Services and history

The Ring 8 Veterans Boxing Association has been in operation since 1959 and is in place for the boxers that need help after their career is over. Meeting severals times a year and hosting dinners to raise money for those fighters. Queens New York is were the association resides and is now run by the president Ron McNair a former amateur boxer that has the right type of enthusiasm to keep the association up and running.

2004 was the year The Ring presented the Uncrowned Light-Heavyweight Championship belt to Johnny Persol. A professional fighter from 1963-69 and was forced to retire due to a serious eye injury with a 22-5-1 (7 KO's) record. Johnny went on to become a trainer and was a great trainer with an exceptional understanding of the sport. I personally know of his skills as a trainer because he was my trainer. The Ring wrote a great article on his award ceremony and it is worth referring to here.

From right to left: Keith Providence, Manager John Reetz, Iran Barkley He held world championships in three weight classes, including the WBCmiddleweight title from 1988 to 1989, the IBF super middleweight title from 1992 to 1993, and the WBAlight heavyweight title in 1992. and Ray Providence with Tyrone The Harlem Butcher Jackson former 1981 NYGG Champion in the front

From right to left: Junior Jones Former World Boxing Association (WBA) bantamweight title from 1993 to 1994 and the World Boxing Organization (WBO) super bantamweight title from 1996 to 1997. He also held the International Boxing Organization (IBO) featherweight title from 1999 to 2000. with Keith Providence

Tommy Gallagher As an amateur fighter, Gallagher won a Golden Gloves title in 1959, but was prevented from turning pro due to a kidney problem. Gallagher since has worked almost forty years as a trainer, manager, promoter, and gym owner and operator.