Long Island City, New York December 19, 2010 –

Over 500 Boxing Fans and Boxers gathered for the Annual Veteran Boxers Association – Ring 8 Holiday Awards Dinner on Sunday December 19, 2010. The room was packed to honor some of the most famous boxers in history, trainers, and officials, and professionals of the sport.

Under the direction of its Board, and the New York State Athletic Commission, Ring 8 provides boxers with basic health benefits and aupport for boxers who have fallen on hard times. Most of the members are retired former professional boxers and avid fans. One third of the members are fighters. The group meets monthly at The Waterfront Crabhouse in Long Island City on the third Tuesday of each month. The restaurant displays the finest collection of boxing memorabilia.

New York City has been boxings capital for almost 50 years.

2010 HONOREES
RING 8’s “FATHER/SON” AWARD  ” Marvis & “Smokin” Joe Frazier
RING 8’s “UNCROWNED CHAMPION” AWARD – Sonny Lou Volpe & Lenny Mangiapane
RING 8′s “TRAINER OF THE YEAR” AWARD – Tommy Gallagher
RING 8’s “LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT” AWARD – Lou Raino
RING 8’s “INTEGRITY IN BOXING AWARD” Joe Dwyer
RING 8’s “RINGSIDE PHYSICIAN” AWARD – Dr. Ralph Bohm
RING 8’s “AMATEUR OFFICICAL” AWARD ” – John Holden
RING 8’s “OUTSTANDING SERVICE” AWARD – Paulette Balog
RING 8’s “DEDICATED SERVICE” AWARD – David Yatkowitz

RING 8’s “PROSPECT OF THE YEAR AWARD” – Gabriel Bracero

Henry Hascup, “the uncrowned king of sports information” and familiar voice to all sports fans, was master of ceremonies. He is the long time President of the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame.  Henry has MC’s many sporting functions, Madison Square Garden events, and ESPN throughout his life.

Celebrities to be in attendance:
* Emile Griffith * Vito Antuofermo  * Leon Spinks * Iran Barkley * Juan LaPorte * Steve Farhood *

Burt Young, Actor who is best known as Rocky’s Manager, and for his role in the Sopranos, was also a celebrity attendee.

Melvina Latham, New York State Athletics Commissioner, writes in her welcoming letter:
The organization endures according to the mission’s original code of aiding and assisting former fighters, hence their motto “Boxers Helping Boxers”.  As such, Ring 8 has embraced numerous boxers throughout the years providing them with the supplemental support necessary to allow them to live, and in some cases, die with dignity.

Ring 8 also donated a table of eight to the Wounded Warriors Project. “The mission of the Wounded Warriors Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org/) is to honor and empower wounded warriors” Ring 8 spokesman Tony Mazzarella said. “We’ve chosen to thank them for all that they’ve given us, especially during this holiday season”. Five wounded warriors representing the U.S. Marines and three from the U.S. Army attended in dress uniforms. Boxers as warriors but these men and women are true warriors. Ring 8 saluted them for their service to this country, and honored these representatives as special quests. Special thanks were paid to Atty. Keith Sullivan, Ring 8 Board member and also a Wounded Warriors Project member.

NEWS ITEMS
In addition to the Awards, several important Long Island City news items were announced:

1. Veteran Boxers Association Ring 8 and New York State Athletic Commissioner announced The New York State Boxing Hall of Fame.  The initial location for the New York Boxing Hall of Fame will be The Waterfront Crabhouse.
2. The first inductee to the New York Boxing Hall of Fame is Former World Champion, “Smokin’ ” Joe Frazier.
3. Tony Mazzarella, Ring 8 Board and owner of Long Island City’s Waterfront Crabhouse wasappointed Deputy Commissioner of the New York Athletic Commission under Melvina Lathan

Tony Mazzarella and The Waterfront Crabhouse have played a leadership role in history of Queens Boxing and Ring 8 since 1993.

OurLIC attended the Ring 8 Awards and will present exclusive and complete video of the Awards here, along with the other articles and interviews.

International Boxing Matches Upstairs at The Waterfront Crabhouse

For more information about Ring 8 – Veteran Boxers Association, contact:
Tony Mazzarella
Waterfront Crabhouse
2-03 Borden Ave
Long Island City, NY 11101
718.729.4862

For more backgound, John Edebohls has provided the following links: relating to Sunnyside Gardens.
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/bronx/ex_champ_is_down_for_the_count_OAFD54Pffz6lbxUKTXNavM

http://www.woodsideherald.com/uploads/WOODSIDE_10_29_10.pdf Page 4

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/queens/2010/11/23/2010-11-23_monumental_fight.html

http://www.newsday.com/blogs/sports/the-neutral-corner-1.1276167/celebrating-the-history-of-sunnyside-garden-arena-1.1276490

http://www.astoriatimes.com/articles/2009/02/12/astoria_times/news/astoria_times_newspsnitmm02112009.txt

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