Ageless Archie Packed A Punch At His Ramona Training Site
by Johnny McDonald

Archie Moore owned his own training camp in Ramona, located on the road that bears his name.

Remarkable Archie Moore, a boxer with endless endurance as a world champion, was a Ramona ranch owner back in 1958.

At the time, the man who enjoyed the nickname of "Mongoose" believed he was the only active fighter who owned his own training camp. In his book, "The Archie Moore Story," he wrote: "I’m certain I’m the only one who owned two: one called the ‘Whistle Stop’ near my San Diego home where I trained boys for local amateur tournaments and the other, a large ranch outfitted solely to condition and train professional fighters."

Although 45 at the time, Moore still was a capable ring warrior. He had just scored an amazing comeback knockout victory over Yvon Durelle after being on the canvas four times. Before his retirement five years later, he established an unbeatable record of 135 knockouts (Boxers today don’t fight as often).

The Ramona training site, called the "Salt Mine," was about 37 miles northwest of San Diego at the foot of Mount Woodson. It was 120 acres of rugged terrain spread out in the most wonderful climate in the world.

Moore would laugh about his privacy being invaded by rattlesnakes and an occasional, curious mountain lion. Since shooting was one of his hobbies, these visitors heightened his interest.

The Salt Mine had an assortment of pets, including two dogs, a hen and rooster, and a cat, besides those snakes.

On the property were five houses, averaging five rooms each, kitchen facilities and equipment for year-round living; two swimming pools, one of which he intended to convert into a unique bar. There was an indoor and outdoor gym, complete with raised aprons.

Around the facility were natural roadwork trails of 4-, 6- and 7-mile distances. Visitors — particularly out-of-shape reporters — chose not to accompany him. About 8 miles of twisting and climbing roads were bulldozed on the property and the surface was oil-treated.

Ambitious plans called for a recreational facility with tennis courts, pitch-and-putt golf course and even a lake. In addition, there would be whirlpool baths, steam rooms and massage tables with a laundry, a large dining room and social hall.

Moore often exceeded his 175-pound light heavyweight fighting weight, so workouts and diets were intensified as he trained under Dick Saddler and Hiawatha Grey. He sparred regularly with Junious Washington.

In his book, he detailed his training routine, which he explains: "I’m outlining this average day so you will realize a fighter earns his money long before he steps in the ring for a few rounds of dancing. It’s not just measured in minutes."

Moore’s early days of training were usually inside a converted barn, which he called a "veritable sweatbox" and sometimes "the bucket of blood." He said there were no movie cameras grinding, just himself working off the fat.

"At the training camp we pretty much do for ourselves," he wrote. "We make our own beds, do daily laundry in our washing machines, cook, wash floors and do our own dishes."

Washing dishes was a stumbling block for one brash young heavyweight, sent to his camp by his managers to learn something about boxing. Cassius Clay, later known as Muhammad Ali, balked at the plates and left camp.

Obviously, he didn’t need Moore’s sage advice, because he became heavyweight champion and would knock out the old warrior (now approaching 50) in a 1962 Los Angeles bout. It closed out Moore’s boxing career.

In his special cabin on the ranch, Moore played musical tapes, read or answered personal mail. The fighter did much of his publicity, constantly writing to sports writers.

In preparation for his second fight with Durelle in 1959, he had a small grandstand built for spectators.

"We had, thank goodness, a steady flow of people from the press, radio and TV and some entertainment costs for these welcome guests must be met.

"After my years of sweaty gyms, tough-talking fight fans and hours spent killing time in pool rooms, I learned to appreciate children," he continued. "They are honest and eager and their admiration of a man who owns the title of champion is sincere and unaffected and most enjoyable."

Costs continued to rise, which included maintenance, gasoline, electricity and an awful amount of soap. Mail and publicity expenses, travel and payroll for the staff mounted.

Moore had talent as a speaker and the ability to write, although his schooling was limited. He played Jim, the slave, in a film version of Mark Twain’s classic novel, "Huckleberry Finn."

Yes, Ramona was an important part of Archie Moore’s life. It is nice that he is remembered by a road that bears his name...one that goes past the old Salt Mine.

Johnny McDonald covered several of Moore’s fights for the San Diego Union and made frequent visits to the Salt Mine.