NEW YORK (May 16, 2016) – New York State Boxing Hall-of-Famer Edwin Viruet will be Ring 8’s guest speaker at Tuesday night’s (May 17) monthly meeting, starting at 7 p.m. ET, at O’Neill’s Restaurant, located at 64-21 53rd Drive in Maspeth, New York.

“Edwin was inducted into the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2016,” Ring 8 president Bob Duffy said.  “He was unable to attend the induction ceremony, so we will present him with his Hall of Fame belt at our meeting.  Edwin embodies what the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame (NYSBHOF) is all about in terms of his overall achievements and accomplishments as a New York State fighter.  We’re very happy that Edwin will have this opportunity to be honored and we’re all interested in hearing him speak about his boxing career.”

Viruet (32-6-2) was a standout amateur boxer, albeit brief, registering a perfect 18-0 record, highlighted by his winning two New York Golden Gloves Championship in 1968 as a 118-pound sub-novice and the following year in the 126-pound division, Edwin and his brother,Adolpho Viruet, were declared co-champions.

In 1969, Viruet turned pro and two years later, he fought a draw with future world championSaoul Mamby and he won a decision over another future world champion, Alfredo Escalara.  Three years later, Viruet scored a decision victory against fellow 2016 NYSBHOF inductee Vilomar Fernandez at Madison Square Garden.

Viruet went the distance twice with world lightweight champion Roberto Duran, losing a decision both times, the first in a non-title fight in 1975 and the second as a world title challenger in Philadelphia two years later.

In 1983, Viruet retired as a boxer after having fought in all of the top New York venues – MSG, The Felt Forum, Sunnyside Garden, Nassau Coliseum, Singer Bowl and Audobon Ballroom.

Viruet also enjoyed a successful career as a trainer with heavyweight Alex Steward, a Golden Gloves champion who, as a professional, fought Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfieldand George Foreman.  Viruet also trained actor Wesley Snipes.

Several Vinny Maddalone fights, courtesy of Charley Norkus, Jr., will be shown on six television screens during Tuesday night’s buffet.

Ring 8’s annual summer picnic will be held Sunday afternoon, August 28, at Brady Park in Massapequa Reserve, Nassau on Long Island, New York.  Complete details coming soon.

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ABOUT RING 8:  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 $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, with a current boxing license or book 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.