Classic American West Coast Boxing

[dagosd2000]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rchMB7ezJCs

Walking The Floor Over You

Ernest Tubb

[dagosd2000]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b35SkJdDGV4

Sweet Dreams

Patsy Cline

[dagosd2000]

This one's for Brian




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLsWcw2PicE


Danny Boy

Jim Reeves

[kikibalt]

Oscar De La Hoya to make big announcement
By Lance Pugmire
LATimes

Oscar De La Hoya has scheduled an April 14 news conference at the Star Plaza downtown, where he will make an announcement about his future in boxing, his business partner Richard Schaefer told The Times on Monday night.

Schaefer declined to reveal what De La Hoya has decided, although the boxer was soundly beaten by Manny Pacquiao in a Dec. 6 fight and confided to former trainer Freddie Roach that his best days were over.

A source, who sought anonymity because the decision has not been made public, said the scheduled announcement would not include an opponent or date for an upcoming De La Hoya bout. And the site of his announcement, the Star Plaza, is not far from his statue at Staples Center.

When The Times last spoke with De La Hoya in February, he was 60-40 on retiring.

"I'm torn between saying, 'It's over. 'Bye. I don't have it anymore,' and knowing if I'll be able to live with that," Oscar said then. "It's a tough decision, not easy at all."

De La Hoya (38-6, 30 knockouts) has increasingly worked to build his Golden Boy Promotions empire, which includes Shane Mosley, Juan Manuel Marquez and rising star Victor Ortiz in its stable.

[kikibalt]

Freddie Roach to Train Antonio Margarito!
March 31, 2009 by Edgar Gonzalez

Freddie Roach confirms reports that former three time welterweight champion Antonio Margarito of Tijuana, MX, has asked the vastly experienced trainer to be the man in charge of his corner.

Margarito, who is seeking legitimacy after being suspended for one year for illegal hand wraps, has stated that he is seeking a bout this summer, possibly in Tijuana.

[kikibalt]

Freddie Roach, Floyd Mayweather Sr. star in war of the words

In town to promote the upcoming Hatton-Pacquiao fight, it becomes clear the two trainers aren't fond of each other.

Bill Dwyre
March 31, 2009

It was just your normal Monday luncheon at The Times. Lots of coats and ties. People who make the news, invited to break bread with people who report the news.

Then Floyd Mayweather Sr. said something about being the smartest boxing trainer and Freddie Roach reminded him that he was in the Hall of Fame, not Floyd Sr.

From calm came chaos.

Ah, boxing. The sweet science of the unrehearsed, the lovely art of the antisocial.

This was to be an informational get-together about the May 2 boxing match between stars Ricky Hatton of Britain and Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines. They will trade blows at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, and each has been guaranteed $12 million of the estimated $60-million gross take.

Mayweather trains Hatton, Roach trains Pacquiao. The fighters are fine. The trainers can't stand each other.

And so, in a room called a pavilion and named for a former publisher, a room blessed over the years with the presence of presidents and kings, where news decisions and editorial policy affecting millions were formulated, Mayweather and Roach did some verbal street fighting. The tablecloth needed graffiti.

It was delightful. It is boxing. Nothing is real and everything is fun; or, depending on your sense of humor, at least bizarre. Although probably not intentional, the months of buildup for a fight serve to deflect attention from the moment of reality, when two men climb into a ring and try to punch each other to death. And sometimes do.

Amid the flying verbal jabs from Mayweather and Roach, we learned much.

Pacquiao says he expects "more action" than there was during his recent mugging of an aging Oscar De La Hoya. Hatton says he expects a "very tough fight," and added "I don't see any reason why I should back away."

Expect a war. Both will come forward. Both will take two punches for the chance to throw three. Neither will be satisfied with a stick-and-jab fight, where the decision is left in the hands of three people sitting ringside, calculating whose defense was best.

Pacquiao, currently labeled as the sport's best "pound-for-pound boxer," will go in as the favorite, probably around 2-1. Roach said Hatton would last three rounds. That, of course, infuriated Mayweather, who went on a tirade about blindfolding himself, tying one hand behind his back and taking out Roach.

We learned that the fighters' split is 50-50 from the night's proceeds, but that Pacquiao will get slightly more as part of a deal between his promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank, and Hatton's, Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy. They will take less to give Pacquiao, the star attraction, a bit more.

We learned that when Hatton fights in Las Vegas, records are established for beer consumption. Paul Revere was right. The British are coming! The British are coming! Also, Hatton brings an additional pay-per-view market that gobbles up the telecast for European viewing in the middle of the night.

We learned that this fight does not tout any title, that the wave of the future is to avoid the alphabet-soup sanctioning deals. You're out of luck WBC, WBA, WBO, IBF. You, too, NBA, NFL, HBO, MSNBC, PBA. Whatever.

"We could pay a sanctioning fee for this one of about $1 million," Arum said, as Schaefer nodded agreement, "and then we could pay for hotel suites and limos for all the people they bring to the fight."

Or not.

Ultimately, the luncheon was a river, flowing in several directions. Among the barbs from Mayweather and Roach, sports journalism's answer to Woodward and Bernstein grilled the fighters.

"Wanna see what they're made of," said T.J. Simers, who asked Pacquiao when he was going to quit and Hatton if he was smarter than Pacquiao.

In anticipation of the British fan invasion of Vegas for the fight, somebody asked one of Hatton's people the difference between British boxing fans and British soccer hooligans.

"Not much," he said.

Mayweather kept comparing Roach to bugs of the same name and Roach asked him to get new material. Arum tried to discuss the essence of the upcoming fight by quoting from a Rudyard Kipling poem. Simers rolled his eyes.

Eventually, Mayweather and Roach departed on different elevators.

Each said he would get off if Simers got on.

[email protected].

[kikibalt]

We captured Mando Ramos' last interview on camera.
We laughed a lot that day.
Mando was in a good mood, the center of attention and, as usual, he was telling it like it was.

-Rick Farris

[raylawpc]

Maybe you have to live here to appreciate these, but they are pretty funny.

Please forward to someone you know in St. Louis.

* * * * * * *

What Jeff Foxworthy has to say about St. Louis

If someone in a Home Depot store offers you assistance and
they don't work there, you might live in St. Louis.

If someone mentions "The Landing" and it has
nothing to do with the space shuttle, you might live in St. Louis.

If you've worn shorts and a parka at the same time, you
might live in St.. Louis.

If you've seen a tornado touchdown and ONLY thought
"Darn it, I just waxed the car", you might live in St. Louis.

If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with
someone who dialed a wrong number, you might live in St. Louis.

If you measure distance in hours instead of miles, you
might live in St. Louis.

If you have switched from 'heat' to 'A/C' in the same day and back again, you might live in St. Louis.

If you drive 75 miles through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard For some White Castles, you might live in St. Louis.

If you carry jumper cables in your car and your wife knows
how to use them, you might live in St. Louis.

If you take I-Farty-Far to Six Flags, you might live in St.
Louis.

If someone says concrete and you think of Ted Drewes
instead of pavement, you might live in St. Louis.

If you design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over
a snowsuit, you might live in St. Louis.

If the speed limit on the highway is 55 mph -- you're
going 80 and everybody is passing you, you might live in St. Louis.

If you've ever skipped school, work, or even a court-date because you Had tickets to an afternoon Cards game, you might live in St. Louis.

If you can say the words "Cahokia Mounds" and not think of a candybar or boobies, you might live in St. Louis.

If driving is better in the winter because the potholes are
filled with snow, you might live in St. Louis.

If you actually understand these jokes and forward them to
all your St. Louis friends & others, you live or have lived in
St. Louis.

[kikibalt]

Lawmakers fight to get first black heavyweight champ off ropes with pardon for false conviction

By GROMER JEFFERS Jr. / The Dallas Morning News
[email protected]



Jack Johnson, the first African-American to become world heavyweight boxing champion, overcame racism and poverty to slug his way to the top.

Efforts to clear his name of a bogus conviction for transporting a white woman across state lines for immoral purposes, however, have not been as successful.

Boxer Jack Johnson was falsely convicted of transporting a white woman across state lines for immoral purposes. Today is the 131st anniversary of Johnson's birth in Galveston, and it comes as renewed efforts are under way in Congress to get a presidential pardon for the boxer who died 68 years ago.

Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., plan to introduce resolutions before Congress on Wednesday calling on President Barack Obama to pardon Johnson.

A pardon, supporters say, would right a wrong from America's racist past. But for many others, particularly in Galveston, vindication for Johnson means much more.

They hope to reintroduce the man nicknamed the Galveston Giant to a hometown that shunned him in his finest hour and never regarded the boxer as its favorite son.

"I don't think the city has embraced him or celebrated his success," said Samuel L. Collins, one of two Texas advisers for the National Trust for Historic Preservation. "Over time, he's been forgotten."

Alice Gatson, a retiree from Galveston, agreed.

"His history has been thrown at Galveston, but they don't really know him, his story or what he was all about," Gatson said.

Members of Johnson's family, who live in Chicago, will join McCain and King on Wednesday at a Washington news conference.

Ennis Williams Jr., a retired educator and president of the Old Central Cultural Center in Galveston, said he'll be there in spirit.

"This would be a tribute to all of the citizens of Galveston," Mr. Williams said of a presidential pardon. "By overcoming the odds and winning the heavyweight title, Jack Johnson left a legacy for all of our young residents to follow."

Arthur John Johnson was born March 31, 1878, in Galveston to former slaves Henry and Tina Johnson.

With only a fifth-grade education, Johnson took up boxing, using the sport to earn a living after his family home was destroyed in the hurricane of 1900.

Boxing was illegal in Texas. And when veteran fighter Joe Choynski came to Galveston to fight Johnson and give a boxing exhibition at the city's athletic club, both men ended up in the Galveston Jail, where the elder fighter gave Johnson lessons in the sweet science.


Waiting to face white champ

Johnson would become a formidable and flamboyant fighter, using his quickness and superb defensive skills to overcome opponents.

Because white heavyweight champions would not fight black challengers, Johnson was forced to wait until 1908 to become world champion. He knocked out Tommy Burns on Dec. 26, 1908, in Sydney, Australia, to win the title at age 30. As a reflection of the racism at the time, motion picture cameras were ordered turned off just before Johnson knocked out Burns, to shield viewers from the sight of a black man defeating a white man.

Two years later, an undefeated James J. Jeffries came out of retirement to challenge Johnson for the title Jeffries once held.

With the likes of famed novelist Jack London proclaiming, "Jeff, it's up to you," Jeffries became the greatest of the Great White Hopes.

Johnson knocked out Jeffries in Reno, Nev., on Independence Day in front of 22,000 people in a spectacle tinged with racial tension. The outcome triggered race riots across the country.

From the power of his fists, Johnson became the most popular black man in the world, and he reveled in his success.

In an era when it was common for black men to be lynched for even looking at a white woman, Johnson openly cavorted with, and even married them. He spent money as fast as he could make it.

His refusal to play to racial stereotypes irked the establishment and made him many enemies.

Like other states, the Texas Legislature banned films of his victories over white fighters.

And when Johnson first won the heavyweight title, Galveston officials planned to throw a parade for Johnson but canceled it when it was learned he was traveling with a white woman.

More than 100 years later, Galveston still hasn't had a major celebration, let alone a parade for Johnson.

Last year, to mark the centennial of Johnson's historic victory, fans and historians prepared a jazz festival and celebration to pay tribute.

"It just didn't come together," Collins said. "Then the storm [Hurricane Ike] wiped everything out."

Johnson's career began to spiral downward in 1915 when he lost his title to Jess Willard before 25,000 people in Havana, Cuba.

But that was the least of his problems.

Two years earlier, he had been forced to flee the country after being falsely convicted of violating the federal Mann Act, an effort to curb the transporting of white women across state lines for prostitution.


A year in federal prison

He returned in 1920 and spent about a year in Leavenworth federal prison in Kansas, where he invented a type of wrench for which he held a patent.

Later, he owned a nightclub in Harlem that, after being sold to gangster Owney Madden, would become the world-famous Cotton Club.

Johnson died in 1946 after a car crash in North Carolina, where he had retired.

Years after his death, Johnson was immortalized in the stage play and movie The Great White Hope, starring James Earl Jones.

Over the years, there have been a number of attempts to get federal authorities to give Johnson a posthumous pardon. They began again in earnest in 2005 when a critically acclaimed documentary by Ken Burns aired on PBS.

Many Galveston residents say the pardon is long overdue.

"It's about time," said Tommie Boudreaux, a retired school principal who lives in Galveston. "In the African-American community, we're proud of his accomplishments."

In his hometown, a Jack Johnson Foundation seeks to preserve the boxer's place in history. A street is named for him and a mural featuring him adorns a wall at the city's African-American Museum.

Collins, the adviser for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, said Johnson deserves not only a pardon, but also that long-canceled parade.

[raylawpc]

Lawmakers fight to get first black heavyweight champ off ropes with pardon for false conviction

By GROMER JEFFERS Jr. / The Dallas Morning News
[email protected]



Jack Johnson, the first African-American to become world heavyweight boxing champion, overcame racism and poverty to slug his way to the top.

Efforts to clear his name of a bogus conviction for transporting a white woman across state lines for immoral purposes, however, have not been as successful.

Boxer Jack Johnson was falsely convicted of transporting a white woman across state lines for immoral purposes. Today is the 131st anniversary of Johnson's birth in Galveston, and it comes as renewed efforts are under way in Congress to get a presidential pardon for the boxer who died 68 years ago.

Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., plan to introduce resolutions before Congress on Wednesday calling on President Barack Obama to pardon Johnson.

A pardon, supporters say, would right a wrong from America's racist past. But for many others, particularly in Galveston, vindication for Johnson means much more.

They hope to reintroduce the man nicknamed the Galveston Giant to a hometown that shunned him in his finest hour and never regarded the boxer as its favorite son.

"I don't think the city has embraced him or celebrated his success," said Samuel L. Collins, one of two Texas advisers for the National Trust for Historic Preservation. "Over time, he's been forgotten."

Alice Gatson, a retiree from Galveston, agreed.

"His history has been thrown at Galveston, but they don't really know him, his story or what he was all about," Gatson said.

Members of Johnson's family, who live in Chicago, will join McCain and King on Wednesday at a Washington news conference.

Ennis Williams Jr., a retired educator and president of the Old Central Cultural Center in Galveston, said he'll be there in spirit.

"This would be a tribute to all of the citizens of Galveston," Mr. Williams said of a presidential pardon. "By overcoming the odds and winning the heavyweight title, Jack Johnson left a legacy for all of our young residents to follow."

Arthur John Johnson was born March 31, 1878, in Galveston to former slaves Henry and Tina Johnson.

With only a fifth-grade education, Johnson took up boxing, using the sport to earn a living after his family home was destroyed in the hurricane of 1900.

Boxing was illegal in Texas. And when veteran fighter Joe Choynski came to Galveston to fight Johnson and give a boxing exhibition at the city's athletic club, both men ended up in the Galveston Jail, where the elder fighter gave Johnson lessons in the sweet science.


Waiting to face white champ

Johnson would become a formidable and flamboyant fighter, using his quickness and superb defensive skills to overcome opponents.

Because white heavyweight champions would not fight black challengers, Johnson was forced to wait until 1908 to become world champion. He knocked out Tommy Burns on Dec. 26, 1908, in Sydney, Australia, to win the title at age 30. As a reflection of the racism at the time, motion picture cameras were ordered turned off just before Johnson knocked out Burns, to shield viewers from the sight of a black man defeating a white man.

Two years later, an undefeated James J. Jeffries came out of retirement to challenge Johnson for the title Jeffries once held.

With the likes of famed novelist Jack London proclaiming, "Jeff, it's up to you," Jeffries became the greatest of the Great White Hopes.

Johnson knocked out Jeffries in Reno, Nev., on Independence Day in front of 22,000 people in a spectacle tinged with racial tension. The outcome triggered race riots across the country.

From the power of his fists, Johnson became the most popular black man in the world, and he reveled in his success.

In an era when it was common for black men to be lynched for even looking at a white woman, Johnson openly cavorted with, and even married them. He spent money as fast as he could make it.

His refusal to play to racial stereotypes irked the establishment and made him many enemies.

Like other states, the Texas Legislature banned films of his victories over white fighters.

And when Johnson first won the heavyweight title, Galveston officials planned to throw a parade for Johnson but canceled it when it was learned he was traveling with a white woman.

More than 100 years later, Galveston still hasn't had a major celebration, let alone a parade for Johnson.

Last year, to mark the centennial of Johnson's historic victory, fans and historians prepared a jazz festival and celebration to pay tribute.

"It just didn't come together," Collins said. "Then the storm [Hurricane Ike] wiped everything out."

Johnson's career began to spiral downward in 1915 when he lost his title to Jess Willard before 25,000 people in Havana, Cuba.

But that was the least of his problems.

Two years earlier, he had been forced to flee the country after being falsely convicted of violating the federal Mann Act, an effort to curb the transporting of white women across state lines for prostitution.


A year in federal prison

He returned in 1920 and spent about a year in Leavenworth federal prison in Kansas, where he invented a type of wrench for which he held a patent.

Later, he owned a nightclub in Harlem that, after being sold to gangster Owney Madden, would become the world-famous Cotton Club.

Johnson died in 1946 after a car crash in North Carolina, where he had retired.

Years after his death, Johnson was immortalized in the stage play and movie The Great White Hope, starring James Earl Jones.

Over the years, there have been a number of attempts to get federal authorities to give Johnson a posthumous pardon. They began again in earnest in 2005 when a critically acclaimed documentary by Ken Burns aired on PBS.

Many Galveston residents say the pardon is long overdue.

"It's about time," said Tommie Boudreaux, a retired school principal who lives in Galveston. "In the African-American community, we're proud of his accomplishments."

In his hometown, a Jack Johnson Foundation seeks to preserve the boxer's place in history. A street is named for him and a mural featuring him adorns a wall at the city's African-American Museum.

Collins, the adviser for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, said Johnson deserves not only a pardon, but also that long-canceled parade.

Problem is: It wasn't a bogus conviction. Johnson violated the terms of the statute. The debate should be over the appropriateness of the law. Johnson clearly violated the law. The issue is whether the law should ever have been passed in the first place.

[Rick Farris]

Freddie Roach to Train Antonio Margarito!
March 31, 2009 by Edgar Gonzalez

Freddie Roach confirms reports that former three time welterweight champion Antonio Margarito of Tijuana, MX, has asked the vastly experienced trainer to be the man in charge of his corner.

Margarito, who is seeking legitimacy after being suspended for one year for illegal hand wraps, has stated that he is seeking a bout this summer, possibly in Tijuana.

Freddie . . . You best get your money up front.

[Wildhawke11]

Rick
My own feelings on this one is. If proven guilty it should be a ban for life, no second chances. Its dangerous enough as it is earning a living in the fight game. In fact i think assault charges should be the order of the day for both men. A message has to be sent out to all that this will not be tolerated. I know the fighter was well liked but its lucky that Cotto or another fighter did not end up with permanent brain damage if the gloves were loaded in other fights. Cotto's face was a mess after their meeting. Having said that if i was Cotto i would give anything to get him back in the ring again.

[iskigoe]

Just a few left. looks like cheating is nothing new.

KI


My 20 Greatest • • *
By Hype Igoe
International N«wi Scrvkt Sporti Writer

NEW YORK, Mar. 23—Running through an old and recently
discovered scrap book of ring classics which, in my time I have
"covered," I came across my own printed history of a ring epic
which never will die within my memory.

The story is clipped from the old New York American of September
10, 1907, just seven months after I had rolled Into Grand Central,
barbed beneath, In bright red flannels, tied at the wrists
and the ankles.

Strangely enough, too, this story is by-lined "By IGOE." That was
many years before my journalistic god-father, Herbert Bayard
Swope, prevailed upon me to In-fuse ,a little more legibility and
body into my moniker by adding "Hype" to that tremendous sweep
of printed matter!

"It Is, devilishly enphonious , that by Hype Igoe, banner," said
Swope and, being a grateful and ever a doubtful fourth-estate son,
I have so branded ench and every ditty I've tried to write ever since.
It was father Swope who came up with the name for my New
York World column "Pardon My Glove."

"It is not my thought," said my father. "We were all chopping at
a name for the column at Ralph Pulitzer's home and Bill Beazoll
almost had his way with "Leather Socking Tales," when meek little
Irving Berlin chirped: 'Herbert, I do believe that- would be something
In a column by Hype, under the title "Pardon My Glove."
So it was born, to be "borrowed" by United States Senators,
Congressmen, script writers, vaudevillains and paid wise crackers

back In 1907 I wrote of Young Otto's dazzling knockout of Joe Bedell, .a develish thumper on his , own hook and one so sneaky in a fight as fox stalking a pullet cove .

They fought In the old Roman A. C. down on the East Side, In
which on its cleanest night, smelled like an attic carpet . You traded
perspiration beads with your neighbor , so tightly you were pressed against him . Fat men enterd the emporium of glory so round as a rum barrel and left looking like a bed slat .

I wrote of the start of this fight upon which hinges the kick in this story I almost forgot;

Otto walked out of his corner with a broad smile spred across his face. Here was a fighter how believed in his punch and well he might because in his career of 220 fights he knocked out 86 victims . 45 of them in the first round. He ran-up a record of 16 straight knock-outs in the last minute of the first round . Here is a record which this world never again will see . "

I went on in my printed yarn: "Otto had his good right hand
extended In sportsman like greeting, Bedell, the fox, let his left
glide forward like a snake in the grass until It tipped the end of
Otto's friendly right glove. No sooner had the gloves touched, and
before Otto was conscious of treachery, the oldest of shopworn,
dirty tricks. Bedell whipped up his Innocent left and hooked Otto
plump on the snout. It was a sneaking, distressing blow, and
almost ended the fight then and there."

There ured to be unfair chatter about Otto being a "quitter"
when he saw blood. He saw it that night. I remember that he
put the palm of his glove to his nose and when he saw his own
gore in the palm of his glove, spilled through a dastardly sneak
punch, Otto went roaring down my hall of fame.

I felt sorry for Bedel before the round was over. Otto seemed
bent on driving Bedell's beezer right through his skull and out
the back of his head. Seldom ever, have men been banged so
savagely. Though Bedell, game otherwise, fought back with
glorious pluck, Otto was relentlessly cruel, Otto didn't catch
him in that first. I thought he'd break out in tears about it.

There was a second round, however. Fistic Funeral Day for
the unfair one. When Otto's right fist landed on Bedell's, chin
I could have sworn that I saw sparks fly. Bedell went down,
his head, twisted In fantastic fashion over the lower rope.

He seamed to be looking into the fence of human faces, seek-
Ing someone who might spare a little pity. He needed it. Game
enough, he got up like a torn bulldog, he tried to smile and a
great flood of black blood over-rode the dykes, the swollen lips
which had kept this crimson flood within bounds.

Otto had his elephant gun with him. The punch roared just as
such , a powerful gun would have reverberated through the elephant
Jungle. Bedell floated through the air as though riding a magic
thud of an anvil, Bedell never had been knocked out before,
Bless the hitters!

Young Otto taught four Golden Glove champions—Inter world crown bearers.
Lou Saalico, Pete Sealza, Melio Bettina and Gus Lesnevich

[Rick Farris]

Rick
My own feelings on this one is. If proven guilty it should be a ban for life, no second chances. Its dangerous enough as it is earning a living in the fight game. In fact i think assault charges should be the order of the day for both men. A message has to be sent out to all that this will not be tolerated. I know the fighter was well liked but its lucky that Cotto or another fighter did not end up with permanent brain damage if the gloves were loaded in other fights. Cotto's face was a mess after their meeting. Having said that if i was Cotto i would give anything to get him back in the ring again.

Danny . . . I would also like to see him fight Cotto again. This time when he enters the ring it will be assured that his gloves will not be loaded, and best of all, his spirit will be broken. I see Cotto guilding him.


-Rick

[BoxBuzz]

Maybe you have to live here to appreciate these, but they are pretty funny.

Please forward to someone you know in St. Louis.

* * * * * * *

What Jeff Foxworthy has to say about St. Louis

If someone in a Home Depot store offers you assistance and
they don't work there, you might live in St. Louis.

If someone mentions "The Landing" and it has
nothing to do with the space shuttle, you might live in St. Louis.

If you've worn shorts and a parka at the same time, you
might live in St.. Louis.

If you've seen a tornado touchdown and ONLY thought
"Darn it, I just waxed the car", you might live in St. Louis.

If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with
someone who dialed a wrong number, you might live in St. Louis.

If you measure distance in hours instead of miles, you
might live in St. Louis.

If you have switched from 'heat' to 'A/C' in the same day and back again, you might live in St. Louis.

If you drive 75 miles through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard For some White Castles, you might live in St. Louis.

If you carry jumper cables in your car and your wife knows
how to use them, you might live in St. Louis.

If you take I-Farty-Far to Six Flags, you might live in St.
Louis.

If someone says concrete and you think of Ted Drewes
instead of pavement, you might live in St. Louis.

If you design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over
a snowsuit, you might live in St. Louis.

If the speed limit on the highway is 55 mph -- you're
going 80 and everybody is passing you, you might live in St. Louis.

If you've ever skipped school, work, or even a court-date because you Had tickets to an afternoon Cards game, you might live in St. Louis.

If you can say the words "Cahokia Mounds" and not think of a candybar or boobies, you might live in St. Louis.

If driving is better in the winter because the potholes are
filled with snow, you might live in St. Louis.

If you actually understand these jokes and forward them to
all your St. Louis friends & others, you live or have lived in
St. Louis.

Lived there from 76 to 82. I played for many years at the Henry the 8th Hotel At Club Malaki and Played at the Dorsett Inn for one year. In addition to that I managed Northland Music Center in Jennings during that time as well.

[kikibalt]

Carlos Came to Fight

By Ted Sares -

Carlos Vinan was called an “opponent” by ESPN commentator Teddy Atlas as he prepared to do battle with home town hero and Teamster Union favorite John Molina (15-0) on the undercard of the Peter-Chambers match at the Nokia Center on March 28.

Maybe he was an opponent, but if so, this kid from New Jersey by way of Ecuador was a tough one who was not about to be Molina’s walk over.. Heck, a review of his record, which Teddy may not have done, revealed that he was a tough kid having been stopped only once in 18 outings with a record of 8-6-3. But curiously, 3 of his defeat came by MD or SD and his first win came against “Irish” Mickey Ward’s nephew, Sean Eklund.

Atlas mentioned that Vinan had not done well in his last 7. That was misleading. Three of those “losses” were draws against stiff competition including Eloy “The Prince” Perez who is now 13-0-2. His last eleven opponents had winning records and eight of them came in undefeated. Moreover, the kid has fought in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Connecticut (both the Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods), New York, Maryland, Florida, California (three times), Illinois, and Nevada. There is something very “old school” about that, something I like.

The Fight

When the first bell rang, Vinan immediately launched an all out inside attack and did not stop punching until the second bell rang again. In between, he threw an amazing 137 punches. Molina, for his part, also threw 106 punches. It was an all out war reminiscent of those fought by Sucre Ray Oliviera, though Molina‘s punches were a bit sharper. The second round started out the same way, but Molina got enough separation to land the harder and more punishing shots until referee David Mendoza had seen enough and rightly called a halt to the all out action at the 2.40 mark.

Even then, the bloodied but unbowed Vinan wanted to continue because he had a fighter’s heart, and most of all, because he came to fight.

[Randyman]

Frank, I'm glad you posted that article on John Molina. I'm also glad to hear that Molina did not get to easy of an opponent. I like this kid. He seems to be someone that has a real future, seems to have the right stuff. Tall, rangy and has a good jab, and with a 75% punch ratio, he can bang. He has yet to face any serious threat but that will be coming soon. Molina is from La Puente and until recently, was trained by Ben Lira. He is now being handled by the Goosen's. Molina seems to have his head screwed on right. I hope he stays that way. He has lots of potential.

From The Ring Blog:Posted Feb. 3, 2009 at 11:20pm
By Doug Fische

New Faces: John Molina
Vital Statistics:

Age: 26
Hometown: Covina, Calif.
Weight class: lightweight
Height / reach: 5-10½ / 72 inches
Amateur record: 22-2 (17 RSC)
Turned pro: 2006
Pro record: 14-0 (10 knockouts)
Trainer: Joe Goossen
Manager: John Molina Sr. and Ben Lira
Promoter: Goossen Tutor

Best night of pro career: Fourth-round stoppage of tough Jose Alfredo Lugo on May 23 of last year. Lugo absorbed Molina’s punches for three rounds before mounting a fierce attack at the start of the fourth. Molina took Lugo’s best shots and came back with a vicious salvo of his own that set up a brutal right-hand punch that knocked the rugged journeyman out cold. Lugo has since earned a draw with Mike Dallas Jr. (5-0) and gone the distance with hard-hitting amateur stars Danny Garcia (9-0) and Adrien Broner (5-0).

Worst night of pro career: Struggled to a close six-round decision over Carlos Madrid on March 28 of last year. The heavier journeyman matched Molina’s strength on the inside while applying constant pressure and crafty infighting.

Next fight: Faces Joshua Allotey (15-6, 13 KOs) Friday, Feb. 6, in a scheduled eight-round bout at The Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore, Calif., in the Showtime-televised co-feature of “SHOBOX: The Next Generation” (11 p.m. ET/PT).

Why he’ll be a contender: Former high school wrestling standout is a natural athlete with tremendous physical strength, knockout power in both hands and the self-confidence that comes with such attributes and a Spartan work ethic. An affable personality outside of the ring, his aggressive style translates to fan-friendly fights that often end in spectacular knockouts.

Why he’s a pretender: Seek-and-destroy mentality sometimes leads to recklessness in the ring. The natural puncher often forgoes his jab and forgets technique while in pursuit of the knockout. Limited amateur background and average hand and foot speed contribute to his difficulty with quick boxers who utilize lateral movement.

Story lines: Although boxing was in his blood (both his father and grandfather were amateur fighters), Molina got a late start in the sport, instead focusing his teen years on high school athletics. The tall, rangy lightweight was a four-year varsity letterman in both wrestling and track and field at Charter Oak High School in Covina, Calif. Molina competed on the state level in wrestling, which he says helped foster the discipline that aided him during his brief amateur boxing career after high school. He compiled a 22-2 record en route to winning state Golden Gloves titles (’02 and ’03) and the national Blue & Gold tournament (’04). As an amateur, he was sponsored by Southern California Teamsters, whose members and families have given him loyal fan support during his pro career, often packing club venues to root for him. Says Dan Goossen: “My brother Joe and my son Craig told me John has star potential, and I saw what they were talking about the first time I watched him fight. He’s an all-action fighter. But I also signed him on his reputation for being a good but charismatic young man. He’s outgoing, witty and engaging. I think Ben Lira and his father gave him a good foundation as a fighter and a person.” Molina is not related to former junior lightweight titleholder John John Molina.

Fight-by-fight record

2006
March 31 Lestor Balmores KO 2
May 5 Ignacio Flores KO 1
July 14 Ramiro Torres KO 1
Sept. 14 Julio Chavez UD 4
Nov. 16 Odilon Rivera TKO 1

2007
Jan. 27 Rudy Paz TKO 1
June 22 Marcus Brashears UD 6
Aug. 18 Ron Boyd TKO1
Dec. 28 Eddie Brooks KO 2

2008
Feb. 15 Baladan Trevizo TKO 2
March 28 Carlos Madrid UD 6
May 23 Jose A. Lugo TKO 4
Sept. 5 Eddie Brooks UD 6
Nov. 11 Fernando Lizarraga RTD 5


http://www.ringtv.com/blog/289/new_faces_john_molina/

[Randyman]

Rick
My own feelings on this one is. If proven guilty it should be a ban for life, no second chances. Its dangerous enough as it is earning a living in the fight game. In fact i think assault charges should be the order of the day for both men. A message has to be sent out to all that this will not be tolerated. I know the fighter was well liked but its lucky that Cotto or another fighter did not end up with permanent brain damage if the gloves were loaded in other fights. Cotto's face was a mess after their meeting. Having said that if i was Cotto i would give anything to get him back in the ring again.

Danny . . . I would also like to see him fight Cotto again. This time when he enters the ring it will be assured that his gloves will not be loaded, and best of all, his spirit will be broken. I see Cotto guilding him.


-Rick

On one hand, Margarito being banned from boxing would be justice, and wouldn't hurt my feelings any, on the other hand Cotto giving Margarito a good old fashioned ass whupping, live and in front of millions, would be divine justice.

Having said that, it breaks my heart that a fighter of Antonio Margarito's caliber would stoop so low and pull such a cowardly act.

[raylawpc]

After undergoing a particularly bad IRS audit many of my clients agree with the following quote:
“I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure.”- Clarence Darrow

We picked the wrong day for April Fool. I would have chosen April 15. Steve Maple 3-27-09

Not paying taxes — or at least not wanting to — is as American as apple pie. Jason Zengerle, NYT, 3-29-09

"The world has had enough of con artists," Bernhard Weissberg, editor in chief of Blick, a popular Swiss tabloid, wrote in a recent column. "And the big countries have had enough of the little wiseguy countries, whether they are called Andorra, Luxembourg or Switzerland." As quoted by the Washington Post, 3-29-09


When cash is short, short-changing the tax system becomes more than just a bad habit. William A. Raabe, a tax professor at Ohio State University as quoted by Stephen J. Dubner, NYT 3-30-09

The head of the Swiss Bankers Association argued that rather than blame private banks, governments should look in the mirror: "Chronic tax evasion is a symptom of illness in a state's relationship with its citizens." Wall Street Journal, 3-23-09

“When you do a good deed, get a receipt, in case heaven is like the IRS.” -Bumper Sticker

A man walks into a restaurant with his pet alligator under his arm.
“Do you serve tax collectors?”, he asks the barman.
“Of course”, says the barman.
“Well,” replies the man, “I’ll have a beer, and my alligator will have a tax collector.

The IRS sure knows how to take our money. You’ve really got to hand it to them.

A Dutchman was explaining the red, white, and blue Netherlands flag to an American. “Our flag is symbolic of our taxes. We get red when we talk about them, white when we get our tax bills and blue after we pay them.” The American nodded. “It’s the same in the USA only we see stars too!”

[kikibalt]

Frank, I'm glad you posted that article on John Molina. I'm also glad to hear that Molina did not get to easy of an opponent. I like this kid. He seems to be someone that has a real future, seems to have the right stuff. Tall, rangy and has a good jab, and with a 75% punch ratio, he can bang. He has yet to face any serious threat but that will be coming soon. Molina is from La Puente and until recently, was trained by Ben Lira. He is now being handled by the Goosen's. Molina seems to have his head screwed on right. I hope he stays that way. He has lots of potential.

From The Ring Blog:Posted Feb. 3, 2009 at 11:20pm
By Doug Fische

New Faces: John Molina
Vital Statistics:

Age: 26
Hometown: Covina, Calif.
Weight class: lightweight
Height / reach: 5-10½ / 72 inches
Amateur record: 22-2 (17 RSC)
Turned pro: 2006
Pro record: 14-0 (10 knockouts)
Trainer: Joe Goossen
Manager: John Molina Sr. and Ben Lira
Promoter: Goossen Tutor

Best night of pro career: Fourth-round stoppage of tough Jose Alfredo Lugo on May 23 of last year. Lugo absorbed Molina’s punches for three rounds before mounting a fierce attack at the start of the fourth. Molina took Lugo’s best shots and came back with a vicious salvo of his own that set up a brutal right-hand punch that knocked the rugged journeyman out cold. Lugo has since earned a draw with Mike Dallas Jr. (5-0) and gone the distance with hard-hitting amateur stars Danny Garcia (9-0) and Adrien Broner (5-0).

Worst night of pro career: Struggled to a close six-round decision over Carlos Madrid on March 28 of last year. The heavier journeyman matched Molina’s strength on the inside while applying constant pressure and crafty infighting.

Next fight: Faces Joshua Allotey (15-6, 13 KOs) Friday, Feb. 6, in a scheduled eight-round bout at The Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore, Calif., in the Showtime-televised co-feature of “SHOBOX: The Next Generation” (11 p.m. ET/PT).

Why he’ll be a contender: Former high school wrestling standout is a natural athlete with tremendous physical strength, knockout power in both hands and the self-confidence that comes with such attributes and a Spartan work ethic. An affable personality outside of the ring, his aggressive style translates to fan-friendly fights that often end in spectacular knockouts.

Why he’s a pretender: Seek-and-destroy mentality sometimes leads to recklessness in the ring. The natural puncher often forgoes his jab and forgets technique while in pursuit of the knockout. Limited amateur background and average hand and foot speed contribute to his difficulty with quick boxers who utilize lateral movement.

Story lines: Although boxing was in his blood (both his father and grandfather were amateur fighters), Molina got a late start in the sport, instead focusing his teen years on high school athletics. The tall, rangy lightweight was a four-year varsity letterman in both wrestling and track and field at Charter Oak High School in Covina, Calif. Molina competed on the state level in wrestling, which he says helped foster the discipline that aided him during his brief amateur boxing career after high school. He compiled a 22-2 record en route to winning state Golden Gloves titles (’02 and ’03) and the national Blue & Gold tournament (’04). As an amateur, he was sponsored by Southern California Teamsters, whose members and families have given him loyal fan support during his pro career, often packing club venues to root for him. Says Dan Goossen: “My brother Joe and my son Craig told me John has star potential, and I saw what they were talking about the first time I watched him fight. He’s an all-action fighter. But I also signed him on his reputation for being a good but charismatic young man. He’s outgoing, witty and engaging. I think Ben Lira and his father gave him a good foundation as a fighter and a person.” Molina is not related to former junior lightweight titleholder John John Molina.

Fight-by-fight record

2006
March 31 Lestor Balmores KO 2
May 5 Ignacio Flores KO 1
July 14 Ramiro Torres KO 1
Sept. 14 Julio Chavez UD 4
Nov. 16 Odilon Rivera TKO 1

2007
Jan. 27 Rudy Paz TKO 1
June 22 Marcus Brashears UD 6
Aug. 18 Ron Boyd TKO1
Dec. 28 Eddie Brooks KO 2

2008
Feb. 15 Baladan Trevizo TKO 2
March 28 Carlos Madrid UD 6
May 23 Jose A. Lugo TKO 4
Sept. 5 Eddie Brooks UD 6
Nov. 11 Fernando Lizarraga RTD 5


http://www.ringtv.com/blog/289/new_faces_john_molina/

Randy, I have seen Molina fight 2-3 times and to be honest I have not been impressed with him, for a kid with 15-16 fights he still fights kind of wild, doesn't pick his shots, he just throws punches to the wind and leaves himself wide open for counters, I also don't think leaving Ben Lira for the Joe Goosen is the right move for him, but thats probably the only way that Dan Goosen would sign him up....

[kikibalt]

The Most Avoided Man in Boxing: Antonio Margarito’s Rise and Fall
By Geno McGahee

I have been a big fan of Antonio Margarito for quite some time. When he headlined the first ever ESPN Pay Per View, his grit and determination were impressive as he chopped down the then undefeated Kermit Cintron. The term “most avoided man in boxing” was often associated with him and rightfully so. He was relentless, aggressive, and large for the welterweight division. Considering his size and similarities in style to Jose Luis Castillo, it was no wonder that Floyd Mayweather, JR., opted to find other challengers rather than risking his place in boxing against Margarito.

Margarito represented the core of boxing, the fighter that would take two punches to deliver one, and came up the hard way. He fought untelevised for much of his career, slowly making his way up the ranks of marketable fighters, and getting knocked down a few times along the way, but never gave up and eventually found his big fight that would put him into the realm of pound for pound best in the game and made him a fighter that the casual boxing fans desperately wanted to see.

On July 26th, 2008, Miguel Angel Cotto would bring his WBA Welterweight Title to the ring, prepared to defend it against the man that most others had avoided. Prior to this bout, Margarito was on a mission of destruction, making short work of Golden Johnson and Kermit Cintron in a rematch. Cotto was a fighter known to break down his opposition, and Margarito had the reputation of a man that was immovable. The recipe was there for a good fight and it turned out to be a great bout, with both men having their moments and gave the crowd and the audience at home a lot of bang for their buck.

To the amazement of most, Margarito walked through Miguel Cotto’s punches, and he took some hellacious punches. As the rounds went on, the Margarito punches began to take their toll. Cotto just couldn’t take any more and crumbled in the corner in the eleventh round. He looked like he had been through a car accident without a seatbelt, completely broken and unable to go on. It was the first defeat on the record of Cotto and the biggest win to date for Margarito. After this fight, a PPV event, Margarito’s future was extremely bright. Most of boxing rejoiced that he had won. He was the common man that showed incredible spirit and resilience both in the ring and outside of it, coping with the promotional problems and lack of exposure to the public. He was now on top of the world and there were even rumors that he was set to face Oscar De La Hoya.

That fight never materialized, but another superstar agreed to step up to the challenge. Sugar Shane Mosley, a man going through a divorce as well as steroids accusations, seemed to bring more name value rather than a true challenge for Margarito. Mosley is a great fighter but his recent outings, he looked stale and lost to the same Miguel Cotto that Margarito had stopped. Also, the very limited Ricardo Mayorga fought evenly over 11 ½ rounds with Mosley before running into a left hook and losing via last second TKO. Margarito was a 4-1 favorite and rightfully so.

The Mosley fight was seen by most as a set up fight for something bigger and better. How Margarito performed would dictate exactly what direction Top Rank went with him. If he stopped Mosley, they would pursue the big fights and he would headline a PPV again. If he struggled and eked by, then maybe another course of action against a fighter less durable than Mosley would be in order. Margarito was a monster and Mosley wouldn’t stop him or so the majority of the “experts” believed…but there was more going on here…

Prior to the fight, Margarito’s trainer, Javier Capetillo, was observed doing something unusual with his fighter’s hand wraps. As a result, the wraps he was using were confiscated and he was forced to rewrap the hands while under close observation. Many thought of this as a ploy by team Mosley, as many times you will see management or promotional teams object to the wrappings of a fighter’s hands or the taping of the gloves. It is merely done to try to get the fighter’s focus to shift and perhaps give their man a slight mental edge going into the ring. Butch Lewis attempted this tactic when Mike Tyson fought his man, Michael Spinks, claiming that a lump underneath the wrist of Tyson could cause his man injury and therefore, they had to be redone. It was a bogus claim but he still had his gloves rewrapped and taped…it didn’t help Spinks though. Bernard Hopkins team also used this tactic with Felix Trinidad, which seemed to really jar him and gave “the Executioner” the edge he wanted. It got Tito’s head out of the fight. Unfortunately this situation wasn’t just a ploy. There was something very real and very sinister going on here.

The fight went on after the hands were wrapped to the satisfaction of all involved. Amazingly, this fight was a mismatch from the opening bell, with Mosley beating the living hell out of Margarito. He kept shoving the right hand down the pike and followed up with some tremendous bodywork. The Margarito that we were used to seeing wasn’t there. His punches didn’t have the effect that they have had on other opponents in the past and even when he landed full force on Mosley’s chin, he didn’t flinch.

After nine rounds, Margarito was in a heap, TKO’d and beaten soundly by a rejuvenated Mosley. Was Mosley back? Was Margarito overrated? What did we just see?

The decision by the California State Athletic Commission was swift. Both Margarito and Capetillo were suspended for one year, as the investigation went forth. Capetillo, under pressure from Arum, I’m sure, took all the blame, stating that he put illegal pads into the hand wraps, but it was an “accident.” Arum said some of the most disgusting things after the suspension, screaming that Margarito was being singled out because he was Mexican. It’s amazing how many people question the business practices of Don King, but fails to mention how Bob Arum does the same exact things.

Last week the announcement was made that the hand wraps were tainted, containing sulfur and calcium, two elements when mixed with oxygen creates Plaster of Paris. Had he went into the ring like that, the wraps would have hardened and he would have been throwing bricks at Mosley for twelve rounds. It’s no wonder that Cintron folded, Golden Johnson crumbled, and Cotto sustained that much damage. Boxing is a dangerous sport as it is, but when you add this element into it, it brings it to another level. It is reminiscent of the Luis Resto – Billy Collins, JR., bout from 1983.

Luis Resto battled Billy Collins, JR., on ABC. It was a bout where Collins, JR., sustained horrible injuries and looked not so different from Miguel Cotto after his loss to Margarito. Collins, JR., had permanently blurred vision and it ended his boxing career and this was due to tampering with the gloves. Resto and his trainer, Panama Lewis, had removed padding from the gloves, basically beating Collins, JR., with taped fists over ten rounds. Thankfully, they were caught and punished, Lewis getting six years, and Resto getting three, but they probably should have gotten a whole lot more. Collins, JR., killed himself shortly after this bout, many contending that his inability to fight anymore had ruined his life and pushed him to suicide.

I have heard that Margarito might be allowed to fight in Mexico, but after these findings, I am hoping that they concur with the ban and keep him away from boxing. I’m sure that I’m not in the minority when I say that Antonio Margarito was somebody that represented what was right with the sport, the spirit of the game, and showed that hard work paid off…and I was a very big fan of his. After this incident, all of that has dissolved. Although Capetillo claims to be 100% responsible, I can’t see how Margarito would not know that this was happening to his hand wraps. Much like the steroid abusers in boxing, Margarito has joined the list of people that will do anything for money and could care less that you are potentially going to kill somebody in the ring. Boxing is a dirty sport and has been for years, but the boxing world has to take a stand and ban both Capetillo and Margarito permanently from the game, regardless of commercial appeal. As it has held its ground with fighters like Tommy Morrison and Joe Mesi, the boxing commissions MUST do the same here and remove this potential hazard from the sport.

The “Most Avoided Man in Boxing” is a title that should probably be attached to Margarito right now but it now has an entire different meaning. Boxing should avoid doing any business whatsoever with him or Capetillo. They are both menaces to the game and I eagerly await the “lifetime ban” that they are sure to place upon them both. I wonder how Bob Arum will defend Margarito this time.

[Rick Farris]

Frank, I'm glad you posted that article on John Molina. I'm also glad to hear that Molina did not get to easy of an opponent. I like this kid. He seems to be someone that has a real future, seems to have the right stuff. Tall, rangy and has a good jab, and with a 75% punch ratio, he can bang. He has yet to face any serious threat but that will be coming soon. Molina is from La Puente and until recently, was trained by Ben Lira. He is now being handled by the Goosen's. Molina seems to have his head screwed on right. I hope he stays that way. He has lots of potential.

From The Ring Blog:Posted Feb. 3, 2009 at 11:20pm
By Doug Fische

New Faces: John Molina
Vital Statistics:

Age: 26
Hometown: Covina, Calif.
Weight class: lightweight
Height / reach: 5-10½ / 72 inches
Amateur record: 22-2 (17 RSC)
Turned pro: 2006
Pro record: 14-0 (10 knockouts)
Trainer: Joe Goossen
Manager: John Molina Sr. and Ben Lira
Promoter: Goossen Tutor

Best night of pro career: Fourth-round stoppage of tough Jose Alfredo Lugo on May 23 of last year. Lugo absorbed Molina’s punches for three rounds before mounting a fierce attack at the start of the fourth. Molina took Lugo’s best shots and came back with a vicious salvo of his own that set up a brutal right-hand punch that knocked the rugged journeyman out cold. Lugo has since earned a draw with Mike Dallas Jr. (5-0) and gone the distance with hard-hitting amateur stars Danny Garcia (9-0) and Adrien Broner (5-0).

Worst night of pro career: Struggled to a close six-round decision over Carlos Madrid on March 28 of last year. The heavier journeyman matched Molina’s strength on the inside while applying constant pressure and crafty infighting.

Next fight: Faces Joshua Allotey (15-6, 13 KOs) Friday, Feb. 6, in a scheduled eight-round bout at The Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore, Calif., in the Showtime-televised co-feature of “SHOBOX: The Next Generation” (11 p.m. ET/PT).

Why he’ll be a contender: Former high school wrestling standout is a natural athlete with tremendous physical strength, knockout power in both hands and the self-confidence that comes with such attributes and a Spartan work ethic. An affable personality outside of the ring, his aggressive style translates to fan-friendly fights that often end in spectacular knockouts.

Why he’s a pretender: Seek-and-destroy mentality sometimes leads to recklessness in the ring. The natural puncher often forgoes his jab and forgets technique while in pursuit of the knockout. Limited amateur background and average hand and foot speed contribute to his difficulty with quick boxers who utilize lateral movement.

Story lines: Although boxing was in his blood (both his father and grandfather were amateur fighters), Molina got a late start in the sport, instead focusing his teen years on high school athletics. The tall, rangy lightweight was a four-year varsity letterman in both wrestling and track and field at Charter Oak High School in Covina, Calif. Molina competed on the state level in wrestling, which he says helped foster the discipline that aided him during his brief amateur boxing career after high school. He compiled a 22-2 record en route to winning state Golden Gloves titles (’02 and ’03) and the national Blue & Gold tournament (’04). As an amateur, he was sponsored by Southern California Teamsters, whose members and families have given him loyal fan support during his pro career, often packing club venues to root for him. Says Dan Goossen: “My brother Joe and my son Craig told me John has star potential, and I saw what they were talking about the first time I watched him fight. He’s an all-action fighter. But I also signed him on his reputation for being a good but charismatic young man. He’s outgoing, witty and engaging. I think Ben Lira and his father gave him a good foundation as a fighter and a person.” Molina is not related to former junior lightweight titleholder John John Molina.

Fight-by-fight record

2006
March 31 Lestor Balmores KO 2
May 5 Ignacio Flores KO 1
July 14 Ramiro Torres KO 1
Sept. 14 Julio Chavez UD 4
Nov. 16 Odilon Rivera TKO 1

2007
Jan. 27 Rudy Paz TKO 1
June 22 Marcus Brashears UD 6
Aug. 18 Ron Boyd TKO1
Dec. 28 Eddie Brooks KO 2

2008
Feb. 15 Baladan Trevizo TKO 2
March 28 Carlos Madrid UD 6
May 23 Jose A. Lugo TKO 4
Sept. 5 Eddie Brooks UD 6
Nov. 11 Fernando Lizarraga RTD 5


http://www.ringtv.com/blog/289/new_faces_john_molina/

Randy, I have seen Molina fight 2-3 times and to be honest I have not been impressed with him, for a kid with 15-16 fights he still fights kind of wild, doesn't pick his shots, he just throws punches to the wind and leaves himself wide open for counters, I also don't think leaving Ben Lira for the Joe Goosen is the right move for him, but thats probably the only way that Dan Goosen would sign him up....

Joe can't teach boxing, he never fought. He's a good conditioner, calm in the corner, but aside from being a motivator, really can't help a guy much with specifics. That's OK if you have natural talents, or a vet who learned their lessons long ago. Michael Nunn did what he did, no trainer was going to teach him how to improve his awkward style. The Ruelas Brothers natural talent took them as far as it could, but when sage experience was needed, Joe was empty. A young boxer needs somebody to compliment their talent, to refine and teach. The less experienced the boxer, the more experienced the trainer must be. Joe's got a big resume of talent, sometimes facts are deceiving.

-Rick

[kikibalt]

Frank, I'm glad you posted that article on John Molina. I'm also glad to hear that Molina did not get to easy of an opponent. I like this kid. He seems to be someone that has a real future, seems to have the right stuff. Tall, rangy and has a good jab, and with a 75% punch ratio, he can bang. He has yet to face any serious threat but that will be coming soon. Molina is from La Puente and until recently, was trained by Ben Lira. He is now being handled by the Goosen's. Molina seems to have his head screwed on right. I hope he stays that way. He has lots of potential.

From The Ring Blog:Posted Feb. 3, 2009 at 11:20pm
By Doug Fische

New Faces: John Molina
Vital Statistics:

Age: 26
Hometown: Covina, Calif.
Weight class: lightweight
Height / reach: 5-10½ / 72 inches
Amateur record: 22-2 (17 RSC)
Turned pro: 2006
Pro record: 14-0 (10 knockouts)
Trainer: Joe Goossen
Manager: John Molina Sr. and Ben Lira
Promoter: Goossen Tutor

Best night of pro career: Fourth-round stoppage of tough Jose Alfredo Lugo on May 23 of last year. Lugo absorbed Molina’s punches for three rounds before mounting a fierce attack at the start of the fourth. Molina took Lugo’s best shots and came back with a vicious salvo of his own that set up a brutal right-hand punch that knocked the rugged journeyman out cold. Lugo has since earned a draw with Mike Dallas Jr. (5-0) and gone the distance with hard-hitting amateur stars Danny Garcia (9-0) and Adrien Broner (5-0).

Worst night of pro career: Struggled to a close six-round decision over Carlos Madrid on March 28 of last year. The heavier journeyman matched Molina’s strength on the inside while applying constant pressure and crafty infighting.

Next fight: Faces Joshua Allotey (15-6, 13 KOs) Friday, Feb. 6, in a scheduled eight-round bout at The Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore, Calif., in the Showtime-televised co-feature of “SHOBOX: The Next Generation” (11 p.m. ET/PT).

Why he’ll be a contender: Former high school wrestling standout is a natural athlete with tremendous physical strength, knockout power in both hands and the self-confidence that comes with such attributes and a Spartan work ethic. An affable personality outside of the ring, his aggressive style translates to fan-friendly fights that often end in spectacular knockouts.

Why he’s a pretender: Seek-and-destroy mentality sometimes leads to recklessness in the ring. The natural puncher often forgoes his jab and forgets technique while in pursuit of the knockout. Limited amateur background and average hand and foot speed contribute to his difficulty with quick boxers who utilize lateral movement.

Story lines: Although boxing was in his blood (both his father and grandfather were amateur fighters), Molina got a late start in the sport, instead focusing his teen years on high school athletics. The tall, rangy lightweight was a four-year varsity letterman in both wrestling and track and field at Charter Oak High School in Covina, Calif. Molina competed on the state level in wrestling, which he says helped foster the discipline that aided him during his brief amateur boxing career after high school. He compiled a 22-2 record en route to winning state Golden Gloves titles (’02 and ’03) and the national Blue & Gold tournament (’04). As an amateur, he was sponsored by Southern California Teamsters, whose members and families have given him loyal fan support during his pro career, often packing club venues to root for him. Says Dan Goossen: “My brother Joe and my son Craig told me John has star potential, and I saw what they were talking about the first time I watched him fight. He’s an all-action fighter. But I also signed him on his reputation for being a good but charismatic young man. He’s outgoing, witty and engaging. I think Ben Lira and his father gave him a good foundation as a fighter and a person.” Molina is not related to former junior lightweight titleholder John John Molina.

Fight-by-fight record

2006
March 31 Lestor Balmores KO 2
May 5 Ignacio Flores KO 1
July 14 Ramiro Torres KO 1
Sept. 14 Julio Chavez UD 4
Nov. 16 Odilon Rivera TKO 1

2007
Jan. 27 Rudy Paz TKO 1
June 22 Marcus Brashears UD 6
Aug. 18 Ron Boyd TKO1
Dec. 28 Eddie Brooks KO 2

2008
Feb. 15 Baladan Trevizo TKO 2
March 28 Carlos Madrid UD 6
May 23 Jose A. Lugo TKO 4
Sept. 5 Eddie Brooks UD 6
Nov. 11 Fernando Lizarraga RTD 5


http://www.ringtv.com/blog/289/new_faces_john_molina/

Randy, I have seen Molina fight 2-3 times and to be honest I have not been impressed with him, for a kid with 15-16 fights he still fights kind of wild, doesn't pick his shots, he just throws punches to the wind and leaves himself wide open for counters, I also don't think leaving Ben Lira for the Joe Goosen is the right move for him, but thats probably the only way that Dan Goossen would sign him up....

Joe can't teach boxing, he never fought. He's a good conditioner, calm in the corner, but aside from being a motivator, really can't help a guy much with specifics.

-Rick

I agree with you 100%, Rick, Joe is not a teacher, like Jimmy Montoya, he can get you in shape, but can not teach you how to fight, guys like Joe and Jimmy didn't go to school to become teachers.

[dagosd2000]

A LIE UNDER WRAPS

When I'd work at the County Jail I'd see it in their eyes. A man convicted of a crime is often very passive. He's almost relieved it's over with. For the sentencing part he'll stand before the judge and hear his words. Looking at the convicted is like seeing a man inside a glass. Did he hear how long he's going to spend time in jail? Not even a jowl movement. The deputy leads him away in hand cuffs and he's returned to his cell. Before a jury convicted him,he had lived his lie behind a curtain.

With the evidence,and perhaps witnesses,his lie was presented to the world. His curtain was drawn. For Tony Margarito ,his lie was unveiled in the dressing room before his fight with Sugar Shane Mosley. Talk about timing. His confidence was removed along with his hand wraps. Now go out there and fight fair.

Without his trusty 'ol plaster of Paris backup,his punches were like marshmallows bouncing off against Sugar's body.Tony lacking boxing skills, Sugar had an easy target. As one sided as a boxing match could get. The next day the even tougher part for Margarito. The inquest holding his tainted wraps,his lie,up to the world. A boxing world that will turn their backs on him. The prototype Mexican macho killer in the ring,ala. Chavez and Olivares,crumpled like plaster of Paris against a rock. That rock being the truth.

So Tony will take his medicine like the conviucted in the court of law. He'll be sentenced. Tony's sentence will be a life long term of shame. If nothing else,he'll learn who his real friends are.

[dagosd2000]

Tomorrow's meal.Frijoles gueritos with a big ham hock.