10/18/06 - 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.
I had the pleasure to attend the World Boxing Hall of Fame at the LAX Marriott this past weekend. Besides
the greats being inducted, many other old friends attended, including, to name a few, Yaqui Lopez, Greg
Haugen and Mr. C., who disguised as Howard Cosell did an outstanding job of co-hosting the event with Danny Valvidia.
Inducted were: Roberto Duran, Matthew Saad Muhammad, Julian Jackson and Eddie Perkins, plus other ‘names’ in
the posthumous and expanded category. Congratulations to all.
Ryan O’Neal was on hand and asked the boxing community to say prayers for his ex-wife Farah Fawcett. I join
him in that request, and ask that you do as well.
Former great Gerald McClellan was on hand as a special guest of this great organization. He is another
fighter blessed with a marvelous family.
This event is one I try to attend every year and always look forward to.***
I look for Juan Manuel Marquez to stop his unbeaten Philippine challenger in Texas this weekend.***
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:
Prayers 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 real 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: I saw a child the other day, at the LAX airport, wearing a signature shirt,
saying “BUSH and the number 25”. I have to wonder if that’s an omen for our future generations of Presidents
or a clue to the current President’s I.Q.
I know, ‘no Bush-bashing’, and I apologize. I just couldn’t pass that one up. Besides, he has to take the
blame for taking Sadaam out of power and created the mess that we’re in right now. Granted most of our
brain dead Congress went along with the lies, never-bothering to check out the facts.***
As the off year election approaches, I find myself more and more torn on which incompetent party will be in
the best interest of our country.
Neither has a clue on how to solve the major problems that exist in today’s world, and both cater to the whims
of those who donate the highest dollar, in short big corporations.
I will vote in November, and I always vote simply for the candidates that best represent my views, which
seems to be just about none right now.
Of course if I was the CEO of a giant conglomerate, I’d be voting for the status quo, which, to the working
man and average, non-represented voter, is intolerable.
I may just vote for the one thing that can be changed, and that is for more funding for stem cell research. If enough
caring politicians get elected, (I do believe some exist, but are an endangered species) we can hope for enough
support to override the President when he vetoes this potential life-saving measure again.
But I would still feel guilty in knowing that these bumbling, ‘follow the leader’, Congressman are not representing
me in the other important issues of our time, of which there are many.
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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