Chevron Distributing Company.  The tall building is now District Meats.     1985

This magnificent building has undergone many changes in the last 25 years. It has been home to The Chevron Fine Furniture Company, the Stuart Buchanan Fine Antiques Company, and the Big Game restaurant.

We have a keeper now, serious wherewithal, great food and a completely different, wonderful design bringing the rooms scale down, and lowered noise level solved with smart acoustical work.

Beginning renovation into the Stuart Buchanan Building     1987

A bitter winter morning, a crane lifts a mechanical system onto the roof. Soon the concrete facet would be removed from the bottom front of the building. An old store front underneath would be given life again and move forward into the future.

From 16th Street, looking North on Wazee Street     1987

An outstanding wall mural on the left, about to be thoughtlessly painted over, matches the wall mural of Rockmount Ranch Wear across the street.

The Firemen's Grain Elevator at the very end of the block, is now replaced with Coors Field.

The Western Stock is about to come to town and District Meats will be accommodating patrons with steak, pork, chicken and trout.

From New York City, Chef Charlie Palmer is coming to town folks, boy howdy. Saddle up...

Dismantling of water tank on top floor by torch     1987

This top floor and others below have been renovated into new loft homes. Welcome pardners...

Top floor looking towards the street side front windows     1987

Ride on folks, the new Millennium building on the corner across from the Oxford Hotel, the Jet Hotel on 16th Street and Wazee Street, and now the addition of District Meats - tasty.

ROn lyle ringside

Ron Lyle Ringside, at Sheridan Blvd. and Colfax Avenue     1986

I went to Junior High School with Robert Lyle, a younger brother of Ron Lyle. When the Ron Lyle Ringside Gym opened, I wanted to photograph some of the events of the world of boxing.

I nervously went and talked with Ron.  I asked him if I could photograph some of the training in the gym and some of Lightning Lonnie Smith's training with
prominent boxing trainer Bobby Lewis. He looked me square in the eye, a tooth pick between his lips, he looked deep... and said O.K.

Ron's reputation preceded him, previous incarceration, he was a survivor of the highest degree. My interest was photography, I did not pass judgment, it was not my right.

Ron began his professional boxing career at the age of 30.  Had it been sooner, he may have become the Heavyweight Champion of the World; he came very close anyway.

Standing 6' 3" and 215 pounds of intense desire and muscle, his record was
43-7-1 (31 wins by Knock Out!)

Quickly rising to the 5th ranked heavyweight position, he had earned his shot against the baddest men in boxing.

Ahead on the boxing judges cards at the start of the 11th round versus Muhammad Ali for the World Championship Title, he finally succumbed to
the blows from the champ; he damn near pulled it off.

Fighting George Foreman, when George Foreman knocks a fighter down, they stay down. Ron got up and later put Foreman down, it was a brutal battle, a
younger Ron Lyle may have taken him?

Ron demanded attention; his boxer listened intently     1986

Lightning Lonnie Smith of Denver had recently won the Super Lightweight WBC Title by an 8th round TKO of undefeated and current champion Billy Costello.

The championship fight was held at Madison Square Gardens in New York City, Lonnie was now the champion of the world, his ringside coach was Bobby Lewis.

Respected boxing coach, Bobby Lewis had coached the American Olympic team in 1968; one of his young boxers won the Gold Medal; George Foreman was his name.

There were some very-very tough men in this gym.  I watched, photographed and keep my mouth shut. It was amazing, intense and exciting, a world known to only a few.

WBC Champion Lonnie Smith left, Ron Lyle far right     1985


Ron Lyle left, Lonnie Smith far right     1985

Lonnie Smith had done it, do you know how hard it is to wear that Championship Belt..? It is unbelievable of what a man goes through to wear that belt!

Lonnie on the left, Bobby Lewis on the right     1985


Lonnie Smith sparring with Billy Parks     1985


Ron Lyle's 44th Birthday Party at Ron Lyle Ringside     1985

Ron Lyle: Born February 12, 1941
Passed on: November 26, 2011
 

- Kim Allen