Rusty Rubin is a veteran boxing writer
A couple of fights of limited interest on the calendar for this weekend, so I figured I’d take advantage of all the excitement. And believe me, for the caliber of fights and fighters out there, this may be excitement.
On October 15, in Montreal, we have an IBF super middleweight title contest between unbeaten home-town favorite Lucien Bute and challenger Jesse Brinkley.
It’s an interesting match, and should provide some excitement. Brinkley is a young man from my neck of the woods, Northern Nevada. He sports a record of 35-5.
Bute, 26-0 (21) is a fast southpaw who’s major fight to date shows a win over a tough Edison Miranda.
Neither fighter seems to have one-punch knockout power, but show they can certainly wear their opponents down.
Bute stands 6’2” while Brinkley is 5’`10”. The reach advantage also goes to Bute.
This should be a pretty exciting fight, and I give the edge to Bute, for two reasons, his height advantage, and the fact that he’s a southpaw.
The other fight of note takes place in Hamburg, Germany the next day for the WBC heavyweight crown between 39 year old champion Vitali Klitschko and 38 year old challenger Shannon Briggs.
It’s not a fight I would pay to watch. Frankly I don’t know if there would be any contest between the heavys that I’d spend my money on.
I don’t see a lot of excitement here. Klitschko, 40-2 (38), is 3 ½” taller than Briggs, 51-5, (45), but they both have an 80” reach.
It’s not a stretch to pick Vitali by stoppage midway.
Glove 2 Glove:
Prayers for the complete return to good health to my old friend, promoter, and ex- wrestler Jack ‘Moe’ Smith who had complete reconstructive knee surgery a couple of weeks back. Moe’s a fighter and making a complete recovery.
Tough fighter and great competitor Scott LeDoux, who was always in shape (as I prefer to remember him). Scott has ALS and has been given less than six months to live.
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.
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.
God listens!
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.***
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and for great holiday gifts, let me suggest a couple of books for the loved one in your life to read.
Rusty Rubin, who was formerly the award winning managing editor of Ringsports.com as well as the currently defunct Ringsports Magazine, is 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 sit-coms and the far-less than significant reality shows.
You and the gift recipient will be glad you did!***