BoxRec

Rick Farris wrote:Shot Put . . .

Charlie, one of Bob's friends was shot-putter Brian Oldfield.
Brian was at my 21st birthday party, and a few weeks later he went one-on-one with Wyomia Tyus, a Gold Medal sprinter in the '68 Olympics.
In pro track, they would stage contests not done in amateur comp, like the 6'8" 280lb. shot-putter vs. female sprint legend Tyus in a 100 yd. race.
People would expect Tyus to blow the big Oldfield off the track, but Brian was timed at 10.0 in the 100.
On this day, Oldfield edged one of the greatest female sprinters of the 60's at the L.A. Sports Arena Indoor meet.

Brian Oldfield was a legend of Shot Put. It must of been a thrill to meet Brian at your 21st birthday. And from what I can remember about him,quite a character too. Those moments are great to remember.Thank You.
My old Track & Field coach Mr Michael Byrnes had Wantagh HS Track team throughout out a long career at my school.Many State Championships under his belt. He was also a Social Studies teacher during school hours.

One day in 7th or 8th grade,maybe 9th (my brain cant remember)-I had Mr Byrnes as a teacher. At this particular time in the Norkus household, my father aquired The Norkus vs Nardico II fite on 16mm film. Coupled with a few Jake LaMotta fite films, we watch it from time to time.
I was acting up in class one day,talking during his lesson. Mr Byrnes stopped, sat down and of course all chatter (me) stopped. He looked in my direction and said to the class " How many of you know that Charlie's father was a prizefighter ?" My friend Don raised his hand and that was it. Mr Byrnes said" I used to watch Charlie's dad on TV when he was a heavyweight, and one night he fought a big fellow named Charlie Powell. Charlie Powell was 6'4 220 lbs(not far off his rememberance) and Charlie's father hit him so hard it lifted him off the ring floor 2 inches and sent him across the ring." Now at this time, I did not know this info.
My father never gave exact details of his fights to me at this time.(He later did).

Of course my chest was held out high and Mr Byrnes continued with his lessons-that day and for the rest of the year I said nothing to be disruptive. After class one day, Mr Byrnes cornered me in the hallway and asked me to join the track & field team as a shot putter and discus man. Wantagh did not have a field man for those two events. I told him I did not know the sport well, but he taught me everything. I brought onto the team two friends that were huge. To cut it short-we scored points for the overall team that won otherwise close various meets and tournaments & myself and friend Kevin McSweeney competed in the Penn Relays which was big for us as individuals.
Several years later-my father acquired the Norkus-Powell I fight so I can see it myself for the first time. And in remembering what Mr Byrnes said that day will forever be in my mind-sure enough, Mr Powell was raised off the canvas by my fathers left hook to his jaw and Charlie Powell landed across the other side of the ring.

A few times I had a chance to meet Al Oerta, a great shot putter here from the east, and my father introduced Mr Bob Mathias, one time to me. Bob was a inspirational-speaker for large corps back in the early 1980's. Quite accomplished in life,a two time Olympic decathalon(48 & 52) champ,considered the best athlete in the world at that time, he was a former Marine too. My father met him several times during the 1950's, and would see him in NYC when he came to town. One time he brought me in to meet him as he was giving a speech at The Seagrams Company HQs on 6th Ave back then.My father worked with Seagrams products and would go in to see events put on by the company.A great guy to talk to. Sorry to say, I have no picture to post with Mr Mathias.
Like yourself Rick, great memories to have.

Rick Farris wrote:

kikibalt wrote:
I've had this card for more than thirty years.
Art Aragon helped me get a buddy out of L.A. County Jail in the mid-70's.
When my friend was released, he wanted to thank Aragon and asked me to stop by his office.
When my friend walks in and meets the Golden Boy, he tells him that he was once an amateur boxer.
Art looks him up and down and says, "You're not a boxer . . . you're a cocker spaniel."

-Rick Farris

For Paul

Thanks Rick, "Golden Boy" had another card, have you seen it? it says ART ARAGON BAIL BONDS, WE COME QUICK! inside there's a condom....

Rick, Another "Golden Boy" quote, some years after his fight with Carmen Basilio Art met up with him, walked up to him gave him a hug and said "I love you, you gave me brain damage"..

Cholo wrote:Rick, Another "Golden Boy" quote, some years after his fight with Carmen Basilio Art met up with him, walked up to him gave him a hug and said "I love you, you gave me brain damage"..

Comics

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/jacketc ... rican.html

Fighting American

Manuel Ortiz vs Harold Dade....1947

Cisco Andrade vs Art "Golden Boy" Aragon

kikibalt wrote:

Cisco Andrade vs Art "Golden Boy" Aragon

Frank, Great shot of the "Golden Boy", did you see the Aragon/Andrade fight?..

I can't recall anyone throwing the shotput being as athletic as Brian Oldfield, whose shotput style required him to be incrediably agile on his feet. It is too bad that his shotput records weren't recognized due to the fact that he was participating on a professional circuit.

- Chuck Johnston

Cholo wrote:

kikibalt wrote:

Cisco Andrade vs Art "Golden Boy" Aragon

Frank, Great shot of the "Golden Boy", did you see the Aragon/Andrade fight?..

Yes, I was there Paul. That fight took place about the time I met and became friends with Cisco Andrade....

kikibalt wrote:

Cholo wrote:

kikibalt wrote:

Cisco Andrade vs Art "Golden Boy" Aragon

Frank, Great shot of the "Golden Boy", did you see the Aragon/Andrade fight?..

Yes, I was there Paul. That fight took place about the time I met and became friends with Cisco Andrade....

Frank, Great memories Great fighters, thanks for the photo..

Chuck1052 wrote:I can't recall anyone throwing the shotput being as athletic as Brian Oldfield, whose shotput style required him to be incrediably agile on his feet. It is too bad that his shotput records weren't recognized due to the fact that he participating on a professional circuit.

- Chuck Johnston

Very true, Chuck. Brian shattered the world record by an unbelieveable distance after turning pro, so the record was never recognized. Shortly afterwards he talked to me about wanting to go into heavyweight boxing. I didn't say anything. A few months later he hooked up with Jerry Quarry somewhere and Jerry agreed to train him. That lasted about two days, until Jerry unloaded on him. A few months later, he tried out for the San Francisco 49'ers. After a week in camp he left. I think the football guys took shots at him like Jerry did. He was amazing with that shot put, and his new record was set with a different type of delivery.

Norkus vs Powell I

Not the best quality-but better than nothing

http://sosoboxing.com/boxing-video-watc ... -powell-i/



That fight came from this site here which has most of my dads fights that were televised. Click on fight you want to see.

http://sosoboxing.com/videos/boxers-a-z/charley-norkus/

CNorkusJr wrote:Norkus vs Powell I

Not the best quality-but better than nothing

http://sosoboxing.com/boxing-video-watc ... -powell-i/



That fight came from this site here which has most of my dads fights that were televised. Click on fight you want to see.

http://sosoboxing.com/videos/boxers-a-z/charley-norkus/

I watched the Powell fight. Your dad had nice shoulder rotation with his punches. He used his crouch a bit like Marciano too, and rolled well with his opponent's punches. That first left hook that dropped Powell was sweet!

Thanks for sharing this link. Your Dad was a damn good fighter. (As if I'm telling you something you didn't already know.) I'm looking forward to watching more of his fights when I have time!

raylawpc wrote:

CNorkusJr wrote:Norkus vs Powell I

Not the best quality-but better than nothing

http://sosoboxing.com/boxing-video-watc ... -powell-i/



That fight came from this site here which has most of my dads fights that were televised. Click on fight you want to see.

http://sosoboxing.com/videos/boxers-a-z/charley-norkus/

I watched the Powell fight. Your dad had nice shoulder rotation with his punches. He used his crouch a bit like Marciano too, and rolled well with his opponent's punches. That first left hook that dropped Powell was sweet!

Thanks for sharing this link. Your Dad was a damn good fighter. (As if I'm telling you something you didn't already know.) I'm looking forward to watching more of his fights when I have time!

Thanks Tom. I dont know the person who set up this site but I do thank him for it.

My father's strong hand was his right. But he always had a strong left that was just as equal to his right. He said it was natural to him but his amateur trainer and pro trainers developed it into a force.
One of his sparmates-who is still around-Henry Wallitsch-who I still see at Ring 8 meetings, said to me that he asked my father once after sparring what the secret was to his success in the ring. My father told him holding up his left arm " Henry, every fighter needs a equalizer of sorts,and this is mine".

Two items- The first Nardico vs Norkus fight is the full length no sound version. There is a shorter HL film out there which was dubbed after the fact. This fight was not on live television. Technicians were setting up in Miami to televise the Moore-Maxim fight later at the Orange Bowl. They asked Chris Dundee if they can film only a portion of this fight to test lens changes with lighting techs. If was never meant to be filmed in its entirety. The Production Supv was a great boxing fan and brought in more film to capture this fight with no sound. This version is a bit clearer and shows all knockdowns-something the HL reel lacks.


The LaStarza -Norkus fight is silent too. It was on National TV but for some reason the film has no sound. This fight too has a HL film that has sound, but the fight was not so thrilling.
Fought in a sold out Cleveland Arena- 12,000 plus.

CNorkusJr wrote:Norkus vs Powell I

Not the best quality-but better than nothing

http://sosoboxing.com/boxing-video-watc ... -powell-i/



That fight came from this site here which has most of my dads fights that were televised. Click on fight you want to see.

http://sosoboxing.com/videos/boxers-a-z/charley-norkus/

Charlie that was a great KO and like Tom pointed out, that first left hook that floored Powell was beautiful.
Another thing that I liked was how your dad used his uppercut. He was splitting Powell right up the middle.
Great win! Your dad flattened a Californa legend with that one. You don't see heavyweight fights like that anymore.
I can't wait until June when you are out here. Maybe Tom will join us again this coming year, as well?

Rick Farris wrote:

CNorkusJr wrote:Norkus vs Powell I

Not the best quality-but better than nothing

http://sosoboxing.com/boxing-video-watc ... -powell-i/



That fight came from this site here which has most of my dads fights that were televised. Click on fight you want to see.

http://sosoboxing.com/videos/boxers-a-z/charley-norkus/

Charlie that was a great KO and like Tom pointed out, that first left hook that floored Powell was beautiful.
Another thing that I liked was how your dad used his uppercut. He was splitting Powell right up the middle.
Great win! Your dad flattened a Californa legend with that one. You don't see heavyweight fights like that anymore.
I can't wait until June when you are out here. Maybe Tom will join us again this coming year, as well?

Thanks Rick. He was a take-no prisoner type fighter. Also, he lived and died by the sword, but he knew thats what the crowd wanted. A real crowd pleaser most of the time.
He never mentioned it to me, and I'm sure he must of realized, that when his opponent fought back just as ferocious, he brought the level of the fight to a new height. I think he thrived on getting hit hard and then try to do his best to reply fully.
I remember him telling autograph seekers jokingly after they mentioned his KO power in the ring "I hated it when they missed (his opponents)" . Sometimes I think he meant it.

Yes Tom, I too hope to meet you in June, so feel better-real quick.

Original main Street Gym, Los Angeles, Ca.

Tiger Flowers (L) vs Eddie Huffman

Enrique Bolanos (L) vs John Thomas...1947

Henry Armstrong

CNorkusJr wrote:

Rick Farris wrote:

CNorkusJr wrote:Norkus vs Powell I

Not the best quality-but better than nothing

http://sosoboxing.com/boxing-video-watc ... -powell-i/



That fight came from this site here which has most of my dads fights that were televised. Click on fight you want to see.

http://sosoboxing.com/videos/boxers-a-z/charley-norkus/

Charlie that was a great KO and like Tom pointed out, that first left hook that floored Powell was beautiful.
Another thing that I liked was how your dad used his uppercut. He was splitting Powell right up the middle.
Great win! Your dad flattened a Californa legend with that one. You don't see heavyweight fights like that anymore.
I can't wait until June when you are out here. Maybe Tom will join us again this coming year, as well?

Thanks Rick. He was a take-no prisoner type fighter. Also, he lived and died by the sword, but he knew thats what the crowd wanted. A real crowd pleaser most of the time.
He never mentioned it to me, and I'm sure he must of realized, that when his opponent fought back just as ferocious, he brought the level of the fight to a new height. I think he thrived on getting hit hard and then try to do his best to reply fully.
I remember him telling autograph seekers jokingly after they mentioned his KO power in the ring "I hated it when they missed (his opponents)" . Sometimes I think he meant it.

Yes Tom, I too hope to meet you in June, so feel better-real quick.

I just watched the first Nardico fight. What a great fight and gutsy effort by both guys! I hear my granddaughter getting up from her nap. I'll check out Nardico II after she leaves this evening.

raylawpc wrote:

CNorkusJr wrote:

Rick Farris wrote:
Charlie that was a great KO and like Tom pointed out, that first left hook that floored Powell was beautiful.
Another thing that I liked was how your dad used his uppercut. He was splitting Powell right up the middle.
Great win! Your dad flattened a Californa legend with that one. You don't see heavyweight fights like that anymore.
I can't wait until June when you are out here. Maybe Tom will join us again this coming year, as well?

Thanks Rick. He was a take-no prisoner type fighter. Also, he lived and died by the sword, but he knew thats what the crowd wanted. A real crowd pleaser most of the time.
He never mentioned it to me, and I'm sure he must of realized, that when his opponent fought back just as ferocious, he brought the level of the fight to a new height. I think he thrived on getting hit hard and then try to do his best to reply fully.
I remember him telling autograph seekers jokingly after they mentioned his KO power in the ring "I hated it when they missed (his opponents)" . Sometimes I think he meant it.

Yes Tom, I too hope to meet you in June, so feel better-real quick.

I just watched the first Nardico fight. What a great fight and gutsy effort by both guys! I hear my granddaughter getting up from her nap. I'll check out Nardico II after she leaves this evening.

I remember watching those fights back in the '50's, great action fights....

Just remember guys, there is a difference between being a "kept man", and a man "kept busy."

Kept man=
Kept busy=

Lots of work staying on top. I don't know how Frank does it?
I'm glad I return to work manana!