Great article, I never went to fights at the Arena, not sure why. I remember it well ,went there Ice skating, hockey, even way later when it tried to be a tennis club. I did go the Arcade in downtown Providence for the fights, until it burned down suspicious fire, one person, club fighter died in the fire.
Boxing was a big deal until mid to late 60's. Then it disappeared.
Thanks, Biagio. Goodness, I forgot about The Arcade. Yes, I saw fights there. I went to dances there. Nowadays, I'm glad boxing has disappeared. Lots, Lots of traumatic brain issues.
Wonderful story. I'm jealous of your evenings(s) at the Arena. The only fights I remember from my childhood were those on Friday nights at home in Denver sponsored by Gillette Blue Blade razors. I'd watch some of it with my father and my brother before my mother would whisk us off to bed. I did take up boxing in college as one of my elected sports activities, and wrestled for one year in high school. I found tennis and golf less painful.
I'm glad the "romance" of boxing wore off, Ed. My father, a physician, served his 2 years in the Army at Fort Carson, Colorado, during the Korean War. One of his duties was attending Friday Fight Nights, when the soldiers took turns beating up one another in the ring. His stories about that were enough to turn me off boxing for a lifetime. If that hadn't been enough, reading Mike Stanton's "Unbeaten: Rocky Marciano's Fight for Perfection in an Imperfect World" would have done the trick.
Ed, you had me P my pants so beautifully told. Yes, I also got a kick out of all the treats you got in-between the groans and all the so-called trainers giving advice. The barker that greeted you as you entered so well described. (a lot of former Classical students I gather from the Kings English spoken) Ed, unfortunately never had the experience to attend the fights at the auditorium but did enjoy the Friday night tv fights. I spent some time on the ice in high school with our high school hockey team-we played like some of the bums you saw in the ring. Did see Billy May on a date and with my parents the Ice capades. One of the young Ice skaters came over and asked me to take her cape off. Aww North Main Street was a main hub, Tops Gaylord and much more. Nice to have the beautiful memories.
You brought me right back there. Never saw a fight except for the frequent ones during Reds games. But that smoke! Yuck! I remember the fans yelling for Lou Pieri to turn on the exhaust fans which he would not do to save money. Saw some great hockey players back then, probably better than many guys playing in the NHL today.
Yess, Ron. There were only 6 NHL teams, so we saw the best players as it was difficult to move up. The smoke was so dense that I believe it was first-hand. Ha
What an extraordinary memory of time spent with your male models!! I love how you keep repeating what you ate while the fight was going on! My memory of the arena is this: once a year the high schoolers (or was it junior high? My memory is not as good as yours!) PACKED THE PLACE FOR A COUPLE'S DANCE COMPETITION! I never won, but I enjoyed dancing!
Thanks, Elsie. I missed the couples dance but not the Sunday afternoon skate around. For years, I loved boxing until I went to medical school where I learned what was happening to the boxers' brains. I never saw a match thereafter.
Ed...I felt like I was there with you. The sights, sounds, smells and the company...Those things never leaver our memories. Thanks for taking me back...It was good to be back home...if just for a little while!
Precious memories of time spent with Dad...thanks for sharing.
They were indeed, Lora.
Memories of the arena: ice skating, & hockey games! That’s it for me, but YOU are the best story teller!🥰💕
Thank you, Sheila. Hugs. Happy Thanksgiving.
I am sure you are correct on the injuries. What surprises me today is MMA, that is much more vicious and dangerous than Boxing, brutal.
You may be right. What I saw was only briefly . . . in a cage . . .no protection?
I hope they have health care coverage.
Great article, I never went to fights at the Arena, not sure why. I remember it well ,went there Ice skating, hockey, even way later when it tried to be a tennis club. I did go the Arcade in downtown Providence for the fights, until it burned down suspicious fire, one person, club fighter died in the fire.
Boxing was a big deal until mid to late 60's. Then it disappeared.
Thanks, Biagio. Goodness, I forgot about The Arcade. Yes, I saw fights there. I went to dances there. Nowadays, I'm glad boxing has disappeared. Lots, Lots of traumatic brain issues.
Wonderful story. I'm jealous of your evenings(s) at the Arena. The only fights I remember from my childhood were those on Friday nights at home in Denver sponsored by Gillette Blue Blade razors. I'd watch some of it with my father and my brother before my mother would whisk us off to bed. I did take up boxing in college as one of my elected sports activities, and wrestled for one year in high school. I found tennis and golf less painful.
Wow, Larry, I wold never take up boxing. I hated to be hit. The Friday fights were the Gilette Cavalcade of Sports with Jimmy Powers the announcer.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gillette_Cavalcade_of_Sports#:~:text=The%20Friday%20night%20program%2C%20broadcast,stardom%2C%20not%20just%20heavyweight%20contenders.
I'm glad the "romance" of boxing wore off, Ed. My father, a physician, served his 2 years in the Army at Fort Carson, Colorado, during the Korean War. One of his duties was attending Friday Fight Nights, when the soldiers took turns beating up one another in the ring. His stories about that were enough to turn me off boxing for a lifetime. If that hadn't been enough, reading Mike Stanton's "Unbeaten: Rocky Marciano's Fight for Perfection in an Imperfect World" would have done the trick.
Yes, it wore off for sure. I loved Stanton's book.
A brutal sport flooded with some suspicious characters in those old days.
Ed, you had me P my pants so beautifully told. Yes, I also got a kick out of all the treats you got in-between the groans and all the so-called trainers giving advice. The barker that greeted you as you entered so well described. (a lot of former Classical students I gather from the Kings English spoken) Ed, unfortunately never had the experience to attend the fights at the auditorium but did enjoy the Friday night tv fights. I spent some time on the ice in high school with our high school hockey team-we played like some of the bums you saw in the ring. Did see Billy May on a date and with my parents the Ice capades. One of the young Ice skaters came over and asked me to take her cape off. Aww North Main Street was a main hub, Tops Gaylord and much more. Nice to have the beautiful memories.
Thanks, Peter. Yes, The Arena was a destination for many. So many things going on in the only game in tow.
Its memories are palpable today.
So . . . hmmmm . . . was it a chick magnet for you?
Ha ha-YES! High School mate.
You brought me right back there. Never saw a fight except for the frequent ones during Reds games. But that smoke! Yuck! I remember the fans yelling for Lou Pieri to turn on the exhaust fans which he would not do to save money. Saw some great hockey players back then, probably better than many guys playing in the NHL today.
Yess, Ron. There were only 6 NHL teams, so we saw the best players as it was difficult to move up. The smoke was so dense that I believe it was first-hand. Ha
What an extraordinary memory of time spent with your male models!! I love how you keep repeating what you ate while the fight was going on! My memory of the arena is this: once a year the high schoolers (or was it junior high? My memory is not as good as yours!) PACKED THE PLACE FOR A COUPLE'S DANCE COMPETITION! I never won, but I enjoyed dancing!
Thanks, Elsie. I missed the couples dance but not the Sunday afternoon skate around. For years, I loved boxing until I went to medical school where I learned what was happening to the boxers' brains. I never saw a match thereafter.
That's why we never ran into each other (pun intended)! If I had gone to the skate around, I would probably have lost some of my brain cells!
HaHa
Ed...I felt like I was there with you. The sights, sounds, smells and the company...Those things never leaver our memories. Thanks for taking me back...It was good to be back home...if just for a little while!
Thanks, Dave. Memorable days. The Arena was a destination; kinda the only venue around in those days.