Classic American West Coast Boxing

[dagosd2000]

This kid Steve Luevano fighting tonight on HBO is from La Puente, my home town, and no body knows the guy, and he hold some kind of title, he can be walking down the street and no body recognizes him, the poor guy, don't get no local press, no tv interviews, he needs a good pr man....

Frank
If he knocks his guy out,he'll get some looks

[dagosd2000]

I'm watching this Luevano/Lopez fight.Lopez leaves himself open a lot,but he looks too strong for Luevano. 4th round.

[dagosd2000]

Luevano is starting to press this guy. GOOD!

[dagosd2000]

Oh Oh.

[kikibalt]

I'm watching this Luevano/Lopez fight.Lopez leaves himself open a lot,but he looks too strong for Luevano. 4th round.

Luevano has no power what so ever, I known him since he was about 9 years old and he never showed me any power, you have to have some power to keep a guy of you, no surprise here....

[bennie]

Amir Khan's American dream could also become a reality for Ryan Rhodes if rumours are true and Kelly Pavlik defends his 'world' middleweight titles against the Sheffield man in the States shortly.
Nothing is yet confirmed, but Pavlik, struggling to rebuild from an embarrassing points defeat to the canny but pensionable Bernard Hopkins, has already destroyed one British middleweight and clearly views Rhodes as patsy II. Nicknamed "Ghost", Pavlik dropped a howler by labelling Rhodes "Brian Rose" in a recent interview. It sounds similar, I suppose, similar enough for Pavlik, who outgunned Welshman Gary Lockett in three rounds in the summer of 2008. Lockett had beaten Rhodes, so what does Pavlik care? It reminds me of the time Larry Holmes, interviewed in the old World of Sport days, forgot Frank Bruno's name completely, but at least Larry admitted to it and did not second-guess, and Larry is hardly known for his tact.
Pavlik dropped a bigger howler taking on the 45-year-old Hopkins - a man with one of the most awkward styles in boxing today (ask Joe Calzaghe). Before a huge pro-Pavlik crowd in Atlantic City in October 2008, the then unbeaten, formidable-looking Pavlik was never able to crack Bernard's defence or got past his jab. Frankly, he took a pasting. Will the quick, slick, unorthodox, dangerous, vastly experienced Rhodes do precisely the same? He could, you know. Hopkins was a big underdog; Pavlik might just be overrated. He won his world titles (WBC & WBO) from Jermain Taylor, since stopped by our own Carl Froch, of course. Taylor nearly finished Pavlik in a first fight between them (Pavlik came from behind to win in seven) and went the distance with him in a close rematch.
Back to Hopkins, and since losing to him the 27-year-old Pavlik has stopped two highly beatable opponents to take his record to an imposing 36-1 (32). He can whack but struggles desperately to make middleweight and seems to have 'lost' something, mentally, in the wake of his only defeat. He went from headlining arenas such as the magnificent MGM Grand in Las Vegas and the vast Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City to topping pokey little centers in his gritty home city of Youngstown, Ohio. He also seems to be picking up a lot of injuries, although those 'injuries' may be delaying tactics in order for him to get down to middle.
With just two fights in the last 15 months, with everything else, this looks like a great time to challenge the American for the sensational Rhodes, who picked up the European light-middleweight title with a quite brilliant seven-round stoppage of Jamie Moore last time out and is no stranger to the middleweight division, where he floored and nearly stopped the burly Lockett in 2006 in Cardiff (Lockett's manor). The 12-round decision triggered ugly crowd scenes. Rhodes, a pro since 1995, has lost only to Lockett in the last eight years.
Back even further, Muhammad Ali barked "What's my name?" to Ernie Terrell as he dished out a sustained 15-round beating. A similar sustained 12-round beating would do for our Ryan, and for every British fan. His name, Kelly, is Ryan Rhodes.

[bennie]

This kid Steve Luevano fighting tonight on HBO is from La Puente, my home town, and no body knows the guy, and he hold some kind of title, he can be walking down the street and no body recognizes him, the poor guy, don't get no local press, no tv interviews, he needs a good pr man....

That's boxing today, Frankie - ostracized by the Politically Correct, Health and Safety geeks. Man, you can barely use a sledge in the snow!

[bennie]

Bobby Chacon

Bobby is always impeccably dressed. The man has style.

[kikibalt]

Bobby Chacon

Bobby is always impeccably dressed. The man has style.

Dapper Bobby Chacon!!

[dagosd2000]

Amir Khan's American dream could also become a reality for Ryan Rhodes if rumours are true and Kelly Pavlik defends his 'world' middleweight titles against the Sheffield man in the States shortly.
Nothing is yet confirmed, but Pavlik, struggling to rebuild from an embarrassing points defeat to the canny but pensionable Bernard Hopkins, has already destroyed one British middleweight and clearly views Rhodes as patsy II. Nicknamed "Ghost", Pavlik dropped a howler by labelling Rhodes "Brian Rose" in a recent interview. It sounds similar, I suppose, similar enough for Pavlik, who outgunned Welshman Gary Lockett in three rounds in the summer of 2008. Lockett had beaten Rhodes, so what does Pavlik care? It reminds me of the time Larry Holmes, interviewed in the old World of Sport days, forgot Frank Bruno's name completely, but at least Larry admitted to it and did not second-guess, and Larry is hardly known for his tact.
Pavlik dropped a bigger howler taking on the 45-year-old Hopkins - a man with one of the most awkward styles in boxing today (ask Joe Calzaghe). Before a huge pro-Pavlik crowd in Atlantic City in October 2008, the then unbeaten, formidable-looking Pavlik was never able to crack Bernard's defence or got past his jab. Frankly, he took a pasting. Will the quick, slick, unorthodox, dangerous, vastly experienced Rhodes do precisely the same? He could, you know. Hopkins was a big underdog; Pavlik might just be overrated. He won his world titles (WBC & WBO) from Jermain Taylor, since stopped by our own Carl Froch, of course. Taylor nearly finished Pavlik in a first fight between them (Pavlik came from behind to win in seven) and went the distance with him in a close rematch.
Back to Hopkins, and since losing to him the 27-year-old Pavlik has stopped two highly beatable opponents to take his record to an imposing 36-1 (32). He can whack but struggles desperately to make middleweight and seems to have 'lost' something, mentally, in the wake of his only defeat. He went from headlining arenas such as the magnificent MGM Grand in Las Vegas and the vast Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City to topping pokey little centers in his gritty home city of Youngstown, Ohio. He also seems to be picking up a lot of injuries, although those 'injuries' may be delaying tactics in order for him to get down to middle.
With just two fights in the last 15 months, with everything else, this looks like a great time to challenge the American for the sensational Rhodes, who picked up the European light-middleweight title with a quite brilliant seven-round stoppage of Jamie Moore last time out and is no stranger to the middleweight division, where he floored and nearly stopped the burly Lockett in 2006 in Cardiff (Lockett's manor). The 12-round decision triggered ugly crowd scenes. Rhodes, a pro since 1995, has lost only to Lockett in the last eight years.
Back even further, Muhammad Ali barked "What's my name?" to Ernie Terrell as he dished out a sustained 15-round beating. A similar sustained 12-round beating would do for our Ryan, and for every British fan. His name, Kelly, is Ryan Rhodes.

Bennie
I've never seen Rhodes,but Pavlik is a guy,if he's to win,needs to be in top physical and mental condition. Not a fighter with great natural ability. I don't see him staying up there with the world's best for very long.

[dagosd2000]

Bobby Chacon

Bobby is always impeccably dressed. The man has style.

Dapper Bobby Chacon!!

Interesting observations. Some of the guys at the WBHOF,before the dinner,dressed pretty shabbily.Bobby looked sharp. I wonder if Rosie has something to do with that?

[dagosd2000]

Teofilo Stevenson(later years)

[kikibalt]

Did you guys notice how far apart Steve Luevano holds his legs, jeez, you can drive a truck between his legs....

[dagosd2000]

Did you guys notice how far apart Steve Luevano holds his legs, jeez, you can drive a truck between his legs....

It was the first thing I noticed. Can't move very well like that especially if you lack power.

[Rick Farris]

Did you guys notice how far apart Steve Luevano holds his legs, jeez, you can drive a truck between his legs....

It was the first thing I noticed. Can't move very well like that especially if you lack power.

San Gabriel Valley Boys . . .

Dwight Hawkins stood only 5'3", was crippled as a child, one leg was 2" shorter than the other.
He was also an in-fighter. Good reasons to adabt a wide stance, as he did. A special case, no doubt.
Luevano? Something very odd about the guy, career wise, for sure.

Like Frank said, nobody knows him in La Puente. They knew the Baltazar boys in La Puente, as well as all of LA.

Of course, times have changed. We used to have local fights, news coverage, familiarity.
The Teamsters Gym used to be on Stanford Street just east of the garment district. On friday nights a hot bed of activity.
Today there is a Teamsters Gym in El Monte. I think Ben Lira runs it?
I bet if I went by there on a friday night, it would be empty.

I remember amateur fights that took place at the El Monte Legion Stadium in the 60's. Real barn burners.
Last year I attended a amateur show in El Monte, Frank was there with Frankie Jr. and James.
The fights were held in a disco, OK venue, however nobody could fight.

I thought back to the old El Monte Legion. I saw Armando Muniz fight there, I boxed Andy Price in that ring. The Baltazar boys all fought there, including Papa Frank. I bet Keeny Teran and Gil Cadilli fought there? Jerry Quarry did, too.
I thought this to myself as I sat across the table from Frank.
I was going to say something to him, but there were too many people & too much noise. I forgot about it until this moment.


-Rick Farris

[Rick Farris]

Mark Sanchez & the Jets

The game just started. Today is a great football day!

[Rick Farris]

San Gabriel Valley Boxers . . .


I was living in Arizona when I finally got "on-line" and began to discover the wonders of the internet.
I found myself getting into the boxing sites. I began writing. And by surprise, would cross paths with people from my past.
That's how I hooked up with Frank, after four decades.

I grew up in the San Fernando Valley, which is north of LA. I lived in the San Gabriel Valley between the age of 18-22.
I had an apartment off of Atlantic Blvd. in Monterey Park, right on the border of ELA.
It was a matter of geography and priority. My girlfriend lived in Monterey Park, that explains everything.

At the time I also had friends from boxing living close by.
Ruben and Carol Navarro lived in Monterey Park, so did Armando and Yolanda Muniz.
Another LA boxer fighting out of the San Gabriel Valley was Petey Vital. Pete was from Baldwin Park.
I'd see Pete regularly at the Main Street Gym. When he was fighting amateur, we'd see each other regularly.
Pete and I were both on the 1969 LA Golden Gloves team that went to Kansas City for the Nationals.

After boxing, I lost track of Pete. I was aware that he had a serious hand injury which ended his boxing career.
I know that my old friend Frank Santillian had married Pete's sister. But I lost track of Frankie.

In '2000, while visiting an AOL boxing site, I come across a fan who remembered my career.
When I heard that I thought to myself, this guy has one helluva memory.
Sure enough, he was a friend of Pete Vital, and was a San Gabriel Valley guy who now owned Radiator repair shop in Rosemead.
The guy was going to hook me up with Pete for a story. I e-mailed him photos of Pete & I.
Pete was happy to see the pics, and looked forward to our meeting.
At the time, I was living in Arizona and it never materialized.

The guy who was Pete's friend and I never met, however, Frank Baltazar would introduce me to his father.
Frank, the man's father is the guy who shows up at the GSBA lunchs, the guy you call "Slim".
Very nice man, good heart and a great memory.

One day I must hook-up wth Pete Vital. He injured his hand after being KOed by Ray Lampkin at the Olympic.


-Rick Farris

[THEHAMMER321]

How bout them jets go go go Sanchez

[Rick Farris]

I was always curious about Sugar Ramos situation was he accepted by the Mexican people he being from Cuba.

Hammer
Excuse me if I step in. I was a big fan Sugar and Jose Napoles. The Mexican fans embraced both of them with open arms. Ramos and Napoles fell in love with Mexico and married Mexican gals and raised families. They were big punchers and the Mexican fans loved that. When Napoles won the title from Curtis Cokes he told the Mexican people,"If they were to throw me in the middle of the ocean,I'd just listen for the mariachis and I'd find my way back to Mexico."

A very rare moment in Mexico's history. Back then only the President of Mexico could bestow citizenship on a foreigner. The President of Mexico did that to "Mantequilla." It was the first time something like that happened.

P.S. Hammer,I was at the Olympic when Mando Ramos won the decision over Sugar. A GREAT fight. However,even though Mando was from LA. the crowd was behind Sugar that night.

Roger . . . Thanks for the info on Mantequilla. The Ramos-Ramos fight is one of the best I ever saw at the Olympic, or anywhere.
I've been posting photos by photographer Theo Ehret. Theo shot some masterpieces that night. Bloody drama.
I was there too, and I was for Mando, of course.
I have some photos of Sugar Ramos prior to the bout with Davey Moore.
These were taken in 1963 at the Main St. Gym. Ramos and Moore, and Griffith, Luis Rodriguez, Battling Torres & Roberto Cruz, Don Johnson.
Lots of Main Street Gym regulars in these shots.
I'll find them.


-Rick Farris

[THEHAMMER321]

Rick I have heard you speak highly of Dwight Hawkins and I started looking at some of the fighters he fought, what was impressive was with 14 fights under his belt belt he beat the great Jose Beccera,but what is most impressive about fighters of the past like Hawkins is they didn't let a few losses deter them they just kept fighting,guys today lose once and they are ready to retire,do they have any of his fights on utube

[Rick Farris]

Mark Sanchez & the Jets

The game just started. Today is a great football day!

There's four minutes left in the game. Colts will win.
Mark Sanchez has proven himself NFL worthy and then some.

[Rick Farris]

Rick I have heard you speak highly of Dwight Hawkins and I started looking at some of the fighters he fought, what was impressive was with 14 fights under his belt belt he beat the great Jose Beccera,but what is most impressive about fighters of the past like Hawkins is they didn't let a few losses deter them they just kept fighting,guys today lose once and they are ready to retire,do they have any of his fights on utube

You are right, Hammer. I have no footage of Dwight Hawkins and I'm not aware of any available.
His '67 Olympic Auditorium "Fight of the Year" against Bobby Valdez was one of the greatest fights I ever saw.
It was on KTLA Channel-5 in Los Angeles, but all of that footage is lost.
Occasionally something will surface. You'll see an Olympic broadcast, like Ramos-Ramos, but specific fights are hard to locate.

-Rick Farris

[kikibalt]

Mark Sanchez & the Jets

The game just started. Today is a great football day!

There's four minutes left in the game. Colts will win.
Mark Sanchez has proven himself NFL worthy and then some.

The Jets are a young team, they will be back and better next year...

[Rick Farris]

Mark Sanchez & the Jets

The game just started. Today is a great football day!

There's four minutes left in the game. Colts will win.
Mark Sanchez has proven himself NFL worthy and then some.

The Jets are a young team, they will be back and better next year...

I'll adopt them as "my team" next season. Mark Sanchez (USC) .
As for now, the Vikes & Saints are up next. I hope Farve can go all the way.
Charlie and I will have our eyes on Reggie Bush, as well.

[Rick Farris]

FAVRE-
Adrian Peterson-