In Rusty’s Corner

rusty rubin pic -cropRusty Rubin is an award winning boxing writer, covering the sweet science for more than 35 years and has contributed to this website since 2007

First I’d like to extend sincere Thanksgiving holiday wishes to all those who appreciate this column. Okay, even those that don’t.***

First bit of disturbing news has been confirmed, that both James Toney and Roy Jones Junior are serious about making comebacks. Hey guys, with all due respect, please DON’T!

Okay, now that I’m back on a winning streak, let’s see if I can close the year in style.

Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao is back in the ring this weekend in what figures to be a fairly one-sided but very exciting bout.

It’s hard to see how Brandon Rios stands much of a chance against Pac Man, but I suppose you have to give him a ‘puncher’s chance.

Rios is a brawler and boasts an impressive 31-1-1 record with 22 knockouts. He’ll definitely make the fight exciting, for as long as it lasts.

Pacquiao is coming off two straight (but close) defeats and at 34, he still doesn’t know the meaning of backing up, and when you have two fighters who don’t know the meaning of the word ‘retreat’, you’re going to have a heck of a battle.

The big difference in the fight is that Pac Man, 54-5-2 (38), is not only more experienced, but he’s fought much higher quality opponents.

Rios, at 27, is game as they come, and seven years the junior of Pacquiao will try to stay sharp early. Rios also has a height and reach advantage, which would serve him well as a boxer-puncher, but not as a brawler, which has been his usual style.

When two brawlers meet in a ring, only one will emerge on top, and that one will be Manny Pacquiao. Simply put, Rios’ defense is nowhere to be found in any of his previous bouts.

The fight (Nov. 23,) on HBO PPV should be a good buy for the viewers who like the excitement, which undoubtedly this welterweight fight has to offer.

The fight takes place in Macau, China and it’s going to help bring some much needed new blood into our sport.

I’m still reaching out for help for my final tome, so if you have any stories of inspiration, or of any miracles to help with my last book, speed them to me post-haste.

All help on your half will be much appreciated.

Most, if not all of us will see or already 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 this chance to help others and feel good about yourself, pass you by!

As for the book, I’m hoping to get it out by (this) Christmas, so I urge you do send your stories TODAY! 100% of the proceeds will be used in the ongoing fight against cancer, so 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 and ugly 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 dreaded disease.

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

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                                                 

Prayers requested for the soul South boxing writer Joe Rein, who passed away at age 77. Arizona referee Tony Triem passed away and is on route to the big ring in the sky.

Please say prayers for the recovery of David Martinez, editor/owner of DMBoxing.com, who has some health issues of late.

Prayers for Johnny Ortiz, Ringside with Johnny O, who had a brief stay in the hospital and is recouping now at home.

Also in need of your continuing prayers is Russian heavyweight Magomed Abdusada who was seriously injured in a recent fight, but with the heart of a champion, he is rallying.

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.

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.

“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

One thought on “In Rusty’s Corner

  1. Rusty, if Bob Arum doesn’t have a hand in it, PacMan and Rios could turn out to be an interesting fight. No one is ever going to tell me that Manny, without Arum, could have beaten a guys the size of Antonio Margarito and Clottey. They both received a big pay day and were never heard from again. Margarito and Clottey were big men who were beaten by a smaller man in Manny. They both fought a defensive fight, not throwing many punches per round, never even coming close to landing one on the chin. I tried reminding people that Manny was KO’d by a 108 and a 112 pounder in title fights. Not just KO’d but left unconscious in both fights. A 108 pounder and a 112 pounder can stretch this guy and leave him for dead, but two super middleweights could not. Manny has no chin, I was not the least bit surprised that Marquez dreamed him. Someone finally hit him on his glass chin. When you get KO’d in this fashion, all it takes is one good shot to the chin to put you back into Dreamland. I’ve been in Boxing since I was nine, I learned what goes on behind boxing’s closed doors while I co-owned the Main St., Gym. With Arum and King, money talks and bullshit walks. You are probably safe picking Manny to win, Arum needs a big win to try and make a fight with Mayweather. So Rusty, what I am trying to say is that a guy who has been knocked unconscious by a flyweight, super flyweight, and a welterweight has no chin. Knowing of his early KO defeats, I have said it all along. But with Arum has his promoter, he will in all probability, win the fight in spectacular fashion. Just remember what I said, Manny Pacquiao was left unconscious by a 108 and a 112 pounders in title fights at the beginning of his career. Look up his record. Rusty, I need not remind you that when you are KO’d three times in this fashion, the chin is gone. The Marquez KO will testify to my theory. But with Arum, Manny will probably win. Just remember the way Manny went down face first and lay there unconscious in the Marquez fight, I repeat, Manny Pacquiao has no chin……
    When you suffer devastating KO’s early in your career, your chin will always remain damaged. It never gets better, you can do all the neck exercises you want, when the nerves in your chin are damaged, they cannot be repaired. This is when you need a promoter like Bob Arum, he will do what it takes to land a big money fight with Floyd.

    Rusty, send me you phone #, I have a great miracle story for your book. After I talk to you, I will know what to send you. Johnny O

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