Parnassus . . .

"What was George Parnassus like?"
Bennie


Bennie....I liked George Parnassus and had a little time to become familiar with him. However, the man to answer the question properly is Hap Navarro, as both were matchmaking & promoting at the same time here in Los Angeles. Hap knew George well, professionally & personally. I know that when George left the Olympic Boxing Club in the mid-60's, he wanted Hap to work with him and his new Forum Boxing Club, which put on some of the most exciting boxing promotions I would ever see.

I know that Parnassus was just a teenager when he settled in Los Angeles after arriving from Greece. He found a job at the Alexandria Hotel, which was L.A.'s best hotel at the time, a place where Presidents and Kings would reside temporarily when visiting the City of Angels. Decades later, when the Alexandria had fallen on hard times, Parnassus would use that as his Los Angeles base and headquarters, it was where he'd have his office, at least in the beginning as his reign as promoter for the Forum in the late 60's-to-'mid-70's. Around 1970, when the Alexandria was being refurbished, Parnassus moved his headquarters a few blocks west to the Elks Building, a monolithic structure right across from MacArthur Park, near Wilshire & Alvarado.

Paranassus favorite fighter was his greatest attraction, Enrique Bolanos. George still had a Greek acsent, in his 70's, when I met him. He was serious, in charge, had a great deal of class and was highly respected. His son was high up in the Catholic Church, his closest associates (that I knew of) were manager Suey Welch and his attorney, Paul Caruso, and L.A. Mayor Sam Yorty.

Suey mentioned to George that I loved boxing history. This is back in 1971, when I was 19. George had a lot of old Referee and KO Magazines, like what Frank posts here for us. When he was ready to toss the mags out in the trash he asked if I would like to go thru them first and take what I might want. I took it all. Damn, Bennie, I wish I still had the stuff. There were programs to some of his greatest fights, photos of he with Bolanos, and a lot of stuff with Cal & Aileen Eaton.

I remember being invited to George's office for a luncheon he had arrainged for a few of his friends. The place was like a "who's who" of Los Angeles and world boxing royality. I was a sparring partner for Ruben Olivares at the time, an L.A. prelim kid. I sat quietly and looked around the room, occasionally standing to take a close look at the dozens of 8x10 black & white photos hanging from the walls, sitting framed on shelves. I was a guest, via Suey Welch, who knew I'd get a kick out of the company I'd be keeping before doing downstairs to the ballroom and preparing for my workout with the world banatmweight champ.

The first in the door was former middleweight champ "Gorilla" Jones (who had been Suey's fighter) and he was laughing along with the guy he entered with, Mushy Callahan. Then Lou Nova walks in, well dressed in a nice suit, looking more like a life insurance salesman than a guy who'd twice KOed Max Baer. Enrique Bolanos arrived laughing as well, entering almost side-by-side with his greatest opposition, the great lightweight king, Ike Williams. Before I could get too excited at the site of the great Williams (who at the time was my all-time favorite lightweight champ), in walks Henry Armstrong, listening intently to the guy who he entered with, former welter king Jimmy McLarnin. With them was one of Jimmy's early opponents and best friends, Billy Wallace. Noble "Kid" Chissell (from the Cauliflower Alley Club) walked in along with former wrestler & film star, Mike Mazurki. Mazurki I'd come to know pretty good as he owned the Cafe downstairs off of the Lobby to the Elks Building. Suey Welch resided in the Elk's building, as did a number of boxing personaalities of the era. Mazurki would cater Parnassus' Luncheon, and the tab would be picked up by Jerry McCauley. Jerry was a gangster and silent partner with Suey Welch in the management of myself and welterweight, Gil King. Jerry loved to throw his money around and always carried a roll of 100's almost the size of his gold Cadillac.

The room was packed, I sat on the arm to the sofa most of the time I was there. The conversation was rich and I learned a lot that day. Parnassus had helped in clearing up some difficulties I was having with another manager. Something that was presenting itself as a problem was quickly eliminated when Parnassus stepped in. George had power. I always knew him as serious and in control. I respected the man a great deal.

I wish I could let you in on more than my simple memories of George Parnassus, however, I never had the day-to-day dealings with this boxing icon as some have. I do know this, Bennie, I value the moments and memories I have of George Parnassus.

Rick Farris