Rusty Rubin is a veteran boxing writer
With this lull in big-name boxing, I figured I’d take the opportunity to answer a few questions that have piled up in recent months.
1) Do I foresee the magazine or the website coming back?
A) Not at this point in time, at least not with me in charge. In my senior years I look forward to being as lazy as possible.
2) Do I make more money writing for other sites than I did owning my own?
A) Didn’t make money on either. My rewards are the many friends I made over the years, far more valuable than the money (at least to me).
3) Will boxing ever reach the heights again?
A) Probably, but not in my lifetime. Boxing has too many problems to cope with right now, including the extra competition from the MMA. The problem can best be seen in the lack of boxing gyms and the quickening (and sickening) demise of the amateur program. It’s also why we see so few exciting fighters on the horizon.
4) Best pound for pound fighter ever?
A) Haven’t been around that long, although it sometimes seems that way. As my late, most knowledgeable friend Eddie Futch said Charley Burley (and I didn’t see him fight). In my time, pick em between Marvin Hagler and Archie Moore. I like fighters who could always think for themselves inside the ropes. Salvador Sanchez could have been there as well, if not for a tragic car accident.
5) Why won’t Mayweather fight Pacquiao?
A) I don’t think its fear of losing the match, but fear of losing the big money that comes from having that unbeaten tag. It’s a fight that should be made, particularly for the good of our sport. But it can only happen if the terms are equal for both warriors.
Glove 2 Glove:
Please say prayers for the soul of World Boxing Councils ambassador of good will, Karen Briman Drazner, who passed away last week. She will be missed.
Prayers for Showtime exec and highly respected Jay Larkin, 59, who passed away from cancer.
Boxing lost two other family members in Johnny Breitenbruck and Eddie “Bossman” Jones. Prayers for their souls are requested.
Prayers for the complete return to good health to my old friend, promoter, and ex-wrestler Moe Smith who had complete reconstructive knee surgery last week. Moe’s a fighter and I’m sure will make a complete recovery.
Tough fighter and great competitor Scott LeDoux, who was always in shape (as I prefer to remember him), has ALS and has been given less than six months to live.
Also prayers for the recovery of the mother of boxing historian Scott Crouse would also be very much appreciated.
God listens.
Sad to report that Genaro Hernandez’ cancer has returned. We ask for your prayers to help “Chicanito” in his battle against this relentless foe.
Prayers for the return to health of Casey Guerrero, wife of popular boxer, Robert. “The Ghost’s” wife is having a recurring bout with leukemia.
Please pray for my Aussie mates and Glove2Glove member John MacDougall, who had to deal with health problems for his wife of many years, Gwen to a nursing home. Both need your prayers for recovery and inner strength.
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 and/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. Every prayer request is welcome and I know the recipient will appreciate it.
To join us, or just request 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 continue 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.***
Rusty Rubin was the managing editor of Ringsports.com as well as the currently defunct Ringsports Magazine. 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 retailers. They are all more than worth the purchase price.
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 ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ and the far-less than significant reality shows.
You and the gift recipient will be glad you did!***
I like the analysis..Although I feel you’re being raehtr bias. Which JMM fought Mayweather..The defensive back peddling counter punching one? Or the overly aggressive off balance one? JMM found the formula to fight MP I can definitely agree.. And the level of competition MP has faced since hasn’t been the best, but who has Mayweather faced? Did he make somebodies look like nobodies as Roy Jones so perfectly phrased it? Or like most boxers were his opponents picked carefully. Break down the JMM vs Mayweather fight and convince me that JMM came out with a gameplan so great but Mayweather was just that damn good and beat him and you have me convinced.