BoxRec

kikibalt wrote:Are we heading back to those days?

kikibalt wrote:Rahman Ali (Formerly, Rudolph Valentino Clay): A Conversation That Did Not Happen
Interview by Dan Hernandez
Ringside Report


When I received the telephone number to Rahman Ali, I was thrilled. Rahman was called “Rudolph Valentinio Clay” when I met him; he was accompanying his brother, Cassius Clay, at the famed Main Street Gym in Los Angeles. He was gregarious and open to anyone and everyone. Two years Muhammad’s senior, he took his place in encouraging his younger brothers’ career. After 100 amateur fights, Rahman turned professional on February 25, 1964, the night after Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) defeated Charles “Sonny” Liston for the Heavyweight Championship of the World.

Rahman ended his career with a professional record of 14-3-1, 7 KO’s, retiring in 1972 after being defeated by a Roy Dean Wallace and knocked out by the future well-known actor and RSR interview subject, Jack O’Halloran. While I went to see Cassius, as he was called then, Rudolph was memorable in that he was affable, pleasant, and according to all the women in the audience, every bit as good-looking as Cassius.

Cassius changed his name to Muhammad Ali immediately after the Liston fight and set the stage for a historical reign above the heavyweight division. It has been reported that Rahman preceded Muhammad into the Muslim faith and was a strong influence throughout Muhammad’s early life.

Rahman, started boxing in a Louisville, Kentucky Amateur Boxing League and by all reports was quite good, Cassius participated in the light-heavyweight division at the Olympics to allow room for Rudy to fight as a heavyweight in the hopes that both would be Team Members. Cassius achieved his goal and went on to win the Olympic Gold in the 1960 Games. Rudy did not make the team.

Born in 1940, Rahman, now 68, never achieved the heights of his brother; however, he was pivotal in helping to create the legend that is Muhammad Ali.

It always seemed odd that his place next to his brother had been so prominent and yet somehow through the years the question heard quite most often was, “What happened to Rahman?”

There has been speculation that he had fallen on medical difficulties caused by too many beatings in the ring. I still don’t know when he fell so far in the background, his career record, while not exemplary, was not disturbing.

Fighters ending their careers with a knockout loss have had full successful lives after boxing. Rahman seems to have lived a relatively quiet life considering the magnitude of his brothers effect on the entire world, however, somewhere, somehow, the relationship between the brothers became strained and Rahman today is having difficulties remembering his yesterdays and appears to be struggling financially. I understand that Muhammad helped for as long as he could but is no longer in charge of his own financial affairs.

I called, left my number, and let him know that I desired an interview. Rahman was kind enough to return my call and as I was settling in for what I hoped would be a comfortable and enlightening conversation the following transpired. In a very clear, deep resonant voice:

“Hello, this is Rahman Ali.”

DH: How good to hear from you. Thanks for calling back. How are you?

How much do you pay?

DH: Excuse me?

How much do you pay for the interview?

DH: We don’t pay for the interview. Most fighters and boxing personalities enjoy sharing a little of themselves and maybe saying a few things they hadn’t shared with the public. Would you consent to an interview?

I don’t do anything for nothing. I have to get paid for whatever I do.

DH: Well we never pay for an interview. Is there anything you’d like to say?

No, no money, I don’t say anything.

DH: Can I quote you?

Yes.

DH: Thanks for calling back Rahman and take care.

Writers note: A mutual acquaintance of both Rahman and me added that Rahman runs hot and cold on his receptiveness and that his memories tend to fade. However, on the positive side, Ali still looks good. It must be a family tradition.

kikibalt wrote:Courtesy of Hap Navarro

THE HISTORY OF L.A. BOXING by HAP NAVARRO


White elephants, east and west.

Two of the most anxiously awaited sporting venues in the Los Angeles area were the Eastside Arena and the westside's Pan Pacific Auditorium. The first, which opened in 1930 was a bright, spic and span facility located at Ninth and Lorena, in east L.A. Its westside counterpart was at 7600 Beverly Blvd., not far from the Farmers' Market. That one opened to a Home Show in 1935.

Because of its neighborhood fan base, the Eastside was geared strictly for boxing and wrestling shows. The Pan Pacific, though ideally fit for major boxing galas, periodically housed all sorts of exhibitions, sporting events, etc. but never showcased the sweet science. Not that the people in charge disdained the fight game. All efforts to promote fisticuffing just seemed to fall short.

The first pro boxing show proposed for the Pan Pacific was to be on February 17, 1944, when Promoter Joe Lynch, wartime "boy wonder" in the area, sought to match Bantam king Manuel Ortiz with NBA Featherweight ruler Phil Terranova , 15 rounds, for the latter's crown.

Lynch, who had been going outdoors with some mega bouts, was denied an "indoors" license by the Commission due to strong protests lodged by both the L.A. Olympic and Hollywood Legion Stadium managements.

After several die-hard promoters had tried a hand at showing in the Eastside club (including Babe McCoy), the place closed down permanently in 1941 and was converted to a warehouse.

The beautiful, art deco PanPac survived for more than 50 years through the able staging of basketball and hockey games, Elvis concerts, etc., until 1989 when a major fire destroyed the building.

hap navarro

bennie wrote:

Rick Farris wrote:

bennie wrote:Former cruiserweight star David Haye launches his exciting - and permanent - move up to heavyweight in a 12-rounder against tough New York veteran Monte Barrett in East London's O2 Arena on November 15.
"The Hayemaker" flirted with the heavies with a crushing first-round dismissal of world-ranked Pole Tomasz Bonin at Wembley in April 2007, then dropped back down to cruiser and continued to wreak havoc by destroying the likes of Jean-Marc Mormeck and Enzo Maccarinelli. The Londoner announced that his seven-round thumping of Mormeck in November 2007 in Paris would be his last at the weight but squeezed his muscular 6ft 3ins frame down one last time for the Maccarinelli payday in March in the O2 Arena and bid au revoir in two typically powerful rounds and holding aloft WBC, WBA and WBO titles. At 27 the lightning-quick Haye looks made for the big boys, and they look made for him.
"Right now heavyweight boxing is a disgrace," said the man himself. "I've met Wladimir Klitschko, who is universally recognised as the best heavyweight, and said to his face that there is no other fight out there that people are interested in. He half-agreed."
Haye, 21-1 (20) is a frightening puncher who will want to better Klitschko's seven-round stoppage of Barrett in London in July 2000, although Barrett was down five times and took a bit of a beating at the now demolished New London Arena in Millwall. Barrett was also stopped in 11 rounds by current WBA heavyweight champ Nikolai Valuev, he of the monster look and the monster build (7ft tall, 23 stone), again going down a few times, although more from exhaustion than anything else as Valuev's sheer size and strength finally wore him down in a sloppy sort of fight.
That was a stab at Valuev's title in the States in 2006. Barrett also challenged for the WBC title and was outscored by Hasim Rahman in Chicago in August 2005 in a disappointingly tame affair, for him (but is Rahman ever in a good fight?). 'Gatekeeper' is a good word to describe Barrett and he blocked the way of big white southpaw Tye Fields in 57 stunning seconds in his last fight in June in Las Vegas. Fields, 41-1 going in, came out fast and looked to be taking charge, then walked on to one and was sent crashing to the canvas. Fields failed to beat the count.
The 37-year-old Barrett has won his last three in fact - all of them early. Make no mistake, this man has plenty of top-flight experience and will 'have a go' against Haye and rally from any knockdowns and any 'hurt'. Haye has lost only to the vastly more experienced Carl "The Cat" Thompson back in 2004 at Wembley, when he ran out of steam after belting the durable Bolton man around for a few rounds. True, he erased some of the question mark hanging over his stamina against Mormeck, the bull of a Frenchman who hurt and floored him in the fourth round earlier this year (Haye sensibly took a knee and a long count), only for Haye to come roaring back to force that seventh-round stoppage, dropping Mormeck in return with his pet right hand (which he often uses in the form of a heavy uppercut), but it will be interesting to see how David copes if Barrett drags him into the later rounds, especially as Haye has seriously bulked up and could be muscle-bound. Plus, his punch resistance is still in question. Barrett's winging right-handers will pose another threat.
You know, Dominck Guinn picked Barrett as an opponent to showcase his rising talents - and was outscored in a 10-rounder in 2004. Guinn went into the fight at 24-0. Owen Beck also fancied he could look good against Barrett, and was outlasted and stopped in nine rounds in 2005. Beck was 24-0 going in himself. Joe Mesi was 27-0 when he barely outscored Barrett in a Madison Square Garden 10-rounder in 2003, a fight many people felt the latter won. Barrett was put down in the fifth but came back to floor Mesi in the seventh and finished much the stronger. Putting Monte down and keeping Monte down are two entirely different things. He looks like a real 'stayer'. On top of the Fields crusher last time out, he represents a serious test of Haye's heavyweight future.

Barrett is a good intro into the heavyweight division, a guy who is guaranteed to find a way to lose. America has no hint of a heavyweight prospect out there, and likely never will. The top of the heavyweight ladder will be occupied by pretenders from the rest of the world. The American heavyweight pool is bone dry, just a bunch of lazy bottom feeders in the overall scope of boxing greatness. I mean, when you have Russian primates holding the titles, things are pretty bad. Let's face it, the boys from that part of the world are real big, and have no heart. Too much size and too little heart makes for bad fights. Take your shot David Haye and make the most of it, I'll be rooting for you. Why not? What's the alternative?

-Rick Farris

I don't particularly like this fight for Haye, who has left Frank Maloney, the mental midget who steered Lennox Lewis to major heavyweight honours, and is basically managing himself. He can fight, however, CAN punch. He definitely has the potential to do something at heavy.

kikibalt wrote:Rahman Ali (Formerly, Rudolph Valentino Clay): A Conversation That Did Not Happen
Interview by Dan Hernandez
Ringside Report


When I received the telephone number to Rahman Ali, I was thrilled. Rahman was called “Rudolph Valentinio Clay” when I met him; he was accompanying his brother, Cassius Clay, at the famed Main Street Gym in Los Angeles. He was gregarious and open to anyone and everyone. Two years Muhammad’s senior, he took his place in encouraging his younger brothers’ career. After 100 amateur fights, Rahman turned professional on February 25, 1964, the night after Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) defeated Charles “Sonny” Liston for the Heavyweight Championship of the World.

Rahman ended his career with a professional record of 14-3-1, 7 KO’s, retiring in 1972 after being defeated by a Roy Dean Wallace and knocked out by the future well-known actor and RSR interview subject, Jack O’Halloran. While I went to see Cassius, as he was called then, Rudolph was memorable in that he was affable, pleasant, and according to all the women in the audience, every bit as good-looking as Cassius.

Cassius changed his name to Muhammad Ali immediately after the Liston fight and set the stage for a historical reign above the heavyweight division. It has been reported that Rahman preceded Muhammad into the Muslim faith and was a strong influence throughout Muhammad’s early life.

Rahman, started boxing in a Louisville, Kentucky Amateur Boxing League and by all reports was quite good, Cassius participated in the light-heavyweight division at the Olympics to allow room for Rudy to fight as a heavyweight in the hopes that both would be Team Members. Cassius achieved his goal and went on to win the Olympic Gold in the 1960 Games. Rudy did not make the team.

Born in 1940, Rahman, now 68, never achieved the heights of his brother; however, he was pivotal in helping to create the legend that is Muhammad Ali.

It always seemed odd that his place next to his brother had been so prominent and yet somehow through the years the question heard quite most often was, “What happened to Rahman?”

There has been speculation that he had fallen on medical difficulties caused by too many beatings in the ring. I still don’t know when he fell so far in the background, his career record, while not exemplary, was not disturbing.

Fighters ending their careers with a knockout loss have had full successful lives after boxing. Rahman seems to have lived a relatively quiet life considering the magnitude of his brothers effect on the entire world, however, somewhere, somehow, the relationship between the brothers became strained and Rahman today is having difficulties remembering his yesterdays and appears to be struggling financially. I understand that Muhammad helped for as long as he could but is no longer in charge of his own financial affairs.

I called, left my number, and let him know that I desired an interview. Rahman was kind enough to return my call and as I was settling in for what I hoped would be a comfortable and enlightening conversation the following transpired. In a very clear, deep resonant voice:

“Hello, this is Rahman Ali.”

DH: How good to hear from you. Thanks for calling back. How are you?

How much do you pay?

DH: Excuse me?

How much do you pay for the interview?

DH: We don’t pay for the interview. Most fighters and boxing personalities enjoy sharing a little of themselves and maybe saying a few things they hadn’t shared with the public. Would you consent to an interview?

I don’t do anything for nothing. I have to get paid for whatever I do.

DH: Well we never pay for an interview. Is there anything you’d like to say?

No, no money, I don’t say anything.

DH: Can I quote you?

Yes.

DH: Thanks for calling back Rahman and take care.

Writers note: A mutual acquaintance of both Rahman and me added that Rahman runs hot and cold on his receptiveness and that his memories tend to fade. However, on the positive side, Ali still looks good. It must be a family tradition.

bennie wrote:

kikibalt wrote:Rahman Ali (Formerly, Rudolph Valentino Clay): A Conversation That Did Not Happen
Interview by Dan Hernandez
Ringside Report


When I received the telephone number to Rahman Ali, I was thrilled. Rahman was called “Rudolph Valentinio Clay” when I met him; he was accompanying his brother, Cassius Clay, at the famed Main Street Gym in Los Angeles. He was gregarious and open to anyone and everyone. Two years Muhammad’s senior, he took his place in encouraging his younger brothers’ career. After 100 amateur fights, Rahman turned professional on February 25, 1964, the night after Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) defeated Charles “Sonny” Liston for the Heavyweight Championship of the World.

Rahman ended his career with a professional record of 14-3-1, 7 KO’s, retiring in 1972 after being defeated by a Roy Dean Wallace and knocked out by the future well-known actor and RSR interview subject, Jack O’Halloran. While I went to see Cassius, as he was called then, Rudolph was memorable in that he was affable, pleasant, and according to all the women in the audience, every bit as good-looking as Cassius.

Cassius changed his name to Muhammad Ali immediately after the Liston fight and set the stage for a historical reign above the heavyweight division. It has been reported that Rahman preceded Muhammad into the Muslim faith and was a strong influence throughout Muhammad’s early life.

Rahman, started boxing in a Louisville, Kentucky Amateur Boxing League and by all reports was quite good, Cassius participated in the light-heavyweight division at the Olympics to allow room for Rudy to fight as a heavyweight in the hopes that both would be Team Members. Cassius achieved his goal and went on to win the Olympic Gold in the 1960 Games. Rudy did not make the team.

Born in 1940, Rahman, now 68, never achieved the heights of his brother; however, he was pivotal in helping to create the legend that is Muhammad Ali.

It always seemed odd that his place next to his brother had been so prominent and yet somehow through the years the question heard quite most often was, “What happened to Rahman?”

There has been speculation that he had fallen on medical difficulties caused by too many beatings in the ring. I still don’t know when he fell so far in the background, his career record, while not exemplary, was not disturbing.

Fighters ending their careers with a knockout loss have had full successful lives after boxing. Rahman seems to have lived a relatively quiet life considering the magnitude of his brothers effect on the entire world, however, somewhere, somehow, the relationship between the brothers became strained and Rahman today is having difficulties remembering his yesterdays and appears to be struggling financially. I understand that Muhammad helped for as long as he could but is no longer in charge of his own financial affairs.

I called, left my number, and let him know that I desired an interview. Rahman was kind enough to return my call and as I was settling in for what I hoped would be a comfortable and enlightening conversation the following transpired. In a very clear, deep resonant voice:

“Hello, this is Rahman Ali.”

DH: How good to hear from you. Thanks for calling back. How are you?

How much do you pay?

DH: Excuse me?

How much do you pay for the interview?

DH: We don’t pay for the interview. Most fighters and boxing personalities enjoy sharing a little of themselves and maybe saying a few things they hadn’t shared with the public. Would you consent to an interview?

I don’t do anything for nothing. I have to get paid for whatever I do.

DH: Well we never pay for an interview. Is there anything you’d like to say?

No, no money, I don’t say anything.

DH: Can I quote you?

Yes.

DH: Thanks for calling back Rahman and take care.

Writers note: A mutual acquaintance of both Rahman and me added that Rahman runs hot and cold on his receptiveness and that his memories tend to fade. However, on the positive side, Ali still looks good. It must be a family tradition.

Rahman Ali is a serious yesterday's man, a serious 'never was much', in truth. I like his attitude, though. Why should he give an interview for nothing? The writer wants a story, and you can bet your life the writer is getting paid.
Just my take.

kikibalt wrote:

bennie wrote:

kikibalt wrote:Rahman Ali (Formerly, Rudolph Valentino Clay): A Conversation That Did Not Happen
Interview by Dan Hernandez
Ringside Report


When I received the telephone number to Rahman Ali, I was thrilled. Rahman was called “Rudolph Valentinio Clay” when I met him; he was accompanying his brother, Cassius Clay, at the famed Main Street Gym in Los Angeles. He was gregarious and open to anyone and everyone. Two years Muhammad’s senior, he took his place in encouraging his younger brothers’ career. After 100 amateur fights, Rahman turned professional on February 25, 1964, the night after Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) defeated Charles “Sonny” Liston for the Heavyweight Championship of the World.

Rahman ended his career with a professional record of 14-3-1, 7 KO’s, retiring in 1972 after being defeated by a Roy Dean Wallace and knocked out by the future well-known actor and RSR interview subject, Jack O’Halloran. While I went to see Cassius, as he was called then, Rudolph was memorable in that he was affable, pleasant, and according to all the women in the audience, every bit as good-looking as Cassius.

Cassius changed his name to Muhammad Ali immediately after the Liston fight and set the stage for a historical reign above the heavyweight division. It has been reported that Rahman preceded Muhammad into the Muslim faith and was a strong influence throughout Muhammad’s early life.

Rahman, started boxing in a Louisville, Kentucky Amateur Boxing League and by all reports was quite good, Cassius participated in the light-heavyweight division at the Olympics to allow room for Rudy to fight as a heavyweight in the hopes that both would be Team Members. Cassius achieved his goal and went on to win the Olympic Gold in the 1960 Games. Rudy did not make the team.

Born in 1940, Rahman, now 68, never achieved the heights of his brother; however, he was pivotal in helping to create the legend that is Muhammad Ali.

It always seemed odd that his place next to his brother had been so prominent and yet somehow through the years the question heard quite most often was, “What happened to Rahman?”

There has been speculation that he had fallen on medical difficulties caused by too many beatings in the ring. I still don’t know when he fell so far in the background, his career record, while not exemplary, was not disturbing.

Fighters ending their careers with a knockout loss have had full successful lives after boxing. Rahman seems to have lived a relatively quiet life considering the magnitude of his brothers effect on the entire world, however, somewhere, somehow, the relationship between the brothers became strained and Rahman today is having difficulties remembering his yesterdays and appears to be struggling financially. I understand that Muhammad helped for as long as he could but is no longer in charge of his own financial affairs.

I called, left my number, and let him know that I desired an interview. Rahman was kind enough to return my call and as I was settling in for what I hoped would be a comfortable and enlightening conversation the following transpired. In a very clear, deep resonant voice:

“Hello, this is Rahman Ali.”

DH: How good to hear from you. Thanks for calling back. How are you?

How much do you pay?

DH: Excuse me?

How much do you pay for the interview?

DH: We don’t pay for the interview. Most fighters and boxing personalities enjoy sharing a little of themselves and maybe saying a few things they hadn’t shared with the public. Would you consent to an interview?

I don’t do anything for nothing. I have to get paid for whatever I do.

DH: Well we never pay for an interview. Is there anything you’d like to say?

No, no money, I don’t say anything.

DH: Can I quote you?

Yes.

DH: Thanks for calling back Rahman and take care.

Writers note: A mutual acquaintance of both Rahman and me added that Rahman runs hot and cold on his receptiveness and that his memories tend to fade. However, on the positive side, Ali still looks good. It must be a family tradition.

Rahman Ali is a serious yesterday's man, a serious 'never was much', in truth. I like his attitude, though. Why should he give an interview for nothing? The writer wants a story, and you can bet your life the writer is getting paid.
Just my take.

Bennie, Ringside Report does not pay their writers, they just give you the chance to think you're somebody....

bennie wrote:Haye is the future over here, Rick. Calzaghe and Hatton are just looking for pension fights, Audley Harrison is scared to death in the ring, Amir Khan has just been smashed in 54 Bobickesque seconds...
We need Haye to deliver.

kikibalt wrote:
Ricardo Mayorga of Nicaragua sits after being knocked
out by Shane Mosley in the final seconds of the 12th
round of their junior middleweight boxing bout in
Carson, California, September 27, 2008.
REUTERS/Danny Moloshok (UNITED STATES)

kikibalt wrote:Are we heading back to those days?

kikibalt wrote:Are we heading back to those days?

bennie wrote:

Among those in the shot are Jackie Kid Berg, Terry Downes, heavyweight bruiser Dick Richardson, fighter and journalist Frankie Taylor, Bernard Hart (Lonsdale boss) and famous British cornerman Dennie Mancini...

Courtesy of Scrap on the British forum.

kikibalt wrote:
I remember when I was a young teenager my mom cooking on a wood
stove similar to the one on this photo, an yes I had to do the
wood chopping.... :laugh: