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 eighty’s approach Jimmy with tears in his eyes: “Jimmy my family wants to put me in an old folks home, and I don’t wanna 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 wasn’t 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 came 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 didn’t wake up…R.I.P. Pops

Gil Velarde

                                                                      Gil Velarde     

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 ‘that’s 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 today’s Gil Velarde’s fight.