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.***
Nice to see Antonio Margarito finally have a defining fight, cutting previously undefeated Kermit Cintron in round four and stopping him in round five. Maybe this will be the start of something big for Margarito, who has always had the potential to become a great fighter.
In the other fights of note, Calvin Brock used his good hand and foot speed to take a unanimous decision over the almost sixty pound heavier Jameel McCline. This is a fight the undefeated Brock needed to move up in class and establish himself as a fringe top ten contender at least for now. For McCline, who did knock down Brock early, his career will require a lot of work to salvage.
In the other important fight from Caesars, Shane Mosley got back on track, taking the measure of game, but outclassed David Estrada by unanimous decision.***
An interesting fight next weekend, that I personally wont bother to watch. I don’t care who he fights, John Ruiz is an embarrassment to watch, but I know there are enough heavyweight fans out there, (of which I am not one) so this fight will have plenty of other viewers.
Ruiz’ foe is James Toney, who I am not convinced is not very much more than a blown up middleweight. If I was watching the ‘action’ in the fight, I’d be rooting for Toney, mainly because I want to see Ruiz out of televised boxing. The WBA designated champion’s tactics may be fine for the dance studios but sure don’t belong in the squared circle.
And his manager Norm Stone’s mouth has to go down in the history of boxing as the filthiest on record. Not recommended for young TV audiences (or thin skinned referees and judges for that matter).
This is not a fight I would wager on, simply because if I did, it would have to be on Ruiz, who I can’t stomach watching. I wish Toney the best, and if I was watching this match, I’d be rooting against my supposed wager. In short, I want Toney to win, but my pick is Ruiz. He’s just too big and strong for Toney, and NY does not have a referee strong enough and good enough to control Ruiz’ fouling as well as Stone’s cursing.
Not that it would be easy for any referee to control the lack of action that Ruiz’ tactics always cause.
The pick here figures to be an easy win for Ruiz, who will get away with everything in the book. But I won’t bet on Ruiz and I won’t watch the fight.***
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: Has anybody besides me notice how nice the Republicans have been to Hilary Clinton of late? They sing her praises and point out that they think she’d be a formidable candidate for President. You believe that and I’ll sell you some swamp land in Nevada.
If I were a Republican I would use the same tactics. I’d want Hillary to run and be the Democratic Party’s nominee. After all she is a very polarizing force and would be the easiest Democratic candidate for them to beat in 2008.
If the Dems are stupid enough to fall for this one, than they get what they deserve another four years, (at least) of Republican control of the Executive Branch of our legislature.
Simply put, a Northern liberal, let alone a female, running for President, has about as much chance of winning as I do, and I’m not a candidate.
While the Republicans have many good choices for 2008, the Dems do not. Seems to me if John McCain, Colin Powell or Jeb Bush, hell, even Newt Gingrich seems to want to run, and none of them should have a lot of problems with whoever the Dems run against them, and it’s that much easier if the candidate happens to be named Hillary.
I would hasten to say that almost any Republican that wants to run against Hillary, would be able to beat her without breaking a sweat. A lot of Democratic voters would be alienated by her candidacy. She’s an easy target and the Republicans know it, and are being very nice to her in their desire that she does run.
Hillary’s candidacy would also split the Dems almost as badly as a Tom Delay or Zell Miller candidacy for the Oval office would split the Republican Party, (but Miller and Delay are smart enough to know this) and either of those still could have the edge among voters over Ms. Clinton.
Currently there have been few well known Democratic names bandied about for 2008, John Kerry, John Edwards, Wes Clark seem to the ones with the most support, assuming Hillary is smart enough to not run.
And although she is arrogant, a trait I find very distasteful in anyone, you can’t take away her political smarts. She has to know that if she runs, she can’t win. But sometimes intellect takes second place to political ambition.
Here’s one vote from an independent voter for almost any Republican who runs against her. Hillary Clinton is not a candidate I could even consider supporting., although I think, except for Monica, her husband was a fine President. At least he balanced the budget, something our current President seems to have no interest in.***
Finally, what’s up with our President insisting on having one of the least diplomatic people in Washington serve as Ambassador to the UN?. Loyalty is one thing, but this guy is no diplomat. Appoint him to a post he’s better qualified to serve in.
And if this is who the President wants to represent American at the UN, I think I now understand the Democrats reluctance to support his judicial nominees.***
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.