Posted here with the expressed permission of Uri Borreda
Short Synopsis:By Uri Borreda
This is the story of a 16 year old boy from Belgium, who was faced with the choice of boxing for survival. The story makes a curious turn at the boxing ring, where he meets Victor "Young" Perez, a Tunisian born Frenchman, and the first ever Jewish World Flyweight Champion, who had become a legend during his time. The story becomes even more amazing when it becomes apparent that the entire story takes place at the Auschwitz Death Camp between the years 1942-1945.The Jewish boy’s name is Noah Klieger, who is today 82 years old; a highly reputable reporter for the Yediot Aharonot daily newspaper; a reporter for the French Sports Magazine, L'EQUIPE; a former editor of the Sports Section of Yediot Aharonot; as well as a former chairman of the Maccabi Tel Aviv Basketball Team. The story is based on Noah's book “Dozen Rolls for Breakfast ".
"He got as much out of himself as there was to give, and maybe more, and you can't ask any more of any man, including yourself" - Larry Merchant
By Randy De La O
I was privileged, recently, to view a video of the new documentary "Joe Frazier: When the Smoke Clears". Joe Frazier's story has been told time and time again. The story is familiar to us by now. Yet director Mike Todd still managed to give us a fresh perspective on Frazier's life and career. Narrated by Joe's eldest son, Marvis Frazier, along with testimonials from family, friends and boxing personalities, including George Foreman, Bernard Hopkins and Larry Merchant, who share some candid memories. However, this is much more than a "This is Your Life" documentary. It is more like a well crafted, tightly woven tapestry that comes together to form a beautifully clear picture of it's subject, in this case "Smokin' Joe" Frazier, former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
The film begins with Frazier singing a reworked song made famous by Frank Sinatra, "My Way" and he was indeed doing it his way, as only "Smokin' Joe" can, a little slow perhaps and a little off key but with a passion and heart that has defined Joe Frazier to his legion of fans and admirers. The common belief is that Joe Frazier has been left bitter on the issue of Muhammad Ali, maybe at one time, but this peek into his current life says otherwise. If anything Frazier seems content with his place in boxing history, he is content with what he knows. So is his family. Joe Frazier is truly loved by his family, friends and fans and the film seems to answer that question "is it better to be popular or well liked?" As this film shows, being well liked, or loved, in this case, travels a lot deeper than popularity. I believe this is where Frazier draws his contentment and satisfaction. Frazier seems to relish the attention and enjoys talking about the 1971 "Fight of the Century", a fight he won by unanimous decision.
Marvis Frazier, who wears his love for his famous father on his sleeves, has become, in a sense, the defender and protector of his father's legacy. The bond between father and son is at the core of the film. A brief look back at Marvis Frazier's fight with Larry Holmes was somewhat emotional and we see Joe's pain, immediately after the fight. Both Frazier's have continually given back to the community both in the rural south where Joe was born and in Philadelphia where he lives today. In the south he is remembered as a local boy made good who has never forgotten where he came from and in Philadelphia, a town known for the ferocious gym wars and tough fighters, where he is heralded as the epitome of a "Philly Fighter". There are a couple of other clips, including Ali vs Frazier I and Frazier vs Foreman I, but the film focuses more on the Joe Frazier of today. This is the story that is being told
Growing up in the South, and later Philadelphia, Frazier experienced the full gamut of the black experience in America, contrary to the way he was portrayed by Muhammad Ali during their well covered rivalry. Joe, a proud man and more importantly, a proud black man has stayed close to his roots; family, friends and community. He has done so as the owner and operator of the Joe Frazier Gym, along with his son Marvis. Much of this documentary was filmed in the gym. Sadly, the gym was closed earlier this year for financial reasons. Still, that doesn't take away from what Frazier has accomplished over the years, nor can we ever count the number of young men that have been helped along the way, whether they became fighters or just good citizens.
There are some scenes in the film where an elderly Frazier is seen working the bag and shadowboxing in the ring. If you look closely, into his eyes, you can still see the fire burning inside. That wry smile and knowing look gives the impression that Muhammad Ali is still on the receiving end of his punches, thus the look of satisfaction on his face. I cannot say with 100% certainty, that Joe Frazier has exorcised the bitter memories of his rivalry with Ali, nor can I say that he has truly forgiven him for the cruel words that cut Joe deeply. All I can say for sure is, that Joe Frazier has learned to deal with it, and is living life "His Way" and on his terms.
If you are a fight fan, especially if you are a life long fan of Smokin' Joe Frazier, as I am, than you will be moved by this film, and in the long run, isn't that what art is all about?
Written and Directed by: Mike Todd Produced by: Geseth Garcia, Mike Todd & Louise Rosen Director of Photography: Quenell Jones Narrated by: Marvis Frazier
I have a few thoughts on Sylvester Stallone’s recent induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. You can agree or disagree.
I only met Sylvester Stallone once and it was a positive experience for me. It was a few days, almost thirty-five years ago, in January or February of 1976, during the filming of Rocky. It was Rocky that made Stallone into the superstar that he would later become. I didn't know much about him then except that he was the guy that I had seen in “The Lords of Flatbush”. Rocky has since become an iconic figure and part of American Pop Culture, like; Superman, Tarzan, Popeye, Fonzie, Phillip Marlowe or any number of characters that have popped up over the years.
With Rocky, Stallone created a character that best represents the type of fighter that I admire, an underdog, with limited skills, that gives his all in the ring and never stops trying, an honest fighter that knows no other way. For Rocky, it was all about heart. If Jimmy Stewart was “Everyman” than Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky was an “Everyman Fighter”. Most of the guys that have ever stepped into the ring were unheralded, unrecognized and under appreciated. We rooted for Rocky because he was one of us. A regular Joe, someone who just wanted a shot. When I rooted for Rocky I was rooting for myself and the chance that I never got.
I can’t say anything about Stallone’s character after the movie won an Oscar. He became big, really big. I’m sure it affected him, it had to. Still maybe over the years, just like the rest of us, he learned something about himself. I saw him again in 1987, it was at the Alberto Davila vs. Frankie Duarte rematch at the Forum (a great fight, by the way), he was a few rows away from me, sitting with Elton John. People were all around him but he seemed to be a good sport about it all and was smiling for his fans. He happened to look my way and when he did I raised my right hand and said, in my best Philly accent “Hey, Yo Rocky!” He smiled and acknowledged me. He could have ignored me.
There have been other actors that have played boxers on the big screen, most notably, Robert DeNiro as Jake LaMotta in “The Raging Bull”, Russell Crowe as James J, Braddock in “The Cinderella Man or even Hilary Swank as “The Million Dollar Baby” and Mark Walberg and Christian Bales as brothers Mickey Ward and Dick Eklund in The Fighter” which is being released this weekend, and countless others over the years and it’s not for me to say whether they also deserve an induction or not but what separates Stallone from the rest of them is that for everyone else, it was a role, and then they moved on. For Stallone, he became a life long friend to boxing, trying to find some way to promote boxing, as he did with “The Contender”. Even if you didn’t like the show you still have to admit that Stallone was there swinging away on boxing’s behalf. The continuing saga of Rocky Balboa continued to inspire young men to become boxers. He did for boxing, what Bruce Lee did for Martial Arts. He got people interested again. To be fair, the 1976 Olympic Boxing team also made some noise that year but it takes nothing away from Rocky Balboa.
I don’t know of any other non-boxer that has done more to inspire young men to become boxers, not only across the country but across the world. I can’t tell you how many times I have heard in an interview “It was Rocky, I wanted be a boxer when I saw Rocky”. (I’m paraphrasing)
My brother Dennis worked security for the movie industries years ago. For a few days he provided security for Sylvester Stallone. Dennis only had good things to say about him.
I went to the International Boxing Hall of Fame’s website to see just what he was inducted for. He was inducted as an observer, nothing more. He is not being recognized as a fighter. His is a non-participatory induction, that’s fitting, I don’t have problem with that. I don’t know what there reasoning was for selecting Stallone, they didn’t say. I would like to think that it was for the reasons that I stated.
Sylvester Stallone and I at the old Main Street Gym in Los Angeles.
Trainer Pat Ruggiero on the right.
I was an extra in Rocky, in a very minor scene sparring with Monroe Brookes. I will forever be proud to be associated with what I consider the greatest boxing movie ever made. For some reason, I never took any photos back then during my short time in the ring but I have a snapshot of Stallone and myself. It’s my only physical proof that I was a boxer at one time in my life. I’m grateful that Stallone took the time to take that photo with me.
"Toy Tiger" the movie/documentary on the life and career of Canadian boxing great, Art Hafey, directed and produced by Brad Little, premiered this past Saturday, October 3, 2009 at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood. It was part of the Valley Film Festival, which was taking place during the weekend.
Most of the fighters that were featured in the film were present for the film's premier. The boxers that came to show their support for Art Hafey, included Bobby Chacon, Ruben Olivares, Bobby Chacon, Ruben Castillo, Frankie Duarte, Rudy Ramirez and Rick Farris. Also there was my friend , retired former sportswriter and past President of the World Boxing Hall of Fame, Bill O'Neill. During the first hour everyone had a chance to get reacquainted, or in some cases, acquainted for the first time.
The movie began at approximately 3:30. The movie,or more correctly, the documentary chronicles Art Hafey's early years, but centered primarily on his years in Los Angeles during the time that has come to be known as "The West Coast Featherweight Wars", written and detailed extensively by Dan Hanley Jr, who also contributed to the film. There was tons of good fight footage in the movie and Director Brad Little did his research during the making of the movie.
Hafey comes across as a deserving and sympathetic person. It's no secret that his career was mishandled by his management. It's also no secret that Hafey, despite being the number one contender for a time during the 1970's, never got a crack at the Featherweight title. It was revealed in the film that Hafey, in eight years as a professional boxer, never made more than $75,000 during his entire career. Beyond shameful. The movie also discusses his life long battle with a neuromuscular disorder "Thompson's disease".
Hafey, like his compatriots, George Chuvalo and the late Arturo Gotti, was a blood and guts fighter, taking two or three punches just to land one of their own. Guys like Hafey fought their hearts out. They left nothing in the ring. Unfortunately, for Hafey, there was no payoff. No pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, and more's the shame.
If you like the fight game, even just a little, you'll love "Toy Tiger".
My own personal memory of Art Hafey goes back to the Danny Lopez-Art Hafey fight in 1976, at the Forum in Inglewood, California. I was scheduled to fight Chris Gonzalez that day on the undercard. My trainer Mel Epstein and I saw Jerry Bilderrain, Burke Emery and Art Hafey in the parking lot getting out of their car. I didn't know Burke or Art but Mel introduced me.
Art was dynamite in a small package when he fought but I was surprised by how frail he looked to me that day. He looked preoccupied as if he had something on his mind. I didn't get a sense of confidence. Maybe it was my imagination. Jerry I had known for a while. He was a trainer but I can't recall right now who he trained. I do know that he worked with Art. Jerry had a route as a Budweiser distributor and I would go with him once in a while when I needed cash.
My own fight was canceled the day, as was becoming the norm for me. I got dressed and Mel and I went up and got us some seats. They were good seats too. Bazooka Limon was also fighting that day against Ruben Coria and stopped him in the fourth round.
When Both Danny and Art were in the ring, the size difference really became obvious. Danny and I are the same height 5'8". Hafey is 5'2". The fight is somewhat of a blur to me after all these years. But I can still remember what I was thinking. Hafey looked frail and weak. He was fighting back but he didn't look strong. At about round five it became obvious to me that Danny was going to hurt Art. The records say he was down in the 6th. I remember that but I just can't remember how many times. Whatever it was I knew the end was near. Danny stopped Art in the 7th. I always felt there was something wrong with Art that day. Nothing fishy, maybe a cold, stomach flu, something. He wasn't right that day.
I remember Art Hafey as a humble, quiet, polite, reserved and respectful person. Thirty three years later, that is still my impression. He could not thank my wife Jeri and I enough for coming to see the movie. We are the ones that are thankful.
The Ring, directed by Kurt Neumann, is a simply told tale of a young Mexican American from East Los Angeles, Tommy Cantanios (Lalo Rios) who stumbles into the world of boxing after being observed in a street fight by fight manager Pete Ganusa, (Gerald Mohr). Tommy takes the moniker Tommy Kansas as his fighting name and begins a career in boxing. After being heralded by both his younger brother and his cronies, he goes as far as his talent will take him, which is not far at all, and he begins a losing streak from which he cannot recover. Because he is fighting as much for his family as himself, Tommy refuses to quit boxing, hoping to make enough money to help his father start a business.
Though this movie will never win any awards it is notable for many reasons; first there is the early appearance of legendary actress and entertainer Rita Moreno, as Tommy’s girlfriend, Lucy Gomez, who is dead set against him fighting. Secondly, the movie attempts to tackle the subject of racism and bigotry, sometimes accurately and sometimes awkwardly. Thirdly, for afficionados of early Los Angeles, the opening shot of the Los Angeles City Hall, once the tallest building in the Los Angeles skyline, will evoke memories of an earlier time. Finally, there is the appearance of two of Los Angeles’ most popular fighters from the 1940’s and 1950’s, Art Aragon and Keeny Teran. Teran is prominent in many of the gym scenes. The gym itself is the old Los Angeles’ Teamsters Gym and the fight scenes are from the long gone Hollywood Legion Stadium. Aragon is the final opponent for Tommy.
After a turn of events in which Tommy finds himself as a substitute in a high profile fight against Art Aragon, who plays himself,, Tommy is beaten into submission and decides to retire. The movie reaches the climax of it’s morality tale when Tommy sees his younger brother shadowboxing, hoping to be a fighter himself one day. Tommy takes the gloves and rushes to the incinerator (remember those?) and burns his boxing gear. Metaphorically putting an end to his career and his brothers hopes of following in his footsteps.
I just saw this movie today for the first time. The movie is intended for a Korean audience but with subtitles it comes across fairly well, though I do think a few things are lost in the translation.
The movie follows the life of Duk Koo Kim (Kim Deuk-Gu) and the events leading up to his fight with and his death at the hands of Lightweght Champion Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini. I don't know if this movie is typical of the quality of movies being produced in Korea but it was a better movie than I had anticipated.
The movie gives an insight into the minds of Korean boxers and training, as well as a peek at Korean culture. It gives a fairly honest view of Kim's life, warts and all, including his relationship with his coach, his fiancee and his team mates.
This movie is poignant reminder that despite the gloves and rules that are designed to protect a boxer. The threat of death is always hovering over a boxing match. The fight between Mancini and Kim was directly responsible for championship rounds being changed from 15 rounds to 12 rounds.
The movie is directed by Kwak Kyong -Taek and stars Yu Oh Seong as Kim. Worth a watch, even if you're not a boxing fan.
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