3/01/06 - 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 next 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 3-4 months. The
early demand has been strong. For advance ordering or to purchase an autographed copy,
please advise me ASAP...***
Mosley v. Vargas was a better fight in the ring than it figured to be on paper. Only
those who purchased the PPV can decide if they got their money's worth or not.***
Mark your calendar for March 3rd & 4th, in Milwaukie, Oregon (Elks Lodge), for the annual
Oregon Golden Gloves Tournament. For more information call (503-255-4240 or 503-654-9285.***
This week, from Manchester, Wales, the long awaited fight between Jeff 'Left Hook' Lacy
and Joe Calzaghe, a war that I'm anxious to watch.
Calzaghe is fighting in his home arena, and the hometown fans can influence the judges by
their shouting. It shouldn't happen, but the judges are only human, and it does. And
believe me, the fans will yell, even when a punch by Calzaghe misses. That's one of
the reasons we get so many obviously bad decisions.
What does that mean for Lacy? That a knockout is needed to be sure of a correct decision.
You can't expect to beat Calzaghe by a decision in Wales. The decision has to be taken
away from the hands of the judges, thus, the need for the KO.
Can Lacy KO Calzaghe? I'm betting he can, because if he can't, his title as well as his
undefeated tag will disappear.
Lacy by TKO 7.
Agree or disagree, we'd like to hear from you. (Rngsportsr@aol.com).
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: I wish I were wrong, but it looks like President Bush's
plan to bring democracy to the Middle East may have backfired.
I don't have the numbers, but I'd venture a guess that more people, including Americans
and other coalition (do we still have that?) have died since we invaded the 'Cradle
of Civilization.'
Now it is looking more and more that a civil war is inevitable.
Add to that, with Hamas taking over via democratic elections in Palestine, the world has
become a far more dangerous place than before our President took office.
And may well become even more so if the gutless members of Congress allow the sale of
our ports to go through.
And Iran is now building plants that can produce nuclear reactors and possibly weapons,
one must question why America didn't pull our of Iraq after his 'mission accomplished'
speech and go into Iran and take out these nuclear threats.
To be sure, President Bush has done some good things, as in neutralizing the threat in
Libya and taking out the mass murderer in Baghdad and his cold blooded administration.
Going into Afghanistan after 9/11 to revenge the deadly World Trade Center attacks
goes to his credit as well.
I don't want to seem like the harbinger of doom, but one lesson that we have learned
through trial and error is that you can't force freedom on people who don't want it,
or never experienced it.
Democracy may work well for America and many other Countries that want and accept it,
but there is no guarantee that it will produce the same results in other parts of the World.
Agree or disagree, I'd like to hear from you. I respect everyone's opinion.
(Rusty@ringsports.com)
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