Classic American West Coast Boxing

[raylawpc]

Alexis Arguello


"El Flaco Explosivo"

By Diego

That's a great portrait of Alexis Arguello.

[kikibalt]

GSBA Luncheon


L-to-R, Chuck, last name unknown, Don Fraser, Rick Resnick and Dave Martinez

[kikibalt]

Bill Dwyre:
De La Hoya-Pacquiao fight is set

The biggest bout in years, supposedly called off 10 days ago, will take place in Las Vegas on Dec. 6.

The biggest boxing match in years will, indeed, take place. Oscar De La Hoya has agreed to a Dec. 6 match with rising superstar Manny Pacquiao.

The official announcement, barring last-minute reversals, will be made in a conference call Thursday morning.

The match, the grand finale of 35-year-old De La Hoya's unprecedented career as the box-office king in a sport that has survived on his back for more than 10 years without a dominant heavyweight, will be held at the MGM Grand Hotel Garden in Las Vegas. The pay-per-view will be available on HBO.

Ten days ago, Richard Schaefer, De La Hoya's partner in the operation of Golden Boy Promotions, and Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank had announced that negotiations for the much-anticipated fight had broken down and it would not take place. Schaefer and De La Hoya wanted a 70-30% split of receipts, which would include a projected 2-million-plus pay-per-view buys. Arum and Pacquiao had balked and the deal was off.

In the interim, as recently as two days ago, stories had appeared that the front-runner to replace Pacquiao on De La Hoya's farewell card was promoter Dan Goossen's Paul Williams, who had a victory over Antonio Margarito. Margarito, who is from Mexico, was the recent surprise winner over Miguel Cotto in a fight that was to set up De La Hoya's next opponent.

But when Margarito won, that took the Puerto Rican Cotto out of the picture and De La Hoya had said all along that he did not want his farewell fight to be against a fellow Mexican. De La Hoya, of Mexican heritage, was raised in East Los Angeles and won an Olympic gold medal for the United States.

But the Williams talks apparently were mostly wishful thinking, and De La Hoya agreed to drop his percentage of the take in a Pacquiao bout to a two-thirds/one-third arrangement.

They will fight at 147 pounds.

Pacquiao, 29, the most celebrated and recognized athlete in the Philippines, has won titles at five lower weights and is more comfortable around 136-140 pounds. De La Hoya has won multiple titles and is more comfortable around 154.

The largest pay-per-view fight in boxing history was the 2007 match between De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather Jr., won by the now-retired Mayweather. That drew 2.4 million buys. De La Hoya previously was involved in the largest non-heavyweight pay-per-view fight when he suffered his first loss, in 1999, against Felix Trinidad.

De La Hoya will take a record of 39-5 with 30 knockouts into the fight. Pacquiao's record is 47-3-2, with 35 knockouts.

[email protected]

[Randyman]

Jack Dempsey

Wether you think he was the greatest heavyweight or not, one thing for sure, Dempsey looked and carried himself like a fighter.
He captured the imagination of fight fans for many reasons, but one reason was because he fit what they thought a fighter should look and act like Im sure.

Pug, Dempsey was my boyhood hero. I read his biography when I was a kid and I was hooked. What a mug! Whether he was the very best or not, doesn't matter, he was the best of his day.. He is one boxing's greatest character and no one looked the part more than Dempsey. The epitome of a heavyweight champ.

[dagosd2000]

Anyone notice how dull it gets on this thread when Frank's not around? . . . Three hours between this post and the last one.

Geez, I wish Connie wouldn't let him out of the house to go to Hollywood, of all places. No telling when he'll be back . . .

Gee Tom
I'll just speak for myself.I apologize if I made things dull for you. I'll try harder next time.

My comment was actually directed more at teasing my old friend Frank. If you are serious, I apologize if I offended you in any way by my comment. This website is a lot of fun, and everybody contributes a lot of fascinating information and great discussion.

I always enjoy your posts, dagosd2000.

At first my Dago blood got the best of me. But I'm all right with it now. I know this. After stepping on my dick with Frank the other day,it is best to let someone know how you feel. Frank did with me. After I pissed off Frank,I reconciled with a friend who I'd broken contact with for 8 years because he said something to me that pissed me off. Instead of calling him out,I didn't talk to him for 8 years. He didn't know what happened. I was the jerk,not him. Screw it,it's back to business. My mother always said"Things work out for the best." In the last week I learned a lesson or two. Rog

[Randyman]

Bill Dwyre:
De La Hoya-Pacquiao fight is set

The biggest bout in years, supposedly called off 10 days ago, will take place in Las Vegas on Dec. 6.

The biggest boxing match in years will, indeed, take place. Oscar De La Hoya has agreed to a Dec. 6 match with rising superstar Manny Pacquiao.

The official announcement, barring last-minute reversals, will be made in a conference call Thursday morning.

The match, the grand finale of 35-year-old De La Hoya's unprecedented career as the box-office king in a sport that has survived on his back for more than 10 years without a dominant heavyweight, will be held at the MGM Grand Hotel Garden in Las Vegas. The pay-per-view will be available on HBO.

Ten days ago, Richard Schaefer, De La Hoya's partner in the operation of Golden Boy Promotions, and Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank had announced that negotiations for the much-anticipated fight had broken down and it would not take place. Schaefer and De La Hoya wanted a 70-30% split of receipts, which would include a projected 2-million-plus pay-per-view buys. Arum and Pacquiao had balked and the deal was off.

In the interim, as recently as two days ago, stories had appeared that the front-runner to replace Pacquiao on De La Hoya's farewell card was promoter Dan Goossen's Paul Williams, who had a victory over Antonio Margarito. Margarito, who is from Mexico, was the recent surprise winner over Miguel Cotto in a fight that was to set up De La Hoya's next opponent.

But when Margarito won, that took the Puerto Rican Cotto out of the picture and De La Hoya had said all along that he did not want his farewell fight to be against a fellow Mexican. De La Hoya, of Mexican heritage, was raised in East Los Angeles and won an Olympic gold medal for the United States.

But the Williams talks apparently were mostly wishful thinking, and De La Hoya agreed to drop his percentage of the take in a Pacquiao bout to a two-thirds/one-third arrangement.

They will fight at 147 pounds.

Pacquiao, 29, the most celebrated and recognized athlete in the Philippines, has won titles at five lower weights and is more comfortable around 136-140 pounds. De La Hoya has won multiple titles and is more comfortable around 154.

The largest pay-per-view fight in boxing history was the 2007 match between De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather Jr., won by the now-retired Mayweather. That drew 2.4 million buys. De La Hoya previously was involved in the largest non-heavyweight pay-per-view fight when he suffered his first loss, in 1999, against Felix Trinidad.

De La Hoya will take a record of 39-5 with 30 knockouts into the fight. Pacquiao's record is 47-3-2, with 35 knockouts.

[email protected]

As you know, this is not the fight I wanted to see as Oscar's farewell fight (whether it really is a farewell fight remains to be seen). I would have preferred he went out against Antonio Margarito. I'm not being critical of Oscar but I just feel with this fight he puts himself between a rock and a hard place. Though Oscar is certainly not the first fighter to take on a smaller opponent, he has, at the very least, been the most criticized, and wrongly so.

A loss to Manny Paquiao, would not keep him out of the Hall of Fame but it would certainly tarnish his legacy, and for what? A win would produce jeers, no matter how the fight turns out. An easy win over Paquiao would seem like a foregone conclusion and produce a collective "So what". A hard fought narrow victory would justify (at least in perception) all the criticism.

However, since they are going to fight, my hope is that De La Hoya will whip himself into the best shape of his life and fight as if he means it. Don't let it become a battle of attrition, because Manny will be there fighting, swinging and trying his damnedest to win, from the first bell to the last. It's what he does. If Paquiao wins this fight he won't just be the national hero of the Philippines, he'll be their god.

[Expug]

Randy, My Grandfather was the same way about Dempsey as you.
Growing up he was the only athlete, along with Mickey Walker that he ever talked about.
He was forever pissed off about the long count.
He never forgave Tunney.

[Expug]

Another thing about Dempsey.
Can you imagine what taking on a Young, HUNGRY Kid Blackie in one of those hobo jungles he found himself often in was like?
Those hobos who tried to take any advantage of that kid were taking their lives in their hands .
That had to have been a viscous period in Jacks life and Im sure he handled himself just fine.
This was a guy not to be fooled with.

[dagosd2000]

CLICK

I ain't much for betting on sports. It takes the fun out of it for me. But when they signed up Roy Jones to fight Ruiz,I figured this was like takin' candy from a baby. Besides I didn't like the way Ruiz fought in the ring. Holding,grabbing,fouling,complaining. He was gonna lose and wanted to make some money on it.

The Coahuila is still the sin hole of TJ. A real Honky Tonk And Tin Pan Alley rolled into one. I tell people about the place and they ask me if it isn't dangerous. Hell no. There's more cops there than anywhere else. Well one night all the cops in the Coahuila might not have prevented my demise if it had not been the sound of a "Click." So here's the story.

Like I was relatin',anything goes in the Coahuila if you got the dough. Dames,liquor,drugs,smuggling,and anything else that's against the law. It's all OK if you have "Theee Moneee."

They put a Caliente Sports Book right in the middle of Coahuila Street. Shows they have no mercy. If the bars and the dames and the cops don't get it,the gamblers will take the rest. More empty pockets leaving that place than tourists getting off a subway in Rome.
The Book in the Coahuila isn't very classy, so there's no cover. The most degenerate of the gambling degenerates can be found strewn around tables with racing forms spread out,smoking,chewing on stale popcorn, and betting on everything from dog racing to Jai Lai Games. Television sets all along the walls with the sound off. To me it's boring but to the gambling degenerate,they have died and gone to heaven.

Jones I can't figure can lose. He's at his peak,and unless he fouls Ruiz,he' a lead pipe cinch. I just got to figure on how to bet it. i'm thinking Jones by KO,but I figure Ruiz can hold enough to go the route. I bet it that way. I get the short odds,but load up the bet. It ain't much of a fight,but I picked it correctly and go to the window to collect my money. Now the fun part. How to spend it? Or should I say ,blow it? I think",easy come,easy go." So I go across the street to the Monaco Club.

The Monaco is my kind of night club. A low ceiling and even lower morals. The place is pretty full up. Lots of girls ,and drunks swinging them around the dance floor before swinging them around the bedroom. I see good 'ol Beatriz with a crowd around her at the other end. She sees me. I'm one of her favorites. I throw a lot of money at her and we drink it up and dance it up and then we go up. I'm fat, so it's all gravy. Might as well put that gravy on Beatriz.

Funny about her. She has buck teeth,but a dynamite figure. She dances like a wild animal and she's always wearin' something that sparkles and fits her tight. Who cares about buck teeth anyway?

Well we're sittin' in a booth soaked in beer enjoying the music and shots of tequila when I notice some dude waliking right towards us. Probably a drunk,but nothing is worrying me. I'm looking at the waiter to order another round and catch this guy out of the corner of my eye. I'm about to push him away when he pulls this howitzer from his belt and puts it in my face.

Now don't believe this shit about your life passing in front of you. I didn't see my life,only the barrel of a gun. I'm stiill waiting to see my maker when I hear"Click". Misfire. The gun didn't go off. Ever see a polaris missile launched from a submarine?That's what I looked like when I pounced on this guy along with the rest of the bar. There's girls screaming and guys shouting. The cops explode inside. There's confusion. They beat the shit out of the alleged assassin and slam him in a police car. Turns out the guy was Beatrix's husband, Followed her up to TJ from Jalisco and found her sitting next to me in the Monaco Club. After things quieted,I figured I better not push my luck. I left and walked up the street to the corner. I flagged a cab.
"Where you going,amigo" asked the cabby.
"As far away from here as possible."

[Randyman]

Randy, My Grandfather was the same way about Dempsey as you.
Growing up he was the only athlete, along with Mickey Walker that he ever talked about.
He was forever pissed off about the long count.
He never forgave Tunney.

Well, your grandfather picked the two correct ones. The long count happened before my time but I have been retroactively angry (is that even possible?) about it since I was a kid. Man I love that photo that Frank posted. It is so symbolic of the times. Dempsey or Marciano? Who wins?

[Randyman]

Another thing about Dempsey.
Can you imagine what taking on a Young, HUNGRY Kid Blackie in one of those hobo jungles he found himself often in was like?
Those hobos who tried to take any advantage of that kid were taking their lives in their hands .
That had to have been a viscous period in Jacks life and Im sure he handled himself just fine.
This was a guy not to be fooled with.

There was a movie about Jack Dempsey that came out in 1983 starring Treat Williams as Dempsey. The movie was called, what else? "Dempsey". Jack Dempsey deserved better and I'm surprised, considering that Dempsey has reached mythic and legendary proportions, that the definitive movie about his life has yet to be made.

[Randyman]

CLICK

I ain't much for betting on sports. It takes the fun out of it for me. But when they signed up Roy Jones to fight Ruiz,I figured this was like takin' candy from a baby. Besides I didn't like the way Ruiz fought in the ring. Holding,grabbing,fouling,complaining. He was gonna lose and wanted to make some money on it.

The Coahuila is still the sin hole of TJ. A real Honky Tonk And Tin Pan Alley rolled into one. I tell people about the place and they ask me if it isn't dangerous. Hell no. There's more cops there than anywhere else. Well one night all the cops in the Coahuila might not have prevented my demise if it had not been the sound of a "Click." So here's the story.

Like I was relatin',anything goes in the Coahuila if you got the dough. Dames,liquor,drugs,smuggling,and anything else that's against the law. It's all OK if you have "Theee Moneee."

They put a Caliente Sports Book right in the middle of Coahuila Street. Shows they have no mercy. If the bars and the dames and the cops don't get it,the gamblers will take the rest. More empty pockets leaving that place than tourists getting off a subway in Rome.
The Book in the Coahuila isn't very classy, so there's no cover. The most degenerate of the gambling degenerates can be found strewn around tables with racing forms spread out,smoking,chewing on stale popcorn, and betting on everything from dog racing to Jai Lai Games. Television sets all along the walls with the sound off. To me it's boring but to the gambling degenerate,they have died and gone to heaven.

Jones I can't figure can lose. He's at his peak,and unless he fouls Ruiz,he' a lead pipe cinch. I just got to figure on how to bet it. i'm thinking Jones by KO,but I figure Ruiz can hold enough to go the route. I bet it that way. I get the short odds,but load up the bet. It ain't much of a fight,but I picked it correctly and go to the window to collect my money. Now the fun part. How to spend it? Or should I say ,blow it? I think",easy come,easy go." So I go across the street to the Monaco Club.

The Monaco is my kind of night club. A low ceiling and even lower morals. The place is pretty full up. Lots of girls ,and drunks swinging them around the dance floor before swinging them around the bedroom. I see good 'ol Beatriz with a crowd around her at the other end. She sees me. I'm one of her favorites. I throw a lot of money at her and we drink it up and dance it up and then we go up. I'm fat, so it's all gravy. Might as well put that gravy on Beatriz.

Funny about her. She has buck teeth,but a dynamite figure. She dances like a wild animal and she's always wearin' something that sparkles and fits her tight. Who cares about buck teeth anyway?

Well we're sittin' in a booth soaked in beer enjoying the music and shots of tequila when I notice some dude waliking right towards us. Probably a drunk,but nothing is worrying me. I'm looking at the waiter to order another round and catch this guy out of the corner of my eye. I'm about to push him away when he pulls this howitzer from his belt and puts it in my face.

Now don't believe this shit about your life passing in front of you. I didn't see my life,only the barrel of a gun. I'm stiill waiting to see my maker when I hear"Click". Misfire. The gun didn't go off. Ever see a polaris missile launched from a submarine?That's what I looked like when I pounced on this guy along with the rest of the bar. There's girls screaming and guys shouting. The cops explode inside. There's confusion. They beat the shit out of the alleged assassin and slam him in a police car. Turns out the guy was Beatrix's husband, Followed her up to TJ from Jalisco and found her sitting next to me in the Monaco Club. After things quieted,I figured I better not push my luck. I left and walked up the street to the corner. I flagged a cab.
"Where you going,amigo" asked the cabby.
"As far away from here as possible."

Now that my friend, is a story. Too, too close for comfort. Sounds like a classy joint. Been back?

[Randyman]

Alexis Arguello


"El Flaco Explosivo"

By Diego

Rog, you really nailed it. That's Alexis Arguello!

[Expug]

Randy, My Grandfather was the same way about Dempsey as you.
Growing up he was the only athlete, along with Mickey Walker that he ever talked about.
He was forever pissed off about the long count.
He never forgave Tunney.

Well, your grandfather picked the two correct ones. The long count happened before my time but I have been retroactively angry (is that even possible?) about it since I was a kid. Man I love that photo that Frank posted. It is so symbolic of the times. Dempsey or Marciano? Who wins?

I think he was further infuriated that the long count happened right here in Chicago at Soldier field .

[kikibalt]

Origin of the word 'dickhead'.

[Randyman]

Origin of the word 'dickhead'.

Man, you're not kidding. Now that's funny!

[Randyman]

Randy, My Grandfather was the same way about Dempsey as you.
Growing up he was the only athlete, along with Mickey Walker that he ever talked about.
He was forever pissed off about the long count.
He never forgave Tunney.

Well, your grandfather picked the two correct ones. The long count happened before my time but I have been retroactively angry (is that even possible?) about it since I was a kid. Man I love that photo that Frank posted. It is so symbolic of the times. Dempsey or Marciano? Who wins?

I think he was further infuriated that the long count happened right here in Chicago at Soldier field .

That would be his territorial pride. Common among the real men. Your grandfather sounds like quite a guy.

[Expug]

Another thing about Dempsey.
Can you imagine what taking on a Young, HUNGRY Kid Blackie in one of those hobo jungles he found himself often in was like?
Those hobos who tried to take any advantage of that kid were taking their lives in their hands .
That had to have been a viscous period in Jacks life and Im sure he handled himself just fine.
This was a guy not to be fooled with.

There was a movie about Jack Dempsey that came out in 1983 starring Treat Williams as Dempsey. The movie was called, what else? "Dempsey". Jack Dempsey deserved better and I'm surprised, considering that Dempsey has reached mythic and legendary proportions, that the definitive movie about his life has yet to be made.

Thats a very good point Randy.
I dont recall being really moved by the Treat Williams Dempsey.
Dempseys story is fascinating also.
Who in the history of the world had a more interesting life?
Riding the rails, frontier towns,Saloons, The Roaring Twenties, fighting in front of enormous crowds, Jack Kearns, Estelle Taylor,Hollywood, Military service after his career.(Coast Guard)., The famous restaraunt.The adulation of millions, etc.
The guy was a legend .

[kikibalt]

Jack Dempsey


"Dempsey"

By Diego

[dagosd2000]

CLICK

I ain't much for betting on sports. It takes the fun out of it for me. But when they signed up Roy Jones to fight Ruiz,I figured this was like takin' candy from a baby. Besides I didn't like the way Ruiz fought in the ring. Holding,grabbing,fouling,complaining. He was gonna lose and wanted to make some money on it.

The Coahuila is still the sin hole of TJ. A real Honky Tonk And Tin Pan Alley rolled into one. I tell people about the place and they ask me if it isn't dangerous. Hell no. There's more cops there than anywhere else. Well one night all the cops in the Coahuila might not have prevented my demise if it had not been the sound of a "Click." So here's the story.

Like I was relatin',anything goes in the Coahuila if you got the dough. Dames,liquor,drugs,smuggling,and anything else that's against the law. It's all OK if you have "Theee Moneee."

They put a Caliente Sports Book right in the middle of Coahuila Street. Shows they have no mercy. If the bars and the dames and the cops don't get it,the gamblers will take the rest. More empty pockets leaving that place than tourists getting off a subway in Rome.
The Book in the Coahuila isn't very classy, so there's no cover. The most degenerate of the gambling degenerates can be found strewn around tables with racing forms spread out,smoking,chewing on stale popcorn, and betting on everything from dog racing to Jai Lai Games. Television sets all along the walls with the sound off. To me it's boring but to the gambling degenerate,they have died and gone to heaven.

Jones I can't figure can lose. He's at his peak,and unless he fouls Ruiz,he' a lead pipe cinch. I just got to figure on how to bet it. i'm thinking Jones by KO,but I figure Ruiz can hold enough to go the route. I bet it that way. I get the short odds,but load up the bet. It ain't much of a fight,but I picked it correctly and go to the window to collect my money. Now the fun part. How to spend it? Or should I say ,blow it? I think",easy come,easy go." So I go across the street to the Monaco Club.

The Monaco is my kind of night club. A low ceiling and even lower morals. The place is pretty full up. Lots of girls ,and drunks swinging them around the dance floor before swinging them around the bedroom. I see good 'ol Beatriz with a crowd around her at the other end. She sees me. I'm one of her favorites. I throw a lot of money at her and we drink it up and dance it up and then we go up. I'm fat, so it's all gravy. Might as well put that gravy on Beatriz.

Funny about her. She has buck teeth,but a dynamite figure. She dances like a wild animal and she's always wearin' something that sparkles and fits her tight. Who cares about buck teeth anyway?

Well we're sittin' in a booth soaked in beer enjoying the music and shots of tequila when I notice some dude waliking right towards us. Probably a drunk,but nothing is worrying me. I'm looking at the waiter to order another round and catch this guy out of the corner of my eye. I'm about to push him away when he pulls this howitzer from his belt and puts it in my face.

Now don't believe this shit about your life passing in front of you. I didn't see my life,only the barrel of a gun. I'm stiill waiting to see my maker when I hear"Click". Misfire. The gun didn't go off. Ever see a polaris missile launched from a submarine?That's what I looked like when I pounced on this guy along with the rest of the bar. There's girls screaming and guys shouting. The cops explode inside. There's confusion. They beat the shit out of the alleged assassin and slam him in a police car. Turns out the guy was Beatrix's husband, Followed her up to TJ from Jalisco and found her sitting next to me in the Monaco Club. After things quieted,I figured I better not push my luck. I left and walked up the street to the corner. I flagged a cab.
"Where you going,amigo" asked the cabby.
"As far away from here as possible."

Now that my friend, is a story. Too, too close for comfort. Sounds like a classy joint. Been back?

You know Pal

I've been back once. After that episode,I didn't go back for a long time. I finally did about a couple of years ago.It was during the day. The place was just opening up. It was empty. You could smell the stale beer from the night before. I had a beer at the bar. The bartender was putting out cases of Corona. I asked him if Beatriz still worked at night. The bartender said she married some guy a while back.. An old man that used to come in. The old man just wanted to dance with the girls. That's probably all he could do now. He just wanted to dance and talk to a woman. I guess his wife had died. Well Beatriz married him. The bartender said the old guy had a big house and some property. Beatriz had a kid. A little girl. The bartender said he hadn't seen any of them since he heard they got married. That old man must have been a pretty good guy. He couldn't have married a better woman than Beatriz.

[Expug]

Thanks Randy.
Gramps was quite a guy.
He was a baliff at the Cook County Courthouse where he met my Grandmother who was a Chicago Cop.

[kikibalt]

Mando Ramos vs Allen Syers

[Randyman]

Hey randy

Real qiuck with this repeater. One night Murphy and Hatfield are in the Arizona trying to raze the building,when Radovich tells the two that there's a party on Santa Monica with all kids of free booze and whores. As added incentive,Radovich says it's a Mexican party. Now the boys can fight after f----n'. Or visa versus. Well Santa Monica is the street where the Arizona is on. Murphy and Hatfield leave. They're forgotten. Probably in jail. George is waitng for the bail bondsman's call. Well 2 hours later the phone rings. It's Murphy. Him and Hatfield are drivin' around Santa Monica, CALIFORNIA. They want directions to the party.

Somebody should have got these guys a compass and a map. The real tragedy here is that they missed good Mexican party. They'll never know what they missed.

[dagosd2000]

When Bob Johnston's Sports Palace was on its last legs on lower Market Street,my dad took me in there to meet Johnston. He managed Arch and went way back to the Old Madison Square Garden,Louis,and Jack Dempsey. Inside Johnston's office was sittin' Doc Kearns. My dad and them had a drink and were taliking about thing that were out of this world to me.

[Randyman]

Thanks Randy.
Gramps was quite a guy.
He was a baliff at the Cook County Courthouse where he met my Grandmother who was a Chicago Cop.

You're grandmother was a Chicago cop? Chicago is and was a tough town (never been there but as they say, it's reputation precedes it). Now she sounds like quite a lady. There just has to be a story there.