By Rusty Rubin, managing editor, of Ringsports.com, 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” 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 me.***
A lot of people thought I was crazy, picking Miguel Cotto to be the first boxer to stop “Chop Chop” Corley, midway. He scored the TKO towards the end of round five.
Corley put up a great fight, and was, as usual as game as you can get, when the referee halted the fight, with Corley taking a knee and a break, from a three punch barrage, only one of which landed (on his shoulder).
There was no doubt that Cotto had taken control of the fight at that point and was wearing Corley down, although it was a bad stop in my opinion. Then again, on TV, we’re not privileged to look into the eyes of a fighter to see if he may have a concussion or not. Only the referee can do that, although he didn’t seem to be bending over and checking at the time of the stoppage.***
I thought it was a class act, that others in the world of sports, in general, and boxing in particular to follow. I refer to the $25,000 reward for a missing Florida girl, posted by baseball hurler Mike Hampton.
Hampton set an example that all athletes who make more than they need (which is most) to follow. The ultimate act of kindness is helping others, and Hampton showed both his class and humanity with his actions.
Don’t know how many athletes gave to the tsunami victims, but I’m sure there were some, and believe me, for what they are paid, they really don’t need the extra publicity/attention. Those who gave, gave from the heart, as Hampton did. And heartfelt thanks to all of them.
But what a great image for boxing if some of the promoters, sanctioning bodies and world champions would work together and do the same thing. Well, okay, working together may be a bit of a stretch. But can’t they do more to help their fellow brethren who are down and out, along with helping the kids my donating money to the amateurs?
Most boxers probably can’t afford the cash contribution, but they probably can, if nothing else, donate their time to the local schools and gyms, getting kids out of the ghettos and into a sport that builds character, and sometimes creates characters.
Agree or disagree please reply to Rusty@ringsports.com
Great News: “Black Cloud” the boxing movie that I’ve written about here in the past, premiers on March 11, in NYC, L.A., Boston, Hartford, New Haven, and New London Ct. as well as Providence, RI. The Mohegan Sun in Connecticut will be hosting a screening or you can visit Blackcloudthemovie.com. Don’t miss this one.***
Agree or disagree, I always welcome comments.
My good friend Stephen B. Acunto, who founded the American Association for the Improvement of Boxing, along with Rocky Marciano, now has his book “Champions Boxing Guide” available in Spanish. For details visit Steve’s website: AAIB.org
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 American’s Most Wanted posters.***
Agree or disagree, feel free to express your views.
Glove2Glove:
Please say prayers for the soul of former heavyweight contender Jimmy Young, who died of heart disease at age 56.***
Prayers for the soul of long-time Minnesota boxing promoter, and great friend of the sport, Tommy Brunette, who passed away suddenly last week.
Prayers requested for the return to health of former New England featherweight champion, down but not out with a brain tumor as well as Ray Lampkin, former top contender who underwent triple bypass surgery recently. Also prayers are needed for the return to health of Sheila Sepulveda, widow of Reno based Ahora Spanish News Publisher Miguel, and mother of Steve Sepulveda.
Dub Harris, WWII hero and founder and past President of the World Boxing Hall of Fame has suffered a stroke in Southern California. Please pray for his quick return to health.***
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 wife of RS.com writer Marty Carson (auto accident) who is having health problems) of Indiana. Marty, who is a long time friend and a boxing expert, is also ailing a bit.***
Please say prayers for the return to health of Orazio Esposito, father of our photographer Richard Esposito.***
Sandy Johnson a great gal as well as a staff member of the Nevada State Athletic Commission is fighting breast cancer. A call, e-mail or card, along with your prayers would really do a lot to raise the spirits of an old friend.***
Special prayers go out to Mills Lane for his complete recovery. Mills, who moved from Reno to New York, suffered a stroke a few years back. He may be down, but knowing him personally, he’s far from out.***
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. And to Arthur Terciera, father of writer Keith, also having heart related problems.***
Prayers are requested for Ringsports.com photo journalist Dale Hausner of Arizona, who is having problems with cancer.***
Prayers are requested for Kenneth E. Ryther father of our photo journalist Amy Green. Kenneth is suffering from Parkinson’s.***
Prayers for Ed “Whitey” Hadar, a former boxer who is having some serious health problems.***
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: I saw a poll recently, where voters listed their opinion of the top best Presidents. I know that many voted from memory of those they remembered, rather than giving credit to many deserving leaders of the past.
On the list was John F. Kennedy, the first Catholic President, and possibly the most liked man in the World at one time. Allow me to disagree with JFK being on the list.
Sadly, President Kennedy never had the chance to get his programs off the ground, due to his assassination. JFK (yes, I voted for him) accomplished very little during his time in office. To his credit the Cuban Missile Blockade, to his detriment, the Bay of Pigs fiasco. A wash at best.
It was Lyndon Johnson and a smart and sympathetic Congress that accomplished all of JFK’s programs after he took office. And no one has ever called LBJ a great President.
No problem with the choices of Ronald Reagan and Franklin Roosevelt, who both did a lot for America and the free World.
And Abraham Lincoln deserves recognition if for nothing else, re-uniting and preserving the Union, which was his goal, not just the liberation of slaves.
But there are a couple of people, I’d add to this list: James Monroe and Theodore Roosevelt.
Monroe for building up our Navy and his Monroe Doctrine, which kept enemies away from our soil (at least until 9/11). And Roosevelt, for his leadership and understanding of American’s needs and problems.
Wish we had Presidents like these guys around today? We sure could use their wisdom and leadership.
George W. Bush? It will be a long time before we know if he’ll go down as a great President or a total disaster, both are possible. The jury will remain out on that choice for some time.
My final choice would be Thomas Jefferson, who was a true leader and brilliant thinker in the early days of our Nation.
George Washington? An outstanding General but probably not more than an average President, but again, he had no prior leaders to draw upon, so that goes in the plus column as well.
Agree or disagree, I’d like to hear from you ( Rusty@ringsports.com )
