Classic American West Coast Boxing

[raylawpc]

THE CHRISTMAS TREE

When me and the wife finally tied the knot we were living in a shack in Tijuana in a dark cold canyon. My livelyhood was managing the Garden Department for Whitefront Department Store located across from the defense plants on Pacific Highway. I was clearing a mighty 72 dollars a week. I knew people livin' in that canyon in Tijuana that were making more money than me.

Whitefront wasn't doin' so well at the time. The building was old and need of repairs,but because the store was on the brink of going under the company wasn't going to send someone out there to fix the leaky pipes. However around Christmas time things perked up a little. Especially where I was at in the Garden Department. Don't get me wrong. When I started I didn't know the difference between a rose and a weed. Finally I learned that a weed is a flower that doesn't belong in someone's garden. So if you have a rose growin' where it doesn't belong,it's a weed. If you're growin' a bed of dandelions, then they're flowers.

Around Christmas time the Christmas Tree lot always did good business. In fact I always had to re order because we'd sell the trees real fast. I remember one Christmas Eve. All the trees had been sold except one. This tree came in with the last shipment. It must have been crushed under the pile because its branches were all busted and the pine needles,most of them,had fallen off. It was a runt of a tree anyway ,so as a joke I tied it to a post in front of the store.

Like I said it was Christmas Eve,very late.I sent everyone home early. Business was nil. Besides all the trees were gone except the little lonesome pine that was tied up. Well I'm counting my drawer when this Mexican guy comes up from behind . He's holding a little boy's hand.
"Sir,"he proceeds. "I see you have one more tree. Can I buy?"
"I'm sorry we're sold out."
"No you have one more."
He then points to the banged up little tree tied to the post. I looked at the guy. He was shivering as was his son. The kid couldn't have been more than eight or nine. Dark skin,full head of hair,and black saucer eyes.
"Go ahead take it,"I said. "It has your name on it."
The father and son then quickly went over and untied the tree.They were speaking fast in Spanish. I couldn't make out what they were saying.
"Thank you."said the man. His son was holding the tree.
I finished counting my drawer and turned off the lights. As I brought the drawer inside the store,I heard the man say something to his son in Spanish. It sounded like "Vaya con Dios."

Rog, you did it again....

Is "Vaya con Dios" Happy Christmas?

"Go with God"

[kikibalt]

Jimmy Mclarnin shooting a friendly game of pool with Johnny Layton


Mclarnin shootind dices
I think, this is the photo Rick was talking about.

[raylawpc]

Tom . . . Thanks for the info on Memphis Al Jones and I agree that he was much better than his record indicates. You really brought back a personal memory of Jones KOing Pat O'Grady's Texas heavyweight, Tony "Kid" Longoria. I was at the fight which took place at the Forum on a card that featured Ruben Olivares. Longoria was unbeaten and a KO hitter, favored to whip Jones, just like Kirkman had been. I'd been reading about Longoria for a couple of years and was wondered how he would fare against some of our L.A. heavyweights. However, after seeing him easily KOed by Jones, I realized that Longoria would have been killed if matched with the likes of Jerry Quarry and company. Never saw Longoria again.

The reason Yank Durham was so concerned over Frazier facing a very tall heavyweight was Joe's '64 Olympic Trials loss to Buster Mathis, who was about 6'3" and nearly 300 lbs. when he defeated Frazier in the Olympic trial finals. Mathis broke his thumb before the Tokyo games, thus putting team alternate Joe Frazier as our heavyweight rep and the rest is history. Thanks for the heads up on Al Jones incorrectly being listed at 6'5". I can understand Durham's concern, but Eddie Futch had Frazier primed to bomb Memphis Al's body before leveling him with a "cherry picker" left hook to the chin.

-Rick

Hi Rick: I can tell you a bit about Longoria, whom I heard a lot about through my association with the O’Gradys. Longoria was Pat O’Grady’s hope for a world champion, and Pat really believed Longoria would make it to the top. Longoria was like a son to O’Grady. Tony came from a bad family situation, and actually lived with the O’Gradys from the time Longoria was about 14 or 15-years-old until he lost to Jones. Pat was his legal guardian.

On one occasion, O’Grady set up the 8 mm film projector and showed me several films of Longoria in action. On film, he appeared to have a lot of potential. He was not a terribly big heavyweight, but he looked quick and appeared to have good power with both hands. He had very good fundaments. On film, it looked like he took a good punch. Frank, who saw him live, confirmed to me a year or so ago that Longoria appeared to be the real deal, and was a potentially good fighter. (I hope I'm quoting you correctly, Frank.) Pat thought so much of Tony’s chances that he moved the whole family to LA for the sole purpose of advancing Tony’s career.

Something happened before the Jones fight that soured Longoria on boxing; what it was I either don’t remember or O’Grady never told me. But Pat always said Longoria’s head wasn’t right for the fight, and he made a very poor effort. After the loss, Longoria quit boxing and moved back to Texas. He also severed all contact with the O’Grady’s, which deeply hurt both Pat and Jeannie on a personal level.

Over the first several years that I knew him, O’Grady kept track of where Longoria was and what he was doing. Remember, Longoria was only about 20-years-old when he lost to Jones, and Pat hoped Longoria would decide to get back into boxing but, of course, he never did.

Tom....You're quoting me correctly, seeing Longoria fight before the Jones fight, I thought he had lots of potential, he had a good punch, good moves, the one thing I thought he had against him was that he was hooked-up with O'Grady....

It might surprise you, but I agree to a certain extent with the comment about O’Grady.

Between the ropes, Pat was one of the best boxing men I’d ever met: a great teacher, good trainer, and the best corner man with whom I have ever worked.

Outside the ropes, he wasn’t a very good manager.

[Rick Farris]

Mel Epstein told me that Dave Shade had an "educated left hand".
He could jab in a variety of ways that would keep opponents off-
balance, breaking their timing. Many years later, Mike Tyson would
tell me that Shade was one of Cus D'Amato's all-time favorites.
A master boxer. (Image courtesy of John Bardelli)

-Rick Farris

A few pages back I asked Frank if he could access any of the stories from the boxing writers that were on that poster. Tad,Damon Runyan,Dan Parker,et al. Those guys wrote about the Dave Shades,Jack Brittons,Johnny Dundees,and the Bennie Leonards. The pugs who had 250 fights. The dawn of the scientific fighter. I have some old newspapers with reporting on the fights done by these writers. Sometimes I go to the newspaper archives on line to read about the fight the day after.

The last one I read was a New York Times review of the Leonard/Britton fight for Jack's Welter Title. Benny lost on a foul. Now there have been a lot of Jewish fight historians that have proclaimed that Benny didn't want Jack's title so he fouled the Irishman. That never settled right with me so I looked up the story from back when the fight happened 80 years ago. There was a round by round analysis. Britton was outpointing Leonard. Jack was ahead on the cards. It sounded like Benny's added weight had slowed him down.

Hap and Frank go back,but to go back further, going on line to the archives can give us some good obsrevations from the guys who were there.

Another theory is that Leonard went into the tank. Billy Gibson, his manager, was known to have mob connections. An old-timer (I don't remember who) told me years ago that Gibson approached Leonard in the dressing room, and told him that the fix was in. Benny had too much pride to lay down or lose a decision, so he fouled Britton when the opportunity presented itself.

That scenario doesn't quite wash with me. I've always thought that, in those days, if a fight ended on a foul it was "all bets off." Maybe somebody who knows more about that era can correct me if I'm wrong.

I also can't imagine that Benny deliberately lost because he was uninterested in holding the welterweight crown. If he didn't want it, why challenge for it? Why go to the time and expense of training for a fight if he didn't want the title? And, why did he sign to challenge Mickey Walker for the welterweight title in 1924 if he wasn't interested in being welterweight champion? That Walker fight would have come off if only Benny hadn't broke his thumb in a tune-up match against Pal Moran.

The truth may be what Benny said immediately after the fight. He was frustrated with his performance and just momentarily lost his head.

Tom & Roger . . . You made a good point challenging Leonard's, "I didn't want to win the welter title" theory. As Tom mentioned, then why fight for it? It's no secret that boxers have engaged in business that would motivate a losing performance, but aside from that, a fighter fights to win, especially with a title on the line. We always look for excuses, but people fail to ancknowledge the possibility that a boxer is a human being. It's a proven fact that we humans have "good days" and we have "bad days". Sometimes we just get up on the wrong side of the bed. We look like shit, and hope that tomorrow is a better day. But a guy like Leonard, so the master, hasn't the luxury of a bad day. It inspires doubt.

-Rick Farris

[Rick Farris]

Jimmy Mclarnin shooting a friendly game of pool with Johnny Layton


Mclarnin shootind dices
I think, this is the photo Rick was talking about.

Yep! That's the one, Frank. Gracias.

-Rick

[dagosd2000]

THE GIFT GIVER

I told you about the orphanages in Tijuana. Maybe you'd think they're in need. In a practical way ,they're not. I go to a few of them. They're off the old road going to Rosarito. The kids go to the local school. A bus picks them up and brings them back. The milk man delivers milk for free every morning. There's a big stainless steel kitchen. Lots of clothes and toys. The local business organizations like Rotary and Lions make sure everything is in order.

The thing that's not provided is parents. The orphens always approach every visitor as someone who's going to take them home and be their new Mommy or Daddy. That's why I don't go to the orphanages much anymore. I'd go back to my van and there's 20 kids piled inside. Telling them I couldn't take them with me was awful . I'd cry all the way back.

What I do now is load up the van with gift donations and drive to TJ and go to a poor barrio. I pick out a house with a lot of little kids outside. That's where I deliver the gifts. It usually goes like this.

I'll see someone near by. I'll ask if the family inside has a lot of kids. When I get the nod,I go to the door. A mother or grandmother in tatters will open the door. I point to my van. Its doors open.
"Los regalos. Para ti."
I'll get a pause. A look. I wave them on. Then everyone inside emerges and takes the the lawn bags full of clothes and toys inside the house.

Not a word is spoken . They're trying,probably, to understand what this meant. As I watch the last of the bags go inside,I only say one thing.
"Vaya con Dios."
I then get in the van and cry all the way back.

Roger, this message is from my wife Monica, who is most touched by what you write. Often, she is in tears, as she is now, after reading your words. As I sit at the comptor I'll often ask if she wants to hear Roger's latest story and she always drops what she's doing for a moment to read what you have written. Here is what she wanted me to write to you:

I often read your stories, Roger. They are very touching and beautiful. Often I am reminded of my life in Brazil. I would one day love to go to Tijuana with you and Maria and join in when you give gifts. In Brazil, I was a cosmetologist, and would often donate my time and services cutting hair for those who could not afford it. Ricky and I collect clothing during the year from friends who have beautiful wardrobes that they no longer use. We send it to Brazil, where my family distributes it to those in need. My father was the mayor of a small town in Bahia called Terra Nova, my mother was a school principal. My two older brothers are a dentist, and chemical engineer and I have a sister who is an architect. We were lucky to receieve a good education, but even so, things were tough. We moved to Salvador (the capitol of the state of Bahia) when I was young. Salvador, unlike Terra Nova, is a big city and despite it's beachside beauty, things are very challenging. Life can be dangerous, there is a great deal of desperation. Intelligent tourists do not wear fancy watches, etc. on the streets. As I reached my teens, my mother passed away and my new step mother put us all out on the street. I learned to survive but I did not follow the path of others put in such a situation. I was able to get by without stealing or selling myself. Eventually I found my way to Portugal where I found work, then Europe and then here. People in this country take so much for granted. I know what it is like to be hungry, not to have a doll to play with, to be bullied. The police in Brazil are corrupt, as in most third world countries. However, I love people and I love life. Like Maria, I've worked cleaning houses, taking care of children as a nanny, I worked as an interpreter, a hair stylist/make-up artist, I've built and reconditioned furniture, as a kid would make popsicles and sell them on the beach to tourists, whatever it took to survive. I always had a passion for dancing and did so in stage plays and also in shows during Carnival season. In Brazil, we do the Samba and I was dancing from the time I could walk, later being paid for it while involved with a Brazilian dance company. Despite the poverty and danger of Brazil, the culture of those in the North east is very relaxed and mellow. In Rio and Sao Paulo things are a lot more hectic. By the way, Sao Paolo's mayor is a former boxer, Eder Jofre, Ricky tells me. When we go to Brazil this year, Ricky will interview Jofre and, if necessary, I will translate. Ricky is learning to speak Portugese, but wants me to help him.

Reading your stories reveals a tremendous heart, a very special person. Please excuse me for interfering here, I know this forum is not my place, it's for you, Ricky and rest of your friends. However, your words and actions bring tears of happiness to my eyes. You have heart. God Bless you!

-Monica Farris

Rick and Monica
Thank you very much for the kind words. Monica ,Maria and myself would be honored to take Rick and you to Tijuana. I just got back from there this morning. I'll write tonight about a little episode later tonight. Maybe not as poignant,but interesting.

My 12 year old grand daughter Amanda has been dancing Ballet and Flamenco for 8 years. Flamenco is her passion. Every year I take her and my 8 year old grandson,Adam,who plays Flamenco guitar to Sevilla. Of course I take Maria. Amanda is locked into one of the most prestigous Flamenco academies in the world. The Fernandez family is an old gypsy family who have been performing Flamenco music for hundreds of years. Esperanza,the daughter is the most famous Flamenco singer in the world. Her husband,Miguel,is Amanda's dance instructor. Paco,the brother works with Adam on guitar. Their troup tours all over the world. They have CD's and DVD's. They've taken my grand daughter into their circle. She is the youngest student in their academy. All the others are in their 20's,30's,and 40's. Amanda is the only American.Amanda was interviewed on Spanish television last year.
Last summer Esperanza and Miguel gave Amanda a 5000 dollar Flamenco dress. (I'll send Frank the picture). You and Rick and the rest of the West Coast Boxing family are always in my thoughts and prayers. Love, Roger

[dagosd2000]

Tom and Rick
When reading the account of the Leonard/Britton fight for the title,Benny was described as being very lethargic(maybe the added weight,maybe something else). The paper had Jack ahead 7 to 4 ,one even. In the 13th Jack went down from a punch he said was low. The referee didn't see it,but after much discussion and confusion,Jack was awarded the fight on a foul. It sounded to me that Benny figured he couldn't win so he hit low and got DQ'd. Interesting reading,these old newspaper stories.

[Dongee]

Rick and Kiki:

Rick Farris:
My son Dan will be happy to hear you remembered him; he's touring somewhere in the midwest at this time. And after studying the photo of those four fellows a few posts back it seems to me that the one in boxing gear looks somewhat like Gus Lesnevich, one-time lightheavyweight champion, although Gus had lighter hair, as I recall him in his bout with Freddie Miller at the Olympic. Miller did a masterful job on Gus in that fight, stopping him in two rounds.

Kikibalt:
You are an incredible source for memorabilia. I have been thinking of asking you to get me the menu for "The Last Supper", because if anybody can produce it, that would have to be you. Thanks for the enormous wealth of graphic material you have favored us with, my friend.

hap navarro

[Dongee]

Okay, so I goofed!!

Lesnevich never fought Freddie Miller.....it was Freddie Steele, one of amy all time favorite middleweights.

hap

[kikibalt]

Photos courtesy of Rog

[kikibalt]

Kikibalt:
You are an incredible source for memorabilia. I have been thinking of asking you to get me the menu for "The Last Supper", because if anybody can produce it, that would have to be you. Thanks for the enormous wealth of graphic material you have favored us with, my friend.

hap navarro

Give me some time and I'm sure I can fine it.... DD

[kikibalt]

"Zale had nothing but his heart left..."

Nat Fleischer

Just as the eleventh brutal round came to an end Cerdan landed
a two punch combination and as if in slow motion Tony Zale began
the gradual forward descent to the canvas. The bell sounded ending
the round and Ray Arcel and Al Winch rushed to help the fallen Champion
to his feet. But all the fight was gone from Tony Zale and his corner
informed Referee Paul Cavalier that the Champion was unable to continue.

[raylawpc]

Kikibalt:
You are an incredible source for memorabilia. I have been thinking of asking you to get me the menu for "The Last Supper", because if anybody can produce it, that would have to be you. Thanks for the enormous wealth of graphic material you have favored us with, my friend.

hap navarro

Give me some time and I'm sure I can fine it.... DD

I have it. The menu was as follows: wine, dry unleavened bread, roast lamb, and bowls of bitter herbs which were dipped in a reddish sauce called haroseth (made of a number of ingredients including chopped apples, dates, figs, almonds, wine, and cinnamon).

[raylawpc]

Tom and Rick
When reading the account of the Leonard/Britton fight for the title,Benny was described as being very lethargic(maybe the added weight,maybe something else). The paper had Jack ahead 7 to 4 ,one even. In the 13th Jack went down from a punch he said was low. The referee didn't see it,but after much discussion and confusion,Jack was awarded the fight on a foul. It sounded to me that Benny figured he couldn't win so he hit low and got DQ'd. Interesting reading,these old newspaper stories.

Roger, I don't think the NY Times got it right. I've read several newspaper accounts of the fight. They all say that, in the 13th, Leonard landed body punch, and Britton went to his knees claiming a foul (although Britton said after the fight that he didn't make any such claim). The ref disallowed the claim, and as Britton came up to one knee, and Leonard moved in and struck Britton in the head. The referee then disqualified Benny. Its understandable the Times reporter might have gotten it wrong. The arena was in pandamonium at the finish.

All of the NY papers I've read had Britton well ahead at the start of the 13th.

[kikibalt]

Kikibalt:
You are an incredible source for memorabilia. I have been thinking of asking you to get me the menu for "The Last Supper", because if anybody can produce it, that would have to be you. Thanks for the enormous wealth of graphic material you have favored us with, my friend.

hap navarro

Give me some time and I'm sure I can fine it.... DD

I have it. The menu was as follows: wine, dry unleavened bread, roast lamb, and bowls of bitter herbs which were dipped in a reddish sauce called haroseth (made of a number of ingredients including chopped apples, dates, figs, almonds, wine, and cinnamon).

No menudo con pata?......

[raylawpc]

Sadly, no. A cow's stomach is decidedly unkosher, so I understand.

[Rick Farris]

THE GIFT GIVER

I told you about the orphanages in Tijuana. Maybe you'd think they're in need. In a practical way ,they're not. I go to a few of them. They're off the old road going to Rosarito. The kids go to the local school. A bus picks them up and brings them back. The milk man delivers milk for free every morning. There's a big stainless steel kitchen. Lots of clothes and toys. The local business organizations like Rotary and Lions make sure everything is in order.

The thing that's not provided is parents. The orphens always approach every visitor as someone who's going to take them home and be their new Mommy or Daddy. That's why I don't go to the orphanages much anymore. I'd go back to my van and there's 20 kids piled inside. Telling them I couldn't take them with me was awful . I'd cry all the way back.

What I do now is load up the van with gift donations and drive to TJ and go to a poor barrio. I pick out a house with a lot of little kids outside. That's where I deliver the gifts. It usually goes like this.

I'll see someone near by. I'll ask if the family inside has a lot of kids. When I get the nod,I go to the door. A mother or grandmother in tatters will open the door. I point to my van. Its doors open.
"Los regalos. Para ti."
I'll get a pause. A look. I wave them on. Then everyone inside emerges and takes the the lawn bags full of clothes and toys inside the house.

Not a word is spoken . They're trying,probably, to understand what this meant. As I watch the last of the bags go inside,I only say one thing.
"Vaya con Dios."
I then get in the van and cry all the way back.

Roger, this message is from my wife Monica, who is most touched by what you write. Often, she is in tears, as she is now, after reading your words. As I sit at the comptor I'll often ask if she wants to hear Roger's latest story and she always drops what she's doing for a moment to read what you have written. Here is what she wanted me to write to you:

I often read your stories, Roger. They are very touching and beautiful. Often I am reminded of my life in Brazil. I would one day love to go to Tijuana with you and Maria and join in when you give gifts. In Brazil, I was a cosmetologist, and would often donate my time and services cutting hair for those who could not afford it. Ricky and I collect clothing during the year from friends who have beautiful wardrobes that they no longer use. We send it to Brazil, where my family distributes it to those in need. My father was the mayor of a small town in Bahia called Terra Nova, my mother was a school principal. My two older brothers are a dentist, and chemical engineer and I have a sister who is an architect. We were lucky to receieve a good education, but even so, things were tough. We moved to Salvador (the capitol of the state of Bahia) when I was young. Salvador, unlike Terra Nova, is a big city and despite it's beachside beauty, things are very challenging. Life can be dangerous, there is a great deal of desperation. Intelligent tourists do not wear fancy watches, etc. on the streets. As I reached my teens, my mother passed away and my new step mother put us all out on the street. I learned to survive but I did not follow the path of others put in such a situation. I was able to get by without stealing or selling myself. Eventually I found my way to Portugal where I found work, then Europe and then here. People in this country take so much for granted. I know what it is like to be hungry, not to have a doll to play with, to be bullied. The police in Brazil are corrupt, as in most third world countries. However, I love people and I love life. Like Maria, I've worked cleaning houses, taking care of children as a nanny, I worked as an interpreter, a hair stylist/make-up artist, I've built and reconditioned furniture, as a kid would make popsicles and sell them on the beach to tourists, whatever it took to survive. I always had a passion for dancing and did so in stage plays and also in shows during Carnival season. In Brazil, we do the Samba and I was dancing from the time I could walk, later being paid for it while involved with a Brazilian dance company. Despite the poverty and danger of Brazil, the culture of those in the North east is very relaxed and mellow. In Rio and Sao Paulo things are a lot more hectic. By the way, Sao Paolo's mayor is a former boxer, Eder Jofre, Ricky tells me. When we go to Brazil this year, Ricky will interview Jofre and, if necessary, I will translate. Ricky is learning to speak Portugese, but wants me to help him.

Reading your stories reveals a tremendous heart, a very special person. Please excuse me for interfering here, I know this forum is not my place, it's for you, Ricky and rest of your friends. However, your words and actions bring tears of happiness to my eyes. You have heart. God Bless you!

-Monica Farris

Rick and Monica
Thank you very much for the kind words. Monica ,Maria and myself would be honored to take Rick and you to Tijuana. I just got back from there this morning. I'll write tonight about a little episode later tonight. Maybe not as poignant,but interesting.

My 12 year old grand daughter Amanda has been dancing Ballet and Flamenco for 8 years. Flamenco is her passion. Every year I take her and my 8 year old grandson,Adam,who plays Flamenco guitar to Sevilla. Of course I take Maria. Amanda is locked into one of the most prestigous Flamenco academies in the world. The Fernandez family is an old gypsy family who have been performing Flamenco music for hundreds of years. Esperanza,the daughter is the most famous Flamenco singer in the world. Her husband,Miguel,is Amanda's dance instructor. Paco,the brother works with Adam on guitar. Their troup tours all over the world. They have CD's and DVD's. They've taken my grand daughter into their circle. She is the youngest student in their academy. All the others are in their 20's,30's,and 40's. Amanda is the only American.Amanda was interviewed on Spanish television last year.
Last summer Esperanza and Miguel gave Amanda a 5000 dollar Flamenco dress. (I'll send Frank the picture). You and Rick and the rest of the West Coast Boxing family are always in my thoughts and prayers. Love, Roger

What a gift your grandchildren have, and it's great that they are learning from the best. The have to be special to be taken into the families intercircle and Monica and I are both very impressed. What a beautiful family you have and I hope they continue with their passions. I hope you will keep us up to date on their progress. I'm sincere when I say that Monica and I would love to see Amanda dance one day. She has to be "gifted". Theres a Mexican night club on Wilshire blvd, right around the corner from MacArthur Park and the old Elks Club, where Parnassus had his office when I was fighting. It's known as "La Fonda" and perhaps it was around when Hap was active in town? I haven't been there in years but just last week Monica and I were talking about going to see the Flenco dancers. Any pics you post of your grandaughter dancing will be appreciated.

-Rick

[dagosd2000]

Tom and Rick
When reading the account of the Leonard/Britton fight for the title,Benny was described as being very lethargic(maybe the added weight,maybe something else). The paper had Jack ahead 7 to 4 ,one even. In the 13th Jack went down from a punch he said was low. The referee didn't see it,but after much discussion and confusion,Jack was awarded the fight on a foul. It sounded to me that Benny figured he couldn't win so he hit low and got DQ'd. Interesting reading,these old newspaper stories.

Roger, I don't think the NY Times got it right. I've read several newspaper accounts of the fight. They all say that, in the 13th, Leonard landed body punch, and Britton went to his knees claiming a foul (although Britton said after the fight that he didn't make any such claim). The ref disallowed the claim, and as Britton came up to one knee, and Leonard moved in and struck Britton in the head. The referee then disqualified Benny. Its understandable the Times reporter might have gotten it wrong. The arena was in pandamonium at the finish.

All of the NY papers I've read had Britton well ahead at the start of the 13th.

Tom
Your account matches what I read in the Times. Benny clubbed Jack when he was down.

[Rick Farris]

Tom and Rick
When reading the account of the Leonard/Britton fight for the title,Benny was described as being very lethargic(maybe the added weight,maybe something else). The paper had Jack ahead 7 to 4 ,one even. In the 13th Jack went down from a punch he said was low. The referee didn't see it,but after much discussion and confusion,Jack was awarded the fight on a foul. It sounded to me that Benny figured he couldn't win so he hit low and got DQ'd. Interesting reading,these old newspaper stories.

Thanks, Rog. Interesting stuff.

-Rick

[dagosd2000]

Sadly, no. A cow's stomach is decidedly unkosher, so I understand.

Tom
A pig's stomach is unkosher. Rog

[Rick Farris]

Rick and Kiki:

Rick Farris:
My son Dan will be happy to hear you remembered him; he's touring somewhere in the midwest at this time. And after studying the photo of those four fellows a few posts back it seems to me that the one in boxing gear looks somewhat like Gus Lesnevich, one-time lightheavyweight champion, although Gus had lighter hair, as I recall him in his bout with Freddie Miller at the Olympic. Miller did a masterful job on Gus in that fight, stopping him in two rounds.

Kikibalt:
You are an incredible source for memorabilia. I have been thinking of asking you to get me the menu for "The Last Supper", because if anybody can produce it, that would have to be you. Thanks for the enormous wealth of graphic material you have favored us with, my friend.

hap navarro

Hap . . . I have a couple "Lowen and Navarro" CD's I found awhile back at Tower Records. One was dedicated to his mother. Of course, your nephew David Navarro is one of the hottest rock guitarists on the planet. Sometime back, I was watching one of those reality TV shows, "Punked", where they set up a celebrity for a gag. The celebrity was David with his wife Carmen Elektra, who were the target of the gag. I see your son's name often on screen credits for music he has written. The Navarros are a "gifted" family.

Frank, I also want to say thanks. The material you post inspires conversation, which leads to learning, which keeps the legends alive. You are guiding this thread perfectly. We are on quite a journey.

-Rick

[dagosd2000]

Photos courtesy of Rog

That's my grand daughter Amanda being presented a 5000 dollar handmade Flamenco dress by Esperanza Fernandez,Spain and the world's most popular Flamenco singer, at her home. Seville,Spain. Summer 2008.

[kikibalt]

La Fonda

Historically known as the first restaurant in the country to incorporate live mariachi musical performances with sit-down dining while simultaneously revolutionizing the genre in Los Angeles, La Fonda is back with the same spirit. Founded in 1969 as the home for the best mariachi music in Los Angeles, La Fonda reemerges with its original recipe: enchanting mariachi productions and mouthwatering dishes. Reopening at its original Wilshire Boulevard location, this L.A. landmark remains a nostalgic reminder of the fusion of classical Mexican folkloric music and a tantalizing dining experience.

Rick...I found this, but I read and heard that the La Fonda closed this year or was it last year,
anyway its was a nice place to go and listen to mariachis. used to go there after the fights with some of the Olympic crowd.

[Rick Farris]

Okay, so I goofed!!

Lesnevich never fought Freddie Miller.....it was Freddie Steele, one of amy all time favorite middleweights.

hap

I know that Lew Feldman, a guy I mentioned earlier, fought Freddie Miller at 126 lbs. By the way, Freddie Steele was also one of my old friend Karl Nelson's all-time favorite middleweights. I wish I'd seen him fight.

-Rick

[kikibalt]

La Fonda

Historically known as the first restaurant in the country to incorporate live mariachi musical performances with sit-down dining while simultaneously revolutionizing the genre in Los Angeles, La Fonda is back with the same spirit. Founded in 1969 as the home for the best mariachi music in Los Angeles, La Fonda reemerges with its original recipe: enchanting mariachi productions and mouthwatering dishes. Reopening at its original Wilshire Boulevard location, this L.A. landmark remains a nostalgic reminder of the fusion of classical Mexican folkloric music and a tantalizing dining experience.

Rick...I found this, but I read and heard that the La Fonda closed this year or was it last year,
anyway its was a nice place to go and listen to mariachis. used to go there after the fights with some of the Olympic crowd.

Rick...its open, just called them and they said its open.