Tag Archives: Bobby Cassidy Sr.

New York State Boxing HOF A family affair for Bobby Cassidy, Jr. Class of 2020 induction dinner Sept. 19th at Russo’s On The Bay

Cassidys.jpeg
(L-R) – Bobby Cassidy, Jr., Bobby Cassidy, Sr., and brother/son Chris Cassidy (boxing photographer)





NEW YORK (September 9, 2021) – Long Island journalist/producer Bobby Cassidy, Jr. will join his father, Bobby Cassidy, Sr., in the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame (NYSBHOF). Originally scheduled for April 19, 2019, the induction dinner was postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions until Sunday afternoon, September 19 (12:30-5:30 p.m. ET), once again at Russo’s On The Bay in Howard Beach, New York.


The 28-member Class of 2019 will be honored at the ninth NYSBHOF induction dinner, which is sponsored by Ring 8. There will not be a Class of 2021 due to pandemic.

New York City guidelines mandates all attendees must be vaccinated to attend indoor events.  


Bobby Cassidy, Sr. (2013) and Jr. are the fourth son and father tandem inducted into the NYSBHOF, but the first boxer/journalist combination. The others are boxers Floyd and Tracy Patterson, executive administrators Bobby and Murray Goodman, and referees Arthur, Sr. and Arthur Mercante, Jr.


“It’s quite an honor to be inducted into the same Hall of Fame as my da.” Bobby, Jr. said. “He’s the one responsible for my love of boxing. The sport of boxing provides us with so many rich stories. It’s been a privilege to cover the sport.”


Bobby, Jr. has worked in boxing in various roles for Newsday during the past quarter-century.  He started covering boxing in 1987, when he started as a reporter for The Ring magazine, and Bobby has written about boxing for Newsday, New York Post, Los Angeles Times, ESPN.com, British Boxing News and Ringside Seat Magazine.
During the course of his decorated writing career, Cassidy has worked more than 200 world title fights and covered a Who’s Who of boxing, including stars such as “Sugar” Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearn’s Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, George Foreman, Julio Cesar Chavez, Oscar de la Hoya, Felix Trinidad, Roy Jones, Jr., Bernard Hopkins, Errol Spence, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Vasily Lomachenko.


The Cassidy’s father-son bond led Bobby, Jr. to write the play, “Kid Shamrock,” based on his father’s life, which was produced Off Broadway four times from 2007 to 2012. He has worked in Newsday’s multimedia department for the last 12 years and produced numerous award-winning documentaries for Newsday.


Living boxers heading into the NYSBHOF include three-time World light heavyweight title challenger Jorge Ahumada (42-8-2, 22 KOs), of Woodside, Queens by way of Argentina; (1975-78) WBC super featherweight World Champion Alfredo “El Salsero” Escalera (53-14-3, 31 KOs), of New York City by way of Puerto Rico; WBC super featherweight World title challenger Freddie “The Pitbull” Liberatore (20-4-1, 11 KOs), of Bayside, Queens; WBC middleweight World Champion and four-time New York Golden Gloves winner Dennis “The Magician” Milton (16-5-1, 5 KOs), of Bronx; World heavyweight title challenger and two-time New York Golden Gloves winner Lou Savarese (46-7, 38 KOs), of Greenwood Lake; and WBA super middleweight title World title challenger Merqui “El Corombo” Sosa (34-9-2, 27 KOs), of Brooklyn by way of the Dominican Republic.


Posthumous participants being inducted are Brooklyn welterweight Soldier Bartfield (51-29-8, 33 KOs), who fought a reported 55 world champions; Bronx middleweight Steve Belloise (95-13-3, 59 KOs); NYSAC and World lightweight champion (1925) Jimmy Goodrich (85-34-21 (12 KOs), of Buffalo; World heavyweight title challenger Tami Mauriello (82-13-1, 60 KOs), of Bronx; WBA light middleweight World champion (1982-83) and four-consecutive New York Golden Gloves titlist Davey “Sensational” Moore (18-5, 14 KOs), of Bronx; and World lightweight champion Freddie “The Welsh Wizard” Welch (74-5-7, 34 KOs), of New York City by way of Wales. 


Joining Cassidy, Jr. among the living non-participants heading into the NYSBHOF are Oneida judge Don Ackerman, Wantah, Buffalo manager Rick Glaser, Rockaway Beach journalist Jack Hirsch, Bronx boxing broadcaster Max Kellerman, Orangeburg judge Julie Lederman, Hyde Park referee Ron Lipton, and Staten Island/Catskill trainer Kevin Rooney.


Posthumous non-participant inductees are Ardsley ringside physician/NY Medical Director Dr. William Lathan, Brooklyn’s Ring Magazine editor Lester Bromberg, New York City sportswriter Dan Daniel, Brooklyn’s Gleason’s Gym founder Bobby Gleason, Sunnyside, Queens boxing writer Flash Gordan, Manhattan journalist A.J. Liebling, Long Island City’s NYSBHOF co-founder Tony Mazzarella and New York City manager Dan Morgan.


There are a number of other firsts regarding some Class of 2020 inductees: husband-wife Dr. William and Melvina Lathan (Class of 2018), and daughter-father Julie and Harold (Class of 2012) Lederman.


Welch is going into the NYSBHOF as a boxer, but he also managed fellow Class of 2020 inductee Goodrich.


Each attending inductee will receive a custom-designed belt signifying his or her induction into the NYSBHOF.
 
The 2020 inductees were selected by the NYSBHOF nominating committee members: Randy Gordon, Henry Hascup, Don Majeski, Ron McNair, Jim Monteverde and Neil Terens.


All boxers needed to be inactive for at least three years to be eligible for NYSBHOF induction, and all inductees must have resided in New York State for a significant portion of their boxing careers or during the prime of their respective career. 
Tickets are priced at $150.00 per adult and $60.00 for children (under 16) and IT includes a complete brunch and cocktail hour upon entry, starting at 12:30 p.m. ET, as well as a full course dinner (prime rib, fish, or poultry) and open bar throughout the day. Tickets are available to purchase by contacting NYSBHOF president Bob Duffy at 516.313.2304 or depcomish@aol.com.


NEW YORK STATE BOXING HALL OF FAME
 
CLASS OF 2012: Carmen Basilio, Mike McCallum, Mike Tyson, Jake LaMotta, Riddick Bowe, 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 and Arthur Mercante, Sr.


CLASS OF 2013: Jack Dempsey, Johnny Dundee, Sandy Saddler, Maxie Rosenbloom, Joey Archer, Iran Barkley, Mark Breland, Bobby Cassidy, Doug Jones, Junior Jones, James “Buddy” McGirt, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, Bob Arum, Shelly Finkel, Tony Graziano, Larry Merchant, Teddy Brenner, Mike Jacobs, Tex Rickard and 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 and Tom O’Rourke. 


CLASS OF 2015: Saoul Mamby, Joey Giamba, Johnny Persol, Harold Weston, Lonnie Bradley, Paul 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, and Al Weill.


CLASS OF 2016: Aaron Davis, Charles Murray, Vilomar Fernandez, Edwin Viruet, Hector “Macho” Camacho, Rocky Graziano, Rocky Kansas, Joe Lynch, Joe Miceli, Ed Brophy, Joe DeGuardia, Randy Gordon, Dennis Rappaport, Howie Albert, Freddie Brown, Howard Cosell, Ruby Goldstein, and Jimmy Jacobs. 


CLASS OF 2017: Gaspar Ortega, Renaldo “Mr.” Snipes, Doug Dewitt, “The Bronx Bomber” Alex Ramos, Dick Tiger, Jose Torres, “Nonpareil” Jack Dempsey, Don Majeski, Ron Katz, Stan Hoffman, Bobby Bartels, Hank Kaplan, Al Gavin, Arthur Donovan, and Dan Parker.
 
CLASS OF 2018: Lou “Honey Boy” Del Valle, Jake Rodriguez, Terrence Alli, “Baby” Joe Mesi, Kid Chocolate, James J. “Gentleman Jim” Corbett, Jack McAuliffe, Billy Costello, Melio Bettina Ralph “Tiger” Jones, Charley Norkus, Dave Anderson, Pete Brodsky, Herb Goldman, Bobby Goodman, Melvina Lathan, Ron Scott Stevens, Johnnie Addie, Johnny Bos, Murray Goodman, Bert Randolph Sugar and Sam Taub.
 
CLASS OF 2019: Wilfredo Benitez, Dick DiVeronica, Rogelio Tuur, Davey Vasquez, Michael Olajide, Monte Barrett, Jimmy Carter, Al “Bummy” Davis, Marty Servo, Roland LaStarza, Paddy DeMarco, Sid Terris, Leach “The Fighting Dentist” Cross, Don King, John McKaie, Steve Albert, Arthur Mercante, Jr., Bob Jackson, Dewey Fragetta, Johnny LoBianco, Wayne Kelly, Harry Hill, Jimmy Cannon, and Joe Dwyer.


INFORMATION:
www.nyboxinghof.org 

31stannual Ring 8 Holiday Event & Awards Ceremony Dec. 10 in New York

Vasyl Lomachenko, Evander Holyfield, Michael Conlan,
Marcus Browne, Amanda Serrano among 2017 award winners
Vasyl Lomachenko (R) – 2017 Ring 8 Muhammad Ali International Fighter of the Year)
(photo courtesy of Top Rank – more pictures below)
NEW YORK (October 31, 2017) – The 31st annual Ring 8 Holiday Event and Awards Ceremony will be held Sunday afternoon (12:30-5:30 p.m. ET), December 10, at Russo’s On The Bay in Howard Beach, New York.
Ring 8 has announced its 2017 award winners (see complete list below), WBO Junior Lighweight World Champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist Vasyl “Hi Tech” Lomanchenko (Muhammad Ali International Fighter of the Year), Hall-of-Famer Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield (Legends Award), two-time Irish Olympian Michael Conlan (International Prospect of the Year Award), 2012 U.S. Olympian “Sir” Marcus Browne (New York State Fighter of the Year), of Staten Island, and five-division world champion Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano, of Brooklyn by way of Puerto Rico.
“There is an incredible amount of interest for our holiday awards banquet this year” Ring 8 president Jack Hirsch said. “Vasyl Lomachenko is arguably the world’s greatest fighter, and Evander Holyfield is a living legend. They are both confirmed to attend as are future superstars Michael Conlan and Marcus Browne. There will be other high-profile honorees and boxing personalities on hand as well. It will be a treat for fans who will have the opportunity to interact with them.
“Russo’s on the Bay is a great venue; the food is fantastic. Everyone attending should come away with wonderful memories of the event. Tickets are very reasonably priced for an affair of this magnitude. We usually sell out, so I suggest that anyone planning to attend purchase their tickets as soon as possible. Our profits from the afternoon go back to the boxing fraternity, helping those less fortunate, who need assistance.”
 
2017 RING 8 Award Winners
Muhammad Ali International Fighter of the Year: Vasyl Lomachenko
Legends Award: Evander Holyfield
International Prospect of the Year: Michael Conlan
NYS Fighter of the Year: Marcus Browne
NYS Female Fighter of the Year: Amanda Serrano
Sunnyside Gardens Award:: Bobby Cassidy, Sr.
NYS Prospect of the Year: Devaun Lee
Rising Contender Award: Skender & Enver Halili
Sam Kellerman Media Award: Matt Christie
NYS Trainer of the Year: Hector Rosa
Long & Meritorious Service: Edwin Torres
NYS Official of the Year: Robert Perez
NYS Promoter of the Year: Mercedes Vasquez Simmons
Uncrowned Champion: Richard Kiley
Ringside Physician of the Year: Dr. Osric King
Good Guy Award: Joanne Doyle Hutchins
Ring 8 Member of the Year: George Newman
Community Service Award: Mike Reno
Special Guests will include Teddy Atlas, Vito Antuofermo, Iran Barkley, Tommy Gallagher and many others.
David Diamante will once again serve as the event’s Master of Ceremonies.
Tickets are $125.00 include a complete brunch with cocktail hour upon entry, followed by 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 to secure favorable seating. Donations of any denomination are welcome for those unable to attend the festivities.
Program ads are available for Back Cover ($500.00), Inside Front or Back Cover ($400.00), Full Page ($200.00), Half-Page ($100.00), and Quarter-Page ($60.00). The deadline for all ads is November 26, 2017, and must be emailed (Ajhirsch5@aol) or mailed to Ring 8, P.O. Box 153, Rockaway Park, NY 11694. All checks for tickets or journal ads should be payable to Ring 8 (credit cards are acceptable).
For additional information about Ring 8 or its annual Holiday Events and Awards Ceremony, contact Ring 8 president Jack Hirsch (516.790.7592 or Ajhirsch5@aol.com) or go online to www.Ring8ny.com for more information.
Russo’s On The Bay is located at 162-45 Crossbay Blvd. in Howard Beach(718.843.5055).
 Vasyl Lomachenko (photo courtesy of Top Rank)
Evander Holyfield (photo courtesy of Real Deal Sports and Entertainment)
Michael Conlan (Picture courtesy of Top Rank)
Marcus Browne (photo courtesy of Premier Boxing Champions)
Amanda Serrano (picture courtesy of DiBella Entertainment)
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 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 $30.00 and each member is entitled to a buffet dinner at RING 8 monthly meetings, excluding July and August. All active boxers, amateur and professional, are entitled to a complimentary RING 8 yearly membership. Guests of Ring 8 members are welcome at a cost of only $7.00 per person