President Bob Duffy opened the meeting with

Carmine singing the National Anthem and Paulette Balog toll the bell 10 times in the memory of all those who recently passed on.

President Duffy talked on Johnny Boz and that Ring 8 and Don Majeski raised the $3500 that was needed for Johnny’s funeral expenses. President Duffy then listed all the people that gave to this cause.

President Duffy stated that there will be no meetings in July and August.

Frank Pena talked on the Annual Ring 8 Picnic, which will be held in Glen Cove on July 14th. The cost will be $25. We will have NEW Ring 8 Hats and Pins available.

President Duffy stated that Lou Raymond won a award.

President Duffy talked on the finals of the New York Golden Gloves and that Ring 8 honored 4 time NY Golden Glove Champion Vince Shomo. President Duffy thanked Sparkle Lee, Robin Taylor and Frank Pena for getting this done.

Vince Shomo won four New York Daily News Golden Gloves Championships. Shomo won the 1956 featherweight Sub-Novice title, and the 1957, 1959 and the 1960 lightweight Open championships. Shomo trained at the City Youth Organization Gym in New York City. In 1957 he won the New York Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions at lightweight, by decision over Billy Copeland, also in 1957 he was on the short end of a decision to Billy Braggs for the Intercity Golden Gloves lightweight championship. In 1958 he won an Intercity Golden Gloves lightweight title over Billy Braggs. In 1959 he won the New York Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions at lightweight, by first round ko over Darrell Powell, also in 1959 he won the Intercity Golden Gloves lightweight championship by stopping Fred (Rocky) Davis in the second round, video. In 1960 he won the New York Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions, by first round ko over Leonard Thomas, also in 1960 he decisioned Brian O’Shea for the Intercity Golden Gloves championship at lightweight. Shomo was also the National AAU Light Welterweight champion in 1957, 1958, and 1960.

President Duffy introduced former Ring 8 President’s Henny Wallitsch and Bobby Bartels, he also recognized former World Featherweight Champion, Juan LaPorte and former Heavyweight Contender, Renaldo Snipes, along with several members of the WBC including Joe Dwyer and Jill Diamond.

NJBHOF President Henry Hascup talked on the there event in November. He also talked on Ring 8 getting a Facebook Page.

President Duffy talked on FIGHTNEWS and how they put in Ring 8 information on there site.

North American Boxing Federation President Joe Dwyer talked on the WBC that is Setting Up a Pension Fund for former fighters. The Swiss luxury watch brand Hublot and Jose Sulaiman, WBC president are working together to get this done. Iran Brakley, Junior Jones, Livingstone Bramble and Gerald McClellan wil be among the 1st to receive the benefits, which will be $400 a month.
WBC/Hublot raise $1 million for boxers pension fund

By Boxing Bob Newman – FIGHTNEWS:

In a first-of-its-kind event, the WBC and Hublot Watches teamed up to initiate a structured retirement pension fund for boxers in need through “A Legendary Evening,” held at The Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas. Twelve unique signature watches were auctioned off to the highest bidders. Each watch bore the engraved signature of one of the twelve select boxers on hand for the event. While former WBC heavyweight champion Ken Norton wasn’t able to attend due to his recovery from a recent stroke, and multi division champion Oscar De La Hoya had a family emergency that prevented him from coming, the other ten- George Foreman, Ray Leonard, Larry Holmes, Thomas Hearns, Lennox Lewis, Azumah Nelson, Julio Cesar Chavez, Roberto Duran, Mike Tyson and Jeff Fenech were on hand to take part in this historic event.

Hall of Fame ring announcer Michael Buffer emceed the event, introducing each fighter as their watch and robe modeled by an array of beauties, went to the bidding. Special guest auctioneer was Malcolm Barber, formerly of renowned auction house Sotheby’s, and currently managing director of Bonhams.

After the scrumptious $1000 a plate dinner featuring a double entree of filet mignon and colossal shrimp, the auction got underway.

Each fighter and his signature watch and robe were first introduced via highlight reel action of their greatest ring moments on several large screens in the room. The bidding lots were often heated with some fighters’ watches and robes jumping in increments of $10,000 at a time!

The winning bids for each boxer’s watch and robe were as follows:

George Foreman: $100,000
Sugar Ray Leonard: $140,000
Larry Holmes: $65,000
Thomas Hearns: $58,000
Lennox Lewis: $105,000
Azumah Nelson: $52,000
Julio Cesar Chavez: $100,000
Roberto Duran: $55,000
Oscar De La Hoya: $72,000
Mike Tyson: $120,000
Jeff Fenech: $60,000
Ken Norton: $60,000
——————————
For a grand total of $987,000

Hublot CEO Ricardo Guadalupe upped the ante by another $23,000 to bring the grand total of proceeds to the hoped for $1,000,000 raised for the inaugural pension fund.

Winning bidders got to enter the ring with their designated champion alongside them, as well as Hublot’s Ricardo Guadalupe, WBC president Jose Sulaiman and the giant check for $1,000,000 to the WBC pension fund. With the anticipated success of this inaugural event, it is likely to be repeated next year, and hopefully for years to come.

President Duffy talked on an up-coming show at the Barclays Center, Brooklyn, which will be featuring Adrien Broner and Paul Malignaggi in the Main Event. Undefeated Julian Williams 12 (7 KO)-0-1, who will be fighting on the under card was in attendance.

Ian Cannon, who is a Wheelchair Boxer, spoke on some of the people that has helped him out during the years. He talked about having just 1 Pro fight. He talked on the benefits of people like him boxing. He stated that Boxing & follow Boxers has helped him out more then any doctor has. He is disappointed that not too many young people attend these meetings. He spoke about his life and stated that boxing saved his life. Ian then took questions from the membership. Ian brother John stated that sometime we complain about some little things But Ian never does. He is a roll model to all of us. Carlos Ortiz Jr., stated that he has judged one of Ian fights.

Joe Dwyer, Jill Diamond and other members of the NABF awarded Ian with a Plaque.

President Duffy introduced former Heavyweight contender Monte Barrett.

President Duffy introduced Stan Hoffman who stated that he has managed 38 World Champions. Monte Barrett talked on Hoffman, stating that he was and is like a father to him. Monte stated that Stan took him to a play about Jesus and Stan being Jewish Monte thought that was a little unusual. Stan also took him to his house and took him in as if he was his son. Hoffman stated that he lets his fighters speak for him. He talked about his career in boxing. He talked on Iran Brakley who he promoted, in that he was the only fighter in history to hold a decision over Tommy Hearns in a World Title fight. He talked on Michael Bentt who stopped Tommy Morrison in the 1st round winning the WBO heavyweight title and James Toney, who he managed for 7 years, Toney won titles in 3 different weight divisions. President Duffy asked Stan if he would comeback in October or November as a Guest Speaker!

President Duffy introduced the former New York State Athletic Commissioner Ron Scott Stevens as the next guest speaker. Stevens started off by saying that this is a hard act to follow in Ian and Stan. Ron stated that he started off as a Ring Announcer then a matchmaker. He talked on the Judging of many Big time fights. He told a story on Cedric Kushner who was at a hotel when someone came to his room asking to be a Judge, and that he would be a home Judge.
Ron talked on Senator John McCain and some of the bad decisions over the years. He has talked to Marc Ratner, who is the former Executive Director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, about Judging. He stated that we need more education. Greg Sirb of Pennsylvania, complied a list of all the Championship bouts since 1995 and how all the Judges scored the fights.
Ron stated that we should have 2 seminars a year. All Judges should take a test judging 5 rounds and if they don’t get 3 right they shouldn’t Judge. If they can’t pass the test again in 6 months they should be suspended. He stated that boxing is doing well. Ron played football in High School and wanted to play quarterback but never did. He really wanted to become an NFL coach But he found out that it would be a long shot.. Ron was a waiter when he was young but in 1980 a light bulb went off in his head and boxing came up.
His dream was to be a matchmaker at Madison Square Garden. He later became the Chairman of the NYSAC. He stated how can make boxing better? He stated that 13 out of the 21 Judges got 3 of the 5 rounds wrong. Judges should share there views with other Judges on how they scored the rounds.
Boxing Judge Carlos Ortiz Jr. stated that most Judges do a good job. Ron stated that in other sports baseball, football, basketball, etc., everyone knows how to score but not in boxing. Monte Barrett stated that other sports have seasons, boxing doesn’t. Stan Janousek (professional fight name Stanley Yanachek) stated that there should be refresher courses and Boxing Judge Robin Taylor stated maybe all the Judges should sit on the same side of the ring.
The Lewis/Holyfield fight came up and President Duffy stated that it was he who approved the Judges for that fight. Ron stated that in New York you must have at least 3 years as an Amateur before becoming a Pro. He is not a fan of open scoring either. He talked on what Larry Hazzard wanted to change the system to. He wanted to score a round 10-8.5 or 10-9.5 or 10-9. Ron didn’t think anything is wrong with the 10 point must system the way it is now. Ron stated that he was not a big fan of the instant replay either.
A question was asked about why can’t the Commission over turn a decision, the answer was that the Commission would get sued.
President Duffy talked on several Judges that he appointed.

Next Guest speaker’s were Victor Strong & Bruce Beegal from “Stream Energy” talked on De-Regulation – Energy They talked about saving money and actually making money every time they pay there Energy bills. They stated that if anyone is interested in hearing more they will be giving a 15 minute presentation after the meeting.

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Ron Scott Stevens & Ian Cannon Ring 8 Guest Speakers

Former Chairman of the New York State Athletic Commission, Ron Scott Stevens, and wheelchair boxer Ian Cannon will be special guest speakers this Tuesday evening (June 18, 7:00 p.m. ET) at historic Waterfront Crabhouse, in Long Island City, New York.

Recognized as an expert in the boxing industry, Stevens will discuss state athletic commissions and their obligation to appoint only qualified judges to score bouts and, of course, how to achieve that. In addition to being a highly respected and nationally known boxing commissioner, he was also a promoter, matchmaker, boxing editor and writer, and he even did some ring announcing. A person of diverse interests, Stevens is also an accomplished playwright who has written seven plays, including his most recent, “Paper Tiger.”

Cannon, a University of Hartford student, was born with cerebral palsy, however, he has inspired and motivated countless people by creating his innovative Roll with the Punches program, which provides fitness for individuals with mobility issues to improve their quality of life, overall physical fitness, independence and mental health. His program has successfully utilized boxing training techniques and methods as a tool for chair-bound people, primarily by using the basics of boxing – bag work, focus mitts, weight training and conditioning.

“Ron is a good friend and Ring 8 member,” Ring 8 president Bob Duffy said. “There have been a lot of questionable decisions lately in boxing and it’ll be interesting to hear what Ron has to say about judging in some of those fights. Ian is an inspirational and motivational speaker who was very well received by our members the last time he spoke here and we look forward to having him back with us.”

Duffy also announced that Ring 8, in association with Don Majeski and others in boxing, donated $3500 towards funeral expenses for the late, great matchmaker Johnny Bos that was forwarded to the Bos family.

Former World Boxing Council featherweight champion Juan LaPorte, who lives in Brooklyn, has confirmed his attendance at Tuesday’s annual Ring 8 monthly meeting.

ABOUT RING 8: Formed in 1954 by an ex-prizefighter, Jack Grebelsky, Ring 8 became the eighth subsidiary of what was then known as the National Veteran Boxers Association – hence, RING 8 – and today the organization’s motto still remains: Boxers Helping Boxers.

RING 8 is fully committed to supporting less fortunate people in the boxing community who may require assistance in terms of paying rent, medical expenses, or whatever justifiable need.

Go on line to www.Ring8ny.com for more information about RING 8, the largest group of its kind in the United States with more than 350 members. Annual membership dues is only $25.00 and each member is entitled to a buffet dinner at RING 8 monthly meetings, the third Tuesday of every month, excluding July and August. All active boxers, amateur and professional, are entitled to a complimentary RING 8 yearly membership.

Posted under Meeting Notes