Classic American West Coast Boxing

[Alguiffer]

I am deeply saddened to learn of this news. Reading Classic American West Coast Boxing was a big part of my day - I genuinely looked forward to it each day.

In additional to the great enjoyment I got from reading his posts, viewing his art work and listening to the music he posted I think the thing that I admired the most about this man was his mentorship and contributions to the students he taught and worked with as an educator.

God Bless You Sir.

[dagosd2000]

In Loving Memory of Roger J. Esty
April 6th, 1947 - October 25th, 2023

It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my beloved grandfather, Roger J. Esty, who left this world suddenly, leaving a void that can never be filled. He was a remarkable man who touched the lives of everyone he met, and his memory will forever be cherished.

Abuelito lived a life filled with passion, curiosity, and love. He was a dedicated historian, with an insatiable thirst for knowledge and a profound respect for the past. His extensive collection of historical books and artifacts was a testament to his lifelong pursuit of understanding our world's rich tapestry of events and people.

He had a special love for swimming, a hobby he pursued with unbridled enthusiasm, regardless of the weather. Whether it was a clear summer day or a chilly winter morning, he found solace and exhilaration in the water, embodying his determination and zest for life.

Abuelito was not only a swimmer but also a dedicated weightlifter, and he shared his extensive knowledge of sports with all those around him. He was a true sports aficionado, with an in-depth understanding of a multitude of sports. His passion for athleticism was impressive.

In his earlier years, Abuelito dedicated his life to the world of football and baseball, passionately coaching various teams both in San Diego and across the border in Tijuana. His guidance and mentorship enriched the lives of countless young athletes, instilling not only the skills required for success on the field but also the values of teamwork and dedication.

In more recent years, Abuelito transitioned his focus to boxing, where his knowledge and expertise were unparalleled. He spent countless hours researching the careers and techniques of boxers, and his insights and analyses were widely respected by the boxing community. He expressed his passion for the sport through his writings on his boxing blog, sharing his observations and thoughts with a global audience, further cementing his legacy as a true aficionado of the sweet science.

Abuelito's creative spirit extended to his unique style of painting. His talent was evident in the way he could capture the deepest emotions of his subject on canvas. His paintings were a window to his soul, revealing a profound understanding of human emotions, and they left a lasting impact on all who were fortunate enough to view them. His artistry transcended mere paint and canvas; it was a medium through which he connected with the world and shared his innermost feelings. His works will continue to grace our homes, serving as a reminder of his artistic talents.

Above all, Abuelito held his family close to his heart. He was a devoted husband, father, and, most importantly, a doting grandfather. He took immense joy in spending quality time with his family, regaling them with stories of history, sharing his artistic creations, and imparting wisdom and love. His presence at family gatherings brought warmth, laughter, and an enduring sense of togetherness.

Abuelito leaves behind a legacy of love, knowledge, and inspiration. While his sudden departure has left us with a profound sense of loss, we are comforted by the memories of his wisdom, laughter, and unwavering support. His absence is deeply felt, but his spirit will forever live on in the hearts of those who had the privilege of knowing him.

As we say our final farewell to this extraordinary man, we take solace in the knowledge that Abuelito has now joined the annals of history he loved so much. His memory will be cherished for all time, and his legacy will continue to inspire us to live our lives with the same passion, curiosity, and love that he did.

Rest in peace, dear Abuelito. You will forever be loved, remembered, and missed.

[scartissue]

In Loving Memory of Roger J. Esty
April 6th, 1947 - October 25th, 2023

It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my beloved grandfather, Roger J. Esty, who left this world suddenly, leaving a void that can never be filled. He was a remarkable man who touched the lives of everyone he met, and his memory will forever be cherished.

Abuelito lived a life filled with passion, curiosity, and love. He was a dedicated historian, with an insatiable thirst for knowledge and a profound respect for the past. His extensive collection of historical books and artifacts was a testament to his lifelong pursuit of understanding our world's rich tapestry of events and people.

He had a special love for swimming, a hobby he pursued with unbridled enthusiasm, regardless of the weather. Whether it was a clear summer day or a chilly winter morning, he found solace and exhilaration in the water, embodying his determination and zest for life.

Abuelito was not only a swimmer but also a dedicated weightlifter, and he shared his extensive knowledge of sports with all those around him. He was a true sports aficionado, with an in-depth understanding of a multitude of sports. His passion for athleticism was impressive.

In his earlier years, Abuelito dedicated his life to the world of football and baseball, passionately coaching various teams both in San Diego and across the border in Tijuana. His guidance and mentorship enriched the lives of countless young athletes, instilling not only the skills required for success on the field but also the values of teamwork and dedication.

In more recent years, Abuelito transitioned his focus to boxing, where his knowledge and expertise were unparalleled. He spent countless hours researching the careers and techniques of boxers, and his insights and analyses were widely respected by the boxing community. He expressed his passion for the sport through his writings on his boxing blog, sharing his observations and thoughts with a global audience, further cementing his legacy as a true aficionado of the sweet science.

Abuelito's creative spirit extended to his unique style of painting. His talent was evident in the way he could capture the deepest emotions of his subject on canvas. His paintings were a window to his soul, revealing a profound understanding of human emotions, and they left a lasting impact on all who were fortunate enough to view them. His artistry transcended mere paint and canvas; it was a medium through which he connected with the world and shared his innermost feelings. His works will continue to grace our homes, serving as a reminder of his artistic talents.

Above all, Abuelito held his family close to his heart. He was a devoted husband, father, and, most importantly, a doting grandfather. He took immense joy in spending quality time with his family, regaling them with stories of history, sharing his artistic creations, and imparting wisdom and love. His presence at family gatherings brought warmth, laughter, and an enduring sense of togetherness.

Abuelito leaves behind a legacy of love, knowledge, and inspiration. While his sudden departure has left us with a profound sense of loss, we are comforted by the memories of his wisdom, laughter, and unwavering support. His absence is deeply felt, but his spirit will forever live on in the hearts of those who had the privilege of knowing him.

As we say our final farewell to this extraordinary man, we take solace in the knowledge that Abuelito has now joined the annals of history he loved so much. His memory will be cherished for all time, and his legacy will continue to inspire us to live our lives with the same passion, curiosity, and love that he did.

Rest in peace, dear Abuelito. You will forever be loved, remembered, and missed.

I find it so fitting that your Grandfather's last post was a youtube audio of 'Intermezzo'. I have found myself listening to it a number of times since his passing and always think of the conversations we had when we would attend the World Boxing Hall of Fame and the West Coast Boxing Hall of Fame. It was like you said, your Grandfather's knowledgeable conversation was very broad and it was like we could cure the woes of the world with what we would discuss. He will be missed. I hope your Grandmother Maria is doing OK. She was remarkably devoted. I remember she would always look forward to annual conversations with the late great Gaspar Ortega, who was from the same area she was from. I think I'll play Intermezzo now for a blast of nostalgia. Take care.

[BroughtonRulesRefuge]

- Rest in peace, Roger.

Dagos was always good value both in his artistic bent and dialogue well ripened with his experiences of a lifetime. Maybe the family might think of publishing a book of his selected art captioned with some of his earthy musings?

I didn't contribute here that much being more Texas centric, but the cross over of our Mexican Borders sorta tied me in leavened with the boxing.

Haven't seen Frank Balzatar on West Coast in a while. I know he's getting up there as well, so kudos to Frank who started this thread. We used converse via Cyberboxing now defunct.

[goose 5]

Yes, Frank's a terrific guy.

[BoxBuzz]

Rest in Peace Roger

I was so fortunate to have crossed paths with you. And that you were so willing to be so abundantly generous as to place so many of your thoughts, reflections, and observations in this thread. It is humbling. You were prolific with purpose, and we are all the better for it. Condolences to the family and loved ones who were blessed with his presence, and will miss him so dearly.

It may be a small bit of his legacy, but there is so much of what he contributed to this thread to be treasured.

The appreciation is deep and sincere. I will miss you friend.

[Flump]

RIP Sir

I never contributed much to this thread, being from the UK, but always enjoyed Mr Esty's musings and artwork when I dipped in, he will be sorely missed.

[Caractacus]

Great chapter on Stillman's Gym in the book Corner Men: Great Boxing Trainers" by R. K. Fried (1991). Chapter gives a great rundown on the gym operation and the antics and quirks of Stillman. Everybody had to pay $0.50 to enter the gym to watch - no matter who you were or how famous you were.
As always, greatly enjoy all your postings and material you share with us - look forward to your column each day - many thanks!

hey,I had heard about that book years ago, but your posting about it convinced me to actually go out and get one,
I just now got a copy of that book the other day. and It is really great.
it was originally published in 1991 Hard cover for 25 dollars.
The copy I received from Secondsales on EBay didn't even look like it was ever even cracked open in 30 years.
and I bought it for only 10 dollars !
( however my copy, the binding is at an angle( like a corner), was your ones that way too ?
either it had been found under a huge stack of heavy books, or was it some kind of sales gimmick ?
Anyway the author ( who worked for Dick Cavett in the 1980's) interviewed first hand in 1989/90,
Ray Arcel, Al Silvani,Eddie Futch and Angelo Dundee as well as the relatives of Mannie Seamon,Whitey Bimstein ,Freddie Brown and some others. there is also a great chapter on Jack Blackburn in it.
Mainly the book centers on boxing trainers that were at or had a connection to Stillman's gym in NYC.
I would encourage anyone here to get a copy.

[evrenb]

So sorry to hear the news on Roger. May you rest in peace sir

[Chuck1052]

Jimmy Heair, a former lightweight and junior welterweight contender, passed away at the age of 71 at the Shearer Richardson Nursing Home in Okolona, Mississippi on March 7, 2024. He was active from 1971 to 1989 and compiled a record of 99 wins (65 knockouts), 34 losses (knocked out 11 times) and 1 draw. During the early part of his career, Heair had many bouts in Southern California.

I saw Heair in person win a split-decision in a bout with Rudy Hernandez at the Olympic Auditorium. Hernandez had a beautiful boxing style and gave Heair fits. In fact, I thought that Hernandez had an edge in the bout.

Note- There was another fighter named Rudy Hernandez who was active in Southern California, but during the 1980s.

- Chuck Johnston

[scartissue]

Jimmy Heair, a former lightweight and junior welterweight contender, passed away at the age of 71 at the Shearer Richardson Nursing Home in Okolona, Mississippi on March 7, 2024. He was active from 1971 to 1989 and compiled a record of 99 wins (65 knockouts), 34 losses (knocked out 11 times) and 1 draw. During the early part of his career, Heair had many bouts in Southern California.

I saw Heair in person win a split-decision in a bout with Rudy Hernandez at the Olympic Auditorium. Hernandez had a beautiful boxing style and gave Heair fits. In fact, I thought that Hernandez had an edge in the bout.

Note- There was another fighter named Rudy Hernandez who was active in Southern California, but during the 1980s.

- Chuck Johnston

Chuck, so sorry to hear about Jimmy Heair. Man, he takes me back to my youth when I was watching Boxing from the Forum and Boxing from the Olympic on a weekly basis. I was looking to see how many times I actually saw Heair fight. I can count 6 full fights I saw him engaged in. It was one of his bouts with Julio Lopez, another early one against Gabriel Vega, the Chango Carmona fight, the Tury Pineda KO, the loss to Rudy Barro and a win over Andres Gonzalez. I thought for sure he was headed towards a title fight with Rodolfo Gonzalez, but when do we get to see what we want? I think it started to go south for Jimmy when he split from his manager Jerry Moore. What's your take on that?

[Chuck1052]

Jimmy Heair, a former lightweight and junior welterweight contender, passed away at the age of 71 at the Shearer Richardson Nursing Home in Okolona, Mississippi on March 7, 2024. He was active from 1971 to 1989 and compiled a record of 99 wins (65 knockouts), 34 losses (knocked out 11 times) and 1 draw. During the early part of his career, Heair had many bouts in Southern California.

I saw Heair in person win a split-decision in a bout with Rudy Hernandez at the Olympic Auditorium. Hernandez had a beautiful boxing style and gave Heair fits. In fact, I thought that Hernandez had an edge in the bout.

Note- There was another fighter named Rudy Hernandez who was active in Southern California, but during the 1980s.

- Chuck Johnston

Chuck, so sorry to hear about Jimmy Heair. Man, he takes me back to my youth when I was watching Boxing from the Forum and Boxing from the Olympic on a weekly basis. I was looking to see how many times I actually saw Heair fight. I can count 6 full fights I saw him engaged in. It was one of his bouts with Julio Lopez, another early one against Gabriel Vega, the Chango Carmona fight, the Tury Pineda KO, the loss to Rudy Barro and a win over Andres Gonzalez. I thought for sure he was headed towards a title fight with Rodolfo Gonzalez, but when do we get to see what we want? I think it started to go south for Jimmy when he split from his manager Jerry Moore. What's your take on that?

When did Jimmy Heair split up with Jerry Moore? Was it before Heair's loss to Rudy Barro? I remember seeing the bout between Barro and Heair on television with Heair looking absolutely terrible. With all due respect to Barro, he was a "run-of-the-mill" fighter who should not have given Heair any trouble. I believe that Heair was not the same afterwards, just a journeyman-type fighter for the rest of his career. He still was a competitive fighter for the rest of the 1970s. However, he was a mere opponent during the 1980s. In fact, Heair should have retired long before his career ended.

I noticed that he died while in a nursing home at the age of 71. That is quite young to be in such a facility.

- Chuck Johnston

[goose 5]

"I don't know if I would have had the heart to take the punishment that he took" Roberto Duran's comment after the Heair bout.

[scartissue]

Jimmy Heair, a former lightweight and junior welterweight contender, passed away at the age of 71 at the Shearer Richardson Nursing Home in Okolona, Mississippi on March 7, 2024. He was active from 1971 to 1989 and compiled a record of 99 wins (65 knockouts), 34 losses (knocked out 11 times) and 1 draw. During the early part of his career, Heair had many bouts in Southern California.

I saw Heair in person win a split-decision in a bout with Rudy Hernandez at the Olympic Auditorium. Hernandez had a beautiful boxing style and gave Heair fits. In fact, I thought that Hernandez had an edge in the bout.

Note- There was another fighter named Rudy Hernandez who was active in Southern California, but during the 1980s.

- Chuck Johnston

Chuck, so sorry to hear about Jimmy Heair. Man, he takes me back to my youth when I was watching Boxing from the Forum and Boxing from the Olympic on a weekly basis. I was looking to see how many times I actually saw Heair fight. I can count 6 full fights I saw him engaged in. It was one of his bouts with Julio Lopez, another early one against Gabriel Vega, the Chango Carmona fight, the Tury Pineda KO, the loss to Rudy Barro and a win over Andres Gonzalez. I thought for sure he was headed towards a title fight with Rodolfo Gonzalez, but when do we get to see what we want? I think it started to go south for Jimmy when he split from his manager Jerry Moore. What's your take on that?

When did Jimmy Heair split up with Jerry Moore? Was it before Heair's loss to Rudy Barro? I remember seeing the bout between Barro and Heair on television with Heair looking absolutely terrible. With all due respect to Barro, he was a "run-of-the-mill" fighter who should not have given Heair any trouble. I believe that Heair was not the same afterwards, just a journeyman-type fighter for the rest of his career. He still was a competitive fighter for the rest of the 1970s. However, he was a mere opponent during the 1980s. In fact, Heair should have retired long before his career ended.

I noticed that he died while in a nursing home at the age of 71. That is quite young to be in such a facility.

- Chuck Johnston

Chuck, I researched this a bit and to answer your question, it looks like things started going south between Heair and Moore after the Barro fight. From what I could piece together it may have been frustration on Heair's part of Moore's inability to land a title fight. Anyways, in the fall of '74 their 3 year contract ended and Heair was going to relocate to El Paso, having hooked up with a promoter there named Ron Withers, who had scheduled a fight for him in November. Now here's where it gets funny. As it turned out, Heair never read the fine print in the contract and soon discovered there was a clause giving Moore an option on 3 more years, which he exercised and cancelled the November El Paso bout as his manager of record. Things got a bit contentious as Heair and Moore seemed to be in court a lot trying to resolve things, and eventually Moore did allow some fights to be made without his involvement, but Heair was always obliged to pay Moore one third of his purse regardless. Not sure of when things were finally resolved in an acceptable manner to both parties but they were informally done with each other by the fall of '74. Which was a shame because they were a good team for those first 3 years.

[Chuck1052]

Chuck, so sorry to hear about Jimmy Heair. Man, he takes me back to my youth when I was watching Boxing from the Forum and Boxing from the Olympic on a weekly basis. I was looking to see how many times I actually saw Heair fight. I can count 6 full fights I saw him engaged in. It was one of his bouts with Julio Lopez, another early one against Gabriel Vega, the Chango Carmona fight, the Tury Pineda KO, the loss to Rudy Barro and a win over Andres Gonzalez. I thought for sure he was headed towards a title fight with Rodolfo Gonzalez, but when do we get to see what we want? I think it started to go south for Jimmy when he split from his manager Jerry Moore. What's your take on that?

When did Jimmy Heair split up with Jerry Moore? Was it before Heair's loss to Rudy Barro? I remember seeing the bout between Barro and Heair on television with Heair looking absolutely terrible. With all due respect to Barro, he was a "run-of-the-mill" fighter who should not have given Heair any trouble. I believe that Heair was not the same afterwards, just a journeyman-type fighter for the rest of his career. He still was a competitive fighter for the rest of the 1970s. However, he was a mere opponent during the 1980s. In fact, Heair should have retired long before his career ended.

I noticed that he died while in a nursing home at the age of 71. That is quite young to be in such a facility.

- Chuck Johnston

Chuck, I researched this a bit and to answer your question, it looks like things started going south between Heair and Moore after the Barro fight. From what I could piece together it may have been frustration on Heair's part of Moore's inability to land a title fight. Anyways, in the fall of '74 their 3 year contract ended and Heair was going to relocate to El Paso, having hooked up with a promoter there named Ron Withers, who had scheduled a fight for him in November. Now here's where it gets funny. As it turned out, Heair never read the fine print in the contract and soon discovered there was a clause giving Moore an option on 3 more years, which he exercised and cancelled the November El Paso bout as his manager of record. Things got a bit contentious as Heair and Moore seemed to be in court a lot trying to resolve things, and eventually Moore did allow some fights to be made without his involvement, but Heair was always obliged to pay Moore one third of his purse regardless. Not sure of when things were finally resolved in an acceptable manner to both parties but they were informally done with each other by the fall of '74. Which was a shame because they were a good team for those first 3 years.

Thanks for the information about Jimmy Heair and Jerry Moore. By the way, I received news on Heair's death in an e-mail from the International Boxing Research Organization (IBRO). Today, I found Heair's obituary on the internet. According to the obituary, he was survived by four daughters, five grandchildren and his mother. Heair was preceded in death by his son, Andy Heair, and his father.

- Chuck Johnston

[scartissue]

When did Jimmy Heair split up with Jerry Moore? Was it before Heair's loss to Rudy Barro? I remember seeing the bout between Barro and Heair on television with Heair looking absolutely terrible. With all due respect to Barro, he was a "run-of-the-mill" fighter who should not have given Heair any trouble. I believe that Heair was not the same afterwards, just a journeyman-type fighter for the rest of his career. He still was a competitive fighter for the rest of the 1970s. However, he was a mere opponent during the 1980s. In fact, Heair should have retired long before his career ended.

I noticed that he died while in a nursing home at the age of 71. That is quite young to be in such a facility.

- Chuck Johnston

Chuck, I researched this a bit and to answer your question, it looks like things started going south between Heair and Moore after the Barro fight. From what I could piece together it may have been frustration on Heair's part of Moore's inability to land a title fight. Anyways, in the fall of '74 their 3 year contract ended and Heair was going to relocate to El Paso, having hooked up with a promoter there named Ron Withers, who had scheduled a fight for him in November. Now here's where it gets funny. As it turned out, Heair never read the fine print in the contract and soon discovered there was a clause giving Moore an option on 3 more years, which he exercised and cancelled the November El Paso bout as his manager of record. Things got a bit contentious as Heair and Moore seemed to be in court a lot trying to resolve things, and eventually Moore did allow some fights to be made without his involvement, but Heair was always obliged to pay Moore one third of his purse regardless. Not sure of when things were finally resolved in an acceptable manner to both parties but they were informally done with each other by the fall of '74. Which was a shame because they were a good team for those first 3 years.

Thanks for the information about Jimmy Heair and Jerry Moore. By the way, I received news on Heair's death in an e-mail from the International Boxing Research Organization (IBRO). Today, I found Heair's obituary on the internet. According to the obituary, he was survived by four daughters, five grandchildren and his mother. Heair was preceded in death by his son, Andy Heair, and his father.

- Chuck Johnston

Thanks, Chuck.

[Expug]

Hello from a ghost from the past. I occasionally check in from time to time. I’ve been blessed knowing many of you personally. I’m very sorry to hear of Rogers passing. He is a wonderful man. Back in 08 I flew out to Los Angeles for the hall of fame inductions and was honored to meet him as well as a few others. Rick, Randy, Dan and spouses. It’s a cherished memory of mine. God bless all of you and you all are in my thoughts often. Brian

[scartissue]

Hello from a ghost from the past. I occasionally check in from time to time. I’ve been blessed knowing many of you personally. I’m very sorry to hear of Rogers passing. He is a wonderful man. Back in 08 I flew out to Los Angeles for the hall of fame inductions and was honored to meet him as well as a few others. Rick, Randy, Dan and spouses. It’s a cherished memory of mine. God bless all of you and you all are in my thoughts often. Brian

Brian, I always think of that event and how we all convened in that one bar before the event. I think we had it all arranged beforehand if I'm not mistaken. I believe you had already started this thread and we just sorted things out from there. Good times, my man.

[1610898]

Thank you for sharing your story with us. Your strength and resilience as a family are truly inspiring. It's evident that Mary (or Maria, as you affectionately call her) and your son have a strong support system in you.

While our expertise lies in providing Construction Estimating Services, please know that we are moved by your journey and are here to help in any way we can. Whether you need assistance with home modifications to accommodate visual impairments or any other construction-related needs, don't hesitate to reach out.

Stay strong and keep fighting. Your story reminds us that no matter the challenges we face, there's always hope and support to be found.

[1610898]

Thank you for sharing your story with us. Your strength and resilience as a family are truly inspiring. It's evident that Mary (or Maria, as you affectionately call her) and your son have a strong support system in you.

While our expertise lies in providing Construction Estimating Services, please know that we are moved by your journey and are here to help in any way we can. Whether you need assistance with home modifications to accommodate visual impairments or any other construction-related needs, don't hesitate to reach out.

Stay strong and keep fighting. Your story reminds us that no matter the challenges we face, there's always hope and support to be found.

[1630397]

Louis "The Lion" Perez . . .

Hey Frank, do you remember Johnny Flores' hot featherweight prospect from the late 50's (amateur) and early 60's pro? I met Louie in the mid-60's, when he was considering a comeback and training at Johnnie's Gym. Louie was a winner and lost only twice as a pro. Ironically, his last loss was to Licho Guerrero, who upset an cancer-striken Rodolfo Gonzalez awhile later.

There are many reasons why promising boxers quit boxing, or suddenly begin to lose fights they should win. In the case of Johnny Flores' little "Lion" from Canoga Park, he fell in love. "That was it." Flores told us laughing, "he fell in love and bit the dust!"

When I met Perez, it was in 1967, a few years after he'd last fought, and won. He was now married to the woman, had a houseful of kids and working construction. He'd show up at the gym in his work clothes, dried cement like crust on his work boots. He was no longer a featherweight, closer to light-heavy, his love for cerveza obvious.

The Lion trained for two or three months, would spread vaseline all over his body and then wrap trash bag plastic around his waste and upper body, creating a crude "sauna suit". It's what over-weight boxers did in the sixties. He'd warm up by boxing with me, I was under a hundred pounds and felt the power the Lion had in his fists. He was one of those guys who would jar you with a light punch. Anytime he'd touch you, he'd hurt you. And surprisingly, he was still fast, real fast. I could see why Johnnie Flores had been so high on his former amateur champ, homegrown right in the San Fernando Vally. I also like to bet on boxing, for this I look at the platform, which has the best odds on sporting events.


After a few months of sparring daily with Bob Bell, his old buddy and former stablemate Manny Diaz, and a couple others who'd come in and out, Louie "The Lion" Perez just disappeared. Manny laughed and told us, "He's got two loves now, his family and his beer."

Adios . . .


-Rick Farris

Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California, United States
Eddie Garcia L Tony Perez TKO 8 10
Archie Moore D Willie Pastrano PTS 10 10
Jerry Stokes W Wicho Morales PTS 8 8
Quan James L Louis Perez PTS 6 6
Larry Flores L Bennie Lira PTS 4 4

Louis Perez

Country USA
Global Id 118954
Hometown Canvea Park CA
Division Featherweight


Career Record © http://www.boxrec.com

Date Opponent Location Result
1962-12-17 Gabriel Brambila Hollywood, USA W KO 5
1962-08-17 Licho Guerrero Los Angeles, USA L TKO 6
1962-07-30 Gino Hernandez Santa Monica, USA W KO 4
1962-07-09 Chilo Carranza Los Angeles, USA W PTS 6
1962-05-28 Quan James Los Angeles, USA W PTS 6
1962-05-07 Francisco Castaneda Santa Monica, USA W KO 5
1962-02-26 Ed Edwards Santa Monica, USA W KO 4
1962-01-19 Jerry Stokes Los Angeles, USA W KO 5
1961-12-29 Al Miranda Los Angeles, USA W TKO 3
1961-12-15 Jimmy Brown Los Angeles, USA W KO 2
1961-11-04 Felipe Larrazola Los Angeles, USA W PTS 5
1961-10-19 Jerry Forche Los Angeles, USA W PTS 4
1961-10-12 Len Smike Los Angeles, USA L PTS 5
1961-09-28 Lorenzo Torres Los Angeles, USA W KO 4
1961-09-07 Jerry Forche Los Angeles, USA W PTS 5

Record to Date
Won 13 Lost 2 Drawn 0 Total 15

Frank . . . The results of a fight card listed above this record reflects a great night of boxing. In the main event, Archie Moore fights Willie Pastrano to a draw. In another ten rounder, Eddie Garcia stops Tony Perez in 8. Larry Flores, Julio's kid loses to Ben Lira, and you have Jerry Stokes and Louie Perez featured in two other matches. GREAT night of boxing- L.A. style! Frank, we knew all of these guys .

Do you remember Eddie Garcia? I do. I remember he was going great until he started using heroin, and then it was all down hill. Eddie did make a comeback around 1969, and scored an upset win over unbeaten "Handsome" Larry Harding, whom quit after just one loss to Garcia. It looked like old Eddie Garcia would find his stride again, however, a tough Filippino named Ely Yares busted him up, sending him back into retirement for good. Yares started to make a name for himself in L.A. until Ruben Navarro derailed him in early 1970. I remember these fights like it was yesterday.

-Rick Farris

Hey Rick,

Thanks for sharing those memories. That really was a great night of boxing—L.A. style! I do remember Eddie Garcia well. It's a shame about his struggle with heroin, but his comeback in 1969 was something special. That win over "Handsome" Larry Harding was unexpected and showed he still had fight left in him. It's too bad Ely Yares stopped his momentum. And speaking of Yares, I remember how Ruben Navarro took him down in 1970. Those were some intense bouts, and it's incredible how vividly they stay with us.

Do you have any more stories from that era? I'd love to hear more!

[pound per pound]

I noticed that he died while in a nursing home at the age of 71. That is quite young to be in such a facility.

- Chuck Johnston

71 is the average death age or sightly past it for a veteran boxer. After a fighter is knocked out say 5 times, he should be forced to retire from the WBC,WBA, IBF, and WBO. The inability to take punches magnifies after a fighter has be KO'd a few times and the body / brain ages quickly.


If you really want to be scared check out the brain scans of a veteran fighter who boxed into his 30's. Unless he was a good defensive fighter, and not in many wars, the internal scars and dead tissue is terrible.

[1681052]

Yes, Frank's a terrific guy.

100%

[elmersalsa]

Richie Sandoval, former WBA World Bantamweight Champion died a couple of days ago. He defeated one of the greatest bantam boxers for the crown, the champion "Joltin" Jeff Chandler of Philadelphia, PA in 1984.

Tell us about Richie. May he R.I.P.

[Alguiffer]

I saw several of his early fights in the early 80's when he fought nearly monthly in Las Vegas. Most of the bouts were early round stoppages but you could see that even at that stage of his career that he was a force to recognized in terms of his movement and hand speed. His bout with Chandler was very exciting.