Among those expected to be inducted are Mike Tyson, Julio Cesar Chavez, Kostya Tszyu, referee Joe Cortez and a few others.
For event information check out www. Ibhof.com or call directly to (315) 797-7095.***
Sometimes it is said that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Not that he’s old (or a dog) but Michael Katsidis at 30, is a prime example of this. Check his record, and then check his record against southpaws. It’s something worthy of note.
I take nothing away from Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero, 28, who pretty much out-boxed Katsidis in every round, indicating his past personnel trouble may be far behind him.
Two fights this week worth commenting on, both important contests.
The first, from Foxwoods, features Andre Berto, a U.S. Olympian, who record equals his age. He’s 27-0 (27) and 27 years old as well. The only negative would be is that he doesn’t seem to have one-punch knockout power.
This fight is for the WBC welterweight crown.
At 5’8” he just might need one against tough Victor Ortiz. A strong southpaw who sports a 20-1 mark with twenty coming by way of the knockout. He seems to have the one-punch power to go with his southpaw style.
And, making a case for Ortiz is the fact that his only loss was a DQ (not Dairy Queen) against Maidana, who beat Erik Morales last weekend.
Not an easy fight to call by any means, but I’ll take the more polished Berto to take a close decision.
The other bout worthy of note is a junior welter affair that features Amir Khan, 24-1 (17) who will have a height and reach advantage against southpaw Paul McClosky 22-0, (12). The fight is in the UK, so there’s no clear home court advantage for either fighter.
At 24, Khan is seven years younger than McClosky and seems to have a reach advantage as well.
This fight from the UK has a lot of people wondering just how good Khan is, and I think we’re going to find out on Saturday.
Boxing lost a few names this week with the passing of Gil Clancy, 88, Virgil Akins and Tiny Beilfuss.
Prayers for their souls would be much appreciated.
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.***
Rusty Rubin, formerly the award winning managing editor of Ringsports.com as well as the currently defunct Ringsports Magazine, is the author of three highly 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 all available at Authorhouse.com, and all major book retailers. They are all more than worth the purchase price, or contact me via this website.
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. Being laid-up a bit of late, I should know. Where’s the Gillette Cavalcade of Sports when you need it?
You and the book-gift recipient will be glad you made the right choice (or the write choice)!***