Rusty Rubin is a veteran boxing writer
Okay, it’s time for a couple of predictions on the two upcoming HBO bouts from the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA. this weekend.
In the semi-main, for the WBA light welter crown, Brandon Rios moves up a little bit in weight to take on undefeated Mike Alvarado.
Except for the slight edge in weight, there’s little to separate the two combatants. Rios, at 22, is a year younger, fighters can bang, Alvarado is a bit taller with a slight reach edge, but other than that, how do you separate these two? It isn’t easy.
Rios, 30-0-1 (22) and Alvarado is 33-0 (23). Does the power go up with Rios? That’s the question that has to be answered here.
The edge in competition goes to Rios, but lesser competition doesn’t necessarily mean an edge in the fight.
My heart says Rios, but my pick is Alvarado by TKO.
In the main event, Nonito Donaire, the ‘Filipino Flash’ put his IBF super bantamweight title on the line against WBO champ Toshaki Nishioka.
Donaire, at 29, has a seven year age advantage over Nishioka, but Nishioka, a southpaw, is taller and has a bigger reach. He also has beaten Rafael Marquez, which is no easy task.
Donaire’s only defeat came more than ten years ago. He has 29 wins and 18 KO’s to his credit.
Nishioka, 29-4-3 (24), has been in a number of fights which featured a clash of heads. Not that Noshioka is a dirty fighter, but all fighters do what they can get away with in order to win.
Being taller and a southpaw is a definite advantage for Nishioka here, and a few accidental (or otherwise) head butts are not only possible but probable. This in and of itself makes this a very hard fight to predict.
But that’s what I’m supposed to do, so take Donaire by a technical decision.***
Glove 2 Glove: Prayers requested for the soul of Corrie Sanders, from South Africa, who won the heavyweight championship a few years back. Corrie was shot while dining with friends.
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 is 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? Join Glove to Glove….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 all the recipients 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.***
Rusty Rubin, award winning managing editor of Ringsports.com as well as now defunct Nevada Boxing and 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 small purchase price, or contact me via this website for a personally autographed copy at a small extra shipping charge. All proceeds from these books go to fight cancer.
RUSTY WOULD LIKE TO URGE ALL HIS FRIENDS TO LIST THE FOLLOWING INFO ON YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGE AS WELL AS YOUR E-MAIL. “HAVING BEEN BLESSED WITH SO MANY GREAT AND CARING PEOPLE IN MY LIFE, I HAVE CHOSEN NOT TO GET INVOLVED WITH NETWORKING; I’M JUST TOO DAMN OLD FOR THAT”.
HENCEFORTH, (or at least for the current quarter) ALL PROFITS FROM THE SALE OF ANY OR ALL OF THESE BOOKS WILL GO TO THE SUSAN G. KOMAN FOUNDATION, AND BE USED TO FIND A CURE FOR BREAST CANCER. . I ALSO CHALLENGE ALL OTHER JOURNALISTS, BOXING OR OTHERWISE, TO DO WHAT THEY CAN TO SUPPORT ME IN THIS EFFORT. IT’S ALSO CHANCE TO CHANGE THE PUBLIC OPINION OF THE PRESS AND OUR SPORT, AS WELL AS DOING SOMETHING REALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR WORLD.
MIRACLE NEEDED: For my next book to inspire others and do our share to fight cancer. If you have any to share, send them to Rustyrubin@sbcglobal.net, and in the subject matter write the word miracle. Let’s all do our part to help find a permanent cure for this dread disease! Names can be withheld by request as it’s the stories of inspiration that are most important. Please feel free to pass this request along to others who have experienced life changing experiences.
Together we may be able to find a cure for cancer and result in a much needed knockout win for the sport of boxing.
I now have some time to try to finish this latest work, which, God willing, will bring the world so much closer to finding a cure for cancer as well as improve the lives of others. Please send me your miracles at rustyrubin@sbcglobal.net
Finally, “My 2012 New Year’s resolution was to spend the rest of my life helping others, and I really need everyone’s help to do that.. Please step into the ring with me to add power to all the voices that are crying out for a cure for dread diseases.
Keep punching, always….Rusty