BoxRec

Posted: **27 Feb 2008, 18:18**

Expug wrote:
When I think of fights in which it was who gets there first, I think of his bout with Jamie Garza.
Jaime was also a great puncher.
I think they were both in the middle of throwin lefthooks and Kid got there first.
Incidently, Jaime used to come and post a little bit here.
It would be great if he jumped in here.

Yes Jamie Garza posted here awhile, very nice guy. One of my favorite fighters of the 80's - love the photo, going by Don King's cheshire cat grin, it looks like Kid Meza is fresh off his stunning championship win.

That was a freakish Twilight Zone Saturday of boxing - Frist you had Kid Meza, the Mexican underdog, coming off the canvas to KO the favored, unbeaten world champ in a shocker.
Then you had on the same afternoon, Edwin Rosario v JL Ramirez 2. And once again, the Mexican underdog gets off the canvas and KO's the unbeaten world champ in another huge upset.
A weird day, and by the end of it I wouldn't have been too surprised to have seen it raining frogs.

Posted: **27 Feb 2008, 18:28**

MightyWarrior wrote:
Expug wrote:
When I think of fights in which it was who gets there first, I think of his bout with Jamie Garza.
Jaime was also a great puncher.
I think they were both in the middle of throwin lefthooks and Kid got there first.
Incidently, Jaime used to come and post a little bit here.
It would be great if he jumped in here.
Yes Jamie Garza posted here awhile, very nice guy. One of my favorite fighters of the 80's - love the photo, going by Don King's cheshire cat grin, it looks like Kid Meza is fresh off his stunning championship win.

That was a freakish Twilight Zone Saturday of boxing - Frist you had Kid Meza, the Mexican underdog, coming off the canvas to KO the favored, unbeaten world champ in a shocker.
Then you had on the same afternoon, Edwin Rosario v JL Ramirez 2. And once again, the Mexican underdog gets off the canvas and KO's the unbeaten world champ in another huge upset.
A weird day, and by the end of it I wouldn't have been too surprised to have seen it raining frogs.

"WOW', I had fogtten ,that all that happened on the same day.

Thanks MW

Posted: **27 Feb 2008, 18:33**

That photo of Montoya, King and Meza, I shot in 1982 in N.Y.C, King flew us (My Kids and I) to N.Y as he was trying sign my boys to a contract.

Posted: **27 Feb 2008, 19:12**

Collins2000 wrote:
kikibalt wrote:Galt,

If berry has you believing all his crap, so be it !
Don't worry, Mr Baltazar. Granberry has a history of making an extra login or two who always come to his "rescue" when he is being exposed for the fraud he is. "Galt" is obviously granberry in drag.

Please continue with the great photos and info. The same goes for Rick Farris and Scartissue who have both added greatly to this place.

Hey Collins, don't worry, we aren't going anywhere. It just amuzes the hell out of me when some insecure moren hides behind screen names. Like in real life, these cyber losers need a place to vent.

It's sad they are so clueless. Even the most dementia rattled ex-pug is sharp enough to quickly identify the weak, and in a sad way, it goes back to the fact that everybody who steps into a boxing ring, has a mean streak. Boxers may be kind, fair, decent living, but most of us have a little anger in us, and we sometoimes want to abuse the ignorant, such are the "hidden posters" who try to insinuate they are "in the know".

The losers don't have ONE a person in their corner, they fly solo in anonimity, too bent from the abuse society has laid on them. Do I feel sorry for these posters? Hell no, I so want to take them to task, but they are afraid to step out of the shadows, the darkness where the coward hides, waiting for everybody to go away for a moment, so they can slip out and try to "stir a pot". They then scamper off before the sun rises, and try giggling at their little mis-adventure, as the tears run down their sorry faces.

Don't expect sympathy from me. Cross my path and I'll gladly share every bit of disrespect I can muster, and you know what, they'll take it like the dog they are.

Regardless of how many screen names Granberry has, he is unaware that I know his former screen name, and his identity is very clear. If he wants to play with me, let the fun begin. However, have enough class to keep your garbage off this thread.

Don't believe for one moment guys, that there is so much as one poster here, or anywhere, that supports a moren.

If you really want to torcher the insecure F__k, just don't read his posts, I don't. I got into this reading that of his other "screen name", no problemo, one less screen name to validate. Watch him whimper & whine, squirming around in a thread full of false screen names, all of them his. Let's sit back, and enjoy watching the breath choked out of his lifeless screen names, at least on THIS thread. I don't care about the others. He knows nothing about west coast boxers, aside from what he has read via Don Fraser's monthly "In Souther California" section in the long past issues of Ring Magazine. He is a lost ball, in high grass.

By the way, for those of you still interested in the best of Southern Cal boxing, just hang out, ignore the moron, and let's enjoy this.

And now, on to . . . Dwight Hawkins vs. San Dieldo's Bobby Valdez. Dagos, this was a fight THE BEST fight I ever saw. In comparison, the Corrales-Castillo fights were anti-climatic, in comparison.

-Rick

Posted: **27 Feb 2008, 19:17**

02/27/2008 Entry: "De La Hoya & Forbes Set to Meet in 'Homecoming' on Saturday, May 3rd!"

De La Hoya & Forbes Set to Meet in 'Homecoming' on Saturday, May 3rd!

Press Release
Photos courtesy of Hoganphotos.com/Golden Boy Promotions

Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd Mayweather Sr (Oscar’s trainer) and Steve Forbes pose for the media yesterday at a press conference to announce De La Hoya vs. Forbes May 3rd, 2008 fight to be held at the outdoor stadium at the Home Deport Center in Carson, California televised on HBO.

LOS ANGELES (February 26, 2008) – Ever since his emergence on the world scene as an Olympic Gold Medalist in 1992, Oscar de la Hoya’s name has been synonymous with Los Angeles, the city that molded him into “The Golden Boy,” a boxing legend. On Saturday, May 3, De La Hoya will face former world champion Steve Forbes, in what will be the first-ever boxing event at The Home Depot Center’s 27,000 seat soccer stadium. The bout will also mark De La Hoya’s return home to fight for the first time in Los Angeles since 2000 as well as his return to HBO’s World Championship Boxing for the first time since 2001. De La Hoya-Forbes is the featured event of a “Homecoming” weekend the likes of which the sport has never seen.

“Homecoming” is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with AEG and The Home Depot Center and sponsored by Cazadores, Tecate, Rockstar Energy Drink, Southwest Airlines and Affliction Clothing. The match up will be televised live by HBO’s World Championship Boxing beginning at 10pm ET / 7pm PT.

The weekend will start with an evening filled with excitement featuring a live TeleFutura “Solo Boxeo” fight card and a Latin music concert on Friday, May 2 from The Home Depot 8,000-seat tennis stadium and culminate with the De La Hoya-Forbes event on Saturday night.

The May 3 bout will not only pit boxing’s reigning superstar against an upset-minded opponent, but will also bring back a taste of boxing’s golden age, when the top fighters competed in front of tens of thousands of diehard fight fans packed into huge stadiums.

“I can’t even put into words how excited I am to fight at home in Los Angeles and to be able to have the fight in The Home Depot Center’s soccer stadium is just unbelievable,” said De La Hoya, whose last fight in the area was in 2000. “This is a dream come true and I am dedicating the whole weekend to all of my fans, those who will be there and those who get to see the bout on HBO rather than pay-per-view, as they are the ones who have supported and embraced me throughout the many years of my career. I promise to give them plenty to cheer about that night.”

“This is a fight between two gentlemen, a match between two masters of the fistic arts, one who is the face of this art and the other a man that has never had the chance to prove he belongs until now,” said De La Hoya’s challenger, Forbes. “I will be ready and I’m coming to win.”

“The three things Oscar wanted when this bout was being discussed was to have it at home in Los Angeles, hold the fight outdoors and to broadcast it on HBO’s World Championship Boxing,” said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “Not only are we going to make those things happen, but we are very excited about planning an entire weekend of events surrounding Oscar’s fight, something that the boxing world has never seen.”

“For Steve Forbes, fighting Oscar de la Hoya is the brass ring, he is the grand prize,” said Jeff Wald, promoter for Tournament of Contenders. “Steve has never been on the canvas as an amateur or as a professional and the fans are going to see a great fight on May 3. This fight is the continuation of a great relationship between Tournament of Contenders and Golden Boy Promotions.”

“Oscar is the most dynamic and popular boxer of our time,” said Timothy J. Leiweke, president and CEO, AEG. “We are thrilled that Oscar has chosen to fight in Southern California at The Home Depot Center, where his biggest fans will have the opportunity to witness history in one of the most unique boxing venues they will have ever been to. Thanks to Richard Schaefer and Ross Greenburg for putting together this incredible night of sports. We won’t let you down.”

“We are thrilled to be able to bring Oscar de la Hoya to our subscribers on May 3,” said Ross Greenburg, president of HBO Sports. “We think this great event will broaden the appeal of boxing to a larger fan base. And Steve Forbes is presented with the opportunity of a lifetime, which is all any pro athlete asks.”

Also adding to the intrigue surrounding this event is the return of Floyd Mayweather Sr. to the corner of De La Hoya as head trainer. In the opposite corner training Steve Forbes will be Mayweather Sr.’s brother Roger, who also acts as the lead trainer for the last man to beat De La Hoya, Floyd Mayweather Jr.

“It’s great to have Mayweather Sr. back in my corner,” said De La Hoya. “After this fight, Roger Mayweather will have to go back to the drawing board if he thinks Floyd Jr. can beat me again.”

“Roger has the blueprint to beat Oscar and I’m going to use that blueprint, expand on it, and send a message to the boxing world that it was a big mistake to pick me as his opponent.” said Forbes.

Tickets start at just $25.00 and will go on sale to the public on Tuesday, March 4 at 10:00 a.m. Individual tickets may be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 213-480-3232 or by visiting ticketsmaster.com. Group tickets, VIP packages and Hospitality packages are available by calling 1-877-AEG-TICKETS (1-877-234-8425) or by visiting http://www.aegtickets.com.

A 1992 Olympic Gold Medalist for the United States, Oscar de la Hoya (38-5, 30 KO’s) is a champion in every division he has competed in from 130 to 160 pounds. “The Golden Boy” has faced boxing’s elite for over 15 years, including Floyd Mayweather, Julio Cesar Chavez, Bernard Hopkins, Shane Mosley, Felix Trinidad, Pernell Whitaker, Ike Quartey, Fernando Vargas, Arturo Gatti, Genaro Hernandez, Jesse James Leija and Hector Camacho Sr. In his last fight, on May 5, 2007, De La Hoya fell short via a close split decision to boxing’s pound for pound champion Mayweather, but is eager to get back in the win column in 2008 against Forbes in his first bout at home since 2000. In his professional debut, De La Hoya fought Lamar Williams at The Forum on November 23, 1992. De La Hoya’s first world title bout was in Los Angeles on March 5, 1994, when he stopped Jimmi Bredahl at the Olympic Auditorium to win the WBO World Super Featherweight Title. Four fights later, he returned to the Olympic to stop John Avila in December of 1994, but he didn’t fight at home again until his 2000 super fight with Shane Mosley at the STAPLES Center. He now returns May 3.

A former World Champion who has come up the hard way in the sport, Stevie “2 Pounds” Forbes (33-5, 9 KO’s) is finally getting the big shot every fighter dreams of and has no intentions of losing on May 3. An eleven year veteran who won his world title in 2000 with a stoppage of John Brown, the 30-year-old Forbes is a slick stylist with a granite chin who has never been knocked down, is unafraid of standing and trading with anyone. Winner of nine of his last eleven fights, with the only setbacks being controversial decision losses at the hands of Demetrius Hopkins and Grady Brewer, Forbes put a halt to the comeback of highly-touted Francisco “Panchito” Bojado in October of last year and he plans on doing the same to De La Hoya this spring.

Posted: **27 Feb 2008, 20:22**

Rick Farris wrote:
Collins2000 wrote:
kikibalt wrote:Galt,

If berry has you believing all his crap, so be it !
Don't worry, Mr Baltazar. Granberry has a history of making an extra login or two who always come to his "rescue" when he is being exposed for the fraud he is. "Galt" is obviously granberry in drag.

Please continue with the great photos and info. The same goes for Rick Farris and Scartissue who have both added greatly to this place.

Hey Collins, don't worry, we aren't going anywhere. It just amuzes the hell out of me when some insecure moren hides behind screen names. Like in real life, these cyber losers need a place to vent.

It's sad they are so clueless. Even the most dementia rattled ex-pug is sharp enough to quickly identify the weak, and in a sad way, it goes back to the fact that everybody who steps into a boxing ring, has a mean streak. Boxers may be kind, fair, decent living, but most of us have a little anger in us, and we sometoimes want to abuse the ignorant, such are the "hidden posters" who try to insinuate they are "in the know".

The losers don't have ONE a person in their corner, they fly solo in anonimity, too bent from the abuse society has laid on them. Do I feel sorry for these posters? Hell no, I so want to take them to task, but they are afraid to step out of the shadows, the darkness where the coward hides, waiting for everybody to go away for a moment, so they can slip out and try to "stir a pot". They then scamper off before the sun rises, and try giggling at their little mis-adventure, as the tears run down their sorry faces.

Don't expect sympathy from me. Cross my path and I'll gladly share every bit of disrespect I can muster, and you know what, they'll take it like the dog they are.

Regardless of how many screen names Granberry has, he is unaware that I know his former screen name, and his identity is very clear. If he wants to play with me, let the fun begin. However, have enough class to keep your garbage off this thread.

Don't believe for one moment guys, that there is so much as one poster here, or anywhere, that supports a moren.

If you really want to torcher the insecure F__k, just don't read his posts, I don't. I got into this reading that of his other "screen name", no problemo, one less screen name to validate. Watch him whimper & whine, squirming around in a thread full of false screen names, all of them his. Let's sit back, and enjoy watching the breath choked out of his lifeless screen names, at least on THIS thread. I don't care about the others. He knows nothing about west coast boxers, aside from what he has read via Don Fraser's monthly "In Souther California" section in the long past issues of Ring Magazine. He is a lost ball, in high grass.

By the way, for those of you still interested in the best of Southern Cal boxing, just hang out, ignore the moron, and let's enjoy this.

And now, on to . . . Dwight Hawkins vs. San Dieldo's Bobby Valdez. Dagos, this was a fight THE BEST fight I ever saw. In comparison, the Corrales-Castillo fights were anti-climatic, in comparison.

-Rick

Rick,

Did you have a little to drink before you wrote that?

Tell us more about the great Clay Hodges from your fund of boxing knowledge.

My advice to you is--PAY YOUR DEBTS,

and keep the crap coming.

Posted: **27 Feb 2008, 20:27**

Great stories need a bit of comic relief sewn in now and again. It really all sort of works...... doesn't it?

Posted: **27 Feb 2008, 20:29**

DAGOS . . .

When talking about San Diego Guys from the 60's, my favorite was Bobby Valdez. We all have that one special fight in our memory, that one where both boxers fought beyond themselves, a life-death type struggle, both get hurt, both win and both lose, in reality. Well, some list the recent war between Diego Corrales and Jose Luis Castillo, as their all-time best memory, and you won't get any argument from me, it was great. However, this is the one that most sticks out in my mind . . .

Thursday night, June 1, 1967 . . .

The Olympic Auditorium was about half full. The lower deck was packed, however, the balcony seats were empty. I'd guess the 10,400 seat Olympic had maybe five or six thousand in attendance.

My stablemate and favorite fighter, Dwight Hawkins, was going to fight another tough, top ranked featherweight contender, Bobby Valdez. I knew it would be a good fight, but no idea how great it would actually be.

I'd known Hawkins for nearly three years, since joining Johnny Flores boxing stable in the San fernando Valley. The "Hawk" was managed by Flores, who also had heavyweight Jerry Quarry & then jr. lightweight, Ruben Navarro, as well as "Joltin" Johnny Smith, Thurman Durden, Paul Bad Horse, and others.

In the opener we had this L.A. guy who they called "Handsome" Larry Harding, who had just made his pro debut. Harding looked like a double for actor robert Conrad. Having come up as part of Aileen Eaton's "Youth Development Program", that featured amateur boxers on her pro card, stars like Armando Muniz, Jimmy Robertson, and "Handsome" Larry Harding would evolve into bankable pros. Some would fight for world titles, and other's like "Handsome" Larry, would run into road blocks.

On this night, Handsome Larry Harding would prevail, however, at a later date, in the same ring, he'd run right into a road block by the named Eddie Garcia. After battling heroin addiction for a few years, Garcia cleaned up long enough to clean out "Handsome" Larry, giving the "James West" look-a-like, an ass-whipping so bad, I doubt he ever fought again? (I'll have to check on that)

Then there was a San Diego southpaw who did pretty well, for awhile, his name was Roy DeFilippis, and I know DAGOS has to know this guy.
He was no Bobby Valdez, but he was pretty tough, and he won on this night over L.A. bleeder Rene Macias. We have to get Rodolfo Gonzalez on this thread, as he fought Valdez three times, as well as Macias, and sparred with Hawkins. You guys will love El Gato.

Jose Pimentel also fought in a six-rounder, flattening Memo Guerrero in several rounds. I can still see Guerrero's face as he slid unconcious to the deck. Both the Pimentel brothers were major hitters.

But in the main event, Hawkins & Valdez fought to a draw. The verdict was fair. I wanted Hawkins to win, and he certainly didn't lose, but neither did Bobby Valdez.

Anybody remember the Olympic Aud.'s 1967 "Fight of the Year"????

-Rick

Posted: **27 Feb 2008, 20:50**

Rick,

I didn't see that fight, but I heard that it was one of the best action fights in the history of the Olympic Aud. that has to be saying alot since there has been some great fights in that old boxing arena.

Posted: **27 Feb 2008, 21:01**

South El Monte Boxing Gym

Posted: **27 Feb 2008, 21:09**

Dodger Stadium, March 21, 1963, the night that Davey Moore lost his title and his life. my wife and I were there that night.

Posted: **27 Feb 2008, 21:19**

Don Jordan

Posted: **27 Feb 2008, 21:24**

kikibalt wrote:Rick,

I didn't see that fight, but I heard that it was one of the best action fights in the history of the Olympic Aud. that has to be saying alot since there has been some great fights in that old boxing arena.

You know Frank, I attended the fight with my dad & grandfather, both who had gotten to know Hawkins, as he would hold junior fights himself, in Watts, at the Imperial Courts Housing Project, which was where Dwight lived until he began to make money in boxing, and bought a house for his mother over on what was Santa Barbara Ave. in Baldwin Hills (now Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.)

I fought on a kids card, and you may have been there, at Imperial Courts, needless to say, I was the only white kid, and it was just two years after the riots. But as you know, these kid boxers don't go there, we were all the same, I always liked how I was treated by everybody, nobody made me feel out of place, just because I was white.

On the night he fought Valdez, we'd come not just to see the Hawk, but Johnnie's other bantam, Chilo Carranza, one of the slikest boxers I'd ever seen. This guy fought in a prelim, but years before, this blonde Mexican fought Manny Elias, that great Arizona bantam that fought everbody who was anybody for twenty years. chilo lost a 12 rounder to Elias, but carranza was only 15 years old. this guy really taught me a lot about deceptive boxing skills, he was a master. Yet, you'll never here ANYBODY mention his name, becasue nobody knows him. Ironic, they pay today's so-called teachers six-figure incomes, for what? Crap!

Anyway, Chilo won. And then, this great fight with "The Hawk".

Hey Frank, on the day you drove Johnnie Flores & Joe Louis around, do remember what they talked about?

-Rick

[/b]

Posted: **27 Feb 2008, 21:51**

Rick Farris wrote:DAGOS . . .

When talking about San Diego Guys from the 60's, my favorite was Bobby Valdez. We all have that one special fight in our memory, that one where both boxers fought beyond themselves, a life-death type struggle, both get hurt, both win and both lose, in reality. Well, some list the recent war between Diego Corrales and Jose Luis Castillo, as their all-time best memory, and you won't get any argument from me, it was great. However, this is the one that most sticks out in my mind . . .

Thursday night, June 1, 1967 . . .

The Olympic Auditorium was about half full. The lower deck was packed, however, the balcony seats were empty. I'd guess the 10,400 seat Olympic had maybe five or six thousand in attendance.

My stablemate and favorite fighter, Dwight Hawkins, was going to fight another tough, top ranked featherweight contender, Bobby Valdez. I knew it would be a good fight, but no idea how great it would actually be.

I'd known Hawkins for nearly three years, since joining Johnny Flores boxing stable in the San fernando Valley. The "Hawk" was managed by Flores, who also had heavyweight Jerry Quarry & then jr. lightweight, Ruben Navarro, as well as "Joltin" Johnny Smith, Thurman Durden, Paul Bad Horse, and others.

In the opener we had this L.A. guy who they called "Handsome" Larry Harding, who had just made his pro debut. Harding looked like a double for actor robert Conrad. Having come up as part of Aileen Eaton's "Youth Development Program", that featured amateur boxers on her pro card, stars like Armando Muniz, Jimmy Robertson, and "Handsome" Larry Harding would evolve into bankable pros. Some would fight for world titles, and other's like "Handsome" Larry, would run into road blocks.

On this night, Handsome Larry Harding would prevail, however, at a later date, in the same ring, he'd run right into a road block by the named Eddie Garcia. After battling heroin addiction for a few years, Garcia cleaned up long enough to clean out "Handsome" Larry, giving the "James West" look-a-like, an ass-whipping so bad, I doubt he ever fought again? (I'll have to check on that)

Then there was a San Diego southpaw who did pretty well, for awhile, his name was Roy DeFilippis, and I know DAGOS has to know this guy.
He was no Bobby Valdez, but he was pretty tough, and he won on this night over L.A. bleeder Rene Macias. We have to get Rodolfo Gonzalez on this thread, as he fought Valdez three times, as well as Macias, and sparred with Hawkins. You guys will love El Gato.

Jose Pimentel also fought in a six-rounder, flattening Memo Guerrero in several rounds. I can still see Guerrero's face as he slid unconcious to the deck. Both the Pimentel brothers were major hitters.

But in the main event, Hawkins & Valdez fought to a draw. The verdict was fair. I wanted Hawkins to win, and he certainly didn't lose, but neither did Bobby Valdez.

Anybody remember the Olympic Aud.'s 1967 "Fight of the Year"????

-Rick

Rick,Bobby Valdez was the first local guy I would see on a regular basis in San Diego. I especially remember his fight with Pete Gonzalez. Two boys who really knew what they were doing in there. Roy De Filippis ,I remember,but never saw him fight. What was his relation to Bobby De Filippis? If it's the guy I'm thinking of(the restaurant guy and promoter) I've got a funny story for you. Thanks for thinking of us down here. Dagos

Posted: **27 Feb 2008, 21:52**

Rick Farris wrote:Hey Frank, on the day you drove Johnnie Flores & Joe Louis around, do remember what they talked about?

-Rick

[/b]

No, but they most have been telling some good stories, the way they were carrying on, laughing and slaping each other around, you know they hadn't seen each for some years and we were not expecting, nor did we know that Joe Louis was working for Don King, so when he and Johnnie seen each other, it was like two long lost brothers fining each other after twenty years., they had lots to talk about and they did, I was happy for them.

Posted: **27 Feb 2008, 21:56**

dagosd2000 wrote:
Rick Farris wrote:DAGOS . . .

When talking about San Diego Guys from the 60's, my favorite was Bobby Valdez. We all have that one special fight in our memory, that one where both boxers fought beyond themselves, a life-death type struggle, both get hurt, both win and both lose, in reality. Well, some list the recent war between Diego Corrales and Jose Luis Castillo, as their all-time best memory, and you won't get any argument from me, it was great. However, this is the one that most sticks out in my mind . . .

Thursday night, June 1, 1967 . . .

The Olympic Auditorium was about half full. The lower deck was packed, however, the balcony seats were empty. I'd guess the 10,400 seat Olympic had maybe five or six thousand in attendance.

My stablemate and favorite fighter, Dwight Hawkins, was going to fight another tough, top ranked featherweight contender, Bobby Valdez. I knew it would be a good fight, but no idea how great it would actually be.

I'd known Hawkins for nearly three years, since joining Johnny Flores boxing stable in the San fernando Valley. The "Hawk" was managed by Flores, who also had heavyweight Jerry Quarry & then jr. lightweight, Ruben Navarro, as well as "Joltin" Johnny Smith, Thurman Durden, Paul Bad Horse, and others.

In the opener we had this L.A. guy who they called "Handsome" Larry Harding, who had just made his pro debut. Harding looked like a double for actor robert Conrad. Having come up as part of Aileen Eaton's "Youth Development Program", that featured amateur boxers on her pro card, stars like Armando Muniz, Jimmy Robertson, and "Handsome" Larry Harding would evolve into bankable pros. Some would fight for world titles, and other's like "Handsome" Larry, would run into road blocks.

On this night, Handsome Larry Harding would prevail, however, at a later date, in the same ring, he'd run right into a road block by the named Eddie Garcia. After battling heroin addiction for a few years, Garcia cleaned up long enough to clean out "Handsome" Larry, giving the "James West" look-a-like, an ass-whipping so bad, I doubt he ever fought again? (I'll have to check on that)

Then there was a San Diego southpaw who did pretty well, for awhile, his name was Roy DeFilippis, and I know DAGOS has to know this guy.
He was no Bobby Valdez, but he was pretty tough, and he won on this night over L.A. bleeder Rene Macias. We have to get Rodolfo Gonzalez on this thread, as he fought Valdez three times, as well as Macias, and sparred with Hawkins. You guys will love El Gato.

Jose Pimentel also fought in a six-rounder, flattening Memo Guerrero in several rounds. I can still see Guerrero's face as he slid unconcious to the deck. Both the Pimentel brothers were major hitters.

But in the main event, Hawkins & Valdez fought to a draw. The verdict was fair. I wanted Hawkins to win, and he certainly didn't lose, but neither did Bobby Valdez.

Anybody remember the Olympic Aud.'s 1967 "Fight of the Year"????

-Rick
Rick,Bobby Valdez was the first local guy I would see on a regular basis in San Diego. I especially remember his fight with Pete Gonzalez. Two boys who really knew what they were doing in there. Roy De Filippis ,I remember,but never saw him fight. What was his relation to Bobby De Filippis? If it's the guy I'm thinking of(the restaurant guy and promoter) I've got a funny story for you. Thanks for thinking of us down here. Dagos

Dago,

I might be wrong, but isn't Bob Roy's dad?

Is Bobby Valdez still in Diego?

Posted: **27 Feb 2008, 22:59**

kikibalt wrote:diego dude ,

Did you read my post about our ride into Tacate?

Hey Young Fella,I just arrived. Yeah,I read it. So what did it cost you guys to pay the cop who's supposed to be serving the public good for free? The kid who married one of my granddaughters father died. He's at the funeral parlor in downtown TJ. Well everybody double and triple parks in front of the funeral parlors in TJ. That's the way it's alway's been. Well the kid gets out and finds his car gone along with his two cousins's cars. Now is that any respect? He's in a cab going back to his place,and what do you think? He sees his car parked by his house with two guys sleeping in it. He calls the cops on his cell phone and they come over and arrest the guys and haul away the car. The kid goes downtown the next day to the police station to get his car. They tell him they're doing the paper work. Come back tomorrow. He comes back and they tell him the car's not here,but in another impound yard. The kid goes to the other yard and they tell him they found dope in the car. Well it goes on like this for a week,so the kid gets his uncle who's supposed to be a lawyer to go and get the car back. The uncle says they can't find the car.

The poor kid is really down,so I tell him. Get rid of your uncle(he's probably working with the cops anyway)and go to the police station and tell the cops you're offering a $100 reward for anyone who can find the car. Two days later he gets a call from the police station. Now he's driving to work again.

Posted: **27 Feb 2008, 23:43**

dagosd2000 wrote:
kikibalt wrote:diego dude ,

Did you read my post about our ride into Tacate?
Hey Young Fella,I just arrived. Yeah,I read it. So what did it cost you guys to pay the cop who's supposed to be serving the public good for free? The kid who married one of my granddaughters father died. He's at the funeral parlor in downtown TJ. Well everybody double and triple parks in front of the funeral parlors in TJ. That's the way it's alway's been. Well the kid gets out and finds his car gone along with his two cousins's cars. Now is that any respect? He's in a cab going back to his place,and what do you think? He sees his car parked by his house with two guys sleeping in it. He calls the cops on his cell phone and they come over and arrest the guys and haul away the car. The kid goes downtown the next day to the police station to get his car. They tell him they're doing the paper work. Come back tomorrow. He comes back and they tell him the car's not here,but in another impound yard. The kid goes to the other yard and they tell him they found dope in the car. Well it goes on like this for a week,so the kid gets his uncle who's supposed to be a lawyer to go and get the car back. The uncle says they can't find the car.

The poor kid is really down,so I tell him. Get rid of your uncle(he's probably working with the cops anyway)and go to the police station and tell the cops you're offering a $100 reward for anyone who can find the car. Two days later he gets a call from the police station. Now he's driving to work again.

Diego,
12x5=60, 60 bucks and it was worth it , it was only 5 bucks apiece, not bad, huh?

Posted: **28 Feb 2008, 00:02**

Dagos . . .

The first boxer boxing match I ever attended live at the Olympic featured Pete Gonzalez vs. Danny Valdez. Gonzalez was from Portland. Ore. and Valdez, East L.A.

Nobody here can tell you more about Danny Valdez, than his friend, Frank Baltazar Sr. And eventually, when "El Gato" joins us, we'll hear what he has to say about his one-time opponent, Pete Gonzalez.

Later I would see Pete Gonzalez vs. Mando Ramos. It seems so strange, but in '65, the night I saw Valdez vs. Pete Gonzalez, after the fight, there was this place across the street from the Olympic. Today it's a Burger King, but in '65, it was a diner called the "Olympic Cafe", A greasy spoon hamburger place.

After watching my first ever card at the Olympic, my dad took me and my friend to the "Olympic" diner, across the street, for an after fight bite to eat. Sitting at the counter, were Danny Valdez and Petey Gonzalez. Valdez, the loser, was holding his Reyes (in those days labeled "SEYER") boxing glove against his swollen cheek, as he and his friend/opponent Gonzalez ordered an after-fight meal. Thirty minutes previous, they were slugging it out.

What a sight it was, one that defined something I would later learn all too well, boxers don't fight each other, not really. Ask Frank, or anybody who really knows boxers, it isn't about disliking one another, it's just what we do. It's a game, or contest, nothing more, nothing less.

I learned this in my teens, watching toddlers like the Baltazar boys. One minute, they are just little boys, playing in the dressing room with the other little boys. Then they fight each other, somebody gets the best of it, and afterwards, they are little boys again, playing, joking, talking about girls, playing tricks on one another.

Just a "day in the life" crap, that's what boxers do. People make too much of simple things. They have to make out there is something more than the simple reality of being a boxer. I guess that's what we need, people to promote the simplicity, into something much bigger, so it will sell, and one day give some moron the impression that it was something bigger, or more important, than it really was. Just because somebody, bet, made or lost something, as a result of what some guy did in the ring.

Watch out for the Boogie man guys, he still lurks. Today, the only boogie men in boxing, are the guys who post on web sites, trying to expose something that was exposed long ago, in another era. People will always be corrupt, try to get an edge, try to make out something was far bigger and more important that IT WAS, and today, isn't worth so much as a smirk, when given consideration.

I was lucky, I came up under a great man, Johnnie Flores, in a GREAT era in L.A. Boxing. Johnnie was a great man in another era, as well, that of World War II, a white man's war in which Johnnie came out a true hero. Of course, despite his single handedly returning from a mission he wasnt expected to return from, "Go out and see if you can capture a German, and get some info". Well, Johnnie Flores must have been an over achiever when it came to "balls", he went out and came back with a dozen Germans, all officers.

I guess their proud German blood turned a little thin when this Mexican born product of L.A. (Watts) walked into their headquarters spewing profanities in Spanish. I guess the blonde haired master race boys found themselves a little light in the cajones, and without so much as a protest, put their Nazi hands behind their heads and followed the instructions of Pvt. John Ramirez Flores.

Anybody who takes this too seriously, doesn't get it!

-Rick Farris

Posted: **28 Feb 2008, 00:50**

kikibalt wrote:
dagosd2000 wrote:
Rick Farris wrote:DAGOS . . .

When talking about San Diego Guys from the 60's, my favorite was Bobby Valdez. We all have that one special fight in our memory, that one where both boxers fought beyond themselves, a life-death type struggle, both get hurt, both win and both lose, in reality. Well, some list the recent war between Diego Corrales and Jose Luis Castillo, as their all-time best memory, and you won't get any argument from me, it was great. However, this is the one that most sticks out in my mind . . .

Thursday night, June 1, 1967 . . .

The Olympic Auditorium was about half full. The lower deck was packed, however, the balcony seats were empty. I'd guess the 10,400 seat Olympic had maybe five or six thousand in attendance.

My stablemate and favorite fighter, Dwight Hawkins, was going to fight another tough, top ranked featherweight contender, Bobby Valdez. I knew it would be a good fight, but no idea how great it would actually be.

I'd known Hawkins for nearly three years, since joining Johnny Flores boxing stable in the San fernando Valley. The "Hawk" was managed by Flores, who also had heavyweight Jerry Quarry & then jr. lightweight, Ruben Navarro, as well as "Joltin" Johnny Smith, Thurman Durden, Paul Bad Horse, and others.

In the opener we had this L.A. guy who they called "Handsome" Larry Harding, who had just made his pro debut. Harding looked like a double for actor robert Conrad. Having come up as part of Aileen Eaton's "Youth Development Program", that featured amateur boxers on her pro card, stars like Armando Muniz, Jimmy Robertson, and "Handsome" Larry Harding would evolve into bankable pros. Some would fight for world titles, and other's like "Handsome" Larry, would run into road blocks.

On this night, Handsome Larry Harding would prevail, however, at a later date, in the same ring, he'd run right into a road block by the named Eddie Garcia. After battling heroin addiction for a few years, Garcia cleaned up long enough to clean out "Handsome" Larry, giving the "James West" look-a-like, an ass-whipping so bad, I doubt he ever fought again? (I'll have to check on that)

Then there was a San Diego southpaw who did pretty well, for awhile, his name was Roy DeFilippis, and I know DAGOS has to know this guy.
He was no Bobby Valdez, but he was pretty tough, and he won on this night over L.A. bleeder Rene Macias. We have to get Rodolfo Gonzalez on this thread, as he fought Valdez three times, as well as Macias, and sparred with Hawkins. You guys will love El Gato.

Jose Pimentel also fought in a six-rounder, flattening Memo Guerrero in several rounds. I can still see Guerrero's face as he slid unconcious to the deck. Both the Pimentel brothers were major hitters.

But in the main event, Hawkins & Valdez fought to a draw. The verdict was fair. I wanted Hawkins to win, and he certainly didn't lose, but neither did Bobby Valdez.

Anybody remember the Olympic Aud.'s 1967 "Fight of the Year"????

-Rick
Rick,Bobby Valdez was the first local guy I would see on a regular basis in San Diego. I especially remember his fight with Pete Gonzalez. Two boys who really knew what they were doing in there. Roy De Filippis ,I remember,but never saw him fight. What was his relation to Bobby De Filippis? If it's the guy I'm thinking of(the restaurant guy and promoter) I've got a funny story for you. Thanks for thinking of us down here. Dagos
Dago,

I might be wrong, but isn't Bob Roy's dad?

Is Bobby Valdez still in Diego?

Bobby Valdez I lost contact with years ago. I'm going to take a chance with the De Filippis question. I think you're right. Roberto is the father. His mother and father started a famous chain of pizza retaurants in San Diego. Roberto ,I think, might have managed Bobby Valdez. Hey ,this Roberto De Filippis was somethin' else. He opened up a steak restaurant in Mission Valley called the Butcher Shop. It was known all over town that you could screw the waitresses. These "waitresses" wore these bunny out fits with their rear ends hanging out looking like the rump roasts they were serving. The place was too high end for me,but I think the cops were getting layed in there because they never raided the joint.

This Roberto character thought he was some kind of "made guy". He wore pin striped suits and would walk around his joint singing Frank Sinatra songs. I think Jake LaMotta taught him how to sing because he sounded just like him. Look, my father was connected big time with the "Outfit" in Chicago and he would always get a laugh when he saw someone pretending to be a wiseguy. DeFilippis liked to be seen hanging around fighters and even promoted a few events. He'd like to bring the "waitresses" to his fight promotions so they could climb into the ring,rumps hanging out,and walk around with the cards showing what round it was.

Years later,I took my son to the fights. It was his first time. We get ringside seats and I'm glancing at the program and it reads at the top"Roberto DeFilippis Promotions" Sure enough the "waitresses" are right in front of us, ready to show everyone how they can handle the ring cards. I'm laughing to myself thinking this guy is still at it. The fights are in a roller skating rink and the crowd is less than half full. My son,who's 14,is real quiet trying to figure what this place is all about. Before the first pre lim I get up and tell my son I got to take a leak. When I get back there's a "waitress"sitting next to my son. Now I can't sit down because this "waitress" is talking to my son in my seat. I can't hear what she's saying,but I'm positive it's not about the art of carrying around ring cards. She sees me standing there and gives me the cat that swallowed the canary(or whatever else she swallows)smile.

"Excuse me"she says,"I think I have your seat". She gets up and now my mouth is watering for rump roast.
"What did she have to say?"
"She said for us to call this number". And my son gives me this slip of paper with a phone number on it."She said she'd call her friend"
Well I don't know how you fellas' feel,but I got a saying"Never eat rump roast in front of your wife or kids"

Posted: **28 Feb 2008, 09:37**

Great story diego, did you later on call the number? LOL!!

Posted: **28 Feb 2008, 09:58**

Rick

That "greasy spoon" place at first was a "Stan's Drive In" I remember in my early days going to the fights at Olympic my uncles would always take me there to get something to eat after the fights, there were always some of the fighters that fought on the card there, so it was my favorite place to go and meet my hero's, if you seen the 1952 movie and Im sure that you have "The Ring" the scene where the mamager take the young Mexican kid to eat, they're serve in the car, well thats the Stan's drive In across from the olympic.

Posted: **28 Feb 2008, 10:04**

kikibalt wrote:Rick

That "greasy spoon" place at first was a "Stan's Drive In" I remember in my early days going to the fights at Olympic my uncles would always take me there to get something to eat after the fights, there were always some of the fighters that fought on the card there, so it was my favorite place to go and meet my hero's, if you seen the 1952 movie and Im sure that you have "The Ring" the scene where the mamager take the young Mexican kid to eat, they're serve in the car, well thats the Stan's drive In across from the olympic.

Im watchin that one tonight my freind.

Posted: **28 Feb 2008, 10:38**

Expug wrote:
kikibalt wrote:Rick

That "greasy spoon" place at first was a "Stan's Drive In" I remember in my early days going to the fights at Olympic my uncles would always take me there to get something to eat after the fights, there were always some of the fighters that fought on the card there, so it was my favorite place to go and meet my hero's, if you seen the 1952 movie and Im sure that you have "The Ring" the scene where the mamager take the young Mexican kid to eat, they're serve in the car, well thats the Stan's drive In across from the olympic.
Im watchin that one tonight my freind.

Enjoy pug,

Life for us mexican was that way, as it is shown in the movie, but hey we come a long way baby. LOL!!

Posted: **28 Feb 2008, 11:12**

Your's truly with Mando Ramos....Jan., 2007

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Re: Dwight "The Hawk" Hawkins vs. Bobby Valdez . .

Re: Dwight "The Hawk" Hawkins vs. Bobby Valdez . .

The First Time I Saw A Pro Fight Live . . .

Re: Dwight "The Hawk" Hawkins vs. Bobby Valdez . .