Fight Franchise

I will be posting some photos from boxers from the west coast (U.S.A), new and old pic.s.

I hope you all enjoy them.

Gil King

Danny Valdez with Gene Fullmer

I first met Danny when he was 13 years old, we were both living in E.L.A. at the time, don't remember where I met him at, but anyway after we met I would pick him up at home since he was to young to drive and we would drive over to his trainer's house, his trainer Art Arviso, not sure of the spelling on Art's last name, Art had like lots of trainer back then a gym in his backyard, I train there with them only about 4-6 months.

Danny went on to turn pro and fought Davey Moore for the featherweight title in 1961, Danny was a very good fighter, but Davey Moore was a monster.

Frank

I received this and other photos from my good friend Hap Navarro

This photo of Hap (L) and Enrique Bolanos was taken at the Mexican Sports Writer banquet held in 1951 at the Club El Sarape, on west Sunset Blvd. Hap was the emcee that night and handed out awards to bert Colima, Manuel Oritz, Baby Arizmendi, Art Aragon and Enrique. It was the first time Mexican boxers had ever been honored that way....through popular voting in the Mexican newspaper La Opinion.

Caption by Hap Navarro

Fabela Chavez is getting his final check as a pro after losing a decision to Juan Luis Campos at the Hollywood Legion in March 1954.Trouble is, he "unretired" and came back to fight three more times, away from me. He had boxed my opening show at Bakersfield (Not in the record book) and we became kinda close friends. he had promised I would promote his last fight and we planned a big celebration for it but it was all for nothing when he decided to come back, the Legion Stadium manager, Jesse Smith, is handing Fabela his check (I had my hand out just in case, you know? (lol)

I received this and other photos from my good friend Hap Navarro

This photo of Hap (L) and Enrique Bolanos was taken at the Mexican Sports Writer banquet held in 1951 at the Club El Sarape, on west Sunset Blvd. Hap was the emcee that night and handed out awards to bert Colima, Manuel Oritz, Baby Arizmendi, Art Aragon and Enrique. It was the first time Mexican boxers had ever been honored that way....through popular voting in the Mexican newspaper La Opinion.

Caption by Hap Navarro

This shot is at the Moose Gym, top of Angel's Flight (after the Main St, Gym burned down) and it shows me, Luis Magana, and Enrique Bolanos, Enrique was passing by when he saw the photographer setting up to shoot Luis and me, so he smile and said "Me too" and squatted down to be in the picture. The picture we are looking at on the table is Abel Fernandez.

Absolutely amazing stories and photographs Kiki. Your knowledge of West Coast boxing and its history is astounding. Your great posts are very much appreciated!

Thank you Sir.

Yaqui Lopez