Classic American West Coast Boxing

[kikibalt]

Its 4:18 in the AM, time for a cup of coffee.....

[Panzerfaust]

The Ring and Fat City are my two favorite boxing movies. no Hollywood bullshit, no frills ... just the straight dope.

Have to keep this up front.....

I kinda like "The Three Stooges" myself.You know,the one in which Larry has to play "Pop goes the weasel" on the phonograph to get Curly to fight in the ring. But I'll watch this movie "The Ring".

Charlie, what the hell does the 3 stooges have to do with this movie, "The Ring"??

just watched The Ring... great film

[CNorkusJr]

Today, I surfed the internet to find information about Warren Frakes, a California lightweight who was active during the 1930s. What I found was interesting.

There are photographs in the Library of Congress which show Frakes while he was working as a cottonpicker at the age of six in Comanche County, Oklahoma during 1916.

Frakes' record on BoxRec lists only nineteen bouts, the first one being a loss by decision in a ten-round bout with Sammy Santos in Pismo Beach during 1931. This didn't seem right because I thought it was improbable that a fighter would have his pro debut in a scheduled ten-round bout with a fighter of Santos' caliber. I also remember Frakes' name from when I compiled 1920s San Bernardino boxing results. Sure enough, I found that Frakes fought in San Bernardino as early as 1929.

During his career, Frakes fought some noted California fighters , including Santos, Bobby Pacho, Cowboy Charley Cobb and Baby Sal Sorio.

While serving in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II, Frakes saw action and was wounded.

After the war, Frakes worked as a car painter in a Chrysler plant. While working at the plant, Frakes sustained an injury while saving a fellow worker's life.

It appears that Frakes was born about 1910 and died in 1997.


- Chuck Johnston

Chuck - I do not know where you are located. By any chance are you related to J.J. Johnston of California (boxing enthusiast) ? I know J.J. going back to the 70's with my father and his West Coast interests,though I haven't talked to him for awhile.

[CNorkusJr]

I kinda like "The Three Stooges" myself.You know,the one in which Larry has to play "Pop goes the weasel" on the phonograph to get Curly to fight in the ring. But I'll watch this movie "The Ring".

Charlie, what the hell does the 3 stooges have to do with this movie, "The Ring"??

just watched The Ring... great film

All kidding aside, it is a great movie.

[BOXERJOSH]

Does anyone have information on Augie Pantellas?

[BOXERJOSH]

funny as hell....

[kikibalt]

Bobby Chacon with some big guy in the above photo...

[Rick Farris]

This didn't seem right because I thought it was improbable that a fighter would have his pro debut in a scheduled ten-round bout with a fighter of Santos' caliber.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pete Radamacher fought Floyd Patterson for the heavyweight title in his pro debut.

[kikibalt]

John Liechty



Following up with the left. After a day of hell and a visit to the Doctor, I was sick to my stomach with the fear, I have a great fight and ko Tatar Bedie in 2. He had 107 fights and I was having my 12th. Nobody thought I'd win except my trainer. Thats what happened 34 years ago today.

This is the only know picture of me winning the Golden Gloves 3-12-1977
By: John Liechty

John, now a time keeper will be inducted into the CBHOF this coming June 25 as a time keeper.

[Rick Farris]

Dwight "The Hawk" Hawkins - Uncrowned Champion


Dwight "The Hawk" Hawkins is one of the greatest boxers in history to never get a shot at a world championship.
The Hawk was a devstating body puncher with knockout power in both hands, and with the help of a phony birth certificate was able to secure a pro boxing license at the age of fifteen. Hawkins scored a string of KO's and was disposing of top local talent when matched with a future all-time great bantamweight, Jose Becerra. Bacerra was 23, had more than fifty pro fights, and rated #1 in the world, next in line for a title shot.
Hawkins was a 17-year-old senior at LA's Manuel Arts High School, had only 14 pro fights. Dwight Hawkins scored the upset of the year that night, knocking out the future Hall of Famer and Mexican legend in the fourth round. The victory was more of a curse than a blessing, as Hawkins was avoided thruout his career. To get fights Hawkins would travel the world, taking on the best bantamweights and featherweights in their home towns. In 1967, Dwight and Bobby Valdez met in a ten rounder at the Olympic Auditorium that ended in a draw and was voted Los Angeles' "Fight of the Year". Between 1956 and 1969, Hawkins had 77 pro bouts, compiling a record of 51-20-6 (35KO's). In 1968, Hawkins won the California Featherweight title with a knockout over Frankie Crawford. In addition to his KO of Beccera, Dwight Hawkins fought world champs Vicente Saldivar, Fighting Harada, Kiniaki Shbata and Antonio Gomez. He also fought Jose Medel, Kid Anahuac, Auburn Copeland, and two great fights with former California Featherweight champ Danny Valdez. Hawkins was managed by Johnny Flores and Hal Benson. After he retired from boxing, Dwight Hawkins focused his energy and talents on the inner-city youth of Los Angeles, serving as a "Trouble Shooter" for the Los Angeles School System, becoming a liason between the violent inner-city gangs and the school district. Dwight Hawkins may have been avoided when it come to a shot at a world boxing champion, but he became an undisputed champion in life.

[THEHAMMER321]

Who is this Oprah you guys keep talking about?

Another "actor" with too much power.

Rick in the 1970s when I was a kid we had Billie Jean King who was a big threat to ''the kept man'' society with her ''civil wrongs'' for women, well in her case I think men were in her way of the women she wanted to bed lol , and starting in the mid 1980s this Oprah came around and has tried to ruin the whole ''kept man'' persona ever since, I say throw tomatoes at her.

[Chuck1052]

Chuck, I know JJ Johnston (no relation) very well. My hometown is Ventura, CA, which is about sixty miles from Downtown Los Angeles.

Rick, I don't know if Warren Frakes had any amateur bouts. Of course, Pete Radamacher had quite an amateur career before fighting Floyd Patterson in his first pro bout.

- Chuck Johnston

[Rick Farris]

Chuck, I know JJ Johnston (no relation) very well. My hometown is Ventura, CA, which is about sixty miles from Downtown Los Angeles.

Rick, I don't know if Warren Frakes had any amateur bouts. Of course, Pete Radamacher had quite an amateur career before fighting Floyd Patterson in his first pro bout.

- Chuck Johnston

Very true, Chuck. A 1956 Olympic Gold Medal.
He dropped Patterson in the 2nd round, before being floored six times himself and stopped in the tenth round.
The fight took place in 1957. I wonder what Charlie Norkus Sr. thought of a guy with no pro experience getting a shot at Patterson?

[Rick Farris]

Who is this Oprah you guys keep talking about?

Another "actor" with too much power.

Rick in the 1970s when I was a kid we had Billie Jean King who was a big threat to ''the kept man'' society with her ''civil wrongs'' for women, well in her case I think men were in her way of the women she wanted to bed lol , and starting in the mid 1980s this Oprah came around and has tried to ruin the whole ''kept man'' persona ever since, I say throw tomatoes at her.

Billie Jean . . .

I remember Billie Jean King very well, but can't think of a man who'd care to be "kept" by her.
She took great pride in her victory over an over-the-hill, retired male professional, Bobby Riggs.
However, she was smart enough not to try her luck against Jimmy Connors, Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe, etc.

[Dongee]

Art Aragon and Joe Louis

FranK:
That remarkable photo was taken by Otto Jensen, noted Burbank photographer in 1949. The occasion was that Joe had just signed Artie for Louis' first boxing promotion in Detroit, in which Aragon lost a points decision to smooth boxing Luther
Rawlings

hap navarro

[raylawpc]

Bobby Chacon with some big guy in the above photo...

That's Andre the Giant.

[CNorkusJr]

Chuck, I know JJ Johnston (no relation) very well. My hometown is Ventura, CA, which is about sixty miles from Downtown Los Angeles.

Rick, I don't know if Warren Frakes had any amateur bouts. Of course, Pete Radamacher had quite an amateur career before fighting Floyd Patterson in his first pro bout.

- Chuck Johnston

Very true, Chuck. A 1956 Olympic Gold Medal.
He dropped Patterson in the 2nd round, before being floored six times himself and stopped in the tenth round.
The fight took place in 1957. I wonder what Charlie Norkus Sr. thought of a guy with no pro experience getting a shot at Patterson?

Chuck, Nice to meet you here on CAWCB. My father had business via the telephone with JJ Johnston back in the 70's concerning my fathers fight films. A few calls took place between them and they were friends. I spoke to JJ myself a few times, but it has been awhile and hope he is fine.

Rick, my father knew Pete Radamacher through my fathers friendship with Floyd Patterson.
At various boxing affairs or boxing events they were together with other boxing legends.
I dont think my father had a diverse opinion on situations like the Radamacher-Patterson fight.I never heard my father ever utter a word about "why did that boxer get a fight with that guy". My father knew that during the course of boxing history,there was several such "strange boxing conditions" that pitted various opponents put together for one reason or another by whomever. I myself use to hear my father be asked questions about why one guy fought this guy,or why did this fight occur at this time. My father knew the sport lend itself to making strange bedfellows at certain times, and certainly not taking nothing away from the credibility and ability of Mr Radamacher. It was the nature of the Beast- and my father always told me that the bottom line of the sport was money driven.Still is today.
Thats what makes this Pac-man and Mayweather match-up such a head turning thing.
Any two boxers fight their entire careers to build up to a single blockbuster match-up like this for one chance to swim in the money on the table. And if they played their cards right- turn it in to a huge trilogy, the likes of when Graziano-Zale,LaMotta -Robinson .you get the picture. Certainly my father held no grudge for any match-ups that ocurred, but rather went the other way with it if anything, to see an underdog get his shot, but if for only once in his life.

My personal thoughts on this (no reflection on my father)-and what I have learned over the years-what kind of relationship did Pete have with Floyd. I do not know all that much about Pete Radamacher or his handlers. Did Pete spar with Floyd ? Mgrs promise ? Maybe at the time there was a question on "how a Olympic Champion would match-up to a Ring Champion right out of the Olympics "? My best guess though would be that a special interest between the two fighters or mgrs. had lend itself for this fight to occur and it might had to do with both of them being Gold Medalists in the Olympics.. Maybe Floyd wanted to tune-up before he took on the more experienced pros as a champ(though Moore & Jackson would make this thought questionable).. Maybe my father did know the reason-more than likely- but it was one of many things we never discussed.

[Rick Farris]

Art Aragon and Joe Louis

FranK:
That remarkable photo was taken by Otto Jensen, noted Burbank photographer in 1949. The occasion was that Joe had just signed Artie for Louis' first boxing promotion in Detroit, in which Aragon lost a points decision to smooth boxing Luther
Rawlings

hap navarro

I copied this great photo and e-mailed it to Art's son Audie.
The great thing is Hap's brilliant memory of the circumstances surrounding the picture.
You can't get that anywhere but here, and it really brings the picture to life.
Hap Navarro is a true gift to this thread. Always great when Hap shares his memories.
Audie Aragon will be at our table at the CBHOF lunch this June.

[Rick Farris]

Chuck, I know JJ Johnston (no relation) very well. My hometown is Ventura, CA, which is about sixty miles from Downtown Los Angeles.

Rick, I don't know if Warren Frakes had any amateur bouts. Of course, Pete Radamacher had quite an amateur career before fighting Floyd Patterson in his first pro bout.

- Chuck Johnston

Very true, Chuck. A 1956 Olympic Gold Medal.
He dropped Patterson in the 2nd round, before being floored six times himself and stopped in the tenth round.
The fight took place in 1957. I wonder what Charlie Norkus Sr. thought of a guy with no pro experience getting a shot at Patterson?

Chuck, Nice to meet you here on CAWCB. My father had business via the telephone with JJ Johnston back in the 70's concerning my fathers fight films. A few calls took place between them and they were friends. I spoke to JJ myself a few times, but it has been awhile and hope he is fine.

Rick, my father knew Pete Radamacher through my fathers friendship with Floyd Patterson.
At various boxing affairs or boxing events they were together with other boxing legends.
I dont think my father had a diverse opinion on situations like the Radamacher-Patterson fight.I never heard my father ever utter a word about "why did that boxer get a fight with that guy". My father knew that during the course of boxing history,there was several such "strange boxing conditions" that pitted various opponents put together for one reason or another by whomever. I myself use to hear my father be asked questions about why one guy fought this guy,or why did this fight occur at this time. My father knew the sport lend itself to making strange bedfellows at certain times, and certainly not taking nothing away from the credibility and ability of Mr Radamacher. It was the nature of the Beast- and my father always told me that the bottom line of the sport was money driven.Still is today.
Thats what makes this Pac-man and Mayweather match-up such a head turning thing.
Any two boxers fight their entire careers to build up to a single blockbuster match-up like this for one chance to swim in the money on the table. And if they played their cards right- turn it in to a huge trilogy, the likes of when Graziano-Zale,LaMotta -Robinson .you get the picture. Certainly my father held no grudge for any match-ups that ocurred, but rather went the other way with it if anything, to see an underdog get his shot, but if for only once in his life.

My personal thoughts on this (no reflection on my father)-and what I have learned over the years-what kind of relationship did Pete have with Floyd. I do not know all that much about Pete Radamacher or his handlers. Did Pete spar with Floyd ? Mgrs promise ? Maybe at the time there was a question on "how a Olympic Champion would match-up to a Ring Champion right out of the Olympics "? My best guess though would be that a special interest between the two fighters or mgrs. had lend itself for this fight to occur and it might had to do with both of them being Gold Medalists in the Olympics.. Maybe Floyd wanted to tune-up before he took on the more experienced pros as a champ(though Moore & Jackson would make this thought questionable).. Maybe my father did know the reason-more than likely- but it was one of many things we never discussed.

Thanks Charlie. Much appreciated!

[kikibalt]

Tony Baltazar (R) and Victor ?...circa 1984

[THEHAMMER321]

Tony Baltazar (R) and Victor ?...circa 1984

Frank , wish I could go back to that time, was living at home 17 years old and really enjoyed boxing and that was the year I bet on Tony versus Mayweather, good times.

[kikibalt]

Tony Baltazar (R) and Victor ?...circa 1984

Frank , wish I could go back to that time, was living at home 17 years old and really enjoyed boxing and that was the year I bet on Tony versus Mayweather, good times.

Those were the day, Paul.....

[kikibalt]

Mando Ramos vs Raul Rojas

[Rick Farris]

Mando Ramos vs Raul Rojas

I opened the show that night with a win in a four rounder.

[bennie]

Mando Ramos vs Raul Rojas

I opened the show that night with a win in a four rounder.

They can't take that away from you, Rick.