Can anyone explain to me how racism and boxing go together? In fact I don’t understand racism in any sport, but particularly a minority influenced sport like boxing.

First Iran Barkley calls Bob Arum a racist, then NJ Commissioner Larry Hazzard states that Jim McGreevy, Governor (soon to be ex), is racist because he wouldn’t grant Mike Tyson a license. Hogwash to both charges!

To the first charge, just because Arum doesn’t have a lot of black fighters doesn’t make him a racist. Hispanics make up the vast majority of the fight fans, and as a rule they put on a more exciting show than any other racial group. It’s not racism, it’s a fact! So why have fighters in your promotion that will not make you any money.

For example, let’s look at Floyd Mayweather, considered by many as one of the best pound for pound fighters in the world. Bob Arum used to promote him, and maybe still does, but the bottom line is how many asses does he put in the seats? The answer is not enough, and the reason, Mayweather just doesn’t have the style or personality to excite the fans. It’s not racism, here, its simple economics. Wherever Mayweather fights you have to spend a lot more to put butts in the seats or have people buy PPV.

Arum is not a racist, he’s a smart businessman.

As for Larry Hazzard, the Governor appoints the Commission in every State, New Jersey included, and maybe that was the real reason Hazzard made the allegations. There have been rumors that Gerry Cooney would replace him as head man, and Hazzard is putting the pressure on the Governor with the charge of racism, that would sit better if Larry was removed before McGreevy resigns.

Larry Hazzard was a good referee, but as a Commissioner, he leaves a lot to be desired and in my estimation, should be replaced. I know he’ll probably call me a racist for saying that, but I’ll still sleep at night. How about replacing Hazzard with another qualified minority with a smaller ego to head the NJSAC?***

Someone or some group should do something about Riddick Bowe fighting again. Bowe’s scheduled to get back in the ring in late September, in Oklahoma, and three years or so ago, his old trainer and my dear friend, the late, great, Eddie Futch told me that he shouldn’t be allowed to fight. He’s walking a bit funny and talking funny as well.

I’m not a doctor. I know Bowe, I did a talk show with him and Eddie when he first began his career. Riddick even went to the same high school I did, albeit a lot of years later. He’s a good guy and I don’t want to see him get hurt. I know there isn’t a lot he can do with his life right now, because all he knows is boxing, but I’m sure someone will give him a decent job.

Now call me a racist because I don’t want to see Riddick Bowe back in the ring, because he’s an accident waiting to happen.***

My good friend Stephen B. Acunto, who founded the American Association for the Improvement of Boxing, along with Rocky Marciano, now has his book “Champions Boxing Guide” available in Spanish. For details visit Steve’s website: AAIB.org

Please help me with my upcoming new book. Send all jokes, quips and boxing oddities to Rngsports@aol.com, thanks, and members of the boxing media are free to send this most welcome information as well.***

Update: We are again taking orders for autographed copies of my new book, “OFF THE CANVAS”. Check our website for details. So far I have heard only good things about the book. Be aware that there is about a 3-week backlog on orders. It could be faster, to get non-autographed delivery “Off the Canvas” which is also available on the web at Authorhouse.com, ID#22873, or through major on line book stores like Borders, Barnes and Noble, Waldenbooks or Amazon.com.***

Agree or disagree, feel free to express your views.

Glove2Glove:

The Las Vegas elite amateur boxing team was involved in a bus accident on their way to Kansas. A tire blew and the driver lost control of the bus. Details remain sketchy, but please say prayers for those who were injured or lost their lives in this terrible accident.***

Herb Platzner, father of RS.com scribe Harrin is having heart problems. Prayers for his health would be much appreciated.***

Dub Harris, WWII hero and founder and past President of the World Boxing Hall of Fame has suffered a stroke in Southern California. Please pray for his quick return to health.***

Please say prayers for the return to health of Helen Wambolt, wife of our East Coast World Boxing Hall of Fame writer Danny Wambolt. Cards will also be most welcome.***

Prayers are requested for Donna Jean Landers, boxing fan from Oklahoma, who has been fighting cancer for three years. She needs your help my friends.

Please say prayers for wife of RS.com writer Marty Carson (auto accident) who is having health problems) of Indiana. Marty is a long time friend and a boxing. expert.***

Please say prayers for the return to health of Orazio Esposito, father of our photographer Richard Esposito.***

Sandy Johnson a staff member of the Nevada State Athletic Commission is fighting breast cancer. A call, e-mail or card, along with your prayers would really do a lot to raise the spirits of an old friend.***

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 for the return to health of Don Donelson, father of writer Tom, and Gene Sebastian, brother of former middleweight champ Billy Soose. Both are suffering from congestive heart disease. And to Arthur Terciera, father of writer Keith, also having heart related problems.***

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 Parkinson’s.***

Prayers for Ed “Whitey” Hadar, a former boxer who is having some serious health problems.***

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.***

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.

Touching on politics briefly: I am getting sick and tired of getting e-mail from my friends who believe all the negative political bullshit ads that are being run on TV and radio.

I don’t even read them, let alone forward them.

The groups that started this propaganda is paid by members of both political parties, and could care less how the truth is twisted.

I didn’t and won’t watch Fahrenheit 911, even though I know it, like most political ads, is loosely based on the truth.

The latest hunk of garbage is the trash that the guys our President had used to beat Senator John McCain, now calling themselves the “Swift Boat Veterans for Truth”, are putting out ads saying that John Kerry lied about his service record.

Since these guys, I assume served their country as well, I do respect them. But how can you state that someone who volunteered to go to Viet Nam, and risked his life to serve his Country is a liar, when his opponent and his Vice President didn’t bother to showing up.

I have to believe these Veterans for Truth are angry at Kerry because he came out against the war when he returned home. The fact is John Kerry learned the hard way what many Americans who avoided the draft already knew, that the war in Viet Nam was a major mistake.

Hey guys get over it! It was more than 35 years ago. The Viet Nam war was a mistake then and as time goes by more and more people realize it.

It was a mistake for the many who didn’t serve, not to respect all those that did. The war may have been an error, but compounding it by spitting on and disrespecting the soldiers who did what they thought was right by going to Nam, is insulting, and is yet another sad chapter in our history.

Fact is, John Kerry saw first hand and knew then the horrors and atrocities of that jungle war, he lived them day to day, and he saw the stupidity of losing young, patriotic Americans in a war that we weren’t even trying to win.

And this is something all Viet Nam veterans know all too well, many saw and I’m sure all heard of the massacres and the killing of innocent women and children, We all saw pictures of the young Vietnamese girl, burned by napalm, running down a road in fear.

God knows, some Vets may have even taken part in these massacres, which happen in every war, and still have nightmares about it. So how in God’s name can most veterans say that they support a President who didn’t even have the stones to serve in that God forsaken place?

Let’s not forget a Vice President who seems to own his allegiance more to big oil than to his country, who was too busy to serve. (Ok, I admit disliking Cheney).

I still don’t know which candidate I’m going to vote for, but I do know this is a stupid ad that the SBVFT are running, and it will backfire on them and only serve to hurt the incumbent. Americans aren’t stupid, and this is one American who is quite angry seeing and hearing the lies, that these guys who are supposed to be for truth are telling.

And so I ask all my friends who insist on sending me propaganda from both sides, to please cease and desist. I think I am bright enough to know how to figure out who I will vote for without looking at half-truths. I’m sure the candidates appreciate your support, but I neither will read nor forward any of these falsehoods or half-truths.

Marie Antoinette said to the hungry masses “let them eat cake”. To paraphrase this to all the terrorists I say: “Let them eat pork!”***

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