In Rusty’s Corner


Rusty Rubin is the managing editor of Ringsports.com

The solemn parade continues; it seems that the bad news of boxing people who have passed on continues. We are continuing to see our ranks grow slimmer as the summer gets hotter. Among those lost this month was a 40 year old son of boxing historian Tracy Callis.

Heartfelt thanks also to my many boxing friends who have been solidly in my corner during a recent illness.

A solid boxing card at the Hard Rock in Vegas this weekend promoted by Top Rank. A look at the card tells you that there is going to be some exciting action.

Veteran Juan Manuel Marquez will take on Floyd Mayweather jr. on Sept. 19th in Vegas. That should be a help, and a very interesting fight to watch. It could be a very tough fight for the come backing ex-champ.

The major fight this week is from Biloxi, Mississippi, where you have two hookers, (not that kind) meeting each other in an intriguing match-up.

Roy Jones Jr. who has lost half of his last eight bouts takes on Jeff Lacy in an important match-up for both.

Jones 40, is 53-5 with 39 knockouts. Lacy, eight years younger is 25-2, with 17 KO’s.

Height and weight wise, there is little to separate these two warriors.

Lacy still hasn’t looked the same since his loss to Jermain Taylor.

Jones, who has nothing to prove, has lost to Joe Calzaghe, Antonio Tarver (twice) and Glen Johnson in his last eight fights.

Tough fight to call, but I’ll give the edge to Jones because of his experience. The fight should go to a decision.***

Glove 2 Glove:

Prayers for the soul of Tracy Callis jr. and the other fine boxing folks who have left a void in our sport and our lives the past few months. It would take too long to list all the other fine boxing people who left us since my last article, so a prayer for all of them would be in order. May the good Lord have mercy on their souls.

Prayers for the return to health are asked for boxing guy and friend Ed Milberger or Oregon, who, fairly quietly, has done much to improve the image of our sport.

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.

Rubin is currently at work on two new books and asks those who inquired when the next one will be out, to be patient a bit longer.

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!***