Antonio Margarito

Photos Courtesy of Yahoo Sports

By Randy De La O

Before last night's fight between Antonio Margarito and Sugar Shane Mosley, an illegal substance similar to Plaster of Paris was allegedly found in Margarito's handwraps. I don't know how true or accurate that is but when we don't know the full story we go with what we do know. We know that there are checks in place by the commission to protect both boxers. There is someone from the opposing camp watching the hands being wrapped. We know that Margarito has had 44 fights with 37 wins, 27 by knockout, losing 6 of those fights. While the various commissions, promoters and sanctioning bodies have at times proven themselves to be stupid beyond all belief, I find it hard to believe that someone could get away with loading up the handwraps.

I don't know Margarito but from what I do know, it's a safe bet that this blue collar fighter is not someone who would cheat. I don't think he has that type of character. I think guys like Margarito place too much value on their manhood. Some will understand that and some won't. Could it have gone on with out his knowledge? I don't know, maybe, but I just find it improbable that it would happen at all.

Whatever the case may be, the damage is done. His reputation and credibility may never recover. Like an accusation of rape, the stigma is there. Last nights fight, regardless of what went on in the dressing room was on the up and up. It was an honest fight. Mosley won because he was the better man last night. Margarito lost because, for whatever reasons, he was unable to get his act together. That was evident from the first round.

Did Margarito cheat when he fought Miguel Cotto? My belief is that he did not cheat. Men like Margarito and Cotto place so much value on their manhood, their machismo, I don't believe they are capable of it. That is why losing in such a manner affects their psyche. There will likely be a rematch  between Cotto and Mosley or between Cotto and Margarito. Even if Margarito loses against Cotto that will not be conclusive proof. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose.

Antonio Margarito vs Sugar Shane Mosley

Photos Courtesy of Yahoo Sports

By Randy De La O

Sugar Shane Mosley turned back the hands of time tonight to stop Antonio Margarito in the ninth round of their twelve round WBA Welterweight title fight at the Staples Center in Los Angeles before a record crowd of 20,820. 

Margarito, who never really seemed to be in the fight could not keep the shorter Mosley from fighting on the inside, he also could not avoid the right hand, the left hook or the rapid fire jab. Margarito had some good moments in the middle rounds but never sustained his attack. He could not find his range and his punches lacked their usual sting.  Mosley on the other hand had no trouble finding his range. He punched with authority and he seemingly got stronger as the fight wore on., something I expected Margarito to do. Mosley was at his best tonight and turned in one of the best performance of his career.  It couldn't happen to a nicer guy. Congratulations to the new champion!

Closet Classic: Frankie Baltazar vs. Juan Escobar (1983)

By Ted Sares -


photo courtesy of Frank Baltazar

The historic Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles was home to any number of great fights. Some were pure classics; others flew a bit under the radar. One such bout was when hard hitting LA area native Frankie Baltazar took on rugged Juan Escobar on June 17, 1983. Escobar was 26-8-2 while Frankie was 33-2-1. Baltazar had gone undefeated in 30 of his last 31 outings having lost to “Bazooka” Limon in a bid for the NABF super featherweight title. Escobar, who had fought some tough customers like Ruben Castillo, was best known for his draw with the legendary Salvador Sanchez in 1978 when he decked the great Sanchez in the fifth canto. He was not one to be taken lightly. The baby faced Juan was the underdog but insiders were saying “watch out..”

The stage was set for a solid fight between two well schooled southpaws and that’s exactly what occurred as Escobar controlled the first round with strong left crosses, and then opened up on Frankie in the second stanza and almost took him out with a flurry of flush shots, his strong left being the most prominent.

In the fourth, the stylish Mexican had Baltazar’s right eye all but closed as he worked both upstairs and downstairs putting Frankie in sudden jeopardy. But then, midway in the fifth stanza, Baltazar found his right hand and rocked the Tijuana native with a hard overhand right. He continued to land this same punch until the bell rang. All of a sudden, he was back in the fight. The turnaround in the sixth round as Baltazar continually landed right hooks and straight lefts, often in combination. Clearly, the tide had turned as the bell rang.

Frankie kept the pressure on in the seventh as the fight evened. However, his right eye was just about closed and terribly discolored prompting the ringside doctor to take a long look. Meanwhile, Escobar no longer had the look of confidence that he possessed in the first four rounds. Baltazar now had become the stalker. After an eighth round that could have gone to either fighter, the fight appeared even going into the last two stanzas. The ninth also was close as both fighters exchanged heavy shots and Escobar finished the stronger of the two moving Frankie into a corner with heavy shots.

Going into the last round, the fight was there to be won. Frankie’s face opened up as his eye totally closed and his nose now bled profusely due in part to a number of unintentional head butts. Then, with just 30 seconds remaining, Frankie landed a right counter that sent Escobar to the deck and opened up a severe cut over left his eye.

As a very young Jimmy Lennon, Jr. read the scoring, fans threw money into the ring which was a custom at the Olympic when they appreciated a great fight. Referee James Jen-Kin and judge Vince Delgado had it 95-94 and 96-94, respectively, for Baltazar. Judge Rudy Jordan saw it 95-96 for Escobar. Frankie Baltazar had pulled out a dramatic split decision thanks to a last minute knockdown.


(Photo courtesy of Frank Baltazar)

Baltazar would go on to win six of his last seven and finish with a fine slate of 40-3-1 and an impressive KO percentage of 61.36. Escobar would not be as fortunate. He would KO the limited Felipe Urguiza just a week later, but then would lose his final five bouts all by way of stoppage. The opposition was stiff including Aussie Graeme Brooke, Sergio Zambrano (31-1-1 coming in), future world champion Jorge Vaca, and Primo “Kid Durango” Ramos.

Later than same evening, Frankie’s brother, Tony “The Tiger” Baltazar decisioned Roque “Rocky” Montoya. As always, their father, Frank Sr., was in the corner for both fights.

There have been many great boxing families, but none more exciting in the ring than the Baltazar’s. Fittingly, Tony, Frankie and Frank Sr. are members of the California Boxing Hall of Fame. As well, they captured the adoration of “pochos” (a. k.a Chicanos), something only a few would accomplish, guys the likes “Mando,” Bobby, “Little Red,” but something Oscar never could.

QUE BARBARO

By Roger Esty

The first time he lost. The crowd knew it. The referee Berumen knew it. So did Sulieman. He gave the order to end it the way it did. And Mantequilla knew it. He was out of shape, but he was in there with a hungry kid by the name of Armando Muniz. 

Jose by that time did as little training as possible to get by. You'd see his genius. He'd win,but he wasn't pushin' it. Between the race track,his night club,his trumpet,and drinking late at night with Jose Alfredo,Jose Napoles had discarded the Spartan way of training. 

However that night in Acapulco, that Muniz kid was kicking the shit out of him. He couldn't keep him off him. It was getting late and the Butter Man was melting. So Jose started swinging low. Figure Muniz would retaliate hitting below the border too, but Mando kept his cool. Do that and you lose on a DQ. So Sulieman sees his meal ticket waning and tells the ref to award Jose the winner on a foul anyway. It stunk. Even the aficanados knew it stunk.

They have to fight again. It's only fair. Right? This time the old master trains. He'll be in shape to catch him with hooks and uppercuts. His skill will determine victory. He'll train for this one. And the kid? He knows only one way. Put pressure on those old legs. But Mantequilla was his old self. It was the last time we'd see it.

I saw the rematch on the big screen in Tijuana at the auditorium. Jose looked fit. The definition showed. Mando pressed. Mantequilla used his craft expertly. Yes ,he was against the ropes,but he countered everything. After a few rounds began the blood.

Muniz knew the old man had him figured out this time around. He pressed like before hoping Jose would tire. They both fought for their lives. Napoles's eyes started to tear apart worse than ever, but so did Mando's. No DQ's tonight. Both guys were crimson. They were wearing their red badges of courage. It was all over the ring,the ringsiders,and we were bleeding with them. They were rocking each other. The announcer, the crowd, everyone watching the big screen was enthralled.
"Que barbaro!"
That was every other word from the mouths of the witnesses to this carnage.
"Que barbaro!" we were gasping.
Incredible. You want it to stop because you think one of them might get hurt seriously. Maybe die. But let it act out. Don't stop it. The conclusion must be seen. Painfull,but it must be seen to its conclusion.

The final bell. Both men standing impassively in the ring. Eyes shredded. Purple lumps on their faces. Lips torn apart. Blood matted on their chests. Sweat and blood everywhere. To watch them after 15 rounds of attrition stand silently. The blood trickling down their faces. They seemed at peace. At peace after all they had given to each other.
"Que barbaro!"*

"que barbaro" means "wow" in Spaniosh.

Frankie Baltazar Jr.

Videos Courtesy of Frank Baltazar Sr.

Frankie Baltazar Jr. vs Chango Cruz

The Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles

October 28, 1976

Frankie Baltazar Jr.vs Juan Escobar

The Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles

June 17, 1983

Julio Cesar Chavez

All Photos Courtesy of Frank Baltazar Sr.

By Randy De La O

Whenever Julio Cesar Chavez was fighting it was always a big deal at our house. At his peak he was heads and shoulders above the rest. The left hook to the body was his bread and butter but he was the total package. It wasn't that he did everything spectacular, he just did it damned good, but putting it all together was the key for Chavez. He wasn't particularly fast but he had quick reflexes. On top of that he had a cast iron chin and an indomitable will. That's what made him great and unbeatable, at least while he was in his prime.

Two of the most satisfying wins (for me) came against Roger Mayweather, the self proclaimed "Mexican Assassin". The first fight, in 1985, ended by a 2nd round knockout of Mayweather, the second fight, four years later in 1989 ended in the 10th round of a 12 round bout.

The fight, at least in my perception that separated him from the rest of the pack was the Edwin Rosario fight. He showed exceptional patience in breaking down Rosario, round by round. He just kept getting stronger. It was a great fight.

I don't think anyone ever looked so regal in victory as Chavez. No loud boasts, graceful words for his opponents, and the manner in which he carried himself. He opened up the 1990's with a come from behind stoppage of Meldrick Taylor. Referee Richard Steele stopped the fight with just 5 seconds left on the clock, after Taylor suffered a knockdown, and in my opinion, a brutal beating by Chavez. Taylor was never the same after this fight and was stopped by Chavez in their second fight in in 1994, in the 8th round of a 12 round fight.

In the 1990's despite that spectacular win against Taylor, and victories against Greg Haugen, Hector Camacho and Terrence Alli, by 1993 Chavez' was beginning to slip. He fought to a controversial draw against Pernell Whitaker and in January of 1994 he lost a split decision to Frankie Randall. They would fight two more times, splitting the wins.

In 1996 Chavez fought a young Oscar De La Hoya. The fight was stopped in the 4th round with De La Hoya getting the win. His last fight was with Grover Wiley on September 17, 2005 in Phoenix, Arizona. Chavez was unable to come out for the fifth round. Chavez fought a total of 115 fights, he won 107 of those fights, 86 by KO, he lost six fights and had 4 draws. Chavez was a remarkable fighter and he had a great career. He remains one of my all time favorites. To steal a line from my all time favorite, Roberto Duran, "When Chavez was Chavez!"

Julio Cesar Chavez vs Edwin "Chapo" Rosario

Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas

November 21, 1987

Was Chavez great that night or what? I give all the credit in the world to Rosario, who was a damned good fighter himself. He held on as long as he could but those body shots just wore him down. Rosario, who was normally low key and reserved before a fight was uncharacteristically loud and boastful before the Chavez fight. In my opinion when someone is out of character before a fight there is usually something wrong, lack of preparation, or confidence. Great win for Chavez. A year or so earlier Rosario, more in Character lost a 12 round split decision to Hector Camacho in a fight that I thought Rosario clearly won.

Julio Cesar Chavez vs Terrence Alli

Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas

May 8, 1993

Julio Cesar Chavez vs Rodolfo Aguilar

Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas

April 18, 1988

318 1/2 S. Main Street . . . Today

By Rick Farris

This is where the Main Street Gym once stood. The Gym was torn down twenty-five years ago, but it still exists in the memories of a few Today, after a quarter century as a parking lot, new construction is under way.

As I look at that driveway, I recall how it led cars thru a tunnel that took tham to a parking lot in the rear of the gym. That tunnel had once been a burlesque theatre that had closed down. The front and rear wall were knocked out to provide access to the rear parking lot. As we'd walk back thru the tunnel to the gym entrance on Main St. you could see the theatre's rusted, antique lighting fixtures still attached to the walls and ceilings. Looking at the photos, just to the left of the driveway, where the gate has opened, marks where the gym entrance was. "World's Leading Boxers Traing Here Daily", the sign in front read. As you pulled open the doors leading to a stairway that took you up into the gym, you'd immediatly here the tapping of speed bags, the sound of jump ropes hitting the floor, punches thudding against heavy bags and the bell. In three minute intervals the gym bell rang all day, until the gym closed in the evening. Main Street is evolving. It is no longer the place I remember. It's no longer a desperate place, it's more of a "trendy" place. In other words, it's no longer a place for a boxing gym. Not the type gym I respect. The street people now sip "Starbucks", the winos are long gone. 

Progress. What's the world coming too?

-Rick Farris