2/10/06 - 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 witnessed 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. For a list of the reviews please
contact Rusty. Remember the holidays are rapidly approaching. Here's a great gift.
It's here! Just in time for next years Christmas basket! We're taking orders for autographed copies
of "Billy Soose, the Champion Time Forgot" co-authored by Tom Donelson. 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.
Soose was a former middleweight champion of the world, and in one three week period defeated Ken
Overlin and Tony Zale, giving him ample credentials to be inducted into the International Boxing
Hall of Fame.
Buy both books and the recipient will really appreciate your caring, and this writer
won't complain one little bit.
The even better news is that my next book, "Woozel, Boxing and Me", a compilation of
funny boxing stories, oddities and quotes, will be out within the next four months.
The early demand has been strong.***
There aren't a lot of exciting fights (on paper) this weekend, but since fights are
fought in the ring, it doesn't much matter.
A fight, while perhaps not the weekends best, but certainly of the most interest is
between aging super middleweights with veteran Scott Pemberton, coming off a TKO loss
to Jeff Lacy and young up and comer Peter Manfredo Jr.
Will youth be served? And if so at what temperature?
Pemberton didn't do much against Lacy, but truth be told, few fighters do. Even if we
throw out Scott's last fight, we can't throw out his advanced age, this is a time when
most fighters hang them up and retire to make babies.
Manfredo is young and getting better, but can his youth counter all the skills learned
by Scott over the years?
This question will be answered this weekend,
Since I am required by moral, not legal commitment, to pick a winner, I'll take Manfredo
to wear Pemberton down and stop him late in the fight.***
Agree or disagree, we'd like to hear from you. (Rngsportsr@aol.com).
Glove2Glove:
Prayers for the soul of Mike Sammon, son of referee Marty. Mike passed away at age 39
after a brief illness. And for renowned boxing scribe Jack Fiske who passed away at age 88.***
Prayers for ring announcer Mark Beiro who underwent eye surgery in early February.***
Let's say a prayer for 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 needs all
the support we can give him, 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.
Prayers needed for the return to health of Alfonso Luna, father of our outstanding
photographer Ray Luna, who has taken ill in Southern California.
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: Help me understand this, please: Am I missing something
by thinking that the anger we face by Muslims for a Danish cartoon, which we had nothing
to do with. How does that differ from us attacking Iraq after 9/11, and event they had
nothing to do with?***
A huge tunnel was found, which was used by drug smugglers to transport illegal drugs
from Mexico to America. This is an ominous sign of what may happen if we are not vigilant.
In fact, although there is no indication that it has happened, how big a nuclear weapon
could have fit into that huge tunnel? And more to the point are there more tunnels?
How many? And how are they being used?
How much money would it take to pay off some of the drug smugglers to allow use of the
tunnel for such weapons? Isn't it likely that they would get paid far more money to
smuggle weapons into America instead of drugs?
Little of this current concern would have been on the table, except for the drugs,
which has been an issue for some time, if the attacks of 9/11 never happened, but
they did. And drugs, as damaging as they can be, are not of as much concern to the
average American as wmd's.
And yes, it's a shame that many decent, hard working people still cross our borders
illegally, to try to earn an honest living.
But with the nuclear threats that surround us, along with those of the crazed Al Qaeda
leaders, we can not be too careful!
No one is picking on those who want to earn a decent living in this Country, just
those that don't bother to respect our laws and cross our borders illegally.
And remember, it's not just the Southern border we should be concerned with. If it's
happening there, and it is, that doesn't mean it couldn't be happening up North as well.
Agree or disagree, I'd like to hear from you. I respect everyone's opinion.
(Rusty@ringsports.com)
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