The Olympic Auditorium

The Olympic Auditorium in Downtown Los Angeles. At it's peak it was the mecca of boxing on the west coast. Fighters and fans alike still mourn for the golden days in Los Angeles. It is still standing and it is still hallowed grounds, though it is now a Korean church. There is always hope.

One of my biggest regrets, at least as far as boxing goes (I have many) is that I never fought there. Twice I was in the dressing rooms, in what is known as the catacombs, and twice the fight was cancelled minutes before I was to fight.

This is a big chunk of boxing history in Los Angeles, California and the west coast.

Abe Han vs Sergio Mora tonight.

The Ring Magazine (March 2015)

By Randy De La O

You know I don't like posting anything negative. I also don't want to one of those guys that rant and rave about how great it was in my day. But when I see the cover of the latest Ring Magazine then I have to throw in the towel. I have to concede to those who have told me so.

Here it is in living color: the future of boxing. This is it? Good fighters all but I don;t see a even hint of greatness in any of them.

When I think of great fighters, I think of Duran, Hagler, Hearns and Leonard, or Arguello, Pryor, Benitez, Sanchez or Gomez. In the Heavyweights. Ali, Frazier, Foreman, Quarry, Holyfield, and Tyson.

Going back even further in any weight: Louis, Robinson, Marciano, Olivares and so many more that it would be hours before I could even finish an unfinished list. I don't even need the full names. The last name is recognizable all by them selves.

This is what I would expect from a Mad magazine parody of the Ring magazine. If this is the future of boxing than boxing is in trouble!

HBO Documentary: Tapia

If you didn't catch the HBO documentary "Tapia" last night you missed a great one. "Tapia' chronicled the difficult and often messy life of Albuquerque's, Johnny Tapia.

A classic underdog in life, it was hard not to root for Johnny. Despite his troubles, at his heart he was of boxing's good guys. He was a true warrior in the ring who gave every ounce of himself;, win, lose or draw.

That said, I thought going into his fight with Danny Romero in 1997 that Romero would take the fight. I was wrong. This is the fight that took him to the top of the game. He never looked back.

More than likely, HBO will be showing "Tapia" throughout the month.  It is an honest and brutal peek into the life and hard times of a true fighting champion. Try not to miss it.

Congrats to the California Boxing Hall of Fame 2014 inductees!

Congratulations to all the fighters being inducted into the California Boxing Hall of Fame today. Enjoy your day with your family and friends. It will be a day you will never forget. Much respect to all!

Austin Trout vs Daniel Dawson

Best of luck to Austin Trout in his fight against Daniel Dawson tomorrow night at the Pechanga Casino in Temecula, California. The fight will be shown on ESPN Friday Night Fights.

Roberto Duran

My wife Jeri is always looking out for me. She found this in an Antique shop earlier this week. The June 1980 issue of Ring Mundial, a Spanish language boxing magazine, featuring the legendary fighter Roberto Duran. 1980 is arguably the best and worst year of his outstanding career. At the time of this magazine cover photo he was on top of the world. The pages from the article are all tucked away inside the frame beneath the cover photo.

The timing for this find could not be better. Roberto Duran is being inducted this weekend into Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame. Congratulations to Roberto Duran for receiving this great honor. Roberto Duran is on the short list of the all time great's pound for pound list, and certainly on mine!

Thanks to my wife Jeri De La O for thinking of me.