Gil Velarde This content is protected Gil Velarde was one of those boxers that never got to the top rang of the boxing ladder. Gil nonetheless was always ready to step in the ring at the last minute to save a show. He lost as many as he won, but always gave his best. He used to put the greatest show with the speed bag I ever seen. I remember walking up the stairs to the second floor where the Main Street Gym was and hearing the ra-ta-ta of the speed bag and thinking thats Gil Velarde hitting the speed bag. I remember walking up and standing with others to watch Gil hit the small peanut bag. I remember been fascinated watching Gil on his toes moving side to side none-stop for what seem like hours even though it was only minutes .I wish we had boxing back in the City of Angels so that we could watch todays Gil Velardes fight.
This content is protected Elmer Beltz....Beltz fought the Golden Boy, Art Aragon, and got stopped in the first round.
Kikibalt, whatever happened to Tony Alongi? He fought Quarry close twice, if I recall correctly. Update---I did a little checking on Alongi. He only fought three more times after drawing twice with Quarry. Stopped fighting at age 28 apparently. He had a 40-2-4 record and he has passed away. RIP, Tony.
Jimmy Montoya and the Old Man Hall of fame boxing manager Jimmy Montoya when he was living in Carson, Ca. had an old man and some fighters living with him. One time in the early 1980s Jimmy had a party for Bobby Goodman from New York and Connie and I were invited. At the party Jimmy told me how the old man known as Pops came to live with him. Jimmy met Pops at the Golden Gloves Gym in Las Vegas when Pops was living in Las Vegas with some kin of his. Jimmy befriended Pops and soon Pops was traveling all over the country to boxing shows with Jimmy. One day at the Golden Gloves Gym Pops who was in his eightys approach Jimmy with tears in his eyes: Jimmy my family wants to put me in an old peoples home, and I dont want to go there Jimmy real liked Pops and said to Pops: Pops how would you like to go live with me in California? Gee Jimmy I would love that Pops answered Jimmy After talking to Pops kin Jimmy moved Pops to his Carson, Ca. home I came to know Pops through Jimmy but I wasnt aware of a strange habit he had when getting ready to go to bed. As we are all having a good time partying Pops dressed causal got up from his chair and walked to his bedroom. Jimmy whispered in my ear: Pops is getting ready to go to bed, watch him when he comes out to say good night Soon Pops dressed in suit and tie comes out of his bedroom to say good night to all. I turned around to Jimmy and said: I thought you said he was getting ready to go to bed, looks to me like he got ready to go out on a date No he is not going out on a date, he is going to bed But he is dressed in a suit and tie I said I know, and the reason for that Pops told me is that if he dies in his sleep he is already dressed for his funeral Jimmy replied One morning not long after the party Pops dressed in his suit and tie didnt wake up R.I.P. Pops
This content is protected Eddie Chavez Eddie should be in the California Boxing Hall of Fame...Best fighter to come out of San Jose, Ca.