Rusty Rubin has contributed to this website since 2007
Sad to report the passing of WBC President Jose Sulaiman, who went down for the count at age 82.
I’m well aware that some people didn’t like Sulaiman, who ruled the organization with pretty much an iron fist, but I always found him pleasant to talk to and knowledgeable about boxing.
I believe the last time we spoke, it was briefly, shortly before the Leonard – Duran fight in Vegas.***
I’d like to take a moment and tell of another old friend, the late referee Arthur Mercante Sr.
I first met Arthur at the NABF convention in Honolulu, HI. He had just come back from a long swim against a strong tide.
The red flag warnings meant little to Mercante, who was a powerful swimmer who always stayed in shape by doing chin-ups and other exercises. He gave true meaning to the term chiseled.
Our last conversation, as I recall was memorable, at the Commerce Crowne Plaza in Los Angeles which we attended for the World Boxing Hall of Fame event.
Arthur showed me pictures of his lovely bride of fifty years and himself, renewing their wedding vows at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in NYC.
Art was not only a class referee but a great person to be around. I never heard him say anything bad about anyone.***
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, send them to me post-haste.
All help on your behalf will be much appreciated.
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.
There are two important fights on January 25.
First, at Madison Square Garden in NYC, HBO Boxing After Dark features a WBO Jr. Featherweight title bout between two strong fighters.
Both Mickey Garcia and Juan Carlos Burgos are 26 years of age, so that in itself sets the tone for a great battle. Young fighters in the lower weight divisions tend to give 100% plus in every bout.
Garcia, 33-0 (28), has fought better opponents, although he gives up an inch and a half in height and a half inch in the reach department.
Burgos, 30-1-2 (20) lost his only fight, a decision to a Japanese fighter in Japan. That doesn’t mean that it was a hometown decision, I have no way of knowing that, but it’s one you may want to ask yourself about when watching this bout. Burgos had draws in his last two contests.
Hard fight to analyze based on any of the above stats, so I’ll take Garcia to win, mainly because he has fought a higher quality of opponents.***
Also on ShowTime on the 25th, from Washington, D.C., hometown favorite Lamont Peterson fights for the IBF Jr. Welterweight title against tough veteran Dierry Jean.
Peterson, 29, takes a 31-2-1 record into the match and with 16 knockouts in these fights, he will probably have to rely on a decision.
Jean. 31, from Haiti, comes into the contest undefeated with 25 wins, 17 coming by way of knockout.
Peterson is taller and has an educated jab to keep the hard punching Jean at bay.
Jean does have knockout power and may need it to use it avoid a hometown decision.
It’s true he has not fought any “names”, but that doesn’t mean he’s not a dangerous foe for Peterson.
Okay, let’s lay it on the line Peterson by decision.
Glove2Glove.
Prayers requested for the soul of Jose Sulaiman, President of the World Boxing Council.
The grandson of the late manager/promoter Howie Steindler passed away at the age of 51. Please say a prayer for his soul.
I request prayers for the full recovery from a couple of serious surgeries for my long-time friend Doni Uren.
I’m also sad to announce that another long time friend, Doug Tucker, ringside judge, is ailing and can sure use some prayers.
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.
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 some of his duties 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.
There are reports that 72 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