The Annual RING 8 Holiday Event and Awards Ceremony will be held Sunday afternoon (12:00-5:00 p.m. ET), February 10 at Russo’s On The Bay in Howard Beach, New York.

Damage from Hurricane Sandy to Russo’s On The Bay forced the event’s postponement from December 9 to Feb. 10.

A star-studded group of past and present world champions and industry dignitaries will be in attendance. Dave Diamante will announce the award winners.

Ring 8 has announced its 2012 award winners (see full list below), including new World Boxing Association middleweight champion Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (Fighter of the Year), Joe Calzaghe (Fighter of the Decade) if his plane is not canceled, But it looks good right now.

“Our members really look forward to this gala event every year,” Ring 8 president Bob Duffy said. “Some of the biggest names in boxing will be honored as we proudly continue our record for lending a helping hand to those in the boxing community who are less fortunate, some requiring assistance towards paying their rent, medical expenses, or whatever justifiable need. Each year our Holiday Event and Awards Ceremony celebrates our great sport of boxing, insuring much-needed funding is raised so we may continue our mission for our needy brothers and sisters in boxing. We will never waver from their corners. We had to wait a little longer this year because of Hurricane Sandy, but I’m confident it’ll be another knockout Holiday Event and Awards Ceremony.”

Committed celebrity boxing attendees include world champions Bobby Czyz, Iran Barkley, Vito Antuofermo, as well as Renaldo “Mr.” Snipes, Tommy Gallagher, Melvina Lathan, and Harold Lederman,

2012 RING 8 Award Winners

Fighter of the Year: Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin
Fighter of the Decade: Joe Calzaghe
Uncrowned Champion: David Sears
Coach of the Year (FDNY): Bob McGuire
Coaches of the Year (NYPD): Pat Russo & Dave Seiv
Official of the Year (Referee): Eddie Claudio
Official of the Year (Judge): John Signorile
Boxing Writer of the Year: Mike Woods
Long & Meritorious Service: Ron McNair
Man of the Year: Frankie Russo Jr.
Prospects of the Year: Floriano Pagliara & Joe Smith
Comeback of the Year: Adam Willett
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Last year’s Ring 8 award winners included the now late, great Emanuel Steward, who was honored as Trainer of the Decade, as well as 2008 U.S. Olympian Marcus Browne, the Amateur Boxer of the Year.

Tickets, priced at $125.00 per person, are available to purchase by calling1.718.729.4862, emailing DepComish@aol.com or mailing checks (payable to Ring 8) to Tony Mazzarella, C/O Waterfront Crab House, 2-03 Borden Ave., Long Island, NY 11101. Donations of any denomination are welcome for those unable to attend the festivities.

Tickets include a complete brunch with cocktail hour upon entry, seating at the awards ceremony, dinner and dessert, and top-shelf open bar throughout the afternoon. There will also be a silent auction of boxing memorabilia. This event is expected to sell-out and everybody is urged to purchase tickets as soon as possible in order to secure favorable seating. Boxing and sports memorabilia will be on display.

The 26th annual RING 8 Holiday Event and Awards Ceremony will be held Sunday afternoon (12:00-5:00 p.m. ET), February 10 at Russo’s On The Bay in Howard Beach, New York.

Damage from Hurricane Sandy to Russo’s On The Bay forced the event’s postponement from December 9 to Feb. 10.

A star-studded group of past and present world champions and industry dignitaries will be in attendance. Dave Diamante will announce the award winners.

Ring 8 has announced its 2012 award winners (see full list below), including new World Boxing Association middleweight champion Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin(Fighter of the Year), Joe Calzaghe (Fighter of the Decade), and Bernard Hopkins(Lifetime Achievement),

“Our members really look forward to this gala event every year,” Ring 8 president Bob Duffy said. “Some of the biggest names in boxing will be honored as we proudly continue our record for lending a helping hand to those in the boxing community who are less fortunate, some requiring assistance towards paying their rent, medical expenses, or whatever justifiable need. Each year our Holiday Event and Awards Ceremony celebrates our great sport of boxing, insuring much-needed funding is raised so we may continue our mission for our needy brothers and sisters in boxing. We will never waver from their corners. We had to wait a little longer this year because of Hurricane Sandy, but I’m confident it’ll be another knockout Holiday Event and Awards Ceremony.”

Committed celebrity boxing attendees include world champions Bobby Czyz, Virgil Hill, Iran Barkley, Vito Antuofermo, and Matthew Saad Muhammad, as well as Renaldo “Mr.” Snipes, Tommy Gallagher, Michael Bentt, Harold Lederman, and Earnie Shavers.
__________________________________________________________________
2012 RING 8 Award Winners

Fighter of the Year: Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin
Fighter of the Decade: Joe Calzaghe
Uncrowned Champion: David Sears
Coach of the Year (FDNY): Bob McGuire
Coaches of the Year (NYPD): Pat Russo & Dave Seiv
Lifetime Achievement Award: Bernard Hopkins
Official of the Year (Referee): Eddie Claudio
Official of the Year (Judge): John Signorile
Boxing Writer of the Year: Mike Woods
Long & Meritorious Service: Ron McNair
Man of the Year: Frankie Russo Jr.
Prospects of the Year: Floriano Pagliara & Joe Smith
Comeback of the Year: Adam Willett
__________________________________________________________________
Last year’s Ring 8 award winners included the now late, great Emanuel Steward, who was honored as Trainer of the Decade, as well as 2008 U.S. Olympian Marcus Browne, the Amateur Boxer of the Year.

Tickets, priced at $125.00 per person, are available to purchase by calling1.718.729.4862, emailing DepComish@aol.com or mailing checks (payable to Ring 8) to Tony Mazzarella, C/O Waterfront Crab House, 2-03 Borden Ave., Long Island, NY 11101. Donations of any denomination are welcome for those unable to attend the festivities.

Tickets include a complete brunch with cocktail hour upon entry, seating at the awards ceremony, dinner and dessert, and top-shelf open bar throughout the afternoon. There will also be a silent auction of boxing memorabilia. This event is expected to sell-out and everybody is urged to purchase tickets as soon as possible in order to secure favorable seating. Boxing and sports memorabilia will be on display.

Program ads are available for Full Page ($150.00), Half-Page ($80.00), and Quarter-Page ($50.00). The deadline for all ads is January 25 and must be emailed (DepComish@aol.com) or mailed to Bob Duffy (516.313.2304), 164 Lindbergh St., Massapequa, NY 11762.

Go online to www.Ring8ny.com for more information about Ring 8 or its annual Holiday Events and Awards Ceremony.

Russo’s On The Bay is located at 162-45 Crossbay Blvd. in Howard Beach(718.843.5055).

www.boxingnews24.com

NEW YORK, NY (November 19, 2012) – Damage from Hurricane Sandy to landmark venues in New York has resulted in the cancellation of tomorrow’s Ring 8 monthly meeting at the historic Waterfront Crabhouse in Long Island City, and postponement of the 26th annual Ring 8 Holiday Event and Awards Ceremony from December 9 to February 10 at Russo’s On The Bay in Howard Beach, New York.

“A lot of people, including some Ring 8 members, and places got hit hard by Hurricane Sandy and they’re still recovering,” “Ring 8 president Bob Duffy said. “The Waterfront Crabhouse and Russo’s On The Bay are right on the water and both suffered a lot of damage. We’re in discussions with another restaurant to host our December meeting. Our 2012 award winners have been notified. We had to push that event back to February but we will be announcing the names of all the winners in a few weeks. Ring 8 wishes everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving, as well as a great holiday season.”

Formed in 1954 by an ex-prizefighter, Jack Grebelsky, Ring 8 became the eighth subsidiary of what was then known as the National Veteran Boxers Association – hence, RING 8 – and today the organization’s motto still remains: Boxers Helping Boxers.

RING 8 is fully committed to supporting less fortunate people in the boxing community who may require assistance in terms of paying rent, medical expenses, or whatever justifiable need.

Go on line to www.Ring8ny.com for more information about RING 8, the largest group of its kind in the United States with more than 350 members. Annual membership dues is only $25.00 and each member is entitled to a buffet dinner at RING 8 monthly meetings, the third Tuesday of every month, excluding July and August. All active boxers, amateur and professional, are entitled to a complimentary RING 8 yearly membership.

Approx 150 Ring 8 members and friends came out to Glen Cove for the 2nd Annual Ring 8 Picnic. The food, drinks, company and weather were all GREAT!

A BIG THANK YOU goes out to Frank Pena for putting this all together.

To make pictures larger, just click on any picture:

The address of the picnic : Glen Cove Anglers
52 Garvies Pt. Rd
Glen Cove , Long Island

Frank Pena will have signs throughout the area …… exit 39 North on the LIE ( Glen Cove Road) —go straight to you see the Glen Cove Fire dept . ..you will bear left at the firehouse ( There will be a Ring 8 sign showing you where to go ). Call President Bob Duffy at 516 313-2304 if you have any problems or concerns.

all members and friends are invited.

Cost – $20.00.

President Bob Duffy opened the meeting with the flag salute then he talked on referee Wayne Kelly who recently passed away. John Labate gave a 10 count in his memory.

Paulette Balog gave a report on all the sick Ring 8 members, and Charlie Noel’s Niece Karen talked Ring 8 and all the members that supported Charlie over all the years.

President Duffy talked on the Mark Breland Foundation, called “Outside the Ropes” life after boxing. Mark, Junior Jones and Kristin talked on the foundation saying that anyone can donate such items as food, books, clothes, doctor services, car service, etc. President Dufy then asked for a coat drive for the next meeting.

Dr. Jerry Lynn introduced Fashion Designer and 2 time New York Golden Glove Silver Medalist Jill Terry Ward. Ward talked on her career and the Athletic Sports Wear she has.

Referee, Eddie Claudio spoke about the Johnriel Casimero/Luis Alberto Lazarte Junior Flyweight bout at the Club Once Unidos, Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina that ended in one of the worse boxing riots in years. In the ninth round, Lazarte looked like he put on a nice acting job to get Claudio to give him time to recover from a supposed shot below the belt. Later in the round, Casimero dropped a fading Lazarte with a series of right hands. He was unsteady when he got to his feet and Casimero dropped him for a second time to all fours with another volley of blows as Lazarte had desperately tried to hang on to him. Lazarte looked dead on his feet when he got up and was lucky the bell sounded to end the round. But early in the 10th round, Lazarte was still desperately trying to hold as Casimero pounded him along the ropes. Debris from the crowd began to fly into the ring as Claudio stepped in to stop the fight as Lazarte was falling over. A few seconds later chaos erupted as more debris came flying into the ring, as did numerous ringside chairs. It looked like an episode of WWE “Smackdown” and was one of the most disturbing scenes you will ever see. One spectator began to swing at Casimero. It was a full-on riot and a complete mess as bottles and chairs were hitting people in the ring. One of Casimero’s corner men, Sean Gibbons, suffered a broken rib. Claudio needed stitches in his lip. Others were dropping like flies as they were hit with chairs. There was a complete lack of ringside security. In fact, it looked like one of the security guards threw a punch at Casimero during the mayhem, which included spectators fighting each other at ringside. Lazarte is a dirty fighter and his so-called fans are even worse. This was simply shameful and to hear Eddie Claudio describe it was something those in attendance at the meeting will never forget.

President Duffy introduced many of the boxing people in attendance.

President Duffy talked on the 2nd Annual Ring 8 Picnic, which will be held in Glen Gove during the summer.

President Duffy showed the membership 3 New York Giant jackets that we will raffle off later on tonight.

President Duffy talked on the 1st Annual New York Boxing Hall of Fame Induction ceremonies, which will be held on Sunday, April 1st at Russo’s on the Bay. He introduced inductees Harold Lederman and Vito Antuofermo. He also talked on Mike Tyson, Carmen Basilio and Emile Griffith. Tickets are $150 each. President Duffy also talked about getting AD’s for our Journal.

President Duffy stated that Tony Mazzarella is working on getting a statue put up in a park by the Crabhouse for the New York Boxing Hall of Fame.

Our photographer Stan Janousek talked on a recent Golden Glove Show that Ring 8 ran.

Frank Pena stated that John Holden wants to form a membership/outreach Committee to bring in more members.

President Duffy showed the membership the poster for the up-coming New York Boxing Hall of Fame Induction ceremonies, and then he introduced our guest speaker, Bobby Cassidy Jr., writes for Newsday and wrote the play “Kid Shamrock,” which was based on the life of his father, Bobby Cassidy Sr.

Bobby started off by talking about referee Wayne Kelly, who had the part of the referee in “Kid Shamrock” and he also talked on Charlie Noel. He talked on several other Ring 8 fighters, whom he also wrote stories on, including Junior Jones.

Bobby stated that boxing is still alive and well. The top 10 PPV shows are not MMA, they’re all from boxing. He stated that although boxing isn’t covered as much, it will never die, someone will always come around. How many boxing movies have there been, more then any other sport.

Bobby talked on the play “Kid Shamrock.” He stated that the fighters wrote the play, he just wrote it down. He then introduced several members of the play such as Dave Schulster the producer of the play, Mark Breland, Tommy “The Razor” Rainone and Kristina. Schulster stated that he hasn’t been to a Ring 8 meeting in 30 years. He talked on Artie Levine and Danny Kapilow.

Bobby then thanked Eddie Claudio for giving us that story of what happened in Argentina. He also talked on Johnny Colon, who’s daughter Cheri was in attendance, and on how he knew him years ago.

Questions: Frank Pena asked Bobby why there isn’t much coverage on Amateur boxing anymore and if Newsday could work on giving it a little more coverage.

John Holden talked on the up-coming Long Island Tournament, which is scheduled to take place in the summer, and asked if Newsday could cover it. Bobby stated that he would do his best to do so.

Harold Lederman talked on Bobby Cassidy Jr., and what a wonderful job he has been doing. Harold talked on Cassidy Sr., and whom he fought. Harold also talked about the recent death of Don Fullmer, who Cassidy Sr. beat back in 1971. Jack Hirsh stated that in that fight, both fighters wore shirts. Bobby Cassidy Jr., stated yes they did bit around the 6th round his father take it off and several rounds later Fullmer did the same. Joe Frazier even sung before the fight.

Right now “Kid Shamrock” isn’t playing but they might be back in the fall.

President Duffy recognized boxing judge John Signorile, who has a small part in HBO’s Broadway Empire.

I was informed by Ring 8 President, Bob Duffy, that Referee Wayne Kelly died early this morning of a heart attack.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all his loved ones.

Members and friends of Ring 8

On behalf of the board and members I wish to extend our condolences to the family of Wayne Kelly, a member and a personal friend for over 25 years. In his passing I can only remember the many good times I had with Wayne, my wife and daughters also feel the grief that Wayne has left us . There was never a sad day when Wayne was around, he had that Irish gift of always bringing a smile and a good feeling that you were among a good friend. The one great attribute that Wayne showed he lived in a world of no fear, serving a year in Vietnam, boxing Pro for 4 years and working as a referee for over 20 years, always in the spotlight but always in control and you knew that …..I can truthfully say with Pride …I never worried about Wayne in the Ring, in fact, I feel it was where he was most secure …..I truly Love Wayne and I am dearly going to miss not just a wonderful man but a great friend to me, my family and the boxing world.

Bob Duffy, President of Ring 8

Services for Wayne will be at the New Hyde Park Funeral Home located at 506 Lakeville Road in New Hyde Park, New York. Viewing is February 3, 2-4:30PM and 7-9:30PM and February 4, 2-4:30PM and 7-9:30PM. The service will be February 4 at 8PM At New Hyde Park Funeral Home with interment at Calverton National Cemetery.

http://boxrec.com/media/index.php/Wayne_Kelly