Article by Boxing News 24

NEW YORK (April 30, 2013) – More than 300 people attended this past Sunday’s second annual New York State Boxing Hall of Fame (NYSBHOF) induction dinner, sponsored by Ring 8, at Russo’s On The Bay in Howard Beach, New York, as 20 inductees from the Class of 2013 were honored.

“This is the second year for the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame,” NYSBHOF and Ring 8 president Bob Duffy explained. “This is for New York but it could be the Brooklyn Boxing Hall of Fame with so many of this year’s inductees from Brooklyn. The New York State Boxing Hall of Fame is for New Yorkers and one by New Yorkers. All of these inductees are responsible New Yorkers. We remember their services from the 40s, 50s and 60s, when boxing was so big in New York, and it’s big again today. A lot of people in the audience will be inducted for years to come. The dream of Tony Mazzarella was to have the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame – New Yorkers for New Yorkers.”

The 2013 NYSBHOF inductees were (participants) Jack Dempsey (61-6-9, 50 KOs), Johnny Dundee (83-32-20, 17 KOs), Sandy Saddler (144-16-2, 103 KOs), Maxie Rosenbloom (207-39-26 (19 KOs), Joey Archer (61-6-9, 50 KOs), Iran Barkley (43-19-1 (27 KOs), Mark Breland (35-3-1, 25 KOs), Bobby Cassidy (59-16-3, 27 KOs); Doug Jones (30-10-1, 20 KOs), Junior Jones (50-6, 28 KOs), James “Buddy” McGirt (73-6-1, 48 KOs), Eddie Mustafa Muhammad (50-8-1, 39 KOs); (non-participants) Bob Arum, Shelly Finkel, Tony Graziano, Larry Merchant; Teddy Brenner, Mike Jacobs, Tex Rickard, and Don Dunphy,

Each inductee received a custom-designed belt signifying his induction into the NYSBHOF.

U.S. Congressman Peter King (R-NY), a strong supporter of boxing who introduced his close friend, Bobby Cassidy, was a guest speaker. “I congratulate all of the honorees today for their outstanding careers, especially my friend, Bobby Cassidy, for all he’s done,” Rep. King said. “I introduced, with Senator McCain, a bill (Muhammad Ali Act) to protect fighters and now we’ve introduced another bill asking the President (Obama) to pardon Jack Johnson. It’s an injustice.”

The inductees were selected by the NYSBHOF nominating committee members, including Jack Hirsch, Steve Farhood, Don Majeski, Henry Hascup, Ron McNair and Neil Terens.

All boxers needed to be inactive for at least three years, in order to be eligible for NYSBHOF induction, and all inductees must have resided in New York State for a significant portion of their boxing careers.

Dave Diamante served once again as Master of Ceremonies for the event. Special guests in attendance included Vito Antuofermo, Luis Colazzo, Vinny Maddalone, Renaldo Snipes, Leona Brown, and Mia St. John.

Go on line at www.Ring8ny.com for additional information about the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame.

Quotes from some of the inductees and their pictures are below. All pictures by Peter Frutkoff.

Junior Jones: “There are a lot of great fighters up here. This is a great event recognizing New Yorkers. I want to thank all of the people who were part of my team.”

Iran Barkley: “Teddy Brenner basically asked me, ‘You think you can fight.’ I told him I was going to be champion of the world and he said, ‘You’re never going to be champion.’ You don’t know how made he made me that day and I then beat everybody he put in against me.

“When I fought (Thomas) Hearns, nobody thought I could beat him, but I wasn’t afraid. I’m a Bronx guy and I was used to getting hits by bricks and bats. I won with blood, sweat and tears. I said to get ready to pick him up and carry him out.”

Tony Graziano: “It’s an honor being here with all these greats and in the New York Hall of Fame.”

Bobby Cassidy: “I truly appreciate and I’m honored to be standing here today. I started boxing in 1963. Teddy Brenner said I was a million-to-one shot but his long-shot paid off. Like a lot of guys, boxing saved me. It was go in the ring or go to jail. Everything I have is through boxing. I was sent all over the world. I was a fighter; just tell me where to show up. I never turned down a fight. I fought six opponents who fought for the title and beat four of them. All I ever wanted was to fight for the title. I never fought for the title and that really hurt me more than anything and I had 80 pro fights and 500 stitches. I’m a fighter and always will be. Standing up here makes up for never getting a title shot. I’m truly honored.”

Mark Breland:”It’s good to be here with all these guys. I’ve always looked up to, and I don’t know if he knows it, Tony Santana. I sparred with Eddie Mustafa Muhammad. It’s an honor to be here and accept this award. I had a lot of fights. I enjoy boxing; it’s a lot of fun. All my years in boxing, I always had a great manager, Shelly Finkel. He’s family.”

Shelly Finkel: Anyone in the sport knows there are two families – one at home and the fighters. Somebody once asked me, when all is said and done, how do I want to be remembered? That I cared about my fighters. There have been so many incredible moments in the ring. I’ve had the greatest career with my fighters on the ring but, after the fighting, that I could help my fighters.”

James “Buddy” McGirt: “This group of fighters up here, you don’t understand, it’ll be 100 years before you’d find a group of fighters like this. In 1987, Iran Barkley took to training camp. He didn’t need to do that and I was just another expense. But it helped me become world champion. In 1989, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad came to gym in Las Vegas everyday for five weeks to watch me train. As a fighter there are certain things you never forget. On November 29th, 1991, Eddie yelled my name and gave me a thumbs-up. It was the greatest night of my career. Everybody was yelling and what I remember was Eddie yelling, ‘McGirt.’”

Eddie Mustafa Muhammad: “This is special to me. I am very appreciative and humbled to put me in the New York Hall of Fame with all these terrific fighters. But, if you invite me again to another festive occasion like this, please (jokingly) don’t sit me between McGirt and Breland. They’re friends of mine, like family. Iran and I won many titles together. I told him that, if he listened to me, he’d be a three-time world champion. He looked at me like I was crazy. I blew it….he became four-time world champion.

“Now, I have my newest world champion, Ishe Smith, and Chad Dawson. I thank God for allowing me to transfer any skills, what I learned from my former trainers, to my students. I’ve had 18 world champions in a young career. After I retired, I didn’t know what to do, and Bob Arum said I could train because he knew I was working with Mike McCallum, who became world champion. I brought Floyd Mayweather his first world champion (Smith). I’m a part of the ‘Money Team’ and thank him for having the trust in me to train some of his young fighters.

“This is like winning a world championship. I love this!”

Pictures taken by Stan Janousek  (professional fight name Stanley Yanachek)

Click on any picture to make it larger:

Following pictures by Ms. Pattee Mak

Click on any picture to make it larger:

Quotes and photos: New York State Boxing Hall of Fame induction ceremony

By Bad Left Hook on Apr 30 2013, 11:43a 1

Junior Jones, Iran Barkley, and Tony Graziano were among those inducted into the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame this year.

Junior Jones: “There are a lot of great fighters up here. This is a great event recognizing New Yorkers. I want to thank all of the people who were part of my team.”

Iran Barkley: “Teddy Brenner basically asked me, ‘You think you can fight.’ I told him I was going to be champion of the world and he said, ‘You’re never going to be champion.’ You don’t know how mad he made me that day and I then beat everybody he put in against me.

“When I fought (Thomas) Hearns, nobody thought I could beat him, but I wasn’t afraid. I’m a Bronx guy and I was used to getting hits by bricks and bats. I won with blood, sweat and tears. I said to get ready to pick him up and carry him out.”

Tony Graziano: “It’s an honor being here with all these greats and in the New York Hall of Fame.”

Bobby Cassidy: “I truly appreciate and I’m honored to be standing here today. I started boxing in 1963. Teddy Brenner said I was a million-to-one shot but his long-shot paid off. Like a lot of guys, boxing saved me. It was go in the ring or go to jail. Everything I have is through boxing. I was sent all over the world. I was a fighter; just tell me where to show up. I never turned down a fight. I fought six opponents who fought for the title and beat four of them. All I ever wanted was to fight for the title. I never fought for the title and that really hurt me more than anything and I had 80 pro fights and 500 stitches. I’m a fighter and always will be. Standing up here makes up for never getting a title shot. I’m truly honored.”

Mark Breland: “It’s good to be here with all these guys. I’ve always looked up to, and I don’t know if he knows it, Tony Santana. I sparred with Eddie Mustafa Muhammad. It’s an honor to be here and accept this award. I had a lot of fights. I enjoy boxing; it’s a lot of fun. All my years in boxing, I always had a great manager, Shelly Finkel. He’s family.”

Shelly Finkel: Anyone in the sport knows there are two families – one at home and the fighters. Somebody once asked me, when all is said and done, how do I want to be remembered? That I cared about my fighters. There have been so many incredible moments in the ring. I’ve had the greatest career with my fighters on the ring but, after the fighting, that I could help my fighters.”

James “Buddy” McGirt: “This group of fighters up here, you don’t understand, it’ll be 100 years before you’d find a group of fighters like this. In 1987, Iran Barkley took to training camp. He didn’t need to do that and I was just another expense. But it helped me become world champion. In 1989, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad came to gym in Las Vegas everyday for five weeks to watch me train. As a fighter there are certain things you never forget. On November 29th, 1991, Eddie yelled my name and gave me a thumbs-up. It was the greatest night of my career. Everybody was yelling and what I remember was Eddie yelling, ‘McGirt.'”

Eddie Mustafa Muhammad: “This is special to me. I am very appreciative and humbled to put me in the New York Hall of Fame with all these terrific fighters. But, if you invite me again to another festive occasion like this, please (jokingly) don’t sit me between McGirt and Breland. They’re friends of mine, like family. Iran and I won many titles together. I told him that, if he listened to me, he’d be a three-time world champion. He looked at me like I was crazy. I blew it….he became four-time world champion.

“Now, I have my newest world champion, Ishe Smith, and Chad Dawson. I thank God for allowing me to transfer any skills, what I learned from my former trainers, to my students. I’ve had 18 world champions in a young career. After I retired, I didn’t know what to do, and Bob Arum said I could train because he knew I was working with Mike McCallum, who became world champion. I brought Floyd Mayweather his first world champion (Smith). I’m a part of the ‘Money Team’ and thank him for having the trust in me to train some of his young fighters.

“This is like winning a world championship. I love this!”

President Bob Duffy started off the meeting by

introducing Boxing Judge Robin Taylor who in turn introduced our

first Guest Speaker Edward Perry who works for the Department of Veterans Affairs. He thanked all the Veterans who served our country. He talked on the Department of Veterans Affairs and how they help out all the Veterans, especially the Vietnam War.
Company Description: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) was established on March 15, 1989, succeeding the Veterans Administration. It is responsible for providing federal benefits to veterans and their families. Headed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, VA is the second largest of the 15 Cabinet departments and operates nationwide programs for health care, financial assistance and burial benefits. Of the 24.3 million veterans currently alive, nearly three-quarters served during a war or an official period of conflict. About a quarter of the nation’s population, approximately 63 million people, are potentially eligible for VA benefits and services because they are veterans, family members or survivors of veterans. The responsibility to care for veterans, spouses, survivors and dependents can last a long time. Five children of Civil War veterans still draw VA benefits. About 440 children and widows of Spanish-American War veterans still receive VA compensation or pensions. VA’s fiscal year 2005 spending was $71.2 billion , $31.5 billion for health care, $37.1 billion for benefits, and $148 million for the national cemetery system. President Bush sought $73 billion in the fiscal year 2006 budget for VA, a $1.8 billion increase in budget authority, primarily for health care and disability compensation. For more information you can go to www.va.gov or call (202) 273-5400 – fax (202) 501-2238 Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Ave., Nw., Washington DC, District of Columbia 20420.

President Duffy led us in the flag salute and Christina toll the bell 10 times President Duffy stated that Carl “The Truth” Williams passed away and was laid to rest yesterday.

President Duffy talked on the up-coming NYBHOF Induction Ceremonies which is being held on Sunday, April 28th at Russo’s on the Bay. He went over all the honorees and some of the other celebrates that will be attending including Joe Calzaghe. Tickets are priced at $150 and you can call President Bob Duffy at 516–313-2304 for more information.

President Duffy stated that we will be raffling off 2 Gift Bags that the BWAA gave out at their recent affair and also thanked Jack Hirsch, who is the President of the BWAA, for donating them.

Ring 8 Board member & Head Coach of the Glen Cove Boxing Club, Frank Pena, pictured here on the right, talked on the Ring 8 Picnic which will be held at Glen Cove on Sunday, July 14th starting at 1 PM. Frank along with fellow Ring 8 member & Coach of Glen Cove Boxing Club, Billy Strigaro pictured on the left, are showing off their Female Boxing Champion Viviana Melgar.

President Duffy stated that long time Ring 8 member Vinny Maddalone will be boxing at the Paramount Theatre, Huntington, New York against Undefeated Richard Carmack on May 11th.

Joe DeGuardia (Star Boxing) is giving a 10% discount to all Ring 8 members Plus Ring 8 will be giving another $5 discount for all there members. If anyone is interested in going, please contact President Bob Duffy at 516-313-2304.

President Duffy introduced the BWAA President Jack Hirsch who talked on the 88th Annual BWAA Awards Dinner which was held last week. He announced all the Champions that attended which included Bernard Hopkins, Roy Jones Jr., Timothy Bradley, Nonito Donaire, Ruslan Provodnikov, Gennady Golovkin and Matthew Macklin, Plus Jim Lampley, Bob Arum, Max Kellerman and others. Jack also stated that they recently found out that the first BWAA Awards Dinner took place back on April 25, 1926, thanks to the research of Ring 8 Boxing Historian Henry Hascup.

Jack and others talked about the recent Guillermo Rigondeaux/Nonito Donaire fight.

Jack then introduced our next Guest Speaker Dr. Abbey (Dr. Adal M. Hussain, Phd.), who is the Co-Founder/Executive Director of the World Liberty Television (WLTV). Dr. Abby talked on a Tournament that he won years ago, his fight against drugs and some of the interviews he has done over the years including one with Jake LaMotta. He also talked on the Bollywood Awards.

President Duffy introduced our next Guest Speaker Matchmaker/Boxing Historian Don Majeski. Don stated that he has been in boxing for 43 years and that he has a hard time making a living. He talked on boxing today, and that there were so many more shows years ago then there is today. They build up fighters too much. 1% of the people in boxing makes 95% of the money. The average price for a show in too much for the average fan. For a boxer to make a living they have to be either a World Champion or a Top Contender. Don talked about Health Care for fighters, and that every fighter should have it. He talked on how the money goes from the fighter, to the manager, to the promoter. He stated that Madison Square Garden should do more for boxing. They should sign and promote fighters. Today they care too much about the records and not the fights. He talked about how Bob Montgomery was stopped by Al Bummy Davis in just 1 minute and 3 seconds of the 1st round at Madison Square Garden in 1944 and just 2 weeks later Montgomery beat Beau Jack for the Lightweight Championship of the World.

Don gave a history on the Boxing Commissions, starting back in 1891. He also talked on the International Boxing Hall of Fame and how the process works on how people are voted in.

President Duffy talked on the Finals of the New York Golden Gloves in which Ring 8 will be honoring Vince Shomo.

Former Featherweight Champion, Juan LaPorte talked on Carmelo Negron, who is not doing too well.

Matchmaker/Boxing Historian Don Majeski will be the guest speaker at the Ring 8 meeting this Tuesday night at the Crabhouse.

Click on to the following site to see his latest interview.

Matchmaker/Boxing Historian Don Majeski