Rusty Rubin is a veteran boxing writer
First, allow me to remind all the readers in the U.S. and the troops overseas to vote on Election Day. Your vote does matter.
Secondly, I request that all readers refer to the end of this column and also do their share to help myself and others in the fight against cancer.
Now for the best news of the day, Evander Holyfield has finally decided to retire. Although it was too long in coming, we wish him well in whatever he does in all future endeavors.***
Two big fights on Saturday (Showtime) night take place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., both for a WBA title and the first for the WBC crown as well.
In the main event undefeated lt. welterweight Danny Garcia 24-0 (15), takes on always tough Erik Morales, who despite his age, 36, still brings a lot to the table, including a lot of ring experience and a three inch reach advantage, which may not help that much because Morales loves to fight inside.
Besides his record and youth, Garcia, 24, has beaten Morales via unanimous decision on March 24.
I admit that Morales has always been one of my favorite fighters and it’s hard to pick against him, but this fight is in NY and Garcia is from Philly. Home town edge? Maybe, but it’s going to be a great fight and Garcia will have to go all out in this rematch.
Garcia again by another unanimous decision.
In the semi-main, if it can be call such, Pablo Cano, who only loss was to the previously mentioned Morales in 2011.
Besides his record of 25-1-1, (19) I can’t seem to find out a lot about Cano which really makes this a hard fight to pick. Most of Cano’s fights have been South of the Border, and he’s 23 years of age. Other than that, my records come up empty.
It’s a lot easier to assess his opponent in this one, Brooklyn native Paulie Malagnaggi, who’s an excellent boxer but really has never shown the ability to even break an egg that’s half cracked.
Paulie, 31, sports a record of 31-4-2 with seven knockouts.
Clearly it’s a fight between a puncher and a boxer, and with Malagnaggi having the home town edge, I have to pick him to win a decision here.
Glove 2 Glove: Prayers for the soul of former boxer Marcus Temple who passed away at age 81.
Prayers requested for the soul of Geneva Luna, 88, mother of my former ace photographer Ray. 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.
Health problems also facing another friend, Roger Davidson, who can use your prayers and ‘all the help he can get’.
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.
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