2014 Fighter of the Year Chris Algieri honored at 28th Ring 8 Holiday Event and Awards Ceremony

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release Ring 8 president Bob Duffy, Ring 8 2014 Fighter of the Year Chris Algieri and Master of Ceremonies David Diamante (pictures courtesy of Stanley Janousek) NEW YORK, NY (Dec. 21, 2014) - A capacity crowd of 364 boxing fans attended last week's 28th annual RING 8 Holiday Event and Awards Ceremony at Russo's On The Bay in Howard Beach, New York. Past world champions Aaron "Hawk" Pryor, Carlos Palomino and Tony DeMarco were special VIP guests.                                           (L-R) -- Aaron Pryor & Tony DeMarco "The annual Ring 8 Holiday Event and Awards Ceremony is our way of thanking our officials and members who do volunteer community work," Ring 8 president Bob Duffy said. "They do a lot of the behind-the-scenes work in boxing. We also bring in VIP world champions from around the country to let them know we'll never forget them. This was another evening that was enjoyed by all in attendance." 2014 RING 8 Award Winners Fighter of the Year: Chris Algieri Comeback Fighter of the Year: Daniel Jacobs Uncrowned Champion: Joe Mesi Contender of the Year: Frank Galarza Members of the Year: John Rohe & Brian Dubecky Trainer of the Year: Nirmil Lorick Conditioning & Strength Coach of the Year: David "Scooter" Honig Co-Promoters of the Year: Felipe Gomez, Kevin O'Sullivan and Wilson Naranjo Official of the Year (Referee): Sparkle Lee Official of the Year (Judge): Robin Taylor Long & Meritorious Service: George Ward Photographer of the Year: Stan Janousek Prospect of the Year: Julian Williams Go online to www.Ring8ny.com for more information about Ring 8. ABOUT RING 8: 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 $30.00 and each member is entitled to a buffet dinner at RING 8 monthly meetings, excluding July and August. All active boxers, amateur and professional, are entitled to a complimentary RING 8 yearly membership. Guests of Ring 8 members are welcome at a cost of only $7.00 per person.

Aaron Pryor, Carlos Palomino & Tony DeMarco Special VIP guests at Ring 8 Holiday Event and Awards Ceremony Dec. 14 in New York

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release Algieri, Jacobs & Mesi among 2014 award winners NEW YORK, NY (Dec. 3, 2014) - Former world champions Aaron "Hawk" Pryor, Carlos Palomino and Tony DeMarco will be special guests Sunday afternoon (12:30-5:00 p.m. ET), December 14 for the 28th annual RING 8 Holiday Event and Awards Ceremony at Russo's On The Bay in Howard Beach, New York. International ring announcer David Diamante will serve as master of ceremonies. Other boxing dignitaries expected to attend the Ring 8 celebration include former world champions Junior Jones, Vito Antuorfermo, Iran Barkley, Michael Bent, and Mark Breland. "This is the annual highlight event of the year for Ring 8 members and guests," Ring 8 president Bob Duffy said. "Ring 8 proudly continues to lend a helping hand to those in the boxing community who are less fortunate. 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."    Pryor (39-1, 35 KOs), fighting out of Cincinnati, fought professionally between 1976 and 1990. An International Boxing Hall of Famer, he was the junior welterweight world champion between 1980 and 1985, and is best remembers for his two knockout victories over fellow Hall of Famer Alexis Arguello. Mexico-born Palomino (31-4-3, 19 KOs), who fought much of his career and lives in southern California, fought between 1972 and 1998. Also an IBHOF inductee, Palomino was the WBC welterweight champion for two years, 1976-1978. DeMarco (58-12-1, 33 KOs) fought out of Boston as a pro between 1948 and 1962. He captured the world welterweight title in 1955, defeating Johnny Sexton by way of 14th round technical knockout. His second loss to the great Carmen Basilio was the consensus 1955 Fight of the Year and is still considered today by many as the greatest welterweight fight of all-time. Ring 8's previously announced 2014 award winners (see complete list below) include former World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior welterweight champion Chris Algieri(Fighter of the Year), World Boxing Association (WBA) middleweight titlist Daniel "The Golden Child" Jacobs (Comeback Fighter of the Year), and retired heavyweight "Baby" Joe Mesi (Uncrowned Champion). Unbeaten junior middleweights "Notorious" Frank Galarza (15-0-2, 9 KOs), of Brooklyn, and Philadelphia's Julian "JRock" Williams (17-0-1, 10 KOs), respectively, are the 2014 Contender of the Year and Prospect of the Year. 2014 RING 8 Award Winners Fighter of the Year: Chris Algieri Comeback Fighter of the Year: Daniel Jacobs Uncrowned Champion: Joe Mesi Contender of the Year: Frank Galarza Members of the Year: John Rohe & Brian Dubecky Trainer of the Year: Nirmil Lorick Conditioner & Strength Coach of the Year: David "Scooter" Honig Co-Promoters of the Year: Felipe Gomez, Kevin O'Sullivan & Wilson Naranjo Official of the Year (Referee): Sparkle Lee Official of the Year (Judge): Robin Taylor Long & Meritorious Service: George Ward Photographer of the Year: Stan Janousek Prospect of the Year: Julian Williams Tickets, priced at $125.00 per person, are available to purchase by contacting Bob Duffy by phone (516.313.2304), email DepComish@aol.com, or mail checks (payable to Ring 8) to him (164 Lindbergh Street, Massapequa Park, NY 11762). Donations of any denomination are welcome for those unable to attend the festivities. Tickets include a complete brunch with cocktail hour upon entry, followed by 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. Program ads are available for Full Page ($150.00), Half-Page ($80.00), and Quarter-Page ($50.00). The deadline for all ads is December 8 and must be emailed (DepComish@aol.com) or mailed to Duffy (516.313.2304) at the address listed above. 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). ABOUT RING 8: 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 $30.00 and each member is entitled to a buffet dinner at RING 8 monthly meetings, excluding July and August. All active boxers, amateur and professional, are entitled to a complimentary RING 8 yearly membership. Guests of Ring 8 members are welcome at a cost of only $7.00 per person.

Micky Ward's 49th birthday celebration PHOTO GALLERY

(L-R) - Promoter Lou DiBella, "Irish" Micky Ward and Foxwoods host Tom Whipple (Photo by Bob Barton / Rumble Time Promotions) (See photo gallery below) NEW YORK (Oct. 7, 2014) - Last Saturday night at Foxwoods Resort Casino, DiBella Entertainment, Warriors Boxing and Foxwoods Resort Casino helped celebrate the 49th birthday of "Irish" Micky Ward with boxing fans attending theSHOWTIME Boxing Special Edition tripleheader at Fox Theater in Mashantucket, Connecticut. Promoter Lou DiBella, who promoted Ward (38-13, 27 KOs) during the latter part of his career, including the epic Arturo Gatti-Ward trilogy, gave Ward a beautiful watch as a birthday present during a private meet-and-greet. "We had a terrific crowd at the SHOWTIME Boxing event on Saturday night, and it was made more special by the celebration of Micky Ward's 49th birthday," said Lou DiBella. "DiBella Entertainment was and always will be Micky's promoter. It was a great pleasure to celebrate Micky's birthday with him." Fellow boxers from the past and present celebrated with Ward, a three-time participant in the "Fight of the Year," including WBA/WBC welterweight champion Marlon "Magic Man" Starling (45-6-1, 27 KOs), 1955 World welterweight champion Tony "The Pride of Fleet Street" DeMarco (58-12-1, 33 KOs), former WBA junior welterweight and welterweight champion Jose Antonio "El Gallo" Rivera (41-6-1, 24 KOs), former IBO middleweight champion and star of The Contender, Season Ireality television show, Peter "The Pride of Providence" Manfredo Jr. (40-7, 21 KOs), 2014 "Connecticut Fighter of the Year" Luis "KO King" Rosa Jr. (17-0, 7 KOs), unbeaten former WBA Interim featherweight champion Javier "El Abejon" Fortuna (25-0-1, 18 KOs), and two-time world junior welterweight title challenger "Sucra" Ray Oliviera (47-11-2, 22 KOs). Three lucky fans were selected as winners of a "Micky Ward Birthday Contest." Each winner and one guest apiece sat ringside with Ward during one of three televised fights and were able to take photos with him and get his autograph.    "Irish" Micky Ward cuts his 49th birthday cake  with a video of him vs. Arturo Gatti playing in background  (Photo by Ashley Polo / Foxwoods)   (L-R) - Ring announcer David Diamante led fans at Fox Theater with a rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday" to Micky Ward, who is shown here thanking everybody. (Photo by Bob Barton / Rumble Time Promotions) (L-R) - Micky Ward with another New England boxing favorite, Marlon Starling (Photo by Bob Barton / Rumble Time Promotions) (L-R) - Micky Ward and Peter Manfredo, Jr., who served as Ward's chief sparring partner for his first fight (and win) against Arturo Gatti. (Photo by Bob Barton / Rumble Time Promotions)   (L-R) - Micky Ward and 82-year-old World welterweight champion in 1955 and fellow Bay State fighter, Tony DeMarco (Photo by Bob Barton / Rumble Time Promotions)

Boxing stars/public to celebrate Micky Ward's birthday this Sat at Foxwoods show

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release Boxing stars & public to celebrate Micky Ward's birthday Saturday at Foxwoods Showtime Boxing Special Edition Fans can enter special "Micky Ward Birthday Contest" NEW YORK (Sept. 29, 2014) - DiBella Entertainment, Warriors Boxing and Foxwoods Resort Casino will celebrate the 49th birthday of "Irish" Micky Ward  with boxing fans attending the SHOWTIME Boxing Special Edition tripleheader on Saturday, October 4, airing live on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from Fox Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino, in Mashantucket, Connecticut. Promoter Lou DiBella promoted Ward (38-13, 27 KOs) during the latter part of his career, including the epic Arturo Gatti-Ward trilogy. DiBella and Ward, who fought out of Lowell, Massachusetts, developed a special relationship that continues today. "Of all the fighters that I've worked with, no one was more honest or gave more of themselves than Micky Ward," DiBella said. "It's a natural to celebrate Micky's birthday in conjunction with a fight card in New England. Micky is forever New England's fighter. Fans will get an opportunity to see a great night of boxing and to meet a fighter who may never get into the Hall of Fame, but will always be an icon." All 51 of Ward's bouts were fought as a junior welterweight, including his last fight on June 7, 2003, against Gatti. During his 18-year professional career, Ward captured the (original) WBU title with an eighth-round TKO win over heavily favored, previously undefeated (22-0) Shea Neary in London, and also participated in three consensus "Fights of the Year". Displaying a lethal left hook to the body, Ward's other more notable victims included Gatti, Steve Quinonez, Reggie Green, Emanuel Augustus and Alfonso Sanchez, in addition to popular New England fighters such as Louis Veader (twice) and John Rafuse. Ward had a 3-1 (2 KOs) lifetime record fighting at Foxwoods. Boxers expected to join Ward's celebration include former WBA/WBC welterweight champion Marlon "Magic Man" Starling (45-6-1, 27 KOs), of Hartford; reigning WBO junior middleweight titleholder Demetrius "Boo Boo" Andrade (21-0, 14 KOs), of Providence; 1955 World welterweight champion Tony "The Pride of Fleet Street" DeMarco (58-12-1, 33 KOs), of Boston; former WBO middleweight champion Peter "Kid Chocolate" Quillin (31-0, 22 KOs), of Brooklyn; former WBA junior welterweight and welterweight champion Jose Antonio "El Gallo" Rivera (41-6-1, 24 KOs), former IBO middleweight champion and star of The Contender, Season I reality television show, Peter Manfredo Jr. (40-7, 21 KOs), of Providence; former world lightweight title challenger Tony Petronelli (42-4-1, 22 KOs), of Brockton (MA); "Connecticut Fighter of the Year" Luis "KO King" Rosa Jr. (17-0, 7 KOs), of New Haven, who is coming off a sensational win over Luis Del Valle in May; and Framingham (MA) welterweight and 2008 U.S. Olympic Team alternate, Danny "Bhoy" O'Connor (23-2, 7 KOs). All ticketholders may enter a special "Micky Ward Birthday Contest" by registering between 6:30-7:30 p.m. at a table set up near the Fox Theater box office. Prior to each of the three televised bouts, the ring announcer will select a winner and that lucky fan plus a guest will sit ringside with Micky Ward for the entire fight and be able to take photos with him and get his autograph. Undefeated Rances "Kid Blast" Barthelemy (20-0-0, 12 KOs), of Las Vegas, by way of Cuba, will defend his IBF junior lightweight title against former world title challenger and IBF No. 3-ranked challenger Fernando David "El Vasco" Saucedo(52-5-3, 8 KOs), of Florencio Varela, Argentina, in the Oct. 4 main event. In other 10-round fights on the threer-fight telecast:  Willie "The Great" Nelson (23-1-1, 13 KOs), of Cleveland, Ohio, will be opposing Vanes "The Nightmare" Martirosyan (34-1-1, 21 KOs), of Glendale, Calif., by way of Armenia, in a collision of once-beaten junior middleweights, former light heavyweight world champion "Bad" Chad Dawson (32-3, 18 KOs), of Las Vegas, by way of New Haven, Conn., fights for the first time in his home state in five years when he goes up against Tommy Karpency (23-4-1, 14 KOs), of Adah, Penn. Tickets, priced at $150, $90 and $45, may be purchased online at Foxwoods.com, by calling the Foxwoods' box office at 800-200-2882, or in person at the Foxwoods' box office. Tickets may also be purchased through any Ticketmaster outlet or online at Ticketmaster.com. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the first fight starts at 6:30 p.m. The event is promoted by DiBella Entertainment and Warriors Boxing, with the main event promoted in association with Sampson Boxing and the co-featured Nelson-Martirosyan match promoted in association with Rumble Time Promotions and Goossen Tutor Promotions.

Limited tickets still available for Sunday's 27th annual Ring 8 Holiday Event & Awards Ceremony

At Russo's On The Bay in Howard Beach, NY

NEW YORK, NY (Dec. 4, 2013) - Limited tickets are still available for this Sunday afternoon's (12:00-5:30 p.m. ET) 27th annual RING 8 Holiday Event and Awards Ceremony at the famed Russo's On The Bay in Howard Beach, New York. Tickets, priced at $125.00 per person, are available to purchase by calling1.718.729.4862 or 1.516.313.2304. People are advised to call for reservations to avoid being shutout.  Donations of any denomination are also 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. "Ring 8 proudly continues its sterling record for lending a helping hand to those in the boxing community who are less fortunate," Ring 8 president Bob Duffy said. "Some may require 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." Expected attending celebrities include last year's Ring 8 Fighter of the Year, undefeated WBO middleweight champion Peter "Kid Chocolate" Quillin, as well as world champions Pinklon Thomas, Vito Antuofermo, Mark Breland, Michael Bentt, Tony DeMarco, Luis Colazzo and Junior Jones, plus world heavyweight title challenger Renaldo "Mr." Snipes, Bobby Cassidy and others. Below is a list of 2013 Ring 8's award winners: 2013 Ring 8 Award Winners Fighter of the Year:  Danny Garcia Uncrowned Champion:  Gasper Ortega Official of the Year:  Deputy Commissioner Robert Orlando Amateur Official of the Year:  Dan Gant Member of the Year:  Carmine Rastelli Professional Judge of the Year:  John McKaie Prospect of the Year:  Seanie Monahan Professional Trainer of the Year:  Bob Jackson Amateur Trainer of the Year:  Joe Higgins Emile Griffith Good Guy Award:  Sal Corrente Long & Meritorious Service:  Dr. William "Bill" Lathan Special Presentation:  Bobby Bartels & Lenny Mangiapane (honoring the 50th anniversary of their classic main event fight at Madison Square Garden) 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).

ABOUT RING 8:  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 $30.00 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.

Results from Foxwoods: Battle of the Badges 5; Mass defeats NY

MASHANTUCKET, Conn. (May 18, 2013) - Massachusetts defeated New York, 9-3, in tonight's Battle of the Badges 5 (BOB5) at Foxwoods Resort Casino, pitting law enforcement amateur boxing teams in a fundraising event.  New York holds a 3-2 advantage in the BOB series. "BOB5" was presented by National Public Safety Athletic League ("NPSAL") in association with Massachusetts Corrections Officers (MCO), Suffolk County Corrections Officers Association (SCCOA), and Foxwoods Resort Casino.  Trophies were presented for Fighter of the Night (Graham Trout vs. Terence Lyons), Fight of the Night (Ashley Moore), and Sportsman of the Night (David Salinas). Medals were presented to all of the participating fighters. Special guest presenters included World middleweight champion (1979-80) Vito Antuofermo, World welterweight champion (1955) Tony DeMarco, World heavyweight title challenger Gerry Cooney, former Irish heavyweight champion Kevin McBride, 2004 U.S. Olympian Jason Estrada, former World light heavyweight title challenger John Scully, New England boxing promoter Doug Pendarvis, and World light welterweight title challenger Tony Petronelli. Other boxing dignitaries attending BOB5 included former New England super featherweight and featherweight champion Mike Cappiello, and former New England middleweight champion Sean Fitzgerald. Proceeds benefited Work Vessels For Veterans and NPSAL. Complete BOB5 Results SUPER HEAVYWEIGHTS (201+) Matt Guerin, MA                                WKO1             Robert Vansyckle, NY Will Faller, NY                                   WPTS              Shane Vale, MA                Tim Gallagher, MA                             WPTS              Joe Diaz, NY Jay Matthews-Dixon, MA                   WRSC1             Dennis Mahoney, NY Roland Estrada, MA                           WDQ1             Jason Perna, NY HEAVYWEIGHTS (200) Paul Finlay, MA                                  WKO1             Alex Mylet, NY Graham Trout, MA                             WPTS              Terance Lyons, NY CATCHWEIGHT (180) Non-Team Scoring Match Stacy Smith, NY                                WPTS              John Stein, NY LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS (178) Larry Wojtach, NY                             WPTS              Erik Cabral, MA       Rian Torrance, MA                             WPTS              Dave Salinas, NY Lawrence Wojtach, NY                       WPTS              Erik Cabral, MA CATCHWEIGHT (170) Michael Campbell, MA                        WTKO             Paul Melancowsky, NY FEMALE FEATHERWEIGHTS (125) Ashley, Moore, MA                            WRSC1            Danielle Bruard, NY NATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY ATHLETIC LEAGUE: "NPSAL" is committed to fundraising and promoting efficient techniques to promote recreation and sport/physical activities for youths and adults for the purpose of maintaining a healthy and positive lifestyle. WORK VESSELS FOR VETERANS:  "WVFV" assists veterans returning to the United States as they being their civilian careers or continue their educational pursuits by donating to them the necessary start-up tools (laptops, vehicles, machinery, tools, commercial vessels, etc.).  The organization was started in 2008 with the donation of a commercial fishing boat to a returning veteran and to date has helped more than 500 veterans in their transitions.   www.wvfv.org