Classic American West Coast Boxing

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Dream NBA Finals are greenlighted: Lakers vs. Celtics

It's like Christmas in June for NBA, right down to the green-and-red color scheme, as Celtics take on their old rivals and Lakers' Jackson chases the ghost of Red Auerbach.

By Mike Bresnahan, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

Twenty-one years later, they meet again.

The Boston Celtics nodded in destiny's direction a day after the Lakers did, bringing together two of the most relevant sports franchises for the NBA Finals.

It will be intriguing, laden with superstars and heavy with symbolism matched only by an expected meteoric rise in TV ratings.

Somewhere, David Stern is smiling, along with Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Russell, James Worthy and Kevin McHale.

Celtics-Lakers, play it again, for an 11th time in Finals history, as Phil Jackson tries to pass Red Auerbach by winning a record-setting 10th NBA championship as a coach.

It will be symmetrical, with each team trying to make sure its Big Three win a Big Four (games) before the other does.

It will be physical, judging by the bludgeoning the Lakers bore in two regular-season losses to the Celtics.

And it will be emotional. Just ask anybody before Game 1 begins Thursday in Boston.

"It brings back a lot of good memories because it was two great teams at a great time of NBA basketball," said Kurt Rambis, who played for Lakers teams that faced the Celtics in the 1984, '85 and '87 Finals. "Two teams that were loaded with talent, the greatest possible competitive environment. . . . It just made it such an enjoyable time in my life."

Rambis also has some work to do. Now a Lakers assistant coach, he was in charge of keeping tabs on the Celtics throughout the season and will be the primary author of a scouting report handed out to players.

He won't be able to use much from the two regular-season games between the teams because they were literally last year.

In November, the Celtics won with ease in Boston, 107-94, never being challenged beyond the first six minutes in a game that gave way to a host of derisive "Kooo-beeee" chants beginning in the third quarter.

The Lakers didn't fare much better at home in late December, victims of another lopsided loss, 110-91. Bryant scored 22 but made only six of 25 shots.

In the Lakers' defense, one important thing was missing in both games -- Pau Gasol. He was acquired a little more than a month after the teams played in December.

The Celtics had to work harder to get this far, needing 20 playoff games to 15 for the Lakers. They went the full seven against both Atlanta and Cleveland in the first two rounds, and six games to eliminate Detroit on Friday in the Eastern Conference finals.

Still, they had nine more victories than the Lakers during the regular season and found a way to make three All-Stars (Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce) chase one common goal. They also saw improved efforts from speedy second-year point guard Rajon Rondo and physical 23-year-old center Kendrick Perkins.

"They can hurt you in several ways," Rambis said. "The development of their role players, particularly Perkins and Rondo, has really helped them out because at the beginning of the year, those were the weak areas. You've got defensive concerns in that you've got to limit what their Big Three can do, but you've got to be concerned about their role players too."

The Lakers counter with their own trio of talent -- Gasol, Bryant and Lamar Odom -- and some key role players.

They won't want to be the fabled franchise that falls. The memories of losing to Detroit in the 2004 Finals still linger.

"Getting there [my] rookie year and losing was one of the worst feelings I've ever had in my life," Luke Walton said. "It's a lot of fun to go, but you don't want to experience that."

Bryant was effusive in his praise of Lakers officials past and present after winning the West finals. He again complimented Mitch Kupchak, saying the Lakers' general manager had done a "terrific job."

"He has made some key trades, obviously the Pau one, which, when I talk to other people around the league and I say it was a great trade, they look at me and laugh and they don't want to call it a trade. They want to call it a donation," Bryant said. "But whatever the case, he did a fantastic job with that and Trevor [Ariza] as well, and [he] drafted well."

Bryant also spoke of Jerry West, Kupchak's predecessor, who presented the conference trophy after the Lakers eliminated San Antonio.

"He is the one responsible for bringing me into the league," Bryant said. "He has always been my mentor and will always be my mentor. I remember like it was yesterday -- I was 17 in his Lexus riding around, scared to talk because I'm sitting next to 'Mr. Clutch.' It is pretty awesome."

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NBA Finals
Best-of-seven series;

all games 6 p.m. PDT,

Channel 7 (*-if necessary)

Game 1: Thursday at Boston

Game 2: June 8 at Boston

Game 3: June 10 at Staples

Game 4: June 12 at Staples

Game 5: June 15 at Staples*

Game 6: June 17 at Boston*

Game 7: June 19 at Boston*

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Trainer: Shane Mosley knew about steroids


Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times
Trainer Derryl Hudson says Shane Mosley, shown during a news conference earlier this year, knew he was taking performance-enhancing drugs before fight with Oscar De La Hoya in 2003.
Derryl Hudson says boxer knew he was taking performance-enhancing drugs before fight with Oscar De La Hoya in 2003.

By Lance Pugmire, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

The ex-trainer of former three-division world champion boxer "Sugar" Shane Mosley of Pomona says in a sworn declaration filed in federal court Friday that Mosley was fully aware he was using performance-enhancing drugs as he prepared for his victorious 2003 rematch against Oscar De La Hoya.

Supporting the previous account of Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative (BALCO) founder Victor Conte, who is being sued for defamation by Mosley in U.S. District Court in San Francisco, trainer Derryl Hudson said Mosley relied on designer steroids "the cream" and "the clear," along with the oxygen-boosting drug EPO after meeting Conte at BALCO headquarters in Burlingame, Calif., on July 26, 2003.

"I know that Mr. Mosley was aware that the performance-enhancing drugs provided to him by Mr. Conte were banned drugs because I discussed that fact with Mr. Mosley both during and after our visit to BALCO," Hudson wrote in a declaration that was used in Conte's motion to have the lawsuit dismissed. "Mr. Mosley admitted to me that he knew the drugs provided to him by Mr. Conte were illegal performance-enhancing drugs.

"It was entirely Mr. Mosley's decision to use the banned drugs. I never recommended to Mr. Mosley that he take banned performance-enhancing drugs, nor did I 'push' drugs on him in any way."

Hudson is suing Mosley, 36, for defamation in federal court in Los Angeles after the boxer told media outlets, including The Times, that he didn't know he was taking banned drugs from BALCO. Mosley told The Times last year that Hudson convinced him to take stomach injections because they were "icing on the cake" to his typically rigorous conditioning program.

In response to Hudson's declaration, Mosley's attorney, Judd Burstein, said he was "incredulous" that the trainer has sued Mosley for suggesting Hudson pushed the boxer to use steroids yet admits in the sworn statement that performance-enhancing drugs were discussed at the BALCO meeting without an explanation of why Mosley visited Conte.

"This is just a clear lie by someone who was fired by Shane for incompetence, and was subsequently fired by two other fighters, Winky Wright and Jeff Lacy," Burstein said. "The notion of Shane saying, 'Let's go meet someone to do something illegal,' is outlandish to anyone who knows Shane.

"I'm looking forward to deposing Mr. Hudson. I'm loaded for bear."

Conte, in his sworn declaration filed Friday, said that, "I explained the benefits of using three illegal performance-enhancing drugs commonly referred to as EPO, The Clear, and The Cream. Specifically, I explained to Mr. Mosley and Mr. Hudson that The Clear was an undetectable anabolic steroid and that The Cream contained testosterone and epitestosterone.

". . . . I told Mr. Mosley and Mr. Hudson that in addition to assisting with red blood cell production, EPO enhances oxygen uptake and utilization, which is important in a sport requiring stamina and endurance like boxing. I further explained that EPO's effects would provide Mr. Mosley with an advantage late in the fight with Oscar De La Hoya."

In September 2003, Mosley captured a unanimous decision over De La Hoya in Las Vegas by winning the final three rounds on all three judges' scorecards.

The boxer (with a record of 44-5 with 37 knockouts) claims in his suit against Conte that the convicted steroid distributor and money launderer who served four months in federal prison was motivated to identify Mosley as a steroid user to boost sales of a book Conte is writing about BALCO, due out Sept. 2.

Conte's company had ties with several elite athletes, including baseball's Barry Bonds and former Olympic champion sprinter Marion Jones, before a September 2003 raid by federal law enforcement agents led to its downfall.

Mosley repeated in a five-page declaration filed last week that Conte never told him the supplements he received were illegal and he is requesting a speedy trial in an effort to clear his name before Conte's book is published.

"I cannot begin to explain how devastating Conte's false allegations have been to me," Mosley wrote. " . . . I believe that I have carved out an important place for myself in the sport's history. All of my life's work is at risk because of Conte's lies. . . . I have a brand based upon the highest reputation for sportsmanship, and that brand is being irreparably tarnished by Conte."

Mosley said the Conte book and publicity tour would link the boxer to illegal drugs to such a degree it will not be "fixable."

Conte responded that he answered reporters' questions honestly, and ridiculed Mosley's claim that he paid $1,650 for what he thought were vitamins from BALCO. Conte said in his declaration that there is "no question" he informed Mosley that he was using "three banned performance-enhancing drugs."

Mosley split with Hudson shortly after the BALCO raid. He was supposed to fight Zab Judah in a welterweight bout today, but a Judah injury has forced Mosley to seek another opponent.

At a Friday hearing in a federal courtroom in San Francisco, Judge Jeffrey S. White told attorneys it'd be impossible to conduct a summer trial on the case, but urged both sides to work for a trial before year's end. Conte's attorneys filed a motion to dismiss the case that will be heard during the summer.

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Muhammad Ali heads to a neutral corner after knocking down George Foreman.

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George Foreman

[dagosd2000]

Muhammad Ali holds a press conference along with (from left) Don King, James Brown and Lloyd Price after arriving in Zaire for his fight against George Foreman.

I show that documentary to my class each year,"When We Were Kings". It follows the the events leading up to Ali's fight with Foreman in Zaire,the fight,and the aftermath. What has always amazed me about Muhammad Ali is the following he had in Africa. It seemed to me all the other African/Americans were ill at ease over in Zaire. When Ali arrived at the airport,he was curious at first,but then realized that he had a massive following. Seeing the other African/Americans behavior before their departure was like looking at people who were uptight so they put on this attitude of sarcasim and cockiness. When they landed they stayed within their group.They didn't want to mix with the Africans. Ali on the other hand seemed anxious to embrace the culture in Zaire.

Ali was walking through villages and playing with kids. He was naturally approachable. I always thought that part of the reason he shot off his mouth was a way he relieved himself from tension. He was often funny and acted like a kid. The only time I saw him ugly was with Terrell,Frazier,and Patterson. The reason he seemed cruel is that the three mentioned still called him"Clay". They shouldn't have provoked him like that,so Ali responded in an ugly way.

I notice Lloyd Price with Ali. Ali still liked black music that was more toned down. Sam Cooke,Lloyd Price,the Motown sound. In "When We Were Kings",it seemed if you wanted to be around anyone who felt comfortable in their skin,you hung around Ali.

[dagosd2000]

George Foreman

George,you didn't impress those poor people in Zaire with your "tough guy" attitude. You didn't scare them. Those people knew what terror was just living in Zaire under Mobutu.

"Ali boom bay eh,George Foreman."

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"Did he ever win another fight after that night?"
"I don't know,"I answered.
Jerry wanted to stop off at Champs before going home and having to turn his paycheck over to his old lady.
"Didn't he have a nickname the Mexicans called him?"
"Pulgarcito."
"What's that mean?"
"Something to do with affection."
Champs was dead. Just me and Jerry at the end of the bar. Judy,the bar maid, was at the other end with her back to us watching a game show. I wanted to get out of there,but Jerry kept stalling me with questions about Manual Ramos.

I remeber that night the big Mexican let everything ride trying to take Smokin' Joe's title at The Garden. I was sitting in the old Jockey Club at the bar. The place was packed to the doors. It was a hot sweating night. Everybody was elbow to elbow waiting for the fight to come on the television. There were only two small black and white TV's in the joint. One in the back and another above the bar. I'd been drinking pretty strong and all the Mexicans were there too. I didn't see any other Americans. I liked to find bars in TJ that didn't have Americans in them. That way there'd be no pretenses. The Mexicans would be themselves.

That night was different though. Usually the girls didn't like it when there was a boxing match on television. No one paid them attention. No drinks. No going to the room. But that night Mexico was hoping their guy would come through. Mexico wanted a heavyweight champion. To tell the truth,there wasn't much interest in the fight outside of Mexico. Nobody gave big Ramos a chance against Frazier. But if the miracle would happen,Mexico would have their greatest hero in their history. Villa would have to move over. Even the girls were talking about the fight.

Mexico is a fatalistic society,but only after failure.
"Shit happens" is a phrase with their way of life. But before the "shit happens",their faith is incredible. Everyone at the Jockey Club that night thought that miracle would happen.

The anxiety in the bar of the fighters being introduced in The Garden was intense. Johnny Addie introducing a Mexican fighter for a World Heavyweight Title Match. It seemed like a dream.

The fight started fast. Both boys went after each other. Inside The Jockey Club,I don't think anyone knew what they were watching. Then "Pulgarcito" explodes a tremendous left hook to Smokin' Joe's jaw. His knees buckle. Everybody saw that. A miracle. The greatest thing was about to happen. Frazier was hurt,but he had courage. He bobbed and weaved with Ramos's punches. The first round ended. The minute rest gave Frazier time to gather himself. Mexico wanted the bell to ring.

Again they swung at each other. Frazier's hooks were relentless. They were landing on Ramos's chin. He was breaking. I turned away from the TV and watched the people. The hysteria was fading into sadness. Ramos sank to the canvass. It was going to be over. For a moment it looked like Mexico had a miracle. Their greatest hero. I felt bad for everybody.

They turned off the televisions. The music started up on the jukebox. The girls returned to the tables. The shit had happened. Back to the usual.
"It was probably the liquor that got everyone thinkin' Ramos had a chance,"said Jerry.
"Drinking will make you think that way," I responded.
"Well my old lady is waiting for her dough,"said Jerry.
I looked at the pathetic wreck.
"Yeah,you better get goin' and get back to the usual," I said.

Pulgarcito, was a fun fighter to watch, I seen him many a times fight live, never a dull moment when he fought.

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Lloyd Price, "Just Because"

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Btw, great story on Ramos.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SckF9InxB-E
"Just Because"
Lloyd Price

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQZVufJfcG0
"Lawdy Miss Clawdy"
Lloyd Price

[dagosd2000]

Muhammad Ali holds a press conference along with (from left) Don King, James Brown and Lloyd Price after arriving in Zaire for his fight against George Foreman.

Another thing I admired about Ali,he always dressed nice. He didn't change with other African Americans when it came to music and dress. No Afros or long side burns,or beard. You'd see him wearing leather shoes,slacks,maybe a jacket. Look at him in that photo. He doesn't have to make a statement by wearing what's in fashion. No floppy hats and wierd suits with bright colors and flared pant legs. No platform boots or mink coats. No chains and rings on every finger.

Another recording artist he liked was Jerry Butler. "Make It Easy On Yourself" and "He Don't Love You." I wish the Black kids today would get into that music. I wish everybody would.

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Eddie Huffman & Tiger Flowers

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Jack Dempsey

"Dempsey"
By Diego

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Art Aragon crying after hearing he won his first fight vs Jimmy Carter...1951

[dagosd2000]

Art Aragon crying after hearing he won his first fight vs Jimmy Carter...1951

Frank
That shot of Aragon and his handlers in the lower right hand corner is very powerfull. I'm going to try to crop that and put it on canvas.

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Jim Jeffries

"Big Jim"
By Diego

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Art Aragon crying after hearing he won his first fight vs Jimmy Carter...1951

Frank
That shot of Aragon and his handlers in the lower right hand corner is very powerfull. I'm going to try to crop that and put it on canvas.

Make sure I get a copy..

diego,

I was there for that fight, I was 16 years old.

[Rick Farris]

Art Aragon crying after hearing he won his first fight vs Jimmy Carter...1951

Frank
That shot of Aragon and his handlers in the lower right hand corner is very powerfull. I'm going to try to crop that and put it on canvas.

Make sure I get a copy..

diego,

I was there for that fight, I was 16 years old.

What a shot! Aragon, Jimmy Lennon Sr. and the rest. My uncle Jess loved Aragon, but Carter was a lot better than given credit for. I know it's stupid to fantasize about impossible scenerios, but I'd really like to see just how "sweet" Pernell Whitaker would have looked if he had Carter in front of him. Ike Williams? Forget about it! Bolanos? I dunno, what ya' think Frank?

-Rick

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Tiger Flowers

"Tiger"
By Diego

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Rick,

I have to say up front that I never liked Whitaker, lots of people say he was a great fighter, maybe he was, I just couldn't see it, he would have a better chance with Carter, as Carter was a "Hot-N-Cold" fighter, you never knew which Carter would show up on any given nite, I do agree with you that Carter was a better fighter then he is given credit for, now Williams was special, great fighter, and Bolanos was up there with Williams, there's not to many people around that saw Bolanos fight live like I did, they are now in Rose Hills or places like that, Mando Ramos fought some what like Bolanos, but Bolanos was a better fighter then Mando.

[scartissue]

Rick,

I have to say up front that I never liked Whitaker, lots of people say he was a great fighter, maybe he was, I just couldn't see it, he would have a better chance with Carter, as Carter was a "Hot-N-Cold" fighter, you never knew which Carter would show up on any given nite, I do agree with you that Carter was a better fighter then he is given credit for, now Williams was special, great fighter, and Bolanos was up there with Williams, there's not to many people around that saw Bolanos fight live like I did, they are now in Rose Hills or places like that, Mando Ramos fought some what like Bolanos, but Bolanos was a better fighter then Mando.

Frank, you don't have to be apolegetic by saying you never liked Whitaker, cuz I hated him. He was right up there with Chris Byrd for raw excitement. And I appreciate skillful fighters as well as the slam-bang style. I could watch Willie Pep and Wilfredo Benitez all day. They could stand right in front of you, make you miss and counter the crap out of the other fighter. What it was with Whitaker was that he could slow a fight down to nothing by continuously altering angles. It made for a non-fight. Very effective, but it put me to sleep every time. I might have a different opinion if he could bang just a little bit, because his counters would be worth something. But instead, very little punches thrown by the opponent and pitty-pat counters from Whitaker. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ! Oh, sorry, fell asleep just thinking about it.

Scartissue

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Art Tatum

"Art"
By diego

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Rick,

I have to say up front that I never liked Whitaker, lots of people say he was a great fighter, maybe he was, I just couldn't see it, he would have a better chance with Carter, as Carter was a "Hot-N-Cold" fighter, you never knew which Carter would show up on any given nite, I do agree with you that Carter was a better fighter then he is given credit for, now Williams was special, great fighter, and Bolanos was up there with Williams, there's not to many people around that saw Bolanos fight live like I did, they are now in Rose Hills or places like that, Mando Ramos fought some what like Bolanos, but Bolanos was a better fighter then Mando.

Frank, you don't have to be apolegetic by saying you never liked Whitaker, cuz I hated him. He was right up there with Chris Byrd for raw excitement. And I appreciate skillful fighters as well as the slam-bang style. I could watch Willie Pep and Wilfredo Benitez all day. They could stand right in front of you, make you miss and counter the crap out of the other fighter. What it was with Whitaker was that he could slow a fight down to nothing by continuously altering angles. It made for a non-fight. Very effective, but it put me to sleep every time. I might have a different opinion if he could bang just a little bit, because his counters would be worth something. But instead, very little punches thrown by the opponent and pitty-pat counters from Whitaker. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ! Oh, sorry, fell asleep just thinking about it.

Scartissue

Scar,

You're right on about Whitaker,makeing you count sheep...or is it sawing logs?

[dagosd2000]

I can't help but agree with Scar and Frank about Sweet Pea. A lot of the big names like Floyd JR.,Hopkins,Taylor,Wright,and Klitschko play a cat and mouse game. I was watching a replay of Sugar Ray Robinson fighting Denny Moyer at MSG. Robinson was 40. He gave it everything he had. It was like he didn't want to let the public down. He wanted to give them a good show. He eeked out a close decision,but you could see he was spent at the end.

I wish fighters would consider thinking about their public before they get in the ring. They should tell themselves,"I want to go out there and give them their money's worth."

Arturo Gatti may not have won every fight,but he put it out there everytime he stepped into the ring. Same with guys like Basilio and Armstrong.