Rusty Rubin is the managing editor of Ringsports.com.

The California State Athletic Commission decided to ban Tony Margarito for one year, from boxing, much to the chagrin of his promoter Bob Arum (Top Rank) and WBC President Jose Sulaiman, whom I think doth protest too much 다운로드.

Of course any protest here is understandable from both parties, as Margarito is one of the top drawer fighters for both Top Rank and the WBC. Both gentlemen were doing what would be expected of them, nothing more. Well, maybe a bit more, as Judge and jury Sulaiman declared Margarito to be ‘not guilty’ 다운로드.

I can’t claim any privy to what went into the decision. As a writer who would not support anyone who knowingly used steroids, I cannot understand how these two gentlemen can howl at the decision. To me, Margarito’s ‘loaded’ hand wraps could be tantamount to attempted murder, so a one year suspension, in my eyes at least, appears to be very, very lenient 다운로드. Margarito is young and talented. He will be back!

I do have to wonder here, however, if there is going to be any fine or suspension for the official who neglected to check the hand wraps at first.

In any case, I hope this is a wake up call to all Commission inspectors to do their job. They have the lives of fighters in their hands.***

A plug here for the Golden State Boxers Association, who on the 28th, honors the wives of those who helped and continue to help shape our sport. It is an event I would love to attend, as these often forgotten gals deserve the respect and honor given to them at this event. Sadly, a health problem prevents me from attending. But, for more information on this event, please check with the webmaster of this site.***

On the 21st, at the Boardwalk Hotel in Atlantic City, Miguel Cotto puts his WBO welterweight title on the line against highly rated Michael Jennings. At first I thought that Cotto could have problems here, looking ahead to his rematch with Margarito, but, with Tony on hold for a year, Miguel will concentrate on Jennings and figures to stop him early in the fight.

In Youngstown, Ohio, Kelly Pavlik, will be a heavy home town favorite, but it’s not going to be easy against tough veteran Michael Antonio Rubio. This bout is for the WBC/WBO middleweight title, and Pavlik will be trying to get back on track in this important event. It’s not going to be easy, at least not on paper, but it looks like Pavlik will leave the ring with a couple of belts around his waist.

Both these important and potentially very exciting fights will be shown on PPV. The buy looks like a good value from this corner.

Glove 2 Glove:

Outstanding heavyweight and good guy Scott LeDoux is suffering from ALS. Please pray for his strength in battling this illness.

Ringsports.com’s photographer Ray Luna reports that his mother, Geneva has suffered a second stroke. Please pray for her rapid recovery.

Please pray for my Aussie mate John MacDougall, who had to admit his wife of many years to a nursing home. Both John and his wife Gwen need your prayers for recovery and inner strength.

Say a prayer for the return to health for Chicago great Hall of Famer Eddie Perkins, who is recovering from a heart attack.

One of boxing’s good guys, Genaro ‘Chicanito’ Hernandez has been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Kudos to the WBC for taking up the battle to help pay for some of Genaro’s high medical bills. I ask you to do your share also by saying prayers for this fine young man, a true fighter and champion who represents everything good that sports in general and boxing in particular stands for.

On behalf of these great fighters, we thank you for your ongoing prayers.

If you know of any boxing people in need of spiritual uplift or prayers, just drop us a line. It’s free to all and no one will ever contact you or put your name on anyone’s mailing list.

Thanks and God bless.***

Rusty Rubin is the editor of Ringsports.com. 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.

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. To order, just go to Autorhouse.com.