The Gil Cadilli Story - By Gil Cadilli Jr.

Courtesy of Frank Baltazar Sr


A great video and a fine tribute to his father Gil Cadilli by Gil Cadilli Jr. This is a good follow up to the previous post by Frank. There is also some good footage of Gil Cadilli vs Keeny Teran at the Hollywood Legion Stadium, June 22, 1951.

California Boxing Hall of Fame 2008 Inductions

Congratulations to the Teran Family and all the 2008 California Boxing Hall of Fame Inductees.

Every once in while we can go to bed at night and think to ourselves, today was a great day. Saturday, June 21, 2008, was that kind of day for me, a great day. It was a chance to see old friends and make new ones. In my opinions boxers are among the best people in the world and certainly at the top of the list when it comes to athletes. It was great to see so many fighters, managers and others that have been involved in the sport, get recognition and rewarded for their contribution to the sport of boxing. It was good to hear Johnny Ortiz speak of the Main Street Gym, which as you might know, is near and dear to my heart. For those that don't know, Johnny was co-owner of the gym, along with Howie's daughter Carol, after Howie Steindler's death in 1977.

This year’s induction , at the Sportsmen's Lodge in Studio City, California, was a little more personal for me. The late Keeny Teran was being inducted and honored posthumously. Keeny is the uncle of my life long friend Mike Teran. My wife and I and friend Ed Hernandez Sr. were honored to be seated alongside the Teran Family and share in the moment. Keeny’s brother Manuel (Manny) Teran was accepting the award on behalf of the Teran family.

Keeny was known for his battles with tough Tommy Umeda and for being one half of one the greatest six round fight in boxing. Gil Cadilli was the other half. They fought to a draw at the old Hollywood Legion Stadium, that old time fight fans still recall with fondness and with awe.

Manuel Teran accepting the certificate from "Cali" Martinez for his brother the late Keeny Teran

Anita Teran Ware, Manuel Teran, Cali Martinez and Penny Teran, Keeny' daughter

Jeri and I with Manuel and Lupe Teran

It was an emotional time for Manuel Teran and the entire family as Manuel was accepting the award from “Cali“ Martinez, former fighter and friend of Keeny. Manny was overcome with the memory of his brother Keeny and was unable to say what he wanted. Let me say it for him here. Manny wants you to know that the entire Teran family is grateful to the California Boxing Hall of Fame for remembering Keeny. This induction validates Keeny’s career and life and justifies their belief that he was one of California’s great fighters, that he has a place in our memories as well as California’s rich boxing history. They thank you and want you to know that Keeny Teran would be honored.

I personally want to thank my friend, 2007 inductee Frank Baltazar Sr. and California Boxing Hall of Fame President Don Fraser for making it happen. You guys did a great thing.

Frank Baltazar Sr. and I

I don’t know what the numbers were for attendance but it was announced that this was the biggest turn out in the Hall of Fame history, so boxing is alive and well in California. It was great to be in a room filled with boxers and the people that love them. Some of the fighters in attendance were Frankie Baltazar Jr., “Cali” Martinez, Carlos Palomino, Mando Ramos, Danny “Little Red” Lopez, Alberto “Superfly” Sandoval, Randy Shields, Joey Olmos, Ruben Castillo, Andy Nance, Paul Banke and just so many more. California has produced some fine fighters.

The program began at 11:00 am with an hour to socialize and catch up. A prime rib lunch with all the fixings was served at noon. After lunch the induction ceremonies began. It was great for this fight fan to see so many boxing greats honored.

Also, thanks to Frank Baltazar Sr. for introducing me to his son, Frankie Jr., whom along with his brother Tony “the Tiger” Baltazar, were two of my favorite fighters of the seventies and eighties. It was an honor.

With Frankie Baltazar Jr. former number one contender

The Keeny Teran table

Manny Teran enjoying the day.

Scott & Anita Teran Ware

Me, Cali Martinez and Ed Hernandez Sr.

The above two photos are Frank Baltazar Sr. speaking of and introducing Ben Lira

The above two photos: Ben Lira accepting his inductions

Jackie Kallen

Joey Olmos

The above three photos: Cali Martinez speaking about Keeny Teran and introducing Manuel Teran

Anita Teran Ware, Manuel Teran and Cali Martinez

Anita Teran Ware

The above two photos: Anita Teran Ware, Manuel Teran, Cali Martinez and Penny Teran Molina

Mr and Mrs Teran receiving congratulations for Keeny Teran's induction

With Mr & Mrs Teran

Jeri and I with Mr & Mrs Teran (Manuel & Lupe).

Gabe Teran, Manny Teran, Anita Teran Ware, Penny Teran Molina

Ed Hernandez Sr., Randy Shields, and me.

Andy Nance, Me, (unknown) and Ed Hernandez Sr.

Me, and?,  and Ed Hernandez Sr.

The California Boxing Hall of Fame 2008 Inductees:

Mando Ramos, Paul Banke, Joey Olivo, Ben lira, Jackie Kallen, Laila Ali, Israel Vasquez, Johnny Ortiz, Andy Nance, Albert "SuperFly" Sandoval, Jack Mosley, Joe Valverde, Allen Syers, Pat Connolly, Steve Beljian, Ed Holmes, John Hall, Orlando De La Fuente, Steve Harpst & Michele Chong, The Docusen Brothers..Bernard & Maxie and Berry Gordy Jr.

Posthumous category:

Joe Louis, Jackie McCoy, Eddie Futch, Keeny Teran, and Larry Rozadilla

California Hall of Fame 2008 Inductions and Dinner

Just a reminder. If you are going to the 2008 California Hall of Fame don't forget to get your tickets. Contact Don Fraser at 818-761-4887.

Keeny Teran 2008 Posthumous inductee

Photo courtesy of Frank Baltazar Sr.

Keeny Teran

Keeny Teran will be inducted (posthumously) into the California Boxing Hall of Fame on Saturday June 21, 2008. Teran was an extremely popular amateur and professional fighter in the 1940's and 1950's. Keeny Teran's fight with friend and rival Gil Cadilli , on June 22, 1951 at the Hollywood Legion Stadium, is generally considered one of the greatest six round fights in boxing, and certainly in California. According to Arnie Koslow,official timekeeper at the Olympic, ..."it was the best six round fight I ever saw in my life and I'm glad it ended in a draw."

As I mentioned in an earlier post on Keeny, I grew up with Keeny's nephew, Mike Teran and was very close to the Teran family. I know they are proud of his upcoming induction to the California Hall of Fame. It was a long time coming. Congratulations Keeny! Frank Baltazar Sr. was instrumental in making it happen. He also contributed the following photos and articles. Thanks Frank.

Kenny Teran passed away at the age of 62 on February 11, 1995.

Click on any of the images for a larger readable view

Keeny Teran

Keeny Teran was the uncle of one of my best friends, Mike Teran, who is also Godfather to my oldest daughter, Meranda, his father is Manny Teran of Pico Rivera, California, and just by coincidence, my mother grew up with the Teran family in Boyle Heights, in East Los Angeles. Keeny spent a lot of time in and out of prison, due to his struggles with heroin. I met him several times and he was a pretty nice guy, in fact while in high school, I helped Mike paint his uncle Keeny's house in East L.A., that would have been about 1971, he was working on a autobiography or a screenplay at that time, and the manuscript was lying around and I scanned through it for a few minutes. His life story would have made a hell of a movie. He was also an extra in the "The Ring", an old boxing movie that takes place, in Los Angeles during the 1940's. He was a popular fighter back in the day. He fought as a Flyweight and Bantamweight, and is part of Los Angeles boxing history. He deserves to be remembered by boxing fans.

Check out Keeny's Career Record at

BoxRec.com