Here’s a mistery to ponder.
Last night I got a call from matchmaker Johnny Bos. He has the theory that Cocoa Kid was not Louis Hardwicke and was not from Puerto Rico but a Cuban.
In a two hour conversation the following details emerged:
1. A former Connetticut promoter who worked with Cocoa Kid and is still alive, claims the Kid was Cuban.
2. A three way call to Wes Ramey Jr. –whose father knew Cocoa Kid well, also brought the statement that Cocoa was Cuban.
3. The real Hardwicke, according to Bos, had some fights in Georgia, then moved to Ohio, where he was a sparring partner for Freddie Miller and did not reside in New England, where the Kid was based.
4. The newspaper clippings consulted by Bos and De Lisa state that Hardwicke was an “American Negro” not being stated that he was from Puerto Rico.
5. According to Bos several clippings provide different real names for Cocoa Kid,
5. Bos believes that Cocoa Kid was Juan Cepero, a very tough Cuban fighter who came to the US with Kid Chocolate and fought in four of his undercards before disappearing from radar. Cepero was a very good fighter –one of his fights in Camaguey drew 10,000 people- and his “retirement” or “disappearance” coincides with the beginning of Cocoa Kid’s career.
6. As per Bos, it is possible that Cepero changed his credentials and pretended to be Puerto Rican in order to stay in the United States and not be deported. Cocoa Kid is a twist on the name Kid Chocolate, a homage perhaps to the fellow Cuban?
Anyone has any comments or can enlighten any details on this?
A Strange New Twist on Cocoa Kid
Re: A Strange New Twist on Cocoa Kid
5. The end of Cepero's career coincides with the beginning of Lou Hardwick's career in Georgia. There's a 3 year gap between Cepero and Cocoa Kid's fights in New England.enrique wrote: 5. Bos believes that Cocoa Kid was Juan Cepero, a very tough Cuban fighter who came to the US with Kid Chocolate and fought in four of his undercards before disappearing from radar. Cepero was a very good fighter –one of his fights in Camaguey drew 10,000 people- and his “retirement” or “disappearance” coincides with the beginning of Cocoa Kid’s career.
6. As per Bos, it is possible that Cepero changed his credentials and pretended to be Puerto Rican in order to stay in the United States and not be deported. Cocoa Kid is a twist on the name Kid Chocolate, a homage perhaps to the fellow Cuban?
6. There were dozens of Kid Chocolate's fighting at the time. There's no conclusion to be drawn from that name except that the fighter was black
Cocoa Kid
Cocoa Kid - AKA Louis Hardwick; AKA Louis Arroyo: AKA Louis Humberto!
Why so many different names?
Johnny and I have discussed this often and there is more information on this subject in my book:
Charley Burley and the Black Murderers' Row
http://www.charleyburley.com
Cepero travelled to the USA with Kid Chocolate, their manager, trainer and three other fighters in October 1929. Kid Chocolate was later deported for outstaying his welcome, but there was no sign of Cepero after December of 1929.
The other fighters were active in Cuba after that date, but Cepero - as yet - is nowhere to be found.
It could be that Cepero took Kid Chocolate's name - Cocoa Kid - and the licence of one Lou Hardwick (Atlanta, Georgia fighter) and went from there!
Whoever he was - there is no doubting that he had a spectacular career and was one of the greatest welterweights/middlweights around in the 1940s
Why so many different names?
Johnny and I have discussed this often and there is more information on this subject in my book:
Charley Burley and the Black Murderers' Row
http://www.charleyburley.com
Cepero travelled to the USA with Kid Chocolate, their manager, trainer and three other fighters in October 1929. Kid Chocolate was later deported for outstaying his welcome, but there was no sign of Cepero after December of 1929.
The other fighters were active in Cuba after that date, but Cepero - as yet - is nowhere to be found.
It could be that Cepero took Kid Chocolate's name - Cocoa Kid - and the licence of one Lou Hardwick (Atlanta, Georgia fighter) and went from there!
Whoever he was - there is no doubting that he had a spectacular career and was one of the greatest welterweights/middlweights around in the 1940s
The Puerto Rican papers and early Atlanta papers describe Hardwick as a free-swinging black guy from Atlanta. He definitely was not Puerto Rican.
So, in the Pedro Benitez fight, he is referred to soley as Lew hardwick, American Negro from Atlanta. No reference to "Cocoa Kid" NO newspaper report ever refrerred to Cocoa Kid as having started in Atlanta -- he seems to appear in New haven in 1932 as Cocoa Kid.
As late as 1932, Hardwick was fighting as Hadwick - no referecne to PR or Cocoa Kid. Cant find any early references to Cocoa Kid as from PR -- but several say he from "rugged battler from Cuba" -- eg Syracuse Herald, 1934.
Cepero's last fight as Cepero is in December 1929. One old matchmaker insists he saw Cepero in tampa. Curiosly, one 1930 fight for Cocoa Kid is with one patent Leather Kid. Chino Alvarez, a Cuban, was fighting as PLK at that time in FL and Cuba.
Was the PLK on Cocoa Kid's record Chino Alvarez -- I haven't been able to track down a newspaper report yet.
Nor have I been able to track down the newspaper report for the Cocoa Kid-Ramon Bordelies fihgt.
I seem to recall that one researcher claimed that Cepero's father ran a ship running goods between Cuba and Puerto Rico!
Cocoa Kid's last fight is as shown here in 1948, but he did not retire right away. In Feb 1950 he beat up Lavern roach in sparring just prior to Roach being killed by Georgie Small.
In addition, in 1949, Cocoa Kid knocked down Sugar ray Robinson -- basically knocking him out -- also in sparring. Promoters tried to match the two but could not come to terms.
I ahve one interviwew with him from late 1940s -- he states he has several children -- one daughter in college and two sons, carlos and Luis Humberto Jr. -- he states real name is Luis Humberto, no reference to name of Hardwick
Another from 1940 clains he speaks 6 languages.
So, in the Pedro Benitez fight, he is referred to soley as Lew hardwick, American Negro from Atlanta. No reference to "Cocoa Kid" NO newspaper report ever refrerred to Cocoa Kid as having started in Atlanta -- he seems to appear in New haven in 1932 as Cocoa Kid.
As late as 1932, Hardwick was fighting as Hadwick - no referecne to PR or Cocoa Kid. Cant find any early references to Cocoa Kid as from PR -- but several say he from "rugged battler from Cuba" -- eg Syracuse Herald, 1934.
Cepero's last fight as Cepero is in December 1929. One old matchmaker insists he saw Cepero in tampa. Curiosly, one 1930 fight for Cocoa Kid is with one patent Leather Kid. Chino Alvarez, a Cuban, was fighting as PLK at that time in FL and Cuba.
Was the PLK on Cocoa Kid's record Chino Alvarez -- I haven't been able to track down a newspaper report yet.
Nor have I been able to track down the newspaper report for the Cocoa Kid-Ramon Bordelies fihgt.
I seem to recall that one researcher claimed that Cepero's father ran a ship running goods between Cuba and Puerto Rico!
Cocoa Kid's last fight is as shown here in 1948, but he did not retire right away. In Feb 1950 he beat up Lavern roach in sparring just prior to Roach being killed by Georgie Small.
In addition, in 1949, Cocoa Kid knocked down Sugar ray Robinson -- basically knocking him out -- also in sparring. Promoters tried to match the two but could not come to terms.
I ahve one interviwew with him from late 1940s -- he states he has several children -- one daughter in college and two sons, carlos and Luis Humberto Jr. -- he states real name is Luis Humberto, no reference to name of Hardwick
Another from 1940 clains he speaks 6 languages.
So based on Delisa's research, plus Wes Ramey Jr and the statement from the 90 year old Conn. promoter, should we change his nationality to Cuban?
We can not merge the Cepero & Cocoa record at this time because it is pure speculation and we have nothing solid linking them. I have been unable to find a Cepero photograph to compare. Until we do so, or a relative shows up, we have to keep Cepero and Cocoa separate.
Even though his name does not seem to be Hardwick how did the names become linked? Should Hardwick's record be separated from Cocoa kid since there is no visible link between them?
Feedback needed.
We can not merge the Cepero & Cocoa record at this time because it is pure speculation and we have nothing solid linking them. I have been unable to find a Cepero photograph to compare. Until we do so, or a relative shows up, we have to keep Cepero and Cocoa separate.
Even though his name does not seem to be Hardwick how did the names become linked? Should Hardwick's record be separated from Cocoa kid since there is no visible link between them?
Feedback needed.
Unsovled Mystery of the Chocolate Dahlia
I have been discussing this with Bos for some time.
Maybe someone can post a link to this thread fom Cocoa Kid's wiki bio pending furhter resarch.
I do have to say that Luckett Davis responded to us and says Cepero is NOT Cocoa Kid.
There are many other little tiny details that convince me Cocoa Kid was not from PR and defineitely not Lou Hardwick. Earliest reference I see to hiim being that PR/Hardwick is Everlast 1935 -- even though in several newspaper articles prior to that he is described as Cuban (or more frequently negro). Cuiosly Mexican papers of 1935 make no rerernece to his being PR or Cuban or ability to speak Spanish.
Before swithing anything we need to resarch/track down --
Source for Patent Leather Kid fight
Source for Ramon Bardelies bout
Review 1932 New haven papers at time of Cocoa Kid's first bouts in spring 1932
Perhaps review 1947 Cuban papers at time of Cocoa's re-appearnce there.
Up to know all FACT but here is my theory --
Anyone who has followed Kid Chocolate's career knows that he had numerous problems with immigration -- he was constantly having problems with them and was not allowed to take up residence for any ampount of time. Even at the end of his career he was held by immigration and forced to post a bond or he would be deported.
Cepero came over with Chocolate in the fall of 1929. They fought on a card on December 21, and then Chocolate and Pincho returned to Cuba for Christmas -- I actually have some fotos of their arrival by ship in Havana.
My THEORY is that Cepero did not want to return to Cuba for wahtever reason -- maybe a girl?) But no Cuban in their right mind would want to winter alone in NY after just arriving in USA, so he took off for Florida. The Cuban Club in Tampa was running many fights in those days so it would not surprise me that Cepero is the one who fought Patent Leather Kid under an alias -- Cocoa Kid, maybe? Perhaps Bordelies faced him about that time also.
Somehow -- (recall we beleive Cepero's father was a merchant travelling between Cuba and PR) Cepero made his way to PR that winter. I beleive while there, and while planning his next moves, he hooked up with some people with the PR commission or promoters who had access to Hardwick's boxing license. Or he met Hardwick on Hardwick's arrival for his fight there in August 1930. (Digression -- very doubtful Hardwick was born in 1913 becasue that would make him a 16-year-old travelling from Atlanta to Puerto Rico in 1929 for a fight -- I doubt it!)
Once he obtained Hardwick's license, he was able to travel more freely since he did not need to worry about being pciked up for overstaying his visa. To explain the spanish accent he said he was born in PR.
ONE last thing -- fact is Hardwick wound up in Ohio in 1931-1932 being managed by Freddie Miller's manager. It is possible that Cepero was in Ohio sparring with Miller at the same time (we may ahve a clip on this) -- if that is the case mystery is closer to being solved -- Hardwick simply gave Cocoa Kid his ID before retiring in early 1932. Hardwick died in Ohio in 1970s.
I guess this should be called the "Unsovled Mystery of the Chocolate Dahlia."
Maybe someone can post a link to this thread fom Cocoa Kid's wiki bio pending furhter resarch.
I do have to say that Luckett Davis responded to us and says Cepero is NOT Cocoa Kid.
There are many other little tiny details that convince me Cocoa Kid was not from PR and defineitely not Lou Hardwick. Earliest reference I see to hiim being that PR/Hardwick is Everlast 1935 -- even though in several newspaper articles prior to that he is described as Cuban (or more frequently negro). Cuiosly Mexican papers of 1935 make no rerernece to his being PR or Cuban or ability to speak Spanish.
Before swithing anything we need to resarch/track down --
Source for Patent Leather Kid fight
Source for Ramon Bardelies bout
Review 1932 New haven papers at time of Cocoa Kid's first bouts in spring 1932
Perhaps review 1947 Cuban papers at time of Cocoa's re-appearnce there.
Up to know all FACT but here is my theory --
Anyone who has followed Kid Chocolate's career knows that he had numerous problems with immigration -- he was constantly having problems with them and was not allowed to take up residence for any ampount of time. Even at the end of his career he was held by immigration and forced to post a bond or he would be deported.
Cepero came over with Chocolate in the fall of 1929. They fought on a card on December 21, and then Chocolate and Pincho returned to Cuba for Christmas -- I actually have some fotos of their arrival by ship in Havana.
My THEORY is that Cepero did not want to return to Cuba for wahtever reason -- maybe a girl?) But no Cuban in their right mind would want to winter alone in NY after just arriving in USA, so he took off for Florida. The Cuban Club in Tampa was running many fights in those days so it would not surprise me that Cepero is the one who fought Patent Leather Kid under an alias -- Cocoa Kid, maybe? Perhaps Bordelies faced him about that time also.
Somehow -- (recall we beleive Cepero's father was a merchant travelling between Cuba and PR) Cepero made his way to PR that winter. I beleive while there, and while planning his next moves, he hooked up with some people with the PR commission or promoters who had access to Hardwick's boxing license. Or he met Hardwick on Hardwick's arrival for his fight there in August 1930. (Digression -- very doubtful Hardwick was born in 1913 becasue that would make him a 16-year-old travelling from Atlanta to Puerto Rico in 1929 for a fight -- I doubt it!)
Once he obtained Hardwick's license, he was able to travel more freely since he did not need to worry about being pciked up for overstaying his visa. To explain the spanish accent he said he was born in PR.
ONE last thing -- fact is Hardwick wound up in Ohio in 1931-1932 being managed by Freddie Miller's manager. It is possible that Cepero was in Ohio sparring with Miller at the same time (we may ahve a clip on this) -- if that is the case mystery is closer to being solved -- Hardwick simply gave Cocoa Kid his ID before retiring in early 1932. Hardwick died in Ohio in 1970s.
I guess this should be called the "Unsovled Mystery of the Chocolate Dahlia."
-
Borinken25
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 721
- Joined: 08 Jul 2005, 12:28
As a Puerto Rican who grew up in Puerto Rico I can tell you that I never heard of any great Puerto Rican fighter by the name of Cocoa Kid. Also I did call my father and I ask him if he ever heard of any Puerto Rican fighter by the name Cocoa Kid, Louis Hardwick, Louis Arroyo or Louis Humberto and he never heard of such a fighter from Puerto Rico. I did call my father because he knows just about every Puerto Rican fighter that ever lived. I am doing some research and this is what I did find so far. From: http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/cocoa-k.htm
The Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia
Cocoa Kid
Born: Louis Hardwick, Jan 17, 1913, Puerto Rico
Height: 5-10
Managers: Charley Rose; George Sheppard; Bernie Bernstein
Available Record: 161-53-10 (42 Kayos), 1 ND, 1 NC
From the http://www.tainobox.com I find no record of him.
I can’t find any info on him in any Puerto Rican site that I know.
I going to keep digging but I personally don’t think he is from Puerto Rico.
The Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia
Cocoa Kid
Born: Louis Hardwick, Jan 17, 1913, Puerto Rico
Height: 5-10
Managers: Charley Rose; George Sheppard; Bernie Bernstein
Available Record: 161-53-10 (42 Kayos), 1 ND, 1 NC
From the http://www.tainobox.com I find no record of him.
I can’t find any info on him in any Puerto Rican site that I know.
I going to keep digging but I personally don’t think he is from Puerto Rico.
I have the newspaper clip of the Legon-Cocoa fight and there's no mention of nationality for the kid.
This would back Luckett's thesis, for it it was Cepero/Cocoa there would be some kind of mention of his previous fights in Cuba. Cepero drew 12,000 paying customers against Anisio Orbeta in the city of Camaguey and was a well known fighter in Cuba. Had he returned fourteen years later even with a changed name, would have elicited some comment from the press.
Everything seems to point that Cocoa was Cuban: (1) Clippings such as the Syracuse paper you mention (2) The Hartford promoter now in his nineties who states him to be a Cuban (3) the statement by Wes Ramey Jr. that his father who knew Cocoa well said unequivocally that he was Cuban.
What I think is going to be damn hard to figure out is if he was really Juan Cepero. Unless we can find a photo of Cepero to compare or a relative comes out of the woodwork, all we know is that he was Cuban, but which one?
This would back Luckett's thesis, for it it was Cepero/Cocoa there would be some kind of mention of his previous fights in Cuba. Cepero drew 12,000 paying customers against Anisio Orbeta in the city of Camaguey and was a well known fighter in Cuba. Had he returned fourteen years later even with a changed name, would have elicited some comment from the press.
Everything seems to point that Cocoa was Cuban: (1) Clippings such as the Syracuse paper you mention (2) The Hartford promoter now in his nineties who states him to be a Cuban (3) the statement by Wes Ramey Jr. that his father who knew Cocoa well said unequivocally that he was Cuban.
What I think is going to be damn hard to figure out is if he was really Juan Cepero. Unless we can find a photo of Cepero to compare or a relative comes out of the woodwork, all we know is that he was Cuban, but which one?
Cocoa Kid
All of this research indicates to me that Cepero was Cocoa Kid. As Enrique has pointed out - a photo of Cepro would probably confirm if this theory was near to the truth.
However, through my own research on this subject (which is in Cocoa Kid's bio in the Burley book), I have discovered information that - IMO - puts a fly in the ointment on the Cepero/Cocoa Kid supposition (or at least adds further intrigue).
For his fight with Alex Tourraine at the Broadway Arena, Brooklyn (Nov, 1929), Cepero is described as a :
"Cuban, Negro lightweight".
and
"A slim-built-spindly-legged reminder of Al Brown"
Photos of Cocoa Kid indicate that he was fairly light skinned when compared to Al Brown or even Kid Chocolate.
The other piece of evidence that indicates that Cepero may not have been Cocoa Kid is the manifest from the ship (the General Cobb) that Kid Chocolate and his party travelled on from Cuba to Key West. This describes the team as:
Luis Gutierrez (30), Manager, Cuban
Fernando Eguilar (28), Trainer, Cuban
Benito Garcia (21), Boxer, Cuban
Elpidio Pizarro (21), boxer, Cuban
Enrique Quintana (21), Boxer, Cuban
Eligio Sardinas [Kid Chocolate] (22), Boxer, African
Juan Cepero (22), Boxer, African
If Cepero was Cuban he may look more like the Cocoa Kid we know (and have photos of) and less like Al Brown and Kid Chocolate.
Also - if he was 22 in 1929 and was putting Ray Robinson on his backside in 1948, Cepro had a very long career (not impossible though as we have witnessed countless times before with some of the old-timers).
The mystery deepens.
However, through my own research on this subject (which is in Cocoa Kid's bio in the Burley book), I have discovered information that - IMO - puts a fly in the ointment on the Cepero/Cocoa Kid supposition (or at least adds further intrigue).
For his fight with Alex Tourraine at the Broadway Arena, Brooklyn (Nov, 1929), Cepero is described as a :
"Cuban, Negro lightweight".
and
"A slim-built-spindly-legged reminder of Al Brown"
Photos of Cocoa Kid indicate that he was fairly light skinned when compared to Al Brown or even Kid Chocolate.
The other piece of evidence that indicates that Cepero may not have been Cocoa Kid is the manifest from the ship (the General Cobb) that Kid Chocolate and his party travelled on from Cuba to Key West. This describes the team as:
Luis Gutierrez (30), Manager, Cuban
Fernando Eguilar (28), Trainer, Cuban
Benito Garcia (21), Boxer, Cuban
Elpidio Pizarro (21), boxer, Cuban
Enrique Quintana (21), Boxer, Cuban
Eligio Sardinas [Kid Chocolate] (22), Boxer, African
Juan Cepero (22), Boxer, African
If Cepero was Cuban he may look more like the Cocoa Kid we know (and have photos of) and less like Al Brown and Kid Chocolate.
Also - if he was 22 in 1929 and was putting Ray Robinson on his backside in 1948, Cepro had a very long career (not impossible though as we have witnessed countless times before with some of the old-timers).
The mystery deepens.
The differences in skin color are not significant in the context of the description. The references to Cepero as African or Negro can mean any kind of shade of mulatto to deep black. We Cubans come in a variety of shades from European, African and Chinese descendants.
Cepero seemed to be in his lightweight years early in his career similar to Al Brown, but if he was Cocoa Kid, he filled from his skinny frame which was normal with age.
I think Cocoa was Cuban but I doubt that he was Cepero because there would have been some comment to that effect when Cocoa Kid went to Cuba to fight Joe legon.
Cepero seemed to be in his lightweight years early in his career similar to Al Brown, but if he was Cocoa Kid, he filled from his skinny frame which was normal with age.
I think Cocoa was Cuban but I doubt that he was Cepero because there would have been some comment to that effect when Cocoa Kid went to Cuba to fight Joe legon.
Enrique,
The point I was trying to make is that Kid Chocolate and Cepero were the only members of the party that described themselves on the ships manifest as African (while the others were listed as Cuban).
Making a very small leap from a dark-skinned Kid Chocolate - as African and the description of Cepero as being 'Al Brown'-like I was proposing that Cepero - also described as African - may have looked more like Kid Chocolate that the lighter skinned Cocoa Kid.
The point I was trying to make is that Kid Chocolate and Cepero were the only members of the party that described themselves on the ships manifest as African (while the others were listed as Cuban).
Making a very small leap from a dark-skinned Kid Chocolate - as African and the description of Cepero as being 'Al Brown'-like I was proposing that Cepero - also described as African - may have looked more like Kid Chocolate that the lighter skinned Cocoa Kid.
I understand, amigo.
Getting a Cepero photo is damn near impossible, I have searched hundreds of microfilms of Diario de la Marina at the University of Miami and never seen one and I am trying my good buddy Hank Kaplan, but I have seen his cuban photo file- mine has 800 photos - and I've never seen a Cepero photo.
Getting a Cepero photo is damn near impossible, I have searched hundreds of microfilms of Diario de la Marina at the University of Miami and never seen one and I am trying my good buddy Hank Kaplan, but I have seen his cuban photo file- mine has 800 photos - and I've never seen a Cepero photo.
Cepero photo
Enrique,
If you could get a photo of Cepero that would probably be the end of the discussion (If a fight turned up arounfd the same time that Cocoa Kid fought I suppose that would mean the same).
I have checked action in Cuba in Ring magazine from 1930 on and have not found a thing on Cepero - not a photo a fight report or anything. Do you know how extensively the Cuban scene was covered in this publication?)
I mentioned this to Hank several years ago (the fact that Cocoa Kid may be Cuban) and he thought that it would be wonderful if he were. It's just proving it.
You may be correct in thinking that Cepero may not be the guy, but I don't think that Cocoa Kid was Lou Hardwick either. And I don't think the early bouts on Cocoa Kid's record (reported in the press as Lou Hardwick), should be there.
There is more work to be done here but, if we all keep looking, something should (fingers crossed) turn up.
If you could get a photo of Cepero that would probably be the end of the discussion (If a fight turned up arounfd the same time that Cocoa Kid fought I suppose that would mean the same).
I have checked action in Cuba in Ring magazine from 1930 on and have not found a thing on Cepero - not a photo a fight report or anything. Do you know how extensively the Cuban scene was covered in this publication?)
I mentioned this to Hank several years ago (the fact that Cocoa Kid may be Cuban) and he thought that it would be wonderful if he were. It's just proving it.
You may be correct in thinking that Cepero may not be the guy, but I don't think that Cocoa Kid was Lou Hardwick either. And I don't think the early bouts on Cocoa Kid's record (reported in the press as Lou Hardwick), should be there.
There is more work to be done here but, if we all keep looking, something should (fingers crossed) turn up.
Rings for 1929 and prior have some reports on Cepero -- but he disappears from the historical record on 12/23/1929 never to be mentioned again so far as I can tell.
I'd like to review the Cuban paper El Noche, the sports section of which (I think) was editied at the time by Cepero's boxing promoter. (Everlast of those years used to have a list of reporters by country).
I'd like to review the Cuban paper El Noche, the sports section of which (I think) was editied at the time by Cepero's boxing promoter. (Everlast of those years used to have a list of reporters by country).
What I don't understand is why Cocoa Kid has to be 'someone else' In case he was not Louis Hardwick, why can't he have been a kid from Connecticut of Puerto Rican ancestry, as there are so many in that area, that didn't fight prior to his New England days.
Newspapers mix up nationalities all the time, so it would be even stranger for a Puerto Rican to have NOT been called Cuban every once in a while.
My personal feeling is that he's not Louis Hardwick (someone probably once falsely identified him as Hardwick and the name stuck) but that he's not another previously well-known fighter either.
Newspapers mix up nationalities all the time, so it would be even stranger for a Puerto Rican to have NOT been called Cuban every once in a while.
My personal feeling is that he's not Louis Hardwick (someone probably once falsely identified him as Hardwick and the name stuck) but that he's not another previously well-known fighter either.
Here's another little tidbit --
Hardwick wound up in 1930-1931 in Cincinnatti, having signed with Freddie Miller's manager. In October he was scheduled for a fight with Tiger Walker. Walker had just beaten a fighter named "Chocolate Kid."
There is one fight for a Chocolate Kid from Akron in the database (though not the one with Walker.) Now who was that? Does that "Chocolate Kid" fit into the story?
HArdwick did not fight Walker for some reason. There is one more fight for him in Atlanta, and then he disappears and Cocoa Kid appears in CT.
We REALLY need to review the local New Haven papers for the first 6 months of 1932!
The mystery of the Chocolate Dahila continues!
Hardwick wound up in 1930-1931 in Cincinnatti, having signed with Freddie Miller's manager. In October he was scheduled for a fight with Tiger Walker. Walker had just beaten a fighter named "Chocolate Kid."
There is one fight for a Chocolate Kid from Akron in the database (though not the one with Walker.) Now who was that? Does that "Chocolate Kid" fit into the story?
HArdwick did not fight Walker for some reason. There is one more fight for him in Atlanta, and then he disappears and Cocoa Kid appears in CT.
We REALLY need to review the local New Haven papers for the first 6 months of 1932!
The mystery of the Chocolate Dahila continues!
Sorry Mike, Chocolate Kid is the name Carl Turner went by early in his career.delisa wrote:Here's another little tidbit --
Hardwick wound up in 1930-1931 in Cincinnatti, having signed with Freddie Miller's manager. In October he was scheduled for a fight with Tiger Walker. Walker had just beaten a fighter named "Chocolate Kid."
There is one fight for a Chocolate Kid from Akron in the database (though not the one with Walker.) Now who was that? Does that "Chocolate Kid" fit into the story?
HArdwick did not fight Walker for some reason. There is one more fight for him in Atlanta, and then he disappears and Cocoa Kid appears in CT.
We REALLY need to review the local New Haven papers for the first 6 months of 1932!
The mystery of the Chocolate Dahila continues!
I don't believe Cocoa was Cepero as there would have been some comment on the Cuban press about it at the time he went to Cuba and fought Legon.
I also don't believe that Cocoa is Hardwick. Too many discrepancies and Hardwick ended up in Ohio while Cocoa is traced to New England.
As per press clippings almost all point Cocoa to be a Cuban, which I believe it to be correct, while mentions of him being Puerto Rican are practically non existent.
Mike, do you know where we can locate La Noche archives?
I also don't believe that Cocoa is Hardwick. Too many discrepancies and Hardwick ended up in Ohio while Cocoa is traced to New England.
As per press clippings almost all point Cocoa to be a Cuban, which I believe it to be correct, while mentions of him being Puerto Rican are practically non existent.
Mike, do you know where we can locate La Noche archives?
Wouter -- good catch on Turner/Chocolate -- i merged the record.
Enrique -- re Noche -- I cant seem to find a source. NYPL, LOC and CRL don't seem to have it.
Here is what CRL has --
Location
Alerta! (Havana, Cuba) Havana, CUB
Diario de la marina Havana, CUB
Direct from Cuba Havana, CUB
Discusion (Havana, Cuba) Havana, CUB
Excelsior (Havana, Cuba) Havana, CUB
Granma Havana, CUB
Granma weekly review Havana, CUB
Havana post (Havana, Cuba) Havana, CUB
Mundo (Havana, Cuba) Havana, CUB
OCLAE Havana, CUB
Revolucion (Havana, Cuba) Havana, CUB
Siglo (Havana, Cuba : 1862) Havana, CUB
Tricontinental Havana, CUB
Enrique -- re Noche -- I cant seem to find a source. NYPL, LOC and CRL don't seem to have it.
Here is what CRL has --
Location
Alerta! (Havana, Cuba) Havana, CUB
Diario de la marina Havana, CUB
Direct from Cuba Havana, CUB
Discusion (Havana, Cuba) Havana, CUB
Excelsior (Havana, Cuba) Havana, CUB
Granma Havana, CUB
Granma weekly review Havana, CUB
Havana post (Havana, Cuba) Havana, CUB
Mundo (Havana, Cuba) Havana, CUB
OCLAE Havana, CUB
Revolucion (Havana, Cuba) Havana, CUB
Siglo (Havana, Cuba : 1862) Havana, CUB
Tricontinental Havana, CUB