RING 8

The Kid Gavilan headstone donation drive was a success, with Tony Nap raising over the limit for giving the "Kid" a proper resting place. Many thanks to all contributors!

Ring 8 has just completed its first half century of existence, this meeting inaugurates the next 50 years. For all the champions that entered the room, the meetings, and the parties, the memories are plentiful. We only hope that the next 50 matches the previous.

According to Ring 8 President Tony Mazzarella, the cost to move the body (presently at a "potter's field" unmarked grave) to a place in the cemetery that can place a headstone is $6000. The headstone costs around $5000. Ron Ross spoke , who gave Gavilan's eulogy, spoke briefly on the details of the day that the headstone will be unveiled. Mike Tyson and many other boxing people plan to attend. The only thing pending is consent from family.

Pat Flannery was also in attendance, and spoke briefly about his experience with boxing. Such remembrances were fighters such as Ring 8 members Pat Giovenelli Terrible "Terry" McGovern, Terry (Angelo DeSanza) Young and the walking up the steps of Stillman's Gym.

Investment banker Steve Hirschowitz spoke briefly about the place of IRA's in boxing, and how they can cushion the effect of financial stability long after a fighter's day is over. "All it takes is $50 a month." stated the banker, who also added that a system should be in effect where fighters should save their money. It would be healthy for everybody. Unfortunately boxing has a history of people going there own way, with fighters needing a responsibility to save. This is one way of a boxer ensuring his own pension plan.

This years party is slated for Sunday December 19th. Plans are to honor Vinny Paz Chuck Wepner will be there and hopefully trainer Buddy McGirt.

TIDBITS: Jacqui Frazier fought Sept 10th, winning a 10 round decision over a tough opponent, Susan Alamager . . . Lou Dibella has a show at the Hammerstein on Sept 30th, headlining Sechew Powell . . . . NYAC card on Thursday Sept 23. British spokesmen doing research on Madison Square Garden and highlights of the 1950's heyday. Spoke briefly about Barry McGuigan and Juan Laporte's match few years ago, kidding aside that a rematch is in effect , contracted at a weight of 190lbs . . .

Bob Bartels presiding Henny Wallitsch at the bell, 10 count, Pledge of Allegiance. .

Talk tonight of the 50th anniversary party, of which around next year. Getting Corporate sponsors were the issue, and putting it on in the city seemed to be the venue the brass is looking for, possibly Cipriani's or a venue similar. Question is - a goal should be established, timeframe and date should be in view, whereas goals could be met.

Committees were formed -- established and announced by Lou Raino as follows:

Tidbits. Tony Nap seems to have lost his table. The corner table is no longer at Ring 8 meetings. Thanks to Bill Tate and the Teamsters, who brought out generous donations to the Kid Gavilan Fund. Also a helping hand came from all across America, many thanks. Summertime is here. Next meeting scheduled for September.

Bobby Bartels presided over tonight's meeting. Jose Torres spoke briefly about boxing and the unionization of boxing and the fact that the boxer must have a say in the business of boxing. "The boxer is intelligent" states the former light heavyweight champion, "and should have a say in the negotiations of the bout." As to the version of the others who are unionizing the fighters Torres simply replied that he is working with Paul Johnson and other world champions for the fighters to have a say in the business structure of the game. Torres a knew Jack Newfield who knew the other contacts who were organization leaders. They met with the others and stated their concerns and goals but were never consulted again. The JAB committee then went their own way with the idea, which left Torres and Johnson out, stated Torres.

Hopefully the two factions can get together and make an agreement, for the better of boxing.

In other news, an award was given to woman boxing pioneer Jackie Tonawanda in Newark, New Jersey on May 11th. Jackie Frazier and Mike Tyson also received awards.

The award for Jackie was the appreciation of pioneering boxing. Award was presented by Larry Hazzard, NJ commissioner of boxing.

MEETING NOTES OF April 20, 2004Lenny Mangapione introduced two guest speakers from the Teamsters, who are trying to unionize boxing. Their efforts are being fought through JAB, who held their first big card at the Hammerstein Ballroom, which was sold out April 15th.

The talk of unionizing boxing has long been thought as a difficult and noble fight, and tonight's speakers, Walter and Danny Kane provided some insight as to what their plan is to help bring standards to the sport that has been railroaded into near oblivion.

According to the two brothers, the process is long, but it (boxing) has reached a point where everyone is in the same boat, having the same interest at hand.

"You must learn to crawl before you can walk" said longtime Ring 8 member Henny Wallitsch, hoping for something better for the fighter -- whether it means basic or standardized pay or a pension system.

But although the premise remains noble and forthright, there are some questions that persist, like:

With boxing so fractionalized, can the boxing community really come together?

Danny Kane was a teamster for 21 years, and his experience tells him that you cannot start a boxing union unless you try. Walter Kane also came up through the ranks, driving trucks and going to school at night and ultimately becoming a labor lawyer. They have put their minds to protecting the fighters who put the time and effort into their craft.

Other sports are competing every day, they get together. Boxing can't compete, because they don't have a plan. Other sports have gotten together as an industry because they understand that their competition is the other sports. Boxing, many people think the competition is each other, but its not. While boxing industry is infighting, boxing loses because boxing cannot get on television--- the reason being baseball and football is being watched, taking up peoples time.

The reason why JAB was created was basically to see how boxing can compete in the marketplace. The time is for people to come together with some kind of plan and to get more exposure for the sport, which would be good for the promoters, good for the fighters, managers etc. "We thought that collective bargaining and starting that process was the step in the right direction."

The process of unionizing the sport requires a step by step process that will have many obstacles, but one important factor is that many boxing towns are union towns. Detroit, New York, Philadelphia are all cohesive towns that cater to the boxing industry. Also contracts, if and when in question, can go through an arbitrary case instead of having a party, (many times a fighter) having little power to sue to get his paycheck.

Those here in New York have known Eddie Mustafa Muhammed, first as Eddie Gregory, NY Golden Gloves welterweight champion, then World light heavyweight champion, one who has stepped up when the pressure was on in the ring. A question was asked why Eddie was chosen for the leadership of the fighters.

"Eddie Mustafa Muhammed was the first guy who stepped up to the plate and starting doing things-- talking to boxers, making telephone calls, going to the gyms, etc." stated Kane, who mentioned that Eddie, after a six month process, has been member of the teamsters.

Tidbits: 77th Annual Golden Gloves finals concluded Friday night April 16th. A sold out audience saw as Daily News Columnist Tim Smith described "richest talent seen in years." Both men and women were outstanding in the event, which were held over two nights.

Boxer Luis Villalta, who moved from his native Peru to Hillsborough NJ three years ago, collapsed following a 12-round loss last Saturday, his manager, Anthony Toresco said. Villalta (29-6-1) collapsed just after losing a unanimous decision and his regional lightweight title to Ricky Quiles on Saturday night. After the fight, they hugged and took pictures together. Luis went to the dressing room, sat down, and complained about a pain at the top of his head and collapsed. He was rushed to the hospital by the emergency personnel. "He's not breathing on his own right now," Toresco said.

Villalta was the sole supporter of his family which lives in Peru. He had a wife, 3-year old son, and adopted 12 year old daughter. He worked at Mcdonald's in Hillsborough NJ. He learned the language and has a drivers license. He was hoping to bring his family over at some point. "He's was a really nice, clean-cut kid", his manager said.

Villalta passed away the following Wednesday.
Anyone wishing to send their support, thru donations

Luis Villalta Fund
c/o Anthony Toresco
16 Campbell Rd
Hillsborough NJ 08844

RING 8 met for about an hour and a half this night, and the issue in mind was fighter safety. Lenny Mangapione presided at the dais as he introduced the first guest , artist Robert Ecksel. Ecksel is an artist that publishes artwork with the great quotes associated with some fighters ---

Georges Carpentier --- Feet brought me into the ring, and feet will bring me out of the ring.

and Larry Holmes -- the only thing that hurt me was his attitude after the fight.

Ray Arcel, Duran's trainer on commenting on a "heart condition" of his fighter. Heart Condition? I didn't know he had a heart!

Emile Griffith -- I hit him in the belly and I heard him go "argh!" I'm not in this business to be mean.

and the best one came from the late Paul Pender, who said " I consider boxing the biggest test of humanity."

Frank Moran, the fighting dentist, going way back --They pay me more top knock'em out than . . . Moran was a small white heavyweight in the days of Jack Johnson . . .

These are some of the quotes and artwork of Ray Ecksel, who also commented on improving the boxing game today --- of which the next speaker was introduced --

Jack Hirsch from Ring Sports.com spoke briefly on the condition of "safety" in boxing. One topic I never spoke in detail is on ring safety and the effects punches have on fighters, and that maybe it is time to mandate headgear in the professional ranks. Although admittedly unpopular, Hirsch stated that it would cut down on the lacerations. However Hirsch stated the two types of damage a fighter gets:

Short term damage -- Similar to what happened to Gerald McClellan after his bout with Nigel Benn. The result was immediate and irreparable damage to the boxer. This situation can be prevented.

Long Term damage -- the long term effects of wear and tear after the fighter's career is long over.

Three top fighters of the last century -- Sugar Ray Robinson, wound up toward the end of his life not knowing his own name.

Willie Pep and Muhammed Ali all suffered long term damage from their occupation. The other included were Joe Louis, who was mumbling words toward the end, and Henry Armstrong, who toward the end of his life couldn't know where he was.

"Even though boxing we know is a great great sport and I'll be a fan till the day I die it is a tough, brutal sport, and we have to protect the fighter in the best way we can." stated Hirsch, "but it is easier said than done. There are many variables involved out there to protect the fighter. Number 1 the fighter has to look out for himself -- if he feels he is hurt he should immediately let the physician know. Sounds simple enough , and there would be a lot less injuries but they won't, because fighters, no matter what, are told not to quit."

The problem is that there a lot of unqualified corner men and when the doctors come into the corner, instead of the doctor being their friend, they are perceived as the enemy. These are some of the problems in the sport today. Other variables that affect the sport and should be opened to study:

We must find a way of safeguarding fighters. Unfortunately, a study could last years and the people involved may not be alive when the study is still continuing. Hirsch proposed that possibly we must legalize headgear, but admitted that it would not be popular. Unfortunately, as historian Mike Silver noted, it (headgear) would never reach the pros simply because there is no standardized headgear that the pros can agree on. He also noted that amateur boxing wants to keep separate, as far as it can, from professional boxing.

Doctor Michael Swartz, chairman and president of ringside physicians, spoke about the safety issues in boxing and the controversy that surrounds it. In previous conferences Swartz noted that when asked about changes, it was immediately referenced with "why don't you doctors change it. Things are changing and our sport (boxing) is in danger of going away. ESPN was giving promoters money to put fights together but now they give nothing."

" We are now a second class sport" stated the doctor. "We need a central commission -- we need major league boxing. We need somebody to make some standardization of what we are trying to do. When referenced to a member boxer who fought in Maine -- the doctor did not examine the fighter and just merely asked the question --- "How are you doing?"

Other factors that lend to issue is boxing equipment, headgear as well as gloves. "In a sport such as football, an athlete suffers a small concussion when he is hit, and this is with standardized headgear. Another problem with boxing is that tomorrow a guy can walk into a commission office and be " a professional boxer." Another point made is the mismatches in boxing. In a recent card in Connecticut == Out of 12 fighters, 10 were missing medical documentation. Out of that 10, 6 needed blood tests the day of the fight. Now what does that do to the physci of a fighter when they need to take blood the day of the fight? Theoretically I should have cancelled the whole card."

Dr. Swartz also analyzed the theory of headgear and added that there were far more concerning issues that involve the safety of the fighter. " We must get our house in order and the house meaning that we can't have lots of groups hanging around with promoters, hanging out with managers, hanging out with trainers, all these conflicts of interest and all having their own set of rules, about what should go on. The poor boxers, they have to pay for it -- they don't even know what they need going from one state to the other. I put together a website that tried to list all the information and only 40 states responded. We try to help them save them money and we can't even get the commissions to respond to us.

Dr. Swartz's organization has grown to over 300 physicians all around the world. The first ever board certification has been started in ringside medicine and this is to prevent someone putting on a show just hiring a doctor who has no experience in boxing. In the state of Connecticut, this thinking doesn't fly -- there are standards for the ringside physician to attain.

In Dr. Swartz opinion, a fight can never be stopped too early, only too late.

Tidbits: Mosley-Wright, Mesi-Jirov on tap for March 13 in Las Vegas. There also hints that Mayweather-Spadafora title bout be held at Madison Square Garden on May 8. Dimitry Salita and John Duddy also appear heade for the card. Golden Gloves is happening right now.

On a cold clear night at the Crab House, members gathered for the New Year. The ten count was administered for departed members of Ring 8 and for those who were lost in boxing recently -- Steve Acunto's wife Mercedes, passed away in December, and Harold Weston Jr.'s dad died recently as well.

Among the greatest days of my life was to receive Ring 8 boxing honors with my father -- "Smokin" Joe Frazier December 21st, 2003 in Long Island City, New York at the Waterfront Crab House in the presence of my children. My father told everyone that he was uplifted to receive your honors and the genuine integrity of your work for boxers. Special thanks to Jackie Tonowanda for using all means to inquire and follow up on our attendance reassuring my father and I of the quality of your organization, almost on a daily basis, in light of our overwhelming schedule. Special Thanks to Tony and the board and Bill Gallo's portrait --we truly enjoyed each and everyone. Call on me anytime -- Jacqui Frazier

The meeting was basically informal with members sharing their stories from years past. Bobby Bartels looked at Joe Miceli and sighed "12 World Champions" Who were they?

That's enough, replied Bartels, simply there isn't enough time. The future of Ring 8 requires fundraising. Some ideas were passed on . . . such as a Vegas night, Trivia game etc.

Some trivia questions from historian Mike Silver -- and from Ring 8 members as well.

Who was the only heavyweight to open his career with a KO over a former world heavyweight Champion?

Name the only man to box legendary Salvatore Sanchez and 140lb champion Kostya Tszyu?

This man beat Sugar Ray Robinson and lost to Vito Antefuermo, who is he? Hint: He also transcended eras, boxing Carlos Monzon, Emile Griffith, Joey Archer, Ralph Dupas, Tony Dupas, Luis Rodriguez, etc.

Tidbits: Tony's prediction for Gatti-Branco bout -- Gatti within 7 rounds. Tony and others were down in Vero Beach and said Gatti looked fast and sharp. Nothing is known about Branco, just that he a straight up boxer, with a big upper body.

RING MAGAZINES ARTICLE ON RING 8

There was a time when NYC was considered the Mecca of boxing. While all the fabled fight joints- Stillman’s Gym, St. Nicholas arena, Sunnyside Gardens- have disappeared, many of the fighters who plied their craft inside those venues are still around. And yes they still have a home.

It's the Waterfront Crabhouse in Long Island City, Queens, which is where Ring 8, the New York City chapter of the veteran boxers association holds its monthly meetings. “It’s nice to get together and see familiar faces to sit down and talk about the good old days", says Bobby Bartels, a former main event welterweight and now the president of ring 8. "We laugh we kid each other. I can walk in and say to a guy, what are you, punchy? And we get a good laugh. But only a fighter can say that to another fighter. Nobody else".

Indeed, boxing is a unique fraternity, and the monthly meetings provide the fighters with an evening during which they return to the spotlight. While the camaraderie is heartwarming, the organization's purpose extends far beyond that of a social club.
"Our goal is to help the indigent fighter", said Bartels, "we help out whenever we can the motto here is boxers helping boxers'

The organization is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and its legacy of good deeds goes back decades. But for all its noble endeavors, the club was fading until Tony Mazzarella, who owns the Waterfront Crabhouse Restaurant, offered to host meetings in 1993. Since then Ring 8 has thrived. It has approximately 5400 dues-paying members, and one third of the memberships are fighters.

In addition to the membership benefits, the organization also helps with expenses such as rent, utilities and groceries on a per-need basis.

The meetings begin informally, at the restaurants bar where Mazzarella has assembled on to the finest collections of boxing memorabilia south of Canastota. The crowd mingles until the official start of the meetings, which are held upstairs in the catering facility, where Mazzarella and his staff provide a hot buffet.

"It’s very gratifying to be involved", said Mazzarella, a former member of the New York State Athletic Commission and now a promoter." a guy will walk into a meeting, rush across the room to another guy and say “I fought you 40 years ago in Sunnyside”. You hit me with a helluva hook in the second round' and the next thing you know they are slapping each other on the back. To me that is a special bond that you don't see too often"

A visit to a meeting offers a true slice of the big apple. There are guest speakers each month, and at any given meeting, one could find themselves seated amongst a Pulitzer prize-winning columnist, a former member of the New York Knicks, a U.S. congressman, or a movie director.

The main attraction, tough, is the fighters. They have great stories to tell and it doesn't take much to get them rolling. All the fighters are approachable and will often sign autographs and pose for pictures.

Back to the top

When you hear of success stories of former boxers your attention is quickly grabbed. Opponents of boxing tend to tell of the hard luck stories of the few who weren't fortunate enough to finish on top outside of the ring even if they succeeded inside the ropes. Movies have portrayed the "loser" aspect of boxing more times then we care to think about and when someone not only succeeds in the ring but outside, it seems rare. Well, it isn't rare and many fighters, champions and non champions alike have been more than successful when their fighting days ended. But even so there are certain people that stand out far and above even those moderately successful ex-pugs as the media so often calls them. One of the more successful and well known ex-boxers is Charlie Gellman, of the famous Jewish Memorial Hospital in New York City. In the ring he has had his share of rewards under the name of Chuck Halper. he certainly wasn't a slouch in the ring and used the sport to work his way through school. Not content with a ring career he wanted to make something out of himself. As it turns out he was very handy with his fists and in 1932 boxed under the name of Chuck Halper.

Charlie Gellmen being presented trophy by Jimmy Braddock. Among notables there were Phil "K.O. Kaplan, Coley Wallace, James J. Braddock, Solly Seeman, Jimmy Colleto, Willie Olivieri, Yound McGowan, Al Reid, and Johnny Green. Place: Embassy Hall, N. Bergen NJ/ Date: March 18, 1971.

Gellman was not a bad ring name but his parents weren't thrilled with the idea their son fighting so he took on an assumed name. From '32 through '37 Gellman would box "bootleg" bouts and would exchange with such men as Gene Mickens, Willy Davis, Jimmy "Red" Little and boxed exhibitions with Gus Lesnevich and Jimmy Braddock.

But more came out of the ring career than an ability to fight. The most important thing he remembers is how great many people were to him, and the way they looked out after him. That is really what this story is all about. It is not about a ring career, nor a success story of a brilliant medical scientist.

It is about a man who saved enough money from bootleg fights to pay his way into Columbia University. In the depression, it was extremely tough to save money, but Charlie, or should I say Chuck, scrapped and saved and found a way.

Charles had two outstanding tutors in former champions Jimmy Braddock and the legendary Joe Jeanette, a feared heavyweight in his day. Since those days he has returned the favor and helped many big names himself.

It didn't matter to Charles whether it was a preliminary boy or a former champion when he set out to offer aid. One of the more well times Charley Gellman's name appeared in the news was in May of '74 when he came to the aid of two time world champion, Mickey Walker. As head of Jewish Memorial Hospital, a non sectarian General Hospital in New York, and supported by voluntary contributions, Gellman was able to reach out to many, some famous, other not so famous people. In '74, Mickey Walker was found wandering around a Brooklyn street. He was suffering from Parkinson's disease, anemia, and hardening of the arteries. Walker's estranged wife, Marcy, called Gellman and was hysterical. When the good doctor finally calmed her down he said "Don't worry about anything -- get a cab and bring him here."

Gellman, who was raised in a tough neighborhood in North Bergen, New Jersey, met Walker in a Jersey gym when he was starting out and Walker was finishing up. Gellman asked for a chance to spar with him. "He could have killed me, Gellman said wryly, but he had a heart." Although they were never close friends their paths had crossed over the years.

"He was a pitiful sight when he came in here. He was suffering so much that it could have made you cry. What he used to be and what he was then, that day, was heartbreaking for me," recalled Dr. Gellman. "We stabilized him physically, but not mentally, I'm afraid. He was very senile and couldn't remember anything." Once Gellman felt Walker was becoming lucid. He was talking about Harry Greb, who once won a memorable fight from the Toy Bulldog. "Yeah, great fighter, that Harry", Walker said "is he still fighting?" Greb had died in 1926.

Gellman is quick to point out that Walker's condition was not the result of his ring battles or his former drinking problem. "From 1938 on he never took a drop", insists Gellman.

The net result of the stay at Jewish Memorial is that many people took notice and sent in cards and money. Although most of the medical needs were taken care of by the state, the rest came from Gellman. Dr. Charles had him transferred to a nursing home in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. At that time Gellman didn't give much hope for Walker ever returning to society but he did want everyone to know that, "I am going to make sure that he lives out his life in dignity, not treated like some bum." Walker lived until 1981.

When success hits some people they don't know how to handle it. Often they get rapped up in their own life and forget the humbled beginnings and how tough it was when they were making it. Charlie Gellman was not from that mold. After getting his degree from Columbia he married, moved to Valley Stream, Long Island, raised two daughters and acquired a long list of titles with much fame and acclaim.

Jack Dempsey was a visitor to Charlie's Hospital complaining of headaches. Others who had come under care were Ben Jeby, Ruby Goldstein, and ring announcer Johnny Addie.

For people who knew Charlie knew that this was his labor of love. " I remember those long days in the gym when you needed a friend. Sometimes I didn't have anything to eat and another boxer would cut his sandwich in half and share. A man of character doesn't forget that."

From time to time hospital workers had said some things to him as " Why do you get these old bum fighters?" and he would respond "Don't dare say that; you may as well say that about me. If it wasn't for boxing I wouldn't be here."

Dr. Gellman may not have forgotten boxing and what it did for him but boxing has not forgotten about him either. Nor have the Veterans Organizations and the people he has crossed paths with over the years.

News of Vic Zimet's passing circulated through the room before the meeting . . . Vic was 84 years old, walked and talked like a 30 year old, and had the enthusiasm and energy of a kid. He participated in amateur boxing for countless years and had professed impact on the young. If there ever was a role model, trainer Vic was it. Zimet will be missed sorely by all members. The ten count tolled for Vic and other departed members.

Lou Raino spoke briefly on the committee meeting --- it was passed through that former middleweight contender Eugene "Silent" Hairston, the impaired boxer who fought and beat such notables as Kid Gavilan, Paddy Young, and recently departed Paul Pender, would receive a special, hearing impaired phone. The special phone is similar to a small typewriter whereas the person can see the voice recognition on a small screen. Speaking of Gavilan, money was raised for the Kid to get him some clothes.

The members attending the meeting were fewer in number due to the fact that the weather outside was cold --- hovering around 12 degrees. However, with the Jones -Ruiz bout looming, historian Sal Rappa told a tale of former light heavyweight champion Tommy Loughran when he stepped into the ring to face the reigning heavyweight champion Primo Carnera.

Rappa had met Jack Dempsey at his restaurant in Manhattan in 1964 and was introduced to Loughran, who was sitting at a table. Rappa had heard about a story of the 184lb guy taking on a 260lb hulk in Miami but wanted to hear if it was true or not. This was a time to confront the participant of the bout, and a chance to meet one of the finest scientists ever known to boxing.

This was around 1934 and Carnera, a big muscular Italian, could knock you out in close but never could extend his jab with damaging effect. The strategy on Loughran's part was to clove himself in garlic so that the champion could, or would not like to step inside. The plan worked for a while ,at least for a couple of rounds, but by then the effect of the garlic wore off and Carnera craved for the smell. At the end of the third round Loughrans corner was trying to get the taste out of the fighters mouth before he would get knocked out. Loughran would then run around and jab for the remainder of the bout, losing a unanimous decision. The incident after the third round could be seen on film. It was the only time in history garlic was used to ward off an opponent!

Also, Ring 8 donated a Ring to IS 174, which will incorporate boxing as one of there core programs. The Eugene T. Maleska Intermediate School will run boxing and teach those kids to ward off the bullies. The corner pads of the ring will be marked "Ring 8."

Back to remembering Vic Zimet. Trainer Vic was a hard nosed old fashioned type trainer who just does not exist anymore. He had a gentlemanly side yet was strict with regimen. As historian Mike Silver put it best, Vic was a "down and out" contributor to thousands of youngsters and knew the inside out the art and science of boxing. Those who rubbed conversation with Vic always knew they were getting knowledge from the best. Zimet trained Al "Bummy" Davis, Bernie "Schoolboy" Friedkin, Billy Daniels, and David Sears. When pressed by legendary trainer and good friend Ray Arcel in the 70's to train a budding star by the name of Roberto Duran --- Vic relented and stated his heart was with the youngsters, amateur boxing, and teaching. TRUFAN was fortunate enough to interview Vic last August and learned a whole new lesson to how this game works.

Better jabs: Juan Laporte and friend Ponce were on hand to reintroduce the Spanish Gloves. In its heyday in the 70's, Spanish Gloves helped produce a fighter like Juan. Derek Leif was filming documentary on the club. He stated he will edit this summer . . .