Sat 28 Aug 2010 02:08:17

Name :	Jawbone
Email :	Suckered Continued
Message	In my opinion, it has been Hollywood and the media who have brought forth some of their best stars and writers to portray the Mafia in a manner that has hypnotized millions of us and established a Mob Pop Culture. Some gang bosses have even gained the status of reverence because of Hollywood’s lack of morality. Just think ‘Godfather’ and you get the gist of the situation. A decade after his testimony, LaMotta’s new song and dance had fortune written all over it. His celebrated autobiography, ‘Raging Bull:My Story’ became a sensational success in 1970. Fans in America and around the world were just fascinated by the brutality and the confessional. A few years later, film director and producer, Marin Scorsese obtained the books rights and with popular actor Robert DeNiro playing the part of LaMotta, hit the markets in 1980 and became a gigantic success. The movie, one damned good movie, was nominated for many Oscars with DeNiro wining the top award as best actor. As movies go, no matter how influential, they usually stray from the truth in many ways and ‘Raging Bull’ was no exception. For those who saw the movie, LaMotta is depicted in some scenes whipping up on his brother Joey as he believed his manager/brother had an affair with his wife Vicky. Pardon me but it was more likely his dear friend Pete. As for Vicky, Joey introduced her to LaMotta. She was only fifteen when they met and she married him three months later. When his popularity soared with the release of his book and subsequently the movie, she knew how to capitalize on a good thing too. Talk about giving credit where credit is due, Vicky took center stage herself in approaching Playboy Magazine executives and tantalizing them with her extremely curvaceous body and good looks even though she was fifty one years of age. She won them over and ‘Bingo’, in the November 1981 issue, she graced a few pages with sensuality and sexuality unparalleled in Playboy history for an older woman. Now that my dear reader is what in past decades we called ‘Moxie.’ As for LaMotta, he was on wife five or was it six? Okay boxing fans this one is a tough call. Were we suckered? Contrary to my own belief that most people sided with LaMotta, I was surprised in my research to discover that in lieu of all the publicity and finger pointing about a true fix that there was and is a huge percentage of hard-core boxing authorities who do not subscribe wholly to LaMotta’s late blooming story. One such person was Paul Clinite. My late friend Paul Clinite had first hand knowledge of the Mob’s boxing shenanigans. He grew up as a numbers runner for the Mob and had some dealings with the rascal Blinky Palermo. He was hungry, couldn’t find work and did what he had to do to survive. He proved to be one of the best at his game and therefore, in later years when he became a boxing trainer and promoter, he had enough influence to gain some good fights for his boxers and given the courtesy of handling some closed-circuit television fights, especially those involving Muhammed Ali. When George foreman decided to make his comeback, it was Clinite who got the managerial nod. Unfortunately, he had contracted severe cancer and with death looming, he arranged for Ron Weathers to take over those duties and as the world knows, Foreman pulled an extreme shocker by whipping Michael Moore in 1994 and the old rotund fighter, once a svelte built Olympic Champion of 1968, was once again the professional heavyweight champion of the world. Clinite would have been proud. There was no fix, no loaded gloves, just a great victory. Clinite used to gab a lot about the Mob and boxing. He mentioned many questionable fights that may or may not have been fixed; even suggesting that Liston went down to Ali not because of the Mob but rather because of Muslim threats. For Clinite, the Mob rarely fixed a fight. ‘After all’ he would say, ‘The Mafia owned, managed or co-managed most top ranked fighters. A boxer had no choice but to sign with them if he wanted a top-flight career. They certainly arranged matches and in many cases had total influence over a referee, judge or judges’. ‘Why would they jeopardize a shooting conflict with other Mob families when the big money was paid by boxing fans and sponsors?’ He would go on to say that when television arrived and the public could see their heroes twice a week the Mafia was raking in major bucks. Yes indeed, to the tune of over ninety grand a week. Yet some shaky members were rubbed out for attempting to interfere with their profiteering, especially when it involved the betting line. As for claims by LaMotta that he threw the fight to Fox, Clinite doubted it. He knew the people involved and he also knew that LaMotta was seriously injured going into the bout…against his physician’s orders. Moreover, he remembers Fox beating LaMotta to a bloody pulp before the ref finally stopped the match. As for LaMotta getting a hundred grand to dive, Clinite used to call that ridiculous, if in those days a fighter received five grand for a dive it would be a huge payday. He knew LaMotta had hit hard times and had his ups and downs in life but still praised him as a great boxer, one who never took a dive. It is perplexing to get a valued take on LaMotta’s later claim of a fix and that Fox was a zero fighter. There were even reports that Frank Sinatra and Frank Palumbo were in on the fix. It was rumored because LaMotta’s manager, Al Silvani, was Sinatra’s bodyguard and Polumbo, a Philadelphia philanthropist, was supposedly co-managing fox with Palermo. Nothing ever came of the rumors. To be continued on next post

Sat 28 Aug 2010 02:06:27

Name :	Jawbone
Email :	Being Suckered Continued
Message	Being heavy was not always a positive for LaMotta, especially against good fighters who didn’t spot him a bunch of pounds. In his first bout after losing to Robinson, he fought Bob Murphy 58-5-1. Murphy weighed in at 175 ½ pounds to LaMotta’s 175. LaMotta suffered a devastating loss, beaten so bad that he couldn’t get off the stool in his corner to answer the 8th round. Officially, he was stopped by RTD in the 7th round. After another loss to Norman Hayes 22-7-1 and a draw with Gene Hairston 44-10-4, LaMotta did get a measure of revenge over Murphy in June of 1952, winning a unanimous decision at Detroit over ten rounds in a fight he was outweighed by five pounds. Other interesting weight advantages paid off for LaMotta. When he beat California Jackie Wilson in 1943, he outweighed Wilson 161 to 145 pounds for a point’s victory. His four bouts with the great champion, Fritzie Zivic, were classics with a couple of outcomes quite controversial. His first meeting with Zivic, who was eight years older than LaMotta, was Octoberr 6th 1943 in Pittsburgh’s Forbes Field. In a bout that the Associated Press gave to Zivic by a 7-3 margin, referee Al Grayber gave his vote to LaMotta who won by split decision. LaMotta outweighed the older Zivic by five pounds. Their next encounter was again at Forbes field and this time it was Zivic who won the ten rounder by a split decision. He gave up four pounds to LaMotta. Those matches were so tight and popular that another was arranged for Madison Square Garden November 12th 1943. In another highly protested unpopular decision, LaMotta gained a split decision win as one of the judges, Jack Goodman, had Zivic the winner by a 7-3 margin. A major factor in this fight is that the older Zivic came in at only 149 ½ pounds to LaMotta’s 161. Wow! That was some 12 pound advantage for LaMotta. The final episode of their four fight epics took place at Olympia stadium in Detroit on January 14th, 1944. Zivic was back up in weight to 151 ½ while LaMotta hit the scales at 159, still a 7 ½ pound weight advantage. When all was said and done LaMotta gained a unanimous decision. Yet it was in the 2nd and 4th rounds where the fight was won. LaMotta resorted to dirty tactics and was penalized for low blows in those rounds. Zivic had hurt his right hand early and though it was a good fight, the old man just couldn’t withstand the pressure from LaMotta, especially after the consequences of the low blows. A few other meaningful fights by LaMotta wherein he had a distinct weight advantage certainly helped enhance his sometimes illustrious career. In March of 1944 LaMotta came in at 162 pounds and barely won a split decision in Chicago over Lou Woods 18-2-0 who topped the scales at 155 ½ pounds. In 1945 at the Boston Garden he weighed 160 ¼ while besting Bert Lytell 18-4-2 at 153 pounds by a mere split decision. Two months later he tipped the scales at 161 over Tommy Bell’s 148 pounds. Bell 31-6-2 made all ten rounds losing a unanimous decision at Madison Square Garden. They repeated the performance in 1946 with LaMotta having a near eleven pound advantage and even again in 1947. For purposes here, let us finally mention Vern Lester 24-19-12. Lester took on LaMotta at the Eastern Parkway Arena, Brooklyn, New York on October 18th, 1948. Lester was just a decent journeyman but he gave LaMotta fits and the cagey veteran was lucky to escape with a split decision. Guess what though? LaMotta weighed in at 167 pounds to Lester’s mere 153 ½. So what has all this to do with Billy fox, the black boxer Billy Fox, who outweighed LaMotta by near seven pounds and won by TKO? For fans who might have been suckered? So much so, this superb boxer puncher has been maligned for decades, personally sinking into a dizzying tailspin deep into the abyss of hopelessness after the fight what with the press, public, and public officials decrying a possible fix that has never been authenticated; that misadventure which has become so-called common knowledge yet was deemed only alleged by the investigating authorities of those times. Why? Simply put because some thirteen years later, in 1960, LaMotta sings a different tune, one that will change his fortunes forever and leave Fox with a permanent stigma by many of the pundits who write boxing history. LaMotta wasn’t singing much in 1957 when he was convicted of corrupting the morals of a minor in Miami, Florida. He had owned a nightclub and liquor store on the beachfront and evidently had a teenage girl he supposedly pimped for. He denied the charge on the basis that he thought she was at least twenty one. He spent a few months in prison and is said to have worked on a chain gang. After his release from jail in 1958 he moved back to New York City. A few years later, his luck turned for the better. For whatever reason, economic or otherwise, LaMotta decided to ‘Spill The Bean’s’ about his boxing career, marriages, and especially confessing that he threw the 1947 fight to Billy Fox, that he took a dive. It all started in 1960 when he did a three hundred and sixty degree turn about while testifying before a United States Sub-committee under Senator Estes Kefaufer that was supposedly interested in the Mob’s influence concerning boxing. LaMotta testified that he had thrown his fight back in 1947 with Billy Fox. Right, thirteen years later he is touting any all investigating authorities and the boxing world that he took a ‘Dive’ so that the Mafia could then arrange a title fight for him down the road. He even testified that he had hit Fox with a couple of jabs and Fox’s eyes went glassy. He further told the committee that he knew then he was going to have a difficult time losing; that he panicked and might have to hold his opponent up in order to lose the fight. Furthermore, he claimed that anyone watching the fight would have to be dead drunk if they didn’t know what was happening. To make his possibly absurd claim even more authoritative to the committee, he said that instead of getting paid a hundred grand bribe money from Bill Daley and Blinky Palermo, he took a dive to obtain a future championship fight. However, he later testified later that he didn’t know who put up the bribe money, that his brother Joey had passed that information on to him. Joey naturally took the 5th Amendment. Yet it appears LaMotta is concluding before the Senate Investigating committee that he took a dive even without a bribe; oh sure he did. Then we have his story that he had to dive, that he had to come up with twenty grand to French Champion Marcel Cerdan’s American representatives, Leo Burston and Sam Richman, in order to get a title fight. LaMotta’s 360 came as a huge revelation to the committee and the boxing community. This former pug, not long out of jail, was for some strange obscure reason suddenly believable. Continued on next post

Sat 28 Aug 2010 02:03:30

Name :	Jawbone
Email :	Suspicious Fights-Were We sucker Punched Continued
Message	From previous post: Not one to despair, Fox went on a rampage after the loss to Lesnevich taking out George Kochan 37-13-10 by a 7th round TKO on April 11, 1947, Tony Gillo 22-48-10 by KO in six on May 28th of 1947, Artie Levine 47-11-5 by 3rd round TKO on June 27, 1947, Billy Cooper 37-27-6 by 2nd round KO on July 22nd 1947, George Kochan again by TKO on August 8th 1947 and finally Agostino Guedes 11-8-2 by 8th round TKO on September 2nd 1947 before that fateful strange day, November 14th when he would dispose of LaMotta in the fourth round of a scheduled ten rounder. His KO percentage was the tops of the century, over ninety per-cent knockouts. Just how impressive is that for any fighter? By comparison, LaMotta had a career KO record of a little over 28%. And another hard cold fact: How many fight fans realize that LaMotta was at his best when he outweighed his opponents, sometimes by a huge margin? When Fox whipped LaMotta, he weighed 173 to LaMotta’s 167. Checking further into LaMotta’s career, we discover that in the fight before Fox, he actually lost to journeyman Cecil Hudson 57-21-4 in a ten rounder. Hudson methodically hung tough despite being outweighed by ten pounds. A rarity for LaMotta who had a series of fights with the many great fighters, including world champions Sugar Ray Robinson and Fritzie Zivic, and contenders Jimmy Edgar, Vern Lester, Robert Villemain and Gene Hairston, all of whom he outweighed. The most noticeable weight differences occurred in his numerous bouts with Sugar Ray Robinson. LaMotta’s first bout with Robinson was when he sported a 25-4-2 record. It was November 2nd, 1942 at Madison Square Garden. Sugar Ray was 35-0 at the time but only weighed 145 lbs to LaMotta’s 157 ¾ lbs. Sugar dazzled his way to an easy victory, the weight of the dangerous LaMotta being no factor in the fight. On February 5th, 1943, the two met again in Detroit, Michigan. LaMotta came in to the bout at 160 ½ pounds to Sugar Ray’s 144 ½. Still Sugar Ray out-boxed him and danced to a unanimous decision over ten rounds. Unbelievably the men met again just three weeks later, February 26, 1943 again in Detroit. Sugar Ray entered the ring at 145 pounds and Jake was over 15 pounds heavier at 160 3/4. I can’t help but wonder about the disparity in weight, like what is going on? Anyway, Robinson loses in the ten rounder for the first time in his outstanding career. However, the bar had been set high and Robinson, much lighter than LaMotta, would nevertheless make rematches with the Bull a personal vendetta. On February 23rd, 1945 his next chance came at Madison Square Garden. Sugar Ray was now up to 148 ½ pounds while LaMotta checked in at only 158 pounds. With only a nine and a half pound advantage in weight to overcome, Sugar Ray used his explosive hand speed and quick feet to completely dominate the slower and evidently weaker LaMotta, winning by unanimous decision. The epic battles between the two boxers continued on September 26, 1945 at Comiskey Park in Chicago. Sugar Ray weighed in at a surprisingly high 150 and LaMotta hit the scales at 159 pounds. The twelve rounder ended with both men standing and Robinson gaining a hotly disputed split-decision. One wonders if Sugar Ray might have stayed leaner and won easier as the fight result was hotly disputed. Or maybe LaMotta should have stayed heavier as was the case so often. It would be a long time before Sugar Ray and LaMotta would meet again but the undersized Sugar Ray would prove to be even more efficient on February 14th, 1951 when the two met in Chicago for the World Middleweight title. Sporting a record of 120-1-2 and weighing in at 155 ½ pounds Robinson was only giving up 4 ½ pound to the middleweight champion LaMotta who weighed in at 160 pounds. LaMotta had only weighed 158 ¼ pounds when he took the title from France’s Marcel Cerdan on June 16, 1943 by a 10th round TKO in Detroit. He defended it at even weights against Tiberio Mitri 48-1-3 in Detroit on July 12th 1950 by unanimous decision over 15 rounds and by a 15th round KO over Laurent Dauthuille 35-8-3 at even weights in Detroit on September 13, 1950. The championship fight was tough early on but Robinson completely outclassed the ‘Bronx Bull’ and in the 13th round, Referee Frank Sikora stopped the bloody affair at 2:04 into the round. Robinson had finished off a somewhat lighter LaMotta by TKO. In the process, the media dubbed the blood-let ‘The Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre’ citing the complete slaughter by Robinson over the ‘Raging Bull.’ For the record, LaMotta would stay up in weight in future fights. To Be Continued.....

Sat 28 Aug 2010 02:02:43

Name :	Jawbone
Email :	Suspicious Fights-Were We sucker Punched Continued
Message	From previous post: Likely the most famous case of a fight being rigged was the Jake LaMotta fiasco against Billy Fox. The alleged fixed match took place at Madison Square Garden on November 11th 1947. LaMotta held a 64-11-3 record coming into the fight and had a six pound weight disadvantage. Fox, entering the ring with a splendid record of 42-1-0 would not only be the favorite in the match but came out winging punches and crowding LaMotta for four furious rounds before LaMotta tanked in the 4th round, losing by TKO with referee Frank Fulam stopping the one-sided bout. The howls and hooting of the LaMotta crowd was deafening. His New York and Bronx devotee’s surely didn’t believe Jake had been at his fighting best and rumors circulated quickly that Jake, aka ‘The Raging Bull’ might have taken a dive. The New York State Athletic Commission also received information about a possible fix. They summoned all the participants of the fight they could contact. They also made sure the purse money was withheld and LaMotta suspended pending his appearance before the Commission. Perhaps the loyal fans of LaMotta had been suckered and thousands upon thousands of dollars bet on him lost and his image tarnished forever. Perhaps! First up for LaMotta was an appearance at the District Attorney’s office where he supposedly gave his version of the fight and possible influences that may have dictated the outcome. Upon exiting, LaMotta was greeted by reporters who asked him if the match had been fixed. LaMotta replied that he had nothing to say other than “All I know is I fought the best I know how and I was in fine shape.” He was then asked if he had had a pre-fight conference with his opponent’s manager, one Mob connected Blinky Palermo, LaMotta replied, “I read about that. All I can say is it’s a dirty lie.’ Then there was the statement from the Commissions office after LaMotta’s appearance. They were investigating the possibility that he might have been guilty of conduct detrimental to the best interests of boxing. From those sources they concluded that testimony from all the persons involved in the contest had led them to believe that the evidence presented established without any serious dispute that LaMotta sustained an injury to his left side during the training for the bout and that he was advised by his physician to refrain from engaging in such contests. Moreover, the Commission had not received prior information about those facts by LaMotta or anyone on his behalf. As a matter of fact, LaMotta testified that his opponent, Billy fox, had struck him in the area where he had previously sustained the injury and as a result that from then on he was materially incapacitated. Ring Magazine, the boxing authority of the times under Nat Fleischer, did an independent investigation of its own and concluded that there was no proof of a fix. As for Billy fox, he had to spend a life of humiliation after the bout that he felt he had won fair and square. Sources, including Sports Illustrated July, 11th, 1960, printed his account of the bout with LaMotta. Basically fox tells them that LaMotta was strong but noticeably slow, that if had been a wrestling match he wouldn’t have had a chance. His strategy therefore was to keep LaMotta moving and that caused LaMotta to go for the knockout. However, Fox kept jabs in LaMotta’s eyes and nose, some five at a time until LaMotta was forced to pull his hands up for protection. Fox then took the opportunity to go to the body with great force and accuracy, even feeling bone on one terrific shot. Fox then believed he had broken one of LaMotta’s ribs and seeing a hurt expression on his foes face, dug in with machine gun combinations knowing full well he had the advantage if he didn’t get outpunched, that punching was his defense. Fox also remembers that LaMotta backed off on a huge counter-punch when he pushed fox off balance yet didn’t unleash the punch. Though Fox does remember some boos from ringside he didn’t know why the punch was held back. It certainly could have been because of the pain LaMotta was suffering and he was suffering by his own account of the fight. Still, Fox would have to eat ‘Crow.’ Fox bought a paper the next morning and the headlines blared out, ‘Fix, Fix, Fix.’ He was broken hearted and eventually got in touch with his manager, the shady character, Blinky Palermo. Palermo insisted that he did not fix the fight even swearing on his wife and children that LaMotta didn’t take a dive. That wasn’t good enough for Fox, everywhere he went the word on the street and in the media was that the fight had been rigged and Jake had dived. He learned the hard way that if something is repeated often enough then some people believe it to be fact. Before the LaMotta fight, Fox knew that some of his victim’s were the same fighter using an alias. He cited one Larry Kellum who fought him twice, the second time under the name of Andy Holland. He made these claims in Sports Illustrated July 11th, 1960. His record had been suspiciously bloated by Palermo but then again, he had beaten some pretty damned good boxers. He won by TKO in the 2nd round over Leon Szymurski 15-5-0 on November 30th 1945, Nate Bolden 60-30-4 by KO in two, Shelton Bell 13-6-0 by KO in five, Johnny Walker 27-12-1 by a first round KO, and Reedy Evans 21-12-0 to gain a Light-heavyweight championship bout with Gus Lesnevich 54-11-5 on February 28, 1945 at Madison Square Garden.. He put up a decent fight against the great champion Lesnevich and was knocked down in the 10th round during a furious exchange of power punches. He got up groggy and the referee, Johnny Burns, stopped the fight. He still showed promise as this was his first ever defeat. He had demolished thirty six boxers in a row by KO and now he had to gather his own wits after being defeated by TKO. Continued on next post

Tue 24 Aug 2010 11:45:08

Name :	Tom
Email :	Continued from below
Message	First off, let us take a look back at the quickest professional fight knockout. According to some sources, the quickest KO in a fight with the ‘Ten-Count’ happened on September 23rd, 1946 when Al Couture knocked out Ralph Walton of Canada in fourteen seconds in Lewiston, Maine. Nothing too suspicious here as Couture did have power. In early 1950 he captured the USA Maine Middleweight Championship by beating a very tough Bob Stecker who was 27-1-1 coming into the bout. In a fascinating fight, he knocked down Mike Saad 15-13-2 twelve times before the referee stopped the bout by TKO in the ninth round. Overall, he knocked out thirty eight of his opponents in sixty victorious bouts. He was a short stocky boxer and suffered forty one losses, being knocked out eleven times his self. His record also shows fourteen draws. In 1950 he lost to the excellent boxer Paul Pender at 162 pounds and in his final ring bout on August 25th 1950 he was TKO’d by the great Canadian Light Heavyweight, Yvonne Durelle. If you have never seen the fights between Durelle and Archie Moore, please do yourself a favor and check them out on the internet. You will be amazed. The only strange match that doesn’t measure up in Couture’s so-so career is when he fought Mexico’s Regino Aguilar at the Legion stadium in Hollywood, California on November 9th, 1945. Couture came in with a record of 32-23-12 while Aguilar was only in his second professional bout, having been beaten badly by Memo Llanes in his debut. Yet when the fighters answered the bell it was Aguilar who took the fight to Couture and won by TKO in the third round. Stranger things have happened in boxing but Aguilar never developed the tools or the mental swagger to be a good boxer. As a matter of fact, he only won seven of twenty three matches and was knocked out eight times by boxers of mediocre quality. Quickly looking back, Leon Spinks dethroned Muhammed Ali by split-decision in February of 1978. It was only Leon’s eighth professional fight and in the process of defeating Ali, won both WBA and WBC Heavyweight Championship belts. Back in the 50’s when Sweden’s Ingemar Johannsen KO’d Floyd Patterson my world nearly came undone. I was a huge fan of Patterson’s and extremely excited when Floyd gained his revenge in the return bout with his own KO. Too, who can forget Buster Douglas’ sensational KO of Mike Tyson back in February of 1990? Though some boxing fans and experts think Tyson did not take the fight seriously and have since called the fight one of the biggest upsets in boxing history, not me. Douglas was a huge man with deadly punching power. He entered the championship bout with a 42-1 record. So remember, punching power counts and untalented and undedicated boxers with steel in their hands have and will in the future pull off a stunning upset here and there. As for Ralph Walton, did he take a dive? Not from the information I have found. Even though he was getting knocked out regularly between February 27th 1946 till his last bout on May 4th , 1948, many factors contributed to his losses, foremost being the cold hard fact that he was allowed to fight shortly after being knocked out. Before Couture KO’d him 09-23-46, he was knocked out in the 3rd round by Bill Tordiglione in Halifax, Canada on 08-29-46. He would subsequently be KO’d by Morris Reif on 11-19-46, Hermie Freeman on 02-12- 47, Paddy Young on 01-03-48 and finally Eddie LeBouef 05-04-48. The medical profession must not have had much clout in those days. This poor soul was having his grey matter smeared all over his cranium from what little information I have gathered. He was rather small too and said to be a dirty fighter, using his knees, head and committing other type of fouls. His final record of 24 wins, 34 losses and 11 draws isn’t impressive. However, his birth date is not listed in the boxing records I have studied and there was a long spell back in the early forties when he displayed decent fighting skills. In 1940 he beat Roger Bechard, Charlie Butters, Jean-Paul Green, Frankie Ross, and was disqualified in his first fight against Al Couture (27-22-10), in the 7th round for dirty tactics December 29th, 1944. In January of 1945 he beat Al Freda and Rajah Sabu before fighting legendary hall of fame boxer Willie Pep. The big event occurred on January 23rd 1945 at Hartford, Connecticut. Walton went ten rounds with the great Pep - who was 83-1 at fight time - and lost the decision. He rebounded well winning his next two fights before hitting the skids and calling it quits in 1948. In my opinion he fought too often and suffered too many KO’s to be allowed to fight nearly every week. When Couture took him out in fourteen seconds, it has been written that he came rushing out and let loose a lazy left while Couture just countered with a right to the jaw flooring Walton and the ref picking up the count. I consider the KO a fact and that all was legitimate. The record is safe, In my opinion, Walton just got sucker punched. See next page, story continued

Tue 24 Aug 2010 11:44:13

Name :	Tom: From My Article At Convictedartistmagazine.com
Email :	A Few Suspicios Boxing Matches: Were We Sucker Punched
Message	I am positive that most readers and my self included learned early on in life that P.T. Barnum, the great circus master, coined the phrase ‘There’s a sucker born every minute.’ Our parents swore by it, some of our teachers mentioned it and it became legendary without much of an explanation. However, it is false. Barnum never said such a thing. So no matter how long we have harbored the belief and continue to pass on the phrase to our own siblings, friends, or cohorts, it just isn’t true. The real truth of the matter is that Barnum had a competitor named David Hannum. Hannum was a banker and like Barnum, an opportunist. Both men would be part of the greatest hoax, or caper you prefer, of the Unites States 19th Century. In many respects, even they were in just a secondary school of charlatanism compared to one paleontologist, George Hull, the actual mastermind of the great giant fake which would fool the layman, church officials, and even his contemporaries. In the late 1800’s eager evangelists were everywhere spreading the word that there were giants on earth. In 1868, Hull decided to make it bona-fide and traveled to Ft. Dodge, Iowa where he knew about a gypsum quarry. Once there, he had a slab cut that measured twelve feet in length, four feet in width and two feet in thickness. He then had wagons take his cut some forty miles to a railroad station and then delivered to him in Chicago. In the Windy City he hired stone cutter Edward Burghart to carve him a huge giant. All was done in secrecy with Burghart and his assistants likely paid well for the hoax to come. Instructions by Hull to the cutters included making the statue appear to have died in severe suffering. And for more extraordinary suspense, he ordered them to place all organs and human anatomical details on the giant, including sex organs. Sulfuric acid and special inks were added for the giant to appear very, very old. Within months and after a deep burial at his cousin’s farm near Cardiff, New York, the final touches took place. The giant would be buried for a year. Lady Luck was on Hull’s side within months as some other real fossil bones turned up at a nearby farm. He let six more months pass and then he contacted his cousin William Newell and had him hire a couple of laborer’s to drill a well at the burial site and low and behold, surprise, surprise, the hired hands discovered the great giant who had turned to stone. The news spread quickly so Newell erected a tent around the giant and charged twenty five cents for visitors to see him. As more people arrived by stagecoach, he raised the fee to fifty cents. Expert scientists and clergymen came and none deemed the giant a hoax. After some ten days, a Syracuse Syndicate under Hannum bought two-thirds interest in the giant for thirty thousand dollars and took it to Syracuse. Hull and Newell must have celebrated their successful con game in great glee and joy. Not to be outdone, P.T. Barnum sent one of his aides to Syracuse where the giant now resided and could be looked at for one dollar. With all the hoopla going on and the dollars flowing in as reported by his agent, Barnum attempted to buy the giant for fifty thousand dollars. Hannum coldly turned him down. However, Barnum knew how to get what he wanted. He had figured the giant was a fake so he had a duplicate made while at the same time exclaiming that Hannum had sold him the giant. Hannum got angry as people went to see Barnum’s giant and exclaimed, ‘There is a sucker born every minute.’ He sued Barnum for faking the original. In court, the judge ruled that evidently both giants were fakes and threw the lawsuit out. A long introduction I agree. Yet let us consider the possibility that some claims of historical noteworthy boxing matches being tainted are well founded, or not. Now who or whom would be devious enough to want to defraud the boxing public with a fix or arrangement that deprived boxing fans of the true outcome of a fight? Who or whom made suckers out of the boxing public for sinister reasons? In the forties and up through the seventies the Mafia definitely had influence in the outcome of many bouts. Other larcenous persons may have chimed in for monetary or personal gain or fame. The following selection of boxing matches may or may not have suspicious criminal circumstances. You the reader can decide if the public was suckered.

Wed 18 Aug 2010 06:30:57

Name :	Tom
Email :	California
Message	I am awaiting my good friend , Steven Arredondo, sending me results of his MMA promotion in Lake Forrest , California this past Friday. Until then, Have a happy

Sun 08 Aug 2010 12:19:11

Name :	Tom
Email :	latest feature
Message	My latest sports story is actually featured at <convictedartist.com>. It is about suspicious fights that may or may not have been fixed. Check it out at convicted artist magazine under 'Latest Features.' And have a happy

Fri 09 Jul 2010 06:07:15

Name :	Tom
Email :	Edit darn it
Message	Last post..spelling...Medieval Still, have a happy

Wed 30 Jun 2010 12:05:07

Name :	Tom
Email :	World Cup
Message	Yikes, the refs are terrible and quite evidently have loyalties that are political or religious...either way, a bum rap. How about them Red Cards? Imagine our football having Red Cards for certain fouls and then not allowing a substitute to take the place of the ejected player. So Archaic and midieval. As brutal of sports as they are, I will take boxing and kickboxing any minute of the year over soccer and especially over the four year wait for the Cup that a team can't even own. have a happy

Fri 18 Jun 2010 07:59:01

Name :	Tom
Email :	Back In the Saddle Again
Message	As poor as my health has been, I have started training some again. Feels good. Tom

Wed 09 Jun 2010 06:47:10

Name :	Tom
Email :	Juarez, Mexico
Message	I sure miss going to the Market in Juarez,Chihuahua, Mexico, having a fantastic meal and lsitening to the Mariachi's. After some Saturday Night Fights of the past, it was usually too late to party and then it was Sunday. Ah, my wife and I plus other friends, and many times a few fighters, would trek over and have a blast all afternoon. What with the Cartel drug wars, the Mexican Country impotence in all things criminal, and the country basically spinning out of control, it doesn't appear that we will erver have those wonderul Sunday's again. Talk about change!!!! Then there is the nasty business of so many women raped and murdered in Juarez and near nil done about those crimes. My wife did some art about the plight of those women a few years back. Go to lbmckay.com for some of her work on the mass murders of women in Juarez. What a disgusting shame. I am sure that half the city is vacant and people in complete fear because of the lack of protection and the loss of so many businesses and customers. I even read that the Mexican government doesn't even post a name list of the women murdered since 2008 or therabouts. So many were young teens who came rom the interior to the Maquiladora's for work when NAFTA kicked in. If you are interested in the plight of the women in Juarez, please look at what Yoko Ono and many other artists are doing to bring the message to the world at Drexel Univeristy in Pennsylvania. Their aim is to encourage others to action and open their eyes and their minds abd their hearts to this poignant situation in Juarez. The Co-curator of the event is Abbie Dean. Now why such a post other than the wonderful visits of the past. We'll, many of the local trianers, including Rocky Galarza and myself, took boxers and kickboxers to Juarez for some exellent sparring with Mexican fighters. That preparation was not only good for our fighters but for the Mexican fighters as well. We always had a camaraderie with the trainers and fighters from Mexico and that too is now 'Gone With The Mexican Government's Impotency.' Darn, speaking of Change, just what kind of a country is Mexico to become??? For now, have a happy

Fri 28 May 2010 06:59:04

Name :	Tom
Email :	Soon>
Message	Hi folks, I was down with some old folks pains but finally found a remedy. Cliff and I will post a schedule of events ...real soon. have a happy

Wed 12 May 2010 06:08:43

Name :	Tom
Email :	Post
Message	People, It is okay to post here, no problem. The guestbook is cumbersome. have a happy

Mon 10 May 2010 09:35:57

Name :	Tom
Email :	Bark & Bite
Message	I am trying to get a licnse plate number correct of a man who owned a dog that attacked me last week in a community park here in El Paso. I was so furious after the attack that I wrote his number down incorret. Here's hoping as I have jaw damage and a fractured elbow. have a happy Coach Tom

Mon 03 May 2010 08:01:48

Name :	Tom
Email :	Kentucky Derby
Message	Calvin Borel did it again. amazing, 3 out of the pst 4 years. Other Jocks need to learn how he masters Churchill Downs, especially in Big Races. have a happy

Sun 18 Apr 2010 12:40:18

Name :	Tom
Email :	Books
Message	A few books remain. Cliff and I will soon have another book signing. Look for us in your area. have a happy

Wed 14 Apr 2010 04:50:59

Name :	Tom '52
Email :	1st Ever El Paso Regional Lifetime Achievement Award
Message	El Paso Regional Golden Gloves Tournament Feb 19-21, 2010 "First Ever Lifetime Achievement Award" Thomas Winfield McKay B.A. UTEP 1971, M.A. UTEP 1975 Thomas McKay was born in Balmorhea, Texas on October 2nd, 1934 to Raymond and Ermine McKay. The Great Depression was underway and extremely difficult for his Mother and four other siblings. Hardship caused her to move to El Paso with her children where she found work with the Stewart Brother’s Dentists in the Caples Building by day and Sears and Roebuck by night. Her paychecks were too little to support the family and Tom and two other siblings spent a couple of WW2 years at St. Margaret’s Orphanage Home. After a few more moves and schooling at Burleson, Alta Vista and Austin High School, the family moved to Sunset Heights where Tom was fortunate to come under some boxing training from Santos Quijano. Tom attended El Paso High School and worked evenings at the ‘Pic ‘N’ Shovel’ restaurant in 1949 but occasionally found time to receive instructions from the late great Santos Quijano. Tom’s Mother married a WW2 veteran, Steve Hourigan, and the family relocated to Pampa, Texas. Tom worked for boxing trainer Ollie Wilhelm at the local theaters in Pampa and only found time to do some bag work at the boxing gym. Tom’s brother, Buddy, a jockey, farriar and horse trainer, was moving his tack to California and Tijuana, Mexico and took Tom with him in early 1951. Once there and living in San Ysidro, California Tom groomed horses in Tijuana, Mexico. On Saturday morning, he was allowed a few hours to workout at Archie Moore’s Gym in San Diego, California. Tom also attended Mar Vista High School and graduated in 1952. Tom moved back to El Paso in the summer of 1952 and accomplished two goals: first, he joined the 19th rifle Company of The United States Marine Corps and second, a former boxer, Al Porteus, began training him. Tom also worked at Southwestern Bell Telephone Company and though he liked his job, felt it was only patriotic to go on active duty. And off to MCRD in San Diego he went and then it was combat training at Camp Pendleton, telephone and electronics school in San Diego and then cold weather training at Pickel Meadows in the High Sierras. Next he was off to Gifu, Japan, then to Korea to pick up some communications equipment from the Korean War and next to Camp McGill in Yokosuka, Japan. The only boxing available was to mess around with a few buddies. In 1956 Tom was honorably discharged, returned to El Paso and worked for Borden’s Milk Company. He married but a death in the family resulted in a move to Odessa, Texas for a couple of years. He returned to El Paso in 1959 and shortly thereafter joined the El Paso Police Department. In 1965 he was a member of the Police Department Union and an executive on the Board of Directors. He took a fond liking to Joe Bowling and Marty Martinez of the board who were seeking to obtain the Regional Golden Gloves Franchise from Fort Worth. The board agreed and a renewal of the Golden Gloves took place at The El Paso Coliseum in 1966. Tom served as Ring Clerk that year, a year the talented boxer, Mike Andrade, won state over Raymond Chairez, a state and national champion. Of special note was the cooperation of Sheriff Mike Sullivan and Jake Martinez in the organization being granted a single year franchise to establish an elimination tournament for the AAU Nationals for the finals in the first ever event at the San Diego Sports Arena. With attorney Pat Dwyer doing the legal paperwork, SWIABA was born (Southwestern International Amateur Boxing Association). The tournament quickly came to fruition and boxers from Southwest Texas and all of New Mexico competed for the opportunity to go to Nationals. The excellent fight card was held at The El Paso Coliseum and enough money was raised to take the team to San Diego for the AAU Finals. Sammy Burke and Tom McKay were assigned as team coaches. There, Earl Large beat Bobby Green for the 119 lb. championship and Mike Ortiz was a medalist. The team finished 5th out of over 50 teams. In 1967 Tom served as Assistant Golden Gloves Director. It was another banner year with state success but more importantly for Tom as the great trainer, Mauricio ‘Chito’ Barragan, took a liking to him teaching him some of his boxing wit. Rocky Galarza also joined the team. Tom was also reunited with Santos Quijano who in turn introduced him to Alkie Nicholson. Alkie trained the super professional, Manny Ortega, and taught Tom his unique method of delivering uppercuts. That tip came in handy especially with Tom’s sons, Mike and Les, and later with David Rodriguez, Mike Uzeta, his boxers at Ft. Bliss and world kickboxing champion, Cliff ‘Magic’ Thomas. Continued.....see below

Wed 14 Apr 2010 04:44:17

Name :	Tom/ Continued
Email :	Lifetime Achievement Award 2010
Message	While a policeman Tom started college in 1968 at UTEP and graduated in 1971 as a ‘Top Ten Senior’. He was elected as a member of Alpha Chi the highest honor society at UTEP. Meanwhile, both Mike and Les McKay were tutoring under Chito until that dreadful day that Chito passed away. Rocky and Tom moved to the Carolina Gym and set up as Rocky’s Carolina. Les, Memo Vela, and Sergio Vela were Tom’s mainstays at Carolina and they set a blazing path of wins throughout Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. Tom also coached them in football and baseball and Tom answered the call from Assumption School to coach all of their athletic events. Cliff Thomas, a karate student of Robert ‘Gabe’ Nava came on board and though his heart was set on kickboxing both Rocky and I knew after a few boxing sessions that Cliff was destined to be a world champion and we hoped he would stay with boxing. It wasn’t to be, Cliff had overcome heart surgery and potential death by age fourteen and karate lessons had been a big part of his recovery and his intended destiny. It was a pleasure just to keep him in our gym and teach him the boxing tools necessary for a kickboxing career Cliff had set his sites on one hundred percent. Cliff would astonish the kickboxing world by winning seven world championships in five different weight divisions. His managers were Hilary and Tony Sandoval. Ishmael Robles, Rocky and Tom were in Cliff’s corner for El Paso’s first world championship in any sport in 1980 when he TKO’ d undefeated world champion Gordon Thomas as a 20-1 underdog. Cliff’s 7th world championship occurred after Rocky’s passing and Tom took over the boxing duties. Tom and Cliff then corroborated on the book, ‘Magic! Magic! Magic!,’ a story about Cliff’s astonishing kickboxing career. The 1970’s were fantastic years for Tom as a boxing coach. He persuaded four members of Austin High School’s football team to enter the Golden Gloves. Three won and Tom had his first ever Golden Gloves Heavyweight, David Ochoa. After two years of championships, David lost to Randall ‘Tex’ Cobb of Abilene in El Paso’s first ever full contact karate show. Both David and Randall signed professional boxing contracts and Randall stayed with Tom for nearly six months of training before being sent to Joe Frazier’s Gym in Philadelphia. Tom also obtained his Master’s Degree from UTEP in 1975. He even found time to coach the Eastwood Rams and Eastwood Raiders for years. In 1992, El Paso’s greatest amateur champion of all-time, Pedro Melendez, challenged Tom to establish a Hall of Fame. It took a year of politicking and mind swaying to accomplish the never before done task but it all came to a head in 1993 with some serious backing from Victor Villarreal, banker Ted Houghton, retired Colonel Mack Boone, Santos Quijano, and the ever affable entrepreneur Mike Andrade. With some dollars in the bank and a learned group making up the board of directors, The El Paso Boxing/Martial Arts Hall of Fame, aka The El Paso Martial Arts Hall of Fame and including if necessary, The El Paso Boxing Hall of Fame was formed, a Constitution written by Tom McKay and Mike Andrade’s accountant and rules and regulations written by the same men to obtain charitable status as a 501 C3 organization. All was good and Tom was elected the first president of the organization. The first banquet and honored fighters was held in September of 1993 and has continued to this day. All proceeds went to charity especially to The ‘Candlelighters’ and their children with cancer. Tom served at the hall’s first president for four years and was himself inducted into the hall in 1998. Tom was also somewhat indignant at the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame because they had snubbed too many great boxers from being inducted over the years. He made it a personal goal to rectify the situation and made a solid presentation in 1993 for three-time Texas State Boxing Champion and All Marine Corps Champion Jake Martinez and thankfully he was successful. However, it took two tries and some political swat by others in 1999 to gain entry into the hall for Cliff ‘Magic’ Thomas who was a ‘shoo’ in for the Boxing/Martial arts hall in 1994.

Wed 14 Apr 2010 04:38:58

Name :	Tom
Email :	Continued Lifetime Achievement Award
Message	In the 1980’s Vic Villarrreal selected Tom as Ft. Bliss Falcon’s boxing coach. In that capacity, Tom’s teams took titles in New Mexico, Arizona and the El Paso Regional Golden Gloves. A welcome call from the El Paso fire Chief also excited Tom. He was asked to coach the fire department team against the police team. And he did. January 31st, 1985 The El Paso Police Department and The El Paso Fire Department renewed their annual boxing rivalry. Rocky Galarza coached the policemen and Tom coached the firemen with his son Mike prepared for the Main Event. The police management team pulled a fast one on Tom as they brought in a Juarez, Chihuahua Mexico police boxer to fight Mike McKay in the main event. Mike didn’t want a walkover and dispatched the experienced boxer by KO in the 2nd round. The less experienced fire department won all but one match and won the championship trophy and presented it to the fire chief. Cliff’s manager, Hilary Sandoval, had often let Rocky, Joe Soto, Rick Reyna and other Cliff kickboxing trainers drive Cliff to Ft. Bliss to spar with Tom’s boxers before a championship bout. Cliff has given due credit to Rocky and Tom’s boxers who sparred hundreds of round with him to maintain his world championship status for two decades. A few notable local sparring partners were Sal Caballero, Ricky Leon, Mike McKay, David Ochoa, Tony Bristow, Mike Uzeta, Dwayne Reid, Herman Delgado, Jerry LaFarelle, Randall ‘Tex’Cobb, David Rodriguez, Larry Jones, Joe Sullivan, Tony Perea, Louie Burke, Bobby Kiner, Fernie Morales and Herman Delgado. Alarmingly, in 1985, a new General at Ft. Bliss decided to do away with boxing as he liked to recruit new soldiers by having big muscled weightlifter types as role models for recruiting prospects. Tom had seen the move coming and re-opened his Eastside Boxing Gym in East El Paso. Later he moved the gym to Airways Boulevard and a few of his Ft. Bliss fighters, some now honorably discharged joined my club. They were Bobby Kiner, Larry Jones and Tony Bristow along with Marco Martinez from San Antonio, Texas. So did Dwayne Reid but he was a dependent and not in the U.S. Army. Another prospect that started his career there was seven year old David Rodriguez. The times were good and successes followed. More importantly, Rocky Galarza was too busy with his business and needed help at his gym. Tom got the call and worked both gyms as much as possible and was pleased to work again with Ernie Lazcano and Cliff Thomas and Rocky’s assistant coach, R. Cobos. Rocky and Tom would team up for five Regional Golden Gloves titles and when Rocky ran afoul of the rules once, the team was renamed ‘Eastside-Rocky’s’ in order to keep the team lawfully okay for amateur competition. Together Rocky and Tom shared Coach of the year honors four times and Tom won two outright titles under his banner. Rocky and Tom were also taken off the Cliff Thomas team two different times and then brought back when Cliff lost to re-establish the Magic. And the Magic lit up the kickboxing world again and again.

Wed 14 Apr 2010 04:33:05

Name :	Tom
Email :	Lifetime Achievement Award
Message	Continued: Cliff’s 7th world championship occurred after Rocky’s passing and Tom took over the boxing duties. Tom and Cliff then corroborated on the book, ‘Magic! Magic! Magic!,’ a story about Cliff’s astonishing kickboxing career. The 1970’s were fantastic years for Tom as a boxing coach. He persuaded four members of Austin High School’s football team to enter the Golden Gloves. Three won and Tom had his first ever Golden Gloves Heavyweight, David Ochoa. After two years of championships, David lost to Randall ‘Tex’ Cobb of Abilene in El Paso’s first ever full contact karate show. Both David and Randall signed professional boxing contracts and Randall stayed with Tom for nearly six months of training before being sent to Joe Frazier’s Gym in Philadelphia. Tom also obtained his Master’s Degree from UTEP in 1975. He even found time to coach the Eastwood Rams and Eastwood Raiders for years. In the 1980’s Vic Villarreal selected Tom as Ft. Bliss Falcon’s boxing coach. In that capacity, Tom’s teams took titles in New Mexico, Arizona and the El Paso Regional Golden Gloves. A welcome call from the El Paso fire Chief also excited Tom. He was asked to coach the fire department team against the police team. And he did. On January 31st, 1985, The El Paso Police Department and The El Paso Fire Department renewed their annual boxing rivalry. Rocky Galarza coached the policemen and Tom coached the firemen with his son Mike prepared for the Main Event. The police management team pulled a fast one on Tom as they brought in a Juarez, Chihuahua Mexico police boxer to fight Mike McKay in the main event. Mike didn’t want a walkover and dispatched the experienced boxer by KO in the 2nd round. The less experienced fire department won all but one match and won the championship trophy and presented it to the fire chief. Cliff’s manager, Hilary Sandoval, had often let Rocky, Joe Soto, Rick Reyna and other Cliff kickboxing trainers drive Cliff to Ft. Bliss to spar with Tom’s boxers before a championship bout. Cliff has given due credit to Rocky and Tom’s boxers who sparred hundreds of round with him to maintain his world championship status for two decades. A few notable local sparring partners were Sal Caballero, Ricky Leon, Mike McKay, David Ochoa, Tony Bristow, Mike Uzeta, Dwayne Reid, Herman Delgado, Jerry LaFarelle, Randall ‘Tex’Cobb, David Rodriguez, Larry Jones, Joe Sullivan, Tony Perea, Louie Burke, Bobby Kiner, Fernie Morales and Herman Delgado. Alarmingly, in 1985, a new General at Ft. Bliss decided to do away with boxing as he liked to recruit new soldiers by having big muscled weightlifter types as role models for recruiting prospects. Tom had seen the move coming and re-opened his Eastside Boxing Gym in East El Paso. Later he moved the gym to Airways Boulevard and a few of his Ft. Bliss fighters, some now honorably discharged joined my club. They were Bobby Kiner, Larry Jones and Tony Bristow along with Marco Martinez from San Antonio, Texas. So did Dwayne Reid but he was a dependent and not in the U.S. Army. Another prospect that started his career there was seven year old David Rodriguez. The times were good and successes followed. More importantly, Rocky Galarza was too busy with his business and needed help at his gym. Tom got the call and worked both gyms as much as possible and was pleased to work again with Ernie Lazcano and Cliff Thomas and Rocky’s assistant coach, R. Cobos. Rocky and Tom would team up for five Regional Golden Gloves titles and when Rocky ran afoul of the rules once, the team was renamed ‘Eastside-Rocky’s’ in order to keep the team lawfully okay for amateur competition. Together Rocky and Tom shared Coach of the year honors four times and Tom won two outright titles under his banner. Rocky and Tom were also taken off the Cliff Thomas team two different times and then brought back when Cliff lost to re-establish the Magic. And the Magic lit up the kickboxing world again and again. In 1992, El Paso’s greatest amateur champion of all-time, Pedro Melendez, challenged Tom to establish a Hall of Fame. It took a year of politicking and mind swaying to accomplish the never before done task but it all came to a head in 1993 with some serious backing from Victor Villarreal, banker Ted Houghton, retired Colonel Mack Boone, Santos Quijano, and the ever affable entrepreneur Mike Andrade. With some dollars in the bank and a learned group making up the board of directors, The El Paso Boxing/Martial Arts Hall of Fame, aka The El Paso Martial Arts Hall of Fame and including if necessary, The El Paso Boxing Hall of Fame was formed, a Constitution written by Tom McKay and Mike Andrade’s accountant and rules and regulations written by the same men to obtain charitable status as a 501 C3 organization. All was good and Tom was elected the first president of the organization. The first banquet and honored fighters was held in September of 1993 and has continued to this day. All proceeds went to charity especially to The ‘Candlelighters’ and their children with cancer. Tom served at the hall’s first president for four years and was himself inducted into the hall in 1998. Tom was also somewhat indignant at the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame because they had snubbed too many great boxers from being inducted over the years. He made it a personal goal to rectify the situation and made a solid presentation in 1993 for three-time Texas State Boxing Champion and All Marine Corps Champion Jake Martinez and thankfully he was successful. However, it took two tries and some political swat by others in 1999 to gain entry into the hall for Cliff ‘Magic’ Thomas who was a ‘shoo’ in for the Boxing/Martial arts hall in 1994.

Wed 14 Apr 2010 04:29:15

Name :	Tom's LifeTime Award
Email :	Continued
Message	In the 1980’s and 90’s Tom would continue to work with Rocky and Cliff when possible. He also spent tiring extra hours in developing David Tony Rodriguez, the son of Tom’s longtime friend, David Rodriguez Sr. On one particular occasion a really strange and rare award came Tom’s way one day when he was sparring with some of his boxers at his eastside gym. Kevin Lovell of Channel 7 TV was in charge of selecting an El Paso ‘Athlete of the Week’ and featuring them a short news shot and a brilliant medal. He dropped by the gym with his television crew to give that honor to Marco Martinez. However, Tom, over age fifty then, was sparring with Hector Garcia and young Ricky Martinez and Kevin decided to take a seat and watch the action. After the sparring session, he gave Marco an award and left but only for an hour or so returning with another Athlete of The Week Award for Tom. That was special to say the least.

Wed 14 Apr 2010 04:22:42

Name :	Tom
Email :	Contiued From Award
Message	In 1996, Tom was working some tough man fights when Raymond Telles Principal Efren Yturralde offered him a deal he couldn’t refuse. He wanted to establish boxing classes at the academy and offered Tom enough monetary incentives to whisk him away from his twenty-four year tenured science position at Austin High School. Tom had to consider his older age and another problem, his potentially lethal prostate cancer. Tom informed Mr. Yturrallde of the problems but was still given the green light to proceed. From 1996 to 2000, Tom taught science and trained over a hundred students a day in boxing classes at the academy. A few kids even entered the Golden Gloves with Tony Perea as coach. Donald Camarena was one of those students and he would go on to be a professional state champion in Colorado and has earned world ratings. In 1998 Tom was named ‘Teacher of The Year’ at the academy. His cancer was also worsening. Still, in a stunning move in 1998, Mr. Yturrallde told Tom he wanted him to create a two-day Christmas Show with boxing techniques and skills displayed. Tom recruited Tony Perea’s help and the show was a huge success with a full house of parents, students, and dignitaries attending both sessions. Mr. Yturrallde even had a video made of the Raymond Telles curriculum successes with Tom’s classes a big part of the film. The video won high praise in Austin, Texas and thundering accolades from out of state visitors to the schools program. In the year 2000 and near age sixty-six Tom’s cancer escalated and he decided to retire from the Academy and The El Paso Independent School District. Some 400 plus young men and women took boxing classes from Tom at the academy. The year 2001 found Tom fighting aggressive cancer but loving his sport so much that he accepted Powerhouse Gym’s owner Joe Bencomo’s offer as Boxing Director of his gyms on the west and east side of El Paso. It was a rewarding experience for two years and Tom was positive that his physical fitness aided his successful battle against aggressive cancer. 2004-2008 was a fabulous time for Tom. The great late Jiu Jitsu fighter and trainer, James Butler, in partnership with two – time Pan American Games winner, Benny Benavides, hired him as boxing/striking coach for their El Paso Jiu Jitsu gym on James Watt Street in east El Paso. Tom worked with over twenty participants two days a week until his jaw fractured from ONJ Disease in November of 2008. Tom still does an occasional class as well as coach boxing at his home gym. When a youngster develops good basics and desires competition, Tom will send him to a local trainer. 2008-2009 was a writing time for Tom again. He was hired by former El Pasoan’s, David Arredondo and Steven Arredondo to write about El Paso athletes and other sports stories for his Los Angeles website <convictedartist.com.> Tom has published stories about Cliff Thomas, Randall Cobb, Jake Martinez, David Ochoa, and the fighting Han Family of northeast El Paso and the first human windmill of boxing, Harry Greb. 2009 has come and gone and Tom still trained some ten youngsters and adults at his home during the year. He now looks forward to 2010 and renewed vigor in his quest to continue training men and women and children in the magnificent art of boxing. As for Tom, boxing has been a labor of love. His continuation in the sport and surviving cancer is very much dependent on the care he receives from his professional artist wife, L.B. McKay, surely Tom’s ‘Earth Angel’. Have a Happy, Website shared with Cliff Thomas is <magicthomas.com.>

Sat 10 Apr 2010 02:40:43

Name :	Tom
Email :	Zenyatta Again
Message	Zenyatta won the 500 Grand in Arkansas yesterday in her usual fashion,coming from dead last. On the final turn she swept by the other horses under jockey Mike Smith and romped home clear by 4 & 1/2 lengths. Mike never used the whip as the amazing 6 year old mare made it 16 wins from 16 lifetime starts. Where was Rachel Alexander??? The voted horse of the year for 2009 didn't appear even with her owners knowing that an extra 5 million was to be added to the race purse if they showed up. After all, Rachel can set the pace and force Zenyatta to run slower than necessary from behind. We'll, at least that would be the strategy. What is miraculous is Zenyatta's style of running from dead last. In just how many big races with top talent can a trainer and jock get away with that strategy? Citation won 16 in a row but never from dead last. Cigar could place himself nearly anywhere and run hard down the stretch to win 16 too. Goodness, I don't know how good Zenyatta really is; I know she beat the world's best in the Breeder's Cup last year but this dame is now six. The problem now is her age and how sound she can stay. 16 seems to be the magic win number. Citation and Cigar ended their magnificent runs at 16 wins. Zenyatta may prove to be the best of the best. If she does win 17 or 18 I hope they reward her with retirement. If any horse has ever earned the right to a sweet and hearty retirement, it is Zenyatta. have a happy

Tue 06 Apr 2010 07:47:49

Name :	Tom
Email :	Jockey Garrett Gomez
Message	Hey, Maybe we should sign Garrett Gomez to a fight contract. He was on the big favorite, 'Looking At Lucky' in the Santa Anita Derby this past Saturday and while making a move through the one path (next to the rail), victor Espinosa, on a horse fading, cut over on him and his horse, knocked them into the rail and nearly down. Gomez was able to steady the horse but was by then last and the 1/4 pole was coming up. He got Lucky back in stride but way too late to win. Still, they obtained a remarkable 3rd place. After the race and at the Clerk Of Scales where their proper weight is double checked, Gomez went after Espinosa and landed a punch or two before they were separated. Go Go is his nickname and he did the 'Go Go' on Espinosa's nose. Trainer Bob Baffert of 'Lucky' was furious and thought Gomez had given his horse an horrendous ride. When the truth was learned, even Baffert, in the paddock for a latter race, yelled to Espinosa, 'Are You trying to kill my jockey?' Then Baffert's wife went berserk on Victor and it looks like Espinosa will probably never get another Baffert mount. The Stewards have suspended Espinosa for 3 days starting this Wednesday and fined Gomez $750 for the slugging. Boxing needs a guy like Gomez but then again so does horseracing and Gomez makes about 3 million bucks a year as a top flight jockey. have a happy

Sat 03 Apr 2010 01:34:09

Name :	Tom
Email :	Jones vs Hopkins
Message	What? Another graveyard bout? Neither of these guys have trained in their old age like the 'Magic Man' did. thumbs down on this fiasco. have a happy

Sun 28 Mar 2010 12:06:49

Name :	Tom
Email :	Kentucky Blues
Message	Wow, The Ky. Derby is the 1st Saturday in May. I can hardly wait. This year there is no clear standout and perhaps like last year when 50-1 shot 'Mine That Bird' exploded down the stretch rail to zip by the contenders and win, we might have a near repeat. Anyway, it makes me older but I just love the Derby. have a happy

Fri 26 Mar 2010 08:05:42

Name :	Tom
Email :	convictedartist.com
Message	Steven Arredondo of 'Convictedartist.com' was in town with a Russian MMA fighter. Benny Benavides, Jiu Jitsu expert, worked many days with him and I got in a few workouts with the lad. Steven is back in Los Angeles and will soon have many of his El Paso experiences on his website under 'latest features.' Maybe you should check out the great website. have a happy

Wed 10 Mar 2010 12:37:04

Name :	Chris
Email :	Indeed
Message	Chris, That is just wonderful. And Cliff can still tune in on his game at over 50. A manager from California brought a Russian MMA fighter with an early record of 6-0 to this city today. I worked him on some boxing techniques and Benny Benavides (Benny The Best Anywhere) rolled with him in Jiu Jitsu. The kid has some heart and some potential but needs refining of boxing techniques, lots of sparring against quality boxers and a tremendous amount of learning in Jiu Jitsu. Benny demonstrated early and often to the young Russian that he needs a year of better of intensive training in that discipline in orer to comptete with the upper echlon of MMA fighters. I think he was immensely humbled after an hour on the mat with Benny. It was an eye-opener for the youngster. Damn, Benny is so great at his game. The kid didn't once gain an advantage in over an hour. I suppose those Jiu Jitsu trainers in California need to visit Benny for some fine tuning or invite him for a seminar. This kid wouldn't even make an Orange belt with what he has learned so far. If he was purple belt quality then he could accelerate his learning. Hey, that is a good year or more away. So, we will do what we can and see what sticks. Have a happy

Sat 06 Mar 2010 09:36:59

Name :	Christopher Smith
Email :	hallel.smith@yahoo.com
Message	I am so honored to have had Sifu Thomas to spar on my black belt test in December, 2009. I'm just thankful he didn't knock me out (lol). He EASILY could have.

Thu 25 Feb 2010 10:54:41

Name :	Tom
Email :	Lifetime Achievement Award
Message	I am a pretty happy camper right now. This past Sunday, February 21st., I was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Golden Gloves of El Paso, Texas. Have a happy

Wed 10 Feb 2010 10:21:40

Name :	Tom
Email :	Slant to horseracing
Message	I am a horseracing fan and enjoyed Mine That Bird winning the Ky. Derby last year at 50-1. Then Summer Bird won the Belmont stakes. Summer Bird won an Eclipse award for 3 yr old colts just a couple of weeks ago. Hello, just yesterday, Summer Bird trainer Tim Ice was fired. Ice being fired sucks. How do owners and very rich retired doctors KK and Viasini Jayaraman justify such nasty action? It is their repugnant history in racing. Just how do KK and Vilasini spell success…duh, going through 82 trainers? An average of four a year? If they so love their horses as children (so they say), then tell me, how many have they retired to their farm versus how many they might have euthanized?? Hey, any of them to the slaughter house? At least I know that in order to own half a hundred race horses a couple can do it as a cardiologist and patholopgist if they manage their pennies and nickels. Sure nuff!!! To the tune of tens of millions of dollars I bet. Oh please notice Obama, you have it first hand right here, one good reason health costs are so high. Though retired and because of the physicians secrecy , I and (we) will never know how many patients of these Javaraman’s may have died during or after surgery and their families stiffed for the major expense. Perhaps 82! I hope I am spoofing. I have always enjoyed horseracing but it is quite evident that elite tyrants rule the Sport of Kings. Oh that’s it, how stupid of me, horseracing is mainly for Kings, we peons just pay the piper. Whew!!! I hope we ger another ‘Mine That Bird’ to win the Ky. Derby this May of 2010. At 50-1 I can get a tank full of gas.

Wed 10 Feb 2010 10:18:36

Name :	Tom
Email :	Slant to horseracing
Message	I am a horseracing fan and enjoyed Mine That bird winning the Ky. Derby last year. Then Summer bird won the Belmont stakes. Summer Bird won an Eclipse award for 3 yr old colt just a couple of weeks ago. Hello, just yesterday,trainer Tim was fired. Ice being fired sucks. How do owners and very rich retired doctors KK and Viasini Jayaraman justify such nasty action? It is their repugnant history in racing. Just how do KK and Vilasini spell success…duh, going through 82 trainers? An average of four a year? If they so love their horses as children tell me, how many have they retired to their farm versus how many they might have euthanized?? Hey, any of them to the slaughter house? At least I know that in order to own half a hundred race horses a couple can do it as a cardiologist and patholopgist if they manage their pennies and nickels. Sure nuff!!! To the tune of tens of millions of dollars I bet. Oh please notice Obama, you have it first hand right here, one good reason health costs are so high. Though retired and because of the physicians secrecy , I and (we) will never know how many patients of these Javaraman’s may have died during or after surgery and their families stiffed for the major expense. Perhaps 82! I have always enjoyed horseracing but it is quite evident that elite tyrants rule the Sport of Kings. Oh that’s it, how stupid of me, horseracing is mainly for Kings, we peons just pay the piper. Whew!!! I hope we ger another ‘Mine That Bird’ to win the Ky. Derby this May of 2010. At 50-1 I can get a tank full of gas.

Thu 04 Feb 2010 09:53:37

Name :	Tom
Email :	GG
Message	El Paso golden Gloves is set for Feb 19, 20 and 21. Come on down to the El Paso Community College Campus Val Verde. Have a Happy

Wed 27 Jan 2010 08:36:40

Name :	Tom
Email :	KHRO 1150 On Your Dial
Message	Lety (l.b. mckay) and Tom McKay will be guests this Saturday, January 30th, 2010,2:00 P.M. on Raul Amaya's radio talk show, 'Everybody Is A Philosopher.' The station is in El Paso, Texas. Catch us while you can. Kickboxing, boxing, nostalgia, the upcoming Golden Gloves, and naturally, some talk about fantastic art (Hers)by L.B. McKay. Join Us, you know I am a controversial SOB sometimes. Yeah, Have a Happy Tom

Mon 18 Jan 2010 12:07:41

Name :	Tom
Email :	NO versus Indy
Message	Boxing and kickboxing aside, who is your favorite now for the Super Bowl? HAve A Happy

Thu 24 Dec 2009 06:02:50

Name :	Tom & Cliff
Email :	Be Healthy
Message	From Cliff and I, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all. Have a Happy

Sat 19 Dec 2009 05:45:14

Name :	Tom
Email :	Home For The Holidays
Message	Lety and I just returned from California and my cancer tests and evaluations. Hey, after 13 1/2 years with aggressive cancer, I am doing pretty well. Oh, the rotten states,New Mexico, Arizona, and California, have closed nearly all of their rest areas. Yeah, we'll we need them, especially sick people as well as travelers and tourists. What in the name of blazes are the stinking politicians doing? Arnold can go suck some Pig's feet if you get my meaning. Disneyland, Legoland, and all the wonderful tourist sites in California may soon witness a drop in attendance due to the reckless behavior by their elected or appointed officials.Just what are they using for brains? Isn't the Rose Bowl and the National Football championship in Pasadena just a few weeks away? Stupid!!!!!! Your arrogance is beneath any color of bad I can muster up. I am sick from holding my bowel across the desert and I am sick of these three states cutting cheap labor instead of the FAT. Why they are even cutting Firemen, Policemen and Bus Drivers up and down the California Coast. Hey Gov's, I don't know about other people but I sure as hell know that your insidious acts may cost you more $$$$$$$$$$$$$ then you ever imagined. You stiff shirts need to get out of your glass castles and work with the people, not against them. If you really want to balance the budget, start with enforcing immigration laws and along the way, weed out Welfare cheats. California is the state of choice for many hundreds of thousands of Bums and Grabbies who don't care to earn a living or obtain a skill through schools of learning and trade schools. It is a haven for gangs and dastardly towards those of us who enter certain areas where drugs, violence, and other vicious crimes are routine 24/7. Get a grip and open up your rest areas. You are becoming a national disgrace. Gee, what does a maintenance man earn? Go figure you bureaucratic demons. Check out the waste of your give-away programs and schooling for illegals. Check out your housing authorities and wake up to reality. More than that, check your own wasteful salaries and benefits that in so many cases represent 'The Peter Principle.' Also, who checks on small 7-11 type stores? Those managers and owners are disgraceful to the tune of about 80%. Imagine, you purchase gas and other over-priced crap in those stores and then when you ask to use the restroom, they are always "Out of Order" That is so much B...s..t and you need to bring those managers and owners into compliance with the operations they are running. I know for a fact that my statement is true, my wife and I have traveled for 13 years to get cancer care in California. However, I won't be contributing to any of your major theme parks, museums, or major points of interest any more. Why? Because you Governor Snotz, your legislature, the blatant irresponsible leaders in Arizona and New Mexico, are inhumane, indecent, and outright outrageous in your evil decisions. So remember this and remember it right now, "You Are Out Of Order." Don't have a happy on me.

Sat 19 Dec 2009 05:38:47

Name :	Tom
Email :	Home For The Holidays
Message	Lety and I just returned from California and my cancer tests and evaluations. Hey, after 13 1/2 years with aggressive cancer, I am doing pretty well. Oh, the rotten states,New Mexico, Arizona, and California, have closed nearly all of their rest areas. Yeah, we'll we need them, especially sick people as well as travelers and tourists. What in the name of blazes are the stinking politicians doing? Arnold can go suck some Pig's feet if you get my meaning. Disneyland, Legoland, and all the wonderful tourist sites in California may soon witness a drop in attendance due to the reckless behavior by their elected or appointed officials.Just what are they using for brains? Isn't the Rose Bowl and the National Football championship in Pasdena just a few weeks away? Stupid!!!!!! Your arrogance is beneath any color of bad I can muster up. I am sick from holding my bowel across the desert and I am sick of these three states cutting cheap labor instead of the FAT. Why they are even cutting Firemen, Ploicemen and Bus Drivers up and down the California Coast. Hey Gov's, I don't know about other people but I sure as hell know that your insidious acts may cost you more $$$$$$$$$$$$$ then you ever imagined. You stiff shirts need to get out of your glass castles and work with the people, not against them. If you really want to balance the budget, start with enforcing immigration laws and along the way, weed out Welfare cheats. California is the state of choice for many hundreds of thousands of Bums and Grabbies who don't care to earn a living or obtain a skill through schools of learning and trade schools. It is a haven for gangs and dastardly towards those of us who enter certain areas where drugs, violence, and other vicious crimes are routine 24/7. Get a grip and open up your rest areas. You are becoming a national disgrace. Gee, what does a maintenance man earn? Go figure you bureaucratic demons. Check out the waste of your give-away programs and schooling for illegals. Check out your housing authorities and wake up to reality. More than that, check your own wasteful salaries and benefits that in so many cases represent 'The Peter Principle.' Also, who checks on small 7-11 type stores? Those managers and owners are disgraceful to the tune of about 80%. Imagine, you purchase gas and other over-priced crap in those stores and then when you ask to use the restroom, they are alwasy "Out of Order" That is so much B...s..t and you need to bring those managers and owners into compliance with the operations they are running. I know for a fact that my statement is true, my wife and I have traveled for 13 years to get cancer care in California. However, I won't be contributing to any of your major theme parks, museums, or major points of interest any more. Why? Because you Governor Snotz, your legislature, the blatant irresponsible leaders in Arizona and New Mexico, are inhumane, indecent, and outright outrageous in your evil decisions. So remember this and remember it right now, "You Are Out Of Order." Don't have a happy on me.

Mon 07 Dec 2009 09:56:22

Name :	Tom
Email :	Artslant.com
Message	L.B. McKay, my artist wife, was a showcase winner on the webs biggest contemporary art site. You can check out the November winners (Painting)at their website. She won with 'Kill 2', a rooster fight with historic implications and it is highly painterly. Have a Happy

Thu 26 Nov 2009 09:29:58

Name :	Tom
Email :	T-Day
Message	We had a great turkey day but no one brough cornbread. Wah! Have A Happy

Wed 25 Nov 2009 01:04:16

Name :	Tom
Email :	Holiday
Message	Okay, I don't like turkey but I love cornbread and the dressing. Have A Happy

Tue 17 Nov 2009 12:18:20

Name :	Tom
Email :	Concert with AC/DC
Message	This past Sunday evening was exhilirating as my wife and I caught the greatest show on earth, AC/DC. Just smashing and it was TNT. Have A Happy

Tue 17 Nov 2009 12:18:04

Name :	Tom
Email :	Concer with AC/DC
Message	This past Sunday evening was exhilirating as my wife and I caught the greatest show on earth, AC/DC. Just smashing and it was TNT. Have A Happy

Sat 14 Nov 2009 11:43:08

Name :	Tom
Email :	To Brother Hank
Message	Thanks Hank, indeed it is Sitemeter. And you too. Have A Happy

Fri 13 Nov 2009 01:36:36

Name :	Brother Henry
Email :	Brother Tom
Message	Comcast just provides a connection to the internet. Hostgator is the one that is providing you with a home/space/website on the internet. And Sitemeter is the one that is keeping tract of your "hits".

Fri 13 Nov 2009 01:31:13

Name :	Brother Henry
Email :	Brother Tom
Message	Actually it's "Sitemeter.com" that is keeping tract of your "hits". Comcast has nothing to do with that. Congrats on your 10,000 "looky loos".

Wed 21 Oct 2009 10:17:04

Name :	Tom
Email :	Thanks Comcast
Message	10,000 hits total now. Yeah! Have A Happy

Tue 20 Oct 2009 05:50:00

Name :	Tom
Email :	Ten Grand
Message	The counter will register 10000 hits likely by tomorrow. It was up the first two years but we had a crash and started over. Not bad for this little website. Have A Happy

Fri 09 Oct 2009 01:56:30

Name :	Tom '52
Email :	Be Tough Captain
Message	Captain Foster, I may be old and full of ailments but I have nothing bad compared to the job you are doing to serve our country.Come home soon and we will blast the speed bag, hammer the heavy bag, and go to the finest winery in town and make a toast just to you. Have A Happy, Tom

Wed 30 Sep 2009 11:08:46

Name :	Tom '52
Email :	Old Viejo (Gringo)
Message	Gosh, My 75th birthday is this Friday, October 2nd, 2009. I hope I have a Happy

Sun 27 Sep 2009 09:38:49

Name :	Tom
Email :	Stranger Than fiction
Message	Hot dammit, It finally happened, Detroit won a football game and Cincinatti beat Pittsburgh. Have A Happy

Mon 21 Sep 2009 06:37:53

Name :	Jessica S.
Email :	Pittsburgh is America's Team
Message	T.O. You need to know, Dallas isn't America's team, it is Romo's Team Temper and Romo's Team Tantrum's and Romo's wish upon a star night life. Kootchie Coo

Mon 21 Sep 2009 06:33:27

Name :	Football Season
Email :	Dallas Coctails
Message	From T.O. in Buffalo, Email : to Norv Turner, San Diego Charger's Message: I love the good weather in San Diego. Now that we are shaking and baking in Buffalo, would you give me a shot next year if you haven't been run out of town? Please, don't consider Romo if he gets booted out of Dallas...and he just might be on the chopping block right about now. You see, it was, it really, it really really was Romo that was the problem with the Cowboy's...and a little Jessica simpson. Are you a believer yet? If you and Wade swap notes, keep this in mind: Maybe Romo needs some Arena FB experience; maybe Canadian League seasoning; but if you guys want to trade Rivers for Romo, I'll be a happy camper (see why later) and Jerry has no problem with money, only with stupid losses. You are a short-timer Wade. Did I hear you say, "Time Out?" Oh, there is some good deep sea fishing down in Mexico. If Turner,Phillips, Romo and the owners get together during hurricane season there and get say, swept out to sea, Rivers will be some hot property and would be the perfect gunslinger for a new Cowboy owner. Then I can return to the Cowboy's and we will ride roughshod over the giants and rope in those mighty Steeler's for the Super Bowl title.If your team needs a win, I can help. Yippee!!!

Fri 07 Aug 2009 05:10:05

Name :	Website
Email :	L.B. McKay the Artist
Message	My wife is the award winning artist, L.B. McKay. Check out her website at lbmckay.com. Or simply google <l.b. mckay artist> or lety mckay el paso artist. Have A Happy

Mon 03 Aug 2009 08:00:11

Name :	Tom
Email :	George Foreman III
Message	David Arredondo of Convicted Artist Magazine captured some excellent photo's of the WARZONE fight card last Friday in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Check them out under 'latest features.' Good stuff. go to <convictedartist.com> and click on 'Latest Features.' He got George Foreman III in action. Have A Happy

Mon 03 Aug 2009 07:59:33

Name :	Tom
Email :	Photos from Warzone George goreman III
Message	David Arredondo of Convicted Artist Magazine captured some excellent photo's of the WARZONE fight card last Friday in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Check them out under 'latest features.' Good stuff. go to <convictedartist.com> and click on 'Latest Features.' He got George Foreman III in action. Have A Happy

Sat 01 Aug 2009 05:35:46

Name :	Tom
Email :	Las Cruces, NM
Message	I traveled to Las Cruces, New Mexico with David Arredondo of convictedatist.com of Los Angeles for the WARZONE fight card. We posted the story under latest features and boxing's latest. We had a good time but the card was weak wuth George Foreman III (Think Name Draw) was the main event in only his second fight. The best fight was the debut of Jeenifer Han versus Melissa St. Vil. Han soon discovered that the pro game is much different than the amateurs and though she seemed to be slightly winning the fight, the more pro experienced Melissa was the aggressor and deserved the majority decision. Han has to take this step up much more seriously if she plans to continue a career in the sport. George fought a weak opponent and evidently, Big George has a long training job ahead to make George III a fighter. Have A Happy

Sat 01 Aug 2009 05:34:51

Name :	Tom
Email :	Las Cruces, NM
Message	I traveled to Las Cruces, New Mexico with David Arredondo of convictedatist.com of Los Angeles for the WARZONE fight card. We posted the story under latest features and boxing's latest. We had a good time but the card was weak wuth George Foreman III (Think Name Draw) was the main event in only his second fight. The best fight was the debut of Jeenife Han versus Melissa St. Vil. Han soon discovered that the pro game is much different than the amateurs and though she seemed to be slightly wiining the fight, the more pro experienced Melissa was the aggressor and deserved the majority decision. Han has to take this step up much more seriously if she plans to continue a career in the sport. George fought a weak opponent and evidently, Big George has a long training job ahead to make George III a fighter. Have A Happy

Wed 29 Jul 2009 12:41:07

Name :	Tom
Email :	Update
Message	Cliff is going to again be featured in an event in Dallas/Ft. Worth. I will fill you in on the details as soon as they are available. Be sure and check out my wife's artist website that is up but still under work. It is <lbmckay.com> Have A Happy Tom

Sun 26 Jul 2009 04:38:31

Name :	Tom
Email :	October
Message	The big martial arts show by convictedartist. com and convicted artist magazine with Kathy Long and a host of other martial arts stars is coming slowly to fruition, most likely in October in El Paso, Texas. I will keep you updated. Have A Happy

Fri 17 Jul 2009 10:37:58

Name :	Tom
Email :	Yummy
Message	Kathy Long coming to El Paso in October. Wow! Perhaps. Have A Happy

Sun 12 Jul 2009 06:25:57

Name :	Tom
Email :	To dustin W.
Message	Dustin, You can type on this page real easy. So go for it. Have A Happy, Tom

Tue 07 Jul 2009 08:32:42

Name :	Tom
Email :	Tom's Supply
Message	My great buddy from El Dorado, California, Tommy Murry, who owns Tom's Supply in El dorado dropped by today in El Paso to visit with me and my artist wife, L.B. McKay. I have known Tommy Murry for over 65 years and he is a real old stud. His bigger srud brother, Henry Murry, a retired Captain from the El Paso Fire Department from El PAso Accompanied him. If anyone is in need, Tommy buys and sells salvage, used merchandise, etc. His phone number is (530) 822-5245. Give him a ring, you might get the bargain of your life. Have a Happy, Tom McKay

Mon 29 Jun 2009 10:04:55

Name :	Tom
Email :	A Beauty
Message	Back from L.A. Besides the medical stuff we went to the Getty Museum. Just flat-out an amazing place. The Master's are there and their work made my wife, the artist L.B. McKay, feel like she was in Kindergarten. We'll, I think she can be close to them in five years or so if she continues to progress like she has the past four years. Her college painting professor at UTEP said she was the fastest learner and best college student artist he has witnessed in over fifteen years.She obtained her BFA with Honors on May 17, 2009. Have a Happy, Tom

Mon 29 Jun 2009 10:04:25

Name :	Tom
Email :	A Beauty
Message	Back from L.A. Besides the medical stuff we went to the Getty Museum. Just flat-out an amazing place. The Master's are there and their work made my wife, the artisty L.B. McKay, feel like she was in Kindergarten. We'll, I think she can be close to them in five years or so if she continues to progress like she has the past four years. Her college painting professor at UTEP said she was the fastest learner and best college student artist he has witnessed in over fifteen years.She obtained her BFA with Honors on May 17, 2009. Have a Happy, Tom

Tue 16 Jun 2009 04:05:36

Name :	Tom
Email :	Customer Review
Message	Tom, I received the book yesterday and started reading it already. I am through the first chapter and can’t wait to continue reading. Thanks for the button as well. I got a kick (no pun intended) out of the scene with a 6’5” Randy Cobb walking into the restaurant and stretching and kicking with everyone around. Best Regards, Charlie R. Soto, CFM, CRPC

Sat 13 Jun 2009 04:46:49

Name :	Tom
Email :	5A State Baseball Title
Message	Congrats to the Socorro Bulldogs for their 12-7 state title win over Lufkin today.Wow! El Paso and socorro will celebrate, you can bet on it.

Thu 11 Jun 2009 08:11:36

Name :	Tom
Email :	Event
Message	There is an event in the making that will bring an array of martial artists and boxers to El Paso. They want to teach self-protective combat methods to the border city which is next door to so much violence. Many top names will be involved and will do autographs as well. Many items are on the agenda. I will keep you posted. Have a Happy

Tue 09 Jun 2009 03:55:20

Name :	Tom
Email :	Myrtle Beach For Charlie
Message	Charlie, Muchas Gracias, Enjoy the read. the book was mailed today. Have a Happy, Tom

Thu 28 May 2009 11:23:51

Name :	Tom
Email :	Charlie Soto
Message	Hey there Charlie Soto, We are not up to date with paypal but because of illness we are asking you to contact us by e-mail or by phone. I am in the el paso phone book. My email is tmckay@elp.rr.com Have a Happy

Sun 17 May 2009 06:28:20

Name :	Tom
Email :	Preakness
Message	Mind That Bird is no fluke. A sharp turned track and a great filly barely beat the Kentucky Derby Champ. The 'Bird' got tangled up at the 3/16 pole or as many os us believe, would have gathered in Rachel Alexandra and won. The 'Bird' lost a lot of ground and was pushed outside on the turn for home. Still, over 2 million earned for a horse that originally sold for $9500. A poor man's dream. If they are both sound in 3 weeks, The 'Bird' will fly home victorious. The filly would not have had a chance in the Derby at a mile and a quarter. the Belmont is a mile and a half. The bad news is that both will be tired and a fresh distance horse might upset both of them. I would like a match race. Have a happy

Sun 17 May 2009 06:23:13

Name :	Tom
Email :	Lety McKay Headliner El PAso Times Sunday, May 17 2009
Message	My wife, Lety McKay, graduated cum laude from UTEP yesterday and The El Paso Times ran a special story on her graduation and her art career in today's Sunday paper; headlines mind you. If you would, check it out. Just go to El pasotimes.com. We are so thrilled. Have A Happy, Tom McKay

Sun 17 May 2009 06:22:34

Name :	Tom
Email :	Lety McKay Headliner El PAso Times Sunday, May 17 2009
Message	My wife, Lety McKay, graduated cum laude from UTEP yesterday and The El Paso Times ran a special story on her graduation and her art career in today's sunda paper, headlines mind you. If you would, check it out. Just go to El pasotimes.com. We are so thrilled. Have A Happy, Tom McKay

Fri 15 May 2009 02:59:55

Name :	Tom
Email :	Preakness
Message	Rachel Or Mine? Someone else is a good possibility. The turns are sharp. However, if it rains and is sloppy, remember what the Bird did two weeks ago. Have a HAppy

Fri 15 May 2009 02:58:37

Name :	Tom
Email :	2009 College Graduation
Message	Hooray!! Lety graduates from UTEP tomorrow, May 16th 2009 with a BFA in fine Arts. Have a Happy Everyone, we sure will. Tom McKay

Sat 02 May 2009 03:08:44

Name :	Tom
Email :	Just you wait and see
Message	Some huge plans are in the minds of some great planners and El Paso just might be the first beneficiary come this July or August. Stay tuned, it may not match the 4th of July celebrations but it will have some superb fireworks. Have a Happy

Sun 12 Apr 2009 05:55:13

Name :	Tom
Email :	MMA Tops Folk
Message	David and Steven Arredondo were in town for Easter. They run the outstanding website, <convictedartist.com.> Steven just returned froma visit to Washington D.C., all the monumnts there and chiefly, The Holocaust Museum. He said that was a real wake-up call and he will never forget it. Neither should we. Monsters abound in our world and we need to know what happened in he past and do our part to ensure that the future and our leaders guide us to a better civilized world. We can't do much but every little word, every little sentence, every little paragraph, every little story and every little voice we can raise against these demonic types can equal volumes of knowledgable people of justice and fairness can use to make a difference. Have a Happy, Tom McKay

Sun 12 Apr 2009 05:54:55

Name :	Tom
Email :	MMA Tops Folk
Message	David and Steven Arredondo were in town for Easter. They run the outstanding website, <convictdartist.com.> Steven just returned froma visit to Washington D.C., all the monumnts there and chiefly, The Holocaust Museum. He said that was a real wake-up call and he will never forget it. Neither should we. Monsters abound in our world and we need to know what happened in he past and do our part to ensure that the future and our leaders guide us to a better civilized world. We can't do much but every little word, every little sentence, every little paragraph, every little story and every little voice we can raise against these demonic types can equal volumes of knowledgable people of justice and fairness can use to make a difference. Have a Happy, Tom McKay

Thu 02 Apr 2009 09:42:57

Name :	Tom
Email :	Benny Benavides
Message	Wow, The amazing Benny Benavides dropped by to check on my health and for friendship.He was in California two weeks ago for the National Jiu Jitsu and Martial Arts Championships. He entered two events and captured two GOLD medals. Just fantastic and Benny is 50 years old. Three years ago, Benny also won a Pan Am GOLD medal in Jiu-Jitsu. Believe it or not, he won a Pan Am GOLD in wrestling when he was in his early twenties. GEt it? Two Golds, 25 years in between. What a superior athlete. Benny and James Butler hired me back in 2004 at El Paso Jiu Jitsu as a boxing/striking coach. I was already over 70 years old. What remarkable and talented guys. James unfortunately had a heart attack two years ago when at his peak strength and talent. We miss him dearly. My son, Mike McKay, has recoverd well from his injuries in ABA/BMX racing and after three years of only limited action, has returned with a fury in the biking world. He won a major title in Phoenix a month ago and two weeks ago won the DeSoto (Dallas) Nationals. He is 50 years old like Benny. Mike won the Gold in his age group at the Canadian World Championships three years ago. He captured the Canadian National title as well. Proud Papa indeed. Both my son's, Mike and Les McKAy were undefeated boxers and sparring partners for Cliff Thomas. Both were outstanding high school wrestlers as well.Both are active just like Papa was into their latter years. Persoanlly, I have always encouraged education and skill development first and foremost for my children and then the sports can kick in. I am so lucky that my children have followed that advice. There is no life when one devotes every part of their body and mind to just the sport. Most end up penniless and even physically emaciated. I will take some credit for having great and successful children as well as hundreds of athletes I have trained. Bragging rights, damned right. Have a Happy

Fri 27 Mar 2009 01:56:43

Name :	Tom
Email :	Be Careful in Az. $$$$$$$
Message	Back from California. Nuts, I got food poisoning, my car had a problem outside Benson , Az. and we lost 2 days and 1500 dollars in that place. Avoid if possible. Have a Happy

Fri 27 Mar 2009 01:56:30

Name :	Tom
Email :	Be areful in Az. $$$$$$$
Message	Back from California. Nuts, I got food poisoning, my car had a problem outside Benson , Az. and we lost 2 days and 1500 dollars in that place. Avoid if possible. Have a Happy

Sat 21 Mar 2009 05:01:37

Name :	Tom
Email :
Message	Goolash to you too.

Sat 21 Mar 2009 12:51:00

Name :	xqoldrgtsoa
Email :	ugumnb@pixwky.com
Message	9txxIr <a href="http://imamkdensqla.com/">imamkdensqla</a>, [url=http://nffvcgpqrpij.com/]nffvcgpqrpij[/url], [link=http://pxdanuinmfat.com/]pxdanuinmfat[/link], http://ztrzslhjxlhx.com/

Mon 09 Mar 2009 11:24:07

Name :	Tom
Email :	If You Missed It....
Message	...then you missed a fantastic exhibition that included a really excellent 4-string orchestra. What a great evening. Have a Happy

Tue 03 Mar 2009 04:20:17

Name :	Tom
Email :	Solo Exhibition
Message	My wife, L.B. McKay, the artist, will have a solo exhbition on March 5th, 2009 at UTEP's Glass Gallery,opening 6-8 p.m.. The event kicks off with classical musicians and finger-licking good snacks. If you are in El Paso, ring us up or e-mail and I will send you a quick invitation. It is open to the public. The Glass Gallery is on the 3rd floor of UTEP's Fine Art's Building. The show kicks off at 6:oo p.m. and will end at 8:00 p.m. So come on down and have a great time. Bring $$$$ too and buy a piece of the emerging artist's work. You will likely triple your money in five to ten years. Lety is featured at convictedartist.com and has been the featured artist at a major event at the Mision de la Senecu and an award winner at the 2008 Arts International. Have a Happy....Tom

Thu 26 Feb 2009 11:20:57

Name :	Tom
Email :	Cliff Is In Ft. Worth
Message	Cliff is now back in Ft. Worth. Ring hin up for lessons, bookings, whatever. Tom

Fri 13 Feb 2009 09:19:14

Name :	Ketchup
Email :
Message	Cliff made me bleed so ever much. I wonder how he will treat me when we are old. I hope gently.

Fri 06 Feb 2009 07:43:08

Name :	Booger -roo
Email :
Message	Michael Phelps, what a stupid boy, stupid, stupid boy. His Mary Jane jaunt is only costing him 120 million bucks in losses so far from sponsers. Where is this kids brain. Nowhere, must be all wet and wetter. Imagine, Olympic gold Medal swimmers only have a few years to captalize on their glory, people forget and then there are the next Olympics and new stars. What a lame-brain is Phelps. Now that Subway dropped him and the cereal makers did the same, perhaps losing bidder, WHEATIES will pick him up. I can see it now, "Eat Wheaties, The Breakfast of Cannabis." Stupid, stupid boy. He didn't know he was in the limelight all the time, night and day? stupid, stupid boy.

Fri 06 Feb 2009 04:50:39

Name :	Opportunity Knocks
Email :	Cliff Now On A Seminar Ture
Message	Great News Kickboxing Coaches; you too Students and MMA coaches and contestants. CLIFF 'MAGIC' THOMAS is now available for seminar's at your gym, dojo, or events. He last toured two years ago but is now in a position to do it all over again. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity. You will need to make contact with Cliff or myself to make your event dates co-ordinate with Thomas' schedule. If you are looking for that special someone who can motivate and engage your student's at the highest level imaginable and reap the rewards for years to come, you have come to the right place. In case anyone has forgotten, Cliff was born with a hole in his heart and after surgery as a child, he wasn't expected to live to age 14. So, all he did was win 7 world championships in 5 different weight divisions. He even came out of retirement at near age 46 to win the 7th world championship. You want courage? You want drama? You want a winner? You want the best of champions? Sure you do and your students will be amply rewarded for the experience. Cliff will stand and deliver. Make your appointments now: Call Cliff 'Magic' Thomas at 1 817 300 0309 or Coach Tom McKay at 915 591 6089. You can also contact us through this site. Pick up that phone and call now, you will be forever grateful. And the price is right. Have a Happy

Fri 23 Jan 2009 08:06:45

Name :	Tom
Email :	Buying a Book
Message	Due to serious health problems, I am still using e-bay but if you want the MAGIC book, contact Cliff or me and we will get the job done quicker. Have a Happy

Fri 23 Jan 2009 07:43:23

Name :	Tom
Email :
Message	Paul, Cliff is going to whup you good. Ha! Where are you these days? In L.a.? Have A Happy, Coach Tom

Mon 19 Jan 2009 08:57:32

Name :	Tom
Email :	History Of The First Class
Message	Huge Historic Day Tomorrow. Obama just might be the man to get this country back on track in a couple of years. What a horrific situtation he is inheriting; and may he be successful. Have a Happy

Wed 31 Dec 2008 06:45:55

Name :	Tom
Email :	2009
Message	May each and all have a healthy and I mean healthy new years. Have a Happy Too!

Sat 27 Dec 2008 09:10:52

Name :	Tom
Email :	Holiday Visit from L.A.
Message	Lety and I had a charming and knowledgeable visitor today, David Arredondo. David is a superb webmaster, boxing and MMA expert, and a talented artist and keen poet.He came by for some historical information for a work he wants more perspective on before publishing it on his sie (convictedartist.com) and later for video and audio purposes. David is one of the best young men around today who has his mind and body going in the right direction for a great future. You will hear much more of this amazing young man as well as his brother, Steven, in the months and years to come. I will apread the word when he gets his latest essay's and poetry on line. David is also going to do the poetry for my wife Lety, when she has her solo art exhibition in early March. He is so enthused by her work and declares that she is on the way to being a Master in the art world; that all she needs is to continue to get even better with her palette which is already just marvelous, and get the proper exposure she deserves in the right market places. For what it is worth, when Lety gets her website up in a month or so and has the right internet savvy going for her, good things are going to happen. She will complete her BFA at UTEP this coming May. If I am still around, there will be a party for her great accomplishment. Have a Happy, Tom McKay

Tue 23 Dec 2008 06:58:19

Name :	Tom
Email :	2008-09 Coming Up
Message	Happy Holiday's to all. Please be safe and may you have a long, enduring, and healthy life. Tom

Wed 17 Dec 2008 07:24:31

Name :	Tom
Email :
Message	Did anyone get the results from the huge MMA charity event this past Saturday in Orange County? I have been looking at Convictedartist.com for results but nothing yet. I know too that Steven and David Arredondo had one major job to do to get this event done. Kudo's to them and may their future be bright. Many stars from various sports, art, skateboarding, dignitaries, etc., were there to help out. That means huge expenses as well for the promoter's. I did hear that there was many fans that turned out. David Rodriguez was there for sure. I trained him for over 10 years. Ross Purrity was there. I worked some of his fights with promoter Manny Mancera. I haven't touched base with Cliff yet to see if he was there. Anyway, if you have any news, pass it this way. HAve A Happy, Tom

Wed 17 Dec 2008 07:24:16

Name :	Tom
Email :
Message	Did anyone get the results from the huge MMA chaity event this past Saturday in Orange County? I have been looking at Convictedartist.com for results but nothing yet. I know too that Steven and David Arredondo had one major job to do to get this event done. Kudo's to them and may their future be bright. Many stars from various sports, art, skateboarding, dignitaries, etc., were there to help out. That means huge expenses as well for the promoter's. I did hear that there was many fans that turned out. David Rodriguez was there for sure. I trained him for over 10 years. Ross Purrity was there. I worked some of his fights with promoter Manny Mancera. I haven't touched base with Cliff yet to see if he was there. Anyway, if you have any news, pass it this way. HAve A Happy, Tom

Thu 04 Dec 2008 05:52:54

Name :	Tom
Email :	It's the season to be joyful
Message	Cliff is still in town. Give him a ring and Merry Christmas. Have A Happy

Tue 25 Nov 2008 07:11:25

Name :	Tom
Email :	About Cliff
Message	Terrence, send me an e-mail and I will send you Cliff's phone mumber. tmckay@elp.rr.com Have a Happy

Tue 25 Nov 2008 07:11:07

Name :	Tom
Email :	About Cliff
Message	Terrence, send me an e-mail and I will send you Cliff's phobe mumber. tmckay@elp.rr.com HAve a Happy

Tue 25 Nov 2008 04:05:09

Name :	Terence Anthony Thomas
Email :	colt.winchester@yahoo.com
Message	Hey, uncle cliff its me peanut. i know your busy but i just wanted to say hi and tell you whats going on. I just got my brown belt in ITA tae Kwon Do, and I am an instructor at the academy now too. Dad said that you have opened up some new schools in dallas amd that you want me to come instruct for you. All though thats a great offer, I have to turn it down for the simple reason that in three years I will have my own school here in houston with the help of my instructor brad hoffman. however I will be happy to come as a guest sometimes.

Thu 06 Nov 2008 04:52:55

Name :	Tom
Email :	Change Will Be Better
Message	Hank, I like the part,"....getting their ass kicked." It is, Obama's Presidency, I think, going to be challenging due to the mess he has inherited, but worthy because of what I sincerely believe, and that is that Obama is an educated American with American values and dreams fortified with a vision for a vigorous and improved America. Time will tell and he will have a difficult and curved road ahead for a few years. However, I think and believe he will set the table for us to become the repsected and powerful nation that other nations look up to and not down to. I probably will not live long enough to witness the rough climb Obama will have to take to get to those goals but I know in my heart that he will give his time, energy, rapport, and Constitutional knowledge to the best of his abilities. Finally, I believe that his election proves to some extent that the American Dream is not dead and that American's are finally willing to show the world that we all can overcome. Besides, I'm sick of the Rothschilds and US Banking practices and unregulated cronyism Capitalism run amuck to the detriment of individual, hard working, ingenious, fruitful but patiotic Capitalism. I haven't participated on the politic's board as I was one sick hombre,doing my part locally to get Obama elected, and focused on fulfilling my deceased Mother's last wish. You have given me the place and opportunity to say it and I have. However you differ is your right. I'm just happy for our country at this moment and as always, if you wish to axe away, go ahead, I am playing some Aerosmith until I get axed Monday by the real choppers. Ha! Have a Happy: Where is Bob Hope when you need some cheer? Red Buttons? Dean Martin's Roasts? Don Rickles? Oh, I know, they are under my tv stand. I am going to flip one in the tv cd player and forget my p--n.

Wed 05 Nov 2008 10:58:34

Name :	Henry
Email :	Tommy
Message	I ain't given no Kudos to Obama-shama!!! The only thing I'm doing is slamming the Republicans for putting up McCain. If that's the best candidate they could come up with, then they deserved to get their ass kicked!

Wed 05 Nov 2008 10:49:12

Name :	Tom
Email :
Message	Gracias Senor Hank. Have a Happy...And Kudo's to Obama.

Wed 05 Nov 2008 06:30:38

Name :	Webmaster
Email :	refreshed
Message	This board reached it's allotted size and has been refreshed. To see past posts visit the archives.