Randy Gordon

Known as the “The Commish” and “Randy G”, Randy Gordon has done it all in the field of Boxing. Boxed as an amateur, winning 37 of 39 fights, and has one fight at the Pro level in 1976.

He held positions of Assn’t editor for numerous national and international Boxing publications before coming Editor in Chief  of “The Ring ” in 1979. He also teamed with Bert  Sugar to produce “Boxing Illustrated.”

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His experience led him to be a popular boxing analyst for ESPN, USA Network and Madison Square Garden.

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In 1988, Gov. Mario Cuomo  appointed him Chairman of the New York State Athletic Comm., a position he held since 1995. He oversaw the operations of boxing throughout New York State. Randy was elected into the New Jersey Boxing HOF in 2005. He then joined the staff at “Sirius XM Radio” in 2007, launching a successful MMA Show called, “Fight Club”…In 2009 he was teamed with former top contender Gerry Cooney  and together formed “At The Fights”, which can be heard Monday and Friday nites (6-8pm ET) on Sirius 93 Radio. Randy was elected into the New York State Boxing Hall Of Fame in 2016.

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Randy will be on hand to launch his newest book about his life in Boxing “Glove Affair”. A behind the scenes look at the sport of Boxing from his view point at being the top of the game.He will be signing books at this meeting for those who purchase them.

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Randy is married to wife, Roni and lives in Melville, NY.. They have five children and 10 grandchildren.
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   Dr Thomas O’Brien II

Dr. Thomas O’Brien has a degree in Osteopathic  Medicine since 1995 and practices out of his office on E.60th St., Manhattan. He proudly performs Pre- and Post- Medical examinations of amateur boxers and Pro Boxers in New York for the past 15 years.

A Former Commander of the NY National Guard 88th Brigade, 102nd Forward Medical Support Division that provides medical care to Our troops and Families within the Greater NY area.

Dr. O’Brien has done extensive studies on Medicinal Marijuana and is certified in that area of medicine. He will be on hand to discuss his experience with boxing medical practices and his studies on Medicinal Marijuana.

 

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President Charlie Norkus opened up the meeting with Paulette Balog leading us in our Flag Salute and 10 count

WBC Female Featherweight Champion, Heather “The Heat” Hardy

Carlos Ortiz Jr., former NYSAC Judge and now IBF Champions Committee Chairman

Vice President, Frank Pena

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Contact:
President, Charlie Norkus

CNorkusR8@aol.com
516-781-3065

The Ring 8 VBA March meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 19th, 2019 at O’Neills Rest., 64-21 53rd Drive, Maspeth, NY 11378

Our special Guest Speakers this month will be Heather Hardy, WBC Female Featherweight Champion and Carlos Ortiz Jr., former NYSAC Judge and now IBF Champions Committee Chairman.

                             Heather “The Heat” Hardy

                               Carlos Ortiz Jr.

Longtime Ring 8 member, Carlos has been installed as the new IBF Championship Committee Chairman, based in New Jersey. Overseeing the arrangement of IBF Championship fights can be a daunting task, and Carlos will be on hand to tell us about his new position. Carlos has put his future HOF career on hold as a NYSAC Boxing Judge for this new position.

The former US Marine and retired NYC Police Officer, was a longtime amateur judge, and for the last 10 years, a boxing judge in the Pro ranks. With over 450 bouts scored, 45 of them were Championship bouts with the IBF, WBO, WBC, and WBA, this former Ring 8 “Boxing Official Of The Year” will be on hand to tell us about his experiences in the ring.

I would like to remind all Ring 8 members that The New York State Boxing Hall Of Fame is a short time away..Sunday April 28th at Russo’s on the Bay, Howard Beach ,Queens. (Please see our flyer on the Ring 8 web page by scrolling down). NYS BHOF President Bob Duffy says ticket sales are going well and it is expected to be another sell out.

Ring 8 VBA 2019 dues are always in order and can be paid at the meeting. Our $5 all you can eat buffett will include Corn Beef and Cabbage with other O’Neill’s delights.

Please join us for this great evening.

Contact:
President, Charlie Norkus

CNorkusR8@aol.com
516-781-3065

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Both our speakers were outstanding as after they talked about there careers, they took countless amount of questions.

Alicia “The Empress” Napoleon, the WBA World Female Super Middleweight Champion

Patrick Day, the IBF Inter-Continental super welterweight champion as well as the WBC Continental Americas super welterweight champion.

Ring 8 President Charles Norkus Jr with Wilson-Billy Ramos (owner Boxingology Gym, Mt Vernon, NY-red shirt) and boxer Zephyr. Donation of equipment and check from Ring 8.

Ring 8 Vice President Frank Pena gave an up-date on Nisa Rodriguez, who is planning on representing Puerto Rico in the 2020 Olympic Games.

Bob Duffy talked on the up-coming New York State Boxing Hall of Fame, which will take place on Sunday, April 28th at Russo’s On The Bay.

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A BIG THANK YOU goes out to Joe DeGuardia (Star Boxing) for donating 4 tickets to this Friday’s Pro Boxing Show at the Paramount Theatre, in Huntington.

(All Pictures taken by Stan Janousek, professional fight name Stanley Yanachek)

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Contact:
President, Charlie Norkus

CNorkusR8@aol.com
516-781-3065

Welcome back to all members and guests as we start off our New Year with a fight card of some of the movers and shakers in the New York Area Boxing scene. Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, January 15th at O’Neill’s Restaurant located at 64-21 53rd Drive in Maspeth, New York starting at 7 PM.

Our guest list will include Sonya Lamonakis, President USA Boxing Metro NY, Carlos Ortiz Jr., newly named IBF Championship Comm. Chairman , and Nisa Rodriguez, 8x NY Golden Gloves Champion and Puerto Rico 2020 Olympic Team hopeful.

Sonya “ The Scholar” Lamonakis

The reigning IBO World Female Heavyweight Title holder will be on hand to tell us about her amateur Champion career-4x NY Golden Glove Champion and her Induction into the NY Golden Gloves Hall Of Fame. Born in Greece, now residing in New York City, Sonya is a 7^th Grade NYC school teacher in the Rockaways, Queens. Between rounds in the ring, she is also is the presiding President of USA Boxing Metro NY Amateur Assoc. The USA Boxing Metro Tournament is set to begin in Jan/Feb  with registration for its annual tournament in which Ring 8 will participate as a sponsor of one of its fight night cards. Sonya will tell us about the tournament and it’s meaning to so many young fighters in their young careers.

Carlos Ortiz Jr.

Longtime Ring 8 member, Carlos has been installed as the new IBF Championship Comm. Chairman, based in New Jersey. Overseeing the arrangement of IBF Championship fights can be a daunting task and Carlos will be on hand to tell us about his new position. Carlos has to put his future HOF career on hold as a NYSAC Boxing Judge for this new position.

The former US Marine, and retired NYC Police Officer, was a longtime amateur judge and for the past 10 years, a boxing judge in the Pro ranks. With over 450 bouts scored, 45 of them were Championship bouts with the IBF, WBO, WBC and WBA. Former Ring 8 “Boxing Official Of The Year”. Will be on hand to tell us about his experiences around the Ring..

Nisa Rodriguez

This 28 year old, 147 lb amateur Champion who was born in Puerto Rico and is a 8x New York Golden Gloves Champion will be with us to discuss her 2018 Central American and Caribbean Gold Medals she just won. Now living in Mott Haven, Bronx, and training in John’s Gym, she has been fighting since she was 13 years old. A amateur record at last count is 67w-7L, is an outstanding one which includes a 4x Metropolitan Champion, 2x Empire State Games, and 2x Pure Breed Champion added to her resume.

Her inspiration comes from her littlest cornerman, her 9 year old son, Emerson. Nisa is on the Puerto Rico Olympic Team and is hopeful to bring home the Gold to her home Country. She wants to inspire the thousands of youths here and abroad to realize their potential and to go for the “Gold” in their own lives. Ring 8 is in Nisa’s corner during her bouts and quests.

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Ring 8 would like to remind you that 2019 dues are due at the door this meeting, $30.00 /yr will get you up close to some of the biggest names in New York area boxing. A $5 meal charge is collected for the pre-meeting buffets each meeting. We will announcing our 2019 slate of events at the meeting and your gonna want to hear about it.

Reminder January and February are our biggest “Inclement weather “ months. If a storm threat should arise that could hinder driving or any travel plans, please check in with this website for meeting cancellation notices posted the day before the meeting is scheduled.That goes for hurricane watches and other emergencies as well at any time. Thank You.

President Jack Hirsch opened the meeting and Paulette Balog led us in our Flag Salute and 10 Count.

President Jack Hirsch talked about our up-coming Holiday Party on Sunday, December 9th.

Alicia Napoleon, the WBA World Female Super Middleweight Champion, who will receive the New York State Female Fighter of the Year Award at our Holiday Party spoke about her career, her coach, her husband and others, who has supported her throughout her career.

Mike Stanton talked about his new book on Rocky Marciano called “Unbeaten.”

Joe DeGuardia, talked about his time as a promoter and several of the fighters he promoted, including Chris Algieri.

(All Pictures taken by Stan Janousek, professional fight name Stanley Yanachek)