BoxRec

Still posting top-notch items Frank Thank You Charlie N.

Sorry I've been away, chaps. Here's a shot of me with Earnie Shavers, taken around 2003.


PS: The doctors assured me my hair would grow back, but they said the same thing to Earnie.

bennie wrote:


Sorry I've been away, chaps. Here's a shot of me with Earnie Shavers, taken around 2003.


PS: The doctors assured me my hair would grow back, but they said the same thing to Earnie.

bennie, glad to see you back. I was worried about you. Everything okay? Nice photo.

The de-evolution of Boxing.....

Bums have become noted journeymen, mediocre has become good, good has become great, the so-so have become legends, the unworthy have become multimillionaires, and fans have become deaf, dumb and blind.

Still, I remain optimistic. I've said it before and i'll say it again, somewhere, hopefully here in the U.S., there is a young man in his late teens perhaps, or maybe younger. hitting the heavy bag his father has hanging in the garage. Learning to jab, hook and cross. He 's dreaming big right now, or maybe he hasn't dared to dream big just yet but the day is coming.

Maybe he is already an amateur learning his craft, doing his roadwork. Somewhere there is an up and coming fighter just waiting for his crack at greatness! Maybe he'll be a heavyweight and restore the luster to American boxing, or he might be a lightweight, quick, fast and bold, either way, He's out there somewhere. Maybe there are a few of them, maybe more. In my dream of the future, these fighters won't be afraid to face each other.

Regarding boxing; I remain loyal, hopeful and optimistic. It is still the greatest of sports!

Randyman wrote:

bennie wrote:


Sorry I've been away, chaps. Here's a shot of me with Earnie Shavers, taken around 2003.


PS: The doctors assured me my hair would grow back, but they said the same thing to Earnie.

bennie, glad to see you back. I was worried about you. Everything okay? Nice photo.

Yeah, I'm great. I get bored with the internet at times and drop off. How's Frankie?

The late Henry Cooper, flanked by Midlands referee Jim Prdding and Midlands promoter Ron Gray.

Sorry to report Boxing lost two men Feb 1, 2012

Great Trainer to the Champions ,Angelo Dundee passed away at his home surrounded by family.

Active New York Referee- Wayne Kelly passed away today stricken by heart attack here on Long Island.

Muhammad Ali and Angelo Dundee, together they created an era.



Angelo Dundee, a great trainer, no doubt but his greatest strength was as a cornerman, working the fight with his fighter, whoever he was with at the time, Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard or Louis Burke. There was no greater motivator in the ring.

He was also boxing's good will ambassador. He was boxing's version of Tommy Lasorda, a great, great spokesperson for boxing.

Dundee was a throwback to an earlier Runyonesqque era of boxing. He will be missed.

R.I.P Angelo Dundee

Amen to that Randy!

The Bum
A Fictional Short Story

By Randy De La O

In the days leading up to the fight he heard the talk. “He won't make it to the second round” “He doesn't stand a chance, the bum”. “He has no heart” said another.

Thirty-nine years of age, fifty-nine fights, losing half and stopped in most
Still he fought on. It was all he knew.

At the weigh in, he stepped on the scales. No more cheers for this tired old fighter. The crowd snickered and the press ignored him. His best days were a decade ago.

Once, he was an up and comer but then came the losses, then the ridicule and then the moniker “Bum”. Now he fought only to survive.

He stepped back from the scale. Watched as his opponent was weighed. Lean, sinewy and young. The crowd roared their approval. “You'll kill the bum, kid, he's got no heart”.

It's the morning of the fight now, your wife and kids watching as you get your gear together. You look into their eyes and you see yourself as they see you, and you begin to believe again. “Maybe, you think to yourself, just maybe.”

You are alone with your trainer in your dressing room. The days when your room was filled with the press, the boxing crowd, leeches and beautiful chaos is long gone. No one cares anymore. The world loves a winner.

You can hear the roar of the crowd from your room. Another knockout. Another bum knocked into oblivion, and another up and coming fighter moving up the rankings.

You hear your name called. It's time to make the ring walk. You look at your cornerman and he says to you, “Just do your best son, just do your best. He's young and strong, don't get careless”. You smile and begin your walk.

As you make the walk, you begin to hear the jeers and laughter. Someone throws a soda at you. You hear the laughter and your mind begins to think about your old trainer, long dead who once said to you “What's he got that you ain't got? A head with a brain in it, two arms, two legs and two feet? What's he got you ain't got?” And you begin to believe again.

You step into the ring, you hear the boos and you wait. You pace up ad down the ring. Something you haven't done in a while. You are suddenly anxious. Feels like old times maybe. You look at your trainer and he smiles.

As the young opponent climbs into the ring the crowd roars it's approval and he prances around the ring. He looks at you and sneers and you think to yourself “What's he got that I ain't got?” You smile at him.

The introductions are made and the first round begins. Almost immediately his jab is in your face. You can't avoid it. He's fast. He backs you up and the crowd goes wild. “I'm okay” you tell yourself. It continues like that for the rest of the round. Jab, jab, right hand and an occasional left hook to the body. “Predictable” you think to yourself.

“Follow that jab” says the trainer, “Follow that jab! Don't just stand there!” You can hear him faintly but your mind begins to wander and you remember how you fought the best in your day. Didn't win them all but you fought the best” and you begin to believe.

As the next round begins the kid throws two careless jabs and you follow them home with a right hand and a left hook and the kid goes down. He's never been down before, this kid, and panic sets in and he jumps up and goes crazy. You've been here before you remind yourself.

You look across the ring as you sit in the stool. You see the concern in the opposite corner. “Okay, I got their attention”. You look at your trainer and his eyes are lit up for the first time in years and he nods at you.

That this has become a test for the young contender becomes obvious. He comes out for the next round back in control of himself. He has recovered. He's quick, this kid, and he can bang but still you ain't going to quit on yourself!

Somewhere in the middle rounds a fight is taking place. For the first time in years you hear the crowd calling for you to win. You smile and remember how good it felt. For a brief moment you find yourself reaching back in time.

No one expected this fight, not the press, not the crowd, not even yourself. Then you remember your family. They know you, they believe in you, they dared to expect it, and you fight on.

It's the late rounds now. One eye is closed, blood is pouring from your nose but you are unbowed. “I will not quit!” you say to yourself, not quite sure if you are thinking it or speaking out loud.

You find yourself on the ropes, fatigue hurting you more than the punches. Your hands going down just for a second or two, and your young opponent takes full advantage, then you begin to punch.

You remember your old trainer telling you years ago “When you find yourself on the ropes or in the corner and you don't know what else to do, just punch, just punch your way out!” and so you punch.

It's the last round now. “Maybe I can knock him out” you think to yourself. You look him in the eye as the last round begins. This young, strong fighter shows something in his eyes that you didn't see earlier and you recognize it immediately. This young man has come to respect you!

Still his job is to fight and win. Several times in the round you find yourself against the ropes, punching, swinging at anything but never, ever lying down.

The bell signals the end of the final round. The crowd roars it's approval. You and your young opponent collapse onto each other, spent, tired and worn. You give each other a hug and you tell him “Great fight kid”, “Same to you old man” and you both walk back to your corners.

You didn't win this fight, you know that and you never fought again. You were never a champion. You were once a contender. It was enough. You found a job, you lived your life with your family and you were content.

Oh, to have been such a magnificent bum!

Great story, Randy!

- Chuck Johnston

1951 Fight for Life
By Frank “kiki” Baltazar

In 1951 when I was a fifteen year old kid I used to ride the bus and streetcar from the Simons Brickyard to the Teamsters Gym in downtown L.A. to spar with Keeny Teran as he was getting ready for his fight with Gil Cadilli. Keeny and Gil were two hot prospects at the time. Back then prospects didn’t shy away from fighting each other as they were coming up the ranks. Keeny who was two or three years older than me and a way better fighter than me didn’t try to hurt me in our sparring sessions. He would use our sparring sessions to sharpen-up his boxing skills. Move, jab, move, jab, is what he did in our sparring sessions. I, of course was just thrill to be in the same ring with Keeny Teran. Keeny and I only sparred a few times; as there were times when he would have to go to the Main Street Gym to get some heavy sparring with some of the local pros.

Keeny was a small guy who at the age of 18 looked like he was fourteen years old or younger. But, if you tried to take advantage of his youthful looks in the ring he would make sure you paid for it.

The Teran v Cadilli fight was between two cross-town rivals. Cadilli had an eight and one record; whereas Keeny was undefeated in six fights. It was a fight that on its own merits would have sold out the Legion. The main-event was Enrique Bolanos and Eddie Chavez in a twelve rounder. The Bolanos v Chavez fight was the 1951 “Fight for Life” where some of the gate proceeds would go to the City of Hope Cancer Hospital. “Fight for Life” was a big yearly event and it was decided by matchmaker, Hap Navarro, to make this the, 1951 Fight for Life card, the greatest card in the history of the yearly event, which in my opinion it was.

On fight night, June 22, 1951. My uncles, Tony Ramos, Ray Gonzalez and I jumped in Uncle Ray’s 1948 Chevy coupe to drive to the Hollywood Legion Stadium to see Keeny and Gil fight the six round semi main. As we walked into the sold-out; smoke-filled arena you could feel the electricity in the air. It felt so heavy that it seemed like you could have sliced it with a knife. And I felt proud to have been close to Keeny Teran who played a big part in creating the electricity the fans were feeling that night in the Golden Age of Southern California boxing.

The Teran/Cadilli fight started fast with Keeny having the upper hand in the first four rounds. Cadilli came on strong in the last two rounds to make it a close fight, but not strong enough to win the fight in my opinion. I thought keeny won, but the fight was called a draw. Maybe I was bias.

The Bolanos v Chavez match; which was a California state lightweight title fight, was an action pack fight, with first one than the other having the upper hand. In the end Enrique Bolanos walked out of the ring with a unanimous decision.

June 22, 1951 was a great night for me.

Link to above story with photos

http://westcoastboxersofyearsgoneby.blogspot.com/

kikibalt wrote:1951 Fight for Life
By Frank “kiki” Baltazar

In 1951 when I was a fifteen year old kid I used to ride the bus and streetcar from the Simons Brickyard to the Teamsters Gym in downtown L.A. to spar with Keeny Teran as he was getting ready for his fight with Gil Cadilli. Keeny and Gil were two hot prospects at the time. Back then prospects didn’t shy away from fighting each other as they were coming up the ranks. Keeny who was two or three years older than me and a way better fighter than me didn’t try to hurt me in our sparring sessions. He would use our sparring sessions to sharpen-up his boxing skills. Move, jab, move, jab, is what he did in our sparring sessions. I, of course was just thrill to be in the same ring with Keeny Teran. Keeny and I only sparred a few times; as there were times when he would have to go to the Main Street Gym to get some heavy sparring with some of the local pros.

Keeny was a small guy who at the age of 18 looked like he was fourteen years old or younger. But, if you tried to take advantage of his youthful looks in the ring he would make sure you paid for it.

The Teran v Cadilli fight was between two cross-town rivals. Cadilli had an eight and one record; whereas Keeny was undefeated in six fights. It was a fight that on its own merits would have sold out the Legion. The main-event was Enrique Bolanos and Eddie Chavez in a twelve rounder. The Bolanos v Chavez fight was the 1951 “Fight for Life” where some of the gate proceeds would go to the City of Hope Cancer Hospital. “Fight for Life” was a big yearly event and it was decided by matchmaker, Hap Navarro, to make this the, 1951 Fight for Life card, the greatest card in the history of the yearly event, which in my opinion it was.

On fight night, June 22, 1951. My uncles, Tony Ramos, Ray Gonzalez and I jumped in Uncle Ray’s 1948 Chevy coupe to drive to the Hollywood Legion Stadium to see Keeny and Gil fight the six round semi main. As we walked into the sold-out; smoke-filled arena you could feel the electricity in the air. It felt so heavy that it seemed like you could have sliced it with a knife. And I felt proud to have been close to Keeny Teran who played a big part in creating the electricity the fans were feeling that night in the Golden Age of Southern California boxing.

The Teran/Cadilli fight started fast with Keeny having the upper hand in the first four rounds. Cadilli came on strong in the last two rounds to make it a close fight, but not strong enough to win the fight in my opinion. I thought keeny won, but the fight was called a draw. Maybe I was bias.

The Bolanos v Chavez match; which was a California state lightweight title fight, was an action pack fight, with first one than the other having the upper hand. In the end Enrique Bolanos walked out of the ring with a unanimous decision.

June 22, 1951 was a great night for me.

Frank, Another excellent piece, Keeny Teran what a smooth boxer, those few seconds of him sparring at the Teamster's Gym from the 1952 film "The Ring" shows what a excellent boxer he was. Must have been great sparring with Teran Frank, do you think Keeny could have been a great? he sure looked special. I watched "The Ring" movie recently great film, what a golden era. Artie Aragon is there too..

Tony Baltazar v John Montes
By Frank "kiki" Baltazar

A cross town rivalry between Tony Baltazar and John Montes had been building up in the late '70's. Both had being getting some good amateur wins, so it was just a matter of time that they fought. On our part we were ready to fight Montes at any time.

John Montes came into the junior boxing program scene in the early '70's, whereas Tony started in '64 and by the mid- '70's (1976) had already won the National Junior Olympic title. We felt that Tony was too experience for John at that point.

At the time they fought, Felix Villareal, was the amateur matchmaker at the Olympic Auditorium. Felix called me on a Monday and said that the Montes's wanted to fight Tony on Thursday night, I said okay. Felix then said that it had to be at '32, again I said okay, Tony can make '32 if that’s what they want I told Felix. Thursday morning, Tony and Frankie and I went to the weight in’s. Frankie was with us because he was fighting the main-event against Shig Fukuyama that night. Both Frankie and Tony made weight easy.

That night before the fights started I run into my Uncle Florentino, my dad's brother, at the Olympic. He was with a group of Monte’s fans. He told me that Tony better win as he was betting every one of his friends that were backing Montes. Tony ended the fight with a beautiful left hook in under-30 seconds of the first round. Frankie, in a good fight stopped Fukuyama in the fourth round.

Cholo wrote:

kikibalt wrote:1951 Fight for Life
By Frank “kiki” Baltazar

In 1951 when I was a fifteen year old kid I used to ride the bus and streetcar from the Simons Brickyard to the Teamsters Gym in downtown L.A. to spar with Keeny Teran as he was getting ready for his fight with Gil Cadilli. Keeny and Gil were two hot prospects at the time. Back then prospects didn’t shy away from fighting each other as they were coming up the ranks. Keeny who was two or three years older than me and a way better fighter than me didn’t try to hurt me in our sparring sessions. He would use our sparring sessions to sharpen-up his boxing skills. Move, jab, move, jab, is what he did in our sparring sessions. I, of course was just thrill to be in the same ring with Keeny Teran. Keeny and I only sparred a few times; as there were times when he would have to go to the Main Street Gym to get some heavy sparring with some of the local pros.

Keeny was a small guy who at the age of 18 looked like he was fourteen years old or younger. But, if you tried to take advantage of his youthful looks in the ring he would make sure you paid for it.

The Teran v Cadilli fight was between two cross-town rivals. Cadilli had an eight and one record; whereas Keeny was undefeated in six fights. It was a fight that on its own merits would have sold out the Legion. The main-event was Enrique Bolanos and Eddie Chavez in a twelve rounder. The Bolanos v Chavez fight was the 1951 “Fight for Life” where some of the gate proceeds would go to the City of Hope Cancer Hospital. “Fight for Life” was a big yearly event and it was decided by matchmaker, Hap Navarro, to make this the, 1951 Fight for Life card, the greatest card in the history of the yearly event, which in my opinion it was.

On fight night, June 22, 1951. My uncles, Tony Ramos, Ray Gonzalez and I jumped in Uncle Ray’s 1948 Chevy coupe to drive to the Hollywood Legion Stadium to see Keeny and Gil fight the six round semi main. As we walked into the sold-out; smoke-filled arena you could feel the electricity in the air. It felt so heavy that it seemed like you could have sliced it with a knife. And I felt proud to have been close to Keeny Teran who played a big part in creating the electricity the fans were feeling that night in the Golden Age of Southern California boxing.

The Teran/Cadilli fight started fast with Keeny having the upper hand in the first four rounds. Cadilli came on strong in the last two rounds to make it a close fight, but not strong enough to win the fight in my opinion. I thought keeny won, but the fight was called a draw. Maybe I was bias.

The Bolanos v Chavez match; which was a California state lightweight title fight, was an action pack fight, with first one than the other having the upper hand. In the end Enrique Bolanos walked out of the ring with a unanimous decision.

June 22, 1951 was a great night for me.

Frank, Another excellent piece, Keeny Teran what a smooth boxer, those few seconds of him sparring at the Teamster's Gym from the 1952 film "The Ring" shows what a excellent boxer he was. Must have been great sparring with Teran Frank, do you think Keeny could have been a great? he sure looked special. I watched "The Ring" movie recently great film, what a golden era. Artie Aragon is there too..

Paul, I do think that Keeny had everything he needed to had become a great fighter. He was an excellent boxer with a good punch. He, I think would had been a great fighter at 112 pounds. I don't think he was strong enough to cope with the 118 pound guys.

kikibalt wrote:

Cholo wrote:

kikibalt wrote:1951 Fight for Life
By Frank “kiki” Baltazar

In 1951 when I was a fifteen year old kid I used to ride the bus and streetcar from the Simons Brickyard to the Teamsters Gym in downtown L.A. to spar with Keeny Teran as he was getting ready for his fight with Gil Cadilli. Keeny and Gil were two hot prospects at the time. Back then prospects didn’t shy away from fighting each other as they were coming up the ranks. Keeny who was two or three years older than me and a way better fighter than me didn’t try to hurt me in our sparring sessions. He would use our sparring sessions to sharpen-up his boxing skills. Move, jab, move, jab, is what he did in our sparring sessions. I, of course was just thrill to be in the same ring with Keeny Teran. Keeny and I only sparred a few times; as there were times when he would have to go to the Main Street Gym to get some heavy sparring with some of the local pros.

Keeny was a small guy who at the age of 18 looked like he was fourteen years old or younger. But, if you tried to take advantage of his youthful looks in the ring he would make sure you paid for it.

The Teran v Cadilli fight was between two cross-town rivals. Cadilli had an eight and one record; whereas Keeny was undefeated in six fights. It was a fight that on its own merits would have sold out the Legion. The main-event was Enrique Bolanos and Eddie Chavez in a twelve rounder. The Bolanos v Chavez fight was the 1951 “Fight for Life” where some of the gate proceeds would go to the City of Hope Cancer Hospital. “Fight for Life” was a big yearly event and it was decided by matchmaker, Hap Navarro, to make this the, 1951 Fight for Life card, the greatest card in the history of the yearly event, which in my opinion it was.

On fight night, June 22, 1951. My uncles, Tony Ramos, Ray Gonzalez and I jumped in Uncle Ray’s 1948 Chevy coupe to drive to the Hollywood Legion Stadium to see Keeny and Gil fight the six round semi main. As we walked into the sold-out; smoke-filled arena you could feel the electricity in the air. It felt so heavy that it seemed like you could have sliced it with a knife. And I felt proud to have been close to Keeny Teran who played a big part in creating the electricity the fans were feeling that night in the Golden Age of Southern California boxing.

The Teran/Cadilli fight started fast with Keeny having the upper hand in the first four rounds. Cadilli came on strong in the last two rounds to make it a close fight, but not strong enough to win the fight in my opinion. I thought keeny won, but the fight was called a draw. Maybe I was bias.

The Bolanos v Chavez match; which was a California state lightweight title fight, was an action pack fight, with first one than the other having the upper hand. In the end Enrique Bolanos walked out of the ring with a unanimous decision.

June 22, 1951 was a great night for me.

Frank, Another excellent piece, Keeny Teran what a smooth boxer, those few seconds of him sparring at the Teamster's Gym from the 1952 film "The Ring" shows what a excellent boxer he was. Must have been great sparring with Teran Frank, do you think Keeny could have been a great? he sure looked special. I watched "The Ring" movie recently great film, what a golden era. Artie Aragon is there too..

Paul, I do think that Keeny had everything he needed to had become a great fighter. He was an excellent boxer with a good punch. He, I think would had been a great fighter at 112 pounds. I don't think he was strong enough to cope with the 118 pound guys.

Frank, I'm sure he would have been a champ today along with "Golden Boy" Aragon and Enrique Bolanos.. I read that Keeny and Gil Cadilli would train for hours slipping and blocking punches together, well schooled fighters..

Cholo wrote:

kikibalt wrote:

Cholo wrote: Frank, Another excellent piece, Keeny Teran what a smooth boxer, those few seconds of him sparring at the Teamster's Gym from the 1952 film "The Ring" shows what a excellent boxer he was. Must have been great sparring with Teran Frank, do you think Keeny could have been a great? he sure looked special. I watched "The Ring" movie recently great film, what a golden era. Artie Aragon is there too..

Paul, I do think that Keeny had everything he needed to had become a great fighter. He was an excellent boxer with a good punch. He, I think would had been a great fighter at 112 pounds. I don't think he was strong enough to cope with the 118 pound guys.

Frank, I'm sure he would have been a champ today along with "Golden Boy" Aragon and Enrique Bolanos.. I read that Keeny and Gil Cadilli would train for hours slipping and blocking punches together, well schooled fighters..

Yeah, there is no doubt in my mind that all three would be champions in this day and age. And Cadilli too!

Ray Luna

Ray Luna was a very well respected boxing man out of Los Angeles. Ray was active in Los Angeles boxing starting in the late 1940s working as a trainer/corner-man and manager for well-known Los Angeles fighters such as Art Aragon (corner man), he managed keeny Teran, Carlos Chavez and world bantamweight champion Manuel Ortiz (albeit late in their careers) et al. When not busy in boxing Ray worked as a bartender.

Ray and California Boxing hall of Fame President Don Fraser were very good friends when both were single man and Ray’s bartending job gave both a chance to meet the ladies, the boxing groupies of that era you could say.
...
For you that have seen the 1952 movie, “The Ring”, you can see Ray in the dressing room scene with Art Aragon.
Ray Luna died in the mid-‘80s.

Did you know him very well, Frank?

raylawpc wrote:Did you know him very well, Frank?

No, I didn't, Tom. in fact I don't remember ever meeting him, though I used to see him in the gyms.

Frank, Bolanos/Williams you were at those fights, I've seen film on youtube of the second fight. Enrique Bolanos impressed me excellent boxer, Ike Williams was a great fighter. Ike Williams/Roberto Duran would have been a great fight..

Ray Luna was the trainer and manager of world bantamweight champion Manuel Ortiz at the time Ortiz fought and lost the bantamweight title to Vic Toweel in South Africa in 1950.

Cholo wrote:Frank, Bolanos/Williams you were at those fights, I've seen film on youtube of the second fight. Enrique Bolanos impressed me excellent boxer, Ike Williams was a great fighter. Ike Williams/Roberto Duran would have been a great fight..

Paul, Bolanos was a very good boxer that could bang with both hands....Williams v Duran? Duran at lightweight was a young and raw fighter whom inexperience would work to Williams's advantage, imo. I would pick Williams by decision in 15 rounds.