Tony Baltazar

Frank: I'm changing the subject a little, but can you tell me, what was the general consensus, among Southern California boxing guys, about Ken Norton in 1969, 1970, and 1971, when Norton was still a prospect? Did you guys think Ken was going to make it big, or did the So Cali guys not have high expectations of him?

 

Ken, I think the consensus in the SoCal boxing community was that Norton was headed for great things. But I think some minds were changed with his KO loss to Jose Luis Garcia. I didn't paid much attention to his career, or to be honest to any other fighters, I was too busy with my own sons and doing other things in the game...Below is a picture of Norton getting KO by Garcia.

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Thanks for the answer. Curiously, is Frankie still a big WW2 buff? I remember reading that in the magazines. He said he loved reading about military history, and about WW2 in particular.

 

Oh yes! Don't get him started on WW2 history; because he'll talk your ears off if you do...

 

Gutierrez/Parra...Jan,16.1958...Olympic Auditorium...

One of the weirdest shows in its history was staged at the Olympic Auditorium when Alvaro Gutierrez Mexico, 144 1/2, was awarded a 6th round TKO over L.C. Morgan, Youngstown, 140. This was one of the two tens that topped the card: in the other Ernesto Parra, Mexico, 128, scored a split decision over Lauro Salas, 128 1/2.

The Parra-Salas fight was rated the top bout, and was chiefly responsible for the $6,700 house. But it was the Gutierrez-Morgan brawl which got the headlines next morning. That was a wild melee. One of the customers, a huge fellow, leaped into the ring, picked up Referee John Thomas, a former lightweight, and smashed him to the floor. Pandemonium reigned. As far as the fight had gone, Morgan was well ahead on points. When the rematch comes-it has to come-there will be a big turnout.

Scoring of the Parra-Salas bout: Referee Charley Randolph, 97-92; Judge John Thomas, Salas, 96-95; Judge, Frank Holborow, Parra, 99-93. Some of the ringsiders suffered minor injuries when the fans threw things into the ring-including whiskey bottles.

 

Enrique Bolanos/Jimmy Carter...July,10.1951.

Angeles boxing fans were not very impressed with Jimmy Carter as a world champion, even though he did have little trouble disposing of Enrique Bolanos at the Olympic Auditorium. Carter was declared winner early in the seventh round. Bolanos, not nearly the fighter he used to be, was not credited with a round. Carter was the aggressor throughout, with Bolanos boxing defensively and retreating most of the time. Carter jabbed Enrique repeatedly, but he appeared over-anxious to score a kayo and he missed most of his best blows. The champ came in rather open and Bolanos scored with several left hooks, but there was little steam behind them. One of Carter's left hooks landed low in the fifth heat. Bolanos expressed pain, the crowd booed, and when the bout was resumed, both tore in with a vengeance. First, it was Carter who belted Bolanos limp, but just when it seemed that Enrique was about to cave in, he came storming back with a two-fisted attack that forced the champion to give ground. This spirited onslaught brought load cheers from the Mexican idol's supporters, but it was their only fling. Carter came out fast in the seventh, whipped over a hook that sent Bolanos' mouthpiece sailing through the air, and crossed a right to the mouth that put Enrique down. Bolanos arose at the count of eight, but was in a weakened and dazed condition, and Referee Joe Stone wisely halted it. Carter weighed 135, Bolanos 136.

 

Teran/Gault...April,9.1955.

Keeny Teran, 113, one of the most controversial figures in California ring history, was declared the winner by TKO, in round two, over Pappy Gault, 118, former American bantam champ, at Hollywood Legion Stadium. There was a storm of protest from many ringsiders who felt that Referee Tommy Hart had been over-hasty in the stoppage of hostilities. Gault had not been floored. He was staggered by a right to the chin, but seemed to be in possession of all his faculties when the Referee stopped it.

 

Frank:

Were you present in Stockton, CA, May, 1975, for the Mike Quarry vs Yaqui Lopez fight? Lopez won a UD, but I heard there was some controversy. Some claim the fight could easily have been a draw. I know nothing about it except rumor, so I'm wondering.

Thanks.

 

No, Ken, I was not at that fight, and I don't believe that I have ever seen it....But I believe it would be hard to beat Lopez in Stockton, you would have to knock him out to get the win...But that would be nothing new. it happens all over the world and it happens all the time.

 

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Aragon v Reybon Stubbs Dec,3.1959...Olympic Auditorium..

 

Have you ever worked with Los Angeles trainer Rudy Joe Hernandez? Just curious.

 

He seemd to be doing doing pretty good against the taller Blake until he got cut and that hindered him. Two other things that hurt him were Blake's stance and height. Add to that Blake's two other considerable offensive talents: pinpoint accuracy & power

For the Camacho fight, Tony was out of the rankings too long. Plus no one really believed they could compete with Camacho

 

Rudy Hernandez or Joe Hernandez?

 

My mistake. I meant Rudy Hernandez, Chicanito's brother.

 

No, never have work with Rudy. have known the family for about 40 years though.