Classic American West Coast Boxing

[dagosd2000]

FALLEN LEAVES

I talked about Southeast San Diego the other day and the local high school,Lincoln. It wasn't that big in terms of enrollment. I think it was fewer than a thousand. When I was trying to latch on to a permament position,I sustituted there for a week. Not an easy gig.

Being a substitue teacher isn't easy anyway. The kids look at you as raw meat. In Southest San Diego in the late 80's,if you were perceived as being weak...well you were food for the animals. Being cunning was a way to survive by that time. The neighborhood was being devoured by gangs, Valencia Paek,Eastside Pirus,Bloods and Crips. Wearing the "wrong"color socks could cost you your life.

The old Lincoln High at that time was a two story structure. My slot was on the bottom floor. I had an aide in my classroom. The subject was U.S. History. Luckily the aide was a young guy like myself that had the class more or less under control. I was glad he was in there. But I could feel the anxiety on the campus. The kids were rough and many of the teachers wanted out. Transfer papers were a daily topic of conversation in the teachers' lounge. Many of the teachers were downright afraid of showing up to work. One guy even showed me his.38 he had hidden inside his briefcase.

On my last day of my assignment I was teaching the class about the founding fathers and how our Constitution was there for everyone. I don't think those kids believed a word of it. As I was trying to speak above the class noise,I was looking out the window and saw books falling . We were on a split schedule so on my break I went upstairs to the room above mine to find out what was the matter.

There was this teacher. A young guy like myself...well maybe 40 years old. (He was in his first year I later found out.) The guy had his head down on the desk and he's sobbing like a baby. All the while the kids were tossing books out the window.
"What the hell is going on?" I yelled. The kids stopped and turned around. They stopped tossing the books out the window. I think they stopped because they ran out of books. Just then the bell rang and they left the classroom on their merry way. All this time the teacher was still sobbing. He couldn't gather himself.

I left him there like that. I didn't know what to do or say. In a way I felt sorry for him,but in a way I didn't. Sometimes in this profession they want you to handle it on your own. Not much sympathy from the rest of staff or the students.

[kikibalt]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0StHF1u ... annel_page

An interesting video with Jerry Quarry from 1967.

Randy

Randy . . . This video brought back a lot of great memories. For one, watching Jerry sparring in the gym. Another was watching him flatten Billy Daniels in one round. I was ringside for that fight, as I was for all of Jerry's L.A. fights. That one was at the Sports Arena, and I was with my dad & grandfather. Recently we discussed Tony "Kid" Longoria on this thread. Longoria was featured in a ten rounder right before the Quarry-Daniels blowout. I expected to watch the hard-hitting Texan score a KO, however, he was disappointing in a rather dull ten round draw with a mediocre opponent. However, Jerry Quarry was a dragon that night. Daniels was a tall, slender heavyweight, 6'4" & less than 190 lbs. It was bad luck for anybody with such a long torso to deal with Mr. Q's hook to the body. On that night, Jerry Quarry was at his best! Thanks for the memories, amigo.

-Rick Farris

Great Jerry Quarry clip, Dick young is the ref in the Williams fight.

[kikibalt]

Frank
Losing buddies like John Martinez along the way as we get older is a natural way of things. When we go, I wonder how many of our friends will keep us in mind? With fondness of course. Rog

Randy
Interesting snapshot of Quarry. The more I learn from you guys about him,I find him to be one of the most interesting figures of the boxing world. Rog

Thanks, Rog.

[kikibalt]

How I met and became best friends with John Martinez

In the early summer of 1968 I was holding a meeting at the Teamsters Gym to plan our Jr Golden Glove tournament, a new group of guys, John was among them, came to our meeting, said they were with the AAU, their leader, Tony Cerda told us that we needed to have the AAU sanction our Jr GG tournament and that they, the AAU, would run the tournament, John was one of the guys pushing hard to get me out as tournament director, I told them that they were welcome to enter their boys in the Jr. GG tournament if they liked, (they did) but, I told them I was running the tournament, that I had been running it for the last four years, their ploy didn't worked, I run the tournament in 1968 and did so for another six years after that. After that I would see John around town, he lived close to me at the time, he had a youth boxing club and he was having a benefit dance for the club at the local handball club, Connie and I decided to go to the dance, when John seen me there he looked at me like,
"what are you doing here?"
After a beer or two we started talking, after that everytime we would run into each other we would talk, soon we were visiting each others home, going out to dinner with the wives, one time during dinner John started laughing and he tells me,
"You know I didn't like you before I met you" through the years John, Bea and Connie and I became best friends.

Frank . . . I appreciate learning of your friendship with John Martinez. Also interesting is what went on "behind the scenes" of the '68 Jr. GG's, in which I won the 96-105lb Open class championship, my last year in the juniors. I'm glad you held your ground. That's what Johnnie Flores would have done. Nobody pushed Johnnie around, and nobody pushed you around. I have to say, Frank, for some reason when I see you, I always think of Johnnie. You two were cut from the same piece of cloth, and that's about as high a compliment as I could pay a man.

-Rick Farris

Indeed, a high compliment, Thanks, Rick.

[kikibalt]

Today, April 22, is Connie's birthday, she'll kill me if I tell you how old she is....

We're taking her out to dinner and will be singing "Happy Birthday To You" to her...

[kikibalt]

Courtesy of Hap Navarro
Thanks Hap

Pacquiao thrills crowd at Giants game
Champion boxer honored as part of Filipino Heritage Night

By Chris Haft / MLB.com

SAN FRANCISCO -- Fans went berserk at AT&T Park on Tuesday night.
That was before the Giants-Padres game. And the spectators' enthusiasm had little or nothing to do with baseball.

Manny Pacquiao, renowned as the world's best pound-for-po und boxer, was on the premises to throw the ceremonial first pitch on Filipino Heritage Night, a nod to the Bay Area's large Filipino-American population. Just the brief appearance of the earth's most influential Filipino, along with a giveaway of a limited number of Pacquiao bobblehead dolls, was enough to help the Giants sell 11,000 extra tickets. By comparison, last year's first of two Filipino nights drew a group of 5,000.
The turnout also raised approximately $50,000 in charitable proceeds.

Pacquiao, who flew in from his training base in Los Angeles, created a spectacle an hour before the game. As he conducted a television interview near the Giants dugout, admirers crowded the rows on either side of the dugout to catch a glimpse of him. Then as Pacquiao, his entourage and his security detail strode down the left-field foul territory to head for a hospitality room, hundreds of fans literally rushed to the railing to get as close as they could to him. The scene was repeated a half-hour later when Pacquiao re-entered the park through the same route.

The WBC lightweight and super featherweight champion also caused an uproar as he emerged from the Giants dugout to throw the first pitch. He received a noisy standing ovation from fans, many of whom were not Filipino. As Pacquiao stood atop the mound and basked in the applause, his catcher settled in behind the plate: Giants Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum, who's half-Filipino.

A couple of hours earlier, Pacquiao was informed of Lincecum's heritage during a news conference. "That's good," Pacquiao said approvingly, prompting laughter.

Pacquiao, who said at the news conference that he played baseball as a little boy, reached Lincecum on the fly with his left-handed toss that the Giants ace caught in the left-handed batter's box.

Throwing punches, not baseballs, is preoccupying Pacquiao. A little less than five months removed from his big victory over Oscar De La Hoya, Pacquiao is scheduled to fight Ricky Hatton for the IBO and Ring Magazine World Junior Welterweight titles in Las Vegas on May 2.

"He's definitely 100 percent ready to fight right now. We're just maintaining," said Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach.

Roach also noted Pacquiao has had seven "clones" of Hatton as sparring partners and has knocked out four of them. This thrilled the unabashedly pro-Pacquiao gathering at the news conference.

That contingent, as well as the reaction at the ballpark, reinforced the notion that Pacquiao has become a cultural phenomenon. He seemed aware of this.
"I'm doing my best to make people happy," he said.

“He seemed aware of this”. Classic dumb-ass white man talk. Chris Haft is most likely oblivious to boxing, or against boxing because it’s the cool thing to do. Chris is clueless when it comes to Pacquiao’s celebrity status in the Philippines and everything he’s done and doing there. None of this is unusual for a ‘reporter’ today but the capper is the patronizing language of that line. He may just be a half-step away from being a cute little Filipino monkey, but he’s a clever one because Chris senses he seemed aware of this. Chris Haft, a man meant for other times (don’t we wish). Hope the White Man’s Burden isn’t too trying for you, Chrissy boy. Chris is a ‘writer’ for MLB.

[dagosd2000]

Today, April 22, is Connie's birthday, she'll kill me if I tell you how old she is....

We're taking her out to dinner and will be singing "Happy Birthday To You" to her...

Connie
Feliz Cumplianos. Rog

[scartissue]

Just as a bit of a divergence, I saw someone started a thread elsewhere on boxrec naming the great contenders. Here is an opinionated piece I did a couple of years ago on the greatest contenders never to win a title at a particular weight class and I named every weight class. Obviously it was preying on my mind for some time cuz I spent a bit of time at it. I began by giving my rules of engagement on who was eligible. So, just for a bit of fun, here is my opinion of the great contenders. I'll begin with the heavyweights. And just like I mentioned it below, you might agree with me on 10 contenders and scream, "Have Hanley committed" on the other 5. Anyway, let's have some fun and I hope this translates well from a copy & paste.

Scartissue


THE CONTENDERS


Awright, Fightnuts, are we ready for another go? I'm gonna stray a little this month on a pugilistic subject that is a favorite of mine, a somewhat bent subject in this day and age of 'champions only' that requires perhaps, a bent mind to nurture. Implementing this wayward thought came to me while reading an article that has been written for the umpteenth time on the 20 greatest fighters of all time. Now, much as I still enjoy reading about these great fighters, I just feel some of these stories on the same fighters have been done to death. Therefore, in order to set a fire under everyone's stool, I'm gonna rattle the cage a bit and dwell on the great unsung heroes of boxing for a change. Of course we know them as CONTENDERS.
Who are the greatest fighters never to win a world title at a respective weight? Whether avoided due to talent, denied because of race, or simply unfortunate enough to have met an outstanding champion of their era, these fighters should be acknowledged for what they were, with their day having passed. So...a roster of boxing's 'nearly' men begged to be formed. Okay, so we have the 'what' in place, now we examine the 'how'. The criteria I've used in forming my listing is thus:

1) A fighter must have fought competitively at the designated weight.

2) A fighter cannot have held a 'world' title of any kind at the designated weight (Where do I draw the line? I tell ya, I was downright nasty on this one due to the spurious claims to world titles out there. Excluding those nonsensical White, Negro, Interim and any title below WBO in the alphabet categories, I counted every claim and, unfortunately, had to exclude great fighters like Hedgemon Lewis (Welter), Tiger Jack Fox (Lt. Heavy) and Len Harvey (Lt. Heavy) due to New York and European recognition as world champs at their weight class).

3) A champion from another weight class is eligible provided he meets points 1 and 2.

4) Straw, Jr. Fly, Super Fly, Super Bantam, Super Middle and Cruiser weight divisions are unrecognised. Therefore, champions as well as contenders from those weight classes are eligible as contenders at the next higher weight class.
Awright, now that we know where we're going with this, I should add that this chronological listing (not a ranking) of my top 15 is based on opinion and not what a fighter may have achieved throughout a lengthy career. In other words, I've simply rated whom I feel was the better fighter.
Now, I catch a lot of E-mails graced with both praise and criticism from you lot out there and I will admit you're a knowledgable bunch. So, before you Fightnuts out there scroll down, perhaps you should first form your own listing. My guess is you'll agree with me on ten of my fifteen and scream "Have Hanley committed!" on the other five. Ahh, but isn't the argument what it's all about? So, without further ado, let's have a little fun butting heads on this backbone of boxing.

(Note: the fighter's name is followed by birthplace and number of title shots received at the weight)


HEAVY
Sam Langford (Can) (0)
Joe Jeanette (USA) (0)
Harry Wills (USA) (0)
Tommy Farr (Wales) (1)
Jimmy Bivins (USA) (0)
Elmer Ray (USA) (0)
Archie Moore (USA) (2)
Zora Folley (USA) (1)
Eddie Machen (USA) (1)
Oscar Bonavena (Arg) (1)
Jerry Quarry (USA) (2)
Ron Lyle (USA) (1)
Earnie Shavers (USA) (2)
Jimmy Young (USA) (1)
Gerry Cooney (USA) (1)

Believe it or not, Sam Langford, probably a staple on everyone’s list, barely made mine. With apologies to some of you out there that believe I've committed boxing sacrilege, I just have a hard time placing someone on my heavyweight list who weighed 175 and was the same height as Marco Antonio Barrera. I had a much easier time ranking his contemporaries, Jeanette and Wills, who, admittedly, he stayed with on an even keel. But Jeanette at 5'10" and Wills at 6'4" had a much better chance of staying with the Heavys of the ages after the days of brawling gave way to technique. Tommy Farr earned his berth by way of a great chin, immaculate skills and by giving Louis, Baer and Braddock all they could handle. Jimmy Bivins, better as a Lt. Heavy, yet, engaged Louis, Walcott and a Heavyweight Charles in some real toe to toes. Also was Interim champ during Louis' war years. Elmer Ray, top dog in the 40's, beat both Charles and Walcott during his heyday. Archie Moore, old as friggin' Methusaleh and a Lt. Heavy to boot, yet beat Nino Valdez (twice), Bob Baker, Clarence Henry and took Marciano to a life and death struggle in '55. Zora Folley, victim of his ties to the IBC, entered the top ten in '56 and stayed there until receiving his only title opportunity in '67 at the age of 34. Eddie Machen, fought five Heavy champs and had all the tools, but always missed that big one. Oscar Bonavena, a snarling bull of a fighter who gave a peak Ali and Frazier some nasty lumps while taking the same in return willingly. Jerry Quarry, a 60s-70s version of Jack Sharkey. A counter-punching master whose head-strong character got him into unnecessary punch-outs. Ron Lyle, on his night he was something. Wins over Ellis, Bonavena, Shavers, Bugner and a memorable brawl with Foreman put him on the Heavy map. Earnie Shavers, if you could get him into the later rounds you might have a chance, but those first five rounds were an incredible gauntlet to run. One of the best one punch bangers ever, just ask Norton, Ellis and Young. Speaking of Jimmy Young, they didn't come any slicker. Only lacking a punch, Young's skills were at their peak when he was going at it with Ali, Foreman, Norton and Lyle (twice). Gerry Cooney, the much maligned Cooney I might add, suffered only from bad management. His talents needed a forum but he fought only sporadically. Although his power was evident (Norton, Lyle), his skills were underrated. His best night was when he ripped Jimmy Young's face to shreds with his left jab alone and then slipped into a once a year fight schedule. Talent never realized.

Honorable mention: Luther McCarty, Sam McVey, George Godfrey, Larry Gains, Roland LaStarza, George Chuvalo, Cleveland Williams, Jeff Merritt, David Tua.

[kikibalt]

Today, April 22, is Connie's birthday, she'll kill me if I tell you how old she is....

We're taking her out to dinner and will be singing "Happy Birthday To You" to her...

Connie
Feliz Cumplianos. Rog

Rog...Connie said THANKS.

[dagosd2000]

Today, April 22, is Connie's birthday, she'll kill me if I tell you how old she is....

We're taking her out to dinner and will be singing "Happy Birthday To You" to her...

Connie
Feliz Cumplianos. Rog

Rog...Connie said THANKS.

Frank
I'm at work now. My computer won't let me go to Youtube. How 'bout playing Mananitas for Connie?

[dagosd2000]

Just as a bit of a divergence, I saw someone started a thread elsewhere on boxrec naming the great contenders. Here is an opinionated piece I did a couple of years ago on the greatest contenders never to win a title at a particular weight class and I named every weight class. Obviously it was preying on my mind for some time cuz I spent a bit of time at it. I began by giving my rules of engagement on who was eligible. So, just for a bit of fun, here is my opinion of the great contenders. I'll begin with the heavyweights. And just like I mentioned it below, you might agree with me on 10 contenders and scream, "Have Hanley committed" on the other 5. Anyway, let's have some fun and I hope this translates well from a copy & paste.

Scartissue


THE CONTENDERS


Awright, Fightnuts, are we ready for another go? I'm gonna stray a little this month on a pugilistic subject that is a favorite of mine, a somewhat bent subject in this day and age of 'champions only' that requires perhaps, a bent mind to nurture. Implementing this wayward thought came to me while reading an article that has been written for the umpteenth time on the 20 greatest fighters of all time. Now, much as I still enjoy reading about these great fighters, I just feel some of these stories on the same fighters have been done to death. Therefore, in order to set a fire under everyone's stool, I'm gonna rattle the cage a bit and dwell on the great unsung heroes of boxing for a change. Of course we know them as CONTENDERS.
Who are the greatest fighters never to win a world title at a respective weight? Whether avoided due to talent, denied because of race, or simply unfortunate enough to have met an outstanding champion of their era, these fighters should be acknowledged for what they were, with their day having passed. So...a roster of boxing's 'nearly' men begged to be formed. Okay, so we have the 'what' in place, now we examine the 'how'. The criteria I've used in forming my listing is thus:

1) A fighter must have fought competitively at the designated weight.

2) A fighter cannot have held a 'world' title of any kind at the designated weight (Where do I draw the line? I tell ya, I was downright nasty on this one due to the spurious claims to world titles out there. Excluding those nonsensical White, Negro, Interim and any title below WBO in the alphabet categories, I counted every claim and, unfortunately, had to exclude great fighters like Hedgemon Lewis (Welter), Tiger Jack Fox (Lt. Heavy) and Len Harvey (Lt. Heavy) due to New York and European recognition as world champs at their weight class).

3) A champion from another weight class is eligible provided he meets points 1 and 2.

4) Straw, Jr. Fly, Super Fly, Super Bantam, Super Middle and Cruiser weight divisions are unrecognised. Therefore, champions as well as contenders from those weight classes are eligible as contenders at the next higher weight class.
Awright, now that we know where we're going with this, I should add that this chronological listing (not a ranking) of my top 15 is based on opinion and not what a fighter may have achieved throughout a lengthy career. In other words, I've simply rated whom I feel was the better fighter.
Now, I catch a lot of E-mails graced with both praise and criticism from you lot out there and I will admit you're a knowledgable bunch. So, before you Fightnuts out there scroll down, perhaps you should first form your own listing. My guess is you'll agree with me on ten of my fifteen and scream "Have Hanley committed!" on the other five. Ahh, but isn't the argument what it's all about? So, without further ado, let's have a little fun butting heads on this backbone of boxing.

(Note: the fighter's name is followed by birthplace and number of title shots received at the weight)


HEAVY
Sam Langford (Can) (0)
Joe Jeanette (USA) (0)
Harry Wills (USA) (0)
Tommy Farr (Wales) (1)
Jimmy Bivins (USA) (0)
Elmer Ray (USA) (0)
Archie Moore (USA) (2)
Zora Folley (USA) (1)
Eddie Machen (USA) (1)
Oscar Bonavena (Arg) (1)
Jerry Quarry (USA) (2)
Ron Lyle (USA) (1)
Earnie Shavers (USA) (2)
Jimmy Young (USA) (1)
Gerry Cooney (USA) (1)

Believe it or not, Sam Langford, probably a staple on everyone’s list, barely made mine. With apologies to some of you out there that believe I've committed boxing sacrilege, I just have a hard time placing someone on my heavyweight list who weighed 175 and was the same height as Marco Antonio Barrera. I had a much easier time ranking his contemporaries, Jeanette and Wills, who, admittedly, he stayed with on an even keel. But Jeanette at 5'10" and Wills at 6'4" had a much better chance of staying with the Heavys of the ages after the days of brawling gave way to technique. Tommy Farr earned his berth by way of a great chin, immaculate skills and by giving Louis, Baer and Braddock all they could handle. Jimmy Bivins, better as a Lt. Heavy, yet, engaged Louis, Walcott and a Heavyweight Charles in some real toe to toes. Also was Interim champ during Louis' war years. Elmer Ray, top dog in the 40's, beat both Charles and Walcott during his heyday. Archie Moore, old as friggin' Methusaleh and a Lt. Heavy to boot, yet beat Nino Valdez (twice), Bob Baker, Clarence Henry and took Marciano to a life and death struggle in '55. Zora Folley, victim of his ties to the IBC, entered the top ten in '56 and stayed there until receiving his only title opportunity in '67 at the age of 34. Eddie Machen, fought five Heavy champs and had all the tools, but always missed that big one. Oscar Bonavena, a snarling bull of a fighter who gave a peak Ali and Frazier some nasty lumps while taking the same in return willingly. Jerry Quarry, a 60s-70s version of Jack Sharkey. A counter-punching master whose head-strong character got him into unnecessary punch-outs. Ron Lyle, on his night he was something. Wins over Ellis, Bonavena, Shavers, Bugner and a memorable brawl with Foreman put him on the Heavy map. Earnie Shavers, if you could get him into the later rounds you might have a chance, but those first five rounds were an incredible gauntlet to run. One of the best one punch bangers ever, just ask Norton, Ellis and Young. Speaking of Jimmy Young, they didn't come any slicker. Only lacking a punch, Young's skills were at their peak when he was going at it with Ali, Foreman, Norton and Lyle (twice). Gerry Cooney, the much maligned Cooney I might add, suffered only from bad management. His talents needed a forum but he fought only sporadically. Although his power was evident (Norton, Lyle), his skills were underrated. His best night was when he ripped Jimmy Young's face to shreds with his left jab alone and then slipped into a once a year fight schedule. Talent never realized.

Honorable mention: Luther McCarty, Sam McVey, George Godfrey, Larry Gains, Roland LaStarza, George Chuvalo, Cleveland Williams, Jeff Merritt, David Tua.

Dan
No argument from me. Just read the bio on Sam Langford by Moyle. Everybody said he was the best.Incredible story.

[kikibalt]

Today, April 22, is Connie's birthday, she'll kill me if I tell you how old she is....

We're taking her out to dinner and will be singing "Happy Birthday To You" to her...

Connie
Feliz Cumplianos. Rog

Rog...Connie said THANKS.

Frank
I'm at work now. My computer won't let me go to Youtube. How 'bout playing Mananitas for Connie?

For Connie

"Las Mananitas"

Dedicated by Roger

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

[Rick Farris]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0StHF1u ... annel_page

An interesting video with Jerry Quarry from 1967.

Randy

Randy . . . This video brought back a lot of great memories. For one, watching Jerry sparring in the gym. Another was watching him flatten Billy Daniels in one round. I was ringside for that fight, as I was for all of Jerry's L.A. fights. That one was at the Sports Arena, and I was with my dad & grandfather. Recently we discussed Tony "Kid" Longoria on this thread. Longoria was featured in a ten rounder right before the Quarry-Daniels blowout. I expected to watch the hard-hitting Texan score a KO, however, he was disappointing in a rather dull ten round draw with a mediocre opponent. However, Jerry Quarry was a dragon that night. Daniels was a tall, slender heavyweight, 6'4" & less than 190 lbs. It was bad luck for anybody with such a long torso to deal with Mr. Q's hook to the body. On that night, Jerry Quarry was at his best! Thanks for the memories, amigo.

-Rick Farris

Great Jerry Quarry clip, Dick young is the ref in the Williams fight.

Frank . . . Dick Young and John Thomas were my favorites. Dick Ref'd my first pro fight and the only one when i was stopped. John Thomas was lucky for me. He ref'd my first KO's in both the amateurs and pros. It was fun talking with Dick's son Bill, at Don Fraser's GWBA birthday meeting.

-Rick Farris

[Rick Farris]

Today, April 22, is Connie's birthday, she'll kill me if I tell you how old she is....

We're taking her out to dinner and will be singing "Happy Birthday To You" to her...

Happy Birthday, Connie!

-Rick

[kikibalt]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0StHF1u ... annel_page

An interesting video with Jerry Quarry from 1967.

Randy

Randy . . . This video brought back a lot of great memories. For one, watching Jerry sparring in the gym. Another was watching him flatten Billy Daniels in one round. I was ringside for that fight, as I was for all of Jerry's L.A. fights. That one was at the Sports Arena, and I was with my dad & grandfather. Recently we discussed Tony "Kid" Longoria on this thread. Longoria was featured in a ten rounder right before the Quarry-Daniels blowout. I expected to watch the hard-hitting Texan score a KO, however, he was disappointing in a rather dull ten round draw with a mediocre opponent. However, Jerry Quarry was a dragon that night. Daniels was a tall, slender heavyweight, 6'4" & less than 190 lbs. It was bad luck for anybody with such a long torso to deal with Mr. Q's hook to the body. On that night, Jerry Quarry was at his best! Thanks for the memories, amigo.

-Rick Farris

Great Jerry Quarry clip, Dick young is the ref in the Williams fight.

Frank . . . Dick Young and John Thomas were my favorites. Dick Ref'd my first pro fight and the only one when i was stopped. John Thomas was lucky for me. He ref'd my first KO's in both the amateurs and pros. It was fun talking with Dick's son Bill, at Don Fraser's GWBA birthday meeting.

-Rick Farris

Rick...John Thomas was the ref in my last fight (1964 GG finals) got my ass handed to me....

[kikibalt]

Today, April 22, is Connie's birthday, she'll kill me if I tell you how old she is....

We're taking her out to dinner and will be singing "Happy Birthday To You" to her...

Happy Birthday, Connie!

-Rick

Thanks, Rick, she'll like that....

[iskigoe]

Happy birthday to Connie.


KI

[Rick Farris]

Armando Muniz & Mexico's "Cut Doctor" . . .


Today I joined Armando Muniz, Gwen Adair and Josie Arrey-Mejia at the LAX Marriott Hotel to make the arrangements for this year's WBHOF Banquet, wihich will be held on October 24th. After our meeting with the hotel rep, the four of us had lunch together in one of the hotel's restaurants.

Mando and I were talking about a serious cut he had received in a bout with Hedgeman Lewis, a close bout that Muniz won.

After the fight, Dr. Jack Useem patched Mando up quickly, using ten stitches. A couple of weeks later, Armando joined his manager, Vic Weiss, referee Rudy Jordan, and his trainer, Louie Jareque on a trip to Mexico to watch Welter Champ Jose Napoles KO Argentina's Horacio Saldena in a title defense.

While in Mexico, Muniz was introduced to Dr. Horacio Ramirez, a legendary cut doctor who worked with the Napoles camp. The doctor noticed Muniz's cut was not healing properly and told them to meet him at his office. An hour later, the doctor told Muniz he wanted to re-stitch the wound correctly. At first, Mando was sceptical. Armando knew that in two months he would be fighting Napoles for the title and feared the doctor might try something crooked, however, the doctor was unaware that Napoles next bout was already in the works.

Armando was instructed to take a seat. The doctor threw a towel over the fighter's shoulder and grabbed a razor blade out of his bag. He reached over and slit Mando's cut wide open and the blood dripped downonto the towel. "Man, that really stung when he slit my brow, but once it was open, the doctor removed all the scar tissue that had formed," Muniz said. "He then re-stitched the wound using 25 stitches."

Muniz was amazed that the wound healed perfectly and quickly. Two months later, Muniz battled the great Jose Napoles hard and, without question, defeated the champion in a brutal bout that was stopped when Napoles cuts were bleeding beyond control. Mando had outfought the great champion and should have returned home with the belt. However, as so often happens in Mexico, the official gave the fight to Napoles on some BS technicality.

Muniz laughed as he told of his own wounds. "I was cut over my right eye, and a couple other places. However, despite taking a few direct hits to the old wound over my left eye that had been re-stitched, it stayed sealed and would remain so for the rest of my career."

"I was amazed", Mando said. "Dr. Ramirez did such a great job, fixing a wound that surely would have cost me victories in later fights."

"Can you imagine, having a Mexican docotor that worked for Napoles, do for me what one of our own doctors was unable to do." The former welterweight contender and World Boxing Hall of Fame President smiled as he told the story. Truly amazing.


-Rick Farris

[kikibalt]

Happy birthday to Connie.


KI

Thanks, Kevin, so said Connie....

[kikibalt]

Armando Muniz & Mexico's "Cut Doctor" . . .


Today I joined Armando Muniz, Gwen Adair and Josie Arrey-Mejia at the LAX Marriott Hotel to make the arrangements for this year's WBHOF Banquet, wihich will be held on October 24th. After our meeting with the hotel rep, the four of us had lunch together in one of the hotel's restaurants.

Mando and I were talking about a serious cut he had received in a bout with Hedgeman Lewis, a close bout that Muniz won.

After the fight, Dr. Jack Useem patched Mando up quickly, using ten stitches. A couple of weeks later, Armando joined his manager, Vic Weiss, referee Rudy Jordan, and his trainer, Louie Jareque on a trip to Mexico to watch Welter Champ Jose Napoles KO Argentina's Horacio Saldena in a title defense.

While in Mexico, Muniz was introduced to Dr. Horacio Ramirez, a legendary cut doctor who worked with the Napoles camp. The doctor noticed Muniz's cut was not healing properly and told them to meet him at his office. An hour later, the doctor told Muniz he wanted to re-stitch the wound correctly. At first, Mando was sceptical. Armando knew that in two months he would be fighting Napoles for the title and feared the doctor might try something crooked, however, the doctor was unaware that Napoles next bout was already in the works.

Armando was instructed to take a seat. The doctor threw a towel over the fighter's shoulder and grabbed a razor blade out of his bag. He reached over and slit Mando's cut wide open and the blood dripped downonto the towel. "Man, that really stung when he slit my brow, but once it was open, the doctor removed all the scar tissue that had formed," Muniz said. "He then re-stitched the wound using 25 stitches."

Muniz was amazed that the wound healed perfectly and quickly. Two months later, Muniz battled the great Jose Napoles hard and, without question, defeated the champion in a brutal bout that was stopped when Napoles cuts were bleeding beyond control. Mando had outfought the great champion and should have returned home with the belt. However, as so often happens in Mexico, the official gave the fight to Napoles on some BS technicality.

Muniz laughed as he told of his own wounds. "I was cut over my right eye, and a couple other places. However, despite taking a few direct hits to the old wound over my left eye that had been re-stitched, it stayed sealed and would remain so for the rest of my career."

"I was amazed", Mando said. "Dr. Ramirez did such a great job, fixing a wound that surely would have cost me victories in later fights."

"Can you imagine, having a Mexican docotor that worked for Napoles, do for me what one of our own doctors was unable to do." The former welterweight contender and World Boxing Hall of Fame President smiled as he told the story. Truly amazing.


-Rick Farris

Mando Muniz v Jose Napoles L
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RscszFwcrQY

[Randyman]

Today, April 22, is Connie's birthday, she'll kill me if I tell you how old she is....

We're taking her out to dinner and will be singing "Happy Birthday To You" to her...

Connie, Happy Birthday from Jeri and I.

Randy

[kikibalt]

Today, April 22, is Connie's birthday, she'll kill me if I tell you how old she is....

We're taking her out to dinner and will be singing "Happy Birthday To You" to her...

Connie, Happy Birthday from Jeri and I.

Randy

Connie said thanks, Randy & Jeri...

[dagosd2000]

Armando Muniz & Mexico's "Cut Doctor" . . .


Today I joined Armando Muniz, Gwen Adair and Josie Arrey-Mejia at the LAX Marriott Hotel to make the arrangements for this year's WBHOF Banquet, wihich will be held on October 24th. After our meeting with the hotel rep, the four of us had lunch together in one of the hotel's restaurants.

Mando and I were talking about a serious cut he had received in a bout with Hedgeman Lewis, a close bout that Muniz won.

After the fight, Dr. Jack Useem patched Mando up quickly, using ten stitches. A couple of weeks later, Armando joined his manager, Vic Weiss, referee Rudy Jordan, and his trainer, Louie Jareque on a trip to Mexico to watch Welter Champ Jose Napoles KO Argentina's Horacio Saldena in a title defense.

While in Mexico, Muniz was introduced to Dr. Horacio Ramirez, a legendary cut doctor who worked with the Napoles camp. The doctor noticed Muniz's cut was not healing properly and told them to meet him at his office. An hour later, the doctor told Muniz he wanted to re-stitch the wound correctly. At first, Mando was sceptical. Armando knew that in two months he would be fighting Napoles for the title and feared the doctor might try something crooked, however, the doctor was unaware that Napoles next bout was already in the works.

Armando was instructed to take a seat. The doctor threw a towel over the fighter's shoulder and grabbed a razor blade out of his bag. He reached over and slit Mando's cut wide open and the blood dripped downonto the towel. "Man, that really stung when he slit my brow, but once it was open, the doctor removed all the scar tissue that had formed," Muniz said. "He then re-stitched the wound using 25 stitches."

Muniz was amazed that the wound healed perfectly and quickly. Two months later, Muniz battled the great Jose Napoles hard and, without question, defeated the champion in a brutal bout that was stopped when Napoles cuts were bleeding beyond control. Mando had outfought the great champion and should have returned home with the belt. However, as so often happens in Mexico, the official gave the fight to Napoles on some BS technicality.

Muniz laughed as he told of his own wounds. "I was cut over my right eye, and a couple other places. However, despite taking a few direct hits to the old wound over my left eye that had been re-stitched, it stayed sealed and would remain so for the rest of my career."

"I was amazed", Mando said. "Dr. Ramirez did such a great job, fixing a wound that surely would have cost me victories in later fights."

"Can you imagine, having a Mexican docotor that worked for Napoles, do for me what one of our own doctors was unable to do." The former welterweight contender and World Boxing Hall of Fame President smiled as he told the story. Truly amazing.


-Rick Farris

Rick
That was a great story. I know Napoles had some procedures done to try to improve his cuts around his eyes,but things seemed to get worse.However Rick when Mando talks about not having anymore trouble with his cuts,the second Napoles fight was as ugly as it gets. I remember both men standing in the ring after 15 rounds. Their faces looked like raw hamburger.

Rick
Did Amando ever mention if Napoles ever said anything to him about the first fight? Although Jose was my guy,that was a robbery. Rog

[dagosd2000]

A BAD ARTIST

When Al Capone went to jail for income tax evasion,at the time, that was the stiffest sentence for such a charge. 11 years. Capone went to Atlanta Penitentiary and was going to appeal the case. That's when my father overheard Frank Nitti tell Capone's lawyers,Fink and Aherns,to keep Snorky in the cooler. His syphylis was going to
get him,anmd besides Nitti wanted to be the boss.

They talk about Capone's beef with the tax people,but Nitti was indicted also for not paying his fair share. He served 18 months. When he got released,Capone was still in the slammer working on an appeal. That's when my dad ,who must have been around 16 years of age, heard Frank give up Capone to the feds.

Nitti threatened to kill my father if he passed along what he had heard in the parlor at Al's mommy's house. My dad was no snitch. Besides, he got to liking breathing.

Though Nitti was next in line,he never earned the respect of the Outfit. They called him(not to his face)a "baccala",a lummox. Paul "The Waiter" Ricca who had worked as a young man in my grandfather's restaurant,The Bella Napoli, was the guy who eventually took over.

Diamond Joe,my grandfather,was fond of Ricca. Ricca like many of the Mob guys was somewhat diminutive. Only when riled would he show another side. A dangerous side.

Anyway Nitti,who never ran things very well(because he lacked the talent)accidently brought a couple of strong arm guys out West to control the studio unions. Los Angeles cops didn't like Chicago hoods in their neck of the woods. It was a bad investment for Nitti. Under indictment the Chicago boys rolled over.

Nitti,who's nickname was The Enforcer(because he enforced the rules) lost face with The Outfit. He also knew he was going to lose his life. In the suburb of Riverside where Nitti lived,he walked to the train station,brandished a gun and shot himself.

Nitti was a guy who never showed an art of running the operation. If you had put a brush in his hands ,he wouldn't have been able to paint by numbers.

[raylawpc]

Connie,

Grattis på födelsedagen!