BoxRec

[/quote]I remember in 1970, about the time I turned pro, Zuani was training boxers in East L.A. I remember that I did some training at Ressurection Gym on La Reina Ave. in East L.A., to pick up some different sparring.

Alfredo Zuany was a trainer, I remember he wore glasses, but have'nt seen him since.


-Rick[/quote]

I too remember Zuany training boxers at the Ressurection Gym, which is the gym De La Hoyo bought, Rick, maybe you can help me here, I been trying to remember Jim's last name, Jim is the one that started the Ressurection Gym back in the mid-60's, I want to say its Lopez, but not sure, what you say?

Rick Farris wrote:

bennie wrote:
Lyle

Bennie, I'll never forget the first time I saw Ron Lyle. It was in 1970, and I had gone to Las Vegas with the L.A. Golden Gloves team for the National Tournament. My closest friend, Kit Boursse' a heavyweight sparring partner for Jerry Quarry (who was also handled by Johnny Flores) drew Ron Lyle in the eliminations. Needless to say, that was as far as he got. Lyle had come out of prison in Colorado, I believe, and was being touted as the "next Sonny Liston". He handed my buddy the only TKO loss of his career, and then went on to raise Hell in the pros. However, his unbeaten record came to an end when he took on another Johnny Flores heavyweight in Quarry, who had no problem spanking Lyle.

-Rick

Lyle froze against Quarry in his first important East Coast and first Madison Square Garden fight.

The fighter who 'spanked' Lyle twice was Jimmy Young, who handled Lyle with ease.
.

Terrell

Cheto's Boxing Gym is in Plaza Santa Cecelia,a block up of Revolution behind the Hotel Nelson. At one time Julio Cesar Chavez owned the gym,but I never noticed any difference. It's a small place with a ring,heavy and speed bags,wall mirror. One of the many boxing gyms you see in Mexico. They're in the colonias,pueblos,cities big and small. Chiapas to Tijuana,fighters of all ages are trying to see if they can rise above their struggle to attain a better life for themselves. Now they learn they have to struggle in the gym. Some have the talent,but even less have the will to endure the struggle. Some can make a living at it,but few can save what they make or even make enough so they can enjoy life after their bodies aren't capable of fighting in the ring. But you see many that are still fighting when you know they shouldn't be in there any more.
Even if you are or were a champion doesn't mean that boxing hasn't won the decision over the fighter in the end. Not many fighters listen,and even less are there to tell them the truth.

Mexico has more licensed fighters than any country in the world. I sit outside Cheto's Boxing Gym and watch the fighters train. The gym is open in the front. Usually the gym is not very full. I often see young kids wearing big boxing gloves and head gear getting instructions from a trainer. Down the street a ways there's a video arcade. There are kids there too. They have one game where the floor has these squares that light up to the rhythm of the music. You have to step on the square that lights up to the beat to win. Maybe they should put this game in Cheto's Boxing Gym. It would be good for developing footwork. There's a "primaria" (grammar school) around the corner from Cheto's. There's kids there also.

I look inside Cheto's Boxing Gym and sometimes think what is better. Boxing gym,video arcade,school? I guess you can do all three, or none at all. Maybe it is all equal ,or what you put into it. I don't think it's worth trying to figure that out. The last time I passed by Cheto's they had built a wall in front of the inside of the gym. You couldn't see what was going on inside from the street. I tried to go inside. There was a guy at the door. He said only members were allowed to go inside. A membership was now 500 pesos($50)a month. I'm 61. The money wasn't a problem for me. It was my age. I just like to watch now.

500 pesos is a lot of money for the person who is struggling in Mexico. I wonder how many fighters were inside Cheto's Boxing Gym that day?

Frank,Rick,the guys in Chicago.
How about another Mexican heavyweight,Fernando Montes? The reason I asked Scar and Pug is that Montes fought in Chicago. Montes reminded me of the fighter in Requiem For A Heavyweight:Mountain Rivera, played by Tony Quinn.

dagosd2000 wrote:Cheto's Boxing Gym is in Plaza Santa Cecelia,a block up of Revolution behind the Hotel Nelson. At one time Julio Cesar Chavez owned the gym,but I never noticed any difference. It's a small place with a ring,heavy and speed bags,wall mirror. One of the many boxing gyms you see in Mexico. They're in the colonias,pueblos,cities big and small. Chiapas to Tijuana,fighters of all ages are trying to see if they can rise above their struggle to attain a better life for themselves. Now they learn they have to struggle in the gym. Some have the talent,but even less have the will to endure the struggle. Some can make a living at it,but few can save what they make or even make enough so they can enjoy life after their bodies aren't capable of fighting in the ring. But you see many that are still fighting when you know they shouldn't be in there any more.
Even if you are or were a champion doesn't mean that boxing hasn't won the decision over the fighter in the end. Not many fighters listen,and even less are there to tell them the truth.

Mexico has more licensed fighters than any country in the world. I sit outside Cheto's Boxing Gym and watch the fighters train. The gym is open in the front. Usually the gym is not very full. I often see young kids wearing big boxing gloves and head gear getting instructions from a trainer. Down the street a ways there's a video arcade. There are kids there too. They have one game where the floor has these squares that light up to the rhythm of the music. You have to step on the square that lights up to the beat to win. Maybe they should put this game in Cheto's Boxing Gym. It would be good for developing footwork. There's a "primaria" (grammar school) around the corner from Cheto's. There's kids there also.

I look inside Cheto's Boxing Gym and sometimes think what is better. Boxing gym,video arcade,school? I guess you can do all three, or none at all. Maybe it is all equal ,or what you put into it. I don't think it's worth trying to figure that out. The last time I passed by Cheto's they had built a wall in front of the inside of the gym. You couldn't see what was going on inside from the street. I tried to go inside. There was a guy at the door. He said only members were allowed to go inside. A membership was now 500 pesos($50)a month. I'm 61. The money wasn't a problem for me. It was my age. I just like to watch now.

500 pesos is a lot of money for the person who is struggling in Mexico. I wonder how many fighters were inside Cheto's Boxing Gym that day?

D-Dude

I had Frankie sparr at Cheto's one Saturday that we were in T.J to buy boxing shoe's, gloves and what not at a sporting goods store that was around from the gym, can't remember the name of the store, do you know the store?

dagosd2000 wrote:Remember "Pulgarcito" Ramos? Mexico's ultimate wish in boxing is to have a Heavyweight Champ. I remember when he beat Eddie Machen and later Ernie Terrell. Joe Frazier,I believe held the New York version of the heavyweight title. They matched Ramos in the Garden with Frazier. I went to Tijuana to watch the broadcast. The 'aficianadoa" were crossing their fingers. Ramos went right to Frazier. They were swinging away at each other pretty good. I remember one exchange in the 2nd round. Ramos threw a big left hook and just missed. A little later in the round Frazier stopped him. A lot of action for 2 rounds.

After the fight,the Mexican fans said if Ramos would have connected with that left hook,the ending might have been different. I still talk to Mexican fight fans today and they still remember that left hook that just missed by Pulgarcito.

That was Frazier's first title defense.

Ramos staggered Frazier visibly with a big right hand.
From there Frazier came back with everything he had to stop Ramos (on his feet).

I expected to see more of Ramos after that.

dagosd2000 wrote:Frank,Rick,the guys in Chicago.
How about another Mexican heavyweight,Fernando Montes? The reason I asked Scar and Pug is that Montes fought in Chicago. Montes reminded me of the fighter in Requiem For A Heavyweight:Mountain Rivera, played by Tony Quinn.

I seen Montes get TKO-4 by Eddie "The Animal" Lopez some time in the early 1970's at the Forum. not much of a fighter imo.

scartissue wrote:You guys remember Howard Smith? I think they called him the Black Prince or the Black Cat or something. I remember Harry Kabakoff picking him up when he was coming along and Kabakoff saying he always wanted to manage a heavyweight champ. I recall Smith and thought he was one nice fighter. He looked like he was really going to do something too, especially when he beat Johnny Boudreux in New York. But then they matched him with Shavers, and although he did buckle Shavers knees with an uppercut, Shavers was too much for him and blew him away in 2 rounds. I do think if he could have weathered the storm he might have had a chance cuz Shavers was throwing everything but the kitchen sink. He had one more fight, a win, then retired. I thought I heard he had a detached retina. Anyone know for sure?

Scartissue

Scar
I saw Smith fight in San Diego against big Jack O'Halloran. KO'd Jack. You're right about Smith. Talented. I thought he was going to go a long way. Don't know anything about the retina.

kikibalt wrote:

dagosd2000 wrote:Cheto's Boxing Gym is in Plaza Santa Cecelia,a block up of Revolution behind the Hotel Nelson. At one time Julio Cesar Chavez owned the gym,but I never noticed any difference. It's a small place with a ring,heavy and speed bags,wall mirror. One of the many boxing gyms you see in Mexico. They're in the colonias,pueblos,cities big and small. Chiapas to Tijuana,fighters of all ages are trying to see if they can rise above their struggle to attain a better life for themselves. Now they learn they have to struggle in the gym. Some have the talent,but even less have the will to endure the struggle. Some can make a living at it,but few can save what they make or even make enough so they can enjoy life after their bodies aren't capable of fighting in the ring. But you see many that are still fighting when you know they shouldn't be in there any more.
Even if you are or were a champion doesn't mean that boxing hasn't won the decision over the fighter in the end. Not many fighters listen,and even less are there to tell them the truth.

Mexico has more licensed fighters than any country in the world. I sit outside Cheto's Boxing Gym and watch the fighters train. The gym is open in the front. Usually the gym is not very full. I often see young kids wearing big boxing gloves and head gear getting instructions from a trainer. Down the street a ways there's a video arcade. There are kids there too. They have one game where the floor has these squares that light up to the rhythm of the music. You have to step on the square that lights up to the beat to win. Maybe they should put this game in Cheto's Boxing Gym. It would be good for developing footwork. There's a "primaria" (grammar school) around the corner from Cheto's. There's kids there also.

I look inside Cheto's Boxing Gym and sometimes think what is better. Boxing gym,video arcade,school? I guess you can do all three, or none at all. Maybe it is all equal ,or what you put into it. I don't think it's worth trying to figure that out. The last time I passed by Cheto's they had built a wall in front of the inside of the gym. You couldn't see what was going on inside from the street. I tried to go inside. There was a guy at the door. He said only members were allowed to go inside. A membership was now 500 pesos($50)a month. I'm 61. The money wasn't a problem for me. It was my age. I just like to watch now.

500 pesos is a lot of money for the person who is struggling in Mexico. I wonder how many fighters were inside Cheto's Boxing Gym that day?

D-Dude

I had Frankie sparr at Cheto's one Saturday that we were in T.J to buy boxing shoe's, gloves and what not at a sporting goods store that was around from the gym, can't remember the name of the store, do you know the store?

Deportes Viking? About 3 blocks up from Cheto's.

dagosd2000 wrote:

kikibalt wrote:

dagosd2000 wrote:Cheto's Boxing Gym is in Plaza Santa Cecelia,a block up of Revolution behind the Hotel Nelson. At one time Julio Cesar Chavez owned the gym,but I never noticed any difference. It's a small place with a ring,heavy and speed bags,wall mirror. One of the many boxing gyms you see in Mexico. They're in the colonias,pueblos,cities big and small. Chiapas to Tijuana,fighters of all ages are trying to see if they can rise above their struggle to attain a better life for themselves. Now they learn they have to struggle in the gym. Some have the talent,but even less have the will to endure the struggle. Some can make a living at it,but few can save what they make or even make enough so they can enjoy life after their bodies aren't capable of fighting in the ring. But you see many that are still fighting when you know they shouldn't be in there any more.
Even if you are or were a champion doesn't mean that boxing hasn't won the decision over the fighter in the end. Not many fighters listen,and even less are there to tell them the truth.

Mexico has more licensed fighters than any country in the world. I sit outside Cheto's Boxing Gym and watch the fighters train. The gym is open in the front. Usually the gym is not very full. I often see young kids wearing big boxing gloves and head gear getting instructions from a trainer. Down the street a ways there's a video arcade. There are kids there too. They have one game where the floor has these squares that light up to the rhythm of the music. You have to step on the square that lights up to the beat to win. Maybe they should put this game in Cheto's Boxing Gym. It would be good for developing footwork. There's a "primaria" (grammar school) around the corner from Cheto's. There's kids there also.

I look inside Cheto's Boxing Gym and sometimes think what is better. Boxing gym,video arcade,school? I guess you can do all three, or none at all. Maybe it is all equal ,or what you put into it. I don't think it's worth trying to figure that out. The last time I passed by Cheto's they had built a wall in front of the inside of the gym. You couldn't see what was going on inside from the street. I tried to go inside. There was a guy at the door. He said only members were allowed to go inside. A membership was now 500 pesos($50)a month. I'm 61. The money wasn't a problem for me. It was my age. I just like to watch now.

500 pesos is a lot of money for the person who is struggling in Mexico. I wonder how many fighters were inside Cheto's Boxing Gym that day?

D-Dude

I had Frankie sparr at Cheto's one Saturday that we were in T.J to buy boxing shoe's, gloves and what not at a sporting goods store that was around from the gym, can't remember the name of the store, do you know the store?

Deportes Viking? About 3 blocks up from Cheto's.

D-Dude; you got it!!!!!!!!!!

kikibalt wrote:

dagosd2000 wrote:Frank,Rick,the guys in Chicago.
How about another Mexican heavyweight,Fernando Montes? The reason I asked Scar and Pug is that Montes fought in Chicago. Montes reminded me of the fighter in Requiem For A Heavyweight:Mountain Rivera, played by Tony Quinn.

I seen Montes get TKO-4 by Eddie "The Animal" Lopez some time in the early 1970's at the Forum. not much of a fighter imo.

Carnal,
I want your take on this. Mexican fighters have always had a reputatation for giving it everything they have. Tough fighters. But then you hear(from Mexican fans)that the Mexican heavyweights don't have the "ganas'(desire) that the lighter weight fighters have. We've mentioned Montes and Ramos. They seemed to have lost the "ganas" at the end of their careers. It's one thing to lose,but to not have your heart in it anymore is another thing. Dime tu opinion,por favor.

kikibalt wrote:

dagosd2000 wrote:

kikibalt wrote: D-Dude

I had Frankie sparr at Cheto's one Saturday that we were in T.J to buy boxing shoe's, gloves and what not at a sporting goods store that was around from the gym, can't remember the name of the store, do you know the store?

Deportes Viking? About 3 blocks up from Cheto's.

D-Dude; you got it!!!!!!!!!!

Ali,when he was training for Norton in San Diego,went to Deportes Viking and bought Reyes bags and gloves. He said he liked the softness of the leather. He was supposed to train down there for a day,but it fell through. I guessed that the fans in TJ wouldn't think he was so entertaining. He was not very popular in Mexico.

I remember when Ignacio Huizar was the big promoter in TJ. Every fight was controlled by Huizar. Big screen also. Even big screen in San Diego when there was a big fight broadcast from Mexico.There was a big match in TJ. I forget who was fighting,but I wanted to buy tickets early. I didn't want to hassle in a long line. On the fight posters it said you could purchase tickets in advance at Huizar's Restaurant. The place was on the Boulevard. So I go down there and am driving up and down the street trying to find Huizar's Restaurant. I must have driven a half dozen times up and down the street. Finally I park the car and get out. I ask someone where I can find Huizar's joint. The guy points me to a little tacito place. Inside there's a short counter with 4 stools. Not even a table to sit down. The place is empty. Ignacio Huizar is behind the counter. I ask him if I can buy a couple of tickets.
"No problema",he says.
I buy two tickets and I'm out the door and on my way. I'm thinking. What a dump for one of the biggest fight promoters in Mexico. I wondered how much he paid the fighters?

dagosd2000 wrote:

kikibalt wrote:

dagosd2000 wrote:Frank,Rick,the guys in Chicago.
How about another Mexican heavyweight,Fernando Montes? The reason I asked Scar and Pug is that Montes fought in Chicago. Montes reminded me of the fighter in Requiem For A Heavyweight:Mountain Rivera, played by Tony Quinn.

I seen Montes get TKO-4 by Eddie "The Animal" Lopez some time in the early 1970's at the Forum. not much of a fighter imo.

Carnal,
I want your take on this. Mexican fighters have always had a reputatation for giving it everything they have. Tough fighters. But then you hear(from Mexican fans)that the Mexican heavyweights don't have the "ganas'(desire) that the lighter weight fighters have. We've mentioned Montes and Ramos. They seemed to have lost the "ganas" at the end of their careers. It's one thing to lose,but to not have your heart in it anymore is another thing. Dime tu opinion,por favor.

Will get back to you on this later, right now the wife has me washing windows.

dagosd2000 wrote:I remember when Ignacio Huizar was the big promoter in TJ. Every fight was controlled by Huizar. Big screen also. Even big screen in San Diego when there was a big fight broadcast from Mexico.There was a big match in TJ. I forget who was fighting,but I wanted to buy tickets early. I didn't want to hassle in a long line. On the fight posters it said you could purchase tickets in advance at Huizar's Restaurant. The place was on the Boulevard. So I go down there and am driving up and down the street trying to find Huizar's Restaurant. I must have driven a half dozen times up and down the street. Finally I park the car and get out. I ask someone where I can find Huizar's joint. The guy points me to a little tacito place. Inside there's a short counter with 4 stools. Not even a table to sit down. The place is empty. Ignacio Huizar is behind the counter. I ask him if I can buy a couple of tickets.
"No problema",he says.
I buy two tickets and I'm out the door and on my way. I'm thinking. What a dump for one of the biggest fight promoters in Mexico. I wondered how much he paid the fighters?

Such places are used as fronts for other things.

For a few years a 7-11 near me was used by connected people. They would place one of their guys as a supposed behind the register man, and all kinds of drop offs and other things were going on.

It was two blocks from my house and I had the eye to see what was going on. The guy they placed behind the register got uncomfortable when I mentioned the names of some of the people I had seen "dropping in" there. He said, "How do you know him?" etc

A short while later it turned back into a normal 7-11.

granberry wrote:

dagosd2000 wrote:I remember when Ignacio Huizar was the big promoter in TJ. Every fight was controlled by Huizar. Big screen also. Even big screen in San Diego when there was a big fight broadcast from Mexico.There was a big match in TJ. I forget who was fighting,but I wanted to buy tickets early. I didn't want to hassle in a long line. On the fight posters it said you could purchase tickets in advance at Huizar's Restaurant. The place was on the Boulevard. So I go down there and am driving up and down the street trying to find Huizar's Restaurant. I must have driven a half dozen times up and down the street. Finally I park the car and get out. I ask someone where I can find Huizar's joint. The guy points me to a little tacito place. Inside there's a short counter with 4 stools. Not even a table to sit down. The place is empty. Ignacio Huizar is behind the counter. I ask him if I can buy a couple of tickets.
"No problema",he says.
I buy two tickets and I'm out the door and on my way. I'm thinking. What a dump for one of the biggest fight promoters in Mexico. I wondered how much he paid the fighters?

Such places are used as fronts for other things.

For a few years a 7-11 near me was used by connected people. They would place one of their guys as a supposed behind the register man, and all kinds of drop offs and other things were going on.

It was two blocks from my house and I had the eye to see what was going on. The guy they placed behind the register got uncomfortable when I mentioned the names of some of the people I had seen "dropping in" there. He said, "How do you know him?" etc

A short while later it turned back into a normal 7-11.

Yeh,It's probably was something like that. Or sometimes guys like Huizar want show the people there's a humble side to them. I remember my father and his pals would some times hang out in back of the"Moose Lodge". I don't think much charity work was discussed back there.

dagosd2000 wrote:I remember when Ignacio Huizar was the big promoter in TJ. Every fight was controlled by Huizar. Big screen also. Even big screen in San Diego when there was a big fight broadcast from Mexico.There was a big match in TJ. I forget who was fighting,but I wanted to buy tickets early. I didn't want to hassle in a long line. On the fight posters it said you could purchase tickets in advance at Huizar's Restaurant. The place was on the Boulevard. So I go down there and am driving up and down the street trying to find Huizar's Restaurant. I must have driven a half dozen times up and down the street. Finally I park the car and get out. I ask someone where I can find Huizar's joint. The guy points me to a little tacito place. Inside there's a short counter with 4 stools. Not even a table to sit down. The place is empty. Ignacio Huizar is behind the counter. I ask him if I can buy a couple of tickets.
"No problema",he says.
I buy two tickets and I'm out the door and on my way. I'm thinking. What a dump for one of the biggest fight promoters in Mexico. I wondered how much he paid the fighters?

D,

Back in the late 1960's-early 1970's, there was a guy that used to come to L.A. from San Luis Rio Coloando and was at the fights at the Olympic every week, he used to dress good, drove a nice car, well this guy had a store in San Luis and his trip to L.A was to buy stuff to sell in his store, while here he would take in the fights, some of us got to know the guy and he invited us to his place if we ever found our-selfs in Yuma/San Luis.

In 1973 I think it was we went to Tucson Az., Mando Muniz was fighting, plus Frankie Duarte, My son Frankie and about six other young fighter.
my son was only 15 at the time, anyway coming back from Tucson somebody said, "lets go visit mi tio" we get to Yuma, cross into Mexico and found tio's store, once there we learn that he owned a joint in the red light district, but thats another story for another day.
When we saw the tio, he looked like a bum, drove an old car, we ask him why? he told us that he couldn't show wealth because the people that run the town would be after his money, so he kept the nice stuff that he had in Yuma.

A couple of years later he got whack as he was getting home from his weekly trip to L.A.

Here's a link to a story I wrote on Jerry Quarry. I knew Jerry, Mike and his family very well. At times, I will read comments from fans or on-line experts , regarding Quarry, and it's very obvious that these people have no clue as to why Jerry lost fights that he "should" have won easily. Or, "why" he would upset heavy favorites in matches he was expected to lose. Reading the speculations of fans who believe they can qualify what they "Guess?" to be true, is really quite humorous.

Here is a little of what I saw in Jeyy Quarry, up close & personal . . . .

http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/b ... htm#quarry


-Rick

Raul "Raton" Macias

I remember once standing in the large front doorway area of Frazier's gym when I made a negative remark about Jerry Quarry.

Jimmy Young and his longtime trainer and manager, Bob Brown, who was still alive then, both stopped me and made it clear they would not let my remark pass.

They spoke quietly, respectfully. Each said that Young had sparred with Quarry (as he had with Ali, Shavers, Norton, Frazier, Harold Johnson, etc etc etc)

and that they had the greatest respect for Quarry.

They said he had all the equipment--a great chin, short, top-level punches with either hand--both right hand and left hook.

And that they would not let it pass that a derogatory remark was made about him in their presence.

I said, "Well, maybe I meant was, what I saw him do with his equipment was frustrating."

At the time of his surprising Patterson fights, Quarry showed he had the punch, the chin, the stamina, and the overall ability to compete with the best heavyweights in the world.

I always felt there was something wrong in his corner at times. Not that I knew what.

Lots of heavyweights would have been happy to have half the equipment he did.

Here is a photo taken at the signing of the bantamweight title fight between Raul (Raton) Macias and Alphonse Halimi.

Joe Frazier & Manuel Ramos

kikibalt wrote:

dagosd2000 wrote:I remember when Ignacio Huizar was the big promoter in TJ. Every fight was controlled by Huizar. Big screen also. Even big screen in San Diego when there was a big fight broadcast from Mexico.There was a big match in TJ. I forget who was fighting,but I wanted to buy tickets early. I didn't want to hassle in a long line. On the fight posters it said you could purchase tickets in advance at Huizar's Restaurant. The place was on the Boulevard. So I go down there and am driving up and down the street trying to find Huizar's Restaurant. I must have driven a half dozen times up and down the street. Finally I park the car and get out. I ask someone where I can find Huizar's joint. The guy points me to a little tacito place. Inside there's a short counter with 4 stools. Not even a table to sit down. The place is empty. Ignacio Huizar is behind the counter. I ask him if I can buy a couple of tickets.
"No problema",he says.
I buy two tickets and I'm out the door and on my way. I'm thinking. What a dump for one of the biggest fight promoters in Mexico. I wondered how much he paid the fighters?

D,

Back in the late 1960's-early 1970's, there was a guy that used to come to L.A. from San Luis Rio Coloando and was at the fights at the Olympic every week, he used to dress good, drove a nice car, well this guy had a store in San Luis and his trip to L.A was to buy stuff to sell in his store, while here he would take in the fights, some of us got to know the guy and he invited us to his place if we ever found our-selfs in Yuma/San Luis.

In 1973 I think it was we went to Tucson Az., Mando Muniz was fighting, plus Frankie Duarte, My son Frankie and about six other young fighter.
my son was only 15 at the time, anyway coming back from Tucson somebody said, "lets go visit mi tio" we get to Yuma, cross into Mexico and found tio's store, once there we learn that he owned a joint in the red light district, but thats another story for another day.
When we saw the tio, he looked like a bum, drove an old car, we ask him why? he told us that he couldn't show wealth because the people that run the town would be after his money, so he kept the nice stuff that he had in Yuma.

A couple of years later he got whack as he was getting home from his weekly trip to L.A.

Frank
When I was coaching American football in Tj we were scheduled to play a game in Hermosillo. We had to pass through San Luis Colorado. It was 3 thirty in the morning. Everyone on the bus was sleeping except me and the driver.The bus was going real slow. We passed a cantina that looked like it was closing down. Two guys walked out with a couple of the girls. Everything was closed. There was no one else around. It looked like the lonliest place on earth.

Frank
Here's a similar one. Bonifacio(before he went to jail) and me wanted to take in the fights at the Auditorium. We invited this guy named Rojas that lived across the street from "mi suegra" This Rojas was a real "bad actor" I don't know how many different jails this guy had been in,but I knew he wasn't finished with 'em. Rojas was living with the daughter of Bonifacio's girlfriend who had introduced me to my wife. Rojas had daughters with this girl and also had a wife and more kids in LA. Well Rojas wants to get acquainted with all the bars in the "Coahuila" prior to going to the fights. He gets no complaints because he says everything tonight is on him.

Before we leave the last establishment, I go to the bathroom. Rojas has to go too, so he's right behind me.
"Rogelio,we won't have any problems",says Rojas. The guy speaks good English. He then pulls out a nickel plated 45 from inside the front of his pants. He's smiling. I'm tellin' you,this guy even looked dangerous. He had a huge beak of a nose and always two days growth of a beard. Then he reaches in his pocket and pulls out a little plastic bag with some white stuff in it.
"Rogelio,you want some?" I'm wondering if this guy is crazy ,a real macho,or doesn't give a shit. I tell him I'll pass. Then in walks this drunk,and Rojas asks the guy if he'd like some!
"Don't worry Rogelio. We'll be all right". Rojas opens his wallet and produces a badge.
"Rogelio,I'm a 'aspirina'"(a hired narc). Now I'm thinking Rojas is either gonna' shoot somebody or we're all gonna' die in a hail of lead.

Me,Bonifacio,and Rojas get in the car and start to head for the Auditorium. Rojas insists on driving.
"Rogelio'I know how to get there better than you."
It's like this. If I say no,Bonifacio and Rojas will think I'm worried. That's not "macho",and I can tell this is going to be a night where our"machismo" is going to be put the test. I let him drive my car.

Well Rojas ,I guess didn't see any of the red lights or the arrows pointing that we were going the wrong way on the one way streets. But then I remembered we had nothing to worry about. We get inside the Auditorium and sit front row. Rojas had pulled out a wad ffrom his pocket that looked like a small head of lettuce. I didn't see a bill smaller than a 50.

Rojas bumps me on the shoulder.
"Rogelio,you have any money?"
"What's up?"
"I'm going to bet big on Geraldo"
"He's fighting a pretty good boy"
"Rogelio,don't worry. Everything has been arranged." Rojas is smiling again. Now I know what Jack the Ripper must have looked like before he reached for the knife. Me and Bonifacio give him everthing we had on us,and then Rojas goes somewhere to make the wager.

Geraldo wins,and I guess it was a pretty good act.(later Geraldo would lose his license for throwing fights in TJ) Everyone seems satisfied,so we start to head back. Rojas wants to drive again,and again he's color blind to the red lights. We hit some of the classier joints on the way back. These bars had new sawdust on the floor. We spend our winnings on the girls, and it's drinks for everyone. Easy come,easy go. If it's going to be easy go,you might as well spend it that way.

It's about 4 in the morning when we get back. My car is in one piece,and no one got shot. Just as we're opening the car doors,this beat up old station wagon pulls up real fast. Four dudes get out and start yelling at us. Rojas opens his door and yanks out the 45. He's firing off a clip and these four dudes go flying back into the car and squeel out. Lights start going on and dogs are barking. My wife and the girlfriends come out and ask what happened. Before they get an answer they start scolding us for waking everybody up. I stagger up the stairs and fall on the bed. I'm thinking. Rojas was right. I had nothing to worry about.