Classic American West Coast Boxing

[Expug]

Jerry Quarry or is it Elvis?

Great shot of Jerry.
I remember reading an article about Bill Slayton in which he talked about Jerry fighting Kenny Norton.
As I mentioned before, Slayton and Quarry knew each other for years, but Slayton was working with Kenny when the two fought.
Kenny really put it on Jerry bad in that fight , stopping him.
Anyway when Slayton went to Jerrys dressing room to see how he was doing, he found Jerry laying on the table all busted up.
But true to form Jerry looked up at him and asked Slayton"Bill , did I fight like an Irishman?"
Slayton told him" you sure did Jerry. A true Irishman."
I always liked that.
I know what he means.
Im sure the guys posting here can appreciate the spirit of that question also.

[kikibalt]

Frank, did you know the Quarrys very well?

I got to know Mike very briefly when he fought my friend Kelly Burden in Oklahoma City. He seemed like a real nice fellow, and I enjoyed getting to know him.

How about Jerry? What was he like in street clothes?

Tom,

No, I just knew both Jerry and mike through boxing, I would see'em at the gyms, at the fights, and we would talk, but no, we were not personal friends, I'm sure Rick knew'em better then I did.

[JC]

What a fantastic thread!

Just saw it today and I've read from start to finish, really enjoyed it and learnt a great deal. There are some great stories on here and kikbalt, thank-you for posting all of those photos you really have a wonderful collection.

Thanks to everyone who has contributed and I look forward to reading more in the future.

[raylawpc]

I hope Rick chimes in, then. I sure liked Mike Quarry from the very short time I knew him.

Another really nice guy was Kenny Norton. I got to work his corner when he fought in Oklahoma City (wasn't much work-he stopped his opponent in the first - so my "work" was helping him off with his robe, washing out his mouthpiece, handing it to Bill Slayton, and then helping him back on with his robe). He was a nice fellow, and very unassuming.

I remember in the dressing room, they were talking about Ali beating Foreman, and somebody commented that he didn't think Foreman was much of a fighter. "Well, he sure knocked the shit out of me!," Kenny said.

[kikibalt]

Jerry Quarry or is it Elvis?

Great shot of Jerry.
I remember reading an article about Bill Slayton in which he talked about Jerry fighting Kenny Norton.
As I mentioned before, Slayton and Quarry knew each other for years, but Slayton was working with Kenny when the two fought.
Kenny really put it on Jerry bad in that fight , stopping him.
Anyway when Slayton went to Jerrys dressing room to see how he was doing, he found Jerry laying on the table all busted up.
But true to form Jerry looked up at him and asked Slayton"Bill , did I fight like an Irishman?"
Slayton told him" you sure did Jerry. A true Irishman."
I always liked that.
I know what he means.
Im sure the guys posting here can appreciate the spirit of that question also.

Pug,

That pic. was shot at the top of the stair-way at the Main St. Gym.

[Expug]

Ray, was that when Kenny fought Rico Brooks?

[kikibalt]

I hope Rick chimes in, then. I sure liked Mike Quarry from the very short time I knew him.

Another really nice guy was Kenny Norton. I got to work his corner when he fought in Oklahoma City (wasn't much work-he stopped his opponent in the first - so my "work" was helping him off with his robe, washing out his mouthpiece, handing it to Bill Slayton, and then helping him back on with his robe). He was a nice fellow, and very unassuming.

I remember in the dressing room, they were talking about Ali beating Foreman, and somebody commented that he didn't think Foreman was much of a fighter. "Well, he sure knocked the shit out of me!," Kenny said.

Rick will jump in here when he has a chance, they work all kind of crazy hours in the tv/movie business.

[dagosd2000]

Nice post. Like Rick's, those things happen suddenly. Maybe they're in the back of your mind,but then bam it happens, and it's over. I asked Ronnie Wilson about his fight with Kid Heilman. He didn't say much. Now I know why. After that,Heilman didn't fight anymore.

Andy Heilman's previous fight may have been the reason for the strange ending of his fial bout; six months before Heilman called it quits against Ron Wilson he fought Nate Collins in Oakland and was knocked down in the second round, the only time he had been knocked down in his 52 bout career. In an old article that I was able to find, long time boxing writer Eddie Muller, reported that Heilman asked manager Jackie McCoy after the fight, "did I really get knocked down?" Muller also reported that Heilman never seem to come out of a dazed condition and that three times during the fight he went to the wrong corner at the rounds end. Heilman also received 12 stiches on the bridge of his nose and yet lost only a split decision, Muller had it 7-4 for Collins. Collins was a tall middleweight at six feet with good boxing skills who lost many of his fights waiting for the right opening to strike with his devestating power, especially with the right hand in which he hit Heilman with. Collins had KOed former champ, Joey Giardello, knocked Lonnie Harris out of the ring and out for the count and ended Philadelphia's Eugene Hart's 22 fight win streak with 21 KO's when he got off the floor to KO him in the 7th round of their fight in Philly. Collins described the punch he hit Heilman with as, "the hardest punch he ever hit anybody with". I also read somewhere that Heilman suffered from a pretty bad concussion from the blow.

Thanks For That Info

[Rick Farris]

Mando Ramos and Liverpool's Allen Syres

Frank . . . Thanks for this memory, amigo. I remember the fight well, of course, Mando out gunned Syers, flooring him early. Mando had been pro just under a year, and was close to turning 18. In his twelfth pro fight, he just had too much for Syers, and anybody else short of a world champ. Today, Mando, "El Gato" and Syers are close friends. I know Gato & Syers recently attended a boxing card together. Alan was a good boxer, with a crisp punch, kind of a "Ken Buchanan type". Mando Ramos was the hottest thing Los Angeles had known since Art Aragon retired.
Oscar DeLaHoya may be considered today's version of an L.A. superstar, he did come out of the L.A. amateur program, however, today L.A. boxing, as we know it, is dead, it died with Aileen Eaton, George Parnassus and the rest.

Today, even the Olympic Auditorium exists only on the life support system provided by a Korean Church. One day, a wrecking ball will take it down, however, I have feeling it won't go down easy. Those cold cement walls are very thick. The Olympic was built to stand forever. So was boxing.

-Rick Farris

[Rick Farris]

Incidentally, back on to the subject of Ken Buchanan: he works as a carpenter in Glasgow in relative anonymity. He was once on a building site and someone did recognise him and asked him for his autograph. A younger worker on the site watched all of this and told Ken: "You must be one hell of a f ucking carpenter."

BRILLIANT!!!

-Rick

[dagosd2000]

There used to be a heavyweight who was a crowd pleaser in San Diego named Ski Goldsiein. Some people thought he was Jewish,but he was a Pole. He was undefeated for a while until he went back east and lost. Later he was KO'd by Jack Bodell in London. Saw him fight a big heavyweight by the name of Dave Centi. Any you guys remember these two?

[Expug]

Incidentally, back on to the subject of Ken Buchanan: he works as a carpenter in Glasgow in relative anonymity. He was once on a building site and someone did recognise him and asked him for his autograph. A younger worker on the site watched all of this and told Ken: "You must be one hell of a f ucking carpenter."

BRILLIANT!!!

-Rick

That is classic.
Im hoping that Ken is workong in construction not because he has to , but because he wants to though.
I know thats just wishfull thinking.
Man I worked in construction for years and it gets old fast.
However I got a break a year or so ago and found myself in private security.
One day I was operating a jackhammer on the tollway at three in the morning, the next day I was backstage with celebreties and pro athletes etc.
Hopefully, Ken wont have to swing them tools for too many years.

[dagosd2000]

Jerry Quarry or is it Elvis?

Great shot of Jerry.
I remember reading an article about Bill Slayton in which he talked about Jerry fighting Kenny Norton.
As I mentioned before, Slayton and Quarry knew each other for years, but Slayton was working with Kenny when the two fought.
Kenny really put it on Jerry bad in that fight , stopping him.
Anyway when Slayton went to Jerrys dressing room to see how he was doing, he found Jerry laying on the table all busted up.
But true to form Jerry looked up at him and asked Slayton"Bill , did I fight like an Irishman?"
Slayton told him" you sure did Jerry. A true Irishman."
I always liked that.
I know what he means.
Im sure the guys posting here can appreciate the spirit of that question also.

Pug, I don't know if I said it on this thread,but I'll repeat this. After Jerry died,there was a lot of looking back,not only of Jerry's life,but all of the Quarry clan. Any time a fighter that has a heart like Jerry Quarry, it is especially tragic when his final days are spent with dementia. A reporter,after Jerry's passing,asked his wife if there should be a movement to abolish boxing. Her reply."As long as there are men,there will always be boxing".
Hey Pug,how much you want to bet she was Irish too?

[Rick Farris]

Hey Rick,This is for you.
I see on your record your first fight was against "Memin" Rodriguez. I remember him on TV from the Olympic. He was indefeated and so was Little Red. Aileen Eaton was trying to build that up to be a major fight. I didn't think Little Red would heve much problem beating him. Anything you can add on Benny Rodriguez?

Actually, Rodriguez was my fourth pro fight, and he'd fought in Mexico before coming up to L.A., despite his Mexican record not being included with his U.S. fights. It was Bennie's (Memin) L.A. debut, and let me tell you, he was very, very good. He almost KOed Danny Lopez in one workout, and went on a KO streak after decisioning me. Rodriguez could KO anybody he hit on the chin, and had me cloudy from the opening bell. I stayed on my feet and lost a decision, but I have to tell you, he let me off the hook, at one point he had me in deep trouble, but I kept fighting and he really didn't realize how bad a shape I was in. In the final round, he hits me a shot, and I was knocked a bit off-balance, he thought I was staggering, but I wasn't hurt. When he came in to finish me, he was careless, I caught him with a solid shot that I know hurt him.

He backed off, and chose to box the rest of the round. This worked for me, I'd already felt the power of this guy, and, just for the record, he was a MAJOR puncher.

It wasn't just my opinion, but that of Danny, as well. We talked about Bennie Rodriguez after I fought him, and Danny shared his own respect for Memin's power. A year or so later, Danny would fight Rodriguez and score a one round KO. No surprise, all that power in one ring has to end up with somebody going out.

Thanks for the memory, Dagos.

-Rick Farris

[Expug]

Jerry Quarry or is it Elvis?

Great shot of Jerry.
I remember reading an article about Bill Slayton in which he talked about Jerry fighting Kenny Norton.
As I mentioned before, Slayton and Quarry knew each other for years, but Slayton was working with Kenny when the two fought.
Kenny really put it on Jerry bad in that fight , stopping him.
Anyway when Slayton went to Jerrys dressing room to see how he was doing, he found Jerry laying on the table all busted up.
But true to form Jerry looked up at him and asked Slayton"Bill , did I fight like an Irishman?"
Slayton told him" you sure did Jerry. A true Irishman."
I always liked that.
I know what he means.
Im sure the guys posting here can appreciate the spirit of that question also.

Pug, I don't know if I said it on this thread,but I'll repeat this. After Jerry died,there was a lot of looking back,not only of Jerry's life,but all of the Quarry clan. Any time a fighter that has a heart like Jerry Quarry, it is especially tragic when his final days are spent with dementia. A reporter,after Jerry's passing,asked his wife if there should be a movement to abolish boxing. Her reply."As long as there are men,there will always be boxing".
Hey Pug,how much you want to bet she was Irish too?

I'll bet she was Dagos.
I could see my wife saying that also.
Of course how can we argue with that logic? Its true.
I remember watching some show on TV about Jerry when he was struggling real bad near the end.
He was living with his Mom I think.
They asked him how he got hurt and his reply was" football".
Man I felt terrible watching that.
Jerry had alot of fans here too.
He was a fine broth of a lad.

[dagosd2000]

Hey Rick,This is for you.
I see on your record your first fight was against "Memin" Rodriguez. I remember him on TV from the Olympic. He was indefeated and so was Little Red. Aileen Eaton was trying to build that up to be a major fight. I didn't think Little Red would heve much problem beating him. Anything you can add on Benny Rodriguez?

Actually, Rodriguez was my fourth pro fight, and he'd fought in Mexico before coming up to L.A., despite his Mexican record not being included with his U.S. fights. It was Bennie's (Memin) L.A. debut, and let me tell you, he was very, very good. He almost KOed Danny Lopez in one workout, and went on a KO streak after decisioning me. Rodriguez could KO anybody he hit on the chin, and had me cloudy from the opening bell. I stayed on my feet and lost a decision, but I have to tell you, he let me off the hook, at one point he had me in deep trouble, but I kept fighting and he really didn't realize how bad a shape I was in. In the final round, he hits me a shot, and I was knocked a bit off-balance, he thought I was staggering, but I wasn't hurt. When he came in to finish me, he was careless, I caught him with a solid shot that I know hurt him.

He backed off, and chose to box the rest of the round. This worked for me, I'd already felt the power of this guy, and, just for the record, he was a MAJOR puncher.

It wasn't just my opinion, but that of Danny, as well. We talked about Bennie Rodriguez after I fought him, and Danny shared his own respect for Memin's power. A year or so later, Danny would fight Rodriguez and score a one round KO. No surprise, all that power in one ring has to end up with somebody going out.

Thanks for the memory, Dagos.

-Rick Farris

Hey Rick,Thanks for returning my call.
I'm looking at your record again,and I see you fought Frankie Granados. Saw him a lot on TV. Saw him some years later fight a promising fighter by the name of Ad Galindo in TJ. Thought this Galindo had it all. Height and power. But back to Granados. I just looked at his record and see that he lost his last 20 fights. Any explanation?

[Rick Farris]

There used to be a heavyweight who was a crowd pleaser in San Diego named Ski Goldsiein. Some people thought he was Jewish,but he was a Pole. He was undefeated for a while until he went back east and lost. Later he was KO'd by Jack Bodell in London. Saw him fight a big heavyweight by the name of Dave Centi. Any you guys remember these two?

Dagos . . . Again you bring a blast from the past in Ski Goldstein. I remember him from the earliest days of of the Olympic Auditorium's thursday night televised cards. I recall he fought Manuel Ramos, Centi, and another forgotten heavyweight who campaigned around L.A. at the time, Matt Blow.

I remember in the late 60's, Goldstein, showed up at Johnny Flores' Gym in Pacoima one night during the week. At the time, Johnny had some pretty good heavyweight sparring going on. I think Goldstein needed some work, and he found it with my friend, Kit Boursse.

Like you said, Dagos, Goldstein wasn't Jewish, despite the "ring name" and star of David on his trunks. His real last name was STEPNIEWSKI.

-Rick Farris

[Rick Farris]

Hey Rick,This is for you.
I see on your record your first fight was against "Memin" Rodriguez. I remember him on TV from the Olympic. He was indefeated and so was Little Red. Aileen Eaton was trying to build that up to be a major fight. I didn't think Little Red would heve much problem beating him. Anything you can add on Benny Rodriguez?

Actually, Rodriguez was my fourth pro fight, and he'd fought in Mexico before coming up to L.A., despite his Mexican record not being included with his U.S. fights. It was Bennie's (Memin) L.A. debut, and let me tell you, he was very, very good. He almost KOed Danny Lopez in one workout, and went on a KO streak after decisioning me. Rodriguez could KO anybody he hit on the chin, and had me cloudy from the opening bell. I stayed on my feet and lost a decision, but I have to tell you, he let me off the hook, at one point he had me in deep trouble, but I kept fighting and he really didn't realize how bad a shape I was in. In the final round, he hits me a shot, and I was knocked a bit off-balance, he thought I was staggering, but I wasn't hurt. When he came in to finish me, he was careless, I caught him with a solid shot that I know hurt him.

He backed off, and chose to box the rest of the round. This worked for me, I'd already felt the power of this guy, and, just for the record, he was a MAJOR puncher.

It wasn't just my opinion, but that of Danny, as well. We talked about Bennie Rodriguez after I fought him, and Danny shared his own respect for Memin's power. A year or so later, Danny would fight Rodriguez and score a one round KO. No surprise, all that power in one ring has to end up with somebody going out.

Thanks for the memory, Dagos.

-Rick Farris

Hey Rick,Thanks for returning my call.
I'm looking at your record again,and I see you fought Frankie Granados. Saw him a lot on TV. Saw him some years later fight a promising fighter by the name of Ad Galindo in TJ. Thought this Galindo had it all. Height and power. But back to Granados. I just looked at his record and see that he lost his last 20 fights. Any explanation?

[Rick Farris]

Hey Rick,This is for you.
I see on your record your first fight was against "Memin" Rodriguez. I remember him on TV from the Olympic. He was indefeated and so was Little Red. Aileen Eaton was trying to build that up to be a major fight. I didn't think Little Red would heve much problem beating him. Anything you can add on Benny Rodriguez?

Actually, Rodriguez was my fourth pro fight, and he'd fought in Mexico before coming up to L.A., despite his Mexican record not being included with his U.S. fights. It was Bennie's (Memin) L.A. debut, and let me tell you, he was very, very good. He almost KOed Danny Lopez in one workout, and went on a KO streak after decisioning me. Rodriguez could KO anybody he hit on the chin, and had me cloudy from the opening bell. I stayed on my feet and lost a decision, but I have to tell you, he let me off the hook, at one point he had me in deep trouble, but I kept fighting and he really didn't realize how bad a shape I was in. In the final round, he hits me a shot, and I was knocked a bit off-balance, he thought I was staggering, but I wasn't hurt. When he came in to finish me, he was careless, I caught him with a solid shot that I know hurt him.

He backed off, and chose to box the rest of the round. This worked for me, I'd already felt the power of this guy, and, just for the record, he was a MAJOR puncher.

It wasn't just my opinion, but that of Danny, as well. We talked about Bennie Rodriguez after I fought him, and Danny shared his own respect for Memin's power. A year or so later, Danny would fight Rodriguez and score a one round KO. No surprise, all that power in one ring has to end up with somebody going out.

Thanks for the memory, Dagos.

-Rick Farris

Hey Rick,Thanks for returning my call.
I'm looking at your record again,and I see you fought Frankie Granados. Saw him a lot on TV. Saw him some years later fight a promising fighter by the name of Ad Galindo in TJ. Thought this Galindo had it all. Height and power. But back to Granados. I just looked at his record and see that he lost his last 20 fights. Any explanation?

Yeah, he was a bum!

[dagosd2000]

Great shot of Jerry.
I remember reading an article about Bill Slayton in which he talked about Jerry fighting Kenny Norton.
As I mentioned before, Slayton and Quarry knew each other for years, but Slayton was working with Kenny when the two fought.
Kenny really put it on Jerry bad in that fight , stopping him.
Anyway when Slayton went to Jerrys dressing room to see how he was doing, he found Jerry laying on the table all busted up.
But true to form Jerry looked up at him and asked Slayton"Bill , did I fight like an Irishman?"
Slayton told him" you sure did Jerry. A true Irishman."
I always liked that.
I know what he means.
Im sure the guys posting here can appreciate the spirit of that question also.

Pug, I don't know if I said it on this thread,but I'll repeat this. After Jerry died,there was a lot of looking back,not only of Jerry's life,but all of the Quarry clan. Any time a fighter that has a heart like Jerry Quarry, it is especially tragic when his final days are spent with dementia. A reporter,after Jerry's passing,asked his wife if there should be a movement to abolish boxing. Her reply."As long as there are men,there will always be boxing".
Hey Pug,how much you want to bet she was Irish too?

I'll bet she was Dagos.
I could see my wife saying that also.
Of course how can we argue with that logic? Its true.
I remember watching some show on TV about Jerry when he was struggling real bad near the end.
He was living with his Mom I think.
They asked him how he got hurt and his reply was" football".
Man I felt terrible watching that.
Jerry had alot of fans here too.
He was a fine broth of a lad.

"Football." Geez you guys are having a good night. I'll remember that quote. You know pal,you feel terrible about watching something like that,but you have to watch it. I know it is sad,but often sadness is very beautifull.

[Expug]

Pug, I don't know if I said it on this thread,but I'll repeat this. After Jerry died,there was a lot of looking back,not only of Jerry's life,but all of the Quarry clan. Any time a fighter that has a heart like Jerry Quarry, it is especially tragic when his final days are spent with dementia. A reporter,after Jerry's passing,asked his wife if there should be a movement to abolish boxing. Her reply."As long as there are men,there will always be boxing".
Hey Pug,how much you want to bet she was Irish too?

I'll bet she was Dagos.
I could see my wife saying that also.
Of course how can we argue with that logic? Its true.
I remember watching some show on TV about Jerry when he was struggling real bad near the end.
He was living with his Mom I think.
They asked him how he got hurt and his reply was" football".
Man I felt terrible watching that.
Jerry had alot of fans here too.
He was a fine broth of a lad.

"Football." Geez you guys are having a good night. I'll remember that quote. You know pal,you feel terrible about watching something like that,but you have to watch it. I know it is sad,but often sadness is very beautifull.

True Dagos. Very True.

[Rick Farris]

I hope Rick chimes in, then. I sure liked Mike Quarry from the very short time I knew him.

Another really nice guy was Kenny Norton. I got to work his corner when he fought in Oklahoma City (wasn't much work-he stopped his opponent in the first - so my "work" was helping him off with his robe, washing out his mouthpiece, handing it to Bill Slayton, and then helping him back on with his robe). He was a nice fellow, and very unassuming.

I remember in the dressing room, they were talking about Ali beating Foreman, and somebody commented that he didn't think Foreman was much of a fighter. "Well, he sure knocked the shit out of me!," Kenny said.

[dagosd2000]

I hope Rick chimes in, then. I sure liked Mike Quarry from the very short time I knew him.

Another really nice guy was Kenny Norton. I got to work his corner when he fought in Oklahoma City (wasn't much work-he stopped his opponent in the first - so my "work" was helping him off with his robe, washing out his mouthpiece, handing it to Bill Slayton, and then helping him back on with his robe). He was a nice fellow, and very unassuming.

I remember in the dressing room, they were talking about Ali beating Foreman, and somebody commented that he didn't think Foreman was much of a fighter. "Well, he sure knocked the shit out of me!," Kenny said.

Tom,
I knew Kenny a lttle when he began his career in San Diego. Sparred with him a few times. Unassuming,sometimes moody,quiet. He was hard to figure . He was in a terrible auto accident ,I think up in LA. He suffered a bad head injury. His speach became slurred. Some people thought it was dementia. It was the head injury from the accident. Also there were some that thought he was drunk or on drugs when the accident occurred. At that time ,Norton didn't drink or use drugs. I think he always stayed away from that. I saw him a while back in San Diego. He's very detached. That injury had an impact on him.

[Rick Farris]

I hope Rick chimes in, then. I sure liked Mike Quarry from the very short time I knew him.

Another really nice guy was Kenny Norton. I got to work his corner when he fought in Oklahoma City (wasn't much work-he stopped his opponent in the first - so my "work" was helping him off with his robe, washing out his mouthpiece, handing it to Bill Slayton, and then helping him back on with his robe). He was a nice fellow, and very unassuming.

I remember in the dressing room, they were talking about Ali beating Foreman, and somebody commented that he didn't think Foreman was much of a fighter. "Well, he sure knocked the shit out of me!," Kenny said.

LOL! Great story, Ray. Like you, I liked Mike Quarry alot. Although Jerry was managed by Johnny Flores, Mike was closer to my age. We boxed in the Jr. GG's at the same time, and we both were on the 1969 L.A. Golden Gloves team that went to the Nationals in Kansas City, Mo. Mike was different than Jerry, in the ring and out.

In the gym, I remember Mike sparring with Jerry when he was about 16. Mike weighed about 150, at the time, and Jerry was close to 200 lbs. Jerry would beat up on Mike like he was fighting Joe Frazier. I saw Mike hit the canvas more than once, some from head shots, but usually from Jerry's brutal body blows. After one such knockdown, Mike groaned that he felt like his back was broken.

More on Jerry & Mike Quarry later.


-Rick Farris

[Expug]

Jerry used to rough up Mike pretty good huh?
Some fighters are just that way.
You put them in the ring with gloves on to spar, it doesnt matter who the hell they are in with, its on . Its the real deal.
Somebody is gettin belted out.
Other guys can work a little easier, move around .