President Bob Duffy opened the meeting with

Carmine singing the National Anthem followed by the 10 count by Paulette Balog and John Holden in the memory of all those who recently passed on, including Former WBA Heavyweight Champion Jimmy Ellis, Rubin “Hurricane” Carter and Henry Hascup’s brother Ed.

President Duffy stated that several of our members are at the IBF Convention this week and won’t be here.

President Duffy stated that as of April 13th, Ring 8 is tax exempt. It took 2-1/2 years But we finally got it.

President Duffy introduced Former World Champion Iran Brakley, who just turned 54 years old, Denise Saddler (Sandy’s daughter), Mrs. Bill Tate, Johnny Colon’s daughter Cheri, current Lightweight Mike Brooks, and Joe Dwyer, who is attending his first meeting of the year after an illness. He also introduced WBO Director Porfirio Betegon, Michael De La Rue, BWAA President Jack Hirsch, Alexis Arguello Jr., Boxing Judge John McKaie, Wheelchair Boxer Ian Cannon and Cara Castronuova who is a celebrity fitness trainer, athlete, motivation speaker, and television personality. She was featured as a head trainer on NBC’s hit “The Biggest Loser,” Season 11, where she helped propel the show to its highest ratings ever. She has been a spokesperson for Puma, and the only female spokesperson on Everlast’s extensive roster of champions. Castronuova is a former champion boxer and two-time Golden Gloves Champion.

President Duffy stated that we had 503 people attend the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame event back in March. Between both the Ring 8 and New York State Boxing Hall of Fame affairs generated a total sum of $70,000.

On Saturday June 21st, at 10:00am till 11:00am we will be unveiling the Emile Griffith Tombstone at St. Michael Cemetery in Astoria Blvd. Queens N.Y. followed by a lunching ceremony honoring the life and times of this great boxing legend, at The famous Waterfront Crabhouse, in Long Island City, Queens, N.Y. hosted by New York’s own Ring 8 Boxing Association. Everyone is welcome to come and honor & celebrate this great champion. The cost of the meal will be $10.00 dollars for each person so please come all and enjoy some great food & drinks and fun with all of the champ’s family and friends.

Sunday, July 27th Ring 8 will be having their annual picnic at Glen Cove. Tickets are ONLY $15 each, $5 for kids, up to $15, meaning if you bring 4 or more kids all you will pay is $15, kids under 10 are free.

President Duffy read a letter from Former Heavyweight Champion Pinklon Thomas, thanking Bob and Ring 8 for presenting his father a Ring 8 Championship Belt on his 100th birthday.

President Duffy also stated that the wife of Billy Backus passed away recently. She attended the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame affair in March when her husband was inducted.

WBO Director Porfirio Betegon talked about his time in boxing and praised President Duffy and Ring 8 for what they do. He also told a story on Michael Bentt.

Wheelchair Boxer Ian Cannon thanked Ring 8 and Joe Dwyer on what they did for him. He stated that Ring 8 is his New York home.

Lightweight Mike Brooks stated that he had about 60 amateur bouts and is now 11-2 as a pro.

Cara Castronuova from the“The Biggest Loser” Season 11 and a 2 time New York Golden Glove Champion talked on her career and that she plans to box as a pro. She also worked on the book on Emile Griffith that Ron Ross wrote.

Charlie Norkus, Jr., talked on Directors Alan Swyer’s documentary, “El Boxeo,” which took four years to make. Very shortly you can download the film on either the Ring 8 Web Site or their Facebook Page. You can even buy a DVD of the film, and Ring 8 will receive 25% of all sales.
“It’s a film about how boxing has become a Latino-dominated sport in the ring and in the stands,” Swyer said during a recent conversation with The Sporting Nation.
Since the 1980s with Roberto Duran, many of the top fighters in the sport are Latinos. After Duran came Hector “Macho” Camacho, the late Alexis Arguello, Julio Cesar Chavez, Oscar De La Hoya, Felix Trinidad, Juan Manuel Marquez and today, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, Miguel Cotto and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., among others.

President Duffy talked on the Bill Gallo scholarship fund in which we raised several $1,000’s thanks to a few donations from our members such as Charlie Norkus, Jr. President Duffy read off letters from both scholarship winners, Dagaberto Mederos, presented by Charlie Norkus Jr. and Ray Cuadrado, presented by Bobby Bartels, both received $1,000 each.
President Duffy introduced and thanked Gabe Perillo Jr. for his support.

BWAA President Jack Hirsch talked on the recent BWAA affair in Las Vegas which had all the leading boxing celebrities attend, including Floyd Mayweather, Mike Tyson, Bernard Hopkins, Tim Bradley, Paul Williams, Freddie Roach, Ruslan Provodnikov among others. Jack then talked about the Mayweather fight and how they gave him a seat next to the last row. He stated that he asked them for a better one But it fell on deaf ears, but he did receive several calls during the next few days apologizing.

Jack thanked Bob Duffy for all he does and then introduced our guest speaker Alexis Arguello Jr., who is a producer for CBS Sports. Alexis talked on his late father, the former 3 time division World Champion, who told Jr to get an education, his father said, I boxed so you didn’t have too. Alexis did have about 14 or 15 amateur bouts But his boxing career stopped right their. He stated that he met Muhammad Ali who was his favorite fighter outside his father. He then told a story about when his family went to Don King’s house and Don greeted them while in his underwear. Alexis Jr. stated that his family was offended so he went into Don’s pool and did something that he has kept secret until now. I think you can guess on what he did, ha, ha!
Alexis produces 1/2 hour features for CBS on all sports. John Holden asked why the news don’t cover boxing the way they once did. He stated that he tries but to no avail.
Charlie Norkus Jr., asked what fights did he attend of his father. Alexis named several fights and stated that the only time his father talked trash is when he fought Billy Costello.

Stan Janousek (professional fight name Stanley Yanachek) stated that he has a lot of DVD’s on his father.

Jack Hirsch asked Alexis about Roberto Duran. Alexis said that they got along very well except for this one time at an event, when Duran started trash talking at his father. His father was shocked, saying where is this coming from. Later he saw Duran by himself and asked him why, Duran said just in case we ever fight I people to think we don’t like each other.

President Duffy stated that when Alexis Arguello Sr., stopped Boom Boom Mancini, he went over to his father and told the senior Mancini that he should be very proud of his son, and the elder Mancini, he was.

Posted under Meeting Notes