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Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Posted: 09 May 2011, 16:44
by AlFrancis
Rick Farris wrote:A Walkabout With Lionel Rose
By Rick Farris
On February 26, 1968, Mashiko "Fighting" Harada, the greatest Japanese boxer of all-time, was scheduled to defend his World Bantamweight title against number one challenger Jesus Pimentel of Mexico. It would be Harada's fourth defense of the title he'd won nearly three years previous by upsetting the great Eder Jofre of Brazil.
Pimentel was one of the hardest hitting bantamweights ever and had been in contention for a title shot throughout most of the sixties. However, just days before the fight, Pimentel's manager Harry Kabakoff demanded more money
from the Japanese promoter. When the promoter refused to renegotiate, Kabakoff pulled his fighter out of the match and returned to the United States. The story was that Pimentel had taken ill.
Desperate to save the promotion, the Japanese promoter sought a qualified challenger for Harada. The champion had struggled to make weight for the bout and after doing so insisted on fighting. Harada's plan was one last title defense before moving up to the featherweight division. However, none of the contenders were interested in taking a title shot on such short notice, except one, the Australian Bantamweight Champion Lionel Rose. Rose was considered the perfect replacement because he was not considered a hard puncher like the thunderous punching Pimentel. Rose had a 27-2 record and had scored only 8 KO's.
Rose and his manager Jack Rennie jumped on a plane for Tokyo and three days later the 20-year-old Australian won the World Bantamweight title with a unanimous fifteen round decision over Harada.
Six months later, after defending his title against Japan's Takao Sakurai, Rose made his U.S. debut in a 10 round non-title bout against perennial contender Jose Medel of Mexico. Medel was one of the greatest bantamweights
to come out of Mexico but had the misfortune of coming up at the same time as another Mexican great, former bantam king Jose Beccera. Medel had fought and beaten most of the top bantamweights in the world during the previous decade. He had KO'ed Fighting Harada prior to Harada winning the title from Jofre. My father and I had seen Medel fight two years previous when he defeated Jesus Pimentel by decision at the L.A. Sports Arena.
Also on the card would be future bantamweight champion Chucho Castillo, who had just beaten Jesus Pimentel two months earlier in the Forum's first boxing show. Castillo would be fighting Scotland's Evan Armstrong and was expected to be Rose's next opponent in a title defense.
I remember when Rose arrived in Los Angeles. I was 16-years-old at the time and was anxious to get a look at the Australian who was a heavy underdog when he won the title. I had read a lot about Rose and wanted to watch him train. I had no idea that less than a year later I would have a chance to spar with Rose while he trained for his last title defense against Ruben Olivares.
At the time, Forum boxing promoter George Parnassus' office was located in the old Alexandria Hotel in Los Angeles. The Alexandria had been one of Los Angeles' finest hotels around the turn-of-the-century. During the 20's it was a place where many celebrities and dignitaries stayed, including Jack Dempsey. However, in 1968 the Alexandria was in no better shape than most of the buildings near 5th & Spring St. It was one step above a flop house.
However, George Parnanssus loved the Alexandria. He'd gotten his first job there washing dishes after arriving in America from Greece in 1909. He would turn the old ballroom into a boxing gymnasium and showcase the fighters he was promoting on Forum cards and charge $1 admission to anybody who cared too watch.
The Alexandria was located right around the corner from the Main Street Gym where I would train on weekends. After I'd finish my workouts on Saturday & Sunday mornings I'd hurry over to the Alexandria where I could watch Rose and the other fighters on the card train. One of those fighters was another Mexican bantamweight contender, Ruben Olivares. With Rose, Castillo. Olivares and Medel on the card, I was able to see the four best 118 pounders in the world up close as they prepared for their matches.
I remember how impressed I was with Rose. He was tall for a bantamweight, about 5'7", and had the best jab I'd ever seen. It was rare that I was impressed with any bantamweight having been around the best 118 pounders from Mexico, I was always partial to the great Latin bantams. However, Rose was special, kind of a throw back to another era. This guy was a master boxer and he was only 20. He had several sparring partners including Jorge "Alacrancito" Torres, younger brother of flyweight champ Efren "Alacran" Torres.
Rose ended up defeating Medel easily, winning a unanimous decision in his American debut. Chuchu Castillo KO'ed an over matched Evan Armstrong in three rounds, putting himself in line for a title shot. Another winner that night, also making his U.S. debut, was another future champ, Ruben Olivares. Olivares KO'ed Filipino Bernabe Fernandez in the third round
This would set up Rose's second title defense. Four months later, Lionel Rose and Chucho Castillo would be involved in a war. A war that resulted in a riot.
Mexico has produced many of the greatest bantamweights to ever step into a boxing ring. 1968 was no exception. With Jose Medel past his prime and Jesus Pimentel heading in the same direction, a new crop of Mexican bantams were beginning to rise. Chucho Castillo was one of them.
Castillo was the Mexican Bantamweight Champion and had defeated Edmundo Esparza, Jose Medel, Memo Tellez and Jesus Pimentel. You have to understand that in Mexico, being the Mexican Champion is more important than being the world champion. Often the Mexican Champion was, or would become, the World
Champ. When Chucho Castillo stepped into the Forum ring to fight Lionel Rose for the title, he had the support of thousands of Mexican's who had spent hard earned money to travel to Los Angeles from below the border. They expected Castillo to return home with the title, and he almost did.
Rose and Castillo put on a great battle for 15 rounds. Rose boxed brilliantly, using his darting left jab and sharp counter punches to hold off the charging Castillo. Castillo landed the harder blows and in the 10th round floored the Australian which drove the Mexican fans crazy. "Chucho, Chucho, Chucho"" the fans chanted. However, Rose made it to his feet and went right back to his original plan. He held off the furious attack of the Mexican and continued to box. At the end of 15 rounds ring announcer Mario Machado read the verdict. Lionel Rose was awarded a split decision victory over Castillo. The Mexican fans went crazy and literally tore apart the
brand new 18,000 seat Forum.
I had attended the match with one of friends, amateur heavyweight Al Boursse. This was one time Al and I were glad our seats were nowhere near the ring. After the decision was announced there was booing, then cups of
beer were tossed toward the ring from way back. Then cherry bombs began to explode and fights started breaking out everywhere. Cushioned seats were slashed open and the stuffing set afire.
After Rose and Castillo left the ring, featherweights Dwight Hawkins and Fernando Sotelo were set to fight in a ten rounder. However, the crowd was so unruly the fight was halted after the third round to protect the fighters
from all of the debris being tossed into the ring.
Al Boursse and I had come to see our stablemate Hawkins or we'd have left quickly after the title fight. When they stopped the Hawkins-Sotelo bout, Al and I headed up the aisle, away from all all the missiles being thrown
down. People were pushing and shoving each other trying to escape. As we passed through a tunnel toward an exit we ran into another one of our stablemates, Ruben Navarro. Navarro said he knew of a short cut so Al & I
followed Ruben back down to the floor and slipped out through the dressing room area. As we headed up the ramp to the parking lot we saw Canto Robledo, an old trainer who was totally blind. Robledo had been separated from his guide and had been hit with several bottles and was bleeding. Navarro took Canto by the arm and led him away from the trouble. Outside, cars were being tipped over and the riot squad was arriving just as we pulled out of the parking lot. All over a close decision.
Eight months later, in August of 1969, Rose returned to Los Angeles for another title defense. This time he would take on one of the greatest bantamweights of all-time, Ruben Olivares.
I was 17 at the time and had just grown into a bantamweight. I was still an amateur but had an opportunity to spar with Rose as he trained for Olivares at the Alexandria. I learned a lot from Lionel and found him to be one of the most interesting characters I've ever met. I only worked out with him twice and wasn't one of his regular sparring partners, however, I picked up a few things from him. I began to use my jab much more effectively after
watching how Rose used his.
After one of Rose's workouts the local press wanted to get some pictures of the champ doing road work. Rose had already done his running for the day but to accommodate the reporters he walked down to Pershing Square, a little downtown park located above an underground parking structure. I had nothing to do so I followed Rose and the reporters down to the park to kill time. Rose was an Australian Aborigine and was like a character out of a Crocodile Dundee movie.
After the photo session was over, he pulled a tiny little pipe out of his pocket, like the ones you used to see old ladies smoke in movies. He filled it with tobacco, lit it with a match and then announced to the rest of us, "Well, it's time for a walk about". Suddenly Rose disappeared. None of us saw him leave, he just vanished.
A week later Ruben Olivares would end the 18 month title reign of Lionel Rose, knocking him out in the fifth round.
Rose would move up to featherweight but with little success. The last time I saw Rose was in 1976 when he came to Los Angeles to fight Bazooka Limon. Rose was KO'ed in that fight and retired shortly afterward.
Recently I was introduced to former world champ Jeff Fenech of Australia who was in Phoenix visiting Mike Tyson. I couldn't help but ask Fenech what had become of Lionel Rose. Fenech just shook his head and said things weren't going well for Rose, but did not elaborate.
Last week I received a video tape in the mail from my friend Ted Luzzi, a regular poster on AOL boxing boards. There were several bouts on the video tape and one was the Rose-Castillo title fight from '68. Watching this tape
brought back a lot of memories and inspired this story.
I hope Lionel Rose is doing better. He was a one of the most unique boxers I have ever met and one of the best.
Another great article Rick. We're all deeply saddened by the news of Lionel's death, dad and Lionel shared a bond and stayed in touch over the years. Dad visited him in Melbourne back in 2004, another one of their old adversaries was there too, Fighting Harada. I'm going to post this on to a good friend of mine in Australia, Tony Hood who I "met" on another boxing forum. He was a close friend of Lionel and is devastated by the bad news. I'm sure he'll appreciate your insights of Lionel when you met him back in his peak fighting years. Tony actually took my mum when she was in Australia a couple of years back up to meet Lionel and Jenny for what was an emotional reunion. What can I say, the bond that this great sport of ours creates between fighting men.
RIP Lionel Rose (Champion)
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Posted: 09 May 2011, 17:17
by CNorkusJr
Rick Farris wrote:CNorkusJr wrote:Talking Zab Judah against Pac-Man,you got to be kidding, so much for the depth of the
competition for Manny.
Unfortunate for Manny- I can see him a middlweight in 2 years.
Next?
The Judah fight won't happen (It's just a name being thrown in). Hopefully, in two years Manny will be retired.
Pac will never weigh over 145, although he will likely to continue fighting guys who enter the ring 20 lbs. heavier.
I hope they give him an easy one, Juan Manuel Marquez. Manny is better than he was last time, Marquez is just older.
I doubt Marquez would survive the first round this time.
The Golden Boy-Arum beef will likely get in the way of a Pac-Victor Ortiz fight. Too bad. Pac would make him quit again.
Saul Alvarez isn't ready for Pacquiao, and again, the Oscar-Arum fued will block that.
Martinez is really too big, and a guy that strong will take a lot out Pac. That would be a tough win, or a tough loss.
Just my opinion, Charlie.
Judah wont happen. If it does-there will be little support. Todays fighters-you gotta follow the money trail. No matter who you are nowadays, unfortunately this sport is ONLY about dollars being put on the table. The fighters have little say about this or who they want to fight. Thats why after-fight interviews they all hang there heads and say, " We'll see who my team puts in front of me, they decide who's best".
If Arum & De LaHoya are going toe to toe they are shutting the fans out of some good matches and PAYDAYS for themselves.
Nothing good will come of it till they agree on a split of the cash.
Unfortunately I feel this is the state of the game, I FEEL today. Greed is killing the gamesmanship.
Martinez vs Pac might come off. I still think Pac man will feel compelled to move up another weight class or possibly two if none of the big welters come knocking.
Now bring in the Lt Middles Cotto,Paul Williams, Dan Geale.
Can Sturm be far behind. People will pay for Manny to move up in weight and be slower, giving the fans a showdown. Andre Ward & Froch are too big. but the others I mention I feel will be the route before he hangs them up.Time is not on his side either.
It will be Manny's champion spirit to see him move up-not his brains.
It will be interesting if Roach helps him in this decision.
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Posted: 09 May 2011, 17:32
by Rick Farris
telboy66 wrote:Rick Farris wrote:Cholo wrote:
Rick, I agree, do remember the another Quinn-Martin Production starring Roy Thinnes, The Invaders...
I don't know what Studio they series was filmes at, but probably 20th Century-Fox, where my uncle also did, "Peyton Place" around that time.
Yes Paul, that was a good one!
That can't be right the "Sopranos" is the greatest seris ever made the "Fugitive" was so predictable every week it would end with Dr kimble almost catching the one armed man but no he just left town
My uncle was the Lighting Director on "The Invaders". I was still in school and wanted to visit that set, but never did.
Remember "Lost in Space"? That was shot at 20th Century-Fox, an Irwin Allen Production, my uncle did that as well, and Peyton Place, all at Fox.
At MGM he lit Combat, he also did the "The Partridge Family" at Columbia Ranch, and "The $Six Million Man" at Universal.
My uncle Bob had been a major feature lighting gaffer, my grandfather's oldest son.
He was mentored by a legendary Fox Cinematographer who was a three time Oscar winner.
My uncle lit many big features, such as "How The West Was Won". However, after the mid-60's, he chose to work in town only and would do TV.
My other uncle, his brother, would light "The Graduate", "True Grit", "Rooster Cogburn", "Chinatown", "Catch 22", "Midway", "MacArthur", and dozens more.
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Posted: 09 May 2011, 17:59
by kikibalt
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Posted: 09 May 2011, 18:03
by Rick Farris
CNorkusJr wrote:Rick Farris wrote:CNorkusJr wrote:Talking Zab Judah against Pac-Man,you got to be kidding, so much for the depth of the
competition for Manny.
Unfortunate for Manny- I can see him a middlweight in 2 years.
Next?
The Judah fight won't happen (It's just a name being thrown in). Hopefully, in two years Manny will be retired.
Pac will never weigh over 145, although he will likely to continue fighting guys who enter the ring 20 lbs. heavier.
I hope they give him an easy one, Juan Manuel Marquez. Manny is better than he was last time, Marquez is just older.
I doubt Marquez would survive the first round this time.
The Golden Boy-Arum beef will likely get in the way of a Pac-Victor Ortiz fight. Too bad. Pac would make him quit again.
Saul Alvarez isn't ready for Pacquiao, and again, the Oscar-Arum fued will block that.
Martinez is really too big, and a guy that strong will take a lot out Pac. That would be a tough win, or a tough loss.
Just my opinion, Charlie.
Judah wont happen. If it does-there will be little support. Todays fighters-you gotta follow the money trail. No matter who you are nowadays, unfortunately this sport is ONLY about dollars being put on the table. The fighters have little say about this or who they want to fight. Thats why after-fight interviews they all hang there heads and say, " We'll see who my team puts in front of me, they decide who's best".
If Arum & De LaHoya are going toe to toe they are shutting the fans out of some good matches and PAYDAYS for themselves.
Nothing good will come of it till they agree on a split of the cash.
Unfortunately I feel this is the state of the game, I FEEL today. Greed is killing the gamesmanship.
Martinez vs Pac might come off. I still think Pac man will feel compelled to move up another weight class or possibly two if none of the big welters come knocking.
Now bring in the Lt Middles Cotto,Paul Williams, Dan Geale.
Can Sturm be far behind. People will pay for Manny to move up in weight and be slower, giving the fans a showdown. Andre Ward & Froch are too big. but the others I mention I feel will be the route before he hangs them up.Time is not on his side either.
It will be Manny's champion spirit to see him move up-not his brains.
It will be interesting if Roach helps him in this decision.
He already flattened Cotto. It was so one sided nobody wants to see it twice.
One thing that Manny will not do is gain weight. He knows it takes away what he needs to win.
He may fight heavier men, but he will not do so over 145 lbs.
Henry Armstrong was best at 132 lbs. even facing bigger men.
I don't believe any of those opponents are in Manny's future, perhaps Sergio Martinez?
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Posted: 09 May 2011, 18:23
by Rick Farris
Lionel Rose vs. Alan Rudkin (15th Round & decision) . . .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TSlT149 ... re=related
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Posted: 09 May 2011, 18:28
by Rick Farris
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Posted: 09 May 2011, 18:30
by Rick Farris
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Posted: 09 May 2011, 18:49
by Rick Farris
We'll be staying at the Vagabond motel on Vine street right next to the Wildcard, Im planning on getting some workouts done during my 2 week stay,
------------------------------------------------------
Remy, Manny Pacquiao used to stay at the Vagabond at one time, when training at Wildcard.
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Posted: 09 May 2011, 18:53
by AlFrancis
Here's dad's own tribute to Lionel. We filmed this for Lionel's induction into the Australian boxing hall of fame as Legendary status. Dad passed away himself only 3 days later.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRDDpKKMh-w
The message says it all
Respect.
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Posted: 09 May 2011, 19:37
by Rick Farris
AlFrancis wrote:Here's dad's own tribute to Lionel. We filmed this for Lionel's induction into the Australian boxing hall of fame as Legendary status. Dad passed away himself only 3 days later.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRDDpKKMh-w
The message says it all
Respect.
What a great tribute.
You know, I saw the 15th and final round of Rudkin's title fight with Rose. The link available is a few posts back.
I didn't see the rest of the fight, but Alan Rudkin definitly won the last round.
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Posted: 09 May 2011, 20:01
by kikibalt
AlFrancis wrote:Here's dad's own tribute to Lionel. We filmed this for Lionel's induction into the Australian boxing hall of fame as Legendary status. Dad passed away himself only 3 days later.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRDDpKKMh-w
The message says it all
Respect.
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Posted: 09 May 2011, 20:02
by kikibalt
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Posted: 09 May 2011, 20:23
by Rick Farris
Brilliant! You have no idea how much I'm enjoying this.
I like Rudkin's short, inside hooks, what a boxer he was!
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Posted: 09 May 2011, 23:27
by Randyman
kikibalt wrote:
Lionel Rose vs Chucho Castillo
Lionel Rose with some beauties
Sorry to hear about Lionel Rose. A great loss for boxing, especially Australian fight fans. my condolences to his family. R.I.P. Champ!
My father was at the Forum the night he beat Chucho Castillo. A full scale riot broke out and all hell broke loose.
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Posted: 09 May 2011, 23:31
by Randyman
AlFrancis wrote:Here's dad's own tribute to Lionel. We filmed this for Lionel's induction into the Australian boxing hall of fame as Legendary status. Dad passed away himself only 3 days later.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRDDpKKMh-w
The message says it all
Respect.
Great and proper respect from one fighting man to his former opponent.
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Posted: 09 May 2011, 23:40
by CNorkusJr
The Alan Rudkin tribute videos are great.
It is very tough to go into a Champs hometown, in this case Melbourne, and come away with a victory in a close fight. I too thought that Mr Rudkin won the last Rd (hands down) but the champ will always get the nod in a close one. I would have liked to seen the results if the fight was held in Manchester or London.
After watching many of the your dads videos, he was not only one of the best to lace them up at his weight, but he exuded Real Class in and out of the ring as a top ranked fighter.
I'm sure it was a grand life living with one of the best bangers in the world.
You have much to be proud for from your dad.
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Posted: 09 May 2011, 23:49
by Randyman
Expug wrote:Agree one hundred percent Rick.
I cant stand the tough guy posing that goes on at the weigh ins and press confrences etc in boxing.
I look back at the old weigh ins with guys like Billy Conn and Joe Louis and it was always professional. Shake hands polite. These guys knew exactly who they were and what they were capable of. They knew that later on they were gonna be trying to stretch each other so why bother with the pre fight bs. They were gonna fight anyway so why get riled up and act like a gavoone?
Lack of respect, trash talking and cheap shots, it's a sign of the times guys. Not just in boxing but in everyday life. I'm a firm believer that respect is taught at home. If my son mouthed off he paid the price. He learned the hard way, the same way we did. Taught him to respect women too. I can't stand it when fighters feel the need to put on a disgusting display of perceived manhood. They aren't impressing anyone. Want to impress someone? Keep your mouth shut, get in the ring and give it your best. Win, lose or draw, you'll have my respect.
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Posted: 09 May 2011, 23:57
by Randyman
kikibalt wrote:
Happy Birthday Randy. Enjoy your time with your mom and Jeri on Mother's day...
Btw, tomorrow is also my granddaughter Keanna's birthday...she'll be 14....
Thanks again Frank, we had a nice weekend, got back a few hours ago. A Happy Birthday to your granddaughter Keanna.
14? Poor daddy!
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Posted: 10 May 2011, 01:59
by bennie
kikibalt wrote:bennie wrote:Just looking at Lionel's record on
boxrec and his non-title fight with Jose Medel has 'round' scores of 6-6 and 7-4 in a 10-rounder. What's that all about?
That score was in points not rounds. In my life time I don't remember fights ever been score in rounds in California.....
Thanks, Frankie (and Rick).
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Posted: 10 May 2011, 03:18
by bennie
Nothing changes with the the death of Lionel Rose over the weekend. Lionel, who was 62, retains an affection in the hearts of true boxing fans the world over and always will.
The indigenous Australian captured the imagination as the slender teenager who boxed brilliantly to wrest the undisputed world bantamweight title from Japan's brutal Fighting Harada on a 15-round decision in Tokyo in 1968. His victory was akin to Randolph Turpin's over Sugar Ray Robinson in London a decade earlier. Both Lionel and Randolph had climbed the very highest mountain and enjoyed spectatcular views over their hometown.
As bollox wrote on boxrec: "The crowd that greeted Lionel Rose received upon arriving back in Melbourne after winning the title was huge. Depending on who you believe it was between 100,000 and 250,000. Not bad for an Aboriginal kid raised in a tin shack...his title win gave his people something positive to aspire to at a time when Aborigines were seen by a lot of people as something less than human in this country."
Rose paved the way for other Aborginal boxing greats such as Hector Thompson and Tony Mundine as he retained his world title three times against 'hot' challengers before the hottest of them all, an unbeaten Ruben Olivares (unbeaten in 52 fights, 48 early), dropped him five times en route to a five-round stoppage win in Los Angeles. Lionel never really recovered, although he was good enouigh to outscore Japan's Guts Ishimatsu in a 10-rounder in Melbourne in 1970, a man later to beat our own Ken Buchanan.
Ex-bantamweight pro, Rick Farris, sparred a peak Rose and wrote: "He was tall for a bantamweight, about 5'7", and had the best jab I'd ever seen. It was rare that I was impressed with any bantamweight, having been around the best 118-pounders from Mexico. However, Rose was special...this guy was a master boxer and he was only 20.
"Rose reminds me of Ken Buchanan with his willingness to fight the best in their own backyards - and that jab."
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Posted: 10 May 2011, 03:25
by Cholo
Rick, Land Of The Giants, Sugar Ray Robinson starred in a episode titled "Giants And All That Jazz", another favorite of mine as a kid, Mission Impossible also had a two part episode with the Sugarman titled "The Contender". Rick i thought you'd have a laugh with my quote Manny/Victor Ortiz....
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Posted: 10 May 2011, 03:31
by Cholo
I've been watching Rose/Rudkin, excellent, a time when fighters came to fight, two greats....
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Posted: 10 May 2011, 04:23
by bollox
Cholo wrote:Rick, Land Of The Giants, Sugar Ray Robinson starred in a episode titled "Giants And All That Jazz", another favorite of mine as a kid, Mission Impossible also had a two part episode with the Sugarman titled "The Contender". Rick i thought you'd have a laugh with my quote Manny/Victor Ortiz....
Now you're talking. I saw one of the RR episodes as a youngster
After one episode where they hid in the back of a camera I went and got my camera out, looking inside it for little people. My housemates thought I was nuts
Mr Fitzhugh
Mission Impossible...Peter Graves used to sometimes stay in a hotel in London, near Harrods in the late 80's. Some of the staff would say "this tape will self destruct in 10 seconds". He had a sense of humour and played along
Time Tunnel anyone?
Re: Classic American West Coast Boxing
Posted: 10 May 2011, 04:27
by AlFrancis
CNorkusJr wrote:The Alan Rudkin tribute videos are great.
It is very tough to go into a Champs hometown, in this case Melbourne, and come away with a victory in a close fight. I too thought that Mr Rufkin won the last Rd (hands down) but the champ will always get the nod in a close one. I would have liked to seen the results if the fight was held in Manchester or London.
After watching many of the your dads videos, he was not only one of the best to lace them up at his weight, but he exuded Real Class in and out of the ring as a top ranked fighter.
I'm sure it was a grand life living with one of the best bangers in the world.
You have much to be proud for from your dad.
Great days Charlie