In Rusty’s Corner
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.
Here are just a few of the recent quotes about “Off the Canvas”:
“Off the Canvas and the readers are the winnahs by unanimous decision.” Ring announcer Mark Beiro.
Highly respected boxing journalist Pat Putnam says: “Off the Canvas is a good read. Rusty has been around boxing for more than 50 years, and knows his way around the darker corners of the sport as well as any. They call it the sweet science, but as Rusty so aptly teaches us in “Off the Canvas”, it is not always science and it certainly is not always sweet.***
Jim Carlin: ‘Corner on Sports writes’: I used the book as Christmas presents and it was a HUGE success. It’s a simple way to give a great gift”.
The International Boxing Hall of Fame based in Canastota, NY, has announced the inductees for their ceremony held June 9th to 12th. While I commend the BWAA (Boxing Writers Association of America) for their fine choices, I have to wonder why a number of deserving old-times were not on the ballot, for example Billy Soose, who certainly has earned the respect and honor. How long will the nominating committee ignore the credentials of this former middleweight champ? Who else can boast of beating the likes of Tony Zale and Ken Overlin in a three week period of time? How soon we forget.***
Just announced, a big fight in Las Vegas on PPV, that no one should miss, matching Erik Morales, a throwback who will fight anyone they put in front of him, and Manny Pacquiao who has thunder in his fists. The fight is scheduled for March 19th. More details to follow.***
Don King suing ESPN for defamation of character. Never thought I’d see the day when the “Only in America” man would be suing someone else, without a counter-suit. Agree with DK or not, (and I have never had a problem with him) what ESPN broadcast publicly, is not much different than what I hear many boxing folks say about him privately. Sorry, but I don’t get involved with any negative campaigns, unless of course they are well deserved. (See politics at the bottom of the article).
Agree or disagree, your comments are always welcome.***
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 Rngsports@aol.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:
***First please continue to say prayers for the victims of the Tsunami in Asia and their families. A lot of people are hurting right now.***
Please say prayers for the recovery of Doreen Tucker. The daughter of well respected boxing judge Doug Tucker, who is suffering from cancer in a Reno hospital.***
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: First, for what it was worth, I was wrong to blame Dish Network for not allowing me to watch the playoff games last week. But that doesn’t change the issue of them taking over Fox and becoming a bigger monopoly than they already are. In effect all it really means to me is that I won’t be watching the NFL on Fox next year.
And what I blamed the Dish Network for (football playoff), didn’t matter, because the games were televised elsewhere, and I couldn’t watch it anyhow due to an accumulation of snow on my big dish. Still, that doesn’t change the point I was trying to make, that because of their policies Dish Network is getting away with illegal activities and should come under close scrutiny by the FCC. Anyone remember the government actions against Microsoft?***
Now, let’s get to another issue, concerning all the major TV networks. If you are aware of what’s going on in the world, and you should be, you must have noticed that a vast amount of voters still felt that Iraq had something to do with 9/11. In short they don’t watch the news, or if they do, either don’t understand or pay attention to it. That’s because all the news of the major networks is pretty much on at the same time and not enough people care to watch it.
What we do know is that they do watch is non-educational reality shows that have little to no bearing on their lives now or in the future, and the same with the sit-coms.
I won’t tell anyone what to watch, it’s a matter of free choice, and that should be respected. But I can and will suggest to the producers of these shows that they throw in something of educational value.
How?
It’s easy to do in context with the dialogs had on the sit-coms as well as the questions asked and answers on those trying to get off the stupid island, that sadly for people like me, wasn’t sent to the bottom of the ocean during the tsunami (as long as no lives were endangered or lost, I could care less). But again, that’s my taste in programs and I certainly don’t expect everyone to agree.
Like you, it’s my choice of what to watch or not to watch, but the issue is simply that these supposedly political supporters in Hollywood and NY could at least educate their viewers as to what’s going on in the real world, even on an unreality and reality show. It means far more to have an informed electorate then to find out who becomes the next apprentice, or who the single guy or girl chooses. In truth I have no idea why anyone would care about this anyhow.
The point being is that the television networks owe more to their prime time viewers, like a bit of education perhaps. It costs nothing more, and would be a great service to all the voters of America.
And speaking on catering to the empty minded, some of these TV commercials they’ve been showing of late, would only go over big in an insane asylum. In fact whichever ad agency did the new Blockbuster video commercial showing people having orgasms over no more late fees should be put away for life, along with the commercial.
But, since advertisers do pay, you can’t be too critical here. However it goes a long way in saying what the ad agencies think of the intelligence (or lack of) of those watching the ads. Hell, some still think Iraq was involved in 9/11 and have weapons of mass destruction. No wonder the ad agencies get away with this crap.
And of those who actually are influenced by these dumb ass commercials. All I can say is if you put investments for Social Security in their hands, God help their future.
Speaking on Social Security, President Bush is warning us that the program faces bankruptcy. Anyone have any idea as to what non conservative, big spending President ran up the national debt so high that this has become a crisis? Hint, he was the President elected after Bill Clinton.
While Dubya didn’t create the problems with the Social Security system, all the tax cuts for the wealthy and this stupid war in Iraq can’t help balance our budget, or offer any means of helping the disintegrating retirement system either.
Agree or disagree, I’d like to hear from you.
