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.***
Some amazing things happened in boxing this week, one to me, as I didn’t keep part of my promise and bet on John Ruiz. Of course, I kept the other part of the promise, I didn’t watch the fight. But this was one of the few times I can say I’m happy I lost my bet.
A blown up James Toney, fighting at his heaviest weight, scored a unanimous decision over Ruiz, who changed his foul when the ref’s back is turned style to mix it up with Toney for the first half of the fight. Big mistake, Ruiz had a disadvantage when fighting clean, although it did make for better boxing, but a leopard can’t change his spots, and Ruiz would not alter his constant holding.
I thought Roy Jones Jr. would beat Ruiz, because even though he was also a middleweight, he carried much of his speed to the heavier weight classes. I didn’t think Toney, at 233 pounds would. OK, he didn’t, but Ruiz is so slow it didn’t matter and Toney took a unanimous decision at Madison Sq. Garden.
My East Coast Senior Editor, Jack Hirsch called before fight time and changed his pick from Ruiz to Toney. Should I have covered by butt my betting on Toney as well? Maybe, but laying a big price and betting against myself just isn’t smart handicapping, although in this case, I would have done okay.
What does Toney’s win say for the heavyweight division? Another overgrown middleweight beating a true heavyweight. It’s unheard of in recent years, but hats off to James Toney for his outstanding performance and for doing something very special, getting John Ruiz out of boxing.
Ruiz, after the fight, decided to retire from the ‘sweet science’. So unless he makes a comeback, at least one boring club fighter is gone from the heavyweight ranks. The people that Ruiz beat to win and retain his WBA title reads like a who’s who among the has-beens of the fight game.
Take nothing away from James Toney, fighting at his heaviest weight to date, and coming off a string of injuries, Toney sucked it up and simply out-boxed and out-classed John Ruiz. Congratulations James. Great job.
Now it must be asked if a Toney – Roy Jones rematch at heavyweight is in the offering. I don’t think that will happen. Jones, an outstanding fighter, seems to have lost the edge in his past few fights, and in truth, may never lace up the gloves again. Perhaps a very wise move.
Agree or disagree, I always welcome comments.
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.
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: President Bush said at a recent televised news conference that he wishes he could snap his fingers and lower the rising gas prices. Well, he can, and it’s as simple as ordering the recently closed refineries to re-open, without giving them a tax break.
It can take a long time to build the new refineries which he says that he wants to do, perhaps as long as ten years. Suggest that they start building them now, and re-open and use the recently shut ones until they’re built.
And the Dems shouldn’t be holding up passage of the energy bill, although it does have some flaws (like the tax credit for big oil doing the right thing). Here’s a thought, how about the government spending money and building new refineries and after they’re paid off, let the proceeds to towards funding the Social Security system.
Finally, a few writers have inquired why I call President Bush a dyslexic Hood Robin. Because it seems clear to me and most other independent thinkers that our President mixed up the concept of the book, and thought Robin Hood takes from the poor and gives to the rich.
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.
