In Rusty’s Corner


Rusty Rubin is a veteran boxing writer

The fat lady is starting to sing. The future of “Ringsports Magazine” and its sister website “Ringsports.com”, remain in limbo, until or unless the time comes when someone wishes to purchase them. Anyone interested can contact me directly at rustyrubin@sbcglobal.com.

How much did Floyd Mayweather’s easy win over Juan Manuel Marquez surprise me? I must admit that he did it with more ease than I expected, coming off a two year layoff. But an even bigger payday looms for “Money” if Manny Pacquiao does as expected and beats Miguel Cotto later on this year.

This Saturday, in Los Angeles, Vitali Klitschko takes on Cristobal Arreola in a major heavyweight fight.

Of course it’s hard to call any ‘heavyweight’ fights exciting when looking at the over-the hill cast of characters in that division. If this continues, the once ‘baddest man on the planet’ tag will be fighting for prune juice instead of a title belt.

Still, Klitschko at 38 years of age is a fighter that keeps himself in superb condition. His age shouldn’t be a factor in this contest.

It’s true that the first thing to go on a boxer is his legs, and there comes a time, if someone fights long enough, that the mind may be willing but the legs will be weak. The one uncertainty is we never know when that day will come.

Back to the fight. Klitschko, 37-2, with 36 knockouts, is a giant at 6’7 ½”, but Arreola is 28, and undefeated at 27-0, with 24 of those wins coming via the kayo route.

Arreola has fought some decent fighters, but in truth, there are few really big names that can fight much any longer. The word “decent”, doesn’t have the same ring to it as it used to.

As I see it, Arreola has one thing going for him besides youth. He wants the title and if he can handle the pressure, he can give the more experienced Klitschko a run for his money.

Then there are those legs. Klitschko is ten years older than Arreola, so you never know.

All thing being equal, Klitschko is taller by 3 ½”, has a bigger reach 80” to 77” and has the experience.

Assuming the legs hold up, I see Klitschko winning this fight handily. But as he grows older, any fight could mark the end of the line.

Glove 2 Glove:

Glove2Glove has lost one of it’s founding members and a great guy in Tom Muldoon, who passed away suddenly in New York. Prayers are requested for his soul.

Prayers for cut-man Chas Hank Henry who is down but not out in his battle against cancer. Hank would love to hear from boxing fans everywhere, and you can write to him at 468 Copper Creek Circle, Pooler, GA. 31322.

Also prayers the recover of long-time UK manager/promoter Frank Maloney, 55, who reportedly has suffered a heart attack and is in the hospital.

Prayers are asked for the return to health of boxing analyst Nick Charles who is in a Texas hospital suffering from bladder cancer. Nick is a fighter and he has some great folks in his corner.

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. 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. To join drop Rusty a line.

Glove2Glove, which has been an integral part of the magazine and website, is a program I wish to continue a long after I have left the sport. I want to thank Dave and Deborah Wilcox, who have offered to take over the program and promised to continue it indefinitely. That means a lot to me.***

Thanks and God bless.***