Rusty Rubin, Managing Editor
www.ringsports.com

Just got back from the 24th Annual World Boxing Hall of Fame inaugurations in Los Angeles, an event I always try to attend and always have fun at. And this year was no exception.

Three honorees didn’t show up, boxers Azumah Nelson and Del Flanagan and Boxer of the Year Roy Jones Jr. who is in training for his Nov. 8, fight with Antonio Tarver.

However on hand were some pretty big names. Pipino Cuevas was on hand to accept an award he won in 1997, and finally received it on Oct. 18.

Also honored were Joey Giambra who has written a book, well titled “The Uncrowned Champion”, Rudolfo ‘Gato’ Gonzales who in himself, has a very inspirational story, which I will report on next, and a fine young fighter who I first met when he was training in Reno, Humberto ‘Chiquita’ Gonzales.

Also on hand to be honored were fight manager/promoter Ricardo Maldonado, long time boxing man and good guy Bennie Georgino (a well deserved honor for Bennie) and outstanding writer Michael Katz.

Some of the ‘names’ on hand were Carmen Basilio, Bobby Chacon, Ernie Terrill (who belongs in the Hall of Fame), Jimmy Ellis, Scrap Iron Johnson, Jackie Kallen, and lots of celebrities that seem to always be on hand for this event.

As always a fine bunch of folks put on a great show.***

We may soon start calling it “The Curse of the Rock”, number 49, that is. Marciano retired at 49-0, and it’s been a mark that’s hard if not impossible to achieve. Larry Holmes lost a close decision to Michael Spinks at the Riviera in Las Vegas will going for the magic number and now Darius Michalcweski lost a split (should have been unanimous) decision to Julio Gonzalez, this weekend while going for his 49h straight win.***

In the say it ain’t so department: Word comes that a fight in Mexico has been signed between Hector Camacho Sr. and Julio Cesar Chavez, both obviously hurting for money, and both could be hurting much more if this fight comes off. Both have been and should remain retired! Boxing doesn’t need still another black eye.***

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:

Please say prayers for boxing writer Jack Welsh, who is undergoing tests in a Las Vegas hospital. Jack is a long-time friend and a great guy.

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.

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.

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:

I hate to dwell on problems that seemingly have no easy (if any) solutions. The mess in Iraq is one of them. It’s a situation that it seems would have been best resolved if we left the bloodthirsty regime remain in power. But what’s done is done, and that’s no longer an option and now the American government has to find a way to extricate itself from an obvious quagmire.

We cannot abandon our troops and we certainly can’t allow this country to fall into the hands of fanatics or people who do not follow the true teachings of the Koran.

And at the same time, I don’t know if we can afford to keep our presence there much longer, without endangering programs (including national security) that we badly need improved at home. It’s an issue that if not resolved soon, and correctly, could lead to the loss of the Bush Presidency, but far worse, the loss of more American and other lives.

We cannot pull out and let this nation fall into the ruthless hands of Usama Bin Laden and the Taliban, who would not be an improvement over the bloody Sadaam regime. Iraq and the rest of the world would be much worse off if that were to happen. And don’t think this couldn’t happen folks, it can.

Remember these brainwashed people have no respect or regard for the beliefs of others. In Afghanistan they destroyed 2000 year old statues of Buddha. They leave non-believers with two choices, follow us or die.

Yes, it’s a quagmire, and one with no easy answers. And while we search for something that may work, we’re losing an average of one American soldier a day. This adds to the cost of the war in a way far more expensively then the money they want us to ‘invest’ in the rebuilding of the country.

At this point, I don’t know if what we did by invading Iraq was worth it. We rid the country of a bloodthirsty dictator, but found no weapons of mass destruction and few Americans are happy with the situation now. We’re there, and we are forced to remain lest people even worse then Hussein take over the country, and yes, my friends, there are much worse people out there. Just remember Sept. 11th.

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