Charley your dad was in good hands with trainer Whitey Bimstein. I would always see BimsteinCNorkusJr wrote:Charley entering the ring with trainer Whitey Bimstein in New Orleans
versus former LSU collegiate Champion Crowe Peele, who was undefeated Pro at the time of this match. Norkus defeated highly touted Peele twice in inspired bouts.
Now Orleans Municipal Auditorium, N Rampart Street & St Ann St, downtown.
5/28/1957
Charley, great photo of your dad [looks like Bill O'Reilly Fox News] and Tony Janiro, who was the best young lightweight prospect I ever saw...He was so good a prospect that after he kod Monty PignatoreCNorkusJr wrote:Pictures from Ehsan's Training Camp-Summit, New Jersey between 1948-1950
New Jersey Welterweight Johnny "Red" Defazio (who might have been in-training for Del Flanagen), Charley Norkus( training for Curt Kennedy), unknown woman, welterweight Tony Janiro. Janiro might have been in training for Rocky Graziano( Feb or March 1950)
Tony Janiro, unknown, Charley Norkus
Heavy Billy McNabb & Tony Janiro, Bill McNabb was one of my father's sparring partners at the time but photo was from different time of year.
Congratulations Charley on your dad's nomination to the California Boxing Hall of Fame...You must be proud...CNorkusJr wrote:http://www.maxboxing.com/news/max-boxin ... f-the-west
It is with great honor that I tell you that my father, Charley Norkus, will be Inducted into The California Boxing Hall Of Fame for 2012.
I received a letter from the President of the CA Boxing HOF Don Fraser last week announcing his induction to be held in Los Angeles on Oct 20th,2012.
If you been following my dads past career on this thread, you would be well aware of his participation in some of California's exciting Boxing history.
Above is a wonderful article written and posted on MaxBoxing. It is a interview with the Vice Pres. Rick Farris, a very good friend and former tough fighter from the LA area.
My father's California Boxing Past, briefly;
My father was born in 1928 in Bellrose, Queens, New York.
Entered the Marine Corps in 1946 after establishing himself well as a Heavyweight Amateur in the New York area.
Racking up various amateur titles as a US Marine on the US Navy Boxing Squad, he was sent to San Diego,CA to compete in the US Navy Olympics.
In early 1948, he came away with from San Diego undefeated and holding the US Navy Olympic Heavyweight Champion, US Marine Heavyweight Champion of 1948 and All-Service Champion. Later on that year my father was reassigned to Washington DC armory post as he trained for the US Olympic Team to be held in London England that year. He went to the Finals trial up in Boston Garden, Mass where he was defeated by Coley Wallace in the Qtr finals that weekend. His only Amateur loss that year.
Turning pro out of New Jersey later that year 1948,after serving in the Marines his 2 year stint- He forged his way into the Heavy ranks and by 1953, was known as a knockout artist and Ring Spoiler to many contenders. Marrying in 1954 and returning to New York to live, Charley trained in Stillman's gym and started appearing on National TV fights. After defeating Danny Nardico in stunning brawls in Fla. Charley was 10th ranked Heavywt in the sport. He faced a upcoming undefeated (11-0, 9 KOs)
the big West Coaster Charlie Powell on National TV. In an exciting brawl again, my father KO'd Powell that lifted him up to 7th ranked. That fight was in San Francisco,and is remembered very well on the East Coast and West Coast as a legendary fight.
In 1958, my father returned to California, in his next to last year in boxing, and fought Chalie Powell again. Powell beat my father handedly in the rematch in San Diego.
My father then returned again later that year and fought the great Archie Moore in San Francisco. Archie held the Lt Heavy title at that time but because the fight was out of the wt class, it was a non-title fight. My father went the distance with Moore as he has done with Powell earlier in the year, but lost to the great Champion on UD.
It is certainly a Great Honor for The Norkus Family to see my father recognized for his efforts in California. A true crowd pleaser. The list of fighters to be inducted into the CA Boxing Hall of Fame is truely a remarkable one, and we are thrilled to be included in with my dads friends from the past.
My fathers first fight with undefeated Charlie Powell, 1954
http://sosoboxing.com/boxing-video-watc ... -powell-i/
Thank You I am glad you enjoy them, as much as I do posting them.yancey wrote:Congratulations on your Dad's entrance into the California Boxing HOF.
This sure is a great thread with wonderful photos.
Sorry to say, I do not think so. Splendor in The Grass was Beatty's first film and it was filmed primarily in New York, but his Hollywood star was already rising and he went west. One person my father did see after making movies together was friend Jackie Gleason. Jackie loved New York though alot of his variety show was now in Miami. My father would run into him at Toots Shors and PJ Clarke's from time to time.keithmoonhangover wrote:I love this thread. Thanks CNorkusJr.
Did your dad meat Warren Beatty again after the film?
Willem Dafoe is a superb actor. Any more pics/stories of your dad and actors/directors?CNorkusJr wrote:Sorry to say, I do not think so. Splendor in The Grass was Beatty's first film and it was filmed primarily in New York, but his Hollywood star was already rising and he went west. One person my father did see after making movies together was friend Jackie Gleason. Jackie loved New York though alot of his variety show was now in Miami. My father would run into him at Toots Shors and PJ Clarke's from time to time.keithmoonhangover wrote:I love this thread. Thanks CNorkusJr.
Did your dad meat Warren Beatty again after the film?
As you know, actors and actresses always show for the fights, and my father always found an opportunity to say hello to many. Here is a shot of Wilhelm DaFoe
who actually came to the fights in the Felt Forum, NYC to pick up tips on boxing as he was about to play a part that had boxing scenes in it. He actually asked my father to give him pointers on stance and such when my father wasnt reffing in the ring that night. I do not know the name of the production Mr DaFoe was in.
The film was Triumph of the Spirit.CNorkusJr wrote:Sorry to say, I do not think so. Splendor in The Grass was Beatty's first film and it was filmed primarily in New York, but his Hollywood star was already rising and he went west. One person my father did see after making movies together was friend Jackie Gleason. Jackie loved New York though alot of his variety show was now in Miami. My father would run into him at Toots Shors and PJ Clarke's from time to time.keithmoonhangover wrote:I love this thread. Thanks CNorkusJr.
Did your dad meat Warren Beatty again after the film?
As you know, actors and actresses always show for the fights, and my father always found an opportunity to say hello to many. Here is a shot of Wilhelm DaFoe
who actually came to the fights in the Felt Forum, NYC to pick up tips on boxing as he was about to play a part that had boxing scenes in it. He actually asked my father to give him pointers on stance and such when my father wasnt reffing in the ring that night. I do not know the name of the production Mr DaFoe was in.