President Matt Farrago
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, November 17, 2009 at the Waterfront Crabhouse, 2-03 Borden Ave. Long Island City (718) 729-4862

Board members in attendance: President Matt Farrago, V.P. Henny Wallitsch, Lenny Mangiapane, Bob Duffy, Henry Hascup, Joe Dwyer, Tony Mazzarella, Johnny Breitenbruck, Paulette Balog, Tommy Gallagher, Frank Pena, Jack Hirsch, Richie O’Neill, Tony Di Pippo, John Labate

Our next meeting will be at our 2009 Ring 8 Holiday and Awards Ceremony at Russo’s on the Bay on December 20th.

Our Ring 8 member Carmine Rastelli sang the National Anthem

Celebrity Boxers in attendance were Emile Griffith and Larry Stanton

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

A. Hall of Fame referee Lou Filippo: After his discharge from the Navy, he won the US Diamond Belt (lightweight division). Fillippo had more than 250 amateur bouts before embarking on a professional career.

Filippo fought professionally from 1947-1957, compiling a record of 28-9-3 (8). During his career, he fought former lightweight champions Carlos Ortiz and Lauro Salas. He was named Action Fighter of the Year in Los Angeles (1957). He went into refereeing in 1973 at the suggestion of Olympic Auditorium promoter Aileen Eaton and officiated in over 85 championship bouts. He retired from refereeing in 2005.

Filippo also appeared as either a referee or announcer in every “Rocky” movie, starring Sylvester Stallone. He spent 43 years with Thermo-Electron , Cal Duran. He served two terms as President of the WBHOF. He was inducted into the World and California Boxing Hall of Fame.

B. Leo Podgorski : 1973 Chicago Golden Gloves 112 pound champion. Leo was Chicago Park District 126 pound champion in 1975. His best wins were over Luis Aguilar and Brian Doherty. Leo trained amateurs and professional boxers during the 1980s and 1990s at the Portage Park gym in Chicago.

C. El Paso boxing legend Pete Melendez died on Thursday, just two days after his 76th birthday.

Melendez became the city’s first Golden Gloves national champion more than a half-century ago.

2. Top priority was placed on our 2009 “ Holiday and Awards Ceremony.”

On Sunday, December 20, 2009, Ring 8 is celebrating its Annual Holiday Event and Awards Ceremony at Russo’s on the Bay, 162-45 Crossbay Blvd, Howard Beach, NY 11414, 718-843-5055, 12:30pm – 5:30pm. Tickets are $125.00 per person.

Make checks payable to: Ring 8, Inc.

Mail checks and journal ads to: Matt Farrago,

30 Bowdon Rd, Greenlawn , NY 11740

* This event is expected to sell out quickly. Please send in your reservation checks as soon as possible.

3. Yvonne Williams spoke about the NY Metro Finals. Tickets are NOW on sale for the NY Metro Finals – Bob Duffy will be promoting the event on November 20th at the Plattdeutsch Park Restaurant,1132 Hempstead Tpke., Franklin Square, NY 11010-1535 .

Call me if you are interested in attending this event 631 948-6028

4. Jack Hirsch, President of the BWAA spoke about being ringside at the Miguel Cotto – Manny Pacquiao fight.

5. www.Ourlic.com has been advertising Ring 8’s events on their website. I strongly recommend checking out the site.

6. Our official Honorees will be:

Mark Breland: Ring 8 Community Service Award

Pete Brodsky: Ring 8 Contributions to Boxing Award

Tony DiPippo: Ring 8 Outstanding Service Award

Bill Gallo: Ring 8 Good Guy Award

Bob Goodman: Ring 8 Lifetime Achievement Award

Vinnie Maddalone: Ring 8 Uncrowned Champion Award

Dr. Michael Schwartz: Ring 8 Ringside Physician of the Year Award

Dr. Jerry Lynn: Ring 8 Humanitarian Award

7. Attached is the Invite to the 2009 Holiday Gala and information on advertising in the journal. Please help Ring 8 sell out the event and the journal.

8. Guests that will be in attendance at the 2009 Ceremony:

Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini, Larry Holmes, Gerry Cooney, Leon Spinks, Vito Antuofermo, Tommy Gallagher (The Contender), Emile Griffith, Burt Young (Rocky), Junior Jones

Posted under Meeting Notes