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.***
The only way Andrew Golota could lose in his hometown was to be knocked out. Considering his reputation for a solid chin and Brewster’s one of being an average puncher that didn’t figure to happen, but in boxing, the illogical can be the outcome of choice.
Knowing he needed a knockout and that Golota was a very slow starter, Brewster came out like a house on fire, and with three solid knockdowns in round one, pretty much put an end to Golota’s comeback and career.***
I have gotten more e-mail on the O’Neill Bell – Dale Brown fight in Florida than any other in recent times. I was at the NABF Convention so I didn’t see much of the contest (read less than a round). By the e-mails it seems like Brown should have won a unanimous decision and instead came away the loser.
Without seeing the fight, I don’t want to pass judgment, but if it was as bad a decision as they say it was, isn’t it the job of first the Florida Commission and then the ABC to review the fight and order a rematch if warranted?
Bell seems to be leading a charmed life, getting a gift against Kelvin Davis in Oklahoma and now this. Some people think that Don King, Bell’s promoter, had done something to influence both fights?
Possible? In boxing anything is possible. Logical, well one has to wonder why DK would have any interest one way or another in keeping the aging bell as champion.
But judging from my e-mails, I would venture to say that an investigation should be called for at the very least.***
I don’t agree with the WBC wanting to order a rematch between Jose Luis Castillo and Diego Corrales, not because it wouldn’t be a great return, but because no rules were broken by the referee or anyone else.
By all means they should go at it again, give the fans their money’s worth plus, but don’t take away the title that Diego won legitimately, that would be a major mistake on the part of Jose Sulaiman and company.
It’s the fans and the boxing press, not the WBC that should demand a rematch!
The Eldorado Hotel and Casino hosted the NABF Convention to Reno, NV. May 19-21. If you’ve never been to a boxing convention, this organization always seems to have one that is unforgettable, and this was no exception. I saw many old friends and made many new ones.
The North American Boxing Federation is made up of some of the nicest guys you’ll ever see in one place. In fact, conspicuous by their absence were Dickie Coles of Texas and Bobby Lee of Hawaii, both are now serving as Commissioners for their State, long time guaranteed to show up members. Now with the Muhammad Ali Act, you can’t be a State Commission member and a member of a sanctioning body.
Rex Walker is now the new President and Joe Dwyer is the Vice President. Congratulations to both.
Thanks guys, it was fun as always.***
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 health 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: According to an article in Time Magazine a majority of the US Senate, previously opposed to funding for stem cell research, have finally got their head out of their butt and seem to be changing their position on the issue. Too bad our President hasn’t got that flexibility, as he threatens to veto the legislation if it passes.
Why? The politicians are talking about embryos that will be destroyed otherwise. We’re using material that will never be ‘living’ otherwise, in any sense of the word. Instead of being flushed down the toilet, so to speak, they will be used for science and to save lives. This is not an issue that has anything to do with being pro life or not.
This is a common sense issue. And, because it is, it makes it even more shocking that it’s getting so much support in the nation’s capital, where common sense has become an endangered species.
President Bush has said he’s pro life but he won’t allow the spending of taxpayer’s money on saving them. He has threatened to veto the legislation if passed. Let me see, it’s okay to spend our money in Iraq, where we’re losing lives, but not at home to help save them. Makes sense to him I guess, but certainly not to me. Maybe we don’t enjoy the same brews.
Stem cell research is what most of the civilized world supports, because it offers the potential to be a way to develop cures for now incurable illnesses. Even if you support right to life, shouldn’t you then support the right of having a ‘quality’ life? Do our elected leaders think that using the potential of embryonic stem cell research to save lives is a bad thing?
I know he turned down Nancy Reagan, who supports advancements in science, and whose late husband perhaps could have been helped if we had the knowledge that this research can lead to.
Now there’s something you can do for future generations. There’s a bill in Congress to support stem cell research HB810, which comes before committee on May 24th. Those of you who support and see the benefit of this type of research are urged to call their Congressman. Their phone number is as close as your telephone book. Here’s your chance to support a worthy cause.
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.
