Classic American West Coast Boxing

[Cholo]

Enrique Bolanos/Manny Madrid, May. 25, 1951
A low blow landed by Manny Madrid, 138, was all that saved Enrique Bolanos, 136, from suffering his first defeat in the Hollywood Stadium ring. Madrid was penalized one point for the foul, which made their total points add up even at the end of the bout-and the contest was declared a draw. Madrid had led in 5 of the first 7 rounds, but faded in the stretch, possibly due, in part, to a psychological effect, as Bolanos moved out in front immediately after being given a rest to recuperate from the low blow. When the bout resumed in the 7th. Bolanos fought with renewed vigor, while Madrid slowed up and became wild in his punching, Enrique won the final three rounds, mostly with an effective left hook to the body. Although Bolanos is the puncher of the two, it was Madrid who came closest to scoring a knockdown, having Enrique in trouble late in the 6th.

Manny Madrid was managed by Don Fraser & George Latka.

Rick, Thanks for the Info, I appreciate it buddy..

[bennie]

Duran holds a near-death Esteban DeJesus

[Rick Farris]

Duran holds a near-death Esteban DeJesus

Classic shot. Wow!

[Ric]

Fidel LaBarba . . . Yeah! Good call, Ric.

I remember one thursday night during the mid-60's, when Mickey Davies interviewed a silver-haired LaBarba from ringside at the Olympic on Channel-5.
I don't recall the exact interview or what he said, but I recall he spoke with energy, intellect and class. As Did Jimmy McLarnin.
I recall meeting a few guys who had fought LaBarba, not big names, but guys that were around the gym.
He was special. He might have family in L.A. He worked here in the film world for years. Well respected.

Yessir, Fidel LaBarba was class. In a circa 1931 issue of The Ring magazine, there was an article about classy boxers of the era, and Fidel topped the list, as I recall. And, yes, he has family in Los Angeles. I'm still in contact with F. John, Fidel's son, who is about my age. F. John is still hunting down his father's stolen Olympic Gold Medal; so, if anyone has any leads, let me know.


Front row, from left: Grandpa Pete Sanstol, Fidel LaBarba, Rene DeVos: 1929 (probably Paris, or on ship from Paris to New York)

[Rick Farris]

Rick Farris & Gene LeBell (2008)

Judo Gene vs. Bruce Lee . . .

So the story goes, it was the mid-60s when Bruce Lee had a starring role as "Kato" in the Green Hornet TV series.
Judo Gene LeBell, wrestling legend and stuntman, was on the set working.
In a fight scene, Bruce Lee points to LeBell and says, "I'm going to kick right here, and you better duck or it will kill you."
The scene plays out, Lee whips the round kick to LeBell's head.
Gene doesn't move, catches the kick in the air with one hand, and points to Lee with the other . . ."You, Chinatown - Now!"
They head to a place in Chinatown where Gene quickly tied Bruce Lee up.
Without choking out Lee, Gene just held him in the headlock for an hour, before Lee finally tapped out.
LeBell was amazed, and said it was the longest he'd ever held anybody in a headlock. But no contest.


-Rick Farris

[CNorkusJr]

Duran holds a near-death Esteban DeJesus

Classic shot. Wow!

There are moments outside the ring that make great Champions greater .

[coach greg v]

When Boxers were expected to "Step Up". . .

If Floyd & Pac came up in L.A. when Aileen Eaton & George Parnassus controlled our big time boxing, they'd have fought long ago.
You cash in on the event while it is hot, when it's wanted. A simple injury to either boxer eliminates a nine figure revenue today.
Back in the day in L.A. there was no waiting to settle a grudge match, cross town rivalry, or whatever the interest in a competitive match.
No boys "protected" in L.A. rings back then, not like what you see today. We had guys that got better breaks, but they fought competitive opponents.
When Keeny Teran and Gil Cadilli were the hottest homegrown talents, the two ELA hot shots were matched.
When Mando Ramos and Frankie Crawford needed to fight, they did. Twice.
When Quarry and Orbillo was a hot ticket, they got it on. Winning records were put in jeopardy, not like today.
And what about Kelly Pavlik? It's time to punch his time card and dismiss him. Disgrassa!


-Rick Farris

>those Mando Ramos fights and the tv show BOXING FROM THE OLYMPIC. I never missed those.I wonder if any are on dvd?

[Rick Farris]

Our pal Rudy "Rooter" Orozco recommends this Mexican Restaurant.
Rudy is from San Diego, his wife Lupe is from T.J. and their oldest son is one of the Nations top ranked Junior amateur boxers.
Rudy fought several pro fights. in the amateurs he fought Herman Montes, and Tommy Hearns.

Check out Rudy's recommendation:

http://www.casa-sanchez.com/

[Rick Farris]

When Boxers were expected to "Step Up". . .

If Floyd & Pac came up in L.A. when Aileen Eaton & George Parnassus controlled our big time boxing, they'd have fought long ago.
You cash in on the event while it is hot, when it's wanted. A simple injury to either boxer eliminates a nine figure revenue today.
Back in the day in L.A. there was no waiting to settle a grudge match, cross town rivalry, or whatever the interest in a competitive match.
No boys "protected" in L.A. rings back then, not like what you see today. We had guys that got better breaks, but they fought competitive opponents.
When Keeny Teran and Gil Cadilli were the hottest homegrown talents, the two ELA hot shots were matched.
When Mando Ramos and Frankie Crawford needed to fight, they did. Twice.
When Quarry and Orbillo was a hot ticket, they got it on. Winning records were put in jeopardy, not like today.
And what about Kelly Pavlik? It's time to punch his time card and dismiss him. Disgrassa!


-Rick Farris

>those Mando Ramos fights and the tv show BOXING FROM THE OLYMPIC. I never missed those.I wonder if any are on dvd?

Boxing from the Olympic . . .

Very few tapes have surfaced in relation to the number produced, Greg.
Many were actually stolen from KTLA and KTTV, the two Los Angeles TV stations that broadcast the thursday night boxing shows.
Don Chargin had attempted to buy the entire collection, a deal was struck but the videos "just disappeared," obviously stolen.
The broadcasts started in 1965 on KTLA Ch-5. Dick Enberg & matchmaker Mickey Davies were the best ringside guys I ever saw.
Aileen promoted boxing 50 weeks a year. That is 50 televised broadcasts a year, for nearly ten years.
That's around 500 fight cards, two hours each equals 1000 hours of boxing, most of it gone.
Some were also destroyed, along with UCLA basketball footage that featured Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul Jabbar.)
However, there are some available on Youtube. Type in a boxer's name, like Mando Ramos, etc., and see what comes up?
Ernie Lopez, Hedgeman Lewis, Mando Muniz, many of their Olympic appearances pop up.

Coach Greg, this one is just for you. Enjoy a young Mando from the Olympic: . . . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTw3y2A_CoQ

[coach greg v]

When Boxers were expected to "Step Up". . .

If Floyd & Pac came up in L.A. when Aileen Eaton & George Parnassus controlled our big time boxing, they'd have fought long ago.
You cash in on the event while it is hot, when it's wanted. A simple injury to either boxer eliminates a nine figure revenue today.
Back in the day in L.A. there was no waiting to settle a grudge match, cross town rivalry, or whatever the interest in a competitive match.
No boys "protected" in L.A. rings back then, not like what you see today. We had guys that got better breaks, but they fought competitive opponents.
When Keeny Teran and Gil Cadilli were the hottest homegrown talents, the two ELA hot shots were matched.
When Mando Ramos and Frankie Crawford needed to fight, they did. Twice.
When Quarry and Orbillo was a hot ticket, they got it on. Winning records were put in jeopardy, not like today.
And what about Kelly Pavlik? It's time to punch his time card and dismiss him. Disgrassa!


-Rick Farris

>those Mando Ramos fights and the tv show BOXING FROM THE OLYMPIC. I never missed those.I wonder if any are on dvd?

Boxing from the Olympic . . .

Very few tapes have surfaced in relation to the number produced, Greg.
Many were actually stolen from KTLA and KTTV, the two Los Angeles TV stations that broadcast the thursday night boxing shows.
Don Chargin had attempted to buy the entire collection, a deal was struck but the videos "just disappeared," obviously stolen.
The broadcasts started in 1965 on KTLA Ch-5. Dick Enberg & matchmaker Mickey Davies were the best ringside guys I ever saw.
Aileen promoted boxing 50 weeks a year. That is 50 televised broadcasts a year, for nearly ten years.
That's around 500 fight cards, two hours each equals 1000 hours of boxing, most of it gone.
Some were also destroyed, along with UCLA basketball footage that featured Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul Jabbar.)
However, there are some available on Youtube. Type in a boxer's name, like Mando Ramos, etc., and see what comes up?
Ernie Lopez, Hedgeman Lewis, Mando Muniz, many of their Olympic appearances pop up.

Coach Greg, this one is just for you. Enjoy a young Mando from the Olympic: . . . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTw3y2A_CoQ

>thanks rick. I do remember seeing u box live at the olympic. on the first show i ever attended live there. thank you for the you tube leed.by the way did u ever box in the boys clubs of america tournaments???

[Rick Farris]

>those Mando Ramos fights and the tv show BOXING FROM THE OLYMPIC. I never missed those.I wonder if any are on dvd?

Boxing from the Olympic . . .

Very few tapes have surfaced in relation to the number produced, Greg.
Many were actually stolen from KTLA and KTTV, the two Los Angeles TV stations that broadcast the thursday night boxing shows.
Don Chargin had attempted to buy the entire collection, a deal was struck but the videos "just disappeared," obviously stolen.
The broadcasts started in 1965 on KTLA Ch-5. Dick Enberg & matchmaker Mickey Davies were the best ringside guys I ever saw.
Aileen promoted boxing 50 weeks a year. That is 50 televised broadcasts a year, for nearly ten years.
That's around 500 fight cards, two hours each equals 1000 hours of boxing, most of it gone.
Some were also destroyed, along with UCLA basketball footage that featured Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul Jabbar.)
However, there are some available on Youtube. Type in a boxer's name, like Mando Ramos, etc., and see what comes up?
Ernie Lopez, Hedgeman Lewis, Mando Muniz, many of their Olympic appearances pop up.

Coach Greg, this one is just for you. Enjoy a young Mando from the Olympic: . . . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTw3y2A_CoQ

>thanks rick. I do remember seeing u box live at the olympic. on the first show i ever attended live there. thank you for the you tube leed.by the way did u ever box in the boys clubs of america tournaments???

No Greg, never fought in the Boys Club tournaments. Never fought a Greg Varney.
Happy you are part of this forum! Welcome.

[Randyman]

When Boxers were expected to "Step Up". . .

If Floyd & Pac came up in L.A. when Aileen Eaton & George Parnassus controlled our big time boxing, they'd have fought long ago.
You cash in on the event while it is hot, when it's wanted. A simple injury to either boxer eliminates a nine figure revenue today.
Back in the day in L.A. there was no waiting to settle a grudge match, cross town rivalry, or whatever the interest in a competitive match.
No boys "protected" in L.A. rings back then, not like what you see today. We had guys that got better breaks, but they fought competitive opponents.
When Keeny Teran and Gil Cadilli were the hottest homegrown talents, the two ELA hot shots were matched.
When Mando Ramos and Frankie Crawford needed to fight, they did. Twice.
When Quarry and Orbillo was a hot ticket, they got it on. Winning records were put in jeopardy, not like today.
And what about Kelly Pavlik? It's time to punch his time card and dismiss him. Disgrassa!


-Rick Farris

>those Mando Ramos fights and the tv show BOXING FROM THE OLYMPIC. I never missed those.I wonder if any are on dvd?

Boxing from the Olympic . . .

Very few tapes have surfaced in relation to the number produced, Greg.
Many were actually stolen from KTLA and KTTV, the two Los Angeles TV stations that broadcast the thursday night boxing shows.
Don Chargin had attempted to buy the entire collection, a deal was struck but the videos "just disappeared," obviously stolen.
The broadcasts started in 1965 on KTLA Ch-5. Dick Enberg & matchmaker Mickey Davies were the best ringside guys I ever saw.
Aileen promoted boxing 50 weeks a year. That is 50 televised broadcasts a year, for nearly ten years.
That's around 500 fight cards, two hours each equals 1000 hours of boxing, most of it gone.
Some were also destroyed, along with UCLA basketball footage that featured Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul Jabbar.)
However, there are some available on Youtube. Type in a boxer's name, like Mando Ramos, etc., and see what comes up?
Ernie Lopez, Hedgeman Lewis, Mando Muniz, many of their Olympic appearances pop up.

Coach Greg, this one is just for you. Enjoy a young Mando from the Olympic: . . . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTw3y2A_CoQ

Great video. Mando was such an underrated counterpuncher! What a great fighter he was. Pure L.A.

[coach greg v]

Boxing from the Olympic . . .

Very few tapes have surfaced in relation to the number produced, Greg.
Many were actually stolen from KTLA and KTTV, the two Los Angeles TV stations that broadcast the thursday night boxing shows.
Don Chargin had attempted to buy the entire collection, a deal was struck but the videos "just disappeared," obviously stolen.
The broadcasts started in 1965 on KTLA Ch-5. Dick Enberg & matchmaker Mickey Davies were the best ringside guys I ever saw.
Aileen promoted boxing 50 weeks a year. That is 50 televised broadcasts a year, for nearly ten years.
That's around 500 fight cards, two hours each equals 1000 hours of boxing, most of it gone.
Some were also destroyed, along with UCLA basketball footage that featured Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul Jabbar.)
However, there are some available on Youtube. Type in a boxer's name, like Mando Ramos, etc., and see what comes up?
Ernie Lopez, Hedgeman Lewis, Mando Muniz, many of their Olympic appearances pop up.

Coach Greg, this one is just for you. Enjoy a young Mando from the Olympic: . . . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTw3y2A_CoQ

>thanks rick. I do remember seeing u box live at the olympic. on the first show i ever attended live there. thank you for the you tube leed.by the way did u ever box in the boys clubs of america tournaments???

No Greg, never fought in the Boys Club tournaments. Never fought a Greg Varney.
Happy you are part of this forum! Welcome.

>I do not know I think maybe at one time we met at some boxing event. Maybe the golden gloves as friends something. I still have the ring record books with you in it..thank you again for your hard work and your wonderful site...

[Randyman]

Our pal Rudy "Rooter" Orozco recommends this Mexican Restaurant.
Rudy is from San Diego, his wife Lupe is from T.J. and their oldest son is one of the Nations top ranked Junior amateur boxers.
Rudy fought several pro fights. in the amateurs he fought Herman Montes, and Tommy Hearns.

Check out Rudy's recommendation:

http://www.casa-sanchez.com/

Looks like I might have to give this one a try! Thanks Rudy.

[Randyman]

Coach Greg, welcome to CAWCB, glad to have you here!

[Randyman]

Rick, to this day no one comes close to Dick Enberg and Mickey Davies. What a team they were. Entertaining, knowledgeable and likable. Great era.

[Rick Farris]

Rick, to this day no one comes close to Dick Enberg and Mickey Davies. What a team they were. Entertaining, knowledgeable and likable. Great era.

Ageed, Randy. Dick Enberg went on to the big time in TV sports announcing. He was great at any sport he called.
HBO has nobody that is his equal. Heard some humorous memories of Mickey Davies from Don Fraser recently.

[coach greg v]

Coach Greg, welcome to CAWCB, glad to have you here!

>thank you randy man. i fell in love with boxing when i was 4.my uncles took me to the obys club at 8 but when i was in 6th grade boxing from the olympic came on tv. i lived in nor cal. i just thrived on mando ramos indian red lopez. they had it on friday nights that and big time wrestling followed by creature features and a repeat of boxing form the olympic....what more could a kid who loves boxing ask for in 64...

[Rick Farris]

Coach Greg, welcome to CAWCB, glad to have you here!

>thank you randy man. i fell in love with boxing when i was 4.my uncles took me to the obys club at 8 but when i was in 6th grade boxing from the olympic came on tv. i lived in nor cal. i just thrived on mando ramos indian red lopez. they had it on friday nights that and big time wrestling followed by creature features and a repeat of boxing form the olympic....what more could a kid who loves boxing ask for in 64...

We had it all back then, didn't we Greg?

[coach greg v]

Coach Greg, welcome to CAWCB, glad to have you here!

>thank you randy man. i fell in love with boxing when i was 4.my uncles took me to the obys club at 8 but when i was in 6th grade boxing from the olympic came on tv. i lived in nor cal. i just thrived on mando ramos indian red lopez. they had it on friday nights that and big time wrestling followed by creature features and a repeat of boxing form the olympic....what more could a kid who loves boxing ask for in 64...

We had it all back then, didn't we Greg?

> we really did ricky. when we boxed no shirts. nobody crying about decisions. alot of boys boxed. people understood the sport. now people pay 70 bucks for a pay per view that would have been laughed out pof the olympic auditorium

[Rick Farris]

>thank you randy man. i fell in love with boxing when i was 4.my uncles took me to the obys club at 8 but when i was in 6th grade boxing from the olympic came on tv. i lived in nor cal. i just thrived on mando ramos indian red lopez. they had it on friday nights that and big time wrestling followed by creature features and a repeat of boxing form the olympic....what more could a kid who loves boxing ask for in 64...

We had it all back then, didn't we Greg?

> we really did ricky. when we boxed no shirts. nobody crying about decisions. alot of boys boxed. people understood the sport. now people pay 70 bucks for a pay per view that would have been laughed out pof the olympic auditorium

Your right, Greg. Can you imagine what the Olympic fans would have done if a guy like Victor Ortiz quit like he did against Marco Maidana?
In today's world he's a welterweight champ. He's the modern day version of Emile Griffith, Jose Napoles, Henry Armstrong. :(
NOT!

[coach greg v]

We had it all back then, didn't we Greg?

> we really did ricky. when we boxed no shirts. nobody crying about decisions. alot of boys boxed. people understood the sport. now people pay 70 bucks for a pay per view that would have been laughed out pof the olympic auditorium

Your right, Greg. Can you iamgine what the Olympic fans would have done if a guy like Victor Ortiz quit like he did against Marco Maidana?
In today's world he's a welterweight champ. He's the modern day version of Emile Griffith, Jose Napoles, Henry Armstrong. :(
NOT!

>Ricky those fans would not have let him leave without a police escort. I remember your 2nd fight and everybody was saying ur first effort wasn't that great but u won and they were satisfied. it was a very tough tough crowd. and we did not need teddy atlas to explain it to us....

[coach greg v]

> we really did ricky. when we boxed no shirts. nobody crying about decisions. alot of boys boxed. people understood the sport. now people pay 70 bucks for a pay per view that would have been laughed out pof the olympic auditorium

Your right, Greg. Can you iamgine what the Olympic fans would have done if a guy like Victor Ortiz quit like he did against Marco Maidana?
In today's world he's a welterweight champ. He's the modern day version of Emile Griffith, Jose Napoles, Henry Armstrong. :(
NOT!

>Ricky those fans would not have let him leave without a police escort. I remember your 2nd fight and everybody was saying ur first effort wasn't that great but u won and they were satisfied. it was a very tough tough crowd. and we did not need teddy atlas to explain it to us....

>I want to thank you ricky and randy for a great night. I can not find people around me can talk boxing let alone understand it. I hope I did not offend Ricky when I told him that the olympic group was skeptical but boy were they with u when u had that fight july 1970. The one thing I remember about being at the olympic for the first time was that guys who I did not even know would just talk the fights. I was happy to buy these guys beers and boy the info did flow.Not that i did nto enjoy a beer myself. Also ricky if u sparred art hafey oh brother i heard he was murder on sparring partners again thanks for welcoming me in. I hope my memory gets better. ricky i know we didn't box you were a bantam me a midlleweight. thank you agsain...

[Rick Farris]

Your right, Greg. Can you iamgine what the Olympic fans would have done if a guy like Victor Ortiz quit like he did against Marco Maidana?
In today's world he's a welterweight champ. He's the modern day version of Emile Griffith, Jose Napoles, Henry Armstrong. :(
NOT!

>Ricky those fans would not have let him leave without a police escort. I remember your 2nd fight and everybody was saying ur first effort wasn't that great but u won and they were satisfied. it was a very tough tough crowd. and we did not need teddy atlas to explain it to us....

>I want to thank you ricky and randy for a great night. I can not find people around me can talk boxing let alone understand it. I hope I did not offend Ricky when I told him that the olympic group was skeptical but boy were they with u when u had that fight july 1970. The one thing I remember about being at the olympic for the first time was that guys who I did not even know would just talk the fights. I was happy to buy these guys beers and boy the info did flow.Not that i did nto enjoy a beer myself. Also ricky if u sparred art hafey oh brother i heard he was murder on sparring partners again thanks for welcoming me in. I hope my memory gets better. ricky i know we didn't box you were a bantam me a midlleweight. thank you agsain...

We're glad to have you here, Greg.
This is for guys just like us. We have a good group, all the regulars know boxing to the bone.
We have been doing this for 3 1/2 years, have more than 37,000 posts. Nothing like this on any boxing site on the net.
If you are in California, maybe you can join us next year at the CBHOF luncheon? Best of it's kind on the West Coast!

[Cholo]

Duran holds a near-death Esteban DeJesus

A big heart inside and outside of the ring, Roberto Duran..