Rusty Rubin, Managing Editor
www.ringsports.com

I now know why Kelvin Davis didn’t throw his right hand much or ‘punches in bunches’ when he fought Lou Azille on ESPN TV last Friday night.

Davis sustained an injury to his right hand that is now in a cast and will keep him out of action for 4-6 weeks. That certainly explains the slow down of the pace of the fight.

If Kelvin was able to eek out a split decision win with one hand, he figures to be a lot better when and if he fights for the cruiserweight title. He’s supposed to, but remember in boxing, expect the unexpected.

The guess here is that he will either fight Vassilly Jirov or Ezra Sellers for the cruiserweight title that Toney figures to vacate, should he decide to remain at heavyweight, which he told me he was going to do.

For Davis, the unorthodox southpaw Sellers, although taller then Jirov, would be the easier foe. Jirov almost beat Toney and probably would have if it weren’t for a late round knockdown, the first in the Russians career.***

A great amateur fight card in Reno on Nov. 1, when the USA team led by Andre Ward, a light-heavyweight who has been undefeated in the past five years, takes on a very tough French National team. The event will be held at the City Center Pavillion in Reno, and is a must see, particularly for those who want a preview of some of our upcoming Olympic boxing team.

Lot’s of great action folks, and if you’re in the area, you’d be missing a lot if you didn’t come on down.***

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

Boxing feedback: Some interesting reactions to my article involving steroids in sport in general and boxing in particular, as follows:

First I agree with you on the results of the Davis cruiserweight bout, that he was lucky.

But I beg to differ on the guys using steroids. I love Holy and RJ but after the age of 21 a man cannot gain more than 2-3 pounds a year naturally. That’s even with the proper nutrition and weight training. Add the fact that Holy was trained by well known steroid user and abuser Lee Haney who was a 6 time Mr. Olympia. Holy was already around 21 in the Olympics then moved to cruiser for the pros. OK just a couple of pounds 178 to under 190. But to go from 190 to 205, to gain 15lbs that quickly, no way. He still eventually moved up to 222. All this while remaining rock hard. I wish it wasn't true but I would bet the ranch on it.

RJ 156 amateur, granted he was young, turned pro then went to 160 and 168, OK. Maybe the jump to lightheavy at 175 because it was a long process. But to go from 175 to a supposed 195 for Ruiz at his age naturally, no way! That's 20lbs!

Shawn Darling, NJ

Love your writing, but I think you are a little naïve on the steroid front. When the difference between success and failure mean millions of dollars ,and because boxing’s steroid testing is not even as good as other sports where people still regularly slip through.

Especially with the new steroid THG ,I would bet everything I own that many boxers are on them, especially because they don’t really know if their opponents are on them.

As a personal trainer, check parisblackartist.com, and the link dynamicbodysystem.com.

I can guaranty it's impossible to go up and down thirty pounds or so in good weight with out them. When you see a round bloated face and a ripped body that is steroids for sure go to boxxing2004@yahoo.ca, pass word boxing and read the article there.

Keep up the good work its a pleasure to read your column.

Paris Black, Toronto, Canada
______________________________________________________________________
Post your free ad now! http://personals.yahoo.ca

Glove2Glove:

Please say a prayer for the return to health of boxing promoter Moe Smith, who had a four by-pass surgery. 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. You can’t keep a good man down.

Please say prayers for the soul of Hungarian amateur great Lazlo Papp, who passed away earlier this month.

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 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.

Touching on politics briefly:

A few people have asked my opinion on the “Patriot Act”, which obviously can infringe on the privacy of some people.

On one hand it shouldn’t be allowed in a free country, especially in ‘normal’ times.

However, since Sept. 11, times have not been normal, and we are told that another terrorist attack can come at any time and any place.

The question here is what is more important, an individuals right to privacy or the right of that citizen and others to live? I think that answer is obvious.

I wish it wasn’t necessary, but after 9/11, the Patriot Act has become pretty much a necessity. I don’t like ‘Big Brother’ watching me, but on the other hand, I have nothing to hide, and I think most Americans are in the same ballpark, at least I certainly hope so.

If any federal officer wants to search my house or my computer I’d have no problem allowing him to do so, and I think I’d feel a lot safer if he did. No one should worry if they have nothing to hide.

On a somewhat unrelated matter, I went through the standard search at the airport recently and they found a small pair of scissors which I use to trim my mustache and beard. It had to be confiscated, but I understood and actually felt good to know that these security guards were doing their job.

Of course a few days later, a student announced he had planted some materials on a plane, even with the added security, and that didn’t make me a happy camper.

Bottom line, the safety of the whole is more important then the privacy on any part…I endorse the Patriot Act, although I mourn the fact that it is necessary to take away some of our great freedoms.

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