NYSBHOF Class na 2019: (L-R – seated) – Bob Jackson, John McKay, Dick DiVeronica, Regilio Turr, Don King and Michal Olajidfe; (L-R – tsaye) – Zobe 8 president Charles Norkus, Jr., Monte Barrett, Arthur Mercante, Jr., Steve Albert and NYSBHOF president Bob Duffy
(all pictures by Peter Frutkoff / NYSBHOF)
Inimitable promoter Don King led the 24-member Class of 2019 into the NYSBHOF
NEW YORK (Afrilu 30, 2019) – A record turnout honored the Class of 2019 at this past Sunday’s eighth annual New York State Boxing Hall of Fame (NYSBHOF), sponsored by Zobe 8, at Russo’s On the Bay in Howard Beach, New York.
“We had our largest attendance, 402 mutane,” a happy and proud NYSBHOF president Bob Duffy said at the event. “This is the way we show our appreciation with this special belt for these New Yorkers for what they’ve given boxing through the years. Thanks to a lot of peoples’ efforts this is our eighth year. I hope we can do another 50. I’d like to thank everyone of these inductees, and their family members for their support. It’s all about family.”
Rayuwa Yan damben dai sun je a cikin NYSBHOF hada da (Bronx-born) three-time, biyu division duniya zakara Wilfredo Benitez (53-8-1, 31 Kos), (Hempstead) WBO super featherweight world champion Jefa Rogelio (46-4-1, 30 Kos), (Bronx) 1968 U.S. Tseren Davey Vasquez (19-15, 6 Kos), WBO super middleweight world title challengerMichael Olajide (27-5, 19 Kos), of Manhattan, New York welterweight Dick DiVeronica(44-13-1, 13 Kos), da kuma Queens’ world heavyweight title challenger Monte Barrett (35-11-2, 20 Kos).
Posthumous participants being inducted are (Bronx) three-time lightweight world championJimmy Carter (84-31-9, 34 Kos), Brooklyn welterweight Al “Bummy” Davis (65-10-4, 46 Kos), (Schenectady) duniya welterweight Zakaran Marty Servo (47-4-2, 14 Kos), (Bronx) world heavyweight title challenger Roland LaStarza (57-9, 27 Kos), Brooklyn world lightweight champion Paddy DeMarco (75-26-3, 8 Kos )and Manhattan’s Lower East Side lightweights Sid Terris (94-13-5, 12 Kos) da kuma Leach “The Fighting Dentist” Cross (35-10-4, 22 Kos).
Living non-participants heading into the NYSBHOF are New York City-based promoter Don Sarki, Flushing judge John McKay, referee Arthur Mercante, Jr. Brooklyn sportscasterSteve Albert, and Bronx trainer Bob Jackson.
Posthumous non-participant inductees are Utica matchmaker Dewey Fragetta, Kambi, Queens referee Johnny LoBianco, Garden City referee Wayne Kelly, Flushing sportsman Harry Hill, award-winning journalist Jimmy Cannon, of Manhattan’s Upper East Side, and NYSAC official/former NABF president Joe Dwyer, na Brooklyn.
Kowane halartar inductee (ko kai tsaye zuriyar) received a custom-designed belt signifying his or her induction into the NYSBHOF.
A 2019 inductees aka zaba ta NYSBHOF nominating kwamitin membobin:Randy Gordon, Henry Hascup, Don Majeski, Ron McNair, da kuma Neil Terens.
All Yan damben dai sun ake bukata ya zama m domin akalla shekaru uku ya zama m ga NYSBHOF shigar da, da dukan inductees dole zauna a New York State ga wani gagarumin rabo da dambe yabo ko a lokacin da Firayim na masu aiki.
INDUCTEES’ Quotes & Hotuna
Bob Jackson: “It’s hard to speak at times like this when being honored by friends. It’s been a great run. I live on memories and I have thousands. They keep me going. Never give up, always keep punching.”
(L-R) presenter Vinny Maddalone & 2019 NYSBHOF inductee Bob Jackson
Regilio Tuur: “I was a black kid from Holland fighting in the Olympics. Pretty much a nobody fighting the U.S. Zakaran. They bought my return plane ticket before I even fought because they though my opponent was unbelievable. I trained to fight him, a southpaw, for a year and had a big fight hand that nobody knew of. I wanted to come to American and make by father proud. I retired from the pros) undefeated and make a lot money. I’m honored today. I had a great manager, Stan Hoffman, who is a man who made us men. Standing here today is a dream.”
(L-R) — 2019 NYSBHOF inductee Regilio Tuur & presenter Stan Hoffman
John McKay: “I have a great job and to be honored for something I really love doing is a great honor. I’d like to thank various commissions for licensing me, but New York is my home. I’d like to thank all the boxers because it’s been a pleasure judging them.”
L-R) – Presenter Melvina Latham, 2019 NHSBHOF inductee John McKaie and
NYSBHOF president Bob Duffy
Monte Barrett: “Congratulations to everybody up here. There’s so much history in this room. I’ve been in boxing 18 years and have a select memory, but there have been so many amazing experiences and accomplishments. I love this guy (trainer Jimmy Glenn). A lot of managers don’t even ask how you’re doing. My manager was the great Stan Hoffman. He gave me $50,000, $3000 a month and another $1000 for insurance without a contract. Stan said: ‘How you doing? I believe in you and love you.’ A 2005, I was having an argument with Don King about money. He said, ‘Life is a negotiation.’ Da kyau, I’m negotiating now, and I’m in the Hall of Fame.”
(L-R) – Presenter Melvina Latham, 2019 NHSBHOF inductee Monte Barrett and his wife, Shaneka, and NYSBHOF president Bob Duffy
Arthur Mercante, Jr.: “What a great honor it is to be recognized by Ring 8 and the boxing community. A 2012, my dad was inducted into the New York Boxing Hall of Fame Now he’s looking down today and he’s so proud. I entered the Golden Gloves at the age of 17. Un the quarterfinals I lost to a great fighter and Hall of Famer, Juan LaPorte. Like any boxer, I thought that I had won, and wanted aa rematch. My father told me I didn’t like road work and just lost a three-round fight. He asked if I’d like to be a referee. I started in 1979 and my father made me work five years before turning pro. I went on to ref so many great fights, including one on the same card with my father at Radio City Music Hall. My greatest fight was Lennox Lewis versus Evander Holyfield.”
(L-R) – 2019 NYSBHOF inductee Arthur Mercante, Jr. and presenter James Mercante
Michael Olajide: “I’m really honored to be here today. My history in boxing goes back a little now. There’s nothing better to be honored by those who are a part of your profession. Na gode. I’ve had an incredible journey: Liverpool to Canada to New York. Boxing has given me so much. I wouldn’t be the person I am without boxing. To live is to fight. Boxing and life are synonymous”
(L-R) – Presenter Jack Hirsch and 2019 NYSBHOF inductee Michael Olajide
Steve Albert: “It is a tremendous honor to be honored by these luminaries. To be recognized in your own state is special. This is a celebration of all of New York. I worked 23 years for Showtime Championship Boxing, daga 1987-2010, and the most dramatic was Corrales-Castillo I, one of the greatest fights of all time. I got the see the world because of boxing, but it was the lighter moments I remember most. Only in boxing do you have these characters and amazing experiences.”
(L-R) – Presenter Randy Gordon and 2019 NYSBHOF inductee Steve Albert
Don Sarki: “Only in America, dama? I’m happy to be inducted into the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame. O got into boxing with Muhammad Ali for his first fight and he stayed with me. A black and a Jew, me and Al Braverman, revolutionized boxing. Mario Cuomo gave me my license to promote in New York. One of our three offices was at 30 Rockefeller Center overlooking this great city. New York is a great city and stayed, so good they named it twice, New York, New York. I’m proud and privileged for all the young men and women honored here. I’m so proud to be inducted with them today. I’m here because New York played such a vital role in my career. I’m happy to be here today to accept this award. I got my belt!”
Presenter Don Majeski, 2019 NYSBHOF inductee Don King and
Master of Ceremonies Dave Diamante
NYSBHOF
CLASS na 2012: Carmen Basilio, Mike McCallum, Mike Tyson, Jake LaMotta, Riddick baka, Carlos Ortiz, Vito Antuofermo, Emile Griffith, “Sugar” Ray Robinson, Gene Tunney, Benny Leonard, Tony Canzoneri, Harold Lederman, Steve Acunto, Jimmy Glenn, Gil Clancy, Ray Arcel, Nat Fleischer, Bill Gallo da Arthur Mercante, Sr.
CLASS na 2013: Jack Dempsey, Johnny Dundee, Sandy Saddler, Maxie Rosenbloom, Joey m, Iran Barkley, Mark Breland, Bobby Cassidy, Doug Jones, Junior Jones, James “Aboki” McGirt, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, Bob Arum, Shelly Finkel, Tony Graziano, Larry Merchant, Teddy Brenner, Mike Jacobs, Tex Rickard da kuma Don Dunphy.
CLASS OF 2014: Floyd Patterson, Tracy Harris Patterson, Billy Backus, Kevin Kelley, Juan LaPorte, Gerry Cooney, Mustafa Hamsho, Howard Davis, Jr., Lou Ambers, Jack Britton, Terry McGovern, Teddy Atlas, Lou DiBella, Steve Farhood, Gene Moore, Angelo Prospero, Whitey Bimstein, Cus D'Amato, William Muldoon da kuma Tom O'Rourke.
CLASS OF 2015: Saul Mamby, Joey Giamba, Johnny Persol, Harold Weston, Lonnie Bradley, Bulus Berlenbach, Billy Graham, Frankie Genaro, Bob Miller, Tommy Ryan, Jimmy Slattery, Bob Duffy, Mike Katz, Tommy Gallagher, Bruce Silverglade, Charley Goldman, Jimmy Johnston, Cedric Kushner, Harry Markson, Damon Runyon da Al Weill.
CLASS OF 2016: Haruna Davis, Charles Murray, Vilomar Fernandez, Edwin Viruet, Hector “Macho” Camacho, Rocky Graziano, M Kansas, Joe Lynch, Joe Miceli, Ed Brophy, Joe DeGuardia, Randy Gordon, Dennis Rappaport, Howie Albert, Freddie Brown, Howard Cosell, Ruby Goldstein da kuma Jimmy Jacobs.
CLASS OF 2017: Gaspar Ortega, Renaldo “Mr.” Snipes, Doug Dewitt, “A Bronx m” Alex Ramos, Dick Tiger, Jose Torres, “Nonpareil” Jack Dempsey, Don Majeski, Ron Katz, Stan Hoffman, Bobby Bartels, Hank Kaplan, Al Gavin, Arthur Donovan da Dan Parker.
CLASS OF 2018: Lou “Amai Boy” Valley, Jake Rodriguez, Terrence Alli, “Baby” Joe Mesi, Yaro Chocolate, James J. “gentleman Jim” Corbett, Jack McAuliffe, Billy Costello, Melio Bettina Ralph “Tiger” Jones, Charlie Norkus, Dave Anderson, Pete Brodsky, ganye Goldman, Bobby Goodman, Melvina Lathan, Ron Scott Stevens, Johnnie Addie, Johnny Bos, Murray Goodman, Bert Randolph Sugar da Sam Taub.
