10/11/06 - 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. Sales have been strong.
My newest book, "Woozel, Boxing and Me", #31810 (now ready to 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.
Being a journalist, I’ve found that the highest tribute that one can receive is positive comments about his
chosen field of work. I thank everyone who has made those comments to me, either in person or other means of
communication. Thank you.
Mark Your Calendar:
This weekend...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. This event figures to bring out a packed house, so
make your reservations early.***
Most of those who didn’t see the Abraham – Miranda fight in Germany are calling the Israel Vasquez vs.
Jhonny Gonzalez the year’s best action. This fight was the choice for the ‘Fight of the Year’ by the
World Boxing Hall of Fame.
Also Carlos Baldomir has been selected as the WBHOF ‘Fighter of the Year’***
A couple of good fights this weekend, and a chance to see Joe Calzaghe, who easily handled previously
undefeated Jeff Lacy, in action. Calzaghe is a solid fighter from the UK that few people have seen in action.
I’m not sure what action you can expect when Joe takes on Simon Bika, but Calzaghe should have no problem,
unless he goes in over-confident, and even then, he should prevail handily.
Mikael Kessler and Marcus Beyer square off this weekend as well, in what should prove to be a very
entertaining fight. Kessler is the favorite, but Beyer is quite capable of pulling off the upset. Beyer by TKO.
In Providence Rhode Island, two guys who don’t like each other square off in an interesting pairing.
Peter Manfredo and Joey Spina will clash, and both former ‘Contenders’ should be battling tooth and nail.
Spina may be the bigger puncher, but I don’t think there will be a knockout here. Manfredo by decision.
Finally, if you can find it in your heart to help keep the world famous Kronk Gym open, please e-mail me
and I’ll give you the address where to send your donations.***
Agree or disagree, (not about my age) 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. Prayers also for the return to health of top of the line referee Chuck Hassett who
is reportedly battling prostate cancer.
Patti Brandenburg continues to have health problems and continues to need your help via prayers.
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 going to re-cooperate at his California home with his closest relatives. Dennis is
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 great guy and a
fighter and we have to be there in his corner.
Prayers also for former World Boxing Hall of Fame President 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: Hard to say which event made more news, the major story on North Korea
testing a nuclear bomb (if they did) or Mark Foley committing pseudo-pedophilia with some of the current
and former House of Representative pages over the internet.
Importance wise, there is no question that the story out of North Korea is superior, but that doesn’t
give a blank check to now ex-Congressman Foley either. Our elected leaders should act as such, and not like dogs in heat.
As for House Speaker Dennis Hastert, how culpable is he in keeping the story to himself? Surely he must
have known and should have taken action sooner. The action his colleagues in the House take regarding
this will prove interesting.
There is no excuse for Foley’s behavior, period! Hastert, if he in fact did know about it, did what he
could to prevent the info from leaking to the press and thus prevent some close House races in November
to be up for grabs. While Hastert’s cover up may not be a crime, it sure seems like it could have been handled better.
As far as North Korea is concerned, the saber rattling had to end somewhere and now, sadly it’s time for
President Bush and the United Nations to put up or shut up. I’m betting on the latter.
Unlike the Foley issue, the repercussions on the Korean front have yet to be felt. The fallout from
the Foley debacle may be felt by political upsets in both Houses of Congress, in the mid-term elections.
This could become yet another case of the Democrats sitting back, doing nothing, and allowing the
Republicans to continue to shoot themselves in the foot by making stupid mistakes.
The bottom line folks is this, neither party has a plan or a clue as how to get America straightened out.
The Dems are, for the most part, in favor of illegal immigration, which is outrageous, but their views
are more to my way of thinking on stem cell research.
The unmentioned issues here, like Iraq, economy and terrorism and the Patriot Act are also concerns,
not to mention the outsourcing of our Country. The regular readers of this column know where I stand on those issues.
The Foley issue won’t decide on who I vote for, as I vote for the candidate that best represents my
views on the issues. Sadly, here in Northern Nevada, that leaves me little to choose from in many of
the races. Currently I’m leaning towards ‘none of the above’ as my major ballot choices. I just can’t
see myself voting for people who don’t represent me.
Pray for wisdom from Washington (yes, even from this crop of elected leaders, it is possible) and for
our troops on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Have a great week.
Agree, disagree or just want to help? I'd love to hear from you.
(Rusty@ringsports.com)
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