Rusty Rubin is the managing editor of Ringsports.com
Mark your calendar for the International Boxing Hall of Fame weekend in Canastota, N.Y.
This year’s induction ceremony takes place on June 11-14.
Some solid, well known names will be honored this year; among them Lennox Lewis, Orlando Canizales and Brian Mitchell…My old friend, promoter Bobby Goodman gets a well earned induction as well as three other qualified boxing folks.
Inducted posthumously former middleweight champion Billy Soose, Mysterious Billy Smith and Gorilla Jones.
For more information, please check IBHOF.com.***
It’s going to be a fun weekend folks, so get there early and enjoy yourselves.***
Only one very interesting fight this week, coming on June 13th at Madison Square Garden in NY, and featuring two exciting fighters in Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico and Joshua Clottey of Ghana.
Cotto, 28, 33-1 (27), considered a knockout puncher, is coming off a tough and now a bit of a questionable loss to Antonio Margarito, and a somewhat boring comeback fight against Michael Jennings, who he was able to handle with ease.
Clottey, 32, 35-2 (20) is a tough boxer-puncher, who can beat you many ways. They have a common opponent in Margarito, who Clottey went the distance with, and Cotto was stopped in round 11.
This fight is for the WBO crown and, style wise, makes for an interesting clash.
Fighters from Ghana are tough, no doubt about that. But you can make that case for most Porto Rican fighters as well.
I can see a cut stopping this fight late, although neither has shown a great propensity for that. The fight will be made on the inside, giving Cotto enough of an edge to TKO Clottey in the later rounds. But this contest should be one of those must-see battles.
Glove 2 Glove:
Alex Ramos, the Bronx Bomber and founder of the Retired Boxers Association, is having more health problems and needs our help, financial if possible but definitely our prayers.
Ringsports.com’s photographer Ray Luna reports that his mother, Geneva has suffered a series of strokes. 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.
One of boxing’s good guys, Genaro ‘Chicanito’ Hernandez has been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. The good news from his corner (and mine) is that his cancer is in remission.
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 or prayers, just drop us a line. It’s free to all and no one will ever contact you except for prayer requests, or put your name on anyone’s mailing list. To join drop me a line at Rusty@ringsports.com.
Thanks and God bless.***
Rusty Rubin is managing 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. These books are available at Authorhouse.com, and all major book suppliers.
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.
You will be glad you did!