GATO GONZALEZ' DISCUSSION THREAD

[Rodolfo Gato Gonzalez]

Greg---

Thank you for the information. I would very much like to call Harry Kabakoff and I will try to reach Don Fraser or Don Chargin for his phone number this coming week. I have both of their phone numbers.

It has been a busy week. Barbara and I were in the city of Riverside yesterday for an all day and evening event. We were invited guests of Ricardo Flores who is a Boxing Hall of Fame member and a participant in the Celebrity Golf Tournament. He was on my golf team this year. Ricardo and his lovely wife, Petra , were honoring their daughter, Yvonne, who turned 15 years old with a traditional Mexican birthday celebration--a "Quinceanera".

In the afternoon many relatives and friends gathered for a special mass and dedication at St. Anthony's Church. The birthday girl looked beautiful in her long white dress and her many attendants were so colorful in their long dresses. There were also many young men in formal attire. Mando Muniz was the godfather. The ceremony was very special. From there we all drove to the historical downtown area of Riverside where the dinner and celebration took place at the old Center of Performing Arts building. And what a celebration it was. We had a great time with the people at our table which included Mando and his wife, Yolanda. We were introduced to so many other people, family members and friends, throughout the evening. It was nice to see so many young people participating in the celebration. The teens even put on a dance show. The party ended with dancing to a live band and a few numbers were traditional Mexican cumbias. Maybe some of you readers will identify with that music. And of course, after that, the youth took over the dance floor and a few of the older generation tried to keep up. This was actually the first "Quinceanera" I had ever been to. It was a very touching experience.

El Gato

[Dan Hanley]

Rodolfo, I sent the link of the 'Chronicle of a Champion' to a friend and a little while later I was walking down the hall and heard a few "Ohhhhhhhh's" coming from my buddy's office. I had a look in his office and he had a bunch of guys in the office watching the highlight video of the Carmona fight. It seems everytime you landed a left or right they would let out an, "Ohhhhhhhh!" Too funny.

Dan

[kikibalt]

Rodolfo "Gato" Gonzalez, Rick Farris & Barbara, don't know the name of the lady on the left, at the Calif. Boxing Hall of Fame on Saturday (9-22-07

[Rodolfo Gato Gonzalez]

Frank,

Congratulations on your induction into the California Boxing Hall of Fame. Thank you so much for posting this photo on my thread. The lady on the left was our guest, Jacqueline King, from San Diego. It would be nice if you could post a photo of yourself at the induction on my thread. I'm sure some of the readers would like to see it.

It was great to be there among all of inductees and to see so many champions and other important boxing professionals. We were glad we got to talk to you and your sons for awhile. Also it was great to see Rick Farris again. We also hadn't seen Danny "Little Red" Lopez and his wife, Bonnie for a long time. We talked with Mando Ramos and Sylvia, also with Carlos Palomino and Mando Muniz and Yolanda and so many others. Lou Felipo, Gwen Addair, Johnny Ortiz and the whole group from Ken Thompson Promotions was there, Ken and his wife, Vera and Dr.Joe Noriega and his wife, Nellie. In fact, we were honored to be invited to sit at one of Ken's two tables so we had excellent seats right up front. When Ryan O'Neal passed by he gave me a hug and Barbara got all excited when he kissed her hand. It was another one of those very special events.

Now we are looking forward to the World Boxing Hall of Fame on October 13. I just found out today that my cousin, Jose Becerra is coming from Guadalajara with Efrin "Alacran" Torres who will be inducted. We all were together last year in Cancun, but before that I hadn't seen Alacran since 1962 when I left Guadalajara. I had seen Jose briefly in 1998 in Mexico City. All of us being reunited again will be super special.

El Gato

[kikibalt]

Rodolfo; here I am with my granddaughter Keana after we got back home on Saturday.

[Rodolfo Gato Gonzalez]

Frank---

Thank you for posting this photo of yourself and your granddaughter. This photo is beautiful.. You have a very attractive granddaughter.

You and I have come a long way. I remember when a refereed one of your son's amateur fights when he was only about 9 years old, I think. Which son was it? He was so cute. I remember that he got so worked up that he was fighting with tears in his eyes.

To any of you readers who are reading this thread and haven't seen Frank's thread, please check it out. He has posted many pictures of his Induction Day. They are all really nice photos of so many of the inductees, families and friends and other important people who were there.

-----Frank Baltazar to be inducted into the Calif. Boxing Hall of Fame-----

El Gato

[Dan Hanley]

Rodolfo, I am totally bummed out, mi amigo, because by now you've heard or seen the list of nominees from the IBHF. Saying i'm disappointed doesn't do this justice. When I saw first time names such as Prince Hamed and Miguel 'Happy' Lora I was disgusted. Hamed turned tail on his career after his first loss, unable to deal with it. Lora was a nice fighter, but was very lucky to beat a jaded Alberto Davila. I feel Davila would have been a much more worthy candidate than Lora. I have no frame of reference to understand this 'logic'. Like we say in Chicago, 'wait 'til next year'. Looking forward to seeing you and Barb next week, Rodolfo. At least that will take my mind off this travesty of justice.

Dan

[Rodolfo Gato Gonzalez]

Dan---

I know how disappointed you must be after all your hard work to get my name on the IBHF ballot. Also the hard efforts of Bill and Gordoom in getting together the web site. To tell you the truth I never even remember hearing the names of the fighters you mentioned that got on the ballot. I want you all to know how much I appreciate your wonderful attempts to try to make the IBHF leaders know who I am. Like you said maybe next year.

We are busy making plans for the weekend in Ontario. Barbara and I are looking forward to another great time with you and your dad. We'll have alot of people to meet and to talk to. Many of our new friends from San Diego and vacinity are attending the WBHF banquet and have heard all about you.

See you soon.

El Gato

[Phillyfan]

Gato
It was a pleasure to see you again at the WBHOF. I just wanted to see how you felt the weekend went? Do you have any favorite moments or stories to tell? What did you think of the hotel? Did you get a chance to meet boogaloo watts, marvin johnson, and george benton? Who would you like to see as a guest next year?

[Dan Hanley]

Hey Philly, Rodolfo's been having a bit of a problem logging on for some reason, but hopefully he'll get this sorted out and he'll be back online here soon. In the meantime it was good seeing you and Jeff again. Talk to you soon.

Dan

[Phillyfan]

Dan, the weekend went too fast. When I first started watching boxing years ago, i would never have dreamed I'd be sitting in a bar between ernie terrell and george benton or having breakfast with boogaloo watts or alex ramos. There is no comparison between the WBHOF and the IBHOF. During the weekend, you got to see and meet over 40 former world champions, just walking around the hotel. At the IBHOF, it seems they are hustled from one even to another. At the WBHOF, you see them realax, walking around with their families. You get to see old opponents and friends interact. You get to see a lot of smiles.

[Dan Hanley]

Dude, I know what you mean. I remember a couple of years ago Rodolfo invited me and my Pop to breakfast with he and his friends. There we were having breakfast with Rodolfo Gonzalez, Chiquita Gonzalez and Pipino Cuevas. I said to my Dad if you told me a few years ago I would be here shooting the breeze with these guys I would have said you were crazy. But that's the way it is, no airs, everyone just having a good old time and every fighter ready to comply with autographs or pose for pictures. Always a great weekend.

Dan

[Rodolfo Gato Gonzalez]

Hi Everyone---

As you can see, I can finally log in. Dean, Thank you so much for all your help. Gordoom, thank you also for helping to get this problem solved.

I'm in the middle of a project right now but I will be back writing on my thread tonight.

El Gato

[theironbar]

Great to have you back my friend!

-Peter

PS-I sent you a message -- check your inbox

[Rodolfo Gato Gonzalez]

Phillyfan---

It seems it was long ago since we were all together at the WBHF. We sure had a wonderful week-end. Like you mentioned, all of the champions and their families and friends got to share so many happy times. It is like a family reunion to me being able to see and talk with fighters that I grew up with. For me it is always special to see Mando Ramos, Allan Syers, Mando Muniz and so many others who I considered close friends in those days and still do.

My one disappointment was that my old stablemate, Efren "Alacran" Torres was not able to come from Guadalajara for his induction due to illness. Also we were hoping that my cousin, Jose Becerra, could come with him but he can hardly walk now. I'm glad we got to see them in Cancun more than a year ago.

Barbara and I enjoyed talking with you and learning more about how things are done in Canastota. It sounds like it is alot more friendly in California.

Dan--

Wow! What a nice photo you e-mailed me today of "the three amigos" that you took at the Hall of Fame banquet. Barbara's comment was "very handsome guys". Maybe you can post it on the CBZ thread .

Peter---

I read your message in my in box. Thanks so much for all the info and help.

To all of you who phoned us to inquire about how we were in the middle of all the San Diego fires during the past week----

Thank you all for your concern. Thank God, our area in Oceanside was protected from the burning fires, but there has been alot of smoke and fine ash particles in the air. It continued for several days, but today the skies were more normal. Many of our friends had to evacuate further south and east of our home, but only one lost hundreds of avocado trees. No one that we knew personally lost a home. Donations are continuing to be collected for the many people who lost their homes and many prayers are needed as well. It was scarey for awhile and Barbara and I are counting our blessings.

El Gato

[Phillyfan]

Gato,
Hope everything is still okay and the fires missed you. Some unusual and very unfortunate political movements and backstabbing going on at the WBHOF. Have you heard anything? This was probably the best run weekend I've ever attended, but it looks like things are about to change for the worse.

[Rodolfo Gato Gonzalez]

Phillyfan,

I heard similar information regarding the WBHF. However, I heard that things are going to turn around for the better. I hope and pray that the organization will remain strong. The fighters of today and tomorrow will be looking forward to reaching the prestigious goal of becoming a World Boxing Hall of Famer.

El Gato

[theironbar]

Happy Thanksgiving El Gato and Barbara!

All the best,

-Peter

[Rodolfo Gato Gonzalez]

Peter---

Thank you for the Thanksgiving good wishes. It was very happy and special because this is the first year in many years that I was able to celebrate the day with both my son and daughter and their spouses and my grandson in Las Vegas. Barbara flew in to join us the day after Thanksgiving. We also stayed a few days at Planet Hollywood on the strip. It has changed so much since the couple of times I fought at the Fremont Hotel and the Ceasar's Palace. They have demolished so many old places to make room for huge new casinos.

Another reason that it is a very special day for me is that on this day in 1974 I fought the last fight of my boxing career in Osaka, Japan and retired from this tough sport to spend time with my family.

I hope all of you readers had a very Happy Thanksgiving Day too.

Ted---

It is nice to have you post on my thread. Regarding Jose Medel, he was a little before my time, but I did see him fight a couple of times on television. He was a very classic fighter and always in good shape for his fights. From the feed back I got from my cousin, Jose Becerra who knew him very well I was told he was very well mannered. He put up a good fight but was never able to win the Bantamweight Championship of the World. It was always a close decision. Jose Brcerra fought him on Feb. 9, 1957 and beat him in a 10 round decision and on Feb. 8, 1958 and beat him again in a 10 round decision. He just didn't have the aggressiveness to win the world title even though he was a skilled fighter.

El Gato

[Dan Hanley]

Guys, so sorry it's been so long since logging on. Work and family has kept me occupied. Hope everyone had a great Christmas and hope everyone has a great new year. The WBHF banquet this year was alot of fun as usual. What was truly unexpected was being awarded an honorary membership plaque for research work I did this year. Oh, man, walking up on stage past the gauntlet of champions, with Jeff Chandler and Marvin Johnson patting me on the back and being awarded the plaque by Armando Muniz was too cool! Regarding the IBHF in Canastota, Rodolfo, we're never going to sleep on this, we'll get them this year coming!

Dan

[wildhawke11]

To All of our friends here --- Have A Great and Happy New Year.
All the very best Champ and if you see Rick give him my best regards.

Dan. Congratulations you have worked so hard and fully deserve it.
Your friend Danny

[Rodolfo Gato Gonzalez]

Today is January 1, 2008----

A very Happy New Year to all of my friends and fans reading my message board.

As I reflect back over 2007 I would have to say it was a good year mixed with some diasappointments but overall the rewards were many.

Dan---
One of the highlights for all of us was you receiving the well deserved award at the WBHF banquet this past year for all of the hard work you did to further benefit the world of boxing. We were so proud to see you walk up on stage to receive your honorary membership plaque. Congratulations.

As for Canastota, I'm glad you are keeping the effot alive and are pressing on this year. Barbara says we are going to "press our luck and no more whammies". LOL. (Do any of you watch the game show?)

I want to tell you what happened a few days ago. A friend of mine who I know from the movie business but had lost contact with for several years, e-mailed me to tell me he had located me through the internet and has read all the articles written about me including so many that are on the CBZ. He had no idea of who I was until he read these articles and specifically mentioned the work done by Dan Hanley and Rick Farris. The surprise of all this is that the e-mail came from Mongolia where he is teaching English as a missionary. Dan, you have no idea how your writings and those of other writers have touched many people in this world.

May this year be filled with God's blessings for you and your family.


Danny (Wildhawke)---
A very Happy New Year to you and your family. It is always so good to hear from you. I talked to Rick Farris yesterday and he sends his best regards to you. We talked about the fun days of writing back and forth with each other on the CBZ. He wants you to know that he is now a member of the board of directors of the WBHF and a very active one.

Barbara and I have had such an active and blessed Christmas and New Years and hope all of you have enjoyed this beautiful season.

Wishing you a wonderful 2008!

El Gato

[Juan C Ayllon]

Hey Gato,

Happy New Year!

Just curious: Are you still involved with a stable of fighters? I'd forwarded your name and info about a year ago to a local promoter, but had not heard anything since then.

Regardless, have a great day,


Juan

[kikibalt]

I received this photos and some other ones that I'll post in other threads from Dan Hanley, they were shot by extraordinary photographer Dawn Paradis at the WBHOF-October, 2007



Rodolfo "Gato" Gonzalez been interviewing by Dan Hanley, on the far right is Rodolfo's lady Barbara.



Great photo of "El Gato"
By Dawn Paradis, WBHOF, October, 2007

[kikibalt]

Btw, thats Rick Farris to the right of Dan Hanley in the top photo.

[Rodolfo Gato Gonzalez]

Juan---

Happy New Year to you also.

Currently, I am not training any fighters. I don't recall talking with the promoter you may be talking about. I think I did talk to a promoter in Chicago, but I think Dan Hanley was the link. The promoters name was Posoli.

Frank---

Thanks for posting the photos. We sure had a good time shooting and recording the interview that day. The photos that were taken by Dawn that day were so good. She is an outstanding photographer. Dan did a great job as an interviewer and Rick was so busy making sure the lighting and angles were just right. His cameraman, (Patterson)- I forgot his first name- is the best. They are tops in the movie industry in Hollywood. I'm looking forward to seeing the interviews.

El Gato

[Juan C Ayllon]

Hi Rodolfo,

That's too bad you're not involved in managing fighters, as it would have been nice to meet you out this way with a stable of fighters.

By the way, last year, we'd exchanged emails, I'd called Dominic Pesoli, and told him about your interest. Dominic was interested and told to have you call him or his matchmaker, Jerry Alfano.

Dan Hanley? Does he even attend the fights in Chicago? To Pesoli, other promoters and people in the fight game in Chicagoland, I'm the face of the CBZ. In fact, some people mistakenly think this is my website (which I correct them on when I hear it). I'm either there or sending someone else to cover the fights for the CBZ Newswire page. I've offered to meet Dan some time. However, I've never had the pleasure. Perhaps he's too busy?

Anyways, I hope you have a great day,


Juan

[Dan Hanley]

Juan, so sorry I haven't had a chance to meet up with you. Unfortunately, workload has kept me from most of the local shows, although every so often I do make it to some of the bigger ones such as the Vargas-Castillejo card and the Valuev card (of which I sent you several photos of the outdoor weigh-in for the newswire). As you may recall, I used to cover the boxing scene for the CBZ in Chicago, but again, my workload became increasingly difficult and I felt I was doing the CBZ and Chicago a disservice. I was quite happy that you picked up the reins and feel you have done a terrific job, far better than I could have done with the constraints on me. I talked to Dominic Pesoli when Rodolfo was in need and got the same story. Have him talk to Jerry Alfano. Don't know what happened there. Anyway, keep up the good work and I'll send you some photos for the newswire taken at the WBHF this past October. And maybe we'll finally meet up in '08.

Dan

[Juan C Ayllon]

Hi Dan,

Thanks for getting back to me. I appreciate it.

Let's definitely try to meet this year.

Have a good one,



Juan

[Rodolfo Gato Gonzalez]

Juan---

The last fighter I was training was a heavyweight and he was doing very well. He had three fights, all wins by knockout. Unfortunately he had an accident and broke his right hand. He has to have more surgeries and will not be able to continue fighting. That was the end of his boxing career.

I am open right now to find a good young fighter who has the desire to go all the way to the top. I have not been able to find one with the determination necessary to become a champion. As for managing someone else's fighters, I only want to handle the fighters that I train myself--the "El Gato" style.

Dan---

I am glad to hear that you are going to try to meet up with Juan this year at a Chicago fight.

Are you guys going to watch the Trinidad vs Jones fight this Saturday?
Who are you betting on???

El Gato