BoxRec

kikibalt wrote:

Rick Farris wrote:Alphonse Halimi memories?

This one is for Frank and Hap, because I'm sure one or both of you saw this bout
1959 at the L.A. Sports Arena, bantam champ Alphonse Halimi loses his title to Jose Beccera?
Before that, Halimi had successfully defended his title in L.A., at Wrigley Field were he beat Raton Macias.

My question is what you might remember about Halimi, style-wise? He fought a couple special bantams in Macias and Beccera.
Born the last of thirteen children, only seven who'd reach adulthood, he was nicknamed- "La Petite Terreur" (The Little Terror).

TIME wrote of him-
"He went to work with a street fighter's will, a grown-up guttersnipe from the back alley's of Algeria. He worked like a heavyweight, swung looping haymakers, carless of where they landed, confident that they hurt"

The WBHOF is inducting Alphonse Halimi into the "posthumous catagory"
(Isn't the designation "posthumous" ridiculous? That's gotta go, a Hall of Famer is a Hall of Famer, dead or alive)

Frank, just curious if you can remember what Halimi was like in the ring?


-Rick Farris

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RqmM6c19T4
Alphonse Halimi vs Jose Becerra

Well, I'm sure this wasn't one of Halimi's favorite memories. Beccera looked great!


-Rick Farris

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQMMmslA ... re=related

1968- Locche vs. Fuji

Nice moves.

Randyman wrote:Good News!

Lori was sent home yesterday evening. The danger has passed. she's still recovering but she's home with Tom and the kids.

Thanks guys for your prayers, thoughts and kind words. Jeri and I are grateful.

Thank you my friends!!
Randy and Jeri

A sigh of relief, Randy. Take care of that family of yours.

Scartissue

The Chavez brothers
By Edgar Gonzalez

Sad to report that welterweight Marco “Texano” Nazareth, who was taken from the ring on a stretcher after being KO’d by Omar “Business Man” Chávez last night in Puerto Vallarta, is now fighting for his life in a local hospital. Nazareth underwent a three hour operation last night to treat a cerebral hemorrhage. Doctors say the condition of Nazareth is “critical but stable,” and they expect the local fighter to show improvement over the next 72 hours. Omar Chavez is the son of Mexican ring legend Julio Cesar Chavez and younger brother of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

Chavez Jr. injured!

Undefeated super welterweight contender and The Son of The Legend, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., has been forced off the card for the upcoming “Latin Fury 10″ due to a training camp injury. “Latin Fury 10” will proceed as scheduled headlined by the two world championship fights featuring undefeated #1 super featherweight contender Urbano Antillon (26-0, 19 KOs) and top ten contender Miguel “Aguacerito” Acosta (25-9-2, 19 KOs) battling for the vacant WBA interim lightweight title and WBA light flyweight champion Giovani Segura (20-1-1, 16 KOs) defending his title against Sonny Boy Jaro (30-7-5, 19 KOs).

Chavez Jr. (39-0-1, 29 KOs) suffered a rib injury last Wednesday during training camp in Big Bear. He has not been able to throw any punches effectively because of the pain and today his doctor ordered a halt of all training until it completely heals. Chavez’s return to the ring is expected to be in September or October.

A Los Angeles news conference scheduled for Monday has been canceled and a final news conference featuring the two world championship fight participants will take place Wednesday in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico.

“Latin Fury 10,” will take place on Saturday July 25. In addition to the two world championship rumbles, it will also feature WBO Latino junior bantamweight champion Alberto Rosas defending his title against Alejandro Martinez in a 12-round title bout.

Produced and distributed by Top Rank, in association with Zanfer Promotions, “Latin Fury 10″ will be broadcast Live on Pay-Per-View, from Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico, This Saturday! July 25, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT. For fight week updates, log on to http://www.toprank.com.

Great news about Lori Randy.
When one of our kids is sick, all is wrong in the world.
Our kids are our angels. Im real happy shes fine Randy.

scartissue wrote:

Randyman wrote:Good News!

Lori was sent home yesterday evening. The danger has passed. she's still recovering but she's home with Tom and the kids.

Thanks guys for your prayers, thoughts and kind words. Jeri and I are grateful.

Thank you my friends!!
Randy and Jeri

A sigh of relief, Randy. Take care of that family of yours.

Scartissue

Glad to hear that Randy, she will be alright with you guys taking care of her...

scartissue wrote:

Randyman wrote:Good News!

Lori was sent home yesterday evening. The danger has passed. she's still recovering but she's home with Tom and the kids.

Thanks guys for your prayers, thoughts and kind words. Jeri and I are grateful.

Thank you my friends!!
Randy and Jeri

A sigh of relief, Randy. Take care of that family of yours.

Scartissue

Great news Randy

Expug wrote:Great news about Lori Randy.
When one of our kids is sick, all is wrong in the world.
Our kids are our angels. Im real happy shes fine Randy.

Well said Brian
When someone in the family is sick then there's nothing in the world that can make me happy.

AFTER THE TEST

When the AIDS thing was really scaring the hell out of everyone,I knew a fighter in TJ that thought he caught the disease from a girl who was diagnosed as HIV positive. The girl was a hype and this guy didn't know it,but he went to the doctor in Tihuana to see if he came down with it. It had been 6 months since he'd had a relation with the girl and the docs said that if anything showed up,now would be the likelyhood.

The doctors in Tj said that they'd have to run his blood test on the U.S side and that it would take two weeks to get the results. I'm telling ya' this kid was on pins and needles. He couldn't train,he couldn't eat or sleep.

He was talking to me at the Municipal Auditorium out on the boulevard one afternoon.
"I've done a lot of bad things in my life ,"he said to me. "I'm paying for it now."
"You don't know anything yet. Wait for the test to come back."
"No,the way I've lived my life,I know I'm going to have it."
The kid was fidgeting and sweating. He looked me in the eye.
"I'm going to give what I've got in the bank to the orphanage. I don't want to leave this world being selfish. That's all I've ever been."

I wished I hadn't run into him. He was making me feel lousy and there was nothing I could do to get his mind off it.
"Do you think there's a heaven?"he asked.
"You've got to get your mind off thinking like that,"I said to him.
"I know if I die God is not going to want me."
"God wants everyone who believes in him."
I was beginning to think that if I didn't get away from him,he was going to make me a nervous wreck.
"If if I try to make peace now,God will know it's only because I'm going to die."
"You're not going to die."
"Yes I am. It's because I deserve to die."
I couldn't take anymore of it.
"Look,come to the gym tomorrow. Workout. It will give you something to do."
"Tomorrow I am going to see the priest. I'm going to ask God for forgiveness."
We left each other. I didn't see him at the gym the following day. I wasn't surprised.

I started back to school the following week and didn't cross the border for about a month. When I did, I dropped by the gym. There was my friend inside the gym working out. He saw me as I walked in.
"Roger,how have you been?"
He was smiling and walked up to me and gave me an "abrazo."
"You look like you're in good shape,"I said to him.
"Yes,I have a fight in two weeks. But if they don't give me more money I'm going to back out of it."
"How do you feel?"I asked.
I was trying to find out about his health concern.
"Oh,it was nothing. The test was negative."
"I'm happy for you."
The fighter was having the tape removed from his gloves. His workout was over.
"All these promoters and managers want to do is steal my money. I won't give a dime away to anyone. Everything I have is mine,"he said as he looked away from me.

delete

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1a_SsTG-FE

Filthy McNasty

Horace Silver

dagosd2000 wrote:AFTER THE TEST

When the AIDS thing was really scaring the hell out of everyone,I knew a fighter in TJ that thought he caught the disease from a girl who was diagnosed as HIV positive. The girl was a hype and this guy didn't know it,but he went to the doctor in Tihuana to see if he came down with it. It had been 6 months since he'd had a relation with the girl and the docs said that if anything showed up,now would be the likelyhood.

The doctors in Tj said that they'd have to run his blood test on the U.S side and that it would take two weeks to get the results. I'm telling ya' this kid was on pins and needles. He couldn't train,he couldn't eat or sleep.

He was talking to me at the Municipal Auditorium out on the boulevard one afternoon.
"I've done a lot of bad things in my life ,"he said to me. "I'm paying for it now."
"You don't know anything yet. Wait for the test to come back."
"No,the way I've lived my life,I know I'm going to have it."
The kid was fidgeting and sweating. He looked me in the eye.
"I'm going to give what I've got in the bank to the orphanage. I don't want to leave this world being selfish. That's all I've ever been."

I wished I hadn't run into him. He was making me feel lousy and there was nothing I could do to get his mind off it.
"Do you think there's a heaven?"he asked.
"You've got to get your mind off thinking like that,"I said to him.
"I know if I die God is not going to want me."
"God wants everyone who believes in him."
I was beginning to think that if I didn't get away from him,he was going to make me a nervous wreck.
"If if I try to make peace now,God will know it's only because I'm going to die."
"You're not going to die."
"Yes I am. It's because I deserve to die."
I couldn't take anymore of it.
"Look,come to the gym tomorrow. Workout. It will give you something to do."
"Tomorrow I am going to see the priest. I'm going to ask God for forgiveness."
We left each other. I didn't see him at the gym the following day. I wasn't surprised.

I started back to school the following week and didn't cross the border for about a month. When I did, I dropped by the gym. There was my friend inside the gym working out. He saw me as I walked in.
"Roger,how have you been?"
He was smiling and walked up to me and gave me an "abrazo."
"You look like you're in good shape,"I said to him.
"Yes,I have a fight in two weeks. But if they don't give me more money I'm going to back out of it."
"How do you feel?"I asked.
I was trying to find out about his health concern.
"Oh,it was nothing. The test was negative."
"I'm happy for you."
The fighter was having the tape removed from his gloves. His workout was over.
"All these promoters and managers want to do is steal my money. I won't give a dime away to anyone. Everything I have is mine,"he said as he looked away from me.

Rog, I believe in my heart that you should write a book. Maybe a number of books.
Novels, stories,fiction , non fiction. Its you choice.
Its in your soul my friend. Just as your artwork is.Its what you are meant to do I believe.
I dont believe in accidents. I think things happen for a reason. We are guided. Your artwork and writings are here to be seen as a prelim to what will become a much bigger part of your life. And , you will be able to bring great pleasure to much bigger audience.
Rick has said the same about your paintings. When I see your writings, I always think of that great story"Fifty Grand".You know the one.I think that Hemmingway wrote it. Maybe it was someone else. I dont know. I forget things like that.But the story remains fresh in my mind. Your writing does the same thing. It moves people. It stays with them. Its memorable. Its Forever.

BEAU JACK; A TRUE ALL TIME GREAT
By Jim Amato



The name Sidney Walker would not be very familiar to most fight fans. Mention the name Beau Jack and you would get a much different reaction. They are one and the same. Beau Jack was one of the most exciting fighters of the 1940’s and early 50’s.

Sidney Walker was born on April 1, 1921 in Augusta, Georgia. He began his professional career in 1939 fighting out of South Carolina. Later Beau Jack boxed often out of the New England area. By the time he invaded New York in 1941 he sported a 27-4-2 record. He scored a knockout win in a fight at Ebbets Field and his next bout was at Madison Square Garden. It would be the first of twenty-seven appearances Beau Jack would make at that famous venue a testimony to his popularity over the years.

Late in 1941 Beau lost two fights to tough Freddie Archer. He would bounce back to win twelve straight including victories over Terry Young and Allie Stolz. This set the stage for a 1942 match between Jack and Tippy Larkin for the vacant New York State Athletic Commission lightweight title. Beau took out Larkin in three rounds to win the title. Beau would then defeat Fritzie Zivic twice and Henry Armstrong in over weight matches.

In 1943 Beau lost his NYSAC title to the talented Bob Montgomery. Three fights later Bobby Ruffin upset him. In his next fight Beau would regain his title by beating Montgomery. In 1944 Beau beat Lulu Costantino, drew with Sammy Angott and beat Maxie Berger at The Public Hall in Cleveland, Ohio. He would again lose to Montgomery and his title was gone.

Jack came right back with wins over Al ” Bummy ” Davis, Juan Zurita and Montgomery with no title at stake. He then beat Willie Joyce, drew with rugged Johnny Greco and stopped Angott. In 1946 Buster Tyler upset him. In 1947 Youngstown great Tony Janiro stopped him for the first time in his career. Beau suffered a knee injury in the fight.

Back on the comeback trail Beau put together five wins but then lost to Terry Young. He then defeated Johnny Greco and Janiro in rematches. In 1948 the sensational Ike Williams halted him. Beau came right back to stop England’s highly touted Eric Boon. In eight fights after beating Boon he only lost to Greco. This led to a bout with the legendary Kid Gavilan. The ” Keed ” dominated Beau and won a lopsided decision. Jack then lost to Tuzo Portuguez and another Youngstown battler Joey Carkido.

He did stop Lew Jenkins but in his last twelve fights he went 4-7-1. He lost to Fritzie Pruden, Del Flanagan and Ike Williams. Gil Turner stopped him inside the distance and in his last bout Ike Williams kayoed him. In his remarkable career Beau Jack had 117 fights. His final ledger was 88-24-5. He scored 43 KO’s and was stopped only four times in his storied career. He was a thrilling, action fighter who met the best of his time. He truly was an all time great.

kikibalt wrote:BEAU JACK; A TRUE ALL TIME GREAT
By Jim Amato



The name Sidney Walker would not be very familiar to most fight fans. Mention the name Beau Jack and you would get a much different reaction. They are one and the same. Beau Jack was one of the most exciting fighters of the 1940’s and early 50’s.

Sidney Walker was born on April 1, 1921 in Augusta, Georgia. He began his professional career in 1939 fighting out of South Carolina. Later Beau Jack boxed often out of the New England area. By the time he invaded New York in 1941 he sported a 27-4-2 record. He scored a knockout win in a fight at Ebbets Field and his next bout was at Madison Square Garden. It would be the first of twenty-seven appearances Beau Jack would make at that famous venue a testimony to his popularity over the years.

Late in 1941 Beau lost two fights to tough Freddie Archer. He would bounce back to win twelve straight including victories over Terry Young and Allie Stolz. This set the stage for a 1942 match between Jack and Tippy Larkin for the vacant New York State Athletic Commission lightweight title. Beau took out Larkin in three rounds to win the title. Beau would then defeat Fritzie Zivic twice and Henry Armstrong in over weight matches.

In 1943 Beau lost his NYSAC title to the talented Bob Montgomery. Three fights later Bobby Ruffin upset him. In his next fight Beau would regain his title by beating Montgomery. In 1944 Beau beat Lulu Costantino, drew with Sammy Angott and beat Maxie Berger at The Public Hall in Cleveland, Ohio. He would again lose to Montgomery and his title was gone.

Jack came right back with wins over Al ” Bummy ” Davis, Juan Zurita and Montgomery with no title at stake. He then beat Willie Joyce, drew with rugged Johnny Greco and stopped Angott. In 1946 Buster Tyler upset him. In 1947 Youngstown great Tony Janiro stopped him for the first time in his career. Beau suffered a knee injury in the fight.

Back on the comeback trail Beau put together five wins but then lost to Terry Young. He then defeated Johnny Greco and Janiro in rematches. In 1948 the sensational Ike Williams halted him. Beau came right back to stop England’s highly touted Eric Boon. In eight fights after beating Boon he only lost to Greco. This led to a bout with the legendary Kid Gavilan. The ” Keed ” dominated Beau and won a lopsided decision. Jack then lost to Tuzo Portuguez and another Youngstown battler Joey Carkido.

He did stop Lew Jenkins but in his last twelve fights he went 4-7-1. He lost to Fritzie Pruden, Del Flanagan and Ike Williams. Gil Turner stopped him inside the distance and in his last bout Ike Williams kayoed him. In his remarkable career Beau Jack had 117 fights. His final ledger was 88-24-5. He scored 43 KO’s and was stopped only four times in his storied career. He was a thrilling, action fighter who met the best of his time. He truly was an all time great.

One of my favorite fights from the past is Beau Jack's last bout with Ike Willimas. It was a brutal fight and Beau Jack knocked one of Williams' teeth out during an exchange. Williams said he had a perfect set of teeth prior to that, and was in pain after losing the tooth.
Williams stepped things up and moved Beau Jack into a corner, landing blow after blow. Only the ring ropes was holding Beau Jack up when Williams turned to the ref and asks . . . "What do you want me to do, kill the man?

The referee finaly stopped the fight. Decades later, HBO would replay the stoppage of that bout and interview the two boxers.
I have to say it was one of the greatest interview I've ever seen between two great fighters, recounting their fights with each other.
The respect of these two great fighters for each other is equalled only by the courage they exhibited in the ring.

I was in Miami back in the 80's on a film. I had hoped to break away from the company and visit Beau Jack's shoe shine stand, but never had the opportunity.


-Rick Farris

Rick, In April of 1977, , Frankie, Johnnie Flores and I were in Miami Beach for Frankie's fight with Francisco Villegas, Don King put us up at the Fontainebleau Hotel, thats where Beau Jack had his shoeshine stand, met him and he shine Johnnie's, Frankie's and my shoes.
Thats the time we had Joe Louis as our driver.

Rick Farris wrote:

kikibalt wrote:BEAU JACK; A TRUE ALL TIME GREAT
By Jim Amato



The name Sidney Walker would not be very familiar to most fight fans. Mention the name Beau Jack and you would get a much different reaction. They are one and the same. Beau Jack was one of the most exciting fighters of the 1940’s and early 50’s.

Sidney Walker was born on April 1, 1921 in Augusta, Georgia. He began his professional career in 1939 fighting out of South Carolina. Later Beau Jack boxed often out of the New England area. By the time he invaded New York in 1941 he sported a 27-4-2 record. He scored a knockout win in a fight at Ebbets Field and his next bout was at Madison Square Garden. It would be the first of twenty-seven appearances Beau Jack would make at that famous venue a testimony to his popularity over the years.

Late in 1941 Beau lost two fights to tough Freddie Archer. He would bounce back to win twelve straight including victories over Terry Young and Allie Stolz. This set the stage for a 1942 match between Jack and Tippy Larkin for the vacant New York State Athletic Commission lightweight title. Beau took out Larkin in three rounds to win the title. Beau would then defeat Fritzie Zivic twice and Henry Armstrong in over weight matches.

In 1943 Beau lost his NYSAC title to the talented Bob Montgomery. Three fights later Bobby Ruffin upset him. In his next fight Beau would regain his title by beating Montgomery. In 1944 Beau beat Lulu Costantino, drew with Sammy Angott and beat Maxie Berger at The Public Hall in Cleveland, Ohio. He would again lose to Montgomery and his title was gone.

Jack came right back with wins over Al ” Bummy ” Davis, Juan Zurita and Montgomery with no title at stake. He then beat Willie Joyce, drew with rugged Johnny Greco and stopped Angott. In 1946 Buster Tyler upset him. In 1947 Youngstown great Tony Janiro stopped him for the first time in his career. Beau suffered a knee injury in the fight.

Back on the comeback trail Beau put together five wins but then lost to Terry Young. He then defeated Johnny Greco and Janiro in rematches. In 1948 the sensational Ike Williams halted him. Beau came right back to stop England’s highly touted Eric Boon. In eight fights after beating Boon he only lost to Greco. This led to a bout with the legendary Kid Gavilan. The ” Keed ” dominated Beau and won a lopsided decision. Jack then lost to Tuzo Portuguez and another Youngstown battler Joey Carkido.

He did stop Lew Jenkins but in his last twelve fights he went 4-7-1. He lost to Fritzie Pruden, Del Flanagan and Ike Williams. Gil Turner stopped him inside the distance and in his last bout Ike Williams kayoed him. In his remarkable career Beau Jack had 117 fights. His final ledger was 88-24-5. He scored 43 KO’s and was stopped only four times in his storied career. He was a thrilling, action fighter who met the best of his time. He truly was an all time great.

One of my favorite fights from the past is Beau Jack's last bout with Ike Willimas. It was a brutal fight and Beau Jack knocked one of Williams' teeth out during an exchange. Williams said he had a perfect set of teeth prior to that, and was in pain after losing the tooth.
Williams stepped things up and moved Beau Jack into a corner, landing blow after blow. Only the ring ropes was holding Beau Jack up when Williams turned to the ref and asks . . . "What do you want me to do, kill the man?

The referee finaly stopped the fight. Decades later, HBO would replay the stoppage of that bout and interview the two boxers.
I have to say it was one of the greatest interview I've ever seen between two great fighters, recounting their fights with each other.
The respect of these two great fighters for each other is equalled only by the courage they exhibited in the ring.

I was in Miami back in the 80's on a film. I had hoped to break away from the company and visit Beau Jack's shoe shine stand, but never had the opportunity.


-Rick Farris

I

Expug wrote:

dagosd2000 wrote:AFTER THE TEST

When the AIDS thing was really scaring the hell out of everyone,I knew a fighter in TJ that thought he caught the disease from a girl who was diagnosed as HIV positive. The girl was a hype and this guy didn't know it,but he went to the doctor in Tihuana to see if he came down with it. It had been 6 months since he'd had a relation with the girl and the docs said that if anything showed up,now would be the likelyhood.

The doctors in Tj said that they'd have to run his blood test on the U.S side and that it would take two weeks to get the results. I'm telling ya' this kid was on pins and needles. He couldn't train,he couldn't eat or sleep.

He was talking to me at the Municipal Auditorium out on the boulevard one afternoon.
"I've done a lot of bad things in my life ,"he said to me. "I'm paying for it now."
"You don't know anything yet. Wait for the test to come back."
"No,the way I've lived my life,I know I'm going to have it."
The kid was fidgeting and sweating. He looked me in the eye.
"I'm going to give what I've got in the bank to the orphanage. I don't want to leave this world being selfish. That's all I've ever been."

I wished I hadn't run into him. He was making me feel lousy and there was nothing I could do to get his mind off it.
"Do you think there's a heaven?"he asked.
"You've got to get your mind off thinking like that,"I said to him.
"I know if I die God is not going to want me."
"God wants everyone who believes in him."
I was beginning to think that if I didn't get away from him,he was going to make me a nervous wreck.
"If if I try to make peace now,God will know it's only because I'm going to die."
"You're not going to die."
"Yes I am. It's because I deserve to die."
I couldn't take anymore of it.
"Look,come to the gym tomorrow. Workout. It will give you something to do."
"Tomorrow I am going to see the priest. I'm going to ask God for forgiveness."
We left each other. I didn't see him at the gym the following day. I wasn't surprised.

I started back to school the following week and didn't cross the border for about a month. When I did, I dropped by the gym. There was my friend inside the gym working out. He saw me as I walked in.
"Roger,how have you been?"
He was smiling and walked up to me and gave me an "abrazo."
"You look like you're in good shape,"I said to him.
"Yes,I have a fight in two weeks. But if they don't give me more money I'm going to back out of it."
"How do you feel?"I asked.
I was trying to find out about his health concern.
"Oh,it was nothing. The test was negative."
"I'm happy for you."
The fighter was having the tape removed from his gloves. His workout was over.
"All these promoters and managers want to do is steal my money. I won't give a dime away to anyone. Everything I have is mine,"he said as he looked away from me.

Rog, I believe in my heart that you should write a book. Maybe a number of books.
Novels, stories,fiction , non fiction. Its you choice.
Its in your soul my friend. Just as your artwork is.Its what you are meant to do I believe.
I dont believe in accidents. I think things happen for a reason. We are guided. Your artwork and writings are here to be seen as a prelim to what will become a much bigger part of your life. And , you will be able to bring great pleasure to much bigger audience.
Rick has said the same about your paintings. When I see your writings, I always think of that great story"Fifty Grand".You know the one.I think that Hemmingway wrote it. Maybe it was someone else. I dont know. I forget things like that.But the story remains fresh in my mind. Your writing does the same thing. It moves people. It stays with them. Its memorable. Its Forever.

Thanks for the kind words Brian. When Amanda flies the coop in 3 years,I'll have time in my home way down in Mexico to write and put things together. The painting will become more focused too. 50 Grand. What a story. The best I've ever read(fiction) about boxing. When Papa Hemingway described the the central character,Jack Brannan ,as looking "Irish and tough",I think of you.

Is anybody else having problems with your screen jumping up and down when you hit "Quote".
I'm and its a bitch trying to write.

Rick Farris wrote:

kikibalt wrote:BEAU JACK; A TRUE ALL TIME GREAT
By Jim Amato



The name Sidney Walker would not be very familiar to most fight fans. Mention the name Beau Jack and you would get a much different reaction. They are one and the same. Beau Jack was one of the most exciting fighters of the 1940’s and early 50’s.

Sidney Walker was born on April 1, 1921 in Augusta, Georgia. He began his professional career in 1939 fighting out of South Carolina. Later Beau Jack boxed often out of the New England area. By the time he invaded New York in 1941 he sported a 27-4-2 record. He scored a knockout win in a fight at Ebbets Field and his next bout was at Madison Square Garden. It would be the first of twenty-seven appearances Beau Jack would make at that famous venue a testimony to his popularity over the years.

Late in 1941 Beau lost two fights to tough Freddie Archer. He would bounce back to win twelve straight including victories over Terry Young and Allie Stolz. This set the stage for a 1942 match between Jack and Tippy Larkin for the vacant New York State Athletic Commission lightweight title. Beau took out Larkin in three rounds to win the title. Beau would then defeat Fritzie Zivic twice and Henry Armstrong in over weight matches.

In 1943 Beau lost his NYSAC title to the talented Bob Montgomery. Three fights later Bobby Ruffin upset him. In his next fight Beau would regain his title by beating Montgomery. In 1944 Beau beat Lulu Costantino, drew with Sammy Angott and beat Maxie Berger at The Public Hall in Cleveland, Ohio. He would again lose to Montgomery and his title was gone.

Jack came right back with wins over Al ” Bummy ” Davis, Juan Zurita and Montgomery with no title at stake. He then beat Willie Joyce, drew with rugged Johnny Greco and stopped Angott. In 1946 Buster Tyler upset him. In 1947 Youngstown great Tony Janiro stopped him for the first time in his career. Beau suffered a knee injury in the fight.

Back on the comeback trail Beau put together five wins but then lost to Terry Young. He then defeated Johnny Greco and Janiro in rematches. In 1948 the sensational Ike Williams halted him. Beau came right back to stop England’s highly touted Eric Boon. In eight fights after beating Boon he only lost to Greco. This led to a bout with the legendary Kid Gavilan. The ” Keed ” dominated Beau and won a lopsided decision. Jack then lost to Tuzo Portuguez and another Youngstown battler Joey Carkido.

He did stop Lew Jenkins but in his last twelve fights he went 4-7-1. He lost to Fritzie Pruden, Del Flanagan and Ike Williams. Gil Turner stopped him inside the distance and in his last bout Ike Williams kayoed him. In his remarkable career Beau Jack had 117 fights. His final ledger was 88-24-5. He scored 43 KO’s and was stopped only four times in his storied career. He was a thrilling, action fighter who met the best of his time. He truly was an all time great.

One of my favorite fights from the past is Beau Jack's last bout with Ike Willimas. It was a brutal fight and Beau Jack knocked one of Williams' teeth out during an exchange. Williams said he had a perfect set of teeth prior to that, and was in pain after losing the tooth.
Williams stepped things up and moved Beau Jack into a corner, landing blow after blow. Only the ring ropes was holding Beau Jack up when Williams turned to the ref and asks . . . "What do you want me to do, kill the man?

The referee finaly stopped the fight. Decades later, HBO would replay the stoppage of that bout and interview the two boxers.
I have to say it was one of the greatest interview I've ever seen between two great fighters, recounting their fights with each other.
The respect of these two great fighters for each other is equalled only by the courage they exhibited in the ring.

I was in Miami back in the 80's on a film. I had hoped to break away from the company and visit Beau Jack's shoe shine stand, but never had the opportunity.


-Rick Farris

Beau Jack ,what a grear fighter.
Fought the most main events at the old Madison Square Garden.
The fight you mentioned with Williams Rick was incredible. I dont know what that ref was thinking about while Ike unloaded those combinations.

Jack had a great line once.
Somebody asked him,"Beau, you went from shining shoes to being a great champion and made a million dollars but now after your career, your back being shining shoes again. How do you feel about that?"
Beau told him, "If it wasnt for boxing, I would have been shining shoes my whole life".

kikibalt wrote:Is anybody else having problems with your screen jumping up and down when you hit "Quote".
I'm and its a bitch trying to write.

Frank . . . I tested it a few times and I'm not having any trouble.

-Rick

Rick Farris wrote:

kikibalt wrote:Is anybody else having problems with your screen jumping up and down when you hit "Quote".
I'm and its a bitch trying to write.

Frank . . . I tested it a few times and I'm not having any trouble.

-Rick

Thanks, Rick, must be my computer then, sh*te!!

Cannery Row . . .

In 1980, the film industry endured a four month actor's strike.
Prior to the strike, which began in July 1980, MGM was well into pre-production for a big budget feature, "Cannery Row".
The film was based on the John Steinbeck novel, and would star Nick Nolte opposite Debra Winger.

Before the cameras roll, SAG walks out of negotiations with producers.
They go on strike and the film industry goes dead. TV series' that had just started shooting for the new season were halted.
Film makers are artists, they love to create, and they sometimes come together to create something beautiful.
Turning lemons into Lemonade? No something better.

During the actor's strike, the Academy Award winning production designer of "Cannery Row" was in pre-production.
He would remain on the payroll during the strike and use the time to design one of the most beautiful on stage film sets ever built at MGM.

One of the most beautiful sets in the history of MGM?
That's saying a lot, and it was true.

The Production Designer's friends, some of the film world's most talented designers, were bored.
Many wanted to help transform MGM's stage 30 into a living, breathing "Cannery Row", complete with an Ocean.
They didn't care about being paid, they just wanted to play, like when a group of hot musicians get together and jam.
Stage 30 has a water tank below it's floor, this is the stage where the studio used to produce the water musicals featuring diver Ester Williams.

During the four months strike, the artists did their thing with no time pressure. This was a case when "too many chefs" didn't spoil the soup.

I won't go into the technicalities of how they built the set, but as disappointing as the film turned out on screen, the set was brilliant.
To put it on film was Academy Award winning cinematographer, Sven Nyquist of Sweden.

Nyquist was Ingmar Bergman's cameraman. His work on "Cries and Whispers" brought him an Oscar.
He was a legend in Europe, Hollywood, anywhere where fine films are made.

I joined the crew when they began filming shortly after the strike. I had just finished a Steve Martin film, "Pennies from Heaven", at MGM, and was able to step right onto Cannery Row when the strike was settled.

Nick Nolte and Debra Winger would star in "Cannery Row", but as a lighting designer, I wanted to learn how Sven Nyquist lit his sets.
He was a master with soft light, Liv Ullman was never more beautiful than before Sven Nyquists lens.
Some actresses need help, cosmetically, photographically, special lighting.
Sven Nyquist would calmly utilize subtle influences of light, to diminish, highlight, hide or expose texture.
With light, we can soften or harden features, I learned from watching and talking with this man.
Blending color is another tool.

As I said before, the movie was expected to be a great one, as was the book. Didn't quite reach it's target.
However, the beautiful sets and cinematography resulted in some brilliant images.
You could literally take a frame from any shot, blow it up into a still photograph, and it would be a work of art.


-Rick Farris

Taco Bell Chihuahua Dies
By Rennie Dyball
July 22, 2009


Gidget
Photo by: Sue Chipperton / http://www.tailsticks.com

She charmed millions without ever saying a word, and managed to make fast food tacos adorable. Gidget, the Chihuahua best known for her Taco Bell ad campaign, died from a stroke on Tuesday night at age 15.

"She made so many people happy," says Gidget's trainer, Sue Chipperton. PEOPLE met both Gidget and Sue at a Hollywood animals photo shoot in February, where the pup was a consummate pro and delighted the crew with her playful nature.

The mostly retired actor lived out her days laying in the sun – "I like to joke that it's like looking after a plant," says Chipperton – and entertaining at shoots when her trainer brought her along. "Gidget," says Chipperton, "always knew where the camera was."

Charlie would had loved her....

Dustin Hoffman, "Tootsie" . . .

In 1981, I get a call from Gary Holt. Gary was the best motion picture lighting gaffer in the business, one of the best ever.
Gary had huge credits, and I'd have the luck of working on many of his lighting crews.
Working under Gary Holt, I'd be on the lighting crews of "One flew over the Cookoo's Nest", "Coming Home", "Being There", "Absence of Malice", "The Right Stuff", "The Natural", "Havana", "The Addams Family", and "Lethal Weapon-2".

Gary was going to be the lighting designer on a new Sydney Pollack film, Tootsie, that would eventually win every major Oscar in 1982.
I knew that Gary had landed the feature, and when I heard his voice on the phone I expected him to ask me to join him in New York on location.
As it turns out, the entire crew except the principle camera crew would be hired out of New York.
However, they would be shooting some tests in L.A. before hand. Make-up, wardrobe, film and lighting tests.
Gary needed to assemble a small stage crew to help him light the tests that would be shot at the Culver Studios lot.
We'd film the cast in their respective wardrobe and make-up, lens's would be selected, filters, lighting concerns.

This would be my first time working with Dustin Hoffman.
My friend Ralph, one of Holt's lighting techs, had met Hoffman many years back in New York, in the 60's, before he was a star.
Ralph's friend owned a hair salon where both got their hair cut.
The two hit it off and laughed at memories of their mutual friend, Joey, the hair stylist.

Dustin Hoffman would portray a woman, or a man dressed as a woman, in the movie.
You can imagine how the make-up and hair stylists were buzzing around the legendary actor, making everything "just right."
Standing on his mark, before we roll film, the actor patiently awaits his cosmetic team to finish.
He begins to smile and looks off-camera to our friend, Ralph.

Hoffman comments to Ralph that their hairdresser friend would no doubt like the wig he was wearing.
Ralph laughs and has an important question for the actor.

"Hey Dustin, if you win the an Academy Award for this role, will you accept your Oscar as a man, or a woman?
Ralph's question caught the actor off-guard. When it sunk in he began to smile, he then answered, "You know, that's a good question."

Less than two years later, "Tootsie" wins a load of Oscars. Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, etc.
Ironically, I just happen to be working with Ralph on the night Tootsie won it's Oscars.
Naturally, people on a film set have an interest in the Academy Awards, so they usually have a TV on set in which they can keep track of the event.

When the nominations for "Best Actor" are read, Ralph and I just happen to be standing near the TV set and move over to watch.
Dustin Hoffman wins and takes the stage for his acceptance speech.
Before he starts to speak he laughs, and then says, "You know, I didn't know whether to accept this award as a man, or a woman."

When Hoffman made the comment, Ralph and I turned to face each other, "Did you hear that?"
Others watching thought that was funny and laughed.
I told somebody that Hoffman got his line from Ralph, and they looked at me in disbelief.

Oh well, Hoffman's classic answer is now a part of Oscar Night history.
However, it was better watching him hear it from Ralph before we rolled camera on his make-up test.
It surprised him, made an impression that was lasting.
Good question, Rafael . . .


-Rick Farris

Mexican boxer Nazareth dies of brain hemorrhage

MEXICO CITY (AP)—Mexican junior welterweight Marco Antonio Nazareth has died at a hospital in Puerto Vallarta, four days after sustaining a brain hemorrhage in a loss to Omar Chavez.

The 23-year-old Nazareth was hospitalized after the fight, in which Nazareth was knocked down in the first round and knocked out in the fourth.

Nazareth underwent surgery after the fight, but his condition steadily worsened. His professional record was four victories—three by knockout—and four losses.

The undefeated Chavez is the son of former champion Julio Cesar Chavez.

Question:

Who was the first world champ, to manage a world champ? Great Chicago boxing trivia.

-Rick Farris