In Rusty’s Corner

RR - 20001-cropRusty Rubin has been an award winning boxing writer for more than 35 years and he been a feature on dmboxing since 2007.
 
I’m officially frustrated. Surely some of my readers have some great stories for my final tome. And while I’m still not setting any firm deadline, if you have any stories to help with my next book, which 100% of the proceeds will be used in the fight against cancer, please get them to me as soon as you can.

 

I’m always looking for new stories of miracles, faith, and inspiration, not necessarily boxing related. One of my goals is to help inspire those in need and ready to give up, and to lend support to the effort to finally wipe out this dread disease.

 

For more information on how you can help, please read the end of this article.***

I’ve been in contact with my old friend, matchmaker Bobby Goodman, who is now retired and enjoying his life. Always glad to hear from and communicate with my old friends.

 

I look forward to the chance to sit down to dinner and drink with many of them and reminisce on what we now consider the ‘glory days’ of our sport.

 

God willing, that will happen.***

 

Great job was done by the newly formed Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame with their initial induction ceremony at the Monte Carlo Hotel-Casino in Las Vegas.
Among those honored were former great referee and friend Mills Lane, who earlier this year was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

 

Among those also honored were Wayne McCullough and Eva Futch.

 

I wish I were able to travel more and be among my many friends who were honored last week.***

 

Two fights on ShowTime on August 24, which should give our foundering sport a big lift.

 

These bouts are promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, figure to be toe-to-two action, and I look forward to them.

 

The main event, held in Carson, California, features a WBC Featherweight title go between undefeated Abner Mares, 26-0-1, with 14 knockouts, taking on veteran Jhonny Gonzalez, 54- 8 with 46 knockouts.
Mares is four years younger, at age 27, but give away 2 ½ inches in height and 3 ½ inches in reach.

 

To stay undefeated Mares, who is a good boxer, must find a way to get inside the bigger man and land a lot of body punches. Against Gonzalez, who is just a bit slower than his foe, it is possible.

 

The only way Gonzalez figures to get a win here is if he can use the longer reach to his advantage and keep Mares away with his talented jab.

 

The fight goes to a decision and Mares wins on points.

 

In the semi-main, which could very well be a main event in other promotions, for the WBC Junior Featherweight title, Vic Terrazas takes on Leo Santa Cruz.

 

This could be another handicapper’s nightmare, because these two fighters are more evenly matched than the feature fight of the evening.

 

Hard punching Terrrazas is 30-years-old and enters the bout with a record of 37-2-1, with 21 knockouts.

Santa Cruz, 25, is 24-0-1, with 14 of those wins coming by way of the knockout route.

Both fighters are 5’7”, and both sport a 69” reach.

 

If age is the issue, perhaps Santa Cruz has the edge, but Terrazas is the more solid puncher, while Santa Cruz is an outstanding boxer.

 

How to pick a boxer vs. puncher match is hard enough, because so little really separates these two.

 

Go with the power. Terrazas by a close decision.***

 

Tip for our readers, please check out REAL COMBAT MEDIA BOXING RADIO. It’s a show that I predict you will enjoy. And my predictions are the only reason you read my column, right?

 

Glove2Glove

I ask again for your prayers for a successful resolution to my wife Lois’ health problems as well as for good friend and neighbor Norma Davidson who is now recovering from surgery.

Also, Arizona referee Tony Zaino is ailing and can most certainly use your prayers.

Prayers and a special request goes out to long-time fight judge Harold Lederman who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and temporarily removed from his post at HBO. The special request is for you to e-mail or call HBO and ask that he be returned to his post as quickly as possible. Harold is an old friend who certainly deserves better treatment than this.

Gary Balleto, Charles Rainier and former champ Wilfredo Gomez have been ailing so prayers are requested.

Also request prayers for Joey Gamache Sr. trainer and promoter of former champ Joey Jr. The elder Gamache is fighting cancer.

Former heavyweight champ Ken Norton can use your prayers to help him recover from a serious illness. Also there are reports that 71 year old Muhammad Ali is not doing well. 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.

 

Also prayers for the recovery of outstanding Hall of Fame 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.

 

Also in need of prayers for the return to health is former champ Gerald McClellan, who is legally blind and confined to a wheelchair.

 

On behalf of all these great fighters who have risked their life and health in our great sport, we continue to thank you for your ongoing prayers. May the good Lord bless each and every one of you.

 

Do you know of any boxing people in need of spiritual uplifting and/or prayers? It’s absolutely free.

 

You can join Glove to Glove! Just drop us a line. Membership to our prayer group is always free to all and no one will ever contact you except for other prayer requests.
We never give out or sell out our membership list. I can almost assure you that your name or contact information will not suddenly appear on anyone’s mailing list. Why almost? Because there are hackers out there and every one is vulnerable.

 

In short, there is absolutely no obligation to join Glove2Glove. Every prayer request is most welcome and I know that all of the recipients will appreciate it.

 

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

 

To join the Glove2Glove prayer group, or just request much needed prayers, drop Dave Wilcox a line at ubtdave@earthlink.net. Or contact me care of the website you’re reading this on.

 

Glove2Glove, which had been a long-time integral part of the recently defunct Ringsports.com magazine and website. It is a wonderful program that 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. Their generous offer means a lot to me. We always welcome new members.***

 

Thanks and God bless.***

 

Rusty Rubin, is the award winning managing editor (of Ringsports.com) as well as now defunct Nevada Boxing and Ringsports Magazine.

 

He is also the acclaimed author of three highly acclaimed boxing books! “Woozel, Boxing and Me”, “Off the Canvas” and “Billy Soose, the Champion Time Forgot” co-authored by fellow scribe and friend Tom Donelson.

 

These three 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. Please know that all proceeds from these books will be used to fight cancer.

 

“I WOULD LIKE TO URGE THAT ALL MY MANY 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 TIRED AND OLD FOR THAT, ALTHOUGH I KNOW IT’S FOR A GOOD CAUSE AND THAT NETWORKING IS THE BEST WAY TO GET THE WORDS OUT.

“HENCEFORTH, (or at least for the current quarter) ALL PROFITS FROM THE SALE OF ANY OR ALL OF MY BOOKS WILL GO TO THE SUSAN G. KOMAN FOUNDATION, AND BE USED TO FIND A CURE FOR BREAST CANCER.

“I ALSO PROPOSE A CHALLENGE TO ALL OTHER JOURNALISTS, BOXING OR OTHERWISE, TO DO WHAT THEY CAN TO SUPPORT ME IN THIS EFFORT. IT’S ALSO  A CHANCE TO CHANGE THE PUBLIC OPINION OF THE WORKING PRESS AND OUR SPORT, AS WELL AS DOING SOMETHING REALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR WORLD.

“STORIES OF INSPIRATION AND MIRACLES ARE 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 will 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.

“Inspiration and stories of miracles do not have to be boxing or cancer related!

“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 stories at rustyrubin@sbcglobal.net”.

Finally, “My 2013 New Year’s resolution, besides living long enough to finish this book was to spend the rest of my life by helping others, and I really need everyone’s help to do that. Just  by putting a smile on someone’s face helps to heal, not to mention giving yourself an uplifting feeling.

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

 

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