Unclaimed
Destiny - The Heart of a Champion, by Dane Crandon
Ever
been taken for ride? Abused, misused or manipulated?
We all know that greed is everywhere. It's endemic.
It's a disease that cannot be treated. A sore that
never heals. Gordon Gecko of Wallstreet said, "Greed
is good." I doubt Gregg "Rusty" Rosenberger
will agree. Rusty who? The name meant nothing to me.
I'm not a boxing aficionado. The story of Unclaimed
Destiny: The Heart of a Champion, however, means something.
The
noble art of boxing has taken many punches to its
shaky reputation. Brains have been damaged and combatants
killed, fights have been fixed and shonky promoters
have accumulated a wealth of sly riches. Brutality
aside, the lucrative nature of pugilism is such that
those unable to resist the lure of temptation will
seek to gain from the exploitation of others - irrespective
of the cost.
Rusty
was a boxing talent. In 1979, this developing talent
struck a decisive blow to the chin of the fight world
when he claimed the New Jersey State Middleweight
Champion. Higher honours beckoned. Committed to success,
dedicated to achieve, but too trusting, the latter
was a knockout punch to his blossoming career. The
victim of his manager's short-term greed, Rusty accepted
some pills prior to stepping into the ring. Ironically,
his nickname typified his drug-infected performance.
Rusty seized. Hit hard and often, he was never the
same boxer again.
Unclaimed
Destiny: The Heart of a Champion will never be a literary
great. Don't expect a tale of epic proportions. This
is not a Pulitzer Prize winner or Dickensian masterpiece.
It's a sad and simple account of man whose trust sent
him to the canvas of boxing oblivion. Now speech affected,
suffering a punch-drunk affliction common to many
aging boxers, Rusty is a sergeant working in an Ohio
prison. Dreams of glove greatness long since counted
out, still carrying the bruises of what may-have-been,
the full force of deceit and exploitation crushed
his lofty aspirations but not his formidable spirit.
The
noble art of boxing? Hmmm, don't think so.
Dane
G Crandon ©
Links:
Interview
- Rusty Rosenberger - 26th December 2003
Article:
What Makes A Champion, by Greg Tingle
Interview
- Dane Crandon - 14th August 2003
Media
Man Australia: Sports
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