It was a cool evening with small threat of rain as members of Ring 8 met for the final time before summer break. Bob Bartels called attention to the membership at 7:55 PM for the Pledge of Allegiance and the Ten Count for departed members.

Ring 8 members wish Howie Albert a Happy Birthday. Bob Bartels said a trainer existed at Stillman’s gym many moons ago — a fellow by the name of Whitey Bimstein. Of course many of the new generation fighters do not know the name, but Bimstein is well regarded by the boxing community as “the trainer” who set standards. Bimstein, who died in 1969, trained the best fighters, his last boxer being Joey Archer. Howie and his brother invited Bimstein’s grandson, Mike Shapiro.

Shapiro describes Whitey and the story.

1912: a 15 year old kid at St Jerome’s church in the Bronx, Bimstein thought he could make some $5 punching out guys in the ring. Bimstein fought under the name Johnny White, because he did not his real name in the paper. If his father found out, he would kill him. This was true until his father found out his young son was taking home more than he was! So Whitey continued boxing until he joined the navy. After the Navy Whitey started training fighters. By the early ’20’s Bimstein was working with such names as Harry Greb, Gene Tunney, Jack Dempsey, Ruby Goldstein. He worked with Tunney during his two epic battles with Jack Dempsey ’26,’ 27. Between ’29 and ’34 Bimstein worked these corners —- is Georges Carpentier, Sixto Escobar, Jackie “Kid Berg, Benny Leonard, Fred Apostoli, Jimmy Braddock and Max Bear.

Whitey Bimstein considered for the Hall Of Fame for 2003.

After World War II, Whitey became partners with Freddie Brown, another one from Stillman’s Gym. Whitey Bimstein would scout fighters across the world, making an incredible amount for his opinion. He is also credited with saving Rocky Marciano’s perfect record by closing the cut that split the fighter’s nose in his bout with Ezzard Charles. The contemporary trainers, such as Angelo Dundee, started out as assistants to Whitey in the 50’s. No man worked in more corners of champions than Whitey Bimstein. After his death on July 14, 1969, New York Post columnist Lester Bromberg wrote — “Second to the best, and second to none.”

Tidbits: Also, Ron Ross continued his pledge for Hank Kaplan for induction in the Hall Of Fame, and said that Hank, despite being in the World hall Of Fame in Los Angeles, is too modest to mention himself. We wish Ron the best and yes, Kaplan belongs in the Hall.