Rusty Rubin is a veteran boxing writer
It’s not baseball, but I lost a double-header with my picks last week. No crying over spilled milk here, Bernard Hopkins vs. Chad Dawson, at worst should been called a no-contest when he was back-flipped and suffered a shoulder injury on Saturday night.
Jorge Linares was well ahead on the scorecards, when Antonio DeMarco landed some solid punches and stopped him in round 10. Linares could have backed away and won the fight on the cards, but as we have seen many times before, that Latino machismo wouldn’t allow that to happen.
Time to like our wounds and move on.
This week we have what should be an action packed fight from Madison Square Garden in New York.
Nonito Donaire, 26-1 (18) puts his WBC bantamweight crown on the line against veteran Omar Navarez, 35-0-2 (23) who holds the WBO title.
Normally I don’t like battles between two southpaws because they tend to be dull, but I just can’t see either of this battlers doing anything but letting loose.
Donaire, 28, is eight years younger than Navarez, who seems to do all his fighting (and winning) in Argentina. Taking nothing away from Navarez, it’s hard to comment on a fighter you rarely if ever see.
But the sheet says Donaire also has the edge in the height and reach department, and his only loss came ten years ago.
On paper a great action fight, but I’ll go with Donaire who should be the favorite of the NYC crowd.
Nonito by stoppage.
Glove 2 Glove:
A young lad, Kyle Thompson Jr. is having some health issues and is in need of your prayers.
Prayers for female boxer Ishika Lay, who is in the hospital as a result of a possible fight related injury.
Prayers for the return to health for Hall of fame promoter Don Fraser; who is recovering after undergoing some serious surgery.
Prayers for good health and birthday wishes for boxing lady and good friend Shelley Williams of Las Vegas.
Prayers are requested for the health of outstanding trainer Joe Sousa, who is fighting the fight of his life against cancer.
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.
On behalf of these great fighters who have given their all in our great sport, we thank you for your ongoing prayers.
God listens!
Rusty Rubin, formerly the award winning managing editor of Ringsports.com as well as the now 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 for a personally autographed copy at a small extra charge.
RUSTY WOULD LIKE TO ANNOUNCE THAT HENCEFORTH, ALL PROFITS FROM THE SALE OF ANY OR ALL OF THESE BOOKS WILL GO TO THE SUSAN KOMAN FOUNDATION. I CHALLENGE ALL OTHER JOURNALISTS, BOXING OR OTHERWISE, TO DO WHAT THEY CAN IN THIS EFFORT. IT’S A CHANCE TO CHANGE THE PUBLIC OPION OF THE PRESS, AS WELL AS DOING SOMETHING REALLY IMPORTANT FOR OUR WORLD.
Here’s a wonderful chance for you to read and enjoy any or all of these great books and help a wonderful cause (breast cancer) in exchange. I personally ask everyone to pass this information along. I will be sending out a public service announcement on this shortly.
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 somewhat laid-up a bit of late, I should know
Where’s the “Gillette Cavalcade of Sports” when you need it? Make your friend or loved one ‘look sharp’, ‘feel sharp’ and be ‘sharp.’ So how are you fixed for books? You’d better check’ to parrot an old commercial.
You and the book-gift recipient will be glad you made the right choice (or the write choice)!***
Keep punching, always….Rusty