Ring 8 Tribute to Emile Griffith major hit 2013 award winners selected

Louis Griffith was one of the guest speakers at last week's Ring 8 meeting that paid tribute to his father, Emile Griffith.  NEW YORK (September 26, 2013) - More than 100 people turned out last week for at Ring 8's monthly meeting and its tribute to the late, great Emile Griffith, at historic Waterfront Crabhouse, in Long Island City, New York. The six-time, three-division world champion Griffith (85-24-2, 23 KOs) was a fixture at Ring 8. His tribute included speakers such as his biographer, Ron Ross, Emile's son, Louis, boxing historian Henry Hascup and Bobby Bartels, his former sparring partner and past president of Ring 8.  Everyone enjoyed watched some of Griffith's best fights, on a projector screen, against Dick Tiger, Luis Rodriguez, Jorge Fernandez, Andy Heilman, Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, and the second Nino Benvenutti fight.                         "We had a tremendous turnout to celebrate Emile's life and boxing career," Ring 8 president Bob Duffy said.  "It was a fitting tribute to a very special man.  We're all better people for having known him." Ring 8 also selected its 2013 award winners at last week's meeting.  These awards will be presented, along with Fighter of the Year (to come), at the 27th annual Ring 8 Holiday & Awards Ceremony on Sunday afternoon, December 8, at Russo's On The Bay in Howard Beach, New York. 2013 Ring 8 Award Winners 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:  Sean 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 Lathan 50th Anniversary:  Bobby Bartels & Lenny Mangiapane The Ring 8 Holiday & Awards Ceremony in December has been dedicated to the the 50th anniversary of the main event fight between Lenny Mangiapane (L) and Bobby Bartels at Madison Square Garden.  Bartels is a former Ring 8 president and Mangiapane is the current Ring 8 vice president. both pictures by Stanley Janousek / 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, 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.

Tribute to Emile Griffith at Ring 8 Meeting Tuesday, Sept. 17

NEW YORK (September 16, 2013) - Ring 8 will pay tribute to the late, great Emile Griffith at tomorrow night's (Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. ET) monthly meeting at historic Waterfront Crabhouse, in Long Island City, New York. The six-time, three-division world champion Griffith (85-24-2, 23 KOs) was born in the Virgin Islands but lived most of his life in New York City.  He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990, and last year into the first class of the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame, which is sponsored by Ring 8. His tribute will include several speakers as well as viewing of some of Griffith's best fights on a projector screen.  Speakers will include his biographer, Ron Ross, Emile's son, Louis, boxing historian Henry Hascup and Bobby Bartels, his former sparring partner and past president of Ring 8. Griffith's fights being shown are against Dick Tiger, Luis Rodriguez, Florentino Fernandez, Andy Heilman, Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, as well as the second Nino Benvenutti fight.                                     "Emile was special to all of us at Ring 8 and were excited about paying tribute to this great man and fighter," Ring 8 president Bob Duffy said.  "He was a Ring 8 member for many years and we were all very fortunate to know him." 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 $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.

Ring 8's Sunnyside Garden Arena Ceremony A Knockout Success

(Photo by Stanley Janousek) NEW YORK (October 8, 2012) - Ring 8's commemorative ceremony for the old Sunnyside Garden Arena last Saturday was a major success.  More than 150 people turned out in support, including many who fought there between 1945 and 1977. The Sunnyside Garden Arena monument reads: This monument is in honor and dedicated to those men who fought in the amateurs and professional bouts. Some of the more notable boxers who fought at Sunnyside Garden Arena between 1945 and 1977 included Emile Griffith, Bob Cassidy, Gerry Cooney, Jose Torres, Oscar Bonevena Sr., Eddie Gregory, Vito Antuofermo, Ron Lyle, Harold Johnson, and the Archer brothers, Jimmy and Joey. Other Ring 8 members who also fought there included Henny Wallitsch, Bobby Bartels, John Colon, Tommy Englehardt and Lenny Mangiapane. "Ring 8 was proud to remember Sunnyside Garden Arena in this fashion and also honor the many boxers who fought there as professionals or amateurs," Ring 8 president Bob Duffy said. "We had a great turnout and wonderful time. I want to thank everybody who supported Ring 8's efforts. Sunnyside Garden Arena will never be forgotten."   (L-R) Ring 8 members who also fought in main events at Sunnyside Garden Arena (Bob Cassidy, Bobby Bartels and Lenny Mangiapane. (Photo by Stanley Janousek)  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.