8/10/06 - In Rusty's Corner
In Rusty's Corner
By Rusty Rubin, editor-in-chief of the Ringsports.com publication and website advisor is the author
of "Off the Canvas", #22873, 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 authorhouse.com, (22873)
Ringsports.com and on-line major book retailers.
"Billy Soose, the Champion Time Forgot" #31809co-authored by Tom Donelson, is also available. Soose was the
middleweight champion of the world, beating greats like 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 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 upcoming book, "Woozel, Boxing and Me", #31810 (now available for purchase) is a compilation of funny and true
boxing stories, oddities and quotes, will be out within the next few weeks. "Woozel, Boxing and Me" is a final tribute
to my best friend of more than 25 years, who attended many boxing events with me. She passed away from colon cancer
in Feb. 2004. The early demand for this true, and in my not-so-humble opinion, one of the funniest boxing books
ever written, has been strong. For advance ordering or to purchase an autographed copy, please advise me ASAP.
All these books are available for purchase at Authorhouse.com.***
Mark Your Calendar:
Aug. 12, 2006....Golden State Boxer's Assn: Lot's of big names inducted in the Inaugural luncheon,
including Archie Moore (deceased), Mando Ramos, Bobby Chacon, Chuck Bodak and Freddie Roach. It will
be held at the Spaghetti Factory on Sunset Blvd. in Los Angeles. For info call: 818-247-0882.
Aug. 19, 2006...California Boxing Hall of Fame inductions: Huge list of former and past greats to be inducted
including Hedgemon Lewis, the Ruelas brothers and a group of many old friends. Sportsmen's Lodge in Studio
City California...For information call 818-761-4887.
Sept. 14-17, the American Association of Professional Ringside (AAPRP) holds it's convention at the Luxor in
Las Vegas. Ringsports.com East Coast Editor Jack Hirsch is being given the media award. Jose Sulaiman, Alex
Ramos and a few others are also getting their just due. Congratulations to all.
Oct. 14, 2005...World Boxing Hall of Fame induction, LAX Marriott...Call 909-239-3541...Inductees includes
Roberto Duran, Matthew Saad Muhammad, Julian Jackson, Eddie Perkins and many more. Fans would not want to miss
this tribute to some truly great boxing people.***
A welcomed large, noisy crowd at Montbleu Casino in beautiful Lake Tahoe, was on hand on August 5, where both
Marquez brothers scored KO wins against surprisingly tough-chinned opponents.
The action was held outdoors, for the first time since 1991. The weather was great and the throng receptive.
If you like fast action, Gary Shaw Productions was more than happy to provide it for this card. And Gary was
probably even happier with the attendance as well. Showtime televised the twin-bill.
Was Ike Quartey robbed in NYC last weekend? Too many close rounds to say, but probably more of a victim of a felony.
I had Quartey by one point (the fights only knockdown). It wasn't a true 'Florida decision', but it certainly
didn't help the image of boxing.
Both Ike and Vernon Forrest, on the comeback trail, gave their all, which sadly, at their ages, (36 & 35) isn't much
anymore. Give them this though, they were both in excellent shape.
Kassim Ouma did more than enough to take the unanimous decision over Seechow Powell in the semi-main, and the
two judges who got this one right, got the Quartey one wrong. Well 50% is better than zero. This card was carried on HBO.***
This week it's Hasim Rahman vs. Oleg Maskaev in a rematch in Vegas. Like most guys near the top of the heavyweight
division, neither fighter is young nor has a long career left ahead of them. Maskaev scored a KO in their first
bout, but that was some years back. But this is an important and interesting fight televised by HBO PPV, and
if you're a fan of the big guys, worth the buy.
Would I pay for it? Probably not, but only because there are few heavyweights that excite me...although for the life
of me, I can't think of who they are.
Pick? Take Rahman by late stop or a decision.
Agree or disagree, I'd like to hear from you. (Rusty@ringsports.com)
Glove2Glove:
Please say prayers for long time promoter and friend, Moe Smith, who has been having some ongoing heart related problems.
Patti Brandenburg continues to have health problems and continues to need your help via prayers.
Prayers for Mae Sebastian, who is fighting a serious illness. Mae is the wife of Gene Sebastian, who gave
Tom Donelson and myself the info needed to write the book "Billy Soose, The Champion Time Forgot".
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 recovery of good friend and great boxing guy Norm Cote, Past President of the
World Boxing Hall of Fame, who is undergoing dialysis three times a week. Norm's a fighter and we have
to be there in his corner.
Prayers also for former World Boxing Hall of Fame Presidents Dub Harris and Charlie Casas who are having some
severe health problems as well.
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 absolutely
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: Now that my ingenious middle - east immigration plan to resolve both problems at the
same time has been rejected by just about everyone. I will keep on trying to find workable solutions for the
problems of the world.***
The loss of Joe Leiberman in the Connecticut primary looms as a nightmare for all those running for office on
the President's Iraq coat-tails. It should be clear by now that those tails won't wag, and it's time for
those who have supported his position there to abandon ship before the November election.
The sad part here is that Joe was one of the few Dems who parted ways with the crazed left wingers that have, for too
long been in control of the Democratic Party. It's not that I agreed with him on Iraq, honestly I don't like
turning tails and running, but sometimes it's better to adhere to the old adage, 'those who fight and run away,
live to fight another day'.
But most of the Dems are so far to the left, that they might allow Usama himself to legally immigrate to America.
Problem is, most in Congress have their heads so far up their butts; they can't see the light at the end of the colonoscopy.
The arrests of some loony birds that planned to get their 72 virgins early, was a big security plus for Great Britain,
and the rest of the free world. Sadly, it will impact once again our ready access to easy travel in America.
Anyone who tells you that they feel secure today, with all the senseless killings in the world, are as loony as
those who planned to blow up the British flights to America. Thanks to our friends and allies in the U.K.***
I'm going to go off topic now, and talk about something very important to me. As one (at least myself) gets
older, they start thinking of what they did to make the world (in my case, including boxing) a better place.
What type of legacy does one leave behind them?
Sadly, on the surface, it seems like another failure, but not for trying.
"Rusty on Politics": Our World is certainly not a better place than when I entered it, and although through my
political rantings, I've tried to get people to think more about our society rather than the crappy reality
shows on TV, and some of the more idiotic programs of the past. I realize that I have not been very successful,
but I do know I've helped a few.
That's a plus, so while our children will just have to learn to live in a far more dangerous world than I did, at
least I tried, and I promise to continue.
Glove2Glove has helped make boxing and the boxing world a better place, and I am very proud of that.
My ideas of solving the problems of the sport fell largely on deaf ears as well, but at least I made the good
fight and got some thoughts out to the fans.
I'm not a failure in my quest, I tried. A person is only a failure if they don't try. And, God willing, I have
a lot longer to go and a lot more people to piss off. Or maybe, just maybe, improve their lives.
My three books will also be my legacy to boxing and help keep the world informed and happy. Hopefully, they will be
around long after I'm gone.
Thanks for bearing with me on this one.
Agree, disagree or just want to help? I'd love to hear from you.
(Rusty@ringsports.com)
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