By Rusty Rubin
As expected and predicted here, Hasim Rahman had little trouble in beating Monte Barrett UD12) in Chicago, and now is scheduled to get another title shot by facing the fighter most people feel is the best heavyweight out there, Vitali Klitschko.
Recall that Rahman had held that once prestigious title by knocking out an poorly trained Lennox Lerwis in South Africa. A better trained Lewis won back the crown in the rematch.
A Rahman – Klitschko match is a solid pairing and probably pits the best two heavyweights around today.
The Rock is back, and Monte is going backwards.***
The younger Klitschko, Wladamir also gets into the ring in September, taking on undefeated up and comer Samuel Peter in what will be, if nothing else, a very interesting match-up.
The fight to watch this week is also from Chicago, where Fernando Vargas, 25-2, tries to make sure his comeback express is not derailed by veteran Javier Castillejo of Spain 58-5.
This is a classic boxer vs. puncher match-up, with the Spaniard having the better ring skills.
I ordinarily tend to go with the boxer in this type of fight, but I have mixed feelings here. Castillejo isn’t getting any younger and may just be looking at a big payday before he hangs em up. Then again, Vargas hasn’t looked close to being his old ferocious self in his comeback from surgery bouts.
Vargas, because of his superior power, would be my choice here, but I haven’t been impressed at all with his ring performances since his return. And he is certainly the hungrier of the two fighters.
Yet, I’m not convinced that this Vargas is anywhere near as good as the pre-surgery version. I’ll take the boxer.
Castillejo by decision.
Something far more important than the fights has come up that I want to make our readers aware of. Veteran ring announcer, good guy and good friend, Mark Beiro suffered a severe setback due to his diabetes, and we almost lost him. I ask that anyone interested in a roast to assist with his huge medical bills contact his wife Jackie at JDBeiro@aol.com .
The event will be held in Tampa, Florida on Sept. 29, and while I would love to attend, as Mark is an old and very dear friend of this scribe, it doesn’t fit in with my tight schedule for that time of year.
Jackie e-mailed me about the event, and while I know it probably belongs in our Glove2Glove segment, I wanted to make sure everyone was made aware of it. You don’t have to attend to help. Find out how by writing to Jackie.
This is our big chance to show the world how great boxing fans really are, and what makes it the best sport around. Don’t let us down!***
If you subscribe to our monthly news magazine, which many do, we suggest you renew your subscription for a few years, as postal rates, thus subscription costs will be going up.***
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:
Prayers needed for Dennis Wilcox, brother of boxing scribe David Wilcox, who is in an Oregon hospital suffering from Leukemia. The family and everyone at Glove2Glove asks for your prayers in his 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. Also prayers for the return to health of Audrey Talmo, wife of Ed, a long-time boxing fan who cares about our sport.
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 suffered a stroke a few years back. He may be down, but he’s a fighter and he’s also 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: Unless absolutely necessary, this part of my column will be shortened a bit, since I am now working on the political book that I have been encouraged to author. If you want my views, or to discuss any particular issue feel free to drop me an e-mail Rusty@ringsports.com .
I take note that Katherine Harris has decided to run for the Senate in Florida, a move discouraged by some members of the Republican Party.
Recall that it was Harris, who as Secretary of State in Florida, was blamed for the election of our current leader. Untrue, because if the Dems would have been smart enough to ask for a recount of the entire State in 2000, Al Gore would have been elected. It’s not Harris’s fault that Dubya is our President.
So why should the Republicans be concerned about her running against a former astronaut, a long-time Democratic Senator and a moderate on most issues? For exactly those reasons and possibly one more.
Consider that Nelson, from the Sunshine State, would get enormous exposure out of a race against Harris, and win or lose, would, because of his base, and sudden name recognition, rocket into the forefront of the Democratic Presidential candidates. Something the Republicans desperately do not want. A Southern moderate leading the Democrat ticket.
As of now Nelson has not indicated any interest in the 2008 election, and says he focusing on re-election. Nelson wasn’t going to get the exposure needed to make an effective run for the Oval Office. A race against Harris would change all that, and certainly Nelson is far more electable than Hillary Clinton, who will always be too polarizing for most voters.
Forget Hillary, the Dems can drool and win in 2008 with a Bayh – Nelson or Nelson – Bayh ticket, that should easily defeat any Republican candidate with the possible exception of a John McCain or Colin Powell.
Agree or disagree, I’d like to hear from you. I respect everyone’s opinion. ( Rusty@ringsports.com ).