A Tribute ro Rocky

Book Review: Mi Vida Loca, The Crazy life of Johnny Tapia

If you think you’ve had a tough life, read this book and then count your blessings!. "Mi Vida Loca" by Johnny Tapia and Bettina Gilois, is a tough book to put down, once you start reading. Johnny takes us with him on his tortured journey though his childhood, his young manhood and his boxing career. He asks us several times throughout the book, if he is lucky or unlucky. A lot of both would be my guess. Johnny’s mother was murdered when he was eight, where he went to live with his grandparents , aunts and uncles. He suffered a lot of abuse from his family, but none more hurtful then the scorn and anger heaped upon him by his grandfather, whom he worshipped. Throughout his life it remained a difficult situation.

It takes us through the beginning of his boxing career with trainer/manager Paul Chavez, his drug addiction, his wife Teresa, whom ultimately became his manager and his five world titles.. The book is an easy read and is told in a pretty straightforward manner. You can almost hear Tapia’s voice as you read. If there is a problem with the book, it is in the editing . There are a few areas that I had to read through several times because of a missing word, a word that didn’t belong in the sentence, or a repeated paragraph. But the story it self was very compelling and I recommend it to anyone that loves boxing, and even if you don’t, it still makes great reading.

Tapia won five professional titles in three weight divisions; the WBO and IBF Junior Bantamweight titles, WBA and WBO Bantamweight titles, and IBF Featherweight title. As an amateur he won two National Golden Gloves titles. The biggest win of his life though remains his victory of drug addiction and depression.

Johnny Tapia's Career Record at BoxRec.com

Fighter To Watch: Austin "No Doubt" Trout

Fighter to watch, middleweight Austin "No Doubt" Trout of Las Cruces, New Mexico is trained by former lightweight contender and ESPN Champion, Louie Burke, also of Las Cruces. Trout remains undefeated with 8 wins and 8 KO's, knocking out veteran Raul Munoz, of Topeka, Kansas, in his first hometown bout. Trout was a 2004 Olymic Alternative and a U.S. National Amatuer Champion. Keep your eye on him!

Former Light Heavyweight Challenger Yvon Durelle has died.

Yvon Durelle, The Fighting Fisherman, passed away Saturday, January 6, 2007. Durelle had suffered from Parkinson's Desease, and recently suffered a stroke. Durelle is best known for his exciting Light heavyweight Championship fights with Archie Moore in the late 1950's, particularly the first fight, knocking Moore down three times. Moore stopped him in both fights. He was a top contender, a former Canadian Middleweight Champion and British Empire Light Heavyweight Champion, and made the switch to professional wrestling late in his career. He is remembered as a gentle giant. Yvon Durelle was born in Baie-Ste-Anne, New Brunswick, Canada, October 14, 1929. His career record is 117 fights with 90 wins, 51 knockouts, 24 losses and 2 deaws.

Yvon Durelle's Career Record

Yvon Durelle at Wikipedia

Teddy Atlas From The Streets To The Ring: A Son's Struggle To Become A Man

By Teddy Atlas and Peter Alson

This is one of the better boxing books that I have read in quite a while. This is not just the story of a man’s journey through the boxing world, but of a man’s journey through life, that happens to take place in the world of boxing. You don’t have to be a fan of boxing to enjoy this book, but it probably helps to know the characters Atlas is writing about. Teddy Atlas was born into an established but dysfunctional family, headed by a father that was unable to give him (at least on the surface) the love and approval he needed.

Atlas wisely does not over dwell on his association with Mike Tyson, but gives a matter of fact and honest account of his time with Tyson, and with Cus D’Amato, his mentor and surrogate father. The most compelling areas of the book are when Atlas reveals his own dark side, particularly when describing how he was planning Donny Lalonde’s murder, which fortunately for both Atlas and Lalonde, never happened. Also intriguing is Atlas' take on the pychological aspect of boxing, which plays a large part in his coaching and method style.

Atlas is my favorite boxing trainer, simply because he puts loyalty, honor and truth above money and fame. He’s an old school trainer, and as a motivator he has no equal (with the possible exception of Angelo Dundee).The best moments of the book are saved for the last half of the book, focusing on his years with former heavyweight Champion Michael Moorer, and reaching the pinnacle of his profession and establishing himself as one of the top trainers in the world. After a career that had many ups and downs Teddy Atlas is living the life he worked hard for. He is a top color commentator for ESPN’s Friday Night Boxing, works with the poor and needy through The Dr. Theodore A. Atlas Foundation, founded in his father’s name, and is spending time with his family,and deservedly so. This book doesn’t just go the distance, it’s a knockout! (a cliché, I know, but true)

Reviewing Rocky Balboa (Rocky VI)

I will always be a sucker for a Rocky movie, and those of you that have known me for a while, know why. If Im still around for Rocky 25, Ill probably go see it. Boxing in some ways is a metaphor for life, and so are the Rocky movies. Its possible that I may read to much into the movies, but I choose to think that most people dont look deep enough. I know that most of the Rocky movies are entertainment and not meant to be Oscar winning movies, and yet, the first Rocky won a Oscar.

Rocky Balboa, is about a man, still seeking respect, and trying to fit in a world, that has changed before his eyes. He's dealing with the alienation of his son, the loss of his wife, and getting old, just like the rest of us. There's no reason to go through the whole plot, because , even I admit that Rocky movies can be somewhat predictable, but it really doesn't take away from this movie. If youre a Rocky fan, you dont care, you just want to continue the journey with him, and if your not a fan, ....well, who cares what you think!

Rocky is everyman, an underdog, that succeeds beyond even his own physical capabilities, simply because he refuses to stop trying., and in some ways, the Rocky movies have paralleled Sylvestor Stallones life and career. I loved the movie and judging by the reaction to the crowd in the theater, so did a lot of other people.




















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Official Rocky Balboa Blog