giving a half ass effort. The Bivol(his name goes first since he won)/Alvarez fight falls somewhere in between the two examples I just mentioned.

First let me say that I had never seen Bivol fight and wasn't even curious to digest second hand gossip.And no I didn't go to Tijuana to watch the fight for free.(I went to visit my grandson Adam in Phoenix where he is finishing his BA degree in Cyber Security at Arizona State University).When i woke up this morning I turned on my computer and Googled the sports news and saw a picture of Alvarez after the final bell leaning on the ring ropes, eyes cast downward,his face showing the battle marks. I realized then that The Kentucky Derby wasn't the only upset Saturday.

I then went to my old standby,YouTube,to see for myself. I'm not going to give you my hindsight.Click onto the BoxRec"current scene" and there're plenty of pundits who will fill you in. Now what Canelo? Well, you've got enough pesos salted away. You don't need to get punched in the head anymore.The only way you could redeem yourself is to beat Bivol in a rematch ,and that ain't gonna' happen. So get out while you can still put together a sentence and salvage what's left,and that's plenty. You had a great career.You'll be inducted into ever Hall Of fame out there, and in time the remorse and sorrow of last night will wane.Maybe they'll cast you in a Latin American novela,make a few movies,and be a guest numerous times on the "La Flaca y El Gordo " show. And if anyone wants to give you a hard time about last night's loss you can always come back with that old adage. But wouldn't it have sounded something better if you had whipped that Russian's ass?(I know Bivol isn't a Russian but you try pronouncing "Kyrgyzstanian." ):lol:


Canelo Alvarez

[goose 5]

I think Canelo would have a major problem against David Benavidez at 168. I expect him to lose again to Bivol and Lord help him against Beterbiev-though I doubt that happens. He should focus on GGG and Charlo-them he'll beat.

[dagosd2000]

I want an example of some good mumbo jumbo.Please explain to me why Canelo Alvarez is ranked #2 P4P and Dimitri Bivol is ranked #3?

[dagosd2000]

All Good Things...

I drove down to Tijuana today to fill up my car with gas. The price of gas in San Diego averages around 5.50 a gallon and that's for regular.In Tijuana ,like the rest of Mexico,the price of gas is regulated by the government so it doesn't matter which gas station you pick; the price is the same.Premium gas is around 4.40 a liter.Multiply that by 4 and it's a close comparison.It used to be that Pemex was the only gas you could buy and that was owned by the government.But now with all these Free Trade agreements (that's the biggest misnomer in the world) you can now buy in Mexico Chevron,Shell,Arco,and BP gas at their stations.The deal is though is the gas at those stations is Pemex gas and then it's refined up here and those companies then put their additives in.My car runs like a top so I'm going to fill up across the border until the price comes down in California but I don't plan on livin' to be 116.

Anyway, I hadn't ate nothing all day and who do I see at that fish taco stand on the corner of 3rd and Negrete when my stomach started growlin'? My ol' pal Vargas who used to have the gym in Colonia Independencia near where my daughter lives in Canon Jhonson.I'll try put together our conversation.
"Hey Vargas what's going on?"I said as I tapped him from behind on the shoulder.
"Hey Rogelio what are you dong here?"he shot back with.
"Same as you.Getting some lunch. I came down to put gas in my car and now I'm hungry."
We worked our way to the front of the counter and the guy started to hand us tacos with both hands.
"Did you see the Canelo fight?"I asked him.
"I think it's over for Canelo."
"Why do you say that?"
"He knew early that he was in trouble.This Bivol was too strong for him."
"Maybe he'll fight Triple G again."
"The interest isn't there like before now that he lost."
"Maybe he should retire."
"When does a fighter retire after losing a fight like that?"
"He's got enough money."
"But he won't want to quit being a loser.There'll be enough people telling him to go on fighting;that he's still as good as he was.,"
"And they'll be waving the money at him,."
"He'll fight again,"said Vargas."They just about all do."
"Well,he didn't take bad beating."
"Maybe the next time he will."
We stopped talking and got serious about eating our tacos.After about 15 minutes we threw in the towel.
"How many did you eat?,"I asked Vargas.
"Six.And you?"
"Seven..Look,I'll treat and tell the guy we ate ten."
"He won't say anything."
"Hell,he knows he made money in us."
"And he knows we'll keep coming back."

The taco stand on the corner of 3rd and Negrete

[dagosd2000]

Treading Water

The adulation that gets heaped upon a great fighter is a personal sense that only he can relish.You can see it from the outside,and dream that it would be an experience that you would trade anything for like trading for something would be an easy fix.-so just dream on.Ali and the Sugar Rays couldn't divorce themselves from that rarified air.They had to keep on fighting.They struggled to keep appearances but from the outside you could see that their stance was a house of cards until the time finally came when it all came crashing down.

Canelo Alvarez lost the other night for only the second time. The first time he didn't get his hand raised at the end was when Money Mayweather outslicked him.But Canelo was still young and not many thought he'd beat Floyd anyways.Then it was a matter to see what direction he would go. Would he grow despondent like his peer Chavez the son,or would he take stock from the loss and better himself.Well,he got much better each time the bell sounded for each subsequent fight.

Canelo's loss to Dimitri Bivol was a surprise to most boxing fans. it was also a disappointment to Canelo. You could see the exasperation emanating from the redhead as the fight progressed.He tried to impose his will on Bivol, but unlike some of his previous opponents who stayed away and were satisfied only to get a paycheck instead of adding a title belt, Bivol wanted his cake and he was going to swallow it whole..Canelo's punches were like a Sherman Tank's shells bouncing off a Abrams A1M1.It got to the point that Canelo was even looping his throws to get everything he had behind them even if he wa telegraphing his missiles.. Bivol didn't seem to care that much.Then, when Bivol decided to show Canelo what he was made of he pumped stiff jabs into Alvarez backing him up and then followed with the ol' one two(and sometimes three,four,and five).Canelo didn't return fire.When the final bell rang Canelo raised his arm but then quickly let it drop. It was a token gesture.When the decision was announced he grimaced but you wonder was he just mad at himself?

Canelo is 31 years old.By today's standards that's not so long in the tooth. But as the days continue onward his body will not march in step.He can fight some lesser guys.Maybe he can get the 40 year old Golovkin to sign on the dotted line.That's about all I can see of interest.Then go ahead with it.Win,lose,or draw Canelo will never beat Bivol. All that adulation prior to that loss has dwindled from tidal wave proportions to a good sized breaker.If they make fight with Canelo and Triple G and Canelo,and Canelo wins he'll still be able to shoot the curl.If not,his ripple will be found in the kids' pool in the backyard.


Canelo Alvarez

[dagosd2000]

A Scar Tissue Fraternity



This picture was taken over 10 years ago at Steven's Steakhouse in the City Of Industry , the rough and tumble suburb south of LA proper. Just off the 5 freeway,the smog and the backed up traffic of semis and bumper to bumper, stop and go, the old steakhouse is nothing fancy.More or less a neighborhood joint that wants a coat of paint and some patchwork in all the nooks and crannies but is not likely to get any makeovers before the cows come home. It was apropos to have a luncheon there for fighters, present and past, with their fathers.;a father and son bash that didn't have the smell of something related like a father and son Little League breakfast at the local I HOP.But what went on inside Steven's didn't want to emulate mom,apple pie,and the American way. That wasn't the purpose.There were no bobblehead dolls of famous fighters on sale. I didn't see the red,white,and blue unfurled.I didn't see any flag anywhere.

But this ,I guess you could call a luncheon, with the main course the obvious chicken breast with the mashed potatoes and carrots on the side, had no pretentions or sucker punches. Maybe a low blow and a rabbit punch before the break- but no harm no foul. That photo above shows from left to right Mando Ramos who was with his running mate dad, Ray Ramos,Ray Mancini ,whose dad Lenny, had passed away,Bobby Chacon reined in by his constant watch,Rosie,and Danny Lopez ,who thanks to his better half Bonnie ,is always in attendance. Art Aragon was there with his son Audie who was named after the Medal Of Honor recipient who petitioned to get his pal The Golden Boy included in his platoon in the movie/bio To Hell And Back.Jack Mosley sat with his son Shane as they shared stories freely.You could count on the Baltazar clan being there-Frank ,the papa had his stable of fighting sons ;Frankie ,the namesake;Tony The Tiger;Bobby ,who had a cup of coffee with the gloves on;JImmy ,who wanted to follow his bros in boxing had to give up the sport due to a clot but he's OK now and lives across the street from his parents in La Puente. The matriarch, and most pleasant,mama Dona Connie who took the rough edges off her macho men graced us with her warm smile and manner.

There was no media.No TV cameras.Nothing to be reported to the public in next morning's Times.Everything was off the cuff."Subdued" was the mantra with sprinklings of laughter from a bawdy story or two. I stayed back and watched.There was no elbow prying wanting to break into that clubhouse. That wasn't my play. But if I had wanted to work my way into their party they wouldn't have minded.That's the way fighters are. They didn't need to put a sign on the door that read"No Snobs Allowed."

Boxing will never be scripted for Walt Disney. Dave And Ricky were never pushed to be fighters by Ozzie.There's no Little League for boxing. Boxing isn't wholesome.But then again what you see is what you get-just like in the real world.


The Baltazr family. Tony,Frank's daughter(I apologize for forgetting her name),Frank ,and Connie

[dagosd2000]

The Fight At The Ballpark

I never saw a prizefight at Lane Field.Lane Field was the ballpark for the minor league baseball team in San Diego,The Padres.it was made out of wood and on the outside there was that California stucco that enclosed the box office.When I was a kid I used to take the "O" bus from Ocean Beach for a quarter and it would take me along the Pacific Coast Highway and drop me off right in front of the ballpark.It was across from the docks at the foot of Broadway. I tell people about how San Diego had a ballpark downtown at the foot of Broadway and they ask me where I buy my marijuana.

It's maybe hard to visualize that now with all the cruise ships and fancy restaurants in that area now.But San Diego has grown in population in ,leaps and bounds since then.They tore the Lane Field down in 1960.They built another ballpark in Mission Valley they named Westgate Park.It lasted about five years until they built San Diego Stadium that was the home field for the Padres and the football Chargers. Then in ,I think 2001,they leveled San Diego Stadium(that was then renamed Qualcom Stadium) and built PetCo Park,now the homefield for the major league Padres in the downtown section of the city they call East Village.

But it was old Lane Field that brings back my misty eye when I get to thinkin' of all those ballplayers in those baggy flannel uniforms.The minor leagues was different back then. The Padres were the AAA affiliate for the Cleveland Indians.The team was comprised,like the other minor league franchises,with players on their way up,and old boned spikers who were on their last legs.It's different today. If an old timer can't cut the mustard with the parent club they don't send him to the minors.They tell him with a pat on the back not to let the door hit him on the ass.

Lane Field was also the venue when there was a big fight in San Diego.Might as well cut to the chase.The only local fighter who could fill Lane Field was Archie Moore.But that was back in the early 40's and I was only a twinkle in my old man's eye.When I used to hang out at The Arizona Cafe in Ocean Beach were George Radovich,the proprietor, would hold court when he was behind the bar, I'd hear a ton of stories about the escapades that emanated from that watering hole.Radovich used to have Irish Bob Murphy under his wing when Irish Bob got out of the Navy. George led him through the amateurs until he handed him off to Travis Hatfield who brought him into the pros.

Shorty Hogue and his twin brother, who they called Big Boy ,were a couple of pugs who were full of piss and vinegar though their skill levels were something they tried compensate with a battery acid approach.They livedout in a burg called Jacumba that was way off in the foothills.I guess there they could raise hell and not get bashed on the head with a cop's nightstick.Shorty was a tad better with his fists than Big Boy. In the early goings he gave Archie Moore fits. Shorty was once a top contender until he got into the ring with Charley Burley and after that Shorty fell into the rabbit hole that was filled with booze and heartache.

I heard Radovich go over the time Big Boy was scheduled to fight Moore at Lane Field. It was a sellout and Shorty was sittin' front row to eye his bro. By that time Shorty was pretty much finished as a fighter. However, on his way to the ring Big Boy hit his knee on the bumper of a car in the parking lot and cut himself so badly he had to cancel. But who do you think jumped up from his ringside seat and said he'd not only save the day but kick Archie's ass?

Well, they had to help Shorty to the dressing room because by that time he had swallowed enough beer to float one of those battleships that was docked at the pier. They helped him put on a pair of trunks and then pointed him back to the ring.Well,I guess for the time being everyone was satisfied. But considering Shorty's condition the fight was practically a walkover for Moore. Instead of Shorty getting locked up for being drunk in a public place The Mongoose put Shorty through a sentence of hard labor for less than two rounds.It was Shorty's his last fight so to speak.

BTW.BoxRec has this fight recorded as taking place in The Coliseum.They got it wrong. The fight was in Lane Field. Either that or George Radovich might have been thinkin' about Big Boy when he shoulda' been thinkin' about Shorty or vice versa.Trying to figure this out makes want to fall off the wagon.


A crowd waiting to get into old Lane Field

[dagosd2000]

Rah Rah Bah

No one believes in ideals anymore.When a politician promises something for a better future he's ignored. The truth shall make you free?The truth will make you puke.Listening to the news I put more credence in a Ouja board.The only quests people seek are their personal Nina,Pinta,and Santa Marias.Sports is taking it in the shorts and who is saying any Our Fathers?People have too much on their plates to make room for an athlete's glory or failures..When I hear a guy like Lebron James piss and moan about what's wrong with everything he never include himself in his rhetoric.Shut up I may watch you shoot a basket or two on the tube.

I see Tyson Fury is off the #1 P4P spot on the BoxRec list.It's because he's retired?That's what they say. I bet he comes back but I'm not going to start any petitions to get him to take his pants off again..I remember when there was a coterie of fighters that the fans clung onto like the Holy Grail. Ali,Duran,LeonardHagler,Hearns,Frazier,Foreman,Arguello,Tyson.Today,the following of any particular pug I can't say has dwindled because there were never that many members in his entourage anyway.That's why I mentioned Fury. He seemed to have a voice.Now that he's retired who is going to step up to the microphone?Canelo lost the other night.Bivol,the guy who beat him?Go ask your neighbor who Dimitri Bivol is and he'll tell you it's a bug that eats cotton.

Sports has always been the toy section of the department store.If people want to use sports as a getaway from reality that's their business.For me sports is something I have no control over.If I want to escape from reality all I got to say is that I hope I go quietly in my sleep.Besides,the moon belongs to everyone.

[dagosd2000]

The Man Crush

It's funny when a dude has what they call a "man crush" on another dude. Men see it with the dude who can see no wrong with another of his sex regardless of the obvious flaws. But they're not flaws as much as just plain human error in judgement. And we're all human aren't we.

If a son perceives his father as being infallible that's understandable unless his daddy was somebody like a commandant of a Nazi death camp.Most "man crushes" are on some sports celebrity.Let's take boxing for example.I've seen it go so far as the "man crusher" coming to blows with someone who disputes his abnormal affection. Oh,the "man crusher" doesn't have a sexual appetite for his idol but then I'm qualified nor interested in delving into his psyche.

For some unexplainable reason the "man crusher" will go to the ends of the earth defending and trying to convince the world that his hero is without doubt the best(in this case fighter)who ever put on the gloves.

Now by now you know who I'm referring to.When he lists the greatest pugs of all time he doesn't put his infallible darling at the top number one. But he's included in the top 5.(The "man crusher " has put his superstar on his mythical Mt.Rushmore of boxing and if I recall there are only 4 presidents' sculpted on that rock face)I don't really care about which position he assumes because I don't care to waste my time making lists and then defending my picks.That's leaving the door open to the more than likely eternal pissing contest that eventually degenerates into a lot of nasty name calling.

I'll end my take on all this by asking Elmersalsa how can you put Roberto Duran on Mt. Rushmore when he quit in the middle of the round against Ray Leonard?Ali could have quit against Holmes.He was in the process of dying. Archie Moore could have not gotten up from the canvas against Durelle in their first fight.J.M. Marquez could have sat on his stool and not answered the bell for the 2nd round against Pacquiao.Duran just wet his pants.

No.Duran was a great fighter but when he visits that Mt.Rushmore of boxing he'll be looking up and won't see his image.


Roberto Duran

[dagosd2000]

I Know But...

They're going back sand forth about the size of heavyweights back in the day and how they'd stack up to today's big men. I've never thought that size at the heavyweight level mattered that much. I mean there are rules in boxing. It's not like wrestling where you can lock up with each other. It's not like this MMA stuff where you can kick the other guy.A bigger heavyweight can lean on his smaller opponent to try o tire him out.That's about all I can fathom when it comes to a size edge. The skill level will tell the difference.You can throw in conditioning and age too but if it's a matter of a height/weight advantage, that can be compensated with more power in the punch and tecnique.. Also,some heavyweights, big and small, can't take a punch that well. Carnera was proof of that.

All in all you can talk yourself until you're blue in the face about whether being bigger is better. I remember Tommy Morrison once saying that he would have loved to have fought Marciano because Tommy would have such a size and reach advantage.On paper it would seem that Tommy would come out on top just on the physicality,but then Marciano beat a lot of guys who who had the height/reach on him. Mike Tyson is a good examle.He was 5'9'' inches like Marciano.

Then you have to factor in the will to win.Marciano always had it.Tyson ,at the end, had lost much of his desire to give it his all.

If yo look back on the heavyweights of yesteryear they'd be mostly cruiserweights today. But there were some big fellas': Harry Wills,Jess Willard,Fred Fulton,,Carnera,Abe Simon,Buddy Baer,Lou Nova.Right away there are many who would dismiss these guys as stiffs but then again there are a lot of big heavyweights today that would match up pretty even with the big men of the past. Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder,and Vlad and Vitali didn't impress me that much. Sure,they've got bodies that look they were sculptured by Michelangelo but boxing isn't a Mr. Universe contest.

Here's an interesting look at an exhibition boxing match between a big man and a much smaller man. Shaquille O'Neal and Oscar De La Hoya. It was 2017. Five one minute rounds.It was supposed to be for "fun" but you can tell there were more serious intentions than just playing around. Freddie Roach was in Shaq's corner.BHop in Oscar's. I know you're going to tell me that Shaq was not a pro fighter but I think the point is that both boys were trying to win this "exhibition."



They "gave it" to Oscar but he wasn't dominated either.

[dagosd2000]

A Popular Fallacy

I think one of the most taken for granted myths in boxing is that the taller boxer with the superior reach will keep his shorter opponent at bay from working his way inside;keeping him on the end of the glove thus winning comfortably.I think a good example of this strategy was employed Vladimir Klitschko. The big Russian fought pitter patter, pecking away with his jab establishing enough distance so that his opponent could never cut the distance..A good example of his standard plan of attack was Vlad's fight with David Haye.Haye tasted the jab throughout the fight but then was reluctant to get under it to get close. Thus a lopsided, boring fight.No one wanted to see a rematch.

Tyson ,when he fought Larry Holmes,(this might have been his most impressive effort)didn't let Larry's jab make him put on the brakes.He slipped it erasing any advantage in reach. He destroyed Holmes. Yet years later when Mike challenged Lennox Lewis for all the marbles his aggressiveness had dwindled to a stroll through the park.Mike never got close enough to even think of harming Lewis.

Once the taller fighter can't fend off the shorter man he finds himself in a desperate bind. It's like holding the wolf by the ears.That's why today many people think because fighters like Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder, would be so above the other man in height and have the numbers in arm span, when combating fighters like Louis and Marciano, victory would be a lead pipe cinch.Not necessarily so.Once that shorter man can work close enough the fight is even Steven. If the shorter guy has the skill and the will he'll prevail. That video of De La Hoya and Shaquille O'Neal gives you an idea of that. De La Hoya has no problem finding Shaq's chin.I know.Shaq was never a fighter.And who was that poster awhile back that swore Wilt The Stilt would have beaten Ali?


Rocky Marciano


Holding the wolf by the ears

[dagosd2000]

Stream It Up Your Ass

I don't know about you but my cable bill is through the roof.I've tried to pare my package down to the bare bones but I still can find channels that have 4 digits. About the only thing I watch is Turner Classic Movies and once in a while a sports event. I like watching baseball.It's a game that's not constrained by a time clock and a player doesn't necessarily have to have a physique, that when looking at him, would make Arnold's dick shrink. Baseball is still the American Pastime in my book. The various skills it takes to make a good play are difficult yet subtle.Ted Williams once said the hardest thing to do in sports is to hit a baseball. Mickey Mantle was a 300 hitter.He remarked that if a player gets up to the plate 10,000 times and gets 3000 hits he's a 300 hitter. That means somewhere in those stats he went 0 for 7000.

Well,last night the local Padres were to play the Serious Champs,the Atlanta Braves.Bally Sports shows the Padre games on my cable channel,61.Last evening I was settled in to watch the game and clicked on to channel 61.Guess what? There was some NASCAR race going on.I surfed the internet to find out why I had struck out with the ballgame.Turns out that Bally Sports has franchised a percentage of the Padre games to be streamed.And you need a device and an app to "stream" this all together, along with a price tag.

Well, I'm behind the times with all this.I have a flip phone but now I've got to go out and buy a smart phone to watch a Padres baseball game. I read an article by some ESPN exec who said that "we've got one foot in the boat and the other on the pier."I'm guessing that watching sports is going to eventually morph into PPV.

The other day I said that sports is in the toy section of the department store. If I have to pay to watch a baseball game or a fight they can steam it up their ass. My mommy threw out my rubber ducky years ago.


Hey Paisan. How about some spaghetti and clams?

Mickey Mantle

[dagosd2000]

Pipino Es Mi Campeon.

When Pipino Cuevas crushed Angel Espada in front of a packed house inside the Mexicali bullring in two quick frames to win the WBA welterweight championship,the aficianados took a satisfying breath believing that the republic had been graced with a new idol slash "killer". Not only did Jose ,nicknamed Pipino, have the capability to put his rivals to sleep he did it in a fashion which the Mexican fan cherished.Pipino ,with that stoic countenance, similar to what the great Louis would display after the KO was disapatched,, became an overnight idol.He method was silent and deadly.He was an orthodox Saldivar. The opponents' punches never fazed him. He stayed impenetrable and moved with deliberation hammering,breaking not only the body but the will.It was a pattern.

Early in 1975 ,when Cuevas gored Espada inside that Plaza De Toros, Mexico's current fistic headliners were falling below the fold.El Puas was no more the invincible ;struggling now as a featherweight..In a few months an Englishman would cross the pond and put an end forever of Mantequilla Naples's hold on the 147 championship.MIguel Canto was till on top of the flyweight pile but he wasn't a "killer".You must be a "killer" to be numero uno in the eyes of the aficianado.And it would be several years before Salvador Sanchez would get national revenge walloping on Wilfredo Gomez.

I was working at the time at one of those chain department sores called Two Guys in San Diego when Cuevas was on a roll. I was running the garden department and living in Tijuana. I made friends with a Mexican dude who also crossed the border everyday to come to work. His name was Wilfrano. He was in charge of maintenance.He was kind of a happy go lucky guy with a soft face,black eyes that never could look you in the face, a Chesire Cat grin like something was going on behind the scenes,wavy oily hair combed back,and everything encased with earth toned skin.He was a big tease but sometimes it was hard to figure if the joke was at your expense or someone else's.Since he was always laughng at the end of his remarks you didn't know if you were being insulted or not. BTW.Wilfrano thought Pipino Cuevas walked on water.One morning after Wilfrano punched in he came outside to talk to me about Cuevas' fight the night before with Scott Clark.
"You see Pipino last night?"he asked me with that big s--t eating grin.
"Yeah,I saw it,"I said knowing I was about to get an earful.
"Scott Clark,"he laughed."PIpino killed him."
"But Clark didn't show to much."
"Pipino will kill everyone.He can not be hurt,"Wilfrano said still laughing.
He was waiting for me to say something but I didn't bite.
"I think Pipino could beat Ali,"he said.
"That's going a little too far."
"You know Pipino got in a car wreck and his head went through the windshield and he just walked away like nothing happened."
"He must have a hard head."
"You hear the song they wrote about him?"
"No.What's that?"
"It's called 'Pipino es mi Campeon.' "
"Can you sing it for me?"I said tongue in cheek.
"Rogelio,you make me laugh,"he said "I would like to see Pipino fight Ali."
"Well,that's something I'd like to see too."

I stayed on at Two Guys for a couple of more years, and then hooked on with The County Of San Diego Department Of Agriculture driving a spray rig .By that time I had moved to San Diego with the wife and kids.In 1980 the showdown came with Cuevas and Hearns to see who would the unified champ.Tommy was undefeated and so was Cuevas in the minds of Mexico.He had lost some early fights but then it was discovered that he was just 14 at the time so that didn't really count.The fight was in Tommy's backyard,Detroit and when the Motor City Cobra hit Cuevas with that piston right hand,Pipino's legs acted like both tires blew.It was not only devastating but a little funny to see.

Pipino then was later upset by Roger Stafford.He drew his last card to win a pot against Duran. He couldn't draw even a pair of dueces and Roberto showed the Latino world that he had all the aces.After the loss to Duran ,Cuevas fell out of favor fast with the Mexican public.He became a stepping stone. I saw his last fight in Tijuana against Lupe Aquino. Cuevas was lathered up like a racehorse as he waited for the bell . But instead of behaving a thoroughbred he was a broken down nag.He exited the ring with everybody whistling at him ad throwing what they had left in their beer cups in his direction.

I thought about the time I had worked at that department store and would listen to Wilfrano talk up Pipino Cuevas and how they wrote a song about him,"Pipino es mi Campeon."You know I can't find that song anywhere.


Pipino Cuevas

[dagosd2000]

His Life

Som,sometimes you think that a legend like Muhammad Ali is continually in company with all the important people who were beside him along the way.All you have to do is look at yourself and know that isn't so.Here's Muhammad Ai on This Is Your Life after he won the title back from Leon Spinks.Maybe you've seen his before.If you haven't it's worth taking a look at. Ali says that nothing can really get to him .He's seen and done it all.However,that night he said,"This is different.I'm like a little kid in a toy store."Joe Frazier and Joe Louis appear at the end of the show.Let the video speak for itself.

[dagosd2000]

The Greatest Has No Clothes

What struck me about the video of Muhammad Ali on "This Is Your Life" was here was the master of keeping everyone off balance from family and friends to his opponents in the ring,and now all he could do is open his arms and let everybody in,Ali always had the edge with people.He had an innate ability to size up someone and respond most appropriately.His timing and judgement was impeccable.If some erudite scholar thought he could master THE GREATEST he wound up with egg on his face, yet the magic was that he was left smiling behind all that yolk. Ali could see what was coming and counter with an inherent wit that in the ring transcended to his fists.

"This Is Your Life" was a show that exploited someone's defense better than any psychoanalyst could accomplish putting you on the couch..In Muhammad's case it was like he said- a kid's first trip to the toy store.He didn't know who was going to come out next from behind the curtain.He gave all of himself with heart and soul.

Too bad he didn't retire after the second Spinks fight(That's when this show was went on the air).He might still have been with us displaying his genius.

[dagosd2000]

You Don't Have To Worry About That Anymore

When Muhammad Ali was in San Diego for the final two weeks of prepping for his fight with Ken Norton he brought with him the wife and kids.They had set up a ring at The Town And Country Hotel in Mission Valley for Ali's and Norton's use. Ali would workout around 2 pm and a couple of hours later Norton would arrive to train.Ali would fill the house.When Norton got there just about everyone except the custodian and myself and a few other curiosity seekers would stay to get a take on what Kenny had.Norton believed he could win the fight and trained very hard.Ali thought he had already had the fight won and goofed around ,,instead of working up a sweat, entertaining the crowd with his standup routine of boasts,bravado,and poetry of how he was going to wup "Ken Fartin' ".

Ali told his followers that he kept his wife,Belinda, and kids at the opposite end of the hotel from where he as bedding.
"I've got to put her far away from me because she knows how I am and I gotta' stay focused."
If Ali was focused then he needed glasses.He worked his mouth more than any other part of his body. The guy was a one man radio show.But the crowd lapped it up and anything that resembled a joke had the crazy bugs clapping for more.One afternoon he arrived and said he wasn't going to workout because he had a cold. But that didn't stop him from going through his one man comedy act.

When Norton was on the premises he didn't say too much.Eddie Futch had his attention plenty and the last thing Futch wanted to hear from his charge was any premature talk of having the fight in the bag.I didn't see Norton's wife around nor his son Ken Jr. who Norton would bring with him when he was in the gym training for a fight at The Coliseum.No.Kenny knew if he could beat Ali it would not only open up doors for the big fights but open up his bank account to some healthy deposits.

One time I saw Belinda Ali return to the hotel with the kids.Ali later said that they had gone to the zoo. The Sam Diego zoo is world famous.Belinda Ali that day was dressed in a shiny blue wrap and walked with the grace of a queen. She was a big woman and held herself very proudly.

Later after all the fallout with the wives and dalliances many of Ali's closet associates said that Belinda was his best wife.A devout Muslim,elegant,quiet, and knew her place..To add to that she was very beautiful.

Towards the end when the dementia was shifting to a higher gear with Ali he told his last wife,Lonnie, on 60 Minutes in front of host Ed Bradley, that she didn't have to worry about him jumping the fence.
"You don't have to worry about that anymore,"he told her.
I guess once you get punchy you can't get it up anymore.I can tell you that I'm not punchy.But then my wife doesn't care one way or the other.I think she might be punchy.


Muhammad Ali, his wife Belinda,and their kids.He had it made back then but he had to scratch that itch.

[dagosd2000]

Ali's Adjutant

That old adage in boxing,"A puncher is afraid of another puncher,"I've always thought was on the mark.A puncher is rarely "afraid" of the boxer even though the puncher might lose to the slicker man. In the case of Ken Norton that's the way he felt about fighting Muhammad Ali.Norton always said that Ali never laid a glove on him that caused him to back away. In fact Norton said that he'd let his guard down purposely to let Ali land showing him that the power behind his blows couldn't make a serious dent.

When they fought the first time in San Diego not many gave Norton a chance. But it became obvious after a few rounds that Norton was gaining confidence and momentum walking through anything offered by Ali.Ali hadn't trained very hard and as the fight slowed to a walk, Ali's efforts took on a heaviness.HIs fans(which were in the majority at The Sports Arena)kept hoping he could work his magic to pull the fat out of the fire. However,during the final round Ali was so spent he mostly leaned against the ropes absorbing punishment. By that time his jaw was cracked and he was holding on to dear life.When the bell sounded ending the fight even his most diehard realized that what they came to expect was unexpected.Ali was lucky that Frank Rustich,the referee,didn't step in to stop the fight during the last minute.There was Ali pinned against the ropes,gloves held high,not returning fire.Rustich was a local San Diego referee and sports official.I saw him later at a high school footbal game(He was one of the referees on the field)and asked him if he had thoughts of halting the fight in the 12th round.His answer was curious.
"There was too much going on the line for me to stop it,"he said.

What I think he meant ,after giving it a lot of thought, was that Ali was at the time the foundation of the heavyweight division.Even though he had lost to Joe Frazier his popularity had never waned.I thought it had increased.Ali was not the dominant fight he was before his exile. He had to rely o every ounce of guile to become victorious.He was The Peoples' Champ because now he had lost some of his skills and now had to bring forth his an inner resolve that he didn't really need before to come out on top.

George Foreman had extinguished Smokin' Joe so now it looked like Ali would get a crack at Big George. But Frazier had exhausted Ali. Now Ali had to think about Foreman who vanquished Frazier who had pinned him with his first loss.Norton was supposed to be a tune up. If Ali would have been stopped by Norton the aura of the heavyweight division would have morphed into a smog alert.

After the loss to Norton(I couldn't believe Fred Hayes scored the fight in Ali's favor) there was to be a quick rematch.Ali had to get well again, and fast if the heavyweight picture was to regain its proper focus.The rematch was up in LA at The Forum. People were keeping their fingers crossed that the first fight was a fluke.But as far as the action went it was a carbon copy ,except for the decision-Muhammad this time by SD. But most of the public wanted to believe that verdict was true and now they had their Muhammad back in the focus again.Let's say Ali had lost the rematch. The thought was he might have retired. That would have killed off the majority of interest in the division not to mention the loss of big paydays for everybody who wanted to wet their beaks.

I sometimes think about what would have happened if Norton would have gotten his hand raised in all three contests with Ali. It would have screwed up everything. Norton after getting the shaft in LA in his next fight got thrown down the mine by Foreman.Norton couldn't handle the big puncher. As soon as the sluggers found Norton's chin he folded.In three fights with hitters like Foreman,Shavers,and Cooney,Norton all together couldn't compile 4 rounds.He could have fought Ali a dozen more times and the action in the ring would have been the same. But Norton lacked the charisma.His personality was void of any humor and lacked emotion. He seemed all bottled up.He was on the opposite side of the spectrum from Ali.So if they would have fought 12 more times Ali would have walked away with a dozen more spit decisions.Just as long as none of those fights would have taken place in San Diego.


Muhammad Ali

[dagosd2000]

Getting His Second Wind

Kenny Norton really grabbed the attention of the fans here in San Diego after he upset Muhammad Ali in their first fight at The Sports Arena. Prior to that fight Norton ,though considered a local product,never had that large of a following in San Diego.He had been stationed at The Marine Corps Recruit Depot here in town and later went through basic training up north in Oceanside at Camp Pendleton.Norton boxed amateur in the service and won the All Marine Championship.In high school,back in Illinois where he was from, Norton starred on the track and football teams.Norton stayed with boxing and turned pro in 1967.

At first there was a lot of enthusiasm that Kenny was going to go all the way to the top.He came into the picture when the heavyweight division was loaded with talent.It might have been the greatest era for the big men. In time there would be Ali,Frazier,Foreman,Holmes,Quarry,Foster,Shavers,Lyle,and Young with their victories to fill up the sports pages above the fold, Prospects for Norton where held in high regard. He was being taught the finer points by two of the best-Eddie Futch and Bill Slayton.

But Kenny had a flaw. It became apparent from the start.Norton ,for some unexplained reason ,when in the ring would run out of gas during the middle of the fight. He would hit the wall.Granted,he was riding a win streak of 17 ,but some of those victories were shaky. And then those wins were against some pretty dubious opponents.Norton would workout with Joe Frazier up in LA but Eddie Futch was still careful with him.To see Norton almost collapse from exhaustion during a fight would often make the locals switch sides.They'd be cheering for the ham and egger.

I"ve told you about the time Norton broke my nose in a sparring session.This was early in his career. I was a last second sub for the guy (who was a decent amateur fighter and my friend)who was scheduled to get into the ring with Norton. When Norton saw me in front of him I think he was a little pissed off.He wanted to get some work in and he knew I couldn't provide that. So he busted me up. After that, to put it nicely, I didn't like him. I wanted him to get his ass kicked.I knew with his stamina issue that as soon as he got into the ring with the right guy it would be lights out.

Well,when Norton signed to fight Jose Luis Garcia up in in LA I knew that Garcia would flip that switch. I saw the replay of the fight on the tube. I can't find it anywhere. Someone said that the channel KTLA offices were ransacked at that's where the tapes of many of the fights at The Olympic Auditorium were stored. Anyway if you have never seen that fight on the TV,I'll give you a brief rundown.Garcia,at that time ,was sharp and skilled.He was tall and had a long reach and could hit like a mule.Norton was made to order.By the 5th frame Norton did his running on empty trick and was cannon fodder for Jose. At the sound of the bell ending the 8th round Garcia unloaded a right hand on helpless Kenny and you could have counted him out with a calendar.

After that devastating defeat Norton was at a crossroads. He could either go south and become a stepping stone, or try to figure out what was making him tire so badly.

There was a hypnotist in town,Dean Ezell.He had an act the Midway Chuck Wagon where he'd bring volunteers on stage and put them under and make them act like idiots. It was a big draw.I even acted like a idiot one night.Well, Kenny was about ready to try anything. He sought Ezell and he was more than happy to work his spell on Kenny and find out what was blocking his path to becoming a world class fighter. It had something to do with Norton's lack of confidence.Ezell gave Norton self help books on building self esteem.After the therapy Ezell said that Norton was cured of his fistic demons.Kenny seconded that belief.I had my doubts.

But Norton bounced back after that lying on the couch.It wasn't a bounce that launched him into outer space but he was winning again.He was still fighting mostly stiffs. He had a fight with Jack O'Halloran here at The Coliseum. The crowd was backing Happy Jack.But Norton got through it with a just decision.

Norton kept trudging away and then he was matched with Henry Clark. This was a make or break fight.I thought Clark would take him .Clark was a good boxer and I thought that would be enough to put Norton's career on the back burner.I still was sore at Norton because he bloodied me up that day in the gym.Well, Norton not only won the fight he stopped Clark in the 9th round..Now Norton was swimming with the legit contenders.

If you've been reading my stuff for the past few days I gave you a sketch of what Ali and Norton were dong preparing for their fight in San Diego.Ali's lack of focus and Eddie Futch's game plan for Norton proved to be the difference.Norton became a big name. The rematch was a few months later and Kenny got shafted, but the boxing public knew that Norton was to be taken seriously.

By this time the San Diego crowd had finally embraced him He was matched with Foreman in Venezuela.But when Norton felt George's power he folded. It was like Foreman's prior wins(except for Davila).I'll give you two rounds and then go hit the showers.

After that loss Norton was up and down in the big fights.The big hitters gave him problems. His last fight was against Gerry Cooney. Kenny's body was hanging through the ropes in the 1st round.

Norton tried his hand as a color man with boxing on the TV but just didn't have it. He had a falling out with his son Ken Jr.Later they patched things up. In 1986 he fell asleep at the wheel of his car and crashed sustaining life threatening injuries.He then began experiencing a rash of medical problems. Heart attacks ,strokes,quadrupal bypass surgery,prostate cancer.

I saw him at the San Diego Sports Hall Of Fame years later.He wasn't his old self you could tell.But he seemed in good spirits. I asked him if he remembered the beating he gave me back in the day at the 32nd Navy Gym in National City. He said he remembered it and that I was a "pretty tough dude."I walked away feeling bad that I had once hated the guy.


Ken Norton

[dagosd2000]

After It's All Said And Done

I think a common misconception of boxing fans is that their heroes, when in their primes, still possess that eye of the tiger,the tenacity,and the will to dish it out.They'll see an old Duran ,for example,and wait to see that snarl and disdain emerge. In stead they see a grandpa who is growing old with his wife and playing with his grandkids.When asked about a past rival(I'll stay with Duran)Roberto abandons the threats and slurs.The bravado.The machismo can be seen on YouTube if that's what you're interested in..Duran today speaks nothing but words of praise about DeJesus,Hearns,Hagler,and his most celebrated adversary, Ray Leonard.And the opposite is echoed .with equal amounts of admiration on the man who had those hands of stone..

I've heard some still endless bitterness from some past pugs.Not many,but there're always exceptions.Carmen Basilio,who is idolized by the boxing community,never had a kind word for Sugar Ray Robinson.When asked about Robby after his passing,the former welterweight and middleweight champ whose hometown of Canastota was selected to be the home of the International Boxing Hall Of Fame, ,called Robinson a "Son of a bitch."But maybe for some that's what they wanted to hear from the old timer.He was still a tough guy.But the truth was that Basilio couldn't have beaten half the FEMALES on the planet in a fight when he was asked about his take on Robinson.But he sure would have given it his all.Now that's being a son of a bitch.

Fighters wind up like everybody else. The ones that have acquired some wisdom along the way innately know when to discard all the tough talk.It serves no purpose.Besides,it would be just a flimsy facade.When i spoke with Jose Napoles in Ciudad Juarez seven years ago he was sitting on a chair in front of his house puffing on a Cuban cigar and greeting all the people who passed by.
"I used to be a dangerous man once,"Mantequilla mused."But today I'm old and sick. I'm at peace. and not one to fear."

It's better to come to terms with nearing the end. It's harder for some.To leave the earth with anger in your heart rattles the soul.Leave the rage behind because when the light flickers out you have no say in the matter anyway.


They just about all wind up friends.To bad Carmen Basilio couldn't let it go with Sugar Ray Robinson.

[dagosd2000]

New Neighbors

When the Irish immigrated to the United States in the 1840's settling on the east coast they lived in those tenements that were rat infested and rundown.But that was their neighborhood,and though it stunk,it was all they could claim.Then around the turn of the century the Italians came across on the boats and they didn't have a lot of money so they moved next door to the Irish.The Irish didn't like those wops moving in too close even though they were Catholic like them.The irish didn't want their women going out with any Italians.They didn't like their oily hair nor their olive colored skin and their crude attempts of speaking the English language.The cops were mostly Irish so their billy clubs usually landed on top of the heads of their new neighbors from southern Europe.

Since the Irish had a head start on the Italians, the Micks began to make the first moves up the social ladder and find other places to call home.Soon there were no more Irish to get in fights with on the playgrounds and now the Italians began to elbow their way up the strata of sophistication . They were leaving the sweatshops and running their own little stores,joining union scale labor,and having some disposable income to let off some steam.Of course the Mafia influence leant an aura good and bad so the guy next door had to learn to live with it.

Everything was going along hunky dory until after WW 2 when black civil rights leaders and the Supreme Court started to push for Negroes to have equality with everybody else..Part of that meant that blacks too wanted that upward path to the land of milk and honey. Move over Paisan.

If you were Italian and lived in the dago neighborhoods back east or like me ,in Chicago the motto was "If you're white that's all right.If you're brown you can hang around.And if you're black stay back." Well, Italians may have had that swarthy complexion but they never considered themselves "brown." No. They thought of themselves as "white." Not lily white necessarily,but white enough that they thought of themselves as on the opposite side of the spectrum in skin tone from that black family pitched their tent a few blocks down the street.

If you ever saw that movie"A Bronx Tale",well, the screenwriter of that film,Chazz Palmenteri was as Italian as the Pope of that time and grew up in an environment of blacks not wanting to stay back. I lived in Little Italy in Chicago as a kid and yeah Chazz you got it right. I mean the Irish didn't want their daughters and sisters going out with any organ grinders. You can imagine what the Italians thought about their sweet innocents having Joe Louis knock on the door asking if Maria was ready to go out with him to the drive in movie.That's what racism is.The males of the specie not wanting their women to mix with anothrt race,especiaaly if it's back in color.

Remember what I wrote yesterday?Carmen Basilio calling Ray Robinson a "Son of a bitch" after he'd been laid to rest?Well, you an bet Carmen never went to Harlem to the Apollo Theater to take in a James brown concert either. He grew up in an environment where the back of the bus was where Rosa Parks belonged.

A good pal of mine who I see every year at the boxing conventions in LA(I ain't gonna' offer his name 'cause I don't know how he'd take what I'm going to say)told me that he was sitting with Carmen Basilio at a World Boxing Hall Of Fame ceremony in Los Angeles and asked Basilio what it was like to have fought Tony DeMarco.Well, Carmen had no problem shouting in so loud a voice that everyone in San Diego could hear,"No harder than fighting a n----r!"

I know some of you are laughing right now. I used to laugh at s--t like that. It ain't funny anymore.It never was.


Carmen Basilio after his second fight with Ray Robinson

[dagosd2000]

Uncle Lee

One fighter they don't talk much about here on the West Coast was a heavyweight who fought Joe Louis twice,Lee Ramage.I once brought up his name to Frank Baltazar who goes back quite a way with fighting in the Southland .He drew a blank. Maybe it was because Ramage was a heavyweight or not a Mexican.I don't know. He was one of those 'standard" heavyweights of the day weighing in around 180 pounds and standing 6 foot.Ramage squared off with the talent of the division that you could make a case and say wasn't that awe inspiring. When Ramage fought these guys it was 'even Steven." When Joe Louis fought them they were the "Bums Of The Month.":Mostly, Ramage made his ring appearances in California. He was born in San Diego.The Olympic,Hollywood Legion, and The Oakland Auditorium were his bread and butter venues.The first time he fought Louis was in New York at the Garden.Joe was 11 and zero at the time and everyone thought it would be over quick in Joe's favor. But Ramage was pretty slick with his moves and gave Louis trouble for 7 rounds. But this was no prelim and in the 8th round Joe caught up with him sending Ramage to the canvas four times;his corner finally throwing in the sponge.They fought again ,this time on the coast, at Wrigley Field in LA. Maybe not an iconic arena like The Garden but it supplied the seats.

I had a chance meeting with Lee Ramage in the late 50's. I was in middle school and it was the first day of classes. The homeroom teacher called roll and everyone shot back the usual "Here." Then the teacher got to this kid by the name of Mike Ramage. Well,this guy stands up, salutes ,and squeaks "Present!"That was our laugh for the morning. The teacher said that wasn't necessary. "Here" would suffice.Found out later that Mike was a transfer from Brown Military School that was located in Pacific Beach.

Mike was a frail looking sort with a pastey skin.his dishwater hair cropped into a crewcut,and light green eyes that lacked a confident air.His horn rimmed glasses punctuated that demeanor.

After a while I got chummy with Mike.He was timid. The boys didn't want pick on him but then they always chose him "last" when we paired up for teams in PE.There may have been some girls that went for his shyness but Mike was too shy to reciprocate any emotion.One day I took a stab and asked him if he was related to Lee Ramage.
"Uncle Lee is my father's brother," he said modestly.
"Does your dad talk about him a lot?"I probed on.
"MY dad was killed in World War 2 at Okinawa by a Kamikazee."
"I'm sorry," i said sheepishly.
"That's OK I never knew my dad. He was killed before i was born."

One day Mike invited me over to his house.He liked to play chess and so did I even though we weren't very good at the game It was at his house that I met Lee Ramage. He had dropped by to pay a call on Mike and his mother'a woman who came across very proper yet emitted a feeling of warmth and softness. She reminded me of June Cleaver,the Beaver's mom.Lee Ramage came over to where we were playing chess.He had a fightee's face and a manner to equal.
"MIke, you got him where you can move in your carriers,"He said in a robust voice.
Lee Ramage was in the Navy during the war and fought with his gloves in the ring more than pulling his trigger finger.MIke stood up.
"Uncle Lee this is my friend Roger from school."
"Glad to meet you son,"he said showing a genuine smile as he gripped my hand like a vise.
"You fought Joe Louis,"I blurted out.
"So you know about that?"
"You did pretty good against him."
"I had him fooled at first.I think that only pissed him off,"he chuckled
"But you fought him again."
"But he wasn't fooled that second time."
"But you can say you fought Joe Louis."
"Yeah," he said letting out a breath."I can say I fought the best who ever lived."



Lee Ramage

[dagosd2000]

Shotgun

When that school shooting in Uvalde,Texas hit the airwaves yesterday I couldn't help but think of all those families that were affected by that terrible tragedy.It makes you think that there isn't any rhyme nor reason to anything. If you think fate had dealt that hand then what are we supposed to gain from it?Anyway, I kept thinking about it and then something made me keep thinking of the name of that town-Uvalde. It's has an intriguing ring to it. It kind of stands out by itself.There used to be a pretty popular fighter that appeared in Southland rings that was from Uvalde.His name was Oscar Albarado.They called him "Shotgun."

Depending on what weight level his manager,the very colorful Harry Kabakoff,wantred his charge to to get in there with, "Shotgun" could make 147 or bulk up to middleweight without much problem. Kabakoff never had a problem getting his fighters in the ring consistently. Granted,they never became millionaires either but you could also say they never got stale from inactivity.

Roly poly Harry ,always donning some Hawaiian shirt,would hawk his fighters on the local LA TV stations telling everybody that his guys could lick the world.And why not? Albarado always seemed to be on the cusp. He had over 70 fights and it wasn't uncommon to se him in the ring at least a half dozen times a year. He'd win some big ones yet also was accustomed to coming up short in some.Adolph Pruitt,Raul Soriano,Ernie Lopez,Armando Muniz,Hedgemon Lewis;those boys boys knew what it was like to fight "Shotgun " Albarado.The fans always got their money's worth.

One of Albarado's most interesting contests was one he lost,and in a big way.It was the night a fighter by the name of Dino Del Cid came out of nowhere and stopped him in one round. There was a quick rematch,and this time "Shotgun" unloaded both barrels on Cid and it was over in two.

Albarado's big claim to fame was when he went over to Japan and won the Junior Middleweight title from Koichi Wajima. It didn't set the world on fire but for the 10 thousand or so residents of Uvalde ,Texas and Oscar Albarado ,their homeboy put that burg on the map.

RIck Farris,in 2017 got it right when he inducted "Shotgun" into the West Coast Boxing Hall Of Fame.Albardo was very sick with the dementia at the time so he couldn't make it to LA to receive his kudos.HIs four children though made sure they were in North Hollywood to accept the award for their dad.As usual I got misty eyed.

Oscar Albarado finally took the ten count in 2021. Uvalde ,Texas will never forget him. They named all kinds of stuff after him there..He was their cherished son so to speak.He was a good father and husband. A clean fighter who always gave it everything he had.I saw him fight at The San Diego Coliseum against a local kid,Eddie Mazon. After winning the decision Albardo went on to beat Wajima in his backyard to win the world title.I wish that that would be the only thing they'll talk about now in Uvalde,Texas.

[dagosd2000]

Another Nickname

Thinking about what I wrote yesterday.I don't think anyone who calls Uvalde ,Texas home would ever again choose an alias named after a gun. Oscar Albarado is better being remembered without his "handle,"

[dagosd2000]

A Fan's Remorse

So why was Carmen Basilio no fan of Sugar Ray Robinson?Why did he call him "an arrogant son of a bitch"?If you ever watched that HBO special documentary they had on Robinson around 20 years ago, that's what Carmen called Ray.Basilio explained that when he was was moving up in the division(I guess that would have been in the early 50's)he saw Robinson on the street somewhere in New York.Carmen was with his wife.He said he wanted to introduce himself and the Mrs. to Robinson because he admired and respected the man.Basilio then said that Robinson"gave me the brush off." He went on to say that Robinson was "an arrogant prick." That sounds about right I guess.

My father knew Sugar Ray Robinson from back in the day.i'll describe it again briefly.It was when Capone opened up a dairy in Chicago named Meadowmoor. My father worked there for awhile doing something.Being tied to the Outfit I don't think my old man was a scientist.Anyway, the dairy wanted to use Robinson's name on something.I think it was a chocolate milk.Robinson as usual wanted the cow all for himself so Meadowmoor told him shove it up a bull's ass.(a real arrogant son of a bitch was that Robinson).Well,I guess Robinson got to know my father around that time.And also when Robby came to Chicago to fight someone he had to make sure to carry the guy the full 10 so the Wiseguys could clean up with the bookies.My father had a part with that action.

I was with my father a couple of times when he met up with Robinson. One time Robinson came down to San Diego to take in the fight between Luis Rodriguez and Rafael Gutierrez.Robinson was watching Rodriguez during a workout at the Stardust Hotel in Mission Valley. I was with my father that day. My father was interested in that fight.I couldn't see why. By that time my father had lost interest in boxing. Marciano was gone. The fighters then were mostly of color. I think that that fight was rigged and my father was there to see that everything was going according to plan.Anyway,Robinson and my oid man got to talking.
"Hey Joe what are you doing here?"beamed Robinson.
Hey Sugar,"as my father put his arm around him,"Just checking on things that's all,"he said in a big voice.
Robinson blushed shaking his head.
"Man, I thought I'd had it that time for sure in front of that dairy. I thought they were shooting at ME."
"We wouldn't shoot you Sugar,"my father said laughing."You always co operated."
" i had to find that out later," Robinson said looking down at the ground.

I'll stop it there.Besides,I've told that story before.The point I want to make is the way my father talked to Robinson.My old man, being connected with The Outfit,gave HIM an air of arrogance.You had to show that.I mean those mob guys never were impressed with anybody. It could have been the president of the United States or Sugar Ray Robinson or even Marciano, and they weren't going to go "ga ga" and fall at anybody's feet. Everybody was a chump or a sucker ,and the way those gangsters behaved they wouldn't make anyone feel that they were something special. They had a knack for keeping everybody off balance. by showing that they were not impressed in the least.

I think if they would have asked my old man about Ray Robinson he would have spoken the same words as Carmen Basilio.Except my father would have been laughing all the time while he said them.


Carmen Basilio

[goose 5]

Hi Roger : We've corresponded before about Robinson and gangsters-I've been doing some reading and George Gainsford was reputed to be connected to Lucky Luciano and I can't help but wonder if this is why Sugar Ray was able to reject offers to throw fights ?

I thought of Albarado right away when the news broke of the Uvalde shooting . Years ago, Albarado's son detailed his father's dementia to me and it was one of the worst cases-in terms of how young Oscar was and how long he suffered from it-that I ever heard.