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 “dmboxing.com” since 2007.

A stroll down memory lane takes me back about 12 years, to Ricky Sports Bar in San Leandro, California.

It is/was rated the third top sports bar in America and with good reason.

I was asked to host an event for the Muhammad Ali Foundation and was honored to do so. I had net Ali on a number of occasions and found him to be quite a humble guy, much different than his reputation.

The person doing the asking was my good friend Ernie (Mr. C. in Heaven) Orosco, and it was a for a cause I totally support. Ernie had been doing a fantastic Howard Cosell impression for many years.

Personally, unlike Ernie, I had a total dislike for Cosell, based upon my one-time (thank goodness) meeting with him, but that’s a story for another day.

So, I flew to Oakland and was picked up at the airport by Ernie and taken to the Hilton where I was treated very well.

I found it amusing that while Ricky’s is mainly an Oakland Raider fan bar, I was asked not to mention the “Niners” who were their rivals from across the Bay.

Ricky’s owner, was Ricky Ricardo, and seriously folks, his wife’s name was Lucy. Both were excellent hosts. I did wonder where Fred and Ethel were, but I didn’t really have time to ask.

My job didn’t take a lot of preparation, as all I really had to do was introduce Ernie and John Ramsey, who not only knew Ali well, but did a fantastic impression of him. So it was Mr. C. facing off with the Greatest, and my job was simply to introduce the act and enjoy the show (not to mention the Johnny Walker Black).

Everything went well and I believe all had a great time.***

I have no idea how much money was raised for the Ali Foundation,

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.***

Tonight, June 6th, on HBO PPV, a middleweight title bout occurs between Sergio Martinez and Miguel Cotto, from Madison Square Garden in N.Y.

This not only should be a great fight to watch, but it’s also a very hard fight to predict.

First, Martinez is a southpaw and a true middleweight, while Cotto is six years younger and is a very gifted fighter.

But there are other considerations here. Martinez, 51-2-2 (28) has a three inch height advantage and a six inch reach edge over Cotto, 38-4 (31).

While Cotto has faced the better opposition, he has much to overcome here, and the only way he can do it is by getting inside the southpaw’s defense and flailing away at his body, forcing Martinez to drop his hands.

This is the kind of fight that should be action packed and last a while, or, it can end early via an accidental head butt.

But Martinez seems to be just too big for Cotto and I’ll take him to win the fight via a stoppage.***

Prayers for the soul of amateur boxing coach John Stutes, who left us at age 91.

Also prayers for the soul of Ed Hascup, brother of Harry, who departed this world at age 76.

May they all rest in peace.

Prayers requested for the recovery of friend Lora Martz from a broken leg.

I request prayers for the full recovery from a couple of serious surgeries for my long-time friends Doni Uren.

Another friend who is in need of prayers and recovering from surgery is Roger Davidson. Prayers for his quick recovery are very much appreciated,

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 and David 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 OF 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, 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.

“I now find 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. I’m hoping to have this book to the publisher and released during the summer.***

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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