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.
Highly respected boxing journalist Pat Putnam says: “Off the Canvas is a good read. Rusty has been around boxing for more than 50 years, and knows his way around the darker corners of the sport as well as any. They call it the sweet science, but as Rusty so aptly teaches us in “Off the Canvas”, it is not always science and it certainly is not always sweet.***
Jim Carlin: ‘Corner on Sports writes’: I used the book as Christmas presents and it was a HUGE success. It’s a simple way to give a great gift”.
On Monday, Dec. 27, Jack Newfield passed away from cancer, at age 66. May he rest in peace.
I don’t recall ever meeting Jack, and in truth the ‘shoot from the hip’ style of journalism that he used is not my cup of tea. But it was his, and he did it well. Boxing people seem to be leaving the sport in record numbers, as I get older, and I’m not sure I feel very strongly about much of the new generation of scribes, most lack the needed sense of history.
However, I have been in contact with some, who show the knowledge, caring and courage that it takes to keep our sport in the limelight. It’s hard to fully comprehend all the changes that these ‘young lions’ want, or how they intend to implement them. But to be sure, some serious change is needed, and if their dedication is as good as their writing ability, I know that when we old timers hear the final bell ring, the sport will be left in very capable hands.
Some of the writers find that much of the fault lies with the sanctioning bodies. While I do agree that the WBA (Worthless Boxing Association) is suffering from head in butt disease, allowing John Ruiz to remain their champion. Sanctioning bodies remain a minor problem if a problem at all. The truth is that only three major ones have been accepted, and the proliferation, while making money for the lesser groups, does allow for some very good things.
Even if you could convince me, that sanctioning bodies were a problem, I agree that we must find a way to have just one champion. Even the boxing press can get confused when someone asks who the welterweight champion is. Simply put, there is no good reason why the sanctioning bodies cannot co-exist to allow our youth to get into the ring and off the street corners, away from gangs and drugs.
Promoters and managers share a small part of the blame as well, but it seems like a ‘survival of the fittest’ scenario, but with the local taxes and high cost of putting on good fights, it’s a good bet that only the strong will ultimately survive.
In truth I think the biggest problem lies not what is being done now, but rather, what is needed now, and not being done.
Pension plans for boxers, better medical insurance and disability payments should be available, mandatory CT scans and MRI’s as well as HIV testing. All of these are needed, but either hard to put together or very expensive.
What guys who promote in States that tax boxing at a high rate do not need is even higher taxes, so somewhere the money must be found to get these projects completed. If you look at the size of purses for the major fights, you know the big money is out there, but only a few promoters with the big names under contract can get it.
Any ideas? Your opinions are always welcome and valued.***
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. 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:
***First please continue to say prayers for the victims of the Tsunami in Asia and their families. A lot of people are hurting right now.***
Say prayers for the soul of boxing scribe Jack Newfield, who succumbed to cancer at age 66.***
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 wife of RS.com writer Marty Carson (auto accident) who is having health problems) of Indiana. Marty, who is a long time friend and a boxing expert, is also ailing a bit.***
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: First welcome back, as always, we’re glad you can join us to kick off the New Year.
Like many in public office (which fortunately, I am not), I have to disagree with some areas of our President’s domestic policy plan.
Our Social Security system is in grave danger, and spending the needed funds and increasing the rational debt in Iraq, and elsewhere, won’t help.
The answer to this problem doesn’t lie in allowing people who know nothing about economics to risk their future earnings on a hunch as to what stocks will go up or down.
The economists used to advise investors that you shouldn’t invest money in the market until you have sufficient bank savings and adequate life and health insurance. Why is the market suddenly safer?
The stock market is no longer based on the basic economic theory of supply and demand but rather much more on project earnings.
My other area of disagreement, in principle at least, is the President’s worker program for illegal aliens. If people, any people, are in this country illegally, you don’t give them rights and jobs. What about the word ‘illegal’ doesn’t our President understand?
That being said, with the economy still trying to recover, these aliens are allowed to take their money and send it to their homes in Mexico. It helps the Mexican economy, but doesn’t help ours.
Isn’t it bad enough that they come into America to use our resources (hospitals, etc) at the expense of American taxpayers?
Helping the needy is the American way, but that should only be for ‘legal’ American citizens and residents.
Agree or disagree, I’d like to hear from you.