With 2003 drawing to a close, let’s take a look at one of the major problems facing boxing and most sports. E-X-P-A-N-S-I-O-N!

Like most of our guts, this time of year is right for expansion, and that’s up to the individual as to how much.

In boxing and other sports, which have been watered down over the years, it’s definitely a detriment, except for the kids, who can fight for any sanctioning body they choose and have a shot at one title or the other.

Granted, the kids are most important. And boxing will teach them self defense and discipline, something critical for later life. And to some they opportunity to earn some good money, without resorting to gangs or drugs.

But all the weight divisions and sanctioning bodies doesn’t really prove who the champion is. The IBF champ doesn’t have to face the WBC or WBA champ, so how does the fan (or the boxing scribe) know who the real champion is?

In boxing, there are no rules to force champions to meet, and that, along with all the weight divisions, leads to a lot of confusion among the fans. It waters down our sport and leaves us with ‘fighters’ like John Ruiz, who is as exciting to watch as watching raindrops fall.

OK, all knowledgeable fans know that Ruiz is not a real champion, no matter what the WBA says. But we can see what’s going on here. Anyone who chooses not to obey the rules (holding, fouls, etc) can become a world champion if there’s a weak referee.

And it’s not just Ruiz, he’s part of the problem, or at least the WBA is. There are others who don’t do justice to the word champion.

I also must add here that this is one of the reasons I feel that the boxers of the past were far superior to most of the fighters today.

They had to fight each other, so they were true champions. And they didn’t rely on steroids for an advantage (although they may have is roids were prevalent at the time), and they had to fight the true championship distance of 15 rounds.

That’s why I believe my ideas to clean up the sport should be considered, improved upon of course, and put into effect.

Agree or disagree, I’d like to hear from you.

(Rusty Rubin is an award winning boxing journalist, and managing editor of Ringsports.com, the magazine and website. His first boxing book, “Off The Canvas” will be out in the Spring. Orders are being taken for autographed copies on a first come first serve basis, at the cost of $12.50. Send check or money order toRingsports.com, Book, POB 18336, Reno, NV. 89511..

Glove2Glove:

Special prayers go out to Mills Lane for his complete recovery. Mills, who suffered a stroke a few years back may be down, but knowing him, he’s far from out.

Prayers are requested for the soul of Archie Hindman who passed away early this month in Indiana.

Prayers are requested for Ringsports.com photo journalist Dale Hausner of Arizona, who is having problems with cancer.

Prayers are requested for Kenneth E. Ryther father of our photo journalist Amy Green. Kenneth is suffering from Parkinsons.

Please say prayers for solid boxing guy, member of the WBHOF and all around class act Sabitini Arbucci who is recovering from cancer surgery.

Please say prayers for Phill Grazide of Santa Rosa, CA. a big supporter of amateur boxing, who is suffering the crippling effects of rheumatoid arthritis.

Chas. Shandor, father in law of Ringsports.com writer Nick Constantine has been diagnosed with cancer and needs your prayers.

Prayers are asked for and welcomed for LaVerne Gaither of Atlanta, who is having some serious medical problems.

Also down but not out with cancer is Kathy Ceravola, 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.

Glove2Glove is a non-denominational 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.

Classified:
Reader Ed Ramos has the following articles available for sale. All come with letter of authenticity
1- Rocky Marciano golden gloves autographed 1968 trophy-$700.This trophy comes with a notarized letter of authenticity. The autograph was obtained by the son of the promoter of this tournament.
2-Muhummud Ali plaque -$1500.This plaque was given to Ali over 10 years ago and is in excellent condition.
3-Joe Louis-Max Shmeling vintage puppets from either the 1930s or 1940s-$300 set. These puppets are extremely rare and are in very good condition.
4-Sonny Liston cut signature-$1000.
5-Cassius Clay 1963 cut signature-$900.
6-Sugar Ray Robinson autographed collage poster-$400.
7-Boxing Illustrated autographed by Ali in 1974-1975-$300.This vintage Ali autographs is one of the best ones that I have ever seen on a magazine.
8-Cassius Clay autographed boxing glove from the early 1960s-$1500 or best
offer.

Touching on politics briefly: I still can’t believe that the majority of the American people don’t understand that there is NO PROOF of any kind that Sadaam had anything to do with Sept. 11.

I know a lot of folks don’t bother watching the news, and would rather watch some of those idiotic ‘reality’ shows. That’s why the majority of the American public is uninformed, and that’s why it should be the duty of every publication and website to make the facts known, even to those who don’t want to be confused by them.

I’ve said it over and over again, an uninformed electorate is a dangerous electorate.

Talk about ‘leave no child behind’, we’re leaving the majority of our children behind, and it’s not only the schools that are at fault, although they share some of the burdon.

Where are the parents and why aren’t they telling the kids what’s going on in the world? Or are they, and the youngsters just aren’t listening or don’t give a rats ass?
I know it’s not just the kids that don’t have a clue. I’ve spoken to a lot of adults who think Sadaam was involved in Sept. 11. That’s downright scary.

We’re not endorsing candidates, and we will not, but we are endorsing better education, or maybe just condemning the education we have it this great country, who are allowing our children to graduate with no sense of what’s really going on in the world.

I know people like to escape by watching TV, and most will agree that much of the programming today is geared to the younger generation. That’s fine, but TV also bears the burden of educating those that schools did not! It’s a great way to go friends. Talk about the news on the sit-coms, and tie it into the script.***

Finally, I urge the Republican Party, in order to help win re-election next year, to dump Dick “Halliburton” Cheney, and put up a Vice President that doesn’t have to explain any possible price gouging to the USA.

Agree or disagree, I’m sure I’ll hear from you.