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.

RESULTS FROM LONG ISLAND, NY

'Bombs Away On Long Island' Explodes with full card of knockouts

(L-R) Richie Nieves, World Champion Iran Barkley, World Champion Mark Breland, promoter Bob Duffy and World Champion Junior Jones. (Photo by Stanley Janousek) LONG ISLAND (May 21, 2012) - Judges weren't involved an any of the final outcomes this past Thursday (May 17) night as all seven fights ended in stoppages on the "Bombs Away In Long Island" professional boxing card, presented by Bob Duffy's Ring Promotions in association with Winner Take All Productions, at the Plattduetsche Park Restaurant in Franklin Square, New York. "Bombs Away In Las Vegas," sponsored by Westbury Jeep and Westbury Fiat, was taped live and airs for free on May 24, exclusively on www.boxing.com. Ringside reporters are Randy Gordon and former middleweight contender John Duddy. "Everybody enjoyed themselves," promoter Bob Duffy said. "We sold-out and the show was over by 10:30, which was good because the show it was Thursday night and a lot of people had work the next day.   Working for the first time with David Schuster (Winner Take All Productions) was interesting because he brings enthusiasm to a promotion. He is a breath of fresh air. Now, we start focusing on August 11 when we return to The Plattduetsche, but for an outdoor show. Mark Breland is going to conduct a clinic, followed by a shortened version of David's play, 'Kid Shamrock,' and then live fights. We're going to have music and other forms of entertainment, too." In the main event, Shirley (NY) cruiserweight Joe "The Irish Bomber" Smith (10-1, 10 KOs) dropped a few bombs early, decking James Henson twice en route to a win by first-round technical knockout (1:14). Fighting for the first time in two years, former nationally ranked amateur boxer Michael "Lefty" Brooks (7-0, 2 KOs), fighting out of Oceanside, kept his perfect record intact when a body shot at 2:59 of the second round stopped Ohio lightweight Calvin "The Gladiator" Pritchard in the co-feature. Former National amateur champion Adam Willet (3-1-1, 1 KOs), of Bellport (NY), registered his first knockout as a professional against Brooklyn's pro-debuting Justin Warren. New Hyde Park welterweight Rich "Kid Brazil" Neves improved his record to 4-0-1 (3 KOs) with a fourth-round victory by TKO over Jose Angel Ortiz (4-8-1, 1 KO). Hicksville welterweight Anthony Karparis made his successful pro debut, taking out Cody Osbourne (0-2) by TKO in the opening round. Hard-hitting Bronx light middleweight Skender Halili (5-0, 5 KOs) made it five-for-five, all by knockout, as he took care of Brian Meadows (0-2-2) in the second round. Guyana featherweight Trevis Hall (2-1) spoiled the pro debut of Brooklyn's Nieem Harris' with a second-round technical knockout. FULL RESULTS CRUISERWEIGHTS Joe Smith (10-1, 10 KOs), Shirley, NY                              WTKO1                             James Henson (5-8, 2 KOs), Akron, OHAdam Willett (3-1-1, 1 KO), Bellport, NY                           WTKO1                                       Justin Warren (0-1), Brooklyn, NY LIGHT MIDDLEWEIGHTS Skender Halili (5-0, 5 KOs), Bronx, NY                             WTKO2                           Brian Meadows (0-3-2), Owensboro, KY WELTERWEIGHTS Anthony Karpis (1-0, 1 KO), Hicksville, NY                       WTKO1                                  Cody Osbourne (0-1), Muskegon, MI Rich Neves (4-0-1, 3 KOs), New Hyde Park, NY              WTKO4                 Jose Angel Ortiz (4-8-1, 1 KO), Springfield, MA LIGHTWEIGHTS Michael Brooks (7-0, 2 KOs), Oceanside, NY                    WKO2                                    Calvin Pritchard (0-6-2), Toledo, OH FEATHERWEIGHTS Trevis Hall (2-1, 1 KO), Georgetown, Guyana                  WTKO2                                        Nieem Harris (0-1), Brooklyn, NY

RING PROMOTIONS: President Bob Duffy, a retired NYPD member, served on the New York State Athletic Commission for 13 years. His roles included Athletic Assistant, Inspector, Chief Inspector and Deputy Commissioner. He and Tony Mazzarella founded Ring Promotions more than 15 years ago and Bob has been an active promoter ever since. He is president of Ring 8 and the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame. WINNER TAKE ALL PRODUCTIONS: Event Producer David Schuster has been a lifelong boxing fan who founded Winner Take All three years ago with the purpose of producing boxing-themed entertainment. Schuster was the Executive Producer of the critically acclaimed off Broadway play, "Kid Shamrock" and Cuban boxing documentary, "A Fighting Chance." Dave's next project is the feature length film on the life of holocaust survivor and heavyweight contender, Harry Haft.