By Rusty Rubin, managing editor, of Ringsports.com, and the author of “Off the Canvas”, a view of American history and the social problems of the times, as viewed by an 80-year old ex-champion. “Off the Canvas is a book that has been getting rave reviews. With Christmas right around the corner, it would make a great, inexpensive gift ($15) for that boxing fan in your life. If you want to purchase an autographed copy, please e-mail me with the info. I’ll even include a gift card from you at no extra charge…You can also purchase copies on-line at all major book retailers and Authorhouse.com ***
Pick wise I got three of the four winners on the DKP promoted heavyweight fight card at Madison Sq. Garden. I was wrong about Holyfield and Golota, which I know equates to two of four, and I’m glad I didn’t wager on the event, because in today’s façade that passes for a heavyweight division, anything can happen.
Golota beat Ruiz, at least in the eyes of just about everyone except the judges, who scored a unanimous decision for the “Quiet Man” who prefers to dance and foul then fight. Golota got robbed for the second time in a row, as most will agree he also beat Chris Byrd in his last fight.
I don’t know what fascination the WBA and their judges have with John Ruiz, or why they are so enamored with him. He’s a nice guy outside of the ring, but inside the squared circle he’s nothing more then a slightly better then average club fighter.
Not that Golota fought a clean fight, he didn’t. But he wasn’t penalized when he should have been, and therefore, should have gotten the decision, as he out-fought and out-banged Ruiz early, although John did come back late in the fight.
As for the once “Real Deal”….Like everyone else except Evander, I knew he was washed up. But this fight with Larry Donald looked like a fight made for Evander, to set up a final match with Mike Tyson. Evander looked so bad and slow against Donald, Tyson could easily beat him without the benefit of his dentures. It’s sad to see a once-great fighter embarrass himself like this. Donald of course won every round in a unanimous decision that even a blind judge could have scored.
The saver on this much to be desired card (don’t blame the promoter, it’s the fighters who can’t fight) as expected, Chris Byrd took a narrow split decision from Jameel McCline, although it featured more action and was a bit closer then it figured to be.
And Hasim Rahman stopped Kali Meehan midway, in pretty much of a one-sided contest.
In truth, I didn’t think the fans would get their money’s worth from this card, which appeared to be a farce on paper. But the Ruiz – Golota fight as well as the Byrd – McCline fight were entertaining enough to let the fans leave happy. Except for those who got robbed with the Ruiz win.***
This weekend you have to love Winky Wright over Shane Mosley in a classic styles make fight mis-matches, match-up…Southpaw Wright should beat Sugar Shane 99 times out of 100, and his only loss if it would come, would result from an accident in the ring.
Finally, I want all our great readers to keep in mind that Rick Schroeders new movie, Black Cloud, will soon be coming to a theatre near you. I urge you not to miss it! It’s a great boxing that deals with both Olympic style boxing and the evils of racism and other problems of the Native Americans.
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.***
Agree or disagree, feel free to express your views.
Glove2Glove:
Prayers for the soul of former welterweight great Jimmy McClarnin, who passed away in Richland, WA. At age 96.***
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.***
Prayers are requested for Donna Jean Landers, boxing fan from Oklahoma, who has been fighting cancer for three years. She needs your help my friends.***
Please say prayers for wife of RS.com writer Marty Carson (auto accident) who is having health problems) of Indiana. Marty is a long time friend and a boxing. expert.***
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 suffered a stroke a few years back may be down, but knowing him, 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: The resignation of John Ashcroft comes as welcome news to a lot of progressive thinkers of both parties. Like him or not, Ashcroft was a divisive figure and is not very well liked my most voters.
The nomination of Alberto Gonzalez to replace him seems like a sound move and one that will be agreeable to most who will vote for his confirmation as Attorney General.
But there are many issues on the Presidents agenda besides replacing a lot of members of his cabinet.
One of the issues I don’t understand is the President’s desire to allow illegal aliens into this Country via a temporary visa. What about the word ‘illegal’ doesn’t he understand?
We need to beef up our borders against ‘illegals’ because some of them might just be sneaking explosive devices into our country. What does giving them carte blanche do, but encourage them?
I also freely admit that I have no clue as to what we’re still doing in Iraq, as we already toppled Sadaam and his ilk. Why can’t anyone understand that you can’t force your way of life down the throats of those who don’t want it?
We all owe Colin Powell a vote of thanks and sincere well wishes while he decides what other of life’s endeavors that he will be a success in. Whatever he chooses, you can be sure he’ll give it 100%. He knows no other way.
Next article I’ll deal with ways of improving or changing the two party system to everyone’s advantage.
Agree or disagree, I’d like to hear from you.
