There has been many staged, The Boxer vs The Wrestler, bouts in ring history. On June 2, 1976, Muhammad Ali, while training for his June 25th closed circuit, Boxer vs Wrestler, exhibition match against Japanese champion Antonio Inoki, he had a most colorful “pre-hyped” encounter with a 39 year old Gorilla Monsoon. For your entertainment, here is that short video chip … note a young Vince McMahon doing the after post bout interview – enjoy!
David Martinez / Boxing Historian

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4OiBbEditM&rel=1&border=0]

(Three new questions will be posted on December 2nd)

1) What major pop singer had to cancel their concert date at New York’s Madison Square Garden to allow the Ali vs Frazier heavyweight championship “fight of the century” bout on March 8, 1971 ?
The answer is – James Taylor

2) Who is the “only” boxer in his career that fought “both” Rocky Marciano and Muhammad Ali ?
The answer is – Archie Moore

3) What boxer was first in line to get the title role of Apollo Creed in the 1976 movie “Rocky” before that was role was given to Carl Weathers ?
The answer is – Ken Norton

By David Martinez / Boxing Historian

Let me tell you about my friend, boxing photographer George Garcia.
But before I get into his professionalism as a boxing photographer,
let me first say what a wonderful friend he is to me.

Manny Pacquiao vs Erik Morales III (November 18, 2006), Photo By George Garcia

I met George Garcia a little over ten years ago at a Los Angeles
boxing show. Little did I know then that he would become not only a
true friend of mine, but also a person who I would know today as
one that would enhance my boxing website with some wonderful photography.

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Once again we recently had another huge championship fight in boxing … last Saturday night at New York’s Madison Square Garden was the Miguel Cotto vs Sugar Shane Mosley welterweight bout. For those of you that saw it – saw a terrific fight … for those of that missed it, the replay will air “this” Saturday night (Nov 17) on HBO at 9:45pm (eastern & pacific times) … don’t miss !!!

David Martinez / Boxing Historian

Rusty Rubin is the editor-in-chief of the Ringsports.com website and the author of various highly acclaimed boxing books!

“One of the funniest boxing books ever written”. ‘Healing and therapeutic’ and ‘helpful in dealing with a life threatening illness’, are just a few of the words that seem to be most used when readers have called and written to me about “Woozel, Boxing and Me” (Authorhouse.com #31810). This book has been given 4½ stars at Amazon.com (read the reviews) and was awarded “Boxing Book of the Year, 2006” by 13thround.com.

“Woozel, Boxing and Me” is far more than just a compilation of many funny and true boxing stories, oddities and quotes. The book serves as a final tribute to the memory of Susiey Walker, my zany best friend of more than 25 years, who loved life and knew how to live it to the max. This book has helped many people deal with terminal illness and death, although that was never my overt intention in writing this tome. I am currently working on a follow up.

Wuz traveled and attended many West Coast boxing events with me and by so doing created many of those unforgettable moments with her positive, but often zany attitude and always bubbly personality. Sue passed away in Feb. 2004, at age 54, after a tough 5-year battle with colon cancer. Although she never got into the title belt, Sue was a true fighter with the (body of a model and the heart of a champion.
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By David Martinez / Boxing Historian

I am so very delighted to be able to provide a new website link from the United Kingdom, on to my website, for my growing fan base.
Let me introduce Brian Hughes, MBE-boxing coach for 45 years from the Collyhurst & Moston Lads Club, and author of many sporting books, which are offered on his site. Here is a short bio sent to me from Brian:

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I am Brian Hughes, 68 years of age. Born and raised in Collyhurst, a rough inner city area of Manchester.

I boxed amateur but trained with the professionals in Jack Bates’ gym. (I saw my idols there, Johnny King, Jock McAvoy and Jackie Brown, these are the 3 who I wrote books about)

At 21 I started coaching boxing at Collyhurst Lads Club in Manchester. I’ve been Chief Coach here for 45 years.

In this time I have produced Schoolboy, Youth and Senior ABA champions and 2 of my lads were in the Olympic Games and as a professional trainer produced British, European, Commonwealth and eight world champions.

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By David Martinez / Boxing Historian

Last month fight fans were treated to, what I call, a very exciting “unification” title fight, and what has been brought to my attention is – many of you missed it. So let me personally take you back to “that” fight, October13, 2007, in Chicago, at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.

IBF Lightweight Champion Julio “the kidd” Diaz vs WBA / WBO Lightweight Champion Juan “baby bull” Diaz

1) What major pop singer had to cancel their concert date at New York’s Madison Square Garden to allow the Ali vs Frazier heavyweight championship “fight of the century” bout on March 8, 1971 ?

a) Carly Simon
b) Carole King
c) James Taylor
d) Lionel Ritchie
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Rusty Rubin is the editor-in-chief of the Ringsports.com website and the author of various highly acclaimed boxing books!

The next date to mark on your calendar, particularly if you agree with me that youth is not only the future of boxing, but of the world, is Nov. 16th, when Team Los Angeles takes on Team Calgary, in a fun event at the Quiet Canyon Casino in Montebello, CA. For more information, please call 818-563-2094.***

In keeping with my policy of picking hard fights, this week features two important fights that figure to have a lot of non-stop action.

The first pick comes in a fight in Tucson, AZ. and features two tough Mexican fighters in Rocky Juarez and Juan Manuel Marquez. Should be action packed, but I have to believe that Marquez is the stronger fighter with a better chin. He should register a late stoppage here.

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