By Rusty Rubin

Nicolay Valuev, an undefeated seven footer, won a close decision over hard to beat and harder to watch, John Ruiz, in Germany, taking the WBA heavyweight crown. Please John hang them up, boxing fans and writers have suffered enough, watching you try to fight is as exciting as watching paint dry. Please WBA, show some guts and help the boxing community get rid of this over-rated club fighter.***

Had a very pleasant call from Ed Brophy director of the Canastota, NY, based International Boxing Hall of Fame. He took the time to answer my questions and I can now say I am probably enlightened enough to answer most questions about the IBHOF. But I suggest you call Brophy directly for the more complex questions. He’s a good guy and I’m sure he’d be glad to respond to your queries.***

While there seems to be a lot of dead space between now and the big fight at Thomas and Mack on Jan. 21, I figured that I’ll take the time to answer a few questions.

First, while the Ringsports.com website may be closing down for awhile, my columns will probably continue on the other websites that pick up my ramblings. And the political part of the column probably won’t be written that often. As of now however, nothing has been arranged yet with the other websites.

Glove2Glove will continue and continue to be free, and it’s as simple as signing up by sending me your e-mail address. We know prayer can work miracles, and we have a fairly large group of members now, but the more, the better.

The magazine by the same name, (Ringsports.com) will continue to print for as many issues per year that advertising allows for, but we’ll safely guarantee a minimum of six issues a year, and hopefully we can and will continue with the full twelve.***

With Vitali Klitschko retired who’s the best heavyweight out there? The safest answer might be none of the above, whoever the above happen to be at the time. I don’t see a lot of bright lights on the horizon in this division, but if I was pinned down, I’d go with Hasim Rahman.***

As to what can be done to improve the image of our sport, allow me to first state that more publicity for the positive aspects, like Glove2Glove can only help. But we must avoid over-hyped mismatches, or boring fights, particularly on PPV. A solid undercard would be in order if you’re going to hype a fight between two counter punchers.***

Another way to improve the image is to go back to the days where there were nine weight divisions, with only one recognized champion in each. Fifteen round fights should return as well, and fighters should have to fight at least four times a year (unless injured) to retain their titles. We also need the return of boxing on the major networks.

These changes would take us back to the days were boxers had to train hard and always be in shape. Any fighter who goes into a major fight when injured without telling anyone should be subject to fines and suspensions. People pay good money to see the fights live and on pay-per-view, and the fighters and promoters owe them the best bang for the buck that they can give them.

That’s a start. Feel free to e-mail me your suggestions as well.***

Agree or disagree, we’d like to hear from you. ( Rngsportsr@aol.com ).

Glove2Glove:

Boxing, which needs all the good guys it can get, lost two in a short period of time, George Horowitz who owned Everlast Sporting Goods, and did so much for boxing, out of his own pocket, and Pat Putnam, someone I felt should have been a sure fire, first ballot Hall of Fame writers, and a friend. Please say prayers for the souls of both of boxing’s best attributes. Didn’t know George personally, but Pat was a friend, an ex-Marine and a straight shooter, who I had the utmost respect for.

Prayers needed for Elise Brown, grand daughter of Ringside Products head honcho and good boxing guy John Brown. Young Elise has heart problems.

Prayers have also helped but continue to be 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 ask for your prayers in his recovery.

Prayers for the return to health of Audrey Talmo, wife of Ed, a long-time boxing fan who cares about our sport.

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.***

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: It’s a legitimate question and more so during the holiday season, ‘where has the love gone’?

There is so much hatred, anger and distrust in this world that there seems to be problems everywhere you turn.

Lately it seems there has been an outburst of problems caused mainly by the impoverished Muslim youth in various countries. But certainly the Muslims are not entirely to blame for their financial situation. Poverty is not just a Muslim problem, but one that every ethnic group (particularly minorities) share.

But the answer to unemployment and the poverty that it causes is not to burn businesses and reek havoc on those who may someday become their future employees. The real answer is that most of the World leaders don’t care about the poor and downtrodden. They only want to ensure that they remain in power, anyway they can.

Riots only hurt the image of the hard working person, who wants the opportunity to earn an honest living.

Add to this the many terrorist attacks by mostly Islamic fundamentalists, the real possibility of bird flu, and all the missing nukes in Russia, the nuclear threats of North Korea and Iran, and it isn’t hard to wonder how much longer this old world can survive.

I don’t mean to sound like the harbinger of doom. But let’s face it; being overly optimistic at this juncture in history is more than just a lttle bit difficult.

What has happened to ‘love thy neighbor’? Doesn’t every religion preach this? What kind of deity would preach killing and hatred? Certainly no true religion and no God would ever condone killing of innocents.

This is the season where truly we should endeavor to shake off our distrust and hatred of others and come together to make this old World a far better place. We’re here together and we must work together to solve the many problems. In the nuclear age, the alternative is unacceptable, yet needed.

The possible renewal of the Privacy Act and word that President Bush has allowed legal wiretaps since 9/11, is a clear invasion of our civil rights, albeit a needed one. People who have nothing to hide have nothing to fear from these actions. Difficult times do often call for difficult decisions.

The only thing I would ask of Uncle Sam is to tell me why they are investigating me, (if they were). As long as they have a good reason, they can go ahead and snoop. If I’m in communication with a terrorist, I’d like to know about it. I have nothing to hide.

Still this falls into the area of illegal wiretaps, and like the situation with aliens, if it’s illegal it shouldn’t happen. But I have a feeling that the President’s decision is legal under the ‘war powers act’.***

From everyone at Ringsports.com to all our readers throughout the World. Happy holidays. We sincerely wish you the very best that 2006 has to offer.

Agree or disagree, I’d like to hear from you. I respect everyone’s opinion.