9/21/06 - In Rusty's Corner
In Rusty's Corner
By Rusty Rubin, editor-in-chief of the Ringsports.com publication and website advisor is the author
of "Off the Canvas", #22873, a view of American history and the social problems of the times,
as seen 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 authorhouse.com, (22873)
Ringsports.com and on-line major book retailers.
"Billy Soose, the Champion Time Forgot" #31809co-authored by Tom Donelson, is also available. Soose was the
middleweight champion of the world, beating greats like Tony Zale and Ken Overlin in less than a month's time.
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 at Authorhouse.com
(book id #31809) and other fine on-line outlets. Early sales appear strong.
My upcoming book, "Woozel, Boxing and Me", #31810 (now available for purchase) is a compilation of funny and true
boxing stories, oddities and quotes, will be out within the next few weeks. "Woozel, Boxing and Me" is a final tribute
to my best friend of more than 25 years, who attended many boxing events with me. She passed away from colon cancer
in Feb. 2004. The early demand for this true, and in my not-so-humble opinion, one of the funniest boxing books
ever written, has been strong. For advance ordering or to purchase an autographed copy, please advise me ASAP.
Here's your gift special: Get all three autographed book for $55.00 plus postage, if you order by Oct. 15,
for Christmas delivery. Interested? Drop me a line for details.
Mark Your Calendar:
Oct. 14, 2005...World Boxing Hall of Fame induction, LAX Marriott...Call 909-239-3541...Inductees includes
Roberto Duran, Matthew Saad Muhammad, Julian Jackson, Eddie Perkins and many more. Fans would not want to miss
this tribute to some truly great boxing people.***
You never know when a veteran fighter is able to get up for a fight, or comes out flat. Such was the
case with Marco Antonio Barrera, a veteran of many ring wars, who came to fight in Vegas last weekend,
stopping Rocky Juarez late in their rematch. I figured at 6-1, Juarez, who in my view won their
first fight (called a draw), would be stronger, but Marco still has a lot left, and proved it.
Joan Guzman appears to have a great future, and proved it against Jorge Barrios, although just squeaking
out a close split decision. Guzman has the talent to be at or near the top for a long time to come.
My other picks of Israel Vasquez to take the measure of Jhonny Gonzales and Junior Witter to take the decision
over DeMarcus Corley, were more clear-cut.***
This week, on HBO an action packed bout between Jorge Arce, 44-3-1, a veteran boxer with a huge heart takes
on Hawk Makepula 28-3, in Texas. If you ever want to see a war, you can always count on it with Arce,
and Makepula is certainly no slouch. Get out the VCR or whatever you use to tape fights for this one.
Arce by decision.
And in Germany, the awaited IBF middleweight title clash between Arthur Abraham, 21-0 and Edison Miranda
28-1 finally takes place. Very interesting match-up between two guys who can both box and punch.
I’ll give Abraham the edge because of a seemingly better chin. Can’t predict a KO in this fight either,
so we’ll go with a decision.***
Rumor has it that Bernard Hopkins will come out of retirement and fight heavyweight Oleg Maskaev for his
recently won title. Didn’t Sam Peter fight James Toney for that opportunity?***
Finally, if you can find it in your heart to help keep the world famous Kronk Gym open, please e-mail me and
I’ll give you the address where to send your donations.***
Agree or disagree, (not about my age) I’d like to hear from you. (Rusty@ringsports.com)
Glove2Glove:
Please say prayers for long time promoter and friend, Moe Smith, who has been having some ongoing heart related problems.
Patti Brandenburg continues to have health problems and continues to need your help via prayers.
Prayers for the soul of Mae Sebastian, who lost her fight against a serious illness. Mae was the wife of
Gene Sebastian, who gave Tom Donelson and myself the info needed to write the book “Billy Soose, the Champion Time Forgot”.
Prayers for the return to health of Cindy Luna, 39, niece of RS.com’s outstanding West Coast photographer, who
is in very serious condition. Also for the soul of Ray’s uncle who has passed away.
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 going to re-cooperate at his California home with his closest relatives. Dennis is 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.
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 recovery of good friend and great boxing guy Norm Cote, Past President of the World
Boxing Hall of Fame, who is undergoing dialysis three times a week. Norm’s a great guy and a fighter and
we have to be there in his corner.
Prayers also for former World Boxing Hall of Fame President Charlie Casas who are having some severe health problems as well.
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 absolutely 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: A big issue that has arisen (not too suddenly) is how we should treat political prisoners.
America is in a life or death struggle with radical Islam. This is not a time for political correctness. How we
treat captured prisoners of war is one thing, but how we treat the leaders who want us dead or back in the
Dark Ages, is quite another.
You have to make a distinction about legitimate prisoners of war, who are just doing their jobs, and following orders,
and the leaders, whose job is to brainwash their followers.
We know how many of our captured soldiers are treated, and beheading is not exactly the kindest cut of all.
I don’t suggest we stoop to that level against the soldiers who follow orders, but the leaders, who planned 9/11
and other attacks on America and the free world do not deserve any humane treatment!
This is no time to worry about what the world may or may not think of us, or to set an example, which the enemy
won’t follow anyway. We have to separate the leaders from the followers, and do whatever it takes to find out
the future attack plans of these cold-blooded killers.
Does anyone really care if we’re inhumane to these guys? After 9/11, we have to be strong and able to get the
information needed so those type of attacks can and will be stopped in their tracks.
You don’t have to torture all of the prisoners of war, just those who we know would eagerly and willingly do harm
to innocent civilians throughout the World. We are in a battle for survival, and like all wars there’s always
a high price paid for freedom.***
One of the problems that I have with our President is the way he presents his case to the World. He tells other
countries that we know that they want to grow up in a democracy. George Bush is the elected President of the
United States, and thus the leader of the free world.
That may give him a lot of clout with all/some of our allies, but certainly the title alone creates resentment in
much of the rest of the World. Who is an American President to determine how others should want to live?
I’m sure everyone who knows it’s blessings, would like to see an American style democracy in the world, but
if it’s truly to be democratic, it has to be demanded, wanted, and needed by the people of the non-democratic
nations, not the President of the United States.
Enough Bush bashing, he’s in a glass bowl and had a rough week. And we’ve heard of the stone throwing by our
non friendly adversaries in the U.N. the last few days.
Have a great week.
Agree, disagree or just want to help? I'd love to hear from you.
(Rusty@ringsports.com)
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