RETIRED BOXERS FOUNDATION, Inc. RBF Punchline

September 2007 Volume 1, Issue 1

From the Founder & President, Alex “ Bomber” Ramos: Special points of Wow! The Retired a better job and to make Jacquie taught me how interest: boxers Foundation has our organization even to use the Internet and been in existence for more efficient! email, and now the world nearly 10 years now! We of is at my finger- • Hall of Things are going well have developed a reputa- tips (slow as they are!). I Fame Photos for me as well. Executive tion over the years that Director, Jacquie Richard- want to thank so many will continue to be the people, but I don’t want to • RBF Update from son, always tells me that foundation for our growth leave anyone out either! President Alex “The we must continue taking a Bronx Bomber” (no pun intended!). step for- Jacquie has Ramos We are very proud of ward stuck by me our accomplishments and every day through • Shout Outs and Hon- the retired fighters we for the thick and ors! have been able to help benefit of thin, and

over the past years. We thousands thus, all the have added some new of retired retired fight- programs and some are in profes- ers we help. the works. We thought it sional I live in my was time to let you all boxers own place The Killer and the Kitty! now, but know that we remain dedi- who The Bronx Bomber and his we stay in cated to our mission of need our adopted Kitten, “Papa!” assisting retired profes- assis- touch every day so that the RBF sional boxers in the transi- tance. The Retired Box- continues to work for the Inside this issue: tion from their glorious ers Foundation is my pas- days in the ring to a digni- sion and with plenty of fighters. I would also like to thank Lt. Mike Indri and fied retirement. We have retired fighters in the Golf Tournament his wife Lori for sticking by Hooks for Books 2 learned a lot and some of same boat I am, and some it wasn’t easy! No matter! far worse off, I will never us for the past eight years! RBF News-WBCares Lt. Indri is our Vice Presi- We learned enough to do run out of work. Requiem for a Heavy- 3 weight 4th Annual RBF “Irish Micky Ward Celebrity Golf Tournament

California Hall of Fame thank Gary Litchfield and event returned to a fantastic Resurrecting the Champ 4 his staff for the out- championship venue and with Peter Lerner standing success of the new and returning celebrity MyWorldofSports.com 5 Fourth Annual “Irish” personalities. Where are they now? Micky Ward Celebrity Legendary junior wel- More RBF News Golf Tournament on th terweight boxer “Irish” Honors 6 Monday, August 27 , Micky Ward, and the RBF 2007 at the Indian Ridge extends Special thanks to The Retired Boxers Country Club in Andover, “Irish” Micky Ward for his Foundation would like to Massachusetts. This year’s continued support of the

PDF Created with deskPDF PDF Writer - Trial :: http://www.docudesk.com RBF Punchline Golf Tournament (continued) Retired Boxers Foundation some! Special “Thanks” to awesome job putting this “Micky Ward retired with and for being the host of Patty Shuler who is the tournament together. our 4th Annual Celebrity “boss behind the scenes” Please visit dignity after a career that Golf Tournament, now and is instrumental in help- www.rbfgolf.com for more spanned nearly 20 years. He named in his honor. Special ing organize the golf tourna- information and for registra- represents everything we thanks also go to Gary and ment. Steve Fournier, Pre- tion information for next want the sport of boxing to his crew at the Litchfield miere Golf, has done an year’s tournament. Company are simply awe- be: A sport where world class athletes compete with the best in their class, give the fans what they really want to see, and retire when they want to. “

Alex" The Bronx Bomber” Ramos Founder & President

“Every kid should have “Hooks for Books” Supports Amateurs & Schools Many professional boxers area that brings thousands shine and be recognized, the chance to compete to were once youngsters of fans to local high schools and provides scholarships whose lives were touched to watch students compete and donations to local be a HOME TOWN by caring adults who men- for the honor of being schools. Again, these kids tored them. The RBF made named a “Home Town become fans of the sport at a promise when we organ- Hero,” complete with ap- the very least, and several HERO!” ized in 1998, to assist disad- plause, a medal, and com- vantaged youth including munity recognition. The Mark Frazie, Founder support for existing pro- RBF is in the process of grams and gyms, and aca- creating a formal partner- demic enrichment programs ship with Mark Frazie and HOOKS FOR BOOKS and mentoring. Former “Hooks for Books” to make Contender, the program nationwide, Mark Frazie created a suc- starting in California. The cessful pre-amateur pro- program provides an oppor- gram in the Valley tunity for ordinary kids to

RBF News WBC Cares / Jill Diamond September 27th - 3 Title fights at the Jill Diamond is the WBC’s Tachi Palace, Le- with the RBF in a collaboration Lady-in-charge of women’s moore, California boxing and the WBC Cares October 9th - Program. The RBF has had the Benefit for WBC privilege of working with the and Celebration of WBC and Jill Diamond for Boxing, Gotham RBF Prez, Alex Ramos and WBC Cares, some time now, and we com- Comedy Club, NYC (212.367.9000) Octo- mend them for all they do for with V-Shield to produce the retired and current fight- ber 13th - Boxing Hall of sports wear with a return to ers. Following are some up- Fame, California the RBF and the WBC Cares Page 2 coming events: The WBC is also partnering program. Watch for the news!

PDF Created with deskPDF PDF Writer - Trial :: http://www.docudesk.com From the RBF Founder & President Volume 1, Issue 1 dent covering the East Dignity!” RBF! We continue to cre- Coast and does a fabulous My thanks must also go ate relationships to help job! Thank you Mike! to Per Akeson for his great retired fighters, including I also have to thank articles for our “Where are jobs, education, and oppor- Col. Bob Sheridan, who is they Now? Page at our tunity! Look for future sto- not only on the RBF Board website, ries on SuperFighter, www.myworldofsports.com, of Directors, but also my www.retiredboxers.org. mentor. He is one of my V-Shield, Hooks for Books There are a lot of other and more! Very exciting most trusted friends and I people to be thanked and respect him so much. opportunities are in the you will read about them in works! We also have some Thanks Col. Bob! our latest edition of the wonderful documentaries in My most sincere thanks Punchline! If you like it, the works, including one must also go to Ron Shelton maybe we can publish that is almost finished by for his generous donation more! Let us know what Rob Sale, on the safety as- that made it possible for the you think! pects of boxing that will RBF to exist in the first help educate the athletes THE FUTURE place. Ron Shelton is and the public about head We have so much to clearly one of the injuries in boxing. “Undisputed Champions for look forward to at the RBF

Amateur Boxing is the Future of Boxing! “Healthy amateur The Retired Boxers Foun- as amateurs in “USA been producing great amateur dation firmly believes that Against the World” and the shows like the Desert Show- programs are the the sport of boxing will in the bouts leading up to down that draws over 600 amateur fighters from around thrive only if the amateurs the Olympics! Healthy ama- future of a sport get the support they need. teur programs are the fu- the country! Look for 60 hours of programming on local Back in the 80’s, the sport ture of a sport that needs cable networks and on a new of boxing was proud of the to grow their new talent website, myworldofsports.com ! that needs to grow up and coming fighters who AND new fans! The RBF This partnership, in collabora- were featured on network has several programs lined tion with the Retired Boxers sports! Fighters that were a up to make this possible: Foundation, will feature not their new talent part of “Tomorrow’s only amateur boxing, but small PUBLICITY: shows and features on up and Champions” on NBC are AND new fans!” still recognizable to the fans. ALL STAR PRODUCTIONS coming fighters! More infor- The fans got to watch them out of the Palm Desert has mation in future articles and at www.retiredboxers.org ! “Requiem for a Heavyweight” Bob Rusch, an actor and the Bomber” Ramos, wanted to and to Ken’s family, for Artistic Director for the Sky jump out of his chair and their loss. We were lucky Pilot Theatre in North Hol- advise “Mountain!” Ken to see such an amazing per- lywood, just finished an Butler, who played Moun- formance, and luckier still to amazing performance of tain’s manager, Maish, was get to see Ken Butler! “Requiem for a Heavy- so good, Alex wanted to The Retired Boxers Foun- jump up and argue with weight” and the theatre dation is deeply touched by him! Unfortunately, Butler company donated 10% of the generosity of Sky Pilot the proceeds to the Retired became ill during the run of Theatre Company, and es- “Requiem” and passed away Boxers Foundation. Bob pecially Bob Rusch. We shortly after the run con- played the part of Harlan urge you to support their “Mountain” McClintock, and cluded. The Retired Boxers performances. Visit them Foundation extended our the RBF was there on open- on the web at http:// ing night. The play was so heartfelt sympathy to the www.myspace.com/ good, Alex “The Bronx Sky Pilot Theatre Company skypilottheatre Page 3

PDF Created with deskPDF PDF Writer - Trial :: http://www.docudesk.com RBF Punchline California Boxing Hall of Fame

Sugar Shane Moseley & Alex Ramos Redmond O’Neal, Alex Ramos, Ryan O’neal Richard Schaefer & Alex Ramos

Paul Anderson, Alex, Hedgemon Lewis and Jerry Cheatam Tony Baltazar, Alex Ramos & Jerry Cheatham Rafael Ruelas & Alex Ramos

The Annual California Boxing Chargin, Dr. Michael De Luca, see Jim Lampley, who has al- “The Brotherhood of Hall of Fame inducted Oscar Frank Espinoza, Carlos Avilas, ways been good to the RBF, de La Hoya, Shane Moseley, Josie Arrey-Mejia, Hank Na- along with Don Fraser, our Boxing is as strong as the Fernando Vargas, Albert gamine, David Martinez and dearest friend and President of Davilla, Art Frias, Jimmy Harry- Frank Baltazar, Sr. The high- the California Boxing Hall of man, Genaro Hernandez, Ar- light of the day for Alex was to Fame. Kudos to Shane Mose- Brotherhood of Soldiers. mando Muniz, Richard Marti- see his old friends, Frankie, ley who is so good to the fans! nez in the “Boxer Category.” Tony, Bobby and Frank Balta- Also to Richard Schaefer who, We look out for each In the “Non-Boxer Category,” zar, and Jerry Cheatham who along with Oscar De La Hoya they inducted Richard Schaefer, drove in from Arizona. It was and Golden Boy Promotions is CEO of Golden Boy Promo- a reunion of more than 25 changing the face of boxing for other! For a lifetime!” tions, Don and Lorraine years. We were also glad to the better.

Alex “The Bronx Bomber” Ramos Resurrecting the Champ Tommy was one of the > talk to him and listen to we present to benefactors first people we helped what he has to of the RBF. Mr. Morris when we started the say. Since that first has also been Retired Boxers Founda- encounter, we read about involved in the RBF, hav- tion and he also helped him in the 1997 article by ing recently moved to us understand that some J.R. Moeringer, Sacramento . people simply prefer living and subsequently met a on the streets. A lot of man who created a retired fighters have brain bronze statue of the injuries that make things photo that accompanied even more com- that story. That man, the plex. Tommy has artist, presented us with had a lot of people care the Satterfield sculpture for him, or at the very which has become our least, care enough to "Dignity" Award, that Page 4

PDF Created with deskPDF PDF Writer - Trial :: http://www.docudesk.com Peter Lerner—A Real Hero to the RBF Volume 1, Issue 1 Sometimes, there are angels out Sweet Science. With the help of seaside town about 20km from there that love boxing and love the his family, friends, his girlfriend, Rome. From there he followed the athletes. Sometimes, these people their friends and school children, coast road (known as the are more than fans. In this case, on this young man made an historical 'lungomare') south. The road took such person, Peter Lerner, was humanitarian effort on behalf of him through different resort towns born in England, lives and teaches people he has never met—retired and areas of countryside. Lerner in Italy, and really “walks the talk!’ professional boxers. He began the reported that “the first eight hours An important international event oc- walk on the coastal road outside or so were fine. Then the pains curred in Italy, inspired by a young man the capital on November 18 for a started! First the blisters on the who loves the sport of boxing and who day and a night, to raise funds for soles of my feet popped, and then wanted to do something for the retired the Retired Boxers Foundation. the skin on the top of my toes fighters who had fallen on hard times. The last minutes of the walk were started to get worn away. This Peter Lerner (Age 26) – a young absolute agony for Peter Lerner, meant that every step was painful - Englishman who moved to Rome who is the Retired Boxers Founda- it didn't matter if I was going two years ago – completed a gruel- tion Representative in Italy. Peter quickly or slowly. What matters is ing 24-hour walk to show his sup- started at started at 14.45 local that he did it for US. THANK “What if all the sports port for the great warriors of the time on Saturday from Ostia, as YOU PETER LERNER! on MySpace and You MyWorldOfSports.com Tube were all in one The RBF is constantly on the cept that we are happy to along with all of the other lookout for ways that retired share with you. If you are a sports we love, and that you spot and you never fighters and our supporters can sports fan and have ever would get paid by sponsors make some money. As you looked at MySpace.com or every time someone clicks on had to sort through all would guess, we get some YouTube to find interesting your site? Think of it as crazy ideas that generally have film clips, stories and photos, MySpace and YouTube dedi- the phony stuff again! more to do about the person you know that it takes quite a cated to sports and their fans! calling, than the fighters! On little searching to separate the If you want to check out the Well..It’s here! the other hand, we have had crap from the good stuff. test site, which is fully func- some great successes and one Imagine if there was one site tional, go to myworldof- is in the early stages, but prom- where all of the quality boxing sports.com and check out box- MyWorldofSports.com” ises to be a phenomenal con- stories and clips appeared, ing.. Tell us if you like it!

Where are they now? Joe Frazier is working with a Andrew Maynard, is also Tony Tucker was in California for great guy, who is also an advi- doing well, investing all of his his daughter’s graduation and Alex sor to the RBF: Les Wolfe. spare time in a youth boxing took him to the Wild Card for a Less also represents Col, Bob program in . James visit. He went back to Florida, and Sheridan. He’s helping Joe McCloskey. , Suffering from shortly thereafter, we were able to recover money he has already early stages of dementia pugilis- hook him up with a little paycheck made, and is helping him make tica, is now in the care of Fa- for an event in Europe. money today through appear- ther Joe’s Village thanks to RBF ances, etc. The RBF is collabo- Representative, Charles Parisi. rating with Les to do some- On the way to SSI and a place thing for the RBF and for Joe. Ramos and Joe Frasier to live. Tommy Barrett, Dwain Bonds , former heavy- fighter from the Boston area weight contender is doing well, a life in the South Bay, Califor- and trainer at the Wild Card is clean and sober and re-building nia, working at Home Depot. working on SSI with the RBF. Page 5 PDF Created with deskPDF PDF Writer - Trial :: http://www.docudesk.com The Mission of the Retired Boxers Foundation is to assist retired professional boxers in the transition from their glorious days in the ring to a dignified retirement.

HONORS:

RETIRED BOXERS Congratulations are in order for Dr. John Stiller who is an award recipient of the American Associa- FOUNDATION, Inc. tion of Professional Ringside Professionals at their annual meeting in Puerto Rico in November, for his ground breaking study on boxers. Kudos to Beth Adams for her forward thinking research on fighters who have become a burden to their families and are suffering in convalescent homes across the county. 3359 Bryan Avenue As you know, a person suffering from pugilistic dementia should not be treated as some one with Alz- Simi Valley, CA 93063 heimer's. Their conditions are DIFFERENT! These families need support and Beth turns NO ONE away. Thank you Beth. Congrats to Dr. Ray Monsell for the great article in Boxing Digest! Ray did an Phone: 805-551-3449 exhaustive study on professional boxers and the safety aspects. We are all about making the sport as Fax: 805-579-3138 safe as possible! The article is actually a condensed version of his doctoral thesis and it is amazing! Our E-mail: [email protected] deepest gratitude to the International Professionals Ringside Officials (IPRO) and especially, [email protected] Barry Druxman for continuing to look out for fighters when their careers are over. They continue to check in to the needs of fighters and just recently, donated $1200 for six fighters in need of a hand up!! THANK YOU! We also want to thank Iona Satterfield for her generosity in making arrangements for the RBF to be represented at the Hollywood Premiere of “Resurrecting the Champ.” We also want to “The Undisputed thank Showtime for consistently providing tickets to their ShoBox fights so that the RBF can “hang with Champions for the fighters and their crews” to get a feel for who needs help. Remember, fighters NEVER ask for help. DIGNITY!” We only hear from their family members, their fans, and their teams. Also, thank you to Charles Pa- risi , a very busy man who also happens to be on the board of Father Joe’s Village , but who takes the

VISIT OUR S ITE ! time to make sure our fighters get the help they need in the area. A special thank you to and the Wild Card Boxing Gym for so warmly inviting us in to their family of cham- WWW . RETIREDBOXERS . ORG pions and making us feel at home. Thank you to Mike Indri and his wife Lori who are forever there to host Alex Ramos when he visits the East Coast, and for all the articles that Mike writes, always insisting that the RBF be mentioned in the by line. There are so many more we need to thank….next issue?

MORE RBF NEWS! BANANAS COMEDY NIGHT: Club. are look- ing for- As usual, RBF VP, Lt. Mike Indri NEW AMATEUR MAGAZINE: ward to did a helluva job at the Bananas Up and coming boxing entrepre- the first Comedy Night. The place was neur, Castle Chalice, is working magazine. packed—a sell out! Special guests on a slick new amateur boxing included Emile Griffith and Reynaldo magazine, in line with the RBF’s NEW Snipes. The RBF was able to help interest in supporting amateur RBF the fighters in attendance with a boxing. Castle is a lawyer with a REPS: little cash, AND raise some money burning desire to work in box- Peter for the Foundation. Special Thanks ing. He has single handedly an- Lerner, to Harlan and Arlene Jamison, own- nounced and taped amateur Italy ers of the Bananas Comedy Club, bouts around the country; He Dave Schneider—Western for their hospitality and their sup- States (assisted by former jun- was the ring announcer for the ior middleweight, Jerry port! Also to Everlast,, Photogra- Desert Showdown and had done Cheatam and Chris pher Extraordinaire, Tom Casino, the color commentary for Louis Burke, New writers Jim Hague, George Kimball Crown Boxing in . He Gumersindo Vidot — and Butch Gottlieb for helping with also hosts “Castle’s Corner” in Philadelphia Eva Futch- the publicity! Thanks also to Elso both radio and cable broadcasts. Ambassador with Class! Carla Indri for his generous donation and Castle works closely with Alex McCuthcheon, Nevada Assis- all the people who showed up for a and Jacquie at the RBF and we tant. More next issue! night of fun at Bananas Comedy

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