Tag Archives: Boyd Melson
Melson honored by Jewish Sports Heritage Association
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.”
Melson volunteers to serve in the Middle East; withdraws from NY Congressional race
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.”
Melson and Holyfield to visit Sloan Kettering Children’s Hospital and St. Albans Community Living Center
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 CHAMPION BOYD MELSON LAUNCHED CAMPAIGN FOR CONGRESS IN NEW YORK’S 11TH DISTRICT
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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Boyd Melson: Retired pro boxer continuing fight outside of ring, battling to KO Drug Addition, running for U.S. Congress
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Checkout this moving video about Boyd “Rainmaker” Melson and his cause: This is a true leader for our future:
Go to www.boydmelson.com for additional information.
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Retired boxer/NY-11 Congressional Candidate Boyd Melson keeping busy with community events
Melson to host Campaign Kickoff June 26!
Melson to run for New York Congress
Melson to serve as keynote speaker at the New York Future Business Leaders of America Annual State Leadership Conference April 5-7
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.”