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RING 8 MEETING
THURSDAY
APRIL 18, 2024 – 7 pm
O’NEILL’S
64-21  53rd Dr.
MASPETH, NY

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Sean McDonagh fought at light-heavyweight and lost a split decision in the quarter-finals to David Harris, the eventual winner. In the 1984 Golden Gloves he fought out the Times Square Boxing Gym again lost a split decision in the heavyweight division to Ira Turner, the eventual champion. On a trip to the Catskills, Seamus visited legendary trainer Cus D’Amato and was offered the opportunity to live and train under Cus’ tutelage, along with another then unknown teenager named Mike Tyson. Seamus declined, returned to Brooklyn and in 1985 won the New York State Golden Gloves heavyweight division scoring KO’s in all four of his victories. Later that year he turned professional and used the money he obtained from the signing bonus to pay for his second semester at Saint John’s University. It was during this time that Seamus became familiar with novelist Norman Mailer. They corresponded for many years.

Seamus took most of his classes at the Staten Island campus and became a member of the fraternity Sigma Chi Upsilon (EXY).

In 1989 he danced with the brothers of EXY as “The Blues Brothers East”, doing a half-time routine for the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. They also performed for St. John’s University basketball team at Alumni Hall. Later that year he won “Rusty Staub’s” famous rib eating competition representing Madison Square Garden. He obtained an honors degree in English Literature St. John’s University.

By 1990 he had a professional boxing record of 19-1-1, (14KO’s) and was the #3 world ranked cruiserweight and #9 world ranked heavyweight. In the spring of 1990, the world of boxing was shocked when the seemingly unbeatable Iron Mike Tyson was KO’d by challenger Buster Douglas. This immediately ruled out the longtime highly anticipated match up between #1 ranked heavyweight contender Evander Holyfield and undisputed World Heavyweight Champion Mike Tyson.

On 1 June 1990, McDonagh took Tyson’s place and fought WBC Continental Americas Heavyweight Champion Evander Holyfield ^[1] He lost by a TKO in the fourth round. In his corner were his dad Jim, Nick and Joe Baffi, Bobby Barbero and Tommy Gallagher. He lost only 3 times in 23 professional fights and turned to acting after his retirement from boxing.

His first acting job was in Judy Gebauer’s “Bobby Sands M.P.”, directed by Nye Heron at the Irish Arts Center NY NY. His credits include “The Risen People” and “2by4”, dir. by Jimmy Smallhorne, NY NY. “Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme”, dir. Naomi Gibson, San Francisco, CA. Lead in “The Shankill Road” dir. by Tess Downey, Hollywood CA.

He played the lead character in the Off-Broadway play “Kid Shamrock“ about the life of former #1 ranked world cruiser weight Bobby Cassidy. It was written by his son Bobby Cassidy Jr. who writes for Newsday.

Guest speaker Peter Wood

President of

Friends of The Champ

Is putting on a nice night out on the Bay with many Boxing Champions.

Food, Wine, Music & BYOB

GIVE JOHNNY A CALL AT
347-939-2125

Ring 8 MEETING
THURSDAY
APRIL 18, 2024
7pm
O’Neill’s
64-21 53rd Dr.
Maspeth, NY
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BOXING TALK
Ron McNair

Muhammad Ali
We all know that ALI lost 43 months of his prime fighting years, due to The Draft issues.
March 22, 1967 – Folley
Oct. 26, 1970 – Quarry
That’s 3 years & 7 months that ALI didn’t fight in his 20’s
The PRIME OF A BOXERS LIFE.
CASSIUS CLAY won his title off of Sonny Liston of Feb.25 1964.
The rematch was set for Nov.16,1964 in the Boston Garden.
3 days before the fight Ali needed emergency surgery for a Hernia.
The new date would be May 25, 1965.
That’s 15 more months the champ was inactive.
43 months
15 months
58 months that MUHAMMAD ALI DID NOT FIGHT IN HIS 20’s
Still looked what he accomplished.
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BIG George Foreman
76-5- 68 KO’s
Big George had his 1st pro bout in MSG June 23,1969, a 3rd round stoppage over Don Waldhelm.
03/17/77 George lost a UD to Jimmy Young.
He didn’t fight again for 10 years.
03/09/87 George made his comeback & beat Steve Zouski
What would have George accomplished if he fought those 10 years?
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Member
CARLOS ORTIZ jr.
First of all we’d all like to thank Carlos for for his BRAVERY in taking
THE STEP FORWARD
to defend our country. USMC, SGT.
If that wasn’t tough enough Carlos joined the NYPD and served his city well.
Carlos joined the NYSAC as a judge in 2006.
He was on the fast track to becoming a top judge.
He started getting high profile bout to judge quickly.
Bivol, Pascal, Kovalev, Jacob’s, Wilder, Charlo and many more.
Carlos was a Bright Shining STAR in the NYSAC.
He judged 421 bouts in 12 years.
The light was so bright that IBF PRESIDENT DARYL PEOPLES noticed it.
Daryl, with E-ZPass in hand crossed the Goethals Bridge, Verrazano Bridge & the Kosciusko Bridge picked up Carlos in home in Queens and drove him back to the IBF Headquarters in Springfield NJ. Gave him the position of
CHAMPIONSHIP CHAIRMAN.
Carlos is now a shining STAR for the IBF.
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Member
Neil O’Donnell
From Bay Ridge Brooklyn,
FOOTBALL IS IN HIS BONES
played for the Knute Rockne Football League 1969-76
All-star and leader, TEAM PLAYER.
Close ties to Rudy Piccirillo & family.
Rudy was the man behind the ROCKNEE JR’s DYNASTY, 6 straight championships.
Neil’s Dad and his uncle started Neil off on the heavy bag when he was 6.
But the head trainer in the house, his Mom, said no more Boxing.
Neil is a retired NYPD Detective. He was very active on the job. He was known throughout the city. He earned 52 Medals. &
Neil was involved in 5 BLISTERING SHOOT OUT in his NYPD career.
He is very happy to be joining Ring 8
We are pleased to have this HERO in our corner.
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Member
John Reetz
Great story, Barkley is fighting Hearns in 12 hours.
John Reetz closes the deal with $75,000 cash to Vinny Ferguson for Iran Barkley contract.
Talk about a successful manager!
Look at the bouts Reetz set up for Iran between 1988-1994
Hearns, Duran, Nunn, Benn, Hearns, Van Horn, Toney, Maske.
John also worked with Dennis Milton and Merqui Sosa.
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Meldrick Taylor
At the age of 17 Taylor won the 1984 Olympic Gold Medal at Featherweight.
To show you how advanced Meldrick was with international competition at the age of 17, Howard Davis jr. at the age of 17 was looking to win his 2nd set of NEW YORK DAILY NEWS GOLDEN GLOVES in 1974
They both fought to a split draw in 1986 at the Sands in AC
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RING 8, PRESIDENT,
RON McNAIR
ronmac10998@gmail.com
917-968-5636

RING 8 MEETING
THURSDAY
APRIL 18, 2024 – 7 pm
O’NEILL’S
64-21  53rd Dr.
MASPETH, NY

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Guest speaker Peter Wood

RING 8 MEETING
THURSDAY
APRIL 18, 2024  – 7 pm
O’NEILL’S
64-21  53rd Dr.
MASPETH, NY

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Had a nice call with International Professional Boxing Judge Joe Pasquale.
Joe has been judging in the punch for pay ranks since 1984.Take a look at BoxRec
1012 bouts judged. Joe worked that busy stretch of fight in Atlantic City when AC produced steady Championship bouts. The bouts he has judged looks like a who’s who in Boxing. KLITSCHKO, HONEYGHAN, DEWITT, GROVE, KHAN,H DAVIS, M TAYLOR, GGG, ALVAREZ, BETERBIEV to name a few.
Joe has run many boxing judges seminars across the globe.
Always a pleasure to chat with Joe.

John Zervos
Friends of the Champ (FOTC)
Long time boxing fan.
Joe Frazier was his Man
As a young man boxed in his backyard with his friends.
Retired NYPD
John is the President of FOTC
He started FOTC in 2020
FOTC has a very tight knit BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONSISTING OF 9 MEMBERS
from all walks of life. 2 Doctors, 2 Lawyers, NYPD, USPS, Funeral director.
They work hand in hand in Helping Fighters.

John McKaie
Amateur fighter
Fought in the semifinals in the 1966 Daily News GG
A pure boxer ,he was called Willie Pep for the way he moved around the Ring.
Johnny trained at the LOST BATALLION HALL
Trained by Vic Zimit
Amateur boxing judge
Professional boxing judge 1998 to present
Judged more that 1330 Professional boxing matches.
Known as a high profile judge
Was called to Vegas 26 times to judge the likes of Cotto, Mayweather & GGG.

Member
Gary Giovanniello
Is one very proud son. You can feel and hear the love he has for his Dad in the tone of his voice. His Dad was welterweight Danny Giovanelli from Brooklyn .
Danny fought often in The Ridgewood Grove Arena
His record was 30-9 in the Golden Era of Boxing. Gary happily states his dad defeated Vince Martinez in Madison Square Garden .Martinez posted a record of 69-8 -36 KO’s with wins over the likes of Carmine Fiore, Art Aragon, & Chuck Davey.
Danny was 23-1 in his first 24 fights
Gary’s other family member is Patsy Giovanelli
44-7-1-14 KO’s
He also fought a great deal in the Ridgewood Grove Arena
He had wins over
Bobby Ruffin 35-12
Harry Jaffa.    68-9
Patsy lost 4 years of his career when he was drafted.
Patsy was also our Ring 8 President.

Member
Eddie Cruz
Eddie was the NY Daily News GG Champion in 1982 & 1984  -178 lbs
He also won The Spanish gloves 2x
Competed in the jr Olympics, Empire Games
As. Amateur he fought in Russia, Cuba, London, Paris,
Eddie trained out of Lunar Boxing gym in Brooklyn, NY.
He was
Trained by Tito Rivera & Victor Valle.

Member
John Pennisi
Artistic Talent in the house.
ILLUSTRATOR / CARICATURIST
John grew up in the Bronx. Lots  of work ethic in his family.
His Dad worked 30 in NYC Transit-RETIRED- Then 25 years USPS. WOW
Bruce Stark influenced John. Early on John worked various Illustration jobs at JC Penny, Jordache, Sassoon, Daily News, NY Post, various Baseball magazines & Boxing Digest.
John did a 67 card set on the life of Phil Rizzuto.
John is a retired NYC Correction Officer. TOUGH JOB….
His love for boxing brought him to the squared circle.

PRESIDENT, RON McNAIR
ronmac10998@gmail.com
917-968-5636

RING 8 MEETING
THURSDAY
APRIL 18, 2024 – 7 pm
O’Neil’s

Ring 8 President Ron McNair
Just Checking in – Boxing Talk.

This St. Patricks Day while enjoying your corn beef and cabbage, you can think back to 03/17/47. When a young 185 lbs made his professional debut
against Lee Epperson. It was the start of this future Heavyweight Champions career.
Rocky Marciano defended his title 6 times against the likes of
Jersey Joe Walcott,
Roland LaStarza
Ezzard Charles (2)
Don Cockell
Archie Moore
These above  warriors had a total of 280 KNOCK OUTS TOGETHER

We know SMOKIN JOE FRAZIER came from Philadelphia, PA.
But some of his most significant fights were held right here in
The Worlds MOST Famous Arena.
MADISON SQUARE GARDENS.
OSCAR BONAVENA 09/21/66
DICK WIPPERMAN.  03/04/66
GEORGE CHUVALO. 07/19/67
BUSTER MATHIS.      03/04/68
MANDOS RAMOS      06/24/68
JERRY QUARRY.         06/23/69
JIMMY ELLIS.              02/16/70
MUHAMMAD ALI.       03/08/71
MUHAMMAD ALI.       01/28/74
JERRY QUARRY.          06/17/74

Joe was 9-1 in the Garden.

ON MARCH 25, – 65 years will have passed since Sugar Ray Robinson Regained his Middleweight Title back from Carmen Basilio

Archie Moore won the Light heavyweight title from Joey Maxim on 12/17/52 by unanimous decision. Archie who fought 219 fights had no problem giving Maxim return match. In fact, Archie gave Maxim 2 shots at winning back his title within 14 months.
All to no avail for Maxim

Barnes & Noble started their book store in 1873. IN 1971 the business was bought by Leonard Reggio. Leonard’s dad was Steve Reggio a professional boxer with a record of 33-17-3.
One of his wins at Madison Square Garden on 02/09/44 was against the future Middleweight Champion of the world, Rocky Graziano.  I met Steve Reggio at the gym above the old UA WALKER movie theater on 64th St & 18th Ave where I trained.

Sandy Sadler calls our Dads.
I was up in Gleason Gym talking to Canadian welterweight Donnie Poole 1988-89, he was training there.
Who walks into the gym, no other than the great featherweight champion Sandy Saddler.
We greet him and have a nice conversation. I stated to him that he is one of the all-time great KO leaders. He said when you knock them out, no decision is needed.
Donnie & I were so happy speaking with Saddler that we both had the same idea & called our dads from the pay phone in Gleason Gym, and Sandy spoke to our Dads.
Great memory

On March 13 I stopped off at Sullivan County Boxing Gym in Liberty NY.
Head trainer is Jose ( the trainer explainer )Toledo. He has been running his gym about 15 years. Jose has established his own line of Boxing Equipment & apparel.
Beautiful gloves, pads ,head gear, double end bags,  speed bags.
UNTOUCHABLES BOXING EQUIPMENT
His gym look like a museum. Photos belts, memorabilia, a beautiful display.
Stop by if in Liberty NY
3 N MAIN ST. LIBERTY NY. 845-807-7194

Just got a call from Future HOF TRAINER Andre Rozier.
Danny Jacobs, Sadam  Ali, Seriy Derevyanchenko are
all back n the gym with Andre Rozier, training them in Brooklyn, NY
Jacobs & Ali have been with Rosier from day 1 ( Amateurs)
He calls it
“FROM THE CRADLE TO THE CROWN”
Sadam beat Cotto for Crown
Jacobs beat Fletcher for Crown.
Jacobs & Derevyanchenko are staying at 168 lbs
Both are looking to get on the Haney vs Garcia card April 20 at the Barclays Center.
Sadam will be returning at 147-154

EDDIE POST – Mr. Spartan
Our member
First of all we’d all like to thank Eddie for his service to our country
He did one and a half tours in Vietnam
Eddie was the first amateur boxer allowed to join Ring 8 in 1972
Eddie trained at PAL SWEENY CENTER & EMPIRE
He was in the New York Daily News Golden Gloves 1969-71-72
Fought in the Nationals 1972
Eddie started working at SPARTAN in 1969, He Bought Spartan in 1983
Foreman, Bowe, Jr. Jones, Barkley, Vito, Mercer
All wore SPARTAN GEAR.

Melted Sugar
SUGAR RAY ROBINSON vs , JOEY MAXIM
JUNE 25,1952
Yankee Stadium,World Light Heavyweight Title.
Referee Ruby Goldstein was overcome by the 104 degree heat and had to be replaced by referee Ray Miller after round 10
Robinson retired on his stool after round 13 from heat exhaustion.
Robinson was up on all the cards
10-3
9-3-1
7-3-3

Thank you!
Ring 8 President,
Ron McNair
917-968-5636
ronmac10998@gmail.com