Friars to honor Mancini

Staff report

NEW YORK

The Friars Club will honor Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini, former boxing champion and Youngstown native, at a special event Feb. 27.

The iconic New York-based club, whose members are comedians and celebrities, is known for its biting comedy “roasts,” but the Mancini event will not be a roast. Instead, it will be a lighthearted evening hosted by comedian Tammy Pescatelli. Several club comics also will perform, including Ross Bennett, Jim David, John Fugelsang, Eric Haft, Bonnie McFarlane and Jeff Pirrami.

The evening will begin with cocktails at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m. and the show at 8:30 p.m. The cost is $110 (plus liquor, tax and gratuities). For reservations, call Giuseppe Tarillo at 212-751-7272.

Mancini is the former WBA lightweight champion of the world. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2015.