BoxRec

Paul Newman looked like a great guy. The egg scene in Cool Hand Luke is still one of the funniest ever. I know someone who actually tried to emulate it, a big guy with plenty of bollocks. This guy made it to about 23 or 24 eggs (Luke swallowed 50) before he was violently ill and had to quit. Great memories.

bennie wrote:Paul Newman looked like a great guy. The egg scene in Cool Hand Luke is still one of the funniest ever. I know someone who actually tried to emulate it, a big guy with plenty of bollocks. This guy made it to about 23 or 24 eggs (Luke swallowed 50) before he was violently ill and had to quit. Great memories.

Rip Paul.A great actor.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYqwYrbwHeM

kikibalt wrote:
John Thomas

I stole this post of Hap that he posted on John Thomas from the CBZ

A few words about Gentlemman John Thomas, if you please.

There may never be another like him to come our way. He was that good, plus a fine human being in and out of the ring. John was managed by Bert Lewis, owner of a string of barber schools on the west coast, and he was schooled and trained by one of the better teachers of the time, George Tolson, along with Bobby Yeager and Georgie Mendoza.

A look at John's pro record shows that he lost a total of seven bouts, all of them to top-flight contenders and near champions. His fine win streak at the start of his career ended when he engaged in a masterful boxing showdown with the prestigious stylist, Willie Joyce.

But it was destiny's choice to have Thomas competing for parochial pride in the same sphere, California, with Enrique Bolanos. In one of the many dlassic series that have occurred in L.A. boxing, Thomas and Bolanos met twice. Their first match, long awaited by partisan fans, drew a gross gate of $70,000 outdoors. it was a toss up fight until Bolanos' superior punching power turned the tide. Never one to hand around as an also-ran. Thomas retired after losing to Bolanos in an Olympic rematch that also did well at the box office.

It was only natural that John would gravitate to the ranks of popular referees. His style in the ring as a third man was unmatched by any of his older, more corpulent colleagues. John had followed an older brother, Clarence, as an aspiring boxer.

hap navarro

The Trojans . . .

Once again I have put the jinx on a sports team. Last week, in this thread, I let the world know, especially the NCAA Football world, that the USC Trojans could not, and would not suffer a loss on their way to another National Championship. After running over Virginia, Dagos had his doubts, and had the nerve to say that USC might not make it's way thru the PAC-10 this year without some trouble. Well Rog, I just want you to know that I sealed your prediction by contesting it. All I can say is sorry to Pete Carroll, Mark Sanchez and the ghosts SC past. Now, I can forget College football for entertainment until perhaps next year, when they will have another chance at a Natrional Championship (?). Hmmm, I'd drift over the the UCLA side of town (like a true L.A. sports fan), however, they have bigger problems. Well, at least
O.J.'s Jr. College Alma Mater, San Franciso City College remains the top Community College Football team in the country. This is a team with D1 washouts (grades, usually) and hasn't lost a game in years. Back-to-back City College National Championships for years, and we have Oaks Christian High School, perhaps the best in the country with Nick Montana, Joe's kid, calling signals. Hmmm, let's see, how much deeper need I dig my hole before jumping in and asking one of you guys to bury me???? Forget it, I have provan beyond doubt that when it comes to football I'm perfectly suited to burying myself.

-Rick the Greek

bennie wrote:Paul Newman looked like a great guy. The egg scene in Cool Hand Luke is still one of the funniest ever. I know someone who actually tried to emulate it, a big guy with plenty of bollocks. This guy made it to about 23 or 24 eggs (Luke swallowed 50) before he was violently ill and had to quit. Great memories.

I worked with Paul Newman on three features, the last was "Blaze", shot in New Orleans. I'll share a story that I loved this great actor for, a behind the scenes tale that happened when I was on location with him in Florida for the movie "Absence of Malice", with Paul and Sally Field. I have to get to a WBHOF meeting this morning and I'm running late. I'll tell the story, and you'll hear what the great Mr. Newman did when confronted by a not-so-great Sally Field. The girl from Gidget and the Flying Nun crossed the wrong guy when she messed with PAul. you'll love the story, and I'll share it a little later.


Rest in Peace Paul, you are a true all-time great human being!!!!!!! Those of us who had the honor and pleasure of working with you will miss you dearly.

-Rick

My Greatest "On Set" Memory of Paul Newman . . . "Absense of Malice"

Thruout the film industry, everybody knows the pleassure of working with certain actors. Paul Newman was one of those actors, a regular guy, as was Michael Landon and is Clint Eastwood. These guys didn't have time for bullshit, all gifted film professionals and skilled in areas behind the camera as well as in front. I worked with Newman briefly in the beginning of my career in the mid 70's. It was at Universal, where I was "breaking in" and the Film was "The Sting". The last was on a film location in New Orleans where Paul was paired with Lolita Davidovich, in a so-so film, "Blaze".

However, the most unforgetable experience took place in Florida, on the location set of an Academy Award winning film, "Absence of Malice".

Sally Field is a great actress, and I had worked on a number of feature films. On this day, we were shooting a very emotional scene involving a two-shot with Newman and Sally. Sally can be pain-in-the-ass and in the final scene of the day, she tells director Sydney Pollack, that she want's her close-up to be shot first, followed by Paul's. Newman doesn't care, ladies go first. So they do this dramatic scene where Newman's charactor has to spill his heart, tears, the whole bit.

After Newman plays off-camera to help Field play her role (she won an Oscar for it) the cameras turn around on Newman for his close-up, equally challenging. Now it's more than a courtesy for an actor to read their off-camera lines to the other's close-up. Especially when you are dealing with legends on the set. (Pollack won a directorial Oscar for Absence as well as other films.) Field pulled herself together after her C/U and said her "good bye's" leaving the set. What about her playing off camera for Newman? Paul just smiled and said nothing. Newman is a pro, and turned in a brilliant performance playing off the words of our script supervisor, a man in his sixties.

The next evening's scene was equally dramatic, the kind that challenge actors. On this day, Mr. Newman told Sydney Pollack he'd like his C/U to be shot first. Like the evening before, it was one of those emotionally challenging scenes, especially for Field. When Paul's C/U was in the can, he stood up, said his good bye's and walked off the set. Field was livid. She could not imagine pulling off a scene of this nature without the actual charactor to play off. Sally literally screamed across the set, "Come back here, You're not finished!!!"

We watched Sally run across the park following Newman who was on his way back to his motor home to have a beer. "Stop? . . . Stop" . . . . Stop!" Field sceamed. Newman never looked back, went up the steps to his motor home/dressing room and slammed the door in Field's face. The last thing we heard was Sally, screaming her lungs out . . . "You Son-of-a-Bitch!!!!!

Sally pulled off her scene without Newman, but it wasn't easy, perhaps her emotion worked for her. She got her Oscar.

We all love Paul Newman. He was the type of guy you hoped he would be. Just like Michael Landon, Clint Eastwood, James Garner. All class acts, ultimate professionals, bigger than life. How lucky for me to be able to share this story.

Again, R.I.P. Paul Newman


-Rick Farris

Great story on Paul Newmen, Rick, thanks for sharing it with us.

kikibalt wrote:Shane Mosley to fight Ricardo Mayorga

Both boxers are thinking ahead to who might be their next opponents after the Saturday fight at Home Depot Center.
By Lance Pugmire, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

Ten months ago, in the despair of a hard-fought unanimous-decision loss to then-world welterweight champion Miguel Cotto, Pomona's Shane Mosley admitted retirement crossed his mind. He resolved instead to fight on, insisting he'd restrict his future bouts only to major events.

Mosley (44-5, 37 knockouts) was pitted in a non-title fight against another veteran beaten by Cotto, Zab Judah. But when Judah was injured in a training camp tantrum, Mosley's May bout was canceled. Now, his 37th birthday has passed and he's heading to the ring tonight at Home Depot Center's 7,000-seat tennis venue against veteran super-welterweight Ricardo Mayorga. In a non-pay-per-view fight against a man who has lost three of his last six bouts, former four-time world champion Mosley is a 9-to-1 favorite still striving for an elusive bigger fight.

Last week, he inserted his name as a possible opponent for current welterweight champion Antonio Margarito, who dethroned Cotto in June. But the promoter of Cotto and Margarito, Top Rank, wants to schedule each of them against lesser foes in a January doubleheader and then have their rematch later in 2009.

Mosley "could be in the picture" to fight the Cotto-Margarito winner in late 2009, a Top Rank publicist said. Top Rank rejected Mosley's immediate interest in a Cotto rematch. Mosley's promoter, Richard Schaefer, said his fighter will immediately "call out" the retired Floyd Mayweather Jr. if victorious.

"That's truly the mega-event," Schaefer said. Contacted Friday, Mayweather's manager, Leonard Ellerbe, said: "Floyd's enjoying his retirement. He has no interest in fighting Shane Mosley or anyone else."

The question, as it was nearly a decade ago when the pride of "P-town" was a rising star knocking out nearly every man he fought, is: What big name does want to fight Mosley?

Until Oscar De La Hoya made the leap (and lost) to Mosley in 2000, several other top fighters avoided the speedy, power-punching fighter who was a world champion at 25. He was "too good for his own good," boxing experts said. Problems with past promoters didn't help. His prime was spent (wasted?) routing Willy Wise, Adrian Stone and Shannan Taylor.

Now, post-Cotto, retirement could be one knockout loss away -- Mayorga is brazenly predicting a KO victory by the end of Round 3 -- and an impressive showing tonight appears essential for Mosley.

"This fight is my first step to the next step," Mosley said.

Mosley's popularity has been dinged by less-than-stellar pay-per-view sales with Cotto -- eclipsed by Cotto-Margarito -- along with his current steroid-related lawsuits against BALCO founder Victor Conte and by his former trainer Derryl Hudson.

"Cotto wouldn't take another big fight with me, Judah got hurt, and I couldn't sit around and wait," Mosley said. "I decided to go to Mayorga . . . and I get to do it in my own backyard."

Schaefer says he'll find that big bout for Mosley, cautioning "every fight is tough to make."Mayorga (29-6-1, 23 KOs) boasts he'll end Mosley's career tonight. "Mosley's speed is gone already," he said.

If Mayweather Jr. doesn't bite, Mosley's next-opponent options include once-beaten middleweight Paul Williams, a third bout against Vernon Forrest, or a third date with De La Hoya, Schaefer said.

"I don't care about belts anymore, but I do care about . . . the win that gives me the most respect," Mosley said.

[email protected]

I like Shane Mosely. As a fighter and as a man, he really does it right. He's 37, and he's kept himself from falling apart. He's still is a valid contender, champ? threat????? He's a great guy who will visit with us at the WBHOF banquet.

-Rick

Rick Farris wrote:My Greatest "On Set" Memory of Paul Newman . . . "Absense of Malice"

Thruout the film industry, everybody knows the pleassure of working with certain actors. Paul Newman was one of those actors, a regular guy, as was Michael Landon and is Clint Eastwood. These guys didn't have time for bullshit, all gifted film professionals and skilled in areas behind the camera as well as in front. I worked with Newman briefly in the beginning of my career in the mid 70's. It was at Universal, where I was "breaking in" and the Film was "The Sting". The last was on a film location in New Orleans where Paul was paired with Lolita Davidovich, in a so-so film, "Blaze".

However, the most unforgetable experience took place in Florida, on the location set of an Academy Award winning film, "Absence of Malice".

Sally Field is a great actress, and I had worked on a number of feature films. On this day, we were shooting a very emotional scene involving a two-shot with Newman and Sally. Sally can be pain-in-the-ass and in the final scene of the day, she tells director Sydney Pollack, that she want's her close-up to be shot first, followed by Paul's. Newman doesn't care, ladies go first. So they do this dramatic scene where Newman's charactor has to spill his heart, tears, the whole bit.

After Newman plays off-camera to help Field play her role (she won an Oscar for it) the cameras turn around on Newman for his close-up, equally challenging. Now it's more than a courtesy for an actor to read their off-camera lines to the other's close-up. Especially when you are dealing with legends on the set. (Pollack won a directorial Oscar for Absence as well as other films.) Field pulled herself together after her C/U and said her "good bye's" leaving the set. What about her playing off camera for Newman? Paul just smiled and said nothing. Newman is a pro, and turned in a brilliant performance playing off the words of our script supervisor, a man in his sixties.

The next evening's scene was equally dramatic, the kind that challenge actors. On this day, Mr. Newman told Sydney Pollack he'd like his C/U to be shot first. Like the evening before, it was one of those emotionally challenging scenes, especially for Field. When Paul's C/U was in the can, he stood up, said his good bye's and walked off the set. Field was livid. She could not imagine pulling off a scene of this nature without the actual charactor to play off. Sally literally screamed across the set, "Come back here, You're not finished!!!"

We watched Sally run across the park following Newman who was on his way back to his motor home to have a beer. "Stop? . . . Stop" . . . . Stop!" Field sceamed. Newman never looked back, went up the steps to his motor home/dressing room and slammed the door in Field's face. The last thing we heard was Sally, screaming her lungs out . . . "You Son-of-a-Bitch!!!!!

Sally pulled off her scene without Newman, but it wasn't easy, perhaps her emotion worked for her. She got her Oscar.

We all love Paul Newman. He was the type of guy you hoped he would be. Just like Michael Landon, Clint Eastwood, James Garner. All class acts, ultimate professionals, bigger than life. How lucky for me to be able to share this story.

Again, R.I.P. Paul Newman


-Rick Farris

Thanks for sharing that Rick. Paul Newman was a true screen legend on par with the best of them, including Jimmy Stewart, Henry Fonda et al. The list of truly great actors is dwindling. So many great movies. Rest in Peace Mr. Newman.

Rick Farris wrote:

kikibalt wrote:Shane Mosley to fight Ricardo Mayorga

Both boxers are thinking ahead to who might be their next opponents after the Saturday fight at Home Depot Center.
By Lance Pugmire, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

Ten months ago, in the despair of a hard-fought unanimous-decision loss to then-world welterweight champion Miguel Cotto, Pomona's Shane Mosley admitted retirement crossed his mind. He resolved instead to fight on, insisting he'd restrict his future bouts only to major events.

Mosley (44-5, 37 knockouts) was pitted in a non-title fight against another veteran beaten by Cotto, Zab Judah. But when Judah was injured in a training camp tantrum, Mosley's May bout was canceled. Now, his 37th birthday has passed and he's heading to the ring tonight at Home Depot Center's 7,000-seat tennis venue against veteran super-welterweight Ricardo Mayorga. In a non-pay-per-view fight against a man who has lost three of his last six bouts, former four-time world champion Mosley is a 9-to-1 favorite still striving for an elusive bigger fight.

Last week, he inserted his name as a possible opponent for current welterweight champion Antonio Margarito, who dethroned Cotto in June. But the promoter of Cotto and Margarito, Top Rank, wants to schedule each of them against lesser foes in a January doubleheader and then have their rematch later in 2009.

Mosley "could be in the picture" to fight the Cotto-Margarito winner in late 2009, a Top Rank publicist said. Top Rank rejected Mosley's immediate interest in a Cotto rematch. Mosley's promoter, Richard Schaefer, said his fighter will immediately "call out" the retired Floyd Mayweather Jr. if victorious.

"That's truly the mega-event," Schaefer said. Contacted Friday, Mayweather's manager, Leonard Ellerbe, said: "Floyd's enjoying his retirement. He has no interest in fighting Shane Mosley or anyone else."

The question, as it was nearly a decade ago when the pride of "P-town" was a rising star knocking out nearly every man he fought, is: What big name does want to fight Mosley?

Until Oscar De La Hoya made the leap (and lost) to Mosley in 2000, several other top fighters avoided the speedy, power-punching fighter who was a world champion at 25. He was "too good for his own good," boxing experts said. Problems with past promoters didn't help. His prime was spent (wasted?) routing Willy Wise, Adrian Stone and Shannan Taylor.

Now, post-Cotto, retirement could be one knockout loss away -- Mayorga is brazenly predicting a KO victory by the end of Round 3 -- and an impressive showing tonight appears essential for Mosley.

"This fight is my first step to the next step," Mosley said.

Mosley's popularity has been dinged by less-than-stellar pay-per-view sales with Cotto -- eclipsed by Cotto-Margarito -- along with his current steroid-related lawsuits against BALCO founder Victor Conte and by his former trainer Derryl Hudson.

"Cotto wouldn't take another big fight with me, Judah got hurt, and I couldn't sit around and wait," Mosley said. "I decided to go to Mayorga . . . and I get to do it in my own backyard."

Schaefer says he'll find that big bout for Mosley, cautioning "every fight is tough to make."Mayorga (29-6-1, 23 KOs) boasts he'll end Mosley's career tonight. "Mosley's speed is gone already," he said.

If Mayweather Jr. doesn't bite, Mosley's next-opponent options include once-beaten middleweight Paul Williams, a third bout against Vernon Forrest, or a third date with De La Hoya, Schaefer said.

"I don't care about belts anymore, but I do care about . . . the win that gives me the most respect," Mosley said.

[email protected]

I like Shane Mosely. As a fighter and as a man, he really does it right. He's 37, and he's kept himself from falling apart. He's still is a valid contender, champ? threat????? He's a great guy who will visit with us at the WBHOF banquet.

-Rick

I'll be at the fight tonight and I'll be picking Sugar Shane Mosley to kick the crap out of Mayorga and to knock him out by round 8 or 9. Mosley still has some fight in him. Mosley is a deserving fighter and one of my favorites!

Rick Farris wrote:My Greatest "On Set" Memory of Paul Newman . . . "Absense of Malice"

Thruout the film industry, everybody knows the pleassure of working with certain actors. Paul Newman was one of those actors, a regular guy, as was Michael Landon and is Clint Eastwood. These guys didn't have time for bullshit, all gifted film professionals and skilled in areas behind the camera as well as in front. I worked with Newman briefly in the beginning of my career in the mid 70's. It was at Universal, where I was "breaking in" and the Film was "The Sting". The last was on a film location in New Orleans where Paul was paired with Lolita Davidovich, in a so-so film, "Blaze".

However, the most unforgetable experience took place in Florida, on the location set of an Academy Award winning film, "Absence of Malice".

Sally Field is a great actress, and I had worked on a number of feature films. On this day, we were shooting a very emotional scene involving a two-shot with Newman and Sally. Sally can be pain-in-the-ass and in the final scene of the day, she tells director Sydney Pollack, that she want's her close-up to be shot first, followed by Paul's. Newman doesn't care, ladies go first. So they do this dramatic scene where Newman's charactor has to spill his heart, tears, the whole bit.

After Newman plays off-camera to help Field play her role (she won an Oscar for it) the cameras turn around on Newman for his close-up, equally challenging. Now it's more than a courtesy for an actor to read their off-camera lines to the other's close-up. Especially when you are dealing with legends on the set. (Pollack won a directorial Oscar for Absence as well as other films.) Field pulled herself together after her C/U and said her "good bye's" leaving the set. What about her playing off camera for Newman? Paul just smiled and said nothing. Newman is a pro, and turned in a brilliant performance playing off the words of our script supervisor, a man in his sixties.

The next evening's scene was equally dramatic, the kind that challenge actors. On this day, Mr. Newman told Sydney Pollack he'd like his C/U to be shot first. Like the evening before, it was one of those emotionally challenging scenes, especially for Field. When Paul's C/U was in the can, he stood up, said his good bye's and walked off the set. Field was livid. She could not imagine pulling off a scene of this nature without the actual charactor to play off. Sally literally screamed across the set, "Come back here, You're not finished!!!"

We watched Sally run across the park following Newman who was on his way back to his motor home to have a beer. "Stop? . . . Stop" . . . . Stop!" Field sceamed. Newman never looked back, went up the steps to his motor home/dressing room and slammed the door in Field's face. The last thing we heard was Sally, screaming her lungs out . . . "You Son-of-a-Bitch!!!!!

Sally pulled off her scene without Newman, but it wasn't easy, perhaps her emotion worked for her. She got her Oscar.

We all love Paul Newman. He was the type of guy you hoped he would be. Just like Michael Landon, Clint Eastwood, James Garner. All class acts, ultimate professionals, bigger than life. How lucky for me to be able to share this story.

Again, R.I.P. Paul Newman


-Rick Farris

I can't say enough about what a nice piece you wrote. Roger

Rick Farris wrote:My Greatest "On Set" Memory of Paul Newman . . . "Absense of Malice"

Thruout the film industry, everybody knows the pleassure of working with certain actors. Paul Newman was one of those actors, a regular guy, as was Michael Landon and is Clint Eastwood. These guys didn't have time for bullshit, all gifted film professionals and skilled in areas behind the camera as well as in front. I worked with Newman briefly in the beginning of my career in the mid 70's. It was at Universal, where I was "breaking in" and the Film was "The Sting". The last was on a film location in New Orleans where Paul was paired with Lolita Davidovich, in a so-so film, "Blaze".

However, the most unforgetable experience took place in Florida, on the location set of an Academy Award winning film, "Absence of Malice".

Sally Field is a great actress, and I had worked on a number of feature films. On this day, we were shooting a very emotional scene involving a two-shot with Newman and Sally. Sally can be pain-in-the-ass and in the final scene of the day, she tells director Sydney Pollack, that she want's her close-up to be shot first, followed by Paul's. Newman doesn't care, ladies go first. So they do this dramatic scene where Newman's charactor has to spill his heart, tears, the whole bit.

After Newman plays off-camera to help Field play her role (she won an Oscar for it) the cameras turn around on Newman for his close-up, equally challenging. Now it's more than a courtesy for an actor to read their off-camera lines to the other's close-up. Especially when you are dealing with legends on the set. (Pollack won a directorial Oscar for Absence as well as other films.) Field pulled herself together after her C/U and said her "good bye's" leaving the set. What about her playing off camera for Newman? Paul just smiled and said nothing. Newman is a pro, and turned in a brilliant performance playing off the words of our script supervisor, a man in his sixties.

The next evening's scene was equally dramatic, the kind that challenge actors. On this day, Mr. Newman told Sydney Pollack he'd like his C/U to be shot first. Like the evening before, it was one of those emotionally challenging scenes, especially for Field. When Paul's C/U was in the can, he stood up, said his good bye's and walked off the set. Field was livid. She could not imagine pulling off a scene of this nature without the actual charactor to play off. Sally literally screamed across the set, "Come back here, You're not finished!!!"

We watched Sally run across the park following Newman who was on his way back to his motor home to have a beer. "Stop? . . . Stop" . . . . Stop!" Field sceamed. Newman never looked back, went up the steps to his motor home/dressing room and slammed the door in Field's face. The last thing we heard was Sally, screaming her lungs out . . . "You Son-of-a-Bitch!!!!!

Sally pulled off her scene without Newman, but it wasn't easy, perhaps her emotion worked for her. She got her Oscar.

We all love Paul Newman. He was the type of guy you hoped he would be. Just like Michael Landon, Clint Eastwood, James Garner. All class acts, ultimate professionals, bigger than life. How lucky for me to be able to share this story.

Again, R.I.P. Paul Newman


-Rick Farris

Wonderful tribute to a legend Rick.
Thank You.

Los Angeles Times file photograph
Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman in "The Long, Hot Summer," 1958.

Forbes a part-time welterweight
By Steve Kim/Special to Yahoo! Sports

Just a week or so after his 12-round loss to Oscar De La Hoya on May 3rd, Steve Forbes would make a few calls to various boxing writers, asking their opinions on a simple question he had, “What do you think about me moving down to lightweight?” And this reporter’s answer was simple - it’s probably where you belonged all along.

He agreed.

But not too long after that, it was announced that he would be taking on WBC welterweight titlist Andre Berto this Saturday night at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California as the opening bout on this week’s HBO broadcast.

Geez, I guess I’m not exactly EF Hutton after all. What happened?

“I got another call,” explained Forbes. “I talk about lightweight and it’s funny how that always happens. Because I had made a statement before I had talked to you, I said I’d fight anyone from 135 to 147, being that I fought Oscar at 150. And I had just said I can get down to lightweight and can get in the mix, all the big names are there. And then, boom, I get a call about Berto for the title and that’s how it happened.”

He admits that much of this is about the money. And he believes that out of all the welterweight belt-holders, Berto is the most beatable.

“I see a guy with a lot of power but I don’t see him with one-punch power. I see a guy that lands some heavy shots on guys and breaks guys down,” he assesses. “But I look at the quality of guys, the guys he’s fought don’t have defense. I think his two biggest names were David Estrada and Miguel Rodriguez and you can throw Michael Trabant in there. Not skilled guys, tough gritty guys, but not really skilled.”

There’s also the fact that Berto is just an inch taller than him at 5’8.

“He’s not a six-footer like a Margarito or as tall as Oscar. He’s more sorta my size. I figured you can pick certain spots. I’m not a natural welterweight, I know that, but it’s an opportunity at a title,” he says.

And then there was this historical angle that intrigued him, “Somebody told me this, ‘Y’know, there’s never been a guy that was a 130-pound champion and his next title he won at 147.’ There’s been guys, Mayweather and Oscar, that had won 130-pound titles, then they won 135, 140, so they kinda won titles in between. But there’s never been a guy that won at 130-pounds and then won a welterweight title. So that’s something I’m looking at, too. It’s an opportunity; I mean, of course I don’t see Andre Berto as THE welterweight champion,” admits Forbes.

For all his experience and savvy, Forbes is still an underdog in this one. The biggest reason being that Forbes, who wasn’t even a puncher as a jr. lightweight, is facing a fighter who has whacked out 19 of his 22 opponents coming in. By contrast, Forbes has just nine stoppages to his credit in 39 professional outings.

But Forbes is a fighter with a good beard - at any weight - and he certainly won’t be intimidated by the surroundings, having just fought at the Home Depot Center soccer stadium in front of 27,000 patrons.

“I think you gotta box smart, but you can still be an aggressive boxer. Make him miss, make him pay. I think that weighs on a guy’s mind all night if you’re able to sit in front of him, not getting hit and put that pressure on him where you’re not going to run from him. And I’ve never been a runner. I’ve always been a boxer, but never a guy who puts on his track shoes,” Forbes says, in explaining how he’ll approach this fight.

But regardless of what takes place this weekend, Forbes sees his future below the welterweight class.

“I think my place is more there (135) than welterweight.”

FORBES REPORT

Having just gone the distance with De La Hoya, does Forbes see any way Pacquiao will topple ‘the Golden Boy’?

“No, not really,” he says flatly. “And the reason I say that is not that Manny’s not a great fighter or a very explosive fighter. But he’s never had a fight over 135-pounds and that’s a big difference, man. You’re getting hit, your body doesn’t react the same. Me, before I fought Oscar I did ‘The Contender’ and it was a big difference. I felt the guy’s strength in there. And these guys weren’t world class fighters. They’re tough, but it’s a big difference.

“So it took me a couple years to be able to say, ‘OK, I can kinda feel better with the bigger guys now.’ Going into the Oscar fight, the jump from just 135 to 147 or plus, it’s going to be tough.”

NEW BLOOD

A busy week of So Cal boxing continues on Friday night at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, where Thompson Boxing presents ‘New Blood’, with tickets priced at $75, $45 and $30.

I’m looking forward to seeing lightweight prospect Luis Ramos (6-0, 4 KO’s).

At the Morongo Casino and Resort, Golden Boy Promotions has a fight card featuring a pretty interesting bout between Vicente Escobedo and Dominic Salcido that will be televised on Telefutura.

FRIDAY FLURRIES

Monte Barrett has been tabbed to take on David Haye on November 15th…..No truth to the rumor that after weighing in at a rather rotund 258.5 pounds for his fight this past Thursday night, that Goodyear wanted to sign Chris Arreola to be their next blimp or that Michelin wanted him to be their Mexican Michelin Man….Did anyone look as good as Lisa Lisa did during her ‘I Wonder if I Take You Home’ video?…..The Pacquiao-De La Hoya nationwide media tour begins on October 1st at the Statue of Liberty and concludes on October 7th at the Whittier Blvd. Arch in East LA. Geez, if it’s cool enough by then, I just might wear my Montebello High letterman’s jacket….

Manuel "Pulgarcito" Ramos

Photo & caption courtesy of Bruce Smith.


Frank,
Mourning the loss of Paul Newman up here in NorCal; seems like every time we lose someone like him it's a little chink in our own armor.
Attached is a photo of a picture box I put together for my father's 78th birthday last week. It's his amateur boxing license, boxing trunks and belt buckle that he won at a tournament at San Francisco's Olympic Club in 1954. I thought you guys would get a kick out of it.
Bobbin & Weavin

BANK OF AMERICA

I sold a painting last week. Wanted to put a little jingle in my pocket so I went to the bank to cash the check. The line's about three deep. I'm standin' there and up comes a little old guy with pasty skin wearing bermuda shorts.He had on sun glasses. I notice he's wearing the worst hairpiece I've ever seen. A reddish brown thing that covered his head like a car mat.He's smiling at me. I wanted to ask him for his sun glasses to shield the glare of his rug.
"I hope I don't get the teller on the end,"he says.
The gal on the end was kind of a ding bat. Always talking in a circle when all you wanted to do is put the money in or take the money out. Her ding bat personality detracted from her looks that was headed in minus territory anyway.
"Me neither. She talks nonsense."
The line started moving.
"Who's gonna be the unlucky one?,"asked the toupee.
I was next.
"I don't trust that woman,"he said.
Now the focus was somewhere else.
"What do you mean?"
"Isn't it obvious. She's a freakin' foreigner."
The young clerk's window was free.
"Just my luck,"said the old man.
From the corner of my eye I saw him approach the window of the clerk he wanted to avoid. I heard her say "Buenos Dias."
Well the old dude finished up before me. I walked outside and I see he's standing out in front.
"Yeah", he said grinning at me. "I think I'm going back inside and report her to Margie."

I got in my car and looked in the rear view mirror. The old guy had entered the bank again. I thought of that ding bat clerk gabbing away at some customer. She didn't mean anything.

Randyman wrote:

Rick Farris wrote:

kikibalt wrote:Shane Mosley to fight Ricardo Mayorga

Both boxers are thinking ahead to who might be their next opponents after the Saturday fight at Home Depot Center.
By Lance Pugmire, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

Ten months ago, in the despair of a hard-fought unanimous-decision loss to then-world welterweight champion Miguel Cotto, Pomona's Shane Mosley admitted retirement crossed his mind. He resolved instead to fight on, insisting he'd restrict his future bouts only to major events.

Mosley (44-5, 37 knockouts) was pitted in a non-title fight against another veteran beaten by Cotto, Zab Judah. But when Judah was injured in a training camp tantrum, Mosley's May bout was canceled. Now, his 37th birthday has passed and he's heading to the ring tonight at Home Depot Center's 7,000-seat tennis venue against veteran super-welterweight Ricardo Mayorga. In a non-pay-per-view fight against a man who has lost three of his last six bouts, former four-time world champion Mosley is a 9-to-1 favorite still striving for an elusive bigger fight.

Last week, he inserted his name as a possible opponent for current welterweight champion Antonio Margarito, who dethroned Cotto in June. But the promoter of Cotto and Margarito, Top Rank, wants to schedule each of them against lesser foes in a January doubleheader and then have their rematch later in 2009.

Mosley "could be in the picture" to fight the Cotto-Margarito winner in late 2009, a Top Rank publicist said. Top Rank rejected Mosley's immediate interest in a Cotto rematch. Mosley's promoter, Richard Schaefer, said his fighter will immediately "call out" the retired Floyd Mayweather Jr. if victorious.

"That's truly the mega-event," Schaefer said. Contacted Friday, Mayweather's manager, Leonard Ellerbe, said: "Floyd's enjoying his retirement. He has no interest in fighting Shane Mosley or anyone else."

The question, as it was nearly a decade ago when the pride of "P-town" was a rising star knocking out nearly every man he fought, is: What big name does want to fight Mosley?

Until Oscar De La Hoya made the leap (and lost) to Mosley in 2000, several other top fighters avoided the speedy, power-punching fighter who was a world champion at 25. He was "too good for his own good," boxing experts said. Problems with past promoters didn't help. His prime was spent (wasted?) routing Willy Wise, Adrian Stone and Shannan Taylor.

Now, post-Cotto, retirement could be one knockout loss away -- Mayorga is brazenly predicting a KO victory by the end of Round 3 -- and an impressive showing tonight appears essential for Mosley.

"This fight is my first step to the next step," Mosley said.

Mosley's popularity has been dinged by less-than-stellar pay-per-view sales with Cotto -- eclipsed by Cotto-Margarito -- along with his current steroid-related lawsuits against BALCO founder Victor Conte and by his former trainer Derryl Hudson.

"Cotto wouldn't take another big fight with me, Judah got hurt, and I couldn't sit around and wait," Mosley said. "I decided to go to Mayorga . . . and I get to do it in my own backyard."

Schaefer says he'll find that big bout for Mosley, cautioning "every fight is tough to make."Mayorga (29-6-1, 23 KOs) boasts he'll end Mosley's career tonight. "Mosley's speed is gone already," he said.

If Mayweather Jr. doesn't bite, Mosley's next-opponent options include once-beaten middleweight Paul Williams, a third bout against Vernon Forrest, or a third date with De La Hoya, Schaefer said.

"I don't care about belts anymore, but I do care about . . . the win that gives me the most respect," Mosley said.

[email protected]

I like Shane Mosely. As a fighter and as a man, he really does it right. He's 37, and he's kept himself from falling apart. He's still is a valid contender, champ? threat????? He's a great guy who will visit with us at the WBHOF banquet.

-Rick

I'll be at the fight tonight and I'll be picking Sugar Shane Mosley to kick the crap out of Mayorga and to knock him out by round 8 or 9. Mosley still has some fight in him. Mosley is a deserving fighter and one of my favorites!

I'm with you Randy. Shane by KO sometime aftwr six. Hopefully this prediction won't challenge Mosely as it did the Trojans a couple of nights ago. Shane won't let us down! I'm with you, Randy. I almost considered attending the match, it's a good card, these guys will put on a good show, I believe.

-Rick

kikibalt wrote:Photo & caption courtesy of Bruce Smith.


Frank,
Mourning the loss of Paul Newman up here in NorCal; seems like every time we lose someone like him it's a little chink in our own armor.
Attached is a photo of a picture box I put together for my father's 78th birthday last week. It's his amateur boxing license, boxing trunks and belt buckle that he won at a tournament at San Francisco's Olympic Club in 1954. I thought you guys would get a kick out of it.
Bobbin & Weavin

I love that stuff! Thanks.

-Rick

By the way, I found more validation, news clips, etc. regarding matches I fought not listed by Boxrec. I'll get them to you, amigo.

kikibalt wrote:
Manuel "Pulgarcito" Ramos

THE INDIAN

I drove up with a friend to the Olympic to see Pulgarcito fight Tony Doyle. I liked both boys. Usually if I was to make the journey to LA. it was for a "bigger" fight. But like I said I liked both boys. I wasn't pullin' for no one. Doyle was working with Ali for a whle. Ramos couldn't follow his advantage against Frazier at the Garden. Both fighters were un pretentious. In street clothes it would have been hard to figure they made their living as fighters.

Ramos had that Indian blood in him. He looked soft. Not cut up and big muscled.But he could take it. That was the Indian in him. He fought a long time. At the end he lost a lot. I guess he figured he had to eat. He went in there with anyone wherever it was. He was always available.One fight at a time.One was like the other. He had his shot with Frazier. He just couldn't follow up. Now he was fighting to make a living. He took it all in stride.

That was the Indian in him.

Shane Mosley (L) exchanges punches with Ricardo Mayorga during the
second round of their Junior Middleweight bout in Carson, California,
September 27, 2008. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok (UNITED STATES)