Tag Archives: Boyd Melson

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Melson to assist Gloves and Doves Boxing Team in Israel

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Brooklyn, NY (February 4, 2020) – Retired boxer and Army Public Affairs Officer Maj. Boyd Melson will lend a helping hand to the Gloves and Doves Boxing Team.


Founded by retired boxer Tony Milch, Gloves and Doves is a team made up of Jews, Christians and Muslims from Israel. All boxers, male and female, are selected compete as a member of the team. Despite notable cultural differences, Gloves and Doves promotes peace in the Middle East through boxing. Gloves and Doves also has a youth program for teens ages 14-17.


Melson is headed to Israel for a week in early March and along with Milch, will visit boxing gyms in more than five Israeli cities.


“The world needs to witness Gloves and Doves,” said Melson, who retired in 2016 with a 15-2-1 record and raised more than $400,000 for spinal cord injury research by donating 100% of his fight purses. “Exposure is the key to helping human beings that have preset notions they blanket another group with, evolve through those preset notions and learn what is real. Just imagine the world witnessing these optics – Jews, Christians and Muslims, standing side by side as teammates fighting a common opponent – a real-life optic that is beyond value.”


The team begins competition April 2 in London against Team England and will travel to various international tournaments including October 17 at Gleason’s Gym in Melson’s native Brooklyn, NY.


To become a sponsor or make a donation, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/gloves-doves.
 
boxing, charity

Melson honored by Jewish Sports Heritage Association

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New York, NY (April 30, 2018) – Retired professional boxer and Army Public Affairs Officer Boyd Melson was inducted to the Jewish Sports Heritage Association Sunday, April 29.

 

 

 

A 501(C)(3), the Jewish Sports Heritage Association, INC is an educational organization dedicated to educating the public about the role Jewish men and women have played in sports and showing Jewish youth that there is nothing they cannot achieve.

 

 

 

All honorees were introduced by Master of Ceremonies Barry Landers at Temple Israel in Lawrence, NY. Each honoree then give a speech and received a plaque from the Jewish Sports Heritage Association.

 

 

 

Following a solid amateur career, Melson had an 18 fight pro career and finished with a record of 15-2-1 with 4 wins by knockout. He won the WBC USNBC 154 pound title in 2015 and retired in 2016. While his pro career was definitely a success, Melson’s ultimate goal was to raise funds and awareness for multiple causes including chronic spinal cord injuries and narcotics addiction.

 

 

 

Between donating 100% of his fight purses, private donations and charity galas, Melson helped raise close to a half million dollars. Shortly after his retirement from pro boxing, Melson announced he was running for Congress in District 11, covering Staten Island and South Brooklyn. He was considered one of the top candidates and had strong support.

 

 

 

In December 2017, the selfless Melson withdrew from the congressional race, volunteering to serve our country in Iraq. In offering to get deployed, Melson assisted another Army Reserve member that received a special opportunity domestically in the Reserve that would greatly benefit her family.

 

 

 

Currently in Iraq, Melson was elated when he was notified of this special honor, which was accepted by his mother Anette, Uncle Leo and retired Coloniel Alessi.

 

 

 

“Here we are. Earning an honor that was a product of me following what my heart beats with divine love, and having to receive this honor in harms way due to me making a choice that is consistent with my heart’s values. I find myself here helping by doing my part to defeat the ugliest and most horrific form of human endeavor I have ever experienced. While doing this, I am highly aware that the people I am helping, who are extremely welcoming and friendly, might look at me through a different lens if they knew I was and am Jewish. It is an interesting paradox. This honor I am receiving is solely dedicated to my Zayda and my Bubbe (grandmother and grandfather).

 

 

 

My Zayda left his body five years ago, and my Bubbe is one of the last Holocaust survivors on this planet. My Zayda was conscripted to serve to fight the Nazis in World War Two. HE SURVIVED. He created a family after surviving that absolute evil, and brought them all here to the United States. I am because of him. I am an American Citizen, born in this great country, because of his courage and strength. I think about this daily with where I am now, and I do mean daily. My Zayda put on a military uniform to fight an evil similar to how I am doing today. His spirit was close to my soul when I made this choice. I know I am being honored for being what I completed as a Jewish professional athlete, and I thank you. Please forgive me however for placing a much greater important at this moment, as an African American, as a Jew, as a West Point Graduate, as an Army Officer, as an athlete, and as a HUMAN BEING, on the narrative I gave above. That is what is sitting on me here. I hope one day, that every individual in this part of the world who we are helping, and who may not have kind feelings towards Jews, learns that Jewish American military servicemen came here and helped them because it was right and because we swore an oath. I see it as my responsibility being Jewish, being an American, and being a soldier.”

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Melson volunteers to serve in the Middle East; withdraws from NY Congressional race

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Brooklyn, NY (January 4, 2018) – Army Public Affairs Officer and retired pro boxer Boyd Melson announced his withdrawal from the New York District 11 Congressional election to serve the United States in the fight against ISIS in Operation Inherent Resolve.

 

 

Melson is currently serving in the Army Reserve in the rank of Major. Recently, a member of Melson’s Army Reserve unit scheduled for deployment in early 2018 received an opportunity for an assignment in an Active Guard Reserve (AGR) position.

 

 

The soldier wanted this assignment for a long period of time and it was an opportunity that would not be offered again if initially turned down. The soldier is married with children and the opportunity would be extremely beneficial to the soldier and her family.  Melson, a Brooklyn resident, previously volunteered, without success, to serve abroad on three different deployments. He was adamant that this is his time to fight terrorism at its forefront.

 

 

“I am proud of many things that have taken place in my life and lives of those around me,” said Melson, a 2003 West Point graduate. “The most important to me without question is being a great American that stands behind his responsibilities as a member of the Army Reserve.”

 

 

Melson, who helped raise more than $400,000 for Spinal Cord Injury research by donating every penny earned in his boxing career and helping host multiple charity galas, has been chronicled by many high profile media outlets for his selflessness. However, the 36-year-old believes this next journey is his responsibility as an American.

 

 

“I have never deployed. Wholeheartedly, I believe that it is my ultimate duty to serve this great country in our fight against ISIS in the Middle East. For this reason, I have decided to withdraw from the 2018 District 11 Congressional election. While there’s no doubt in my mind I was the right man to lead Staten Island and South Brooklyn, America needs me overseas.  I was doing well in my campaign run. I was singled out by the New York times as one of a handful of up and coming Democratic candidates for United States Congress. I was one of six candidates asked to speak out in front of the White House to address Russia’s cyber-interference with our elections. Then I received a phone call. A fellow soldier was scheduled to deploy. She asked me if I would switch with her because of various circumstances that would greatly benefit her family’s life to include her. I immediately said yes.”

 

 

“I thought to myself, I have never been deployed and I don’t want to look back on my life thinking how I had my chance to do my part fighting ISIS but shied away from it. That would have gone against everything I stand for. I believe in sacrificing myself to help others. This time, the sacrifice is not only to help combat the terror in the Middle East, but to also help out a fellow soldier. If I said no, I would have lied to myself about who I think I am and what I think I am about.”

 

 

I have spent a great amount of time over the years traveling to schools and speaking to students from pre-k through college. I always stated that you must make sure that your decisions are in alignment with your heart’s values. Me not being there when called upon would have meant I would have lied to these children all of these years. I finally am getting my chance to join my brothers and sisters in arms with this experience. Only my inner-circle knew about the other three deployments I tried to get on. I finally get to join all those throughout our nation’s history that have made this choice. I believe in my choice, albeit it will be costing me my chance at being elected into office. Serving my nation, the United States of America, in uniform while in harm’s way, to help fight.”

boxing, charity, Team Fight to Walk

Melson and Holyfield to visit Sloan Kettering Children’s Hospital and St. Albans Community Living Center

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For Immediate Release

Brooklyn, NY (September 4, 2017) – Retired boxer and NY-11 congressional candidate Boyd Melson and 2017 Boxing Hall of Fame inductee turned promoter Evander “Real Deal” Holyfield will visit two New York care centers this week.

On Tuesday, September 5, Melson and Holyfield will spend time with children at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC). The world’s oldest and largest private cancer center, the MSKCC’s devoted more than 130 years to exceptional patient care, innovative research and outstanding educational programs. The visit takes place at the main campus, located at 1275 York Avenue in New York, NY.

Two days later, the pair heads to St. Albans Community Living Center in Queens, NY. Run by the Veterans Affairs New York Harbor Healthcare System (VA NYHHS), St. Albans Community Living Center has 386 beds and provides extended care, primary care and housing for homeless veterans. The center also offers counseling and training for patients looking to return to independent living.

Melson, an Army Public Affairs Officer who comes from a military family, is looking forward to teaming up with a boxing legend to spend time with those in need.

“I have differing emotions here,” said Melson, who hopes to unseat Rep. Dan Donovan in the 2018 election. “My inner child is extremely excited because I remember the first fight I watched was Evander Holyfield against Riddick Bowe. My father would talk about Evander and his warrior heart every time he brought up boxing, so he became my first favorite fighter. 

Never in a million years did I think I’d be doing this with somebody like Evander. I sincerely thank him for going with me to visit Sloan Kettering and my fellow Veterans that served in our nation’s armed forces but are now homeless. Between my parents, two siblings and myself, we have about 65 years of military service. Helping the military is extremely important for me and I’m also on the Advisory Board for the non-profit Stop Soldier Suicide.

For the Sloan Kettering visit, I’ve spent the past week trying to emotionally prepare to see innocent children suffering from cancer. These children are the truest of warriors with more bravery than anybody. They’ll be my greatest teachers on Tuesday. Children are the key to our future and veterans that represented this great country will forever have my gratitude.”

For more information on Melson, please visitwww.BoydMelson.com. To learn more about Real Deal Promotions, go to www.therealdealboxing.com.

boxing, Team Fight to Walk

BOXING CHAMPION BOYD MELSON LAUNCHED CAMPAIGN FOR CONGRESS IN NEW YORK’S 11TH DISTRICT

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STATEN ISLAND-Today, Boyd Melson, former WBC USNBC champion, 2008 Olympic alternate, and Captain in the U.S. Army Reserve, publicly launched his campaign for Congress against Republican Dan Donovan. The campaign released a video to mark the announcement which highlights Melson’s dedication to helping others through his service to our country, his passion and commitment to finding a cure for spinal cord injuries, and the personal struggle and vow he made to help those struggling with drug addiction.
Melson’s deep passion for helping others motivated his stalwart advocacy and support for spinal cord research. He donated all of his professional boxing winnings and worked to raise a combined total of nearly $400,000 to fund research to cure spinal cord injuries. Melson has continued to support the non- profit he co-founded “TEAM FIGHT TO WALK” and has also taken on a new challenge-raising awareness about opiate and opioid addiction. He has donated earnings from fights to a non-profit which aims to defeat drug addictions among young adults and he conducts a weekly free boxing clinic on Staten Island for any resident in the borough who is battling a drug addiction.
“I’ve spent my entire life fighting-for people I love, for causes I believe in, and for this country,” said Melson. “I want to represent those who live on Staten Island and in South Brooklyn because I can be their Champion and make sure their voices, needs, and concerns are heard throughout the halls of Congress.”
Melson, who is mixed with Louisiana Creole and Jewish, is a native New Yorker who spent most of his childhood in South Brooklyn and Staten Island. After graduating from High School, he earned an appointment at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, following in the footsteps of his family to serve his country. While at West Point, Melson was quickly recognized as a skilled pugilist and racked up many achievements,  including his winning of the National Collegiate Boxing Association National Championship.
 “The struggle that so many people here in New York, in this district, and all over the country are facing every day is tragic,” said Melson. I understand the challenges and barriers individuals with a drug addiction face and I want to do everything I can to help them. Ramping up law enforcement part of the solution, but by itself, is not the solution. We need to tackle this issue by helping people and giving them the resources they need to get healthy.”
Melson filed paperwork to run for Congress in April. For four weeks spanning from May to June following Melson’s filing, he was away on Active Duty orders serving at Fort Huachuca in Arizona. His campaign raised more than $50,000 in the second quarter of the year.
For more information on the campaign, please visit : www.boydmelson.com
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Retired boxer/NY-11 Congressional Candidate Boyd Melson keeping busy with community events

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Staten Island, NY (August 2, 2017) – 2018 Democratic Congressional candidate Boyd Melson, a West Point graduate, retired professional boxer and Captain in the Army Reserve, is dedicating three days from his busy schedule to help others in Staten Island and beyond. 
 
The 35-year-old, who is running in New York’s 11th district, is known for his selflessness. He regularly speaks to students of all ages, volunteers to run a free weekly boxing clinic on Staten Island at DeMarco’s Boxing Club for people battling or overcoming addiction and assists with various charitable causes.
 
On Thursday, August 3, Melson is volunteering to help Staten Island youths battling addiction. Melson, through the help of his network and assistance from Staten Island based organization Tackling Youth Substance Abuse (TYSA), arranged a full day of events for select youths on Staten Island trying to knock out their drug addictions. This free of charge event begins in the morning, where he’ll take roughly 15 teenagers to Breezy Point in Brooklyn. The trip to the beach at Breezy will involve swimming in the ocean, participating in guided meditation and team building events. Later that day, he’ll lead them to the Bronx for a tour of Yankee Stadium. 
 
The next day, he returns to Staten Island to organize and play in the Heroes vs Legends Charity Softball Game at Richmond County Bank Ballpark, home to the Staten Island Yankees. The full day, which has two charity games followed by the SI Yankees against the Aberdeen Ironbirds, helps raise money for families of injured soldiers. Melson played in this game in 2015 when the World Boxing Council asked him to attend as their representative during the game. He was originally invited to play on the Celebrity (Legends) team, but asked for the privilege to play for the Heroes instead. 
 
The Heroes team is made up of Veterans who earned Purple Hearts in combat. This year he’ll once again play for the Heroes team. The event is presented by Heroes Sports, a 501(c) (3) providing organized support and sporting activities for veterans. All staff members are volunteers and 100% of all donations go straight to veteran support. More information on Heroes Sports can be found atwww.HeroesSports.org.
 
The morning of Saturday, August 5, Melson is going to Ten Mile River (TMR) Boy Scout Camping Grounds and will serve as the keynote speaker for their 90th anniversary celebration. An Eagle Scout himself, Melson began his life in scouting at the age of 5 as a Cub Scout and earned his Eagle Scout rank during his plebe (freshman) year at West Point. 
 
Melson camped at TMR’s Camp Keowa for 5 years as a Cub Scout and then at Camp Aquehonga for 4 years as a Boy Scout. He worked as a counselor at Aquehonga for two summers as well before reporting to West Point. There will be over 400 campers and Boy Scout leaders in attendance at the TMR 90th anniversary. Melson vividly remembers the annual Jamboree and Ghost-o-ree events that took place at Camp Pouch.
 
“What more can I ask for,” said the jubilated Melson. “I was put on this earth to help serve humanity. This is what I was built for. I am very thankful to all of the individuals who go to bat for me helping me help others. There is nothing more important to me than helping children. I have turned my full focus on helping knock out addiction on Staten Island.”
 
“I need to start with helping the children on Staten Island who have fallen to the disease known as drug addiction. Through the help of my publicist Matt Yanofsky, we were able to get in touch with the former NBA star Rex Chapman and he’s flying in Thursday to spend the day with these children. I need these children to understand how loved they are and that even former NBA players and the NY Yankees are behind them knocking out their addictions.”
 
“As for the softball game, my commitment to helping improve the lives of Veterans is second to none. There are 24,000 Veterans that live on Staten Island. I am committed to helping each and every single one that I can. I hope I’m able to lead by example and show how much can be accomplished with hard work and love. I am in the community on Staten Island every day and I am not of the constitution where I sit around and wait for any entity to help those who need help when I’m capable of using my ability to personally assist. I am the best version of myself when I am fighting to help improve the lives of those around me. We can do this Staten Island because We Are Strong Now and I living daily in your corner.”
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Melson to host Campaign Kickoff June 26!

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For Immediate Release
New York, NY (June 14, 2017) – Retired professional boxer, current public speaker, 2003 West Point graduate and Army Public Affairs Officer Boyd Melson will host a campaign kickoff reception Monday, June 26 for his congressional bid.
Melson is running in the November 2018 election for New York’s 11th district, covering Staten Island & South Brooklyn. The reception takes place from 7-9 PM at 445 Lafayette St. Suite 16B New York, NY 10003. Special guests include actor Burt Young, TV producer and screenwriter Ira Steven Behr, QVC’s Sandra Bennett, Super Bowl XXV champion Odessa Turner and United Nations staffer Miriam Danar among others.
“The goal with the campaign kickoff goes far beyond helping me as a congressional candidate. This will help improve the future of those living in Staten Island & South Brooklyn,” said Melson, who currently runs a free weekly clinic on Staten Island to help men and women battling or overcoming any type of addiction. “Please spread the word and you can still help even if you’re not able to make it.”
Donation levels range from $100-$2700 and checks can be made payable to Boyd Melson for Congress. RSVP’S and questions can be directed to Shelby Kestler at Shelby@maysondixon.com.
Those unable to attend can help Boyd by joining him on his mission to get elected into office by going to https://secure.actblue.com/donate/boyd-melson-for-congress-1.
boxing, Team Fight to Walk

Melson to run for New York Congress

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For Immediate Release
New York, NY (May 3, 2017) – Retired professional boxer, current public speaker, 2003 West Point graduate and Army Public Affairs Officer Boyd Melson announced he’ll run for Congress in 2018 for New York’s 11th District, covering Staten Island and South Brooklyn.
Born to a Jewish mother & Louisiana Creole father, Melson’s a lifelong New Yorker who’s dedicated most of his adult life to serving the public. The 35-year-old has resided in Manhattan, Brooklyn and White Plains. Melson also has close ties to Staten Island, where he currently runs free boxing clinics for men and women battling or recovering from addiction.
Following an outstanding amateur boxing career, Melson turned pro in 2010 with the sole intention of raising funds and awareness. Between donating 100% of his fight purses, private donations in his honor and charity galas, Melson, Co-Founder of Team Fight To Walk, helped raise more than $400,000 to help cure Chronic Spinal Cord Injuries, combat Staten Island’s drug epidemic and assist his childhood friend with a son battling brain cancer. He retired from boxing in 2016 with a 15-2-1 record, winning a World Boxing Council (WBC) United States Championship in 2015.
Upon the competition of his final professional fight, Promoter Lou DiBella said he’d never promoted a better man than Boyd Melson.
His unique mission through boxing was chronicled by The Huffington Post, ESPN, Yahoo, Sports Illustrated, HBO Real Sports and The Wall Street Journal among many other media outlets.
As a public and motivational speaker, Melson’s addressed an array of audiences, many of which he spoke to pro bono. His audiences include attendees at New York’s 2017 Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Conference, elementary to college age students, Army Battalions, Army Corps level leadership, college sports teams, Fortune 500 companies and religious organizations. He also served as a mentor at Steve Harvey’s Youth Mentorship Camp in July 2016 and was a special guest at various charitable events in New York.
Currently serving our country through the US Army Reserves, literally fighting to raise funds and having traveled the country to assist and motivate others, Melson epitomizes the meaning of a public servant.
“I need to continue my service to this nation. I have a heavy task in front of me. I am committed. I have a tremendous fight in my spirit for what is right. I was born mixed with African, Irish, Native American, French, Dutch, Spanish, and I am Jewish. Perhaps I am a good example of one of the aspects as to why us American citizens are what makes us great- we the people. We combine our strengths. We are the best of all cultures. We are strong, and we do not allow ourselves to be seduced by fear. I understand that my decisions will hurt people, despite my intentions.”
“I understand that in the American citizens’ eyes, I will be the face in the district I am running in, that will be responsible for anything good or bad our government may cause in any of the constituents lives. This is why I will always be present. I focus on how many I still have hurting, not how many I have helped. I will be in the community, at events, highly visible, and highly accessible. My job will be to answer to you, the constituents I am responsible for. I am built for this, my life has prepared me. I will continue my willingness to be knocked down and get back up to keep fighting. I will inspire you to believe in my spirit. Fighters fight! I am a fighter. District 11 must know that I am ready to fight in their corner.”
Please help Boyd by joining him on this mission to get elected into office by going tohttps://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/boyd-melson-for-congress-1.
boxing, charity

Melson to serve as keynote speaker at the New York Future Business Leaders of America Annual State Leadership Conference April 5-7

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New York, NY (April 3, 2017) – Retired professional boxer, present-day motivational speaker and United States Army Public Affairs Reserve Officer, Capt. Boyd Melson will be a keynote speaker at the 2017 Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) State Leadership Conference April 5-7 in Rochester, NY at the Riverside Convention Center.

 

A former WBC-USNBC boxing champion at 154 pounds, Melson helped raise more than $400,000 for Spinal Cord Injury research and other causes between his fight purses and charity galas. In March, the 2003 West Point graduate completed the Army’s Public Affairs Qualification Course now officially allowing him to serve in the Army Reserve as a Public Affairs Officer. Melson has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for eight years after he completed five years of Active Duty service in the United States Army.

 

As a public and motivational speaker, Melson’s addressed diverse audiences including elementary to college aged students, Army Battalions, Army Corps level leadership, college sports teams, Fortune 500 companies and religious organizations.

 

Earlier this year, the well-rounded Melson announced he plans on running for United States Congress during the 2018 elections. Melson, with the help of tremendous individuals on Staten Island, NY stepping up to volunteer their time and space, is currently running free weekly boxing clinics on Staten Island to help men and women battling or overcoming addiction.

 

The largest career student organization in the world, FBLA is for middle school, high school, and college students interested in learning about free enterprise systems. Nationally recognized throughout the United States, FBLA helps prepare students for careers in business and to become better employees and citizens. Melson was told he’ll address 600-800 high school students.

 

Melson will close out the three-day event by providing a half-hour speech to all in attendance. He will also serve as a judge during the FBLA’s student competitions.

 

“I received an email a few months back from the NY FBLA leadership stating that they were present when I spoke at Congressman Patrick Maloney’s Service Academy Nomination Workshop for high schools students,” said Melson. “They said that that speech is what prompted them to invite me to speak at this event and share my story. I was told that the theme for this year’s conference is “Suit Up, Step Up.” Well I have a great deal of internal fire I am happy to share with members of our nature’s future attending the conference. I thank the love in this universe dearly for giving me another opportunity to use my abilities hopefully offering a perspective that helps at least one person want to suit up and step up. If I was independently wealthy, I would wish my life would be me traveling around to students each and every day hoping to help them lift their own lives up.”