By Rusty Rubin, managing editor, of Ringsports.com, and the author of “Off the Canvas”, a view of American history and the social problems of the times, as viewed by an 80-year old ex-champion. “Off the Canvas is a book that has been getting rave reviews. With Christmas right around the corner, it would make a great, inexpensive gift ($15) for that boxing fan in your life. If you want to purchase an autographed copy, please e-mail me with the info. I’ll even include a gift card from you at no extra charge…You can also purchase copies on-line at all major book retailers and Authorhouse.com.

Well respected boxing journalist Pat Putnam, formerly with Sports Illustrated has this to say: “Off the Canvas is a good read. Rusty has been around boxing for more than 50 years, and knows his way around the darker corners of the sport as well as any. They call it the sweet science, but as Rusty so aptly teaches us in “Off the Canvas”, it is not always science and it certainly is not always sweet.***

In a recent edition of Ringsports.com magazine, I mentioned in my column that I would not vote for Roy Jones Jr. or anyone else who used steroids as an unfair advantage into the Hall of Fame, unless there was an asterisk next to his name.

I’m a Roy Jones Jr. fan, but if he felt he needed the extra edge provided by steroids in order to beat Richard Hall (and maybe others), he doesn’t get my vote straight up.

It’s the same with any other boxer who is eligible for induction. If there is proof that he ever used steroids, he only gets considered for my vote if there’s that asterisk alongside his name.

And it should be that way when voting for the Hall of Fame in any sport. Earn it on your own, or expect your record to be challenged. I hope other sports follow that example. Hell, I’ll be happy if other boxing writers follow mine.***

No major surprises in last weekends fights. But almost all provided good action. The exception was the Jermain Taylor vs. William Joppy bout. Joppy obviously didn’t have the drive to make the fight interesting, at all, and Jermain remained undefeated.

I suppose that if there was one surprise it was how well journeyman Omar Shieka performed against Jeff Lacy. Sheika was a 25-1 underdog and looked like he should have closed at even money. Lacy won the fight, but Sheika won the respect of everyone, including Lacy.***

The ‘somewhat’ big fight this week takes place at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, featuring Mike Tyson conqueror Danny Williams from the UK vs. the man most folks consider the best (or most legit) heavyweight around today, Vitali Klitschko.

Up until the Tyson fight, which Williams was losing until Tyson tore up his knee, Williams had the reputation of being an average fighter with little heart.

How much will the Tyson win, as tainted as it may be, do for his confidence? Hard to say. The guy is not without some talent.

And Klitschko has to deal with two things here, keeping his mind off the happenings in his native Ukraine, and not taking Williams too lightly, a malady that has affected many a champion over the years.

The pick here is Klitschko by TKO midway.

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 boxing jokes, stories, 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. All submissions used will be given full credit in the book, and it will be given on who submits the story first, basis.***

Agree or disagree, feel free to express your views.

Glove2Glove:

Prayers for the soul of Mike Neporandy, a long-time member of the Executive Board of the World Boxing Hall of Fame. Mike passed away at age 82.***

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.***

Prayers needed for the return to health of Alfonso Luna, father of our outstanding photographer Ray Luna, who has taken ill in Southern California.

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.***

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

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

Sandy Johnson a great gal as well as 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: Since most folks figure that you have to be somewhat goofy to be involved with boxing anyhow, here’s an idea that at first (or later) will convince you I’ve gone off the deep end. But if you give this idea some serious thought, you may actually like and agree with it.

There’s a way that can solve the illegal immigration problem in America, and help insure much tighter border security.

How? Allow the people living in Mexico, or at least the border cities, to become Americans by allowing Mexico to become our 51st State. The USA has already become a two-languages Country anyhow. And judging by the way Mexicans are crossing our borders and using our services (they do work also), it really wont cost us anything.

Mexicans are pouring across our border to share our better paying jobs and take care of their families at home. There may be a few criminals, but so-far, no terrorists have been caught.

Mexico will have all benefits of being Americans, simply by voting in favor of becoming a State, or even the cities that border America can become their own State. The logistics, if we can avoid nationalism on the issue, and of course that’s the major problem here.

The other suggestion, which will be much harder to deal with because of the nationalism involved as well as the dislike of America, is to make the same offer to Canada.

The logistics here would be a lot harder to work out, but we can then can prescription drugs at a low cost.

And folks there is oil in both Mexico and Canada. And we’ve been out-sourcing some jobs there anyhow.

Ideally, we should find a way to make Mexico and Canada our 51st and 52nd States, but only if the people in both countries would be willing to accept that. And I’d say that the leaders of both Countries, Vincente Fox and Paul Martin would never give up the power they have, unless there’s a deal to give them even more. It’s the nature of almost every politician.

This idea will take a long time in passing, if it ever does, because the problems and nationalism of incorporating both nations will take a long time to work out.

Agree or disagree, I’d like to hear from you. No psychiatrists need respond, I don’t look good in white jackets.