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. For a list of the reviews please contact me.***
The fight card from Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, showed free on Showtime on March 5, was an outstanding one. Plenty of action and more than a few surprises, although nothing resembling an upset, and the results were predictable, which is not always the case.
In the first match a war broke out between two fighters with unbelievable chins, as Jeff Lacy used his superior muscle body strength to stop a game, and exciting Runi Williams.
The bout was a give and take one, for the most-part, Lacy giving, and as often as not, Williams returning fire, and landing. Lacy is not the best defensive fighter on the planet, but he’s got whiskers and power, and that should be enough to beat Joe Calzaghe, if the fight comes off, in Wales, but even then, he’d better not risk the bout going to a decision, and keep in mind, Calzaghe can punch as well. Difference here is Lacy has shown a better chin.
In the main event, Jose Luis Castillo stopped a game Julio Diaz in the 10th round, and retained he WBC lightweight title.
But, it wasn’t easy for Castillo, (it never seems to be), who at 31, is still a fighter who has the potential to unite the lightweight division. He’s a warrior who can do it all.
Take nothing away from Diaz, who gave up his IBF crown for this match, and was competitive for most of the fight, even after being hampered by an unintentional head butt in round four.
Thanks Showtime for allowing us to watch a ‘free weekend’ and it should happen far more often, particularly now that folks like me, who have the big dish, can not watch the PPV fights we want to see.***
Glad to see another boxing movie winning all sorts of Academy Awards. I haven’t seen the flick yet, but I’m a fan of the enormous talents of Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank and Morgan Freeman. It was a must see for this scribe before the Awards, and more so now.***
Agree or disagree please reply to Rusty@ringsports.com
Great News: “Black Cloud” the boxing movie that I’ve written about here in the past, premiers on March 11, in NYC, L.A., Boston, Hartford, New Haven, and New London Ct. as well as Providence, RI. The Mohegan Sun in Connecticut will be hosting a screening or you can visit Blackcloudthemovie.com. Don’t miss this one. It’s a knockout!***
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 American’s Most Wanted posters.***
Agree or disagree, feel free to express your views.
Glove2Glove:
Prayers requested for the return to health of former New England featherweight champion, down but not out with a brain tumor as well as Ray Lampkin, former top contender who underwent triple bypass surgery recently. Also prayers are 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. 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: What the hell is becoming of our society, a convicted criminal, Martha Stewart, is released from prison and it’s all over my television news. Why should I (or anyone else) care? Put that crap on ‘E’ or ‘Celebrity Justice’, but Martha Stewart, being released, or looking at her plane (what a thrill) waiting for her to leave West Virginia, or watching her walk (she knows how to do that) with her daughter is not news. And if you want to slip it into that category, I’d say a total of one minute, saying that she’s been released from prison and is now home, would be more than enough. She’s a criminal! She was convicted! Not a freaking hero. She has done nothing to benefit anyone’s life (except her own) as far as I know. What’s wrong with the TV people, are they just bored with their job? And now they want to give her a reality show. What the TV viewers need is reality, and stupid shows are not that. In this respect I can understand the reason why the Islamic fundamentalists hate us. Making idols out of criminals? Give me a break!
Truth be told, I got very frustrated the other evening, when every news channel I turned on showed this person who defrauded thousands and more, being honored like a conquering king. What did she do to deserve it? Rip off her stock holders? Flavored coffee for the press, and she’s a ‘Diva” again. As they say in the old country let’s leava the diva, alone!
Speaking of network and cable news, the same, non-complimentary things can be said about Michael Jackson and Robert Blake, although neither have been convicted yet. Jackson likes to sleep next to little boys, which in and of itself it not a crime, but if he’s innocent, as he claims, why does he need bodyguards from the “Nation of Islam” or anywhere else? Please, put that crap on ‘Celebrity Justice’ and ‘E’ TV as well, so those who don’t want to deal with the real important issues of this world can watch, what is in fact, news.
As for Robert Blake, I find it strange that he was the only one who is on trial for supposedly committing a capital crime, murder, but he gets far less publicity than the other two celebs.
When I watch the news, I want the news, not stories about people and alleged incidents that do not have, nor ever will, any effect on my life or the life of anyone in my family. Martha Stewart stay in the damn kitchen, Michael Jackson, stay in the bedroom, (not mine). And all of you over-paid, pampered celebs, please stay off the news and let intelligent folks, or those who want to be, see real stories of importance for a change!
As for Robert Blake, even if you’re found guilty, since you get the least coverage, I want to thank you.***
Agree or disagree, I’d like to hear from you (Rusty@ringsports.com)
