Ring 8 Minutes
Executive Board Meeting

The monthly executive board meeting of the Veteran Boxers Association of NY, Ring 8, Inc. was held on Tuesday, Aug 18th, 2009, from 6:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M., at O’Neill’s Restaurant, Maspeth, New York.

Board members in attendance: President, Matt Farrago, V.P. Henny Wallitsch, Bobby Bartel, Bob Duffy, Henry Hascup, Johnny Breitenbruck, Paulette Balog, Joe Dwyer, Bill Tate, Frank Pena, Jack Hirsch, Richie O’Neill, and Dawn Avila.

The following items were discussed:

1. R.I.P. boxers were acknowledged:

A. Budd Schulberg – “On the Waterfront” – Dies at 95

B. Vernon Forrest – (41-3, 29 KOs ), 1992 U.S. Olympian, was a former two-time welterweight and two-time junior middleweight champion. Best known for his two decision victories against Shane Mosley in 2002.

C. Panamanian boxer, José “Maco” Arboleda sadly passed away during the early morning hours today after having been injured in a traffic accident that occurred while he was riding as a passenger on a bus in Panama City . Arboleda suffered severe injuries to his liver, head and lungs. Arboleda, 27, turned pro in 2001 and compiled a record of 23-4-2 (9). He was stopped twice.

D. Ramon Fuentes – fought and BEAT Art Aragon, Mario Trigo and Kid Gavilan, among others, has passed away.

E. William Morelo – Just 24 years old at the time of his death, his last fight he lost by unanimous decision against Argentinian prospect “Tigre” Saldivia, a fight that was shown on HBO PLUS to all of Latin America. He was killed by 2 professional hit men (sicarios), when he was entering his gym, close to the Miguel “Happy” Lora Coliseum. The killers then escaped the scene on a bike.

2. The board voted on the location of our 2009 holiday party. This year’s event will be on Dec 20th, 2009 at Russo’s on the Bay

162-45 Cross Bay Blvd. • Howard Beach , New York 11414 •

Tel: (718) 843-5055 • Fax: (718) 641-7537

3. Ring 8 Financials: Bank statement and our investments were discussed.

4. Would Ring 8 like to sponsor the Metro Finals? – Yvonne Williams presented us with this opportunity. It was voted on and the conclusion was that we would like to work the Metro Tournament some time in November. We are waiting for the dates to be finalized. Attached is the correspondence I received.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Farrago.

As Metro Tournament Director, I am reaching out to you today to ask if Ring 8 would be interested in sponsoring a Metro Finals this year. It is the single most important tournament for our elite athletes, as the Metro Championships is our LBC’s advancing tournament for the Open and Women’s classes. The Metro Champions advance to the Regionals where, if they win, they advance to the Nationals and begin to gain points towards a national ranking and hopefully an Olympic bid. “

Last year, we had 2 nights of finals – one at the Apollo Theater and the other at Aviator.”

5. Michael Carryl- LI Amateur Boxing Championships were a tremendous success. Ring 8 is very interested in co-sponsoring and working with Michael on a New York Ring 8 Championship.

6. Jules Feiler, our public relations representative, got Ring 8 mentioned in the story on Budd Schulberg coming out in this Sunday’s NY Times on Aug 9th. We will be presenting the “Lifetime Achievement Award” to his son and wife at the boxing match Aug 26th at B.B. Kings. It is our hope that Riddick Bowe and Larry Holmes will be our guests at our annual holiday party. Other possible guests include Burt Young, Bert Sugar, and Tony LoBianco.

7. Keith Sullivan, our legal counsel, is working on both the death of Arturo Gatti, and the legal suit against the New York State Athletic Commission brought on by Joey Gamache.

We’re extremely pleased that by making this decision the court is saying loud and clear that the commission can and will be held responsible when they conduct themselves in a negligent manner that results in injuries to the fighters,” said Gamache’s attorney, Keith Sullivan. “They had a duty that day that when Joey weighed in at 141 pounds, that his opponent also weighed in at the same weight. It’s disgraceful.”

8. Our next meeting will be at O’Neill’s Restaurant, Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009, at 7:00pm. Board of Directors will meet at 6:00pm.

Posted under Meeting Notes