Cocoa Kid -A Mystery No More.

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Stonehands89, Mar 3, 2011.


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  1. Stonehands89

    Stonehands89 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    As per his fights in Cuba, I have an AP report for one of those in '47 and for another in Panama in '42. Both state that he is Puerto Rican.

    There are many news sources in New England and elsewhere that identify Cocoa Kid as Puerto Rican and many identify "Louis Hardwick" or some variation of that name as his real name. Alone, this neither confirms nor denies the Cepero theory. However, a few have details too specific to be dismissed. I did not make the mistake of accepting even these details at face value, but I did use them as leads; and that is how I was eventually able to confirm, through official records, Cocoa Kid's origins, identity, and ethnicity.

    Part 8 is called "Travelling Light" and it has information that should go far in clearing up any remaining questions about his identity, the different names, and where he is now.

    The microfilm that I have compiled over the past several months are piled up to the ceiling -I prefer hardcopy so I can mark them up and file them. You will find that the notes at the end of the last installment are exhaustive. I invite you to check what you will and contact me then with any questions.
     
    Stonehands89, Mar 28, 2011
    Stonehands89, Mar 28, 2011
    #136
  2. Stonehands89

    Stonehands89 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Stonehands89, Mar 28, 2011
    Stonehands89, Mar 28, 2011
    #137
  3. GPater11093

    GPater11093 Barry Full Member

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    Really good piece. I love the bit from Cocoa's perspective, captures what it must have been like to be a black fighter in the era.
    Just interesting stuff allround, but when do we reach the Holam Williams stuff?
     
    GPater11093, Mar 29, 2011
    GPater11093, Mar 29, 2011
    #138
  4. Stonehands89

    Stonehands89 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    That's the next one.
     
    Stonehands89, Mar 29, 2011
    Stonehands89, Mar 29, 2011
    #139
  5. GPater11093

    GPater11093 Barry Full Member

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    Can't wait for it.

    Its amazing what the fighters had to go through in them days, but some rise to the pressure in them occasions. I'm not suggesting for a minute I have had a crowd as hostile as they was for Cocoa, but I've had a few rowdy crowds against me and it spurred me on to win it.
     
    GPater11093, Mar 29, 2011
    GPater11093, Mar 29, 2011
    #140
  6. Stonehands89

    Stonehands89 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Boxing, said Frank Bruno, is the loneliest sport in the world.

    For many fighters, the crowd spurs them on whether or not they're cheering or booing, novices get a little rattled, some more narcissistic types relish in it.

    The fact is, the fighter is the one under pressure and those in the crowd are not (unless they have a large wager on one or the other ...though that pressure is imaginary.)

    As for you, you seem more comfortable in there every time and you have an advantage over those guys you fight -you are aware of the presence of those who have gone before you... like Lewis Hardwick.
     
    Stonehands89, Mar 29, 2011
    Stonehands89, Mar 29, 2011
    #141
  7. GPater11093

    GPater11093 Barry Full Member

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    I understand you, it just makes you think though, the conditions those guys fought in make their careers seem that wee bit better, makes you think, they must have been hard wee guys.

    Also I want to say this, your skills as a writer have never been in doubt and been lauded, as they should, but I must say its the research in this that impresses me the most, and that is saying something.

    Your writing is like your style but your research is your roadwork every morning, that people dont see, and thats what makes this a great series of essays IMO.
     
    GPater11093, Mar 29, 2011
    GPater11093, Mar 29, 2011
    #142
  8. Stonehands89

    Stonehands89 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    The only ones who doubt that the fighters from the Golden Era were by-and-large better than the modern-day fighters are those who just don't know any better.

    I wasn't even born when the Beatles broke up, so no one can accuse me of being biased in favor of my generation -because my generation isn't John Garfield's or Burt Bienstock's. If anyone with an open-mind really looked into what those fighters went through in and out of the ring, they would see that they were better than modern guys. Period. Exceptions? Sure. Are their throwbacks today who could compete back then? Sure.

    But overall, those 200-fight lions in the 40s would eat the 40-fight cubs today.
     
    Stonehands89, Mar 29, 2011
    Stonehands89, Mar 29, 2011
    #143
  9. Surf-Bat

    Surf-Bat Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Well said
     
    Surf-Bat, Mar 29, 2011
    Surf-Bat, Mar 29, 2011
    #144
  10. bman100

    bman100 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    And yet a lot of these fighters' greatest victories from this era SRR-Gavilan II, Moore-Burley, Charles-Moore do not exist on film... I think if there was more film of them (their key fights), you wouldnt get people saying how boxers are better nowadys.
     
    bman100, Mar 30, 2011
    bman100, Mar 30, 2011
    #145
  11. tony mush

    tony mush Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    stonehands thanks for this im trying to educate myself opn the golden age fighters :good
     
    tony mush, Mar 30, 2011
    tony mush, Mar 30, 2011
    #146
  12. Stonehands89

    Stonehands89 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I agree. But then, the truth often doesn't come to light with our convenience in mind.
     
    Stonehands89, Mar 30, 2011
    Stonehands89, Mar 30, 2011
    #147
  13. Stonehands89

    Stonehands89 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    You & me both, brutha.
     
    Stonehands89, Mar 30, 2011
    Stonehands89, Mar 30, 2011
    #148
  14. Stonehands89

    Stonehands89 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Stonehands89, Apr 4, 2011
    Stonehands89, Apr 4, 2011
    #149
  15. slip&counter

    slip&counter Gimme some X's and O's Full Member

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    Great stuff, ST.

    I knew a little bit about Cocoa Kid but this is awesome. Great to have some of my very little research on him confirmed.
     
    slip&counter, Apr 4, 2011
    slip&counter, Apr 4, 2011
    #150
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