Imperial Valley Press

'Dark' Horses Feature V. Team in Boxing Tourney

"Keep your eyes on the dusky boys!" Matchmaker Noel Johnson warned Wednesday in predicting there will be a number of dark skinned boxers on the team to represent Imperial Valley at the Golden Gloves tournament.

Johnson called particular attention to two bouts on seven-bout card Thursday night at El Centro arena, first round in an elimination tournament to select the team.

"Watch Cleo Shans when he tangles with Frankie Cannett." Johnson said from behind his cigar. "Then watch Ike Blair trade them with Jess Cota.

"I don't promise Cleo and Ike will make the team, but you just watch them perform. Remember what Cleo did last week to a boy that outweighed him!"

Johnson explained that Joe Louis' spectacular victory has put new life into the valley's Negro boxers. He maintained the added confidence is all that Ike (Midnight Express) Blair and Cleo (Black Cobra) Shans needed.

(Editor’s Note: Just in case of a slip up, advise La Express and La Cobra to take more into the ring with them than confidence.)

-The Express faces a tough field in welter division with Steve Amador, Puncher McBride, T.N.T., Cobb, Don Woolridge and Alex Montoya barring the way.

The Cobra also faces a rocky path, with Cannett, Bobbie Pacheco, Ross Ruiz and Yaqui Joe Gonzales blocking the road in the featherweight sector.

Other bouts Thursday night will pit Greg Escalona against Lee Flores, Baby Ramos against Ken Miyaji, Vic Villavicencia against Willie Simmons, Steve Amador against Puncher McBride and Tuffy Loudermilk against Yaqui Joe Gonzales.