Classic American West Coast Boxing

[El Gallo]

And today we have Canelo . . .

Before Nino Benvenuti won the world middleweight title from Emile Griffith, he held the World Jr. Middleweight title, same weight class as today's Canelo Alvarez holds the title in. Can you imagine how easily Benvenuti would box the ears off this modern day super star? Think what Griffith would do to him, or Armando Muniz?

[dagosd2000]

Nino Benvenuti

Nice!

Nino Benvenuti retired good looking, with all of his marbles and money.
You don't hear about guys like Nino Benvenuti, just those who lost everything after they were done with boxing.
This man is a national hero in Italy, an Olympic champ the same year as Ali, and the two-time world middleweight champ.
He lost the title to Carlos Monzon, an all-time great, and then he got out when the time was right.
Today he looks like a well groomed leading man, and has proven his heart as big as his talent.
He has been very generous with his former 3-time title opponent, Emile Griffith, but does this quietly. Respect!
If only all could have the blessings of this great middleweight champ, who shares them with the world around him.
Thank you, Roger. This portrait inspired some good thoughts about a great man whose name you rarely hear these days.

-Rick Farris

Thanks Rick. In those days(the 70's and before)it was a big jump between weight classes. I always thought guys like Griffith and Rogriguez were "small middle weights" for guys like Monzon and Benvenuti. Even when they gained the weight I think it hindered their perfomances.(punching power for example). Jose Napoles was another case in point. He couldn't carry 159 pounds. Looking at his fight with Monzon it looked like his feet were planted in concrete. Robinson was better at welter than a middle weight. Same goes for Basilio. There are many other examples to name. Take care amigo

[El Gallo]

Thanks Rick. In those days(the 70's and before)it was a big jump between weight classes. I always thought guys like Griffith and Rogriguez were "small middle weights" for guys like Monzon and Benvenuti. Even when they gained the weight I think it hindered their perfomances. Jose Napoles was another case in point. He couldn't carry 159 pounds. Looking at his fight with Monzon it looked like his feet were planted in concrete. Robinson was better at welter than a middle weight. Same goes for Basilio. There are many other examples to name. Take care amigo [/quote]
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Good point, Rog. Napoles was a "blown up lightweight" as Johnny Flores used to say, long-in-the-tooth when he fought Monzon. Griffith was a welterweight, so was Rodriguez, but Luis was slick enough to outbox guys like Hurricane Carter, etc. We saw what Griffith could do to most 160 pounders. Back then the talent pool was thick in every weight class, and as you said, to "jump up" in weight was a big thing.

[Chuck1052]

Hope that you enjoy retirement, Roger!

- Chuck Johnston

[Cholo]

And today we have Canelo . . .

Before Nino Benvenuti won the world middleweight title from Emile Griffith, he held the World Jr. Middleweight title, same weight class as today's Canelo Alvarez holds the title in. Can you imagine how easily Benvenuti would box the ears off this modern day super star? Think what Griffith would do to him, or Armando Muniz?

How about Roberto Duran at 154, the Duran who destroyed Davey Moore.

[dagosd2000]

Hope that you enjoy retirement, Roger!

- Chuck Johnston

Thanks Chuck.

[dagosd2000]

Dream Along With Me

I could never figure out Dennis. We'd pal around in the neighborhood. We liked shooting pool and playing cards. Shooting craps was another form of exercise. We went to the North Park Gym if we wanted to break a sweat or try to break each other's nose. Beer was our beverage of choice. We chased the girls any chance we could,but I couldn't figure out Dennis. He had a steady girl,Rita,who he met at one of St. Mary's dances one Saturday night. She was a real Italian stunner. Dark hair and eyes. Full figured and full lips. Like Lollagrigida or a Sophia Loren. She wanted to settle down,but Dennis wasn't strong on it and would rather run around the weekends sniffing around the clubs and parties with me.

One friday night Dennis broke a date with Rita so we could go bar hopping down in "The Twilight Zone." The chaos would start in the rummy bars on the last block of Newport Street in Ocean Beach and if we had enough money left,we'd go to Tijuana and blow what was left over.

I drove to Dennis's house that was in the canyon. He lived there with his father. I never knew what happened to Dennis's mother. He didn't bring it up and it wasn't important for me to know. There were a bunch of broken down vehicles in the front yard. I could see the door open. Dennis's old man,Pete,was sitting in his worn out easy chair watching television. There was a glass next to him filled with something brown. I knew Pete was fond of whiskey. Any cheap brand would work.Pete was an ex fighter. He was a middle weight. He was a tough dago. Real grease ball.Always acted before he thought. I don't suppose he put much credence in thinking.Didn't care about insulting anybody. If the other guy didn't like what was said,Pete would pretend he was in the ring again.
"Is Dennis home Pete?" I asked.
"Yeah,"he said. "Come on in"
Pete looked like he'd lost his razor. He was wearing one of those sleaveless T shirts. He was sweating from his forehead and hairy chest.
"What's on TV?"I asked.
"The Lawrence Welk Show,"he said looking at the TV.
"You got to be kidding,"I joked.
Pete put his eyes on mine
"You got something against Lawrence Welk?"he snarled.
"Oh no,"I answered.
I was looking for a way to backpeddle out of this one.
"They're doing a tribute to Perry Como tonight,"he said.
"I always liked Perry Como,"I said. "He's Italian."
"He was a nice Italian.Best singer who ever lived."
Pete took a long drink from his glass.
"My favorire is Sinatra,"I said trying to smoothe things out.
"Sinatra can't hold a candle to Perry Como."
"Perry Como is very good."
"He's the best. No one can sing like Perry Como.'
"He's very good."
"Me and Perry have the same forst name,Pierino."
"Really?"
"Yeah,I wanted to use Perry as my ring name,but they thought it was a little soft."
Dennis came out from his room.
"Ready?"he asked me.
"Yeah,let's go."
Dennis looked at his father. He hadn't taken his eyes off the TV.
"Denny,get me another drink. They're about to play 'Dream Along With Me'. That's my favorite Perry Como song."
Pete slumped down in the cair.
Dennis went to the kitchen and returned with a full glass of whiskey. Then we walked out to the car.
"What were you and the old man talking about?"Dennis asked me.
"Nothing."
"You didn't say anything about Lawrence Welk did you?"
"Me? Never crossed my mind."

[dagosd2000]

http://youtu.be/oa9LVcXhKEU

Dream Along With Me-Perry Como

[CNorkusJr]

Nino Benvenuti

Nice!

Nino Benvenuti retired good looking, with all of his marbles and money.
You don't hear about guys like Nino Benvenuti, just those who lost everything after they were done with boxing.
This man is a national hero in Italy, an Olympic champ the same year as Ali, and the two-time world middleweight champ.
He lost the title to Carlos Monzon, an all-time great, and then he got out when the time was right.
Today he looks like a well groomed leading man, and has proven his heart as big as his talent.
He has been very generous with his former 3-time title opponent, Emile Griffith, but does this quietly. Respect!
If only all could have the blessings of this great middleweight champ, who shares them with the world around him.
Thank you, Roger. This portrait inspired some good thoughts about a great man whose name you rarely hear these days.



-Rick Farris

You are absolutely right Rick. Nino Benvenuti has made several trips to the states to see his pal, Emile Griffith here in New York over the years. Mostly on the hush-hush, but those in Ring 8 are fully aware. He would time his visits to coincide with Ring 8 meetings. When Emile could get around a couple years back, both would come to the meetings and time would stop. Both talked on their fights, and pictures for everyone. Before Nino left to return home, he made sure Emile's medical bills were paid and he had some extra comforts taking care for him by Nino.

At this point, Emile is in a bad way. He is experiencing more bad days than good in a assisted living home near me in Hempstead, NY. He gets visitors but it is well planned out in advance. His stepson Luis, comes to Ring 8 meetings monthly and updates Emile's condition. On bad days, his blood pressure would hit the roof or some other medical reading would be bad and Emile would be sent to a hospital to get aide. But like many fighters in older age, he is a true warrior at heart and his athletic body does not quit fighting back. He is in a wheel chair and we do not see Emile much in public anymore. HIs last visit anywhere was to Last years 1st NYS HOF event in which he was one of the inaugaral inductees. He was in his reclining wheel chair and could not speak (maybe due to meds), and Luis accepted his award then.

I understand Nino still calls Ring 8 and Luis to see if he can help in anyway from across the seas. Another great humanitarian Champion as well.+
+Here is a photo of Emile from last years NYS Boxing HOF dinner. He sat at the table behind mine and he kept smiling at my friend Angela who went over to say hello to him which hopefully cheered him up a bit more.

[dagosd2000]

Emile Griffith with my wife Maria and a copy of his biography. Very good reading.

[dagosd2000]

Portrait of Emile Griffith which I presented to him at the WBHOF.

[CNorkusJr]

Portrait of Emile Griffith which I presented to him at the WBHOF.

Great Posts Roger and portrait

[dagosd2000]

Portrait of Emile Griffith which I presented to him at the WBHOF.

Great Posts Roger and portrait

Thanks Charlie. I wrote a piece a while back on the forum about Emile Griffith. The WBHOF was at the Marriot in Inglewood. Me and the wife's room was down the hall in the basement from Emile's room. He was with a friend who was also a guardian. Emile was in and out. Between the dementia and the aftereffects of being mugged coming out of a club in New York,it was a little hard to get through to him. One thing I noticed was that he was often paranoid. One evening he was with his friend waiting for the elevator to take them up to the diningroom. The wife and I were standing next to them.Emile's nose was inches away from the elevator door. He was staring straight ahead and crying.
"I'm scared,"he said. I'm hungry and I'm scared. Where am I?"
I felt real bad. His friend assured him that everything was all right. His friend said that he was next to him and everything would be OK. Later when I gave Emile his portrait and bought a copy of his bio,I asked him who his toughest opponent was. Without hesitation he said,"My mother."

[Expug]

Great portrait of Emile Rog.
I remember when I came out for that visit in 08 for the wbhof.
I asked Emile to sign a hat for a player who was with us at that time.(hes moved on to another team)
This kid was supposedly a big boxing fan,and supposedly trained in a gym in the off season.
I gave him the signed hat when I got back to Chicago and explained that Emile was an all time great etc etc.
I still remember the blank look on the kids face.Basically I wasted my time.
Its disheartening sometimes to get some of these youngsters to know important history...

[dagosd2000]

Make Some Money

"I hope they all make some money," said Carmen Basilio to the young interviewer. The interviewer was an Italian kid. I think it was easier to communicate between both of them because both of them were Italian,at least on Carmen's part.
"Fighters today can make a lot more than I ever did,"said Basilio.
"Would you advise kids today to take up boxing?"asked the young interviewer.
"Do what you want.It's a free country."
Carmen Basilio seemed tired. Maybe he'd been asked the same questions over and over, but because the kid was Italian Basilio was patient.
"What kind of fighter was Sugar Ray Robinson?"asked the interviewer.
Basilio shrugged his shoulders.
"He was tough. Tall for a middleweight."
"Do you think he was the best fighter you ever fought?"
"He was good. I fought a lot of good fighters."
"Do you think he was the best pound for pound of all time?"
"I think Willie Pep was the best fighter of all time."
"Who do you think is the best fighter today?"
"I don't follow it much anymore."
"Why's that?"
Basilio smirked a little.
"Today if you asked a young fighter who Carmen Basilio was,you'd probably wouldn't get a right answer."
"Why's that you think?"
"They've got other things to think about."
"Are you angry about that?"
Basilio shrugged his shoulders in that Italian way.
"Naw. Why should that upset me?"
"You were one of the greatest,"said the interviewer.
"I was pretty good. I tried my best. I accomplished what I wanted. A world title."
"Any regrets?"
"Only that I should of watched my managers more."
"How's that?"
"Sometimes I think they were watching out for themselves more than me."
"Did they take advantage of you?"
"I don't know. What's in the past is in the past."
"But you're not broke."
"I was better off fighting than picking onions in New York."
The interview seemed to be winding down.
"Anything to say to fighters out there today?"said the interviewer.
"Yeah,I hope you all make some money."

[dagosd2000]

Danny "Little Red" Lopez

[El Gallo]

Great portrait of Emile Rog.
I remember when I came out for that visit in 08 for the wbhof.
I asked Emile to sign a hat for a player who was with us at that time.(hes moved on to another team)
This kid was supposedly a big boxing fan,and supposedly trained in a gym in the off season.
I gave him the signed hat when I got back to Chicago and explained that Emile was an all time great etc etc.
I still remember the blank look on the kids face.Basically I wasted my time.
Its disheartening sometimes to get some of these youngsters to know important history...

True, Pug. If you had a welterweight champ like Mayweather sign it, who could not play his game with a Griffith, the young guy would have thought it as special. But they just don't know what a real welter champ used to be.

[El Gallo]

Portrait of Emile Griffith which I presented to him at the WBHOF.

Great, Rog.

[El Gallo]

Portrait of Emile Griffith which I presented to him at the WBHOF.

My history with Emile Griffith . . .

Thanks for the update, Charley. I met him in 1972, when we shared a dressing room at the Anaheim Convention Center, the night he fought our pal, Armando Muniz. I arrived a bit late, due to "traffic," and when I arrived and found my way into the dressing room area, I see my manager Mel Epstein standing outside the door to one of the dressing rooms. The old man was fuming. "Where the hell you been?" he barked. On the door a card was taped with names "Emile Griffith - Ricky Farris". I was going to share a room with the champ! Gil Clancey was there, Howie Albert, a couple others I did not recognize. Griffith was sitting on a fold up chair, talking with one of his crew. He was one of my idols, and he was in town for a big event, and we'd share the same room. I could see he was balding, well into his 30's. After holding the undisputed welter title three times, he twice held the middleweight title, defeating both Dick Tiger and Benvenuti. He nodded at me, a big smile on his face, and I just dropped my equipment bag and walked to him, my hand extended. "My name is Rick, nice to meet you champ," I said. He acknowledged me, asked about my fight, wished me luck. After that moment, it didn't matter whether I won or lost my fight, I was ahead of the game in my mind. It's a good thing too, because I lost a dull crowd chaser that night. Armando Muniz also lost that night, to a great boxing legend. A few years ago, as our Boxrec crew of Rog, Brian, Dan & Pop, Randy and myself, all were having a beer after the '08 WBHOF event, Emile entered the room with Luis. They had copies of his book for sale, so I purchased one, and the champ signed it. He would never be able to remember me, and i could never forget him. I just said, "Thanks champ." God bless him.

[dagosd2000]

Another Night's Work

[CNorkusJr]

You know Roger, reading your post above brought back a story I heard. Yes, Emile would have mood swings that can go from sedate and signing autographs to absolute anger in just minutes doing the same thing. It got more and more prevalent as the years moved on. Its not my business to ask but I do know talking to Luis, his stepson, his meds can cause such a reaction of paranoia (to the point of being boxed in and claustrophobic-probably explaining his way of wanting to punch his way out).

nowadays-Luis will never put his father in that position again, even if he could stand up and be seen.
What I found interesting his his "mother comment". It is well known here that his family back in the islands took Emile for everything he had and never laid a hand to assist him in his time of need. He made millions, and he spent a great deal of money on the safe and well being of his family in the Islands. Sure Emile had lived lavishly here too to a fault, but I understand it was his family back home who took most of it. When the well went dry, they turned they're collective back on him except for Luis, who is by his side just about daily here. Between various organizations and private assistance like Nino B., I dont think at this point Emile will be without needed support or friends, but it wasnt long ago that things were day to day.
The mother comment is interesting-but most likely "family" might be better.

The man on the right in picture is Luis Griffith, his stepson and maybe the person you saw with him in hotel.
Taken last summer Ring 8 picnic L-R Alexis Arguello Jr, myself, Luis Griffith

[CNorkusJr]

What a great and powerful memory Rick. To share a dressing room with such a noted boxer is a great experience not to be forgotten, and for the grandkids to know about.
Thanks for sharing.

[dagosd2000]

You know Roger, reading your post above brought back a story I heard. Yes, Emile would have mood swings that can go from sedate and signing autographs to absolute anger in just minutes doing the same thing. It got more and more prevalent as the years moved on. Its not my business to ask but I do know talking to Luis, his stepson, his meds can cause such a reaction of paranoia (to the point of being boxed in and claustrophobic-probably explaining his way of wanting to punch his way out).

nowadays-Luis will never put his father in that position again, even if he could stand up and be seen.
What I found interesting his his "mother comment". It is well known here that his family back in the islands took Emile for everything he had and never laid a hand to assist him in his time of need. He made millions, and he spent a great deal of money on the safe and well being of his family in the Islands. Sure Emile had lived lavishly here too to a fault, but I understand it was his family back home who took most of it. When the well went dry, they turned they're collective back on him except for Luis, who is by his side just about daily here. Between various organizations and private assistance like Nino B., I dont think at this point Emile will be without needed support or friends, but it wasnt long ago that things were day to day.
The mother comment is interesting-but most likely "family" might be better.

The man on the right in picture is Luis Griffith, his stepson and maybe the person you saw with him in hotel.
Taken last summer Ring 8 picnic L-R Alexis Arguello Jr, myself, Luis Griffith

Charley,the man with Emile at the WBHOF was his son. Ron Ross,the author of Emile's bio I think was there also. Yes you're right, Emile's family depended on him for support and sometimes took advantage,but after reading the book Emile's mother was a very large,loud, and domineering person. Compound that with Emile not having a father around,I go with Emile's gut reaction to my question.His mother was his toughest opponent.

[dagosd2000]

Old Bones

"Roger if you come back in a couple of hours I'll have it ready for you."
Howell,the owner of the garage(and also the head mechanic)had the hood open on my old Dodge Van.
"What's it need ?"I asked him.
"I'll have to boil out the carburater and slap on a air filter,"said the black man with the smooth Southern voice.
My father's office was just a block away from Howell's on Logan Avenue in the black neighborhood. I was "watching" the office for my father. What that office's purpose was I never knew and didn't ask. There was a desk,a chair,and a phone. I was to answer the phone and take down any messages. All the time I spent there I never heard that phone ring.
"Then I'll be back for it,"I said to Howell."I'm going to the fights tonight at the Coliseum later."
The San Diego Coliseum was about a mile away near downtown.
"Who's fighting?" asked Howell.
""Chango Carmona from Mexico. He's a pretty good light weight. Want to come along?"
"No I'm rebuilding a engine for this fella'. I'll be here for a while."
"This Carmona is in line for a championship fight,"I said.
The black man took a rag and closed the hood of my van with it.
"Roger.I've seen the greatest light weight fighter of all time."
Howell had some years on me. I was a little anxious to hear what he had to say.
"Who's that?"
"Joe Brown,"he said flatly.
"I used to watch him a lot on TV.They called him Old Bones."
"That was just a gimmick.He was the best. No one could beat him when everything was on the level.He won the title by beating Bud Smith with a broken hand."
"I saw him beat Kenny Lane. A lot of folks thought Lane would win that one."
"Joe Brown out boxed him and Lane was a good boxer."
Howell walked to the soda pop machine.
"Want a soda?"
"No thanks."
"You know Joe Brown was from the same part of Louisiana that I was from,"said Howell.
"I know he fought a lot in the South."
"He should of moved up North. Never fought in a major venue like New York."
"That's too bad,"I said.
"He was champion of the world and fought in the South and had to stay in colored hotels and eat in colored restaurants."
"That was a shame."
"He didn't complain. You know he was decorated in the war."
Howell took a long drink of pop.
"I saw him lose the title to Ortiz in Vegas."
"He was told to lose. They even wrote about it in Ring Magazine."
"I remember he didn't show much that fight."
"After that they stayed away from him. A colored man living in the South.They wanted Ortiz,the Puerto Rican. They knew he'd sell out the Garden."
"I know he lost a lot of fights at the end."
"He had to make money. He traveled the world. Had over 150 fights. Not like these dudes today who call it a career after 40 fights."
"He should be recognized more,"I said trying to agree with him.
"Well that's over now.Come back later and I'll have the van ready."
As I began to walk back,I turned to ask Howell a question I'd had on my mind for some time.
"Say Howell.What made you come to San Diego?"
"I cut a white man in Louisiana,"he said putting down the empty pop bottle."
I didn't know how to respond to that.
"Roger."said Howell,"if you change the air filter like you should you wouldn't have this problem."
"You can bet I'll remember that,"I said.

[dagosd2000]

Joe Brown-Old Bones