RING 8

NOTES OF OCTOBER 14, 2002

An unusual Monday night meeting, which also fell on Columbus day 2002, which was a beautiful day in New York, and a meeting that would  have discussion about the past and the future.   

The message was clear -- and Tony said that October 26th was the day that had been 15 years in the making -- the start of a New York Hall Of Fame for Boxing. Also, Aaron Banks, who promoted all of the wonderful martial arts shows in New York over the years -- promoted the event as a first for the legendary arena. "Boxing made Madison Square Garden . . . from Joe Louis to Robinson etc." stated Mr. Banks " and you can go all over the world and people in different languages understand Madison Square Garden and boxing."  Also, the Martial Arts will induct their own into the Hall the same night. It will take place at the MSG Club and Grill.

There were a few wonderful speakers who took the forum ---- all with sincere intellect about the sport and the history it provided and the culture that made New York was it is today.

First, Lt. Bob Jackson, Engine 54/ L. I. C. spoke about the brothers that were lost on that fateful day last Sept. 11.  Representing the firefighters was the father of one of the fallen, Paul J. Gil. A plaque presented to Tony Mazzarella and Ring 8 for the thanks in return for the work done after Sept. 11. A grateful Paul Gil stated that just like the boxers we are all fighters in life and that " I don't know how Tony does it."  Firefighters from Engine 54, Lad 4 were present to see the festivities. 

For the record the Fire Dept. team defeated the Police Dept. at Coney Island in September.   

A tough act to follow, but nevertheless Pete Spanakos introduced a woman, Cynthia Allen, who is producing a project "Jews in Sports" and has taken the boxing angle ---  and she can be reached at www.jewsinsports.org . She dedicated the project to her father and she remembers being encouraged to participate in sports and many evenings watching boxing in the evenings in the '60's.  She got involved in the project with a check and a handshake from a memorabilia collector --- and there is an ongoing fund that will keep the project going. "We got about 2000 biographies of Olympians, baseball players, tennis, soccer, and boxing." If anyone has any information, she can be reached at  212-463-7617.

Also Derek Leif is producing a documentary on Ring 8. He is also helping Cynthia Allen on the project "Jews In Sports." Derek passed out some info to be gathered on providing a story or knowledge on the subjects. such notables remembered at the gathering were Al Reid, K.O. Phil Kaplan and even one member suggested Hershel Jacobs*. Remember him? Any reader who has information can contact the website. 

TOSSING JABS :  A Jerry Quarry film is being discussed and may be in the making. Although the finances are not clear as of yet, it is believed that is a certain amount of money can be raised -- Hollywood would fund the rest. Ring 8's involvement would get some notoriety for the Hall Of Fame. . .  Vic played the accordion rendition of "God Bless America." 

* "Hershel Jacobs was not Jewish" . . . Hank Kaplan

NOTES OF SEPTEMBER 18

Back from a three month hiatus, Ring 8 met on a Wednesday instead of the traditional third Tuesday of the month, and also reminded members that the next meeting will take place on a Monday, October 14th.

Howie Albert was the first to speaker of the evening, giving information on the first show in Jersey City, New Jersey, in over 30 years. The 9 bout card will honor the Jersey City mayor, Glenn Cunningham. The event will take place at the Jersey Armory on Montgomery Street . Ironically, the boxings first million dollar gate was held at Boyles Thirty Acres, on the same street, about three blocks away, on July 2, 1921. Can you name the fighters and the other historical first?**

The champ was in town -- Joey Gamache, former WBA lightweight champion, all the way from Lewiston, Maine, now residing in nearby Astoria, said hello to the members. Although Bobby Bartels mentioned the Gatti bout, many boxing fans can never forget the bouts with Tiger Lopez and the gallant effort against Julio Cesar Chavez. Now retired, Joey looks fit and trim and as good as ever.

Next to appear  was famous martial arts promoter Aaron Banks --- who transcended martial arts into entertainment form. Mr. Banks explained that boxing is an "art" just like the other forms of martial arts -- karate, kung-foo etc. Back in the early days, Banks saw the great ones fight -- from Joe Louis to Robinson, etc., and always had a respect for the game. His love of boxing came from his father, and he feels that a Hall of Fame here in New York should show the way it was -- in New York. He has plans to open up a martial arts hall of Fame -- boxing included, at Madison Square Garden. Aaron Banks has a history and has traveled worldwide to demonstrate the art form. The Martial Arts madness in the mid 1970's sold out the Garden time and time again of which Banks was an integral part of. The New York page of history deserves a place, and we wish him well.

Next, Cliff from Glendale Boxing spoke briefly about his boxing club in Queens. The gym is located at 60th Lane, off Fresh Pond Road, in Glendale. For any youngsters reading it is an excellent place for a kid to get started. Cliff has 7 Golden Glove Champions and 7 pro fighters, one an undefeated Heavyweight. 

Next, author, writer Ron Ross introduced a woman that is hoping to produce a boxing program similar to that of TV's Crossfire. To those unfamiliar to Crossfire, it a roundtable discussion of politics and the opinions that conflict to make the points/counterpoints clear to the audience. Brooke Altman, a producer and agent, has the excellent concept in mind that can bring the hot topics of the sweet science to the top, exposing the frauds and creating a climate that is competitive and entertaining. Brooke stated that "it was an honor be here," and Howie pointed his cane and said "every guy in the room has about 8 million stories." The weekly format show gives Ring 8 the opportunity to share ring experiences to the public, and become more popular in the worldwide boxing forum. 

Doug Harden, TRUFANBOXING Co-anchor, took the stand to mention upcoming amateur shows that will take place in October. There is a need for the young kids to develop their skills and Doug is also looking for Doctors that will give some time to the event. 

 TIDBITS:  What ever happened to the CYO?  Started by Bishop Shell in Chicago in the 1930's, CYO was popular in New York as well, producing some top fighters. The Catholic Youth Organizations gyms were clean and well kept, and provided kids with a haven that kept them off the streets. Tony Anthony was a kid that was brought up through CYO. A Ring 8 member, Bill Tate, middleweight contender from the 1960's, recalled how he hitchhiked from Ohio to the south side of Chicago looking for a gym and ultimately finding a clean CYO gym. 

Joe Dwyer, IBF chairman, spoke briefly on the efforts of the Commission and MRI/Steroid testing. "Anything that is for the safety of the fighter is good" stated the chairman, who also added that it is important that the Commission and Industry work together.

SHEVLIN is back!  Shevlin's line of boxing equipment is back in business after a brief hiatus. Doug Harden is an official distributor. Shevlin is the producer of fine boxing equipment that is made in New York, USA. More info can be shown at www.shevlinboxing.com   

** Jack Dempsey-Georges Carpentier . . . first bout ever broadcast on radio.

NEXT MEETING OCT. 14, 2002

BIMSTEIN REMEMBERED

MEETING NOTES: Tuesday June 18, 2002  7PM

It was a cool evening with small threat of rain as members of Ring 8 met for the final time before summer break. Bob Bartels called attention to the membership at 7:55 PM for the Pledge of Allegiance and the Ten Count for departed members.

Ring 8 members wish Howie Albert a Happy Birthday.  Bob Bartels said a trainer existed at Stillman's gym many moons ago -- a fellow by the name of Whitey Bimstein. Of course many of the new generation fighters do not know the name, but Bimstein is well regarded by the boxing community as "the trainer" who set standards. Bimstein, who died in 1969, trained the best fighters, his last boxer being Joey Archer.  Howie and his brother invited Bimstein's grandson, Mike Shapiro.

Shapiro describes Whitey and the story. 

1912: a 15 year old kid at St Jerome's church in the Bronx, Bimstein thought he could make some $5 punching out guys in the ring. Bimstein fought under the name Johnny White, because he did not his real name in the paper. If his father found out, he would kill him. This was true until his father found out his young son was taking home more than he was!  So Whitey continued boxing until he joined the navy. After the Navy Whitey started training fighters. By the early '20's Bimstein was working with such names as Harry Greb, Gene Tunney, Jack Dempsey, Ruby Goldstein. He worked with Tunney during his two epic battles with Jack Dempsey '26,' 27.  Between  '29 and '34 Bimstein worked these corners ----  is Georges Carpentier, Sixto Escobar, Jackie "Kid Berg, Benny Leonard, Fred Apostoli, Jimmy Braddock and Max Bear.

Whitey Bimstein considered for the Hall Of Fame for 2003.

After World War II, Whitey became partners with Freddie Brown, another one from Stillman's Gym. Whitey Bimstein would scout fighters across the world, making an incredible amount for his opinion. He is also credited with saving Rocky Marciano's perfect record by closing the cut that split the fighter's nose in his bout with Ezzard Charles. The contemporary trainers, such as Angelo Dundee, started out as assistants to Whitey in the 50's. No man worked in more corners of champions than Whitey Bimstein. After his death on July 14, 1969, New York Post columnist Lester Bromberg wrote --  "Second to the best, and second to none."   

Tidbits: Also, Ron Ross continued his pledge for Hank Kaplan for induction in the Hall Of Fame, and said that Hank, despite being in the World hall Of Fame in Los Angeles, is too modest to mention himself. We wish Ron the best and yes, Kaplan belongs in the Hall. 

NOTES

Topic TWO here

Topic THREE here