Rusty Rubin, Managing Editor
www.ringsports.com

Interesting fights just scheduled: On Nov. 14, Andrew “The Foul Pole” Golota continues his comeback after a 3-year hiatus, taking on Terrence Lewis at the Turning Stone Casino in Verona, NY.

In the other newly scheduled match-up, on Dec. 6, at Madison Sq. Garden, Vitali Klitschko returns to the ring against Kirk Johnson.***

In my mind, there is no doubt that, with few exceptions, the fighters of past generations were far superior to those around today.

Why? Because the fighters of today only fight six times a year or less. In the past fighters had to be in better shape because they fought as much as once a week. That’s because the income was their means of survival.

There are other reasons I feel this way. First, champions had to fight 15 rounds (more if you go back to the turn of the 20th Century). And in the old days, before all these sanctioning bodies, you HAD to face the best around, not just the best that the sanctioning body mandates.

It’s true that fighters today are better trained, and new equipment as well as new techniques and personal trainers can insure that a fighter remains fit, even during the times he takes off between fights.

So while the fighters of today are bigger and stronger, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they are better. And keep in mind, a lot of top fighters trained on women and whiskey in the old days. OK, maybe some do today also, but not as many and if those that do get to the top, it’s not always from talent, but from the proliferation of sanctioning bodies and titles.

Sure there are some fighters around today who would have been champions in the past. But in my opinion, very few.

Guys like Marvin Hagler, Julio Cesar Chavez, Roy Jones Jr., Oscar de la Hoya and Marco Antonio Barrera would have been champions or top contenders in any era. They are/were that good. But would they have held up if they fought once a month? That’s a question that will never be answered.***

December marks the start of our 15th year in business. Anyone interested in advertising in our year end issue, or any issue throughout the year, at very special rates, please contact me and I’ll forward the info to our business office.

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

Glove2Glove:

We ask for your prayers for the soul of outstanding boxing guy, and all-around good guy, Bill Cayton, who passed away recently.

Please say a prayer for the return to health of boxing promoter Moe Smith, who had a four by-pass surgery on Thursday. Moe has done much for our sport. Cards can be sent to Moe at: 2713 E. 1st St., Post Falls, ID. 82854. By the way I spoke to Moe late last week and he’s home and doing great. Can’t keep a good man down.

Please say prayers for former top-notch fighter Art Soto, who is having some severe health problems from Alzheimer’s and cancer.

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.

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 Cerola, 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.

Touching on politics briefly:

The violence continues in the Middle East, and many Americans are getting fed up with our seemingly lack of progress there.***

In truth there is slow progress being made, but not fast enough to satisfy the average American citizen.

I’ve spoken to a few lately, with leanings both to the left and right of center, and I find it amazing that even conservatives feel we should declare victory, lick our wounds and get out.

Leaving Iraq to govern itself is a dangerous move. If we do, we may get a secular government like they have in Iran, and make things far worse for world peace then it was under Sadaam.

Another thing I’ve leaned is that despite all the news in the media, most of these people still think Iraq had something to do with Sept. 11. In short, they are not politically astute.

A less then politically astute electorate can be a dangerous thing. While President Bush and his administration never claimed that there were any Iraqi’s on the planes that caused the 9/11 disaster, they never bothered to deny it either.

So many Americans, who don’t bother to find out the truth, make false assumptions, and false assumptions can be a very dangerous thing.

I don’t claim to understand why many Americans, who supposedly have one of the highest standards of education in the world, are not paying attention to the world around them, and, in short, are walking around with their head up their butt.

That’s dangerous folks. Believe me, an uneducated electorate is a very dangerous one.***

Agree or disagree, I’d like to hear from you. Your responses are most welcome and the best will be posted as they arrive.