BoxRec

kikibalt wrote:May 16, 1950


Art Aragon_

Controversy reigned at the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles after Tommy Campbell’s (140) strange performance in a third round stoppage loss to local star Art Aragon (137 ½).

Campbell’s odd antics started after he knocked the favored Aragon through the ropes and onto the ring apron with a right hand in the second round. According to George Main of the Los Angeles Herald-Express, Campbell appeared "amazed" by what he’d done and "reached out as if to help Aragon to his feet" before backing off while the count was administered. After rising at eight, the Golden Boy looked none too steady but rather than go for the finish, Campbell made the bizarre move of retreating to a neutral corner and allowing Aragon (pictured, Antiquities of the Prize Ring) to wail away on him until the end of the round…

Never once did the onetime high-ranking Illinois battler make a serious move to ward off Aragon’s stream of leather.

At this sudden turn of events the crowd went into an uproar with many fans making uncomplimentary charges about Campbell’s integrity.

– Cal Whorton, Los Angeles Times

When he came out for the third session, Campbell continued to make no effort to defend himself, seemingly content to stand and get drilled by Aragon's right hand, before eventually being dropped for the count. At the finish, "most of the 7500 spectators were on their feet yelling 'fake' and showing the ring with debris." Commission representative Clayton Frye was none too impressed either, and told the press he believed the strange happenings "could do with some investigating."

The opinion of foul play wasn’t shared by matchmaker Babe McCoy, who stated that he saw nothing amiss with the bout, brushing aside rumors that Campbell had taken a dive "to help build Aragon up."

The purses of the fighters were held up until a hearing before Norman Houston of the California State Athletic Commission two days later. Campbell explained his performance by saying that he didn’t want to veer from his plan of trying to outbox Aragon, believing that the local star wasn’t really hurt after the knockdown. He also reiterated the reason he’d given immediately after the bout for backing off, explaining that he’d been partially blinded after being hit in the eye.

Though Mushy Callahan and Joe Stone, the two official fight judges, stated at the hearing that something wasn’t quite right about the fight, Houston ruled that "the facts don’t support any form of collusion."

First they ask the supposed culprits if they had been bad boys, then accept their denials as factual… Then they ignore the fact that two of the three ringside officials swore under oath that they though the bout was "fishy" while it was in progress. Result: None, as usual.

– Dick Hyland, Los Angeles Times

* In 1956, McCoy was banned for life by the CSAC for "ordering fights lost to fighters including Art Aragon, Harry Mathews and Del Flanagan." The ban came after Campbell testified as a surprise witness before a special investigating committee set up by California Governor Goodwin J. Knight. Campbell told the committee he was there voluntarily "to do what was right." According to Campbell’s testimony, his manager George Moore had made a deal with McCoy before the bout. Campbell explained that he was supposed to "make it look good" for three rounds, and in doing so had nearly knocked Aragon out by accident, prompting the strange sequence of events in the second round that had lead to the original suspicions over the bout’s legitimacy.
* Fighters Georgie Hansford and Watson Jones also testified at the hearing, stating that they had tanked fights for McCoy. Jones also testified that the influential matchmaker had robbed him of his purses.
* At the hearing, it was also revealed the Clayton Frye had been barred from the dressing rooms by the Olympic Auditorium management, making it very difficult for the commission member to properly oversee what took place at the venue. Rather suspiciously, the CSAC refused at the time to do anything about Frye’s lack of access.

Just forwarded this to Audie Aragon.
I'm going to walk Art Aragon's son thru this great thread, and from that pull up anything posted here on his dad.
You know most boxing stories (films) are pretty weak.
The Fighter was a good one because it wasn't sbout boxing so much as a dysfunctional family.
It seems every boxer believes a film should be made about there life.
I agree that some have compelling stories, but they are themes that have been over done, and no longer what the public will pay to see.
I believe Aragon's story is much bigger than the norm. If nothing else, a documentary about the real "Golden Boy" would be of interest to many?
I'm not planning to get involved in the production of another boxing film, just giving my opinion.

kikibalt wrote:

Photo courtesy of Blanca Gutierrez
Javier "Baby Face" Gutierrez (l) and his best friend and fighter
Hector Cortez prepare for a 1950 fight. Gutierrez will enter the
California Boxing Hall of Fame in June.

Frank, great photo!

Rick Farris wrote:

kikibalt wrote:

Chuck1052 wrote:Frank, your reaction to "The Fighter" was similar to mine. Early last year, a fellow from Massachusetts told me about Mickey Ward and his dysfunctional family. In other words, it is probable that the makers of the film didn't have to use too much poetic license in portraying the family in such a negative light.

Looking up Dicky Ecklund's (right spelling?) record on BoxRec, I found that he was not stopped during his fairly mediocre career.

- Chuck Johnston

Yeah, Ecklund's record was nothing to write home about....

But Frank, he knocked down Sugar Ray Leonard.

Sure he did!!....

Rick Farris wrote:

kikibalt wrote:

Photo courtesy of Blanca Gutierrez
Javier "Baby Face" Gutierrez (l) and his best friend and fighter
Hector Cortez prepare for a 1950 fight. Gutierrez will enter the
California Boxing Hall of Fame in June.

Frank, great photo!

Thanks Rick.

I remember watching southpaw Baby Face G. beat Billy Peacock, not once but twice at the time that Peacock was beating all the Mexican fighters.....

kikibalt wrote:

Rick Farris wrote:

kikibalt wrote:

Photo courtesy of Blanca Gutierrez
Javier "Baby Face" Gutierrez (l) and his best friend and fighter
Hector Cortez prepare for a 1950 fight. Gutierrez will enter the
California Boxing Hall of Fame in June.

Frank, great photo!

Thanks Rick.

I remember watching southpaw Baby Face G. beat Billy Peacock, not once but twice at the time that Peacock was beating all the Mexican fighters.....

A solid CBHOF inductee. Good to learn about Baby Face Gutierrez. Anything you remember is appreciated, especially liked the Sweet Pea Peacock analogy.

"Sweet Pea" . . .

Billy Peacock is the original "Sweet Pea".
Pernell Whitaker's '84 Olympic team mates knew him as Pete, "Sweet Pete" was his ring name.
As a pro, Sweet Pete somehow morphed into "Sweet Pea" Whitaker.

Billy "Sweet Pea" Peacock is a one & only.

Billy Peacock


"Sweet Pea"
Birth Name: William Peacock
Born: 1933-06-30
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Died: 2000-09-29 (Age:67)
Nationality: US American
Hometown: Los Angeles, California, USA
Height: 5′ 4″ Division: Bantamweight
Manager: Joe Stanley, Suey Welch


As an amateur in 1950 Billy Peacock won the Novice Mid-Atlantic AAU and the Philadelphia Golden Gloves Championship sponsored by the Philadelphia Daily News at flyweight. In 1951 he won the Diamond Belt in Philadelphia and was the National AAU Champion at flyweight .

As a professional, Peacock was a Bantamweight contender during the mid-1950s. His career highlight was a one-punch kayo, which broke the jaw, of reigning National Boxing Association Bantamweight champion Raul (Raton) Macias in a 1955 non-title bout.

Inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame, October 2006.

In the Social Security Death Records on the website of RootsWeb, there is one William Peacock who was born on June 30, 1933 and died on September 29, 2000. His last listed residence was Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Rick Farris wrote:Billy Peacock


"Sweet Pea"
Birth Name: William Peacock
Born: 1933-06-30
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Died: 2000-09-29 (Age:67)
Nationality: US American
Hometown: Los Angeles, California, USA
Height: 5′ 4″ Division: Bantamweight
Manager: Joe Stanley, Suey Welch


As an amateur in 1950 Billy Peacock won the Novice Mid-Atlantic AAU and the Philadelphia Golden Gloves Championship sponsored by the Philadelphia Daily News at flyweight. In 1951 he won the Diamond Belt in Philadelphia and was the National AAU Champion at flyweight .

As a professional, Peacock was a Bantamweight contender during the mid-1950s. His career highlight was a one-punch kayo, which broke the jaw, of reigning National Boxing Association Bantamweight champion Raul (Raton) Macias in a 1955 non-title bout.

Inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame, October 2006.

In the Social Security Death Records on the website of RootsWeb, there is one William Peacock who was born on June 30, 1933 and died on September 29, 2000. His last listed residence was Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clXu8Vy26vU

Raul "El Raton" Macias vs Billy Peacock

kikibalt wrote:I received this E-Mail some months back and thought I would share it with you now that I found it again

If this is Frank, Sr. my name is Steve Corbo.

When I lived in LA back in the mid 1970's I was a fan of yours and Frankie, Jr.. This goes back to 1976 - 1977. Tony was just a kid coming up, but Frankie had already turned pro and was starting to make a name for himself. (I later became a fan of Tony's)! I saw Frankie fight several times at the Olympic and knew he was something special. Man, I used to live at the Olympic... every Thursday night. Those were some of the best times I ever had. I worked out at Hoover Street Gym a few times, also went to Hollenbeck Youth Center once or twice. Would go up to Main Street Gym just to see who was there. I never fought pro and wasn't much of an amateur but I love the game and its still in my blood.

I was a pro judge in Illinois for many years also heavily involved for many years with the Chicago Golden Gloves. Over the years I worked with a couple of pro fighters. In recent years I have been doing some ring announcing. Mostly in Europe, but have done the undercard announcing on some HBO and Showtime Cards... working with Buffer and Lennon, Jr. Of course I vividly remember and knew Jimmy, Sr. I also have done the backup PA Announcing for the Chicago Blackhawks.

I met you and your sons many years ago in LA. You would have no reason to remember me, but I remember you guys fondly and with a lot of respect! Especially for the way you worked with Frankie and Tony. It is a rare thing in boxing to have a father-son team that actually works and you guys sure made it work well!

I was privileged to have seen so many great fighters in person, at the Olympic in the years I lived in LA... 1975 - 1978. I think I was blessed to have seen some of the greatest in the game! I still remember, like it was yesterday, seeing one of my favorite fights of all time... Albert "Superfly" Sandoval vs Alfonso Zamora at the Olympic. Never did see Frankie vs Juan Escobar, I was no longer in LA by that time. Hear it was a great fight!

I always felt your boys were class acts and certainly world class fighters. The were Champions! I am glad to read all three of you are in the Hall of Fame and doing well. I think I have a picture of Frankie from back around 1976 or '77 that I took at the Olympic! Time sure flies.

Was just looking on the Internet, found this email and thought I'd see if it is you and send my regards. So Best Regards and Thanks For All that you have Given to The Sport of Boxing!

Steve Corbo

Frank, it just doesn't get any better than that. It's a testimony to all your hard work and to you and your son's place in boxing, especially West Coast Boxing and more specifically, L.A. Boxing.

bennie wrote:

Randyman wrote:I haven't been feeling to well. I went to the doctor yesterday.It was a follow up visit to a diabetic specialist. My numbers were bad. Diabetes has been kicking my arse lately. They wanted to put me on insulin but I'm just not ready for that. I insisted I could beat it with out having to start injecting myself. I can't quite accept that just yet.

Food is my Kryptonite, so I'm going to have to make changes. Jeri and the kids gave me hell about it today, No more pastramis and corned beef sandwiches, burritos with the works, potatoes, pasta, etc..... what else is there? Woe is me.

Hope you start feeling better soon, Randy.

Thanks bennie, I'm making a point of it

Rick Farris wrote:

Randyman wrote:I haven't been feeling to well. I went to the doctor yesterday.It was a follow up visit to a diabetic specialist. My numbers were bad. Diabetes has been kicking my arse lately. They wanted to put me on insulin but I'm just not ready for that. I insisted I could beat it with out having to start injecting myself. I can't quite accept that just yet.

Food is my Kryptonite, so I'm going to have to make changes. Jeri and the kids gave me hell about it today, No more pastramis and corned beef sandwiches, burritos with the works, potatoes, pasta, etc..... what else is there? Woe is me.

Randy, you can beat this and also find something that replaces your enjoyment of food.
As your body adabts to a new diet start an excercise program. Allow yourself to cross-over to a new, more healthy path.
You are a fighter, and one of the best friends a person could have. Just dig in, your family won't have it any other way!
Those grand kids need you to teach them how to box, even the little girls. There is nothing comparable to good health, not even a pastrami sandwich.
We are in your corner on this one, and when you are feeling up to it. If I can help, I will.
Maybe we can eventually do a little workout together. The spirit of Mel will be our trainer!

Thanks for the kind word Rick, I appreciate them. I'm already swinging away. I know that I have to change my whole lifestyle and recapture that discipline I once had but I also know that I can. Thanks for the encouragement.

Bobbin & Weavin wrote:

Randyman wrote:I haven't been feeling to well. I went to the doctor yesterday.It was a follow up visit to a diabetic specialist. My numbers were bad. Diabetes has been kicking my arse lately. They wanted to put me on insulin but I'm just not ready for that. I insisted I could beat it with out having to start injecting myself. I can't quite accept that just yet.

Food is my Kryptonite, so I'm going to have to make changes. Jeri and the kids gave me hell about it today, No more pastramis and corned beef sandwiches, burritos with the works, potatoes, pasta, etc..... what else is there? Woe is me.

Randy,
There is really only one rule to eating healthy...if it taste good, you can't have it.
Hang in there buddy you have a great life it will be worth it!
Bruce

Bruce, ain't that the truth, if it taste good stay away from it. the way I see, I have already had enough good tasting food to last a lifetime, maybe two. No more!

Thanks

raylawpc wrote:Randy, first, I admit that I'm a horrible backslider . . . I'm now up to 250+ and my blood sugar isn't good . . .

. . . but four or five years ago, I got down to 205 lbs. and had a fasting blood sugar of about ~100 by doing three things:

1. I walked three miles on a treadmill, six days a week.

2. My rule for eating was, "If God doesn't make it, I don't eat it." That means I ate as much meat, fresh veggies, fresh fruits, etc. as I wanted, but I didn't touch anything that was processed in a factory or that came out of a box. The only three exceptions were cottage cheese and coffee, and a diabetic milkshake (Glucerna) that I had in lieu of breakfast every morning.

3. I ate consistently every day. Breakfast, lunch, a light late afternoon snack before my walk, dinner, and a light snack before bed.

Before I started eating right and walking, I weighed 285 pounds. Within 6 months, I was down to 205. Yep, I lost 80 pounds in just six months.

Then I hurt my back and quit walking, and then I started "cheating" on my diet, and look what happened. But it can be done. I did it. I know you can too.

P.S.: God made potatos, and I ate as such potatoes as I wanted - with no ill effects. But no potato chips and no french fries - God didn't make the oil the chips and fries are cooked in.

I've been looking up some of the food that's good/bad for diabetes, and you're right, in a moderate serving it's not bad at all, same with pasta. Still for the short term I'm cutting both of them off.

I like that concept "If God doest make it, I don't eat it" Can't go wrong.

Thanks

Chuck1052 wrote:Randy, I lost about seventy pounds, going from 225 down to 155. It took a combination of watching what I eat and walking at a moderate pace for about four miles each day. At times, I rode a bicycle ten or more miles in a day instead of walking. Once I maintained such a routine, losing the weight became fairly easy. It is true that I gained about ten or fifteen pounds afterwards, but I felt that I was a little too skinny at 155 pounds.

- Chuck Johnston

Man Chuck, that's inspirational! I know it wasn't easy. Thanks for the encouragement, and congrats.

Randy

kikibalt wrote:

Randyman wrote:I haven't been feeling to well. I went to the doctor yesterday.It was a follow up visit to a diabetic specialist. My numbers were bad. Diabetes has been kicking my arse lately. They wanted to put me on insulin but I'm just not ready for that. I insisted I could beat it with out having to start injecting myself. I can't quite accept that just yet.

Food is my Kryptonite, so I'm going to have to make changes. Jeri and the kids gave me hell about it today, No more pastramis and corned beef sandwiches, burritos with the works, potatoes, pasta, etc..... what else is there? Woe is me.

Randy, I hope you feel better soon. The hardest thing in life is not to be able to eat what you like, I know, as like Randy I am also a diabetic. I can't say "Randy, do this, do that" because I don't do none of it...Take care my friend...

Frank, I was diagnosed with diabetes over ten years ago. I did nothing about it. Oh, I gave a few half hearted attempts but really I did nothing. I'm paying the price for that now. I was in denial. I never took it seriously but it is serious. we can all stand to eat a little better (I never thought I would say that). Thanks Frank

Randy

You guys might find this interesting. A little family history.


The man on the far right is my great uncle Manuel De La O. the man just left of him, leaning on the wall is his father, my great grandfather Rafael De La O and I believe the man on Rafael's right is my grandfather Santiago This summer we are going to visit the saloon and visitor center and meet up with some family members.. I lifted this photo and article from the web. the photo is from 1907. Check out the sign.

Doña Ana Poised For Future as Tourist Destination

The wagons churned along the Rio Grande over El Camino Real, advancing only a dozen miles or so each day. Travelers stopped at camps or parajes between Mexico City and Santa Fe. Most of those camps are distant memories, lost in the shifting sands of the desert and the changing course of the river. One of the camps has persisted into the 21st century. We know it as the village of Doña Ana.

On January 15, State Senator Mary Jane Garcia hosted the grand opening of the De La O Visitors Center in Doña Ana, culminating many years’ work of the many descendants who claim the name De La O and creating a focal point for community activities and tourists.

During the festivities, Sen. Garcia asked a show of hands of those who have come from the original De La O family. The senator is cousin to many of the village’s residents. She pointed to one man and asked if he was De La O, to which he concurred. Said the senator, “I’ve known you 20 years and didn’t know you were De La O . Hello, cousin!”

Those attending the grand opening included Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima, several Las Cruces City Councillors,representatives of Doña Ana County government, and other dignitaries. Unlike most other similar events, this one had the festive appeal of a family reunion.

Doña Ana dates to the late 17th century. The village, if it could have been called that at the time, was abandoned throughout most of the 18th century. According to Robert Julyan in his book, “The Place Names of New Mexico,” the governor of Chihuahua created the Doña Ana Bend Colony Grant to alleviate crowding in El Paso. But it was not settled until 1843 when Bernabé Montoya led thirty-three settlers to the site. They named their settlement after the semi-legendary Doña Ana, who may have been Ana Robledo who had fled south during the Pueblo Revolt, or Doña Ana María de Córdoba, whose ranch was nearby.

Whoever the name honored, settlers were determined to remain in their village, to farm and to thrive. El Camino Real ran through the heart of the village. It brought not only travelers and trade but also bandidos. It was also prey to marauding bands of Apache. But it persisted.


Between 1845 and 1850, a decade before the village of Las Cruces was laid out, villagers built a church. It was about a hundred feet long and twenty feet wide. Its adobe walls were three feet thick and its windows high to prevent Indians and bandits from shooting at people sequestered there. Candles in chandeliers and sconces between the Stations of the Cross dimly lit the church. A single clerestory window above the nave close to the apse let in the early morning light to illuminate the altar during Mass.

During the Civil War, De La O opened a saloon about a hundred yards south of the church. Just north of the saloon, Werthheim opened a general store, and north of that was the residence of the Cavello family.

Those buildings have persisted into the present time, but barely. In the late 1970s, the church was about to be condemned and demolished. The adobe buildings down the street had faired better, perhaps because of their boxy single-story construction. The structures seemed destined to melt into history just as old adobe returns to the earth.

But the community, led by Sen. Garcia, had other plans. Over a decade, Doña Anans, including some at-risk youth, rebuilt the church. They made more than 17,000 adobe bricks to reconstruct one wall which had collapsed and to shore up other parts of the building. Using a design of local artist Jeannie De Lo O Carbajal, who designed the art adorning the I-25 underpass at Highway 320, artisans in Mexico built a new altar patterned on the original which had deteriorated too far to reclaim. They retained the church’s original vigas and corbels and conserved the original French paintings of the fourteen Stations of the Cross. The church today is used for special occasions, including baptisms and marriages.

Then restoration work shifted down Camino Real, which for nearly two decades has been called Cristo Rey, to the old saloon and adjacent buildings.

The L-shaped De La O saloon has been restored with two meeting rooms and the mirror-backed bar, just as it might have looked 150 years ago. Its adobe has been painted white and its walls hung with historical scenes of the village of two centuries ago. Behind the building is a brick placita with fountain, stone planters, and shade trees. The community now has a facility for activities, celebrations, and fiestas.

As funds permit, the Werthheim building will be restored as a mercantile museum and the Cavello house will become the site of a farmers’ market.

For those who think Camino Real is nothing more than two ruts in the desert, come to the village of Doña Ana and see what family can do.

If you’d like to see the restored historic buildings and walk along part of the original royal highway, take Exit 9 off I-25 and turn south on Thorpe Road (NM-320). At the modern Catholic church, Our Lady of Purification, turn left onto Dusty Lane, which bends around the church and becomes Cristo Ray Street.

Randyman wrote:

kikibalt wrote:I received this E-Mail some months back and thought I would share it with you now that I found it again

If this is Frank, Sr. my name is Steve Corbo.

When I lived in LA back in the mid 1970's I was a fan of yours and Frankie, Jr.. This goes back to 1976 - 1977. Tony was just a kid coming up, but Frankie had already turned pro and was starting to make a name for himself. (I later became a fan of Tony's)! I saw Frankie fight several times at the Olympic and knew he was something special. Man, I used to live at the Olympic... every Thursday night. Those were some of the best times I ever had. I worked out at Hoover Street Gym a few times, also went to Hollenbeck Youth Center once or twice. Would go up to Main Street Gym just to see who was there. I never fought pro and wasn't much of an amateur but I love the game and its still in my blood.

I was a pro judge in Illinois for many years also heavily involved for many years with the Chicago Golden Gloves. Over the years I worked with a couple of pro fighters. In recent years I have been doing some ring announcing. Mostly in Europe, but have done the undercard announcing on some HBO and Showtime Cards... working with Buffer and Lennon, Jr. Of course I vividly remember and knew Jimmy, Sr. I also have done the backup PA Announcing for the Chicago Blackhawks.

I met you and your sons many years ago in LA. You would have no reason to remember me, but I remember you guys fondly and with a lot of respect! Especially for the way you worked with Frankie and Tony. It is a rare thing in boxing to have a father-son team that actually works and you guys sure made it work well!

I was privileged to have seen so many great fighters in person, at the Olympic in the years I lived in LA... 1975 - 1978. I think I was blessed to have seen some of the greatest in the game! I still remember, like it was yesterday, seeing one of my favorite fights of all time... Albert "Superfly" Sandoval vs Alfonso Zamora at the Olympic. Never did see Frankie vs Juan Escobar, I was no longer in LA by that time. Hear it was a great fight!

I always felt your boys were class acts and certainly world class fighters. The were Champions! I am glad to read all three of you are in the Hall of Fame and doing well. I think I have a picture of Frankie from back around 1976 or '77 that I took at the Olympic! Time sure flies.

Was just looking on the Internet, found this email and thought I'd see if it is you and send my regards. So Best Regards and Thanks For All that you have Given to The Sport of Boxing!

Steve Corbo

Frank, it just doesn't get any better than that. It's a testimony to all your hard work and to you and your son's place in boxing, especially West Coast Boxing and more specifically, L.A. Boxing.

Yeah, Randy, it does makes it seem all worthwhile, doesn't it??

Randyman wrote:

kikibalt wrote:

Randyman wrote:I haven't been feeling to well. I went to the doctor yesterday.It was a follow up visit to a diabetic specialist. My numbers were bad. Diabetes has been kicking my arse lately. They wanted to put me on insulin but I'm just not ready for that. I insisted I could beat it with out having to start injecting myself. I can't quite accept that just yet.

Food is my Kryptonite, so I'm going to have to make changes. Jeri and the kids gave me hell about it today, No more pastramis and corned beef sandwiches, burritos with the works, potatoes, pasta, etc..... what else is there? Woe is me.

Randy, I hope you feel better soon. The hardest thing in life is not to be able to eat what you like, I know, as like Randy I am also a diabetic. I can't say "Randy, do this, do that" because I don't do none of it...Take care my friend...

Frank, I was diagnosed with diabetes over ten years ago. I did nothing about it. Oh, I gave a few half hearted attempts but really I did nothing. I'm paying the price for that now. I was in denial. I never took it seriously but it is serious. we can all stand to eat a little better (I never thought I would say that). Thanks Frank

Randy

I have heard from some that say its not what you eat, but how much you eat, don't know if its true....

kikibalt wrote:

Randyman wrote:

kikibalt wrote: Randy, I hope you feel better soon. The hardest thing in life is not to be able to eat what you like, I know, as like Randy I am also a diabetic. I can't say "Randy, do this, do that" because I don't do none of it...Take care my friend...

Frank, I was diagnosed with diabetes over ten years ago. I did nothing about it. Oh, I gave a few half hearted attempts but really I did nothing. I'm paying the price for that now. I was in denial. I never took it seriously but it is serious. we can all stand to eat a little better (I never thought I would say that). Thanks Frank

Randy

I have heard from some that say its not what you eat, but how much you eat, don't know if its true....

I think that is mostly true Frank but some stuff is just outright bad for us.

kikibalt wrote:

Randyman wrote:

kikibalt wrote:I received this E-Mail some months back and thought I would share it with you now that I found it again

If this is Frank, Sr. my name is Steve Corbo.

When I lived in LA back in the mid 1970's I was a fan of yours and Frankie, Jr.. This goes back to 1976 - 1977. Tony was just a kid coming up, but Frankie had already turned pro and was starting to make a name for himself. (I later became a fan of Tony's)! I saw Frankie fight several times at the Olympic and knew he was something special. Man, I used to live at the Olympic... every Thursday night. Those were some of the best times I ever had. I worked out at Hoover Street Gym a few times, also went to Hollenbeck Youth Center once or twice. Would go up to Main Street Gym just to see who was there. I never fought pro and wasn't much of an amateur but I love the game and its still in my blood.

I was a pro judge in Illinois for many years also heavily involved for many years with the Chicago Golden Gloves. Over the years I worked with a couple of pro fighters. In recent years I have been doing some ring announcing. Mostly in Europe, but have done the undercard announcing on some HBO and Showtime Cards... working with Buffer and Lennon, Jr. Of course I vividly remember and knew Jimmy, Sr. I also have done the backup PA Announcing for the Chicago Blackhawks.

I met you and your sons many years ago in LA. You would have no reason to remember me, but I remember you guys fondly and with a lot of respect! Especially for the way you worked with Frankie and Tony. It is a rare thing in boxing to have a father-son team that actually works and you guys sure made it work well!

I was privileged to have seen so many great fighters in person, at the Olympic in the years I lived in LA... 1975 - 1978. I think I was blessed to have seen some of the greatest in the game! I still remember, like it was yesterday, seeing one of my favorite fights of all time... Albert "Superfly" Sandoval vs Alfonso Zamora at the Olympic. Never did see Frankie vs Juan Escobar, I was no longer in LA by that time. Hear it was a great fight!

I always felt your boys were class acts and certainly world class fighters. The were Champions! I am glad to read all three of you are in the Hall of Fame and doing well. I think I have a picture of Frankie from back around 1976 or '77 that I took at the Olympic! Time sure flies.

Was just looking on the Internet, found this email and thought I'd see if it is you and send my regards. So Best Regards and Thanks For All that you have Given to The Sport of Boxing!

Steve Corbo

Frank, it just doesn't get any better than that. It's a testimony to all your hard work and to you and your son's place in boxing, especially West Coast Boxing and more specifically, L.A. Boxing.

Yeah, Randy, it does makes it seem all worthwhile, doesn't it??

Things like that remind us that we did good.

Mando Ramos first loss, vs Kang II Suh

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Do8H9fVe3aM

You can see part 2 & 3 on the right-side on Youtube

7-6-1967

Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States

Ernie Lopez W Andy Gonzalez KO 7 12

Mando Ramos L Kang Il Suh UD 10 10

Vic Jimenez W Jose Hernandez PTS 6 6

Larry Harding W Manny Duran KO 3 4

Jerry Quarry featured on "48 Hours" . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StuiK5Kd ... ata_player

kikibalt wrote:Mando Ramos first loss, vs Kang II Suh

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Do8H9fVe3aM

You can see part 2 & 3 on the right-side on Youtube

7-6-1967

Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States

Ernie Lopez W Andy Gonzalez KO 7 12

Mando Ramos L Kang Il Suh UD 10 10

Vic Jimenez W Jose Hernandez PTS 6 6

Larry Harding W Manny Duran KO 3 4

When a loss is a win . . .

This was a close loss. Today, there is no way a guy could come into another's hometown and walk out with a victory in such a close fight.
This was what made the era real. Boxers were allowed to lose when they fell short in the ring.
This was Mando's first loss. Not too long afterward he lost a decision to Frankie Crawford.
Two losses would appear to jade the greatness of a contemporary prospect. But we knew how good Mando was, and so did he.
A couple months after turning twenty, young Mando became the youngest lightweight champ ever. He whipped the lineal champ for the title.
Losses are a necessity in the creation of a great champion. It's how you define one's ability to bounce back from adversity, to overcome.
Today the answer is non-competitive opposition, unbeaten records maintained by influenced scoring.

Rick, Malcolm "Flash" Gordon, the publisher and editor of an "underground" boxing publication during the 1970s and 1980s, always said, "Stiffs don't teach you nothin'." This came to mind because Flash use to lambast the management of Gerry Cooney and Howard Davis for putting their charges in with too much "soft" opposition.

- Chuck Johnston

Chuck1052 wrote:Rick, Malcolm "Flash" Gordon, the publisher and editor of an "underground" boxing publication during the 1970s and 1980s, always said, "Stiffs don't teach you nothin'." This came to mind because Flash use to lambast the management of Gerry Cooney and Howard Davis for putting their charges in too much "soft" opposition.

- Chuck Johnston

That is so much bollocks, in the early part of a boxers career "Journeymen"( I prefer to call them that rather than the derogatory "Stiffs") can teach a novice lots, How to pace a fight,how to handle different styles, how to deal with pressure.
I do agree that any manager still putting their charge in with negative record boxer after about 10 fights is either not doing their boxer any favours or he's just not confident in their mans ability