In Rusty’s Corner
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.
Also we’ll be taking orders soon on autographed copies of “Billy Soose, The Champion Time Forgot” co-authored by Tom Donelson. Since we live in different parts of the country, it would be hard to co-ordinate a joint signing, either me or Tom are available.***
This weeks big fight takes place in Chicago, where Lamon Brewster meets Andrew Golota for Brewster’s WBO title and a chance to gain some respect for today’s class of heavyweights.
Maybe putting respect and heavyweights is a stretch in this day and age, so let’s change the word to sanity. Both these guys can fight.
Brewster is a good fighter who hasn’t seen much action of late. Golota, though more experienced, and more active, has not seen a victory in a while. And, if he can’t beat Ruiz, it’s hard to see how he can beat Brewster, but remember the old adage, ‘styles make fights’.
And style wise, Golota does get an edge here. But while Golota is hungrier, Brewster is younger and faster. Here’s the big caveat, the fight is happening in Golota’s adopted home of Chicago, which also happens to boast a large Polish population.
This is Golota’s big edge. If Brewster doesn’t score a knockout or TKO it’s hard to see the Polish native losing a decision here. I don’t care how much the judges try to block out the crowd noise, there are times that it’s impossible even for the best judges. Even when Golota misses, the crowds roar will impact the judges eyesight, and it may seem like he landed.
Have to go with Golota to win a decision here, although I’m not convinced it will be a legitimate one.***
The Eldorado Hotel and Casino welcomes the NABF Convention to Reno, NV. If you’ve never been to a boxing convention, you’re missing a very interesting and usually enjoyable experience. I’ve been to many and I know.
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 ‘America’s Most Wanted’ posters.***
Glove2Glove:
Please say prayers for the return to health of ring announcer Mark Beiro, who is having health problems and complications from diabetes. Mark is a good friend of this scribe, and both of us need you in his corner right now.
Prayers for boxing promoter and all around good guy Clem Crowley who could use a push in the get well ranks just about now.
A request for prayers for those who were injured/killed in an accident involving the Las Vegas Elite Boxing Team a few months back. Prayers are needed/requested for those who were injured in the tragic, fatal crash, and the souls of those who didn’t.
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 also requested for the Sheila Sepulveda, a long-time friend of this writer. Sheila is having some very serious heatlh problems.
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.
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: Just saw a recent poll that indicates the majority of the American people feel the war in Iraq is not worth the cost.
The battle for the hearts and mind of the Iraqi’s has dragged on a long time, cost a lot of American lives and limbs, and there is still no end in sight.
There is talk again of bringing back the draft, but that would only serve to make the war more unpopular.
There are also signs that when we pull out, or even while we’re there, there could still be a Civil War between the different religious factions there, and America should not get in the middle of that potential bloodbath.
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.
