Classic American West Coast Boxing

[Rick Farris]

Frank, why was it that Vince's last name was never pronounced properly. Maybe it was because of all his fights in N.Y.? Instead of the proper Spanish pronounciation of "Mar-TEEN-Ez", he was always referrred to as "Mar-TINez". I don't expect East Coasters to know the Spanish culture as we do here in Southern Cal, but this guy had reached a level of success to at least have his name pronounced correctly. With all respect to Johnnie Addie, he was no Jimmy Lennon Sr. In my book, nobody was. Dan Tobie might be a close second. I credit the arrogant Michael Buffer as being pretty damn good (even if his tan comes from a bottle), but for my money, Jimmy Lennon Jr. comes in second behind his pop. Looks like Jimmy Jr. will host this year's WBHOF banquet, and that sits good with me. He's one of us!

By the way, Frank. Do you have any photos of Jimmy Lennon Sr. back in the good 'ol days before his hair went totally grey? He was one helluva Irish tennor in his day, and a resident of Santa Monica, as was Lawrance Welk, a band leader from an era before ours. Welk used to broadcast his early 50's TV show from the old Aragon ballroom on the Pier next to the Pacific Ocean Park fun zone. Man, I feel I was there, and I feel as if I attended fights (or fought) at the Ocean Park arena. Of course, I'm just dreaming, I guess. There was a guy who fought there, and was once a contender, named Tommy Garland. I met Garland before his death in a Venice Dive Bar called "The Brig" owned by an ex-fighter. Today, that "dive bar" is a trendy Abbott Kinney Blvd. night spot. The pic of the fighter still adorns the wall above the parking lot, but nobody knows or cares who the hell he was. Hap Navarro remembered the guy, not a big name, but Hap remembered him.

-Rick

Frank, in the above post I referred to an ex-pug I met and drank with once in a Venice, Cal. dive bar during the 80's. His name was Tommy Garland, and he was from Culver City. I just took the time to access his record and he had a lot of fights at the old Ocean Park Arena, and he did pretty good, I'd say. Boxrec tells us he passed a few years back at 81 years old. Could you post his record? He deserves to be remembered here! (His real name was Tommy Leonard).

-Rick (the ghost of "One Round Hogan")

[Rick Farris]

My new puppies . . .

Guys, I've sat at this computor and looked at Frank's pictures of his little dogs, and I wanted one of my own. So did my wife, Monica. So today we adopted our own. We adopted two little abandoned 9 week old pups. They are chihuahua/terrior mix muts that are litter siblings, a male and female. One is brown (like my wife) the other white (like me). Damn they are cute, and smart and . . . shit, I'm a dad again.

-Rick

[bennie]

Tuesday, Oct.24,1989, the last day the L.A. Herald Examiner was in print

Tremendous article Frank. Here's my recollection of Maromero.
THE TUMBLER

I remember when he started out. i thought the aficianados would laugh at him. The baggy pants. The somersaults. The clowning around. Oh,they laughed,but not at him. He was performing like he did in his abuelita's circus in Mexicali. Ever been to the Mexican Circus? Little family run circuses. They're all over Mexico. When they come to town they get a pretty good business. It doesn't cost much to go. The kids get to see a lion or a tiger. The trapeze artists. And of course,the clowns. I used to take my kids when we lived in TJ. What I liked too was the circus was in a tent. An intamacy that you don't get when Ringling Brothers is at Madison Square Garden. Maybe we saw Maromero. Can't tell with all the grease paint. Churros and popcorn. Flautas and limonada.Cotton Candy. Get your picture taken and they put it in one of those little cone shaped magnifying glasses. Noisy,crowded with kids. The circus people are a good lot. That's what they want to do. Perform and make people happy.

Maromero was on top for a while. He was a Champ of some sorts. He didn't want to be the killer like Chavez. He wanted to perform. Be the clown like in his abuelita's circus in Mexicali. Entertain the poor people.Make people laugh. He did that for the Mexican people.

The last time I saw Maromero he was drunk. In a club, drunk and bloated. He was having the time of his life. There was a big crowd around him. It was like he was performing again. Mexico had enough "killers" in the ring. Maromero made them laugh. But remember they were never laughing at him.

Paez can always say he took part in the last world title fight to go the full 15 rounds.
He did.

[bennie]

For me it was on a undercard fight of James "Quick" Tillis vs a guy named Lery Boone at the Old Americana Congress Hotel in Chicago in 83.
Just a four rounder for me, but I made the poster.
Man I was puffin my chest.

That's a big deal, Pug. Tillis is the first man to take Tyson the distance, as well as fight the cream of the heavyweight crop of the era. I hope you still have your poster, mine was lost with other mementos in a nasty divorce.

-Rick

Oh dear. Sorry to hear that, Rick.
Leroy Boone brings back a few memories. They brought him over as a sacrificial lamb for Neville Meade in the early 1980s. Meade was an old man but Boone looked about 90 and yet he outlasted Neville in a fight that made you thank God for the arrival of Frank Bruno.

[kikibalt]

My new puppies . . .

Guys, I've sat at this computor and looked at Frank's pictures of his little dogs, and I wanted one of my own. So did my wife, Monica. So today we adopted our own. We adopted two little abandoned 9 week old pups. They are chihuahua/terrior mix muts that are litter siblings, a male and female. One is brown (like my wife) the other white (like me). Damn they are cute, and smart and . . . shit, I'm a dad again.

-Rick

Rick,

Shoot some pics. of your doggies and send them to me so I can post'em.

[kikibalt]

Frank, in the above post I referred to an ex-pug I met and drank with once in a Venice, Cal. dive bar during the 80's. His name was Tommy Garland, and he was from Culver City. I just took the time to access his record and he had a lot of fights at the old Ocean Park Arena, and he did pretty good, I'd say. Boxrec tells us he passed a few years back at 81 years old. Could you post his record? He deserves to be remembered here! (His real name was Tommy Leonard).

-Rick (the ghost of "One Round Hogan")

Rick, here is Tommy Garland's record, he fought some names that I recognize, more on that later.

Tommy Garland

Alias Tommy Leonard
Birth Name Leonard
Country USA
Global Id 51516
Hometown Culver City, CO
Birthplace Culver City, CA, USA
Division Heavyweight
Born 1920-05-04
Died 2001-09-27
Height 178cm


Career Record © http://www.boxrec.com

Date Opponent Location Result
1948-08-16 Bobby Dare Ocean Park, USA L UD 10
1948-07-12 Frisco James Ocean Park, USA W UD 10
1948-05-17 Ernie Rios Ocean Park, USA W UD 10
1948-04-19 John Donnelly Ocean Park, USA W UD 10
1948-03-22 John Donnelly Ocean Park, USA W SD 10
1948-01-26 George Kochan Ocean Park, USA W TKO 10
1947-12-19 Freddie Beshore Hollywood, USA L UD 10
1947-10-17 Gene Felton Hollywood, USA W TKO 8
1947-09-19 Jerry McSwain San Diego, USA L PTS 10
1947-09-05 Gene Felton Hollywood, USA W KO 8
1947-09-01 Jack Warren Ocean Park, USA W PTS 10
1947-06-10 Tiger Sheppard Los Angeles, USA L SD 10
1947-04-22 Bobby Zander Los Angeles, USA L UD 10
1947-02-17 Billy Grant New York City, USA W UD 10
1947-02-01 Jimmy Hooper Brooklyn, USA W PTS 8
1947-01-04 John Holloway Brooklyn, USA W TKO 6
1946-12-23 Jimmy Meeks New York City, USA W TKO 2
1946-11-30 Bob Miller Brooklyn, USA W TKO 3
1946-08-06 Watson Jones Los Angeles, USA L UD 10
1946-06-19 Jack Hannan Porter Oakland, USA W PTS 10
1946-06-03 Ira Hughes Ocean Park, USA W TKO 6
1946-04-29 Nolan Sharp Ocean Park, USA W TD 7
1946-02-13 Young Harry Wills Long Beach, USA W PTS 6
1946-01-21 John Donnelly Ocean Park, USA W TKO 5
1946-01-16 Jack Butler Long Beach, USA W PTS 6
1946-01-07 Nolan Sharp Ocean Park, USA W UD 10
1945-12-10 Harold Dettman Ocean Park, USA W UD 10
1945-11-19 Tiger Sheppard Ocean Park, USA L MD 10
1945-10-01 Francis Ogg Ocean Park, USA W TD 4
1945-09-17 Francis Ogg Ocean Park, USA W PTS 10
1944-09-11 Gaston Miller Ocean Park, USA W PTS 10
1944-08-14 Louis Wise Ocean Park, USA L PTS 10
1944-04-14 Lane Hale Hollywood, USA W TKO 6
1944-03-20 Bradis Flowers Ocean Park, USA W TKO 7
1944-02-21 Willie Johnson Ocean Park, USA W KO 8
1944-02-14 Paul Doyle Ocean Park, USA W PTS 8
1944-01-31 Jack Hibbard Ocean Park, USA W TKO 5
1943-12-06 Leonard Nix Ocean Park, USA W KO 6
1943-07-05 Hal Fieberling Ocean Park, USA D PTS 8
1943-06-14 Bob Ford Ocean Park, USA W PTS 6
1942-11-30 Acey Haynesworth Ocean Park, USA D PTS 6
1942-11-23 Bob Ford Ocean Park, USA D PTS 6
1942-09-28 Walter Fuller Ocean Park, USA W PTS 6
1942-07-20 Lloyd Mackey Ocean Park, USA W TKO 1
1942-06-08 Jimmy Martin Ocean Park, USA W PTS 6
1942-05-06 Jimmy Martin Ocean Park, USA W PTS 6
1942-01-05 Jack Butler Ocean Park, USA W KO 2
1941-12-15 Jack Butler Ocean Park, USA W PTS 6
1941-10-27 Billy Metcalf Ocean Park, USA W PTS 6
1941-09-22 Billy Metcalf Ocean Park, USA L PTS 6
1941-02-24 Art Peveler Ocean Park, USA W PTS 4
1940-12-16 Frank Jackson Ocean Park, USA W KO 3
1940-06-10 Red Nibert Ocean Park, USA D PTS 6
1940-06-03 Red Nibert Ocean Park, USA W TKO 5
1939-12-11 Bert Velasquez Ocean Park, USA L PTS 6
1939-09-25 Shorty Hogue Ocean Park, USA L PTS 6
1939-09-15 Big Boy Hogue San Diego, USA L PTS 6
1939-09-11 Clay Rowan Ocean Park, USA W KO 2
1939-09-08 Shorty Hogue San Diego, USA W TKO 2
1939-08-21 Clay Rowan Ocean Park, USA L PTS 4
1939-05-15 Milton Kell Ocean Park, USA W PTS 6
1939-05-02 Lou Gomez Los Angeles, USA D PTS 4
1939-04-10 Shorty Hogue Ocean Park, USA W TKO 3

Record to Date
Won 45 (KOs 20) Lost 13 Drawn 5 Total 63

[Rick Farris]

My new puppies . . .

Guys, I've sat at this computor and looked at Frank's pictures of his little dogs, and I wanted one of my own. So did my wife, Monica. So today we adopted our own. We adopted two little abandoned 9 week old pups. They are chihuahua/terrior mix muts that are litter siblings, a male and female. One is brown (like my wife) the other white (like me). Damn they are cute, and smart and . . . shit, I'm a dad again.

-Rick

Rick,

Shoot some pics. of your doggies and send them to me so I can post'em.

I will, Frank. Monica's shooting pics and this coming weekend when I have time to post again, I'll ge them to you.

-Rick

[Rick Farris]

Frank, in the above post I referred to an ex-pug I met and drank with once in a Venice, Cal. dive bar during the 80's. His name was Tommy Garland, and he was from Culver City. I just took the time to access his record and he had a lot of fights at the old Ocean Park Arena, and he did pretty good, I'd say. Boxrec tells us he passed a few years back at 81 years old. Could you post his record? He deserves to be remembered here! (His real name was Tommy Leonard).

-Rick (the ghost of "One Round Hogan")

Rick, here is Tommy Garland's record, he fought some names that I recognize, more on that later.

Tommy Garland

Alias Tommy Leonard
Birth Name Leonard
Country USA
Global Id 51516
Hometown Culver City, CO
Birthplace Culver City, CA, USA
Division Heavyweight
Born 1920-05-04
Died 2001-09-27
Height 178cm


Career Record © http://www.boxrec.com

Date Opponent Location Result
1948-08-16 Bobby Dare Ocean Park, USA L UD 10
1948-07-12 Frisco James Ocean Park, USA W UD 10
1948-05-17 Ernie Rios Ocean Park, USA W UD 10
1948-04-19 John Donnelly Ocean Park, USA W UD 10
1948-03-22 John Donnelly Ocean Park, USA W SD 10
1948-01-26 George Kochan Ocean Park, USA W TKO 10
1947-12-19 Freddie Beshore Hollywood, USA L UD 10
1947-10-17 Gene Felton Hollywood, USA W TKO 8
1947-09-19 Jerry McSwain San Diego, USA L PTS 10
1947-09-05 Gene Felton Hollywood, USA W KO 8
1947-09-01 Jack Warren Ocean Park, USA W PTS 10
1947-06-10 Tiger Sheppard Los Angeles, USA L SD 10
1947-04-22 Bobby Zander Los Angeles, USA L UD 10
1947-02-17 Billy Grant New York City, USA W UD 10
1947-02-01 Jimmy Hooper Brooklyn, USA W PTS 8
1947-01-04 John Holloway Brooklyn, USA W TKO 6
1946-12-23 Jimmy Meeks New York City, USA W TKO 2
1946-11-30 Bob Miller Brooklyn, USA W TKO 3
1946-08-06 Watson Jones Los Angeles, USA L UD 10
1946-06-19 Jack Hannan Porter Oakland, USA W PTS 10
1946-06-03 Ira Hughes Ocean Park, USA W TKO 6
1946-04-29 Nolan Sharp Ocean Park, USA W TD 7
1946-02-13 Young Harry Wills Long Beach, USA W PTS 6
1946-01-21 John Donnelly Ocean Park, USA W TKO 5
1946-01-16 Jack Butler Long Beach, USA W PTS 6
1946-01-07 Nolan Sharp Ocean Park, USA W UD 10
1945-12-10 Harold Dettman Ocean Park, USA W UD 10
1945-11-19 Tiger Sheppard Ocean Park, USA L MD 10
1945-10-01 Francis Ogg Ocean Park, USA W TD 4
1945-09-17 Francis Ogg Ocean Park, USA W PTS 10
1944-09-11 Gaston Miller Ocean Park, USA W PTS 10
1944-08-14 Louis Wise Ocean Park, USA L PTS 10
1944-04-14 Lane Hale Hollywood, USA W TKO 6
1944-03-20 Bradis Flowers Ocean Park, USA W TKO 7
1944-02-21 Willie Johnson Ocean Park, USA W KO 8
1944-02-14 Paul Doyle Ocean Park, USA W PTS 8
1944-01-31 Jack Hibbard Ocean Park, USA W TKO 5
1943-12-06 Leonard Nix Ocean Park, USA W KO 6
1943-07-05 Hal Fieberling Ocean Park, USA D PTS 8
1943-06-14 Bob Ford Ocean Park, USA W PTS 6
1942-11-30 Acey Haynesworth Ocean Park, USA D PTS 6
1942-11-23 Bob Ford Ocean Park, USA D PTS 6
1942-09-28 Walter Fuller Ocean Park, USA W PTS 6
1942-07-20 Lloyd Mackey Ocean Park, USA W TKO 1
1942-06-08 Jimmy Martin Ocean Park, USA W PTS 6
1942-05-06 Jimmy Martin Ocean Park, USA W PTS 6
1942-01-05 Jack Butler Ocean Park, USA W KO 2
1941-12-15 Jack Butler Ocean Park, USA W PTS 6
1941-10-27 Billy Metcalf Ocean Park, USA W PTS 6
1941-09-22 Billy Metcalf Ocean Park, USA L PTS 6
1941-02-24 Art Peveler Ocean Park, USA W PTS 4
1940-12-16 Frank Jackson Ocean Park, USA W KO 3
1940-06-10 Red Nibert Ocean Park, USA D PTS 6
1940-06-03 Red Nibert Ocean Park, USA W TKO 5
1939-12-11 Bert Velasquez Ocean Park, USA L PTS 6
1939-09-25 Shorty Hogue Ocean Park, USA L PTS 6
1939-09-15 Big Boy Hogue San Diego, USA L PTS 6
1939-09-11 Clay Rowan Ocean Park, USA W KO 2
1939-09-08 Shorty Hogue San Diego, USA W TKO 2
1939-08-21 Clay Rowan Ocean Park, USA L PTS 4
1939-05-15 Milton Kell Ocean Park, USA W PTS 6
1939-05-02 Lou Gomez Los Angeles, USA D PTS 4
1939-04-10 Shorty Hogue Ocean Park, USA W TKO 3

Record to Date
Won 45 (KOs 20) Lost 13 Drawn 5 Total 63

Thank you, Frank. I was sure you'd be familiar with some of the names. The only one that I'm really familiar with is Freddie Beshore.

-Rick

[kikibalt]

The names on Tommy Garland's record that I recognize're, Shorty Hogue, Young Harry Willis, Watson Jones, Bobby Zander, Freddie Beshore and Bobby Dare, I seen'em all fight live or on T.V.

I was at the Olympic the nite that Wastson beat Able Fernandez. (1950)

[kikibalt]

Frank, why was it that Vince's last name was never pronounced properly. Maybe it was because of all his fights in N.Y.? Instead of the proper Spanish pronounciation of "Mar-TEEN-Ez", he was always referrred to as "Mar-TINez". I don't expect East Coasters to know the Spanish culture as we do here in Southern Cal, but this guy had reached a level of success to at least have his name pronounced correctly. With all respect to Johnnie Addie, he was no Jimmy Lennon Sr. In my book, nobody was. Dan Tobie might be a close second. I credit the arrogant Michael Buffer as being pretty damn good (even if his tan comes from a bottle), but for my money, Jimmy Lennon Jr. comes in second behind his pop. Looks like Jimmy Jr. will host this year's WBHOF banquet, and that sits good with me. He's one of us!

By the way, Frank. Do you have any photos of Jimmy Lennon Sr. back in the good 'ol days before his hair went totally grey? He was one helluva Irish tennor in his day, and a resident of Santa Monica, as was Lawrance Welk, a band leader from an era before ours. Welk used to broadcast his early 50's TV show from the old Aragon ballroom on the Pier next to the Pacific Ocean Park fun zone. Man, I feel I was there, and I feel as if I attended fights (or fought) at the Ocean Park arena. Of course, I'm just dreaming, I guess. There was a guy who fought there, and was once a contender, named Tommy Garland. I met Garland before his death in a Venice Dive Bar called "The Brig" owned by an ex-fighter. Today, that "dive bar" is a trendy Abbott Kinney Blvd. night spot. The pic of the fighter still adorns the wall above the parking lot, but nobody knows or cares who the hell he was. Hap Navarro remembered the guy, not a big name, but Hap remembered him.

-Rick

Rick,

The reason that Martinez name was pronounced the way it was, I think, because he is Italian, so they used the gabacho pronounciation, Italian or no that wouldn't fly here in So-Cal...

I'll see what pics I have of Jimmy Lennon Sr.

[kikibalt]

Thell Torrance

[kikibalt]

Charlie Shipes


Bruce, what can you tell us about Shipes, who was from you neck
of the woods, "No-Cal"

[bennie]

Thell Torrance

This bloke trains Audley Harrison. He had it easy as a fighter.

[kikibalt]

Hollywood Legion Stadium

[kikibalt]

El Monte Legion Stadium

[Chuck1052]

It is my understanding that Jimmy Lennon Sr. supplemented his income by singing at funerals.

- Chuck Johnston

[kikibalt]

Frankie Baltazar

[bennie]

Hollywood Legion Stadium

Am I the only one thinking of Some Like It Hot?

And Marilyn in that dress.

[kikibalt]

It is my understanding that Jimmy Lennon Sr. supplemented his income by singing at funerals.

- Chuck Johnston

Well, he won't sing at any of our's....

[bennie]

Frankie Baltazar

What's going on here, Frankie? Your lad doesn't look particularly safe.

[kikibalt]

Hollywood Legion Stadium

Am I the only one thinking of Some Like It Hot?

And Marilyn in that dress.

Why're you thinking about MM and that dress?....

[kikibalt]

Frankie Baltazar

What's going on here, Frankie? Your lad doesn't look particularly safe.

Bennie, he did that against my best advise... :x

[Chuck1052]

When talking about top L.A. gate attractions, Mexican Joe Rivers, Bert Colima (especially in the Four-Round Era) and Ace Hudkins should be included. Of course, gate and attendance figures for a number of their bouts may be hard to come by.

- Chuck Johnston

[bennie]

Hollywood Legion Stadium

Am I the only one thinking of Some Like It Hot?

And Marilyn in that dress.

Why're you thinking about MM and that dress?....

No woman will ever top how Marilyn looked in that dress, even though Tony Curtis later said kissing her was like kissing Hitler.

[bennie]

Frankie Baltazar

What's going on here, Frankie? Your lad doesn't look particularly safe.

Bennie, he did that against my best advise... :x

Is this Canastota?