4/26/06 - In Rusty's Corner
In Rusty's Corner
By Rusty Rubin, editor-in-chief of the Ringsports.com publication, and author of "Off the Canvas",
a view of American history and the social problems of the times, as seen by an 80-year old
ex-champion. "Off the Canvas" takes you from the time of the Great Depression till the World
Trade Center disaster and is a book that has been getting rave reviews. Copies are $15.00 each
available at Ringsports.com and on-line major book retailers.
We're taking orders for autographed copies
of "Billy Soose, the Champion Time Forgot" co-authored by Tom Donelson. Soose was the
middleweight champion of the world, beating Tony Zale and Ken Overlin in less than a month's time.
Since Tom and I live in
different parts of the USA, it would be hard to co-ordinate a joint signing, both Tom or I will
be available. The book is available now at Authorhouse.com
(book id #31809) and other fine on-line outlets. Early sales appear strong.
Buy both books and the recipient will really appreciate your caring, and this writer
won't complain one little bit.
My next book, "Woozel, Boxing and Me", a compilation of true
funny boxing stories, oddities and quotes, will be out within the next 3-4 months.
"Woozel, Boxing and Me" is a final tribute to my best friend of more than 25 years,
who attended many of the boxing events with me. She passed away from colon cancer in Feb. 2004... The
early demand for the book has been strong. For advance ordering or to purchase an autographed copy,
please advise me ASAP...***
Our website (Ringsports.com) is back up and running
thanks to some volunteer help from a good friend of ours and of boxing.
Mark your calendar for April 29th, when the California Boxers Assn. honor Art Aragon,
Bobby Chacon and Professor George Latka, at a luncheon at the Honey Baked Ham restaurant
at 11:00 AM...The restaurant is located at 10106 Riverside Dr., Toluca Lake, California.
For reservations or information please call (828) 367-7575 or (818) 761-4887.***
Wladimir Klitschko regained the heavyweight title in a very easy seven round stoppage of
Chris Byrd, in Germany on Saturday.
The Europeans (Russians) are currently dominating today's heavyweight division and
deservedly so. Except for Hasim Rahman and James Toney, the heavyweight class in
America has shown no signs of coming to life anytime soon. Sam Peter can fight and
punch, but like David Tua, is not from the U.S. and does not seem tall enough to
compete with the really big heavys.***
This week two interesting and important fight takes place in Connecticut. On the 28th,
at the Mohegan Sun, Sam Peter returns to the ring against Julius Long. Can't say much
about Long, except he'd better be (long) in order to stay away from Peter's punching
power. Peter figures to knock Long out within three rounds.
On Saturday, at Foxwoods, Acelino 'Popo' Frietas takes on Zaheer Rahman, conqueror of
Erik Morales. This is a classic boxer vs. puncher match, and although we know it's going
to be an interesting fight to watch, it's a hard fight to figure.
If Frietas lands he'll win by knockout, if Raheem can stay away, he should out-box 'Popo'
and win a decision. Frietas by late stoppage.***
Agree or disagree, we'd like to hear from you. (Rngsportsr@aol.com).
Glove2Glove:
Patti Brandenburg continues to have health problems and continues to need your help via prayers.
Prayer for the return to health to the father of Eva Futch, a great friend, and the widow
of legendary trainer Eddie, who passed away in 2001. Eva's father's cancer has returned
and recent surgeries have proved successful, but he still has a long way to go. And please
pray that Eva has the strength to cope with this difficult challenge she faces at so
close to her having lost her esteemed husband.
Prayers needed for Elise Brown, grand daughter of Ringside Products head honcho and good
boxing guy John Brown. Young Elise has heart problems.
Prayers have also helped but continue to be needed for Dennis Wilcox, brother of boxing
scribe David Wilcox, who is in an Oregon hospital suffering from Leukemia. The family
and everyone at Glove2Glove ask for your prayers for his total recovery.
Prayers for the return to health of Audrey Talmo, wife of Ed, a long-time boxing fan who
cares about our sport.
Please say prayers for the return to health of Helen Wambolt, wife of our East Coast
World Boxing Hall of Fame writer Danny Wambolt. Cards will also be most welcome.***
Please say prayers for the return to health of Orazio Esposito, father of our photographer
Richard Esposito.***
Prayers for the return to health of Don Donelson, father of writer Tom, and Gene Sebastian,
brother of former middleweight champ Billy Soose. Both are suffering from congestive heart disease.
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.***
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: To my surprise (non), no one has come forward to express
their political views or to volunteer to get involved with improving America's democracy
by forming a third major party. I'm still here if you're up for the challenge and more
than willing to help.
Until then, allow me to comment on a reader who wants to know when I will offend God. The
answer, I hope, is never.
While it's true that more people have been killed in the name of God, than for any other
reason, it is not God that wants war and hatred, but rather those who don't understand His teachings.
How many battles were fought because the combatants believe that they had God's support?
Here's a newsflash, although I've never sat down and had a conversation with God, I think
most of us would agree, that all deities are Gods of love and not war, hate or killing.
It is the misunderstanding of the religious teachings by fanatical zealots that cause the
war and killings, and not the word of God.
That's one of the reasons that fanatical Islam has taken this hatred to an extreme. They
are learning in their religious schools, that their God wants them to wipe out the
non-believers. Hogwash! No true God preaches hate and destruction. It is the interpretation
of the religious books by wild eyed kooks that cause the problem.
I firmly believe that there is but one God for all of us, no matter what name you give
the deity. And that God wants us to love each other and respect each other's beliefs.
That's something the Islamic fundamentalists cannot deal with. These radicals want to
take us back to the dark ages, where they obviously have lived all their lives. Their
way is not God's teaching! And for that reason alone, it is one religious system that
is most dangerous to our world today.***
The illegal aliens want to try to cripple our economy by not showing up for work on May 1.
That shows how much they care about becoming citizens. Here's a thought, since most of
these guys are going to be in the same place, how about rounding them up, those without
a green card are bussed home, and the corporations and businesses that are paying them
be subject to a heavy fine to pay their transportation to their country of origin. It
won't happen because our President is too damn busy kissing the Mexican President,
Vincente Fox's backside. I have to wonder if he goes both ways. It wouldn't be an
issue for me, but the religious right that supports him may be a bit surprised.
The point here is that if you've come to America legally, we welcome you with open arms,
if you start your journey to America, your new un-promised land, by breaking its laws,
you are the guilty ones, not those who oppose you being here.
This is an issue that has sadly caused a lot of hate and prejudice, which shouldn't happen,
and wouldn't have happened if they obeyed our laws.
As for Congress and the White House, if they expect to be re-elected, they better get the
understanding that illegal aliens cannot vote, and by supporting their lawbreaking efforts,
you only anger the legitimate voters much more.
If our ancestors came here legally, why should anyone else get away with it, particularly when
breaking our laws to do so?***
I won't go into the 'I told you so', crap, but if you check the archives, I dis-endorsed
the re-election of President Bush, wrote that he should have used the bully-pulpit to
stop the closing of the refineries, etc. etc. I also said that Dubya was the worst President
in my lifetime and perhaps longer, much longer. And all this was before Katrina and
other disasters befell us.
And this doesn't take into account the lives lost in Iraq which was not a threat to us,
the Dubai ports deal and the immigration mess and national security, which he prefers to
ignore, the desires of the American voters and continue to make this once proud country
the laughing stock of the world.
I wish I had been wrong, but this guy in the Oval Office is so incompetent to hold the
highest office in the land, that I would urge impeachment. Cannot do that however, because
next in line is Dick Cheney, who may be more competent, but appears to be far less caring
about the average citizen, and all the other lives he is determined to destroy, if that's
even possible.
Agree or disagree, I'd like to hear from you.
(Rusty@ringsports.com)
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