BoxRec

THEHAMMER321 wrote:Watching on the bio channel right now a story on Joe Conforte, the brothel owner of the Mustang ranch, the place where Oscar Bonavena was murdered alleged by Conforte's orders.

Rick Farris wrote:

THEHAMMER321 wrote:Watching on the bio channel right now a story on Joe Conforte, the brothel owner of the Mustang ranch, the place where Oscar Bonavena was murdered alleged by Conforte's orders.

Seems he was making a pest of himself?

Rick Farris wrote:

THEHAMMER321 wrote:Watching on the bio channel right now a story on Joe Conforte, the brothel owner of the Mustang ranch, the place where Oscar Bonavena was murdered alleged by Conforte's orders.

Seems he was making a pest of himself?

raylawpc wrote:

Rick Farris wrote:

THEHAMMER321 wrote:Watching on the bio channel right now a story on Joe Conforte, the brothel owner of the Mustang ranch, the place where Oscar Bonavena was murdered alleged by Conforte's orders.

Seems he was making a pest of himself?

I heard he was making a pest of himself screwing the guy's wife.

kikibalt wrote:

raylawpc wrote:

Rick Farris wrote: Seems he was making a pest of himself?

I heard he was making a pest of himself screwing the guy's wife.

Yeah!, but she wanted it...

THEHAMMER321 wrote:

kikibalt wrote:

raylawpc wrote: I heard he was making a pest of himself screwing the guy's wife.

Yeah!, but she wanted it...

What are friends for

THEHAMMER321 wrote:The 1974 Annual Americana National AAU Championships
( Boston, May 10-12 )
106 pounds .... Albert Sandoval, Los Angeles
112 pounds .... Richard Rozelle, Columbus, Ohio
119 pounds .... Mike Hess, Albany, Oregon
125 pounds .... Howard Davis, New York
132 pounds .... Aaron Pryor, Cincinnati
139 pounds .... Randy Shields, Hollywood, Calif
147 POUNDS .... William Tuttle, Bowie Md.
156 pounds .... Dale Grant, Tacoma, Wash.
165 pounds .... Marvin Hagler, Brockton, MASS.
178 pounds .... D.C Barker, Denver
Heavyweight .... James Chapman, Reno Nev
fighting took place 1973.

raylawpc wrote:

CNorkusJr wrote:Thanks guys for your comments. I certainly enjoyed my time in Manhattan.My firehouse that I retired from in 2005 was diagonally across the street from where the old Mad. Sq Garden stood on 50th St. I swear that on some cold quiet nites on 8th Ave. you can hear the timekeepers bell ring every so often. The site was a block long pavement parking lot in 1985 and 20 years later stands a huge highrise complex of businesses on 8th Ave and Condos on 9th Ave called the "Worldwide Plaza". The "Neutral Corner Bar" is where the writers and who's who gathered after the fights is now a Korean Fruit/Deli Bodega and Old Stillmans Gym location is torn down for a Apt complex. "Dempseys Bar and Grill" on Bdwy (seen in the "Godfather" movie) was the ground floor of the Brill Bldg. Still standing, but A Records and DVD Store is there now. A small basement fire in the bldg brought me there around 1988. In the basement, believe it or not, was a couple of boxes of Jack Dempsey's bar tabs cards. They belonged to no one so we took the cases and through the years gave them to all our friends. They were all scooped up in a year or two. They had his picture on the tabs. Very cool.

I actually got to meet Dempsey at his restaurant in 1973 with Pat O'Grady, Sean O'Grady, and a fighter named Humphrey McBride. At the end of a fight trip to Rhode Island, we changed our flight plans so that we could depart out of New York City, and spend a night and a day there to see the sights. (Only Pat had been to New York City.) We got in about 6 p.m., I guess, and had already eaten on the way down, but everybody agreed we should head over to Dempsey's, have a piece of cheesecake, and meet the great man.

When we got there, no Dempsey. I asked the waiter if Dempsey would be there that night. He told me that Jack was getting older and didn't come every night like he once did, but he might make it in. I was disappointed, but Pat suggested we go ahead and enjoy some cheesecake, and then go on with our sightseeing. After we got our order, I mentioned that it was too bad we didn't get to see Dempsey. Pat smiled and said, "You spoke too soon. Look behind you. He came in a few minutes ago." I turned around and, low and behold, there was Dempsey, his wife, and another gentleman sitting in Dempsey's regular booth by the front door. I have to admit, I was extremely excited and wanted to go over right away. "Just eat your cheesecake," Pat said. "He's not going anywhere."

After we finished eating, the four of us walked over to Dempsey's booth. He always strategically placed himself in a booth next to the front door and in front of a big picture window. That way, he could meet and greet everybody coming and going from the restaurant, and he could be seen from the street. The four of us went over to meet him. He was very cordial, and he and Pat talked for a few minutes about guys in the fight game they both knew. I remember being amazed that he knew Pat, and that he and Pat were on a first name basis. Sean, Humphrey and I just stood there and stared. Pat introduced all of us and said, pointing to me, "This is Tom Ray, he's the trainer." "You have young trainers down in Oklahoma, Pat," Dempsey said, and they both chuckled. I shook his hand. (I remember he had really big hands.) I finally worked up the courage and asked him if I could have his autograph. He kept a stack of postcards right in front of him on the table. The photo on the postcard was a print of the famous painting of him defeating Willard, a huge muriel painted onto the wall in the restaurant. He took one of those cards and signed it using a black felt-tip pen. As I recall, he inscribed it, "To Tom. Best of luck. Your Pal, Jack Dempsey." And then we left. I still have his autograph. I would't sell it for a million dollars.

In my lifetime, I've been privileged to meet governors, senators, Supreme Court justices, celebrities, and lot of top fighters like Norton, Ali, etc. But nothing before or since has given me a bigger thrill than meeting the great Jack Dempsey.

kikibalt wrote:John Liechty:



2-79- Winning my fight in Hollenbek, he could punch pretty good so I had to presure him so he coulden't set up. My trainer Jerry Moore was very happy with me in this fight.Two weeks later Tony Cerda floors me twice and stops me in the 1st round at the Olympic. My nightmare was to begin.



12-14-76 winnig a very hard one over John White in Pico Rivera.He broke my rib I was very glad to win.He could really hit!



3- 12 -1977 The night I won the Calif. Golden Glove title, I was a middle wieght.I'm holding my wieght divison trophy, my girl friend, Lori is holding best fighter of the tourament I won that night. That was it for me I lost 5 out of my last 7 fights.

bennie wrote:

raylawpc wrote:

CNorkusJr wrote:Thanks guys for your comments. I certainly enjoyed my time in Manhattan.My firehouse that I retired from in 2005 was diagonally across the street from where the old Mad. Sq Garden stood on 50th St. I swear that on some cold quiet nites on 8th Ave. you can hear the timekeepers bell ring every so often. The site was a block long pavement parking lot in 1985 and 20 years later stands a huge highrise complex of businesses on 8th Ave and Condos on 9th Ave called the "Worldwide Plaza". The "Neutral Corner Bar" is where the writers and who's who gathered after the fights is now a Korean Fruit/Deli Bodega and Old Stillmans Gym location is torn down for a Apt complex. "Dempseys Bar and Grill" on Bdwy (seen in the "Godfather" movie) was the ground floor of the Brill Bldg. Still standing, but A Records and DVD Store is there now. A small basement fire in the bldg brought me there around 1988. In the basement, believe it or not, was a couple of boxes of Jack Dempsey's bar tabs cards. They belonged to no one so we took the cases and through the years gave them to all our friends. They were all scooped up in a year or two. They had his picture on the tabs. Very cool.

I actually got to meet Dempsey at his restaurant in 1973 with Pat O'Grady, Sean O'Grady, and a fighter named Humphrey McBride. At the end of a fight trip to Rhode Island, we changed our flight plans so that we could depart out of New York City, and spend a night and a day there to see the sights. (Only Pat had been to New York City.) We got in about 6 p.m., I guess, and had already eaten on the way down, but everybody agreed we should head over to Dempsey's, have a piece of cheesecake, and meet the great man.

When we got there, no Dempsey. I asked the waiter if Dempsey would be there that night. He told me that Jack was getting older and didn't come every night like he once did, but he might make it in. I was disappointed, but Pat suggested we go ahead and enjoy some cheesecake, and then go on with our sightseeing. After we got our order, I mentioned that it was too bad we didn't get to see Dempsey. Pat smiled and said, "You spoke too soon. Look behind you. He came in a few minutes ago." I turned around and, low and behold, there was Dempsey, his wife, and another gentleman sitting in Dempsey's regular booth by the front door. I have to admit, I was extremely excited and wanted to go over right away. "Just eat your cheesecake," Pat said. "He's not going anywhere."

After we finished eating, the four of us walked over to Dempsey's booth. He always strategically placed himself in a booth next to the front door and in front of a big picture window. That way, he could meet and greet everybody coming and going from the restaurant, and he could be seen from the street. The four of us went over to meet him. He was very cordial, and he and Pat talked for a few minutes about guys in the fight game they both knew. I remember being amazed that he knew Pat, and that he and Pat were on a first name basis. Sean, Humphrey and I just stood there and stared. Pat introduced all of us and said, pointing to me, "This is Tom Ray, he's the trainer." "You have young trainers down in Oklahoma, Pat," Dempsey said, and they both chuckled. I shook his hand. (I remember he had really big hands.) I finally worked up the courage and asked him if I could have his autograph. He kept a stack of postcards right in front of him on the table. The photo on the postcard was a print of the famous painting of him defeating Willard, a huge muriel painted onto the wall in the restaurant. He took one of those cards and signed it using a black felt-tip pen. As I recall, he inscribed it, "To Tom. Best of luck. Your Pal, Jack Dempsey." And then we left. I still have his autograph. I would't sell it for a million dollars.

In my lifetime, I've been privileged to meet governors, senators, Supreme Court justices, celebrities, and lot of top fighters like Norton, Ali, etc. But nothing before or since has given me a bigger thrill than meeting the great Jack Dempsey.

Nice post, Tom.

CNorkusJr wrote:RayLaw I dont know what happened to all the stuff there. It wasnt in the basement where I got the bar tabs. I'm thinking possibly the family took it with them if it was a painting that could be removed,or if it was a wall mural it could have been torn down, or its sitting behind a false wall in the record store. Hmmm.

kikibalt wrote:John Liechty:



2-1976 I'm boxing this day and this is the mood. It was never easy for me the tension and self doubt were with me all day till the bell rang. I swore befor my fights Id never put my self thur this again, but once the fight started there was no place I'd rather be. I loved the combat and friendships I formed with the men I fought.

kikibalt wrote:John Liechty:



Steve Watson and I in Naples, Fla. We all walk to the pier in the morning have coffie and b.s. till we go eat breckfast. Between Steve and I we gained 14 lbs.in the week we were there, quess who put on 9 of them. Whats with the hair John. 10-4-08

John two years ago (R)

Rick Farris wrote:

kikibalt wrote:John Liechty:



2-1976 I'm boxing this day and this is the mood. It was never easy for me the tension and self doubt were with me all day till the bell rang. I swore befor my fights Id never put my self thur this again, but once the fight started there was no place I'd rather be. I loved the combat and friendships I formed with the men I fought.

The Day of the Fight . . .

I remember the face and recall seeing him around.
Sounds like he was a rough fighter. Glad he is doing well today.

We all remember thoughts & feelings we had on the day of a fight.
Boxers don't all feel the same on fight day, but it plays on all of our minds.
I remember feeling my nerves a bit, but I also felt "this was my day, what I am here for."
Those were the days I felt special, edgy yes, but energized when I was properly prepared.

In my day we used to weigh-in on the morning of the fight.
I was fortunate to appear on some pretty big fight cards, with world title holders & contenders.
On these days there would be a lot of press at the weigh-ins, camera crews, etc.
At the Olympic Aud., Aileen Eaton would hold the weigh-ins for big cards right at the Olympic, in the ring.

I will never forget the feeling I had on December 10, 1970.
I was just 18, and had about six pro fights under my belt.
That night, Mando Ramos would take on Raul Rojas in a major L.A. showdown.
Also on the card were Frankie Crawford in a ten rounder, Armando Muniz in a six, with me opening the show in a four rounder.

My friend Karl Nelson drove me to the morning weigh-in. When we entered the Olympic, there was a big crowd of people.
The scale was set-up in the ring, and I could see all the nights players taking their positions.
There was Jackie McCoy, Harry Kabakoff, Johnny Flores, the fighters, the local ABC netwrok affiliate had a news crew.

We all weighed in and I was totally in my element. I felt like a kid living his fantasy.
I was on the same show with the great Mando Ramos!
Muniz, Crawford and I visited in the ring as the commission inspector adjusted the scale.
I'll never forget the inspector's voice as he announced my weight, "Ricky Farris, 118 1/2 pounds."

Nerves? Yeah, I felt them, and they were energizing. I was living my dream.
I didn't need a world title or a million bucks to get what I needed from boxing.
Just knowing I was a part of it was good enough. Now today I can write about it, and enjoy it all over again.


-Rick Farris

THEHAMMER321 wrote:

kikibalt wrote:John Liechty:



Steve Watson and I in Naples, Fla. We all walk to the pier in the morning have coffie and b.s. till we go eat breckfast. Between Steve and I we gained 14 lbs.in the week we were there, quess who put on 9 of them. Whats with the hair John. 10-4-08

John two years ago (R)

Frank did he ever fight pro because I couldn't find him, I looked at boxrec.com.

THEHAMMER321 wrote:Tom are you familiar with heavyweight ''Big Bob Albright from the 1950s, if so is he still alive

THEHAMMER321 wrote:Frank how has Tony been doing, always think about him because those were my favorite times of following boxing early 1980s will always remember that monster left hook