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.***

What hope does 2005 bring to the sport of boxing? A solid heavyweight champ and division would go far in promoting our sport, but I honestly can’t get excited about what’s out there, or those out there I have seen ‘fight’. And generally, boxing fans follow the big boys more than the smaller boxers, who always seem to supply more action, then the cumbersome heavyweights. Anyhow here are a few random thoughts and wishes for the New Year.

Evander, please retire. We want to remember you as you where, not as somebody in a nursing home with brain damage. John Ruiz should also retire before he causes anyone watches him long enough to commit suicide.

Aside to Mike Tyson, you couldn’t take Danny Williams out with your best punch, it’s time to hang them up before you get hurt. I know you draw crowds, but we don’t want to see the crowds lined up at the funeral home. Like Holyfield, you have nothing left to prove.

To Riddick Bowe and Roy Jones Jr., like Evander and Tyson, you have nothing left to prove. Your credentials for the Hall of Fame will not be improved upon by taking abuse in the ring. Hang ‘em up as well.

But back to boxing, there are some young and even veteran more fighters who will continue to keep our sport exciting. Barrera, Hopkins, Pacqiao, Morales, J.M. Marquez, Vassilly Jirov, Oscar Larrios, De la Hoya, etc. There’s a lot of talent out there folks, so don’t think this year will be any less action – filled than the last.

To Alex Ramos and the Retired Boxers Foundation, and everyone who step by step improves the sport and the image of the sport of boxing, thank you and keep up the good work.

And to boxing fans everywhere, continue to enjoy the great fights and be patient with the bad ones. They sadly, come with the territory as well.***

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, if used in the book, and it will be given on who submits the story first, basis. Here’s your chance to have your name in print, instead of American’s Most Wanted posters.***

Agree or disagree, feel free to express your views.

Glove2Glove:

***First please say prayers for the victims of the Tsunami in Asia and their families. A lot of people are hurting right now.***

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: It would have been a blessing if this year there was indeed peace on earth and goodwill to men (and women) everywhere. Sadly that’s not the case.

Even on the holiest days of the Christian Year, our brave soldiers are risking all in Afghanistan and Iraq. We must pray for them and support them one hundred percent.

But while we must respect and pay homage to our fighting men, I still have no idea what we’re doing in that ‘Cradle of Civilization’ called Iraq. You can’t force people who don’t want democracy to be free, as admirable as a goal that it may be.

Seems to me I recall that our President said not to long ago, ‘we’re not into nation building’. Wonder what he calls our missions in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Still as the leader of our Country and the free world, he must also have our support and prayers. Even if you don’t like him or didn’t vote for the President, he’s the man who controls the life and death of our soldiers and citizens, everywhere, and for that reason alone, I ask for your prayers for him. I didn’t vote for Bush, but he has my sincere prayers and only my very best wishes for success in the Middle East.

All the best for 2005, and see ya back here soon.

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