In Rusty’s Corner

 

Rusty Rubin is a veteran boxing writer

 

I have to admit that while I felt that Andre Ward was a darn good amateur, I never felt that he would be a solid professional boxer.

After the way he handled the heavier Chad Dawson, I admit was wrong and we need more guys like Andre Ward to help lead boxing out of the funk it now finds itself in.***

There are some very interesting fights competing for both the Vegas and television market this weekend, and all figure to provide a lot of action 다운로드. This is the kind of events that our sport badly needs, although it would be better if they were spaced at least a week apart.

On HBO PPV, from the Thomas and Mack Center at UNLV, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. faces perhaps his greatest test in Argentine boxer Sergio Martinez for the WBC middleweight title.

Chavez is 46-0-1 with 32 knockouts and is eleven years younger than Martinez, 49-2-2 with 28 knockouts 다운로드.

While Chavez has a two inch height advantage, Martinez gets a two inch edge in the reach department, and he is a southpaw.

This is a hard fight to predict as both fighters seem to be at the top of their game. Although Chavez is younger and faster, I do think that Martinez is the better power hitter.

It’s an important fight for both fighters, and it’s one that’s very hard to predict on paper 다운로드. Obviously, because of his age, the fight may be more important for Martinez, but age is not always the key against a younger and faster fighter, like Chavez.

If there’s no clash of heads here, I fearlessly predict that youth will be served and Chavez will win a narrow decision.

At first I was going to pick Martinez, as Chavez hasn’t really fought the top of the line fighters and he doesn’t seem to pack the power that Martinez does.

Don’t get me wrong, Martinez has the heart of a champion and will give Chavez all he can handle and more. If he can pull off the decision here it would hardly be a shock to most of us in the boxing world.

The fight is an excellent PPV buy.**

The other fights, on Showtime, is from the MGM Grand Arena in Vegas and features a lot of non-stop action fighters.

Veteran Jhonny Gonzalez, 31, takes a 52-7 record into a WBC featherweight showdown against southpaw Ponce de Leon, 32.

Both fighters have excellent records, with Gonzalez 52-7 (45), having a two inch height advantage with De Leon, 43-4 (35) having a slight edge in reach.

A great fight for fans to enjoy with two guys who don’t know what the word retreat means.

I’ll take Gonzalez by TKO.***

The other barn-burner from the MGM features Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, against tough veteran Josesito Lopez. 30-4 (18).

Go with the youth here and take Alvarez by close decision.

Glove 2 Glove: Prayers requested for Boxing writer Tom Kenville who passed away at age 82 and for heavyweight Abodunrin “Big Bo” Akinuanjo, who lost his life in a car accident at age 28.

Former heavyweight champ Ken Norton can use your prayers to recover from a serious illness. Prayers are also requested for boxing guy Reginald Boucher, father in law of boxing writer Keith Teciera. Reginald is battling cancer.

Prayers for the return to health of outstanding boxing guys Alex “The Bronx Bomber” Ramos. Alex has done much to improve the welfare of retired boxers. Your prayers for him have worked in the past. Alex is still facing some serious obstacles.

Young ex-champ Paul Williams was involved in a motorcycle accident and needs your prayers for a full recovery.

Prayers also requested for the recovery of former champ Rocky Lockridge.

Tony Triem ix also in need of your prayers, as is L.H. Dalton and Marilyn Johnson.

Please continue to pray for my Aussie mate and Glove2Glove member John MacDougall, who had to deal with the recent passing of his wife of many years Gwen. John is also recovering from hip replacement surgery.

Also prayers for the recovery of outstanding referee Mills Lane and Denis Wilcox.

Please say prayers for Phill Grazide of Santa Rosa, CA. a big supporter of amateur boxing, who is suffering the crippling effects of rheumatoid arthritis.

Needless to say we need prayers for the return to health of former champ Gerald McClellan, who is confined to wheelchairs.

On behalf of these great fighters who have given their all in our great sport, we thank you for your ongoing prayers.

Do you know of any boxing people in need of spiritual uplifting and/or prayers? Just drop us a line. Membership to our prayer group is free to all and no one will ever contact you except for other prayer requests. Your name will not suddenly appear on anyone’s mailing list. In short, there is absolutely no obligation. Every prayer request is most welcome and I know the recipient will appreciate it.

Why? Because it’s healing to know that other people care, even about people they don’t know, and have the knowledge that God listens!

To join the Glove2Glove prayer group, or just request much needed prayers, drop Dave Wilcox a line at ubtdave@earthlink.net.

Glove2Glove, which has been a long-time integral part of the recently defunct Ringsports.com magazine and website. It is a program I wish to have continued 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.***

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