1/27/06 - In Rusty's Corner
In Rusty's Corner
By Rusty Rubin, editor-in-chief of the Ringsports.com publication, and author of "Off the Canvas",
a view of American history and the social problems of the times, as witnessed by an 80-year old
ex-champion. "Off the Canvas" takes you from the time of the Great Depression till the World
Trade Center disaster and is a book that has been getting rave reviews. Copies are $15.00 each
available at Ringsports.com and on-line major book retailers. For a list of the reviews please
contact Rusty. Remember the holidays are rapidly approaching. Here's a great gift.
It's here! Just in time for this years Christmas basket! We're taking orders for autographed copies
of "Billy Soose, the Champion Time Forgot" co-authored by Tom Donelson. Since Tom and I live in
different parts of the USA, it would be hard to co-ordinate a joint signing, both Tom or I will
be available. The book is available now at Authorhouse.com (book id #31809) and other fine on-line
outlets. Early sales appear strong.
Soose was a former middleweight champion of the world, and in one three week period defeated Ken
Overlin and Tony Zale, giving him ample credentials to be inducted into the International Boxing
Hall of Fame.
Buy both books and the recipient will really appreciate your caring, and this writer won't complain
one little bit.
The even better news is that my next book, "Woozel, Boxing and Me", a compilation of
funny boxing stories, oddities and quotes, will be out within the next four months.
The early demand has been strong.***
Great PPV fight last Saturday on HBO. As predicted here (and most other places) it
was well worth the cost.
Manny Pacquiao, moved up in weight and carried his big punch with him, knocking out
Erik Morales in the 10th round. It marked the first time in his pro career that
Morales has lost two fights in a row.
Erik is a warrior, who will fight anyone, anytime, but he's taken a lot of punches,
and although there is a rematch clause in the contract, this may be a good time to
take a break for "El Terrible". His heart has never been in question, but right
now his health may well be.
For Pacquiao, it was a great win and sets him up for a re-match fight with either
Marco Antonio Barerra or Juan Manuel Marquez, both would be great fights.
Congratulations Manny, you are a true warrior.***
As for this weeks big fight, Arturo "Thunder" Gatti takes on Thomas Damgaard on HBO TV.
An interesting match because Thomas is an outstanding boxer and Gatti can either box
or brawl. Both of these veterans are getting on in years and need the "W", although
Gatti has taken far more punches.
Gatti, has also fought the better fighters and has had his share of wars, but still gets
the nod here, unless of course his last fight with Mayweather took too much out of the veteran.
Agree or disagree, we'd like to hear from you. (Rngsportsr@aol.com).
Glove2Glove:
A prayer for the soul of the wife of former top rated heavyweight Thad Spencer, who passed
away in Oregon this week. Also prayers for the soul of Jack Pascal Quarry, veteran boxing
guy from So. Cal, who passed away after a long illness.
Let's say a prayer for the father of Eva Futch, a great friend, and the widow of legendary
trainer Eddie, who passed away in 2001. Eva's father's cancer has returned and needs all
the support we can give him, and please pray that Eva has the strength to cope with this
difficult challenge she faces at so close to her having lost her esteemed husband.
Prayers needed for Elise Brown, grand daughter of Ringside Products head honcho and good
boxing guy John Brown. Young Elise has heart problems.
Prayers have also helped but continue to be needed for Dennis Wilcox, brother of boxing
scribe David Wilcox, who is in an Oregon hospital suffering from Leukemia. The family
and everyone at Glove2Glove ask for your prayers for his total recovery.
Prayers for the return to health of Audrey Talmo, wife of Ed, a long-time boxing fan who
cares about our sport.
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 the return to health of Orazio Esposito, father of our photographer
Richard Esposito.***
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.
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: To the surprise of no one, Hillary Clinton is making
noises that suggest she is going to run for the Oval Office. The Republican strategy
is to act afraid, hoping indeed that Hillary will step up and run, giving the party
in power eight more years. Can't blame them for that. It doesn't take a rocket
scientist to figure out that Clinton is too polarizing and cannot win the Presidency.
As someone who wants to prevent a one-party system, I urge Hillary not to. Not only can
she not win, but she will keep the Republican Party in power for another eight years.
Not that having the same Party in power is a bad thing, it could be a very good thing.
But Clinton's candidacy can put independent voters like me in a lose - lose situation.
I cannot and will not vote for Hillary, and if I don't like her Republican opponent,
I'm caught between a rock and a hard place.
I have nothing against a female President, as long as she meets the standards that
I can accept in good conscience. Hillary does not. Then again, neither did any of
the candidates both parties put up over the last eight years.
The two Parties nominate them and we're stuck with the lesser of two evils. This is
totally unacceptable to me.
Again folks, this is why I've longed called for a third major party, so we indeed do have
choices and will know where the candidates really stand.***
News arrives that the Mexican government is making available free maps of Arizona, to
prevent illegal immigrants from dying of thirst when crossing our borders.
I have mixed feelings here. Certainly I don't want anyone to die in search of finding
decent employment in America, but I also realize that there has to be a penalty for
doing something illegal. It's like someone acting out in school and getting rewarded for it.
Our President, who for whatever reason, is against what most Americans want. Which is
cracking down on illegals, and the Country they come from, that intentionally breaks our
laws. This is obviously not going to do anything to protect our porous borders.
The issue is not and should not be anti-immigrant. We are a nation of immigrants. But we
are also a nation of laws, and if our President won't do anything to enforce them, then
maybe it's time to tell our leader that it is HIS JOB to do so. Something he should have
known when he took the oath of office.
The vast majority of Americans want stronger border security, and last time I checked the
President was supposed to represent all the American people.
We live in dangerous times, so spying on innocent (or not) Americans makes sense, but
doesn't it make far more sense to spy on those who constantly break our laws? How hard
would it be to put pressure on the Mexican government to work alongside of America in
putting a stop to this outrageous situation?
Where are leaders like Teddy Roosevelt when we need them?
Agree or disagree, I'd like to hear from you. I respect everyone's opinion.
(Rusty@ringsports.com)
|
