Rusty Rubin, Managing Editor
www.ringsports.com

Haven’t been to an outdoor fight for a while now, and it was a pleasant (except for the bugs) affair.

The 1st Annual Sharkey Begovich Memorial event was held in Gardnerville, NV., but in a different local from where is used to be. Now it was held in Stodick Park, co-promoted by Top Rank and George Chung, and televised in part on ESPN.

While I don’t have the figures on the crowd, nor can I estimate not knowing the amount of people this set-up holds, I can say it was very well attended.

Some of the notables on hand included Max Baer Jr. (Jethro on the Beverly Hillbillies) and former great champion Michael Carbajal, who is now training fighters.

But to the action: (and I ask that if any names are mis-spelled, and few records or weights given, your forgiveness, as I was not given a bout sheet).

In the semi – main, Anthony “The Messenger” Thompson, 151, made his Top Rank debut, remaining undefeated by knocking down Dewey Welliver, 151, in round one, and forcing a wise stoppage by referee Norm Budden at the 1:23 mark of round five.

In the second live match, Steve Lueveano, not a big puncher, but an outstanding jr. lightweight, upped his record to 20-0 with a unanimous 6-round shutout of game but outclassed Miguel Escamailia.

In the main event, local favorite Jesse Brinkley proved he could step up in class by winning a legitimate 10-round unanimous decision over the taller Danny Perez, who had a big height and reach advantage, on paper, but couldn’t use it on the continuing pressing Brinkley in the ring.

Hard to figure where Jesse goes from here because Jr. Middleweight probably has the best fighters of any division in the sport right now. But at least Jesse proved that he belonged among them.

In other non-televised action, Ed Escudaro took 1;22 seconds to dispatch Rod Facio.

Hector Hernandez, 159 ½, trained by former great Michael Carbajal, stopped Alex Viramontes, 158 at the 1:26 mark of the opening round.

And tall and rangy Jose Santa Cruz won via a TKO at 1:19 of round four over shorter, but game, Ray Delgado.

Judging by the crowd for this lightly advertised and televised event, this may be a yearly event.

The memory of my old friend Sharkey Begovich can rest easy.***

We can now officially add Joel Casamayor to our Thanksgiving cruise to raise money for Greg Page and Gerald McClellan. Casamayor joins Angelo Dundee and (we’re hoping) Wayne McCullough. Joel, is a former jr. lightweight champion from Miami, out of Cuba, and a member of “Team Freedom”. My sincere thanks to Joel and to Eric Bottjer for his help here. Also sincere thanks to much of the working press for their support in getting the word out.***

Glove2Glove: Please say prayers for the recovery from cancer of Bob Iole, father of outstanding boxing scribe, Kevin. Cards can be sent to Bob Iole, 246 Highbury Rd, Cheswick, PA. 15024.

Also prayers and cards are requested for boxing fan Martin Sommers, St. Marys Hospice, Room 519, 1300 Massachussettes Ave., Troy, NY, 12180.

Also down but not out with cancer is Kathy Cerola, sister of top referee Elmo Adolph, and my best friend and co-founder of Glove2Glove, Susiey Walker.
Needless to say we need prayers for the return to health of both former champs Greg Page and Gerald McClellan, both confined to wheelchairs.

Glove to Glove is a non-denomination group set up to aide those boxing folks and their relatives in need of prayers and cards. We accept no money and only contact our members when someone is in need. It’s free to join. Simply send us your e-mail address. And even if you’re not a member, feel free to contact us if you are aware of some boxing person in need.

Touching on politics briefly: Although I know this idea won’t be popular and has a few flaws, I think I have a plan to improve border security, lower unemployment and improve the budget shortfall on the States that border with Mexico.

No, I’m not smoking loco weed, and I know that more then a few people in the border states may be upset with the novel concept of working for a living, but hey, I’ve made enemies over much less. I consider myself an equal opportunity offender, although it truth, I just suggest ideas and express my feelings and enjoy getting feedback, positive or negative from our readers. When the new and improved website goes up, there will be ample room for everyone with a well expressed, legitimate view to be heard.

Here’s my plan and it’s so simple, it’s scary that no one else has pushed for it, particularly in States like California who are having major financial shortfalls. I refuse to believe it’s a novel idea.

We put everyone on the dole, welfare, workfare, unemplyment etc. to work at the menial jobs that the illegals come to America for, by mandating that all able body, unemployed Americans either do the work that is now taken by illegals, and supplement that income with the difference from unemployment insurance or other Gov’t. subsidies and then whatever jobs are left, go to those who can safely sneak across our borders.

Obviously, I don’t expect senior citizens or those disabled to work in the fields, but there may be some work for them to find in other far less taxing professions, and if a person can’t work for medical reason, we can have a special dispensation for them.

What! Americans having to actually work for a living! An insult to all Mexicans who aren’t named Manuel Labor.

But seriously, look what happens here. Far fewer Mexicans will cross the border illegally, because there are very few jobs available for them to take. They will have to cross the border legally and become a tax paying citizen of America, which is fine, I assume by everyone.

And with the increase in employment in this country more State and Local taxes will be paid and the economy will grow.

The only drawback that I see immediately, is that this plan may cause our border vigilance to become lax, and that we can’t afford to do.

Please remember that I have long advocated creating more jobs then to giving minimal tax cuts to those who need the money, and will spend it, and big tax cuts to those who don’t need it and won’t spend it.

Agree or disagree, we’d like to hear from you, but please watch your language. I don’t expect a lot of happy responses on this one.