3/22/06 - 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...***
Mark your calendar: March 31, at the Beaumont Club, a fundraiser for the ChildSeek Network.
The event is to call attention to missing teenager Ashley Martinez, and will be hosted,
in the ring by friend Krysti Rosario and pro female boxer Franchesca Alcanter. Krysti
will also bring faces of missing children into the ring. Boxers setting an example
for all of us for working together for a great cause. We all should pitch in and help.
This is yet another example of the good things and good people that boxing does and attracts.
For more information check out www.childseeknetwork.com.***
Mark your calendar. This year's Western Regional Golden Gloves will be held in Las Vegas
April 7th and 8th. . ***
The James Toney - Hasim Rahman fight had more action than most heavyweight bouts, but it
was all anti-climactic because the result was a majority draw, setting up a probable rematch,
but left many fans unfulfilled. Of course the way Toney eats, he's never unfulfilled, and
that too showed in this contest. But looking like an over-stuffed turkey or not, Toney
fought a smart fight. Of course a case can be made that a solid, leaner Toney would have
won the fight, but there's really no way to know for sure.
Some people say it was a bad decision and that Rahman won easily. My only comment here is
that different judges look for different things when scoring. Being the aggressor (Rahman)
is but one, but who landed the greater percentage of punches (Toney) is another. I had
Rahman winning by two points (one round), but I'm certainly not a judge and a lot of the
rounds appeared very close.
The result allowed Rahman to keep the WBC title that was given to him, and not won in the
ring, as it should be. It also allowed Toney a chance to remain high in the heavyweight
rankings and set up more title matches for him.
The good news is that the fans got their money's worth. Something you don't often see in
a heavyweight bout, nowadays.
I don't see what, on paper, looks like any major fights of interest, or great excitement
this week, which means that I won't comment on it, and there probably will be many, at
least on the excitement end.***
Agree or disagree, we'd like to hear from you. (Rngsportsr@aol.com).
Glove2Glove:
First, I know there are many people out there who are in need of prayer, but I always
make sure that listing them in this column is okay with them, because many do not feel
comfortable having their health problems known. I sincerely appreciate everyone who
tells me of someone in need of prayer, but unless it's Okayed by the family, I feel
it's in bad taste to list them. However, that does not mean they are not included in
my personal prayers.
However, in this case I make an exception. My good friend Norm Cote, former President
of the World Boxing Hall of Fame is in the hospital in Los Angeles, and needs your prayers.
A word of prayer also to give his wonderful wife Annie strength would also be most appreciated.***
Please say prayers for the soul of John Beyrooty Sr., father of veteran well respected
boxing guy and friend, John Beyrooty, a long time boxing publicist and good guy. John
Sr. passed away last week at age 85.
Also prayers are requested for the soul of former referee, judge, friend and good guy,
Davey Pearl who passed away in Las Vegas recently. Davey was suffering from Alzheimer's.
Patti Brandenburg continues to have health problems and continues to need your help via prayers.
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: With America's debt at record levels, and rising, what
sense does it make for this administration to continue the tax break for the rich?
Our treasury needs more money, not less.***
At last we see a politician who has the guts to speak his mind, and a Democrat to the
bargain. Talk about someone crying out in the darkness. What a refreshing change.
Democratic Senator from Wisconsin, Russ Feingold, who is reportedly going to seek his
party's Presidential nomination, has called for the censuring of President George W. Bush.
Censure is not impeach, which I've heard a lot of folks talking about of late, and which I
do not agree with, since America and the rest of the world would really be stuck with Dick
Cheney for at least the remainder of Bush's term and a sitting President who was not
elected, who could conceivably run for the top job two more times, should he so desire.
Anyone who has been around politics for a few years knows how hard it can be to unseat
any politician, let alone a President.
Censure is the correct approach, if indeed it is called for. Yet not one member of the
Senate has risen to support Feingold, including the Democrats. Is it possible that
President Bush is more popular with politicians in the U.S. Senate than he is with
the voters back home, where his popularity has fallen into the low 30% category
according to one poll?
I honestly don't know the entire censure resolution, and in truth, it doesn't matter
to me, even if it would pass. I don't even know what it does. And I'm not passing
judgment here on whether or not the resolution has merit.
The American people are quite vocal in their disapproval of our President and his
policies, and that's the opinions that should matter the most. No leader should sit
on his white horse and distance himself, by his actions, to those who elected him
and those he is supposed to represent, and those people should not only be special
interest groups.
But isn't it great to see a politician with gonads, who's not afraid to speak out
strongly on an issue, even when his own party won't support it? We sure don't see
it in most of our elected leaders.
Thank you Senator Feingold. It's good to know there's an elected politician out
there who has the courage to speak his mind and the balls to take on his own party.
That's what I call leadership.***
And for everyone out there, I ask you to count the numbers. Islamic fundamentalists
have killed far more Muslims since 9/11 than Americans have. I wonder what it will
take for them to realize who the real enemy is.
(Rusty@ringsports.com)
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