First, a very Happy New Year to all our friends and readers out there. If you’re celebrating don’t overdo it. Don’t drink and drive and be very careful of the next guy who might be intoxicated. We want everyone back with us in 2004.

Our new and much improved website will be up soon…Advertisers and current subscribers please e-mail me for your password…Website ads are available to current advertisers at a discount over new advertisers, but it will be affordable. For info on that, and click through ads, contact me and I’ll forward your request to our East Coast business office for a response.***

At least three big fights lined up for Mandalay Bay in Vegas for early next year.

On January 27th, Eric Morales puts in all on the line against tough Jesus Chavez. You can safely predict this one will be an all out war. This is a not to miss event, and you can see it free on HBO.

On February 7th, James Toney’s decision to remain at heavyweight will be tested when he takes on BIG Jameel McCline. Tough fight to call, but we will a few days before fight time. This fight goes to PPV, and figures to be well worth the investment.

On March 15, Shane Mosley does something most fighters won’t, taking on elusive southpaw Winky Wright. It’s a very interesting fight to watch. It could be very exciting or very boring as both can counter-punch, which will put everyone to sleep.
This also is PPV, but I have no idea if it should be recommended or not, as I’m totally in the dark as to what kind of a match you’ll see here.

But both can bang as well, and that will make it an all-out war. Predictions also will be made prior to fight time.

Newsflash: We are taking orders for autographed copies of my new book, “OFF THE CANVAS” to be published in the spring. Cost of $12.50 now or $15.00 after Jan. 15, will get you to the top of our list, (it will be sent out on a first order, first sent basis) for an autographed copy sent to you (along with my thanks). Send order along with check or money order or credit card info to: Rusty Rubin, Ringsports.com, POB 18336, Reno, NV. 89511.***

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

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.

Please say prayers for the soul of Mercedes Acunto, wife of AAIB President Steve Acunto. I was fortunate enough to meet Mercedes a number of times and she was one great lady.

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: With only about a month to go before the Iowa caucuses, let’s take a look at the Democratic candidates and how they will do here.

It’s just one delegate selection process, but it’s the first and an important one, that will should go a long way in determining who the serious candidates are and which of them has the best chance of beating President Bush (and I hope not Vice President Dick (Haliburton) Cheney, who’s personal ties to big oil may prove himself to make him an albatross around the President’s neck. It certainly gives the Democratic candidate an extra issue to run on.

But back to Iowa, where there is still a lot of undecided voters waiting to be heard from.

Howard Dean is the favorite and is going to probably finish first. Why? Because he has a solid base of hard core supporters who are going to show up and support him. The same may not be said about the rest of the candidates.

Dick Gephardt: From neighboring Missouri, he can pull an upset if the unions get the vote out for him, but if not, he should finish close enough to stay in the race.

I have the feeling the Wes Clark and John Kerry will fight it out for the third and fourth spot.

There will be some limited support for Joe Lieberman who did not actively campaign there, so anything he picks up, delegate wise, is going to be a plus.

John Edwards doesn’t figure to do very well until the South Carolina primary, which he could win. His base is in the South, which of late has been growing more and more Republican. I can see Edwards in the second (vice-president) slot, because he will help the Dem’s in the South. He also has more personal funds then anyone in the campaign, except Kerry.

Denis Kucinich is from neighboring Ohio, and may surprise a few folks as well.

Al Sharpton’s and Carol Mosley Braun’s just doesn’t figure to play well in Iowa, but they can save their resources for the New Hampshire primary.

I like Sharpton, and it certainly wouldn’t hurt America to have a black President, particularly one with a fine sense of humor as Al has, but realistically, that isn’t going to happen.

So who will Bush/? Have to face in the November general election? It’s early so I’m not laying any odds, but the guess here is Howard Dean. My long shot selection here is Wesley Clark, who might be just the man to surprise the voters and the sitting President.

And who will I vote for? My mind won’t be made up until I see the Democratic ticket and compare it with our President and whom he chooses for his Veep. Call me uncertain, (unless Hillary gets in the race and then my vote definitely goes to Bush). Hell, I’ve been called a hell of a lot worse. Many times by readers of this column.

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