Rusty Rubin, Managing Editor
www.ringsports.com

Shane Mosley beat Oscar de la Hoya last night, or did he? To be sure it was a close fight, and judging by Oscar’s post fight attitude, the decision may lead to an inquiry into how he lost.

It’s unusual to throw twice as many punches as your foe and lose a fight, particularly on your home turf.

Even Jack Mosley told his son that he needed a knockout to win. Shane didn’t even score a knockdown.

In truth, I wasn’t able to see the fight, due to some last minute personal problems. I was set to attend the action at the Reno Hilton.

Most of the people who did see it, that contacted me, feel that Oscar was robbed, and the punch-stat numbers seem to make that case. And losing another bad decision in Las Vegas makes one wonder what the “Golden Boy” has to do to get a break.

Let me say this, in the recent past, this probably was a fight that Oscar would have won. There would be no doubt about it.

That all changed when Michael Spinks beat Larry Holmes at the Riviera in Las Vegas in their first meeting. I was at the fight that night, and in the press room when the decision was announced. And the real story wasn’t just Holmes uncalled for remarks about Marciano carrying Larry’s jock strap.

History was made that night and a precedent was set.

Up till that time, the conventional wisdom was that a fighter had to take the title away from the champion, which means he had to clearly beat him. I thought Spinks won the fight, as did many sitting in the press room with me, but few if any thought he had done enough to ‘take the title’ from the champion.

Since that time, fighters don’t have to ‘do enough’ to take the belt. They just have to win the fight in the eyes of the judges, and last night Mosley did. In truth it’s a much fairer way to decide fights. Although stats don’t bear out that’s what happened here.

I won’t comment further until I see a replay of the fight, but I certainly am going to welcome other opinions on the controversial decision. Most, as you can see, thought it was another bad night for judging and for boxing.

One thing you have to do however, is give Mosley full credit. His lackluster performance in his past three fights didn’t influence his performance here. He was able to put those bouts out of his mind and give Oscar and the fans all that they wanted, and more. And even more to his credit he wasn’t discouraged although he lost most of the early rounds. He was able to dig deep, which is a sign of a true champion.***

December marks the start of our 15th year in business. Anyone interested in advertising in our year end issue, 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 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 Alzheimers and cancer.

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 don’t know about you, but I really don’t like when the term ‘friendly fire’ is used. This oxymoron is always in vogue when the wrong people are killed or wounded by allies.

This is a deadly mistake! It is not ‘friendly fire’.

Touching on American politics briefly, and California is particular, can anyone tell me why they want to be Governor of an almost bankrupt State? Or, why any party would take the risk that if the economy their remains poor, the voters in the next Presidential election would probably vote against the man in the Governors Mansion?

It makes about as much sense as being broke and wasting $75 million dollars on a recall that could better be used in creating more jobs and improving the economy.

Of course California seems to be taking the lead from the federal government, and has it’s priorities so far out of whack that they’d be blind not to see it.

The Feds spend more money on border security in Iraq then they do in this country. And America is in constant danger of illegals coming in over our porous borders carrying weapons of mass destruction. In short, taking care of others becomes a greater priority then taking care of ourselves. Nice non-selfish attitude, but STUPID!

In California, part of the problem comes from illegal immigrants as well. Illegals that take jobs or use the Golden State’s resources and send them back to Mexico or wherever they may have come from. However that issue probably wont be raised in the campaign because like the candidates in the national election, the politicos don’t want to risk losing the Hispanic vote.

Ah yes, America and California, the lands of opportunity. Sadly the opportunity in this case is for others, and obviously not for American citizens.

Boxing feedback:

Well post as they come in.

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

Political feedback:

People must have liked my last column, no one bothered to respond.

Correspondence is always welcome and those who can express their points of view best, well be used…