More than 100 people turned out last week for at Ring 8′s monthly meeting and its tribute to the late, great Emile Griffith, at historic Waterfront Crabhouse, in Long Island City, New York.

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 including Emile Griffith and Bill Tate.

President Duffy talked on the funerals of Emile Griffith and Bill Tate as they were attended by many Ring 8 members.

President Duffy talked on our 3rd Annual Picnic and thanked Barbara & Frank Pena along with Billy Strigaro for making it another huge Success!

Tommy Gallagher talked on an up-coming boxing card in New York.

Patricia Alcivar talked on her up-coming bout on September 25th against Eileen Olszewski which will be for the vacant IFBA International Female Boxers Association flyweight title.

President Duffy talked on the New Ring 8 pins which is priced at ONLY $10 each. He also stated that there will be 3 winners in our raffle and the winners will win a Ring 8 pin, or a boxing poster signed by Jake LaMotta or a boxing book.

President Duffy talked on the late Joe Miceli and then introduced his wife. Mrs. Miceli talked on her husbands boxing career and a New book called Meatballs and Stickball: Growing Up in the Neighborhood Little Italy. President Duffy stated that Ring 8 will buy 20 books and sell them at our annual affair. President Duffy also stated that Ron Ross’s book on Emile Giffith, 9..10..and Out! The Two Worlds of Emile Griffith” would be for sale as well.

President Duffy introduced many celebrities in attendance including NY State Commissioner John Signorile, Former Commissioner Randy Gordon, former Heavyweight contender Renaldo Snipes, the children of Wayne Kelly, Charlie Norkus Jr., and Ring Announcer and the voice of the Brooklyn Nets David Diamante.

Joe DiMitri talked on the Monday Night Fights at the Barclay Center and that all Ring 8 members would get a special discount on tickets.

On October 9th, Mark Breland is running a “Night of Champions” in New York City.

Our Annual Holiday Party will be at Russo’s on Sunday, December 9th. This year the honorees will be:
Uncrowned Champion – Gasper Ortega
Official of the Year – Deputy Commissioner Robert Orlando
Amateur Official of the Year – Dan Gant
Member of the Year – Carmine Rastelli
Professional Judge of the Year – John McKaie
Prospect of the Year – Sean Monaghan
Professional Trainer of the Year – Bob Jackson
Amateur Trainer of the Year – Joe Higgins
Emile Griffith Good Guy Award – Sal Corrente
Long & Meritorious Service Award – Dr. William Lathan –
50th Anniversary – Bobby Bartels/Lenny Mangiapane
Fighter of the Year – To Be Named

President Duffy talked on Emile Griffith’s boxing career. He then asked Henry Hascup to give the Eulogy and Bell Ceremony he gave at Emile’s Funeral. Hascup then did so.

Ron Ross thanked Henry and then talked on Emile’s life as did Emile’s son Louie. Stan Janousek (professional fight name Stanley Yanachek) talked on how he once fought on the under card of Emile on July 26th at Madison Square Garden.

Bobby Bartels also talked on Emile as he was a sparring partner of his many years ago and he and Emile both made there Professional debuts on the same card. Bobby also talked on Bill Tate who also passed away recently.

Randy Gordon finished off the evening by tell some more stories on Emile and how Emile trained James Bonecrusher Smith to the Heavyweight Title.

We finished off the night by showing several of Emile’s fights.

Posted under Meeting Notes

The next meeting for Ring 8 will be this Tuesday, September 17th at the Crab House.

We will be celebrating the life of Emile Griffith, who passed away on July 22nd, showing several films of his most famous fights. We will also have several guest speakers on his career.

Posted under Meeting Notes