For anyone who has actually been in the ring share a personal true story!! - Page 2

john garfield · 05-02-2012, 07:30 PM

Sugar Ray Robinson showed me how to extend my jab by dipping a knee, how to draw a right hand and counter over it . . . and countless other tips and encouragement.

I tried to emulate everything about him, from what he wore in the gym to his stance in the ring. But it did me no more good than trying to hit home runs copying Ted Williams stance. And, as far as his gym gear, no matter how I pulled and tugged, it never looked quite the same on me.

Once after sparring a round, I looked down and saw Robinson at ringside. He gave me an approving nod. I couldn't have been prouder if I'd won a title.

Cableaddict · 05-02-2012, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrjotatp4p

I started boxing early and I remember one time I got a wild hair or something and smarted off with my trainer. His name was Henry Wilson (rip) and at the time he had to be about 57 yrs old. He told me that he would beat my ass and I laughed bc he was old. I was decent at the time and slick. Long story short, that old man beat my ass. Had two uncles who boxed , and trained under him, and told me not to get in the ring with him but I didn't listen. Never seen an old man move like that. He humbled me. He was a great fellow.

LOL, the same thing happened to me, early on, with my trainer! He had to be at least 50 y-o at the time, and he took my 20 y-o butt apart. (skill, vs speed & strength) It was massively humbling.

m8te · 05-02-2012, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john garfield

Sugar Ray Robinson showed me how to extend my jab by dipping a knee, how to draw a right hand and counter over it . . . and countless other tips and encouragement.

I tried to emulate everything about him, from what he wore in the gym to his stance in the ring. But it did me no more good than trying to hit home runs copying Ted Williams stance. And, as far as his gym gear, no matter how I pulled and tugged, it never looked quite the same on me.

Once after sparring a round, I looked down and saw Robinson at ringside. He gave me an approving nod. I couldn't have been prouder if I'd won a title.

everything you just wrote is amazing. that's so cool man.

Leon · 05-02-2012, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pugilistspecialist

Come on guys...I know its some pros, ams, and guys who just spar in the ring here, would like to share some experiences, hear some stories and trade training tips and techniques....Join in

Getting hit on the liver with a shot that wasn't even fully loaded. That was the 1st real painful shot I felt. I was lucky the thrower didn't have good timing, so the round ending bell rang soon after that punch. It made me determined not to be hit there ever again.

05-02-2012, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john garfield

Sugar Ray Robinson showed me how to extend my jab by dipping a knee, how to draw a right hand and counter over it . . . and countless other tips and encouragement.

I tried to emulate everything about him, from what he wore in the gym to his stance in the ring. But it did me no more good than trying to hit home runs copying Ted Williams stance. And, as far as his gym gear, no matter how I pulled and tugged, it never looked quite the same on me.

Once after sparring a round, I looked down and saw Robinson at ringside. He gave me an approving nod. I couldn't have been prouder if I'd won a title.

That's probably the coolest thing I've read on this forum, or anywhere. That's just crazy cool

john garfield · 05-02-2012, 07:45 PM

In the waning days of Willie Pep’s career, he took the bouts for walkin’ around money.

All he had left was a twinkle in his eye and a wisecrack. Most boxers looked bigger in trunks; he looked smaller.

He was trainin’ at the 5th Street Gym in Miami. Heavyweight Cleveland “Big Cat” Williams was there as well. But, though faded, Pep was the star with gym rats, which grated on Williams, who was always sullen, while Willie kibitzed and clowned.

Williams was the closest thing to Superman -- a walkin’ anatomy chart…at his peak, before he got shot in the stomach.. His left-hook cannonades on the heavy bag shook the gym.

Fifth Street was compact -- always jammed, so Pep and Williams had to do floor exercises almost side by side. Pep’s fans constantly stoked his ego:

" Willie, you could kill that big bum! He'd never touch you."

"You'd make him look like a jerk, Willie.”

It went on like that for weeks.

No way Williams didn't hear it.... He was nine feet tall – proud, a knockout puncher, and bristling.

While Pep joked, Williams seethed. You could’ve cut the tension with a knife.

One day when Pep’s faithful were eggin’ him on:

"You could kick his ass, Willie"

"You'd make him look like fool, Willie!"

Pep turned to ‘em: "All I can tell you is: I'd hate to have him hang his HAMMER on me!"

Williams exploded with laughter.

Leon · 05-02-2012, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john garfield

In the waning days of Willie Pep’s career, he took the bouts for walkin’ around money.

All he had left was a twinkle in his eye and a wisecrack. Most boxers looked bigger in trunks; he looked smaller.

He was trainin’ at the 5th Street Gym in Miami. Heavyweight Cleveland “Big Cat” Williams was there as well. But, though faded, Pep was the star with gym rats, which grated on Williams, who was always sullen, while Willie kibitzed and clowned.

Williams was the closest thing to Superman -- a walkin’ anatomy chart…at his peak, before he got shot in the stomach.. His left-hook cannonades on the heavy bag shook the gym.

Fifth Street was compact -- always jammed, so Pep and Williams had to do floor exercises almost side by side. Pep’s fans constantly stoked his ego:

" Willie, you could kill that big bum! He'd never touch you."

"You'd make him look like a jerk, Willie.”

It went on like that for weeks.

No way Williams didn't hear it.... He was nine feet tall – proud, a knockout puncher, and bristling.

While Pep joked, Williams seethed. You could’ve cut the tension with a knife.

One day when Pep’s faithful were eggin’ him on:

"You could kick his ass, Willie"

"You'd make him look like fool, Willie!"

Pep turned to ‘em: "All I can tell you is: I'd hate to have him hang his HAMMER on me!"

Williams exploded with laughter.

hey John do you have any books out?

Shearsie · 05-02-2012, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leon

hey John do you have any books out?

Was about to ask the same question, mate...

John Garfield, please bring out a book.

john garfield · 05-02-2012, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leon

hey John do you have any books out?

Thanks for the props, L

john garfield · 05-02-2012, 08:21 PM

Stillman’s Gym was like rush-hour on Broadway in the mid 1940s: ATGs 'n trainers bumping into each other tearing across the cavernous former union hall, while a florid Lou Stillman growled non-stop epithets over a loud speaker drowning out clanging bells and telephones.

It was against that setting on a frigid afternoon, I climbed the 13 steps to Stillman’s to learn how to box and emulate local idols, Rocky Graziano and Jake LaMotta.

The gatekeeper at the head of the stairs, collecting quarters for entrance, was manager Jack Curley, under the gimlet eye of Lou Stillman seated on a raised chair next to ring # 1.

I paid and asked Jack Curley if he could set me up with a trainer.

After appraising me like pawnbroker, he crooked a finger at a character the image of the Penguin in a Batman comic book.

“Izzy, see what the kid’s got.”

He musta been mid-40s, 'bout 5-7 – bulging wall-eyes, the drained pallor of a lifetime in airless gyms, and dark, kinky-curly hair threatening to uncoil but bulldogged down and parted in the middle like a ‘20s bootlegger.

His nose was much too long for his face and pointy as a dart. He had no chin, no neck, was shaped like a pear and his stomach hiked up his trousers to his chest. He wore what must have been a white T-shirt at one time and unbuttoned cardigan sweater with a towel thrown over his shoulder.

Rocking back on his heels, he shuffled over, chest out, straight up and flatfooted; his shoes pointing outward like a Garment Center salesman. The only thing missing was the Penguin's umbrella.

He was my coach for the years I trained at Stillman’s. His name was Izzy Blank, and he looked after me like a son.

Though Izzy never gained the notoriety of a Charley Goldman, Ray Arcel, Whitey Bimstein, and the like, he was respected and embraced by the fraternity and was spared -- for the most part -- from Stillman’s wrath

As good or bad as I ever got, Izzy never allowed me to forget what he thought unpardonable: As a teen, I did what all the other kids did, I carried a condom in my wallet-- not that I had chance to use it-- but it was expected.

One day while changing, the rubber fell out of my wallet onto the floor and Izzy saw it. If I did anything after that that didn't live up to his expectation, he shrugged: "Sure! How can he fight? He's in the saddle!"

I had to do three times what anybody else did. If I so much as took a deep breathe: "The kid's in the saddle!"

Izzy Blank died…still unsung -- a funny, dear man that was my professor at the University of Eighth Ave.

john garfield · 05-02-2012, 08:34 PM

bump

john garfield · 05-02-2012, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shearsie

Was about to ask the same question, mate...

John Garfield, please bring out a book.

The check's in the mail, S

CHEF · 05-02-2012, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrjotatp4p

I started boxing early and I remember one time I got a wild hair or something and smarted off with my trainer. His name was Henry Wilson (rip) and at the time he had to be about 57 yrs old. He told me that he would beat my ass and I laughed bc he was old. I was decent at the time and slick. Long story short, that old man beat my ass. Had two uncles who boxed , and trained under him, and told me not to get in the ring with him but I didn't listen. Never seen an old man move like that. He humbled me. He was a great fellow.

great story

canucks9314 · 05-02-2012, 08:41 PM

Good thread. Some interesting stories.

East Side · 05-02-2012, 08:41 PM

I remember my first fight in front of a big crowd in the amatuers. I was a senior in high school and was fighting a guy who was 22 or 23 I believe. the fights were held in a large arena, where professional teams normaly played, and was to be televised. we were fighting Jimmy Ellis' team out of Kentucky I believe.

anyway, the bell sounds and I'm landing good. then I rock him hard and the ref jumps in giving a standing 8 count. so I jump back on him and we are throwin' hard and I catch him again, the ref gives another standing 8 count. So he lets us continue and I roll in hard with an over hand right that catches him hard on the side of the head gear. he began falling forward into me. I took steps back and he tried to hold on to me, still falling into me. Eventually he slid all the way down with his arms now wrapped around my legs holding on foir dear life. I fell to the canvas with his arms wrapped around my ankles. i figured that the fight was over because this would be the 3rd standing 8 in the round but the ref just cautioned him for holding once we were again to our feet. we scrapped abit more until the round ended. in the corner my trainer and I were happy about how things had been going even though the ref missed the knockdown when I was tripped to the canvas. This round I figured to be the last of the bout.

I again attacked an was finishing him off when I took a shot to my right eye. I don't know if it was a thumb or not, all I knew was that the eye was not functioning properly. The eye only sent messages of a blurring white haze as I tried to decipher the images presented. My opponent jumped on me and although I wasn't stunned I was hurt by the blurred vision. I held on, hoping that the eye would clear up, it didn't. He attacks hard and I'm fighting him off the best that I can with the impaired vision. I grab hold again and once the ref breaks us I jump on my bike and survive the round.

I don't remember what my trainer did in the corner between rounds but I met the next bell with perfect vision. I easily moved about the ring using my jab controlling my opponent until the final bell.

I got the decision and the ref raised my fist.

In the corridor from the locker rooms to the parking lot I was confronted by the man that I just fought. As I held an ice package against the swelling under my right eye my opponent started bitching that he had won the fioght and that they just gave the fight to me. I laughed, after the first round and the hole that he dug himself I knew that he hadn't done enough to get himself out of that hole. then my normally cordial and friendly trainer tells him that we can finish this in the parking lot if it's something that he needs to do, we'll just kick your ass all over again. My opponents eyes opened wide in amazement as my jaw dropped to the floor. Man, I wasn't looking to fight anymore that night, luckily my opponent felt the same way and just walked away.

05-02-2012, 07:30 PM	#16
john garfield P4P King East Side VIP Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 17,518 vCash: 1000	Re: For anyone who has actually been in the ring share a personal true story!! Sugar Ray Robinson showed me how to extend my jab by dipping a knee, how to draw a right hand and counter over it . . . and countless other tips and encouragement. I tried to emulate everything about him, from what he wore in the gym to his stance in the ring. But it did me no more good than trying to hit home runs copying Ted Williams stance. And, as far as his gym gear, no matter how I pulled and tugged, it never looked quite the same on me. Once after sparring a round, I looked down and saw Robinson at ringside. He gave me an approving nod. I couldn't have been prouder if I'd won a title.
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05-02-2012, 07:45 PM	#21
john garfield P4P King East Side VIP Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 17,518 vCash: 1000	Re: For anyone who has actually been in the ring share a personal true story!! In the waning days of Willie Pep’s career, he took the bouts for walkin’ around money. All he had left was a twinkle in his eye and a wisecrack. Most boxers looked bigger in trunks; he looked smaller. He was trainin’ at the 5th Street Gym in Miami. Heavyweight Cleveland “Big Cat” Williams was there as well. But, though faded, Pep was the star with gym rats, which grated on Williams, who was always sullen, while Willie kibitzed and clowned. Williams was the closest thing to Superman -- a walkin’ anatomy chart…at his peak, before he got shot in the stomach.. His left-hook cannonades on the heavy bag shook the gym. Fifth Street was compact -- always jammed, so Pep and Williams had to do floor exercises almost side by side. Pep’s fans constantly stoked his ego: " Willie, you could kill that big bum! He'd never touch you." "You'd make him look like a jerk, Willie.” It went on like that for weeks. No way Williams didn't hear it.... He was nine feet tall – proud, a knockout puncher, and bristling. While Pep joked, Williams seethed. You could’ve cut the tension with a knife. One day when Pep’s faithful were eggin’ him on: "You could kick his ass, Willie" "You'd make him look like fool, Willie!" Pep turned to ‘em: "All I can tell you is: I'd hate to have him hang his HAMMER on me!" Williams exploded with laughter.
Top

05-02-2012, 08:21 PM	#25
john garfield P4P King East Side VIP Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 17,518 vCash: 1000	Re: For anyone who has actually been in the ring share a personal true story!! Stillman’s Gym was like rush-hour on Broadway in the mid 1940s: ATGs 'n trainers bumping into each other tearing across the cavernous former union hall, while a florid Lou Stillman growled non-stop epithets over a loud speaker drowning out clanging bells and telephones. It was against that setting on a frigid afternoon, I climbed the 13 steps to Stillman’s to learn how to box and emulate local idols, Rocky Graziano and Jake LaMotta. The gatekeeper at the head of the stairs, collecting quarters for entrance, was manager Jack Curley, under the gimlet eye of Lou Stillman seated on a raised chair next to ring # 1. I paid and asked Jack Curley if he could set me up with a trainer. After appraising me like pawnbroker, he crooked a finger at a character the image of the Penguin in a Batman comic book. “Izzy, see what the kid’s got.” He musta been mid-40s, 'bout 5-7 – bulging wall-eyes, the drained pallor of a lifetime in airless gyms, and dark, kinky-curly hair threatening to uncoil but bulldogged down and parted in the middle like a ‘20s bootlegger. His nose was much too long for his face and pointy as a dart. He had no chin, no neck, was shaped like a pear and his stomach hiked up his trousers to his chest. He wore what must have been a white T-shirt at one time and unbuttoned cardigan sweater with a towel thrown over his shoulder. Rocking back on his heels, he shuffled over, chest out, straight up and flatfooted; his shoes pointing outward like a Garment Center salesman. The only thing missing was the Penguin's umbrella. He was my coach for the years I trained at Stillman’s. His name was Izzy Blank, and he looked after me like a son. Though Izzy never gained the notoriety of a Charley Goldman, Ray Arcel, Whitey Bimstein, and the like, he was respected and embraced by the fraternity and was spared -- for the most part -- from Stillman’s wrath As good or bad as I ever got, Izzy never allowed me to forget what he thought unpardonable: As a teen, I did what all the other kids did, I carried a condom in my wallet-- not that I had chance to use it-- but it was expected. One day while changing, the rubber fell out of my wallet onto the floor and Izzy saw it. If I did anything after that that didn't live up to his expectation, he shrugged: "Sure! How can he fight? He's in the saddle!" I had to do three times what anybody else did. If I so much as took a deep breathe: "The kid's in the saddle!" Izzy Blank died…still unsung -- a funny, dear man that was my professor at the University of Eighth Ave.
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05-02-2012, 08:34 PM	#26
john garfield P4P King East Side VIP Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 17,518 vCash: 1000	Re: For anyone who has actually been in the ring share a personal true story!! bump
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05-02-2012, 08:41 PM	#29
canucks9314 Iron Chinned ATG Warrior East Side Guru Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 5,124 vCash: 75	Re: For anyone who has actually been in the ring share a personal true story!! Good thread. Some interesting stories.
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05-02-2012, 08:41 PM	#30
East Side Journeyman ESB Jr Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 200 vCash: 500	Re: For anyone who has actually been in the ring share a personal true story!! I remember my first fight in front of a big crowd in the amatuers. I was a senior in high school and was fighting a guy who was 22 or 23 I believe. the fights were held in a large arena, where professional teams normaly played, and was to be televised. we were fighting Jimmy Ellis' team out of Kentucky I believe. anyway, the bell sounds and I'm landing good. then I rock him hard and the ref jumps in giving a standing 8 count. so I jump back on him and we are throwin' hard and I catch him again, the ref gives another standing 8 count. So he lets us continue and I roll in hard with an over hand right that catches him hard on the side of the head gear. he began falling forward into me. I took steps back and he tried to hold on to me, still falling into me. Eventually he slid all the way down with his arms now wrapped around my legs holding on foir dear life. I fell to the canvas with his arms wrapped around my ankles. i figured that the fight was over because this would be the 3rd standing 8 in the round but the ref just cautioned him for holding once we were again to our feet. we scrapped abit more until the round ended. in the corner my trainer and I were happy about how things had been going even though the ref missed the knockdown when I was tripped to the canvas. This round I figured to be the last of the bout. I again attacked an was finishing him off when I took a shot to my right eye. I don't know if it was a thumb or not, all I knew was that the eye was not functioning properly. The eye only sent messages of a blurring white haze as I tried to decipher the images presented. My opponent jumped on me and although I wasn't stunned I was hurt by the blurred vision. I held on, hoping that the eye would clear up, it didn't. He attacks hard and I'm fighting him off the best that I can with the impaired vision. I grab hold again and once the ref breaks us I jump on my bike and survive the round. I don't remember what my trainer did in the corner between rounds but I met the next bell with perfect vision. I easily moved about the ring using my jab controlling my opponent until the final bell. I got the decision and the ref raised my fist. In the corridor from the locker rooms to the parking lot I was confronted by the man that I just fought. As I held an ice package against the swelling under my right eye my opponent started bitching that he had won the fioght and that they just gave the fight to me. I laughed, after the first round and the hole that he dug himself I knew that he hadn't done enough to get himself out of that hole. then my normally cordial and friendly trainer tells him that we can finish this in the parking lot if it's something that he needs to do, we'll just kick your ass all over again. My opponents eyes opened wide in amazement as my jaw dropped to the floor. Man, I wasn't looking to fight anymore that night, luckily my opponent felt the same way and just walked away.
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