New York, NY (Hakihea 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 whawhai ki a Walk, has grown tremendously during the last few years.
Te 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, te 15-1-1 junior middleweight along with Dr. Whakaaro nui 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 ra.
Tairanga, 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,"Ka mea a 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 (uluaki) 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, tirohiaTeamfighttowalk.com. Tax deductible donations can be made on the website or by texting “Walk” to 20222.