"The Johnnie Flores Gym"

By Rick Farris


It was a Monday afternoon, the day after I'd talked with Golden Gloves National Champ, Jerry Quarry, over the phone.
I got Quarry's number from the "Information Operator", courtesy of Pacific-Bell. I got Johnnie Flores' number from Jerry.

Now I would see if I could convince Johnnie Flores to let me learn to box in his gym.
Jerry said Flores had some amateurs training there, a few pros, and a several Juniors.

I call Johnnie Flores' house and a young girl answers the phone. It was Johnnie''s youngest daughter, Nancy.
Nancy was a couple years younger than me.
I asked to speak with Johnnie Flores. She told me her father was at the Main Street Gym, and would be home for dinner later.
A little later I call back, a lady answers, it's Johnnie's wife, Rose. "Whose calling? OK, I'll get him, just a moment . . ."

Now I'm starting to get nervous. What if he tells me "there isn't room for me", or that "he doesn't work with kids anymore now that he's got the National Golden Gloves champ ready to turn pro."
I didn't know what to expect, this was all new to me.
As these thoughts are crossing my mind a voice suddenly breaks the silence on the other end of the phone. "Hello."
Johnnie Flores had just answered, and it was now time to speak or forever hold my peace.

"Mr. Flores, I'm Rick Farris and I'm going to be a boxer, and I got your number from Jerry Quarry, and I want you to manage me."
"Is that so, how old are you son?"
"I'm twelve, nearly thirteen."
"Uh huh . . . so you want to be fighter?"
"Yeah, I want to be a Golden Gloves champ like Jerry Quarry, and then a professional boxer."
"Is that so? Well, I have a few kids working out in my gym. When do you want to start?"
"Tomorrow . . . but I have school until 3pm. How late are you open?"
"We are only open in the evening, monday thru friday, 5pm until we are finished, usually 9pm at the latest."

Johnny asked me to meet him after 6pm the next evening.
"Thanks Mr. Flores." I hang up.

I jumped in the air, and I ran into the other room to tell my Grandfather I'd talked with Johnnie Flores, and that he said I could start the next day, tuesday evening. I was elated.
I had just learned a very important life lesson, "What the mind can conceive, and believe, it can achieve."
This fact of life has proven true more than once over the years, but this was the first time, just as I was entering my teens.
Perfect timing.

My grandfather was surprised at what I'd done.
I found Jerry Quarry, contacted him, got a referral, and then the pot of gold at the end of my rainbow of youth.
That was what boxing was to me, something I treasured.
My grandfather kept his word, to take me to a boxing gym, if I could find one. I found the best, the absolute best for me!

"OK, where is this gym. Where must I take you tomorrow?"

It suddenly occured to me that I had forgotten to get the address to the Johnnie Flores Gym.
I was so happy to have Johnnie give me a chance, I forgot to ask where the place was.
A quick return call netted me an address . . . 13717 Jouett Street, Pacoima.
"Take the Golden State Freeway, north, to the 'Terra Bella Street' exit, and then . . . "

My boxing career would begin the next day.