Jack Dempsey's Manhatten Gym, Los Angeles, Calif.
1940
Monday, August 31, 2009
Report on Austin Trout, David Rodriguez and Abie Han
By Louie Burke
Austin’s had a great camp for his upcoming battle against Nielson Julio Tapia. Yesterday was the last day of the hard sparring and he’ll have a few light rounds of sparring today. This’ll be his last real hard day of training. He’s weighed out at 157 ½ after practice. He’s trained hard and only took a couple of days off after his last fight a month ago. He’s looking forward to tapering down training camp and stepping in the ring Sept 5th , where the number 3 WBA ranking will be at stake. Originally we were going to import sparring, but after seeing video on Tapia, we felt Siju’s style of boxing was close enough that we could keep the sparring in house. Besides Siju, Austin was helped this time around by Tim Meek and Abie Han along with Cornelius Shuler.
David Rodriguez been preparing for his fight against veteran Robert Davis, also for the number 3 spot with the WBA. This will be in Monterrey, Mexico on Sept. 12th . The last week of camp Dave looked as good as I’ve ever seen him, we worked out some kinks in his foot positioning, after that he was looking good and cracking hard. This should be a good fight for David and set him up for some name opponents and bigger pay days During camp, Dave probably had the most consistent sparring in his career. The guys that got Dave ready for his bout were "Big Rod" Willis and Arron Lyons. Since I’ll be in Panama on Tuesday, Dave went on to Houston to finish his training there with Bobby Benton. We’ll all hook up in Monterrey the day after Austin’s fight in Panama.
Also fighting in Monterrey on David’s undercard will be Abie Han, who’s looking very good. We had to nurse a bruised bicep in his right arm for a couple of weeks, he still worked with Austin, but minimized the use or his right hand. As of today he said it feels a lot better and can now straighten it out. He will be ready by the 12th !
We plan on leaving Las Cruces at 5 Tuesday morning to the Juarez airport then leaving for Panama at 9am and arriving at 6:30pm.
Sammy was told by the Dr. to take it easy on his shoulder for at least 6 weeks to let the rotor cuff tear to heal, if all heals well he should be back in action in a couple months if not sooner. Also, Ricky Vasquez has been training hard and is looking for a fight.
Thanks for your support and I’ll try and keep you updated while we’re in Panama and Mexico.
Austin’s had a great camp for his upcoming battle against Nielson Julio Tapia. Yesterday was the last day of the hard sparring and he’ll have a few light rounds of sparring today. This’ll be his last real hard day of training. He’s weighed out at 157 ½ after practice. He’s trained hard and only took a couple of days off after his last fight a month ago. He’s looking forward to tapering down training camp and stepping in the ring Sept 5th , where the number 3 WBA ranking will be at stake. Originally we were going to import sparring, but after seeing video on Tapia, we felt Siju’s style of boxing was close enough that we could keep the sparring in house. Besides Siju, Austin was helped this time around by Tim Meek and Abie Han along with Cornelius Shuler.
David Rodriguez been preparing for his fight against veteran Robert Davis, also for the number 3 spot with the WBA. This will be in Monterrey, Mexico on Sept. 12th . The last week of camp Dave looked as good as I’ve ever seen him, we worked out some kinks in his foot positioning, after that he was looking good and cracking hard. This should be a good fight for David and set him up for some name opponents and bigger pay days During camp, Dave probably had the most consistent sparring in his career. The guys that got Dave ready for his bout were "Big Rod" Willis and Arron Lyons. Since I’ll be in Panama on Tuesday, Dave went on to Houston to finish his training there with Bobby Benton. We’ll all hook up in Monterrey the day after Austin’s fight in Panama.
Also fighting in Monterrey on David’s undercard will be Abie Han, who’s looking very good. We had to nurse a bruised bicep in his right arm for a couple of weeks, he still worked with Austin, but minimized the use or his right hand. As of today he said it feels a lot better and can now straighten it out. He will be ready by the 12th !
We plan on leaving Las Cruces at 5 Tuesday morning to the Juarez airport then leaving for Panama at 9am and arriving at 6:30pm.
Sammy was told by the Dr. to take it easy on his shoulder for at least 6 weeks to let the rotor cuff tear to heal, if all heals well he should be back in action in a couple months if not sooner. Also, Ricky Vasquez has been training hard and is looking for a fight.
Thanks for your support and I’ll try and keep you updated while we’re in Panama and Mexico.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
What Does Sugar Ray Leonard Think Of Pacquiao
Sugar Ray Leonard speaks out about Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
More From Rick Farris
By Rick FarrisBob Bell was one of my first trainers.
He came to L.A. from Detroit in the 50's, where he had trained with Henry Hank.
Later he came to L.A. and fought for Johnny Flores.
Bob Bell was one of the best teachers I ever knew.
He was generous with his time and experience, like so many who worked with kids in L.A.'s Junior Golden Gloves program.
By day, Bob would work as an auto mechanic at a San Fernando Valley Dodge dealership. At night he helped with Flores' amateurs.
Bob was a cagey pro with a lot of tricks up his sleeve. He taught me a lot of things, good things, he was a man of charactor.
-Rick Farris
He came to L.A. from Detroit in the 50's, where he had trained with Henry Hank.
Later he came to L.A. and fought for Johnny Flores.
Bob Bell was one of the best teachers I ever knew.
He was generous with his time and experience, like so many who worked with kids in L.A.'s Junior Golden Gloves program.
By day, Bob would work as an auto mechanic at a San Fernando Valley Dodge dealership. At night he helped with Flores' amateurs.
Bob was a cagey pro with a lot of tricks up his sleeve. He taught me a lot of things, good things, he was a man of charactor.
-Rick Farris
Johnny Flores, Julio Flores, Memo Soto, Ricky Farris & Duke Holloway
The Main Street Gym - 1965
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Rick Farris, Henry Armstrong and Bill Farris
Rick Farris, Henry Armstrong and Bill Farris
at the Main Street Gym, Los Angeles-1965
By Rick Farris
The great Henry Armstrong . . .
When I heard that Henry Armstrong was in the gym, I couldn't concentrate on my own workout.
He was nearly 53-year-old, and hadn't fought in twenty years.
He was in the gym training a young welterweight, Gary Carr.
My eyes kept looking over to Armstrong as he worked with his fighter.
I wanted to watch closer, maybe pick something up from one of the greatest prizefighters in history.
I was just a kid, but I knew all about Henry Armstrong. I was like a little leaguer standing on the same ball field with Babe Ruth.
How many other world champions held three undisputed world titles simultaniously?
How many champs defended the welterweight title eighteen times (the record) in less than two years (five defenses in a three week period!).
He did the above while also holding and defending the featherweight and Lightweight titles, not to mention a few non-title contests, as well.
Then he fights to a disputed "draw" in an attempt to add the middleweight title to his collection. (He had beaten the middle champ in an earlier match.)
I watched the man closely, this is what I would take from the gym that day.
He looked a little tired, very calm, a warmth about him. His dark sweater had holes in the sleeves, the soles of his shoes were worn.
I imagined how good life had once been for him. Actors Al Jolson and Ruby Keeler had once had held his contract.
My manager, Johnny Flores introduced me to Hammerin' Hank. My grandad snapped a picture. This took place 44 years ago.
When I arrived home from the gym that evening, I tell my younger brother, "I met Superman today!"
He looked at me like I was crazy, "No you didn't," he said.
Yeah little brother, I really did!
Rick Farris
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
WHEN THE MOMENT ARRIVES
By Roger Esty
Ted Williams said that one afternoon of a game he was standing on second base and looked down at home plate.
"That's a hell of a long way to run on a hit through the infield."
That look at home plate standing on second convinced The Kid to hang up his cleats.
Arnold Palmer said that he just didn't want to compete to win on the golf course anymore during a tournament.
"I just let go of the rope. I was tired of it."
He never won another tournament.
Then there's the story of Andy Heilman not coming out for the next round against Ronnie Wilson. A fight Andy was winning easily. He told his corner that he didn't want to fight anymore. And he didn't.
Sometimes the moment is that fast. Triggers just as fast a decision. The fire's extinguished.It's over. No contemplation. Maybe they weren't even thinking about before the moment arrived.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Louie Burke
Courtesy of convictedartist.com
Louie Burke
By. D.A
Louie Burke of Las Cruces, New Mexico was an influential professional boxer in the 80's, and is currently an inspirational boxing trainer .
Burke has earned himself the quality reputation as a talented trainer after training several young boxers who have now excelled in the art of boxing.
One such boxer is undefeated heavy weight champion David “Nino” Rodriguez who recently won the Mexico WBC belt.
Another great boxer who Burke trains is Austin ”No Doubt” Trout. Trout is now on his way to the same boxing fame Burke himself earned as a pro boxer in his youth.
Louie Burk once fought against former boxer & current trainer Freddie ” La Cucaracha” Roach. Roach is an internationally known trainer who has trained boxers such as Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao, Oscar “Golden Boy” De La Hoya, and Floyd “Pretty Boy” Mayweather Jr.
Louie Burke fought boxing warriors Charlie “White Lightning” Brown and Hector Camacho.
It is said that Louie's passion for boxing may have been planted in his heart by his father Sam Burke who was also an avid boxer.
Small wonder Burk has earned himself the reputation as being one of the Southwest’s best trainers.
3 quick facts about Louie Burke:
Louie Burke is ranked on a list of Boxing's Greatest... Source: Louie Burke - Reviews on RateItAll [www.rateitall.com]
Burke was trained by legendary trainers Jessie Reid and Angelo Dundee
Louie Burke
By. D.A
Louie Burke of Las Cruces, New Mexico was an influential professional boxer in the 80's, and is currently an inspirational boxing trainer .
Burke has earned himself the quality reputation as a talented trainer after training several young boxers who have now excelled in the art of boxing.
One such boxer is undefeated heavy weight champion David “Nino” Rodriguez who recently won the Mexico WBC belt.
Another great boxer who Burke trains is Austin ”No Doubt” Trout. Trout is now on his way to the same boxing fame Burke himself earned as a pro boxer in his youth.
Louie Burk once fought against former boxer & current trainer Freddie ” La Cucaracha” Roach. Roach is an internationally known trainer who has trained boxers such as Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao, Oscar “Golden Boy” De La Hoya, and Floyd “Pretty Boy” Mayweather Jr.
Louie Burke fought boxing warriors Charlie “White Lightning” Brown and Hector Camacho.
It is said that Louie's passion for boxing may have been planted in his heart by his father Sam Burke who was also an avid boxer.
Small wonder Burk has earned himself the reputation as being one of the Southwest’s best trainers.
3 quick facts about Louie Burke:
Louie Burke is ranked on a list of Boxing's Greatest... Source: Louie Burke - Reviews on RateItAll [www.rateitall.com]
Burke was trained by legendary trainers Jessie Reid and Angelo Dundee
California Boxing Hall of Fame 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Registration & Social Hour
11:00am
Roast Prime Rib of Beef Luncheon
12:00 noon
STEVENS STEAK & SEAFOOD HOUSE
5332 Stevens Place, Commerce, California 90040
(off the Santa Ana Fwy (5) at Atlantic Blvd.
Luncheon Ticket - $40.00
Tickets almost sold out!
(818) 761-4887
Fax: (818) 7614887
Meet & Greet "Boxing Legends"
Honorees:
Manny Pacquiao, Charlie Powell, Michael Buffer
Sugar Ray Robinson, Davey Gallardo, Freddie Roach,
Roy Englebrecht, Van Barbieri, Jack O'Halloran
Timothy Ray Bradley Jr., Gary Shaw
PJ Goosen, Robert Garcia, Eduardo Garcia, Ken Green,
Howard Smith, Jackie Richardson, Alex Ramos, Jesse Reid,
Paul Andrews, John Bray, John Jackson Sr., Gary Ballin,
Kid Rayo, Tony Cerda, Ed Holmes, Tony Fuentes, Bob Fuentes
Paul Vaden, Jesus Pimentel,
Heavyweight Champion - Jim Jeffries
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Views on Marquez vs Mayweather
Members of the World Boxing Hall of Fame Board of Directors give their views and predictions on the upcoming Juan Manuel Marquez vs Floyd Mayweather fight.
Damaged Goods
Documentary exposes harsh reality of life after boxing
By STEVE BUFFERY
There is a scene in the documentary "After The Last Round" when an old man named Harry Moyer wanders over to his son Phil and begins to wipe Phil's face with a tissue, precisely as he would have done years earlier when Phil was boxing and Harry was his trainer.
Phil suffers from dementia and stares past his father, unfocussed and lost.
"You're all right," whispers Harry to his aging son.
Phil, however, clearly is not all right.
In his 90s, Harry is in much better shape than Phil and his other son Denny, who also was a world-ranked fighter out of Portland, Ore., in the 1950s and '60s.
The camera then pans out to show Denny and Phil sitting in adjoining chairs, starring blankly ahead, brothers bound by the brutal sport of boxing and the wretched consequences the so-called "sweet science" exacts on those who embrace it.
Everyone who has ever watched a round of boxing generally is aware that the sport is -- particularly at the professional level -- dangerous and potentially lethal. But what we don't see is what happens to these damaged fighters after they walk away from the ring.
Denny and Phil Moyer were legends in the Portland area, world-ranked middleweights, charismatic and handsome.
Now, they are broken, suffering from dementia, living together at a nursing home, in need of constant care, their conditions deteriorating.
Laura Moyer, Phil's daughter, describes how when they first took her father to the home, the tough ex-fighter, who fought the very best of his day, including Sugar Ray Robinson, began crying.
"He said: 'Please don't leave me here,' " said Laura, breaking down in tears. "But we couldn't take care of him anymore."
The executive producer of After The Last Round is Tom Moyer, a cousin of Denny and Phil.
Now a resident of Santa Barbara, Calif., Tom grew up in Portland, where the Moyers were the first family of boxing. Tom's father also trained Phil and Denny. But what was once a source of pride for the family has turned into tragedy. And not just because of Denny and Phil's dementia. Harry also is a victim, as he spends his remaining days dealing with the fact that he put his boys in the ring and is, in a way, the architect of their demise.
Decades later, having witnessed his cousins' downward spiral, Tom Moyer encouraged his own son Patrick and Patrick's friend, the filmmaker Ryan Pettey, to take put together a documentary, not just about the Moyer family, but on what happens to fighters after the final bell has sounded.
Patrick is the film's producer and Pettey the director.
The film shows that not only are many ex-professional fighters, perhaps even the majority, damaged goods, most are destitute, or nearly there -- cast away like broken toys, treated worse than greyhound dogs.
There is no pension for ex-fighters. Most walk away with nothing, in fact, less than nothing, because they leave boxing with less than what they had going in.
After The Last Round profiles boxers who are in the advanced state of dementia, or blind, or broke, but also examines why some fighters, including many who waged tremendous wars in the ring and absorbed untold punishment -- such as Canadian heavyweight legend George Chuvalo -- have survived seemingly unscathed, at least physically.
Tom Moyer is justifiably proud of the film, but equally frustrated, as he is attempting to have the movie included in this year's Toronto International Film Festival. But as of yet, he has had no luck.
Near the end of the documentary, the camera focuses on Denny's wife, Sandy.
"He's living over there, but really he's dead," she says of her husband. "And nobody cares. Frankly, nobody ever will care. But I care."
Tom Moyer's reason for producing After the Last Round, and for pushing for its inclusion in this year's TIFF, is so more people will care.
STEVE.BUFFERY@SUNMEDIA.CA
By STEVE BUFFERY
There is a scene in the documentary "After The Last Round" when an old man named Harry Moyer wanders over to his son Phil and begins to wipe Phil's face with a tissue, precisely as he would have done years earlier when Phil was boxing and Harry was his trainer.
Phil suffers from dementia and stares past his father, unfocussed and lost.
"You're all right," whispers Harry to his aging son.
Phil, however, clearly is not all right.
In his 90s, Harry is in much better shape than Phil and his other son Denny, who also was a world-ranked fighter out of Portland, Ore., in the 1950s and '60s.
The camera then pans out to show Denny and Phil sitting in adjoining chairs, starring blankly ahead, brothers bound by the brutal sport of boxing and the wretched consequences the so-called "sweet science" exacts on those who embrace it.
Everyone who has ever watched a round of boxing generally is aware that the sport is -- particularly at the professional level -- dangerous and potentially lethal. But what we don't see is what happens to these damaged fighters after they walk away from the ring.
Denny and Phil Moyer were legends in the Portland area, world-ranked middleweights, charismatic and handsome.
Now, they are broken, suffering from dementia, living together at a nursing home, in need of constant care, their conditions deteriorating.
Laura Moyer, Phil's daughter, describes how when they first took her father to the home, the tough ex-fighter, who fought the very best of his day, including Sugar Ray Robinson, began crying.
"He said: 'Please don't leave me here,' " said Laura, breaking down in tears. "But we couldn't take care of him anymore."
The executive producer of After The Last Round is Tom Moyer, a cousin of Denny and Phil.
Now a resident of Santa Barbara, Calif., Tom grew up in Portland, where the Moyers were the first family of boxing. Tom's father also trained Phil and Denny. But what was once a source of pride for the family has turned into tragedy. And not just because of Denny and Phil's dementia. Harry also is a victim, as he spends his remaining days dealing with the fact that he put his boys in the ring and is, in a way, the architect of their demise.
Decades later, having witnessed his cousins' downward spiral, Tom Moyer encouraged his own son Patrick and Patrick's friend, the filmmaker Ryan Pettey, to take put together a documentary, not just about the Moyer family, but on what happens to fighters after the final bell has sounded.
Patrick is the film's producer and Pettey the director.
The film shows that not only are many ex-professional fighters, perhaps even the majority, damaged goods, most are destitute, or nearly there -- cast away like broken toys, treated worse than greyhound dogs.
There is no pension for ex-fighters. Most walk away with nothing, in fact, less than nothing, because they leave boxing with less than what they had going in.
After The Last Round profiles boxers who are in the advanced state of dementia, or blind, or broke, but also examines why some fighters, including many who waged tremendous wars in the ring and absorbed untold punishment -- such as Canadian heavyweight legend George Chuvalo -- have survived seemingly unscathed, at least physically.
Tom Moyer is justifiably proud of the film, but equally frustrated, as he is attempting to have the movie included in this year's Toronto International Film Festival. But as of yet, he has had no luck.
Near the end of the documentary, the camera focuses on Denny's wife, Sandy.
"He's living over there, but really he's dead," she says of her husband. "And nobody cares. Frankly, nobody ever will care. But I care."
Tom Moyer's reason for producing After the Last Round, and for pushing for its inclusion in this year's TIFF, is so more people will care.
STEVE.BUFFERY@SUNMEDIA.CA
More on Moyer by Roger Esty
FIGHT TO THE FINISH
I remember Denny Moyer. I remember a lot of fighters like him that were fighting too long. But whether they needed the money or not they seemed not to care. I think they knew in the back of their minds that things would only get worse. They never talked about it because that would be sniveling and fighters don't snivel. Denny Moyer wasn't a sniveler. Nice enough guy sober. Get him drunk,which didn't take much doing,and you better be on his right side. But sniveling? Naw,how can you have fun complaining?
The stories we read about the Moyers back to the Langfords,and recently the Gatti's and Arguellos,and the recent HBO documentary on the Resto/Collins fight-it's part of the world of boxing. We feel for them,but what can we do? Boxing isn't one of those sports where kids are honed like Little League. (Remember that Walt Disney series,'Moochie And The Little League?).Can you imagine Walt Disney putting together a kids' show called "Moochie And The Boxing Ring?" Society would push The Society For The Prevention Of Cruelties To Animals to the back burner.
Big venues for boxing are Vegas and Atlantic City. Gamblers are on it like flies on sh-t. There'll never be a world or even a national commission to control it because the leeches would have to move on.The leeches are in control. Congress won't do anything except ask basesball players about steroids.
If Denny is coherent I don't think he'd want anyone to feel sorry for him.It's good that he has his wife. I've always thought fighters' wives are the best. Their bridge to heaven is their suffering watching their husbands engage in the ring. But wherever Denny is,I think he's still trying to find a good time.Too bad we all cry watching him struggle.
I remember Denny Moyer. I remember a lot of fighters like him that were fighting too long. But whether they needed the money or not they seemed not to care. I think they knew in the back of their minds that things would only get worse. They never talked about it because that would be sniveling and fighters don't snivel. Denny Moyer wasn't a sniveler. Nice enough guy sober. Get him drunk,which didn't take much doing,and you better be on his right side. But sniveling? Naw,how can you have fun complaining?
The stories we read about the Moyers back to the Langfords,and recently the Gatti's and Arguellos,and the recent HBO documentary on the Resto/Collins fight-it's part of the world of boxing. We feel for them,but what can we do? Boxing isn't one of those sports where kids are honed like Little League. (Remember that Walt Disney series,'Moochie And The Little League?).Can you imagine Walt Disney putting together a kids' show called "Moochie And The Boxing Ring?" Society would push The Society For The Prevention Of Cruelties To Animals to the back burner.
Big venues for boxing are Vegas and Atlantic City. Gamblers are on it like flies on sh-t. There'll never be a world or even a national commission to control it because the leeches would have to move on.The leeches are in control. Congress won't do anything except ask basesball players about steroids.
If Denny is coherent I don't think he'd want anyone to feel sorry for him.It's good that he has his wife. I've always thought fighters' wives are the best. Their bridge to heaven is their suffering watching their husbands engage in the ring. But wherever Denny is,I think he's still trying to find a good time.Too bad we all cry watching him struggle.
A Denny Moyer Sidenote
By Bill O'neill
Here's a little "tag" to the Denny Moyer story:
A cousin of mine was a reporter on the Portland Oregonian newspaper back in the 1970s, and he worked with a fellow named Dennis Moyer--no relation to the famous boxer who shared the same name. One day a guy carrying a pistol barged into the Oregonian newsroom, looking for "Denny Moyer." It seems that Denny Moyer the pugilist was having a steamy affair with the guy's WIFE, and the guy wanted to "have a little talk with him" about it. By the time the police arrived, people in the office had the guy pretty well convinced that it was a case of mistaken identity, and that their Denny Moyer was not the guy who was screwing the man's wife.
bon
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
More Ramon Fuentes Photos
Photos Courtesy of Frank Baltazar Sr.
Ramon Fuentes vs Georgie Johnson
January 28, 1955
Convention Hall
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Ramon Fuentes vs Hector Contance
July 20, 1955
Madison Square Garden
New York, New York
A Denny Moyer Story
The following was sent to me by Bill O'Neill. It goes hand in hand with everything I have heard and read about Moyer, a tough as nails former boxer. I thought it was hilarious.
By Bill O'Neill
By Bill O'NeillDenny Moyer was a good, tough, very PROFESSIONAL fighter. Nice, stand-up style, good movement, great chin, gutty and intelligent--had everything EXCEPT a punch. He boxed brilliantly early in his career; his first loss was to Don Jordan in a world title fight when he was only about 19, and he kept fighting right on up into his forties. Beat a lot of great fighters, but stayed in the game too long. Was from a fighting family. His father boxed, as I recall; as did Denny's brother Phil, and their sons.
But now, let me tell you a story about Denny Moyer--and I'll try to make it brief. A lifelong friend of mine named Jack Thompson was training Denny, very late in Denny's career, in a gym in Portland (Oregon), that was upstairs over a bar in a seedy section of town. The two of them, along with a young middleweight named Davey Rogers, were leaving the gym one evening when a couple of DRUNKS stopped them on the narrow stairway. "Where's Denny Moyer?" one of the drunks demanded. "I've got two hundred bucks that says he can't last one round with me!"
Jack and Denny looked at each other, and decided to go back upstairs and take the guy up on his offer. In the gym, as Jack was lacing up the drunk's gloves, the guy started cursing at Davey Rogers. Words were exchanged, and the drunk said, "Put the gloves on this punk! I'll bet a hundred dollars that says I can knock HIM out in one round, before I knock out Denny Moyer!"
So they strapped a pair of 14-oz. gloves on Rogers, who Jack tells me could really whack. The kid leveled the drunk with the first punch he threw; knocked him flat. The professionals collected the hundred, and had begun to pack up their stuff again when the drunk's friend yelled out, "Look! He's getting up!" And sure enough, the drunk staggered to his feet and said, "I didn't get my shot a Denny Moyer yet!" He and his friend threw two one-hundred-dollar bills on the ring apron and said, "Come on! A deal is a deal!"
So Jack put the gloves on Moyer, but cautioned him: "Look, don't hit this guy in the head. He has just been knocked out, and another concussion like that could get us in big trouble."
Thereupon, Moyer quickly put the guy down and out with a body punch, causing a spew of vomit that shot six feet in the air. A few minutes later, the three pros helped the drunk down the stairs and back into his favorite bar--and departed the scene, three hundred dollars richer. (Fortunately, they didn't get arrested.)
bon
But now, let me tell you a story about Denny Moyer--and I'll try to make it brief. A lifelong friend of mine named Jack Thompson was training Denny, very late in Denny's career, in a gym in Portland (Oregon), that was upstairs over a bar in a seedy section of town. The two of them, along with a young middleweight named Davey Rogers, were leaving the gym one evening when a couple of DRUNKS stopped them on the narrow stairway. "Where's Denny Moyer?" one of the drunks demanded. "I've got two hundred bucks that says he can't last one round with me!"
Jack and Denny looked at each other, and decided to go back upstairs and take the guy up on his offer. In the gym, as Jack was lacing up the drunk's gloves, the guy started cursing at Davey Rogers. Words were exchanged, and the drunk said, "Put the gloves on this punk! I'll bet a hundred dollars that says I can knock HIM out in one round, before I knock out Denny Moyer!"
So they strapped a pair of 14-oz. gloves on Rogers, who Jack tells me could really whack. The kid leveled the drunk with the first punch he threw; knocked him flat. The professionals collected the hundred, and had begun to pack up their stuff again when the drunk's friend yelled out, "Look! He's getting up!" And sure enough, the drunk staggered to his feet and said, "I didn't get my shot a Denny Moyer yet!" He and his friend threw two one-hundred-dollar bills on the ring apron and said, "Come on! A deal is a deal!"
So Jack put the gloves on Moyer, but cautioned him: "Look, don't hit this guy in the head. He has just been knocked out, and another concussion like that could get us in big trouble."
Thereupon, Moyer quickly put the guy down and out with a body punch, causing a spew of vomit that shot six feet in the air. A few minutes later, the three pros helped the drunk down the stairs and back into his favorite bar--and departed the scene, three hundred dollars richer. (Fortunately, they didn't get arrested.)
bon
Monday, August 3, 2009
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Ramon Fuentes has passed away
Ramon Fuentes 1925-2009
Former welterweight contender Ramon Fuentes has passed away. I don't have all the details at this time but I will post them when I get them. Fuentes, a Los Angeles area fighter fought from 1950 to 1958. He fought under the name Chuck Moody during the early part of his career. He fought some of the better fighters of his era, including; Kid Gavilan, Art Aragon, Billy Graham, Johnny Saxton, Joe Miceli, and Chico Vejar.The Fight Has Just Begun - In the Courts and Not the Ring by John Bardelli
Special From John Bardelli
Several have sent me articles discussing the entry of Michael Baden, M.D., into the picture precipitating Arturo Gatti's body being exhumed and a second autopsy having been undertaken. The media is abuzz - Gatti's legion of fans lining up as though, somehow, sensing that a report is going to put Amanda Rodrigues away for life. There is a frenzy about the rabid name calling directed to Amanda Rodrigues which was brought on by the psychological concept of primacy when the Brazilian police prematurely stated that Amanda Rodrigues was responsible for the death of Arturo Gatti. Psychological primacy is the principal that what is first heard is most often believed and it becomes a irrefutable governing fact. Now, those exposed and believing have their hopes lifted by headlines which boldly declare and assert --- Baden Autopsy Does Not Rule Out Gatti Murder --- the headlines scream coast to coast and worldwide.
I was earlier alerted to Baden's being hired and sniffed it out for what it is. Regardless, make no mistake about it. Baden or no Baden, rule of primacy or no rule of primacy, Arturo Gatti committed suicide --- its that simple.
Now that pathologist Michael Baden, M.D., is involved - controversy is guaranteed - forever - and that controversy has an avowed purpose behind it. Baden was or is the chief forensic pathologist for the New York City Police Department. As far as I know, he is not conducting this examination at the expense of or on behalf of the citizens of the state of New York or for the New York City Police Department or for any other governmental entity. Most likely, he has been privately engaged and just who is footing the bill and the amount he is charging for his engagement is unknown at the present time. And why, might one ask, was he engaged at all?
There is a lot going on behind the scenes, legal maneuverings of a kind and nature which have not been, to my knowledge, disclosed anywhere ... either on line in cyber space or within any specific media coverage. When analyzed from the prospects of a civil litigant, it is apparent what is transpiring. At the outset, let us assume as one scenario, that Arturo Gatti left no Last Will and Testament. When one has no Last Will and Testament and that person dies, it is said that he/she dies "intestate." To die "intestate" simply means that the decedent left no Last Will and Testament. When that happens, his state of domicile or residence at the time of death, through statutory enactments, writes the Last Will and Testament for the decedent.
One of the arguments advanced by a Gatti family member, or one linked to Arturo Gatti through boxing ties, against the contention that Gatti committed suicide is that Gatti had millions of dollars in the bank and in investments. Ergo, we are supposed to believe that rich people don't commit suicide. That may be true and I assume that there is less of an incentive to take one's life when the accounts are filled. However, people commit suicide for multiple reasons --- rich or poor and for better and for worse. Regardless, let us assume that Gatti does have millions set aside. Who does that estate, i.e., those millions, pass to upon his death under the fact scenario of his having left no Will?
In New York and New Jersey, when a person dies without having left a Last Will and Testament, the intestate laws provide that the estate of the decedent passes (1) to the surviving spouse and, if no surviving spouse then to (2) surviving children, and if no spouse or children, then to (3) surviving parent(s), and if no spouse, children, or parents, then to (4) brothers and/or sisters (siblings), and beyond. At the forefront, note it is Amanda Rodrigues who stands first in line to inherit Arturo Gatti's estate and the Gatti family are in arms and vocal about that prospect..
If Gatti were to have died from natural causes or committed suicide, at first glance, Gatti's estate would pass to Amanda Rodrigues as Gatti's surviving spouse by operation of law. However, both New York and New Jersey have enacted "slayer statutes" which provide that a "slayer" cannot inherit from the estate of one slain nor be the beneficiary under a life insurance policy of the person so slain. Ergo, if it is established that Amanda Rodrigues is determined by a court proceeding to be "a slayer" as defined in the applicable statute, then she personally cannot inherit any portion of Gatti's estate either through the estate laws nor the insurance beneficiary laws. Consequently, one has to ask: Is there is a need to establish a "slayer" who meets the definition of Amanda Rodrigues or she will inherit the entirety of Gatti's estate and his life insurance proceeds if she is named as the beneficiary? If the Gatti family seek to prevent Amanda Rodrigues from becoming the sole beneficiary of Arturo Gatti's Estate, and she presently is in that position, most assuredly, if Gatti died intestate, one mechanism to prevent that from becoming a reality is to have her declared a "slayer" within the confines of applicable law. The answer to the posed question is, most assuredly, there is a need to have Amanda Rodrigues declared a "slayer."
I presume, in large measure, once Baden's report concludes that Gatti was murdered, the anti-thesis to one having committed suicide, then you will also see litigation simultaneously commenced as follows: (1) probate initiated where the administrator of Gatti's estate seeks to have Amanda Rodrigues declared a "slayer" thereby precluding her from inheriting any portion of Gatti's estate and (2) a custody action which seeks to deprive Amanda Rodrigues of custody of their son, Arturo, Jr., because as one of two surviving Arturo Gatti children, those children stand next in line to inherit once the Administrator can secure a court order which declares Amanda Rodrigues as a "slayer." Unless she challenges that finding, whoever has custody of Gatti's son will control at least 50% of his estate and the Gatti family, again, have been very is vocal that they intend to seek custody of Arturo, Jr.
I am sure that Gatti's family will do what it can do, as well, to preclude Gatti's daughter Sofia from inheriting her 50% of the estate. The Gatti family is at odds with Erika Rivera, a one time fiance of Arturo Gatti, the woman who Gatti referred to the public at large as "Satin's daughter," and worse, during their tumultuous relationship. From Ms. Rivera's perspective, their troubles grew in large measure because Arturo Gatti, though the acknowledged father of Sofia, did not want to pay support money to Ms. Rivera and she brought into play the Courts, much to Arturo Gatti's displeasure. However, it appears that Gatti's brother is on somewhat better terms with Erika than the rest of the Gatti family but when it all is cut, sliced, and examined, blood is thicker than water and whichever way the Gatti Family is drifting, one can be assured it will be with unanimity.
It is highly likely that Baden's engagement is no different than scenarios where unfortunate employees who are injured during the course of their employment. In the majority of instances when that happens, and a claim is thereafter made against the Department of Labor and Industries or Workers Compensation for any given state, the state puts the injured worked through a litany of medical examinations by doctors engaged as so-called "independent examiners" whereupon an unsuspecting worker, believing initially that a doctor would not lie about a worker's injuries and health, soon learns that the meaning of "independent" and "physician" are strange and twisted beyond all measure. Questions to be asked of individuals such as Michael Baden, M.D., and those "independent examiners" who, in reality, are hired guns, include: How much money do you make doing forensic examinations when hired by private parties during the course of the past 10 years and how many times did your report favor the party who hired you versus the adverse party and specific requests for written documentation in confirmation of the answer rendered must be sought as well.
Anyone subjected to the process, understands immediately the import of the message I seek to convey. As physicians, one would think they were honorable people engaged in the pursuit of truth and justice. Au contraire, as one suddenly learns at great expense and delay. These hired guns were engaged to create controversy and to force a settlement at the injured worker's overall expense. What the worker went through is being played out literally thousands of times a day in this country. I strongly suspect that it is being played out again through the engagement of Baden as well. And there is no intent to denigrate Michael Baden, M.D., as it may be that he has the best intentions of conducting an examination which is truly elevated to the concept of justice rather than for partisanship purposes. Who knows in this instance what his report will reveal? The proof is in the pudding.
Will Baden's report convince me otherwise as to what transpired in Brazil? I won't close my eyes to his conclusions and the report, in general, but it will not serve to change my analysis as to what transpired. It appears that the fight has just begun. This fight, however, pits the Gatti family against Amanda Rodrigues. This is not what Arturo Gatti would have wanted. This is not how Arturo Gatti wanted to be remembered.
Several have sent me articles discussing the entry of Michael Baden, M.D., into the picture precipitating Arturo Gatti's body being exhumed and a second autopsy having been undertaken. The media is abuzz - Gatti's legion of fans lining up as though, somehow, sensing that a report is going to put Amanda Rodrigues away for life. There is a frenzy about the rabid name calling directed to Amanda Rodrigues which was brought on by the psychological concept of primacy when the Brazilian police prematurely stated that Amanda Rodrigues was responsible for the death of Arturo Gatti. Psychological primacy is the principal that what is first heard is most often believed and it becomes a irrefutable governing fact. Now, those exposed and believing have their hopes lifted by headlines which boldly declare and assert --- Baden Autopsy Does Not Rule Out Gatti Murder --- the headlines scream coast to coast and worldwide.
I was earlier alerted to Baden's being hired and sniffed it out for what it is. Regardless, make no mistake about it. Baden or no Baden, rule of primacy or no rule of primacy, Arturo Gatti committed suicide --- its that simple.
Now that pathologist Michael Baden, M.D., is involved - controversy is guaranteed - forever - and that controversy has an avowed purpose behind it. Baden was or is the chief forensic pathologist for the New York City Police Department. As far as I know, he is not conducting this examination at the expense of or on behalf of the citizens of the state of New York or for the New York City Police Department or for any other governmental entity. Most likely, he has been privately engaged and just who is footing the bill and the amount he is charging for his engagement is unknown at the present time. And why, might one ask, was he engaged at all?
There is a lot going on behind the scenes, legal maneuverings of a kind and nature which have not been, to my knowledge, disclosed anywhere ... either on line in cyber space or within any specific media coverage. When analyzed from the prospects of a civil litigant, it is apparent what is transpiring. At the outset, let us assume as one scenario, that Arturo Gatti left no Last Will and Testament. When one has no Last Will and Testament and that person dies, it is said that he/she dies "intestate." To die "intestate" simply means that the decedent left no Last Will and Testament. When that happens, his state of domicile or residence at the time of death, through statutory enactments, writes the Last Will and Testament for the decedent.
One of the arguments advanced by a Gatti family member, or one linked to Arturo Gatti through boxing ties, against the contention that Gatti committed suicide is that Gatti had millions of dollars in the bank and in investments. Ergo, we are supposed to believe that rich people don't commit suicide. That may be true and I assume that there is less of an incentive to take one's life when the accounts are filled. However, people commit suicide for multiple reasons --- rich or poor and for better and for worse. Regardless, let us assume that Gatti does have millions set aside. Who does that estate, i.e., those millions, pass to upon his death under the fact scenario of his having left no Will?
In New York and New Jersey, when a person dies without having left a Last Will and Testament, the intestate laws provide that the estate of the decedent passes (1) to the surviving spouse and, if no surviving spouse then to (2) surviving children, and if no spouse or children, then to (3) surviving parent(s), and if no spouse, children, or parents, then to (4) brothers and/or sisters (siblings), and beyond. At the forefront, note it is Amanda Rodrigues who stands first in line to inherit Arturo Gatti's estate and the Gatti family are in arms and vocal about that prospect..
If Gatti were to have died from natural causes or committed suicide, at first glance, Gatti's estate would pass to Amanda Rodrigues as Gatti's surviving spouse by operation of law. However, both New York and New Jersey have enacted "slayer statutes" which provide that a "slayer" cannot inherit from the estate of one slain nor be the beneficiary under a life insurance policy of the person so slain. Ergo, if it is established that Amanda Rodrigues is determined by a court proceeding to be "a slayer" as defined in the applicable statute, then she personally cannot inherit any portion of Gatti's estate either through the estate laws nor the insurance beneficiary laws. Consequently, one has to ask: Is there is a need to establish a "slayer" who meets the definition of Amanda Rodrigues or she will inherit the entirety of Gatti's estate and his life insurance proceeds if she is named as the beneficiary? If the Gatti family seek to prevent Amanda Rodrigues from becoming the sole beneficiary of Arturo Gatti's Estate, and she presently is in that position, most assuredly, if Gatti died intestate, one mechanism to prevent that from becoming a reality is to have her declared a "slayer" within the confines of applicable law. The answer to the posed question is, most assuredly, there is a need to have Amanda Rodrigues declared a "slayer."
I presume, in large measure, once Baden's report concludes that Gatti was murdered, the anti-thesis to one having committed suicide, then you will also see litigation simultaneously commenced as follows: (1) probate initiated where the administrator of Gatti's estate seeks to have Amanda Rodrigues declared a "slayer" thereby precluding her from inheriting any portion of Gatti's estate and (2) a custody action which seeks to deprive Amanda Rodrigues of custody of their son, Arturo, Jr., because as one of two surviving Arturo Gatti children, those children stand next in line to inherit once the Administrator can secure a court order which declares Amanda Rodrigues as a "slayer." Unless she challenges that finding, whoever has custody of Gatti's son will control at least 50% of his estate and the Gatti family, again, have been very is vocal that they intend to seek custody of Arturo, Jr.
I am sure that Gatti's family will do what it can do, as well, to preclude Gatti's daughter Sofia from inheriting her 50% of the estate. The Gatti family is at odds with Erika Rivera, a one time fiance of Arturo Gatti, the woman who Gatti referred to the public at large as "Satin's daughter," and worse, during their tumultuous relationship. From Ms. Rivera's perspective, their troubles grew in large measure because Arturo Gatti, though the acknowledged father of Sofia, did not want to pay support money to Ms. Rivera and she brought into play the Courts, much to Arturo Gatti's displeasure. However, it appears that Gatti's brother is on somewhat better terms with Erika than the rest of the Gatti family but when it all is cut, sliced, and examined, blood is thicker than water and whichever way the Gatti Family is drifting, one can be assured it will be with unanimity.
It is highly likely that Baden's engagement is no different than scenarios where unfortunate employees who are injured during the course of their employment. In the majority of instances when that happens, and a claim is thereafter made against the Department of Labor and Industries or Workers Compensation for any given state, the state puts the injured worked through a litany of medical examinations by doctors engaged as so-called "independent examiners" whereupon an unsuspecting worker, believing initially that a doctor would not lie about a worker's injuries and health, soon learns that the meaning of "independent" and "physician" are strange and twisted beyond all measure. Questions to be asked of individuals such as Michael Baden, M.D., and those "independent examiners" who, in reality, are hired guns, include: How much money do you make doing forensic examinations when hired by private parties during the course of the past 10 years and how many times did your report favor the party who hired you versus the adverse party and specific requests for written documentation in confirmation of the answer rendered must be sought as well.
Anyone subjected to the process, understands immediately the import of the message I seek to convey. As physicians, one would think they were honorable people engaged in the pursuit of truth and justice. Au contraire, as one suddenly learns at great expense and delay. These hired guns were engaged to create controversy and to force a settlement at the injured worker's overall expense. What the worker went through is being played out literally thousands of times a day in this country. I strongly suspect that it is being played out again through the engagement of Baden as well. And there is no intent to denigrate Michael Baden, M.D., as it may be that he has the best intentions of conducting an examination which is truly elevated to the concept of justice rather than for partisanship purposes. Who knows in this instance what his report will reveal? The proof is in the pudding.
Will Baden's report convince me otherwise as to what transpired in Brazil? I won't close my eyes to his conclusions and the report, in general, but it will not serve to change my analysis as to what transpired. It appears that the fight has just begun. This fight, however, pits the Gatti family against Amanda Rodrigues. This is not what Arturo Gatti would have wanted. This is not how Arturo Gatti wanted to be remembered.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)