President Bob Duffy started off the meeting by

introducing Boxing Judge Robin Taylor who in turn introduced our

first Guest Speaker Edward Perry who works for the Department of Veterans Affairs. He thanked all the Veterans who served our country. He talked on the Department of Veterans Affairs and how they help out all the Veterans, especially the Vietnam War.
Company Description: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) was established on March 15, 1989, succeeding the Veterans Administration. It is responsible for providing federal benefits to veterans and their families. Headed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, VA is the second largest of the 15 Cabinet departments and operates nationwide programs for health care, financial assistance and burial benefits. Of the 24.3 million veterans currently alive, nearly three-quarters served during a war or an official period of conflict. About a quarter of the nation’s population, approximately 63 million people, are potentially eligible for VA benefits and services because they are veterans, family members or survivors of veterans. The responsibility to care for veterans, spouses, survivors and dependents can last a long time. Five children of Civil War veterans still draw VA benefits. About 440 children and widows of Spanish-American War veterans still receive VA compensation or pensions. VA’s fiscal year 2005 spending was $71.2 billion , $31.5 billion for health care, $37.1 billion for benefits, and $148 million for the national cemetery system. President Bush sought $73 billion in the fiscal year 2006 budget for VA, a $1.8 billion increase in budget authority, primarily for health care and disability compensation. For more information you can go to www.va.gov or call (202) 273-5400 – fax (202) 501-2238 Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Ave., Nw., Washington DC, District of Columbia 20420.

President Duffy led us in the flag salute and Christina toll the bell 10 times President Duffy stated that Carl “The Truth” Williams passed away and was laid to rest yesterday.

President Duffy talked on the up-coming NYBHOF Induction Ceremonies which is being held on Sunday, April 28th at Russo’s on the Bay. He went over all the honorees and some of the other celebrates that will be attending including Joe Calzaghe. Tickets are priced at $150 and you can call President Bob Duffy at 516–313-2304 for more information.

President Duffy stated that we will be raffling off 2 Gift Bags that the BWAA gave out at their recent affair and also thanked Jack Hirsch, who is the President of the BWAA, for donating them.

Ring 8 Board member & Head Coach of the Glen Cove Boxing Club, Frank Pena, pictured here on the right, talked on the Ring 8 Picnic which will be held at Glen Cove on Sunday, July 14th starting at 1 PM. Frank along with fellow Ring 8 member & Coach of Glen Cove Boxing Club, Billy Strigaro pictured on the left, are showing off their Female Boxing Champion Viviana Melgar.

President Duffy stated that long time Ring 8 member Vinny Maddalone will be boxing at the Paramount Theatre, Huntington, New York against Undefeated Richard Carmack on May 11th.

Joe DeGuardia (Star Boxing) is giving a 10% discount to all Ring 8 members Plus Ring 8 will be giving another $5 discount for all there members. If anyone is interested in going, please contact President Bob Duffy at 516-313-2304.

President Duffy introduced the BWAA President Jack Hirsch who talked on the 88th Annual BWAA Awards Dinner which was held last week. He announced all the Champions that attended which included Bernard Hopkins, Roy Jones Jr., Timothy Bradley, Nonito Donaire, Ruslan Provodnikov, Gennady Golovkin and Matthew Macklin, Plus Jim Lampley, Bob Arum, Max Kellerman and others. Jack also stated that they recently found out that the first BWAA Awards Dinner took place back on April 25, 1926, thanks to the research of Ring 8 Boxing Historian Henry Hascup.

Jack and others talked about the recent Guillermo Rigondeaux/Nonito Donaire fight.

Jack then introduced our next Guest Speaker Dr. Abbey (Dr. Adal M. Hussain, Phd.), who is the Co-Founder/Executive Director of the World Liberty Television (WLTV). Dr. Abby talked on a Tournament that he won years ago, his fight against drugs and some of the interviews he has done over the years including one with Jake LaMotta. He also talked on the Bollywood Awards.

President Duffy introduced our next Guest Speaker Matchmaker/Boxing Historian Don Majeski. Don stated that he has been in boxing for 43 years and that he has a hard time making a living. He talked on boxing today, and that there were so many more shows years ago then there is today. They build up fighters too much. 1% of the people in boxing makes 95% of the money. The average price for a show in too much for the average fan. For a boxer to make a living they have to be either a World Champion or a Top Contender. Don talked about Health Care for fighters, and that every fighter should have it. He talked on how the money goes from the fighter, to the manager, to the promoter. He stated that Madison Square Garden should do more for boxing. They should sign and promote fighters. Today they care too much about the records and not the fights. He talked about how Bob Montgomery was stopped by Al Bummy Davis in just 1 minute and 3 seconds of the 1st round at Madison Square Garden in 1944 and just 2 weeks later Montgomery beat Beau Jack for the Lightweight Championship of the World.

Don gave a history on the Boxing Commissions, starting back in 1891. He also talked on the International Boxing Hall of Fame and how the process works on how people are voted in.

President Duffy talked on the Finals of the New York Golden Gloves in which Ring 8 will be honoring Vince Shomo.

Former Featherweight Champion, Juan LaPorte talked on Carmelo Negron, who is not doing too well.

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