Woodcock/Louis I always felt would have made for a good fight while it lasted.[/quote]
What kind of a fighter was Woodcock? I don't believe I ever seen any file of him.[/quote]
Frank . . . I never saw the guy fight, but I imagine with the name "Woodcock", he was probably a "stiff".
To be honest, Woodcock was a pretty big hitter, almost all his wins by KO, only 4 losses-all by KO.
He KOed Gus Lesnevich, Freddie Mills, and Lee Oma.
-Rick Farris[/quote]
Rick, I think you're thinking of this one dude named "Johnson". He was really outdoorsy and was always "pitching a tent". OK, OK, OK, we have to have some fun every so often. Seriously, my Dad remembers one of the Woodcock-Mills fight when he was living in England. He thought highly of Woodcock. It's funny seeing this advertised as for the heavyweight championship of the world. I forget the circumstances involved, whether the BBBC refused recognition of Charles or what. But they elected to stage a heavyweight championship between Lee Savold and Bruce Woodcock, which was won by Savold. It made this "title" quite ludicrous when Savold got his arse handed to him by an old Joe Louis, losing his "title", who in turn already had his arse handed to him by Ezzard Charles. It made the whole "title" thing moot and disappeared in the ether, which was where it belonged.
Scar just posted a great piece on the flyweight division.
I have just finished watching the Pancho Villa vs. Jimmy Wilde match on YouTube.
Damn, these guys were good. Lots of fights, tough fights, at today's pace these guys would be fighting into their seventies.
How lucky we are to have this YouTube connection.
With all respect to Manny Pac, the best of this era in my opinion, he's pretty average in the company of legends.
Flash Elorde vs. Sandy Saddler, Armstrong vs. Ceferino Garcia, Speedy Dado. Seeing is believing.
Spud Murphy's Gym was named after the fallen fighter who had his licensed revoked because of a bad brain scan. His father let him workout in the gym still, and after a sparring session,Spud collapsed in the shower and died.
I remember Irish Spud Murphy fighting preliminaries at the Coliseum. From the start you could tell that the kid didn't have it. There was a lot of talk about the father trying to make something out of his son when it would have been best to leave him alone. But Spud kept plugging along although he didn't have anything going for him. He didn't have a punch. He was frail looking. And he cut easy.
It wasn't until much later that I found out about his death. Terry Norris told me about it when I went up to Spud Murphy's gym to watch him train for a fight.
The parents still kept the doors open. I remember that there were always a lot of fighters working out. The gym was upstairs above a pool hall.
The father ,I think, went a little crazy after his son's death. He'd talk about his son like he was still alive. He also went on about how his son was a great fighter. There were newspaper clippings of his son's short boxing career,I remember,pasted on the wall. I also remember the mother. She was an elderly heavy set gal with gray hair. Looked like someone's grandmother. She wore a plain plaid dress. She stayed mostly behind the counter. She sold sodas and candy. I'd see her limp around carrying cases of beer and keepng things straightened out. Towels stacked high. Sweeping the floor. Cleaning the lockers.
While her husband was talking everyone's head off about his son and whatever,I never heard his wife say anything. Maybe that was their ways of dealing with Spud's death. The father trying to keep ahead of the power curve by talking all the time. The mother just trying to keep moving and stay busy.
Spud Murphy's Gym was named after the fallen fighter who had his licensed revoked because of a bad brain scan. His father let him workout in the gym still, and after a sparring session,Spud collapsed in the shower and died.
I remember Irish Spud Murphy fighting preliminaries at the Coliseum. From the start you could tell that the kid didn't have it. There was a lot of talk about the father trying to make something out of his son when it would have been best to leave him alone. But Spud kept plugging along although he didn't have anything going for him. He didn't have a punch. He was frail looking. And he cut easy.
It wasn't until much later that I found out about his death. Terry Norris told me about it when I went up to Spud Murphy's gym to watch him train for a fight.
The parents still kept the doors open. I remember that there were always a lot of fighters working out. The gym was upstairs above a pool hall.
The father ,I think, went a little crazy after his son's death. He'd talk about his son like he was still alive. He also went on about how his son was a great fighter. There were newspaper clippings of his son's short boxing career,I remember,pasted on the wall. I also remember the mother. She was an elderly heavy set gal with gray hair. Looked like someone's grandmother. She wore a plain plaid dress. She stayed mostly behind the counter. She sold sodas and candy. I'd see her limp around carrying cases of beer and keepng things straightened out. Towels stacked high. Sweeping the floor. Cleaning the lockers.
While her husband was talking everyone's head off about his son and whatever,I never heard his wife say anything. Maybe that was their ways of dealing with Spud's death. The father trying to keep ahead of the power curve by talking all the time. The mother just trying to keep moving and stay busy.
"Keep moving and stay busy . . . "
Got to keep the loonies on the path.
All of 60,000 watched this one at White City (a rematch won by Savold). Thirty million tuned in on radio (yes, 30 million). Woodcock was, it goes without really saying, a national hero after the war.
Expug wrote:Thanks for the nice words Randy.
I was close to my Mom.
I look back though and realize I cost her some sleepless nights.Sometimes feel guilty.
She worried about me I know. I had a short fuse as a young guy. Fighting, raising hell.
Even on her death bed, with the people from hospice helping her, I can still hear her saying "Brian, Brian" dont do it".
See, I was beefing with some freakin golfer outside the patio door . He had told my daughter to get away from the fairway which the condo my Mom was renting was on.She was real young and down there saying goodbye to Grandma with me.
I chewed out this golfer pretty bad. Probably told him I was gonna throw him in the fake lake I dont know. What can I say?
But this kinda stuff happened alot. She loved me, but I think she thought I was nuts. She really hated boxing too. Couldnt understand it.
It really bothered her that I had some fights.
Useful boxer Paul Burke, very useful. Some fighters don't look like they are doing that much in the ring but that's because their movement is superb (like Duran's movement against Hagler; I don't think Hagler caught Duran with a jab all night).
Burke moved and picked his shots.
My twin brother Tony fought Honeywood in the amateurs in 1982. Honeywood was a lightweight and Tony was just a bantam and Honeywood was swaggering around beforehand like it was going to be easy. Tony hit him with several left hooks in the first round and Honeywood was hanging on for dear life. In the second they clashed heads big style (you could hear Honeywood say "bastard!" at the clash) and Tony came off worse, a swelling on the forehead. You know what the referees are like in the amateurs. He stopped it immediately. He was the bastard.
I watched Schwer fight a few times at ringside. He challenged twice for versions of the world title: Rafael Ruelas cut him up in about eight rounds in the States (they were terrible cuts) and Stevie Johnston outpointed him in London. Johnston failed a dope test afterwards but the WBC turned a blind eye. Schwer was a bit like Sean O'Grady. He had a gorgeous set of sisters.
scartissue wrote:Finally got around to posting the finale, the Flyweights. Who else belongs in this group?
Scartissue
FLY
Tancy Lee (Scot) (1)
Jimmy Warnock (Ire) (0)
Joe Curran (Eng) (1)
Bunty Doran (Ire) (0)
Leo Espinosa (Phil) (2)
Halimi Gutierrez (Mex) (0)
Fernando Cabanela (Phil) (1)
Luis Estaba (Ven) (0)
Ignacio Espinal (DR) (1)
Martin Vargas (Chile) (3)
Yoko Gushiken (Jap) (0)
Jung Koo Chang (SK) (0)
Chiquita Gonzales (Mex) (0)
Michael Carbajal (USA) (0)
Ricardo Lopez (Mex) (0)
Okay, gang, we made it to 112, so lets square off with Tancy Lee. This tough little Scot was British and Euro Flyweight champ and the only man to stop a peak Jimmy Wilde. Not bad for a fighter who turned pro at 28. Jimmy Warnock, twice beat the Scottish terror, Benny Lynch, both times while Lynch held the crown. Yet, no 15 rounder for Jimmy. Joe Curran, packed in 156 fights between '32 and '48, beating Rinty Monaghan, Bunty Doran and Jackie Paterson. Lost to Paterson when it counted for the title. Bunty Doran, fought four world champs from Fly to Bantam, his win over reigning Flyweight champ Paterson putting him on the fistic map. Leo Espinosa, before abandoning the Flys to make his mark at 118, fought twice for the 112 lb. title, losing to Yoshio Shirai and Pascual Perez. Also beat Shirai and Pone Kingpetch in non-title bouts. Lorenzo (Halimi) Gutierrez, on the night he decked and beat reigning 112 lb. champ Erbito Salavarria in '71, he was the best Flyweight on the planet. Hard to believe with a #5 rating and a record of 58-7-2 going into that fight, a non-title affair was the best he could get. Fernando Cabanela was a tall, rangy Filipino who went 15 with Masao Ohba for the 112 lb. title, and would go on to have a go at Soo-Hwan Hong and Carlos Zarate for the Bantam crown. Also beat Gutierrez, Chartchai Chionoi and Berkrerk Chartvanchai. Luis Estaba, the first in a long line of dominant Jr. Flys. Although 34 by the time he won the title, he managed to make 12 defenses, beating Franco Udella, Rafael Pedroza and Netrnoi Vorasingh. Ignacio Espinal of the Dominican Republic was a classy boxer/puncher who enjoyed outstanding wins over Betulio Gonzales, Valentin Martinez and Vicente Pool. But, was known more for his torrid three bout series with Miguel Canto. Martin Vargas, this hard punching Flyweight from Chile was unfortunate to have met Miguel Canto and Betulio Gonzales in his quest for the title, even having a go at 108 before his day was done. Held wins over world champs, Alfonso Lopez, Joey Olivo and Rafael Pedroza. Yoko Gushiken was an anomaly...with tremendous backing. Jr. Fly champ in his 9th pro bout, he dominated the 108 lb. scene for five years without ever hinting at 112, despite having the height and range for the division. Our loss. Held wins over Juan Guzman, Jaime Rios, Alfonso Lopez, Martin Vargas and Pedro Flores. Jung Koo Chang, the 'Korean Hawk', won the 108 lb. title on his second attempt and held it through 15 title defenses. Along the way he beat Hilario Zapata, Sot Chitalda and German Torres. Humberto (Chiquita) Gonzales, was a short, compact puncher who won and lost the 108 lb. title 3 times. Amazingly, after losing his title the second time to Michael Carbajal, he turned boxer and soundly beat Carbajal in their second and third bouts. Also beat Chang and Melchor Cob Castro. Michael Carbajal, a true warrior of the ring, will always be remembered for the 'Battle of the little giants' showdown with Gonzales where he lifted the title after picking himself off the canvas twice to stop Chiquita in 7. Carbajal also holds wins over Muangchoi Kittikasem and Cob Castro. And finally, one of the true greats of the ring, Ricardo Lopez. Although languishing, in my opinion, at an irrelevant weight such as 105, his style and talent managed to show through the haze which was devoid of the talent that brings out the best in a fighter. Still, 20 defenses and wins over Hideyuki Ohashi, Alex Sanchez and especially Saman Sorjaturong are testament to what he had. Y'know, we could have really made the boxing world take notice if we had an Estaba, Gushiken, Chang, Gonzales, Carbajal and Lopez all converged at 112 instead of diluting the talent pool down to 108 and 105.
Honorable mention: Dai Dower, Myung Woo Yuh, Saman Sorjaturong
Great list, as usual, Dan. The muscled Gushiken is one of those great punchers the world (outside Asia) never got to see. How he made light-flyweight I will never know, and you just had to love his perm.
I watched Schwer fight a few times at ringside. He challenged twice for versions of the world title: Rafael Ruelas cut him up in about eight rounds in the States (they were terrible cuts) and Stevie Johnston outpointed him in London. Johnston failed a dope test afterwards but the WBC turned a blind eye. Schwer was a bit like Sean O'Grady. He had a gorgeous set of sisters.
As a kid, I always used to admire the classic "Lonsdale Belts" worn by the best of the U.K.
The Ring Magazine Belt is also a classic.
Today, everybody has a belt, and they look like a product of the "Labarace House of Crap".
Classic Crap, a hallmark of the era.
I watched Schwer fight a few times at ringside. He challenged twice for versions of the world title: Rafael Ruelas cut him up in about eight rounds in the States (they were terrible cuts) and Stevie Johnston outpointed him in London. Johnston failed a dope test afterwards but the WBC turned a blind eye. Schwer was a bit like Sean O'Grady. He had a gorgeous set of sisters.
As a kid, I always used to admire the classic "Lonsdale Belts" worn by the best of the U.K.
The Ring Magazine Belt is also a classic.
Today, everybody has a belt, and they look like a product of the "Labarace House of Crap".
Classic Crap, a hallmark of the era.
-Rick Farris
The Lonsdale Belt is made of real gold and porcelain. Close up, Rick, it is mindblowing.
Another thing that made our Legion Stadium boxing so unique was that one of our own, Tom Ogilvie, made up the championship belts awarded at Hollywood. He had a small workshop in the main building with access from El Centro avenue where he repaired musical instruments for a living. He was the father of Jim Ogilvie, who became Manager of the stadium during my time as Matchmaker.
Tom used a simple plaque about 6"x4", gold plated, on which the vital facts were engraved and then added a tri-color sash to serve as the belt. You can get a glimpse of some of the belts in photos showing men like Art Aragon, Rudy Garcia, Willie Vaughn, Willlie Bean, Charlie Green and others who won championships at Hollywood. My predecessor. Cal Working and I were the only Legion Matchmakers to hold three consecutive state title bouts, each at 12 rounds.
Another thing that made our Legion Stadium boxing so unique was that one of our own, Tom Ogilvie, made up the championship belts awarded at Hollywood. He had a small workshop in the main building with access from El Centro avenue where he repaired musical instruments for a living. He was the father of Jim Ogilvie, who became Manager of the stadium during my time as Matchmaker.
Tom used a simple plaque about 6"x4", gold plated, on which the vital facts were engraved and then added a tri-color sash to serve as the belt. You can get a glimpse of some of the belts in photos showing men like Art Aragon, Rudy Garcia, Willie Vaughn, Willlie Bean, Charlie Green and others who won championships at Hollywood. My predecessor. Cal Working and I were the only Legion Matchmakers to hold three consecutive state title bouts, each at 12 rounds.
Another thing that made our Legion Stadium boxing so unique was that one of our own, Tom Ogilvie, made up the championship belts awarded at Hollywood. He had a small workshop in the main building with access from El Centro avenue where he repaired musical instruments for a living. He was the father of Jim Ogilvie, who became Manager of the stadium during my time as Matchmaker.
Tom used a simple plaque about 6"x4", gold plated, on which the vital facts were engraved and then added a tri-color sash to serve as the belt. You can get a glimpse of some of the belts in photos showing men like Art Aragon, Rudy Garcia, Willie Vaughn, Willlie Bean, Charlie Green and others who won championships at Hollywood. My predecessor. Cal Working and I were the only Legion Matchmakers to hold three consecutive state title bouts, each at 12 rounds.
hap navarro
Hap, that's a great history relating to the Championship belts presented at the Legion.
I bet we have photos located somewhere within the pages of this thread that feature some of those belts?
The Lonsdale Belt is made of real gold and porcelain. Close up, Rick, it is mindblowing.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Bennie, one day I hope to see one up close. Maybe next year, when we visit the U.K.?
I think many of the belts today are made of vinyl and brass, which is appropriate.
Bennie . . .
Maybe if Cooper or one of the Brits gets inducted this year, I'll encourage them to bring a Lonsdale Belt along?
It would be a nice touch to a video interview.
Mainly, I'd just love to see the beautiful belt.
Would be a great subject to photograph!
-Rick
Last edited by Rick Farris on 04 Jun 2009, 19:58, edited 2 times in total.
Another thing that made our Legion Stadium boxing so unique was that one of our own, Tom Ogilvie, made up the championship belts awarded at Hollywood. He had a small workshop in the main building with access from El Centro avenue where he repaired musical instruments for a living. He was the father of Jim Ogilvie, who became Manager of the stadium during my time as Matchmaker.
Tom used a simple plaque about 6"x4", gold plated, on which the vital facts were engraved and then added a tri-color sash to serve as the belt. You can get a glimpse of some of the belts in photos showing men like Art Aragon, Rudy Garcia, Willie Vaughn, Willlie Bean, Charlie Green and others who won championships at Hollywood. My predecessor. Cal Working and I were the only Legion Matchmakers to hold three consecutive state title bouts, each at 12 rounds.
hap navarro
Hap, that's a great history relating to the Championship belts presented at the Legion.
I bet we have photos located somewhere within the pages of this thread that feature some of those belts?
Another thing that made our Legion Stadium boxing so unique was that one of our own, Tom Ogilvie, made up the championship belts awarded at Hollywood. He had a small workshop in the main building with access from El Centro avenue where he repaired musical instruments for a living. He was the father of Jim Ogilvie, who became Manager of the stadium during my time as Matchmaker.
Tom used a simple plaque about 6"x4", gold plated, on which the vital facts were engraved and then added a tri-color sash to serve as the belt. You can get a glimpse of some of the belts in photos showing men like Art Aragon, Rudy Garcia, Willie Vaughn, Willlie Bean, Charlie Green and others who won championships at Hollywood. My predecessor. Cal Working and I were the only Legion Matchmakers to hold three consecutive state title bouts, each at 12 rounds.
hap navarro
Hap, that's a great history relating to the Championship belts presented at the Legion.
I bet we have photos located somewhere within the pages of this thread that feature some of those belts?
It used to mean something to have a belt.
As a kid, when I fought in the juniors, we'd get trophies, sometimes Jackets, trunks and robes.
This is what we got, those of us who fought amateur in Los Angeles during the 1960's.
You know the Baltazar home had to be filled to the ceiling with trophies, plaques, medals . . . back when the kids were growing up.
Frank fought for sixteen years. That equates to a lot of trophies.
Then he has three sons who went from diapers to pro careers, winning most every amateur title they competed for. More trophies.
I wouldn't doubt Frankie Jr. or Tony won some sort of pro "belt", because they reached the top contender status.
However, belts weren't as common when they were amateurs as they are today, and at least rated a championship.
A few years after I turned pro, I'd occasionally attend an amateur contest, sometimes present an award.
I noticed that on occasion, the amateur awardee would receieve a medal. That was kind of nice, too.
Today, if you wish to expect a nice turn out of competitors, you better have some cool "belts" to award the winners.
I'm not talking about somebody who wins a championship, just the guy who gets the nod in a close contest.
I'm seeing kids under the age of ten posing for photos with 3 or 4 huge belts strapped around their waist, chest, both shoulders.
How is it that these kids who fight for points with headgear, have earned more belts than Dempsey, Louis, Robinson, Marciano???
We have a 51-year-old Heavyweight, with a half dozen unsanctioned boxing contests held in small, out-of-the-way villages below the border.
He cannot qualify for a pro license in this country, but the guy has already garnered himself two gigantic ring belts.
Each one identifies him as some sort of champion.
Frank, did you ever win a belt? Randy? Pug? Dan? Roger? Bennie? Bruce? Tom?
I have a big box full of broken trophy pieces. I once opened it up and resisted the urge to trash it.
I reached in and pulled out two pieces, one from a '66 Jr. Golden Gloves 2nd place trophy, the other from a '69 West.Reg. GG's Champion's trophy.
When I move the box around, it feels like a sack of old bones. Plaques and trophies with missing face plates, wood, marble, brass, plastic everywhere.
A belt or medal would have made more sense, less parts to deal with.
Still, the belt used to say something more. It meant something.
I didn't need one, it was reserved for the best.
I could live with that.
Now I see ten-year-olds wearing championship belts.
That's hard to live with.
Yep Rick, its everywhere. Its become politicaly incorrect or something for a competitor to not receive a trophy in any sport.
Any competition. Especially with kids these days. Its as if there is something terribly wrong with being a little dissapointed at not being the best. It sends an unrealistic message to kids to think that when they get older, there arent going to be winners and losers.I believe succes should be rewarded. Its the culmination of hard work. When we grow up and compete in the real world, not everyone recieves a trophy. Gotta work for it. Thats the message we want to convey, and in boxing more then any sport we want to drive that message home. Work hard to be a fighter. Dont coast. This aint a maypole dance. Back in the seventies I recieved a trophy after an amateur fight. I lost , but I got a participants plaque. I sh.t canned it.I fought lousy and didnt train hard for the fight. Why should I get a freakin plaque?
You see it in schools too. My daughters school has a freakin award banquet every week and the same kids get accolades for every damn thing they do. It aint realistic. My daughter plays basketball and shes not real good at it. At the team banquet she received a participants award and the coach , who for some reason had to go into a long speech for each player, there strengths, weakneses etc. spoke about Maggie trying hard , showing up to practice on time, tying her shoes properly, etc etc. My daughter stood there rolling her eyes because she knew the coach thought she was not a good player but had to make up some crap to say on the fly.She was being placated and she knew it.
Expug wrote:Yep Rick, its everywhere. Its become politicaly incorrect or something for a competitor to not receive a trophy in any sport.
Any competition. Especially with kids these days. Its as if there is something terribly wrong with being a little dissapointed at not being the best. It sends an unrealistic message to kids to think that when they get older, there arent going to be winners and losers.I believe succes should be rewarded. Its the culmination of hard work. When we grow up and compete in the real world, not everyone recieves a trophy. Gotta work for it. Thats the message we want to convey, and in boxing more then any sport we want to drive that message home. Work hard to be a fighter. Dont coast. This aint a maypole dance. Back in the seventies I recieved a trophy after an amateur fight. I lost , but I got a participants plaque. I sh.t canned it.I fought lousy and didnt train hard for the fight. Why should I get a freakin plaque?
You see it in schools too. My daughters school has a freakin award banquet every week and the same kids get accolades for every damn thing they do. It aint realistic. My daughter plays basketball and shes not real good at it. At the team banquet she received a participants award and the coach , who for some reason had to go into a long speech for each player, there strengths, weakneses etc. spoke about Maggie trying hard , showing up to practice on time, tying her shoes properly, etc etc. My daughter stood there rolling her eyes because she knew the coach thought she was not a good player but had to make up some crap to say on the fly.She was being placated and she knew it.
Brian . . . The worst is the Hall of Fame A-Holes, I mean all who are involved in ANY Hall of Fame, especially mine.
All blow smoke up each other's asses, give awards, plaques, pats on the back.
The less qualified the individual, the more likely they'll be up on the podium, tears in eyes, thanking their guardian angel's.
I'm not talking about boxers, but a car salesman who somehow weasled onto the board of directors for a boxing Hall of Fame.
We give him a lifetime achievement award, and the guy gives us back a 30 min speech.
Listening to these guys speak is worse than having your balls squeezed in a vice.
Somebody should take them out back and shoot them.
Expug wrote:Yep Rick, its everywhere. Its become politicaly incorrect or something for a competitor to not receive a trophy in any sport.
Any competition. Especially with kids these days. Its as if there is something terribly wrong with being a little dissapointed at not being the best. It sends an unrealistic message to kids to think that when they get older, there arent going to be winners and losers.I believe succes should be rewarded. Its the culmination of hard work. When we grow up and compete in the real world, not everyone recieves a trophy. Gotta work for it. Thats the message we want to convey, and in boxing more then any sport we want to drive that message home. Work hard to be a fighter. Dont coast. This aint a maypole dance. Back in the seventies I recieved a trophy after an amateur fight. I lost , but I got a participants plaque. I sh.t canned it.I fought lousy and didnt train hard for the fight. Why should I get a freakin plaque?
You see it in schools too. My daughters school has a freakin award banquet every week and the same kids get accolades for every damn thing they do. It aint realistic. My daughter plays basketball and shes not real good at it. At the team banquet she received a participants award and the coach , who for some reason had to go into a long speech for each player, there strengths, weakneses etc. spoke about Maggie trying hard , showing up to practice on time, tying her shoes properly, etc etc. My daughter stood there rolling her eyes because she knew the coach thought she was not a good player but had to make up some crap to say on the fly.She was being placated and she knew it.
Brian . . . The worst is the Hall of Fame A-Holes, I mean all who are involved in ANY Hall of Fame, especially mine.
All blow smoke up each other's asses, give awards, plaques, pats on the back.
The less qualified the individual, the more likely they'll be up on the podium, tears in eyes, thanking their guardian angel's, telling how they couldn't have done it without some other A-Hole's help, and of course the courage they were given thru their ancestors.
I'm not talking about boxers, but some car wholesaler who somehow weasled onto the board of directors for a boxing Hall of Fame.
They give him a lifetime achievement award, and the guy gives us back a 30 min speech.
Having these guys standing before a mike is worse than having your balls squeezed in a vice.
-Rick
Well Rick, we are friends so... at the next banquet, if you want, I can do the Chicago style question if you'd like.
When a guy who you dont want at the podium starts to flap on and on , I can get up walk over and ask him: "Hey , who the fu.k are you?... Somebody knows you?"
That will get things straightened out no?
Expug wrote:Yep Rick, its everywhere. Its become politicaly incorrect or something for a competitor to not receive a trophy in any sport.
Any competition. Especially with kids these days. Its as if there is something terribly wrong with being a little dissapointed at not being the best. It sends an unrealistic message to kids to think that when they get older, there arent going to be winners and losers.I believe succes should be rewarded. Its the culmination of hard work. When we grow up and compete in the real world, not everyone recieves a trophy. Gotta work for it. Thats the message we want to convey, and in boxing more then any sport we want to drive that message home. Work hard to be a fighter. Dont coast. This aint a maypole dance. Back in the seventies I recieved a trophy after an amateur fight. I lost , but I got a participants plaque. I sh.t canned it.I fought lousy and didnt train hard for the fight. Why should I get a freakin plaque?
You see it in schools too. My daughters school has a freakin award banquet every week and the same kids get accolades for every damn thing they do. It aint realistic. My daughter plays basketball and shes not real good at it. At the team banquet she received a participants award and the coach , who for some reason had to go into a long speech for each player, there strengths, weakneses etc. spoke about Maggie trying hard , showing up to practice on time, tying her shoes properly, etc etc. My daughter stood there rolling her eyes because she knew the coach thought she was not a good player but had to make up some crap to say on the fly.She was being placated and she knew it.
Brian . . . The worst is the Hall of Fame A-Holes, I mean all who are involved in ANY Hall of Fame, especially mine.
All blow smoke up each other's asses, give awards, plaques, pats on the back.
The less qualified the individual, the more likely they'll be up on the podium, tears in eyes, thanking their guardian angel's, telling how they couldn't have done it without some other A-Hole's help, and of course the courage they were given thru their ancestors.
I'm not talking about boxers, but some car wholesaler who somehow weasled onto the board of directors for a boxing Hall of Fame.
They give him a lifetime achievement award, and the guy gives us back a 30 min speech.
Having these guys standing before a mike is worse than having your balls squeezed in a vice.
-Rick
Well Rick, we are friends so... at the next banquet, if you want, I can do the Chicago style question if you'd like.
When a guy who you dont want at the podium starts to flap on and on , I can get up walk over and ask him: "Hey , who the fu.k are you?... Somebody knows you?"
That will get things straightened out no?
It used to mean something to have a belt.
As a kid, when I fought in the juniors, we'd get trophies, sometimes Jackets, trunks and robes.
This is what we got, those of us who fought amateur in Los Angeles during the 1960's.
You know the Baltazar home had to be filled to the ceiling with trophies, plaques, medals . . . back when the kids were growing up.
Frank fought for sixteen years. That equates to a lot of trophies.
Then he has three sons who went from diapers to pro careers, winning most every amateur title they competed for. More trophies.
I wouldn't doubt Frankie Jr. or Tony won some sort of pro "belt", because they reached the top contender status.
However, belts weren't as common when they were amateurs as they are today, and at least rated a championship.
A few years after I turned pro, I'd occasionally attend an amateur contest, sometimes present an award.
I noticed that on occasion, the amateur awardee would receieve a medal. That was kind of nice, too.
Today, if you wish to expect a nice turn out of competitors, you better have some cool "belts" to award the winners.
I'm not talking about somebody who wins a championship, just the guy who gets the nod in a close contest.
I'm seeing kids under the age of ten posing for photos with 3 or 4 huge belts strapped around their waist, chest, both shoulders.
How is it that these kids who fight for points with headgear, have earned more belts than Dempsey, Louis, Robinson, Marciano???
We have a 51-year-old Heavyweight, with a half dozen unsanctioned boxing contests held in small, out-of-the-way villages below the border.
He cannot qualify for a pro license in this country, but the guy has already garnered himself two gigantic ring belts.
Each one identifies him as some sort of champion.
Frank, did you ever win a belt? Randy? Pug? Dan? Roger? Bennie? Bruce? Tom?
I have a big box full of broken trophy pieces. I once opened it up and resisted the urge to trash it.
I reached in and pulled out two pieces, one from a '66 Jr. Golden Gloves 2nd place trophy, the other from a '69 West.Reg. GG's Champion's trophy.
When I move the box around, it feels like a sack of old bones. Plaques and trophies with missing face plates, wood, marble, brass, plastic everywhere.
A belt or medal would have made more sense, less parts to deal with.
Still, the belt used to say something more. It meant something.
I didn't need one, it was reserved for the best.
I could live with that.
Now I see ten-year-olds wearing championship belts.
That's hard to live with.
-Rick Farris
Rick
Muhammad Ali 's farm in Michigan was the site of an interview Ali had with the late Ed Bradley. As they sat outside the barn for the interview ,Bradley asked Ali what was inside the barn. Ali said nothing was inside there worth mentioning. Bradley,curious to a fault,poked his head inside anyway. What he saw through the obscure haze amazed him. Covered with spider webs and pidgeon poop were all of Ali's awards and trophies,including his belts.
