How about Danny Lopez's fourth round stoppage of Sean O'Grady in 1976? The Southern California guys here must have the inside scoop on that fight.
I remember reading about this in the magazines. O'Grady, barely 17 years old and 29-0 as a pro, was thrown in over his head. Lopez, one of the world's three or four top rated featherweights and a devastating puncher, was awaiting his mandatory WBC title shot at the time. There's the question of why this bout was made given the vast inequity in ability and experience between this boxers.
Allegedly Sean's father-manager Pat took the fight to give his son some professional depth. O'Grady Sr. knew Sean would lose (and big, too) but figured the seasoning would make him a better, more savvy boxer.
That's as much as I remember about this.
Classic American West Coast Boxing
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dagosd2000
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Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
I don't remember much being made out of it.Yeah,it was a mismatch but there's mismatches in boxing all the time.O'Grady built his rep in Oklahoma against a lot boxing buckaroos.The lesson he should have learned was that he brought along too cautiously.A better announcer than he was a fighter. .1173348 wrote: ↑05 Mar 2023, 16:16 How about Danny Lopez's fourth round stoppage of Sean O'Grady in 1976? The Southern California guys here must have the inside scoop on that fight.
I remember reading about this in the magazines. O'Grady, barely 17 years old and 29-0 as a pro, was thrown in over his head. Lopez, one of the world's three or four top rated featherweights and a devastating puncher, was awaiting his mandatory WBC title shot at the time. There's the question of why this bout was made given the vast inequity in ability and experience between this boxers.
Allegedly Sean's father-manager Pat took the fight to give his son some professional depth. O'Grady Sr. knew Sean would lose (and big, too) but figured the seasoning would make him a better, more savvy boxer.
That's as much as I remember about this.
Danny Lopez
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dagosd2000
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Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Cornuto Contento
Remember when Joey Bishop had his late night program on television? It was on ABC and they wanted to give Johnny Carson a run for his money. The show was a flop mainly because Bishop was a flop. I could never figure what anyone saw in thar guy. Sinatra had him in the Rat Pack but the guy couldn't sing,dance,or act.H was probaly the only guy in the Rat Pack that didn't bang Marilyn Monroe because he was a jerk.He was a lousy joke teller. He had with him Regis Philbin as his "Ed McMahon." Philbin had just left San Diego dumping his wife who was the daughter of that actor Frank Faylen and he married his daughter because he was a career driven selfish prick. They had a severely handicapped kid that Philbin left her with. And now his was sucking butt to Joey Bishop on his show.Philbin didn't mind making as ass of himself and letting Bishop make fun of him as long as he got attention. Italians got a name for a guy like that,"Cornuto contento."He's a jerk but he doesn't mind if everyone knows it.
Anyway,one time Joey Bishop has Joe Frazier on as a guest. Bishop is a big boxing fan so now he's got the heavyweight champ on his show. Bishop is standing there talking to Frazier face to face and all of a sudden Bishop gives him an open hand rap on the face.Not hard, but a rap on the face. Everyone is laughing at Frazier.Looking back I wish Frazier would have had a knee jerk response and decked that little smug smart ass on national television.And then for good measure give Regis Philbin a look that would have made him wet his pants.
Joe Frazier
Remember when Joey Bishop had his late night program on television? It was on ABC and they wanted to give Johnny Carson a run for his money. The show was a flop mainly because Bishop was a flop. I could never figure what anyone saw in thar guy. Sinatra had him in the Rat Pack but the guy couldn't sing,dance,or act.H was probaly the only guy in the Rat Pack that didn't bang Marilyn Monroe because he was a jerk.He was a lousy joke teller. He had with him Regis Philbin as his "Ed McMahon." Philbin had just left San Diego dumping his wife who was the daughter of that actor Frank Faylen and he married his daughter because he was a career driven selfish prick. They had a severely handicapped kid that Philbin left her with. And now his was sucking butt to Joey Bishop on his show.Philbin didn't mind making as ass of himself and letting Bishop make fun of him as long as he got attention. Italians got a name for a guy like that,"Cornuto contento."He's a jerk but he doesn't mind if everyone knows it.
Anyway,one time Joey Bishop has Joe Frazier on as a guest. Bishop is a big boxing fan so now he's got the heavyweight champ on his show. Bishop is standing there talking to Frazier face to face and all of a sudden Bishop gives him an open hand rap on the face.Not hard, but a rap on the face. Everyone is laughing at Frazier.Looking back I wish Frazier would have had a knee jerk response and decked that little smug smart ass on national television.And then for good measure give Regis Philbin a look that would have made him wet his pants.
Joe Frazier
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dagosd2000
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Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
I'll Put A Spell On You
So I guess you could say Regis Philbin got his start in show biz in San Diego. But he knew if he stayed in San Diego he'd never become a big star and that's what he was aiming at. He had a kind of variety show in the afternoon on one of the local affiliate TV stations.It wasn't hard to guess that he called it the Regis Philbin Show. He'd be on stage introducing guests while his right hand man (in this case a woman) would be off to the side mostly taking up space sitting behind a desk. Sometimes she'd make fun of Philbin but like I said yesterday his mantra would be to act like a putz and have people laugh at him.It got to be a local joke.Instead of calling some guy a jerk,you called him a "Philbin."
In real life this gal, who was his girl Friday, was really his wife. But they never let on that they were married.She just sat behind this desk and teased her husband and he gobbled it up with a stupid grin on his face.He called her Casey.(Her father was Frank Faylen that character actor in those old movies and later played the part of Dobie Gillis' father who ran that grocery store in that dumb TV series The Many Loves Of Dobie Gillis). She was heavy set and maybe that's why she never got up from behind the desk.Maybe it was to hide her weight.She had a platinum blond hair job.I figure Philbin married her to get a foothold in show biz.Anyway, The Regis Philbin Show was a real drag. All Philbin could do was act like a jerk and bring out what talent there was in San Diego. San Diego is noted for its zoo. If he brought out a monkey he would get upstaged.
Philbin also had a night gig in town. He was the announcer for an act that was a steady diet at an all you could eat buffet joint near the Navy base called The Chuck Wagon. Upstairs there was a big lounge that featured entertainment.Philbin would bring out this hypnotist who called himself Dr. Dean. His real name was Dean Ezell. He would coax people to get on stage and then hypnotize them and then make them do stupid things like dance the hula.I got up there one time and acted like he had hypnotized me and then before he wanted me to walk like a duck and snapped out of it and shouted that this guy was a phony. It got a big laugh.
This Dr. Dean supposedly had a big part into transforming Ken Norton into a championship caliber fighter. Norton in the beginning had a tough time finishing strong at the end of his fights.He could be in there with a tomato can but he'd hit the wall around the 5th or 6th round.He was lucky that they put a bunch of stiffs in front of him because at the end he could barely hold his arms up.Then he took a fight up in LA against a guy named Jose Luis Garcia.Well, Garcia was no tomato can.Norton did his fading act in the 5th frame and was spent. Garcia,right at the bell,unloaded a right cross on him and they could have counted Norton out with a calender.That's when Norton took stack of himself and wanted to find an answer to his problem.It had to be something mental. So in desperation he went to see Dr. Dean.
Dr. Dean began working his spell on Norton using hypnosis. It was the talk of the town.Dr. Dean ws confident that he could snap Norton out of the doldrums. After a brief hiatus Norton returned to the ring.He was still more or less fighting tomato cans but this time he wasn't running out of gas. I saw him beat Happy jack O'Halloran at The Coliseum pretty handedly, and the later he was in the ring with a pretty slick heavyweight by the name of Henry Clark.I thought Clark would burst his bubble but it was Norton who stuck a pin into Henry's balloon knocking him out. Then came the Ali fight.
Well, what can you say?The fight was in San Diego and everyone in the sold out Sports Arena was pulling for Ali except for Ken Norton's family and e few KKK ers.Norton kicked Ali's ass breaking his jaw in the process.Was it because Dr. Dean had worked his magic?Well, after the decision was announced there was Dr. Dean in the ring jumping around like a jack in the box. Talk about a good publicity to bring people into The Chuck Wagon.
But you know what? When they asked Norton if Dr, Dean had anything to do with the difference in his performance .Norton said no.
Well, Norton went on to the big time in fighting.They picked his pocket twice when he fought Ali again.Regis Philbin left San Diego for the lights and glamour of LA to act like a fool on The Joey Bishop Show leaving his wife and handicapped kid behind.Later, he had that morning show with Kathy Lee and it was a big hit. (Shows what American culture has degenerated into)And Dr. Dean?I heard he went off into the boondocks somewhere in a covered wagon stopping in every burg putting on his hypnotist act and passing the cup and asking if there were any pugs in the audience that wanted to become big time fighters..
Ken Norton
So I guess you could say Regis Philbin got his start in show biz in San Diego. But he knew if he stayed in San Diego he'd never become a big star and that's what he was aiming at. He had a kind of variety show in the afternoon on one of the local affiliate TV stations.It wasn't hard to guess that he called it the Regis Philbin Show. He'd be on stage introducing guests while his right hand man (in this case a woman) would be off to the side mostly taking up space sitting behind a desk. Sometimes she'd make fun of Philbin but like I said yesterday his mantra would be to act like a putz and have people laugh at him.It got to be a local joke.Instead of calling some guy a jerk,you called him a "Philbin."
In real life this gal, who was his girl Friday, was really his wife. But they never let on that they were married.She just sat behind this desk and teased her husband and he gobbled it up with a stupid grin on his face.He called her Casey.(Her father was Frank Faylen that character actor in those old movies and later played the part of Dobie Gillis' father who ran that grocery store in that dumb TV series The Many Loves Of Dobie Gillis). She was heavy set and maybe that's why she never got up from behind the desk.Maybe it was to hide her weight.She had a platinum blond hair job.I figure Philbin married her to get a foothold in show biz.Anyway, The Regis Philbin Show was a real drag. All Philbin could do was act like a jerk and bring out what talent there was in San Diego. San Diego is noted for its zoo. If he brought out a monkey he would get upstaged.
Philbin also had a night gig in town. He was the announcer for an act that was a steady diet at an all you could eat buffet joint near the Navy base called The Chuck Wagon. Upstairs there was a big lounge that featured entertainment.Philbin would bring out this hypnotist who called himself Dr. Dean. His real name was Dean Ezell. He would coax people to get on stage and then hypnotize them and then make them do stupid things like dance the hula.I got up there one time and acted like he had hypnotized me and then before he wanted me to walk like a duck and snapped out of it and shouted that this guy was a phony. It got a big laugh.
This Dr. Dean supposedly had a big part into transforming Ken Norton into a championship caliber fighter. Norton in the beginning had a tough time finishing strong at the end of his fights.He could be in there with a tomato can but he'd hit the wall around the 5th or 6th round.He was lucky that they put a bunch of stiffs in front of him because at the end he could barely hold his arms up.Then he took a fight up in LA against a guy named Jose Luis Garcia.Well, Garcia was no tomato can.Norton did his fading act in the 5th frame and was spent. Garcia,right at the bell,unloaded a right cross on him and they could have counted Norton out with a calender.That's when Norton took stack of himself and wanted to find an answer to his problem.It had to be something mental. So in desperation he went to see Dr. Dean.
Dr. Dean began working his spell on Norton using hypnosis. It was the talk of the town.Dr. Dean ws confident that he could snap Norton out of the doldrums. After a brief hiatus Norton returned to the ring.He was still more or less fighting tomato cans but this time he wasn't running out of gas. I saw him beat Happy jack O'Halloran at The Coliseum pretty handedly, and the later he was in the ring with a pretty slick heavyweight by the name of Henry Clark.I thought Clark would burst his bubble but it was Norton who stuck a pin into Henry's balloon knocking him out. Then came the Ali fight.
Well, what can you say?The fight was in San Diego and everyone in the sold out Sports Arena was pulling for Ali except for Ken Norton's family and e few KKK ers.Norton kicked Ali's ass breaking his jaw in the process.Was it because Dr. Dean had worked his magic?Well, after the decision was announced there was Dr. Dean in the ring jumping around like a jack in the box. Talk about a good publicity to bring people into The Chuck Wagon.
But you know what? When they asked Norton if Dr, Dean had anything to do with the difference in his performance .Norton said no.
Well, Norton went on to the big time in fighting.They picked his pocket twice when he fought Ali again.Regis Philbin left San Diego for the lights and glamour of LA to act like a fool on The Joey Bishop Show leaving his wife and handicapped kid behind.Later, he had that morning show with Kathy Lee and it was a big hit. (Shows what American culture has degenerated into)And Dr. Dean?I heard he went off into the boondocks somewhere in a covered wagon stopping in every burg putting on his hypnotist act and passing the cup and asking if there were any pugs in the audience that wanted to become big time fighters..
Ken Norton
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dagosd2000
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Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
A Herculian Task
The West Coast Boxing Hall Of Fame banquet is this Sunday the 12th.It's Rick Farris' pride and joy.He heads it up.He goes non stop.Dan Hanley is listed as VP but he'll be the first one to say that 99% of the work is undertaken by Rick.Rick was a fighter back in the 70's and he'll admit he's no candidate for his organization. Rick was also a lighting technician at the studios in LA. His contacts with fighters and movie people is extensive.
We've talked about how much longer Rick can carry the torch.He breaks even at the end. The sad part is that when Rick throws in the towel that will be the last round for the WCBHOF. Like the defunct World Boxing Hall Of Fame there won't be anyone who has the desire to keep things at least afloat. Raising money for the event is a bear. Fighters are broke for the most part. Can't ask them to kick in.The promoters are tight with a buck. There's no networks who could drum up any sponsors to have the event shown on TV.When Rick goes the WCBHOF will belong to the ages.
It's good to see the fighters get together.It's like their fraternity. They know the people who attend the event are mostly guys who wished they could have worn that championship belt around their middles. I like seeing the fighters.For the most part they're pretty OK guys.There are some you can't approach.Some fans fawn all over them and become annoying.Then there are fighters who are a little bit too punchy and you never know what they might do.That's a sad view from ringside.
It used to be that boxing was a poor man's out.Now being a drug pusher requires less physical effort. So with fighters you're broke and punchy at the end.(Please don't respond with the exceptions).As far as being a dope pusher you either wind up hooked,in prison,or you get whacked.(I don't think there are any exceptions with this ilk)).
Two pretty decent guys-Dan Hanley and Rick Farris
The West Coast Boxing Hall Of Fame banquet is this Sunday the 12th.It's Rick Farris' pride and joy.He heads it up.He goes non stop.Dan Hanley is listed as VP but he'll be the first one to say that 99% of the work is undertaken by Rick.Rick was a fighter back in the 70's and he'll admit he's no candidate for his organization. Rick was also a lighting technician at the studios in LA. His contacts with fighters and movie people is extensive.
We've talked about how much longer Rick can carry the torch.He breaks even at the end. The sad part is that when Rick throws in the towel that will be the last round for the WCBHOF. Like the defunct World Boxing Hall Of Fame there won't be anyone who has the desire to keep things at least afloat. Raising money for the event is a bear. Fighters are broke for the most part. Can't ask them to kick in.The promoters are tight with a buck. There's no networks who could drum up any sponsors to have the event shown on TV.When Rick goes the WCBHOF will belong to the ages.
It's good to see the fighters get together.It's like their fraternity. They know the people who attend the event are mostly guys who wished they could have worn that championship belt around their middles. I like seeing the fighters.For the most part they're pretty OK guys.There are some you can't approach.Some fans fawn all over them and become annoying.Then there are fighters who are a little bit too punchy and you never know what they might do.That's a sad view from ringside.
It used to be that boxing was a poor man's out.Now being a drug pusher requires less physical effort. So with fighters you're broke and punchy at the end.(Please don't respond with the exceptions).As far as being a dope pusher you either wind up hooked,in prison,or you get whacked.(I don't think there are any exceptions with this ilk)).
Two pretty decent guys-Dan Hanley and Rick Farris
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
I've heard some bad stories from would be autograph collectors who went to the Hall's ceremony.
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dagosd2000
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Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
What stories would that be? I just talked to Rick today about that sort of thing -autograph hounds at these boxing functions. Rick doesn't allow autograph hounds pestering the honorees. It becomes a distraction.The fighters are there to get their awards and make a speech.They don't want to be swamped by people wanting their autographs.Many are there to get as many autographs as they can so they can sell them on Ebay.They want everything signed. They swarm over these fighters like flies.They're like groupies at a rock concert.It's these relentless autograph hounds that are rude.The fighters show tact but they can't come up for air. I've never seen a fighter act testy when approached by an autograph hound. If an autograph hound wants to get free autographs he'll find what he wants at Chris Smith's Meet And Greet the day before at the Arts District Brewery in Downtown LA.
BTW;George Foreman is on the docket.I'm sure he'll have people around him with fly swatters.
Last edited by dagosd2000 on 09 Mar 2023, 12:52, edited 1 time in total.
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dagosd2000
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Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
All I Know Is What I Read In The Papers
Will Rogers said that,"All i know is what I read in the papers."And that makes me wonder how smart he was. The news hasn't changed.When they only had newspapers a lot of what they printed was made up stuff,exaggerations,misrepresentations,witholding what they knew,or just down right lies.
Reporting the fights back in the day it was important for a fighter's manger to get to the phone first and call up his editor to give him his slant on the outcome even though his charge might have got a wuppin'.The only people who saw the fight were the people in the arena.
But ironically it's just as bad now even with al the cameras rolling.I'll use as example the second Ali /Frazier fight.That fight was a carbon copy of the first go except Ali didn't get decked this time.You listen to the announcers and their yakking that the fight is close and every time Ali lands something they make a big deal out of it.After the final bell Ali has his head down.He ain't raising his arms and parading around the ring.He knew he didn't live up to expectations.But sure enough the judges gave it to Ali like it was all normal.Ali,still down in the dumps,didn't do any celebrating.Even the crowd was subdued.And the announcers?They were relieved that Ali got a gift because if he had lost again to Frazier it would have put a crimp in boxing.No more Ali and it would have been back to square one.And worse,the public swallowed every bit of it.
So if you take the news as Gospel then I think you don't have a mind of your own.The media can manipulate you and make you into what they want to make you-one of their puppets.What make it even worse is that the media makes you believe you DO have a mind of your own.
I don't watch the news anymore.Well, people say to me,"How then do you know what's going on?"
"I just listen to what someone says and believe the opposite."
But I got news for you.If you don't believe what I've just said you've still got your head up your ass.
Joe Frazier
Will Rogers said that,"All i know is what I read in the papers."And that makes me wonder how smart he was. The news hasn't changed.When they only had newspapers a lot of what they printed was made up stuff,exaggerations,misrepresentations,witholding what they knew,or just down right lies.
Reporting the fights back in the day it was important for a fighter's manger to get to the phone first and call up his editor to give him his slant on the outcome even though his charge might have got a wuppin'.The only people who saw the fight were the people in the arena.
But ironically it's just as bad now even with al the cameras rolling.I'll use as example the second Ali /Frazier fight.That fight was a carbon copy of the first go except Ali didn't get decked this time.You listen to the announcers and their yakking that the fight is close and every time Ali lands something they make a big deal out of it.After the final bell Ali has his head down.He ain't raising his arms and parading around the ring.He knew he didn't live up to expectations.But sure enough the judges gave it to Ali like it was all normal.Ali,still down in the dumps,didn't do any celebrating.Even the crowd was subdued.And the announcers?They were relieved that Ali got a gift because if he had lost again to Frazier it would have put a crimp in boxing.No more Ali and it would have been back to square one.And worse,the public swallowed every bit of it.
So if you take the news as Gospel then I think you don't have a mind of your own.The media can manipulate you and make you into what they want to make you-one of their puppets.What make it even worse is that the media makes you believe you DO have a mind of your own.
I don't watch the news anymore.Well, people say to me,"How then do you know what's going on?"
"I just listen to what someone says and believe the opposite."
But I got news for you.If you don't believe what I've just said you've still got your head up your ass.
Joe Frazier
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Thank you, Roger,
I'm not a fan of rude "No Class" autograph hounds.
To accommodate "collectors" one of our directors, Chris Smith, last year's "Book of the Year" recipient, will hold a special get together the night before our event a few blocks from our venue. I have security at my events that prevent people from stepping up on stage or pestering inductees/guests for autograph as they sit at their tables during the event. We can't teach people manners, that was their parents' job. Boxers are the greatest people in the world when it comes to signing memorabilia, etc. However, there is a time & place for everything, and that is NOT during our awards ceremony. We are the only organized Hall of Fame on the West Coast. If people don't like this I encourage them not to attend, we don't need what goes on at other events, and it will not be tolerated!
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dagosd2000
- Heavyweight
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Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Oscar And Mi Vieja
It was Rick Farris' WCBHOF gig a few years back.Being inducted was one of Oscar De La Hoya's matchmakers-a young kid.I forget his name right now. But De La Hoya was there up front with his entourage to help honor his pal. De La Hoya has this magnetism when he enters a room. He's wears a great smile and he's a handsome dude. All eyes were on him at his table.
I was there with my wife ,Maria. She could care less about boxing but she likes talking to the Mexican fighters in Spanish about their patria chica and hers. What it's like to be poor and grow up on the ranch,ride a horse instead of driving a car,and cook on a lena.Things like that. She can get more out of them than some scribbler with a notebook in hand.It's like they were friends going way back..
Well, there's De La Hoya at his table with his pals before things got kicked off and he's beginning to draw a crowd. People are starting to get pushy a little. He's keeping his cool.i mean he's a nice guy.Along with his looks he's got this boy appeal with women.He's not a thug.
Anyway ,my wife turned to me and said she's going to go over to De La Hoya's table and get his picture.She could care less like I said about him being a fighter.You see De La Hoya gets a lot of publicity in the Mexican entertainment media. He's like a movie star.That's how my wife got to know him.And now she's going to bust up the party and get his picture.I tried to stop her but it fell on deaf ears.She makes a beeline to his table with her little camera. She goes right up to him and says in Spanish that she wants his picture.De La Hoya turns and sees her sizing the situation pronto.He knows that the old lady is no boxing buff.No autograph hound.Isn't going to sell his mug on Ebay. De La Hoya stopped what he was doing and his group stopped with him,.He then gave my wife the warmest smile you could imagine. My wife took her picture and came back to our table.
When we got back home and got the film developed the picture was all blurry.I got rid of it.Maybe I shouldn't have done that.She ddn't say anything..Oscar knew who she was without even knowing her. It was instinct.He'd seen thousands of old ladies like that.It was nothing for him to stop and smile for my wife to make her day.I shouldn't have got rid of that picture.
Oscar De La Hoya
It was Rick Farris' WCBHOF gig a few years back.Being inducted was one of Oscar De La Hoya's matchmakers-a young kid.I forget his name right now. But De La Hoya was there up front with his entourage to help honor his pal. De La Hoya has this magnetism when he enters a room. He's wears a great smile and he's a handsome dude. All eyes were on him at his table.
I was there with my wife ,Maria. She could care less about boxing but she likes talking to the Mexican fighters in Spanish about their patria chica and hers. What it's like to be poor and grow up on the ranch,ride a horse instead of driving a car,and cook on a lena.Things like that. She can get more out of them than some scribbler with a notebook in hand.It's like they were friends going way back..
Well, there's De La Hoya at his table with his pals before things got kicked off and he's beginning to draw a crowd. People are starting to get pushy a little. He's keeping his cool.i mean he's a nice guy.Along with his looks he's got this boy appeal with women.He's not a thug.
Anyway ,my wife turned to me and said she's going to go over to De La Hoya's table and get his picture.She could care less like I said about him being a fighter.You see De La Hoya gets a lot of publicity in the Mexican entertainment media. He's like a movie star.That's how my wife got to know him.And now she's going to bust up the party and get his picture.I tried to stop her but it fell on deaf ears.She makes a beeline to his table with her little camera. She goes right up to him and says in Spanish that she wants his picture.De La Hoya turns and sees her sizing the situation pronto.He knows that the old lady is no boxing buff.No autograph hound.Isn't going to sell his mug on Ebay. De La Hoya stopped what he was doing and his group stopped with him,.He then gave my wife the warmest smile you could imagine. My wife took her picture and came back to our table.
When we got back home and got the film developed the picture was all blurry.I got rid of it.Maybe I shouldn't have done that.She ddn't say anything..Oscar knew who she was without even knowing her. It was instinct.He'd seen thousands of old ladies like that.It was nothing for him to stop and smile for my wife to make her day.I shouldn't have got rid of that picture.
Oscar De La Hoya
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
It was actually the IBHOF-my mistake. Some guys were signing but others weren't. one guy in particular told me he thought a former champ was going to make a comeback when he asked him to sign. Also heard about fighters refusing to even say hello during what was billed as a meet and greet.
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dagosd2000
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Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
goose 5 wrote: ↑09 Mar 2023, 20:25 It was actually the IBHOF-my mistake. Some guys were signing but others weren't. one guy in particular told me he thought a former champ was going to make a comeback when he asked him to sign. Also heard about fighters refusing to even say hello during what was billed as a meet and greet.
When the World Boxing Hall Of Fame was still alive it was a 2 day affair.The first day they set aside a period for signing autographs.Some of the fighters would and some wouldn't They'd sit at a table and sign for awhile.
Before and after the WCBHOF event there is mingling and I've seen fighters signing.I've never seen a beef. Saturday, Chris Smith will have his Meet And Greet and that will be open season for the autograph seekers.
George Chuvalo at the table ready to put his John Hancock on some memorabilia.
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dagosd2000
- Heavyweight
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Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Hey Good Lookin'
So yesterday I told you that my wife was bent on getting Oscar Ce La Hoya's photograph at the WCBHOF banquet. Like I said,my wife isn't into boxing.That's what men like to do and watch,at least from a Mexican perspective. No.My wife watches these Mexican entertainment shows on the TV like they have here.All that gossipy stuff.Who screwing who basically.De La Hoya,being a handsome dude,doesn't have any problem drawing a female following and that's because he's on these shows that women watch.
However ,with the Mexican boxing aficianados they could give a damn about what a fighter's looks are like.In fact the more ugly the guy is the more macho. There's a saying in Mexico,"Un hombe come un oso is mas hermoso."(In short,"A dude who's like a bear is more better looking.")Fighters like Julio Cesar Chavez and Tony Margarito took pride with their ugly looks.I mean what could they do? They aren't exactly Elvis Presley's.
Oscar De La Hoya,being a Chicano,never had a big following in Mexico. In fact he never fought in Mexico.But he also never lost to a Mexican fighter,Chicano or national.
I remember being in Mexico when De La Hoya won the flyweight gold medal. The reporter on the TV said at the end of the news remarked something like a footnote.
"Oscar De La Hoya won the gold medal in the flyweight division."
End of story.
When De La Hoya beat the Mexican idol Julio Cesar Chavez twice I thought they might put a contact out on him.Talk about not traveling to Mexico because something bad might happen.
LA has more Mexicans than any city in Mexico with the exception of Mexico City.I know there's a lot of Chicanos,but there are also a lot of Mexicans who were born in Mexico living there legal and illegal.Every time a Chicano fighter from LA would fight a Mexican national the crowd was behind the national. Fighters like Albert Davila and Bobby Chacon were up against it when they fought a national.Even some of the Chicanos in the crowd were pulling for the national.
When Oscar De La Hoya faced of with the likes of Felix Trinidad,Bernard Hopkins,Shane Mosely,PacMan ,and Mayweather,Mexico gave him a pass.OK. carnal kick those guys' asses.But Oscar wet his pants and never beat the above mentioned.
But you think my wife cared? She never heard of those fights or those fighters.So Oscar married a Puerto Rican.That was bad enough. .
Julio Cesar Chavez.Yeah.Your'e ugly
So yesterday I told you that my wife was bent on getting Oscar Ce La Hoya's photograph at the WCBHOF banquet. Like I said,my wife isn't into boxing.That's what men like to do and watch,at least from a Mexican perspective. No.My wife watches these Mexican entertainment shows on the TV like they have here.All that gossipy stuff.Who screwing who basically.De La Hoya,being a handsome dude,doesn't have any problem drawing a female following and that's because he's on these shows that women watch.
However ,with the Mexican boxing aficianados they could give a damn about what a fighter's looks are like.In fact the more ugly the guy is the more macho. There's a saying in Mexico,"Un hombe come un oso is mas hermoso."(In short,"A dude who's like a bear is more better looking.")Fighters like Julio Cesar Chavez and Tony Margarito took pride with their ugly looks.I mean what could they do? They aren't exactly Elvis Presley's.
Oscar De La Hoya,being a Chicano,never had a big following in Mexico. In fact he never fought in Mexico.But he also never lost to a Mexican fighter,Chicano or national.
I remember being in Mexico when De La Hoya won the flyweight gold medal. The reporter on the TV said at the end of the news remarked something like a footnote.
"Oscar De La Hoya won the gold medal in the flyweight division."
End of story.
When De La Hoya beat the Mexican idol Julio Cesar Chavez twice I thought they might put a contact out on him.Talk about not traveling to Mexico because something bad might happen.
LA has more Mexicans than any city in Mexico with the exception of Mexico City.I know there's a lot of Chicanos,but there are also a lot of Mexicans who were born in Mexico living there legal and illegal.Every time a Chicano fighter from LA would fight a Mexican national the crowd was behind the national. Fighters like Albert Davila and Bobby Chacon were up against it when they fought a national.Even some of the Chicanos in the crowd were pulling for the national.
When Oscar De La Hoya faced of with the likes of Felix Trinidad,Bernard Hopkins,Shane Mosely,PacMan ,and Mayweather,Mexico gave him a pass.OK. carnal kick those guys' asses.But Oscar wet his pants and never beat the above mentioned.
But you think my wife cared? She never heard of those fights or those fighters.So Oscar married a Puerto Rican.That was bad enough.
.Julio Cesar Chavez.Yeah.Your'e ugly
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dagosd2000
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 8638
- Joined: 01 Sep 2007, 03:31
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Forest From The Trees
I'd looked for it before more than a few times-Archie Moore's old place,his Any Boys Can Club or where it at least used to be. One summer when I was working as a sub for a school for severely handicapped kids called Friendship Home I would stop by the ABC once in awhile after work and lend The Mongoose a hand with his kids.I've run by a few stories about the place and its proprietor.But that was so many years ago.
When I got to posting on the forum I decided to look up some of those old boxing haunts.Archie Moore's old red brick house wasn't hard to find.It's now a place for swingers to get down and dirty.But when I went to find if there was anything left of the ABC I came up empty. For one thing I couldn't remember what street it was on.I roamed around the vicinity but all I saw was a bunch of industrial complexes. I figured the ol' ABC got swallowed up somewhere amid the drabness. However, today came a revelation.
I was out for a cruise and so I decided to take a spin down Market Street.I turned off the 15 onto Market Street that was a few blocks from Moore's ol' red brick and house headed west.Suddenly it jumped out at me-the old strip mall where the Archie's club was.The layout was the same.The little buildings and the parking lot were in order.Of course Moore's club wasn't there anymore.It's now a local market.But that had to be where it was. It. was like I was hypnotized and saw it in a dream, but this was no illusion.
So I finally found the old spot where Archie's boys club was.Made sense.It was only a few blocks from his house.He could have walked there.I bet I could stand in that parking lot where Archie's club was and ask all day long if anyone remembers if the Any Boys Can Club was in that strip mall. They'd probably think I was homeless or crazy or something.
Archie Moore's old house today.Be sure to bring plenty of Viagra and condoms.
I'd looked for it before more than a few times-Archie Moore's old place,his Any Boys Can Club or where it at least used to be. One summer when I was working as a sub for a school for severely handicapped kids called Friendship Home I would stop by the ABC once in awhile after work and lend The Mongoose a hand with his kids.I've run by a few stories about the place and its proprietor.But that was so many years ago.
When I got to posting on the forum I decided to look up some of those old boxing haunts.Archie Moore's old red brick house wasn't hard to find.It's now a place for swingers to get down and dirty.But when I went to find if there was anything left of the ABC I came up empty. For one thing I couldn't remember what street it was on.I roamed around the vicinity but all I saw was a bunch of industrial complexes. I figured the ol' ABC got swallowed up somewhere amid the drabness. However, today came a revelation.
I was out for a cruise and so I decided to take a spin down Market Street.I turned off the 15 onto Market Street that was a few blocks from Moore's ol' red brick and house headed west.Suddenly it jumped out at me-the old strip mall where the Archie's club was.The layout was the same.The little buildings and the parking lot were in order.Of course Moore's club wasn't there anymore.It's now a local market.But that had to be where it was. It. was like I was hypnotized and saw it in a dream, but this was no illusion.
So I finally found the old spot where Archie's boys club was.Made sense.It was only a few blocks from his house.He could have walked there.I bet I could stand in that parking lot where Archie's club was and ask all day long if anyone remembers if the Any Boys Can Club was in that strip mall. They'd probably think I was homeless or crazy or something.
Archie Moore's old house today.Be sure to bring plenty of Viagra and condoms.
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dagosd2000
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 8638
- Joined: 01 Sep 2007, 03:31
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
When It Rains It Pours
The last thing I thought would happen to me when I was up in LA to take in the West Coast Boxing Hall Of Fame Event at The Biltmore Hotel was that i was going to get sick.I don't know what caused it but it was coming out like Old Failthful.Mexicans refer to it as "chorros" (showers) and let me tell you it was raining cats and dogs at both ends.
As usual Rick Farris' event came off smoothly,the only glitch was, for some reason, Manny Pacquiao was a no show.But at least George Foreman was there so one game of the star studded twin bill came off as scheduled.
But getting back to my personal problem. It's hard to enjoy the afternoon when you think that you're going to soil yourself in front of everybody.Before letting that happen I raced to the bathroom and couldn't make up my mind what to let out first. Mother Nature decided for me.It was a duel shotgun blast.I was suppose to have a drink with Rick and Dan Hanley afterwards but didn't even have a chance to say "Hasta la vista baby". I limped down to the valet parking and got in my car and drove back to San Diego.In the meantime whatever bodily fluids were left inside me were being deposited freely. I felt like I was 6 months old again.
Sorry I couldn't have come up with another story about Sunday's event.Don't see any Pulitzer Prizes on the horizon for this little ditty.
George Foreman
The last thing I thought would happen to me when I was up in LA to take in the West Coast Boxing Hall Of Fame Event at The Biltmore Hotel was that i was going to get sick.I don't know what caused it but it was coming out like Old Failthful.Mexicans refer to it as "chorros" (showers) and let me tell you it was raining cats and dogs at both ends.
As usual Rick Farris' event came off smoothly,the only glitch was, for some reason, Manny Pacquiao was a no show.But at least George Foreman was there so one game of the star studded twin bill came off as scheduled.
But getting back to my personal problem. It's hard to enjoy the afternoon when you think that you're going to soil yourself in front of everybody.Before letting that happen I raced to the bathroom and couldn't make up my mind what to let out first. Mother Nature decided for me.It was a duel shotgun blast.I was suppose to have a drink with Rick and Dan Hanley afterwards but didn't even have a chance to say "Hasta la vista baby". I limped down to the valet parking and got in my car and drove back to San Diego.In the meantime whatever bodily fluids were left inside me were being deposited freely. I felt like I was 6 months old again.
Sorry I couldn't have come up with another story about Sunday's event.Don't see any Pulitzer Prizes on the horizon for this little ditty.
George Foreman
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dagosd2000
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 8638
- Joined: 01 Sep 2007, 03:31
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Taking It All Back
I was never a fan of Larry Merchant.So before I continue with this I'm going to say I to take it all back.Merchant was inducted into Rick Farris' West Coast Boxing Hall Of Fame ceremony on the 12th.I didn't know Merchant was 91 years old.All I knew is that I hadn't seen him in awhile.Didn't bother me.
Merchant arrived at the podium wearing a multi colored scarf.He walked on his own.The purpose of the colorful scarf he said was to distract attention from his face that showed the aftermath of a fall in his house.Prior to his acceptance speech they showed on the screen highlights of some of his post fight interviews including the most infamous one with Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Merchant on the dais was his pushing the envelope self,still quick of mind yet a little slower in speech.But his delivery still delivered the goods.He said he didn't want people to think that his exchanges with Money Mayweather was his defining post fight moment.Merchant said his interview with Buster Douglas after beating Mike Tyson was his most memorable.How Buster was struggling to piece together what had just happened after puling off the greatest boxing upset of all time.Merchant said he just let Douglas be on his own and let the world see for itself.
I took stock of what Larry Merchant said Sunday. That fight was the greatest anomaly in a prizefight between two men. Mike Tyson ,the undefeated ,and believed invincible, being KO'd and dominated by an inconsistent and 42 to 1 underdog Buster Douglas.During that episode no heavyweight in the history of the sport could have beaten Buster Douglas. All the greats in their primes would have lost to Douglas that night.And after it was over Buster became Buster once again and slid back into obscurity.It was the perfect storm that day in Japan.Call it magic if you want.It was a fleeting miracle. Larry Merchant knew it.
I take it back Larry.You're still a crusty old devil.Well,maybe not a devil.God will have room for you somewhere.
Larry Merchant commenting on his most memorable interview
Buster Douglas
I was never a fan of Larry Merchant.So before I continue with this I'm going to say I to take it all back.Merchant was inducted into Rick Farris' West Coast Boxing Hall Of Fame ceremony on the 12th.I didn't know Merchant was 91 years old.All I knew is that I hadn't seen him in awhile.Didn't bother me.
Merchant arrived at the podium wearing a multi colored scarf.He walked on his own.The purpose of the colorful scarf he said was to distract attention from his face that showed the aftermath of a fall in his house.Prior to his acceptance speech they showed on the screen highlights of some of his post fight interviews including the most infamous one with Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Merchant on the dais was his pushing the envelope self,still quick of mind yet a little slower in speech.But his delivery still delivered the goods.He said he didn't want people to think that his exchanges with Money Mayweather was his defining post fight moment.Merchant said his interview with Buster Douglas after beating Mike Tyson was his most memorable.How Buster was struggling to piece together what had just happened after puling off the greatest boxing upset of all time.Merchant said he just let Douglas be on his own and let the world see for itself.
I took stock of what Larry Merchant said Sunday. That fight was the greatest anomaly in a prizefight between two men. Mike Tyson ,the undefeated ,and believed invincible, being KO'd and dominated by an inconsistent and 42 to 1 underdog Buster Douglas.During that episode no heavyweight in the history of the sport could have beaten Buster Douglas. All the greats in their primes would have lost to Douglas that night.And after it was over Buster became Buster once again and slid back into obscurity.It was the perfect storm that day in Japan.Call it magic if you want.It was a fleeting miracle. Larry Merchant knew it.
I take it back Larry.You're still a crusty old devil.Well,maybe not a devil.God will have room for you somewhere.
Larry Merchant commenting on his most memorable interview
Buster Douglas
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dagosd2000
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 8638
- Joined: 01 Sep 2007, 03:31
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
He Still Was The Greatest
When Rick Farris was at the podium commenting on Sugar Ray Robinson's induction into the West Coast Boxing Hall Of Fame,Rick told of the time when he was a young fighter and he had walked into the Main Street Gym to workout.He said the gym was empty except for an imposing figure who at the far end of the gym hitting the heavy bag. Rick at first didn't recognize the man.Upon nearing the man Rick realized it was Sugar Ray Robinson.Now this had to be five or six years after Robinson had retired from the ring. He was now living in Los Angeles with his second wife Millie.
Robinson still liked going to the gym to workout.He'd don a rubber suit and go through his routine..At the time Rick had walked in he was practicing his left hook on the heavy bag. Rick didn't hit any of the bags.He just wanted to watch Robinson throw his hook.
"I wish I could throw a left hook like you ,"said Rick.
Robinson stopped hitting the bag.
"You can do it.Here,I'll show you how."
Robinson then stood behind Rick at the heavy bag and showed him how to throw left the left hook like like he did.
Robinson watched Rick practice the punch.
"There.You're getting the hang of it," said Robinson.
As Rick finished his story he began to break down a little.After gathering himself he looked up at the audience again.
"I have to say it was the proudest moment I ever experienced as a fighter."
Sugar Ray Robinson
When Rick Farris was at the podium commenting on Sugar Ray Robinson's induction into the West Coast Boxing Hall Of Fame,Rick told of the time when he was a young fighter and he had walked into the Main Street Gym to workout.He said the gym was empty except for an imposing figure who at the far end of the gym hitting the heavy bag. Rick at first didn't recognize the man.Upon nearing the man Rick realized it was Sugar Ray Robinson.Now this had to be five or six years after Robinson had retired from the ring. He was now living in Los Angeles with his second wife Millie.
Robinson still liked going to the gym to workout.He'd don a rubber suit and go through his routine..At the time Rick had walked in he was practicing his left hook on the heavy bag. Rick didn't hit any of the bags.He just wanted to watch Robinson throw his hook.
"I wish I could throw a left hook like you ,"said Rick.
Robinson stopped hitting the bag.
"You can do it.Here,I'll show you how."
Robinson then stood behind Rick at the heavy bag and showed him how to throw left the left hook like like he did.
Robinson watched Rick practice the punch.
"There.You're getting the hang of it," said Robinson.
As Rick finished his story he began to break down a little.After gathering himself he looked up at the audience again.
"I have to say it was the proudest moment I ever experienced as a fighter."
Sugar Ray Robinson
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Hi Roger: I love reading old newspaper columns that Merchant wrote many years ago in Philadelphia-he was a wonderful boxing columnist; you'd really enjoy reading him if you haven't already.
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dagosd2000
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 8638
- Joined: 01 Sep 2007, 03:31
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Like I said before I used to not like him.When he climbed into the ring to interview a fighter after a fight he was looking for a fight.He was crass and arrogant wanting to provoke the guy he had the mic stuck in his face..He never apologized for anything.If you didn't see it his way he thought you were a dummy.He thought he knew everything.He always wanted everyone believe he was the smartest guy in the room and get in the final word.What he knew about boxing you could put in a thimble.He couldn't train a rank amateur.He'd be lost in a gym.
Surprisigly,he was in communication with Archie Moore.Moore would call him up and they would talk for hours.Maybe Moore let him him and puff and feel like he was something.When Moore passed away Merchant was really broken up.I never saw the man so humble.
Maybe I didn't like Larry Merchant because I saw my bad side in him.I really didn't like myself.But now I don't beat myself up so much and in turn I like ol' Larry now even though he's still a horses ass.
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
I was never a fan of him on television; didn't care for Lampley either.
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dagosd2000
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 8638
- Joined: 01 Sep 2007, 03:31
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
The Wrong Message
I read an article about how Jose Benavises;the father, manager,and trainer,of his son David, thinks that his boy should sidestep fellow Mexican Canelo Alvarez because Canelo is not the great fighter he once was.Since his somewhat lopsided loss to Dmitri Bivol he has let go of the rope.Canelo is beginning to enjoy life" according to the father. He claims that Canelo is drinking too much,focusing his attention on playing golf,and looking for soft touches in the ring.He's got enough money to do what he wants.What a dumb thing to say.Or is he whistling through through graveyard?
If that's the case this would be the time to go get Canelo and send him into retirement.Canelo has only lost two fights in his Hall Of Fame career-Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Bivol. It would be impressive to put a Canelo notch on your gun.And think of all the money you would make? You could then go out and buy the best gun in the gun store.
Benavidez has got Caleb Plant on his platter in a week. Now granted Canelo stopped this guy but if Benavidez wants to sparkle he has to finish him off just as soundly. But now dad has shifted gears and is bum rapping Canelo.Not a good move.
Canelo has on the docket some English bloke named John Ryder who he's going to take on in his backyard of Guadalajara ,Mexico.Ryder has lost five fights and the best man he's been in the ring with (and lost to) is Callum Smith who was also in the ring with Canelo and didn't look too interested in trading punches with him.Looking at the total picture I think Canelo wants to pick his spot with this one.
Anyway,Jose Benavidez should do less talking and focus his attention on his son's fight next week.Who knows? Maybe Plant and Ryder might come out smelling like roses.Then what would dad have to say? Have his son fight Canelo after all?
Canelo Alvarez
I read an article about how Jose Benavises;the father, manager,and trainer,of his son David, thinks that his boy should sidestep fellow Mexican Canelo Alvarez because Canelo is not the great fighter he once was.Since his somewhat lopsided loss to Dmitri Bivol he has let go of the rope.Canelo is beginning to enjoy life" according to the father. He claims that Canelo is drinking too much,focusing his attention on playing golf,and looking for soft touches in the ring.He's got enough money to do what he wants.What a dumb thing to say.Or is he whistling through through graveyard?
If that's the case this would be the time to go get Canelo and send him into retirement.Canelo has only lost two fights in his Hall Of Fame career-Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Bivol. It would be impressive to put a Canelo notch on your gun.And think of all the money you would make? You could then go out and buy the best gun in the gun store.
Benavidez has got Caleb Plant on his platter in a week. Now granted Canelo stopped this guy but if Benavidez wants to sparkle he has to finish him off just as soundly. But now dad has shifted gears and is bum rapping Canelo.Not a good move.
Canelo has on the docket some English bloke named John Ryder who he's going to take on in his backyard of Guadalajara ,Mexico.Ryder has lost five fights and the best man he's been in the ring with (and lost to) is Callum Smith who was also in the ring with Canelo and didn't look too interested in trading punches with him.Looking at the total picture I think Canelo wants to pick his spot with this one.
Anyway,Jose Benavidez should do less talking and focus his attention on his son's fight next week.Who knows? Maybe Plant and Ryder might come out smelling like roses.Then what would dad have to say? Have his son fight Canelo after all?
Canelo Alvarez
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dagosd2000
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 8638
- Joined: 01 Sep 2007, 03:31
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Potholes
The other day I'm saying I take back all I said bad about Larry Merchant after seeing him at the West Coast Boxing Hall Of Fame,and then yesterday I'm ripping him a new asshole.With me it's about what kind of mood I'm in.
I go to Mexico all the time and I can give you a hundred reasons why I love the place and then counter with another hundred why I hate it.I'm down in Tijuana with my wife yesterday driving around thinking,"Yeah,this is a good change of pace." Then my car hits a pothole (like there's got to be a million of them down there) and a I yell,"F--k this place .You couldn't pay me to live down here."
I get to thinking that duplicity is my mantra and that ain't shooting from the hip. But nothing is black and white.You're either for us or against us.Everything gets pigeonholed. I guess it's all about what kind of mood I'm in.
Ok Larry;do I think you're an all right guy or a prick?Right now I'm thinking if I tried to hang out with you you'd be an arrogant SOB.But who knows.Maybe I wake up tomorrow and see you in a different light,as long as I don't hit any potholes.
Since today is St.Paddy's Day here's one tough Mick-Jack Britton
And let's give it a little song and dance
The other day I'm saying I take back all I said bad about Larry Merchant after seeing him at the West Coast Boxing Hall Of Fame,and then yesterday I'm ripping him a new asshole.With me it's about what kind of mood I'm in.
I go to Mexico all the time and I can give you a hundred reasons why I love the place and then counter with another hundred why I hate it.I'm down in Tijuana with my wife yesterday driving around thinking,"Yeah,this is a good change of pace." Then my car hits a pothole (like there's got to be a million of them down there) and a I yell,"F--k this place .You couldn't pay me to live down here."
I get to thinking that duplicity is my mantra and that ain't shooting from the hip. But nothing is black and white.You're either for us or against us.Everything gets pigeonholed. I guess it's all about what kind of mood I'm in.
Ok Larry;do I think you're an all right guy or a prick?Right now I'm thinking if I tried to hang out with you you'd be an arrogant SOB.But who knows.Maybe I wake up tomorrow and see you in a different light,as long as I don't hit any potholes.
Since today is St.Paddy's Day here's one tough Mick-Jack Britton
And let's give it a little song and dance
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dagosd2000
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 8638
- Joined: 01 Sep 2007, 03:31
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
And then there was this Irishman.
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dagosd2000
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 8638
- Joined: 01 Sep 2007, 03:31
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Sticking Together
Those Mormons really thought their boy,Rex Layne, was going to pin Rocky Marciano with his first loss back in !951 at Madison Square Garden.Layne was showing only one loss on his record,dropping a decision to Dave Whitlock. Layne could claim victories over Jersey Joe Walcott,Bob Satterfield,Turkey Thompson,and got even with Whitlock in the rematch.
Layne was bigger and taller than Rocky but that wouldn't be the first time Marciano was on the short end of the measurements,especially in the reach department.
Layne had a good manager and trainer,Marv Jensen. They were both Utah products and both Mormons.Jensen would later have Gene Fullmer and his brothers in his camp.Everyone was a Mormon. Jensen didn't handle any Jews or Catholics.When it came to black fighters Mormons got a rub with them thinking they were descendants from Cain in the Bible.
Anyway,Layne came into the ring towering over Marciano as the referee Mark Conn gave the men their instructions. When the fight started Layne didn't have any problem landing his artillery but Rocky just let the punches bounce off is armor as he plowed forward. Just about all the fellas' that lost to Rocky had to become disheartened as they kept giving it their best shots yet couln't make Rocky cough up his spaghetti. Jersey Joe,The Mongoose,Ezzard Charles;you could see the disbelief on their faces as the Italian tank kept pressing into them.
In the 6th frame Marciano caught Rex with his Suzy Q and Rex collapsed to the canvas minus his front teeth.Even his Mormon underwear couldn't save him.
I've got to hand it to those Mormons on how they stick together.I had a few Mormon friends going to high school.I even played on their softball team,LDS 11. Most of them abided by the Mormon tenets but the Mormons I hung around with strayed.We smoked pot and drank booze,and even one in awhile would drop some acid.And premarital sex was OK.
One thing I noticed about the Mormons,at least in San Diego. They built their temples(I think they call them that) across the street from high schools. That's because when those kids' hormones start kicking in they can go to the temple after school lets out and abstain from anything indecent. But you got to be a Mormon.Even if you go to their temple to worship you got to be a Mormon.
But it don't bother me.I ain't got no kick with them sticking together like that. It just is I can't figure out what's so holy about wearing their underpants.What if you fart? Is that like saying a prayer?
Rocky Marciano
Those Mormons really thought their boy,Rex Layne, was going to pin Rocky Marciano with his first loss back in !951 at Madison Square Garden.Layne was showing only one loss on his record,dropping a decision to Dave Whitlock. Layne could claim victories over Jersey Joe Walcott,Bob Satterfield,Turkey Thompson,and got even with Whitlock in the rematch.
Layne was bigger and taller than Rocky but that wouldn't be the first time Marciano was on the short end of the measurements,especially in the reach department.
Layne had a good manager and trainer,Marv Jensen. They were both Utah products and both Mormons.Jensen would later have Gene Fullmer and his brothers in his camp.Everyone was a Mormon. Jensen didn't handle any Jews or Catholics.When it came to black fighters Mormons got a rub with them thinking they were descendants from Cain in the Bible.
Anyway,Layne came into the ring towering over Marciano as the referee Mark Conn gave the men their instructions. When the fight started Layne didn't have any problem landing his artillery but Rocky just let the punches bounce off is armor as he plowed forward. Just about all the fellas' that lost to Rocky had to become disheartened as they kept giving it their best shots yet couln't make Rocky cough up his spaghetti. Jersey Joe,The Mongoose,Ezzard Charles;you could see the disbelief on their faces as the Italian tank kept pressing into them.
In the 6th frame Marciano caught Rex with his Suzy Q and Rex collapsed to the canvas minus his front teeth.Even his Mormon underwear couldn't save him.
I've got to hand it to those Mormons on how they stick together.I had a few Mormon friends going to high school.I even played on their softball team,LDS 11. Most of them abided by the Mormon tenets but the Mormons I hung around with strayed.We smoked pot and drank booze,and even one in awhile would drop some acid.And premarital sex was OK.
One thing I noticed about the Mormons,at least in San Diego. They built their temples(I think they call them that) across the street from high schools. That's because when those kids' hormones start kicking in they can go to the temple after school lets out and abstain from anything indecent. But you got to be a Mormon.Even if you go to their temple to worship you got to be a Mormon.
But it don't bother me.I ain't got no kick with them sticking together like that. It just is I can't figure out what's so holy about wearing their underpants.What if you fart? Is that like saying a prayer?
Rocky Marciano
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dagosd2000
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 8638
- Joined: 01 Sep 2007, 03:31
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
So Close Yet So Far Away
Gene LeBell was inducted into the West Coast Boxing Hall Of Fame posthumously in Los Angeles on the 12 he of March.LeBell was quite a celebrity in addition to being a master martial artist-judo,catch wrestling,jujutsu,and boxing. His mom,Aileen Eaton, ran the Olympic Auditorium.He trained Hollywood stars in the art of self defense. Some of the notables:George Reeves(TV's Superman),Chuck Norris,Roddy Piper,and Ronda Rousey.Lebell was also in movies and TV programs having bit roles. He was a colorful dude and at times could be on the ornery side.
I remember in !963 the boxer Milo Savage challenged him to an anything goes fight. in Savage's backyard in Salt Lake City.LeBell choked him out and left Milo on the mat for dead.
Later,when Steven Seagal was making the movie Out For Justice,he made a claim that because if his expertise in the martial arts of aikido that there was no man alive that could choke him out.Enter Gene LeBell.According to the LeBell acolytes Judo Gene got his arm around Seagal's neck and not only choked him out but made him s--t his pants.
There was a video at the WCBHOF ceremony of LeBell talking about Sugar Ray Robinson. LeBell said that he met Robinson at the Main Street gym several years after Robby had retired.Somehow LeBell challenged Robinson(or it may have been the other way around)that LeBell could land punches on the former champ at will.Ray accepted the dare.LeBell then proceeded to say that although being in top shape he couldn't have hit Robinson with fistful of birdshot.He said every time he swung at Robinson he'd evade the shot by a fraction of an inch.His reflexes were still that sharp.Robinson was never struck.
Sugar Ray Robinson was no street fighter.I'm sure if he and Gene LeBell would have tangled in a phone booth Robby would have been dialing 911.
Sugar Ray Robinson
Gene LeBell was inducted into the West Coast Boxing Hall Of Fame posthumously in Los Angeles on the 12 he of March.LeBell was quite a celebrity in addition to being a master martial artist-judo,catch wrestling,jujutsu,and boxing. His mom,Aileen Eaton, ran the Olympic Auditorium.He trained Hollywood stars in the art of self defense. Some of the notables:George Reeves(TV's Superman),Chuck Norris,Roddy Piper,and Ronda Rousey.Lebell was also in movies and TV programs having bit roles. He was a colorful dude and at times could be on the ornery side.
I remember in !963 the boxer Milo Savage challenged him to an anything goes fight. in Savage's backyard in Salt Lake City.LeBell choked him out and left Milo on the mat for dead.
Later,when Steven Seagal was making the movie Out For Justice,he made a claim that because if his expertise in the martial arts of aikido that there was no man alive that could choke him out.Enter Gene LeBell.According to the LeBell acolytes Judo Gene got his arm around Seagal's neck and not only choked him out but made him s--t his pants.
There was a video at the WCBHOF ceremony of LeBell talking about Sugar Ray Robinson. LeBell said that he met Robinson at the Main Street gym several years after Robby had retired.Somehow LeBell challenged Robinson(or it may have been the other way around)that LeBell could land punches on the former champ at will.Ray accepted the dare.LeBell then proceeded to say that although being in top shape he couldn't have hit Robinson with fistful of birdshot.He said every time he swung at Robinson he'd evade the shot by a fraction of an inch.His reflexes were still that sharp.Robinson was never struck.
Sugar Ray Robinson was no street fighter.I'm sure if he and Gene LeBell would have tangled in a phone booth Robby would have been dialing 911.
Sugar Ray Robinson