"Mel Epstein & Johnny Villaflor were in my corner. I was 20. Referee was Dick Young. The fight was televised in L.A. on KTLA Ch-5. We had a war. I got the decision. Two nights earlier, my pal actor Reb Brown, carried me out of a bar (I was too young to drink but they served me anyway) and tossed me into the back of his van. In those days Reb Brown was known as Bob Brown, a former USC running back and amateur boxer with the Johnny Flores stable.
The next day I was a no-show at the Main Street Gym for a warm-up/loosen up session the day before the fight. I was paralyzed with the worst hangover I would ever experience. I would hear the phone ring and know it was either Mel Epstein or my girlfriend calling, no way was I going to answer. The next night I paid the price. What should have been an easy win, was a tough fight."
Years ago, when my father, the late great Andrew De La O was still alive, he would almost always answer the obvious questions with "It's possible but not probable". I have no doubt that would be his answer to "Hey Dad, do you think Mosley can beat Pacquiao?" It would be petty hard to argue with that. A decade ago I would probably say Mosley, without a doubt but it's not 2001, it's 2011 and Mosley is nearing 40 years of age. The odds favor Manny Pacquiao, big time..
That being said, if there is any fighter alive, in or around that weight class, that can find the possibility of beating Pacquiao, it's Sugar Shane Mosley. Manny is great, no doubt. I'm not convinced he can walk on water but he can fight, I''ll give him that. What makes it even microscopically possible is Manny's style and Mosley's quickness. Mosley is a pure fighter and is at his absolute best when the man in front of him chooses to fight. Mosley is still (possibly) quick enough to make that work for him.
I've been accused more than once of thinking with my heart when it comes to the fighters that I like. It's true, I'm not denying it but that doesn't necessarily mean I'm wrong. In this case my head knows better but my heart will still be pulling for Mosley. He's the underdog here and I love an underdog. Plus, Mosley is an L.A. area fighter, a hometown guy and he has a huge heart, maybe the biggest in the game today. I'm hoping to see Mosley win this one. He's what my old trainer Mel Epstein would call " a deserving guy".
When the fight was first announced I was dead set against it, It just seemed too much to ask of Mosley. The fight game can be cruel, crueler than most sports. The reward for a great career is to grow old and be pitted against a younger, stronger fighter than yourself. It's just the way of the sport. Think Muhammad Ali vs Larry Holmes in 1980, Sugar Ray Leonard's 1991 fight with Terry Norris or more recently Oscar De La Hoya's beat down by Manny Pacquiao in 2008 or any number of fights over the years. Very few escape it. Mosley is well aware of the risks. The decision was his to make.
Still, my hope, and it's a slim one, is that Mosley wins big and retires. I know, I know, I'm thinking with my heart again. I can't help it. But hey, anythings possible, right?
Sugar Shane Mosley will be challenging Manny Pacquiao for Pacquiao's WBO Weltereight title, May 7, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. The fight will be shown on Showtime PPV. As always, may the best man win.
I had a chance to meet promising young heavyweight Travis Kauffman. Kauffman, from Reading, Pennsylvania, is in town to spar and train with local heavyweight Chris Arreola. Kauffman is 25 yeas old, with a record of 21-1. His next fight is scheduled for May 21 at the Sovereign Center in Reading, Pennsylvania against a yet to be named opponent. You can read his story Here. The photo and video were taken at Indian Willie's Gym in Riverside, California.
This past Saturday Jeri and I drove to Riverside and spent the day with Bill O'Neill and his wife Shirley. They have a beautiful home sitting on an acre filled with every type of citrus fruit you can imagine, tons of fruit. We picked enough to fill box. Bill and his wife were gracious hosts and the salt of the earth. Old school good people, the kind of people that are getting harder to find as times goes on. Bill is recovering from a hip replacement surgery, plus he took a bad fall and suffered a concussion and hurt back. Still, he gave us a tour of the property.
On the patio
Bill O'Neill has a room next to his garage that doubles as his own personal boxing museum, filled with photos, memorabilia and fight tapes. The man has a true passion for boxing. Bill is former fighter himself, fighting as a amateur boxer in his younger days. he was also a sportswriter back in the day writing a boxing column for the Daily News, as well as other newspapers and boxing magazines, over the years. Bill has tons of memories and stories, there has to be a few books in him just waiting to come out.
The Jerry Quarry Wall
Giving me the tour
We drove down to Indian Willie's gym, which is a few miles from his home. Chris Arreola was supposed to be there to spar. He didn't show up. I did have a chance to meet a young heavyweight from Reading, Pennsylvania, Travis Kauffman. Seems like a good kid, 25 years old, 21-1. also had a chance to see Jose (Josesito) Lopez and Johnathan Arrellano. Had a chance to speak a bit with Henry Ramirez. It was good being around a bunch of young boxers. All and all, it was a nice day plus the weather was good. Our thanks to the O'Neill for their gracious hospitality.
Johnathan Arrellano and Bill O'Neill at Indian Willie's Gym
Johnathan Arrellano
Jose "Josesito" Lopez
Heavyweight Travis Kauffman
For a look at all the photos from Saturday go Here
As expected Amir Khan of Bolton, Lancashire, defeated Paul McCloskey of Northern Ireland in a fairly one sided fight last night. Though he dominated the fight, with speed and hard punches, many of his punches were missing the mark. There is not much to say about this fight. Winning a fight you are supposed to win is a good thing I suppose but again it makes it hard to know where he stands in the overall picture of the 140 lb division, despite the fact that he is the WBA Junior welterweight champion.
The fight was stopped in the 6th round after an accidental clash of heads that caused a cut over the left eye of McCloskey. Maybe it's not for me to say but the cut had just happened and McCloskey should have been allowed to continue the fight. McCloskey, for his part was cool under pressure and fought gamely despite losing every round. Still, whether the fight was stopped or allowed to go on, it would not have made any difference, McCloskey was in over his head in this one.The fight went to the scorecards with all the judges awarding Khan a 60-54 decision victory.
Up next for Khan will be WBC and WBO Champion, American Tim Bradley, this coming July. Khan will have his hands full with Bradley. This is a fight to look forward to.
Victor Ortiz was on a mission Saturday night. It showed when he stepped into the ring. It was evident when he and Andre Berto met for their instructions by referee Mike Ortega. Ortiz had a look of complete confidence about him. He seemed sure of himself. Little did we know.
Victor Ortiz was challenging undefeated champion Andre Berto for Berto's WBC Welterweight title. The fight was held at the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut. There were questions about both fighters going into the fight but the prevailing notion was that Berto would be too much for Ortiz, who was moving up in weight, fighting as a welterweight for the first time. His critics, and I was one of them, underestimated him. There were reasons of course, mainly the Marcos Maidana fight, where he failed the test of "Intestinal Fortitude". Sometimes though, in the midst of a bitter defeat, in the ring or outside of it, there are lessons to be learned. Ortiz was given a second chance last night against a good strong champion, though relatively unproven, at his physical peak. Ortiz stepped into the ring with redemption on his mind, prepared to finally exorcise the memory of his past defeat. In the face of adversity, he answered every question mark thrown at him by Andre Berto.
When the first round began Ortiz was unaware that he would be fighting two opponents but as the fight progressed it became evident. The first knockdown of Berto was incorrectly ruled a slip by Ortega. Later in the round Ortiz would again drop Berto, there was no doubt about it this time. Berto would never quite recover but he was still dangerous and he proved it in the very next round when he knocked down an off balanced Ortiz, who recovered quickly. With every exchange, and the fight was filled with them, Ortiz came back stronger and more determined. Ortiz emerged as a fighter willing to take risks and that is what made the difference for him. Ortiz took everything that Berto threw and always answered back with his own punches, only more so,
In round six Berto fighting now in the middle of the ring and trying hard to gain command of the fight, knocked down Ortiz with a stiff, strong right hand. Ortiz was hurt this time and I have no doubt that everyone held their breath waiting to see what Ortiz' reaction would be. He answered the question by knocking down Berto and staying in control of the fight.
Throughout the fight Berto was complaining about being hit in the back of the head. Referee Ortega reprimanded Ortiz a few times. What he should have done was remind Berto that when you turn your back or head on an opponent you get what you deserve. Ortega continued to make a pest of himself all through the fight, especially when Ortiz had Berto against the ropes, grabbing Ortiz by the arm and continually yelling at him to get back. Berto sensing an opportunity began to whine to the referee about every punch thrown anywhere near the side of the head. In the tenth round, while in the middle of an exchange, Berto lowered his head and was caught near the side, it was out of Ortega's view but Berto put on such a display, he simply took his word for it and deducted a point from Ortiz. Throughout the fight Ortiz was hit behind the head and Betro was continually holding. To Ortiz' credit he never voiced a complaint, choosing instead to win the fight the old fashioned way, by kicking his opponent's ass. There was no quit in Victor Ortiz last night, not one iota. He fought a great fight. It was an old school win and I liked it.
When the fight was over, don't ask me why, I had that sinking, sickening feeling that we were going to witness a robbery. Was the point deduction going to make the difference? Did Berto's whining influence the judges? You just never know what the judges are thinking, which way they will go. I needn't have worried. Judge Julie Lederman had it 114-111, judge Glenn Feldman scored it 114-112, and judge Clark Sammartino had it115-110, all in favor of Victor Ortiz. A well deserved and hard fought victory. In the post fight interview Ortiz was humble and courteous and while Berto tried his hardest to convince us that it was not him in the ring last night, those of us that saw the fight know better.
Ortiz showed that even in the face of adversity, he has what it takes to reach down deep and find a way to win. It was a lesson that was learned the hard way. His reputation and his character took a beating but he proved he could learn and come back. He was mindful of his legacy and his place in boxing. He changed the way we will remember him. he finally lived up to his nick name "Viscious" and he at last, came through for those that believed in him. To the "Victor" belongs the spoils (pun intended). One thing though Victor, lose the sombrero!
I found this gem at the Long Beach Coin, Stamps and Collectible Expo earlier this year. The title is "Inside the Forum", dated February 1975. It speaks briefly about Mexico's Alfonso Zamora's upcoming bout with WBA bantamweight champ Soo-Hwan Hong of Korea, at the Forum in Inglewood, California.
Zamora would win the fight and the title with a fourth round knockout of Soo-Hwan Hong. The fight was scheduled for 15 rounds. The referee for the fight was George Latka. Zamora would run up a streak of eight wins, all by KO, including a win over future WBA featherweight Champ, Panamanian Eusebio Pedroza, stopping him in 2 rounds, and knocking out Soo-Hwan Hong in their rematch in October of 1976.
In April of 1977, 34 years ago this month, Zamora would meet fellow Mexican knockout sensation, WBC Champion, Carlos Zarate, in what would be labeled, the "Battle of the Z Boys". It would be a 10 round non-title fight. the fight would take place at the Forum. The referee was Richard Steele. Both fighters were extremely popular and had their own following.Zamora would end up being stopped by Zarate when his father threw the towel in the ring, thereby ending the fight.
Zamora would fight eight more times, including a KO by Jorge Lujan in his next fight, losing his WBA title, he would stop popular local favorite Alberto "Superfly" Sandoval in 8 rounds. He would have his last fight at the Olympic Auditorium with Rigoberto Estrada, getting stopped in the 3rd round.
Abie Han is hard at work after suffering a perforated ear drum while sparring last month, which pulled him out of a fight scheduled last month in Tijuana, Mex. But Abie’s been training hard and will be fighting on May 6th in Las Vegas, Nevada against Terronze Washington from Dallas TX. The card, promoted by Top Rank will be held at Mandalay Bay and will be televised on ESPN. Abie’s fight is a 6 round undercard fight, which will hopefully make it on the tube.
Austin Trout is back at full speed and is preparing to defend his title at the end of May. We’ll know more next week. Austin has called out the top names, with no serious responses at this time, so he plans on staying busy till the likes of Canelo Alvarez and/or Miguel Cotto give him a crack at ’em, so stay tuned!!!
An old prospector shuffled into town leading an old tired mule. The old man headed straight for the only saloon to clear his parched throat.
He walked up and tied his old mule to the hitch rail. As he stood there, brushing some of the dust from his face and clothes, a young gunslinger stepped out of the saloon with a gun in one hand and a bottle of whiskey in the other.
The young gunslinger looked at the old man and laughed, saying, "Hey old man, have you ever danced?"
The old man looked up at the gunslinger and said, "No, I never did dance.. never really wanted to."
A crowd had gathered as the gunslinger grinned and said, "Well, you old fool, you're gonna dance now," and started shooting at the old man's feet.
The old prospector - not wanting to get a toe blown off - started hopping around like a flea on a hot skillet. Everybody was laughing, fit to be tied.
When his last bullet had been fired, the young gunslinger, still laughing, holstered his gun and turned around to go back into the saloon.
The old man turned to his pack mule, pulled out a double-barrelled shotgun, and cocked both hammers.
The loud clicks carried clearly through the desert air.
The crowd stopped laughing immediately.
The young gunslinger heard the sounds too, and he turned around very slowly. The silence was almost deafening.
The crowd watched as the young gunman stared at the old timer and the large gaping holes of those twin barrels.
The barrels of the shotgun never wavered in the old man's hands, as he quietly said, "Son, have you ever licked a mule's ass?"
The gunslinger swallowed hard and said, "No sir..... but... I've always wanted to."
There are a few lessons for us all here:
Never be arrogant.
Don't waste ammunition.
Whiskey makes you think you're smarter than you are.
Always, always make sure you know who has the power.
Don't mess with old men; they didn't get old by being stupid.
Last night's fight between David Lemieux and Marco Antonio Rubio reminded me of that old story. While Rubio is not quite yet an old man, at 30, he is a seasoned veteran and has been around for a while. He may not be taking the world by storm just yet but he is a man that has clearly learned his craft. He passed a little of that knowledge on to his young and over anxious opponent. The lesson that Lemieux learned last night or at least we hope he learned, is that "patience is a virtue".
Marco Antonio Rubio, of Torreon, Mexico, entered the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada Saturday night, the decided underdog against the hometown hero David Lemieux. Who can blame them? With 25 wins under his belt, all but one ending by knockout in the early rounds, he was percieved as unbeatable by his countrymen. Rubio had plans of his own and it didn't include losing to a 22 year old hot shot, hometown or no hometown.
When the first round started Lemieux was on Rubio like a swarm of bees. The crowd was roaring at every punch he threw. Lemieux is a strong kid and hits hard but he didn't have the slightest concept of pacing himself. Rubio on the other hand proved to be a good defensive fighter, covering up, picking off most of the punches and biding his time. This went on for the first four or five rounds. In the fifth Lemieux slowed the pace a bit. Coming into the sixth round the momentum seemed to be shifting and then somewhere in the middle of the round Rubio took control of the fight. It started with a stiff right hand that shook Lemieux a bit. The crowd was quiet now. The stage was set for the next and final round as Rubio, in complete command of the fight now, had his way with Lemieux, dropping him in the corner. Referee Marlon Wright pulled Rubio away from Lemiex. A few seconds later, as Rubio was on the verge of knocking out Lemieux, Lemieux's cornerman Russ Anber motioned to the ref to stop the fight. It was a smart move on Anber's part.
Rubio is the kind of fighter that is hard not to like, durable, not flashy and with a quiet and unassuming demeanor. He clocks in, does his job, clocks out and goes home. What's not to like?
Lemieux? You gotta like him too. He was beaten, tired and humbled last night but I saw no quit in him. You can't fault a man for losing a fight. He's young and if his next few fights are handled properly he'll be back on track, only a little bit smarter.
Erik Morales of Mexico, was one of the most exciting fighters of his era and certainly ranked high on anyone's pound for pound list but it has been a while. Morales is three for three in his comeback that began last year with a win over Jose Alfaro in March of 2010, winning a 12 round unanimous decision. He followed up with two more wins; stopping Willie Limond in September and a unanimous decision win in December over Francisco Lorenzo. Mediocre opponents at best but a good starting point for an aging former champion. Still, it's hard to tell how much Morales has left in the tank.
Morales, one half of one of boxing's greatest trilogy, Marco Antonio Barrera being the other half, was as exciting as it gets. His big heart and reputation for throwing caution to the wind made him a crowd pleaser and a fan favorite. Nearing the end of his career he beat Manny Pacquiao in their first fight but lost the last two, getting stopped in both fights.
Morales fought the best fighters of his era, including; Daniel Zaragoza, Wayne McCullough, Kevin Kelly, Junior Jones, Paulie Ayala, Hector Acero Sanchez, Jesus Chavez and Carlos Hernandez. His last fight before retiring was a losing effort, in 1997, against WBC Lightweight champion David Diaz of Chicago (Diaz would lose the title to Manny Pacquiao the following year). The only fighter missing from his resume is the great Juan Manuel Marquez. I don't know why that fight never happened.
Argentinian boxer Marcos Maidana, at 27 and seven years younger than Morales, appears to be at his peak right now. Maidana is coming off a close and exciting loss to Amir Khan last December. Like Erik Morales, and like every other Argentinian fighter that I have ever seen, there is no shortage of courage and heart in this fighter. He proved that in his fight last year with Victor Ortiz, coming back after being knocked down three times in the fight and getting the worst of it before taking control of the fight and severely testing Ortiz' resolve as a fighter, forcing him to quit in the 6th round. Over all, Maidana has not fought the same quality of fighters that Morales has fought.
Morales will certainly have his hands full this Saturday night when they square off at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas for the WBA Interim Junior Welterweight Championship. My heart will be pulling for Erik Morales. While I would have rather seen him stay in retirement, he has chosen to fight again and I'm hoping to see him beat the odds. It will be an uphill battle for him.
