BoxRec

THEHAMMER321 wrote:Thinking about Jimmy Montoya back then I remember people use to refer to him as Montoya's meat wagon because he would provide fighters for the promoters who couldn't hold up there hands some of the fighters he worked with were so so but he worked with a lot of stiffs

Montoya had a guy that used to work with him, Johnny Cabrera, Johnny refused to drive the meat wagon....

Jimmy really had a meat wagon, it was a van that was driven all over the Southwest full of fighters, most of the time it was driven by Big Jess, a guy that weighted over 300 pounds.

Rick Farris wrote:

kikibalt wrote:

Rick Farris wrote:Ten minutes to Super Bowl . . .

I'm going for the Saints, which pretty much puts the jinx on their chances of winning.
Frank, I'm sure Charlie will have his eye on Reggie Bush.

He did, Rick, but he was having a hard time finding the dude...
But no matter the Saints won.

WHO DAT?

What a great day for New Orleans! Ironic that they won their first Super Bowl by defeating an all-time great QB (Peyton Manning) whose father just happens to be a legendary Saints QB, Archie Manning. I will say this, that Peyton Manning is brilliant. When I saw him throwing strikes in the Colts first drive, I had my doubts the Saints would make it.

Frank, a "high five" for Charlie, from me.


-Rick Farris

Rick...Charlie, despite a hang-over is a happy camper today...

Watching a movie 'The Last Picture Show"

A true classic

kikibalt wrote:

raylawpc wrote:Rick, congrats on your selection for the CBHOF.

Tom, your boy Sean is also being inducted....

Hope to meet you in June....

Thank you, Tom.

I hope you can be there for Sean's induction, I look forward to meeting both of you.
I always enjoyed Sean's career in the ring. He came out here as an under-aged unbeaten pro and stepped into the ring with a future legend, Little Red Lopez. I'll never forget his bloody win over Shig Fugiyama (a guy who whipped Lopez) and his whipping Hilmer Kenty for the Lightweight title. He retired young, after a full career and proved himself a great ringside analyst, without question, my favorite.


-Rick Farris

kikibalt wrote:

THEHAMMER321 wrote:Thinking about Jimmy Montoya back then I remember people use to refer to him as Montoya's meat wagon because he would provide fighters for the promoters who couldn't hold up there hands some of the fighters he worked with were so so but he worked with a lot of stiffs

Montoya had a guy that used to work with him, Johnny Cabrera, Johnny refused to drive the meat wagon....

Jimmy really had a meat wagon, it was a van that was driven all over the Southwest full of fighters, most of the time it was driven by Big Jess, a guy that weighted over 300 pounds.

Was big Jess a Chicano if so I think I remember him

THEHAMMER321 wrote:

kikibalt wrote:

THEHAMMER321 wrote:Thinking about Jimmy Montoya back then I remember people use to refer to him as Montoya's meat wagon because he would provide fighters for the promoters who couldn't hold up there hands some of the fighters he worked with were so so but he worked with a lot of stiffs

Montoya had a guy that used to work with him, Johnny Cabrera, Johnny refused to drive the meat wagon....

Jimmy really had a meat wagon, it was a van that was driven all over the Southwest full of fighters, most of the time it was driven by Big Jess, a guy that weighted over 300 pounds.

Was big Jess a Chicano if so I think I remember him

Yes, he was a homie...

kikibalt wrote:

THEHAMMER321 wrote:

kikibalt wrote: Montoya had a guy that used to work with him, Johnny Cabrera, Johnny refused to drive the meat wagon....

Jimmy really had a meat wagon, it was a van that was driven all over the Southwest full of fighters, most of the time it was driven by Big Jess, a guy that weighted over 300 pounds.

Was big Jess a Chicano if so I think I remember him

Yes, he was a homie...

I think he trained 2 brothers that I went to Las Vegas high school with Frankie and saul Avelar, Saul I saw working with Teddy Atlas on ESPN and Frankie last I saw him working for MGM casino

kikibalt wrote:Watching a movie 'The Last Picture Show"

A true classic

A legendary actor . . .

Director Peter Bogdonavich and his star, Cybill Sheppard, would begin a long lasting relationship following this film.
The director was hot, and he was so taken by the former model/actress, he attempted to direct her in later films.
These films would flop, and reduce the director's value in the film community. What a shame.

As for Ben Johnson, he won a much deserved Oscar for his role, Sam "the Lion".
I had a chance to work with Ben Johnson shortly before his death.

In 1992, NBC was attempting to create "Bonanaza- The Second Generation", following Michael Landon's death.
Having been part of the Mike Landon crew, I was hired as the production's chief lighting Tech.
In the pilot (which was never aired), Johnson played the brother of Ben Cartwright, playing the uncle of the Cartwright boy's children. Mike Landon Jr. played the son of his father's charactor, "Little Joe" Cartwright, we had Dirk Blocker playing the son of his father's charactor, "Hoss", and another actor playing the son of Adam Cartwright.

In his mid-70's, Ben Johnson was not only an actor, but a real cowboy who actually roped a steer in the filming of the pilot.
We filmed it in the snow, at the real Ponderosa ranch house, located near the north shore of Lake Tahoe.
Ben Johnson was a cut from the same piece of cloth of the true Hollywood western legends, such as John Wayne, Ward Bond, etc.


-Rick Farris

THEHAMMER321 wrote:

kikibalt wrote:

THEHAMMER321 wrote: Was big Jess a Chicano if so I think I remember him

Yes, he was a homie...

I think he trained 2 brothers that I went to Las Vegas high school with Frankie and saul Avelar, Saul I saw working with Teddy Atlas on ESPN and Frankie last I saw him working for MGM casino

I remember the Avelar brothers, but don't think I ever saw them fight...

In Six Days . . .

The Classic American West Coast Boxing thread will be two years old.
I can't remember meeting, or been reunited with, so many special individuals as I have here.
Cheers to Pug for kicking things off, and to everybody else who made it happen.


-Rick Farris

Rick Farris wrote:

kikibalt wrote:Watching a movie 'The Last Picture Show"

A true classic

A legendary actor . . .

Director Peter Bogdonavich and his star, Cybill Sheppard, would begin a long lasting relationship following this film.
The director was hot, and he was so taken by the former model/actress, he attempted to direct her in later films.
These films would flop, and reduce the director's value in the film community. What a shame.

As for Ben Johnson, he won a much deserved Oscar for his role, Sam "the Lion".
I had a chance to work with Ben Johnson shortly before his death.

In 1992, NBC was attempting to create "Bonanaza- The Second Generation", following Michael Landon's death.
Having been part of the Mike Landon crew, I was hired as the production's chief lighting Tech.
In the pilot (which was never aired), Johnson played the brother of Ben Cartwright, playing the uncle of the Cartwright boy's children. Mike Landon Jr. played the son of his father's charactor, "Little Joe" Cartwright, we had Dirk Blocker playing the son of his father's charactor, "Hoss", and another actor playing the son of Adam Cartwright.

In his mid-70's, Ben Johnson was not only an actor, but a real cowboy who actually roped a steer in the filming of the pilot.
We filmed it in the snow, at the real Ponderosa ranch house, located near the north shore of Lake Tahoe.
Ben Johnson was a cut from the same piece of cloth of the true Hollywood western legends, such as John Wayne, Ward Bond, etc.


-Rick Farris

Rick I love Ben Johnson I think I read where he was in the rodeo before he became an actor,with Ben you get the feeling of a real cowboy not just acting

Super Bowl Commercials . . .

Back in the late 1980's, I was heavily involved in the production of TV commercials.
I was on the lighting crew for a top commercial producer who frequently would win top honors for his work.
In the film world, we have "Oscars" for motion pictures, Emmy's for TV, Grammy's for music, and Cleo's for Commercial work.
Rick Levine won multiple Cleo's during his career, and he'd often produce two or three for the Super Bowl each year.

I can recall one we did, a Pepsi commercial starring football legend, Mean Joe Green, and a young boy.
It became one of the highest awarded commercials in history. It also won a Cleo for "Best Cinematography", which meant that I was given a citation for lighting excellence, which is close to a Cleo as an LD can get.
In following years, I would do Supe Bowl Commercials for Coke, McDonalds and Budweiser. But nothing as great as watching that touching spot featuring the legendary Pittsburgh Steeler and that kid.


-Rick Farris

Hammer . . .

Ben was a real cowboy. He was a helluva man and a very successful one at that.
Besides his background in film and rodeo, he became a very successful real estate developer, building several neighborhoods of upscale homes in Westlake Village, California.

I recall a funny incident that took place in Lake Tahoe, where we filmed the pilot.
The cast & crew were all lodged at the Cal-Neva Lodge, a former mob hangout during the Rat Pack years.
After shooting one day, I was in the bar with others from the crew.
Ben was sitting at the bar talking with his manager when a young producer interupted the conversation.
The producer was a typical Hollywood-type phony with long hair to the middle of his back and an earring.

The producer rudely interupted a conversation that was important to the actor.
The producer was a little a-hole and was hoping to get Johnson to wave a clause in his contract.
Johnson listened to the producer, and then stood up when he gave his answer . . .

"We made an agreement, have a deal, and it shall stand or I will walk right out of here. YOU GOT THAT EARRING!"
He then sat back down on his stool, dismissed the shaken producer, and continued his conversation.

Those of us who saw it, wanted to applaud, but we just smiled quietly. None of our business.


-Rick Farris

Rick Farris wrote:Super Bowl Commercials . . .

Back in the late 1980's, I was heavily involved in the production of TV commercials.
I was on the lighting crew for a top commercial producer who frequently would win top honors for his work.
In the film world, we have "Oscars" for motion pictures, Emmy's for TV, Grammy's for music, and Cleo's for Commercial work.
Rick Levine won multiple Cleo's during his career, and he'd often produce two or three for the Super Bowl each year.

I can recall one we did, a Pepsi commercial starring football legend, Mean Joe Green, and a young boy.
It became one of the highest awarded commercials in history. It also won a Cleo for "Best Cinematography", which meant that I was given a citation for lighting excellence, which is close to a Cleo as an LD can get.
In following years, I would do Supe Bowl Commercials for Coke, McDonalds and Budweiser. But nothing as great as watching that touching spot featuring the legendary Pittsburgh Steeler and that kid.


-Rick Farris

I remember that commercial it gave you this feel good feeling

Joe Louis vs Lou Nova September 29, 1941 Polo Grounds New York City, New York Heavyweight Championship of the World Referee Donovan Stops the Contest at 2:59 of Round six

kikibalt wrote:Joe Louis vs Lou Nova September 29, 1941 Polo Grounds New York City, New York Heavyweight Championship of the World Referee Donovan Stops the Contest at 2:59 of Round six

He could stand on his head . . .

Lou Nova was an interesting man. He twice KOed Max Baer.
I had a chance to shake his hand back in the early 70's, when he would regularly attend "Cauliflower Alley" meetings in L.A.
The Cauliflower Alley was a club of retired boxers and wrestlers, that would meet weekly for lunch at the Elk's Bldg. in L.A.

During Nova's career, he used to practice Yoga.
During one of the Cauliflower Alley luncheons, Nova was asked if he still practiced the art?
Lou, who had already consumed a couple cocktails, jumped to his feet and quickly offered a demonstration.
Before the entire crowd, Nova bent forward and stood on his head.

Everybody applauded as the former heavyweight contender smiled, his facing turning beet red, before returning to his feet.
Nova was wearing a business suit when he performed the stunt, and when he returned to his feet gave a bow as we clapped.
Lou was obviously quite a charactor.


-Rick Farris

"FEED 'EM BEANS!" -Ruben Navarro (3-time World title challenger)

I heard the "Maravilla Kid" use this expression many times.
I can still hear him saying it, when the situation merited the comment.



-Rick Farris

Rick Farris wrote:

kikibalt wrote:Joe Louis vs Lou Nova September 29, 1941 Polo Grounds New York City, New York Heavyweight Championship of the World Referee Donovan Stops the Contest at 2:59 of Round six

He could stand on his head . . .

Lou Nova was an interesting man. He twice KOed Max Baer.
I had a chance to shake his hand back in the early 70's, when he would regularly attend "Cauliflower Alley" meetings in L.A.
The Cauliflower Alley was a club of retired boxers and wrestlers, that would meet weekly for lunch at the Elk's Bldg. in L.A.

During Nova's career, he used to practice Yoga.
During one of the Cauliflower Alley luncheons, Nova was asked if he still practiced the art?
Lou, who had already consumed a couple cocktails, jumped to his feet and quickly offered a demonstration.
Before the entire crowd, Nova bent forward and stood on his head.

Everybody applauded as the former heavyweight contender smiled, his facing turning beet red, before returning to his feet.
Nova was wearing a business suit when he performed the stunt, and when he returned to his feet gave a bow as we clapped.
Lou was obviously quite a charactor.


-Rick Farris

Louis certainly stood him on his head.

bennie wrote:

Rick Farris wrote:

kikibalt wrote:Joe Louis vs Lou Nova September 29, 1941 Polo Grounds New York City, New York Heavyweight Championship of the World Referee Donovan Stops the Contest at 2:59 of Round six

He could stand on his head . . .

Lou Nova was an interesting man. He twice KOed Max Baer.
I had a chance to shake his hand back in the early 70's, when he would regularly attend "Cauliflower Alley" meetings in L.A.
The Cauliflower Alley was a club of retired boxers and wrestlers, that would meet weekly for lunch at the Elk's Bldg. in L.A.

During Nova's career, he used to practice Yoga.
During one of the Cauliflower Alley luncheons, Nova was asked if he still practiced the art?
Lou, who had already consumed a couple cocktails, jumped to his feet and quickly offered a demonstration.
Before the entire crowd, Nova bent forward and stood on his head.

Everybody applauded as the former heavyweight contender smiled, his facing turning beet red, before returning to his feet.
Nova was wearing a business suit when he performed the stunt, and when he returned to his feet gave a bow as we clapped.
Lou was obviously quite a charactor.


-Rick Farris

Louis certainly stood him on his head.

LOUIS, GALENTO, BAER AND NOVA --- SOME RAMBLINGS

by John A. Bardelli

Lou Nova, a 1930-40 heavyweight, developed what was reputed to be a "Cosmic Punch" --- something he learned from a one who professed to be a doctor --- who undertook to train Nova while teaching him Yoga when Nova was in New York training for the first Baer-Nova fight which took place in Yankee Stadium in 1939.

Nova was taught that the earth generated energy --- hence, power --- which would evince through his spine when he positioned his feet in such a manner as to be harmonious with cosmic forces generated by the earth. It was a matter of learning how to plant one's feet on the canvas as he prepared to punch --- thereby harnessing the earth's cosmic forces ... and when that secret was mastered, no man wanted to be on the receiving end of those punches!

After disposing of Max Baer by virtue of an 11th round knockout --- a fight watched by Joe Louis --- many thought that Nova was more than a worthy challenger to get into the ring with Joe Louis. However, it should be noted that not a single reporter wrote that Louis ran to the exits following Nova's knockout victory over Baer.

Overflowing with confidence, Nova's management responded to Tony Galento's challenge. The Nova-Galento match was made in Philadelphia, to take place on September 15, 1939, some three months after Nova had disposed of Max Baer on June 1, 1939. Since Galento had been slaughtered by a Louis onslaught on June 28, 1939, despite Louis being hurt and knocked down in the fight, Nova's management thought that a victory over Galento would force Louis into defending the heavyweight crown against Nova.

YouTube - Joe Louis (USA) v Tony Galento (USA) Yankee Stadium, USA PART 1 OF 2 1939

YouTube - Joe Louis (USA) v Tony Galento (USA) Yankee Stadium, USA PART 2 OF 2 1939

Nova's management had to be thinking when taking on Tony Galento --- Could Galento recover from the beating Louis administered to face a youthful Lou Nova --- with or without cosmic forces --- within only a 2 1/2 month period of recovery time? Team Nova bet the farm Galento would be no match for the force that was Lou Nova thanks to the Louis administered beating and it appearing that Galento was only bidding time before being forced to hang up his gloves. Furthermore, Nova never looked better in beating Max Baer during earlier in June of 1939.

Team Nova was lost the bet --- oh, did they ever! They should have channeled some of that cosmic mental energy.

In a blood-bath over the course of 14 rounds, Galento literally ruined Nova --- making believers of Galento's post-fight interview statement, following his own loss to Joe Louis --- "they should'a let me fight my own fight." Translation: "I regret that I didn't foul Louis."

Nova was fouled and hurt so badly by Galento and his nightstick, that the fight was ultimately stopped in the 14th round. Following the Galento carnage, Nova's management openly and publicly clamored for the lifting of Galento's license. The plea fell on deaf ears. Galento simply smiled.

Nova returned to his home base in California to recover and, still suffering from the mugging Galento administered to him in Philadelphia by Galento, promptly fell off a horse and was injured again.

Now it was Galento who pursued a shot with Joe Louis --- albeit a return shot --- so he could "fight my own fight." . The way to Louis, after beating Nova so badly, was through none other than what he perceived to be a shop worn Max Baer --- and the match was made for July 2, 1940, to take place in Galento's home state of New Jersey.

Both Baer and Galento were at the end of their respective careers.

Galento, in pursuit of a rematch with Louis where he could fight "my own fight," wanted Max Baer. The match was made in Galento's home state of New Jersey. Both Baer and Galento were at the end of their respective careers. Despite fighting his own fight with Maxie, it was Galento who could not answer the bell for the 8th round --- in yet another vicious Galento fight.

YouTube - Max Baer vs Tony Galento - Rounds 3-5-8

Baer would fight only twice more after demolishing Galento --- beating Pat Comiskey and then losing a second time to Lou Nova while Lou Nova --- ultimately was given the shot which he clamored for --- a title shot against Joe Louis.

Following the Galento loss, Lou Nova was not quite finished. He took on Max Baer in a rematch, again prevailing, and then, in 1941, Nova had to step into the ring with the Brown Bomber in the Polo Grounds, in a match deemed competitive to the boxing world considering Nova's two New York victories over the loveable and always dangerous Max Baer.

On September 29, 1941, the Polo Grounds and Referee Arthur Donovan saw Joe Louis administer, what Nat Fleischer described as, a "frightful beating" to Nova over the course of 5 rounds before dropping Nova in the sixth with his own version of a cosmic right hand, a right hand which instantly taught Lou Nova the principals of gravity much as if he were struck by lightening, forcing Donovan to call a halt to the proceedings when Nova arose before the count of ten. Throughout the fight, Louis' lefts and right were the anti-dote to Nova's futile attempt to implore "cosmic forces."

The next morning, Dan Parker wrote of the cosmic punch stating that Nova needed to learn to spell ----writing that there should not be an "s" in the word "cosmic."

The era leaves one "cosmic breathless."

kikibalt wrote:

bennie wrote:

Rick Farris wrote: He could stand on his head . . .

Lou Nova was an interesting man. He twice KOed Max Baer.
I had a chance to shake his hand back in the early 70's, when he would regularly attend "Cauliflower Alley" meetings in L.A.
The Cauliflower Alley was a club of retired boxers and wrestlers, that would meet weekly for lunch at the Elk's Bldg. in L.A.

During Nova's career, he used to practice Yoga.
During one of the Cauliflower Alley luncheons, Nova was asked if he still practiced the art?
Lou, who had already consumed a couple cocktails, jumped to his feet and quickly offered a demonstration.
Before the entire crowd, Nova bent forward and stood on his head.

Everybody applauded as the former heavyweight contender smiled, his facing turning beet red, before returning to his feet.
Nova was wearing a business suit when he performed the stunt, and when he returned to his feet gave a bow as we clapped.
Lou was obviously quite a charactor.


-Rick Farris

Louis certainly stood him on his head.

Yes he did, Bennie!

What was Lou's 'cosmic' punch all about?

Hi everyone on CAWCB, pouring rain down here in Vegas was thinking about some of the fighters who came through Las Vegas and I don't mean the ones everybody heard of but many who never made it to the top ten one fighter I met when I
was a teenager was Roman ''shorty'' Almaguir he fought on many fight cards at The Showboat hotel as did Lenny Valdez who was a big puncher who upset Stevie Cruz with a first round ko and also beat beat Marcos Villasana but was also just as likely to lose to a fighter with a 6-10 record any of you remember these guys

THEHAMMER321 wrote:Hi everyone on CAWCB, pouring rain down here in Vegas was thinking about some of the fighters who came through Las Vegas and I don't mean the ones everybody heard of but many who never made it to the top ten one fighter I met when I
was a teenager was Roman ''shorty'' Almaguir he fought on many fight cards at The Showboat hotel as did Lenny Valdez who was a big puncher who upset Stevie Cruz with a first round ko and also beat beat Marcos Villasana but was also just as likely to lose to a fighter with a 6-10 record any of you remember these guys

Rain is coming down pretty good here Hammer. Shorty I knew well, he was another Jimmy Montoya fighter, haven't seen him in years, Valdez I seen fight two-three times but I didn't know him...