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”:
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.***
“Off the Canvas and the readers are the winnahs by unanimous decision.” Ring announcer Mark Beiro.
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”.
We finally have a fight this weekend worth commenting on as Floyd Mayweather Jr. finally gets back in the ring against Henry Bruseles of Puerto Rico. The fight will be held in Miami, which is the only thing in the Hispanic fighters favor.
This is a battle of two young fighters with outstanding records, but neither has faced a name fighter in their prime, although Floyd Jr. has faced tougher opponents, albeit fighters on the downside of their careers.
This fight looks easy on paper, for Floyd, but Mayweather, who has not fought much of late, always tends to fight up or down, depending upon the caliber of the opponents. In short, he tends to take guys like Bruseles too lightly, making a marginal case for a major upset.
But it’s hard to pick against Mayweather, who has enough talent to be one of the top pound for pound fighters in the world, and already is, in some folks books.
Ok, since this article is on paper (computer) I’ll go with the favorite, Floyd by late TKO. Why late? He needs the work, as the winner is expected to fight the winner of the upcoming Gatti – Leija fight. Floyd also doesn’t wish to lose a decision in a largely Hispanic area.
And for the record, while Gatti and Leija are both tough fighters, and are always capable of providing an upset (not to mention excitement), they are also on the downside of their careers.
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: To the surprise of no one (at least no one who follows the news) word comes that the Bush Administration has been spying on Iran’s nuclear (weapons?) plants.
Also to the surprise of no one, Iran vehemently denies these allegations, and Dubya’s soul mate, in Russia, Mr. Putin also takes sides with the Iranian’s, much as he did with the Iraqis. If President Bush saw Putin’s soul, he may have been the only one to take notice.
What scares me is that if the same great technology and reports made it known, incorrectly, said there were WMD’s in Iraq, is the source of information on Iran’s nuclear capabilities, we’re in a lot of trouble. However, Iran has admitted they are working on nuclear plants for energy purposes. That makes sense on the surface, except they have more than enough oil for energy in the ground that nuclear plants are not needed.
These reports go on to say that we are planning air strikes against the nuclear plants sometime this summer. I have to wonder if this is Bush’s way to admit the costly blunder in Iraq and go after a country that indeed does have nuclear capabilities and in this case much closer to having means of delivering them to our shores.***
In other less political news, Fox TV, owned (as most of American media seems to be) by right wing, non-American Rupert Murdoch, is now imposing censorship on cartoons, refusing to show the backside of a cartoon character.
Give me a break! What’s next, American women having to wear scarves and veils to cover their faces? This censorship is getting ridiculous my friends. I have to wonder how long it will take for Mr. Murdock to buy out all the websites that carry my articles or make me an offer to do talk shows on his news network.
The old adage works best for rich people, if you can’t control them, buy them out. Sorry Rupert, I’m not for sale.
Agree or disagree, I’d like to hear from you.
