R.I.P. Harry Reid, Political Kingpin and Former Boxing Judge

Published

2 years ago

December 29, 2021

RIP-Harry-Reid-Political-Kingpin-and-Former-Boxing-Judge

Harry Reid passed away yesterday afternoon, Dec. 28, at age 82 after a four-year battle with pancreatic cancer. During a career in politics that spanned six decades, Reid, a former amateur boxer and boxing judge, rose to become the Majority Leader of the U.S. Senate, making him the most powerful man in Washington aside from the occupant of the White House. Among the many lesser-known honors that came his way was induction into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame for his contributions to the sport.

Born on Dec. 2, 1939, Reid was raised in Searchlight, Nevada, the son of a miner. When his father committed suicide, his mother took in laundry to make ends meet. Her clients were the ladies that staffed the town’s many brothels. At its peak in the 1930s during the construction of Hoover Dam, there were thirteen. (Searchlight nowadays is a mere flyspeck on the road from Las Vegas to the Colorado River resort town of Laughlin and there is no licensed whorehouse within a hundred miles.)

The nearest high school to Searchlight was 45 miles away in the Las Vegas border town of Henderson. It was there that Harry met his future wife, Landra Gould, a Jewish girl, the daughter of a chiropractor. When her father objected to their marriage they eloped. She survives him. Married for 62 years, they had five children who they raised as Mormon.

At Henderson’s Basic High, Reid’s civics teacher and boxing coach was Mike O’Callaghan who would go on to become Nevada’s twenty-third governor, serving two terms (1971-1979). During O’Callaghan’s first run, Harry Reid was on the ticket as his lieutenant governor. Reid had previously served on the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Reid opted not to join O’Callaghan for a second term, choosing instead to mount a campaign for the U.S. Senate, a race he lost in his first stab at it.

According to boxrec, Reid judged 30 fights in Las Vegas from 1965 to 1968. With few exceptions, these were low-budget affairs, but Las Vegas was a good fight town. Reid was a ringside judge for bouts involving former or future world title-holders Freddie Little, Denny Moyer and Ralph Dupas, and near-champions Ferd Hernandez and Ernie “Indian Red” Lopez.

There is no evidence that he ever judged a fight involving Gary Bates, a journeyman heavyweight who would become fodder for Ken Norton, Ron Lyle, and Gerry Cooney. Reid would have undoubtedly turned down the opportunity as he and Bates, with whom he shared a hardscrabble background, were fast friends from their days at the Henderson Boys Club. The boxer, who died in 2014, went on to become a casino dealer, whereas Reid went on to hobnob with the rich and powerful while living in a suite at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Washington, but their friendship never waned. Harry Reid was the best man at Bates’ wedding.

Las Vegas was a much smaller town back in the days when Reid was a boxing judge, but the town was woolier as it harbored a higher percentage of wiseguys. Reid encountered many of their ilk while serving as chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission, a gift from O’Callaghan, but he kept his distance. The mobsters that ruled the casinos had a pet name for him: Mr. Cleanface.

Reid and John McCain, the U.S. Senator from the neighboring state of Arizona, were frequently at loggerheads, but they were invariably on the same page when it came to boxing. In 2001, Reid introduced a bill that would have created a national boxing commission within the Department of Labor. The bill was designed to strengthen the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act, co-sponsored by McCain and Nevada’s other U.S. Senator, Richard Bryan, which was passed into law the previous year. Reid was also in the forefront of the drive to get Barack Obama into issuing a posthumous pardon for Jack Johnson. Obama declined, ostensibly because of Johnson’s well-documented history of domestic violence, but Obama’s successor Donald Trump pardoned Johnson with no pressure from Reid who was then retired.

In Harry Reid’s fifth and final successful run for the U.S. Senate, his Republican challenger Sharron Angle had a slim lead in one of the polls heading into the final days of voting. Bob Arum threw Reid a lifeline in the form of Manny Pacquiao. Aware that there were 80,000 Filipinos living in Nevada, Arum had Pacquaio campaign for Harry Reid who prevailed by 5.7 percentage points. Reid would repay the favor by wangling an invite for Pac-Mac and his wife Jinkee to visit President Obama in the White House.

Arum shared Reid’s political leanings, but a cynic would suggest that he was motivated more by quid pro quo. It’s no coincidence that Top Rank, the company that Arum founded, has had fewer problems getting visas for foreign boxers than other companies that penetrated the Las Vegas market. Harry Reid was a handy man to know.

Reid lived long enough to see his name attached to Las Vegas’ international airport. Reid displaced Pat McCarran who represented Nevada in the U.S. Senate from 1933 to 1954. The drive to get McCarran’s name off the airport picked up steam in recent years when it became more widely known that McCarran, besides being a virulent anti-communist, was also an anti-Semite.

The airport, America’s eighth busiest in passenger traffic, was officially re-christened Harry Reid International Airport on Dec. 14, two weeks before Reid’s death. The transition was made very quietly. All of the signage isn’t up yet.

We here at the Sweet Science send our condolences to Harry Reid’s loved ones. May he rest in peace.

Check out more boxing news on video at the Boxing Channel

To comment on this story in the Fight Forum CLICK HERE

Post Views: 363

Arne K. Lang

Up Next

Eddie Hearn is the 2021 TSS Promoter of the Year

Don't Miss

Xander Zayas is the 2021 TSS Prospect of the Year

Ryan “KingRy” Garcia Returns With a Bang; KOs Oscar Duarte

Published

29 mins ago

December 2, 2023

David A. Avila

Ryan-Kingry-Garcia-Returns-With-a-Bang-KOs-Oscar-Duarte

It was a different Ryan “KingRy” Garcia the world saw in defeating Mexico’s rugged Oscar Duarte, but it was that same deadly left hook counter that got the job done by knockout on Saturday.

Only the quick survive.

Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs) used a variety of stances before luring knockout artist Duarte (26-1-1, 21 KOs) into his favorite punch before a sold-out crowd at Toyota Arena in Houston, Texas. That punch should be patented in gold.

It was somewhat advertised as knockout artist versus matinee idol, but those who know the sport knew that Garcia was a real puncher. But could he rebound from his loss earlier this year?

The answer was yes.

Garcia used a variety of styles beginning with a jab at a prescribed distance via his new trainer Derrick James. It allowed both Garcia and Duarte to gain footing and knock the cobwebs out of their reflexes. Garcia’s jab scored most of the early points during the first three rounds. He also snapped off some left hooks and rights.

“He was a strong fighter, took a strong punch,” said Garcia. “I hit him with some hard punches and he kept coming.”

Duarte, an ultra-pale Mexican from Durango, was cautious, knowing full well how many Garcia foes had underestimated the power behind his blows.

Slowly the muscular Mexican fighter began closing in with body shots and soon both fighters were locked in an inside battle. Garcia used a tucked-in shoulder style while Duarte pounded the body, back of the head and in the back causing the referee to warn for the illegal punches twice.

Still, Duarte had finally managed to punch Garcia with multiple shots for several rounds.

Around the sixth round Garcia was advised by his new trainer to begin jabbing and moving. It forced Duarte out of his rhythm as he was unable to punch without planting his feet. Suddenly, the momentum had reversed again and Duarte looked less dangerous.

“I had to slow his momentum down. That softened him up,” said Garcia about using that change in style to change Duarte’s pressure attack. “Shout out to Derrick James.”

Boos began cascading from the crowd but Garcia was on a roll and had definitely regained the advantage. A quick five-punch combination rocked Duarte though not all landed. The danger made the Mexican pause.

In the eighth round Duarte knew he had to take back the momentum and charged even harder. In one lickety-split second a near invisible counter left hook connected on Duarte’s temple and he stumbled like a drunken soldier on liberty in Honolulu. Garcia quickly followed up with rights and uppercuts as Duarte had a look of terror as his legs failed to maintain stability. Down he went for the count.

Duarte was counted out by referee James Green at 2:51 of the eighth round as Garcia watched from the other side of the ring.

“I started opening up my legs a little bit to open up the shot,” explained Garcia. “When I hurt somebody that hard, I just keep cracking them. I hurt him with a counter left hook.”

The weapon of champions.

Garcia’s victory returns him back to the forefront as one of boxing’s biggest gate attractions. A list of potential foes is his to dissect and choose.

“I’m just ready to continue to my ascent to be a champion at 140,” Garcia said.

It was a tranquil end after such a tumultuous last three days.

Other Bouts

Floyd Schofield (16-0, 12 KOs) blitzed Mexico’s Ricardo “Not Finito” Lopez (17-8-3) with a four knockdown blowout that left fans mesmerized and pleased with the fighter from Austin, Texas.

Schofield immediately shot out quick jabs and then a lightning four-punch combination that delivered Lopez to the canvas wondering what had happened. He got up. Then Scholfield moved in with a jab and crisp left hook and down went Lopez like a dunked basketball bouncing.

At this point it seemed the fight might stop. But it proceeded and Schofield unleashed another quick combo that sent Lopez down though he did try to punch back. It was getting monotonous. Lopez got up and then was met with another rapid fire five- or six-punch combination. Lopez was down for the fourth time and the referee stopped the devastation.

“I appreciate him risking his life,” said Schofield of his victim.

In a middleweight clash Shane Mosley Jr. (21-4, 12 KOs) out-worked Joshua Conley (17-6-1, 11 KOs) for five rounds before stopping the San Bernardino fighter at 1:51 of the sixth round. It was Mosley’s second consecutive knockout and fourth straight win.

Mosley continues to improve in every fight and again moves up the middleweight rankings.

Super middleweight prospect Darius Fulghum (9-0, 9 KOs) of Houston remained undefeated and kept his knockout string intact with a second round pounding and stoppage over Pachino Hill (8-5-1) in 56 seconds of that round.

Photo credit: Golden Boy Promotions

To comment on this story in the Fight Forum CLICK HERE

Post Views: 87

Jordan Gill TKOs Michael Conlan Who May Have Reached the End of the Road

Published

6 hours ago

December 2, 2023

Arne K. Lang

Jordan-Gill-TKOs-Michael-Conlan-Whp-May-Have-Reached-the-End-of-the-Road

Fighting on his home turf, two-time Olympian Michael Conlan was an 8/1 favorite over Jordan Gill tonight in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Had he won, Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn was eyeing a rematch for Conlan with Leigh Wood. Their March 2022 rumble in Nottingham was a popular pick for the Fight of the Year. But the 29-year-old Gill, a Cambridgeshire man, rendered that discussion moot with a seventh-round stoppage. It was Conlan’s third loss inside the distance in the last 18 months and he would be wise to call it a day. His punch resistance is plainly not what it once was.

It was with considerable fanfare that Conlan cast his lot with Top Rank coming out of the amateur ranks. Tonight was his first assignment for Matchroom and his first fight at 130 pounds after coming up short in two world featherweight title fights. And he almost didn’t make it past the second round. Gill had him on the canvas in the opening minute of round two compliments of a left hook and stunned him late in the round with a right hand that left him on unsteady legs.

He survived the round and for a fleeting moment in the sixth frame it appeared that he had reversed Gill’s momentum. But Gill took charge again in the next stanza, trapping Conlan in the corner and unloading a fusillade of punches that forced referee Howard Foster to waive it off, much to the great dismay of the crowd. The official time was 1:09 of round seven.

Released by Top Rank, Conlan trained for this fight in Miami, Florida, under Pedro Diaz, best known for rejuvenating the career of Miguel Cotto. But the switch in trainer and in promoter made no difference as Conlan, who won his first amateur title at age 11, was damaged goods before he entered the ring. It was a career-defining victory for Jordan Gill (28-2-1, 9 KOs) who was not known as a big puncher and was returning to the ring after being stopped by Kiko Martinez 13 months ago in his previous start.

Semi-wind-up

In the “Battle of Belfast,” undefeated welterweight Lewis Crocker seized control in the opening round and went on to win a lopsided decision over intra-city rival Tyrone McKenna (23-4-1). Two of the judges gave Crocker every round and the other had it 98-92, but yet this was entertaining fight in spurts. McKenna had more fans in the building, but Crocker, seven years younger at age 26, went to post a 7/2 favorite and youth was served.

Other Bouts of Note

Belfast super welterweight Caoimhin Agyarko, who overcame a near-fatal mugging at age 20, advanced to 14-0 (7) with a 10-round split decision over Troy Williamson (20-2-1). The judges had it 98-92 and 97-93 for Agyarko with a dissenter submitting a curious 96-94 score for the 31-year-old Williamson who wasn’t able to exploit his advantages in height and reach.

Sean McComb, a 31-year-old Belfast southpaw, scored what was arguably the best win of his career with a 10-round beat-down of longtime sparring partner Sam Maxwell. Two of the judges gave McComb every round and the other had it 99-88. McComb, who has an interesting nickname, “The Public Nuisance, successfully defended his WBO European super welterweight strap while elevating his record to 18-1 (6). The fading, 35-year-old Maxwell, a former BBBofC British title-holder, lost for third time in his last four starts after winning his first 16 pro fights.

Photo credit: Mark Robinson / Matchroom

To comment on this story in the Fight Forum CLICK HERE

Post Views: 270

Avila Perspective, Chap. 262: Ryan Garcia Reloads and More Fight News

Published

1 day ago

December 1, 2023

David A. Avila

Avila Perspective, Chap. 262: Ryan Garcia Reloads and More Fight News

Nobody is perfect.

That’s a mantra that everyone including boxers, promoters and managers should realize. No person is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes.

Ryan “King Ry” Garcia (23-1, 19 KOs) returns to the prize ring to face thunderous punching Oscar Duarte (26-1-1, 21 KOs) on Saturday, Dec. 2, at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. DAZN will stream the stacked Golden Boy Promotions card.

A press conference started slowly like a long-lit fuse slowly burning to the stick of dynamite. And when the fire reached the stick, it exploded with everyone in the vicinity burned.

Garcia unleashed pent-up frustration with verbal attacks on his promoters and burned the perimeter with fire. Poor Duarte sat there knowing something happened, but probably needed translation from his people to discover Garcia burned the room.

No survivors.

If that’s just a sample of what’s coming on Saturday night, well buckle-up and don’t miss a second of Garcia and Duarte’s confrontation.

Duarte has 11 consecutive knockouts and an 80 percent knockout rate. Garcia recently lost to Gervonta “Tank” Davis by stoppage and is looking to raze the earth. He has an 82 percent knockout rate.

Somebody is going to sleep in front of millions of fans.

“Oscar is a tough opponent. I know he’s going to come to fight. But I’m right here to make an example for the 140-division,” said Garcia with a death knell stare during the face-off. “This is how I’m coming. This is the Ryan Garcia you are going to get.”

Duarte knows he’s in the limelight. There’s no better place to be. Or is there?

“This is a dream for me. I come very prepared. This Saturday you will see my best version,” said Duarte. “I’m going to win.”

Maybe he picked the wrong time.

Garcia looked as if he were General Sherman on his way to scorch the earth on his way to Atlanta. No survivors.

It doesn’t look good for anyone.

“I’m laser focused” said Garcia with a stare that looked like Superman shooting lasers from his eyes.

The loss to Davis last spring was only on his ledger. In his pocketbook the lean, snap-quick fighter from Victorville, California gained $30+ million. That’s what happens when you fight the best and the world wants to see it. Both he and Tank Davis broke the bank and the counting machine for pay-per-views.

But winning still remains important and few know better than promoter Oscar De La Hoya.

“You never know where the mindset is in a fighter after he loses. You have to give it up to Ryan. When you pick a guy who is dangerous and speedy and who has a shot, kudos to Ryan,” said De La Hoya on social media in a statement that probably lit the Garcia’s fuse that roasted the room.

“When fighters lose they have their emotional rollercoasters. But once you win and you get 30 million bucks everything is friggin good,” De La Hoya added.

Others on the card are Shane Mosley Jr., Floyd Schofield, Darius Fulghum and Ryan’s younger brother Sean Garcia.

It’s loaded. Beware of fire.

SoCal

Amado Vargas, son of the great Fernando Vargas, makes his return.

Vargas (9-0, 4 KOs), a lightweight, meets Ezequiel Flores (4-1) in the main event on Saturday Dec. 2, at C. Robert Lee Center in Hawaiian Gardens, Calif. on the MarvNation Boxing Promotions card

All three of the Vargas brothers have been burning up to boxing ring and all are signed by promoters. Amado and Fernando Vargas Jr. signed with MarvNation and have attracted many fans.

This is the last boxing card of the year for MarvNation. Doors open at 5 p.m. For more information call (562) 713-9026 or (562) 639-3980.

Florida

Don King Productions has its last card of the year and ends it with five title fights including undefeated Antonio Perez (8-0, 5 KOs) versus Haskell Rhodes (29-5-1, 14 KOs) in a welterweight clash at Casino Miami Jai Ali in Miami, Florida.

Perez, 21, is only 5-6 in height and Rhodes is even shorter, but has experience against top competition such as Floyd Schofield and Sergey Lipinets.

Also on the card are Ian Green, Vaughn Alexander, Tre’Sean Wiggins, Chris Howard, Alex Castro, Harry Cruz and more.

The Don King Production card will be streamed at this link: https://itube247.com/

To comment on this story in the Fight Forum CLICK HERE

Post Views: 723