Classic American West Coast Boxing

[kikibalt]

Guys, there was a ligtheavy that was from Chicago originaly but moved out to California to start his pro career back in the Seventies.
His name was Greg Mcpherson.
He was a pretty decent banger and started out pretty good but lost a few.
Anyone remember him?

puggsy,

Looking at his record, all his fights here in Calif. were in NoCal., I'm sure I didn't see him fight

[Expug]

Guys, there was a ligtheavy that was from Chicago originaly but moved out to California to start his pro career back in the Seventies.
His name was Greg Mcpherson.
He was a pretty decent banger and started out pretty good but lost a few.
Anyone remember him?

puggsy,

Looking at his record, all his fights here in Calif. were in NoCal., I'm sure I didn't see him fight

Thanks anyway Frank,
Sometimes I forget just how big that state is.
Especially since Im from this one horse town Chicago.

[kikibalt]

Little Dado & Tony Olivera...1940

[kikibalt]

Carl "Bobo" Olson

[kikibalt]

[kikibalt]

[Rick Farris]

Salvador Sanchez vs Nicky Perez

I had a fighter fighting in Tucson Az. one time, Nicky Perez was fighting the main, his opponent didn't show up for the weigh-in, now this is in the days of same day weigh-in's, an unless an opponent could be found for Perez, there was going to be no fights that nite, Jimmy Montoya tells the promoter "don't worry I'll fine somebody for Perez" Jimmy goes outside the hotel and grabs the first guy that he sees that looks close to Perez in weigh, offer him a few bucks to fight, the guy tells Jimmy "I never fought, but I'll do it", I could see Jimmy from my room windrow showing the guy how to jab in the parking lot, LOL!!, well he goes 4 rounds before the fight is stopped, the promoter had a after the fights party and the guy is there and is asking Jimmy "papi, when am I fighting again?'

Oh Frank, GREAT STORY! Classic, although it certainly wasn't the first time. That's boxing, and showmanship, and some tough guys walking down the street.

-Rick

[Expug]

Salvador Sanchez vs Nicky Perez

I had a fighter fighting in Tucson Az. one time, Nicky Perez was fighting the main, his opponent didn't show up for the weigh-in, now this is in the days of same day weigh-in's, an unless an opponent could be found for Perez, there was going to be no fights that nite, Jimmy Montoya tells the promoter "don't worry I'll fine somebody for Perez" Jimmy goes outside the hotel and grabs the first guy that he sees that looks close to Perez in weigh, offer him a few bucks to fight, the guy tells Jimmy "I never fought, but I'll do it", I could see Jimmy from my room windrow showing the guy how to jab in the parking lot, LOL!!, well he goes 4 rounds before the fight is stopped, the promoter had a after the fights party and the guy is there and is asking Jimmy "papi, when am I fighting again?'

Oh Frank, GREAT STORY! Classic, although it certainly wasn't the first time. That's boxing, and showmanship, and some tough guys walking down the street.

-Rick

Classic.
Ya never know who your gonna run into on the street.
Some guys just have a little natural ability and can take a shot pretty good.
Hell, once in awhile here in Chicago you may even see a winehead standing in front of a liquor store get into an argument with his buddy and throw a hook off the jab.
Its feakin uncanny.

[kikibalt]

[dagosd2000]

"You'll be here tonight?",asked Henry Brown.
"Wouldn't miss Jimmy Smith for nothin'".
Practice had just finished at Ocean View Park. The Ghetto Messengers were going to play their last game against The Soul Brothers Incorporated for bragging rights of Southeast San Diego. They called the game ,The Ghetto Bowl. The game was part of the celebration for Martin Luther King Day. There was the parade,the Ghetto Bowl football game,and this year a jazz concert at Ocean View Park featuring Jimmy Smith the great jazz Hammond B3 organ player.

I arrived at the park around sunset. Huffman's Bar B Q was putting on a feed. Ribs,(pork and beef),fried chicken,hot links,red beans,cole slaw,potato salad,corn on the cob,pecan and pumpkin pies. I could smell what was going on more than a block from the park. I saw Henry Brown and his brother Charlie,the Petties brothers,Humphrey Covington,Robert James,Jose Hall. Just about the whole team was there with the wives and kids. People were easing around conversing with each other. Earl Faison,the former Charger pulled up. His knees were getting pretty stiff and it took him a while to get out of his car. Archie Moore walked in with his wife and son. It was a happy feeling in the park that evening. The smell of Bar B Q,the laughter,kids chasing each other playing. A neighborhood get together.


Jimmy Smith was setting up on the bandstand. There was no hurry. People were enjoying the food. When the mood was right ,there would be music. Standing to the side with Archie Moore,I noticed two tall athletic fellows. Sure. Art Powell and his brother Charley. They must have been talking about boxing,but when I got close ,the conversation was about music. Archie loved jazz and, to be honest ,everybody there loved good music. The concert wasn't advertised ,so the people that were there were from the neighborhood. I walked by Moore and the Powell brothers,and as usual Archie asked me how was it going.
"Here to listen to some jazz ?",asked 'ol Arch.
"Music and enjoy some Bar B Q "
"Huffman's is the stick in Logan",said Archie as he winked.

The Powell brothers still looked good. Art was an all pro receiver for the Raiders. Charley started out as a pro player with San Francisco,but then turned to fighting. I heard Gorilla Jones had trained him. I knew Suey Welch was his manager. I don't think I ever saw Art and Charley when they weren't together. The brothers were close. Faison,Moore,the Petties,the Powell brothers. Everyone knew each other. I was the only white person and I felt I belonged with them. Everyone was there to eat Bar B Q,share stories,and listen to music.

I heard Archie Moore say sometning about"Clay"to Charley Powell.
"I should have stayed in football like my brother",laughed Charley.
It was getting dark. Jimmy Smith,his guiterist and drummer were about ready to play. Henry Brown walked over.
"Remember when we saw Jimmy Smith play at Fat Fingers?" ,I asked him.
"But that was in front of 'whitey' ",Henry said smiling. "He won't play like that tonight . He knows how to play for us."

Huffman's people were covering what was left of the food with aluminum foil. I saw the Powell brothers laughing with Archie Moore. The sun had set. It was quiet. Attention was on the bandstand now .Jimmy Smith introduced the other musicians. He said when he was in the Navy stationed in San Diego he hated it,but tonight in the park ,he felt at home.

Jimmy started the set with the standard,"Just Friends". It was a beautifull night in the park.

[dagosd2000]

I had a fighter fighting in Tucson Az. one time, Nicky Perez was fighting the main, his opponent didn't show up for the weigh-in, now this is in the days of same day weigh-in's, an unless an opponent could be found for Perez, there was going to be no fights that nite, Jimmy Montoya tells the promoter "don't worry I'll fine somebody for Perez" Jimmy goes outside the hotel and grabs the first guy that he sees that looks close to Perez in weigh, offer him a few bucks to fight, the guy tells Jimmy "I never fought, but I'll do it", I could see Jimmy from my room windrow showing the guy how to jab in the parking lot, LOL!!, well he goes 4 rounds before the fight is stopped, the promoter had a after the fights party and the guy is there and is asking Jimmy "papi, when am I fighting again?'

Oh Frank, GREAT STORY! Classic, although it certainly wasn't the first time. That's boxing, and showmanship, and some tough guys walking down the street.

-Rick

Classic.
Ya never know who your gonna run into on the street.
Some guys just have a little natural ability and can take a shot pretty good.
Hell, once in awhile here in Chicago you may even see a winehead standing in front of a liquor store get into an argument with his buddy and throw a hook off the jab.
Its feakin uncanny.

Frank,I second or I guess third that. Great yarn. They say that's how Manuel Ortiz started out. One of the fighters didn't show up. Ortiz was sitting in the front row with friends and they coaxed him up to the ring to sub for the guy. Ortiz won the fight and was on his way to be a champ. Some where in Corona . Fights were at the place they were working:an ice house.

[Expug]

The story also reminds me of Charlie "Devil" Green gettin pulled out of the audience at the Garden while in the middle of eating a hotdog by Teddy Brenner to fight Jose Torres.
Torres opponnent didnt show up.
Devil already had some fights though.
Charlie had Torres down or hurt I think before gettin stopped.
The funny part is when he got paid , he demanded an extra buck fifty for the hot dog he had to shit can before gettin his gear on.

[Rick Farris]

I had a fighter fighting in Tucson Az. one time, Nicky Perez was fighting the main, his opponent didn't show up for the weigh-in, now this is in the days of same day weigh-in's, an unless an opponent could be found for Perez, there was going to be no fights that nite, Jimmy Montoya tells the promoter "don't worry I'll fine somebody for Perez" Jimmy goes outside the hotel and grabs the first guy that he sees that looks close to Perez in weigh, offer him a few bucks to fight, the guy tells Jimmy "I never fought, but I'll do it", I could see Jimmy from my room windrow showing the guy how to jab in the parking lot, LOL!!, well he goes 4 rounds before the fight is stopped, the promoter had a after the fights party and the guy is there and is asking Jimmy "papi, when am I fighting again?'

Oh Frank, GREAT STORY! Classic, although it certainly wasn't the first time. That's boxing, and showmanship, and some tough guys walking down the street.

-Rick

Classic.
Ya never know who your gonna run into on the street.
Some guys just have a little natural ability and can take a shot pretty good.
Hell, once in awhile here in Chicago you may even see a winehead standing in front of a liquor store get into an argument with his buddy and throw a hook off the jab.
Its feakin uncanny.

[dagosd2000]

Rick,Frank,calling all ships

There used to be a Mexican lightweight named "Lobito" Montoya. He fought some of the last main events at the Coliseum. Saw him lose to Jimmy Heair and Randy Shields just before the Coliseum turned into a furniture store. He was a tough kid from what I remember. Know about him?

Wow! You really set me up with this one, DAGOS. I remember that Lobito Montoya was just hitting the top ten ratings as a featherweight, in the late 60's, after upsetting Frankie Crawford, and easily defeating future featherweight champ, Clemente Sanchez. Montoya was unbeaten, and came to L.A. to claim his fame. Now, here is where the sweetness of boxing turned sour for Raul "Lobito" Montoya. The brave management of Mexico'c "Little Wolf", made the mistake of matching him with a "Hawk" from L.A., named Dwight Hawkins.

Hawkins, Johnny Flores under-rated Featherweight, who at age 17, had KOed bantam champ Jose Beccera, would be Lobito Montoya's showcase L.A. fight. Lobito would not only lose to Dwight Hawkins, but suffer his only KO loss. I can't remember anybody knocking down Lobito Montoya, exceot for Dwight Hawkins.

I would later spar with Montoya, in 1970 & '71, at the Main St. Gym. Montoya was slick, he knew how to move his head, bob & weave, use his shoulders, hands, arms, slip and slide, roll, etc. All these things today;s fans believe were invented by Floyd Mayweather Jr. THis guy was exceptional, and came in as a Featherweight, who should have fought now heavier than lightweight. but he fought the bigger Randy Shields, and Monroe Brooks was a big bite to chew on. However, none of these guys could convince him to leave before the final bell. Except, of course, for Dwight Hawkins.

Lots of up & coming future champs were schooled by Hawkins, such as Beccera and Kuiniaki Shibata. Beccera got even with Hawkins, months later in his hometown of Guadalaara. When they arrived from L.A., Johnny Flores & Hal Benson, Hawkin's managers, were provided a "local" representative, to help the fighters camp with any assitance they might need, such as securing "fresh" bottled water for "The Hawk". The day before the fight, Hawkins becomes violently ill, and of course, the symptoms were clearly that of "Montezuma's Revenge". Somehow, Flores knew that Dwight had been given tap water. Before informing anybody of the fighters illness, Hawkins calls for the "rep" to go retrieve more "bottled" water. When the rep leaves, Flores follows him down the street to an alley, where he refills the five gallon glass bottle from a spicket. Replaces the srew-on metal lid, and heads back to the hotel.

The next evening, a drained Hawkins faced a future all-time bantam great, a violent crowd, Montezuma's revenge and ended up losing.

Damn, sorry Dagos, all you asked about was Lobito Montoya, not the "Dwight Hawkins Story". It's just the name Lobito Montoya, brings back memories of his fight with Hawkins. It was a fight both Flores And Hawkins were concerned about. His recent wins labeled Montoya as a fighter to be respected and reckoned with.


-Rick

Great story and you got my interest. I was talking to a fighter in San Diego named Jimmy Fields. Said he went way south in Mexico to fight a local kid that had only a couple of fights. Fields told me the night before the fight Montezuma's revenge hit him so bad he could hardly get into the ring. After that he said he drank only bottled water and cokes.

[Rick Farris]

The story also reminds me of Charlie "Devil" Green gettin pulled out of the audience at the Garden while in the middle of eating a hotdog by Teddy Brenner to fight Jose Torres.
Torres opponnent didnt show up.
Devil already had some fights though.
Charlie had Torres down or hurt I think before gettin stopped.
The funny part is when he got paid , he demanded an extra buck fifty for the hot dog he had to shit can before gettin his gear on.

PUG, as you know, that's what boxing is. I remember as an amateur, I was 17, and came to the Olympic one Thursday night to watch a friend fight in a prelim. As it turns out, one of the two amateur bouts, that proceeded the pro card, had fallen out when one of the boxers didn't show. I was the perfect match for the guy who did show up, and Johnny Flores pulled me in before I could find my seat. I fought on about 30 minutes notice, and collected an unexpected win. Hell, I was in shape, didn't have time to give the matter much thought, and had a great night. A real fighter is almost always ready to fight, unless they must take time to recover from a physical injury. I clarify "physical" injury for a reason. If the fighter loses his heart after an ass-whipping, then he is DONE!

-Ricardo

[Rick Farris]

Rick,Frank,calling all ships

There used to be a Mexican lightweight named "Lobito" Montoya. He fought some of the last main events at the Coliseum. Saw him lose to Jimmy Heair and Randy Shields just before the Coliseum turned into a furniture store. He was a tough kid from what I remember. Know about him?

Wow! You really set me up with this one, DAGOS. I remember that Lobito Montoya was just hitting the top ten ratings as a featherweight, in the late 60's, after upsetting Frankie Crawford, and easily defeating future featherweight champ, Clemente Sanchez. Montoya was unbeaten, and came to L.A. to claim his fame. Now, here is where the sweetness of boxing turned sour for Raul "Lobito" Montoya. The brave management of Mexico'c "Little Wolf", made the mistake of matching him with a "Hawk" from L.A., named Dwight Hawkins.

Hawkins, Johnny Flores under-rated Featherweight, who at age 17, had KOed bantam champ Jose Beccera, would be Lobito Montoya's showcase L.A. fight. Lobito would not only lose to Dwight Hawkins, but suffer his only KO loss. I can't remember anybody knocking down Lobito Montoya, exceot for Dwight Hawkins.

I would later spar with Montoya, in 1970 & '71, at the Main St. Gym. Montoya was slick, he knew how to move his head, bob & weave, use his shoulders, hands, arms, slip and slide, roll, etc. All these things today;s fans believe were invented by Floyd Mayweather Jr. THis guy was exceptional, and came in as a Featherweight, who should have fought now heavier than lightweight. but he fought the bigger Randy Shields, and Monroe Brooks was a big bite to chew on. However, none of these guys could convince him to leave before the final bell. Except, of course, for Dwight Hawkins.

Lots of up & coming future champs were schooled by Hawkins, such as Beccera and Kuiniaki Shibata. Beccera got even with Hawkins, months later in his hometown of Guadalaara. When they arrived from L.A., Johnny Flores & Hal Benson, Hawkin's managers, were provided a "local" representative, to help the fighters camp with any assitance they might need, such as securing "fresh" bottled water for "The Hawk". The day before the fight, Hawkins becomes violently ill, and of course, the symptoms were clearly that of "Montezuma's Revenge". Somehow, Flores knew that Dwight had been given tap water. Before informing anybody of the fighters illness, Hawkins calls for the "rep" to go retrieve more "bottled" water. When the rep leaves, Flores follows him down the street to an alley, where he refills the five gallon glass bottle from a spicket. Replaces the srew-on metal lid, and heads back to the hotel.

The next evening, a drained Hawkins faced a future all-time bantam great, a violent crowd, Montezuma's revenge and ended up losing.

Damn, sorry Dagos, all you asked about was Lobito Montoya, not the "Dwight Hawkins Story". It's just the name Lobito Montoya, brings back memories of his fight with Hawkins. It was a fight both Flores And Hawkins were concerned about. His recent wins labeled Montoya as a fighter to be respected and reckoned with.


-Rick

Great story and you got my interest. I was talking to a fighter in San Diego named Jimmy Fields. Said he went way south in Mexico to fight a local kid that had only a couple of fights. Fields told me the night before the fight Montezuma's revenge hit him so bad he could hardly get into the ring. After that he said he drank only bottled water and cokes.

DAGOS- Once again you bring up a famuiliar name, Jimmy Fields. In the late 60's he fought in L.A. during a tough era for lightweights and Jr. Welters.

I remember him as, Jimmy "Buckskin" Fields, and I can still here ring announcer, Jimmy Lennon Sr. rolling his name off his lips when introducitng him in the ring. Just for the record (and this is based on the memory of a 12-year-old, some 44 years back), Jimmy Fields was a real good boxer!

-Rick Farris

[Expug]

The story also reminds me of Charlie "Devil" Green gettin pulled out of the audience at the Garden while in the middle of eating a hotdog by Teddy Brenner to fight Jose Torres.
Torres opponnent didnt show up.
Devil already had some fights though.
Charlie had Torres down or hurt I think before gettin stopped.
The funny part is when he got paid , he demanded an extra buck fifty for the hot dog he had to shit can before gettin his gear on.

PUG, as you know, that's what boxing is. I remember as an amateur, I was 17, and came to the Olympic one Thursday night to watch a friend fight in a prelim. As it turns out, one of the two amateur bouts, that proceeded the pro card, had fallen out when one of the boxers didn't show. I was the perfect match for the guy who did show up, and Johnny Flores pulled me in before I could find my seat. I fought on about 30 minutes notice, and collected an unexpected win. Hell, I was in shape, didn't have time to give the matter much thought, and had a great night. A real fighter is almost always ready to fight, unless they must take time to recover from a physical injury. I clarify "physical" injury for a reason. If the fighter loses his heart after an ass-whipping, then he is DONE!

-Ricardo

You are 100 percent right Rick.
I tell any guy who is gettin into the amateurs to always expect the unexpected.
Things are not always gonna go ypur way.
And it aint just bad decisions either.
My cousin who won the Gloves back in the mid nineties and I were just laughing the other day ay how many times we were told at various weigh ins how the other guy only had a few fights and not too much experience etc.
Only to get in there later on with a guy ready to turn pro.
Ya cant worry about it.
Just get in there and fight.
However these types of experiences have made it so Im very skeptical when I hear a guy had an amateur record of 365-0.
Im not saying there arent some guys out there with great am. records. I KNOW the Baltazar boys were great amateurs with great records. But there are just too many other guys out there who claim unreal stats.
There are just too many things that can go wrong in this game!

[Rick Farris]

Great stuff!


-Rick

[kikibalt]

Charley Powell vs Floyd Patterson

[kikibalt]

[kikibalt]

Thats Charlie Powell at the main st. gym in L.A. Ca.

[kikibalt]

Charlie Powell at the main st. gym in L.A. Ca.

[kikibalt]

Your's truly and Mando Ramos...Jan., 2007

[dagosd2000]

Frank
Thanks for the nice shots of Charley Powell. The story I wrote about at the park was sometime in the late 60's. The good days for were winding down for the neighborhood. Once in a while I'll see some of guys. Last time I saw Henry Brown,about ten years ago,I asked him how South East San Diego was doing. All he said was "The kids today don't want to have fun like we did." Nights like I described at Ocean View Park don't exist anymore. Maybe there's some stuff going on during the day,but at night it's a place you want to stay away from.

[scartissue]

[ [/quote]

Frank,I second or I guess third that. Great yarn. They say that's how Manuel Ortiz started out. One of the fighters didn't show up. Ortiz was sitting in the front row with friends and they coaxed him up to the ring to sub for the guy. Ortiz won the fight and was on his way to be a champ. Some where in Corona . Fights were at the place they were working:an ice house.[/quote]


I was reading a piece on Chango Carmona the other day and apparently a very similar scenario happened there as well. There was a big amateur show and Chango's brother didn't show up or failed a physical. He said the 'promoter' just came up to him and said, "You'll have to fight in his place." With no experience other than watching his brother fight, he went out and won and continued because, "I liked it." You're right, there must be alot of these stories out there. Frank, you have any good photos of Chango?

Scartissue