Monthly Archives: December 2014

Ring 8’s Annual Holiday and Award Ceremony -2014

Ring 8’s Annual Holiday and Award Ceremony -2014

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Ring 8’s membership is now in excess of 300 people, rivaling the numbers of its best years. Meetings are presided over by Ring 8’s current President Bobby Bartels, a 1960’s era welterweight, who reviews current business, tolls the ten count for deceased members, and introduces the guest speaker for the evening. Occasionally there is a surprise as when 1950’s middleweight contender Eugene “Silent” Hairston was introduced and honored, or when Danny “Bang, Bang” Womber, who once beat the great Kid Gavilan, was discovered at a Salvation Army shelter and was brought to Ring 8, given an award, and treated like the celebrity he once was. Just to see the expression of gratitude and happiness on the faces of these forgotten gladiators was worth 10 times the price of admission. Several years ago Ring 8 acted on rumors that ailing former featherweight champion Sandy Saddler was being neglected. The organization placed Sandy in a proper nursing facility where he was able to live out his final years in relative peace. The group did the same for ex-champs Phil Terranova and former heavyweight contender Tami Mauriello.
The biggest Ring 8 event is still the annual Holiday Dinner which takes place in December. Hundreds attend and the event is usually sold out weeks in advance.

The annual dinner is just one of several ongoing attempts to raise funds for the organization. Considering the terrible financial and physical condition that so many ex-fighters find themselves in, Ring 8’s efforts are minuscule compared to what truly needs to be done for these ruined warriors. Again, without a union, pension plan, or health benefits the boxer is at an extreme disadvantage. But at least there is one organization that is trying, with whatever limited resources it has at its disposal, to make a difference. Pity that the real power brokers in boxing which include the major promoters and the few mega-million boxing superstars do not pitch in and help.

Chris Algieri WBO World Junior Welterweight Boxing Champion

Chris Algieri WBO World Junior Welterweight Boxing Champion

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Christopher Mark “Chris” Algieri is an American former kickboxer and currently a professional boxer in the Light Welterweight division.Algieri is the WBO Light Welterweight Champion and former ISKA World Welterweight and WKA World Super Welterweight Champion. Algieri, who is currently world ranked by various sanctioning bodies as a light welterweight boxer, is trained by Keith Trimble and Tim Lane.

As an amateur, Algieri won the USKBA Northeast Championship defeating Kyle Murray.Algieri later turned professional, and won the International Sport Karate Association Welterweight and World Kickboxing Association Super Welterweight Championships, compiling a 20-0 record as a world kickboxing champion before retiring to become a professional boxer. He reached 10-0 when Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing signed him.

Algieri’s career record stands at 20-1 as a professional boxer. He is promoted by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing. On February 14, 2014, Algieri won a unanimous ten round decision over Emmanuel Taylor, an IBF number four ranked contender, at the Paramount Theatre in Huntington, Long Island, New York, to enter the world rankings.

Christopher Algieri has accumulated wins over the likes of top prospect Jose Alejo, a bout featured on NBC Sports Network and former United States Boxing Association (USBA) Champion Mike Arnaoutis.

He fought June 14, 2014 and defeated Ruslan Provodnikov headlined on HBO’s “Boxing After Dark” card at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., by split decision to become the new WBO Light Welterweight Champion.

Algieri fought Manny Pacquiao on November 23, 2014 in Macau, for the latter’s WBO Welterweight title. Pacquiao knocked Algieri down 6 times and made him tumble repeatedly en route to defeating him via unanimous decision after 12 rounds.

Carlos Palamino former World Welterweight Boxing Champion-2014

Carlos Palamino former World Welterweight Boxing Champion-2014

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Carlos Palomino is a retired Mexican professional boxer.Palomino is a former WBC Welterweight Champion and member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Palomino is also an actor who has been featured in several television shows and films. He achieved a considerable amount of fame during the 1970s, especially among Mexican and Southern California fans.
After winning two fights in 1976, Palomino found himself and his trainers travelling to London, where an internationally televised world championship bout awaited him against WBC world Welterweight champion John H. Stracey, a British boxing teacher who had dethroned José Nápoles as world champion. Palomino became a world champion on the night of June 22 of that year at Wembley Arena, after Stracey eventually succumbed to a blistering body attack and was put on the canvas twice from left hooks to the liver. Many Mexicans who viewed Nápoles, a Cuban born resident of Mexico, as another countryman, saw this as a revenge from Stracey.

He waited six months for his next fight, against another very popular boxer of Mexican background: cross-town rival Armando Muñíz. This was a fight that had many fans guessing who’d win it for months before it happened, but it also made history in the boxing books: When Palomino and Muñíz met, on January 21 of 1977, it was the first time in boxing history two college graduates met for a world title. Palomino earned a degree in recreation administration from Long Beach State, while Muniz had graduated from Cal State Los Angeles, where he majored in Spanish and minored in math, and was working toward a graduate degree in administration. Palomino and Muniz (now a high school teacher in California) fought what the book The Ring: Boxing in the 20th. Century has described as one of the best fights of 1977. After 14 rounds, all three judges had the fight tied on their scorecards, but Palomino scored two knockdowns in the fifteenth and final round and he retained the world title by a knockout in that final round. A return to London resulted in an 11th round knockout victory over Dave Boy Green, after which he defended against Everaldo Acosta Azevedo and Jose Palacios, Azevedo being defeated by decision in fifteen and Palacios by knockout in thirteen.

In 1978, he defended his crown with a win over Ryu Sorimachi by a knockout in seven, a knockout in nine over Mimoun Mohatar, and a decision in fifteen in his long awaited rematch with Muniz.

His championship run ended in 1979, when he traveled to Puerto Rico, where he was defeated on January 13 by hometown boxer Wilfred Benítez via a controversial fifteen round split decision.

In his next fight, Palomino met legendary Roberto Durán on June 22 of that year at Madison Square Gardens, in another nationally televised bout, as part of the Larry Holmes–Mike Weaver world Heavyweight championship bout’s undercard. Palomino lost to Duran by decision in ten rounds, and he announced his retirement from boxing right away.

In 1978 while still the WBC Welterweight Champion, Palomino appeared as himself in the ABC sitcom Taxi. Appearing in the second episode of the opening season (“One-Punch Banta”), he spars with Tony Banta (Tony Danza – himself a former professional boxer with a 9-3 record) and takes a dive.

In 1980, Miller Lite beer signed Palomino as a spokesman as part of a television commercial campaign that also included Walt Frazier and other noted athletes. As a consequence of the enjoyable experience and the media exposure that followed, he decided to launch a career as an actor He participated in a number of movies and television series, before deciding to launch a boxing comeback at the age of 48, in 1997.

Palomino was elected as chairman of the California State Athletic Commission, where he performed for a few years. He is now involved in charity work, most notably Tony Baltazar’s charity organization, and he travels around the United States to attend charity events and do autograph shows.

Palomino was selected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame on January 8, 2004. He was inducted on June 13.

Tony DeMarco former World Welterweight Boxing Champion-2014

Tony DeMarco former World Welterweight Boxing Champion-2014

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Tony DeMarco is an American former boxer and World Welterweight Champion. Born to Sicilian immigrants, Vincent and Giacomina, DeMarco grew up in the North End neighborhood of Boston.

Due to the minimum age of eighteen, in order to box professionally, Liotta used the birth certificate of Tony DeMarco so that he could compete. DeMarco had his first professional fight when he was sixteen years old. On October 21, 1948, he knocked out Mestor Jones in one round.

DeMarco fought the top fighters in his division during the 1950s and defeated top contenders and champions like Paddy DeMarco, Teddy “Red Top” Davis, Chico Vejar and Don Jordan. The highlight of his career came on April 1, 1955, when he scored a technical knock out (TKO) over Johnny Saxton in the 14th round of their title bout to capture the world’s welterweight title.

Despite winning many bouts to become champion, he is best remembered for his two championship matches with hall of famer Carmen Basilio in 1955. Both fights were toe to toe slugfests with several ebbs and flows that kept the fans at the edges of their seats. Both fights ended in the 12th round with DeMarco suffering a TKO. In their first bout, DeMarco was the defending champion. He risked his title by taking on Basilio, who was the top ranked contender.

Although Basilio prevailed, the fight was so exciting that the pair were rematched. The second fight was almost a carbon copy of the first with Basilio wearing down DeMarco, but not before a wicked DeMarco left hook had Basilio out on his feet. DeMarco was unable to capitalize on this advantage and lost the match on a 12 round TKO.

DeMarco’s legacy is an undying part of Boston’s history. Training under Boston greats such as Frankie Waters, DeMarco was able to sell out the Boston Garden, breaking attendance records. Mayor Thomas Menino even honored DeMarco with a street, named after him, in Boston’s famous North End. The street, which is perpendicular to Atlantic Ave, is named “Tony DeMarco Way”.

DeMarco has received many honors, including an induction in the Official National Italian American Hall of Fame in Chicago. Looking back on his career, DeMarco remarked “Mainly I consider myself a slugger.” DeMarco once fought on the undercard to Rocky Marciano. In his last bout, DeMarco won a ten round decision over Stefan Redl in Boston on February 6, 1962.

A statue of Tony unveiled on October 20th at the corners of Hanover and Cross Streets in Boston’s historic North End was designed by famed sculptor Harry Weber, and a full length documentary by filmmaker Marino Amoruso based on Tony’s autobiography Nardo: Memoirs of a Boxing Champion is out and for sale.

Exclusive interview with Aaron “Hawk” Pryor former Jr Welterweight boxing great -2014

Exclusive interview with Aaron “Hawk” Pryor former Jr Welterweight boxing great -2014

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Aaron Pryor is a former boxer from Cincinnati, Ohio. He was World Junior Welterweight Champion from 1980 to 1985 and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1996. Pryor was voted by the Associated Press as the #1 junior welterweight of the 20th century in 1999.

Pryor, nicknamed The Hawk, had a record of 204 wins and 16 losses as an amateur. He won the National AAU Lightweight Championship in 1973. In 1975, Pryor again won the National AAU Lightweight Championship and a silver medal at the Pan American Games. He beat future great Thomas Hearns in the lightweight finals of the 1976 National Golden Gloves but lost to Howard Davis Jr. at the 1976 Olympic Trials. Pryor participated as an alternate in the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal.

Pryor fought eight times in 1977, winning all but two by knockout. The only two fighters who heard the final bell versus Pryor that year were Jose Resto and Johnny Summerhayes, each losing by an eight-round unanimous decision. After the fight with Summerhayes, Pryor won 26 fights in a row by knockout. It was one of the longest knockout streaks in the history of boxing.

On August 2, 1980, Pryor faced two-time world champion Antonio Cervantes of Colombia for the WBA junior welterweight championship. His purse was $50,000. The fight took place in Pryor’s hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio and was nationally televised by CBS. Pryor was dropped in round one, but he rose and knocked out Cervantes in round four to become champion. He made his first title defense on November 22, 1980, knocking out Gaetan Hart in the sixth round. Pryor made $100,000 for the fight.

On November 12, 1982, Pryor defended his title with a fourteenth-round TKO of Alexis Arguello before a crowd of 23,800 at Miami’s Orange Bowl and a live HBO audience. The fight, dubbed The Battle of The Champions by promoter Bob Arum, was eventually named the Fight of the Decade by The Ring.

Pryor made $1.6 million while Arguello was paid $1.5 million. Arguello, a 12-5 favorite, was attempting to become the first boxer to win world titles in four weight divisions.

The end of the fight was controversial. Arguello landed a punch in the thirteenth round that seemed to stun Pryor, and despite trailing on two of three scorecards, Arguello had things tilting in his direction. Between the thirteenth and fourteenth rounds, HBO’s microphones caught Pryor’s trainer, Panama Lewis, telling cutman Artie Curley, “Give me the other bottle, the one I mixed.”

It seemed to revive Pryor. Coming out quickly for the fourteenth round, Pryor landed a barrage of unanswered blows before referee Stanley Christodoulou stopped it. Arguello collapsed to the canvas near the ropes, where he lay for several minutes.

Many speculated that there was something illegal in the bottle, but nobody checked the contents and the Miami Boxing Commission failed to administer a post-fight urine test to the boxers. Lewis and Pryor steadfastly denied that there was anything illegal in the bottle.

Pryor had a rematch with Arguello at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada on September 9, 1983. Pryor made a career high $2.25 million and Arguello made $1.75 million.

Panama Lewis had his license revoked after he removed the padding from the gloves of Luis Resto before his fight with Billy Collins Jr. on June 16, 1983. Pryor hired Richie Giachetti to train him, but they had a falling out. Two weeks before the Arguello rematch, Pryor brought in Emanuel Steward as his trainer.

The rematch was not as competitive as their first one. Pryor dropped Arguello with a right cross in the first round and again with a left hook in the fourth. Pryor put Arguello down for the count in the tenth round.

After the fight, both Arguello and Pryor announced that they were retiring from boxing.

By the mid-1980s, Pryor’s life had become consumed by drugs. In December of 1985, Pryor was stripped of the IBF title for failure to defend. Alexis Arguello said he saw Pryor in December of 1986 and “was shocked at his appearance. He must have weighed 110 pounds. I went up to him and said, ‘Help yourself, Aaron, help yourself.’ But I don`t even know if he heard me or understood what I was saying.”

After 29 months out of the ring, Pryor, insisting he was now clean from drugs, attempted a comeback. He fought welterweight journeyman Bobby Joe Young in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on August 8, 1987. Pryor was a shell of his former self and was knocked out in the seventh round.

New York Produce Show’s Manhattan Retail Tour-2014

New York Produce Show’s Manhattan Retail Tour-2014

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We attended the following Retail Tour locations in Manhattan:

 

Whole Food Markets:

With around 350 stores nationwide today, the store first opened in 1980 in Austin Texas, with 19 employees .Known for its passionate and impeccably trained staff as well as its mission to sell fare trade,natural and organic items,the supermarket brought large grocery shopping to a new experience for consumers .

Fairway Market:

Fairway Market is a high –growth food retailer offering customers a differentiated one-stop shopping experience Fairway established itself a leading food retailing destination in the Greater New York City metropolitan area, with stores that emphasize an extensive selection of fresh ,natural and organic products, prepared foods and hard –to find specialty and gourmet offerings along with a full assortment of conventional groceries Fairway is headquartered in Manhattan.

Grand Central Market:

The Grand Central Terminal is a cornucopia of gourmet snack options ,including Eli Zabar’s,Ciao Bella Gelateria ,Murray’s Cheesecake,Joe Coffee, and even in a outpost of Junior’s , the famed Brooklyn restaurant known for its classic cheesecake.

Gotham West Market:

Located in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood ,Gotham West Market is an exciting destination that hosts eight artisanal food purveyors in an upscale food hall. Guests can dine at communal tables in the center of the market , at the individual eateries ,or order food to-go and enjoy their meal in the markets stylish and open seating area.

Gourmet Garage :

From a single store in Soho,Gourmet Garage expanded to five locations now serving Greenwich Village, Lincoln Square , the upper East Side and Carnegie Hill. Each store extends trademark high-quality ,meat,seafood,artisan baked local bread and pastry ,as well as friendly knowledgeable customer service , and award-winning catering .

Eataly:

A Unique food experience to entice the senses ,the Italian –concept eatery and gourmet market offers guests everything from exotic produce to imported pastas. The establishment houses two cafes ,five to-go counters and seven restaurants .

Food Media Luncheon at the New York Produce Show-2014

Food Media Luncheon at the New York Produce Show-2014

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Located in the media capital of the world, The New York Produce Show and Conference serves the interests of the trade by running a substantial media outreach program. The program has various aspects. One element serves financial journalists interested in the business of produce. Another aspect serves journalists with culinary, shopping or homemaking interests. A final element is an outreach to consumer influencers of non-traditional types, such as those who blog, tweet or maintain Facebook presences speaking about food, restaurants and how people should eat.

The umbrella under which these media/consumer influencer programs function is called “Connect with Fresh.”

At the center of the program is a Media Luncheon. In the past we have had keynote speakers such as Florence Fabricant, Sara Moulton, Maricel Presilla. This year, we are honored to host the noted author, John Mariani. By a fortuitous circumstance, pundit sister publication PRODUCE BUSINESS has a Contributing Editor — and noted author himself — by the name of Paul Frumkin. Paul is a CIA-trained chef and has known John for many years and so we asked him to fill us in about Mr. Mariani and talk to him about his take on today’s New York food scene:

For the past 35 years, author and journalist John Mariani has traveled the world writing about food, wine, restaurants and culture. A columnist for Esquire magazine and Bloomberg News, Mariani has covered everything from the rise of nouvelle and American cuisines to the best pizza in Naples, the best barbecue in Texas and just about everything else that impacts restaurants. Over the last three decades he has been responsible for selecting the Best New Restaurants of the Year for Esquire, and for the past five years, he has written a wine column for Bloomberg News. He also publishes a weekly blog, Mariani’s Virtual Gourmet Newsletter.

Called “the most influential food-wine critic in the popular press” by the Philadelphia Inquirer, Mariani began his writing career in 1973 with an article that appeared in New York magazine.

Two fantastic sponsor companies, Frieda’s and Davik, were in attendance and making presentations and John Mariani Author and Journalist was the keynote Luncheon Speaker.

4th Annual Global Trade Symposium at NY Hilton Hotel-2014

4th Annual Global Trade Symposium at NY Hilton Hotel-2014

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4th Annual Global Trade Symposium ,Presented by The New York Produce Show and Conference ,titled: Produce, Import & Export: The Disruption of Established markets.
The Following Topics were discussed at The 4th Annual Global Trade Symposium:

Responding to Disruptive forces in the convenience economy.

Retail Disruptors.

Food Service Disruptors:

“Think Different “ working Luncheon : Comparing the US and UK markets- The Same or Different.

Disruption at the Wholesaler level.

How new technologies and new export markets are increasing the role of Mexico in the Global Produce Trade.

Latin America opportunity Check.

Direct importing :the promises and Pitfalls of Global Procurement Operations.

See this and more right here in our World Liberty TV, Food and Wine Channel.

The New York Produce Show and Conference at NY Javit Center and Hilton Hotel -2014

The New York Produce Show and Conference at NY Javit Center and Hilton Hotel -2014

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The Eastern Produce Council and PRODUCE BUSINESS magazine have once again joined forces to present an exciting world-class event for the industry. The three-day event includes networking opportunities, a trade show of over 400 companies, retail “thought-leader” panel hosted by Perishable Pundit Jim Prevor, educational micro-sessions and tours of the region’s vibrant industry, including the local retailers, wholesalers, foodservice distributors and urban farms and unique eateries.

The program also includes an outreach to students and faculty at regional universities as well as distinguished culinary schools; a media immersion program involving print, radio, TV and online outlets, plus a “Consumer Influencer” luncheon and show tour reaching out to bloggers, consumer editors and those working with all forms of social media.

Back by popular demand are two mini conferences for those who wish to come early and/or stay later. On Tuesday, December 2, the Global Trade Symposium will offer attendees the latest insights on produce importing and exporting to and from the Northeast Region. On Thursday, December 4, the Foodservice Forum “Ideation Fresh” will cover the role of produce in culinary innovation.

Tuesday’s Opening Cocktail Reception and Wednesday’s events are free to representatives of buying organizations, including retailers, wholesalers, and chefs, menu-planners and procurement executives at restaurants and other foodservice operators.

Other business types in the industry can purchase admission to the trade show and enjoy our Opening Night Cocktail Reception and Keynote Breakfast .

“Celebrating Fresh” is the theme of our conference, and there’s no better way to start celebrating than to be in New York City on December 2-4, 2014.

THE NAHN NY CHAPTER ANNUAL AWARDS SCHOLARSHIP GALA-2014

THE NAHN NY CHAPTER ANNUAL AWARDS SCHOLARSHIP GALA-2014

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The purpose of this organization is to serve the Hispanic Community, and professional Registered Nurses and nursing students; in an effort to promote the Hispanic presence in society. A commitment to research, academic activities for the membership and continued advancement of Hispanic healthcare and culture are a concomitant focus of the NY NAHN Chapter.

María Elena Piña-Fonti. RN MA,President of NAHN.

Native of Cuba obtained her BS in nursing from Hunter College and the Masters Degree from Teachers College Columbia University. Her nursing experience spans a total of thirty eight years of which twenty eight years have been dedicated to the discipline of nursing education.
Professor Pina Fonti has presented at varied Nursing Organization Conferences and community educational events.
As an educator she Her clinical experience has a strong concentration in Emergency nursing, Orthopedics, Gastroenterology and Medical Surgical nursing
Maria Elena Pina Fonti is current president of the New York Chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses; Vice President of the Northeast Chapter of the Transcultural Nursing Society; Board member of the Club Civico Cubano and participates in varied organizations dedicated to the promotion of Hispanic health and the Latino culture.

Prof Pina Fonti is a member of NBSP;Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society.

THE CELEBRATION AND SAYING HASTA PRONTO TO THE OUTGOING BOARD AND SALUDOS TO THE NEW BOARD.

World Liberty TV, Team was on hand to cover this Wonderful NAHN NY CHAPTER ANNUAL AWARDS SCHOLARSHIP GALA-2014.