A Book . . .

A Book . . .

It will be about the boxers who made their name in Los Angeles. My era only.
Not a previous era, not one that I didn't experience up close and personal.

I will use my knowledge of previous eras simply as a foundation for that in which I grew up. It should provide an invaluable reference source, perhaps.

This isn't about the great Mexican imports, who built their rep below the border, then came here to win a title, or defend it here . . . Saldivar, Olivares, Napoles, Zarate, etc. Of course, all of these major names will play a part as they relate to the boxers of focus. As well the promoters, managers, trainers, etc. The gyms. When you name Jerry Quarry, you suddenly include names such as Frazier, Patterson, Ali, etc. These are the co-stars to the L.A. boys, in my book. As is Roberto Duran to Gato Gonzalez. As is Jose Napoles to Ernie Lopez and Armando Muniz. During this era, Los Angeles was the world's busiest fight town. Los Angeles showcased world champions and contenders from around the world. Europe, The Orient, Mexico, South America, Australia, Africa, to name a few.

We saw them all, in the gym and in the ring. On TV, off-TV, week-after-week. My era wasn't Los Angeles' "Golden Era", but we were a busy fight town. The vet's from the Golden Era were what made ours what it was. Names like Eaton, Parnassus, Fraser, Davies, Chargin, McCoy, etc.

The following are twenty-five names. There were more, but these two dozen cover a lot of ground, and I know all of them very, very well. I know where the living can be found, and where the dead are buried. Stories focusing on the careers of these men include acknowledgement of others. So one way or another, everybody will get their mention, even if not featured in their own seperate chapter.

From these names, perhaps a book shall come. It will be my individual account of the era, something that nobody could write quite the same, so it doesn't matter how many books on this subject might evolve. The more, the better! This will be mine, and it's for all of us who post here.

How is this for a list of L.A. stars who fought in L.A. from 1964-84? Each will get their own chapter.

Jerry Quarry
Mando Ramos
Ernie "Indian Red" Lopez
Rodolfo "El Gato" Gonzalez
Raul Rojas
Dwight "The Hawk" Hawkins
"Irish" Frankie Crawford
Ruben Navarro
Danny "Little Red" Lopez
Bobby Chacon
Hedgeman Lewis
Armando Muniz
Carlos Palomino
Ken Norton
George "Scrap Iron" Johnson
Danny Valdez
Albert Davila
Frankie Duarte
Frankie Baltazar Jr.
Tony Baltazar
Randy Shields
Richie Sandoval
Alberto "Super Fly" Sandoval
Bobby Valdez
Art Hafey . . .

This should keep me busy for awhile.

-Rick Farris