The two fighters lived up to all the hype and staged an action packed fight up to the ninth round, where Chacon scored a spectacular knockout stopping the previously undefeated Lopez in 48 seconds of that round. Both would go on to win world championships, Chacon the WBC Featherweight (1974-75) and the WBC Super Featherweight (1982-84) titles and Lopez the WBC Featherweight (1976-80) title.

Knowing both of these champions personally, I am happy to announce that they are the best of friends and hold the highest respect for each other. What’s amazing is that fight fans still talk and rave about their fight – 38 years ago!

In the fifty years I have been connected to boxing, I have been blessed to have met some wonderful people in the sport and Eddie Perkins is one of those wonderful people. Eddie passed away on the evening of May 10, 2012 at his home surrounded by family; he was 75.

I had the esteemed honor to be chosen to be Eddie’s presenter when he was inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame on October 14, 2006. His wife, Annie, and his entire family were present and it was such a pleasure meeting this loving family. For that event I put together Eddie’s bio for the official progarm regarding his induction into boxing’s elilte and now would now like to bring back what I wrote in 2006 honoring Eddie.

Sevices for Eddie will be at the Midwest Memorial Chapel, 5040 South Western Ave, Chicago, Illinois on Saturday May 19, 2012 at 10am. 

May his soul rest in peace in heaven with the Lord.

Eddie Perkins might just have been the best welterweight champion that many boxing fans never knew about, he fought for three decades against the top rated contenders of his time and about half of his 97 bouts were fought in various foreign countries outside the United States. All seven of his Junior Welterweight title fights (1961-1965) were fought outside the United States.

Eddie was born in Mississippi and moved to the windy city of Chicago when he was four years old and had an amateur bout span of 46 fights before turning pro in 1956, known thoughout his career as a very slick boxer and counter puncher, was only stopped once (Al Urbina in Mexico City 11-28-59) in 97 professional fights as a professional.

Eddie’s first bid for a world title in October 1961 was against Duilo Loi, who only had two losses on his ring record in 113 fights. The bout was in Loi’s home town of Milan, Italy and it resulted in a 15 round draw – thus Loi retaining his title.

In their next fight in September 1962 Eddie won the WBA Junior Welterweight championship with a convincing 15 round decision over Loi, again in his home town of Milan, Italy. They fought a third time a mere three months later in December when Eddie lost the title to Loi via 15 round decision.

Eddie reagined the WBA / WBC title in June 1963 when he fought Roberto Cruz in his home country, Manila, Philippines. He knocked Cruz down in the very first round to win a unanimous 15 round decison.

Eddie made two successful title defenses, both in the opponents home land countries (Yoshinor Takahashi / Tokyo, Japan and Bunny Grant / Kingston, Jamaica) before traveling to Caracas, Venezuela in Januray 1965 to defend his title against home town opponent Carlos Hernandez. This was a fight that referee Henry Armstrong said “was the worst instance of partiality I have seen in my 35 years of boxing”. Armstrong scored the fight unanimously for Perkins, only to be-out voted by two Venezuelan judges.

In Januray 1973, Eddie fought and won the North American Boxing Federation title from a much younger Armando Muniz (Eddie was just shy of 36 years old) and also won the rematch a year later in 1974.

Eddie Perkins, a two time Junior Welterweight world champion, officially retired from boxing in June 1975 with a ring record: 74-20-2 / 2 NC (21 by KO).

Rusty Rubin is a veteran boxing writer

After watching the Mayweather – Cotto fight, I noticed that on more than one occasion “Money” took a breather and let Cotto fight and perhaps win a couple of rounds. If Mayweather really believes he is better than Pac Man, why doesn’t he fight him? What does he have to lose, well only the zero at the end of his record, which can cost him dearly. Am I the only writer out there who believes the time has come for “Money” to put up or shut up….Color me unimpressed with his showing vs. Cotto.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao will be fighting Tim Bradley, in what may well be another yawner. It’s not that Pac Man is taking an easy fight, it’s just that there is only one big name out there, and it’s a guy named Mayweather.

I’m not analyzing this fight today, but on the surface I see nothing that Bradley brings to the table that can sidetrack Pacquiao. But I’ll do an in-depth report as that fight draws closer.***

Meanwhile, as promised, I’ll give my picks on the top boxing folks who have influenced our sport, good or bad, over the past 75 years.

Right on top of my list, as a boxer, it has to be Jack Johnson, who did more to influence minorities to perform not only in boxing but all sports,  than anyone else before him. He was of course the first black heavyweight champion.

There are others who should be mentioned as positive forces in boxing: fighters like Muhammad Ali; Ernie Terrell; Floyd Patterson; Oscar de la Hoya; Christy Martin; and I apologize to all those I left out in the interest of space.

In the non-boxer area, my thought would be Nat Fleisher and the late Bert Sugar, whose names will always be part of the journalistic presence and positive influences on our sport.

There are others who won’t be remembered for their skills in the ring, but on the apron, Eddie Futch and Angelo Dundee to name just a few.

I left out the promoters and their publicists mainly because they can and often are listed as both positive and negative influences. I have my opinions, but mine are as good (or bad) as anyone else.

I will add a few people like the late boxing writer Jack Welsh, a personal friend for many, many years. Jin Carlin, who is always on the sidelines, always more than willing to lend a hand.

And let’s not forget those who spend their time and money getting the stories out on the web. They also promote the fights and fighters.***

One final note, while I am not a fan of MMA , probably because I’m an old boxing guy and don’t accept change very well. I will give full credit to MMA for being not only a money maker, but since it’s rapid rise in popularity, more and more gyms are opening and the kids are getting off the streets again. It’s also a positive influence on boxing for just that reason.

Glove 2 Glove:

Please say prayers for the soul of Caleb Garcino, an eight year old Godson of boxing writer Daxx Kahn.

Prayers are also requested for the soul of Andy “Hawaiian Punch” Ganigan, who passed away at the young age of 59.

Prayers for the return to health of outstanding boxing guys Alex “The Bronx Bomber” Ramos and boxing historian Tony Triem.

Please pray for my Aussie mate and Glove2Glove member John MacDougall, who had to deal with the recent passing of his wife of many years Gwen, who is in a nursing home John, a former Commissioner is having problems after a hip replacement surgery. Both need your prayers for recovery and inner strength.

Also prayers for the recovery of outstanding referee Mills Lane and Denis Wilcox.

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 former champ Gerald McClellan, who is confined to wheelchairs.

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

Do you know of any boxing people in need of spiritual uplifting and/or prayers? Just drop us a line. Membership is free to all and no one will ever contact you except for other prayer requests. Your name will not suddenly appear on anyone’s mailing list. In short, there is no obligation. Every prayer request is most welcome and I know the recipient will appreciate it.

Why? Because it’s healing to know that other people care, even about people they don’t know, and have the knowledge that God listens!

To join the Glove2Glove  prayer group, or just request much 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 have continued 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.***

This product is blue in color with the official  dmboxing.com  logo on the back and a small boxer image on the front. It is available in sizes small (S), medium (M), large (L), and extra large (XL) for the low price of just $10.00 each with FREE shipping to any where in the continental United States of America.

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Thank you for making this website one of your choices in boxing!

Model: Cherish ~ thank you!

By Tom Donelson (Boxing Writers Assc.)

On Cinco de Mayo, Mexican upcoming star Saul Canelo Alvarez faced Shane Mosley, the old veteran. The first round was a feeling around round as Mosley managed to get off punches a little quicker while Alvarez waited nearly half of the round to throw his first punch. In the second round, Alvarez went to the body against the older Mosley to set the pace and look to wear the older veteran out.A big right by Alvarez in the third round sent a buzz through the crowd and while he won the round, Alvarez suffered a cut from an accidental head butt.

Over the next three rounds, Alvarez continued to jab to set up his power shots as he forced Mosley to retreat. At the end of the seventh round, Mosley faced started to swell as the younger Alvarez appeared too young and too strong for the 40 year old Mosley. In the eighth round, Mosley unleashed some nasty jabs after grappling Alvarez in an effort to slow the younger fighter aggressive style.While Mosley managed to get Alvarez to the rope, Alvarez fires back with some rights but Mosley took the shots.

In the ninth round, both men fought on the inside with the best punch being an Alvarez left hook to the body that temporary stunned Mosley and Mosley came out in the tenth round knowing that he needed a knockout. He went after Alvarez but there was nothing left on his punches and any punches that came back in his direction, came back harder. This continued into the eleventh round as Mosley was determined to win the fight but an Alvarez right hand nearly sent Mosley through the rope.

Both fighters came out exhausted in the last round and Mosley went for a knockout since he needed a knockout to win but Alvarez threw his own haymakers because he wanted to stop Mosley. Both fighters gave all they had in the last minute of the round but it was too little and too late for Mosley who at 40 showed that his best days have long past him by. Mosley still has the heart and guts of a warrior but the skills that made him one of the best are gone. As for Alvarez, he won an easy decision but he couldn’t stop a 40 year old fighter long past his prime but then no one has stopped Mosley before the end of a fight. Alvarez may become a great fighter but he is not yet an elite fighter.

The main event began with Cotto being aggressive but Mayweather throwing more combinations and the crowd shouted “Cotto,Cotto, Cotto” showing where the crowd loyalty lies. In the third round, Cotto started jabbing but he gets countered by Mayweather’s right hand. Mayweather usec his shoulder roll to deflect much of Cotto’s power but by the fourth round, Cotto jab started to have its effect as Mayweather’s nose started to bleed.

In the fifth and sixth round, Cotto managed to connect on jabs and managed to push Mayweather to the rope, even though Mayweather defensive skills was still deflecting much of Cotto power. In the eighth round, Cotto trapped Mayweather and rips body shots and uppercuts and for the first time, Mayweather worried that maybe Cotto was not easy touch he expected. As Mayweather went back to his corner, his nose was bleeding effusively.

By the tenth round, Cotto started to look tired as his punches lost steam and the power that he showed in the sixth through eighth round started to dissipate. He did end the round by throwing a combination while he got nailed throughout the round by Mayweather jabs. Cotto was making this unexpectedly close fight and while Mayweather was throwing the more accurate punches, Cotto pushed the pace throughout the fight. Mayweather managed to fight off the rope with sterling combinations but Cotto showed what Castillo showed a decade ago; the key to any hope of beating Mayweather is to make him uncomfortable by constant action.. Cotto corner told their fighter before the last round that this could be it but he is met by a Mayweather combination in the center of the round. A Mayweather right hand followed by an upper cut hurt Cotto but Cotto recovered quickly but not before Mayweather moved away from any last Cotto’s rally.

Mayweather wins the fight by 117-111, 117-111, 118-110, which matched HBO scorecards. Mayweather won the fight but he did find himself in a struggle, something that he had not been in years. His nose was bloodied but he still showed that he may be the best pound for pound fighter.

Rusty Rubin is a veteran boxing writer

A lot of sports will be televised this Saturday, and while nothing, including the Kentucky Derby (wish I could get down there again) is easy to pick, the fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Miguel Cotto might be the easiest, as they will be featured at the MGM in Vegas for a 12-rounder for Mayweather’s WBA super welterweight title on PPV.

It’s not that Mayweather is unbeatable (although he has been up till now), except for Manny Pacquiao, there is not a lot of talent out there, and I won’t hold my breath waiting for that fight to ever happen.

So exactly what tools does Cotto bring into the fight? Age is one advantage. At 31, Cotto brings a four year advantage here. Neither is a big enough puncher to expect a quick KO, although both have more than ample power to wear the other down.

Cotto has other problems, mainly Mayweather’s speed (foot and hand), his two reach disadvantage to Floyd makes it imperative to get inside, and to get inside you first have to catch Mayweather or slow him down with a power punch or two.

On paper, Floyd, 42-0 (26), it seems like an easy mis-match. I just can see no way that Cotto can out-speed him.

Mayweather should be able to land enough punches to either stop Cotto late, or win an easy unanimous decision.***

Time Magazine recently had an issue listing the most influential people in the world. I’d like to take that item to the readers of this column. Please e-mail me your top 10 boxers in the past 75 years and why. I also feel that the same poll should include the top 10 non-fighters who have had a major influence on the sport. Your help will be appreciated and my personal choices for both will appear in this column next week.
Rusty Rubin, formerly the award winning managing editor of Ringsports.com as well as now defunct Nevada Boxing and Ringsports Magazine, is the author of three highly 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 all available at Authorhouse.com, and all major book retailers. They are all more than worth the small purchase price, or contact me via this website for a personally autographed copy at a small extra shipping charge.

RUSTY WOULD LIKE TO URGE ALL HIS FRIENDS TO LIST THE FOLLOWING INFO ON YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGE AS WELL AS YOUR E-MAIL. “HAVING BEEN BLESSED WITH SO MANY GREAT PEOPLE IN MY LIFE, I HAVE CHOSEN NOT TO GET INVOLVED WITH NETWORKING, I’MJUST TOO DAMN OLD FOR THAT”.

HENCEFORTH, (or at least for the current quarter) ALL PROFITS FROM THE SALE OF ANY OR ALL OF THESE BOOKS WILL GO TO THE SUSAN G. KOMAN FOUNDATION, AND BE USED TO FIND A CURE FOR BREAST CANCER. . I ALSO CHALLENGE ALL OTHER JOURNALISTS, BOXING OR OTHERWISE, TO DO WHAT THEY CAN TO SUPPORT ME IN THIS EFFORT. IT’S ALSO  CHANCE TO CHANGE THE PUBLIC OPINION OF THE PRESS AND OUR SPORT, AS WELL AS DOING SOMETHING REALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR WORLD.

Together we may be able to find a cure for this dread disease and result in a knockout win for the sport of boxing. Here’s a wonderful chance for you to enjoy a good read for a great cause.

“The sale of any or all of these very enjoyable books will help an important cause (breast cancer research). I personally ask everyone, if they do nothing else, to pass this information along the social networks you use.”

Please take note that my next book will be about “MIRACLES” PERSONAL, OR  OTHERWISE, and I would appreciate any submissions you may deem worthy. Of course your privacy (names) can and will be withheld by request.

I now have some time to try to finish this latest work, which, God willing, will bring the world so much closer to finding a cure for cancer. Please send me your miracles at rustyrubin@sbcglobal.net

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 sit-coms and the far-less than significant reality shows. In short, read a great book and support a great cause.

Where’s the “Gillette Cavalcade of Sports” when you need it? Make your friend or loved one ‘look sharp’, ‘feel sharp’ and be ‘sharp.’ So how are you fixed for books? You’d better check’ to parrot an old commercial.

I now have some time to try to finish my latest work, which, God willing, will bring the world so much closer to finding a cure for cancer. Please send me your miracles at rustyrubin@sbcglobal.net

You and the book-gift recipient will be glad you made the right choice (or the write choice)!***

Finally, “My 2012 New Year’s resolution was to spend the rest of my life helping others, and I really need your hell to do that.. Please get in the ring with me to add power to all the voices that are crying out for a cure to dread diseases.

Keep punching, always….Rusty

TUESDAY / May 1, 2012   
Location: Moscow, Russia
Dmitry Pirog vs. Nobuhiro Ishida (WBO Middleweight Championship)

WEDNESDAY / May 2, 2012  
Location: Howard Beach, NY
Vinny Maddalone vs. Chris Koval (Heavyweights)
Mike Arnaoutis vs. Broderick Antoine (Junior Welterweights)
Issouf Kinda vs. Luis Rodriquez (Junior Welterweights)

THURSDAY / May 3, 2012
Location: London, England
Steve O.Meara vs. Bradley Pryce (Junior Middleweights)

FRIDAY / May 4, 2012 (Fox Deportes)
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Daniel Ponce De Leon vs. Eduardo Lazcano (Featherweights)
Ishe Smith vs. Ayi Bruce (Junior Middleweights)

FRIDAY / May 4, 2012
Location: Levallois-Perret, France
Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam vs. Max Bursak (WBO “interim” Middleweight Championship)

SATURDAY / May 5, 2012 (HBO – PPV)
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Miguel Cotto vs. Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (WBA Junior Middleweight Championship)
Saul Alvarez vs. Shane Mosley (WBC Junior Middleweight Championship)
Jessie Vargas vs. Alfonso Gomez (Welterweights)
Carlos Quintana vs. Deandre Latimore (Junior Middleweights)

SATURDAY / May 5, 2012
Location: Singapore
Chris John vs. Shoji Kimura (WBA Super Featherweight Championship)

SATURDAY / May 5, 2012
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland
Paul McCloskey vs. DeMarcus Corley (Junior Welterweights)

SATURDAY / May 5, 2012
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Kompayak Porpramook vs. Jonathon Taconing (WBC Junior Flyweight Championship)

SATURDAY / May 5, 2012
Location: Erfurt, Germany
Marco Huck vs. Ola Afolabi (WBO Cruiserweight Championship)
Robert Stieglitz vs. George Groves (WBO Super Middleweight Championship)

FRIDAY / May 11, 2012 (Showtime)
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Yudel Jhonson vs. Freddy Hernandez (Junior Middleweights)
Badou Jack vs. Alexander Brand (Light Heavyweights)
Rarces Barthelemy vs. Aaian Martinez (Lightweights)

FRIDAY / May 11, 2012
Location: Ontario, CA
Aron Martinez vs. Joshua Marks (Welterweights)
Jhonathan Romero vs. Jose Silveria (Junior Featherweights)

FRIDAY / May 11, 2012
Location: Goppingen, Germany
Alexander Alekseev vs. Firat Arslan (Cruiserweights)

SATURDAY / May 12, 2012  
Location: Pasig City, Philippines
Brian Viloria vs. Omar Nino (WBO Flyweight Championship)
Julio Cesar Miranda vs. Rodel Mayol (Flyweights)
Alvin Makiling vs. Roberto Udtohan (Bantamweights)

SATURDAY / May 12, 2012
Location: Brovari, Ukraine
Zaubek Baysanqurov vs. Michel Soro (WBO Junior Middleweight Championship)

SUNDAY / May 13, 2012
Location: Cebu City, Philippines
Johnriel Casimero vs. Sammy Gutierrez (IBF “interim” Junior Flyweight Championship)

FRIDAY / May 18, 2012 (ESPN2)
Location: Albany, NY
Karim Mayfield vs. Raymond Serrano (Junior Welterweights)
Nick Brinson vs. Jason Escalera (Middleweights)
David Telesco vs. Vincent Miranda (Cruiserweights)

FRIDAY / May 18, 2012
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Thangthong Kiaattawesuk vs. Macbute Sinyabi (Junior Featherweights)

SATURDAY / May 19, 2012 (HBO)
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Lamont Peterson vs. Amir Khan (IBF / WBA Junior Welterweight Championship)
Adrien Broner vs. Gary Sykes (WBO Super Featherweight Championship)

SATURDAY / May 19, 2012 (Telefutura)
Location: Pharr, Texas
Jerry Belmontes vs. Ramesis Gil (Junior Lightweights)
Odlanier Solis vs. Konstantin Airich (Heavyweights)

SATURDAY / May 19, 2012
Location: Atlantic City, NJ
Harry Joe Yorgey vs. Jamaal Davis (Junior Middleweights)
Chuck Mussachio vs. Billy Bailey (Light Heavyweights)

SATURDAY / May 19, 2012
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Mikkel Kessler vs. Allan Green (Light Heavyweights)

FRIDAY / May 25, 2012 (ESPN2)
Location: Charenton, Louisiana
Ji-Hoon Kim vs. Alisher Rahimov (Lightweights)
Efrain Esquivias vs. Roberto Castaneda (Super Bantamweights)

FRIDAY / May 25, 2012
Location: Viterbo, Italy
Silvio Olteanu vs. Giuseppe Laguna (Flyweights)

SATURDAY / May 26, 2012 (EPIX.com)
Location: Nottingham, England
Lucian Bute vs. Carl Froch (IBF Super Middleweight Championship)

SATURDAY, May 26, 2012 (Azteca America)
Location: Tucson, AZ
Antonio Margarito vs. Abel Perry (Middleweights)

By Tom Donelson (Boxing Writers Assc.)

Bernard Hopkins faced a possible final battle against the younger Chad Dawson, a light heavyweight coming into his peak.  Hopkins and Dawson engaged in a controversial two round bout that ended up in a no-contest.  Hopkins has continued to surprise as he continues to be one of the best light heavyweights in the world at the age of 47 and over the years, he has managed to upset younger fighters including Jean Pascal, Antonio Tarver, and Kelly Pavlik.  It seems whenever pundits bury Hopkins’ career, Hopkins comes back to pull off an improbable victory.

Like Archie Moore, the Old Mongoose, Hopkins has managed to keep fighting at high levels late in his career. Moore depended upon his knowledge of the sweet science, an inner toughness and a knockout punch. Hopkins doesn’t have Moore power but he has Moore ring smarts and his knowledge of the ring has allowed him to control the action and fight at his pace plus he can still adjust to the situation.  Dawson wanted to show Hopkins that he was the master of light heavyweights and the master of Hopkins.

In the opening bout, televised by HBO, rising, undefeated Heavyweight prospect Seth Mitchell faced veteran Chazz Witherspoon, who came in the fight with a 30-2 with 22 knockouts.  Witherspoon started jabbing and controlling the real estate before Mitchell hit Witherspoon with two wicked body shots. Witherspoon shot a right hand that shook Mitchell and followed with several short rights that put Mitchell on wobbling legs.  Mitchell barely made it through the first round and it took will just keep standing.

In the second round, Mitchell pounded the body and got inside of Witherspoon with occasional right hand body shots to get back in the fight after being pounded over the last minute of the first round.  In the opening seconds of the third round, a Mitchell right followed by left hook to the chin sent Witherspoon down. After Witherspoon wobbled back up, Mitchell pounded Witherspoon to the body with vicious left hooks and right hands before going up stairs. With the forty seconds left, he nailed Witherspoon with a right hand that sent Witherspoon to the rope and followed up a left hook and yet another right hand before the referee Randy Neuman determined the rope held Witherspoon.  As the referee began his count, he looked into Witherspoon eyes and determined Witherspoon had enough.

Mitchell is inexperienced fighter but he is also quick learner as he learned to move his body and avoid Witherspoon’s punches in the second and third rounds.  In the first round, he got nailed by short right hands but he found ways to avoid those right hands as the fight progressed.
In the main event bout, Dawson moved forward with jabs in the opening round as Hopkins moved side to side while avoiding the jabs by forcing Dawson to come up short with his punches while looking for counter punches.  The first round was more tactical as Hopkins forced the pace to slow down slightly over the second half of the round.

Hopkins played the boxing version of four corners as he moved away from Dawson in the second round.  Hopkins would occasionally charge Dawson to force the action and then go back to movement as he got Dawson to fight his pace.

The third round was similar to the first two rounds as Dawson was the busier fighter and had a nice rally in the beginning but Hopkins let his hands go at the end of the round.   In the fourth round, Dawson got head butted and it open up a cut.  Dawson looked mad and he allowed Hopkins to carry the fight as Hopkins connected with two solid right hands.  With the fight third of the way done, it was a Hopkins style of a fight.

In the opening minutes of the fifth round, Dawson landed a volley of punches and while Hopkins landed two solid rights but Dawson connected on two left hands that hit Hopkins flushed.   The sixth round was one of those typical rounds you see in a latter day Hopkins fight when one or two punches can make the difference. Dawson may have won that round by landing two lefts over the last minute.

In the seventh and eighth rounds, Dawson started to find a home for his left and added a right hook plus an occasional left uppercut.   Hopkins started to hold more and punch less, not able to get his right hand to Dawson face like he did in the early rounds but he did manage to open a cut over right eye with left jabs.

Dawson continued to connect with his left and Hopkins charges missed their mark as Dawson simply moved out of his way but HBO Emanuel Steward noted that each round was often decided by one or two clean punches most often by Dawson.  The eleventh round was close that could have gone either direction as both fighters connected on double digit punches.  With a minute left, Dawson managed to connect on a left hand in an exchange in which he got the best of in the only real volley of the round.

Dawson won a majority decision in a fight that hardly will make it among the classics but he simply found a way to win rounds by being busier and connecting on one or two punches a round more than Hopkins.

By David Martinez / Boxing Historian

I started to officially watch boxing in the year 1961. I was 13 years old, and it’s been over fifty years since my love for the sport began. I have seen so many great boxers and I consider myself blessed to have been able to live to see them.

I thought it would be interesting to list the best fighters in each weight division – my opinion – that I saw during that time span. They all have one thing in common; they are great champions. As this period of time only covers 1961 to the present, the greats such as Sugar Ray Robinson, Joe Louis, and Rocky Marciano, are not included.

This has nothing to do with who beat whom; (i.e.) why Oscar De La Hoya isn’t listed and he beat Pernell Whitaker, or Holmes is ahead of Tyson and got beat by Tyson, or “where is Foreman; he beat Frazier?”  It is about each boxer at the height of their career and how I saw them; this is what I am basing my ranking upon for the best of the best.

Here’s each division with the best boxers listed – in order – as I felt they were at the pinnacle of their careers:

Heavyweight  Muhammad Ali, Larry Holmes, Sonny Liston,  Mike Tyson, Joe Frazier
Cruiserweight (195 lbs)  Evander Holyfield
Light Heavyweight (175 lbs)  Bob Foster, Archie Moore, Michael Spinks
Super Middleweight (168 lbs)  Roy Jones, Jr., Joe Calzaghe
Middleweight (160 lbs)  Carlos Monzon, Marvin Hagler, Bernard Hopkins
Junior Middleweight (154 lbs)  Terry Norris, Koichi Wajima
Welterweight (147 lbs)  Jose Napoles, Sugar Ray Leonard, Floyd Mayweather, Jr., Thomas Hearns, Felix Trinidad
Junior Welterweight (140 lbs)  Aaron Pryor, Wilfred Benitz
Lightweight (135 lbs)  Roberto Duran, Carlos Ortiz, Pernell Whitaker
Junior Lightweight (130 lbs)  Julio Cesar Chavez, Alexis Arguello, Manny Pacquiao, Flash Elorde
Featherweight (126 lbs)  Vicente Saldivar, Salvador Sanchez, Marco Antonio Barerra
Junior Featherweight (122 lbs)  Wilfredo Gomez, Erik Morales
Bantamweight (118 lbs)  Eder Jofre, Ruben Olivares, Carlos Zarate, Fighting Harada
Junior Bantamweight (115 lbs)  Khaosai Galaxy
Flyweight (112 lbs)  Miguel Canto, Mark Johnson
Junior Flyweight (108 lbs)  Jung Koo Chang, Yoko Gushiken
Strawweight (105 lbs)  Ricardo Lopez, Pone Kingpetch

Rusty Rubin is a veteran boxing writer

In Atlantic City on April 28, “Bad” Chad Dawson faces a rematch with “The Executioner” Bernard Hopkins who, despite his age, 47, keeps on fighting.

Despite his age, Hopkins can still fight, boasting a 52-5 record with 32 knockouts.

Hopkins last fight, against the same Chad Dawson, wound up as a two round non-decision in Los Angeles. Verdicts like that happen when an orthodox fighter meets a southpaw, which Dawson is.

Dawson 29, has a record of 30-1 with 17 coming by was of KO. His only loss was to Jean Pascal.
Looking for an advantage here is hard. They both are 6’1. and Dawson has an inch and a half reach advantage.

While it’s not hard to visualize another clash of heads here, it’s not something that usually happens in back to back fights.

Neither fighter shows a lot of one-punch KO power, so I have to believe it will go to a decision.

Sooner or later Father Time catches up to all of us. While it’s hard to go against Hopkins, youth must be served.

Dawson by a hard-fought decision.***

Time Magazine recently had an issue listing the most influential people in the world. I’d like to take that item to the readers of this column. Please e-mail me your top 10 boxers in the past 75 years and why. I also feel that the same poll should include the top 10 non-fighters who have had a major influence on the sport. Your help will be appreciated and my personal choices for both will appear in this column next week.

Glove 2 Glove:

Prayers for the return to health of outstanding boxing guys Alex “The Bronx Bomber” Ramos and boxing historian Tony Triem.

Please pray for my Aussie mate and Glove2Glove member John MacDougall, who had to deal with health problems for his wife of many years Gwen, who is in a nursing home John, a former Commissioner is having problems after a hip replacement surgery. Both need your prayers for recovery and inner strength.

Also prayers for the recovery of outstanding referee Mills Lane and Denis Wilcox.

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 former champ Gerald McClellan, who is confined to wheelchairs.

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 uplifting and/or prayers? Just drop us a line. Membership is free to all and no one will ever contact you except for other prayer requests. Your name will not suddenly appear on anyone’s mailing list. In short, there is no obligation. Every prayer request is most welcome and I know the recipient will appreciate it.

Why? Because it’s healing to know that other people care, even about people they don’t know, and have the knowledge that God listens!

To join the Glove2Glove  prayer group, or just request much 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 have continued 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!

Keep punching, always….Rusty