Rusty Rubin is an award winning boxing writer, covering the sweet science for more than 35 years, and has served dmboxing.com since 2007 with his expertise in boxing.
Let’s take another walk down my memory lane.
This time I am going to write about my late good friend, Jack Welsh.
Jack was a long time sportswriter, living in Vegas, when we first me in the early 1980’s. He appeared to be almost as goofy as I was so it was very comfortable getting to know him.
He was a bit older than me, divorced and was good friends with a mutual friend, Lee Samuels, publicist for Top Rank.
I had heard many stories about Jack, but some were too hard to believe, but getting to know him, I found that these stories would not come close to the way Jack really was, and, with the possible exception of my best friend Sue, (AKA Woozel), was the most fun loving and unpredictable person I ever met.
A typical dinner with Jack would start early and generally run till the early morning hours.
One evening we went out to eat at the Olive Garden where we began dinner with a cocktail and Jack ordering ‘Owl fricassee’. No, it wasn’t on the menu, but it was a new young waitress and Jack convinced her it was on the menu before.
She went back to the kitchen and came out with the night manager who just shook his head when he saw Jack and said “I knew it had to be you”.
Jack would call my house often and for reasons unknown would refer to me as “The General” and my wife Lois as “Magnificent Millie”.
We would spend a long time on the phone with Jack telling me such tales as he wanting to organize a pigmy basketball league.
Another time he picked Sue and I up at our hotel and drove us to a fight at the MGM Grand. Suddenly horns were sounding from the vehicles behind us and Jack calmly said. “I don’t know why they’re honking. I’m just slowly drifting into the other lane”. And, he was.
I think by now you have an idea of what a warm, wonderful friend Jack was.
Some time later I got a call from the Clark County Coroners Office, as I was working by my computer.
Since I don’t live in Vegas, I figured it was a wrong number. It wasn’t. They found Jack dead by the telephone and they found my phone number nearby.
Of course this was not something I wanted to hear, told them who to contact in Vegas, and it fell upon me to break this story. Every good reporter welcomes a reliable scoop, but this is not the one I would ever have wanted.
To his credit, Bob Arum paid for Jack’s funeral, as he, much like me, had very little use for money. It was just a tool to spend and enjoy.*
This week’s fight comes to us from Puerto Rico and is being televised by ShowTime on March 15 (Saturday).
Danny Garcia, a tough Philadelphia fighter takes on Mauricio Herrera for the WBC/WBA Light Welterweight title.
Garcia, 25, is probably taking on his toughest foe to date. At 27-0 (16) he’s proven to be a solid fighter, but his level of opponents is not that impressive, most of his wins have come against fighters who mostly would be considered over-the-hill.
Herrera, 33, sports a record of 20-3 with only seven knockouts, but he has fought the better foes.
Herrera is also the taller fighter and sports a three inch reach advantage.
My guess is that Herrera will give Garcia a bit of a lesson, but ultimately Garcia wins the fight by a late TKO.***
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. I have placed a deadline on allsubmissions for May 1. I expect to have the book available before the heat of the summer kicks in.
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.***
Glove2Glove.
Prayers for the soul of former fighter James Hughes.
Request prayers for the quick recovery from heart surgery for Kyra Gamache.
I also forgot to mention, (or didn’t have the info) that my old friend from Louisiana, Beau Williford had a heart attack and five bypasses in October and is fully recovered. Still, prayers never hurt.
I request prayers for the full recovery from a couple of serious surgeries for my long-time friends Doni Uren.
Another friend who is having some potentially serious problems is Dennis Wilcox, who can use some prayers as well.
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 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 some ongoing 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