Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Posted: 20 Feb 2010, 14:59
Christ, is everyone poorly! I have been unwell (and still am) for several days, hence my sporadic appearances. Health is everything.
Billie Holiday - Fine and Mellow (1957)dagosd2000 wrote:
Billie Holiday(Lady Day)
Randyman wrote:Rog, you call'em broads, Mel Epstein called'em f*cken b*tches but the idea was the same. Women can and have ruined a boxer's career. it's true, and as much as I hate to go against Mel's philosophy on the dames (he hated all of them), the truth is it's the wrong kind of woman that can ruin a fighters career. The right one can push you to succeed, ask Marvin Johnson he'll tell you.dagosd2000 wrote:ONE FOR MY BABY
If I had a nickel for all the broads that have passed through the ropes with all the fighters who laced on the gloves,I'd make Rockefeller look like a homeless guy standing on the corner with a sign. Maybe I ain't the expert ,but I'm sure if you asked the typical gal of conjuring up a fantasy of who she'd like to go a few rounds with,the champ or the President...well Monica Lewinsky might have been thinking she got sloppy seconds if she ever saw a fighter going toe to toe in the center of the ring.
I've seen women literally make all the clinches with fighters. There ain't a ref alive who could seperate them. In most cases the fighters never wanted the interference anyhow.
In the old days they said sex before a fight took away a fighters legs. With some of those boys sex took away more than their pins.Penicillin was the best medicine ever invented for those gloved combatants.
Redd Foxx had an old line if he didn't like you.
"I hope your daughter marries a jazz musician."
Well Redd could just have substituted "jazz musician" for "fighter."
Whether the pug had a "clean" image and behaved himself in front of the public like a Louis or a Marciano. Or had a chip on his shoulder like Ali or Pretty Boy,their testosterone driven libidos devoured their estrogen laden counterparts like sharks in a feeding frenzy.If those boys ate food like they ate below those gals' belt lines,they would have never made weight.
After it was over. After those boys couldn't raise a glove no more. After they threw in the sponge and put on their pants for the last time,they could consider themselves the luckiest ex pugs in the world if they still had the wives in their corners.
So like Sinatra sang it in that song.
"Set 'em up Joe.I got a story you should know..."
I know Frank.It's one for your baby.
Boxing is rife with stories about the wrong kind of woman but if you look closer at some fighters you'll find a certain weakness. With some it's women, with others it booze, drugs or gambling and still with others it's all of the above. The wrong kind of broad senses that and goes in for the kill, or is that too cynical?
Funny thing about Mel, Rick probably remembers this, Mel kept an old photo of his mother in his bedroom. The photo was probably around late 1890's or early 1900's. It was old. He spoke of her reverently as if she were a saint. No other woman ever measured up. The rest of them were f*cken b*tches.
"This is a man's world" by James Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_M2tp-ZHnM
Nice writing Rog!
Randy
Randyman wrote:Billie Holiday - Fine and Mellow (1957)dagosd2000 wrote:
Billie Holiday(Lady Day)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tNSp7MaADM
The caption on the Youtube side panel reads:
Reunited after many years with tenor saxophonist Lester Young, Billie's visual reaction to his moving solo remains as eloquent as anything she ever sang; a touching finale to their historic musical partnership. Introduced by Robert Herridge (producer/host of CBS' "The Sound of Jazz"), this is perhaps the single most famous "live jazz" performance in TV history. Other members of the all-star band seen here: Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster, Gerry Mulligan, Roy Eldridge, Doc Cheatham, Vic Dickenson, Danny Barker, Milt Hinton, Mal Waldron..."We shall not see their likes again."
It's nine minutes long but well worth the watch.
Amazing Rog!![]()
Rick Farris wrote:
Randyman wrote:Rog, you call'em broads, Mel Epstein called'em f*cken b*tches but the idea was the same. Women can and have ruined a boxer's career. it's true, and as much as I hate to go against Mel's philosophy on the dames (he hated all of them), the truth is it's the wrong kind of woman that can ruin a fighters career. The right one can push you to succeed, ask Marvin Johnson he'll tell you.dagosd2000 wrote:ONE FOR MY BABY
If I had a nickel for all the broads that have passed through the ropes with all the fighters who laced on the gloves,I'd make Rockefeller look like a homeless guy standing on the corner with a sign. Maybe I ain't the expert ,but I'm sure if you asked the typical gal of conjuring up a fantasy of who she'd like to go a few rounds with,the champ or the President...well Monica Lewinsky might have been thinking she got sloppy seconds if she ever saw a fighter going toe to toe in the center of the ring.
I've seen women literally make all the clinches with fighters. There ain't a ref alive who could seperate them. In most cases the fighters never wanted the interference anyhow.
In the old days they said sex before a fight took away a fighters legs. With some of those boys sex took away more than their pins.Penicillin was the best medicine ever invented for those gloved combatants.
Redd Foxx had an old line if he didn't like you.
"I hope your daughter marries a jazz musician."
Well Redd could just have substituted "jazz musician" for "fighter."
Whether the pug had a "clean" image and behaved himself in front of the public like a Louis or a Marciano. Or had a chip on his shoulder like Ali or Pretty Boy,their testosterone driven libidos devoured their estrogen laden counterparts like sharks in a feeding frenzy.If those boys ate food like they ate below those gals' belt lines,they would have never made weight.
After it was over. After those boys couldn't raise a glove no more. After they threw in the sponge and put on their pants for the last time,they could consider themselves the luckiest ex pugs in the world if they still had the wives in their corners.
So like Sinatra sang it in that song.
"Set 'em up Joe.I got a story you should know..."
I know Frank.It's one for your baby.
Boxing is rife with stories about the wrong kind of woman but if you look closer at some fighters you'll find a certain weakness. With some it's women, with others it booze, drugs or gambling and still with others it's all of the above. The wrong kind of broad senses that and goes in for the kill, or is that too cynical?
Funny thing about Mel, Rick probably remembers this, Mel kept an old photo of his mother in his bedroom. The photo was probably around late 1890's or early 1900's. It was old. He spoke of her reverently as if she were a saint. No other woman ever measured up. The rest of them were f*cken b*tches.
"This is a man's world" by James Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_M2tp-ZHnM
Nice writing Rog!
Randy
Mel's mother . . .
Ditto, Rog. Great post.
And yes, Randy, I remember that photo. I'm sure Mel told you that his mother had once been an opera singer.
He said that she taught him a trick, how to breathe. Mel called it "sistolic breathing" or something like that?
He said singers take in oxygen not just to the lungs, but deep into the stomach, which allows them to hold a note longer.
He would then have me practice this breathing to increase my wind and endurance. You know, I think it worked.
How ironic you mention Mel's mother, as just last week I thought about how he told of her teaching him this breathing exercise.
-Rick Farris

Well Rog. How would you like to have taught Gil King to paint?dagosd2000 wrote:Rick Farris wrote:
Randyman wrote: Rog, you call'em broads, Mel Epstein called'em f*cken b*tches but the idea was the same. Women can and have ruined a boxer's career. it's true, and as much as I hate to go against Mel's philosophy on the dames (he hated all of them), the truth is it's the wrong kind of woman that can ruin a fighters career. The right one can push you to succeed, ask Marvin Johnson he'll tell you.
Boxing is rife with stories about the wrong kind of woman but if you look closer at some fighters you'll find a certain weakness. With some it's women, with others it booze, drugs or gambling and still with others it's all of the above. The wrong kind of broad senses that and goes in for the kill, or is that too cynical?
Funny thing about Mel, Rick probably remembers this, Mel kept an old photo of his mother in his bedroom. The photo was probably around late 1890's or early 1900's. It was old. He spoke of her reverently as if she were a saint. No other woman ever measured up. The rest of them were f*cken b*tches.
"This is a man's world" by James Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_M2tp-ZHnM
Nice writing Rog!
Randy
Mel's mother . . .
Ditto, Rog. Great post.
And yes, Randy, I remember that photo. I'm sure Mel told you that his mother had once been an opera singer.
He said that she taught him a trick, how to breathe. Mel called it "sistolic breathing" or something like that?
He said singers take in oxygen not just to the lungs, but deep into the stomach, which allows them to hold a note longer.
He would then have me practice this breathing to increase my wind and endurance. You know, I think it worked.
How ironic you mention Mel's mother, as just last week I thought about how he told of her teaching him this breathing exercise.
-Rick Farris
Rick
That's an interesting story about the breathing,and it's true. You look at a guy like the great alto player Charlie Parker. He used that type of breathing when he played. With all the drugs,cigarettes,booze,and lack of exercise,he could sustain a breath better than anyone. Yep,opera singers need to develop that also.
Hey Rick. How would you like to have taught Frankie Crawford opera?
Gil "I was robbed" King....LOL!Rick Farris wrote:Well Rog. How would you like to have taught Gil King to paint?dagosd2000 wrote:Rick Farris wrote:![]()
Mel's mother . . .
Ditto, Rog. Great post.
And yes, Randy, I remember that photo. I'm sure Mel told you that his mother had once been an opera singer.
He said that she taught him a trick, how to breathe. Mel called it "sistolic breathing" or something like that?
He said singers take in oxygen not just to the lungs, but deep into the stomach, which allows them to hold a note longer.
He would then have me practice this breathing to increase my wind and endurance. You know, I think it worked.
How ironic you mention Mel's mother, as just last week I thought about how he told of her teaching him this breathing exercise.
-Rick Farris
Rick
That's an interesting story about the breathing,and it's true. You look at a guy like the great alto player Charlie Parker. He used that type of breathing when he played. With all the drugs,cigarettes,booze,and lack of exercise,he could sustain a breath better than anyone. Yep,opera singers need to develop that also.
Hey Rick. How would you like to have taught Frankie Crawford opera?
kikibalt wrote:Gil "I was robbed" King....LOL!Rick Farris wrote:Well Rog. How would you like to have taught Gil King to paint?dagosd2000 wrote:
Rick
That's an interesting story about the breathing,and it's true. You look at a guy like the great alto player Charlie Parker. He used that type of breathing when he played. With all the drugs,cigarettes,booze,and lack of exercise,he could sustain a breath better than anyone. Yep,opera singers need to develop that also.
Hey Rick. How would you like to have taught Frankie Crawford opera?
Hammer . . . You're 100% right, however, Gil takes it to another level.THEHAMMER321 wrote:Rog you find me a fighter that didn't say he got robbed in a fight I'll wake you up in you're dreams
PaulTHEHAMMER321 wrote:Rog you find me a fighter that didn't say he got robbed in a fight I'll wake you up in you're dreams
Defining the Art . . .dagosd2000 wrote:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlpZ5-bw_GI
Mantequilla Napoles /Curtis Cokes
Paul,here is an example of those Mexican TV broadcasts from the 60's.
Rick Farris wrote:Defining the Art . . .dagosd2000 wrote:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlpZ5-bw_GI
Mantequilla Napoles /Curtis Cokes
Paul,here is an example of those Mexican TV broadcasts from the 60's.
Gracias, Rog. I always enjoy looking back at the best of Napoles.
I didn't see that one live, neither did his future nemisis Mando Muniz. We were both down your way for an amateur tourney.
But a few years later, Mando and the great Mantequilla would both define themselves in two great fights.
I'm not telling you anything new, but watching that smooth Cuban dominate the ring defines the art.
-Rick Farris




dagosd2000 wrote:Rick Farris wrote:Defining the Art . . .dagosd2000 wrote:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlpZ5-bw_GI
Mantequilla Napoles /Curtis Cokes
Paul,here is an example of those Mexican TV broadcasts from the 60's.
Gracias, Rog. I always enjoy looking back at the best of Napoles.
I didn't see that one live, neither did his future nemisis Mando Muniz. We were both down your way for an amateur tourney.
But a few years later, Mando and the great Mantequilla would both define themselves in two great fights.
I'm not telling you anything new, but watching that smooth Cuban dominate the ring defines the art.
-Rick Farris
Rick
The first time I saw Napoles fight live was in TJ at the Auditorio against a journeyman fighter,Herbie Lee.Jose came in under 140 pounds. I found out later he couldn't get a fight with Carlos Ortiz nor Laguna. He almost gave up fighting. Parnassus came to his rescue,but Jose had to move up with the weight. He should have gotten a shot at the light weight title somewhere in the mid 60's. I think he would have even been even more dominating because he would have been younger. Oh well. He was one hell of a fighter. What amazed me was the way he positioned his feet. He never wasted a shot because his feet were always in position to get full leverage on his shots. Joe louis was like that. Guys who didn't run with their punches.
A la Joe Louis.....Rick Farris wrote:dagosd2000 wrote:Rick Farris wrote: Defining the Art . . .
Gracias, Rog. I always enjoy looking back at the best of Napoles.
I didn't see that one live, neither did his future nemisis Mando Muniz. We were both down your way for an amateur tourney.
But a few years later, Mando and the great Mantequilla would both define themselves in two great fights.
I'm not telling you anything new, but watching that smooth Cuban dominate the ring defines the art.
-Rick Farris
Rick
The first time I saw Napoles fight live was in TJ at the Auditorio against a journeyman fighter,Herbie Lee.Jose came in under 140 pounds. I found out later he couldn't get a fight with Carlos Ortiz nor Laguna. He almost gave up fighting. Parnassus came to his rescue,but Jose had to move up with the weight. He should have gotten a shot at the light weight title somewhere in the mid 60's. I think he would have even been even more dominating because he would have been younger. Oh well. He was one hell of a fighter. What amazed me was the way he positioned his feet. He never wasted a shot because his feet were always in position to get full leverage on his shots. Joe louis was like that. Guys who didn't run with their punches.
You won't get lucky twice . . .
Rog, Johnny Flores was the man to introduce me to Napoles, not personally, but thru his words. Johnny would say, "He's a blown up lightweight fighting at 140-147 just to stay busy." He was destroying everything in sight. There was a brilliant Mexican lightweight who was never a world champ, Alfredo Urbina. Urbina got the best of Mantequilla during his early days in Mexico, but like anybody who dare give Napoles a rematch, was destroyed. Look what Jose did to guys like Morgan, Backus, Urbina, Muniz, Lewis, etc. etc.
You may get lucky once, if you are truly good and the champ is on a drunk. But it's a guarantee that if you got lucky once, you'd pay a painful price in the rematch. Ernie Lopez found out, so did Lewis and Muniz. I knew these guys, they all agree, Napoles was the best.
-Rick Farris
Randy and JeriRandyman wrote:
Jeri and I just came back from La Luna Negra, A Spanish restaurant in old Pasadena. Today is our anniversary and I wanted something a little different. It was one of the best restaurants I have been to in a while. It was a little on the pricey side but well worth the money. The portions are better than average and the service was right on the mark. We didn't have to ask for anything. They were keeping their eyes on us, without intruding on us.
Paella Valeciana with seafood, chicken and Spanish chorizo.
Paella con Pollo, Paella with chicken, smothered in vegetables.
I ordered the Paella Valeciana and Jeri ordered the Paella con Pollo. Both were outstanding. They also brought a Tapenade - which is more French than Spanish- with some good bread and because it is a Spanish restaurant we ordered some Tapas as well.
There is also Flamenco dancing in the evening but we left before it started. This was our first time there so were weren't quite sure what to expect. Next time we go we'll make sure to catch the show. You can tell La Luna Negra is a popular eating spot. As we were leaving the crowd was just coming in.
http://www.lalunanegrarestaurant.com/
This is a wonderful honour.kikibalt wrote:Paul Palomino, brother of Carlos Palomino was also on the flight with Junior Roble and Byron Lindsay, all three will be inducted, posthumous, into the California Boxing Hall of Fame on June 26 2010.
2 streets named for coach, boxer
By David Berlin
February 21, 2008
NATIONAL CITY – After decades of red tape zoning loopholes and a little finesse two streets this week were named this week after for National City boxing coach Yrenio "Junior" Robles and boxer Byron Lindsay who died in a plane crash in Poland 28 years ago.
National City Councilman Luis Natividad and consultant Augie Baréño, longtime friends of Robles, spearheaded the effort.
“A street is forever,” Baréño said. “It's a symbol. Junior and Byron gave their all to the community and their legacy lives on forever.”
Robles and Lindsay were part of a U.S. amateur boxing team that was traveling to Poland for bouts with the Polish team. Their plane, with 87 people aboard, crashed on March 14, 1980, as it approached Warsaw's Okecie airport. All 87 people aboard, including the 14 boxers and eight officials of the U.S. team, were killed.
Tuesday, Robles' and Lindsay's families and friends, National City Mayor Ron Morrison and other city officials and dignitaries gathered at the new Pacific Scene Homes housing development near Rachael Avenue and Blueridge Street in National City to unveil the new signs.
“This is a blessing,” said Lindsay's mother, Venoria Lindsay, when the street signs reading Junior Robles Road and Byron Lindsay Way were revealed. The honor was long overdue, said Baréño, 60.
“Every time we had a new city councilman we brought up the idea,” he said. “We've probably had 10 of them in the last 30 years and each one would try and then get turned down.”
Almost everyone in attendance had a story about Robles and Lindsay.
“Everybody knew Junior,” said Natividad, 65. In addition to being a professional boxer, Robles founded or was involved in many athletic events in South County during the 1970s.
“The only running in the barrio used to be gangs running from police,” Natividad joked. “Then Robles founded the Barrio Run (which went across the San Diego-Coronado Bridge), and all of a sudden, people from all over San Diego were coming just to run in the race.”
Robles and Natividad founded a Sunday softball league in which gang members and police officers played each other. Robles frequently visited high school principals, rounding up troubled students to bring to boxing gyms, Baréño said.
“He used the gyms to get kids out of trouble and put their energy into more positive things,” Natividad said.
David Soliven, a district attorney investigator, was one of those youths.
“I was about 12 at the time and I could have gone either way, towards a gang or the good side. Junior introduced me to boxing and I got so into it and that was it,” Soliven said. “Junior used to make us breakfast and drive us to school. He was really like a second father.”
Lindsay might have been Robles' greatest protege, but Robles never told him how great he was going to be, Natividad said.
“He would only concentrate on the next fight,” he said.
“Lindsay was the real symbol for all the youth,” Baréño added. “Kids can still look at the success Lindsay had as a boxer and look up to that.”
A photo of Robles and Lindsay hangs prominently at the Community Youth Athletic Center on National City Boulevard, watching over a new generation of boxing students.
Baréño said Robles was the first person to convince high schools to open up their gyms to the community.
“Nobody would say no to him,” he said. “People responded to Junior. He had a way of capturing all the existing energy of the community back then.”
“Everyone knew who he was,” Natividad said. “So if you were acting up, you saw him and nobody would do anything if Junior was there.”
But Natividad said he hated to be around Robles when he was boxing.
“He was so focused he didn't pay any attention to me,” he said. “We went out and had all this fun, but when he started boxing he was so serious.”
The deaths of Robles and Lindsay were a tremendous loss for the community, Natividad said.
“I remember seeing it on TV and I sat down in the kitchen with my wife and we just cried. It was very tough,” he said. “Doing this will hopefully make things right.”