Rusty Rubin, Managing Editor
www.ringsports.com

There’s been a lot of talk about testing for steroids in baseball and other sports. And I think steroids should be an even bigger issue in our sport.

Forget for a moment, if you will, the dangers of bulking up, to the user/abuser…Has anyone taken into account the danger a non-user faces when in the ring with a mass of muscle? Doesn’t this encourage others to ‘bulk up’?

And since the big bucks are at the bigger weights, can we all see the danger of opportunistic fighters and managers and trainers using or giving their charges the substance.

But the problem is deeper then even that, because there are no penalties in most states for steroid abuse. In short, you can take them legally, and therein lies the problem.

And since there are no uniform rules for steroid use/abuse, it becomes an even greater problem. No penalty? Why not use it?

There are a couple of states that test for steroids and as I understand it, can suspend fighters for it’s use. But those States are few and far between.

Track and field tests for steroids and suspends those caught, and that’s not a dangerous sport.

Football tests and suspends and it’s to their credit.

Baseball? They have no rules or penalties. It’s okay to use a corked bat if you don’t get caught. But if you get caught with steroids, there’s nothing baseball will do about it.

No rules in hockey, tennis and most other sports either, regarding steroids. And I’ll let them police themselves (not that they will).

But boxing is a very dangerous sport and we can’t afford to allow people on steroids fighting someone who’s not. Boxing doesn’t need anymore ring deaths.

If we want to improve our sport, and I’m sure we do, then it’s time that we wrote to our respective commissions, Governors, etc. and demand steroid testing and severe penalties for users.

No one wants the next boxing death on their conscience.

Agree or disagree, I’d like to hear from you.

Glove2Glove:

Please say prayers for the soul of former top-notch fighter Art Soto, who passed away on Nov. 14.

Say a prayer for the return to health of great boxer Mando Ramos, who is badly hurting, a result of an unsuccessful back surgery.

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.

Chas. Shandor, father in law of Ringsports.com writer Nick Constantine has been diagnosed with cancer and needs your prayers.

Prayers are asked for and welcomed for LaVerne Gaither of Atlanta, who is having some serious medical problems.

Your prayers have worked and Martin Sommers is no longer in hospice care, and in fact, is at home recovering. He and his family pass along their heartfelt thanks, and ask that your prayers continue.

Also down but not out with cancer is Kathy Ceravola, sister of top referee Elmo Adolph, and my best friend and co-founder of Glove2Glove, Susiey Walker.
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.

Classified:
Reader Ed Ramos has the following articles available for sale. All come with letter of authenticity
1- Rocky Marciano golden gloves autographed 1968 trophy-$700.This trophy comes with a notarized letter of authenticity. The autograph was obtained by the son of the promoter of this tournament.
2-Muhummud Ali plaque -$1500.This plaque was given to Ali over 10 years ago and is in excellent condition.
3-Joe Louis-Max Shmeling vintage puppets from either the 1930s or 1940s-$300 set. These puppets are extremely rare and are in very good condition.
4-Sonny Liston cut signature-$1000.
5-Cassius Clay 1963 cut signature-$900.
6-Sugar Ray Robinson autographed collage poster-$400.
7-Boxing Illustrated autographed by Ali in 1974-1975-$300.This vintage Ali autographs is one of the best ones that I have ever seen on a magazine.
8-Cassius Clay autographed boxing glove from the early 1960s-$1500 or best
offer.

Touching on politics briefly:

First, I hope you’re like me and sick and tired of hearing about Michael Jackson and his one-man freak show. If he’s guilty, let him pay the price, if not, leave him alone, but for God’s sake, don’t make him the hot topic on the news. This isn’t news, it’s fluff.

Now I know why the average voter has no clue as to what’s going on in the real word, and that’s very sad indeed. And I blame the need of TV for ratings for this constant viewing of less than important world issues.***

I’ve been saying for some time that it’s going to come down to ‘them or us’ and we’d better make sure that we come out on top.

Now it seems like Al Qaeda is saying the same thing. What it should mean is no one should be sitting on the fence, but it doesn’t. I don’t see a lot of countries, even those attacked gearing up for an all out war.

Saudi Arabia and other moderate Arab Countries are doing their bit to fight terrorists in their own countries, but what has all that Saudi oil money done to prevent attacks? Little to nothing.

Not picking on the Saudi’s here, but suggesting that all oil rich and other countries contribute as much as they can in our all out effort to rid the world of terrorist scum.

How long are they going to wait? I know true Muslims are not supposed to kill anyone, particularly other Muslims, but even the most moderate and God fearing believers of Islam must know that the terrorists have drawn the line in the sand and they are every bit a target as non-Muslims.

In short, it’s time for not only Muslims, but everyone to fight back. And it’s time that America and other peace loving countries lead the World wide effort to co-ordinate this all or nothing battle to the death.

Agree or disagree, all responses are welcome and the best will be published.