3/16/06 - 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...***
Mark your calendar. This years Western Regional Golden Gloves will be held in Las
Veaas April 7th and 8th. ***
I apologize for any confusion in my last article. I try to only pass along the info I
get from solid sources, sometimes that information gets lost in the translation. I'll
check the details further before passing them along. ***
This week, a heavyweight title fight that you can watch for free, and John Ruiz
isn't in it! Amazing.
The HBO televised fight from Atlantic City, features James 'Lights Out' Toney vs.
Hasim Rahman and should prove to be an interesting match-up in styles.
Toney fights one way, head low shoulders up and has to get inside to do any serious damage.
Rahman comes in with a big reach advantage and wants to keep Toney on the outside, with
the help of his good left jab.
Problem for Rahman is keeping Toney on the outside may be as difficult as keeping Katrina's
flood waters from breeching the levees in New Orleans. It's a daunting task.
So let's concede that Toney can pretty much get inside at will, can Rahman beat him at his
own game? The feeling here is no. Rahman's punching power comes from the outside and Toney
has the edge in this type of fight.
Toney by unanimous decision or late stop.
One other note of interest. Reports say that former top pound for pounder Roy Jones Jr.
has offered to go overseas for the first time and fight Joe Calzaghe. It makes one wonder
why he didn't do so when in his prime and against Dariuz Michcweski who has since retired.
Agree or disagree, we'd like to hear from you. (Rngsportsr@aol.com).
Please say prayers for the soul of Johnny Duke, veteran well respected boxing guy and a
member of the Connecticut Hall of Fame, who passed away early Sunday morning at age 82.
Patti Brandenburg continues to have health problems and continues to need your help via prayers.
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: If it walks and talks like a duck it may be President Bush, who
is a very lame duck at the moment. President Bush and Congress are learning that the idea
to sell out our ports and our national security to the U.A.E. is a subject that isn't
going away, as much as they would love to see that happen.
What bothers me the most about Mr. Bush, is that he keeps insisting he's right in
jeopardizing American security seems to be suffering the effects of the Avian Flu,
which is certainly apropos for lame ducks. Some of my friends on the far left call
our leader a "lame brain", but that's an opinion and isn't real the issue.
What really confuses me is that at a time when his party and the rest of Congress is trying
to get the voters to forget the issue, Bush speaks out the next day and defends his actions.
Does Avian Flu or Lame Duck Syndrome cause immediate memory lapses?
America needs leadership that will secure our safety not outsource our economy, and until
we get a candidate (of either party) committed to that basic tenet, my vote will go to
someone who does.
No matter what the outcome, allow me to pledge that I will never vote for any candidate,
for any office, that has openly supported any potential threat to American security.
Our representatives are elected to represent the American people, not the lobbyists or
special interests. The voters are fed and up, that's something the incumbents and new
candidates for public office had better keep in mind for future elections. It's the duty
of the press to keep the public informed on what giveaways these clowns have supported
and risked out national security.
It's not a partisan issue, there are both Dems and Republicans that deeply care about
the future of America, and would, even if the entire House of Representatives isn't up
for re-election in September. If they weren't you might just see the type of stonewalling
you see in the Senate.
On that note, Senators John McCain and Bill Frist join Hillary Clinton and Al Gore as
candidates I will never support for the Oval Office, or any elected position. Clinton
and Gore for obviously different reasons than the former. Clinton because she's not
erectable, let alone cold and arrogant, and Gore because he thinks he has the right
to apologize for the American people for things he was neither elected or appointed to do.***
And for everyone out there, I ask you to count the numbers. Islamic fundamentalists have
killed far more Muslims since 9/11 than Americans have. I wonder what it will take for
them to realize who the real enemy is.
(Rusty@ringsports.com)
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