In Rusty’s Corner
By Rusty Rubin
Some things far more important than watching the fights, and one of those has come up that I must make our readers aware of. Veteran ring announcer, good guy and good friend, Mark Beiro suffered a severe setback due to his diabetes, and we almost lost him. I ask that anyone interested in helping out with a roast to assist with his huge medical bills contact his wife Jackie at JDBeiro@aol.com.
Jackie informs me that items are badly needed for the auction that evening, which is expected to raise the majority of the needed funds. Time to step up to the plate, be a boxing good guy and help. I know that Mark would do the same to any boxing guy in need. Mark Beiro has a heart and a voice of gold.
The event will be held at the Letter Carriers Hall in Tampa, Florida on Sept. 29, and while I would love to attend, as Mark is an old and very dear friend of this scribe, it doesn’t come close to fitting in with my tight schedule for that time of year.
Jackie e-mailed me about the event, and while I know it probably belongs in our Glove2Glove segment, I wanted to make sure everyone was made aware of it. You don’t have to attend to help. Find out how by writing to Jackie. You’ll feel very good about yourself if you do.
This is our big chance to show the world how great boxing fans really are, and what makes our sport, the best sport around. I ask that you don’t let us down!***
If you subscribe to our monthly news magazine, which many do, we suggest you renew your subscription for a few years, as postal rates, thus subscription costs will be going up.***
Good to see Reggie Johnson back in the ring after more than three years in self-imposed exile. The former three time light heavyweight champion, turned 39 on Sunday and celebrated with a return to the ring win against tough Freddie Moore in Louisiana the night before.
Reggie is one of boxings good guys and although not young for a boxer, he’s kept himself in top shape and wants the title again badly. When you consider the age of the champion and top contenders right now, it’s definitely doable for Johnson.***
Shannon Briggs' knockout of Ray Mercer tells you why I wouldn’t bet on anyone or anything in today’s heavyweight division. Taking nothing away from Briggs, except for the Klitschko brothers, you rarely find a heavyweight both in shape and hungry.
Sure there are a few exceptions, like DaVarryl Williamson and Chris Byrd, but for the most part this heavyweight division is in need of some fresh blood.***
Mark your calendar for Oct. 22, at the Crowne Plaza Commerce Casino in Los Angeles, where the LA based World Boxing Hall of Fame has their 26th annual induction ceremony.
This year’s class of inductees is especially notable and this is one event you would not want to miss. I know I make it a point to go as often as my schedule allows and always have a great time.
This year the members (of which I am proud to be one) who vote for the candidates has chosen: Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini, a great guy and old friend of this scribe, whose boxing credentials make him an excellent choice.
Jeff Chandler, who dominated the lighter weight divisions for many years, with his smooth style and classy demeanor.
Big puncher and constant contender for many years Joey Archer, never got the title but fought most of the iron in his division.
Alfonso Zamora, a guy I never saw fight in person, but heard plenty about. Another solid choice.
And in the expanded category, how does it get any better than Teddy Atlas, Gwen Adair and Marc Ratner?
To get your tickets for this not-to-be-missed annual event, call (951)782-9688 or (909) 239-3541…For more information go www.wbhf.org.
There’s also a memorabilia and collectables show on the same day, from 10 AM to 4 PM.
Hope to see everyone at ringside.***
Please help me with my upcoming new book. Send all boxing jokes, stories, quips and boxing oddities to (Rusty@ringsports.com), thanks, and members of the boxing media are free to send this most welcome information as well. All submissions used will be given full credit, if used in the book, and it will be given on who submits the story first, basis. Here’s your chance to have your name in print, instead of ‘America’s Most Wanted’ posters (or in my case, America’s Least Wanted’.***
And a new website for you to check out, (story upcoming in a future posting) Americanboxer.tv. They have a new concept that everyone should be interested in. Stand by.
Glove2Glove:
Prayers 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 asks for your prayers in his 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: So now the whackos on the right attack the whackos on the left by saying you have to be anti-Bush if you support Cindy Sheehan,
That’s an outrageous argument. I’m anti-Iraq war, (although I believe the troops must remain) anti the military policies of this administration (except for Afghanistan, which was the correct and the only logical response to 9/11) and while I disagree with Ms. Sheehan, it doesn’t make me pro Bush either. I am absolutely against America’s incursion into Iraq and staying and nation building after the fall of Sadaam are easy argument to make against this ill-conceived war in Iraq.
I disagree with both Sheehan and Bush on the issue of Iraq. I don’t think we belong there and never have, but I also think that pulling out our troops now is sending the wrong message to the insurgents!
One of the major problems with this society is that it seems that you have to be either for or against something, having mixed emotions is looked at as a sign of weakness.
As I wrote, I’m anti more of what this administration stands for than I am in favor of it. Sometimes I’m not even sure what this administration stands for. In fact I’m so anti almost everything the clowns in the White House say that they stand for I’m against. Call me an aardvark, but I can’t support stupidity and poor planning, which is what this administration seems to major in.
Maybe I’ll become a college professor and give a course in Bush Bashing 101, it’s so easy, even a child can do it. If you’ve been in boxing as long as I have, how about a boxing scribe with a child’s mind?***
Am I the only person who resents hearing the same misstatement out of the mouth of the President? If you tell a lie enough times it can become the truth, at least in his mind. We’re not fighting them over there to make America safer, no matter how many ways President Bush tries to spin it. Iraq is not now, nor ever was a threat to this nation. Don’t Americans, whose tax dollar is supporting the war deserve to know the truth?***
Just an added thought, does anyone think that the Muslim religious leaders will praise the Israelis for their pullout in Gaza and parts of the West Bank? It is a strong step towards peace, and positive comments would go a long way in easing the hatred and tension that exists in the region.
It’s probably too much to hope for, too many terrorists in the region don’t want peace, but it wouldn’t it be great if it were to happen?***
Agree or disagree, I’d like to hear from you. I respect everyone’s opinion. (Rusty@ringsports.com).