BoxRec

kikibalt wrote:Hoover St. Gym location . . .



Hoover St. facing 78th St.
This is where the gym once stood.
Today, the houses pictured would be in the gyms front parking lot.

-Rick Farris

That crunching sound you hear is my heart breaking. Little by little L.A.'s boxing past and history is being erased. Thank God for this thread. I wonder if the people that live in those home know that they are sitting on top of boxing history? What a shame!

Randyman wrote:

kikibalt wrote:Hoover St. Gym location . . .



Hoover St. facing 78th St.
This is where the gym once stood.
Today, the houses pictured would be in the gyms front parking lot.

-Rick Farris

That crunching sound you hear is my heart breaking. Little by little L.A.'s boxing past and history is being erased. Thank God for this thread. I wonder if the people that live in those home know that they are sitting on top of boxing history? What a shame!

Randy . . . I don't know when they tore the gym down, but it wasn't too long ago. The neighborhood is pretty hopeless, however, all you hear about is the gangs, drugs, drive-by shootings, the return of a seriel killer that has resufaced after disappearing for awhile. What you don't here about are the good people, those who worked hard to build a life for themselves and their families, those who are trapped in their homes by the gang activity. Good people, hard working, we met many of them in boxing. Of course, all you hear about is the bad.

-Rick Farris

Just on the former subject of Sean O'Grady, he certainly ruined Hilmer Kenty in their 15-round war in 1981. Kenty was never the same.

Archie Moore & Jimmy Carter

Rick:

We shouldn't be surprised at what has happened to our old stomping grounds, the "arnica and wintergreen" havens we called boxing gymnasiums. Just look at what is going on with our uniquely different, fantastically popular movie houses of olden times.The beloved Lowe's State, in the heart of downtown L.A. is now a church!

Classic showplaces like Hill street's two beacons, the Mayan and the Belasco are either shut down or converted to something totally foreign to motion pictures or legitimate stage plays. I remember enjoying Duke Ellington's "Jump for Joy" at the Mayan in the 1940s. There was a time when L.A. theatre row was second only to New York's 42nd street. No more.

We had a one of a kind movie house called the Olympic Request Theatre, on 8th street just west of Broadway, showing nothing but old movies brought back by popular request.....it is now shut down and coverted to something else, I hear.

The upshot is that Modern Times are not for everyone......like Horace Greeley once said "the times that were are invariably greater than the times that are."

hap navarro

The same thing has happened with gyms here in Chicago.
It used to be , if you were a youngster wanting to box, you could go to any one of dozens of Park District gyms all over the city.Great amateur programs and gyms.They had gear trainers everything.Turned out some good fighters too.
There were pro gyms around also.The Windy City Gym being the most well known I guess.
Thats gone now as of a few years ago. Most of the Park District Gyms are gone too.

Dongee wrote:Rick:

We shouldn't be surprised at what has happened to our old stomping grounds, the "arnica and wintergreen" havens we called boxing gymnasiums. Just look at what is going on with our uniquely different, fantastically popular movie houses of olden times.The beloved Lowe's State, in the heart of downtown L.A. is now a church!

Classic showplaces like Hill street's two beacons, the Mayan and the Belasco are either shut down or converted to something totally foreign to motion pictures or legitimate stage plays. I remember enjoying Duke Ellington's "Jump for Joy" at the Mayan in the 1940s. There was a time when L.A. theatre row was second only to New York's 42nd street. No more.

We had a one of a kind movie house called the Olympic Request Theatre, on 8th street just west of Broadway, showing nothing but old movies brought back by popular request.....it is now shut down and coverted to something else, I hear.

The upshot is that Modern Times are not for everyone......like Horace Greeley once said "the times that were are invariably greater than the times that are."

hap navarro

Hap . . . Horace Greely pretty much summed it up. I truly do not want to be or sound like a cranky old man, somebody who professes, "Nothing is good anymore." I just have to roll with the change of time in life. But I sure miss those old haunts, oddly, many that I did not know personally, the ones you have taught us about. Thank you for helping us keep these memories alive.

-Rick Farris

Rick:

You have every right to feel just a little bit cheated in the name of progress. You just happened to be born at a later date. Modern times overwhelm us all, even with all of the great advances in medicine, transportation, quality of life, etc. etc. For all the enormous inroads science has made we must be eternally grateful. Who, besides, Buck Rogers, would have thought of putting men on the moon back in the days of the deep depression. Sadly, we were too busy trying to hack out a decent living to really savor and enjoy all of the fine things we took for granted.

My regrets are that the ambience of earlier days is being replaced by somethings that are not all that attractive. I once heard actress Barbara Rush express an opinion on a talk show, when she was asked what she thought of the modern hippie movement.....she unabashedly answered, " I am okay with them. But why do they have to make themselves so unattractive?" My beef with the "powers" that have changed the face of my home town started when they decided to destroy Bunker Hill and its fabulous, nostalgic residences. Adams Blvd, between Vermont and Main street had a few of those beautiful, dated, facades for many years.

hap navarro

Dongee wrote:Rick:

We shouldn't be surprised at what has happened to our old stomping grounds, the "arnica and wintergreen" havens we called boxing gymnasiums. Just look at what is going on with our uniquely different, fantastically popular movie houses of olden times.The beloved Lowe's State, in the heart of downtown L.A. is now a church!

Classic showplaces like Hill street's two beacons, the Mayan and the Belasco are either shut down or converted to something totally foreign to motion pictures or legitimate stage plays. I remember enjoying Duke Ellington's "Jump for Joy" at the Mayan in the 1940s. There was a time when L.A. theatre row was second only to New York's 42nd street. No more.

We had a one of a kind movie house called the Olympic Request Theatre, on 8th street just west of Broadway, showing nothing but old movies brought back by popular request.....it is now shut down and coverted to something else, I hear.

The upshot is that Modern Times are not for everyone......like Horace Greeley once said "the times that were are invariably greater than the times that are."

hap navarro

Horace had it right , Hap. I feel nostalgia ffor the things of my youth and even more nostalgic for the things that were around during my father's era. I am extremely grateful to those that share their memories. How else would we know. Mainsteam historian and society in general over look the details. The real fabric of life.

My father carried a card in his wallet that said: "The older I get, the better I was." Greeley's quote, more or less, reminded me of that, except he was a little more serious.

Thanks for sharing Hap!

Randy

Rick Farris wrote:

Dongee wrote:Rick:

We shouldn't be surprised at what has happened to our old stomping grounds, the "arnica and wintergreen" havens we called boxing gymnasiums. Just look at what is going on with our uniquely different, fantastically popular movie houses of olden times.The beloved Lowe's State, in the heart of downtown L.A. is now a church!

Classic showplaces like Hill street's two beacons, the Mayan and the Belasco are either shut down or converted to something totally foreign to motion pictures or legitimate stage plays. I remember enjoying Duke Ellington's "Jump for Joy" at the Mayan in the 1940s. There was a time when L.A. theatre row was second only to New York's 42nd street. No more.

We had a one of a kind movie house called the Olympic Request Theatre, on 8th street just west of Broadway, showing nothing but old movies brought back by popular request.....it is now shut down and coverted to something else, I hear.

The upshot is that Modern Times are not for everyone......like Horace Greeley once said "the times that were are invariably greater than the times that are."

hap navarro

Hap . . . Horace Greely pretty much summed it up. I truly do not want to be or sound like a cranky old man, somebody who professes, "Nothing is good anymore." I just have to roll with the change of time in life. But I sure miss those old haunts, oddly, many that I did not know personally, the ones you have taught us about. Thank you for helping us keep these memories alive.

-Rick Farris

Rick, if Mel was a man out of place all those years ago, what do you think he would think of these so called modern times? The older I get the better I inderstand Mel (to a point). We give up a lot in the name of progress. I always say "I was born a hundred years too late".


Randy

Rick Farris wrote:

Randyman wrote:

kikibalt wrote:Hoover St. Gym location . . .



Hoover St. facing 78th St.
This is where the gym once stood.
Today, the houses pictured would be in the gyms front parking lot.

-Rick Farris

That crunching sound you hear is my heart breaking. Little by little L.A.'s boxing past and history is being erased. Thank God for this thread. I wonder if the people that live in those home know that they are sitting on top of boxing history? What a shame!

Randy . . . I don't know when they tore the gym down, but it wasn't too long ago. The neighborhood is pretty hopeless, however, all you hear about is the gangs, drugs, drive-by shootings, the return of a seriel killer that has resufaced after disappearing for awhile. What you don't here about are the good people, those who worked hard to build a life for themselves and their families, those who are trapped in their homes by the gang activity. Good people, hard working, we met many of them in boxing. Of course, all you hear about is the bad.

-Rick Farris

The bad sells better, sad to say! A dirty rotten shame.

By the way, Rick, thanks for making the trip and confirming it for us.

Randy

Randyman wrote:

Dongee wrote:Rick:

We shouldn't be surprised at what has happened to our old stomping grounds, the "arnica and wintergreen" havens we called boxing gymnasiums. Just look at what is going on with our uniquely different, fantastically popular movie houses of olden times.The beloved Lowe's State, in the heart of downtown L.A. is now a church!

Classic showplaces like Hill street's two beacons, the Mayan and the Belasco are either shut down or converted to something totally foreign to motion pictures or legitimate stage plays. I remember enjoying Duke Ellington's "Jump for Joy" at the Mayan in the 1940s. There was a time when L.A. theatre row was second only to New York's 42nd street. No more.

We had a one of a kind movie house called the Olympic Request Theatre, on 8th street just west of Broadway, showing nothing but old movies brought back by popular request.....it is now shut down and coverted to something else, I hear.

The upshot is that Modern Times are not for everyone......like Horace Greeley once said "the times that were are invariably greater than the times that are."

hap navarro

Horace had it right , Hap. I feel nostalgia ffor the things of my youth and even more nostalgic for the things that were around during my father's era. I am extremely grateful to those that share their memories. How else would we know. Mainsteam historian and society in general over look the details. The real fabric of life.

My father carried a card in his wallet that said: "The older I get, the better I was." Greeley's quote, more or less, reminded me of that, except he was a little more serious.

Thanks for sharing Hap!

Randy

You are welcome, Randy.

It is just possible that what we all feel in retrospect is nothing more than a "rite of passage".....
like growing pains, an awkward yet unavoidable feeling that is influenced by change itself. Who knows, but I am glad I am not alone in feeling this way. In other words, it isn't just because I am almost 90 years old.

hap navarro

Randyman wrote:

Dongee wrote:Rick:

We shouldn't be surprised at what has happened to our old stomping grounds, the "arnica and wintergreen" havens we called boxing gymnasiums. Just look at what is going on with our uniquely different, fantastically popular movie houses of olden times.The beloved Lowe's State, in the heart of downtown L.A. is now a church!

Classic showplaces like Hill street's two beacons, the Mayan and the Belasco are either shut down or converted to something totally foreign to motion pictures or legitimate stage plays. I remember enjoying Duke Ellington's "Jump for Joy" at the Mayan in the 1940s. There was a time when L.A. theatre row was second only to New York's 42nd street. No more.

We had a one of a kind movie house called the Olympic Request Theatre, on 8th street just west of Broadway, showing nothing but old movies brought back by popular request.....it is now shut down and coverted to something else, I hear.

The upshot is that Modern Times are not for everyone......like Horace Greeley once said "the times that were are invariably greater than the times that are."

hap navarro

Horace had it right , Hap. I feel nostalgia ffor the things of my youth and even more nostalgic for the things that were around during my father's era. I am extremely grateful to those that share their memories. How else would we know. Mainsteam historian and society in general over look the details. The real fabric of life.

My father carried a card in his wallet that said: "The older I get, the better I was." Greeley's quote, more or less, reminded me of that, except he was a little more serious.

Thanks for sharing Hap!

Randy

You are welcome, Randy.

It is just possible that what we all feel in retrospect is nothing more than a "rite of passage".....
like growing pains, an awkward yet unavoidable feeling that is influenced by change itself. Who knows, but I am glad I am not alone in feeling this way. In other words, it isn't just because I am almost 90 years old.

hap navarro

Hap,Rick,Randy

Just go to my wife's little hometown in Mexico. They wouldn't think of demolishing a building that is 200 years old . These bulidings don't have to be churches. They are work places and living places. It's their heritage.

Europe the same way. If you want to build something new,they do it outside the old sector. They've grown up hundreds of years with these constructions of their past. The old ways still work . Why change?

Their biggest threat? The advent of American television and movies. Their youth is being swallowed up by it.

dagosd2000 wrote:Hap,Rick,Randy

Just go to my wife's little hometown in Mexico. They wouldn't think of demolishing a building that is 200 years old . These bulidings don't have to be churches. They are work places and living places. It's their heritage.

Europe the same way. If you want to build something new,they do it outside the old sector. They've grown up hundreds of years with these constructions of their past. The old ways still work . Why change?

Their biggest threat? The advent of American television and movies. Their youth is being swallowed up by it.

Right you are, Rog.

hap

Dongee wrote:Rick:

You have every right to feel just a little bit cheated in the name of progress. You just happened to be born at a later date. Modern times overwhelm us all, even with all of the great advances in medicine, transportation, quality of life, etc. etc. For all the enormous inroads science has made we must be eternally grateful. Who, besides, Buck Rogers, would have thought of putting men on the moon back in the days of the deep depression. Sadly, we were too busy trying to hack out a decent living to really savor and enjoy all of the fine things we took for granted.

My regrets are that the ambience of earlier days is being replaced by somethings that are not all that attractive. I once heard actress Barbara Rush express an opinion on a talk show, when she was asked what she thought of the modern hippie movement.....she unabashedly answered, " I am okay with them. But why do they have to make themselves so unattractive?" My beef with the "powers" that have changed the face of my home town started when they decided to destroy Bunker Hill and its fabulous, nostalgic residences. Adams Blvd, between Vermont and Main street had a few of those beautiful, dated, facades for many years.

hap navarro

Hap . . . As I get older, I truly find myself experiencing just what you mention. Downtown L.A. is undergoing massive change, some of it long overdue. The Bunker Hill project, which has changed that area to the point where it is unrecognizable, changes the entire face of the City. Angels Flight was still around in the mid 60's, when I'd hop the bus in the Valley and head downtown en route to the Main Street Gym. This is when I would discover downtown on my own, an impressionable kid. I would walk the streets of Skid Row, then up 6th St. to the financial center. At the time, my father was an up & coming banking exec. and his office was located at the BofA Southern Cal headquarters, which was located at 7th & Spring St.

Around 1972, the bank changed their headquarters to the Arco Towers, and his new position put him on the top floor of the fifty-two story Bank of America building. The old bank headquarters, have remained vacant and have served as filming locations for ever sense. Today, the ultra new Arco Towers of 1972, are no longer BofA and Arco, and those towers are going the same direction as the old 7th & Spring location was headed nearly four decades back. I recently filmed on the 52nd floor of my dad's old building, and it's vacant. I was amazed.

When I visited the site of the Legion, I couldn't help but visualize the B&W photos of how it looked when you were there. I was saddened, as if it had once belonged to me, yet I was only there mentally as I'd sit reading your words on the building, the Legionaires, the era. If is possible for a spirit to "feel" the era, the excitement, I feel that as if I experienced it. I actually did experience that feeling once, when I was a kid new in boxing. Thinking of your era gives me a feeling of warmth, when I see these sites today, I feel cold.

I know I thank you a lot on these pages, please understand I do so from the heart. It helps me meausure the changes in boxing and Los Angeles, as I attempt to write the story of what came "after" your great era. Your contemporaries were still running boxing in this L.A. when I came around, and how lucky for me that some of them have touched my life.

By the way, yesterday I drove thru the West Adams area. As I mentioned to you long ago, my great friend Karl Nelson (who was born in 1918) grew up there too. His father is responsible for developing Inglewood some hundred years back, and so his family was very wealthy (all was lost in the depression). I passed by Karl's home, right off of Arlington (I believe on 26th St.) Of course, the neighborhood has been in poor shape for decades. The home, a beautiful three story Victorian still stands. I saw that home in photos taken of Karl when he was a toddler, which was back when you too were a young boy, born a year after Karl, if my memory serves me right, in 1919. I attempted to tell my wife that this was one of the finest neighborhoods in the city, but it was hard for her to imagine.

Rick Farris

Frankie getting ready for a fight, circa-1977. in our hole-in-the-wall gym in La Puente.
That too is gone, there is a parking lot there now.....

Randyman wrote:

Rick Farris wrote:

Dongee wrote:Rick:

We shouldn't be surprised at what has happened to our old stomping grounds, the "arnica and wintergreen" havens we called boxing gymnasiums. Just look at what is going on with our uniquely different, fantastically popular movie houses of olden times.The beloved Lowe's State, in the heart of downtown L.A. is now a church!

Classic showplaces like Hill street's two beacons, the Mayan and the Belasco are either shut down or converted to something totally foreign to motion pictures or legitimate stage plays. I remember enjoying Duke Ellington's "Jump for Joy" at the Mayan in the 1940s. There was a time when L.A. theatre row was second only to New York's 42nd street. No more.

We had a one of a kind movie house called the Olympic Request Theatre, on 8th street just west of Broadway, showing nothing but old movies brought back by popular request.....it is now shut down and coverted to something else, I hear.

The upshot is that Modern Times are not for everyone......like Horace Greeley once said "the times that were are invariably greater than the times that are."

hap navarro

Hap . . . Horace Greely pretty much summed it up. I truly do not want to be or sound like a cranky old man, somebody who professes, "Nothing is good anymore." I just have to roll with the change of time in life. But I sure miss those old haunts, oddly, many that I did not know personally, the ones you have taught us about. Thank you for helping us keep these memories alive.

-Rick Farris

Rick, if Mel was a man out of place all those years ago, what do you think he would think of these so called modern times? The older I get the better I inderstand Mel (to a point). We give up a lot in the name of progress. I always say "I was born a hundred years too late".


Randy

As a lover of history, sometimes I think the same thing. But then I realize that, had I been born 100 years earlier, I would have been an orphan at age 14, my oldest son would have died in childbirth - in the process killing my wife, and, therefore, I would never have had my youngest son, Daniel. And, given my diabetes, its possible I would have died before age 50 or been disabled and sick for much of my middle-age years.

We give up a lot in the name of progress, true enough; but we gain a lot too.

Rick:

I have nothing but pleasant memories of that area on West Adams, when I lived briefly with my dad at his home on Somerset Drive, just south of Adams. I attended the Ben Bard's Adams moviie house there, getting in for a dime at age 11. Even younger, of course, I was baptized at St. Vincent's, corner Adams and Figueroa.

And Rick, my staunchest hope for you is that you never lose that great sense of "belonging"
which so many folks abandon when their home address changes. Remember the words in that old song "The Last Time I saw Paris"......."No matter how they change her, I'll remember her that way."

I don't profess to know what it is that motivates you so. But I am certain that it is a benevolent force of which you may not have any control. Give it a free rein, carry on....the best may be yet to come.

hap navarro

Rick:

I have nothing but pleasant memories of that area on West Adams, when I lived briefly with my dad at his home on Somerset Drive, just south of Adams. I attended the Ben Bard's Adams moviie house there, getting in for a dime at age 11. Even younger, of course, I was baptized at St. Vincent's, corner Adams and Figueroa.

And Rick, my staunchest hope for you is that you never lose that great sense of "belonging"
which so many folks abandon when their home address changes. Remember the words in that old song "The Last Time I saw Paris"......."No matter how they change her, I'll remember her that way."

I don't profess to know what it is that motivates you so. But I am certain that it is a benevolent force of which you may not have any control. Give it a free rein, carry on....the best may be yet to come.

hap navarro

Steven Luevano fails physical exam
March 26, 2009 by Edgar Gonzalez

Steven Luevano who was scheduled to defend his WBO featherweight title against Bernabe Concepcion as the co-main event for the highly anticipated “Battle of the East and West” headlined by Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao versus Britian’s Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas on May 2, had to withdraw from the proposed bout.

Inside sources have revealed to MyBoxingFans that the fight has been canceled due to the fact that Luevano from La Puente, CA failed an eye exam during his mandatory physical exam. Luevano, a 27 year old southpaw who won the title with an 11th round knockout of Britian’s undefeated Nikcy Cook on July 14, 07, was held to a draw in a title defense against Mario Santiago last June. In his last fight, he successfully defended his crown against Australia’s Billy Dib with a fairly comfortable twelve round decision.

Luevano (36-1-1 15KO’s) is known for his speed and his boxing abilities, no word if this will effect his professional career. Stay tuned as more information comes in.

kikibalt wrote:
Frankie getting ready for a fight, circa-1977. in our hole-in-the-wall gym in La Puente.
That too is gone, there is a parking lot there now.....

The Kid looks tough as nails

My 20 Greatest
9 • *
By Hype Igoe
International News Service Sports Writer

NEW YORK, Mar. 17.--.jim Barry, of Irish and French extructlon,
was a handsome, gulot fellow who could hit like the
kick ot a mule with his right hand. He fought Sam Langford
12 times, which is pretty good evidence that Jim could hold up
His hands and throw a few punches.

They met first back in 1907. Pale-faced Harry had had 24
fights, winning 20 of them with cold knockouts. Thiswas something
over which Samuel must ponder, slnce any youngster who
can bang that well is not a pushover.

Barry, once he had met the great Tham, became obsecssed
with the notion that sooner later he would bring the Negro
to resin dust to stay. Though he followed Sam all over the -world
with this thought uppermost in his cranium, Barry's closest, approach
to such a calamitous cuffing cume, strangely enough,
with his first meeting. So persistent was he; that he trailed
Sam to Sydney, N. S. W., Melbourne,
Australia, Vernnn, Los Angeles , Boston, Philadelphia and
Chelsea.

When they met, each and! every time, Barry was bent on knockIng Sam cold. Always they fought fiercely and in only four of the dozen fights did Sam get
his man.

Came the night they first, meet A great night, a whooping crowd
Membership days. You got a card from a guy, who knew :
guy, who knew a guy, who was on close terms with Buckley!

Never did you attend a fight in absolute confidence that you!
would see the result, because the cops had a way of dropping from
the skylights like great spiders or they would come through the
windows or trap doors under the ring. When they came In It was.
"Slide, Kelly, Slide," down the little flight of stairs, all too narrow,
else the gendarmes would have driven up many a Black Maria.

When I see old "Tedge" Rlckards gold-heeled and ermined-wrappcd
"best people" comlng tripping gaily Into The House
That Tex Built, I have to laugh ovcr the trials and tribulations we
encountercd as we sought Manly Art of Self Defense spectacles
in haylofts,, on barges and in cellars in those old days.

Barry was an unknown quanity so far us first hand observation
was concerned when he first came into the ring to fight Langord.
Two nights before Barry had fought Joe Grim a no-decision battle. Seventeen days before that Jim had fought Jack blackburn a no-decision battle in Bridgeport, Conn.

Langford was tops back in 1907 . Darned good says I', emphazing
Barry was no slouch !-. himself. Theyy fought determinedly,
trading right handers for the button like the great gamblers .
they were. There was plenty of chin-tucking since neither could
take the slightest chance of leaving a jaw wide open.

Barry was a picturesque sort of fellow'. He had glistening black
hair and flashing eyes. He never smiled, nor did he complain In
any of the ways most of Sam's opponents bleated when Sam
got in scoring with his thundering fists.

In the matter of gambling, Barry was as willing as Sam. Mind
you, this was Jim's first encounter with Sam and he probably
Had slept on the proposition that could flatten Langford, hereby
gaining undying fame to say nothing of a few big money
matches. Anyone who could whip Sam, much less knock him
kicking, at once, would be some pumpkins. There were a few
birds of prey aflutter.

Suddenly it happened! Nailed Landlord right on the potato, did
Jim Barry, and he went down to the canvas with the swift descent of
a flat Iron dropped off the Empire State Building.

Langford was dropped that cold that his left leg buckled
under him and he sat down with frightful thud on top of his
ankle, spraining it. Jim Buckley
began to chant over Sam—"one"
— "two" — "three" — "four" — live"—"six." Sam started up.
None knew of his terrible hurt save Lansford himself, he got
to all fours and when he was erect, he was balanced on his
right leg, his left drawn up, his face, In his anguish, an Indian
war mask.

Then began an amazing exhibition. Buckley wanted to stop
Why sacrifice a great warrior because of such an outlandish accident,
Sam would have none it. It was a no-declslon,six round bout.

Barry was a wild-eyed fury. What cared he for Sams hurt?
The knockout over the great Brown Boy was the thing!
Jim rushed, Sam Jogged around on the left foot, for all the world
like a big kid on a yogi stick.
Hippily hop, hippity hop,
went, this way and that with Barry rushing after him like
tormented mother bear. I doubt ever have I breathed a greater
of relief then when the final bell gonged and the great Brown
Warrior was spared the hateful brand—"KO'd by Jim Barry!"

Barry was killed in the Panama Canal Zone five years later.
A Spanish tough guy, objecting to attentions which Barry was showering
on his light o' love . Drew a six shooter and Barry bitterly unafraid walked right into its barrel .

Miguel Canto & Martin Vargas
WBC Flyweight Championship
November 30 1977, Santiago, Chile

My 20 Greatest * * *
By Hype Igoe
International NewS Service Sports Writer

NKW YORK, MARCH 20 — Jem Driscoll darling of candiff . Featherweight champion of the entire British Domain . had come to N.Y. stamped as last word in exquisite boxing skill.

He placed himself under the wing of James Joy Johnston, a
chap quite capable of exploiting an English Champ. Indeed it tell to the lot of James Joy to pluck many a London lopper out of the clear blue sky . As they came and went , the fame of Johnston was talked about among them and few if any warriors from the other side came here with out turning their lives and their fortunes over to James .

Driscoll like his countrymen, Freddie Welsh and Freddie Dyer, was a splendid
l i t t l e gentleman . His unpretentious demeanor was in direct contrast with his fiery little American representative . Driscoll used to sit down and listen to the " Boy Bandit " as dear old Bill McGeehan used to dub him , and was flabbergasted .

Naturally when Drlscoll arrived in 1909 immediately there was high talk of a match between Jem and Abe Attell, brilliant young feather champion of our country .What a prospect ! The dandy o f America against the dude of England .Now we would see which of the two nations finally produced the perfect boxer. Attell was one of my great four in ring science --Griffo , Corbett , Atell , Driscoll .

Wns Jem Mace's genius as a boxer still installed in every English
rlngman.' Had we outmoded Mace? Had an Attell come along
to confound and crush all the Mace traditions? Were they still
of the beef brine and musty ale breed

Every single improvement in modem boxing was nurtured In
this country and here came the curly-headed Welshman who
would confound us with his adroitness of foot, hand and eye
to the utter chagrin of lovers of the sport on this side-

Finally the match was made. The building of the match was a
bitter battle of words from the start. They would haveto come
to Mister Johnston, a formality In which he fairly wallowed. There
was the matter of Drlscoll's weight A. bit 'eavier than Abraham,
'e was sir , just n bit 'eavier, old dear. It could not be a titlebout.

Johnny White, who ran the National Sporting Club on 24th
street, once the old horse mart of the town, was in his glory. A seller-
outer!

The match was made in the bar of the old Metropole, corner of
42nd and Broadway. A goodly crowd was there and James Joy
was the most unruly in the overstuffed room.

All this time James Joy of the raven-black hair and the high flush of a cadaver, bullied, bawled and made those tough guys jump
through paper hoops. Bat Musterson, never having set eyes on
the l i t t l e Liverpool sprite, wanted "smallboys, and cripples" to get
back of the ropes "so that I can bringng 'this limey squirt down
with a kiss from a 44 !"

Jimmy escaped with a whole kin, dignity Intact , still an English
cock o' the w.ilk. Not so his friend and nudger, Willie Shea,
now n noted horse trader . White , exasperated, finally roared at
Shea
"I've heard enough of you, young fellow. I now pronounce
you dead shad!"

And sure enough, the owner of
the gallant steed, one-eyed Sandy Ford, was streched out flat as a
Hindoo prayer rug!

That night, of nights, in the old horse mart ! filled with the innocents
until they squeezed the swallows out of their mud nests
in the rafters. Now we would see. America or England.

The bell! Attell left his chair as it had been the hot seat, he
tried to corner the Welshman in his, mad rush he throw a ,punch
and Driscoll saw to it that it merely whistled past and did not
land on his cauliflower ear. Then Attell charged full tilt and Driscoll
, with the grace of Fred Astair, removed himself from the
path of the American champion.

Att e l l , over balanced , lunged forwand and took a flop to his
hands and knees, the lowerer rope hitting him in the Kisser with
smacK of a cat-o'-nlne-tails

No decissions were rendered in those days and Charley Meegan ,
sports editor of The Morning Telegraph wrote- that Driscoll had won , so did I , so did everyone else . Then came the amazing climax . The Telegraph reversed its self in later editions over Meegans honest head -- a draw