New York State Boxing Hall of Fame Induction Is This SUNDAY

NEW YORK (April 26, 2013) – The second annual New York State Boxing Hall of Fame (NYSBHOF) induction dinner, sponsored by Ring 8, will be held this Sunday afternoon (12:30-5:30 p.m. ET), at Russo's On The Bay in Howard Beach, New York.

“We're all very excited about the second class being inducted into the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame this Sunday,” NYSBHOF and Ring 8 president Bob Duffy said. “All are of our inductees are legitimate New Yorkers who've each had significant impacts on the sport. We expect to have more than 300 people there enjoying a memorable event.”

Legendary Jack Dempsey (61-6-9, 50 KOs) leads the 2013 posthumous participant inductees list that also indluces Johnny Dundee (83-32-20, 17 KOs), Sandy Saddler (144-16-2, 103 KOs), and world light heavyweight champion Maxie Rosenbloom (207-39-26 (19 KOs).

Living boxers heading into the NYSBHOF are Joey Archer (61-6-9, 50 KOs), Iran Barkley (43-19-1 (27 KOs), Mark Breland (35-3-1, 25 KOs), Bobby Cassidy (59-16-3, 27 KOs); Doug Jones (30-10-1, 20 KOs), Junior Jones (50-6, 28 KOs), James “Buddy” McGirt (73-6-1, 48 KOs), and Eddie Mustafa Muhammad (50-8-1, 39 KOs).

Living non-participants heading into the NYSBHOF are promoter Bob Arum, managers Shelly Finkel and Tony Graziano, television analyst Larry Merchant; and posthumously, matchmaker Teddy Brenner, promoters Mike Jacobs and Tex Rickard, and blow-by-blow television and radio announcer Don Dunphy,

2013 Inductee Bob Arum

(Photo by Chris Farina)

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. Ring 8 has announced plans for a monument to be built in Long Island City with every NYSBHOF inductee's name inscribed.

The inductees were selected by the NYSBHOF nominating committee members, including Jack Hirsch, Steve Farhood, Don Majeski, Henry Hascup, Ron McNair and Neil Terens.

Dave Diamante will serve once again as Master of Ceremonies for the event. Opening remarks will be made by Duffy, Melvina Latham, Chairperson for the New York State Athletic Commission, and U.S. Congressman (District 2) Peter King.

The 2013 award presenters will be U.S. Congressman King (Cassidy), Ricardo Salazar (Jones), Bobby Bartels (Brenner), Duffy (Archer/Jones/Dempsey), McNair (Archer/Jones/Jacobs/Rickard), Majeski (Dundee/Rosenbloom/Saddler), Farhood (Dunphy/Finkel), Brian Adams (Breland), Henry Hascup (McGirt), Tony Mazzarella (McGirt), Hirsch (Arum/Merchant), Tommy Gallagher (Muhammad), and Terens.

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.

Special guests expected to attend include Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin, Juan Laporte, Vito Antuofermo, Renaldo Snipes and Mia St. John.

Last year's Inaugural Class included (participants) Carmen Basilio, Mike McCallum, Mike Tyson, Jake LaMotta, Riddick Bowe, Carlos Ortiz, Antuofermo, Emile Griffith, “Sugar” Ray Robinson, Gene Tunney, Benny Leonard and Tony Canzoneri.

Non-participant inductees from the Class of 2012 were judge/HBO analyst Harold Lederman, coach/instructor Steve Acunto, trainer/cut-man Jimmy Glenn, trainers Gil Clancy and Ray Arcel, The Ring Magazine founder Nat Fleischer, New York Daily News boxing reporter/cartoonist Bill Gallo, and referee Arthur Mercante, Sr.

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.