McGIRT TRAINING FACILITY GRAND OPENING

NUTLEY, NJ (APRIL 8, 2013)—This past Thursday, The state of the art McGirt Training facility had its grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony.

The facility will be a gym and will also house the offices of GH3 Promotions and Greg Cohen Promotions is already a hit In the community and political leaders joined members of the boxing community at the Grand Opening.

The main trainer will be former world champion James “Buddy” McGirt, who will train not only professionals but some of the best amateurs in the country.

The McGirt Training Facility is an extension of the Elite Heat Boxing Gym that is located in Newark.

Said Buddy McGirt, “This is great.  I want to thank Vito Mielnicki of GH3 Promotions and Greg Cohen for the opportunity for me to come home.  There is a lot of great talent here and I not only look forward to working with the professionals but the many great youngsters that have a lot of potential to become professionals in the years to come”

“There was an overflow of talent and kids at the our Elite Heat Gym”, said Vito Mielnicki

“There is a lot of top notch professional and amateur talent in this area and it’s great to add Buddy with our Elite Heat trainers Wali Moses and Robert Griffin”

“We are trying to make this gym a farm system to GH3 and Greg Cohen Promotions.  We are taking a grass roots approach to boxing where we can mold young men and woman and keep them off the streets but teach them discipline through boxing and to have a world champion like Buddy McGirt and has since gone on to become one of the top trainers in the sport gives us a lot of credibility and a guy commands the respect of any aspiring boxer”

Also in attendance was the honorable mayor Alphonse Petracco.

The Facility will also house the Ediroc Store which will sell state of the art boxing equipment.

Photos by Tom Casino

Jack Dempsey & Bob Arum lead 2013 Class Inductees into New York State Boxing Hall of Fame

Sunday, April 28  NEW YORK (March 6, 2013) - Golden-era heavyweight champion of the world, Jack Dempsey, and legendary boxing promoter Bob Arum lead a star-studded cast of 20 inductees into the second-year New York State Boxing Hall of Fame (NYSBHOF). The second annual NYSBHOF induction dinner will be held Sunday afternoon (12:30-5:30 p.n. ET), April 28, at Russo's On The Bay in Howard Beach, New York. "This is an exceptional group of inductees," NYSBHOF and Ring 8 president Bob Duffy said. "We are inducting legitimate New Yorkers in the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame. All of these inductees have a significant impact on New York State boxing during their respective times. There are many other potential inductees but this is only our second year. We're confident that any deserving people who haven't been inducted yet will be inducted in due time. There's a process we're following. New York State was the driving force in boxing for more than a half-century and remains a major player in the sport, so we'll have many, many great boxing people to choose from over the years." Posthumous participants being inducted along with Dempsey (61-6-9, 50 KOs) are the first great Italian boxer based in America, featherweight Johnny Dundee (83-32-20, 17 KOs); two-time world featherweight champion Sandy Saddler (144-16-2, 103 KOs) Sandy Saddler, who is best known for his epic rivalry with Willie Pep; and world light heavyweight champion Maxie Rosenbloom (207-39-26 (19 KOs). Living boxers heading into the NYSBHOF are Bronx middleweight Joey Archer (61-6-9, 50 KOs), three-division world champion from the Bronx, Iran Barkley (43-19-1 (27 KOs); Brooklyn's Mark Breland (35-3-1, 25 KOs),1984 Olympic gold medalist and two-time world welterweight titlist, Levittown light heavyweight Bobby Cassidy (59-16-3, 27 KOs); world heavyweight challenger Doug Jones (30-10-1, 20 KOs), Brooklyn's world bantamweight and super bantamweight champion Junior Jones (50-6, 28 KOs), Brentwood's light welterweight and welterweight champion James "Buddy" McGirt (73-6-1, 48 KOs), Brooklyn's world light heavyweight champion Eddie Mustafa Muhammad (50-8-1, 39 KOs). Non-participants heading into the NYSBHOF with Arum (Top Rank) are Shelly Finkel, manager of a NYSBHOF inductee from last year, Mike McCallum, as well as Evander Holyfield and Pernell Whitaker; Tony Graziano, who managed last year's NYSBHOF inductee, Carmen Basilio, and world welterweight champion Billy Backus; Brooklyn's Larry Merchant, arguably television's greatest boxing analyst; posthumously: Teddy Brenner, longtime matchmaker for Madison Square Garden (1959-1973), boxing's premier blow-by-blow announcer on television and radio, Don Dunphy; powerful promoter Mike Jacobs, and Dempsey's promoter, Tex Rickard. Each inductee will receive a custom-designed belt signifying his induction into the NYSBHOF. Plaques are on display at the New York State Athletic Commission and Waterfront Crabhouse. Duffy also has revealed that Ring 8's plan calls for a monument to be built in Long Island City with every NYSBHOF inductee's name inscribed. The inductees were selected by NYSBHOF nominating committee members, including Jack Hirsch, Steve Farhood, Don Majeski, Henry Hascup, Ron McNair and Neil Terens. "I believe the people on our nominating committee are second to none for any nominating committee in boxing," Duffy added. "They're all very knowledgeable and passionate about boxing in New York State." All boxers needed to be inactive for at least three years, in order to be eligible for NYSBHOF induction, and all inductees must have resided in New York State for a significant portion of their boxing careers. Last year's Inaugural Class included Basilio and McCallum, Mike Tyson, Jake LaMotta, Riddick Bowe, Carlos Ortiz, Vito Antuofermo, and Emile Griffith, as well as the late "Sugar" Ray Robinson, Gene Tunney, Benny Leonard and Tony Canzoneri. Non-participant inductees from the Class of 2012 included judge/HBO analyst Harold Lederman, coach/instructor Steve Acunto, trainer/cut-man Jimmy Glenn and, posthumously, trainers Gil Clancy and Ray Arcel, Ring Magazine founder Nat Fleischer, New York Daily News boxing reporter/cartoonist Bill Gallo, and referee Arthur Mercante, Sr. Tickets are priced at $150.00 per adult ($125.00 for Ring 8 members in good standing) and $50.00 for children, and includes a complete brunch and cocktail hour upon entry, starting at 12:30 PM/ET, as well as dinner (prime rib, fish or poultry) and open bar throughout the evening. Tickets are available to purchase at the Waterfront Crabhouse (2-03 Borden Ave in Long Island City), or by calling Mazzarella at 718.729.4862 or Ring 8 president Bob Duffy at 516.313.2304. Ads for the NYSBHOF program are available, ranging from $50.00 to $250.00, by contacting Mazzarella and Duffy. Go on line at www.Ring8ny.com for additional information about the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame. 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.

26th annual Ring 8 Holiday Event & Awards Ceremony a Knockout for all

(L-R) Joe Smith (Co-prospect of the Year), Dave Diamante (Master of Ceremonies), Bobby Batels (past Ring 8 President), Renaldo Snipes (special award recipient), James "Buddy" McGirt (2-time world champion and past Trainer of the Year), Lennie Mangiapane (former welterweight contender), WBO middleweight champion Peter "Kid Chocolate" Quillin (2012 Ring 8 Fighter of the Year), and Melvina Latham (Chairperson, New York State Athletic Commission). (photo by Henry Janousek) NEW YORK, NY (February 12, 2013) - Despite being delayed two months due to Hurricane Sandy, as well as hampered by Saturday's major snowstorm, this past Sunday's 26th annual RING 8 Holiday Event and Awards Ceremony was a major success by all measures. Nearly 400 people attended the festivities at Russo's On The Bay in Howard Beach, New York, highlighted by the presentation of the 2012 Ring 8 Fighter of the Year Award to undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) middleweight champion Peter "Kid Chocolate" Quillin. "Despite the snowstorm," Ring 8 president Bob Duffy said, "almost everybody was able to attend and we all had a good time." Popular ring announcer Dave Diamante served as Master of Ceremonies. Joe Calzaghe (Fighter of the Decade) and Bernard Hopkins (Lifetime Achievement Award) were the only award winners unable to attend, respectively, due to a flight cancellation and training camp. Former heavyweight Renaldo "Mister" Snipes received a special award for his work promoting prostate cancer testing. In addition to Quillin, other world champion attendees included Bobby Czyz, Iran Barkley, Vito Antuofermo, Tracy Patterson, Jr., and James "Buddy" McGirt, as well as boxing promoter and television reality star, Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi, and the fighter she promotes, world title challenger Patrick Hyland, along withTommy Gallagher, Vinny Maddalone, Monte Barrett, and Billy Tate, who served as a sparring partner for Sugar Ray Robinson. Here's a complete list of the 2012 Ring 8 award winners: ___________________________________________________________________     2012 RING 8 Award Winners Fighter of the Year: Peter "Kid Chocolate" Quillin Fighter of the Decade: Joe Calzaghe Man of the Year: Frankie Russo, Jr. Uncrowned Champion: David Sears Coach of the Year (FDNY):Bob McGuire 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 Prospects of the Year: Floriano Pagliara & Joe Smith Comeback of the Year: Adam Willett ______________________________________________________________________________________  BOXING WRITER OF THE YEAR AWARD:  (L-R) David Diamante, Master of Ceremonies; Mike Woods, 2012 Ring 8 Boxing Writer of the Year, and his wife, Jessica; Melvina Latham, NYSAC Chairperson; Keith Sullivan, NYSAC Deputy Commissioner & Ring 8 Board Member; Bob Duffy, President of Ring 8; Tommy Gallagher, Ring 8 Board Member. (photo by Henry Janousek)     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.

Macklin leading Team Gang Green boxers Into MSG for St. Patty's celebration

Martinez vs. Macklin, Rodriguez vs. George

McGirt & Macklin

Head trainer James "Buddy" McGirt & Mathew Macklin

(Photo By: Teddy Blackburn)



NEW YORK (March 22012) - Irish eyes will really be smilin' on St. Patty's evening if Matthew "Mack the Knife" Macklin upsets World Middleweight Champion Sergio "Maravilla" Martinez (48-2-2, 27 KOs) and the other five members of Team Gang Green also have their hands raised in victory.



"THE REAL Middleweight Championship - Get Your Irish Up," presented by DiBella Entertainment, promises to feature bag pipes, step dancers, and passionate fans singing "Ole Ole" and proudly waving Irish flags, on March 17 (St. Patrick's Day) in The Theater at Madison Square Garden.



The 12-round main event showcases Martinez, Ring Magazine's No. 3 pound-for-pound fighter, defending against former European champion Macklin (28-3, 19 KOs). In the 10-round "Bombs Away" co-feature, super middleweight Edwin "La Bomba" Rodriguez (20-0, 14 KOs) faces Don "Da Bomb" George (22-1-1, 19 KOs), who is half-Irish, in fan-friendly brawl with possible future world title shot implications. Martinez-Macklin and Rodriguez-George will both air live on HBO's "World Championship Boxing," starting at 10 PM/ET 7 PM/PT.



Tickets, priced at $505, $355, $205, $125 and $65, are available to purchase through the Madison Square Garden Box Office, through Ticketmaster at Ticketmaster.com or by calling (866) 858-0008. Call DiBella Entertainment at (212) 947-2577, visit www.dbe1.com and @loudibella on Twitter for more information.



The Irish and boxing go together like corned beef and cabbage. Macklin, rated No. 3 by Ring Magazine and No. 2 by the World Boxing Council ("WBC"), embodies some of the same qualities as great fighters of Irish blood such as Jack Dempsey, Jimmy McLarnin, Terry McGovern, Barry McGuigan, Wayne McCullough and Packy McFarland.



Born and raised in Birmingham, England, Macklin was outright robbed in his last fight, dropping a highly-contested 12-round unanimous decision last June to World Boxing Association ("WBA") Super Middleweight Champion Felix Sturm in Germany. Matthew's father is from Four Roads in County Roscommon, his mother hails from County Tipperary. Macklin learned how to play hurling, Ireland's national sport, in Ireland and played for an elite youth team from County Tipperary. Matthew is close friends with Irish hurling stars Eoin Kelly and Lars Corbett, who supported Macklin at his recent open workout in New York City.



Macklin is trained by James "Buddy" McGirt, a two-time world champion and 2002 BWAA Trainer of the Year, who has trained the likes of Antonio Tarver, the late Vernon Forrest and the late Arturo Gatti.



If Macklin knocks off Martinez, Matthew and McGirt may break out into an Irish jig right in the ring.



Also fighting on the Irish-accented card is popular Irish-American light heavyweight Seanie Monaghan (12-0, 8 KOs), a bricklayer from Long Beach (NY) whose parents are from Nevan and County Meath in Ireland. Monaghan takes on Eric Watkins (6-1) in an eight-rounder.

Seannie Monaghan

The "Fighting Publicist," Catskills middleweight Kevin Rooney Jr. (3-1, 1 KO), returns in a four-round bout, prior to going back to work for DiBella Entertainment later that night. His father is former pro fighter and Mike Tyson's trainer, Kevin Rooney Sr., and their Irish ancestors are from County Clare.



The Rooneys

Kevin Rooney Jr & Kevin Rooney



Junior welterweight Danny "Little Mac" McDermott (9-3-2, 4 KOs), whose grandparents lived in Donegal and Foxford, County Mayo, faces Carl "Chi-Town Assassin" McNichols (7-3, 6 KOs) in an eight-round fight.





McDermott

Dublin-born heavyweight Thomas Hardwick, fighting out of Yonkers, is a bricklayer for Irish-owned H. F. Construction. He spars with Monaghan and another DiBella heavyweight prospect, Tor Hamer. Hardwick meets Blu Delong (0-3) in a four-round bout.



Hardwick

Thomas Hardwick

Also fighting on the undercard is a pair of undefeated heavyweights, WBA No. 15-rated Magomed "Mago" Abdusalamov (13-0, 13 KOs) and Jason Pettaway (11-0, 8 KOs), in a 10/12 round fight for the vacant World Boxing Council ("WBC") Silver Championship.

OPBF and Japanese junior middleweight champion Charlie Ota (19-1-1, 13 KOs), presently rated No. 6 by the WBA, fights for the first time outside of Japan, ironically, in the city in which he was born.



Former world title challenger and Ring Magazine No. 7 rated junior lightweight, dangerous Dominican Argenis Mendez (19-2, 10 KOs), will be fighting close to his Brooklyn home in an eight-round bout.




DIBELLA ENTERTAINMENT

DiBella Entertainment builds upon the unique insights Lou DiBella developed as a television executive and matchmaker to combat the contractual exploitation of professional boxers. DiBella Entertainment creates a business model that shifts the balance of power from promoters to boxers; and establishes a legacy of matchmaking excellence, both in an effort to improve the health of the boxing industry. DiBella Entertainment represents its athletes with honesty and integrity all while making the best and fairest financial deals for its clients.