Jan-26-2021

William “Doc” Lathan

As you know we recently lost one of our most beloved and respected members of our boxing community; William “Doc” Lathan.  For years Doc served as the New York State ringside physician. My association with Dr. Lathan expanded close to thirty years, and throughout that entire time, I could honestly say he consistently remained at the top of his professional game. Doc captivated others in the profession, presenting himself with a calm and coolness, all the while supplying the medical expertise of a prized perfectionist.

As an early ringside doctor, he became the medical director of the New York State Commission. In that position he instituted high standards for physicians in the sport of boxing.  An advocate for extensive testing, Doctor Lathan’s utmost concern was always for the safety and wellbeing of each fighter and participant of the sport, regardless of his/her status in the boxing community. I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge Dr. Lathan’s involvement in a specific World Title fight many years ago.  During each fighter’s medical assessment, Dr. Lathan was made aware of a situation, causing one of the main bout fighters to fail his exam. Immediately, Doc suspended the major world title fight, putting the safety of the fighters first.  This decision, while an easy one for Doc, led to an insurmountable amount of backlash and criticism for the Doc.  For days following, he received phone calls from around the world, pressuring him to change his decision.  He never wavered. True to his word, Doc stood for the principle of safety and wellbeing, sacrificing his own notoriety in his decision. Doc always felt he never had to make a tough decision because he would always make the right one.

With his overall experience and knowledge, Doc used his expertise by providing medical seminars for the New York and New Jersey Athletic Commissions, the World Sanctioning Bodies along with the Association of Ringside Physicians. Doc Lathan used his position to better the sport and strengthen the protection of fighters. Doc was an advocate for the medical physicians on site, granting them the right to stop a fight when necessary, a responsibility that was once just given to referees.  Doc also spent much of his time as a member and volunteer of many boxing charities such as the AAIB and VBA Ring 8.  In 2019, Doc earned a spot as an inductee to the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame.

Doc was not just a legend of a physician to our boxing family, but was a former captain in the U.S. Army. Doc was also an actor and director, winning an OBIE award for his directing. He was a loving husband to Melvina, former New York State Commissioner and father of 3, including Eddie who like his father became a medical doctor. Doc will undoubtedly be missed.

In closing, it was a pleasure and honor to know my friend Billy. In the end, when we all meet in the heavenly skies, just look for an angel wearing a sun visor and say “Doc Lathan I heard so much about you”.

Posted under Articles
Jan-16-2021

Dr. William E. Lathan, ringside physician, dies at 84

Dr. William Lathan

Dr. William E. Lathan, who had a long and successful career as a ringside physician in professional boxing, died on Jan. 4, 2021. Lathan was 84.

He was born in Philadelphia in 1937. Lathan, a North Philadelphia native, was raised in the Richard Allen Homes. He is an alumnus of Northeast High School, Penn State University and Hahnemann Medical School.

After serving in the Korean War as a general surgeon and captain in the Army (1966-68), he settled in New York City where he continued to practice medicine. Lathan’s professional legacy is best known for his commitment and contributions to boxing medicine.

He served as ringside physician for more than 500 professional fights in New York over the last three decades. New York has been recognized as the standard bearer in boxing medicine for a number of years. Lathan helped to fortify this reputation as a member of the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) Medical Advisory Board, where he served as the NYSAC medical director from 1996 to 2000.

As medical director, he was responsible for ensuring that all contestants were medically qualified to box. During his tenure, he helped to develop criteria used for the proper referral and disposition of boxing injuries, qualifications for medical suspensions and protocols for the safe return of fighters to the ring.

Lathan recruited and trained ringside physicians. He supervised medical care at ringside. He created the current NYSAC system for the screening of boxers for HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and illegal drugs.

He also developed a protocol for the management of boxers testing positive for HIV and Hepatitis consistent with Public Health Law. Lathan’s comprehensive Hepatitis Screening program for professional boxers was the first of its kind in the United States.

Lathan was also a recognized panelist at the hearings of the National Association of Attorneys General Boxing Task Force (report released in May 2000) and served as a consultant to the Congressional Committee that created The Professional Boxing Safety Act (15 U.S.C. Section 6301, Jan. 1,1997).

He was a member of the Medical Advisory Committee of the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC), and contributed to creation of the original Association of Boxing Commissions Medical Manual. In addition, Lathan served as co-chairman of the Medical Committee of the American Association for the Improvement of Boxing (AAIB). He was a member of the American Association of Professional Ringside Physicians (AAPRP) as well as a member of the Board of Directors of the Fighter’s Initiative for Support and Training (FIS1).

Lathan’s boxing related honors include: AAIB Award for Excellent Medical Services to Boxing, 1989; Rocky Marciano/AAIB Sports Medicine Doctors’ Award, 1999; AAPRP Distinguished Physician Educator, 2002; inducted into The New York Boxing Hall of Fame, 2020.

Lathan was well regarded as a great educator, he lectured physicians, referees and cornermen at the invitation of the following: The New Jersey State Athletic Control Board, The New York Athletic Commission, The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation & State of Connecticut, The World Boxing Union (WBU), The International Boxing Federation (IBF), The World Boxing Organization (WBO), The District of Columbia Boxing Commission and The American Association of Professional Ringside Physicians.

Lathan was dually certified by the American Board of family Practice and the American Association of Professional Ringside Physicians. He was a fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine and the Philadelphia College of Physicians & Surgeons. He held medical licensure in the states of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He was an assistant attending physician in the Department of Medicine at the Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, N.Y. He was appointed to the faculty of the New York Medical College in 1988 and retired in 2000 as an assistant professor of family medicine.

In addition to practicing medicine, Lathan who was affectionately known as “Billy” could be found in the theater, performing and directing. He acted in several plays produced by the New Lafayette Theatre and directed, “Sometimes a Hard head Makes a Soft Behind” and “What if It Had Turned Up Heads” by Sonny Gaines. he won an Obie award for his direction of the latter.

Lathan continued to direct and produce plays, including “The Confessions of Stephin’ Fetchit” written by Matt Robinson and starring Roscoe Orman.

Lathan resided in Ardsley, New York with his wife Melvina Lathan, professional boxing judge and former Commissioner of the New York Athletic Commission. he is survived by his wife, Melvina, and their four children: Dr. Edward Lathan; Honey Lathan, John Lathan (Patricia), Robert Lathan (Kamila) and 14 grandchildren and his brothers Charles DeForrest and Stan Lathan and other family members.

Due to COVID-19, services were held privately with the immediate family. A celebration of life will be announced in the Spring.

Posted under Articles
Dec-22-2020

Changing of the Guard for Ring 8 – Final Message from outgoing President, Charlie Norkus, Jr.

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Greetings Ring 8 Members. My 2 year term as President of Ring 8 has come to an end effective Dec. 31, 2020. I would like to Thank the Ring 8 Bd of Directors for working hard with me in bringing Ring 8 further along our goal of assisting “Boxers in Need” and providing informative meetings and accolades upon local Boxers and a Boxing Legends in the Boxing World. A meeting will be held to determine who the new President will be, and to bring Ring 8 further into the future.
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In the meantime Bob Duffy has assumed the post as President  (Pro-tem) and Treasurer. The Ring 8 Address at PO Box 7013, Wantagh, NY 11793 has been closed effective immediately.. All mail and Ring 8 correspondence show go to Bob Duffy’s new home address or call Bob at (516) 313- 2304 for further guidance.
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Thank You All- Hope to see you All soon. Charlie Norkus Jr.
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Posted under Articles
Nov-20-2020

Ring 8 VBA Holiday Message

Greetings to All Ring 8 VBA members. It has been almost one year since we met at our last meeting held in January 2020. Since that time, the sport of Boxing as well as our Organization has been hit hard by the Covid Virus. We have all hoped that this deadly disease would be curtailed by now, but unfortunately it hasn’t.

With the recent news of the virus resurgence, we are once again handcuffed in our efforts to hold a General Membership meeting. I have received many calls during the past summer and fall months to hold an outdoor meeting. New York State regulations that were put in place limiting meetings to 50 people maximum and socially distancing at 6 feet, it was not just feasible. Also, our regular meeting places did not open till late, and they certainly did not have the capacity to hold a meeting.

At this time, we on the Executive Board are ever vigilant of any possible changes that may allow us to do so. Those members who paid their 2020 dues in January and by mail, we will issue you a new updated card for 2021 at our next possible meeting.

Our Hearts and Sincere Condolences go out to All of our members and families who lost loved ones over the past year. The Boxing World lost many former boxers and trainers, promoters, and chief seconds in including some of our own Ring 8 Family. We will Remember them fondly.

Though Boxing has seen limited action these past months out of state, it is still devastating to our NYS registered boxing participants and fans. We all Pray that all involved on the NY Boxing  scene will come back and Ring 8 VBA will continue to recognize our Boxing youths, as well those who performed well during the year.

With the Holiday Season upon us, the Ring 8 Executive Board and  Board of Directors wish All our members and their Families, as well as our Friends and guests A Happy Thanksgiving and a Healthy, Safe Holiday Season, and we all Pray for a better New Year 2021.

The New York State Boxing Hall of Fame continues to be managed by President Robert Duffy. Any decisions of a possible Induction Ceremony will be addressed by Bob in the future.

Thank You All,

Charles Norkus Jr

President-Ring 8 VBA

Posted under Articles
Jul-7-2020

Ring 8/NY Boxing Hall of Fame Bookstore

The New York State Boxing Hall of Fame and Ring 8 have partnered with Hamilcar Publications for the purpose of offering their printed books and ebooks at a discount to our members. We will be splitting the profits with Hamilcar Publications for any book/ebook that is purchased from this page. Any monies collected by the Hall of Fame/Ring 8 will be deposited into our mutual charity fund. This fund has sent payments to the boxing community for COVID-19 relief, as well as subsidized former members of the boxing community in need.

Feel free to browse through the titles, as well as share the discount code with other boxing enthusiasts.

If you have any questions, you may contact the Hall of Fame at:
NY State Boxing Hall of Fame Contact

THE PROMO CODE FOR 20% DISCOUNT ON ALL PURCHASES IS ‘RING8’

Ring 8/NY State Boxing Hall of Fame Bookstore

Posted under Articles
Jun-6-2020

RING 8 – Up-Date

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen members of Ring 8 and guests,

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           We have reached our summer months and haven’t held a meeting since January 2020 due to Corono-virus and restrictions concerning public assemblies. I have heard from many of you questioning when we be able to get together and hold a meeting. Unfortunately our hands are tied by the parameters set in place by City and County restrictions.  There is hope, as some of the Counties are loosening their restrictions and “partly opening” to small group activity. Our Main meeting places remain closed to the public as of this writing. The Board of Directors are actively seeking a way to meet as a small group to further our agenda hence forth . We will keep you all posted on any news coming from that activity.
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      Ring 8 feels the importance of meeting once again as soon as possible; therefore we will go off schedule to call a meeting at anytime the restrictions are lifted and places to meet are re-open to larger occupancy. We will send out notice of 1-2 week notice to inform members of a scheduled meeting. That meeting will most likely be held on not one of our usual 3rd Tuesdays or Thursdays, but as soon as time and place allows. I will remind you that your health and safety is of prime importance to us. The bottom line is that you will decide if the conditions are right for you to attend once a proper meeting is called and protocols for meeting are in place.
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          Like us, please pay attention to the news and see how things progress, and always check back on our website for further updates.
Ring 8 cares about our members and guests, and we wish you continued safety and good health in the upcoming weeks or months.
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Sincerely, Charlie Norkus Jr, Pres. Ring 8 VBA.
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Ring 8

 

The NYS Veteran Boxer’s Association

 

Contact:
President, Charlie Norkus

Post Office Box 7413
Wantagh, NY 11793

CNorkusR8@aol.com
516-781-3065

Posted under Articles
May-6-2020

New York State Boxing HOF & Ring 8 COVID-19 fund

New York State Boxing HOF & Ring 8 COVID-19 fund assisted boxers and boxing personnel last month in New York

NEW YORK (May 6, 2020) – The jointly established COVID-19 fund by New York State Boxing Hall of Fame (NYSBHOF) and Ring 8 distributed more than $5,000 last month to assist New York and New Jersey boxers and boxing personnel in financial need due to the coronavirus pandemic.

All applicants needed to be licensed (NYSAC, NJSAC or USA Boxing).  Many boxers, trainers, cut men and the boxing personnel are independent contractors in need of financial support during this trying time.

“We wanted to help people in boxing whose livelihoods have been so adversely affected by this pandemic,” NYSBHOF present Bob Duffy said.  “I’d like to thank Ring 8 president Charley Norkus for partnering with us, along with Ring 8 board members Ron McNair, Bobby Bartels and Henry Hascup. I’d especially like to thank Lou DiBella for his generous contribution, as well as Dave “Scooter” Honig and boxer Richard Kiley for their donations.  And Peter Frutkoff, among others, for all of his hard work getting the word out about the fund.”

“As president of Ring 8,” Charles Norkus, Jr. added, “I was honored to be part of this group relief fund to assist those who were in need.  I am glad that in more than 60 years of existence, Ring 8 still assists those in need from the boxing community.”

CONTACT:

Bob Trieger, Full Court PRESS, 978.590.0470, bobtfcp@hotmail.com, @FightPublicist

Posted under Articles