Boxing In New York: Ring 8 Honoring “Wounded Warriors” At Awards Ceremony

Ring 8 has donated a table of eight to the Wounded Warriors Project at the veteran boxing group’s 24th annual Ring 8 Holiday Event and Awards Ceremony, Sunday afternoon (12:30-5:30 PM/ET), December 19 at Russo’s On The Bay in Howard Beach, New York.

“The mission of the Wounded Warriors Project is to honor and empower wounded warriors,” Ring 8 Holiday Event and Awards Ceremony,” Ring 8 spokes-person Tony Mazzarella said.

“We’ve chosen to thank them for all that they’ve given us, especially during this holiday season, by donating a table of eight to this great organization. We have been informed that five wounded warriors representing the U.S. Marines and three from the U.S. Army will all attend in dress uniforms.

“We often refer to boxers as warriors but these men and women are true warriors. All members of Ring 8 salute them for their service to this country. We are proud of them and honored to have these representatives as special quests at our Holiday and Awards Ceremony. Special thanks to Atty. Keith Sullivan, who is a board member of Ring 8 and Wounded Warriors Project, for making this happen.”

Ring 8 has also announced that it will honor legendary blow-by-blow announcer Nick Charles, who has been the voice of boxing on Showtime and Versus, for being an inspiration to everybody involved in boxing, as well as for his outstanding contributions to the sport.

2010 Ring 8 Honorees

Father/Son Award: “Smokin’” Joe Frazier and Marvis Frazier

Uncrowned Champion Award: “Sonny Lou Volpe & Lenny Mangiapane

Trainer of the Year: Tommy Gallagher

Lifetime Achievement Award: Lou Raino

Integrity in Boxing Award: Joe Dwyer

Ringside Physician Award: Dr. Ralph Bohm

Amateur Official Award: John Holden

Outstanding Service Award: Paulette Balog

Dedicated Service Award: David Yatkowitz

Prospect of the Year Award: Gabriel Bracero

In addition to Joe Frazier, other invited former world champion quests include Emile Griffith, Vito Antuofermo, “Neon” Leon Spinks, Virgil “Quicksilver” Hill, Iran “The Blade” Barkley, Billy Costello and Junior “Poison” Jones, as well as past world heavyweight challenger Ken Norton.

Tickets, priced at $125.00 per person, are available to purchase by calling 1.718.729.4862, emailing DepComish@aol.com or mailing checks (payable to Ring 8) to Tony Mazzarella, C/O Waterfront Crab House, 2-03 Borden Ave., Long Island, NY 11101. Donations of any denomination are 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. 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), Quarter-Page ($50.00) and the new 1/16th Page ($25.00 – picture and/or words). The deadline for all ads is Nov. 30 and must be emailed (DepComish@aol.com) or mailed to Bob Duffy (516.313.2304), 164 Lindbergh St., Massapequa, NY 11762.

Call Tony Mazzarella (718.729.4862) for additional information about Ring 8 or its annual Holiday and Awards Ceremony, or go online to www.Ring8ny.com.

Russo’s On The Bay is located at 162-45 Crossbay Blvd. in Howard Beach (718.843.5055).