Carlos Monzon
You have had a very interesting life Enrique... did you ever meet Kid Gavilan?... he is one of my all time favourite fighters.enrique wrote:Ezzard--- I have been involved in boxing since I was 11 years old- I am 56 now- and I have been an amateur boxer, promoter, trainer, corner, color commentator, referee, matchmaker and journalist. I am the author of six books- 2 on boxing- and I work as a radio journalist -political- on air personality in Miami radio.
Since I've been around boxing so long, I've met hundreds of fighters. I have had the thrill that many of the people I read about when I was 11 became my friends years later.
My biggest thrill: meeting and spending three hours with Jack Dempsey at the basement of his restaurant when I was an 18 year old amateur.
The first champion I saw perform in the flesh: Joe Brown when he fought Joe Barrientes. What a kick for an impresionable 17 year old.
My father figure in boxing- Johnny Coulon who was champ in 1910 and taught me the sweet science in the sixties when I was a mediocre amateur.
Another thrills: becoming a friend of Luis Rodriguez and Ezzard Charles, spending hundreds of hours with Luis Sarria, meeting George Chuvalo at the hall of fame, working promotions with Roberto Duran, Macho Camacho, hanging out with Ferdie Pacheco, working corners against Angelo Dundee and Floyd Patterson, co writing a book with Hank Kaplan, sparring with Eddie Perkins, Ali and Allen Thomas, working twelve title fights with Tuto Zabala, travelling to Colombia for a Happy Lora fight to work with him....
I have had some really great times...and my life is not over.
Right you are, fellasilkov wrote:I'm still here mate!...bollox wrote:Where have some of these extremely knowledgable posters of not so long ago, gone?8)
If Monzon was American I'd say there's be not much question of whether he'd be considered the greatest middleweight of all time. Not America's fault but neither was it Monzon's
Although as a lot of ESBers would make this claim - Monzon didn't move up in weight so he should be rated much lower than the general concensus of top 3
Silkov- I knew Gavilan fairly well but I did not like him at all. On a performance level he was a great fighter with an iron chin and a great fighting heart. On a personal level he was an ungrateful, back stabbing parasite with no sense of loyalty or friendship.
In his days as champ his family lived on welfare in New York while he squandered a fortune in Havana. When boxing promoter Julio Martinez -who was the mayor of the city of Hialeah- lined him up for a boxing coach job, Gavilan ended up being fired for being drunk on the job. Ali put him on the payroll and he was also fired quickly and ended up suing Ali. The Great One did not want to drag the Kid to court and settled for a few thousand bucks which Gavilan squandered at lightning speed. And there's more, including some really sick stuff that very few know about and none wants to think about...Sorry. Enjoy him as a fighter but ignore him as a human being.
And Boxbuzz- don't hold back smart ass comments on my account. Enjoy being yourself.
In his days as champ his family lived on welfare in New York while he squandered a fortune in Havana. When boxing promoter Julio Martinez -who was the mayor of the city of Hialeah- lined him up for a boxing coach job, Gavilan ended up being fired for being drunk on the job. Ali put him on the payroll and he was also fired quickly and ended up suing Ali. The Great One did not want to drag the Kid to court and settled for a few thousand bucks which Gavilan squandered at lightning speed. And there's more, including some really sick stuff that very few know about and none wants to think about...Sorry. Enjoy him as a fighter but ignore him as a human being.
And Boxbuzz- don't hold back smart ass comments on my account. Enjoy being yourself.
Last edited by enrique on 23 Sep 2005, 16:27, edited 1 time in total.
re
Now that you know his name you'll see Enrique's name in all kinds of boxing magazines over the last 40 years. Didn't you co-publish Boxing Digest with Hank Kaplan in the early 80s?
Enrique has also done a great job entering bouts into the boxrec database for many, many Cuban fighters of the past! He's certainly a class act that should have everyone's respect!
Enrique has also done a great job entering bouts into the boxrec database for many, many Cuban fighters of the past! He's certainly a class act that should have everyone's respect!
I met Hank Kaplan in 1980. I had been inactive in boxing for a few years while I played some cloak and dagger games and covert operations in Latin America and Africa.... we will skip that really interesting part of my life, much wilder than the boxing adventures.... and I moved to Miami. Leaving the spy gig I started freelancing as a journalist and the boxing articles were a labor of love because they did not pay worth a damn. I got in touch with Hank, who had just started Boxing Digest and to my surprise we only lived about eight blocks from each other.... and this is like being a Catholic and living across the street from the Vatican... I wrote a lot of pieces for him, we co wrote a book together -Boxing: This Is It!- and I started my matchmaking when he was promoting - he did about 30 shows- in Fort Laudedale.
Hank is probably the greatest collector in the planet. He has a garage full of file boxes with clippings, a room full of books -a lot of them very rare stuff- and thousands of original photos.
He is also one of the greatest, nicest, most generous people on the planet.
Hank is probably the greatest collector in the planet. He has a garage full of file boxes with clippings, a room full of books -a lot of them very rare stuff- and thousands of original photos.
He is also one of the greatest, nicest, most generous people on the planet.
Wow, well its a shame when our 'heros' don't measure up outside the ring.... but thats life isn't it. It won't change how I see him as a boxer. Quite a lot of people say Robinson wasn't the nicest of people outside the ring but it doesn't change how he was as a boxer.
It must be great to have met so many of the all time greats and theyre a dying breed now with the state boxing is in.
Which fight was it that you worked with Happy Lora?.... he was a great boxer I think... I have his fight with Zarogozza.
It must be great to have met so many of the all time greats and theyre a dying breed now with the state boxing is in.
Which fight was it that you worked with Happy Lora?.... he was a great boxer I think... I have his fight with Zarogozza.
I was one of the busiest matchmakers in the South in the eighties. I was working with Pugilistic Promotions -Hank Kaplan- doing some work for Chris Dundee and Julio Martinez and working for Tuto Zabala. In a three county area in South Florida we had 54 pro shows in one year and I was involved as a matchmaker in over forty. I also managed Robert Daniels and booked about 15 fighters all over.
Zabala brought Lora over in 84 to fight Juan "Chiky" Torres and I did not know him at all but Tuto was a genius at picking talent. From Torres to Avelar I was involved with Lora as Tuto's matchamaker. The wildest time was in Colombia when he fought Davila. At the time Colombian soccer was down and the only sports hero in Colombia was Lora. He had three thousand people greet him at the airport and we had to set him up in a farm because a naked woman -a very excited fan no doubt- showed up at his hotel door in Barranquilla.
I was the assistant matchmaker for the Zaragoza fight. In the Vazquez fight the whole undercard fell apart at the weigh in and we put a second prleim card together in less than eight hours that turned out better than the original.
Happy was not much of a puncher but he could hit with accuracy and watching him slip punches was a delight. He was a smart kid and retired to a farm in Monteria with a few prize cows and bulls and with money in the bank.
Zabala took Almicar Brusa -Monzon's former teacher- and moved him to Miami where the grand old man -a sweetheart of a guy- trained Lora and about a dozen other Zabala fighters.
Zabala brought Lora over in 84 to fight Juan "Chiky" Torres and I did not know him at all but Tuto was a genius at picking talent. From Torres to Avelar I was involved with Lora as Tuto's matchamaker. The wildest time was in Colombia when he fought Davila. At the time Colombian soccer was down and the only sports hero in Colombia was Lora. He had three thousand people greet him at the airport and we had to set him up in a farm because a naked woman -a very excited fan no doubt- showed up at his hotel door in Barranquilla.
I was the assistant matchmaker for the Zaragoza fight. In the Vazquez fight the whole undercard fell apart at the weigh in and we put a second prleim card together in less than eight hours that turned out better than the original.
Happy was not much of a puncher but he could hit with accuracy and watching him slip punches was a delight. He was a smart kid and retired to a farm in Monteria with a few prize cows and bulls and with money in the bank.
Zabala took Almicar Brusa -Monzon's former teacher- and moved him to Miami where the grand old man -a sweetheart of a guy- trained Lora and about a dozen other Zabala fighters.
I can only hope that you will be drafted into today's scene to inspire some kind of break in the logjam of talent that will not engage with one another.
Has there ever been a time like this? Or has the game been like this all along and it is just more of the same? It seems like the game is paralyzed and people will not make good matches anymore.
Has there ever been a time like this? Or has the game been like this all along and it is just more of the same? It seems like the game is paralyzed and people will not make good matches anymore.
There have been worst times. When I was fighting amateur - a 26-9 record as LH in 1965-1970- I was living in Chicago and attending high school and college and in those five years there were only three or four pro cards in Chicago, so I never turned pro.... not that I would have been any good but it would be nice to boast that I had a few pro fights.
When TV killed boxing after Paret's death and for years there was no boxing in the networks - before the cable TV days- and with no pro boxing in Chicago, it was a bleak time.
As bad as boxing is now with all the asshole alphabet conglomerates, I think there's still good boxing in the 140 pound class and a few interesting fighters in each division.
Perhaps I'm getting old but I do think old timers were better technically. Emile Griffith, Luis Rodriguez and Carmen Basilio would have snacked on the De La Hoyas and Vernon Forrest.
Incidentally, if you want to read some of my stuff go to the Cyber Boxing zone archives. I have articles on Luis Sarria, Luis Rodriguez, Chris Dundee, my good buddy Frankie Otero and a bunch of others. In this section you can read one of my pieces in a Tribute to New Orleans.
I'm still a little active. Next Tuesday there's a Richard Dobal Promotion in Miami where I did the PR -press releases etc.- and I write two boxing columns -in Spanish for different newspapers.
And of course there's box rec.... what a terrific great site. This week I found a Kid Chocolate fight that was not in the record books and that made my week as a boxing buff.
When TV killed boxing after Paret's death and for years there was no boxing in the networks - before the cable TV days- and with no pro boxing in Chicago, it was a bleak time.
As bad as boxing is now with all the asshole alphabet conglomerates, I think there's still good boxing in the 140 pound class and a few interesting fighters in each division.
Perhaps I'm getting old but I do think old timers were better technically. Emile Griffith, Luis Rodriguez and Carmen Basilio would have snacked on the De La Hoyas and Vernon Forrest.
Incidentally, if you want to read some of my stuff go to the Cyber Boxing zone archives. I have articles on Luis Sarria, Luis Rodriguez, Chris Dundee, my good buddy Frankie Otero and a bunch of others. In this section you can read one of my pieces in a Tribute to New Orleans.
I'm still a little active. Next Tuesday there's a Richard Dobal Promotion in Miami where I did the PR -press releases etc.- and I write two boxing columns -in Spanish for different newspapers.
And of course there's box rec.... what a terrific great site. This week I found a Kid Chocolate fight that was not in the record books and that made my week as a boxing buff.
Looking back over boxings history I think the biggest difference between what has happened before and what is going on now is the multitude of 'world titles' that there is now and this is really at the crux of boxings malaise. Everythings just become diluted. Things won't really improve unless something is done about all the titles at each weight.
Its interesting that you know Frankie Otero Enrique as I've just recently got hold of his first fight with Ken Buchanan.
Its interesting that you know Frankie Otero Enrique as I've just recently got hold of his first fight with Ken Buchanan.
Well even though it is getting mixed reviews the idea of "super champions" at least opened the door for consolidation. It seems they have further convoluded that good idea by putting some odd requirments to it.
I liked the idea when it first arrived but have been puzzled with the mixed results. They seem to have found a way to screw that idea up pretty profoundly. Not sure a talent like Monzon or Hagler could achieve that status today with all the hoops you have to jump through.
I liked the idea when it first arrived but have been puzzled with the mixed results. They seem to have found a way to screw that idea up pretty profoundly. Not sure a talent like Monzon or Hagler could achieve that status today with all the hoops you have to jump through.
BoxBuzz wrote:Well even though it is getting mixed reviews the idea of "super champions" at least opened the door for consolidation. It seems they have further convoluded that good idea by putting some odd requirments to it.
I liked the idea when it first arrived but have been puzzled with the mixed results. They seem to have found a way to screw that idea up pretty profoundly. Not sure a talent like Monzon or Hagler could achieve that status today with all the hoops you have to jump through.
Oh no, please!. Super champions just allows the WBC to have two 'champions'. Ludicrous!!!. Before long each 'title' will have its own 'superchamp' so they'll be double the 'champions' there are today!.
Gives me a headache thinking about it. :x :x :x
Re: re
I count as one of my biggest thrills having been invited by Enrique to his home in Miami and spending many afternoons talking about his boxing anecdotes, trading and watching old sorts of fight films... Not only that but through the time that we have stayed in touch he has allowed me to meet in person people like Hank Kaplan, Ferdie Pacheco, fighters like Frankie Otero, Johnny Sarduy, Puppy Garcia and many others.barry wrote:Now that you know his name you'll see Enrique's name in all kinds of boxing magazines over the last 40 years. Didn't you co-publish Boxing Digest with Hank Kaplan in the early 80s?
Enrique has also done a great job entering bouts into the boxrec database for many, many Cuban fighters of the past! He's certainly a class act that should have everyone's respect!
On top of that he is truly a class act and a man of admirable personal qualities. One who excells as a family man, husband, father and friend.
I consider myself lucky to have met him. A good friend who has that exceptional boxing knowledge and background is something you don't come across very often.
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elmersalsa
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I've seen many fighters and champs live and I don't pick one particularly. Seeing Joe Brown was a huge thrill because I was young and very in awe. I did several title fights with Happy Lora and Mike MCallum and I was impressed by both. One of the greatest fights -I did the color commentary for Spanish TV- was Antonio Avelar against Wilfredo Vazquez -won by Avelar- in which both men went down on the same round. That fight was postponed twice because Avelar was coming into the US ilegally and was twice busted by immigration in the Texas border. The third time he made it all the way to Miami and we had a great fight.
Another great fights I saw -not working but as spectator- were Quarry-Shavers and Quarry-Lyle (on the same day I became engaged to my wife).
The first title fight I ever worked was Sandoval against Cardenio Ulloa and the big thrill was not just working a title fight, but meeting Arturo Godoy who was old but came to Miami from Chile for the title fight. He was a very soft spoken man with first rate manners who told me that he loved Joe Louis and had established a friendship with Louis in spite of the fact that they had a language difference.
With Duran, I was the matchmaker for the undercard of the Victor Claudio fight. I found Duran to be likeable at times, gruff and moody other moments and supertitious. Roberto speaks more English than most people think but I think he pretends not to know as a matter of convenience.
I saw him train almost daily, sparring with Victor Abraham for the NO Mas fight and I think that he probably overdid the diuretics for that fight and that weakened him, beacuse he was not as sharp in training as other times. He has a liking for scotch whiskey and milk, which to me seems to be a horrible concoction.
British fighters I have not seen many in the flesh. Vic Andretti - who beat Joe Brown- has a flat in Miami Beach and sometimes trains fighters here and I believe he's a first rate trainer. I liked Ken Buchanan -even though he beat my very good buddy Frankie Otero- and I like Henry Cooper -is there any one who doesn't like Henry Cooper?
Another great fights I saw -not working but as spectator- were Quarry-Shavers and Quarry-Lyle (on the same day I became engaged to my wife).
The first title fight I ever worked was Sandoval against Cardenio Ulloa and the big thrill was not just working a title fight, but meeting Arturo Godoy who was old but came to Miami from Chile for the title fight. He was a very soft spoken man with first rate manners who told me that he loved Joe Louis and had established a friendship with Louis in spite of the fact that they had a language difference.
With Duran, I was the matchmaker for the undercard of the Victor Claudio fight. I found Duran to be likeable at times, gruff and moody other moments and supertitious. Roberto speaks more English than most people think but I think he pretends not to know as a matter of convenience.
I saw him train almost daily, sparring with Victor Abraham for the NO Mas fight and I think that he probably overdid the diuretics for that fight and that weakened him, beacuse he was not as sharp in training as other times. He has a liking for scotch whiskey and milk, which to me seems to be a horrible concoction.
British fighters I have not seen many in the flesh. Vic Andretti - who beat Joe Brown- has a flat in Miami Beach and sometimes trains fighters here and I believe he's a first rate trainer. I liked Ken Buchanan -even though he beat my very good buddy Frankie Otero- and I like Henry Cooper -is there any one who doesn't like Henry Cooper?
enrique wrote:I've seen many fighters and champs live and I don't pick one particularly. Seeing Joe Brown was a huge thrill because I was young and very in awe. I did several title fights with Happy Lora and Mike MCallum and I was impressed by both. One of the greatest fights -I did the color commentary for Spanish TV- was Antonio Avelar against Wilfredo Vazquez -won by Avelar- in which both men went down on the same round. That fight was postponed twice because Avelar was coming into the US ilegally and was twice busted by immigration in the Texas border. The third time he made it all the way to Miami and we had a great fight.
Another great fights I saw -not working but as spectator- were Quarry-Shavers and Quarry-Lyle (on the same day I became engaged to my wife).
The first title fight I ever worked was Sandoval against Cardenio Ulloa and the big thrill was not just working a title fight, but meeting Arturo Godoy who was old but came to Miami from Chile for the title fight. He was a very soft spoken man with first rate manners who told me that he loved Joe Louis and had established a friendship with Louis in spite of the fact that they had a language difference.
With Duran, I was the matchmaker for the undercard of the Victor Claudio fight. I found Duran to be likeable at times, gruff and moody other moments and supertitious. Roberto speaks more English than most people think but I think he pretends not to know as a matter of convenience.
I saw him train almost daily, sparring with Victor Abraham for the NO Mas fight and I think that he probably overdid the diuretics for that fight and that weakened him, beacuse he was not as sharp in training as other times. He has a liking for scotch whiskey and milk, which to me seems to be a horrible concoction.
British fighters I have not seen many in the flesh. Vic Andretti - who beat Joe Brown- has a flat in Miami Beach and sometimes trains fighters here and I believe he's a first rate trainer. I liked Ken Buchanan -even though he beat my very good buddy Frankie Otero- and I like Henry Cooper -is there any one who doesn't like Henry Cooper?
Thanks Enrique, its very interesting to read about your experiences and the fighters you met. I've always thought that Duran quit in the second Leonard fight not because he was afraid of being knocked out but because he was afraid that he couldnt control his stomach because of the duretics he'd taken. One of my most vivid memories of 'live' fights is the times I saw Kirkland Laing boxing. Though he never won or even fought for a world title Laing was an amazing boxer to watch, especially live, when he was on form!.
I think just about the only person who doesn't like Henry Cooper is Joe Bugner whom beat Cooper for his titles in the early 70s. the British public never really forgave Bugner and he's still a bit techty regarding Henry from what I've read.
Silkov for the record you and I agree on what led to Duran's no mas decision. It's just so out of character for him. It always seemed to me he was faced with a decision based on pride. He chose the humiliation of quitting a fight by choice rather than losing control of bodily functions in front of millions. Hell of a choice to be stuck with. But his prior work and his work after that moment tell the story. There honestly was no quit in that guy. But there was tremendous pride.