Austin Trout (Times file photo)
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Austin Trout cleared by WBA
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
California Boxing Hall of Fame 2011 Videos
Te following videos are of Louie Burke accepting his Induction into California's Boxing Hall of Fame Saturday June 25, 2011, and of me accepting Fritzie Zivic's Posthumous Induction
California Boxing Hall of Fame 2011
 |
| Rocky Burke, Mando Muniz, Louie Burke and Randy De La O |
By Randy De La O
The California Boxing Hall of Fame Induction Banquet took place this past Saturday at the Sportsmen's Lodge in Studio city and it was one of the best banquets in recent memory, at least it was for my wife Jeri and I. This year it was much more personal. Our cousin Louie Burke from Las Cruces, New Mexico was being inducted and the Burke clan was in town to support and celebrate with their fighter. Louie's brother former undefeated boxer and currently a top referee from New Mexico, Rocky Burke and his girlfriend Angela, Sister Shelly Burke, along with Louie's two children, daughter Samantha and son Vincente, and Louie's always elegant mother, Elba Burke, occupied the Louie Burke table.
 |
| The Burke Family with Mando Muniz |
Over at at our table, along with my wife and I, were our children, daughter Meranda, our son Andrew and his girlfriend Laurene Alvarado, our daughter Savannah and her boyfriend Josh Guerrero, my brother Dennis De La O and his wife Teri and daughter Samantha. All of us were there to cheer on Louie. Also sitting withe Burkes were boxing artist Roger and Maria Esty, Ed Hernandez Sr and his sons Ed Jr. and Patrick. Before the ceremonies began Roger Esty presented Louie Burke with a portrait. The portrait was completely unexpected and the entire Burke family was overwhelmed by Roger's generosity. All of us were.
 |
| The De La O Family |
The other Honorees include; Gene Fullmer, Dwight Hawkins (one of the greatest fighter to never win a title), John Liechty, Ray "Windmill" White, Tony Tubbs, Zack Padilla, Lance Pugmire, John Montes Jr, Herman "Kid" Montes, Ramon Tiscareno, Guillermo "Willie" Silva, Steve Brenner, John Montes Sr, Loreto Garza, Ray Lovato, Wes Wambold, Richard Savala, Rich Marotta. The posthumous inductees were; Willie Pep, Bob Fitzimmons, Robert "Bob" Voigt, Fritzie Zivic, Noe Cruz, Javier "Baby Face" Gutierrez, Jim Moriarty and Bert Colima.
In the case of Fritzie Zivic, his posthumous induction was made very personal to me. I was asked to receive his induction award. I was more than happy to do it, despite being nervous as hell. Turns out Fritzie Zivic and I share the same birth date: May 8th. Zivic was born May 8, 1913 and I was born May 8, 1954.
There were a lot of heartfelt speeches Saturday nigh but especially moving was the tribute to the late Javier "Baby Face" Gutierrez by his daughter Blanca Gutierrez. It was hard not to be moved by her tribute.
 |
| Remy Damlien, Rick Farris, Andrew De La O and Roger Esty |
Others in attendance were my pals Frank Baltazar Sr and Rick Farris, Frankie Baltazar Jr, Rodolfo "El Gato" Gonzalez, Danny "Little Red" Lopez, Bobby Chacon, Carlos Palomino, Mando Muniz, Cali Martinez, Gwen Adair and just far too many to mention here.
Frank Baltazar Sr and Frank Aragon
 |
| Rodolfo "El Gato" Gonzalez and Louie Burke |
Kudos to Don Fraser and the California Boxing Hall of Fame selection committee for reaching out beyond the California borders and recognizing the best the sport of boxing has to offer. Thanks to Frank Baltazar Sr for his nomination of Louie Burke and to Rick Farris and the California Boxing Hall of Fame for entrusting me with Fritzie Zivic's induction, and last but not certainly not least, congratulations to the California Boxing Hall of Fame Class of 2011 Inductees. You earned it.
 |
| The Burke table: Maria and Roger Esty, Ed Hernandez Sr, Vincente Burke, Elba Burke and Shelly Burke |
 |
| Laurene Alvarado (Andrew's girlfriend), Meranda, Andrew and Savannah De La O |
Friday, June 24, 2011
Louie Burke, Longtime Las Cruces trainer, boxer earns his way into California Hall of Fame
 |
| (Courtesy of Vanessa Monsisvais / El Paso Times) |
By Bill Knight
He was introduced to that sweetest of sciences as a small boy, simply tagging along with dad and big brother....the heavy bag his hobby horse, a pair of gloves his teddy bear.
Life in and around the boxing ring has moments of exhilaration, but it is hardly for the timid, the meek, the weak of heart or spirit. But it is Louie Burke's life.
On Saturday, Burke, now 50, will be inducted into the California Boxing Hall of Fame in ceremonies in Los Angeles. The journey has been joyful, but it has been a boxing journey so it has been filled with plenty of hard knocks and even a near-death experience. Still, it is Burke's passion....his life's journey....his life.
"My brother Rocky and I were raised in the gym," said Burke, who is a Las Cruces firefighter and one of the top boxing trainers in the country. "My dad (Sammy) was a boxing coach in Las Cruces. He fought before he went into the service and used to tell stories about hitchhiking to El Paso to box. My brother Rocky and I would tag along to the gym at the local Boys Club. It's just what I can remember since being out of diapers." Burke said he still remembers his first time in the ring.
"We had a little gymnasium in the Boys Club that used to be a church," he said. "I hadn't done any formal training, just hitting the bags. My dad came up and said he had me a fight. I just said, 'well, OK.' I was seven. I did all right and I won. My second fight was when I was in the third grade. They were having a Battle of Champions. Danny 'Little Red' Lopez was coming in and some more fighters. As an added attraction, they were bringing in former world champion Gene Fullmer. As an exhibition, I fought his son. They ruled it a draw.
"This makes next Saturday even more special," Burke added. "Gene Fullmer is being inducted into the California Hall of Fame Saturday, too." Burke had a strong amateur career, but his real skills - strength, stamina, a rock-solid chin and a huge heart - were better suited to the professional ranks.
"I lost in the Western Olympic Trials," he said. "It was 1980 and we boycotted that year anyway. But I waited a few months, started college at New Mexico State. It was right before my 19th birthday and I decided to go ahead and turn pro. I wanted something to help me pay for school. It's funny ... my professional career just kind of took off, way better than my amateur career. My endurance helped me outlast guys, overcome them in the later rounds. My ability to take a punch helped me walk through a lot of guys."
Burke trained under his father and Larry Renio in his early career. At one point, though, dad told son he needed to move on, that he had taught him all he could. Burke worked under Beto Martinez in Tucson and then moved to Los Angeles to train under Jimmy Montoya.
"There were six of us living in a one-bedroom apartment," Burke said with a chuckle. "We slept on the floor, shared towels. It was just a bit of the rough part of boxing that a lot of fighters go through. I'd never been on a bus before in my life and I remember getting lost a couple of times, trying to come home tired and dehydrated and not knowing where I was going."
Burke was going to the top.
He trained under famous trainers like Jesse Reid and legendary trainers like Angelo Dundee. He got to 18-0 before it all went wrong.
He lost a controversial decision to Charlie "White Lightning" Brown. Television commentators Tim Ryan, Gil Clancy and Sugar Ray Leonard all had Burke winning that fight. He got stopped in a mini-war by Hector Camacho, one in which he had Camacho in trouble. And then came the near-death experience.
"It was my fault," Burke said. "Angelo (Dundee) had no idea what I was doing. I was trying to make 130 pounds because they told me I could get a shot at a world championship with Julio Cesar Chavez at 130. I should have been fighting at 140. I would get up early, run six miles, come back and drink a diet drink, something like a Slim-Fast. I would have a Lean Cuisine for lunch. I'd go train - I was training in Miami at that time - and go a hard 20 rounds. Then in the evening I'd run another four miles and just have a Slim-Fast. I dropped from 160 to 130 pounds in one month."
Burke came home to Las Cruces to fight Rosendo Alonso and had nothing, absolutely nothing to take into that ring. He was stopped in the sixth round, rushed to the hospital completely dehydrated. His potassium level was at zero, his kidneys were shutting down and his heartbeat was down to 12 beats a minute. He was given last rites of the Catholic Church.
Burke never fought again, finishing his career at 19-3.
"Sure, I have a few regrets," Burke said with a shrug. "My career was cut too short. I should have gone up in weight. I would have liked to have had a world title shot. But it was pretty good. I lost to Camacho and he was just better than I was ... but he was better than a lot of guys at that time. I lost my last fight and it was my fault."
Burke paused, then said, "But Saturday will be an extremely special time for me. I'm humbled and truly honored by this."
Rocky Burke, Louie's older brother, had an outstanding amateur career of his own, going 63-8 and is now a highly respected referee. Boxing is simply in the Burke blood.
"Louie was always just a tough kid," Rocky said. "He was always just tough. Then he developed his skills. He was quick. He had a lot of knockouts just because he hit guys so many times. In California, he would go into these guys' hometown, no promoter, just facing the undefeated hometown favorite and he would beat them. He had two great fights against Freddie Roach (now a legendary trainer) and Louie won them both by unanimous decision. Louie was world rated and I'm just really proud of him."
Burke is now best-known as a trainer, working with undefeated world champion Austin Trout (23-0) and up-and-coming undefeated Abie Han (13-0). They appreciate his boxing journey perhaps more than anyone else can.
"I can confidently say Louie is one of the best trainers in America," Trout said. "I've had Olympic coaches and Louie is just really good. He's the best at taking a fighter's style and making it better. He was a fighter and he knows fighters. He knows the emotions you go through - grumpy, happy, losing weight, dealing with promoters. All that experience is priceless."
Han said, "I wouldn't be 13-0 without Louie. Every coach knows a jab, a cross, how to slip a punch. But how will you motivate your fighter? Louie has made me a believer. I just feel that as long as I follow his formula, his game plan, I'm going to win. I believe it. A lot of trainers take guys who have already been raised. Louie got Austin and I at zero-zero (records). Austin made it to the top. I might not get there like Austin did, but I know Louie will give me my best chance."
And so the boxing journey of Louie Burke continues - moving from center ring to corner. On Saturday he will join an elite group in the California Boxing Hall of Fame ... just another step in a beautiful journey in that sweetest of sciences.
Courtesy: El Paso Times
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
The Olympic Today . . . By Rick Farris
The (former) Olympic Auditorium
By Rick Farris
Our friend, Remy Damlien, is in town for this week's CBHOF lunch, and I want to show him around town a bit before he returns home next week.
We started the day at 6:30am, where we met at his hotel which is right next door to the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood. While here, Remy has hooked up with a trainer at Wild Card, and joined me for some early morning road work & pad work in the Hollywood Hills.
We had our workout, and then we drove a few blocks to eat breakfast at Art's Deli in Studio City.
I ordered an omlette, while Remy ordered a pastrami sandwich. "We don't get much pastrami in Norway, and the sandwiches only have a few slices of meat. Monica made sure that Remy's sandwich would not leave him hungry, and after we finished, it was off to show him what used to be The Olympic Auditorium.
We drove downtown and pulled into the Olympic's parking lot, and we would both see the Olympic, now as a Korean Church, for the first time. We snapped a few exterior photos and then just let ourselves in the building to walk around. A few walls have been added, and a lot of seats removed, a redesign of the floor area, but it was still the same old gal, just wearing a different wardrobe.
For a moment I saw the building as an old lady, one who was smiling when she saw me enter today, as if to say, "Now don't laugh!" I didn't laugh, and I didn't cry, I was just happy to see her still standing. I felt as if I knew the old broad's secrets. At least a few, anyway.
I tried to take a photo, but the building was pitch black. As our eyes adjusted we could see her, all dressed up for the first time in her life. I tried to show Remy where things were, and we talked about the long gone mural of Dempsey that once decorated the north & east walls.
I pointed out where the dressing rooms were, and the aisle that took us to the ring on Thursdays nights.
I refused to get sentimental, just wanted to say hello. This was the house where Aragon was booed, and where Mando Ramos was cheered.
Remy took in the history, and we left. Maybe one day . . .
-Rick Farris
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011
Classic Photo: Jack Dempsey and Charlie Chaplin
 |
| Jack Dempsey and Charlie Chaplin |
"The photo was taken at the Charlie Chaplin Studios on La Brea Ave. in Hollywood.
For more than half a century, it has been home to A&M Records.
Dempsey lived in the neighborhood, a few miles away, in the Los Feliz area below Griffith Park." Rick Farris
Catching Up on the Boxing Scene
It's been a while since I have hunkered down and written anything lately. It gets like that sometimes. I've been busy and just haven't had the time. There's been a lot going on in boxing too, some good, some not so good and some bad. It's time to catch up.
First the bad, in this case, the tragiclly bad. As you no doubt already know, Genaro "Chicanito" Hernandez passed away earlier this month, on June 7, 2011. I know, I know, it's hard to believe. Hernandez was only 45 years old. Way to young.
Chicanito was a fan favorite due to his courageous style of fighting but it was his willingness to continue fighting after being struck in the throat by Azumah Nelson after the bell sounded to end the 7th round of their 12 round championship fight in 1997, that cemented this fact into the consciousness of fight fans when Hernandez chose to continue fighting, opting instead for a "true victory", rather than a win by disqualification. He would win that fight by a 12 round split decision. It was a gutsy and honorable move on his part.
"Chicanito" began his career with a 4 round decision win over Dino Ramirez on August 27, 1984 at the Forum in Inglewood, California. He would end his career on October 3, 1998, with a loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr. losing the fight and the WBC Super featherweight title in the 8th round when he could no longer continue. In between he fought the best in his divisions, including Jorge Paez, Carlos Hernandez and the afore mentioned Azumah Nelson. The only other lost on his record was his 1995 fight with Oscar De La Hoya, when he was unable to continue due to a severely broken nose.
Genaro Hernandez Passes
Chicanito was a fan favorite due to his courageous style of fighting but it was his willingness to continue fighting after being struck in the throat by Azumah Nelson after the bell sounded to end the 7th round of their 12 round championship fight in 1997, that cemented this fact into the consciousness of fight fans when Hernandez chose to continue fighting, opting instead for a "true victory", rather than a win by disqualification. He would win that fight by a 12 round split decision. It was a gutsy and honorable move on his part.
"Chicanito" began his career with a 4 round decision win over Dino Ramirez on August 27, 1984 at the Forum in Inglewood, California. He would end his career on October 3, 1998, with a loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr. losing the fight and the WBC Super featherweight title in the 8th round when he could no longer continue. In between he fought the best in his divisions, including Jorge Paez, Carlos Hernandez and the afore mentioned Azumah Nelson. The only other lost on his record was his 1995 fight with Oscar De La Hoya, when he was unable to continue due to a severely broken nose.
He won his first title, the vacant WBA Super Featherweight Championship, on November 22, 1991 by stopping Daniel Londas in the 9th round of their fight at the Complex Sport le COMEP in France. Hernandez vacated his WBA super Featherweight title not too long after fighting Columbian boxer Jimmy Garcia. Ironically, Garcia died as a result of injuries in his next fight with Gabriel Ruelas in 1995. Hernandez moved up to challenge Oscar De La Hoya for his lightweight title. He won the WBC Super Featherweight with his split decision victory of Azumah Nelson.
On personal note, I would see Chicanito and his brother Rudy, every so often back in 1993 at the Brooklyn Ave Gym in Boyle Heights, where I was taking my son Andrew at the time. He had a great work ethic in the gym. He had an easy going personality and was friendly with all the kids in the gym, including my son. A couple of years later I saw him fight Jorge Paez at the Anaheim Pond in Anaheim. Paez, always a game fighter was never really in the same league as Hernandez. The fight was stopped on cuts in the 8th round with Hernandez getting the win.
Genaro Hernandez was a class act, a champion in and out of the ring. Hernandez, a native of Los Angeles, was born on May 10, 1966 and died on June , 7, 2011. he died from a rare form of cancer, Rhabomyosarcoma, that attacks the muscle fiber connected to the bones. he is survived by his wife Lilliana, his son Steven, daughter Amanda, three brothers and two sisters, as well as his father. our condolences to the Hernandez family.
R.I.P. Champ!
A belated congratulations to the "Executioner" Bernard Hopkins on defeating Jean Pascal and winning the WBC, IBO and the Ring Light Heavyweight Championships on May 21 of this year, becoming, at 46, the oldest fighter in boxing history to win a major world title, surpassing former Heavyweight Champ George Foreman, who won the heavyweight title from Michael Moorer way back in November of 1995. Those of us who saw the first fight between Hopkins and Pascal were convinced that Hopkins, regardless of what the judges said, won that fight. Hopkins, notorious for being a great but at times boring fighter has decided to fight with a "take no prisoner:" and plans on ending his career wit a bang. Here's hoping the old man goes out the way he wants to,
While Hopkins seems to be getting better with age, a few divisions south of the light heavies, Sugar Shane Mosley is struggling in his battle with Father Time. Mosley, for all practical purposes, put absolutely zero effort in his fight against Manny Pacquiao on May 7th. Mosley didn't outright quit but he did quit tying and that amounts to the same thing. I ain't mad at him though, Mosley has been through some tough ring wars and has never given anything less than a 100% of himself in every fight he has been in. His fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. last year was a portent of things to come, so was his fight with Sergio Mora which ended in a draw. In the Mora fight Mosley probably should have got the win but a uninspired and lackluster effort by both men made the outcome a virtual "Who gives a crap?".
I don't think Mosley was conning us when he signed to fight Pacquiao I think time just caught up with him and he was caught off guard. he was sincere in his belief that he had the right stuff to beat him. I was really hoping to see Mosley come away with a victory. At one time maybe but not in 2011. Mosley has been one of my favorite fighters almost since he began his pro career but I can't imagine anyone willing to shell out the bucks for another PPV fight but who knows?
Manny Pacquiao? As far as I'm concerned a victory over an aged Shane Mosley amounts to nothing.
Shirley O'Neill, the wife of Bill O'Neill was laid to rest on Thursday June 9th at the Memory Garden Memorial Park in Brea, California.. The funeral was a celebration of a life well lived and well loved. Testimonies by friends and family spoke of her generous and giving heart. After the funeral service, family and friends gathered at the Summit House in Fullerton for food, conversation and remembrances. Our thoughts and prayers are with the O'Neill family. R.I.P. Shirley.
On personal note, I would see Chicanito and his brother Rudy, every so often back in 1993 at the Brooklyn Ave Gym in Boyle Heights, where I was taking my son Andrew at the time. He had a great work ethic in the gym. He had an easy going personality and was friendly with all the kids in the gym, including my son. A couple of years later I saw him fight Jorge Paez at the Anaheim Pond in Anaheim. Paez, always a game fighter was never really in the same league as Hernandez. The fight was stopped on cuts in the 8th round with Hernandez getting the win.
R.I.P. Champ!
Bernard Hopkins vs Jean Pascal II
Manny Pacquiao vs Sugar Shane Mosley
I don't think Mosley was conning us when he signed to fight Pacquiao I think time just caught up with him and he was caught off guard. he was sincere in his belief that he had the right stuff to beat him. I was really hoping to see Mosley come away with a victory. At one time maybe but not in 2011. Mosley has been one of my favorite fighters almost since he began his pro career but I can't imagine anyone willing to shell out the bucks for another PPV fight but who knows?
Manny Pacquiao? As far as I'm concerned a victory over an aged Shane Mosley amounts to nothing.
A Goodbye to Shirley O'Neill
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Julio Cesar Chavez: "The Lion in Winter" By Rick Farris
This was my last look at the great Julio Cesar Chavez . . .
Phoenix - July, 2000
"The Lion in Winter"
by Rick Farris
Boxing and controversy were holding hands long before the Marquis of Queensbury laid down the ground rules. Generally, controversy surfaces sometime after the opening bell. However, from the moment it was announced that WBC Jr. Welterweight Champ Kostya Tszyu would defend his title against 38-year-old Julio Cesar Chavez, controversy flourished. Even today, three days after the fight the controversy continues.
The Tszyu-Chavez title fight would be my first live coverage assignment and I had a special interest in it. I had been in the house the night Chavez made his Los Angeles debut at the Olympic Auditorium more than seventeen years ago, and again the following year, when he won his first world title. Now I would be present for what I expected to be the once great champion's final fight.
I had hoped to catch Chavez working out at the Madison Gym in Phoenix where today I train boxers. However, my schedule interfered with the chance of seeing Chavez during the week he conducted his final workouts in Phoenix. I didn't see the former champ until the friday afternoon weigh-in at the Airport Hilton Hotel in Phoenix.
When I arrived at the Hotel I saw a lot of old friends and familiar faces from my era in Los Angeles boxing. Marty Denkin, who was scheduled to judge the bout was sitting in the lobby with another L.A. based official, Chuck Hassett. A group of amateur boxers representing several Phoenix area gyms were standing by hoping to get a glimpse of Chavez when he entered the building. Arizona boxing commissioner John Montano was having a discussion in the corner with one of the promoters and Jimmy Lennon Jr. crossed the room on his way to the restaurant. Kostya Tszyu had quietly slipped into the media room where the weigh-in would be held and quickly checked his weight on the scale. After stepping off the scale he disappeared. About ten minutes later a commotion could be heard coming from the lobby and it marked the entrance of one of the greatest Mexican boxers ever, Julio Cesar Chavez. Chavez was quickly surrounded by the media. Anxious reporters and camera crews positioned themselves close to the former champion and began asking questions. Chavez sat down in the lobby and talked with the media but not with the strength that he once projected.
As I watched Chavez talk to the media I could see that this was not the same man I had watched win the W.B.C. Jr. Lightweight title sixteen years earlier. The Chavez I saw knockout Mario Martinez was 21 years old and had that hungry look in his eyes. The Chavez I saw in the lobby of the Hotel looked uncomfortable, almost irritated. The only confidence projected that afternoon came from a loyal group of young followers that somehow believed that there hero could pull off a miracle. "Vamos Rumbo A La Victoria" were the words emblazoned on the back of their T-Shirts. They had come to win.
Chavez's behavior in the days leading up to the fight indicated to me that he was in trouble. Last week he became upset when learning that Willy Wise, the welterweight who had defeated him last September, would be appearing on the undercard. Chavez demanded that the promoter drop Wise from the card or he would not fight. The request was honored. This is something that Chavez would have never done a few years ago. However, as I said, this was not the same Chavez.
A few minutes later Chavez stood and headed for the media room where the weigh-in was scheduled to take place in less than twenty minutes. Chavez and his handlers headed directly toward the scale to check his weight. Chavez stripped to his briefs and stepped onto the scale. After finding his weight to be exactly 140 lbs. Chavez nodded seriously and slipped into a robe provided by one of his team members. Every move the great Mexican made after entering the room was followed by loud cheering from the spectators. It was obvious they had come to see Chavez.
In a matter of seconds the room was packed wall-to-wall. Former World Champ Danny Romero shook hands and posed for pictures with many of the young fans who had come to watch the festivities. Hector Camacho Jr. smiled and flexed his muscles as photographers snapped pictures. It wasn't long before the official weigh-in would take place and after weighing the other boxers on the card Commissioner John Montano called Chavez to the scale. "Julio Cesar Chavez . . .140 pounds", Montano announced. The spectators cheered. A minute later Montano called for the champion to be weighed. "Kostya Tszyu, 139 1/2 pounds". The crowd booed but Tszyu just smiled and confidently flexed his muscles for the media before stepping down. The champion was about as popular with the predominantly Mexican crowd as Lee Harvey Oswald was with the American public on November 22, 1963.
Chavez never smiled, aside from a weak effort after his weight was announced. He was obviously upset over the events leading up to the fight. In addition to the Wise incident, Chavez was angry that Senator John McCain had attempted to stop the fight from taking place. Fearing that Chavez could be seriously hurt by Tszyu, McCain had petitioned Arizona Governor Jane Hull to step in. However, the fight would go on and Chavez considered the Senator's efforts an insult. Adding to the insult was the fact that Las Vegas was refusing to take action on the bout, citing that Chavez was anywhere from a 40 to 100-to-1 underdog. Chavez trained hard and vowed to prove them wrong. After the weigh-in, Tszyu told the press he would stop Chavez in two rounds while Chavez said he would knockout Tszyu within eight. I looked closely into the dark gamecock eyes of Chavez as he made the prediction and nothing gave me the impression that he believed what he was saying.
Early the next evening I arrived at Phoenix's Veteran's Memorial Coliseum a couple of hours before the title fight was to start. It had been 112 degrees
that day and those who had bought tickets parked their cars and hurried across the parking lot to escape the heat. "Thank God for air conditioning" was all I could think about upon entering the cool Coliseum. I had arrived about halfway thru a prelim featuring former World Champ Robert Garcia. As Garcia pounded his opponent I wanted to get with the boxing people. Thanks to my press credentials and familiar face among the boxing crowd I was able to go just about anywhere I wanted.
After locating my seat I went directly to the dressing room area located behind giant curtains shielding that part of the arena from the crowd. I passed by the Showtime crew who were running a sound check on Bobby Czyz as he and Steve Albert prepared themselves for their ringside commentator roles later on. As I passed by the security reps guarding the dressing room area, I saw my friend Richard Rodriguez, owner of the Madison Gym where Chavez had finished his training for this fight. I asked Rodriguez how Chavez had looked in the gym during the previous week and he answered, "He looked good. He's in good shape". That's all Rodriguez could offer. I then spot America Presents promoter Dan Goossen who was standing in the back outside the dressing room area with Jimmy Lennon Jr. I knew that Goossen would be too busy to talk about the fight so I just said hello and asked him if his brother Joe was around. "Joe couldn't make it", Dan said, "He usually does all the work but I guess it will be just me tonight" he said smiling. Goossen had good reason to be happy, the event was a near sellout.
As I made my way toward the dressing rooms I saw Sugar Ray Leonard enter surrounded by several security guards who would usher him to his ringside seat. A few minutes later Johnny Tapia walked in holding hands with his wife. Tapia had a mischievous smile on his face and clowned with a few friends he'd met. I have to give Johnny credit, he sure knows how to work a crowd. Throughout the evening I saw Tapia shaking hands and posing for pictures with fans. I doubt he ever sat down. And as usual there were many other boxing celebs on hand such as Fernando Vargas, Danny Romero and Zab Judah, who had come to check out Kostya Tszyu, a man whom he will face in the ring one day. When Don King emerged from the dressing room area with four giant body guards the crowd greeted him with boos.
After Garcia had won a ten round decision, Vassily Jirov the IBF Cruiserweight Champ took on a cagey Phoenix veteran named Earl Butler. Butler was not expected to last long but it was Jirov who was lucky to finish the first round on his feet. About halfway thru the opening round Butler discovered that Jirov could be hit with right cross and caught the champ flush on the chin with one. Jirov staggered and struggled to remain on his feet. Before the round ended he'd caught several more and wobbled to his corner after the bell. However, in the second round Jirov went to work and and knocked out Butler.
After the Jirov fight I wondered back to the dressing room area where Hector Camacho Jr. was being boosted up onto a large wooden horse on wheels. Camacho had intended to make his ring entrance riding a real horse down the aisle but the Phoenix Fire Dept. said "No way". Instead, Camacho would make his entrance on the back of the wooden horse pulled down the aisle by anassistant. As Camacho awaited the cue for his entrance, he sat patiently on the wooden horse with his pretty young wife standing just below him carrying their baby in her arms. I spoke briefly with Ted Morton, Camacho's American representative whom I had met several years back. Needless to say, Morton was very excited about his unbeaten young fighter. After watching Camacho stop Phillip Holiday in a less than exciting bout I returned to the dressing area where I was able to casually slip inside the dressing room of Chavez. I just acted like I belonged there and quietly stood to the side watching the Mexican legend as he warmed up shadow boxing. He broke a sweat but didn't appear ready to me for action to me. An official prompted Team Chavez that it was about time for the once brilliant champion to head down to the ring. A second tied Chavez robe while another rubbed his shoulders. About this time a group of about a dozen young members of Team Chavez along with his handlers surrounded Julio and began to chant a pre-fight cheer, something to raise the fighters spirit before the match. When they finished, Cristobal Rosas, the great Mexican trainer who had once worked with the late Salvador Sanchez, gave Chavez a hug and kissed him on the forehead. Rosas had once trained Chavez and was Julio's special guest for the fight. They exchanged a few words in Spanish and then Julio headed out. Before reaching the curtain leading to the arena Chavez, surrounded by the most loyal entourage I have ever seen, stood waiting for the final cue to walk down the aisle. Gathered before Chavez was a large Mariachi band that would play as he entered the ring. A moment later Don King and his escorts appeared and King hugged Chavez. King, never one to miss an opportunity to be seen, stood behind Chavez with his hands on the former champion's shoulders. King would accompany Chavez for his last walk down the aisle. I looked closely into the face of Chavez and didn't see the look of a man who had held world titles for more than twelve years during his brilliant career. I saw a man who knew his great pride was about to suffer.
A Showtime official gave the Chavez delegation the signal, in Spanish, that it was time. "Tiempo" he shouted. Long before Chavez walked thru the curtain and began his walk down the aisle the crowd exploded. "CHAVEZ, CHAVEZ, CHAVEZ!", they chanted. As Chavez slowly made his way to the ring the flashes from cameras created a strobe light effect around the Coliseum and the sound of Mariachi music was drowned out by the thunderous ovation from the audience. I have seen a lot of title fights and dozens of great champions over the years but nothing compared to the excitement that took place when Chavez entered the ring Saturday night. You would think that Chavez was the champion and Tszyu was an unpopular challenger. When Tszyu entered the ring a few minutes later he was greeted with boos.
Chavez did his best but had little to offer. On a couple of occasions he was able to land solid blows but they had no effect on the talented Russian. In the sixth round the great Julio Cesar Chavez hit the canvas for only the second time in his career. He made it to his feet and desperately tried to fight back but within seconds referee Bobby Ferrara had no choice but to stop the fight.
Too many years have separated Chavez from the skills that made him great, however, the legend will never die. When the disappointment of Chavez's fans turned to anger, the beer started to fly. Growing up in Los Angeles I know how Mexican fans react when their favorite loses. Long before Jimmy Lennon announced the winner of the fight I was safely tucked away in the press room waiting for the post fight press conference.
Chavez announced his retirement after the fight and I hope he was serious. Even so, the controversy continued when he refused to take the drug test following the fight. Many would assume that this suggests Chavez had taken an illegal substance prior to the match. However, nothing I saw in the eyes or behavior of the great Chavez indicated he had. I think one of the greatest Mexican boxers in history had been insulted enough and just wanted to get out of the place. Chavez has earned his place in boxing history, what could a bit more controversy hurt.
Phoenix - July, 2000
by Rick Farris
Boxing and controversy were holding hands long before the Marquis of Queensbury laid down the ground rules. Generally, controversy surfaces sometime after the opening bell. However, from the moment it was announced that WBC Jr. Welterweight Champ Kostya Tszyu would defend his title against 38-year-old Julio Cesar Chavez, controversy flourished. Even today, three days after the fight the controversy continues.
The Tszyu-Chavez title fight would be my first live coverage assignment and I had a special interest in it. I had been in the house the night Chavez made his Los Angeles debut at the Olympic Auditorium more than seventeen years ago, and again the following year, when he won his first world title. Now I would be present for what I expected to be the once great champion's final fight.
I had hoped to catch Chavez working out at the Madison Gym in Phoenix where today I train boxers. However, my schedule interfered with the chance of seeing Chavez during the week he conducted his final workouts in Phoenix. I didn't see the former champ until the friday afternoon weigh-in at the Airport Hilton Hotel in Phoenix.
When I arrived at the Hotel I saw a lot of old friends and familiar faces from my era in Los Angeles boxing. Marty Denkin, who was scheduled to judge the bout was sitting in the lobby with another L.A. based official, Chuck Hassett. A group of amateur boxers representing several Phoenix area gyms were standing by hoping to get a glimpse of Chavez when he entered the building. Arizona boxing commissioner John Montano was having a discussion in the corner with one of the promoters and Jimmy Lennon Jr. crossed the room on his way to the restaurant. Kostya Tszyu had quietly slipped into the media room where the weigh-in would be held and quickly checked his weight on the scale. After stepping off the scale he disappeared. About ten minutes later a commotion could be heard coming from the lobby and it marked the entrance of one of the greatest Mexican boxers ever, Julio Cesar Chavez. Chavez was quickly surrounded by the media. Anxious reporters and camera crews positioned themselves close to the former champion and began asking questions. Chavez sat down in the lobby and talked with the media but not with the strength that he once projected.
As I watched Chavez talk to the media I could see that this was not the same man I had watched win the W.B.C. Jr. Lightweight title sixteen years earlier. The Chavez I saw knockout Mario Martinez was 21 years old and had that hungry look in his eyes. The Chavez I saw in the lobby of the Hotel looked uncomfortable, almost irritated. The only confidence projected that afternoon came from a loyal group of young followers that somehow believed that there hero could pull off a miracle. "Vamos Rumbo A La Victoria" were the words emblazoned on the back of their T-Shirts. They had come to win.
Chavez's behavior in the days leading up to the fight indicated to me that he was in trouble. Last week he became upset when learning that Willy Wise, the welterweight who had defeated him last September, would be appearing on the undercard. Chavez demanded that the promoter drop Wise from the card or he would not fight. The request was honored. This is something that Chavez would have never done a few years ago. However, as I said, this was not the same Chavez.
A few minutes later Chavez stood and headed for the media room where the weigh-in was scheduled to take place in less than twenty minutes. Chavez and his handlers headed directly toward the scale to check his weight. Chavez stripped to his briefs and stepped onto the scale. After finding his weight to be exactly 140 lbs. Chavez nodded seriously and slipped into a robe provided by one of his team members. Every move the great Mexican made after entering the room was followed by loud cheering from the spectators. It was obvious they had come to see Chavez.
In a matter of seconds the room was packed wall-to-wall. Former World Champ Danny Romero shook hands and posed for pictures with many of the young fans who had come to watch the festivities. Hector Camacho Jr. smiled and flexed his muscles as photographers snapped pictures. It wasn't long before the official weigh-in would take place and after weighing the other boxers on the card Commissioner John Montano called Chavez to the scale. "Julio Cesar Chavez . . .140 pounds", Montano announced. The spectators cheered. A minute later Montano called for the champion to be weighed. "Kostya Tszyu, 139 1/2 pounds". The crowd booed but Tszyu just smiled and confidently flexed his muscles for the media before stepping down. The champion was about as popular with the predominantly Mexican crowd as Lee Harvey Oswald was with the American public on November 22, 1963.
Chavez never smiled, aside from a weak effort after his weight was announced. He was obviously upset over the events leading up to the fight. In addition to the Wise incident, Chavez was angry that Senator John McCain had attempted to stop the fight from taking place. Fearing that Chavez could be seriously hurt by Tszyu, McCain had petitioned Arizona Governor Jane Hull to step in. However, the fight would go on and Chavez considered the Senator's efforts an insult. Adding to the insult was the fact that Las Vegas was refusing to take action on the bout, citing that Chavez was anywhere from a 40 to 100-to-1 underdog. Chavez trained hard and vowed to prove them wrong. After the weigh-in, Tszyu told the press he would stop Chavez in two rounds while Chavez said he would knockout Tszyu within eight. I looked closely into the dark gamecock eyes of Chavez as he made the prediction and nothing gave me the impression that he believed what he was saying.
Early the next evening I arrived at Phoenix's Veteran's Memorial Coliseum a couple of hours before the title fight was to start. It had been 112 degrees
that day and those who had bought tickets parked their cars and hurried across the parking lot to escape the heat. "Thank God for air conditioning" was all I could think about upon entering the cool Coliseum. I had arrived about halfway thru a prelim featuring former World Champ Robert Garcia. As Garcia pounded his opponent I wanted to get with the boxing people. Thanks to my press credentials and familiar face among the boxing crowd I was able to go just about anywhere I wanted.
After locating my seat I went directly to the dressing room area located behind giant curtains shielding that part of the arena from the crowd. I passed by the Showtime crew who were running a sound check on Bobby Czyz as he and Steve Albert prepared themselves for their ringside commentator roles later on. As I passed by the security reps guarding the dressing room area, I saw my friend Richard Rodriguez, owner of the Madison Gym where Chavez had finished his training for this fight. I asked Rodriguez how Chavez had looked in the gym during the previous week and he answered, "He looked good. He's in good shape". That's all Rodriguez could offer. I then spot America Presents promoter Dan Goossen who was standing in the back outside the dressing room area with Jimmy Lennon Jr. I knew that Goossen would be too busy to talk about the fight so I just said hello and asked him if his brother Joe was around. "Joe couldn't make it", Dan said, "He usually does all the work but I guess it will be just me tonight" he said smiling. Goossen had good reason to be happy, the event was a near sellout.
As I made my way toward the dressing rooms I saw Sugar Ray Leonard enter surrounded by several security guards who would usher him to his ringside seat. A few minutes later Johnny Tapia walked in holding hands with his wife. Tapia had a mischievous smile on his face and clowned with a few friends he'd met. I have to give Johnny credit, he sure knows how to work a crowd. Throughout the evening I saw Tapia shaking hands and posing for pictures with fans. I doubt he ever sat down. And as usual there were many other boxing celebs on hand such as Fernando Vargas, Danny Romero and Zab Judah, who had come to check out Kostya Tszyu, a man whom he will face in the ring one day. When Don King emerged from the dressing room area with four giant body guards the crowd greeted him with boos.
After Garcia had won a ten round decision, Vassily Jirov the IBF Cruiserweight Champ took on a cagey Phoenix veteran named Earl Butler. Butler was not expected to last long but it was Jirov who was lucky to finish the first round on his feet. About halfway thru the opening round Butler discovered that Jirov could be hit with right cross and caught the champ flush on the chin with one. Jirov staggered and struggled to remain on his feet. Before the round ended he'd caught several more and wobbled to his corner after the bell. However, in the second round Jirov went to work and and knocked out Butler.
After the Jirov fight I wondered back to the dressing room area where Hector Camacho Jr. was being boosted up onto a large wooden horse on wheels. Camacho had intended to make his ring entrance riding a real horse down the aisle but the Phoenix Fire Dept. said "No way". Instead, Camacho would make his entrance on the back of the wooden horse pulled down the aisle by anassistant. As Camacho awaited the cue for his entrance, he sat patiently on the wooden horse with his pretty young wife standing just below him carrying their baby in her arms. I spoke briefly with Ted Morton, Camacho's American representative whom I had met several years back. Needless to say, Morton was very excited about his unbeaten young fighter. After watching Camacho stop Phillip Holiday in a less than exciting bout I returned to the dressing area where I was able to casually slip inside the dressing room of Chavez. I just acted like I belonged there and quietly stood to the side watching the Mexican legend as he warmed up shadow boxing. He broke a sweat but didn't appear ready to me for action to me. An official prompted Team Chavez that it was about time for the once brilliant champion to head down to the ring. A second tied Chavez robe while another rubbed his shoulders. About this time a group of about a dozen young members of Team Chavez along with his handlers surrounded Julio and began to chant a pre-fight cheer, something to raise the fighters spirit before the match. When they finished, Cristobal Rosas, the great Mexican trainer who had once worked with the late Salvador Sanchez, gave Chavez a hug and kissed him on the forehead. Rosas had once trained Chavez and was Julio's special guest for the fight. They exchanged a few words in Spanish and then Julio headed out. Before reaching the curtain leading to the arena Chavez, surrounded by the most loyal entourage I have ever seen, stood waiting for the final cue to walk down the aisle. Gathered before Chavez was a large Mariachi band that would play as he entered the ring. A moment later Don King and his escorts appeared and King hugged Chavez. King, never one to miss an opportunity to be seen, stood behind Chavez with his hands on the former champion's shoulders. King would accompany Chavez for his last walk down the aisle. I looked closely into the face of Chavez and didn't see the look of a man who had held world titles for more than twelve years during his brilliant career. I saw a man who knew his great pride was about to suffer.
A Showtime official gave the Chavez delegation the signal, in Spanish, that it was time. "Tiempo" he shouted. Long before Chavez walked thru the curtain and began his walk down the aisle the crowd exploded. "CHAVEZ, CHAVEZ, CHAVEZ!", they chanted. As Chavez slowly made his way to the ring the flashes from cameras created a strobe light effect around the Coliseum and the sound of Mariachi music was drowned out by the thunderous ovation from the audience. I have seen a lot of title fights and dozens of great champions over the years but nothing compared to the excitement that took place when Chavez entered the ring Saturday night. You would think that Chavez was the champion and Tszyu was an unpopular challenger. When Tszyu entered the ring a few minutes later he was greeted with boos.
Too many years have separated Chavez from the skills that made him great, however, the legend will never die. When the disappointment of Chavez's fans turned to anger, the beer started to fly. Growing up in Los Angeles I know how Mexican fans react when their favorite loses. Long before Jimmy Lennon announced the winner of the fight I was safely tucked away in the press room waiting for the post fight press conference.
Chavez announced his retirement after the fight and I hope he was serious. Even so, the controversy continued when he refused to take the drug test following the fight. Many would assume that this suggests Chavez had taken an illegal substance prior to the match. However, nothing I saw in the eyes or behavior of the great Chavez indicated he had. I think one of the greatest Mexican boxers in history had been insulted enough and just wanted to get out of the place. Chavez has earned his place in boxing history, what could a bit more controversy hurt.
Roberto Duran Turns 60 Today
Happy Birthday to my all time favorite fighter; Roberto Duran. Hard to believe he turned 60 today. Duran, at his peak was one of the most intimidating fighters to step into the ring. He had a Hall of Fame career and would have been right at home in any of boxing's great decades. There will never be another like him, as far as I'm concerned. Thanks for the memories Roberto! All the best to you.
 |
| Photo by Chris Cozzone- Courtesy of Fightnews.com |
Monday, June 13, 2011
2011 International Boxing Hall of Fame Inductees
Congratulations to Julio Cesar Chavez, Mike Tyson, Kostya Tszyu, Joe Cortez, Nacho Beristain and Sylvester Stallone on their inductions to the International Boxing Hall of Fame -Class of 2011- in Canastota, New York, this past weekend.
The posthumous inductees are: Bantamweight Memphis Pal Moore, light heavyweight champion Jack Root, and middleweight Dave Shade in the old-timer category; British heavyweight John Gully in the pioneer category; promoter A.F. Bettinson; and former BBC broadcaster Harry Carpenter.
Louie Burke on the Austin Trout vs David Lopez fight
 |
| Photo by Gabriel F. Cordero at ringside |
The Battle started well before the first bell of the bout when the ring only measured 16 ½ ft inside the ropes, contrary the WBA regulation 18 ft minimum. After threatening the promoter to walk out he, ordered some quick adjustments, still falling short by a foot, loosening the ropes to make it 17 ft inside the ropes.
By this time, I’d had enough with the shenanigans that had plagued this card from the beginning, starting with change of locations and tricking us into thinking that the fight was going to be at a location with lower elevation than Las Cruces, and at the last minute changing the venue to a 6,000 plus altitude venue in San Luis Potosi.
With the TV lights and no air conditioning in the building, the heat inside the ring was ridiculously hot and stifling, the hottest I‘ve ever felt! The promoter, who labeled Austin-Lopez’s fight a USA vs. Mexico battle, worked up an already hostile bunch that were chanting Mexico, Mexico, causing a deafening echo throughout the venue, working the crowed up to a frenzy that I thought would erupt into a piñata party, us being the piñata’s.
Lopez was as tough as we thought he’d be, walking Austin down through out the fight and looking for the big left hand he’s so good at sneaking in. The fight started with Austin out boxing Lopez and turning him in circles and working off a snappy jab. With Austin connecting with some beautiful straight and overhand lefts, momentarily stiffening Lopez. Austin got away from the game plan after round two, because he felt he hurt Lopez and wanted to go home early.
Even though Lopez might have been stunned early, he seemed to get stronger as the fight progressed and after four rounds, with Austin loading up at times, the elevation and horrendous heat, he started slowing down, letting Lopez back into the fight, by connecting some straight lefts. In the corner, I could see that the heat and Altitude was taking it’s toll. We did what we could to cool him down and freshen him up and make it clear that he was losing control of the fight. Around the 7th round he got his second win and got back on the game plan of out boxing and turning Lopez and staying away from his wicked left hand. Even though Austin couldn’t avoid every punch thrown, he did avoid a ton of them, but gong into the 10th he’d gotten hit more times total than every other fight he’s had combined.
11th round on showed just how much heart Austin has, he and Lopez landed some bombs, but Austin stuck with the plan of boxing and when he didn’t Lopez would connect, forcing Austin to come back firing punches, to maintain control of the round. The 11th round was a heart stopper, with Austin getting his feet caught up on the ropes and going down. The referee, called it a slip, but easily could have ruled it in the other direction. Seconds after the referee wiped off Austin’s gloves, Austin floors Lopez! Austin went in for the kill but couldn’t make any headway and got back to the lateral movement and working off the jab.
12th round, Austin was told to box, we felt we had the fight in the bag and didn’t want to take any chances. That order was executed for about 2 minutes of the round, when Austin wanted to put an exclamation mark on the finality of the fight. He obliged Lopez by engaging in a round closing slugfest, both fighters landing blows in a last second flurry. In the exchange Lopez landing a monster left, to conclude the exchange and the fight!
There was no doubt that Austin had won a hard fought decision against, in my opinion, Mexico’s best middle/light-middleweight. But, boxing has it’s surprises and being in Mexico, you can’t celebrate too early.
As hoped for and expected Austin won a hard fought unanimous decision. The crap pulled by the promoter to gain an advantage did not taint Lopez’s performance. He fought with a Mexican heart, and showed his 52 fight experience, when he was able to capitalize on Austin’s occasional breakdown in a usually flawless defense. He proved strong and durable as expected. We were glad that we prepared for such a warrior and knew he was there to take that precious hardware “the WBA belt” away.
Austin and myself would like to thank all the support that came from both sides of the border, and let everyone know that this victory was dedicated to YOU!
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Mel Epstein, a great mind of "Old School"
Mel Epstein & Systolic breathing . . . By Rick Farris
Like the "old school trainer" fraternity in which he was vested member, Mel Epstein, knew the tricks of the boxing trade. How to get an edge.
Having an edge can make a big difference, and Mel was concerned about my deep breathing, my oxygen consumption during a bout.
Mel was not a "certified" anything, like the so-called educated gurus who charge champs six figures today.
Actual experience was Mel's guide, advice from the likes of Dempsey's trainer, Teddy Hayes, and Ray Arcel back in the Benny Leonard days.
He also got some advice from another valued source, his mother.
"Mrs. Epstein, of the Boston Epsteins," Mel would kid, was an opera singer when Mel was a young lad.
She learned to breathe as a singer breathes, pulling oxygen deep into the body, beneath the lungs into the upper stomach.
"It's called systolic breathing, and that is what I'm going to teach you," Mel promised.
He continued, "My mother taught me, and I saw Dempsey practicing it but they didn't call it systolic breathing. That was my mother's term, and my mother was educated, you know, she came from a good family."
Mel was right, I began to breathe different and it also aided my runs with Bob Seagren.
Mel did some boxing, and has the nose to prove he was probably best suited in management, training and promotion - and he did it all!
Today a college degree and good line of bullshit will land documented smoke blower a spot on some champ's ship of fools. A "Physical trainer."
Mel is rolling in his grave, and he's laughing.
Just last week I saw a "physical advisor" on TV who is going to mentor a world champ on the "bodies rhythm".
He will try to show the athlete how to take deep breath, using a computor screen, high tech graffics and statistics.
The physical advisor will need the finest in high tech equipment attempting to demostrate his theory.
All Mel needed was a good story about his mother and a quick demonstration. Everyday he'd remind me as I walked along side him.
We'd be walking down Wilshire Blvd., near Vermont, Mel would bark . . . "Breathe deep, into your stomach. Systolic breathing."
I'd begin to breath to his staisfaction and then he would bark, "Toes in! Walk with your toes pointed inward, punchers are pigeon-toed!"
That's what he'd tell me as we walked . . . "Breathe, toes in!"
Mel Epstein, he was really something. Bless his soul.
-Rick Farris
Like the "old school trainer" fraternity in which he was vested member, Mel Epstein, knew the tricks of the boxing trade. How to get an edge.
Having an edge can make a big difference, and Mel was concerned about my deep breathing, my oxygen consumption during a bout.
Mel was not a "certified" anything, like the so-called educated gurus who charge champs six figures today.
Actual experience was Mel's guide, advice from the likes of Dempsey's trainer, Teddy Hayes, and Ray Arcel back in the Benny Leonard days.
He also got some advice from another valued source, his mother.
"Mrs. Epstein, of the Boston Epsteins," Mel would kid, was an opera singer when Mel was a young lad.
She learned to breathe as a singer breathes, pulling oxygen deep into the body, beneath the lungs into the upper stomach.
"It's called systolic breathing, and that is what I'm going to teach you," Mel promised.
He continued, "My mother taught me, and I saw Dempsey practicing it but they didn't call it systolic breathing. That was my mother's term, and my mother was educated, you know, she came from a good family."
Mel was right, I began to breathe different and it also aided my runs with Bob Seagren.
Mel did some boxing, and has the nose to prove he was probably best suited in management, training and promotion - and he did it all!
Today a college degree and good line of bullshit will land documented smoke blower a spot on some champ's ship of fools. A "Physical trainer."
Mel is rolling in his grave, and he's laughing.
Just last week I saw a "physical advisor" on TV who is going to mentor a world champ on the "bodies rhythm".
He will try to show the athlete how to take deep breath, using a computor screen, high tech graffics and statistics.
The physical advisor will need the finest in high tech equipment attempting to demostrate his theory.
All Mel needed was a good story about his mother and a quick demonstration. Everyday he'd remind me as I walked along side him.
We'd be walking down Wilshire Blvd., near Vermont, Mel would bark . . . "Breathe deep, into your stomach. Systolic breathing."
I'd begin to breath to his staisfaction and then he would bark, "Toes in! Walk with your toes pointed inward, punchers are pigeon-toed!"
That's what he'd tell me as we walked . . . "Breathe, toes in!"
Mel Epstein, he was really something. Bless his soul.
-Rick Farris
Trout Outboxes Lopez in Sweltering Heat
From the Boxing Tribune (Courtesy of Rick Farris)
Austin Trout (23-0, 13 KOs) made the first defense of his WBA junior middleweight title in the sweltering heat of San Luis Potosi by outworking and outboxing Mexico’s David Lopez (40-13, 23 KOs) and taking the wide unanimous decision.
From the very beginning, Trout moved effectively and showed himself to be too talented and athletic for the straight-ahead Lopez, who came forward the entire night, but wasn’t able to generate any sustained offensive attack.
Trout, well ahead and landing at a high rate, gave a solid effort for the full 12 rounds and even managed to drop the tough veteran in the 11th round.
The judges’ scorecards reflected the one-sided nature of the bout, scoring the fight: 119-109, 117-110 and 118-109. The Boxing Tribune scored the bout 119-108, also in favor of Trout.
http://theboxingtribune.com
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Update on Austin Trout
Weights/photo by Gabriel Cordero/Fightnews
From the Auditorio Miguel Barragan, San Luis Potosi, Mexico:
Austin Trout 153.78 vs. David Lopez 153
(WBA super welterweight world title )
By Louie Burke
The Weigh-ins went off without a hitch, Austin made weight easily, just maintaining what he already accomplished the night before by making 154 lbs. David "The Destroyer" Lopez, surprisingly came in at 153 lbs. Weigh-ins, medicals and paper work were done within an hour, a quick and painless procedure, most American commissions could learn from.
Lopez is a tough, rangy boxer/puncher that has a wealth of experience, not only the number of fights he’s had ( 62), but also the quality. A win over Lopez is going to be a huge step in gaining the legitimacy towards a super title bout or a unification bout against better known names in the division.
Austin feels great and wants his supporters to know, that this fight is for YOU!!!!
Thank you for your support!
Saturday, June 4, 2011
The Passing of Shirley O'Neill
Our sincere condolences to our friend Bill O'Neill and his family on the passing of his wife Shirley O'Neill. Shirley passed away on Thursday June 2, after suffering a devastating stroke the previous day.
Bill O'Neill is a contributer to this site, a retired Southern California sports/boxing writer, former amateur boxer and good friend to boxing. We mourn his loss.
The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. next Thursday, July 9, at Memory Garden Memorial Park, 455 West Central Ave., Brea, CA.
R.I.P. Shirley
Bill O'Neill is a contributer to this site, a retired Southern California sports/boxing writer, former amateur boxer and good friend to boxing. We mourn his loss.
The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. next Thursday, July 9, at Memory Garden Memorial Park, 455 West Central Ave., Brea, CA.
R.I.P. Shirley
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Louie Burke: Update on Austin Trout
By Louie Burke
Camp “No Doubt”
Austin’s first defense is definitely a genuine concern. The Bible of Boxing, Ring Magazine has Austin’s opponent David “The Destroyer” Lopez listed at number 8 in the world and the most avoided Middleweight in boxing! At 6’2” and southpaw, it’s easy to understand why Lopez has been avoided. Having been avoided himself, Austin knows what it’s like waiting for the dream opportunity of fighting for the world championship and now that he has it he doesn’t plan on letting it go.
Austin’s had a solid camp with sparring being imported from Baltimore, MD in the likes of undefeated Cecil McCalla and 16-3-1 Maxell Taylor, who’s coming off a spectacular TKO win two weeks ago. Also jumping in for a piece of Austin has been, Lubbock’s Edward Hernandez and Las Crucen, Siju Shabazz. Austin’s has had some tough sparing with McCalla, Taylor, and Hernandez hammering out an intense 12 rounds on Saturday and Tuesday! Camp is still in it’s peak stages, but will start tapering off at the end of the week.
"The Destroyer" isn’t going to be a walk in the park. He hasn’t lost a fight in 6 years and has beaten the likes of Jerson Rivello, Lonnie Bradley, Danny Lopez, Saul Roman and Quirino Garcia! Winning the IBA Middleweight championship along the way. Lopez is a good boxer/puncher and has shattered many a dream, dismantling opponents in a methodical manner. Austin knows this and is well prepared and ready to show the world he deserves being champion.
The date and location has been finalized ( we think) on June 11th in San Luis Potosi, Mex. It will be Televised on Telavisa and a week later on Fox Sports Network.
Thanks for the support fight fans!
Camp “No Doubt”
Austin’s first defense is definitely a genuine concern. The Bible of Boxing, Ring Magazine has Austin’s opponent David “The Destroyer” Lopez listed at number 8 in the world and the most avoided Middleweight in boxing! At 6’2” and southpaw, it’s easy to understand why Lopez has been avoided. Having been avoided himself, Austin knows what it’s like waiting for the dream opportunity of fighting for the world championship and now that he has it he doesn’t plan on letting it go.
Austin’s had a solid camp with sparring being imported from Baltimore, MD in the likes of undefeated Cecil McCalla and 16-3-1 Maxell Taylor, who’s coming off a spectacular TKO win two weeks ago. Also jumping in for a piece of Austin has been, Lubbock’s Edward Hernandez and Las Crucen, Siju Shabazz. Austin’s has had some tough sparing with McCalla, Taylor, and Hernandez hammering out an intense 12 rounds on Saturday and Tuesday! Camp is still in it’s peak stages, but will start tapering off at the end of the week.
"The Destroyer" isn’t going to be a walk in the park. He hasn’t lost a fight in 6 years and has beaten the likes of Jerson Rivello, Lonnie Bradley, Danny Lopez, Saul Roman and Quirino Garcia! Winning the IBA Middleweight championship along the way. Lopez is a good boxer/puncher and has shattered many a dream, dismantling opponents in a methodical manner. Austin knows this and is well prepared and ready to show the world he deserves being champion.
The date and location has been finalized ( we think) on June 11th in San Luis Potosi, Mex. It will be Televised on Telavisa and a week later on Fox Sports Network.
Thanks for the support fight fans!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)