2/22/06 - 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.
Word is that the ticket sales remain poor for the Vargas - Mosley match. Can't say
I'm surprised. Both Vargas and Mosley are pretty much over the hill, although the
contrast in styles can make this an interesting fight to watch. Is it worth paying
for? That's the question. As of now, the answer appears to be 'no.'
You can add Brian Villoria, Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito to the short list of
fighters worth a PPV buy. Ivan Calderon also looks like he will be around for a
long time, although constantly fighting 12-rounders can't be easy.***
Word comes that Bernard Hopkins is going to get back into the ring again, this time
against the heavier Antonio Tarver, on June 10th. BHop is always in shape, but this
move up in weight at this stage of his career, when he's looking for retirement,
may not be a very smart move.***
Picking Margarito by KO over Miguel Gomez was easy, but I wasn't expecting it that
early. Top Rank seems to have some pretty good young fighters in their stable now.
This week it's Vargas vs. Mosley. As in my last column, little has changed. We'll skip
the rationale, as it was given last week. Vargas by late TKO. Mosley cannot run forever.
However with aging fighters, nothing is a given. Vargas has slowed up, but Mosley has
really slowed down and his legs should allow Fernando to catch him and nail him late
in the bout to cause the stoppage.
Agree or disagree, we'd like to hear from you. (Rngsportsr@aol.com).
Prayers once again for fight manager/friend Gary and Patty Brandenburg. Patty has been
admitted to the hospital again.
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 the hell are the priorities of our Government? We
all know that America has been sold (out-sourced) for many years, under many administrations.
Out-sourcing jobs is one thing, but selling control of six of our ports to a foreign
country is obscene, and the fact that it's a Muslim nation, in this dangerous time,
certainly doesn't make any of us feel safer.
Yes, Dubai has been a proven friend. Has anyone asked what happens if a terrorist
regime takes control over there? Also wouldn't it be best to let Americans get the
needed jobs and guard their own Country? Retired CIA or FBI agents would be my choice.
When will this giveaway of America end? Maybe we should give Texas, the Southwest and
California back to Mexico, Louisiana back to the French and the original 13 Colonies
back to England. If this stupidity on our government's part goes much further, these
Countries would be wise to reject their return, or better still to charge us for
taking them back.
If we allow this stupidity to take place, then we need a team of proctologists going
to Washington to find out how many of our representatives have head in butt disease
(those who do not openly oppose this deal). And we all know the cure for that, vote
the jerks out of office.
To those in the White House who seem to be going along, enough is enough! The Americans
get little to nothing out of this 'deal' and a Muslim nation gets a major foothold
with six major East Coast ports.
Racist? I prefer cautious. It's always better to be safe than sorry.
Personally, I'm sick and tired of America appeasing the rest of the World in order to
be politically correct. Haven't we learned that no matter what we do to keep them
happy, many of these people are going to hate us anyway? We have truly become and
remain the 'Ugly American', and for no other reason then being born and live in
the greatest Country in the World.
When will our President, or any President, learn that giving our Country away is not
going to make them feel any differently towards us? Helping out with humanitarian
aide in various crisis situations doesn't seem to have helped, although as Americans
and human beings, it is the correct thing to do.
And this President, in all his infinite wisdom, or lack of, has threatened to veto
any legislation to allow this port takeover to happen. Nero, like our current President,
allowed Rome to burn, or may have started the fire himself.
Doesn't this remind us of one of the reasons the Rome fell? It should!
Predictions: The President will veto the actions of Congress. Congress will override
the veto. The United Arab Emirates, based in Dubai, will pull out of the deal to
protect U.S. ports in order to allow President Bush to save whatever face he has left.
Does anyone think that our elected leader would have put us in this mess if he were up
for re-election? Fortunately most of Congress is. However, Therein lies the problem
of term limits.
It used to be 'Remember the Alamo'. Then it was 'Remember the Maine' and now it
should be Remember 9/11'. America's future as a sovereign nation may well depend upon it.***
Agree or disagree, I'd like to hear from you. I respect everyone's opinion.
(Rusty@ringsports.com)
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