NEW YORK CITY (Jan. 27, 2015) – New York City boxing leader Tony Mazzarella passed away after a long illness this past Monday at the age of 75.

During his long career in boxing, Mazzarella was a former New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) Deputy Commissioner and inspector – honorary NYSAC Deputy Commissioner the past few years – Ring 8 treasurer, New York State Sports Commission member, amateur (including Golden Mittens and Mayor’s Week of Boxing) and professional promoter (co-promoter of Ring Promotions) and the major influence in the founding of the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame (NYSBHOF).

“Tony was a loyal, dedicated Ring 8 member for more than 30 years,” his close friend and Ring 8 & NYSBHOF president Bob Duffy said.” Without his restaurant, the Waterfront Crabhouse (in Long Island City), serving as the home of Ring 8, I don’t think there would be a Ring 8 today if not for Tony’s generosity and perseverance. He has kept Ring 8 alive and due to his diligence, Ring 8 has always maintained its integrity. It was his idea to found the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame.

“We were partners (Ring Promotions) and great friends for the past 25 years. Tony enjoyed being part of events, whether it was promoting shows or hosting award dinners, He was very generous to fighters. Tony was also a good baseball players and an avid fan. He was a leader and remains a legend in New York City boxing. He was without question the most respected Ring 8 member. We will all miss Tony Mazarella more than words alone can properly describe.”

A native of Queens, Tony resided in Tappan, where his funeral will be held this Friday (Jan. 30, 11 a.m.) at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church (120 Kings Highway). His wake will be held this Thursday (Jan. 29), from 2-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m., at Pizzi Funeral Home (120 Paris Ave. in Northvale, New Jersey).

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 $30.00 and each member is entitled to a buffet dinner at RING 8 monthly meetings, excluding July and August. All active boxers, amateur and professional, are entitled to a complimentary RING 8 yearly membership. Guests of Ring 8 members are welcome at a cost of only $7.00 per person.

CONTACT:
Bob Trieger, Full Court PRESS, 978.664.4482, bobtfcp@hotmail.com, @FightPublicist

I just received a call from Ring 8 President, Bob Duffy stating that Tony Mazzarella passed away last night. Bob has been a very close friend of Tony for many years and even ran Amateur and Professional Boxing Shows together.

When Ring 8 needed a place to have their meetings, it was Tony that opened the Crabhouse and we have been have Ring 8 meeting their for decades. If he didn’t do so, I really don’t think their would even be a Ring 8.

Former Inspector and Deputy Commissioner for the New York State Athletic Commission . . . Current host and financial secretary for Ring 8 . . . A member of the New York Sports Commission . . . Is responsible for putting on numerous amateur boxing events, including the Golden Mittens and Mayor’s Week of Boxing . . .Has made it possible for amateur teams from England and Ireland to compete in New York . . . Is now a promoter for Ring Promotions, part of the duo who made history by becoming the first athletic commission members to become promoters.

Tony was also the founder of the New York Boxing Hall of Fame!

Our thoughts and Prayers go out to his family and all his Loved ones at this time of need.

Visiting hours will be at the Pizzi Funeral Home, on Thursday, January 29th from 2 to 4 PM and 6 to 9 PM

Pizzi Funeral Home

120 Paris Ave.

Northvale, N.J. 07647

Funeral will be at the Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church on Friday, January 30th at 11 AM

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church

120 Kings Hwy.

Tappan, N.Y. 10983

President Bob Duffy opened the meeting with a Flag Salute

followed by a 10 count by

Paulette Balog and John Holden in the memory of Former WBA Heavyweight Champion of the World Ernie Terrell.

President Duffy stated that Henny Wallitsch, Tony Depippo and Tony Mazzarella were all not feeling well.

President Duffy stated that the newest member of the Board is Boxing Judge Ron McNair. Ron has been a member of Ring 8 since the early 1980’s.

President Duffy introduced some of the Award Winners from out Christmas Party that attended, including John Rohe, Brian Dubecky, Sparkle Lee, Robin Tayor and Stan Janousek.

Ring 8 will be hosting another New York Golden Glove Show on Thursday, February 5th at the Plattduetsche Restaurant, Franklin Square, New York, which will be for the Bill Gallo Scholarship Fund. The price for all Ring 8 members will be ONLY $20.

Our next meeting will also be at the Plattduetsche Restaurant on Tuesday, February 19th.

Ring 8 donated $1,000 to “Russo’s on the Bay” to benefit sick children.

Ring 8 also donated $400 each to the Glen Cove & Westbury Gym for equipment. Ring 8 also made many other donations throughout the year.

Ring 8 will have a plaque made up on behalf of Jock Lewis who was killed recently in a car crash.

Frank Pena talked on another Golden Glove Show which will be held on Thursday, February 26th.

Frank stated that their will be a total of 30 Golden Glove Shows this year. Frank stated that Ring 8 will invite all the Finalist to a Ring 8 meeting and he introduced one of his female boxers, Emily Colon, who will also be boxing in the Tournament.

President Duffy talked on longtime photographer, Tom Casino, who is in need of financial need for hospital bills which will come to over $100,000. Ring 8 is donating $500 and Ed Post the President of Spartan Sports, will also match that. If you want to make a donated you can do so by going to the following link – https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/qq97/tom-casino?

President Duffy introduced several officials including John McKaie, Carlos Ortiz Jr., Robin Taylor, Ron McNair, Eddie Claudio and Sparkle Lee, who will be Inducted into the Women’s International Boxing Hall of Fame on July 11th. President Duffy also introduced New York Boxing Commissioner John Signorile. He also stated that Tom Hoover will be replacing Melvina Lathan as the Chair person.

Jack Hirsch introduced the newly elected Class of the New York Boxing Hall of Fame.

http://www.ring8ny.com/?p=12441

President Duffy stated that the price this year will be ONLY $125

This years picnic will be at Massapequa Park.

President Duffy also introduced several other members including Tommy Carcone.

President Duffy introduced guest speaker Shiri Paamony Eshel, who is doing a Documentary on old time boxing, ask if anyone would be interested in getting involved.

Charlie Norkus Jr., stated that we should all congratulate Mark Breland as he is the trainer of the Newly crowned WBC Heavyweight Champion of the World, Deontay Wilder.

Ed Post, the President of Spartan Sports, stated that he has coupons for Modell’s which will give you a 15% discount. He also stated that any Ring 8 member can see the movie American Sniper at a low price of ONLY $6.00 at a near by theater.

Press Release The New York State Boxing Hall of Fame (NYSBHOF), sponsored by Ring 8, has announced its Class of 2015 featuring 20 more inductees. The fourth annual NYSBHOF induction dinner will be held Sunday afternoon (12:30-5:30 p.m. ET), April 26, at Russo’s On The Bay in Howard Beach, New York.

“The fourth class of the New York State Hall of Fame inductees matches up very nicely with the previous three,” NYSBHOF Nominating Committee Chairman Jack Hirsch said. “It feels good to give recognition to those who have done so much for the history of our sport in New York. I want to express my gratitude to my fellow committee members Don Majeski, Henry Hascup, Bobby Cassidy, Jr. Steve Farhood, Ron McNair and Neil Terens. They all take the process very seriously and a lot of thought and debate goes into our selections.” Living boxers heading into the NYSBHOF are Bronx-born and Brooklyn resident Saoul Mamby (45-34-6, 19 KOs), a World Boxing Council (WBC) junior middleweight champion (1980-82) and Vietnam Veteran, Buffalo middleweight Joey Giambra (65-10-2, 31 KOs), Brooklyn light heavyweight and 1961 National Golden Gloves champion Johnny Persol (22-5-1, 7 KOs), two-time world welterweight title challenger Harold Weston (26-9-5, 7 KOs), and World Boxing Organization (WBO) middleweight champion (1995-97) and 1992 National Golden Gloves winner Lonnie Bradley (29-1-1, 21 KOs), of Harlem.

Posthumous participants being inducted are world light heavyweight champion (1925-26) Paul “Astoria Assassin” Berlenbach (40-8-3, 33 KOs), “uncrowned” world welterweight titlist Billy Graham (102-15-9, 102 KOs) from Manhattan’s East Side, two-time world flyweight champion (1929 & 1931) and 1920 Olympic gold medalist Frankie Genaro, Redwood’s world welterweight (1898-94) and Syracuse middleweight (1998-1907) champion Tommy Ryan (90-6-11, 71 KOs), and Buffalo’s world light heavyweight champion (1925 & 1930) Jimmy Slattery (114-13, 51 KOs).

Non-participants heading into the NYSBHOF are former NYSAC deputy commissioner and promoter, as well as current NYSBHOF/Ring 8 president Bob Duffy, former New York Times and New York Daily News boxing columnist Mike Katz, elite promoter Cedric Kushner, Albany promoter/cutman Bob Miller and the owner of the world renown Gleason’s Gym, Bruce Silverglade.

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Posthumous non-participants inductees are Brooklyn trainer Charley Goldman (28-6-2, 19 KOs) who also fought professionally in the early 1900’s, Madison Square Garden matchmaker Jimmy Johnston, Madison Square Garden president Harry Markson, of Kingston, celebrated Bronx sportswriter Damon Runyon and manager/matchmaker Al Weill.

Each inductee will receive a custom-designed belt signifying his induction into the NYSBHOF. Plaques are on display at the New York State Athletic Commission and Waterfront Crabhouse. 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.

CLASS of 2012: Carmen Basilio, Mike McCallum, Mike Tyson, Jake LaMotta, Riddick Bowe, Carlos Ortiz, Vito Antuofermo, Emile Griffith, “Sugar” Ray Robinson, Gene Tunney, Benny Leonard, Tony Canzoneri, Harold Lederman, Steve Acunto, Jimmy Glenn, Gil Clancy, Ray Arcel, Nat Fleischer, Bill Gallo and Arthur Mercante, Sr.

CLASS of 2013: Jack Dempsey, Johnny Dundee, Sandy Saddler, Maxie Rosenbloom, Joey Archer, Iran Barkley, Mark Breland, Bobby Cassidy, Doug Jones, Junior Jones, James “Buddy” McGirt, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, Bob Arum, Shelly Finkel, Tony Graziano, Larry Merchant, Teddy Brenner, Mike Jacobs, Tex Rickard and Don Dunphy.

CLASS OF 2014: Floyd Patterson, Tracy Harris Patterson, Billy Backus, Kevin Kelley, Juan LaPorte, Gerry Cooney, Mustafa Hamsho, Howard Davis, Jr., Lou Ambers, Jack Britton, Terry McGovern, Teddy Atlas, Lou DiBella, Steve Farhood, Gene Moore, Angelo Prospero, Whitey Bimstein, Cus D’Amato, William Muldoon and Tom O’Rourke.

Tickets are priced at $125.00 per adult and $50.00 for children (under 16), and includes a complete brunch and cocktail hour upon entry, starting at 12:30 p.m. / ET, as well as dinner (prime rib, fish or poultry) and open bar throughout the evening. Tickets are available by calling NYSBHOF/Ring 8 president Bob Duffy at 516.313.2304. Ads for the NYSBHOF program are available, ranging from $50.00 to $250.00, by contacting Duffy. Go on line at www.Ring8ny.com for additional information about the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame.

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 $30.00 and each member is entitled to a buffet dinner at RING 8 monthly meetings, excluding July and August. All active boxers, amateur and professional, are entitled to a complimentary RING 8 yearly membership. Guests of Ring 8 members are welcome at a cost of only $7.00 per person.