By David Martinez / Boxing Historian / dmboxing.com
Back in the late 1970’s, I was introduced to a man that was the outstanding editor and publisher of the monthly Official Boxing Record, Dick Mastro. Although I did not know Dick personally as he was based out of Hollywood, California, I always admired his dedication to a publication that offered boxers’ ring records, world ratings, international champions, the mail box, a classified directory, and my favorite features, Down Cauliflower Alley by Noble “Kid” Chissell and Squaring the Round by Dick Mastro.
Through the years, I have subscribed and collected over 100 copies of his fine (digest size) product. I have always contended that the greatest boxing historians that I have met are Al Nelson, Nat Fleischer, Bert Sugar, Hank Kaplan, Don Fraser, and Emanuel Steward; but it just might be appropriate to add Dick Mastro to that list of men who collectively knew boxing to the highest degree.
In the Ring With Jack Dempsey – Part II: 1919 – 1923, by Adam J. Pollack contains descriptions of Jack Dempsey’s successful title defenses (including pre-fight hype, training and sparring, predictions, pre- and post-fight analysis); discussion of his opponents and their careers (Billy Miske, Bill Brennan, Georges Carpentier, Tom Gibbons, and Luis Firpo); economics and negotiations; controversies; legal, political, and racial obstacles; Harry Wills and the color line; Harry Greb, Gene Tunney, Jack Kearns, Tex Rickard and boxing’s first million-dollar gate(s); criminal and civil cases; Dempsey’s personal life, and much more. Hundreds of rare photos are included. 819 pages in this book alone, based on primary sources, continuing the three-part series of the most thorough books ever written on Jack Dempsey’s life and career.
I am excited to announce that author Gene Aguilera’s newest publication “Lost Stories Of West Coast Latino Boxing” is now available. This edition is his third book and is simply a center piece in any boxing collection.
Upon receiving my complimentary copy directly from Arcadia Publishing at Gene’s request, the first thing that captured my attention was how masterfully all of the photos are displayed in black and white format. This wonderfully adds to the 1940 through 1970 flavor of the golden age of boxing covered in this book.
In the Ring With Jack Dempsey – Part I: The Making of a Champion, by Adam J. Pollack is the most thorough and detailed book ever written about former world heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey. This book (the first of two) chronicles Dempsey’s life and career from its start up to his winning the world heavyweight championship, fight by fight, as told by those who saw the contests and reported on them at the time, utilizing multiple local next-day newspaper reports. This includes training, predictions, pre-fight hype, and discussions about the opponents.
As with other books in the In the Ring series, this book also discusses the context of the times, the color line and race in boxing and society (offering the perspectives of both white and black-owned newspapers), World War I, Dempsey’s personal and managerial choices, and how these topics affected the sport and Dempsey’s life and career. Even new facts about the controversial Jim Flynn fight are revealed. Boxing fans will obtain knowledge and insight into Jack Dempsey’s life and career like never before.
The book contains 560 pages, with over 550 rare photos, illustrations, cartoons, and fight advertisements.
The Life and Crimes of John Morrissey: Bare-Knuckle Boxing Champion, New York Gangster, Irish American Politician Paperback – Author: Kenneth Bridgham (Illustrated, August 19, 2020)
In 1855, New York City was scandalized by one of the most infamous murders in its history, that of gang leader Bill “the Butcher” Poole, the feared knife-fighter who later would inspire Daniel Day-Lewis’s character in Martin Scorsese’s film The Gangs of New York. The acknowledged mastermind in the Butcher’s undoing was John Morrissey, a two-fisted Irish immigrant who, more than any other man of the age, represented the nefarious links between organized crime, politics, sports, and high finance in America. The loose inspiration behind Leonardo DiCaprio’s character in The Gangs of New York, he was an undefeated bareknuckle prize-fighter, widely recognized as the national champion, as well as a feared gangster and mob boss before either term was coined, rumored leader of the Dead Rabbits street gang, and eventually U.S. Congressman and member of the New York state senate. He became the millionaire operator of some of the world’s most opulent gambling halls, and was the founder of the Saratoga thoroughbred racecourse. Equally comfortable hobnobbing with pimps, cut-throats, and thieves as he was with Presidents Lincoln, Johnson, and Grant, or railroad tycoons like Cornelius Vanderbilt, the once impoverished street kid rose to a level of wealth and power unprecedented for Irish Americans to that point in the nation’s history.
*** FLASHBACK *** this article originally appeared on dmboxing.com on March 16, 2016 … please note that Gene officially retired from the banking business after 37 years this past March 29, 2019 and is enjoying family, friends, and life as he knows it best!
By David Martinez / dmboxing.com
I met Gene Aguilera a few years ago and consider his friendship to be a blessed gift from Heaven.
I had heard about Gene years prior through mutual friends. However, when he contacted me directly in early 2015 to inform me he would be my presenter at my induction into the WBC Legends Hall of Fame, I could tell by the enthusiasm in his voice that he was not only sincerely happy for me, but also happy in my honor.
My attraction to Gene is simple; he is a kind and giving human being.
Gene is a true boxing expert. As a kid, he grew up living in the historic boxing scene and attended many of the great fights in Los Angeles.
He is the author of one the best boxing books on the market today, “Mexican American Boxing in Los Angeles.” This publication is a must for any boxing fan, especially ones who grew up and/or live in the southern California area.
My friend Gene Aguilera has had numerous book signings of his two outstanding book publications over the years.
His first book “Mexican American Boxing in Los Angeles” was released in 2014 was a monster hit, and now he has released his second book “Latino Boxing In Southern California” … both publications are a must for your purchase and certainly make the perfect gift for any boxing fan!
As we head into 2019, I wish everybody the best of health and a prosperous Happy New Year!
It is absolutely my pleasure to bring you this website. There have been 1,551 published feature articles – an average of eleven per month – since the beginning of dmboxing.com which started on July 15, 2007.
I am truly thankful for the special people that continue to help and contribute to the success of this website; they are: Bob Quackenbush (Lead Assistant / Proofer Reader / PhotoEditing); Tom Donelson (Member Boxing Writers Association of America); KathyKraft (Proof Reader); Steve Corbo (Boxing Writer / Proof Reader); Harold Lederman (HBO World Championship Boxing); Jim Amato (Senior Boxing Writer / Boxing Historian); Rusty Rubin (In Rusty’s Corner / Glove2Glove / first to contribute to dmboxing in July 2007) as his friendship and lovely memory will never be forgotten (R.I.P.)
For those of you that have purchased website products, thank you for your support, and as holiday gifts this year it was my pleasure to send out approximately 100 calendars to friends and my boxing constituents; if I missed anyone, please contact me and I will kindly and promptly make one available to you.
Speaking of gifts, be sure to reserve your copy of an amazing boxing publication by author Gene Aguilera called “Latino Boxing In Southern California”. This is Gene’s second book and, like his first, it’s a gem. Purchase information: price $22.99 (plus shipping and handling); contact Gene at (323) 697-7197 or geneaguilera@sbcglobal.net
I would like to bring to your attention that coming next month is an outstanding and interesting two-part article piece written by Bob Quackenbush regarding famous outdoor venues of historic fights. You don’t want to miss it.
As the year 2018 comes to an end, I will have my “Year in Review / Best of in Boxing” top five categories – Fighter, Fight, Round, Knockout, and Upset. These are my personal picks and will be posted during the first week in January 2019 for viewing.
Here are my top “pound for pound” dozen boxers (ending December 2018):
1) Terence Crawford (34-0 / 25 by KO)
2) Vasiliy Lomachenko (12-1 / 9 by KO)
3) Oleksandr Usyk (16-0 / 12 by KO)
4) Gennady Golovkin (38-1-1 / 34 by KO)
5) Canelo Alvarez (51-1-2 / 35 by KO)
6) Mikey Garcia (39-0 / 30 by KO)
7) Errol Spence Jr. (24-0 / 21 by KO)
8) Naoya Inoue (17-0 / 15 by KO)
9) Srisaket Sor Rungvisai 47-4-1 / 41 by KO)
10) Leo Santa Cruz (35-1-1 / 19 by KO)
11) Anthony Joshua (22-0 / 21 by KO)
12) Donnie Nietes (41-1-5 / 23 by KO)
In closing, thanks to everybody for making dmboxing.com a part of your boxing selection!
A special thank you to website hat model, Amy … note – hat is blue in color embroidered with official website logo, adjustable Velcro strap to fit all sizes – price is $18.00 – includes FREE shipping.
It’s Fall and here’s wishing everybody well as we come into a new season, and thank you for making my website one of your choices in boxing. It has been my pleasure since the start of this website in July 2017 to share information with you from my almost 60 years of wealth in boxing.
I want to say thank you to those that have purchased my dmboxing.com products, and also to you who have recently have sent in for my newest long sleeve blue t-shirt. To see all of the products that are available, go to the Categories section on this website and click onto dmboxing.com Products.
His first book was – OUTSTANDING. Now, his second book leaves me breathless, and I will say that it is also – OUTSTANDING!
Gene Aguilera’s publication of his newest book “LATINO BOXING IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA” is now official, and it has been released to the general public. This book is a must for all boxing fans and is a great read for all that have grown up in the Southern California area and have visited such legendary boxing venues as the Olympic Auditorium, Hollywood Legion Stadium, the Los Angeles Sports Arena, and the Forum.
