Tag Archives: Boyd Melson

boxing, Team Fight to Walk

Melson Reflects on Career; Next Fight For a Seat in US Congress

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New York, NY (January 17, 2017) – Boyd “Rainmaker” Melson may be the only fighter in boxing history not in the sport for financial gain and even came out of retirement for one final match to raise funds for others.

 

A multi-time champion as an amateur that defeated future pro standouts Keith Thurman, Charles Hatley, and Deandre Latimore, Melson had a different vision of what boxing would do. The 2003 West Point graduate and Army Reserve Officer used boxing as a vehicle and a voice for causes close to his heart throughout his 18 fight career, donating 100% of the money he earned in the ring.

 

Overall, Melson helped raise $400,000 between his boxing purses and charity galas. The majority of the funds was for Team Fight to Walk, a 501(C)3 which raises funds and awareness for a clinical trial focused on to curing Chronic Spinal Cord Injuries. He also donated one of his purses to a childhood friend that had a son battling brain cancer and another to Big Vision, which helps people battle drug addictions among young adults.

 

Fighting for causes was his ultimate passion, but the literal fights were often very difficult. Melson spent the first few years of his professional boxing career traveling from his New York City residence to New Jersey where he worked for Johnson&Johnson as a medical device sales rep. When he was preparing for a fight, he’d run on his lunch break, train in the evening after working a full day and often run again in the middle of the night to help cut weight. At the same time, Melson served in the U.S. Army Reserve, having military duties one weekend a month and two weeks a year.

In addition, Melson would teach fitness classes at Equinox Fitness to earn extra money and regularly traveled to public schools providing motivational speeches to students for free. The exhausting schedule was hard for Melson, who suffered multiple injuries including a stretched brachial plexus which temporarily paralyzed his right arm during his fight against Donald Ward, multiple tears in his left rotator cuff, kidney stones due to dehydration and a fracture in his left orbital bone. Still, he made weight for every fight in his career and finished 15-2-1 with 4 wins by knockout, winning the WBC USNBC junior middleweight title against Mike Ruiz in May 2015.

 

Melson believed his championship winning performance would be his last bout as lingering injuries from boxing still bothered him and a laundry list of other commitments occupied much of his time. He came out of his unofficial retirement for one final match last November against Courtney Pennington. Melson’s fight financially assisted the aforementioned Big Vision, an organization which he works very closely with that has a mission of helping young adults battling drug addictions return to sobriety. Unfortunately, Melson took extreme measures to cut 30 pounds in 8 weeks and entered the ring devoid of energy, losing via 7th round stoppage.

 

Following the fight, Melson officially announced his retirement and plans to run for U.S. Congress in 2018. Promoter Lou DiBella, who promoted most of Melson’s fights including his career finale, said to the crowd at the Foxwoods Casino “I’ve never promoted a better man than Boyd Melson.”

 

Overall, Melson is satisfied with his boxing career and is greatly appreciative for the incredible support from the boxing community.

 

“When I turned pro, I had no idea how far or long professional boxing would take me. This is a brutal sport not just physically but mentally as well. There were many days where I wanted to stop fighting for a number of reasons, but it was on those days that I had to always remind myself that I needed to fight to help others. The causes I fought for and continue to fight for outside of the ring are as important as anything in my life. Through boxing, I made many great friends and am incredibly thankful for that. I also appreciate everybody that donated to Team Fight to Walk or Big Vision as well as all the media that helped raise awareness for these great causes by covering my career.”

 

With the gloves hung up, Melson’s focused on running for United States Congress, advancing his career in the US Army Reserve, assisting others in need and continuing his growing career as a public and motivational speaker.

 

“I fell on my sword in order to compete in this last fight. The weight loss took the fight from my body, so I used every bit of strength in my mind to give whatever I had. I had one purpose for this last fight, and that was to raise awareness and money to help combat the heroin epidemic in Staten Island. I took a beating for this mission and I hope my example demonstrated the need to risk everything, even your body, when you believe it will help the lives of others suffering. Boxing has created a future that has continued to allow me to serve mankind now that I have left the ring as a competitor. I am on the board for the charities Boxer Inc., Stop Soldier Suicide, Team Fight To Walk, and hopefully Big Vision sometime soon. I was recently asked to join the 501c3 titled “The In Bed and Chair Recovery Foundation” so that I can serve on their board. They have a patented multi-faceted exercise apparatus which is meant for anyone who is confined to a wheelchair or a bed. They’ve asked me to help raise money through donations so that they can provide their unit, free of charge to groups of people in need such as disabled veterans and children battling cancer. There is a lot of pressure I continue to put on myself through various commitments and organizations I’m involved with, but this is what makes my world go round as I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

 

“I continue to have more opportunities presented to me so that I can positively reach children through my words. Although I have only fought once in order to help create a larger awareness regarding the heroin epidemic in Staten Island, my mission for this cause has only begun. My goal is to begin offering my time to host free boxing clinics on the Island at Rustam’s Boxing Gym as well as one of Teddy Atlas’s boxing gyms. These clinics will be meant for heroin addicts, and the aim is to knockout heroin on Staten Island. My hope is to help Staten Island’s heroin addicts fall in love with boxing and have that as a vehicle to help overcome the addiction. These human beings are sick but they’re are not criminals. Sometimes people who are sick are not able to be healed on their own and when that happens it is upon us as human beings to come together to help heal them.”

 

Melson is currently on military orders at Fort Meade, Maryland for 9 weeks in total. He is in school there being trained for his new duty as a Public Affairs Officer in the U.S. Army Reserve. Upon completing training in March, Melson will be looked at in April for a much welcomed promotion to the rank of Major. When he is finished, Melson looks to take his political aspirations to the next level.

 

If elected, Melson’s mission will involve helping many aspects of human beings’ daily lives with a focus on battling bullying, sickness and disease, poor health care for veterans, veteran suicide, heroin addiction, racism, hunger and unemployment.

 

“Every part of my journey these past 6 years as a professional boxer has led me to my decision to run for U.S. Congress in 2018. I hope to make my official announcement some time in 2017. Various celebrities and generals have given me their words that they will stand by my side in the public during this run. I am tired of being the human being always asking for help and never being the one asked for help. My mission is to bring the type of fight I brought every fight into the ring and implement it while serving the people as an elected official. I’m confident I can be very effective in using my abilities to help improve the lives of human beings that I am responsible to and for. Most importantly, I need to inspire the hearts and minds of those necessary to help get me elected.”

 

Melson is also proud to announce that the cause that brought him to boxing, Team Fight To Walk, should have FDA Approval to conduct the clinical trial here in the United States by this Fall. Melson, along with Christan Zaccagnino and publicist Matt Yanofsky have raised $400,000 to help conduct this clinical trial. The trial will consist of 27 Spinal Cord Injured human beings in total. It will divide the 27 into three groups of nine treated between the University of Newark Hospital in New Jersey along with Mount Sinai and Long Island Jewish Hospitals in New York.

 

The study presented to the FDA was published in May of 2016 in the Medical Journal “Cell Transplantation,” with its results being heavily investigated by American physicians. All reviewing physicians agreed with the results, a requirement in order to be published. This exact study conducted in China resulted in 15 out of 20 Spinal Cord Injured patients, as a group paralyzed an average of 7 years, now able to walk at least 10 meters with the help of a walker. The results also showed that 12 out of these same 20 had their bladder and bowel functions restored. Melson, Zaccagnino and the rest of Team Fight to Walk believe this is the beginning of our long awaited cure for Spinal Cord Injuries in the United States.

 

Fans can keep up with the latest on Boyd and contact him via Twitter @Boydmelson, Facebook at Boyd Melson, and Instagram @BoydMelson

boxing, charity, Team Fight to Walk

Melson to coach charity game; host boxing clinic for recovering heroin addicts

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New York, NY (October 23, 2016) – “The Rainmaker” Boyd Melson, a professional boxer and WBC U.S. Boxing Champion, Captain in the U.S. Army Reserve, West Point Graduate, philanthropist, and humanitarian will serve as a coach in the Team Fight To Walk Celebrity Charity Basketball Game and is also hosting a special event to help young adults with addictions.
The game pits a celebrity team against the North Rockland Volunteer Firefighters and takes place Friday, October 28 at North Rockland Hills High School at 7 pm. Members of the celebrity team include former Super Bowl Champions Odessa Turner, Kevin Dockery and Brandon London all of the New York Giants. Other members of the celebrity team include former Giants running backs RJ Cobbs and Billy Taylor along with Harlem Globetrotter great Derek “The Wizz” Murphy.
Melson will coach the celebrity team, and all of the proceeds will benefit Team Fight to Walk’s efforts to cure Spinal Cord Injuries. Tickets can be purchased by going tohttps://www.eventbrite.com/e/team-fight-to-walk-celebrity-basketball-game-tickets-17808173727. Tickets to an autograph signing session will be available at the event.
Two days later, Melson is volunteering his time by organizing and running a boxing clinic for the charity Big Vision at Mendez Boxing Gym in New York City. Big Vision was established as a 501c3 Non-Profit with the mission of helping young adults with addictions. Big Vision conducts constructive events for their members to participate in pretty much on a monthly basis. These positive events, surrounded by other battling addictions, helps to serve as an escape from the environment that traditionally leads to drug relapses. This past May of 2016, Melson volunteered his time and conducted a boxing workshop for Big Vision at Mendez Boxing Gym.
Last month, Melson told Eve Goldberg, founder of Big Vision, that he wants to help again by conducting another boxing clinic at Mendez for them. Helping Melson with the event will be charismatic heavyweight contender Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller, WBC Women’s Champion Alicia “The Empress” Napoleon and Jose Guzman. The clinic will host 20-30 adults between the ages of 19-30. It will be approximately three hours and include a full workout, workshop, constructive events and motivational speeches. Goldberg, whose son passed away from an overdose, will provide a heartfelt speech to conclude the event.
“I’m extremely pleased to help two causes near and dear to my heart,” said Melson, who returns to the ring November 19 and is donating his purse to help combat the heroin epidemic on Staten Island. “Raising funds and awareness is crucial for the clinical trial. The clinical trial I have fought and risked my life now for almost 6 years is on track receive its FDA approval here in the US sometime next summer. it is that close to happening here in our own country. In regard to helping human beings, especially young human beings, with their battle to overcome their addictions to drugs, I have chosen to take a highly proactive approach.”
“I came out of retirement to use my platform as a professional athlete to bring attention to the heroin epidemic in Staten Island specifically. It is not in my nature nor my character to stand by and do nothing to help fellow human beings when I believe I can help. Heroin seems to be the drug that is killing human beings at the greatest frequency, so that is where I am focusing most of my attention.”
“Staten Island is the borough that is being beaten down the greatest by heroin, and Staten Island is the only borough after Brooklyn that was part of my childhood. I had a meeting with the Staten Island DA last month to discuss bringing Big Vision to Staten Island. The DA shared that 74 people were reported as dead from heroin overdoses in Staten Island since January 1st, and I’ve joined the fight to do whatever I can do to keep former addicts clean while helping those with serious addiction overcome it. I have chosen to now put myself in harms way so that I can bring attention to this plague in Staten Island. I have chosen to literally fight for Staten Island. My family has a history of addiction and finding the cure for paralysis has been one of the most important things in my life for more than a decade.”
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Melson to headline November 19 at Foxwoods Casino

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New York, NY (October 11, 2016) – Boyd “Rainmaker” Melson makes his return to the ring to help the fight against heroin in Staten Island Saturday, November 19 at the Foxwoods Casino in Mashantucket, CT.

Melson’s fight headlines a DiBella Entertainment promoted Pro-Am card as part of the recently relocated but wildly popular Broadway Boxing series. This fight card is a special event. Broadway Boxing by way of Lou DiBella, is offering a Veterans Appreciation fight card with 4 of the undercard bouts consisting of Cadets from the West Point Boxing Team boxing against Cadets from the Coast Guard Academy.

Living and fighting out of New York City, Melson’s made a name for himself in and out of the ring. His outstanding professional ledger stands at 15-1-1 with 4 knockouts and in May 2015 he won the WBC-USNBC junior middleweight championship by dominating Mike Ruiz. Since the victory, he’s spent most of his time doing public speaking around the country as well as raising funds and awareness for various charitable causes such as Suicide Prevention among Armed Forces Veterans, working with disadvantaged youth and helping fight drug addiction among youth and young adults.

Following the match, Melson’s donating 100% of his purse to help combat the severe heroin problem across Staten Island, NY.

“I was fortunate enough to have had a meeting with the Staten Island District Attorney Mike McMahon a few weeks ago,” said Melson. “My dear brother Ibrahim Kurtulus arranged my requested meeting I asked him to help set up after I read an article published in May of 2016 discussing the heroin plague in that borough. The article stated that through May of this year, there were 40 reported deaths in Staten Island due to overdosing on heroin. During my meeting with McMahon, he told me that the number is now at 70. McMahon forced the issue to have a change in the local law in Staten Island where users arrested for using heroin will be sentenced to rehabilitation instead of prison. The commencement date for this policy has not yet begun.”

Melson, who considered himself retired from boxing, came back to the sport in part to help combat the problems in Staten Island.

“I need to come out of retirement so I can start going to bat for the people in the borough of Staten Island. Staten Island is the borough that I spent my childhood in while growing up in Brooklyn. I was a frequent visitor at Bayley Seton Hospital as a child for weekly allergy shots, Fort Wadsworth to visit my friends and on Arthur Kill Road to visit my aunt. I decided that I needed to find a way to help and draw attention within the five boroughs to Staten Island; a borough that residents say they feel forgotten in. I also decided that I am going to donate my purse to an organization within the borough aimed at helping addicts once they leave their rehabilitation. It also means a lot to me as a West Point graduate that I’ll have the opportunity to box on a card with Cadets that are coached by the same man that coached me while I was a Cadet in Colonel Dr. Ray Barone.”

“I’d like to thank Lou DiBella for this great opportunity. He has been an incredible supporter of my career and what I’ve fought for every single punch of the way and he his actions always remind me of this. I considered myself retired from boxing after my last fight. I told my family that I am done boxing. I have not been boxing or in the gym for a year and a half. After reading that article on the heroin problem in Staten Island, I could not sit around helpless when I believed I could help.  Heroin is the number one issue harming the quality of life in Staten Island as well as the taker of lives. So I decided to suffer one more time with making weight and getting in shape so that the people of Staten Island know that they are not facing this plague of heroin alone. My family has a history of addiction so I understand how severe it can be.”

Melson’s opponent in this eight round middleweight contest will be announced shortly and tickets can be purchased by going to http://knockoutpublicity.com/tickets-to-boyd-melsons-november-19-fight/.

boxing, charity, Team Fight to Walk

The Real People’s Champ: Melson making a major difference outside of the ring

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New York, NY (April 15, 2016) – WBC USNBC junior middleweight champion Boyd “Rainmaker” Melson is remaining busy outside of the squared circle raising funds, speaking to various groups and helping multiple causes.
Last month, Melson spearheaded a fundraiser at SPiN NYC that netted $5,000. To help fundraising efforts, Melson literally let anybody who donated $50 or more at the event get in the ring with him for three minutes and throw punches at him. The funds were split 50/50 between Team Fight to Walk an BOXER INC. Melson recently joined the Board of Directors for BOXER INC. which is a NYC based nonprofit founded by Melson’s close friend and former amateur boxer Mustafa Abullah. BOXER INC. is a mentorship program through the use of boxing to help develop leadership, discipline and offer exercise to youth at inner-city schools in New York City. Academy Award Winner Susan Sarandon, a part owner of SPiN, helped promote the event on social media and personally expressed her interest in running a second fundraiser this fall.
Less than 24 hours after the SPiN event, Melson was a special guest speaker at the United Spinal Association Connecticut Chapter’s annual gala. The Connecticut Chapter honored Melson’s speaking at their gala by donating $2500 to Team Fight to Walk.
On Tuesday, April 12, Melson, a 2003 West Point grad, headed to the the army base of Fort Bragg, North Carolina. During his time at Fort Bragg, he spoke to Delta Company, 3rd Military Information Support Battalion (Airborne). This Battalion is a PSYOP (Psychological Operations) Battalion in the US Special Operations Command that directly supports the United States Army Special Forces. At the end of Melson’s speech to Delta Company, he was asked to return two more times this year.
This request involves Melson, an Army Reserve Captain himself, returning in July to deliver a speech to the entire 3rd Military Information Support Battalion followed by a speech to the United States Special Operations Command Care Coalition in the fall. The Care Coalition was formed to offer support to Armed Forces members that served in the Navy Seals, Delta Force, Special Forces, or Ranger Battalion, and were injured in combat now facing physical disabilities.
In the last few months, the “Rainmaker” has voluntarily offered his time addressing youth of all ages at multiple tri-state area elementary, middle and high schools as well as delivering a pre-game pep talk to the Johns Hopkins University Women’s Basketball Team prior to their game. Melson, upon invitation, attended the Jewish Youth Organization BBYO’s (B’nai B’rith) annual event in Baltimore. He was partnered with former NFL Quarterback Jay Fiedler as they both took turns sharing their individual journeys as Jewish professional athletes with a few hundred Jewish high school aged teens.
Four days after visiting Fort Bragg, Melson will be in Aston, Pennsylvania for a three day Spinal Cord Injury and Concussion forum. The event features a special exhibition hockey game featuring many former NHL players and other notables helping raise money for both of these physical challenges. The event is sponsored by Johnson&Johnson, a company Melson once worked for. During this event, Melson will speak on Spinal Cord Injuries and perform a ceremonial puck drop to kick the game off.
“The universe continues to conspire. When you follow what is in your heart with divine love, I believe that the universe submits. When this submission takes place allowing its elements to conspire, what is beating in your heart with divine love becomes a tangible space. I just have to keep moving forward with the same type of stamina I needed inside the ring. I can’t get tired. This fight has many rounds to it. Our FDA Approval to begin conducting this study is less than a year out- that round is almost here!
boxing, charity, Team Fight to Walk

Melson to speak to Veterans Leadership Council in February at Johnson & Johnson Town Hall Meeting

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New York, NY (January 22, 2016) – WBC USNBC 154 pound champion Boyd “Rainmaker” Melson will serve as a special guest speaker for Johnson & Johnson during their Veterans Leadership Council Town Hall Meeting Thursday, February 18th in Raritan, New Jersey.

 

A 2003 West Point graduate, Melson was personally invited to speak by retired Army Colonel and current J&J employee Irving Smith, who was Melson’s Minority Admissions Representative and mentor when he applied to West Point as a teenager. On the 18th, Melson will present to J&J employees who are part of J&J’s Veterans Leadership Council with respect to the topics of Traumatic Brain Injury and Spinal Cord Injury. A former standout salesman for J&J’s Ethicon Division, Melson’s success in and out of the ring is still closely monitored by J&J’s CEO and fellow West Point graduate Alex Gorsky.

 

“Johnson and Johnson will always exist within an independent aspect of my heart. I am overwhelmed with pride that the honor of speaking to J&J’s Veterans Leadership Council is now extended to me as I was once myself a Veteran working for J&J” said Melson.

 

Last week, Melson was honored at Johns Hopkins University as a military superstar. He was their guest of honor for their Men’s and Women’s basketball game, and upon personal request from the women’s basketball team’s coach, he delivered a pre-game inspirational talk to the ladies on that team.

 

In regard to J&J, Melson said it “it was a great place to work. They were extremely supportive of my boxing career and the mission of Team Fight to Walk. Many of J&J employees are loyal supporters that purchased tickets to see me fight. I am personally asking J&J CEO Alex Gorsky to attend this lecture on the 18th. It is very important to me that he learns how close we are towards receiving FDA Approval to conduct the clinical trial in the United States that Team Fight To Walk has worked the past 5.5 years to raise money for.”

 

For more information about Team Fight to Walk, please visitTeamfighttowalk.com. Tax deductible donations can be made on the website or by texting “Walk” to 20222.

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Melson to be Recognized at Johns Hopkins University!

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New York, NY (January 11, 2016) – 2003 West Point graduate, philanthropist and WBC USNBC junior middleweight titlist Boyd “Rainmaker” Melson will be recognized as a military star prior to the Johns Hopkins men’s basketball game Saturday, January 16 at the Goldfarb Gymnasium in Baltimore, MD.

 

An active Army Reserve Officer who was chosen for the World Class Athlete Program (WCAP), Melson won four United States Army Championships, a gold medal at the Armed Forces Boxing Championship and was selected as an alternate for the 2008 US Olympic Team. Melson turned pro in 2010 and donated 100% of his purses towards a pending trial to help cure Chronic Spinal Cord Injuries. Overall, he’s raised more than $350,000 between his 17 professional bouts, three charity galas and other events.

 

On the 16th, Melson will present the game ball to officials while being escorted by Johns Hopkins’ ROTC cadets and the school will play a video at halftime titled “Still Fighting for the Cure”, which chronicles Melson’s journey to raise funds for a pending clinical trial that could impact hundreds of thousands suffering from Chronic Spinal Cord Injuries.

 

“There are so many brave men and women that serve or served our country, especially in that region” said Melson. “The fact they thought of me is amazing. Never in a thousand years did I anticipate being honored as a military star by one of the best colleges in the country for my efforts in the ring and with Team Fight to Walk. I believe the video will move those in attendance and have them feeling the same way I did the first time Christan told me her story. It is truly a blessing that I have been chosen for this at a time where we need all the support we can get as we move closer towards the trial taking place.”

 

The video can be watched by going tohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4KvLQYWQ0E. Melson also partook in a candid interview with Donna Drake on CBS talk show “Live it Up” that can be seen athttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbnXF6srafA.

 

For more information about Team Fight to Walk, please visitTeamfighttowalk.com. Tax deductible donations can be made on the website or by texting “Walk” to 20222.

 

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Melson Nominated for Most Inspirational of 2015!

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New York, NY (December 29, 2015) – Junior middleweight boxer and philanthropist Boyd “Rainmaker” Melson has been nominated for Most Inspirational by Ring Magazine.

Having dedicated most of his life during the last 13 years to help cure Chronic Spinal Cord Injuries, Melson’s selfless efforts have been chronicled by various media outlets. The visibility of the cause he fights for and organization he donates 100% of his fight purses to, Team Fight to Walk, has grown tremendously during the last few years.

The 2003 West Point graduate also helped organize three successful “Fighting for the Cure” galas and successfully lobbied New York’s powers that be to reinstate a bill that allocates a percentage of each moving violation towards Spinal Cord Injury research. Last summer, the 15-1-1 junior middleweight along with Dr. Wise Young, Dr. Patricia Morton and others met with Congressman Chaka Fattah at a briefing at the Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC to discuss clinical trials that could help hundreds of thousands suffering from Spinal Cord Injuries walk again. Word from Congress about the trial going forward is expected within 90 days.

Overall, Melson’s raised more than $350,000 for Team Fight to Walk.

“Last December the WBC honored me with their Ambassador Of Peace Award and this past July the NABF honored me with their Humanitarian Award,” said Melson, who captured the WBC USNBC title with a career best performance in May 2015. “A sport that I was forced to first partake in because of a mandatory gym class at West Point my Plebe (freshman) year along with my belief how I could use the boxing ring in order to help find a way to help people walk again has turned into this.”

“My only hope is that any human being learning of this story, especially children, internalize the following: understand your power of creating a vision, understanding what your own abilities are to achieve that vision and prepare to suffer while holding on to that vision for as long as their is air in your lungs. I believe my experience throughout this journey so far has shown again how one person can be the raindrop that creates the storm of change. What is real in our minds is real. I’m honored that Ring Magazine included me and I hope the publicity helps raise funds and awareness for Spinal Cord Injuries. Thank you to the sport I love for sharing my dream.”

To support Melson, please visit the comment section ofringtv.craveonline.com/news/407191-2015-ring-awards-finalists-for-most-inspirational or tweet @Ringmagazine. For more information about Team Fight to Walk, please visitTeamfighttowalk.com. Tax deductible donations can be made on the website or by texting “Walk” to 20222.

boxing, Team Fight to Walk

Melson to cap active October by attending three upcoming charity galas!

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New York, NY (October 21, 2015) – WBC United States Junior Middleweight Champion, philanthropist and US Army Reserve Captain Boyd Melson will finish up a very busy month by continuing to help others. By the end of October, the Class of 2003 West Point Graduate will have attended the TicTocStop Gala, Signature Chefs Auction and Central Jersey Spinal Cord Association Dinner as a special guest. Melson was also asked not just to attend the March of Dimes’ Signature Chefs Auction, but to co-emcee their fundraising event, which he enthusiastically accepted.

Founded by renowned sports radio talk show host Craig Carton, TicTocStop’s mission is to help improve the quality of life for people with Tourette’s Syndrome. Carton, who has Tourette’s as does two of his children, has assisted many families through this 501C3 charity.

The TicTocStop Gala includes a cocktail party, dinner and presentations and takes place Thursday, October 22 from 6-11 PM at Battery Gardens in New York City. For more information, visit Tictocstop.com.

Every year, more than 15 million babies are born prematurely. Sadly, 1 million of them will die prior to their first birthday as a result. The March of Dimes helps fund research, education and support to ensure more babies can celebrate their birthdays.

On Monday, October 26 at 6 pm, more than 25 chefs, restaurants, wineries, breweries and dessert designers will be sharing their most exciting culinary delights to the 200-plus guests on hand at the Carlyle on the Green in Farmingdale, NY. All attendees will enjoy an evening of networking, live music and wine and spirits. Tickets are available by going tosignaturechefs.marchofdimes.org.

Regarded as one of the best tasting events in New York, the Signature Chefs Auction helps support the mission of the March of Dimes. Arlene Dayboch, Senior Community Director for the March of Dimes, has appointed Melson as a co-emcee alongside Donna Drake from Live it up TV for this special event. Drake and Melson will be joined by “Hell’s Kitchen” celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay as celebrity guests attending in order to help raise money for the March of Dimes.

A non-profit, the Central Jersey Spinal Cord Association was founded in 1987 by Kevin Hoagland. It is run exclusively by a volunteer board of directors and raises approximately $80,000 annually.

On Friday, October 30, the Central Jersey Spinal Cord Association hosts the 29th Annual Vito Racine Spinal Cord Research Dinner and Auction at Pines Manor Banquet Hall in Edison, NJ. Cocktail hour beings at 6:30PM followed by dinner at 8PM. Attendees can also bid on items including autographed sports memorabilia, jewelry, event tickets, gift baskets and collectibles. Individual tickets are $70 and tables of ten priced at $700 can be purchased at cjsca.net. All donations are tax-deductible.

“October has been a very busy month trying to help raise money for others,” said Melson, who played a focal point in Team Fight to Walk’s third annual “Fighting for the Cure” Gala on October 15 and spoke to students at Paul Roberson High School earlier today. “Improving the lives of those facing different challenges is very important to me. Attending events like these is not only an honor, but something I believe I must do. We all share this planet and must help however possible even if we’re far removed from the suffering.”

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Team Fight to Walk to host “Fighting For the Cure” Gala October 15!

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New York, NY (September 24, 2015) – WBC-USNBC junior middleweight champion Boyd Melson and Christan Zaccagnino, Founders of Team Fight to Walk, will host the organization’s third annual “Fighting for the Cure” benefit gala Thursday, October 15 at 6:15 pm

at the Beckwith Pointe in New Rochelle, NY.

Tickets and sponsorship packages to “Fighting for the Cure” are available by going to teamfighttowalk.com/gala or calling 914-497-5727. All donations are deductible per IRS regulations.
New York Knicks great John Starks will serve as the Honorary Chairman for this special evening and a number of other guests will be available to mingle with ticket holders. The current guest list includes former world champion and pound for pound superstar Paul Williams, Super Bowl XXV Champion Stephen Baker of the New York Giants, middleweight champion Danny Jacobs, former champions Junior Jones and Chris Algieri along with former New York Knicks Herb Williams and John Wallace. More guests will be announced shortly. This outstanding evening of entertainment and awareness includes cocktails & appetizers, a formal dinner, silent auction, blackjack tables, live music, open bar, DJ and guest speakers.
During the last two years, Team Fight to Walk hosted successful galas in New York featuring comedy acts from Artie Lange and Damon Rozier accompanied by emotional speeches from Melson, Zaccagnino, Major Max Brewer, world renowned Dr. Wise Young, Eric LeGrand and cancer survivor turned world champion boxer Danny Jacobs.
In June, Melson, Dr. Young and Dr. Patricia Morton met with Congress in Washington, DC to present evidence from successful Spinal Cord Injury trials in China. The Chinese trials saw 15 out of the 20 patients regain the ability to walk again and 10 patients have their bladder and bowel function return. This is the exact same procedure that would be used in America and an official answer from the FDA on the trial is expected to come before this year’s end.
If the trials are to take place, the cost for surgery and therapy is $150,000 per patient and 100% of those costs are being raised through public donations. The trial will be held at University Hospital in Newark, NJ and will involved 12 patients. Currently, the federal government is not offering financial assistance, even though thousands of soldiers are returning from war with Spinal Cord Injuries.
From the time they met at a dance club during his junior year at West Point in 2002, the most important thing in Melson’s life has been to see Zaccagnino walk again. Christan broke her neck at the age of 10 after a diving accident and been confined to a wheelchair ever since. To spearhead the funding efforts for the aforementioned trial, Melson’s donated 100% of his purses from 16 of his 17 professional to Team Fight to Walk, a 501(c)(3) with one of his purses going to a childhood friend whose son was battling brain cancer. Between the two galas and his professional bouts, Melson’s helped raise more than $330,000.
“We are close as ever to making a significant difference in America,” said Melson. “Team Fight to Walk has been working extremely hard for this and our fundraising efforts have been nonstop. Still, there’s a long way to go, even if we get approval from the FDA. Our last two galas have been outstanding, and we’re aiming to raise even more money this year towards the cause. We need the assistance from everybody out there. We need to wake up and live each day with the fact that we share this planet leading our active consciousness. Our galas have emotionally moved many attendees that heard the stories and struggles from those suffering from Chronic Spinal Cord Injuries who are can’t have the surgery in America that could enable them to walk again. If you’re unable to attend the Gala, please consider donating to Teamfighttowalk.com. Every dollar makes a difference!”
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Melson to play in Heroes & Legends Charity Softball Game!

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For Immediate Release

New York, NY (August 23, 2015) – WBC USNBC junior middleweight champion Boyd “Rainmaker” Melson will participate in the Heroes & Legends Charity Softball Game on Saturday, August 29 at First Energy Park in Lakewood, NJ.
Individual tickets for $10 and $40 VIP seats including dinner, drinks and time with the participants are available by calling 732-901-7000 or at https://www.ticketreturn.com/prod2/BuyClear.asp?EventID=149462&continue=buynew.asp#.VXC1Ps9Vikr. VIP seats are limited to the first 100 guests.
Gates open at 3 PM and there will be a home run derby at 4:30, followed by the softball game.
The event is presented by Oceans Six Real and Partners. Proceeds will benefit Sanctuary Island, a non-profit organization that serves Wounded Warriors and others disabled to enhance their health and self-esteem. The game was started to help veterans’ rehabilitative sports programs and assist various military-based organizations,
Melson will play for the Purple Heart Heroes, a team featuring many soldiers wounded serving our country. They will be opposed by The Legends, a squad made up of former athletes including major leaguers Jeff Frazier, Jay Johnstone and Andy Ashby plus Super Bowl XXV Champion Stephen Baker and members of the rock band Madison Rising.
Following the game, WBC Cares Foundation President Jill Diamond will hand out medals to the winning team.
“It is an incredible honor to be asked to play in the game,” said Melson, an Army Reserve Officer and 2003 West Point graduate who donates his fight purses to Team Fight to Walk to help cure Chronic Spinal Cord Injuries. “The Wounded Warrior Project has been close to my heart and my mother is also a huge supporter. These Purple Heart recipients deserve the absolute best and an event like this is the least we can do for those brave soldiers injured protecting our freedom.”
Fans can interact with Boyd via twitter @BoydMelson orhttps://www.facebook.com/boyd.melson.9.