2/15/06 - 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 3-4 months. The
early demand has been strong. For advance ordering or to purchase an autographed copy,
please advise me ASAP...***
News comes that ticket sales are poor for the Vargas - Mosley match. Sadly the state of
boxing today, you can name the fighters worth watching on the fingers of both hands,
even if you had a few missing.
Both Vargas and Mosley are pretty much over the hill, although the contrast in styles
can make this an interesting fight to watch, but how much is it worth paying for?
That's the question.
A look at the fighters worth paying for is short: Mayweather, Hatton, Gatti, Morales,
Pacquiao, Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez, Rafael Marquez, Jose Luis Castillo and Diego
Corrales, Javier Arce, Jeff Lacy and Jermaine Taylor.
I can name others, but how much they're worth depends upon the opposition, and the PPV
price that is charged.***
Enough of a rant: The best fight card this weekend is at the Aladdin Casino in Las
Vegas, and it's an inexpensive PPV card, probably worth the investment.
Headlining, Antonio Margarito taking on Manuel Gomez who holds the WBO welterweight
crown. Margarito is the better puncher, although Gomez can box. This fight figures
to go into the later rounds, ending with a stoppage by Margarito.
Also on the card, in separate fights, Brian Villoria, a young man who has loads of
talent and Ivan Calderon who may also be a big name in the future.
Agree or disagree, we'd like to hear from you. (Rngsportsr@aol.com).
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: What right does Al Gore have to apologize to the Muslims for
something America had nothing to do with (the publishing of political cartoons).
I'm sure it was offensive to many in the Muslim world, Al, but you're not our President
and have no right to speak for any of us.
If President Bush would have done the same, he would be rightfully accused of being weak.
This is not a political issue, it's a common sense one. We didn't have anything wrong
to do with the offensive cartoons, so why apologize for nothing?
Even if Gore was referring to the new pictures released showing Muslims being abused in
Abu Gharib in 2003, which was uncalled for, he is not a representative of our government
and has no right to apologize for it.
I've been searching to see if this story I saw on the TV news is true, and if it is, then
I finally feel better that Gore lost in Florida in 2000. I held my nose when I voted for
him, mostly because I couldn't stand either Bush or Cheney. Glad to see I was proved
wrong in that vote, not that I'm enamored by the current bunch in power, I'm not!***
Dick Cheney getting into a hunting accident proves the NRA is correct, guns don't shoot
people, Cheney shoots people. Gosh, with friends like him, who needs enemies? This is truly
the gang that can't shoot straight. Fortunately the injured party was not seriously hurt.
Back to more serious topics: The bird flu is evolving and spreading rapidly throughout the
world, showing signs that this may indeed become the severe pandemic that hits our World
every 100 or so years.
You can stay away from dead or infected birds, but there's little to do when an infected
one flies over your head and defecates on you. On a more serious note, there's little one
can do to stop it as well.
What irks me is that the attitude of the pharmaceutical companies that make the needed drugs
is that there isn't enough money to be made in the manufacture. So again, human life comes
in second to human greed.
Sickening isn't it?
Agree or disagree, I'd like to hear from you. I respect everyone's opinion.
(Rusty@ringsports.com)
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