Rusty Rubin is an award winning world renowned boxing writer, covering the sport for more than 35 years and has been part of the dmboxing.com team since 2007. My only comment on the Bradley – Marquez fight last week is a shout out to Bradley who fought the type of fight that few if any of us would have expected. Congratulations to “Desert Storm”.
The big fight this week is on Oct. 19, and on HBO television. It’s from Denver, Colorado, the first fight from there ever on HBO and the first championship fight since September 2000. The bout, for the WBO light heavyweight title is between Denver native Mike Alvarado, 34-1-1 (23), who, at 33 years of age, takes on 29-year-old Ruslan Provodnikov or Russia.
Provodnikov comes in with a record of 22-2 with 15 knockouts, but one of those two loses was a unanimous decision to Tim Bradley.
Alvarado’s only loss came at the hands of Brandon Rios via the TKO route.
The match-up shows Alvarado with a three inch height advantage as well as a three and a half inch reach advantage. The fact that he is also fighting in his home town seems to be too much of an edge for Provodnikov to overcome. Plus the mile high altitude is not going to be in the Russian’s favor either.
Okay, let’s put it on the line and say that Alvarado will wear down Provodnikov and stop him in the later rounds of the fight.***
Still asking for help for my final book, so if you have any stories of inspiration or miracles to help with my next tome, speed on your half will be much appreciated. Most, if not all of us will or have seen cancer ravage some of our loved ones in our/their lifetime. The time has come to add your name to the fight against cancer. Don’t let it pass you by!
As for the book, 100% of the proceeds will be used in the ongoing fight against cancer, please get the stories to me as soon as you can. It seems we’re quickly closing in on finding a cure for this dread disease, and I, like most of you, would love to see it in my lifetime.
I’m always on the lookout for new stories of miracles, faith, and inspiration, not necessarily boxing or religion related. One of my goals is to help inspire those who are in need and ready to give up, and to lend emotional support to this long fought effort, that God willing, will once and for all wipe out this dread disease.
For more information on how you can help, please read the bottom of this article.***
There is some good news out there, and that is Norway will be allowing professional boxing for the first time (at least in my limited memory). It may not sound like much for the fans, but trust me when I write that every little bit well help while our beloved fight game is in its doldrums.***
A 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 columns, right? Hold off on answering that.
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.
Gary Balleto, Charles Rainier and former champ Wilfredo Gomez have been ailing so prayers are requested.
There are reports that 71 year old great Muhammad Ali is not doing well.
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. Reports indicate that he is doing okay.
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 people, boxing or otherwise, in need of spiritual uplifting and/or prayers? It’s absolutely free.
You can join Glove to Glove! It’s EASY! 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.