Ring 8 Minutes and Notes, Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Executive Board Meeting:
The monthly Executive Board meeting of the Veteran Boxers Association of NY, Ring 8, Inc was held on Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at the Waterfront Crabhouse in Long Island City, New York.
Board Members in attendance: President Bob Duffy, V.P. Henny Wallitsch, Paulette Balog, Tony DiPippo, Joe Dwyer, Tommy Gallagher, Henry Hascup, John Labate, Vinnie Maddalone, Tony Mazzarella, Frank Pena and Keith Sullivan.
President Bob Duffy opened the meeting and Tony Mazzarella talked on the New York Golden Glove Finals and how President Bob Duffy made up special invitations for all the finalist and their coaches. President Duffy thanked Frank Pena for helping out by handing all the invitations out.
Tony Mazzarella also stated that a former WBO NABO and USBA Champion, needed $300 to re-new his license for construction work. The Board agreed to pay that amount in full.
We received several checks in memory of Gil Clancy, including one for $160 from Joe DeGuardia and another one for $170.
President Duffy talked on the COMBATT Awards dinner that was held in Newark, honoring our very own Joe Dwyer. Joe thanked everyone for there support and the AD Ring 8 put in.
President Duffy asked for a donation to the COMBATT Organization, as their founder, Larry Hazzard is our guest speaker tonight. The membership agreed on $250.
Frank Pena talked about the Fire Department Dinner and asked if Ring 8 would take an AD, which they did.
President Duffy thanked Vinnie Maddalone for the use of his restaurant for our special Board meeting a couple of months ago.
Vinnie Maddalone talked on an Italian affair that took place in Rome, Italy.
President Bob Duffy talked on the Golden Glove Finalist & Coaches that were coming tonight, and asked Frank Pena to introduce them. Frank then talked on the Team Trophy, which was awarded, to the top team in the Tournament, Guns & Hoses.
President Duffy talked on the Bill Gallo Scholarship Awards and that the winners were coming tonight.
Tony Mazzarella talked about getting new hats, shirts, pins, etc., for Ring 8. The Board agreed to do so.
Keith Sullivan talked on the Shamus O’Brien Tombstone in Yonkers. He fought 100 Pro bouts from 1911 to 1928.
President Duffy talked on the boxing show which will be held on June 9th where the NYPD goes up against the LAPD. Ring 8 is running the show with the NYPD. We also talked about having a cigar night at the show.
President Duffy talked on our guest speaker Larry Hazzard.
President Duffy thanked Henry Hascup for giving a graveside Eulogy and Bell Ceremony for Gil Clancy. He also thanked those who attended the wake and funeral.
Tony Mazzarella asked if the $125 Ring 8 sends on behalf of Emile Griffith was put to good use.
President Duffy talked on our picnic on July 31st. We will have it catered and they will cook for 4 straight hours and also serve the food as well. The food would cost approx. $1,800 and will run from 12 noon to 4 PM. We will also have coffee and cake from 10 AM to 12 noon.
Keith Sullivan talked on the By-Laws, as he up-dated them, making a few changes, including who is qualified to run for President. When it’s all done, the membership will have to pass it. The New York Hall of Fame for Boxing was talked on in which Ring 8 will have full control.
President Duffy talked on the Boxers Writers Association of America, which Board member Jack Hirsch is the President, and they’re up coming Awards Dinner in Las Vegas.
President Duffy talked on the NABF Convention and their AD Book. The Board agreed to take a full page for $300. President Duffy also talked on the IBF Convention and their AD Book and the Board agreed to take an AD for them as well.
Tony Mazzarella talked on a War hero from Huntington, Lieutenant James Butler. Lieutenant Butler lost both legs while defending our freedom. A Committee’s first endeavor is to make his house handicap accessible and then help the Butler family to rebuild their lives. Ring 8 Board members agreed to help out by donating a boxing glove signed by 6 World Champions.
General Membership Meeting:
President Bob Duffy opened the meeting with the Flag Salute and 10 count in memory of Gil Clancy.
Paulette Balog gave a report on all the sick members, including Emile Griffith, Joe Dobbins, Charlie Knoll, and Bill Tate. Emile Griffith’s son Luis, gave a report on Emile saying that he has Parkinson but he did get in visit from Joe Frazier. President Duffy thanked Paulette for all her work.
President Duffy introduced Johnny Colan’s daughter, then talked on the Gil Clancy wake and funeral. Henry Hascup also talked on the funeral, Eulogy and Bell ceremony.
Joe Dwyer and a member of the NYPD (Dave) talked on the NYPD/ LAPD Boxing Show.
President Duffy talked on the picnic, which will take place on July 31st.
Tony Mazzarella talked on a letter he received from Mark Mayoka of the town of Huntington, for Lieutenant James Butler, who lost both legs while fighting in the War. Ring 8 will donate a boxing glove signed by 6 World Champions.
President Duffy stated that Ring 8 gives to many people, organizations, and charities that are in need. Sometimes we give to some that we keep the names to ourselves so we don’t embarrass anyone.
President Duffy introduced all the finalist of the New York Golden Glove Tournament and awarded them free membership cards as was suggested by Lenny Mangiapane, Frank Pena and John Labate. Frank Pena introduced coach Mike Murphy, who had 4 boxers make the finals. Frank then introduced all the other Amateur coaches.
President Duffy and Joe Dwyer awarded 3 young people with the Bill Gallo Scholarship Awards.
President Duffy and Henry Hascup talked and then introduced our guest speaker Larry Hazzard. Hazzard was a 3 time New Jersey State Golden Glove Champion, he was also voted the top referee in the sport for 3 consecutive years and was the New Jersey State Athletic Commissioner for 22 years.
Hazzard stated that he was suppose to be in Pittsburgh for a meeting but after a call from Henry, he canceled it. He then thanked President Bob Duffy, Joe Dwyer and Henry Hascup.
He talked about his mother not liking boxing at first, but did later on. He talked about getting an education as most young fighters don’t and they have nothing to fall back on.
He stated that he got married at the age of 18 and he started college while working nights at the age of 24. He stated that Ring 8 was a Great organization and we should all support it.
Hazzard then took questions:
Frank Pena asked if a referee should have a pair of scissors in his pocket while in the ring. Hazzard stated that there is no need to have them that is the job of their corner.
Stan Janousek agreed with Hazzard on how important a good education is. He also talked about how he came to this country and had to learn English, but still boxed as an amateur then as a Pro. While doing so Stan went to College and got his degree.
Hazzard stated that boxing should be in the school system and they should also give out scholarships.
Someone asked about amateur boxers not staying with the trainers that they started with after they turn Pro. Hazzard stated that there to many times that this has happened and most of the time they’re sorry they did so.
Someone asked what was the Biggest fight he refereed, Hazzard said that he only refereed professionally for 7 years, before he became the New Jersey State Athletic Commissioner, and did over 40 World Title bouts. He said the Biggest bout at the time was the Spinks/Qawi back in 1983.
Hazzard stated that as the New Jersey Boxing Commissioner, he has questioned the referee several times. He also talked very shortly about the Cotto/Foreman bout.
A question about spitting out the mouthpiece was asked. Hazzard said he would warn the fighter twice, then he would take a point away if they did it a third time.
Henry Hascup asked about the Organization that Hazzard founded 9 years ago by the name of COMBATT. Hazzard stated COMBATT stands for “The Community Organization Making Boxing Alternatives Today for Tomorrow, Inc”. Hazzard talked very proudly about that Organization that takes kids off the streets in the city of Newark, and teaches them how to be good people. They have computer learning, recording, MMA, weight lifting, boxing and lots more. They also run a Big affair every year honoring many boxing people as well as others who have done a service to our youth. They had such Greats as Mike Tyson, Michael Spinks. Larry Holmes, Buster Douglas, Bernard Hopkins, Gerry Cooney, Don King, Joe Frazier, Arturo Gatti, plus a lot of others attend. Hazzard also stated that Michael Perez started at COMBATT and now is boxing for Golden Boy Promotions.
Someone stated that years ago Hazzard refereed one of his 1st bouts. His opponent he him when he wasn’t ready and he complained to Hazzard, and Hazzard said, “welcome to the Pro’s son.”
Hazzard said that his mother told him, your not going to be a Great fighter But always be in condition. His mother liked when he refereed on television so all her friends could see him.
President Duffy awarded Hazzard a check for $250 from Ring 8 for the COMBATT Organization.
As the meeting came to an end, Hazzard took pictures with all the Golden Glove Finalist and Scholarship Award winners.
Posted under Meeting Notes
