Rick,Rick Farris wrote:Considering how many times I watched Tony fight live, in the amateurs, it's odd that I only saw one of his pro fights live, and that was against Roger Mayweather. I'm glad that Tony was featured on those network TV cards that were broadcast both nationally.kikibalt wrote:
Tony went into the Black Mamba fight with an injured hand (Rght), I tried to talk him out of fighting at that time, we knew he was going to need surgery and didn't know how long he was going to be out of the ring, so he said, get me a pain shot (In the hand) and I'll fight this fight and then I'll have the surgery, against my advise he fought and won, then he had the surgery was off for almost a year.
The Mayweather fight was held at the "Country Club", in the San Fernando Valley. It was a small 1000 seat venue, where even the worst seat in the house had a good view of the action. I remember sitting at a table at ringside, with a bunch of actors. What a pain in the ass they can be.
The all-knowing David Hasselfoff had been impressed with Tony B. and my friend, the late actor Victor French, told Hasselhoff, that I had known Tony from the time he was a kid. Hasselhoff smiled and without hearing what he'd been told, started to tell me all about Tony, how he boxed, and "why" his hook landed 99% of the time, etc. I really got an education on Tony Baltazar from David Hasselhoff, he wasn't interested in hearing the "5 yr. Tony shadow boxing on TV from the Olympic", no, he preferred listening to himself.
Frank, I should have insisted he meet you, as the boy's father/mgr./ trainer, you'd like to hear what Hasselhoff had to say. He might have given you some "tips" on improving Tony's hook. :)
By the way, the fight was good, but it really wasn't close. Tony had his way with Mayweather, from the start he was in control. Mayweather would challenge Tony, but was outclassed. This is how I remember it, but it was a long time ago, mid-80's??
Damn, I forgot all about that until this thread.
And for the record: Listening to actors share their boxing knowledge is about as pleasant as having your balls squeezed in a vice.
-Rick [/b]
Tony's fight with Roger Mayweather was not a good fight to watch, and the blame belongs to RM, because he wouldn't stop to fight. in the second round Tony nail him with a left hook and that was the last Tony seen of him, after getting hit by that hook, RM get on his bike and paddle as hard as he could, he was going so fast that I couldn't see him, all I could see was a black flash going by, I was yelling at him to stop and fight, of course he didn't.
Tony's hook was 90% his own, I taught him how to pick his elbow and turn his hand on contact.
