By Rusty Rubin, managing editor, of Ringsports.com, and author of “Off the Canvas”, a historically accurate 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 me.***
Two good fights at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas this weekend. One features the return to the ring of Shane Mosley, who is trying to get his personal life as well as his boxing career back on track as he takes on outstanding boxer David Estrada.
On paper it’s hard to see how Estrada matches up well with Mosley, unless he is able to utilize the strategy that Vernon Forrest employed in his two bouts with Sugar Shane.
That doesn’t seem likely, as Estrada is not as big and strong as Forrest and isn’t a big banger who can impose his will on Mosley, who is dropping down to a much more natural weight for him.
The pick here is Mosley by decision or late TKO.
In the other big fight at Caesars, undefeated banger Kermit Cintron of Puerto Rico takes on Antonio Margarito, a fighter who has come close, but as of yet, has not lived up to his potential.
Margarito has fought the better foes and is the slight favorite here, but the pick on this end is Cintron, who hasn’t shown a lot of weaknesses in his previous bouts. Its Margarito’s boxing against Cintron’s power, and in this case, I’ll take the underdog.
Cintron by KO late.
Agree or disagree, I always welcome comments.
Al Bernstein, is now hosting an internet show, Ringside Report every Tuesday at 8 PM PST. Check out WWW.CEN.TV or go to the archives at www.cen.tv./shows/al/al.html. Knowing Al, I can promise that you won’t be disappointed.***
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 ‘America’s Most Wanted’ posters.***
Agree or disagree, feel free to express your views.
Glove2Glove:
Prayers for Crystal Platzner, wife of boxing good guy, Harrin. Crys will be undergoing some serious surgery and needs your prayers for a complete recovery.
Prayers for boxing promoter and all around good guy Clem Crowley who could use a push in the get well ranks just about now.
Prayers 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 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 know I’m not the only one outraged at the killing of young children by pedophiles, the crime, besides being heinous, is very offensive to most folks, as it should be.
How did these jerks get released into society again? Lack of funds by the State of Florida (in the last two cases at least). I think we can readily recall that it was not too long ago that a lot of scum was released back into society because the State didn’t have the money to keep them incarcerated.
I’m not picking on Florida, a lot of States have the same or similar financial constraints. But there is a more logical, common sense solution to the problem which also would help solve the problem of illegal farm labor crossing our borders.
Again, this is a problem that can be solved or at least eased by people in Washington using their brains, instead of being complacent and sitting on them.
Let’s boil it down to the basics. Give the non-violent prisoners in every State a chance to earn their keep by allowing them to do farm labor, for less money than the illegal aliens are being paid. This not only raises more money for the prisons, but also keeps the cost of American produce low.
Why don’t the powers that be in our nation’s capitol have new concepts? Easy? Once entrenched they become complacent and figure they can get re-elected without having to bother with something original, like thought.
To be fair, it’s not all politicians who sit on their brains, but there are far too many of them, in both parties, who could use some incentive to do what they’re paid for, which, for the record, is not a partisan problem.
Wouldn’t it be novel if we passed some legislation that benefited the average citizen instead of the special interests?
The recent bankruptcy reform bill is a classic example of kissing the butt of big business at the expense of those who can afford it least, and now Congress wants to eliminate the ‘estate tax’ again designed to help the rich. And why? So they can get more contributions and remain entrenched.
Remember folks, we no longer have government of the people, by the people and for the people. Instead it’s been replaced by a government of the people, by the rich and for the special interests.
Agree or disagree, I’d like to hear from you (Rusty@ringsports.com), and feel free to pass this along to your representatives, most of whom aren’t really your representatives anyhow.
