Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Scenes From a Boxing Gym
My pal Brian Schiff showing his nephew Ari the ropes at the Naval Academy Boxing Gym. Brian is a long time friend of boxing: as fan, a one time writer for Ring Magazine and in a moment of brief insanity, once sparred with Tommy Hearns. Nephew Ari is graduating from the Naval Academy. Congrats!
Above and Below: Brian Schiff (L) and Ari Schiff
Monday, May 28, 2012
2012 El Paso Boxing Hall of Fame
Sammy Burke
By Randy De La O
Last year Louie Burke was inducted into the California Boxing Hall of Fame. This year in El Paso, Texas, it will be a family affair as both Louie and his brother Rocky Burke, along with their father Sammy Burke (posthumously) will be inducted into the El Paso Boxing Hall of Fame. A well deserved honor and long overdue.
Both Louie and Rocky were trained in the Sweet Science by their father Sammy. Sammy was an outstanding amateur boxer from New Mexico and began training fighters after returning from the Korean War. Sammy passed away in 1984. Louie is currently training WBA World light Middleweight Champion Austin Trout, as well as up and coming light middleweight Abie Han. Rocky, who retired from boxing to run the family business is now a world class referee.
A press conference was held last Saturday May 12, at Jaxon's Restaurant & Brewery in El Paso, Texas, to kick off the event and announce the inductees. The induction ceremony will be held at the El Paso Multipurpose Center on June 9, 2012.
The Burkes are my cousins and I couldn't be prouder. Congratulations to my primos, the Burke family, including their mother Elba, as well as all of the 2012 El Paso Boxing Hall of Fame Inductees..
Rocky Burke
Louie Burke with trainer Jesse Reid
Jennifer Han, amateur and pro boxer
Sammy Burke, former boxer and trainer, posthumous
Louie Burke, trainer and former boxer
Rocky Burke, referee and former boxer
Jorge Munoz, amateur boxer
Francisco Alvarado, trainer and former boxer
Rene Herrera, former Mexican welterweight professional champion
Bill Knight, El Paso Times sports and boxing writer.
Raul Rojas: How We All Forget..... By Rick Farris
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| Raul Rojas |
How we all forget . . .
By Rick Farris
The notice of Johnny Tapia's passing has generated a lot of talk, memories. A great fighter, a unique story, one that was shared world wide via TV as was Tapia's career.
A few days ago, another world champ passed away. Like Tapia, he was a small fighter with a big fight inside him. A tough guy, a world champion. Like Tapia, he shared his career with drug and alochol abuse.
Of course, Johnny Tapia fought on network TV and cable TV, he was seen world wide, became a household name in the boxing community. Raul had the same impact on his fans, but they were those of us who watched him fight live, or on local TV in L.A. In Los Angeles, Rojas could sell out the Olympic. In New York, they didn't know who he was.
Johnny's death made the L.A. Times this morning, but Raul Rojas' has not, and Rojas died last week. Raul was a world champ, an L.A. guy who was a headliner during one of the city's greatest eras in boxing. He retired into a job as a Longshoreman, he worked the LA Harbor with other local boxing legends.
Rojas died days ago, and Don Fraser and I have both contacted the L.A. Times with news and info regarding the death of Raul Rojas, but have yet to acknowledge it in their paper. As Don and I know, most of the sports writer weren't alive 43 years ago when Raul won the world featherweight title. Because of this he was overlooked every year by the World Boxing Hall of Fame. I posted a Facebook message regarding Raul's funeral arraingments, for those who might like to pay their final respects to a world champion. There was no response to this either.
Raul's name might not make the L.A. Times Obituary column, but back in the day when he was King of the 126 pounders in boxing, it was mentioned often in their sports page. I don't know about anybody else who remembers Raul from his days as champ, but this friday, at 10am, I'll be at All Souls Mortuary in Long Beach, and paying my respects to a fallen champion.
Johnny Tapia vs Johnny Romero (Entire Fight)
I remember this fight well. This was a true crosstown rivalry for Albuquerque, New Mexico. This is the fight that made a believer out of me when it came to Johnny Tapia. I was, to some small degree, leaning toward Danny Romero but I was just looking for a good fight. Romero made a fight out it but Tapia seized the moment and stepped up to dominate the fight and win the battle for Albuquerque. Tapia went on to have an outstanding career but this is the fight that brought him national and international prominence. Rest in Peace Champ! You will be missed.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Boxing Great Johnny Tapia Has Died
Johnny Tapia has died today at age 45. R.I.P. Champ! Below is an interview with Johnny Tapia by James Smith from January of this year.
Jack Dempsey AKA the Manassa Mauler
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| Jack Dempsey |
"Whenever I hear the name, Jack Dempsey, I think of an America that was one big roaring camp of miners, drifters, bunkhouse hands, con men, hard cases, men who lived by their fists and their shooting irons and by the cards they drew. America at high noon.
-- Jim Murray
Jack Dempsey's Broadway Restaurant
The original, and one and only true Jack Dempsey's Broadway Bar and Restaurant, in New York..
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Jack Dempsey's Broadway Restaurant, known popularly as Jack Dempsey's, was a restaurant located on Broadway between 49th and 50th streets in Manhattan, New York. Owned by world Heavyweight boxing champion, Jack Dempsey, it was considered by many as an American institution. The restaurant originally opened for business as Jack Dempsey's Restaurant on Eighth Avenue and 50th Street, directly across from the third Madison Square Garden, in 1935. Most nights would find Dempsey's famous proprietor on hand to greet guests, sign autographs, pose for pictures, and hold court with people from all walks of life.
Located next door to Jack Amiel's "Turf Restaurant" on Times Square, Amiel became famous as the owner of the "underdog" horse Count Turf who won the 1951 Kentucky Derby. A few years after his Derby win, Jack Amiel became a co-owner of Jack Dempsey's Restaurant, which closed in 1974.
Jack Dempsey's Broadway Restaurant appears in the movie The Godfather (1972). Michael Corleone stands in front of Jack Dempsey's while waiting to be picked up by Virgil Sollozzo and Capt. McCluskey for their infamous dinner meeting.
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Jack Dempsey's Broadway Restaurant
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Located next door to Jack Amiel's "Turf Restaurant" on Times Square, Amiel became famous as the owner of the "underdog" horse Count Turf who won the 1951 Kentucky Derby. A few years after his Derby win, Jack Amiel became a co-owner of Jack Dempsey's Restaurant, which closed in 1974.
Jack Dempsey's Broadway Restaurant appears in the movie The Godfather (1972). Michael Corleone stands in front of Jack Dempsey's while waiting to be picked up by Virgil Sollozzo and Capt. McCluskey for their infamous dinner meeting.
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Jack Demsey's Pub & Restaurant, Midtown Manhatton, NY
There was a long bar as you enter that opens up into the dining room. Lot's of boxing photos scattered throughout. It had an old school Saloon and restaurant feel to it. Not quite sure why there is no "P" in Demsey but it probably has something to do with copyrights.
Lucian Bute vs Carl Froch
In case you missed the fight between Lucian Bute and Carl Froch last night (I missed it), here is the full video.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Louie Burke: Han ready for Gomez
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| Abie Han of El Paso, Texas |
By Louie Burke
Top Rank has matched up Abie Han (16-0) vs. Joe Gomez (18-5-1) at the El Paso Sunbowl, June 16th on the Undercard of Julio Ceasar Chavez Jr. and Andy Lee! There’s been a buzz going around for a couple of months, regarding a possible barn burner of a fight between these two fighters, now it’s a go!… Two respected local fighters, going head to head.
Abie is very excited to be fighting at home and at the Sunbowl of all places AND on the undercard of Chavez/Lee!… what else could a young undefeated fighter ask for at this point of his career. Gomez is no one to take lightly, he’s a gamer that comes to slug or box, depending on the opponent he faces. He definitely had an off night against Angulo, but Angulo, is one of the most dangerous fighters in the first few rounds in boxing today and Gomez got caught hard and early, catching Gomez cold.
Abie has been training very diligently for this fight, he’s been one of Austin Trout’s main sparring partners in Austin’s preparation for Delvin Rodrigez and has worked very hard while in camp. As anyone could imagine, he wants to put on a good performance for the hometown fans. If Abie performs like he has been in training, then he should give a good account of himself.
This fight should be a very exciting and good fan fight. Gomez, like Abie brings excitement into the ring every time they fight. The fireworks will begin early this year!.. Come to El Paso and see the fight live for only $25 dollars, which are the least expensive tickets, or $200 ringside, if you really want to impress a hot date!
We Hope to see you in El Paso at the Sun Bowl, June 16th!
Mucho Machismo at the Arrowhead Pond: March 31, 1995
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| Mucho Machismo at the Arrowhead Pond |
By Randy De La O
I was there that night, at the Arrowhead Pond on March 31, 1995, along with my son Andrew, Ed Hernandez Sr and Ed Jr. It was actually a pretty good fight card and one that we were really looking forward to, with L.A.'s own Genaro "Chicanito" Hernandez stopping the always game "Clown Prince of Boxing" Jorge Paez of Mexico, in eight rounds (on cuts) out of a scheduled ten rounds, and Humberto "Chiquita" Gonzalez, also from Mexico, knocking out Colombian Jesus Zuniga in five rounds, defending both the WBC and IBF Light Flyweight titles. This would be "Chiquita's second to last fight..
Louie Espinoza lost his fight for the WBC Featherweight Championship against Alejandro Gonzalez, going the distance but losing a unanimous decision. A young legend in the making, Marco Antonio Barrera of Mexico, took the WBO Super Bantamweight Title from Daniel Jimenez of Puerto Rico.
I remember this as an exciting night of boxing and it's a reminder that there was still a lot of good boxing going on in the 1990's but I also remember that the fights inside the ring on this night actually had to compete with the fights in the stands. The fight that stole the show that night took place in the balcony directly above us with one man trying his damnedest to throw his guy over the balcony while punching him relentlessly. Luckily security got to them before the guy went over. The saddest thing about it though was that neither guy got paid for their troubles. Of course all this pales by comparison to the mini riots at the Olympic Auditorium and the Forum during the 1960's.
Friday, May 25, 2012
Recently SouthWest Fight News had the honor of visiting the “Regular” WBA World Super Welterweight champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout (24-0, 14KO) and his trainer Louie Burke, at the Sammy Burke Youth Boxing Center – Las Cruces Police Athletic League (PAL) Gym in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Police Athletic League (PAL) Gym in Las Cruces, NM
The building that houses the gym at 700 North Solano, has always been a home for fighters even since its inception in the 1950‘s when it was first used as an armory for U.S. Army tanks.
With the help of Ben “Chico” Segura, who in 1971 first established the PAL program in Las Cruces, Louie’s father Sammy Burke, former police detective Joe Bob Sellers and boxing trainer Larry Renio, 20 years-ago the building was converted into a boxing gym making it a haven for troubled teens in the southern New Mexico.
It was not just training ground for teens but for professional boxers as well. Former WBA World Lightweight champion Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini trained in the building.
A former professional boxer himself with a record of 19 and 3 with 12 knockouts as a product of the gym, Louie Burke challenged some well known fighters, including former three-time world champion Hector “Macho” Camacho. Burke even defeated world renown boxing trainer Freddy Roach twice, earning him the “ESPN Television” title belt in one of those victories.
In 1996, a scrawny big headed 10-year-old black kid by the name of Austin, walked into the predominantly Caucasian and Latino boxing gym on the advice of his mother.
Trainer Louie Burke works with Austin Trout
“Austin was a pretty timid kid; very quite. I don’t know what happened,” says a kidding Burke.
The only other African-American at the gym was a trainer by the name of Harvey Shaw. The late Baltimore Hall of Famer would take Trout under his wing and introduce him to the sport of fisticuffs.
“I never felt any different. They helped me as a team but oooh I got to hear all the little racial jokes that (the other kids at the gym) could not just wait to try out,” Trout reminisces.
In 2002, a cocky football player at a local high school was beating up everyone in the team’s locker-room at boxing and heard of Trout’s reputation as a talented fighter and challenged him.
That sparring match was a one sided affair with Trout coming out victorious.
The punishment delivered to Sijuola “Siju” Ade Shabazz that day would not just turn he and Trout into best friends but would lead Shabazz to start training at the gym and eventually capture the National Golden Gloves and National PAL Championships. He would also become one best amateurs in recent New Mexico boxing history.
Along with Trout and Shabazz the gym is also building quite a stable for itself with Ayanna Vasquez, a nine-time national boxing amateur champion and National PAL Champion, possibly the greatest amateur boxer in New Mexico history, and Top Rank signee Abraham “Abie” Han (15-0,10KO), an undefeated middleweight from El Paso, Texas.
Currently, Shabazz and Han are assisting Trout prepare for the biggest bout of his career. A 12 round contest for his WBA crown against a very talented Delvin Rodriguez set to take place June 2nd at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Austin Trout Media Day!
Austin Trout Media Day!
2:00 Wednesday, May 23rd at the Sammy Burke Youth Boxing Center.
Las Cruces, New Mexico
700 N. Solano
Austin is in preparation to defend his title against Delvin Rodriguez June 2nd on Showtime!
The fight will be held at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Louie Burke: Austin "NO Doubt" Trout update
By Louie Burke
Austin “No Doubt” Trout, just two weeks from defending his title against mandatory challenger Delvin Rodriguez, is putting in his most intense training during this period of camp. Sparring with Austin is veteran J.C. Candelo, who fought “Winky” Wright for the IBF junior-middle weight world championship and who also held the NABF and WBC/USA titles. Joining the wrecking crew is 16-0 Abie Han, who’s getting ready himself for a big fight, on the undercard of Chavez/Lee at the Sunbowl. Rounding off the crew is amateur standout’s Siju Shabazz, Tim Meek and Zach Prieto.
Austin is expecting a tough fight against Rodriguez, who is 26-5-1 with 14 ko’s, and who fought the fight of the year against Pawel Wolak last year. Rodriguez, a good fundamentalist and a student of boxing, is mechanically sound, quick and carries a good wallop in both hands. Rodriguez has been showcased many times on TV and 3 or 4 of his losses have been somewhat controversial.
This is the type of competition that makes great fights and great champions. At this point of the game, Austin is more than ready for the cream of the crop, he wants to be able to prove just how good he is, and the only way to do that is to get through Delvin Rodriguez. This is not going to be no walk in the park, that’s not what he wants. He wants a fight that will be ingrained in the memories of the fans that watched it.
Camp “No Doubt” has been an excellent camp, with excellent sparring. Austin is right on schedule, and he’s looking and feeling good. He expects a tough fight and has been training for such a fight. That is one of the reasons we’ve incorporated strength and conditioning coach Shukree Shabazz, who jumped on board with Team “No Doubt” before the Lopez fight. Also, working in Austin’s corner will be Assistant coach Moose Gomez and cut man Bobby Benton. The rest of the cast that has played a huge part of this fight is Austin’s manager Bob “Spag” Spagnola, promoter, Greg Cohen and advisor, Al Haymon.
This camp, has been a great camp and chemistry within has been awesome. Austin and everyone involved has worked very hard in preparing for this fight. All I can say now is please watch June 2nd on Showtime and Austin will make New Mexico and the Borderland proud once again.
Austin’s fight is dedicated to good friend LaVar Washington, who passed away this week, RIP.
Thank you for all the continued support.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Classic Photo: Frankie Baltazar vs Bazooka Limon
"Frankie Baltazar v Bazooka Limon....Limon by 4th round tko...
...I'm holding Frankie against the ropes''
....For as long as I remain on this planet that moment will be etched in my mind" Frank Baltazar Sr.
Monday, May 7, 2012
Andrew De La O: The Last Milestone
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| Andrew Salazar De La O 1923-1981 |
The Last Milestone.....
Today marks the 31st anniversary of my father's death on May 7, 1981. A lifetime ago, and yet in some ways it is like yesterday for our family. There are events and dates by which we mark time in this world. My father's death is one of those marks. My father was 57 when he died from prostate cancer. I am 57, and as of September of last year I have lived on this Earth longer than my father. My father died the day before my 27th birthday. Tomorrow, I'll be 58, an age my father never reached. I will officially be older than my father. It is a day that I have thought about for so many years. Still trying to wrap my head around that concept.
This photo of my father was taken a couple of years before his death. We were in the backyard of my parents home. I remember that day well. I was no longer boxing but as was my father's way, he continued to instruct my brother and I on the value of the jab and his belief that every other punch worked off the jab. He wasn't wrong.
Http://andrewsalazardelao.blogspot.com
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Mayweather vs Cotto and Alvarez vs Mosley
By Randy De La O
There were no real surprises during Saturday night's fight between Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Sugar Shane Mosley. Not that I wasn't hoping for Mosley to pull the rabbit out of the hat one more time, as he did in his fight with Antonio Margarito back in 2009. Alvarez, was just too young and too strong. Mosley, ever the warrior had nothing left in the tank but heart and courage and he never stopped trying.
Despite winning the fight hands down over Mosley, Canelo seemed almost passive at times. There were times in the fight where it seemed if he would have opened up with a long sustained barrage of punches he might have dropped or stopped Mosley. Maybe it was just hard to reconcile fighting one of his boyhood idols. Just Speculating on that.
Far be it for me to presume to tell any man when to retire, that's a private decision between him and his family, still as a fan of the sport of boxing and as a long time fan of Mosley, I can't help but hope that he fought his last fight Saturday. At times it was painful to watch, as it always is when a fighter reaches the end.
In his last four fights, Mosley has lost to Floyd Mayweather Jr, Manny Pacquiao and now Saul Alvarez. He also earned a lackluster draw with Sergio Mora at the staples Center in Los Angeles. There is nowhere else to go and nothing left to prove. Personally, I believe the Mosley of , say, 1999, could have won any of those fights but that Sugar Shane Mosley no longer exists. There is no shame in growing older. It's out of our control. The shame comes later when a fighter cannot or will not come to terms with his age or the loss of his skills and reflexes, and suffers needless damage. Here' hoping that the great and much loved Sugar Shane Mosley, escapes that trap.
Alvarez on the other hand is still an ongoing work in process. Despite his unanimous win over Mosley, Canelo, strong and confident, still needs a lot of work and experience before he faces the likes of Floyd Mayweather Jr or Manny Pacquiao.
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| US boxer Floyd Mayweather (R) fights against Puerto Rico's Miguel Cotto during their super welterweight title bout in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 5, 2012. Mayweather won the World Boxing Association super welterweight title with a unanimous points decision over Miguel Cotto on May 5 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. AFP PHOTO/Frederic J. BROWNFREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/GettyImages |
So did Mayweather change his style for this fight because at 34 he is finally slowing down? Or because, as he says, he wanted to give the fans their money's worth? So did Cotto really up his game for Mayweather? Hard to tell right now.
So we are still left with the question “What about Mayweather vs Pacquiao?” No one has the answer.
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