Saturday, January 31, 2009

Johansson knocked out Patterson

Yet more sad news, another Boxing guy slips into the past, very sad.

The Hammer of Thor has left the building.

RIP Champ.

Associated Press

STOCKHOLM, Sweden -- Ingemar Johansson, the Swede who stunned the boxing world by knocking out Floyd Patterson to win the heavyweight title in 1959, has died, a longtime friend said Saturday. Johansson was 76.

Johansson died at a nursing home in Kungsbacka on the Swedish west coast, said Stig Caldeborn, a close friend who sparred with Johansson when they were in their teens.

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Floyd Patterson lies on the canvas after taking a knockout blow from Ingemar Johansson in the third round of their heavyweight title bout in New York's Yankee Stadium in 1959. Caldeborn said he didn't know the cause of death but told The Associated Press that Johansson had recently returned to the nursing home after being hospitalized with pneumonia.

Johansson's daughter, Maria Gregner, told Swedish news agency TT that the former champion died just before midnight Friday.

Johansson was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and dementia more than 10 years ago, when he lived in Stockholm. He spent the rest of his life in Kungsbacka, only a few miles from the house where he grew up.

Johansson knocked out Patterson in the third round at Yankee Stadium on June 26, 1959, to win the heavyweight title. He floored the American seven times in the third round before referee Ruby Goldstein stopped the fight 2:03 into it.

Back home, hundreds of thousands of Swedes listened to the live radio broadcast at 3 a.m. as Johansson became only the fifth heavyweight champion born outside the United States. His feat earned him The Associated Press' Male Athlete of the Year in 1959, only the second Swede to win the award.

Patterson avenged the upset loss a year later in the rematch in New York, knocking Johansson out in the fifth round. In March 1961, the Swede floored Patterson twice in Miami before being knocked out in the sixth round of the rubber match.

Johansson had four more fights -- all Johansson knocked out Patterson, Associated Press

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Margarito and his trainer are temporarily suspended


By Lance Pugmire January 29, 2009 L.A. Times

Posted by Scott G

Boxer Antonio Margarito was temporarily suspended along with his trainer, Javier Capetillo, on Wednesday after the California State Athletic Commission announced it found a "foreign substance" in the boxer's hand wraps before his Saturday night loss to Shane Mosley at Staples Center.Margarito and Capetillo have been ordered to appear at a hearing on the matter Feb. 10 in Van Nuys. In the hour before his first title defense as World Boxing Assn. welterweight champion, Margarito (37-6) was stopped from putting on his gloves when Mosley's trainer Nazim Richardson told officials he believed the taping was excessively thick. When the tape was unwrapped, Richardson pointed out two pads inside one of the hand wraps that appeared wet and laced with "flecks" of a substance that appeared to be like "Plaster of Paris," Mosley's attorney Judd Burstein said Saturday night.Mosley's promoter, Richard Schaefer, saw a cellphone photo of the stained wraps and said the substance appeared "gray," like "concrete."The contents of the hand wraps were sealed by a state athletic commission official, and were inspected this week in Sacramento. The foreign substance was suspicious enough to merit the suspensions, state spokesman Luis Farias said, but that an identification of the material "is all pending."
That inspection will include an analysis of the substance found in Margarito's hand wraps by the California Department of Justice, said Tim Noonan, state athletic commissioner."The temporary suspension will remain in effect until CSAC has fully investigated the circumstances surrounding events at the Staples Center . . . on Jan. 24," the statement read. "An investigation as to whether either licensee violated CSAC rules is ongoing."Bob Arum, Margarito's promoter, says he has retained an attorney for the boxer. Arum said Margarito was "fine" after learning of the suspension, "because he's completely innocent."We're absolutely confident he's going to be exonerated," Arum told The Times. "He's not a cheater, he wouldn't know anything about cheating."Asked if he maintained that same position about trainer Capetillo, Arum said, "That, I don't know." State codes allow Margarito's boxing and Capetillo's training licenses to be suspended when "such an action is necessary to protect the public welfare," Noonan's statement said, explaining rules dictate "the amount and type of gauze and tape allowed under a fighter's glove." A lengthy suspension of Margarito would be obeyed in all other states, in accordance with the Professional Boxing Safety Act, which was amended to account for unsportsmanlike conduct suspensions after Mike Tyson bit off a chunk of Evander Holyfield's ear in a 1997 bout. Margarito's manager, Sergio Diaz, told The Times in a text message, "I am assuming [the suspension] is a CSAC standard procedure."The controversy has reached Puerto Rico, home country of Miguel Cotto, who was knocked out by Margarito in July for his first loss. Cotto and Margarito have a rematch tentatively scheduled for June 13, according to Arum.Cotto's attorney, Gabriel Penagaricano, said his fighter and his camp are "all going to be paying attention" to the Feb. 10 hearing "for various reasons."Arum said "nobody should be jumping to any conclusions" that Margarito's hand wraps were doctored against Cotto because that fight was in Las Vegas, where boxing authorities restrict wrapping to a specific type of gauze and supervise the wrapping intently."It couldn't have happened in Nevada," Arum said.Times staff writer Kevin Baxter contributed to this report.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Mosley vs Margarito AFTER THE FIGHT - Coverage

Take away the fists of stone and Margarito is mortal, even unimpressive

By ScottG

The reason the substance was discovered in the first place was that he had a lump in the wraps over his knuckles that Mosley's guy complained about. They found that the wraps were damp and appeared to be hardening like plaster of Paris after cutting them off for the re-wrap. the wraps have been bagged and saved and they will find out exactly what the substance is. I can only wonder that if the representative for Cotto didn't see an unnatural"lump" he wouldn't have objected like Mosely's guy did. Remember Mosley's guy objected to a lump in the wraps not a hardening substance. I also find very hard to believe that Margarito had no knowledge of this happening. He is a good fighter with a good record, and his work ethic always seemed to be top notch along with his heart and chin. So why cheat? One dimensional punchers with good chins are entertaining but rarely hold onto belts very long. Especially when you take away their hardened wraps.

Dream Fight: Mosley vs Mayweather Jr.?

By Randy De La O

With Sugar Shane Mosley once again the Welterweight  (WBA version) Champion of the world, the sky is the limit. The fight that I have wanted to see for years has now become a possibility (if only to me). More than a rematch with Miguel Cotto or  Antonio Margarito, or a fight with Paul Williams, Andre Berto or Manny Pacquiao, I would love to see Mosley fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. From a purely physical standpoint they match up well, both are exceptionally fast and both are highly skilled and both hold wins over Oscar De La Hoya. It's a natural matchup.  I really don't see Mayweather having the stones to take on Mosley, especially after last nights beating and stoppage of Antonio Margarito, but the fight has so many possibilties and should have happened years ago. This would be a fight worth coming out of retirement for. This would be the premier fight of 2009 if it happened.

Sugar Shane Mosley

A Champion For The Ages

By Roger Esty

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.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

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!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

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

By Ted Sares -

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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.

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(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.

Friday, January 16, 2009

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

Thursday, January 15, 2009

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

Saturday, January 10, 2009

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