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Special
Recognition & Acknowledgment
Jan 1, 2006
Jorge’s
Corner 2005 Awards
As wind pounded us, bringing
with it tornado force gales and down pours of Biblical portions, I pondered upon
2005 in Stockton, or Gun Smoke as I call it. While the city fathers shoved new
developments down our throats, and fill their pockets, there were sixty-five
murders, thirty that still remain unsolved. We became known as number one in
auto thefts, and for the highest crime rate in the nation. As the former police
chief became mayor, and the former sheriff became a federal prisoner, Stockton
residents suffered under the yoke of senseless violence, and blatant disregard
for the rights of its citizens. Things appear to be getting off to roaring start
in 2006. While the mayor makes promises, residents are dying and struggling to
survive with record unemployment and little hope for the future.
Stockton was voted the dumbest
city in California and ranked below average in a national survey of readers. It
seems the average person doesn’t even the paper. They don’t watch the news
and care nothing about world events. Which might explain the high rate of
unemployment, teen pregnancies, dropouts, and crimes rates. Yet, the city
leaders who are buying up downtown property, which is where city funded
development is taking place, are getting richer. The name Fat City seems to have
more to do with our crooked politicians, than the amount of money in boxing
purses. Stockton cops have also gotten better at killing suspects, which is why
I advise every to be wary while visiting.
It wasn’t all bad, during
2005 I enter acted with Eric Morales, Sugar Shane Mosely, George Foreman, Oscar
de la Hoya and many others. I met local Olympic hopefuls Stan Martyniouck and
Brandon Gonzales. I accidentally also uncovered some of the foulest behavior
I’ve ever witnessed, which left me feeling disgusted. Again, proving age has
nothing to do with wisdom. It seems the older some folks get they surrender all
pretense of civility or decorum. I did as the bible suggested, shook the dust
form my feet, and moved on. May God, bring them peace, as for me, I avoid such
individuals
I work hard at covering local
boxing events. Although I like the big shows, I really enjoy watching local
talent develop. There is something special about watching young lions evolve and
face their challengers. Thanks to my stories fans across the world are now aware
of local fighters. My main allegiance is to Central and Northern California
boxing fans. The following are my picks for Jorge’s Corner, Best of 2005
Awards.
The Best Venue Award
goes to Jerry Hoffman who only stages two fights a year, but does so with class.
His shows are by far the best. The Portola Plaza Hotel on the wharf at Monterey
can’t be beaten. It is beautiful. His shows are usually exciting, and always
sold out. The great room rates offered by the hotel are a rare perk. Despite set
backs and problems, Jerry always manages to put on an exciting show.
Congratulations Jerry Hoffman, Winner of Jorge's Corner, Best Venue Award. The
worse venue has got to be the Palace Indian Casino, in Lemoore, that holds their
shows out in a cow pasture, smells of cow dung and ditch water or in a huge tent
that leaks. Parking is awful and its so far away it requires an overnight stay.
The fog is spooky and there is nothing to do out there if you don’t gamble.
You’d think anyone who makes that much money could afford a better setting.
The good thing is, there is a lot of room for improvement. Lets hope things get
better. The last time I wrote an uncomplimentary commentary about the Palace, I
received ugly threats and foul e-mails. Lets hope they’ve gotten better
management.
The Best Ring Girls Award.
Once again I gotta give this award to Jerry Hoffman who has managed to
consistently find the most attractive, classicists ring girls. The singing
sheriff, the military color guard and attractive setting, set new standards.
Play Haters who criticize boxing should attend one of Jerry’s shows. I believe
they would be impressed. Congratulations Jerry Hoffman, Winner of Jorge’s
Corner, Best Ring Girls Award. The least attractive ring girls I’ve seen have
been in Stockton, although, things have improved. I’d suggest the ring girls
at ARCO Area get rid of those awful outfits. Whoever finds the girls for The San
Jose Pavilion needs to be more particular. Ring girls are supposed to be eye
candy, not toothaches. They are there to compliment the promoter and management,
not give them a black eye.
The Best Overall Card Award.
This was also an easy selection. The San Jose Pavilion has consistently staged
the best card. Again, they’ve had complications, and still managed to put on
the best shows overall. Congratulations San Jose Pavilion, Winner of Jorge’s
Corner Best Overall Card Award. The worse cards have been at Arco Arena, it
seems the promoter doesn’t care about quality boxing, as long as they rake in
the bucks. I hope the new year brings an improved attitude on the part of Arco
Arena whose done nothing to assist Sacramento Olympic hopefuls Stan Martyniouck
and Brandon Gonzales. Someone should wake up the mayor as well. Imagine what a
shot in the arm it would be for Sacramento to have two of its citizens on the
USA Olympic Boxing Team.
Best Amateur Show. This
was an easy selection and goes to Oscar Tenedora of Manteca, who blew everyone
out of the water, including all the professional shows when he staged the USA Vs
MEXICO amateur card in San Francisco. His pre fight show was way above and
beyond anything I’ve seen outside of Vegas. No one even comes close.
Congratulations Oscar Tenedora, Winner of Jorge’s Corner Best Amateur Show.
The worse is impossible to pick, there are so many bad ones to choose from.
Best Up and Coming Promoter
Award. All promoters are notorious money grabbers, stingy and downright
scrooges. Some are not very nice people either. Many colorful names come to
mind. I won’t give names, as I’ve already had my life threatened for
exposing several shortcomings. I’ve met many new wanna be professional
promoters. They usually come in with a bang and leave with a whimper. James
Grunsky has not only stayed and improved, he has demonstrated potential for
excellence. Thanks to him Stockton’s Glory days have been reawakened, and
boxing is once again something we can look forward too. Congratulations James
Grunsky, Winner of The Best Up and Coming Promoter Award. The worse can’t be
named for obvious reasons.
Most Improved Local
Professional Boxer Award. Although there are many young boxers whom
demonstrated potential, few have also displayed consistent improvement and
professionalism. This award goes to Vicente Escobedo of Woodland, a former
Olympian. Vicente has impressed me with his focused, demon-like attacks upon his
opponents. He has not only beaten his opponents, he has forced them to retire
after suffering humiliating poundings. I believe Vicente will continue to
improve and win a world championship. Congratulation Vicente Escobedo, Winner of
The Most Improved Local Professional Boxer Award.
Best Trainer Award.
Unlike knowledge via experience, ignorance is contagious, and spreads like the
flu. I wish I could make this award. I have been embarrassed by some
performances. This can only be blamed on the trainers. I have been consistently
disgusted with Mexican boxers who arrive with seemingly no training or knowledge
of boxing. They step into the ring with nothing but heart, and no skills. They
leave beaten, and humiliated. I rate the boxers and trainers in Stockton at
zero. The last two professional shows have left me feeling sick. If I had not
been ringside covering the event I would have left in disgust. Once again it
falls upon the trainers, who lack the knowledge, and strength of character to
seek outside help. Its too bad, several of the guys might have potential. As it
now stands Stockton boxers will be target practice for better-trained fighters.
The local trainers who claim to coach boxing are a disgrace, and a reflection of
the primitive environment found here. In Japan such a performance could only be
redeemed by committing Sepuko, too bad we don’t live in Japan.
Best Fight Fans Award.
One of the important aspects of boxing are the fans. I’ve not witnessed any
more enthusiastic fans than those in Stockton. Fans here are rough, generally
undereducated, usually unemployed and openly aggressive. They carry their pride
on their chest and will not hesitate to fight, throw cups, cell phones or
anything available into the ring. I was present when sports writer Pedero
Fernandez got nailed on the head with a cell phone for his unfavorable
announcement. Unlike General Patton, he has never returned meek fans with weak
hearts should stay away from Stockton. The fights are usually horrible events,
bloody, violent, lacking skill and are little more than blatant displays of
violence. They are however, welcomed with cheers and applauds beyond anything
I’ve heard anywhere else. Tremendous, thunderous cheering and foot stomping
are normal. Drunken, hysterical screaming and bloodthirsty yelling are also
considered normal here. Keep in mind we are surrounded by several prisons and
the worse CYA facility in California. We house the most drug rehabilitation
programs and 160 ex felons are released into our population 12 times a year. Is
it then any surprise Stockton fans love to watch two men beat each other,
regardless of skill, age, experience or ability, the bloodier the better. One of
the local heroes is a 45-year guy, who has never fought outside of Stockton.
Another 42 year old, retired, only after being knocked out and caused a near
riot. Having actually been in a Pakistani War Camp, except for the guns,
language and clothing, it’s about the same. The primitive environment, below
standards in reading, economy, high unemployment, and high crime rates make
attending a boxing event truly courageous. Keep in mind our Sheriff Baxter Dung
was convicted of corruption, and there were 65 murders last year. I don’t call
it Gun Smoke for nothing. Congratulations Stockton Boxing fans, Winners of The
Best Fight Fans Award.
Local professional boxers
appear to lack the ability to take it beyond the Civic Auditorium. At 37 years
Rodney Jones, is still trying to win a championship. I believe he needs a real
trainer, the one he has thus far failed to help him. David Martinez, has dropped
his former trainer, and disappeared. Thank God Kenny Lopez retired, after being
knocked out. Nick Brooks should consider playing hockey, because he can’t box.
His last outing was a disaster. Everado Lopez was equally as bad and Tony
“Red” Dominguez is way past retiring. I gotta hand it to him, he won’t
quit and he keeps filling the civic auditorium. James Grunsky, the local
promoter, makes a bundle every time he puts him on the card. Andreas Zapata
lacks skills and training, aside from having a cool Mexican name, the guy
can’t box. I don’t believe he knows the word parry, slip or block. The last
few guys are a perfect example of individuals who want the glory without the
sweat, none have any amateur experience, yet are all pros. None of these guys
have a knowledgeable trainer, and are risking their lives senselessly. Such
reckless bravado is simple ignorance disguised as bravery. Keep in mind, that
for the price of a license any fool can call himself or herself
“professional”. It doesn’t mean they know what they’re doing. Overall
boxers from Stockton are as bad as those found in the movie “Fat City”, a
depressing tale about alcoholics, drunks, and losers. The reality, although
difficult to believe, is worse than the movie, which is fiction. Sad to say 2006
looks as bleak as 2005, because as much as things change, most stay the same.
All that being said, I look
forward to 2006. I look do so without much hope of change, but a cheerful heart,
ready to accept it, should it appear. Once again, even though I may stumble and
even fall, I’ll continue to try and make the right choice, even if it isn’t
the easiest.
Stockton has a new hockey team
and a brand new multi million-dollar sports complex, which will hopefully bring
positive changes. We’ve just got to find a way to stop the murders, and reduce
auto thefts. Curbing the endless flow of undocumented immigrants who lack
employment might help, as well as building a bigger jail to house the criminals
of which we have many. It looks hopeless, and yet we must continue.
Fans should keep in mind the
U.S.A. is still at war and our men are in harms way. Remember to send up a
prayer and ask they be returned home safely. I send a hello to my former High
School teacher, Barbara Davis Cox, of Tuloso Midway High School. If you know
her, say hello. In the mean time I gotta say Thank God for Boxing!
Always in Your Corner,
Jorge A. Martinez
Sportswriter/Trainer/Manager
dancingskyhorse@earthlink.net
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