Classic American West Coast Boxing

[Randyman]

(front of table L-R) Rick Farris, girlfriend Karla Nelson, Kam Nelson Seagren
(back to wall L-R) Olympic pole vault legend Bob Seagren, Australia's Anne & Chris Fisher (a world record holder mid-distance runner)

Professional Track Tour 1973-74

Track & Field athletes are some of the greatest on earth. They didn't make a penny ( at least not above the table) during the late 60's and early 70's. After two consecutive gold medal winning Olympics for sixteen-time world record holder Bob Seagrean , and other track legends of the era such as miler Jim Ryan, shot putter Brian Oldefield, Kenya's Kip Keino, women sprinters Barabara Farrell, Wyomia Tyus and dozens more, they left the amateurs to join a fledgling pro track tour that would travel nationally for two years, 1973-74, before folding up.

In April 1973, the pro track tour was in San Diego at the International Sports Arena, where Ken Norton had just upset Ali two weeks before. The photo above was taken the next morning at breakfast in the hotel restaurant.

-Rick Farris

Great photo Rick. We would meet a couple of years after this photo was taken. I remember Kam Nelson from her days on television. Boss City? At the time she was on TV she was the hottest babe around, at least in Southern California. Man did I have a crush on her. If you ever see her tell her an old fan remembers her.

[Randyman]

Hey fellas,
I didn't mean to come off rude. Gato called me up about something and I invited him and Barb to eat with us. He lives about 30 minutes away.
Frank,Rick,Randy you and the wives are invited also. Sunday at 3 pm. My place.

Thanks for including me in the invite Rog but I won't be able to get away this weekend. Enjoy your day with Gato.

Randy

[Randyman]

IT'S LIKE THIS

It's like this with me and women. God made them soft and emotional.The love we have in our hearts we learned from them.Our mothers are the first persons we fall in love with. We look up at them when we are little babies and they instill love in our hearts. They bear our children. They are better than us. I want to protect them. Open doors. Let them go ahead of me. They civilize us along with our children Man would destroy himself if women where taken off the planet.

I've been with a lot of women I guess. I treat them nice. I tell them they are pretty. That's very important. Always tell them that they are pretty.

You can lie to women and they'll believe those lies.The television and the movies that try to teach women to be contrary to their nature should be banished from the face of the Earth.

Well said Rog. They are better than us. Stronger in so many ways too. I heard it said once that if men had to give birth they would have invented birth control centuries ago. I'll go that statement one better. If men had to give birth the human race would have ended with Adam and Eve. Men just wouldn't do it. Women can handle emotional stress, in some ways, better than a man.

Randy

[Randyman]

Roger . . .

I've never known of anybody that didn't respect the heart of Jerry Quarry.
Two things Jerry Quarry always brought into the ring, his punch and his heart.


-Rick Farris

I know I have mentioned it a gazillion times but Jerry Quarry was favorite of both my father and I. His large heart was a big factor in that. He fought in arguably one of the strongest eras in boxing history. Win, lose or draw he had a career to be proud of.

Randy

[Randyman]

The above photo shows Lionel Rose winning a ten-round decision over Jose Medel in a non-title fight at the Forum. It was the second boxing promotion for George Parnassus at the Fabulous Forum, which had just opened it's doors as L.A.'s premier indoor sports venue several months earlier. The Rose-Castillo bout would end in a riot.

-Rick Farris

My father was there that night Rick. I remember he said the place exploded in a riot. Mexican fight fans, you gotta love'em!

By the way. This is pure L.A. Noir.

Randy

[Rick Farris]

(front of table L-R) Rick Farris, girlfriend Karla Nelson, Kam Nelson Seagren
(back to wall L-R) Olympic pole vault legend Bob Seagren, Australia's Anne & Chris Fisher (a world record holder mid-distance runner)

Professional Track Tour 1973-74

Track & Field athletes are some of the greatest on earth. They didn't make a penny ( at least not above the table) during the late 60's and early 70's. After two consecutive gold medal winning Olympics for sixteen-time world record holder Bob Seagrean , and other track legends of the era such as miler Jim Ryan, shot putter Brian Oldefield, Kenya's Kip Keino, women sprinters Barabara Farrell, Wyomia Tyus and dozens more, they left the amateurs to join a fledgling pro track tour that would travel nationally for two years, 1973-74, before folding up.

In April 1973, the pro track tour was in San Diego at the International Sports Arena, where Ken Norton had just upset Ali two weeks before. The photo above was taken the next morning at breakfast in the hotel restaurant.

-Rick Farris

Great photo Rick. We would meet a couple of years after this photo was taken. I remember Kam Nelson from her days on television. Boss City? At the time she was on TV she was the hottest babe around, at least in Southern California. Man did I have a crush on her. If you ever see her tell her an old fan remembers her.

Her little sister was pretty hot too, and became my first wife. We have remained close for years, same with Bob Seagren & Kam. They also divorced 25-years-ago, but are now back together. In that photo, Bob was 26, today he is 62. Where does the time go? He went on to become the President of Puma USA which is I why I became the only American boxer to where Puma boxing shoes in the ring during the early 70's. I got the stuff for free. Of course, I didn't have a name worthy of monetary comensation, but to this day I don't pay for my Pumas.

As for Kam, she just turned 58 and lives in Brentwood. She & Bob's daughter Kirsten just got married (she's 33) and I'm her Godfather so Monica and I were at the wedding. I see Kam several times a year and will pass on your words, Randy. Her mother is dealing with lung cancer today, so I'm in touch with the family. In the early 70's, The Nelson house in Monterey Park was home to Bob & I, and our wives family. Ruben & Carol Navarro and Armando & Yolanda Muniz were our neighbors. It was at a party at Ruben's house, on Monterey Ave. in 1971 that I met Gil Cadilli. Sorry for going on about this, they are my family and we had some great times together. The best times of my life! I do have a hot bikini photo of Kam when she was 20, about a year after she quit her TV show. Would anybody mind if I posted it manana? I wouldn't want to offend anybody, after all she isn't wearing much clothing.

-Rick

[Rick Farris]

ARMANDO MUNIZ

[Rick Farris]

My father was there that night Rick. I remember he said the place exploded in a riot. Mexican fight fans, you gotta love'em!

By the way. This is pure L.A. Noir.

Randy [/quote]
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Te best is yet to come.
I'll get a little out at a time, don't want to overload Frank, who is posting this for me.
I'd occasionally like to slip in something from my day job, photos from distant film locations, feature films.
You aren't going to believe what I came across today.

While sorting thru some boxes of memorabelia, I discovered a cassette audio tape, given to me by actress Jo Beth Williams in 1985, while we were shooting, POLTERGEIST II. Jo Beth had given me an actual audio recording of the Jonestown mass suicide. The tape was made as these people were drinking poisen Cool-Aid, and dying. You can hear Jim Jones voice in the background. It's a sick tape, and I thought wife #2 had tossed it after I played it for her. She didn't want it in the house but it ended up in one of my boxes. Too bad there were no pictures, or I could have forwarded them to Frank and we'd really have something to talk about tomorrow.

-Rick

[El Gato]

Scar and Rick,

Joe Medrano was my stablemate in 71 and 72. We would train at the Hoover Gym every day. Even though he did not have a wide variety of combinations he was pretty strong. Many times he would get mad while sparring and would really fight it out. He would also spar with Monroe Brooks and Andy Price--really good workouts. Sometimes I would stop training just to watch them spar. Over time we became good friends. We would talk about our families. He also talked about his job being stressful. He worked long hours to support his family.

There was also another fighter at the gym who was my stablemate. I know you knew him--Benny "Memin" Rodriguez. He was a more classic type of fighter. He had better combinations and was a smart fighter. A really good bantamweight. He was a very kind and well mannered person. Whatever happened to him???

El Gato

[Randyman]

My father was there that night Rick. I remember he said the place exploded in a riot. Mexican fight fans, you gotta love'em!

By the way. This is pure L.A. Noir.

Randy

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Te best is yet to come.
I'll get a little out at a time, don't want to overload Frank, who is posting this for me.
I'd occasionally like to slip in something from my day job, photos from distant film locations, feature films.
You aren't going to believe what I came across today.

While sorting thru some boxes of memorabelia, I discovered a cassette audio tape, given to me by actress Jo Beth Williams in 1985, while we were shooting, POLTERGEIST II. Jo Beth had given me an actual audio recording of the Jonestown mass suicide. The tape was made as these people were drinking poisen Cool-Aid, and dying. You can hear Jim Jones voice in the background. It's a sick tape, and I thought wife #2 had tossed it after I played it for her. She didn't want it in the house but it ended up in one of my boxes. Too bad there were no pictures, or I could have forwarded them to Frank and we'd really have something to talk about tomorrow.

-Rick[/quote]

Okay, now you're scaring me.

[Rick Farris]

Scar and Rick,

Joe Medrano was my stablemate in 71 and 72. We would train at the Hoover Gym every day. Even though he did not have a wide variety of combinations he was pretty strong. Many times he would get mad while sparring and would really fight it out. He would also spar with Monroe Brooks and Andy Price--really good workouts. Sometimes I would stop training just to watch them spar. Over time we became good friends. We would talk about our families. He also talked about his job being stressful. He worked long hours to support his family.

There was also another fighter at the gym who was my stablemate. I know you knew him--Benny "Memin" Rodriguez. He was a more classic type of fighter. He had better combinations and was a smart fighter. A really good bantamweight. He was a very kind and well mannered person. Whatever happened to him???

El Gato

Bennie "Memin" Rodriguez . . .

Rodolfo . . . I fought Bennie Rodriguez when I was 18, my 4th pro fight. He was one of the best boxers I ever stepped into the ring with and he hit hard. I was told after my fight that he was unbeaten in Mexico and had won all of his fights by KO. There is no record of this here on Boxrec, but considering his talent when we fought and his age, 23, I don't doubt he had a lot of experience. Bennie decisioned me and I stayed on my feet, but he did hurt me a couple of times. At one point, he thought I was hurt when I wasn't and tried to finish me, I caught him with a good shot and could tell he felt it because he backed off and and went on to win a decision. After fighting me, he went on to put together another KO streak before getting KOed himself by Danny Lopez. After the Lopez loss, he would break into the top ten bantams and stayed there for a long time, but never got a title shot.

You are right about Bennie being a kind well mannered person, he was also very smart. Last I heard Bennie had become a dentist, having graduated college in Mexico before coming to L.A. I was told he had a dental practice in Hollywood, however, I can't validate this. I was also told that he had KOed ChuCho Castillo in the gym, but I also didn't see this so who knows?

-Rick Farris

[Rick Farris]

My father was there that night Rick. I remember he said the place exploded in a riot. Mexican fight fans, you gotta love'em!

By the way. This is pure L.A. Noir.

Randy

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Te best is yet to come.
I'll get a little out at a time, don't want to overload Frank, who is posting this for me.
I'd occasionally like to slip in something from my day job, photos from distant film locations, feature films.
You aren't going to believe what I came across today.

While sorting thru some boxes of memorabelia, I discovered a cassette audio tape, given to me by actress Jo Beth Williams in 1985, while we were shooting, POLTERGEIST II. Jo Beth had given me an actual audio recording of the Jonestown mass suicide. The tape was made as these people were drinking poisen Cool-Aid, and dying. You can hear Jim Jones voice in the background. It's a sick tape, and I thought wife #2 had tossed it after I played it for her. She didn't want it in the house but it ended up in one of my boxes. Too bad there were no pictures, or I could have forwarded them to Frank and we'd really have something to talk about tomorrow.

-Rick[/quote]
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Randy . . . If there was one thing about the Poltergeist productions that bothered me, it was the strange deaths of several key actors during or within a year of the production. Between our shooting the original film and the sequel, actress Domonique Dunn was murdered by her boyfriend. Just a few weeks into shooting the sequel, actor Julian Beck who played the evil pastor, died. Shortly after wrapping principal photography, actor Will Sampson (who played the Indian in "One Flew Over The Cookoo's Nest") also died. And shortly after we finished shooting, Heather O'Rourke, the cute little blonde actress who played the daughter, died from a mysterious stomach condition. That really got to me, she was such a good little kid and a great little actress. There was other para normal activity on the set thruout both productions, strange accidents, deaths of crew members, etc. All of these occurances caught the eye of the press who tried to capitolize on them for publicity, but it wasn't just some PR person's BS, things really happened. As for the audio tape, I just destroyed it. I don't want that bad energy in my life.

-Rick

[kikibalt]

Art "Golden Boy" Aragon

[kikibalt]

Randy might have one of these.

-Rick

[kikibalt]

1990- "Polaroid One" commercial. Atlanta Zoo, Georgia


The Atlanta Zoo had the best Gorilla exhibit in the country in 1990. We needed Gorilla's for a Polaroid commercial, so we went to Atlanta where using long lenses, we shot Gorillas on a little island from across the water. When they moved in for a close up, we stayed off the island and used a special actor that came with this very expensive costume. This is the most expensive single costume in the history of the film industry (as of 1990). It was designed for the movie "Gorilla's In The Mist" which was shot the previous year. To make the costume work, you had a special stunt man inside the suit, with a special air conditioning attachment manned by a special effects man off camera. There were also two radio control boxes used by two others to control the eye lids, ear, and mouth mannerisms. A four man team brought life to this big monkey.

-Rick Farris

[Randyman]

Randy might have one of these.

-Rick

Rick, I do have that card in a box somewhere. It brings back memories. The Buzzards, of course, refer to any and every manager that was trying to steal another manager's fighter. It was an outdated term even back in the 70's. Mel was frustrated that no one got the joke. It goes without saying that Mel thought every other manager and trainer was a buzzard. You and I are "The Others".

That phone number was embedded in my head for years. Mel called me every night to make sure I was behaving. He didn't want me chasing the skirts like that Farris kid. As soon as I hung up the phone I was out the door.

Randy

[kikibalt]

Mickey was another good Johnny Forbes fighter

[Randyman]

1990- "Polaroid One" commercial. Atlanta Zoo, Georgia


The Atlanta Zoo had the best Gorilla exhibit in the country in 1990. We needed Gorilla's for a Polaroid commercial, so we went to Atlanta where using long lenses, we shot Gorillas on a little island from across the water. When they moved in for a close up, we stayed off the island and used a special actor that came with this very expensive costume. This is the most expensive single costume in the history of the film industry (as of 1990). It was designed for the movie "Gorilla's In The Mist" which was shot the previous year. To make the costume work, you had a special stunt man inside the suit, with a special air conditioning attachment manned by a special effects man off camera. There were also two radio control boxes used by two others to control the eye lids, ear, and mouth mannerisms. A four man team brought life to this big monkey.

-Rick Farris

Rick, I hope that photo is an 8x10 inside a matted frame and hanging on a wall in your home. It is classic, and unusual.

Randy

[Rick Farris]

Randy might have one of these.

-Rick

Rick, I do have that card in a box somewhere. It brings back memories. The Buzzards, of course, refer to any and every manager that was trying to steal another manager's fighter. It was an outdated term even back in the 70's. Mel was frustrated that no one got the joke. It goes without saying that Mel thought every other manager and trainer was a buzzard. You and I are "The Others".

That phone number was embedded in my head for years. Mel called me every night to make sure I was behaving. He didn't want me chasing the skirts like that Farris kid. As soon as I hung up the phone I was out the door.

Randy

Randy, yes, we were the "others". Just like Mel to put something like that on a business card. It's funny to look back on in some ways, but I don't miss the part of my career that Mel was involved with. It was a dramatic change from Johnny Flores, almost irritating in retropect. To be honest, it's great to look back on the years I boxed, but I don't miss any of it. When I was with Johnny, there was a sense of organization, stability & strength. With Mel, everything was off-center. He was a good man, but was out of touch, just as I would be with todays boxers.

-Rick

[Rick Farris]

1990- "Polaroid One" commercial. Atlanta Zoo, Georgia


The Atlanta Zoo had the best Gorilla exhibit in the country in 1990. We needed Gorilla's for a Polaroid commercial, so we went to Atlanta where using long lenses, we shot Gorillas on a little island from across the water. When they moved in for a close up, we stayed off the island and used a special actor that came with this very expensive costume. This is the most expensive single costume in the history of the film industry (as of 1990). It was designed for the movie "Gorilla's In The Mist" which was shot the previous year. To make the costume work, you had a special stunt man inside the suit, with a special air conditioning attachment manned by a special effects man off camera. There were also two radio control boxes used by two others to control the eye lids, ear, and mouth mannerisms. A four man team brought life to this big monkey.

-Rick Farris

Rick, I hope that photo is an 8x10 inside a matted frame and hanging on a wall in your home. It is classic, and unusual.

Randy

No Randy, it's been in an envelope in a storage box since I moved from Malibu in the early 90's. I pull a little out at a time. Guys I won't post too much personal stuff, but I have some photos of my daughters when they were little, hanging out with dad on weekends when I was living at the beach. These are the times I miss, a world far removed from boxing. Too much time on the road, you see a great deal working around the world on film locations, but you miss the important things. Thanks for alllowing me to post these photos, etc. I have lots more boxing stuff, it all relates.

-Rick

[Randyman]

1990- "Polaroid One" commercial. Atlanta Zoo, Georgia


The Atlanta Zoo had the best Gorilla exhibit in the country in 1990. We needed Gorilla's for a Polaroid commercial, so we went to Atlanta where using long lenses, we shot Gorillas on a little island from across the water. When they moved in for a close up, we stayed off the island and used a special actor that came with this very expensive costume. This is the most expensive single costume in the history of the film industry (as of 1990). It was designed for the movie "Gorilla's In The Mist" which was shot the previous year. To make the costume work, you had a special stunt man inside the suit, with a special air conditioning attachment manned by a special effects man off camera. There were also two radio control boxes used by two others to control the eye lids, ear, and mouth mannerisms. A four man team brought life to this big monkey.

-Rick Farris

Rick, I hope that photo is an 8x10 inside a matted frame and hanging on a wall in your home. It is classic, and unusual.

Randy

No Randy, it's been in an envelope in a storage box since I moved from Malibu in the early 90's. I pull a little out at a time. Guys I won't post too much personal stuff, but I have some photos of my daughters when they were little, hanging out with dad on weekends when I was living at the beach. These are the times I miss, a world far removed from boxing. Too much time on the road, you see a great deal working around the world on film locations, but you miss the important things. Thanks for alllowing me to post these photos, etc. I have lots more boxing stuff, it all relates.

-Rick

Rick, old friend, I think I speak for all of us when I say we would love to see those pics. Boxing may be the core of this thread but it has evolved to something more. This site is like a local pub, or a men's club. Bring out the photos and show'em to the guys.

Randy

[Randyman]

Randy might have one of these.

-Rick

Rick, I do have that card in a box somewhere. It brings back memories. The Buzzards, of course, refer to any and every manager that was trying to steal another manager's fighter. It was an outdated term even back in the 70's. Mel was frustrated that no one got the joke. It goes without saying that Mel thought every other manager and trainer was a buzzard. You and I are "The Others".

That phone number was embedded in my head for years. Mel called me every night to make sure I was behaving. He didn't want me chasing the skirts like that Farris kid. As soon as I hung up the phone I was out the door.

Randy

Randy, yes, we were the "others". Just like Mel to put something like that on a business card. It's funny to look back on in some ways, but I don't miss the part of my career that Mel was involved with. It was a dramatic change from Johnny Flores, almost irritating in retropect. To be honest, it's great to look back on the years I boxed, but I don't miss any of it. When I was with Johnny, there was a sense of organization, stability & strength. With Mel, everything was off-center. He was a good man, but was out of touch, just as I would be with todays boxers.

-Rick

Looking back and knowing what I know now, I tend to agree with you. Mel was out of touch with the times. I don't think you or I are like that, nor are any of the guys on this thread. Mel was from an entirely different era and way of life. We may differ from the previous generation but have remained connected in a way that Mel's generation was not. The current generation, however different it is, is an extension of our generation.

I sometimes wonder how things might been if I had another trainer. I can see now some of the mistakes Mel made with me. Still, on a personal level, he was a great, great friend. He helped me in ways that had nothing to do with boxing and I am forever grateful to him for that.

I met Johnny Flores on a few occasions, my father met him a few times as well. Flores was a trainers trainer and a war hero. The last time I saw him I was eating taquitos at Olvera Street with my wife Jeri, late 80's or early 90's, to my surprise Johnny walked up to me and said hello and asked me how I was doing. I was shocked at his memory. Of course it makes sense that I would remember him but for him to recognize me kind of threw me. On top of all the other great things Johnny Flores was, he was a gentleman too. I can see why you think so highly of him.

Randy

[Randyman]

ARMANDO MUNIZ

Rog, you do all your subjects proud!!

Randy

[kikibalt]

Randy might have one of these.

-Rick

Rick, I do have that card in a box somewhere. It brings back memories. The Buzzards, of course, refer to any and every manager that was trying to steal another manager's fighter. It was an outdated term even back in the 70's. Mel was frustrated that no one got the joke. It goes without saying that Mel thought every other manager and trainer was a buzzard. You and I are "The Others".

That phone number was embedded in my head for years. Mel called me every night to make sure I was behaving. He didn't want me chasing the skirts like that Farris kid. As soon as I hung up the phone I was out the door.

Randy


Randy, yes, we were the "others". Just like Mel to put something like that on a business card. It's funny to look back on in some ways, but I don't miss the part of my career that Mel was involved with. It was a dramatic change from Johnny Flores, almost irritating in retropect. To be honest, it's great to look back on the years I boxed, but I don't miss any of it. When I was with Johnny, there was a sense of organization, stability & strength. With Mel, everything was off-center. He was a good man, but was out of touch, just as I would be with todays boxers.

-Rick

Looking back and knowing what I know now, I tend to agree with you. Mel was out of touch with the times. I don't think you or I are like that, nor are any of the guys on this thread. Mel was from an entirely different era and way of life. We may differ from the previous generation but have remained connected in a way that Mel's generation was not. The current generation, however different it is, is an extension of our generation.

I sometimes wonder how things might been if I had another trainer. I can see now some of the mistakes Mel made with me. Still, on a personal level, he was a great, great friend. He helped me in ways that had nothing to do with boxing and I am forever grateful to him for that.

I met Johnny Flores on a few occasions, my father met him a few times as well. Flores was a trainers trainer and a war hero. The last time I saw him I was eating taquitos at Olvera Street with my wife Jeri, late 80's or early 90's, to my surprise Johnny walked up to me and said hello and asked me how I was doing. I was shocked at his memory. Of course it makes sense that I would remember him but for him to recognize me kind of threw me. On top of all the other great things Johnny Flores was, he was a gentleman too. I can see why you think so highly of him.

Randy

I first met Johnny Flores right after the the war, I had a backyard trainer "Tiger" who would train us kids for a bit and then he would take us to the CYO where Johnny was running the boxing program to fight, Johnny would also bring some kids to the big fiestas (Cinco De Mayo/Mexican Independence, September 16) at our barrio "Simons" which were held at our church "Our Lady of Mount Carmel" the Men's Club would set up a ring and clubs from SoCal would bring kids to fight, I had a number of fights with Johnny Flores trained fighters at our fiestas, need less to say I got my ass kicked most of the time but, hey it was fun! Of course later on I used Johnny as a corner man for Frankie's fights. Great man, Johnny Flores was!

[dagosd2000]

Rick Farris