Tag Archives: Rusty Rubin

In Rusty’s Corner

Rusty Rubin, Upcoming Fights,

Rusty Rubin is a veteran boxing writer

This week on July 9, in Carson, California, Brandon Rios puts his WBA lightweight title belt up against fast and tough foe Urbano Antillon.

The fight, televised on Showtime, should be action packed, and features a solid undercard as well.

It’s not an easy fight to call. The champion, Rios, 25, 27-0-1, (19), stands 5’8 and has a 1” height advantage over the challenger.

Antillon, 28, sports a record of 28-1 with 30 knockouts, just seems to impress more and more with every fight.

Antillon has the bigger reach by three inches and has faced tougher foes.

It’s a hard fight to call. Both fighters are from Southern California so there’s no home field edge here.

I’ll go with the older Antillon to win a hard fought decision in a very close and exciting fight.

***

Congratulations to my friend David Martinez who next week on July 15 will celebrate four years of success with his website dmboxing.com
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In Rusty’s Corner ~ Klitschko v. Haye

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Rusty Rubin is a veteran boxing writer

This week on July 2, in Hamburg, Germany, Wladimir Klitschko puts his IBF and WBO belts up against fast and hard hitting David Haye and his WBA belt.

Klitschko is taller by 3 1/2” and has a 3” longer reach, but Haye does have power, although he doesn’t show much one-punch ability to take his opponent out. At 35, he’s also five years older than Haye and has fought better name fighters.

The question with Klitschko in the past has been his chin, which seems to have held up well in recent fights. Being knocked out does not equate to having a glass jaw.

As I see it, Haye has to wear Wladimir down in order to have a decent shot to win, and unless his legs betray him, I don’t see that happening.

Klitschko by decision or late stoppage.

Glove 2 Glove:

One of the founders of the World Boxing Hall of Fame passed away. Dub Harris, also an honored veteran of WWII left us on June 21. Thanks Dub, you were one of the great guys I was privileged to meet and get to know.

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In Rusty’s Corner

News, Rusty Rubin,

Rusty Rubin is a veteran boxing writer

 

First, a continuing wish a speedy and full recovery to Oscar de la Hoya and Mia St. John who are both undergoing rehab treatment.

 

This week on June 25, in Cozumel, Mexico, Tijuana native and veteran Humberto Soto takes on Motoki Sasaki, from Japan, for the WBC lightweight title.

 

Also this week on June 25, I wish my friend and boxing historian David Martinez “Happy Birthday”.

The Fight:

 

Soto, 31, 55-7-2, seems to have been around forever, but is still four years younger than the largely unheralded Sasaki, who rarely fights outside of Japan.

 

On the surface it seems like a fight that Soto should dominate, as he has fought far bigger names than Sasaki. There is a however, here. Sasaki has fought mainly Japanese fighters, and there aren’t a lot of folks here who know their names, let alone their toughness.

 

Still, I can’t go against the younger and more experienced Soto, especially since the fight is in Mexico.

 

Humberto by TKO early, in what looks like a short, but action packed bout.

 

Glove 2 Glove

 

On a personal note, I would request prayers for my wonderful wife Lois, who is dealing with a still unclearly diagnosed condition.

 

Prayers are requested for the health of outstanding trainer Joe Sousa, who is fighting the fight of his life against cancer.

 

Prayers for the complete return to good health to my old friend, promoter, and ex-wrestler Jack ‘Moe’ Smith who had complete reconstructive knee surgery a couple of weeks back. Moe’s a fighter and making a complete recovery.

 

Please pray for my Aussie mates and Glove2Glove member John MacDougall, who had to deal with health problems for his wife of many years Gwen, who is in a nursing home John, a former Commissioner is having problems after a hip replacement surgery. Both need your prayers for recovery and inner strength.

 

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.

 

On behalf of these great fighters who have given their all in our great sport, we thank you for your ongoing prayers.

 

If you know of any boxing people in need of spiritual uplifting and/or prayers? Just drop us a line. Membership is free to all and no one will ever contact you except for prayer requests. Your name will not suddenly appear on anyone’s mailing list. In short, there is no obligation. Every prayer request is welcome and I know the recipient will appreciate it.

 

God listens!

 

To join us, or just request needed prayers, drop Dave Wilcox a line at ubtdave@earthlink.net

 

Glove2Glove, which has been a long-time integral part of the defunct Ringsports.com magazine and website. It is a program I wish to continue 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. This generous offer means a lot to me. We always welcome new members.***

 

Thanks and God bless.

 

 

 

 

In Rusty’s Corner

Rusty Rubin, ,

Rusty Rubin is a veteran boxing writer

 

First I’d like to wish a speedy and full recovery to Oscar de la Hoya and Mia St. John who are both undergoing rehab treatment.***

 

Floyd Mayweather Jr. is planning a return to the ring in September against quick, but somewhat feint-hearted Victor Ortiz. It’s a good tune-up for a match with Manny Pacquiao later in the year, or perhaps he’s looking for another easy day at the office. In any event, this fight shouldn’t prove too difficult for Mayweather.***

 

Now, another thought that has crossed my little-used brain (in recent times). How about a real reality show for our over-the hill fighters who refuse to realize when the game is done?

 

Here’s what I propose. A box-off tournament where the losers has to retire and only one of the fighters involved can remain active (or what passes in today’s boxing for ‘active’.

 

For example Roy Jones Jr. fights Evander Holyfield with the loser retiring and the winner going on to fight the winner of Bernard Hopkins vs. Oliver McCall. It need not be confined to just four over-the hill pugilists. You can throw in your own names wherever you like.

 

While I hate reality shows, this is one concept I would gladly support. Because getting rid of some one-time great fighters who are now little more than just an embarrassment to our sport has to be a good thing, for both the fans and the fighters.

 

For the record, I think Hopkins easily continues to fight on.

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In Rusty’s Corner

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Rusty Rubin is a veteran boxing writer
Just another reminder: That the annual induction of the boxing greats will be held at the International Boxing Hall of Fame on June 9 -12, in Canastota NY.

Among those expected to be inducted are Mike Tyson, Julio Cesar Chavez, Kostya Tszyu, referee Joe Cortez and a few others.

For event information check out www. Ibhof.com or call directly to (315) 797-7095.***

I wasn’t going to comment on this, but enough people have expressed an interest, so let’s take a close look at what might just be one of the more interesting fights of the year.

This weekend in Montreal, Jean Pascal takes on the ageless Bernard Hopkins in a rematch of a ‘majority draw’ held last Dec. 18, at the same venue, the Bell Center.

Many people think that the draw was a ‘hometown’ affair, with Pascal, a native of Haiti living there.

The fact remains that Hopkins, at age 46, is not the same fighter he once was. No question he can still think on his feet with the best of them, but he has been slowing down in recent times.
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In Rusty’s Corner

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Rusty Rubin is a veteran boxing writer

 

Just a reminder: The annual induction of the greats at the International Boxing Hall of Fame will be on June 9 -12, in Canastota NY.

 

Among those expected to be inducted are Mike Tyson, Julio Cesar Chavez, Kostya Tszyu, referee Joe Cortez and a few others.

 

For event information check out www. Ibhof.com or call directly to (315) 797-7095.***

 

Well the time has come to take a close look at what might just be one of the most exciting fights of the year.

 

At the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on May 7th, Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao takes on tough “Sugar” Shane Mosley.

 

At first glance the odds seem a bit too high at 5-1. Mosley, who doesn’t have the hand and foot speed he once did, can still punch and as a natural welterweight, does have the size advantage over Pac Man.

 

Mosley, 46-6-1 (39) also lost to Floyd Mayweather, who doesn’t seem to have the stones to face the flamboyant Philippine.

 

At 39, this could be the last big payday for Mosley, but if he wins, all bets are off. Shane does have a height and reach advantage over Pacquiao, and has shown a solid chin as well.

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In Rusty’s Corner

Rusty Rubin, Upcoming Fights,

Rusty Rubin is a veteran boxing writer

Reminder: The annual induction of the greats at the International Boxing Hall of Fame will be on June 9 -12, in Canastota NY. 

Among those expected to be inducted are Mike Tyson, Julio Cesar Chavez, Kostya Tszyu, referee Joe Cortez and a few others.

For event information check out www. Ibhof.com or call directly to (315) 797-7095.***

Sometimes it is said that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Not that he’s old (or a dog) but Michael Katsidis at 30, is a prime example of this. Check his record, and then check his record against southpaws. It’s something worthy of note.

I take nothing away from Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero, 28, who pretty much out-boxed Katsidis in every round, indicating his past personnel trouble may be far behind him.

Two fights this week worth commenting on, both important contests.

The first, from Foxwoods, features Andre Berto, a U.S. Olympian, who record equals his age. He’s 27-0 (27) and 27 years old as well. The only negative would be is that he doesn’t seem to have one-punch knockout power.

This fight is for the WBC welterweight crown.

At 5’8” he just might need one against tough Victor Ortiz. A strong southpaw who sports a 20-1 mark with twenty coming by way of the knockout. He seems to have the one-punch power to go with his southpaw style.

And, making a case for Ortiz is the fact that his only loss was a DQ (not Dairy Queen) against Maidana, who beat Erik Morales last weekend.

Not an easy fight to call by any means, but I’ll take the more polished Berto to take a close decision.

The other bout worthy of note is a junior welter affair that features Amir Khan, 24-1 (17) who will have a height and reach advantage against southpaw Paul McClosky 22-0, (12). The fight is in the UK, so there’s no clear home court advantage for either fighter.

At 24, Khan is seven years younger than McClosky and seems to have a reach advantage as well.

This fight from the UK has a lot of people wondering just how good Khan is, and I think we’re going to find out on Saturday.

In Rusty’s Corner

Rusty Rubin

Rusty Rubin is a veteran boxing writer

 

Don’t forget the annual induction of the greats at the International Boxing Hall of Fame on June 9 -12, in Canastota NY.

 

Among those expected to be on hand are Mike Tyson, Julio Cesar Chavez, Kostya Tszyu, referee Joe Cortez and others.

 

For event information check out www. Ibhof.com or call directly to (315) 797-7095.***

 

Kudos to Muhammad Ali for his attempt to free two American hikers who are being imprisoned in Iran. We can hope other Muslim leaders step forward to speak out for the freedom of these two young men.***

 

Sometimes it’s easier to pick out the most exciting of the weekends action than the fight itself. This weekend should give us that,

 

The bout, on Saturday, in Mexicali, Mexico between Giovani Segura and Ivan “Iron Boy” Calderon for the WBA/WBO Jr. Flyweight crown is one of those fights.

 

Segura, 28, sports a record if 26-1 with 22 stoppages.

 

Calderon, a 36 year old southpaw, 34-1 (6), also has one blemish on his record, his last bout, a loss to Segura via an 8th round knockout.

 

Besides the youth, Segura has a 4 inch height advantage as well as a six inch reach edge.

 

On paper it looks like another win for the harder punching Segura, but in the ring is where it counts.

 

Okay, I’m a sucker for the obvious….Segura to score a TKO midway.

 

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In Rusty’s Corner

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Rusty Rubin is a veteran boxing writer

Don’t forget the annual induction of the greats at the International Boxing Hall of Fame on June 9 -12, in Canastota NY.

Among those expected to be on hand are Mike Tyson, Julio Cesar Chavez, Kostya Tszyu, referee Joe Cortez and others.

For event information check out www. Ibhof.com or call directly to (315) 797-7095.***

A couple of interesting and probably very exciting fights upcoming this weekend (March 12).

First in Las Vegas, where the crowd pleasing Ricardo Mayorga takes on always tough contender Miguel Cotto, to be seen on Showtime PPV, for the WBA super middleweight title.

Cotto, 30, is a solid fighter who cuts, and at times shows a china chin, has only lost two of his 37 bouts to Antonio Margarito and Manny Pacquiao. A good tandem to lose to, if a loss is in the cards.

Cotto stands 5’7” and has a 67 inch reach.
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In Rusty’s Corner

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Rusty Rubin is a veteran boxing writer

Sometimes, when picking out a fight to make a prediction on, many things come into play.

This week I chose the WBA title fight between Anselmo Moreno and Lorenzo Parra, taking place in Moreno’s native country, Panama. One of the things that make this fight interesting and difficult to predict is that Parra is from the neighboring country next door, Venezuela, so if there is a hometown edge here, it’s very difficult to find.

Moreno, 25, a southpaw, sports a record of 30-1 (10 KO’s) with 4 of his past 6 wins coming on split decisions. In short, he does well in close fights.

Parra, 32, 31-2-1 (18), has faced tougher foes and appears to be the better banger of the two combatants, although neither shows real knockout power.

At 5’8”, Moreno does have a significant size advantage.

So how does one break down a contest like this? Well, it’s not easy, which is why I chose this one to make the prediction on.
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