Archive for September, 2014

Sep-29-2014

New Title For Former Boxing Showground

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On September 20th, New York City Council Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer was joined by Bob Duffy, President of Ring 8, Dave Diamante, official announcer for the Barclays Center, historians and neighborhood residents to officially rename 45th Street and Queens Boulevard after Sunnyside Garden Arena. In this photo, Council Member Van Bramer is joined by Bob Duffy, President of Ring 8, and Dave Diamante, boxing enthusiast and the voice of the Brooklyn Nets.

A Sunnyside street corner now recalls the former site of a storied sports venue that once hosted boxing matches, wrestling competitions, roller derbies, proms, and even a presidential rally. Last Saturday, 45th Street and Queens Boulevard was officially co-named “Sunnyside Garden Arena Way” in a ceremony led by City Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer, Ring 8 President Bob Duffy, Barclays Center announcer Dave Diamante and local residents. It is believed that the 2,000-seat, red brick arena was originally built as a private tennis club or the carriage house for millionaire Jay Gould II in the 1920s. The venue became a boxing arena in 1945, and hosted Golden Gloves tournaments and fights with such big names as Floyd Patterson and Gerry Cooney. In 1960, Senator John F. Kennedy gave a stump speech there during his successful run for the president of the United States. The arena also hosted wrestling cards until it was sold in 1977 and torn down. Currently, a Wendy’s restaurant operates on the property. This is actually the second honor for the arena, as a monument to it was installed on the property near the Wendy’s in October 2012.

Posted under Articles
Sep-17-2014

Ring 8 Minutes and Notes Tuesday, September 16, 2014

President Bob Duffy opened the meeting with

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93 year old Carmine singing the National Anthem followed by the

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10 count by Paulette Balog and John Holden in the memory of all those who recently passed on.

President Duffy talked on the recent birthday party Pinklon Thomas had for his father who turned 100 years old. Ring 8 donated a Championship Belt and the family was so happy.

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Henry Hascup talked on the up-coming New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame Induction and Award Ceremonies that will take place on Thursday, November 13th at the beautiful Venetian, located at 546 River Drive, Garfield, New Jersey starting at 7:00 P.M. Tickets are priced at ONLY $85.00 per person.

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A new member Michael Goldberg talked about how he got into boxing by watching someone just jumping rope and he wanted to do the same and he just fell in Love with the sport. You can go to his Networking web site by clicking on the following link – http://knockoutnetworking.com/ – He stated that he would like to become more involved with the sport, maybe as a Boxing analysis.

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President Duffy talked about an event this coming Saturday in which they will be renaming the street at 45th and Queens Blvd, to Sunnyside Garden Way, where Sunnyside Garden use to stand. He also talked about the Monument Ring 8 put up at that site on October 6, 2012.

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Famed ring announcer and the Brooklyn Nets public address announcer Dave Diamante also talked on Sunnyside Garden. Dave talked on several boxing events that are coming up later this week where he will be doing the ring announcing.

David Diamante running with the Bulls

He also talked on the running with the Bulls which took place in Spain and he ran several times, with a cigar in his mouth.

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Dave owns the Diamante’s Brooklyn Cigar Lounge located at 108 S Oxford St, Brooklyn, NY 11217

President Duffy stated that David Berlin newly appointed executive director of the New York State Athletic Commission was suppose to be our guest speaker tonight But with 3 consecutive shows this week he had to postpone his appearance until November.

Our next meeting will be at the Plattduetsche Restaurant, Franklin Square, New York on Thursday, October 16th. The guest speakers will be Sean Monahan and Bobby Cassidy Jr.

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The family of the late Felix Sandoval, who was a former boxer and trainer, came up and talked about there father. A few members of his family talked on how boxing was a big part of there life because of there father, and they went to many boxing shows because of him. New York State Athletic Commissioner member Judge Edwin Torres, who also wrote “Carlito’s Way” presented the family with a plaque from Ring 8 and we had a 10 count in his memory.

President Duffy stated that Ring 8 finally has a Tax Exempt Status, which will save as $1,000’s each year.

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Brian Dubecky, John Rohe, Stan Janousek, Robin Taylor & Sparkle Lee

President Duffy talked on our up-coming Holiday Party at Russo’s on the Bay on Sunday, December 14th. Then he read off all the honorees:

Ring 8’s Fighter of the Year – Chris Algieri

Ring 8’s Comeback Fighter of the Year – Daniel Jacobs

Ring 8’s Uncrowned Champion – Joe Mesi

Ring 8’s Contender of the Year – Frankie Galarza

Ring 8’s Prospect of the Year – Julian Williams

Ring 8’s Referee of the Year – Sparkle Lee

Ring 8’s Judge of the Year – Robin Taylor

Ring 8’s Photographer of the Year – Stan Janousek  (professional fight name Stanley Yanachek)

Ring 8’s Men of the Year – Brian Dubecky & John Rohe

Ring 8’s Promoters of the Year – Felipe Gomez, Kevin Sullivan & Wilson Naranjo

Ring 8’s Long & Meritorious Service Award – George Ward

Ring 8’s Strength & Conditioning Coach of the Year – Dave (Scooter) Honig

 

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John McKaie, who just came back from Las Vegas, after judging the Floyd Mayweather fight spoke on how he received the assignment. He stated that he did several regional & World title fights in Las Vegas in the past years and he word was out that he was being considered as one of the judges. When the list of judges first came out they spelled his name wrong and he wasn’t sure if they meant him, But after a while when he looked on the internet, his name was spelled right and he was on his way to Las Vegas. John stated that he felt relaxed and that he was more nervous in doing the smaller club shows. He stated that he scored the fight 8 rounds to 4 in favor of Mayweather and because of the point taken away his score ended up 116-111. He talked a little about the bite that Mayweather claimed he received. He also talked on the punch that rocked Mayweather at the end of the 3rd round, in which all 3 judges gave to Mayweather. He said Las Vegas is like no other place.

Our next meeting at the Crabhouse will be on Tuesday, November 18th with guest speaker David Berlin, the newly appointed executive director of the New York State Athletic Commission. Again, our October meeting will be at the Plattduetsche Restaurant, Franklin Square, New York on Thursday, October 16th. The guest speakers will be Sean Monahan and Bobby Cassidy Jr.

President Duffy then introduced many VIP’s that attended.

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Posted under Meeting Notes