Ken Frick - Photographer

Home (current)
Photo Galleries
Stories

My Day in Prison with Howard Cosell

My first job as a pro-shooter was for a small newspaper in Marion, Ohio. It was the best job I would ever have, and be fired from - twice!

My assignments were typical for a small town, until one weekend when we went big time, our little city hosting ABC's Wide World of Sports

Howard Cosell was a force to behold, here ring side, announcing fights for Wide World of Sports from the local prison

Cosell interviewing Don King, the famous fight promoter, who had once been a prisoner at the Marion Correctional Institution

Don King was wildly welcomed, here speaking to the MCI inmates, telling them 'I am one of you.' His prison number was 125734

Joe Louis acknowledging the adoring crowd

Joe Louis ringside, reigned as the world heavyweight champion from 1937 to 1949

Howard Cosell during a radio interview

Don King being interviewed by local members of the press

Don King drew quite a crowd of reporters, including famed Red Smith of the NY Times

Kenny Weldon, a featherweight, in tight with Rueben Castrillo. Weldon would have a career 43-7-1 record

Kenny Weldon still has fight in him against Rueben Castrillo. Weldon would coach boxing after his fighting days

Kenny Weldon, late in his 8 round bout with Rueben Castrillo

MCI inmate Art 'Tap' Harris at his weigh-in with Don King. I've found him also called 'Tap Tap,' and 'Tap City'

MCI prison inmate Tap Harris in the ring with Johnny Heard

Rueben Castrillo, a featherweight (boxing records have his name as Castillo), takes on Kenny Weldon

Rueben Castrillo ,would have a 69-10-2 record, fighting in 4 championship bouts, in the ring with Weldon

Uncertain, it could be Stan Ward and Kevin Isaac, Rocky Mosley, Jr. and Johnny Baldwin or Michael Dokes and Charlie Jordan

Wilfredo Benitez (also named Wilfred in boxing records), would win 3 world championships in 3 weight classes, mixes it up with Mel Dennis

Ruby Ortiz has Vinnie DeBarros against the ropes. DeBarros fought 22 pro bouts from '74-'77. His next fight was against Sugar Ray Leonard

Ruby Ortiz on the defense. Ortiz would have 41 career bouts going 24-13-4

Ruby Ortiz ready to counter punch. 1400 raucious inmates watched the action

Ruby Ortiz was known as Angel and as The Snake. Vinnie DeBarros was the New England Lightweight Champion and was ranked seventh by The Ring

Ruby Ortiz swings with a right

Ruby Ortiz in tight with Vinnie DeBarros. DeBarros record was 15-7-0

Ruby Ortiz with Vinnie DeBarros