Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1937-05-30

ne really made some money-some of that |
lost when | gave him to Jack Barnes. Today
he lives in comparative luxury, getting good
income from his property and living quietly"
What might have been another million dol
lars slipped through Parente's hands when he
discovered Max Baer-ahd lost him. Baer was
working in Livermore for his father when Pa
rente offered him $25 for his first fight Later,
says Parente, Baer signed contract agreeing
not to fight in California for anyone else.
I even took this contract before the State
Boxing Commission" Parente says ruefully ito
make sure that the papers were alright Ham
Lorimer was supposed to be Baers manager
but pretty soon it turned out that he had an
other manager somewhere, although that wasn't
on any record! Right now have suit against
Baer for $4,000, which is still hanging fire. But
just think-if the contract had been lived up
to, I'd have had worlds champion when he
fought in this part of the country You can
make more money in the promoting game-on
paper!-than anything else in the world"
The best welterweight that San Francisco
ever knew Parente believes, was Frank Nc
Council, who is now police sergeant.
To-day Mcconnell works out of the sheriff's
office, attends race tracks, carnivals and keeps
an eye out for pick pockets-all of whom know
him and keep safe distance. He still has the
same cool eye that made him great fighter of
his day.
But at his height he was even better than
Jim Corbett. Mcconnell had a terrific knock.
out punch. 1t made him great, and cost him
his career. He fought for only three years
from 1899 to the latter part of 1901. In his last
nght ne scored knockout, and the other man
died. 1t was too much of shock to McCon-
nell. and he soon retired from the ring"
Louis Parente is philosophical about the
goloeh opportunities he has overlooked His
life has been busy full of friends and activity.
He has managed fighters promoted innumer-
able big fights on the Pacific Coast and oper
ated number of popular cafes in the DAYS of
the famous Barbary Coast Today his cafe ia
stlll meeting place for fighters from all over
the world The Barbary Coast has disappeared.
most OF brightly-lighted night clubs have to
some extent taken it's place, but on historic Pa
enc Street Louis Parente still chats OCCASION
ally behind small handicapped table, He en-
joys letting his memory drift back to tbe old
days when Harry Wills, big Charley Miller, and
Willie Meehan fought under rules first laid down
by the Marquis of Queensbury.
On the walls are blurred old photoeranbe
which can never be replaced. Hundreds of the
DID time fighters are there-Battling Nelson
Ad Wolgast Jim Corbett Harlem Tommy
Murphy, Stanley Ketchel Charley White. Abe
AtteL The list is endless. Parente points out
King Sooman, Jim Jeffries, Young strih,ing
eff Smith, John L. Sullivan Jack Renan1t
eddie Shea, Dave Shade Jimmy Slatterv old
like McTigue, Harry Greb Tiger Flowers
'ouls F1rpo Sailor Freedman-old-time fighters
'ho have died or retired from ring wars. All
nghtng poses, facing their opponent in the
pposite corner, waiting for the bell.
Parente pauses before the big picture of a
olored fighter. That's Harry wills strongest
nan ever knew When he was good he'd have
eaten Jack Dempsey and everyone else-ex
ept Sam Langford. He did beat most AZ 49,.
Why if had him today. he'd pack In more
eopie than the biggest stadium could hold"
These rare old pictures are a collection of
hitch Louis Parente is justly proud. Hundreds
ring heroes from yesterday look down from
is walls, tense and waiting.
Louis Parente shakes his head. There. no
lace in the fight game for old men," he saws.
They'll never fight again."