Loma no pass! Spence gets a pass!

Can't tell you how much I appreciate the kind words and offer bud. In some ways, my time, experiences, and deployments with 1st Marine Division were by far and away a lot of the worst experiences of my life, doing and seeing what I've seen and the fact that its very possible I'll never be able to fully reconcile some of those experiences with myself ever absolutely kills me. Then on the other end of the spectrum the ABSOLUTE BEST times of my life -- bar none -- were shared experiences with my brothers from 1st MarDiv and I can honestly say, no matter how good or bad the times ever were, my time in the USMC made me a better man and person than anything else in the world ever could. The social and racial dynamic between Boston and SoCal couldn't be more different in a lot of ways and couldn't be closer in so many ways.

My mother moved myself and my twin sister to pretty much Pleasantville, USA right before 6th grade. Before that I lived in a notoriously bad neighborhood in Somerville, MA. -- a suburb of Boston, and also in a notoriously bad 1 square mile neighborhood of Boston that bordered Somerville. Both places were for the most part Irish American ghettos, self segregated and insulated in their own world. Almost everyone in both places were somewhat racist and bigots against any non-whites. Being brought up there and then moving to that nice town(which was almost all white)in conjunction with experiences and influences from family and friends in both areas really left me close minded and somewhat a bigot myself. Excelling in sports(football, basketball, and boxing) were the first things that began to chip away at me preconceived negative racial thoughts and feelings. I made a lot of non-white friends but there was always that elephant in the room, not so much that we were of different races but from different cultures.

It wasn't until I enlisted in the USMC infantry(and I'll be honest it wasn't to serve my nation, it was for the benefits and because of a choice between that and 18 months county time) that completely shattered all of my preconceived notions and prejudices, and what helped even more was being stationed at Camp Pendleton in SoCal with such a large Chicano population. I actually noticed that white, black, PR, and Dominican guys from the northeast US and Chicanos ALWAYS seemed to get along the best out of everyone, and it's the first time I actually realized I generally liked(then unconditionally loved) Hispanic/Chicanos and black dudes much more than most white guys. White dudes from the northeast, Hispanics/Chicanos, and Black Americans(from all over the US) were actually generally so much closer culturally than white dudes from anywhere else in the US. That's not to say I disliked or didn't meet a lot of white dudes not from the northeast that I didn't like and eventually unconditionally love, because I, but it just wasn't the same. And I'm not gonna lie, even though now I HATE breaking people down by race or culture or trying to group them somehow, I'll always have a soft spot for Chicanos, more than anyone else in the world. They taught me more about pretty much everything, befriended me, and countless times looked me dead in the eye and straight up told me they had my 6 and that they'd die for me -- and they meant every word they ever said and proved it time and time again.

I'm always the first to admit I'm dumb as ****, and you'd be hard-pressed to find a bigger habitual idiot than me, but because of all my eff ups, time with the USMC, through all my travels, through all my addictions, relapses, and jail time, and through all of my deployments I'm far wiser than most anyone I've ever met and have a much more open mind than most anyone as well.

One thing that's instantly noticeable in both USMC infantry/combat arms and US Army infantry/combat arms is the essentially equal ethnic makeup of both and disparity of one race in particular. Black Americans serve our nations military in a lot of ways but infantry/combat arms and special operations is almost all white and Hispanic. Before I really became open minded that always bothered me and a lot of others, but when I truly opened my eyes it made perfect sense. There are countless stone cold warriors in the Black American community, but you're more prone to find them in gang culture than the military. Why fight, risk your life, and possibly die for a country that -- if you're being objective, has historically and continuously oppressed you as opposed to empowering them? And it wasn't until I finally got clean over 3 years ago that I could really grasp that subject matter. I got so sick of listening to VA psychiatrists telling me how to get clean when they've never looked at a narcotic the wrong way or had more than one drink on a night out. It was then that I realized I had no right to make or pass judgement on any community as a whole because I've never experienced it. For all my daily struggles, I've gained so much wisdom and more importantly have found a fulfilling purpose in life and can view things with an open mind and refrain from judging anyone. Who the **** am I to judge anyone?

Sorry for going on and on man, I'm just in the midst of another war going on inside my head and it feels good to put it out there to someone that can relate in a lot of ways You're an awesome dude @bandeedo and please know when I say this, it's always a pleasure to talk boxing with you and life in general when it comes up since we have had somewhat similar paths.

 

Stop it. Rigo was on the verge of being disqualified for excessive holding. That's how bad his performance was. And he quit with his faculties in order after 6 rounds. Loma was going to start landing hard as he was figuring him out more and more with each round.

 

i grew up in a cool town. we got about a million and a half people and are the 7th most populated city in america, but its got a town feel. not that theres nothing to do or see, its just that the people act like theyre gonna see you every day, friendly and respectful.
you cant get away from chicano culture, or mexican, down here. but its also mixed in with german culture, polish culture, cowboy culture, etc.. this is a very unique area, in a state that has flown the flag of 6 different nations. we have the largest mlk parade in the country most years, we believe in getting along... at least along racial lines. weve always had a real big military presence here and its real common to see mixed race couples.
i dont come from a racist family, although not too uptight to laugh at a racial joke if its funny. me and my old man didnt talk much, hes not the fatherly type, but i learned a lot about being a man from watching him. hes the hardest worker i know, and he never struck any of his family. thats just the foot of the mountain, yet hes always led a humble life. im smarter than him, but not half the man he is.
army boot camp was my first exposure to guys who grew up surrounded by nothing but white bread. there were guys straight off the hills of appalachia, or the swamps of mississipi. the crap they grew up believing was frickin unreal. i would like to think its gotten better, its been 30 years, but from what i see online, seems to be worse.
i think every citizen physically able, should serve in the military 2 years in whatever capacity they want and are qualified for. you like cars, serve in the motorpool. like cooking, be a spoon.want a challenge and some excitement, be a grunt. it would teach everyone not just about sacrifice, but the same sacrifice others are making. you will learn discipline while keeping your country and way of life alive for your future generations.
ive met many men who were giants, of all different races, but this is probably the biggest man ive met. knowing your fondness for the culture, check out my fellow texan. ive said more than once how i feel heart is what i love most.

This content is protected

This content is protected

 

That’s a lot of information man. Thanks for honest reply I appreciate that. I’m glad you got your crazy life under control.
Everyone is biased and I have no problems with people rooting for fighters of their race or nationality , I think that’s normal and same people shouldn’t point fingers at others for being biased and I’m not saying you do. Overall I really don’t care if anyone is nationalist, racist or whatever imo it’s personal for us all . I know I am biased and prob will be for the rest of my life I also have serious anger issues and hard time liking people in general .

 

Truly and honestly appreciated reply. Thank you.

 

Wow. Brother, THAT MAN -- STONE COLD BAD ASS MF'er AND WARRIOR. Thanks for enlightening me, what an inspiration. Id love to meet that dude someday.

 

Loma is definitely a better pure boxer than Pac was. He's very technically sound, and the footwork is amazing. Pac was more buzzsaw with power in my opinion. Has Hopkins ever tested positive? I won't tear a guy down if the only doubt is that he performed at a top level well into his 40s, because there are always exceptions in nature. Hops had very little athleticism in his 40s. It was all timing and skill. He won fights with finesse and grit. He had trouble with the guys that were far superior athletically than he was at that point. Pascal, Dawson, Calzaghe, Kovalev. Now, if Hops was just getting into his 40s today, and refused VADA or USADA or whatever, then I'd be a bit suspicious. He always did it his own way though, and allegedly lives a very healthy lifestyle. Knowing his personality I never held it against him, and figured he wouldn't ever go out of his way to test.

As far as Loma vs Prograis, I enjoy seeing talented guys challenge themselves. Loma is fighting Crolla, and then probably Commey. That leaves a lot to be desired. He should win both of those easier than Linares and Pedraza. Certain clowns on this forum try to play a certain card whenever I'm critical of Lomachenko. Long time posters know though, that I was just as critical of Mayweather's cherry picking once he left lightweight. I'm an equal opportunity critic.

No need to apologize. I take no personal offense from anything on this forum. At times I get caught up in the trolling, and end up generalizing in response. Likewise.

 

thats a dude thats got your 6 for real. goes in against 1000 nva, just to pull your ass out of the fire. that pilot that flew him back in has a huge pair too.
hes been dead for 20 years. i met him in panama, i was there at time and he had gone down to be master of ceremonies for 4th of july festivities the southcom troops were having. hes a legend among first tier operators, snake eaters still use his call sign, tango mike mike, which stands for "that mean mexican", whenever they are in distress and need support.
guys like this are the rarest of breeds. one guy thats alive that id like to meet, who im also in awe of, is alex honnold, the kid who free soloed el capitan. these are my super heros.

 

Couldnt agree more brother. I teared up watching that. The unfortunate thing is that so many Americans will never know about or hear about guys like this, the guys who's blood, sweat, and tears formed and shaped this country, and it's guys like that who's blood influenced and changed the country for the better and made it what it is(for the better.) I've hear about this guy so many times and heard stories about him, like a legend that keeps on rolling in the lore and history of the US military, but until I saw that documentary, I never truly knew his story. If I wasn't sober over 3 years, I'd gladly tip one back in honor of Roy Benavidez, and as you said, the pilot too. Thanks for sharing bro.

 

thats another reason i think everyone should wear the uniform for a couple years. this guy went in because of his loyalty to his brothers who were facing death, who were both white and black americans, and thas what america is, thats why our strength is unmatched. we will never run out of men willing to fight for the ideals laid down in our constitution.

 

where you live bandeedo

 

san antonio, tx.

 

Salute
Thanks for your service and honesty
I buried one of my solider last year and it was due to suicide. He survived two tours but died here in a cheap hotel outside the war zone and it almost killed me.
Stay strong and stay HARD

 

Respect fella it’s the mark of a man to be able to open up on how he feels, your story is sounds like a journey towards real inner strength, if you aren’t there yet you sound like your very close. This is the first post I’ve read on here that’s made any real impact on me, its almost motivational. Massive respect man.

 

I can well believe that.I actually had concerns joining this forum and tuned in as a browser for about two years before joining.
trying to think when it was?it was when that weirdo Canelo fan Shockmaster was literally blocking up the place with Golovkin threads lol,he's long gone but you'd swear he has a bunch of admirers on here carrying his torch lol.
I was even a little scared of joining as daft as that sounds because of the ruthless nature between posters though I have come to realise most of these have known each other for a long time and whilst I have a thick skin I've never personally had any probs with anyone.
why I said I wasn't surprised is because it's not just on here,it's a truly global thing on YouTube,comments and social media.In my opinion back in 2005 folk still had manners and wanted genuine discussion,remember this was pre troll,idiot times and there's no doubt in my mind that folk for better or worse have been influenced by the internet and have been dumbed down into thinking you can carry on like a twerp or worse as they are effectively anonymous.I like to think I write stuff on the internet as if the person was in front of me,which means not being controversial for the hell of it or God forbid doing that troll thing,that some do on here as it stands out like a sore thumb and reflects badly on the person unless it's done with humour,kinda like MVC.
Phew long reply but I think i would of liked it back then as well.