Classic American West Coast Boxing

[Alguiffer]

Great painting of Archie Moore - greatly enjoy all your postings, artwork, and music. For the past two boxing Expos (held annually in Vegas at the convention center during the big Sept boxing weekend) I had the pleasure of meeting and talking with Archie Moore's daughter J'Marie. Two Expos ago went I first introduced myself to her she was stunned that I had seen her fight at the Tropicana in AC when she was a pro and that I remembered her. At that Expo she was helping out at Ernie Shaver's table at the Expo. I told her about the CAWCB here at box rec (she knew of Box Rec) told her about the all great write ups about her Father. Hopefully she has become a reader of CAWCB. Just thought I would pass this on. Thank you.

[dagosd2000]

Great painting of Archie Moore - greatly enjoy all your postings, artwork, and music. For the past two boxing Expos (held annually in Vegas at the convention center during the big Sept boxing weekend) I had the pleasure of meeting and talking with Archie Moore's daughter J'Marie. Two Expos ago went I first introduced myself to her she was stunned that I had seen her fight at the Tropicana in AC when she was a pro and that I remembered her. At that Expo she was helping out at Ernie Shaver's table at the Expo. I told her about the CAWCB here at box rec (she knew of Box Rec) told her about the all great write ups about her Father. Hopefully she has become a reader of CAWCB. Just thought I would pass this on. Thank you.

Thanks for the kind words.I appreciate it.When Moore was inducted into the WCBHOF she was there to accept his award.I talked to her about his ABC club for boys and what it was like.A very personable woman. Hope she gets around to us.Thanks again.

[goose 5]

Hi Roger: Did Burke ever mention his bout against Leslie Borden ?

[dagosd2000]

Hi Roger: Did Burke ever mention his bout against Leslie Borden ?

Goose
I never heard Burke mention inside his bar or at the gym of any of his fights. Inside the bar he had a few press clippings of his fights but that was about all.Once in awhile he'd bring up another guy's fights.The most he talked about was Art Hafey.

[dagosd2000]

The No Show

Like i was saying before.It wasn't that hard to get into the California Boxing Hall Of Fame. When former matchmaker Don Fraser was in charge all one had to come up with was a promise that he could have enough guests to fill up a couple of tables in the banquet room. At the time that was 20 people at 50 bucks a head.You had people being inducted who never fought,managed or trained a fighter,written a word about the sport in some rag,nor been inside a boxing gym.Fraser never asked even if they'd seen a fight on television. There were guys so intent into getting into his club that they approached Fraser and asked what it would take to get inducted.
"Got 20 people to spring for 50 dollars a pop?"was Fraser's reply.
If the answer was "yes" then you got into the "Hall."

I used to go up to LA and attend the CBHOF ceremony every year. Rick Farris was working for Fraser and hustling his tail off. When I was dropping by to see Burke Emery at his bar Champs, I figured here was a lead pipe cinch to get into the CBHOF.I called Rick and asked "How 'bout it?" Burke was a pretty good fighter in his day winning the Canadian light heavyweight title and was the mainstay trainer of pugs here in San Diego;Art Hafey being his number one boy.

Rick ran it by Fraser who replied the automatic,"Can Emery fill two tables?" I told Rick I'd drop into Champs and tell Burke that Fraser wanted him in.I nonchalantly would mention the "two tables" thing.When I got to Champs to reach Burke I had a positive feeling.Burke and Fraser were no strangers to each other. They had bent their elbows from time to time in the various watering holes around town,and besides Emery's resume was solid.I caught Burke sitting at the bar looking over the last night's receipts.Shirley,his girlfriend and partner in the place, was making sure Burke's math was correct.
"Burke,I was in contact with the California Boxing Hall Of Fame.Don Fraser is in charge,.They want to bring you in. The ceremony is up in LA."
"Oh no.I don't want to go ,"said Burke not breaking stride with his paperwork.
Shirley craned her neck I gave me a nod.
"Why wouldn't you want to go?"I asked again.
Burke without any openness again said,"No."
Shirley then asked Burke to go to the back room and bring out a case of beer. When Burke left Shirley slid her barstool next to mine.
"I'll get him to go.He's just in one of his moods right now.I have to wait for the right time. It will be good for him to go."
Then I explained about the "two tables."
"That won't be a problem. Everyone in the bar would go to see Burke get in."
Shirley then handed me a 50 dollar bill for a deposit.
"No.Don't worry about that now.I'll let them know that Burke wants to go.I'll get back with you."

Well, I gave Rick Farris the OK and he put everything in order with Fraser.A week before the event I dropped into Champs and made sure everything was according to Hoyle.Burke wasn't there but Shirley was at the end of the bar by herself. I asked her how things were going.
"Burke doesn't want to go.I had him talked into it but then he changed his mind."
MY heart sank a little.
"Maybe he'll change his mind again.Everything is set up.He's in the program and they're ready to go."
"He's pretty adamant about t,"said Shirley vacantly."I don't think he'll budge.Besides,I don't want to get him angry."
"Did he give a reason?"
"He never gives a reason."

Well, Burke didn't go.There was his name in the program.He got inducted. I felt bad about the whole thing. I bet Don Fraser was sore that he lost out on the 1000 bucks.When they got to Burke to be inducted Fraser skipped over his name.

[dagosd2000]

The Greatest That Nobody Knows

When Pele,the great Brazilian athlete, passed away just before the first of the year, it was like a dormant giant volcano that undormanted, showering lava all over the face of the earth.The news reports cited that he was ill with cancer and in the hospital. The world began bracing itself. The World Cup had finished recently yet Pele's death was of equal, if not greater, magnitude on the Richter Scale.

Even if you didn't know anything about soccer(futbol) you knew of Pele just because of his name.Like not knowing anything about boxing but you know about Ali because of his name.If you were asked on the street to name the greatest soccer player,and if you didn't know of any other player,and answered "Pele" ,they'd think you were an aficianado of the sport.

Pele's passing bumped NFL football off the lead ins on all the major sport's networks.His was face on the covers of all the coffee table magazines that were being sold at the neighborhood checkout counters.The human interest stories abounded. You began reading that he was being called "The Greatest Athlete Of The 20th Century." This brings me to another great Brazilian athlete who had passed away in 2022,Eder Jofre.

Now since I'm writing on a boxing forum the name Eder Jofre should roll off the tips of tongues like quicksilver.But it wouldn't surprise me if a few of you out there would have to dig into the BoxRec archives and "Google Wikipedia" to find out how Eder Jofre fared in the face of history. But I'll give you the benefit of the doubt since you're reading this that I don't have to write a long paragraph of his accomplishments. Besides, you get enough of this "who was greater" stuff on the forum anyway.

I talked to my pal Chris James,the transplanted Brit who now lives in LA and who wrote that excellent bio of the former bantamweight and featherweight champ,,regarding Jofre's somewhat obscurity in the sports annals. It was sort of rhetorical. Soccer is the most popular sport on earth.Brazil is synonymous with the game.Pele is not only the biggest name in Brazilian soccer but the most popular everywhere else. Pele was a legend years before he walked away from it all.You could write an anthology of the great Brazilan soccer players and still have names left over. The only other Brazilan boxing champion was Miguel De Oliveira and now you'd have to click on to BoxRec or Wikipedia to find out something about the man.

Pele and Eder Jofre were leaving their footprints around the same time in the 20th century. The only thing is that you don't have to look very hard for Pele's cleat marks.As far as Eder Jofre is concerned, to find his it's like scuffing your shoes in a rosin box.

Pele

Eder Jofre

[dagosd2000]

For Chris And The Aficianados

This clip is for my pal Chris James and the sentimental who are enamored with Mexican boxing.This tribute was in honor for those Mexican fighters who fought to the hilt during the Epoca De Oro in Mexico's boxing history. The film is part of a documentary featuring the past fighters, who at the time, the aficianados never forget. Those fighters and those fans are no ,longer with us. It's not important if you don't speak Spanish. The aura transcends language. You'll recognize the names. THe youth of the country have lost their roots.Hopefully this snapshot will stir the blood.It did mine.

[dagosd2000]

Hell,might as well throw this in.There are no more charro singers left in Mexico .Now they sing about drug traffickers or emulate gangsta rap.





The famous horse,El Moro De Cumpas.When he died all the territory was there for his funeral. Antonio Agullar singing a just tribute. No more Cumpas.No more Antonio Aguilar I think a lot of a long time ago.

[dagosd2000]

A Mexican Baby

One Mexican fighter who didn't show up for that ceremony I posted today that I gleaned from YouTube was Baby Arizmendi.Judging from the cut of those suits I'm guessing that event took place somewhere in the early 50's. Arizmandi was certainly in the mix of that Golden Era of Mexican boxing in the 1930's along with Kid Azteca(he showed up),Baby Casanova(he was introduced last),Joe Conde,and Juan Zurita.

Arizmedi ended his career with well over a hundred fights,many not recorded. He beat Henry Armstrong twice in 1934,had wins over Freddie Miller,Chalky Wright,Speedy Dado,Eddie Shea,and won the New York version of the featherweight title from Mike Belloise. He won another version of the 125 title,the California one,by beating Newsboy Brown. Arizmendi was holding his own against Lou Ambers for the iightweight crown in Madison Square Garden before he couldn't continue due to a cut eye.

The word on the street was that Arizmendi started pro when he was 13.He took up boxing as a therapy for an attack of polio.I worked with a Mexican woman who was the niece of Joe Conde. She lived in East LA as a young girl.She told me that Baby Arizmendi would come over with her uncle to the house and they'd sit in the living room talking boxing with her father.She said all the women would leave them to themselves.
"They were all like little boys,"she said.
I could just imagine.


Baby Arizmendi

[dagosd2000]

Sergio's Bucket List

I got a phone call a few years back from a fella' I went to school with.How he got my number I don't know.We played on the same team in Little League.The league opened up in the 1957 and he wanted to know if I'd like to attend the 60th anniversary of its founding. His dad was the first president of the league.The ceremony was to be at the old field that was still going strong with the Little League after all these years. I told him I'd look forward to going. The ceremony would take place on opening day.

There were now three fields instead of just one but everything else felt familiar. I could see they remolded the snack shack and the restrooms. There were kids all over the place wearing their uniforms strutting about like they were playing for the Yankees. Parents were also buzzing and gabbing and I could se all the flags and banners.The commotion brought back a lot of memories. it was all so familiar.I could smell the hot dogs and hamburgers cooking on the grill.

The guy who called me up on the phone saw me and steered me towards a group of all those former Little Leaguers. We were certainly showing our age.The funnything was that I didn't have a problem putting faces together nor forgetting names.it was the same with them recognizing me.

Now I'm going to brag a little. I lead that league in homeruns two years straight.I was a star and a celebrity. I was 12 years old and it was the best year of my life I was asked to make a speech and I didn't have a problem with that.I found out that I still held the record for homeruns after all those years. I made my speech and said that it was about time that one of these kids would break my record.

After making my speech I went back to the old timers group that was huddled in the bleachers. I don't think anyone cared much about seeing a bunch of old guys like us.We were something from the past that they couldn't see any significance.We represented something that wasn't in their frame of reference.

While I was huddled with those old faces I was like a lightning rod.They wanted to talk about the old times and I slid right in.I saw a short guy wearing one of those fake batting helmets that you can buy at a souvenir stand. It had a New York Yankee emblem on it. I knew him right away.
"Hey Sergio,how's it gong? Long time no see.,'I said to him.
I remembered Sergio like it was yesterday. He was a short little Mexican kid who went to the school He never got picked to be on one of the "major league" teams so he stayed in the "minors."There weren't many Mexicans around in those days.The poor guy had a bad case of pimples on his face when he was young and you could still see the scars that it left. But he was always pretty cheery.He lived with is mother.His father died when he was a baby.When his mother died she left him the house. He liked to collect baseball cards like all of us did back then but he still had his he told me.His mother never threw them away.
"Sergio,you still have those same three pictures on your bedroom wall? John F. Kennedy,Pope Pius,and Mickey Mantle?"
He started laughing.
"You know I still do,"he answered.
It made me laugh too.
"Do you still talk about who was the better centerfielder ,Mickey Mantle or Willie mays?"
"Of course.Doesn't everybody?"

I had a swell time that morning. I haven't been back since.But if I get another call to return and I'll go and see what's left of those guys.I hope to see Sergio again but I won't ask him who was better,Mickey Mantle or Willie Mays.Besides,I can always click onto the forum thread of who was ranked higher historically,Vladamir Klitschko or Floyd Patterson.I'l leave that argument for Sergio if he's interested


Vladamir Klitschko

[dagosd2000]

Opening day of the Loma Portal Little League 1957. Life was for me a lot more simpler. But I guess it was for a lot of kids. I won't be around, but I wonder if today's generation of youth will look back someday and say to their grandchildren that 2023 was the good ol' days. I remember my father saying to me that when he was a kid life was better.Boy,is that something you could start a thread about. But BoxRec isn't the place. :b

[dagosd2000]

[dagosd2000]

A Bogey

I don't know who got the idea for this, but they had a charity golf tournament in Indio ,California to raise money for something ,and the hook was that fighters would do the golfing and if you made a donation you could ride in the golf cart with a fighter and play a round of golf with him. This happened over ten years ago and I decided I'd go because they said I could bring some of my paintings of fighters. I said if I sold any I'd donate half to the charity. I coaxed my wife to keep me company.

If you've never been to Indio you' haven't missed much. It's located ,and I quote:23 miles east of Palm Springs,75 miles east of Riverside,127 miles east of Los Angeles,and 148 miles northeast of San Diego. In other words it's in the middle of nowhere in a desert.Agriculture is the principle product like fruit groves but Indio is also the date capital of America.It's also the "sister city" of my wife's hometown of Jiquilpan,Michoacan. Can't wait to get there, right?

This golf tournament was to begin in the late evening because it was in the middle of July and the temperature is hot enough in the day to burn the paint off your car Because of the agriculture it's also a Mecca for pickers,mostly Mexican who are mostly illegal.But you sure ain't going to get any white guys to do any stoop labor in that hot sun,and besides,the growers don't have to pay those Mexicans anything near minimum wage.

When I finally arrived at this golf course I had a feeling this wasn't going to turn out like I hoped.I don't know if they have any plans for putting Indio on California's list of ghost towns but it ain't too far away from qualifying. The streets were lonely. The ground was dry and dusty.Stores were boarded up;there were a few fast food joints scattered around,some run down motels;a thrifty gas station that was not thrifty if you went to pump gas. You could see a few people walking around like they were lost. Can't wait to turn on th GPS and hop in the car,right?

The golf course could have easily been mistaken for the Bates Motel. The grass was dead but the sand traps couldn't haver been happier.The first person I recognized was Danny Lopez.He was there with his wife,Bonnie. It was just after his brother had passed away.
"He took a lot of shots," is all he said.

I set up my paintings in this room at the entrance of the golf course I didn't bring that many.I also brought "my" Marilyn Monroe. People like Marilyn. The thing that began gnawing at me was the attendance for this tournament couldn't have filled a covered wagon.Then I felt tap on my shoulder.It was Rodolfo Gonzalez. He was with Barbara.,
"Are you going to play golf?",he asked me..
"No.I'm going to try to sell a few paintings."
We gabbed for awhile and then this guy came over and told Rodolfo to get in one of the golf carts because the tournament was going to start.
"You know how to play golf?"I asked Rodolfo.
"No.But I just go along for the ride."
I saw a few carts take off and disappear into the darkness. I stayed with my wife and Barbara in the room standing next to my paintings. An older couple walked in and looked at "my" Rocky Marciano.After studying it for a few minutes the wife turned to her husband.
"it doesn't even look like him."
I waited around for about an hour.No one else came by.I told my wife that if we wanted to get back to San Diego before it got too late we should leave now.

Danny Lopez and Rembrandt

My unsold paintings including Rocky Marciano who the lady said didn't look like him.

[scartissue]

For Chris And The Aficianados

This clip is for my pal Chris James and the sentimental who are enamored with Mexican boxing.This tribute was in honor for those Mexican fighters who fought to the hilt during the Epoca De Oro in Mexico's boxing history. The film is part of a documentary featuring the past fighters, who at the time, the aficianados never forget. Those fighters and those fans are no ,longer with us. It's not important if you don't speak Spanish. The aura transcends language. You'll recognize the names. THe youth of the country have lost their roots.Hopefully this snapshot will stir the blood.It did mine.

Rog, I've watched this piece many times and I'm always in awe of it. One can see how each fighter was just so taken with that moment once again in their lives where the crowd cheered. I will also give props to that announcer who was clearly doing this ad-hoc off of memory. He knew each of these great fighters and knew about their careers. I do not speak the language but, as you said, the aura does transcend. One other thing I've always noticed on this piece, I thought he was going to make the biggest deal out of Kid Azteca, but clearly it appeared to me that it was Baby Casanova who was the star. Is that how you saw it as one who does speak the language?

[dagosd2000]

For Chris And The Aficianados

This clip is for my pal Chris James and the sentimental who are enamored with Mexican boxing.This tribute was in honor for those Mexican fighters who fought to the hilt during the Epoca De Oro in Mexico's boxing history. The film is part of a documentary featuring the past fighters, who at the time, the aficianados never forget. Those fighters and those fans are no ,longer with us. It's not important if you don't speak Spanish. The aura transcends language. You'll recognize the names. THe youth of the country have lost their roots.Hopefully this snapshot will stir the blood.It did mine.

Rog, I've watched this piece many times and I'm always in awe of it. One can see how each fighter was just so taken with that moment once again in their lives where the crowd cheered. I will also give props to that announcer who was clearly doing this ad-hoc off of memory. He knew each of these great fighters and knew about their careers. I do not speak the language but, as you said, the aura does transcend. One other thing I've always noticed on this piece, I thought he was going to make the biggest deal out of Kid Azteca, but clearly it appeared to me that it was Baby Casanova who was the star. Is that how you saw it as one who does speak the language?

Good take Dan.Initially I thought the same.I thought they'd save Kid Azteca for last. But I think there are two factors to consider here. First:Casanova was very popular in Mexico City.This is where this event took place.Second:Casanova was a part of a very competitive trilogy comprising of fights for the bragging rights of the city with Juan Zurita,and Joe Conde.Each guy had a big following in Mexico City.Azteca wasn't a part of that rivalry that much.


Juan Zurita

[dagosd2000]

History Vs. Ability

When you rank who's higher historically ability isn't the big factor. Floyd Patterson and Vlad? A no brainer,It's Floyd.He was the first ex heavyweight champ to recapture the heavyweight crown.So it was against Ingo The Bingo. Historically it was a BIG FIRST. Corbett failed.Ruby Robert too. Jeff couldn't beat Johnson.Dempsey couldn't do anything in 9 out of 10 rounds against Tunney.Herr Max got KO'd in his try with Joe Louis.And old Joe was outboxed by Ezzard Charles.When Charles got smacked down by Jersey Joe he didn't have enough left in him to win back the title.And finally in Chicago Walcott got blasted out inn one frame by the Rock trying to make history. So who was the first? Floyd Patterson,and he might have had less talent than all the previous failures.

Bobby Lee was a better general than U.S. Grant but who surrendered to who at the end and sealed victory for the North?

But the arguments pro and con with this "historical" stuff has been based on ability.So just say it like you're writing it. WHO WAS THE BETTER FIGHTER? Now you can start pissing against the wind No one is ever going to convince the other that he was wrong.Drink plenty of liquids and keep that bladder filed up.




Ulysses S. Grant

.

[dagosd2000]

The Psyche Job

The first time Bobby Chacon fought Ruben Olivares and was stopped a lot of people thought The Schoolboy was maybe rushed too fast. Then again there were many thought thought Bobby had what it took to take Ruben.

The first fight was in The Forum,the showcase venue for big fights in LA. Chacon hadn't lost.Olivares had shown he wasn't invincible.He lost the bantamweight title ending his unbeaten streak when Chucho Castillo,in a big upset,cut him to ribbons. But you never know when two Mexicans get into the ring. You can throw out the odds,.Ruben win back the title in the rematch ,but then another Mexican,Rafael Herrera made El Puas look like he was made to order for him. So when Bobby and Ruben would meet again again in The Forum it looked pretty good that Bobby would get his pound of flesh.In the meantime Olivares had gotten smoked by Art Hafey and Alexis Arguello , and by now starting fall out of that top echelon bracket.

This was going to be the perfect storm of a boxing match:The local Chicano favorite against the Mexican national living legend.I went up to LA to watch the fight with a friend.I told him this was going to be the Fight Of The Year. As soon as we walked in you knew right away that that crowd was behind Olivares.It always worked that way.No matter how many Mexicans(Chicano or non),when it was a fight between the Chicano and the Mexican national,the Chicano could have had heard more "Oles" if he had climbed through the ropes in Alaska.

The crowd that night was really amped up.When Olivares stepped through the ropes it was like Zapata riding into Mexico City on his white horse.When Bobby arrived next the crowd was beginning to morph into a mob that felt like Dobe' Walling him in a heartbeat.

Chacon looked like he was fighting for the first time. The noise,the rancor was already beating him up. When the bell sounded Bobby looked like he was walking on eggs. Olivares sensed that maybe Bobby hadn't grown up since the last time and started wading in with heavy left hooks.Bobby would pretend to counter but his effort only validated that he was psyched out.He had nothing on his blows.A fight that was supposed to be hammer and tong,THe Fight Of The Year, was about as one sided as you ever laid eyes.The crowd was going wild.They knew that Ruben had Bobby where he wanted him. In the 2nd round Ruben dropped him with a left hook.Larry Rozadilla could have stopped it then. When Bobby got up you could see that he was finished. When Rozadilla had finally seen enough and ended it. Bobby didn't put up a beef.

My friend looked at me and said,"I thought you said this was going to be The Fight Of The year?"
"Yeah,but I didn't tell you what year."



Ruben Olivares

[dagosd2000]

Out Of Character

When I walked out of The Forum after seeing Bobby Chacon get destroyed by Ruben Olivares in 2 rounds the thing that made me wonder was the timidity of Chacon's effort. Now I hadn't seen all of Bobby's fights nor would I be there in person in every subsequent bout,but that fight with Olivares that night was totally unlike him. Chacon had always fought like he wasn't afraid of anybody,but that night he was gun shy.I don't know if it was the crowd that he knew wasn't behind him, or Olivares' reputation,or there was something going on at home;but whatever it was his performance threw a damper on the whole night.

Bobby certainly took it to Danny Lopez.Against Bazooka Limon he let it all hang out.Even when Ray Mancini blitzed him Chacon was throwing punches.That night I saw him at The Forum he was definitely out of character.I thought maybe he went into the tank,but if that was the case I couldn't fathom why he would do that. Ruben stopped him the first time.It would have been him to do the flop,not Bobby.

AT the end Bobby was fighting at the San Diego Coliseum for a paycheck. I saw him fight some nobody who he stopped in the 7th round. By then Bobby was fighting from memory. He was already shaking hands with Mr. Dementia.I'd see him years later at all the boxing ceremonies up in LA.He was just a little kid then,a bad little kid.His caretaker(or whatever she was),Rosie, would be with him and he'd have her on pins and needles.One minute he'd be acting like one of The Little Rascals,and the next he'd turn into Mr. Hyde. At an autograph signing at the World Boxing Hall Of Fame he attacked George Chuvalo accusing him of taking his pen.

But I'll always remember Bobby Chacon as being a tough little SOB,except for that night against Olivares in The Forum


Bobby Chacon


Bobby and Rosie and my gift to them

[goose 5]

I've read a lot about this fight-Chacon was said to be dead at the weight. The weight was boiled off of him in a sauna; I believe 8 pounds overnight-but I'm working from memory.

[goose 5]

I just did a quick scan of the L.A. papers-Chacon dropped 16 pounds in the last ten days before the fight. After the fight, the commission suspended him and fined him for entering the ring in such poor physical condition.

Johnny Flores-his cutman- blamed Chacon's brother-in law for Chacon's condition; he said the guy was too inexperienced.

[dagosd2000]

I just did a quick scan of the L.A. papers-Chacon dropped 16 pounds in the last ten days before the fight. After the fight, the commission suspended him and fined him for entering the ring in such poor physical condition.

Johnny Flores-his cutman- blamed Chacon's brother-in law for Chacon's condition; he said the guy was too inexperienced.

I can understand that for him losing.But it was that deer in the headlights posture that befuddled people. It was very characteristic.Everybody, including the mostly Olivares fans, expected a better fight.Thanks for the info.

[Chuck1052]

As I recall, Bobby Chacon had trouble sticking to a proper diet for his second bout with Ruben Olivares. It was a huge turning point in his career. He got raked over the coals in the media; split up with his manager, Joe Ponce, and fought at a heavier weight during the rest of his career. Bobby also became more of a brawler and relied less on his boxing skills as time went on.

- Chuck Johnston

[dagosd2000]

As I recall, Bobby Chacon had trouble sticking to a proper diet for his second bout with Ruben Olivares. It was a huge turning point in his career. He got raked over the coals in the media; split up with his manager, Joe Ponce, and fought at a heavier weight during the rest of his career. Bobby also became more of a brawler and relied less on his boxing skills as time went on.

- Chuck Johnston

Chuck
Bobby,like his pal Mando Ramos,liked wine women and song and drugs.I worked with a Chicana principal here in San Diego who grew up in East LA.Her father owned a bar in Boyle Heights.She'd tell me that her father,Mando,and Bobby would hop into Mando's convertible after closing the bar with a blond around their arms and continue to party through dawn. Also,He was out of control. Bobby's wife pled with him to quit fighting because of the damage it was doing to him.She took her life,I believe, just before the Mancini fight.



MAndo Ramos,Ray Mancini,Danny Lopez,and Bobby Chacon in the middle.Steven's Steakhouse 2008 at a father and son get together.

[dagosd2000]

Larry Merchant will be inducted into Rick Farris' West Coast Boxing Hall Of Fame this March. He's over 90 years old.Here he is interviewing Bobby Chacon and Danny Lopez in 2001.

[dagosd2000]

He Knew Bobby Too

I also had a principal at one of the schools I worked at.His name was Sam Montes,and he and his brother were born and raised in Pacoima and were friends with him. They went to school with Bobby Chacon , and Sam told me that just about everyday Bobby would get in a fight after school in this alley that was in back of a liquor store near the school.When Sam got transferred to another school I gave him a painting I did of Bobby Chacon. Sam said he hung it in a place of honor in his rec room.

Sam said that when Bobby was signed to fight Ruben Olivares the second time that he and his brother went to the fight at The Forum.He said that he wanted Bobby to win and that his brother wanted Olivares.

I think a lot of athletes,especially fighters,have a fear of success. At first they get on roll and they're on their way up. They might even win a championship.But then they get to this crossroads. Everyone expects them to stay on top, and they can't handle it. Call it pressure,maybe moving outside of what they're familiar and comfortable with, and they don't want to be there.They want to have fun and think they can get away with burning the candle at both ends. Then they start to slip.It's easy to keep partying but to stay on top of the fight game is chore.Once they let go of the rope it catches up with them fast.

When I told my friend Sam Montes that I would see Bobby Chacon at the boxing events up in LA and how Bobby was caught in the dementia Sam shook his head.
"If you go up there again and see Bobby tell him that I said 'Hi' ".

When I saw Bobby the next time at the California Boxing Hall Of Fame banquet I said to him that Sam Montes from the projects said "Hi."
I don't know if Bobby understood what I said because ran inside the bathroom making all kinds of noise.When I got back to the school and Sam asked me if I saw Bobby and if I had relayed his regards, I told Sam that Bobby said "Thanks" and asked how you were doing.


Bobby Chacon