Classic American West Coast Boxing

[Expug]

Rick, Hassan is listed in the program as wbhf "Seargant of Arms".
Does that mean he is the bouncer?
Wait till Uncle John hears about this!
I was "Saergent at Arms" for a Teamster local back in the mid eighties.
I wonder is it the same thing.

[Rick Farris]

The thing that was a little strange was, it was I think the only film of Whitaker that they showed .They may have showed a bit of other fights , I cant remember, but the Haugen footage was the biggest part and that was strange no doubt.

I noticed it too. I was wondering if it was just a coincidence or planned. I remember thinking "Man, Haugen gets his induction and all that praise and then this!". Yeah, Whitaker beat him but it was sorta rubbing his face in it at an inappropriate time. Not cool.

Randy

It didnt help matters that it was Whitaker landing the shots either.
The guy didnt even show.He was never one of my favorites.

Were on the same page, Brian. Regardless of what he did in his career, when it came to his WBHOF induction, Whitaker was no champ. The crack-addicted former boxer suddenly got on his high horse and demanded he be given the "biggest star on the block" treatment, complete with multi-round-trip first class plane tickets, a couple of suites for he and his buddies, etc. "Were a non-profit organization, Pernell", he was told. "Well you find the money or I'm not coming" he answered.

I pushed forward a new HOF rule for future inductees who hold out for special treatment. If they don't show up, we will still induct them, they earned that in the ring. However, they will not be awarded a special bronze, "The Fighter", crafted by artist Steven Harpst. We will tell them, if you want the bronze, someday in the future pay your way out to the event and we'll present it to you after the current inductees have received their awards and given their speeches. One day we may have our own museum, like the International Boxing HOF has in Canastoga. The uncollected bronzes will find a home there. Better a museum than in the closet of some drug dealer who took it in as collateral for a few rocks.

-Rick

[Expug]

Frank and Randy, thanks for the responses on Paulie.
I figured as much.
But you two put it beautifully as I knew you would.
Maybe a flying chair would knock a little sense into Paulie.
Flying objects sometimes do.

Nothing like a solid flying object to set a man straight!!

I dont think Ive ever been hit by a flying chair.
Been hit by a flying cue ball once though.
Your right Randy. It definitely sets a guy straight.

[kikibalt]

At the time that Joey Barnum managed and trained Trigo, they got into a big argument,
who know over what, Barnum got back in training and they sign a contract to fight and
settle matters, the manager, Joey Barnum, won.

[Expug]

Rick, your policy as far as the statues awarded to inductees is spot on.
As is the induction rule if they dont show.
They earned it in the ring , so fair enough, they go in to the hall.
Whitaker sounds like a real goof.Im sure you, me or any of the guys here , if we were honored in this way, we would WALK to the banquet in order to be inducted.

[Rick Farris]

Rick, Hassan is listed in the program as wbhf "Seargant of Arms".
Does that mean he is the bouncer?
Wait till Uncle John hears about this!
I was "Saergent at Arms" for a Teamster local back in the mid eighties.
I wonder is it the same thing.

You know Pug, I could never figure out what we needed a Seargent of Arms for. Truth is, we got a guy who thinks he can use Hassan for muscle. When I see a guy like that, all I'm looking at is a big TARGET, one that's slow. The sick part of me is intrigued with the idea of this guy attempting to throw me out of anything. I need to share a very sad incident that happened after the banquet, involving Bobby Chacon, the Arab, and one of our directors who is a good earner for the organization, but disrespectful of the legends (I'll discuss that later). By the way Pug, I couldn't help but think what would happen to the guy if he tried to eject you. I picture a scene from an old Laurel & Hardy movie, where some tough guy took their arms and legs and tied them in knots. I can picture Hassan attempting to roll his knotted body out the front door of the Marriott after tangling with our Ex Pug. I mean, why bother to punch the guy and risk bruising your knuckles? You have many options, amigo. As for Uncle John, next year we'll tell him that the Iranian said that the Irish can't fight.

-Rick

[Expug]

Rick, Hassan is listed in the program as wbhf "Seargant of Arms".
Does that mean he is the bouncer?
Wait till Uncle John hears about this!
I was "Saergent at Arms" for a Teamster local back in the mid eighties.
I wonder is it the same thing.

You know Pug, I could never figure out what we needed a Seargent of Arms for. Truth is, we got a guy who thinks he can use Hassan for muscle. When I see a guy like that, all I'm looking at is a big TARGET, one that's slow. The sick part of me is intrigued with the idea of this guy attempting to throw me out of anything. I need to share a very sad incident that happened after the banquet, involving Bobby Chacon, the Arab, and one of our directors who is a good earner for the organization, but disrespectful of the legends (I'll discuss that later). By the way Pug, I couldn't help but think what would happen to the guy if he tried to eject you. I picture a scene from an old Laurel & Hardy movie, where some tough guy took their arms and legs and tied them in knots. I can picture Hassan attempting to roll his knotted body out the front door of the Marriott after tangling with our Ex Pug. I mean, why bother to punch the guy and risk bruising your knuckles? You have many options, amigo.

-Rick

You are a real fighter Rick.
Hassan wouldnt be able to throw you out of anything any where.
He would wind up with a handful of teeth.
I didnt know Hassan was involved in that incident with Bobby.
Its very infuriating.

[kikibalt]

Uncle John


"The Man"

[Expug]

Uncle John


"The Man"

Even after all the new clothes we picked out, still he loves that shirt!

[kikibalt]

[kikibalt]

[kikibalt]

Rex Layne

[Rick Farris]

Photo and caption by Dan


Former heavyweight contender Joey Orbillo with Rodolfo Gonzalez

Orbillo looks tough.

After Joey's ring career ended he became heavily involved in Full Contact Karate, or Kick Boxing as it's called today. I also was involved in this for awhile, in the mid-70's. These were the days when Benny "The Jet" Urquidez was on his way to the top of the world in that arena. In 1976, Mike Quarry was scheduled to meet a top ten light-heavy kickboxer named Ralph Allegria, in a special Boxer vs. Kickboxer match at the L.A. Sports Arena. Joey Orbillo was the referee. I knew Allegria and had worked out with him at a gym in the South Bay. I was smaller than Allegria, but was able to hurt him with body shots during a sparring session. I didn't like this kickboxer because he was an arrogant bastard who turned into a punk when his body was hurt. I deliberatly went to the match, which was a part of an all kickboxing card that also featured the unbeaten Urquidez. Before the match I asked Mike Quarry if he knew anything about Allegria, and he shook his head "No". I told him to go right to the guys body with hooks, get in close and take away his kicking room. Quarry nodded and said "Thanks". When the bout started, Mike proved he was still a Quarry and did what he wanted to do, which was stay outside of the kickboxer and try beating him with kicks. Halfway thru the round, and Quarry still hadn't thrown a punch. Mike and the kickboxer both stayed on the outside, no blows were thrown, just a few harmless kicks, and the match declared a draw. I couldn't believe what I was seeing and then I remembered, I was watching a Quarry. If given a chance, a Quarry will always find a way to lose a sure thing.

-Rick

[kikibalt]

Joey Orbillo, was also a cop with the LAPD for a time, don't know how long that gig lasted.

[kikibalt]

[kikibalt]

Don Cockell vs Roland La Starza

[kikibalt]

Julio Mederos vs Roland La Starza

[Rick Farris]

Joey Orbillo, was also a cop with the LAPD for a time, don't know how long that gig lasted.

Joey had a few problems on the force and was disciplined for his use of alcohol. One night, on patrol, Orbillo and his partner arrest a guy who wouldn't shut up as they drove him to the station for booking. Joey took his flashlight and jammed it down the guys throat, breaking a few teeth in the process. Shortly afterwards, he was encouraged to resign from the LAPD.

-Rick

[Rick Farris]

Uncle John


"The Man"

Even after all the new clothes we picked out, still he loves that shirt!

I'm going to get one just like it and wear it to the WBHOF President's dinner next year, under my sport coat. On second thought, maybe I'll reflect the other part of my bloodline and wear a T-Shirt emblazened with a Union Jack. Of course, if I do, I best stay clear of Pops and Uncle John.

By the way, looking forward to seeing Ricky Hatton put the screws to Paulie M. tonight. Maybe he'll give the boy a haircut after he kicks his arse.

[kikibalt]

Here's a nice sharp image of a streetcar passing City Hall.

Remember those days, Rick?....

[Rick Farris]

Here's a nice sharp image of a streetcar passing City Hall.

Remember those days, Rick?....

Very well, Frank. The buses I rode looked just like the street car pictured. I paid 15 cents one way from the S.F. Valley to where the bus dropped me off, in front of the L.A. Times Bldg. at 2nd & Spring St. right around the corner from the Main St. Gym. Amazing isn't it? At the time the Los Angeles skyline featured it's tallest structure, the 26 story City Hall in the background. Today, the City Hall is dwarfed by dozens of skyscraper's, many rising more than 70 stories. Skid Row is becoming respectable, I mean, what in the Hell is the world coming too?

[kikibalt]

Here's a nice sharp image of a streetcar passing City Hall.

Remember those days, Rick?....

Very well, Frank. The buses I rode looked just like the street car pictured. I paid 15 cents one way from the S.F. Valley to where the bus dropped me off, in front of the L.A. Times Bldg. at 2nd & Spring St. right around the corner from the Main St. Gym. Amazing isn't it? At the time the Los Angeles skyline featured it's tallest structure, the 26 story City Hall in the background. Today, the City Hall is dwarfed by dozens of skyscraper's, many rising more than 70 stories. Skid Row is becoming respectable, I mean, what in the Hell is the world coming too?

Rick, in 1958, I was riding the street car on Whittier Bl. when an operator who has gotten fired that day hi-jack the street car that I was riding and he drove that thing as fast as he could until it jump the tracks, lots of people including me got hurt, I got a few bucks out off that ride....

[Randyman]

Photo and caption by Dan


Former heavyweight contender Joey Orbillo with Rodolfo Gonzalez

Orbillo looks tough.

After Joey's ring career ended he became heavily involved in Full Contact Karate, or Kick Boxing as it's called today. I also was involved in this for awhile, in the mid-70's. These were the days when Benny "The Jet" Urquidez was on his way to the top of the world in that arena. In 1976, Mike Quarry was scheduled to meet a top ten light-heavy kickboxer named Ralph Allegria, in a special Boxer vs. Kickboxer match at the L.A. Sports Arena. Joey Orbillo was the referee. I knew Allegria and had worked out with him at a gym in the South Bay. I was smaller than Allegria, but was able to hurt him with body shots during a sparring session. I didn't like this kickboxer because he was an arrogant bastard who turned into a punk when his body was hurt. I deliberatly went to the match, which was a part of an all kickboxing card that also featured the unbeaten Urquidez. Before the match I asked Mike Quarry if he knew anything about Allegria, and he shook his head "No". I told him to go right to the guys body with hooks, get in close and take away his kicking room. Quarry nodded and said "Thanks". When the bout started, Mike proved he was still a Quarry and did what he wanted to do, which was stay outside of the kickboxer and try beating him with kicks. Halfway thru the round, and Quarry still hadn't thrown a punch. Mike and the kickboxer both stayed on the outside, no blows were thrown, just a few harmless kicks, and the match declared a draw. I couldn't believe what I was seeing and then I remembered, I was watching a Quarry. If given a chance, a Quarry will always find a way to lose a sure thing.

-Rick

I was at the Los Angeles Sports Arena in 1974 ( I think it was 74) for the first Full Contact Karate fight. I can't recall all the "Fighters" names but Joe Lewis, Jeff Smith and Bill Wallace fought that night. it was a ropeless ring. In the weeks leading up to the fights, they all suddenly realized that they needed help, big time. That's where Orbillo came in. There wasn't enough time. It was embarrassingly pathetic. I can't remember now if they won or lost but it didn't matter. The truth was out, these guys couldn't fight worth a lick. The only guy that shined that night was a kid from Mexico. It was obvious he was a boxer or at least had some boxing training.

In 1975 Mel asked me what I knew about Bill Wallace. I told him about the fight I witnessed and that I thought Wallace wasn't much of a fighter, as far as I was concerned. He had a helluva kick, against a bag but he didn't have a clue with a moving target. He told me Mike Nixon was going to fight Wallace in a mixed match. For one reason or another, it never happened. Nixon would have killed him. He was a notorious street fighter.

Benny Urquidez was a good friend of Bobby Chacon back in the day, both of them being from the Valley. Benny was also a sparring partner for Bobby for years. I really believe Benny missed his calling. He should have been a boxer. Benny had heart.

Randy

[kikibalt]

Hatton won, but he didn't look good in winning, Magg. again showed that he can't fight.

[kikibalt]

Where is the defense in todays fighters? Magg. with his hands down on his side, not one glove close to his face/chin.