BoxRec

THEHAMMER321 wrote:

kikibalt wrote:“The '50's”
By Frank Baltazar

1950 was the year I turn 14 years old. Nothing much happened that years aside from going to the Olympic to see Art Aragon beat up on my hero Enrique Bolanos and Beto's brother stealing our rabbits for his wedding dinner.

1951 was the year I got my first tattoo (“kiki”-51-) on my right arm. Went to see Art Aragon fight Jimmy Carter twice, with Keeny Teran fighting on the under card on the second fight, also got to see Enrique Bolanos fight Eddie Chavez and Keeny fighting Gil Cadilli on the same card at the Hollywood Legion. Late summer-early fall went to Moorpark, Ca. to pick walnuts, had a great time in Moorpark, fooled around more then work .

1952 was the year that the Simons Brickyard became part of history, a history that left us with some happy and sad memories, happy because even though we were dirt poor we still led a happy life, sad because we had to leave the only home we had known, I wrote some of my memories of the brickyard before, no use in getting into them here. It was in August that we left Simons for good, got on my dad buddy's truck and headed north to Hollister, Ca. where we found work picking prunes, after we were done with harvesting the prunes we worked picking grapes in a mountain range called “El Gavilan”, after two weeks of picking grapes we headed back to SoCal. We lived with my maternal grandparents in Pico, now Pico-Rivera, Ca. until my dad was able to find us a house to live in, which wasn't long. Late '52 I started working the weekends at the Whittier Car Wash and I was ready to buy my first car, which I did in December, I bought a 1938 four door Chevy that ran more on oil then gas for 55 dollars, five bucks a week.

1953 was a non-script year, beside meeting girls nothing much happened, going to school, working the weekends at the car wash and cruising and listening to Hunter Hancock play R&B music on my ride was the order of the day.

1954 started out the same as '53, that is until April, when I met Connie. In the summer after working up north for a bit I started working full time at the car wash and that gave me some money to put oil in my car and take her to eat at “The Spot” on Olympic Bl. in Montebello, Ca. On Sundays I would get paid and get off work at 2:00 PM, after going home to clean up, I would go pick Connie up at her house in Jimtown, go to The Spot and order a pastrami for each of us, after eating it was time to cruise the barrios, Simons, Canta Rana's, Jimtown, El Ranchito, and of course E.L.A..
As the summer turned into fall things with Connie and I were getting serious, in December we decided to get married, it was a great way for Connie and I to end the year.

1955 was a time for both Connie and I to get used to married life, I went to work full time at a car dealership (paint shop) and Connie stay home, it was a quiet year., not much happening.

1956 was a big year for us, after nearly two years of marriage our first child was born, our beautiful daughter Linda was born on August 21, remember going to pick Connie and baby Linda up from Los Angeles County General Hospital with my late sister Mary Ellen's then boyfriend, later husband, Danny, and goofing off like kids in the hallway of the hospital. Connie and I spent the rest of '56 bonding with our baby.

1957 was again a quiet year. Watch Linda take her first steps as she turned 1 year old, it was also the year I turned 21, I could now drink a beer legally. I can't say how old Connie was without maybe getting thrown in jail.

1958 was another big year for Connie and I with the birth of our first son, Fernie, who was born on April 14. He was later to be known in the boxing world as Frankie Baltazar Jr.. Not long after Fernie was born a friend of Connie's asked her if she would like a job, after we talked it over she decided to take the job, which is how I be came a kept man later on in our marriage.

1959-'60 we spent all our free time watching Linda and Fernie grow and do what kids do.
It was, all in all a great decade to be alive.

I enjoy stories of a by gone era as I think we all do on here, otherwise we would be on the forum getting insulted by Granberry and company

Randyman wrote:

Expug wrote:One for the boys from Merle.
Its a good fighters song.
Billy Conn once said "making a fighter work a job is like strapping a racehorse to a sh.twagon.
This reminds me of that.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klCl3L6oc1w

Brian, as you know, I am a Merle Haggard fan and have been for many years. That song, "The Way I am" could be my calling card. It hits me way down deep whenever I hear it. Straight to the heart.

When I first hired on at McDonnell Douglas in January of 1979 I still had expectations of getting back into the ring. I still had dreams of being a fighter again. I just needed to take care of a few things first.

Things don't always work out the way we want but we learn to make the best of the hand we are dealt. I tried to come back in 1980 after Mel Passed away, training under Larry Soto. During those years life was coming at me like a tidal wave. I always had things or people to take care of.

Now I'm getting old(er) and I don't play by their rules any more, I raised my kids and worked my ass off for the company for 32 years. I go in if and when I feel like it and I don't take any sh*t. It wasn't a job I chose for myself but I stuck it out but like the song says:

"The way I am, don't fit my shackles.
The way I am, reality.
I can almost see that bobber dancin',
So I just dream, keep on bein' the way I am."

I'm not b*tching, just sharing. Life is a trade off. God gave me Jeri and the kids, instead of a boxing career. Still, there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think "what if...."? I know I'm not alone.

Maybe that's why when I see a young kid that fights with a love of fighting and with a big heart, I'll support him. Maybe I'm just living vicariously.

Brian, thanks for posting that song.

Randy

bennie wrote:Amir Khan's next opponent shows himself tonight: the winner of the Juan Manuel Marquez v Juan Diaz lightweight rematch in Las Vegas.
Marquez overcame a customary slow start, and customary cuts and bruises, to outlast a Diaz fighting in his own Houston last year, since when the veteran Mexican has been trounced by Floyd Mayweather Junior up at welterweight. His slow start saw him down in the second round against Mayweather, and he never looked like clawing it back this time, although Marquez didn't take what you could regard as a severe beating. At lightweight, the slick, counterpunching Marquez must still be regarded as a force.
The strong, aggressive Diaz went up to light-welterweight and took a controversial nod over Brooklyn's Paulie Malignaggi in Houston before dropping the points in a rematch in Chicago in December to a man subsequently thrashed by Khan in Madison Square Garden earlier this year, so those are 'iffy' results and, while the Marquez and Diaz are obviously well-matched, the baby bull versus the matador, Diaz was underlined as good but not great by Malignaggi but Marquez has proved for many years, particularly down at featherweight and super-featherweight, that he is one of the best fighters of the modern era. You only have to look at his two wars with Manny Pacquiao to know that and he was blatantly avoided by Naseem Hamed at featherweight. Yes, Diaz holds a fine 12-round decision over Michael "Rocky" Katsidis in Houston in September 2008, but the rugged Aussie may have been flattered here by his three-round destruction of Kevin Mitchell, and you can balance Katsidis with Nate Campbell, the ageing American who outscored Diaz over 12 rounds in Mexico, also in 2008. That was a real surprise.
The first Marquez-Diaz showdown was dominated by Diaz in the early going until Marquez - so smooth and punishing in the groove - began matching Diaz punch for punch before nailing him with right hands and dropping him twice in the ninth round to force the stoppage. Marquez held it together when he busted up in the early rounds while Diaz seemed to lose something when his cut appeared the eighth, and the 'smart' money has been flooding in on Marquez tonight, despite the 10-year age difference between them. (Marquez is 36.) In terms of Khan and his development, it would probably be best if Marquez does prevail, the bigger name of the two and a man who has never been stopped, although Diaz is never in a bad fight.
Either way, the American-based Khan, 23, is on to a good thing on December 11 against the winner. It is all long way from Manchester in September 2008. Khan must be pinching himself.

raylawpc wrote:

Panzerfaust wrote:I read something about a Jim Jeffries exhibition somewhere... anyone know if its still up? And if so where?



PF

The Burbank Historical Society used to have a small exhibit on Jeffries. It was mostly some photographs and some old boxing gloves, as I recall. I do not know whether the exhibit is still up. However, IMHO, it is not worth driving to Burbank just for the Jeffries exhibit. But if you are going to be in Burbank anyway, its worth dropping by. The problem is the Historical Society is only open Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. It is located on Lomita Street, between Clark and West Olive, in George Izay Park. You might call first before you go in case the exhibit has closed. (818) 841-6333. There is not much in LA that remains from Jeffries' days.

If you want to pay your respects to him, he is buried in Inglewood at the Inglewood Park Cemetery not too far from LAX. Address: 720 East Florence Avenue. His grave is not hard to find, as it is in the family plot near the entrance. As you approach the big elk statue at the entrance gate, look to your right and you should see a big tombstone with "Jeffries" inscribed on it. That's his family's plot.

Also buried at the Inglewood Memorial Garden are Sugar Ray Robinson and Tommy Ryan. Robinson's grave is hard to find - you will have to ask directions at the office. Ryan is interred in the Golden West Mausoleum, Sanctuary of Reverence area. The brass inscription on his crypt says "Tommy Ryan (Edward Youngs) 1870-1947." Youngs was his real name. You will have to look closely to find it because the inscription has grown dark with age and is hard to read.

There are other famous people buried there too: Ella Fitzgerald, Betty Grable, Johnnie Cochran, to name a few. But Jeffries, Ryan and Robinson are the only boxers, I think.

Randyman wrote:

Expug wrote:One for the boys from Merle.
Its a good fighters song.
Billy Conn once said "making a fighter work a job is like strapping a racehorse to a sh.twagon.
This reminds me of that.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klCl3L6oc1w

Brian, as you know, I am a Merle Haggard fan and have been for many years. That song, "The Way I am" could be my calling card. It hits me way down deep whenever I hear it. Straight to the heart.

When I first hired on at McDonnell Douglas in January of 1979 I still had expectations of getting back into the ring. I still had dreams of being a fighter again. I just needed to take care of a few things first.

Things don't always work out the way we want but we learn to make the best of the hand we are dealt. I tried to come back in 1980 after Mel Passed away, training under Larry Soto. During those years life was coming at me like a tidal wave. I always had things or people to take care of.

Now I'm getting old(er) and I don't play by their rules any more, I raised my kids and worked my ass off for the company for 32 years. I go in if and when I feel like it and I don't take any sh*t. It wasn't a job I chose for myself but I stuck it out but like the song says:

"The way I am, don't fit my shackles.
The way I am, reality.
I can almost see that bobber dancin',
So I just dream, keep on bein' the way I am."

I'm not b*tching, just sharing. Life is a trade off. God gave me Jeri and the kids, instead of a boxing career. Still, there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think "what if...."? I know I'm not alone.

Maybe that's why when I see a young kid that fights with a love of fighting and with a big heart, I'll support him. Maybe I'm just living vicariously.

Brian, thanks for posting that song.

Randy

kikibalt wrote:

THEHAMMER321 wrote:Frank how was the menudo today.

No menudo today, Paul Spaghetti, went for the huevo con chorizo instead

BoxBuzz wrote:That looks like a fine cut of ham as well.

Does the chauffeured ride come with the meal?

THEHAMMER321 wrote:I think that dude in the car was waiting for that ham you guys didn't finish.

THEHAMMER321 wrote:Is that diner old or is it just made to look like the 50s.

Panzerfaust wrote:

Randyman wrote:

Expug wrote:One for the boys from Merle.
Its a good fighters song.
Billy Conn once said "making a fighter work a job is like strapping a racehorse to a sh.twagon.
This reminds me of that.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klCl3L6oc1w

Brian, as you know, I am a Merle Haggard fan and have been for many years. That song, "The Way I am" could be my calling card. It hits me way down deep whenever I hear it. Straight to the heart.

When I first hired on at McDonnell Douglas in January of 1979 I still had expectations of getting back into the ring. I still had dreams of being a fighter again. I just needed to take care of a few things first.

Things don't always work out the way we want but we learn to make the best of the hand we are dealt. I tried to come back in 1980 after Mel Passed away, training under Larry Soto. During those years life was coming at me like a tidal wave. I always had things or people to take care of.

Now I'm getting old(er) and I don't play by their rules any more, I raised my kids and worked my ass off for the company for 32 years. I go in if and when I feel like it and I don't take any sh*t. It wasn't a job I chose for myself but I stuck it out but like the song says:

"The way I am, don't fit my shackles.
The way I am, reality.
I can almost see that bobber dancin',
So I just dream, keep on bein' the way I am."

I'm not b*tching, just sharing. Life is a trade off. God gave me Jeri and the kids, instead of a boxing career. Still, there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think "what if...."? I know I'm not alone.

Maybe that's why when I see a young kid that fights with a love of fighting and with a big heart, I'll support him. Maybe I'm just living vicariously.

Brian, thanks for posting that song.

Randy

Randy, your post moved me to tears. I have often thought about what it means to be a man. I used to think it was someone who went their own way. But as of late i have realized that a ''real man'' is one who puts his dreams on hold to care and provide for the people he loves and take care of buisness.
In my book you are it

Expug wrote:

Randyman wrote:

Expug wrote:One for the boys from Merle.
Its a good fighters song.
Billy Conn once said "making a fighter work a job is like strapping a racehorse to a sh.twagon.
This reminds me of that.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klCl3L6oc1w

Brian, as you know, I am a Merle Haggard fan and have been for many years. That song, "The Way I am" could be my calling card. It hits me way down deep whenever I hear it. Straight to the heart.

When I first hired on at McDonnell Douglas in January of 1979 I still had expectations of getting back into the ring. I still had dreams of being a fighter again. I just needed to take care of a few things first.

Things don't always work out the way we want but we learn to make the best of the hand we are dealt. I tried to come back in 1980 after Mel Passed away, training under Larry Soto. During those years life was coming at me like a tidal wave. I always had things or people to take care of.

Now I'm getting old(er) and I don't play by their rules any more, I raised my kids and worked my ass off for the company for 32 years. I go in if and when I feel like it and I don't take any sh*t. It wasn't a job I chose for myself but I stuck it out but like the song says:

"The way I am, don't fit my shackles.
The way I am, reality.
I can almost see that bobber dancin',
So I just dream, keep on bein' the way I am."

I'm not b*tching, just sharing. Life is a trade off. God gave me Jeri and the kids, instead of a boxing career. Still, there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think "what if...."? I know I'm not alone.

Maybe that's why when I see a young kid that fights with a love of fighting and with a big heart, I'll support him. Maybe I'm just living vicariously.

Brian, thanks for posting that song.

Randy

I thought of you when I posted the song Randy.
That post there of yours is beautiful.
All I have to say is its an honor to be able to call you a friend Randy.
Thats the truth.

kikibalt wrote:Connie and I went out for breakfast this morning to Lisa's. Talk about going back in time, you walk into Lisa's, and the years just melt away, you're back in the '50's.



Lisa's is a '50th theme restaurant, its owned by Cindy a friend of my daughter Linda







That's Connie and me





We both order ham & eggs, but we didn't know that we were getting the whole hog




The dude is waiting for his passenger