I will start this series #1, by saying that the best closed circuit fight that I ever attended was with my late father, Daniel J. Martinez and two of my best friends, Al Garcia and Hector Ybarra, at the Santa Barbara, California “historic” Granada Theater. On March 8, 1971, we saw the most eagerly anticipated championship fight that I have ever been involved with in my 48 years in boxing … Joe Frazier vs. Muhammad Ali.

I was so excited come fight time that I left my work early on that Monday afternoon just to be sure I was the first one in line to get tickets and the best seats: front row center balcony. I got both to view the fight.

This was simply known as “The Fight of the Century” and still ranks as one of the most famous in heavyweight boxing history.

Both fighters entered the ring unbeaten with both having legitimate claims to the heavyweight title.

The fight lived up to all of it’s hype, with Frazier punctuating his victory by landing a tremendous left hook which dropped Ali in 15th and final round. Smokin’ Joe won a unanimous 15 round decision, giving Ali his first professional loss.

It was simply a night that will forever remain – as it will with me – as one of the best in boxing!

FRIDAY – September 3, 2010
from: Chiang Mai, Thailand
Oleydong Sithsamerchai vs. Pornsawan Porpramook (WBC Strawweight Championship)

SATURDAY – September 4, 2010
from: Ljubljana, Slovenia
Jan Zaveck vs. Rafal Jackiewicz (IBF Welterweight Championship)

SATURDAY – September 4 , 2010
from: Glasgow, Scotland, UK
Roman Martinez vs. Ricky Burns (WBO Junior Featherweight Championship)

SATURDAY – September 4, 2010
from: Cologne, Germany
Felix Sturm vs. Giovanni Lorenzo (WBA Middleweight Championship)

SATURDAY – September 4, 2010
from:Buenos Aires, Argentina
Luis Lazarte vs. Carlos Tamara (IBF Junior Flyweight Championship)

SATURDAY – September 4, 2010 (Fox Sports Espanol)
from: Guadalajara, Mexico
Omar Nino Romero vs. Ronald Barrera (WBC Junior Flyweight Championship)
Jorge Solis vs. Francisco Cordero (WBA “interim” Super Featherweight Championship)

SATURDAY – September 11, 2010
from: Sunderland, Germany
Jason Booth vs. Steve Molitor (IBF Super Bantamweight Championship)

SATURDAY – September 11, 2010
from: Mexico City, Mexico
Hugo Cazares vs. Alberto Rossi (WBA Super Flyweight Championship)
Jhonny Gonzalez vs. Juan Carlos Burgos (WBC Featherweight Championship)

SATURDAY – September 11, 2010
from Monterrey, Mexico
Julio Cesar Miranda vs. Ronald Ramos (WBO Flyweight Championship)

SATURDAY – September 11, 2010
from: Frankfurt, Germany
Wladimir Klitschko vs. Samuel Peter (IBF / WBO Heavyweight Championship)

SATURDAY – September 11, 2010
from: Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
Erik Morales vs. Willie Limond (Junior Welterweights)
Reyes Sanchez vs. Daniel Estrada (Lightweights)
Edgar Sosa vs. Ryan Bito (Flyweights)

SATURDAY – September 11, 2010
from: Queretaro, Mexico
Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr vs. Pawel Wolak (Junior Middleweights)

SATURDAY – September 11, 2010 (HBO)
from: Las Vegas, Nevada
Yuriorkis Gamboa vs. Orlando Salido (WBA / IBF Featherweight Championship)
Anthony Peterson vs. Brandon Rios (Lightweights)

FRIDAY – September 17, 2010 (Showtime)
from: Primm, Neveda
Freddy Hernandez vs. Mike Anchondo (Welterweights)
Luis Franco vs. Wilton Hilario (Junior Lightweights)

SATURDAY – September 18, 2010 (HBO / PPV)
from: Los Angeles, California
Shane Mosley vs. Sergio Mora (Junior Middleweights)

MONDAY – September 20, 2010
from: Saitama, Japan
Takashi Uchiyama vs. Roy Mukhlis (WBA Super Featherweight Championship)

SATURDAY – September 25, 2010 (Showtime)
from: TBA
Andre Ward vs. Andre Dirrell (WBA Super Middleweight Championship)

SATURDAY – September 25, 2010
from: Reno, Nevada
Joey Gilbert vs. Kassim Ouma (Middleweights)

SATURDAY – September 25, 2010
from: Warsaw, Poland
Krzysztof Wlodarczyk vs. Jason Robinson (WBC Cruiserweight Championship)

SATURDAY – September 25, 2010 (Fox Sports Espanol)
from: Chetumal, Mexico
Humberto Soto vs. Fidel Monterrosa Munoz (WBC Lightweight Championship)
Miguel Acosta vs. Ricardo Dominguez (WBA Lightweight Championship)
Juan Carlos Reveco vs. Gilbert Keb Baas (WBA Junior Flyweight Championship)

SATURDAY – September 25, 2010 (Fox Sports Espanol)
from: Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
Ramon Garcia Hirales vs. Manuel Vargas (WBO “interim” Junior Flyweight Championship)
Humberto Mauro Gutierrez vs. Cristobal Cruz (Super Featherweights)

This product is blue in color, with official logo embroidered on front and website address is embroidered on back, with adjustable Velcro strap to fit all sizes.

To purchase … please send check or money order (NO cash) for $12.00 each hat and I will include FREE shipping to any where in USA … to:

David Martinez / Boxing Historian
Post Office Box 41536
Santa Barbara, CA 93140

With this lull in big-name boxing, I figured I’d take the opportunity to answer a few questions that have piled up in recent months.

In my last column I listed and answered five questions that are often asked to me. There were a couple I saved for this week, but I really got stuck on one of them and figured this response requires the most thought.

Even giving this much time to think it over, I can’t come up with a complete answer, so I will ask the readers to get back to me with theirs. This is not a right or wrong answer, simply one that requires some differing points of view.

The question and I ask everyone to respond, is ‘who are the top ten pound-for- pound fighters in the world today?

Sounds easy, right? Well, where to you go after Pacquiao, Mayweather, Juan Manual Marquez, Shane Mosley, and perhaps the other Marquez kin?

Please give me your top ten picks via e-mail to this website. Again, there is no right or wrong answers and your response would be most appreciated. I think the question itself may be the best indication as to what’s wrong with boxing.

I can’t believe that anyone is holding their breath waiting for Evander Holyfield to fight again. If you are, you don’t know a lot about our sport. I could at least understand some of the interest in a possible Holyfield – Tyson re-match, but against Sherman “Tank” Williams? Give me a break.

Not that Williams doesn’t have a shot against the leader of the ‘over the hill mob’, he does. It’s just that this so-called fight means absolutely nothing to anybody, except maybe Holyfield and Williams. It’s a bore-snore.***

The California Commission will not recognize the fight between Anthony “My Gloves are Loaded” Margarito and Manny Pacquiao. The fight will have to be held elsewhere. The A,B.C. (Association of Boxing Commissioners) approved Margarito’s suspension for a year, so he is entitled to fight elsewhere. Personally, I don’t agree with the ABC on this, as fighting with cement laden gloves, to me at least, is akin to attempted murder. I see this fight heading to Nevada or Texas.***

So which aging veteran will Mayweather fight? Flip a coin, you just might come up with Rocky Juarez. But there are enough over-the hill fighters out there that it really shouldn’t matter. The only legitimate contender for the best pound-for-pound honor is Pac Man.***

Glove 2 Glove:

Please say prayers for the soul of former boxer Thomas I. Pacheco, 72, and veteran cut man Jimmy Arthur who left us at age 80.

Prayers for the complete return to good health to my old friend, promoter, and ex-wrestler Jack ‘Moe’ Smith who had complete reconstructive knee surgery a couple of weeks back. Moe’s a fighter and I’m sure will make a complete recovery.

Tough fighter and great competitor Scott LeDoux, who was always in shape (as I prefer to remember him), has ALS and has been given less than six months to live.

God listens.

On behalf of these great fighters who have given their all in our great sport, we thank you for your ongoing prayers.

If you know of any boxing people in need of spiritual uplift and/or prayers? Just drop us a line. Membership is free to all and no one will ever contact you except for prayer requests, or put your name on anyone’s mailing list. Every prayer request is welcome and I know the recipient will appreciate it.

To join us, or just request needed prayers, drop Dave Wilcox a line at ubtdave@earthlink.net

Glove2Glove, which has been a long-time integral part of the defunct Ringsports.com magazine and website. It is a program I wish to continue a long after I have left the sport and this earth. I want to thank Dave and Deborah Wilcox, who have offered to take over the program and promised to continue it indefinitely. This generous offer means a lot to me. We always welcome new members.***

Thanks and God bless.***

Rusty Rubin was formerly the managing editor of Ringsports.com as well as the currently defunct Ringsports Magazine. He is also the author of three acclaimed boxing books! “Woozel, Boxing and Me”, “Off the Canvas” and “Billy Soose, the Champion Time Forgot” co-authored by Tom Donelson. These books are available at Authorhouse.com, and all major book retailers.

Julio Cesar Chavez

By Jim Amato / Senior Boxing Writer

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 Hagler?

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 or 135 pounds?

This would have pitted the dynamite punch of the “Explosive Thin
Man” against the granite chin of Chavez. Make no mistake, Julio was one tough hombre. In his prime punches seemed to bounce off him like rubber balls. The fact is , he never faced a hitter like Arguello at that stage of his career. To many Arguello seemed stiff and wooden. Watch him, I mean really watch his fights. He was a master at positioning himself. He was always able to move himself into a position to counter. He was far from fast and flashy but he was economical in his movements. He always seemed to be in the right place at the right time to plant his power punches. During his era he ranked right up there with Bob Foster for pound for pound one punch kayo power.

Could the Arguello punch dent the Chavez chin? A very interesting question. If Julio could absorb the power of Arguello, could Alexis handle the pressure of Chavez? Julio was not a one punch kayo artist. He was in fact a calculating destroyer. A student of the kill the body, the head will die theory. If you let Julio get into his game he became quite a handful. Future Hall Of Fame inductee Edwin Rosario found out the hard way. So with all things considered, how would this fight have played out?

Two things I feel have to be mentioned in Arguello’s case that could be
important in ensuring his victory. One is that he had a devastating jab. Surely not a fast one like Ali or Larry Holmes but it carried some serious sting to it. The other tool that Alexis had the would be to his benefit was a very powerful uppercut on the inside. A punch he used well to thwart the aggressiveness of Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini. The jab and the uppercut would be major keys for Alexis in keeping Chavez from being effective inside. At 130 pounds Alexis may have been the best of all time. He won the title from the highly respected Alfredo Escalera and then defended successfully against him. Fight fans still talk about those two memorable wars. Alexis would beat Rafael”Bazooka” Limon, Bobby Chacon, Rolando Navarette and Boza
Edwards. All of them would later claim a piece of the title after Alexis moved up to the lightweight division and started his reign of terror there. All things considered I’d have to take Alexis over Chavez on points.

1) After his retirement in 1935, former welterweight and middleweight champion Mickey “The Toy Bulldog” Walker was known for his excellent work as a ?
a) Painting Artist
b) Gourmet Chef
c) Sculptor
d) Ballroom Dancer

2) Who was the “only” man ever to officially on record knock-down Marvelous Marvin Hagler in his 67 bout professional career ?
a) Juan Roldan
b) John Magabi
c) Bobby Watts
d) Bennie Briscoe

3) In 1936, a heavyweight by the name of King Kong had his only professional fight, a win over another cartoon-named boxer, who was known as ?
a) Popeye the Sailor
b) Sad Sack
c) Beatle Bailey
d) Battling Bozo

NOTE: as a popular feature from dmboxing.com there are always three new RING TRIVIA questions posted each month for your enjoyment … with answers available about three weeks later!

(Summer 2010 Edition)

Each quarter, I write to thank the many people that make this website possible; that single subject is always the main focus because as a captain of this ship, if I had no crew , I have NO way to sail. So, I would like once again to mention the personnel that help make this website the success that it has become today.

In no particular order they are John Boitnott (Producer), Bob Quackenbush (Proof Reader and Photo Editing), Rusty Rubin (In Rusty’s Corner), Jim Amato (Senior Boxing Writer), Rick Farris (Free Lance Writer), Nancy Cole (Proof Reader), and Kathy Kraft (Proof Reader).

My t-shirt girls are Suzie, Jania, Maryuri, Xochitl, Natalie, Julie, Krista, Morgan, Adriana, Marteena, Nina, Adria, Beverly, Lexy, Athena, Briana, Christina, Linda, Gordy, Christine, and Kelly.

My hat girls are Samantha, Suzie, Tanya, Maryuri, Evelin, Nina, Daniella, Caitlin, Christine, Stacy, and Jennifer.

There are others who also contribute in small ways and I just want thank everyone for their support in helping me – it is absolutely my pleasure to serve you in boxing.

I get lots of fan mail and I respect all opinions. Many of you give me ideas and input that I try to answer in a positive manner. I was overwhelmed with the many responses that I received regarding the image of Jim Jeffries on the cigar box from the year 1900 that was part of my Jack Johnson vs. Jim Jeffries “FIGHT OF THE CENTURY” feature. Other websites contacted me about it and linked it on their sites as an introduction to my website.

One subject which has come to my attention, and more so than I expected, is the six part Muhammad Ali series than was featured on my website last year. Many of you have commented that you would like to see it featured back on my site again. These articles were my personal accounts of a boxer who, in the last century, was simply the greatest heavyweight champion of our time.

So, starting next month, I will re-post each of the six articles onto my website for your viewing, as requested, with the format as follows: each will appear on an every-other-week basis.

I am often asked the question, concerning Ali, how I would rate him among the other heavyweight champions. In going back to the late 1800’s of John L. Sullivan’s time to the present champions of today, I list him at #2. My rankings of the heavyweights are (#1) Jack Johnson, (#2) Muhammad Ali, (#3) Joe Louis, (#4) Jack Dempsey, (#5) Rocky Marciano, (#6) Gene Tunney, (#7) James Corbett, (#8) Larry Holmes, (#9) Jim Jeffries), and (#10) Ezzard Charles. In no particular order, the next set of five to round out my top fifteen are Bob Fitzsimmons, Sonny Liston, Joe Frazier, Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson.

As far as my rating the ten greatest boxers of all time in all the weight classes and with all at the peak of their careers – alphabetically they are Muhammad Ali, Henry Armstrong, Roberto Duran, Harry Greb, Jack Johnson, Benny Leonard, Joe Louis, Carlos Monzon, Willie Pep, and Sugar Ray Robinson, with Ray Robinson my pick as the greatest fighter “ever” in any weight division. I will always remember what my good friend Johnny Ortiz (Ringside L.A. formerly with ESPN radio) once said: “Sugar Ray Robinson from 1940 to 1951, in 131 fights, only lost once and that to Jake La Motta, who he went on to beat five times, before losing the middleweight championship to Randy Turpin, who he beat in their rematch to win back the title in 1951.”

I will continue to bring you the best that I can in boxing, and please know that your continued support logging on to dmboxing.com means more than you know and I thank you!

With this lull in big-name boxing, I figured I’d take the opportunity to answer a few questions that have piled up in recent months. 

1) Do I foresee the magazine or the website coming back?
A) Not at this point in time, at least not with me in charge. In my senior years I look forward to being as lazy as possible. 

2) Do I make more money writing for other sites than I did owning my own?
A) Didn’t make money on either. My rewards are the many friends I made over the years, far more valuable than the money (at least to me). 

3) Will boxing ever reach the heights again?
A) Probably, but not in my lifetime. Boxing has too many problems to cope with right now, including the extra competition from the MMA. The problem can best be seen in the lack of boxing gyms and the quickening (and sickening) demise of the amateur program. It’s also why we see so few exciting fighters on the horizon. 

4) Best pound for pound fighter ever?
A) Haven’t been around that long, although it sometimes seems that way. As my late, most knowledgeable friend Eddie Futch said Charley Burley (and I didn’t see him fight). In my time, pick em between Marvin Hagler and Archie Moore. I like fighters who could always think for themselves inside the ropes. Salvador Sanchez could have been there as well, if not for a tragic car accident. 

5) Why won’t Mayweather fight Pacquiao?
A) I don’t think its fear of losing the match, but fear of losing the big money that comes from having that unbeaten tag. It’s a fight that should be made, particularly for the good of our sport. But it can only happen if the terms are equal for both warriors. 

Glove 2 Glove: 
Please say prayers for the soul of World Boxing Councils ambassador of good will, Karen Briman Drazner, who passed away last week. She will be missed. 
Prayers for Showtime exec and highly respected Jay Larkin, 59, who passed away from cancer. 

Boxing lost two other family members in Johnny Breitenbruck and Eddie “Bossman” Jones. Prayers for their souls are requested.

Prayers for the complete return to good health to my old friend, promoter, and ex-wrestler Moe Smith who had complete reconstructive knee surgery last week. Moe’s a fighter and I’m sure will make a complete recovery. 

Tough fighter and great competitor Scott LeDoux, who was always in shape (as I prefer to remember him), has ALS and has been given less than six months to live. 

Also prayers for the recovery of the mother of boxing historian Scott Crouse would also be very much appreciated. 

God listens. 

Sad to report that Genaro Hernandez’ cancer has returned. We ask for your prayers to help “Chicanito” in his battle against this relentless foe. 

Prayers for the return to health of Casey Guerrero, wife of popular boxer, Robert. “The Ghost’s” wife is having a recurring bout with leukemia. 

Please pray for my Aussie mates and Glove2Glove member John MacDougall, who had to deal with health problems for his wife of many years, Gwen to a nursing home. Both need your prayers for recovery and inner strength. 

On behalf of these great fighters who have given their all in our great sport, we thank you for your ongoing prayers. 

If you know of any boxing people in need of spiritual uplift and/or prayers? Just drop us a line. Membership is free to all and no one will ever contact you except for prayer requests, or put your name on anyone’s mailing list. Every prayer request is welcome and I know the recipient will appreciate it. 

To join us, or just request needed prayers, drop Dave Wilcox a line at ubtdave@earthlink.net 

Glove2Glove, which has been a long-time integral part of the defunct Ringsports.com magazine and website. It is a program I wish to continue a long after I have left the sport and this earth. I want to thank Dave and Deborah Wilcox, who have offered to take over the program and promised to continue it indefinitely. This generous offer means a lot to me. We always welcome new members.*** 

Thanks and God bless.*** 

Rusty Rubin was the managing editor of Ringsports.com as well as the currently defunct Ringsports Magazine. He is also the author of three acclaimed boxing books! “Woozel, Boxing and Me”, “Off the Canvas” and “Billy Soose, the Champion Time Forgot” co-authored by Tom Donelson. These books are available at Authorhouse.com, and all major book retailers. They are all more than worth the purchase price.  

Please allow me to recommend, two other great books, the “Arc of Boxing” by Mike Silver and “My Life among the Icons” by Johnny Ortiz. 
In these hard economic times, any or all of these books will make an excellent and inexpensive presents to the boxing fan(s) in your life. They are especially appreciated gifts if the recipient is tired of watching re-runs of ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ and the far-less than significant reality shows. 

You and the gift recipient will be glad you did!***

be sure to stay posted to dmboxing.com every month for your complete boxing schedule

FRIDAY – August 6, 2010 (ESPN2)
from: Chicago, Illinois
James De La Rosa vs. Michael Rosales (Welterweights)
Patrick Lopez vs. Prenice Brewer (Junior Welterweights)
Mike Mollo vs. Franklin Lawrence (Heavyweights)

FRIDAY – August 6, 2010 (Showtime)
from: Hinckley, Minnesota
Chris Avalos vs. Christopher Martin (Bantamweights)
Lateef Kayode vs. Alfredo Escalera, Jr (Cruiserweights)

SATURDAY – August 7, 2010 (HBO)
from: St. Louis, Missouri
Devon Alexander vs. Andriy Kotelnik (WBC / IBF Junior Welterweight Championship)
Tavoris Cloud vs. Glen Johnson (IBF Light Heayweight Championship)

SATURDAY – August 7, 2010 (Fox Sports)
from: Jalisco, Mexico
Gennady Golovkin vs. Milton Nunez (Middleweights)
Roman Gonzalez vs. Manuel Vargas (Junior Flyweights)
Julio Julio Emilio vs. Zapir Rasulov (Welterweights)

FRIDAY – August 13, 2010 (ESPN2)
from: Ontario, California
Manuel Quezada vs. Chris Arreola (Heavyweights)

SATURDAY – August 14, 2010 (HBO)
from: Montreal, Canada
Jean Pascal vs. Chad Dawson (WBC Light Heavyweight Championship)

SATURDAY – August 14, 2010
from: Panama City, Panama
Anselmo Moreno vs. Nehomar Cermeno (WBA Bantamweight Championship)

SATURDAY – August 14, 2010 (Fox Sports)
from: Laredo, Texas
Ji Hoon KIm vs. Miguel Vazquez (vacant / IBF Lightweight Championship)
Miguel Garcia vs. Cornelius Lock (Featherweights)

SATURDAY – August 14, 2010
from: Los Mochis, Mexico
Donnie Nietes vs. Mario Rodriguez (WBO Strawweight Championship)

WEDNESDAY – August 18, 2010 (ESPN2)
from: Monroe, Louisiana
Erislandy Lara vs. Michael Medina (Junior Middleweights)
Yordanis Despaigne vs. Frank Paines (Light Heavyweights)

SATURDAY – August 21, 2010
from: Newark, New Jersey
Tomasz Adamek vs. Michael Grant (Heaveyweights)
Joel Julio vs. Jamaal Davis (Junior Middleweights)

SATURDAY – August 21, 2010
from: Erfurt, Germany
Marco Huck vs. Matt Godfrey (WBO Cruiserweight Championship)
Robert Helenius vs. Gregory Tony (Heavyweights)

FRIDAY – August 27, 2010 (HBO)
from: Santa Fe, Argentina
Lucas Martin Matthysse vs. Rogelio Castaneda, Jr (Junior Welterweights)
Sebastian Andres Lujan vs. Emilio Julio Julio (Welterweights)

SATURDAY – August 28, 2010 (Fox Sports Net)
from: Guaynabo, Puerto Rico
Giovani Segura vs. Ivan Calderon (WBA Junior Flyweight Championship)

MONDAY – August 30, 2010
from: Donetsk, Ukraine
Vyacheslav Senchenko vs. Charlie Jose Navarro (WBA Welterweight Championship)