Ring 8 name Joe Calzaghe 'fighter of the decade'

Quillin, Calzaghe and Hopkins honoured at Ring 8 awards on Sunday, February 10th Ring 8 has announced its 2012 award winners (see full list below), including new World Boxing Association middleweight champion Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin(Fighter of the Year), Joe Calzaghe (Fighter of the Decade), and Bernard Hopkins(Lifetime Achievement), “Our members really look forward to this gala event every year,” Ring 8 president Bob Duffy said. “Some of the biggest names in boxing will be honored as we proudly continue our record for lending a helping hand to those in the boxing community who are less fortunate, some requiring assistance towards paying their rent, medical expenses, or whatever justifiable need. Each year our Holiday Event and Awards Ceremony celebrates our great sport of boxing, insuring much-needed funding is raised so we may continue our mission for our needy brothers and sisters in boxing. We will never waver from their corners. We had to wait a little longer this year because of Hurricane Sandy, but I’m confident it’ll be another knockout Holiday Event and Awards Ceremony.” Committed celebrity boxing attendees include world champions Bobby Czyz, Virgil Hill, Iran Barkley, Vito Antuofermo, and Matthew Saad Muhammad, as well as Renaldo “Mr.” Snipes, Tommy Gallagher, Michael Bentt, Harold Lederman, and Earnie Shavers. 2012 RING 8 Award Winners Fighter of the Year: Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin Fighter of the Decade: Joe Calzaghe Uncrowned Champion: David Sears Coach of the Year (FDNY): Bob McGuire Coaches of the Year (NYPD): Pat Russo & Dave Seiv Lifetime Achievement Award: Bernard Hopkins Official of the Year (Referee): Eddie Claudio Official of the Year (Judge): John Signorile Boxing Writer of the Year: Mike Woods Long & Meritorious Service: Ron McNair Man of the Year: Frankie Russo Jr. Prospects of the Year: Floriano Pagliara & Joe Smith Comeback of the Year: Adam Willett http://www.ring8ny.com/?p=5202