6/7/07 - Rusty Rubin
In Rusty’s Corner
By Rusty Rubin, editor-in-chief of the Ringsports.com publication and website advisor is the author of three outstanding boxing books!
‘Therapeutic’ and ‘helpful’ are the words most used in writing to me about “Woozel, Boxing and Me” (Authorhouse.com #31810). This book has been given 4 ½ stars at Amazon.com (read the reviews) and recently was awarded “Boxing Book of the Year, 2006” by
13thround.com.
Woozel, Boxing and Me is more than just a compilation of many funny and true boxing stories, oddities and quotes, and serves as a final tribute to the memory of Susiey Walker, my zany best friend of more than 25 years, who loved life and lived it to the max. This book has helped many people deal with a terminal illness and death, although that was never my overt intention in writing this book.
Wuz traveled and attended many West Coast boxing events with me and by so doing created many of those unforgettable moments with her positive, but often zany attitude and bubbly personality. Sue passed away in Feb. 2004, at age 54, after a tough 5-year battle with colon cancer.
The book reviews have all been great and the early demand for this work, one of the funniest boxing books ever written, (by me at least) has been strong. This is a must read for all boxing fans and everyone who has had to deal with life-altering situations. If you didn’t think that boxing, like life, has its funny and also tragic moments before, this true story will change your mind.
“Off the Canvas”, #22873, is an accurate view of American history and the social problems of our times, as seen through the eyes of an 80-year old ex-champ. “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 strong reviews from inside and out of the boxing community. Available at Authorhouse.com, (#22873) Ringsports.com and on-line major book retailers.***
“Billy Soose, the Champion Time Forgot” #31809, co-authored by Tom Donelson, is also available via internet book sellers. Soose was the middleweight champion of the world, beating greats like Tony Zale and Ken Overlin in less than a month’s time. Yet because of a war-shortened career, (WWII) few remember him today. It is the sincere view of both authors that Billy Soose belongs in the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
All three books are available at Authorhouse.com and other fine on-line outlets. Sales have remained strong.
Speaking of worthwhile books, pick up a copy of “Boxing in the Shadows” by my fellow author and friend, Tom Donelson. It’s an educational and enjoyable read.
Any of these books will make a great birthday or holiday present and add greatly to the library of that ‘special’ sports fan in your life.
Autographed editions are limited and should be ordered at least 30 days in advance.***
Again allow me to again warn you that other people are spamming using my name and e-mail address. It’s not me and my advice to everyone is not to open anything you’re not expecting. Feel free to check with me if you have any questions. I am told that a lot of this nonsense was sent out during my recent three week sojourn, and still is today.***
Being a journalist, I’ve learned that the highest tribute that one can receive is positive comments about his endeavors in his chosen field of work. I thank everyone who has made those comments to me, either in person or other means of communication.
This just in, as the International Boxing Hall of Fame is about to have their induction weekend, the LA based World Boxing Hall of Fame has announced the results of their voting for the October induction.
In the boxer category: Larry Holmes, Ricardo Lopez, Efren Torrez, Alvaro ‘Yaqui’ Lopez and Gerald McClellen.
In the expanded category: George Benton, Joe Cortez and Steve Albert are to be awarded that honor.
And in the posthumous category: Dick Sadler, Lily Rodriquez and Jose Vasquez DelaTorre.
We congratulate them all.
Sultan Ibrigamov may have ended Shannon Brigg’s boxing career with an easy 12-round unanimous decision last weekend. Ok, let’s take out the easy part, because boxing is a damn tough business and little if anything comes easy here.
Still, Briggs who got lucky with a late knockout in his last fight, which he was also losing, didn’t have the same fate this time around. Briggs is a solid fighter, albeit getting up in age, and can still be competitive, as the punch is the last thing to go in a fighter. But I’m betting his days as champion, or his dreams of the title, are gone.
Briggs has earned our respect and thanks for a long an excellent ring career.
On June 9th Miguel Cotto takes on Zab Judah in Madison Square Garden. It is an interesting fight, and I have to give Judah a punchers chance, although not much more than that. It should be an interesting and very entertaining bout.
Also on June 9th at the Lucky Eagle Casino in Rochester, WA. you can see a good fight card featuring a NWBA heavyweight title bout.
Two days later, June 11th, at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles features a great event of celebrity boxing to raise funds for the Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services, so you can have a great evening of boxing and help a very worth cause. Featured bout for the evening is Danny Bonaduce vs. Robert Shapiro. For more information please call 310-996-1188.
On June 23rd, Ricky Hatton takes on Jose Luis Castillo at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.***
The 18th Annual Hall of Fame Weekend is also scheduled for June 7-10th in Canastota NY. If you require more information or wish to attend call the Hall at (315) 697-7095 of visit the ibhof.com.***
My old friend from the UK, former light heavyweight and Lonsdale Belt winner, Tony Wilson has a new website for you to check out, it’s
www.tonywilsonboxing.co.uk.
It’s good to see that Terry and Tommy Lane have inherited the boxing bug from their famous referee father. So if you’re in Northern Nevada on July 6th, make sure you stop by the Eldorado Hotel/Casino and say hello to Mills and the ambitious young lads. Boxing badly needs this infusion of new blood into its industry.
Glove2Glove:
Prayers for the recovery of former champ and Hall of Famer Carlos Zarate, who has suffered a heart attack.
Prayers for the recovery of Bobby Czyz, now in a hospital because of a car accident.
Sincere condolences to the family of Diego ‘Chico’ Corrales, who died in a motorcycle accident in Las Vegas. Diego was a neighbor of mine, and a good guy. Prayers are requested for his soul as well.
Prayer for the return to health of Roseanne Palmiere, mother of RS.com journalist Peter, who has been hospitalized after a long illness.
Prayers for the return to health of Patti Brandenburg, wife of boxing manager Gary.
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 real fighter and we have to be there in his corner.
Prayers for the health of boxing ref and Judge Chuck Hassett who is having some serious health issues.
Prayers also for former World Boxing Hall of Fame President Charlie Casas who are having some severe health problems as well as one of the founders and past Presidents, Dub Harris, who suffered a stroke.
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.
Prayers for George Latka, “The Professor” has been victimized by punch-drunk syndrome. Also say prayers for his wife Trudie who is doing a great, but tough job, in coping with it.
Prayers for Audrey Talmo, wife of solid boxing guy, Ed and Helen Wambolt, wife of our own “Handsome” Danny, who is going through a tough battle. Also prayers for the recovery of Mills Lane and Denis Wilxox.
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.***
(Rusty@ringsports.com).
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