Ray Mancini
photo courtesy
David Martinez
private collection

NOTE: this is article #8 of a series of eight for your enjoyment from boxing writer Jim Amato. The articles are listed (in order) below and were featured from September 2009 through November 2009 with each article based on these boxing greats had they met at the peak of their careers in the ring:
1) Jerry Quarry vs. George Foreman
2) Carlos Monzon vs. Gene Fullmer
3) Joe Frazier vs. Ron Lyle
4) Manny Pacquiao vs. Roberto Duran
5) Salvador Sanchez vs. Alexis Arguello
6) Nino Benvenuti vs. Vito Antuofermo
7) Julio Cesar Chavez vs. Alexis Arguello Ray Mancini vs. Harry Arroyo

Author’s Note:
Since this article was first published in th June 1997 issue of BOXING WORLD magazine, Harry and Ray have put any animosity behind them.

“Why We Missed The Battle Of Youngstown”

By Jim Amato

Let us make believe that it is 1984 again and the management of Ray Mancini decided NOT to defend his W.B.A. lightweight title against Livingstone Bramble. Instead they opt to unify at least part of the championship against cross town rival Harry Arroyo, the I.B.F. title holder. The bout would be held in their home town of Youngstown, Ohio and be televised live nationally. The whole city of Youngstown and its surrounding areas are buzzing with excitement and anticipation. The TV executives predict a bonanza rating since both boxers are proven crowd pleasers. In the days preceding the FIGHT, there is electricity in the air. The city is divided in its loyalty. Mancini seems to be the fan’s favorite, but Arroyo has a faithful contingent too. The fight has been a sell out for weeks and the local betting has been heavy. This is a bookmaker’s dream and Mancini’s going off as an 8 to 5 favorite with decent action on the Arroyo short end. Mancini, short, muscular and aggressive with his bread and butter left hook -VS- Arroyo, tall and lean with a stiff jab and a stiffer right cross. What a match up! Alas this possible scenario never took place. Why? Who is at fault, if anyone? Did one boxer avoid the other as has been hinted ? Did Ray or his management plan on a payday against Arroyo after a victory over Bramble or is it possible Harry was never in their plans ?
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Rusty Rubin is a veteran boxing writer

I hear the fat lady singing. The future of “Ringsports Magazine” looks like a mirage. But there is some interest in its sister website “Ringsports.com”. While the site continues to remain in a state of limbo, I will have high hopes that a deal will be worked out. For the readers, it changes nothing. The same great sites that are publishing these articles will continue to do so.

As I will be taking some much-needed time off, this will be my last article for the year; I will endeavor to make some predictions on upcoming fights.
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Julio Cesar Chavez
photo courtesy
David Martinez
private collection

NOTE: this is article #7 of a series of eight for your enjoyment from boxing writer Jim Amato. The articles are listed (in order) below and will be featured from September 2009 through November 2009 with each article based on these boxing greats had they met at the peak of their careers in the ring:
1) Jerry Quarry vs. George Foreman
2) Carlos Monzon vs. Gene Fullmer
3) Joe Frazier vs. Ron Lyle
4) Manny Pacquiao vs. Roberto Duran
5) Salvador Sanchez vs. Alexis Arguello
6) Nino Benvenuti vs. Vito Antuofermo
7) Julio Cesar Chavez vs. Alexis Arguello Ray Mancini vs. Harry Arroyo

By Jim Amato

DREAM FIGHTS …You hear and read about them all the time. How would Ali have done against Dempsey, Louis or Marciano? How would Roy Jones Jr. have fared against Bobby Foster? Could Bernard Hopkins hold his own with Marvelous Marvin?

Interesting scenarios and I’m sure we all have our opinions. We as fans are entitled to these opinions. My how they differ. We will never know if Sugar Ray Robinson could have beat Sugar Ray Leonard or if Willie Pep could have outslicked Salvador Sanchez but damn it sure is fun to argue about it! With that said I’d like to venture into who would have won if Alexis Arguello and Mexican legend Julio Cesar Chavez would have met at 130 or135 pounds?
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By Ray Cerda

When mega fights look to be on the horizon then falls off faster than Vanilla Ice, it’s usually because of money. This very well could be the case for Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr. Any time you have mega fighters involved, you have mega egos involved also. Usually you won’t find a high caliber fighter who is willing to take the smaller portion of the purse. However, this is the only fight that makes logical sense not just financially, but for the sport itself. There is no denying that the sport of boxing has been slipping in the last decade. With high profile fighters fighting less and less and the promoters protecting their fighters, the fans miss the biggest fights available.

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Vito Antuofermo
photo courtesy
David Martinez

NOTE: this is article #6 of a series of eight for your enjoyment from boxing writer Jim Amato. The articles are listed (in order) below and will be featured from September 2009 through November 2009 with each article based on these boxing greats had they met at the peak of their careers in the ring:
1) Jerry Quarry vs. George Foreman
2) Carlos Monzon vs. Gene Fullmer
3) Joe Frazier vs. Ron Lyle
4) Manny Pacquiao vs. Roberto Duran
5) Salvador Sanchez vs. Alexis Arguello
6) Nino Benvenuti vs. Vito Antuofermo
7) Julio Cesar Chavez vs. Alexis Arguello Ray Mancini vs. Harry Arroyo

By Jim Amato

What would have happened if two of the best Italian born middleweight
champions would have squared of against each other?

Nino Benvenuti, 5″11″ from Trieste against Vito Antuofermo, 5′ 7 1/2″
from Bari. The slick boxing Nino and the rugged, brawling Vito. The
perfect boxer -vs- slugger match up.
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Rusty Rubin is a veteran boxing writer

I hear the fat lady singing. The future of “Ringsports Magazine” and its sister website “Ringsports.com”, continues to remain in a state of limbo, until or unless the time comes when someone wishes to purchase them. Anyone interested can contact me directly at rustyrubin@sbcglobal.net***

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Frederick, MD — PublishAmerica is proud to present My Life Among the Icons by Johnny Ortiz of Valley Village, California.

His connection at age 15 with L.A.’s most notorious gangster, his sinister lifestyle while working for a renowned private investigator, 50 years as a fighter, trainer and manager, Johnny Ortiz’s exciting life involved close friendships with sports champions and Hollywood superstars.
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1) What beer company once displayed the late former heavyweight champion John L Sullivan on their poster ad ?
a) Schlitz
b) Pabst Blue Ribbon
c) Holenadel
d) St. Pauli Girl
(more…)

Rusty Rubin is a veteran boxing writer

The song may be ending. The future of “Ringsports Magazine” and its sister website “Ringsports.com”, continue to remain in a state of limbo, until or unless the time comes when someone wishes to purchase them. Anyone interested can contact me directly at rustyrubin@sbcglobal.net***

The Los Angeles based World Boxing Hall of Fame has suffered the loss of three past Presidents this year. Veteran boxer, referee, judge and good guy Lou Filippo passed away just like another old friend and past President Charlie Casas did. It was also this year that another past President left this world, as Norm Cote passed on to his final reward. All of these folks I respected and called friends. All of these were class acts and great people. May God have mercy on their souls.
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By Ray Cerda                           
 
Saturday November 14th Manny Pacquiao will try to win a 7th world title in as many weight classes. Even though the fight is set to take place at the contracted limit of 145 pounds the WBO welterweight title and the newly formed WBC Diamond Belt will be at stake. The Diamond belt was made in honor of fights that take place between two elite fighters. The odds opened up 2 1/2 to 1 in favor for Manny which seems a little unfair considering Miguel is a natural welterweight who happens to be the champion. But who can blame the casinos? With the way Manny’s been fighting I wouldn’t bet against him even if he were fighting Mike Tyson.
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