Tag Archives: spinal cord injuries

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
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.”

 

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.”
boxing, charity, Team Fight to Walk

Boyd Melson to appear on Power 105.1 FM’s The Breakfast Club

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New York, NY (August 16, 2016) – Boyd “Rainmaker” Melson will sit in with DJ Envy, Angela Yee and Charlamagne Tha God as a special guest on Power 105.1 FM’s critically acclaimed Breakfast Club Wednesday, August 17 at 9:30 AM ET.

Known as “The World’s Most Dangerous Morning Show,” the Breakfast Club is a syndicated radio show based out of New York City that airs in 15 markets. The Breakfast Club was named the #1 radio program in the nation by The Source Magazine and regularly features world famous musicians, athletes, actors, activists and politicians.

Melson, the World Boxing Council’s USNBC junior middleweight champion, is a recognizable figure in and out of the ring. The 2003 West Point graduate and Army Reserve Officer has raised close to $400,000 for Team Fight to Walk, a 501(c)(3) that raises funds and awareness towards curing Chronic Spinal Cord Injuries. He is also a sought after public speaker who has spoken at schools, to college sports teams, the military and corporate America.

Outside of his aforementioned responsibilities, Melson’s proud to be closely involved with various causes and organizations including Stop Soldier Suicide and BOXER Inc. among many others. On August 15, he was the humanitarian honoree for the New York Sportscene Children Foundation’s annual fundraiser. Last year, Ring Magazine nominated Melson for Most Inspirational due to his philanthropy.

In June, Melson served as a mentor at Steve Harvey’s annual Youth Mentorship Camp. One of the special guest speakers was Charlamagne Tha God. Melson and Charlamagne spent time together at the camp, exchanging contact information. To his pleasant surprise, he was invited to be a guest on Power 105.1’s hit show.

“The Breakfast Club is one of the most popular morning shows out there and I’m incredibly honored they’ve selected me as a guest,” Melson said of the invite. “Many of the biggest names in music, film and sports have appeared. I’d like to thank Power 105.1 and Charlamagne personally for this incredible opportunity on such a large scale.”

The Breakfast Club can be heard across the world by logging onto power1051.iheart.com or on the IHeartRadio app.

boxing, charity, Team Fight to Walk

Melson named New York Sportscene Children Foundation’s Humanitarian Honoree

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New York, NY (July 28, 2016) – WBC USNBC junior middleweight champion, West Point graduate and Army Reserve Officer Captain Boyd “Rainmaker” Melson has been selected as New York Sprotscene Children Foundation’s (NYSCF) Humanitarian Honoree.
He will be honored and serve as the special guest for their 2nd annual Celebrity Golf Classic and pool party August 15 inCommack, NY at The Hamlet. As the honoree, Melson’s also participating in a cocktail hour, award dinner, interview sessions, photo ops and meet & greet.
A501(c)(3), the NYSCF helps to benefit and improve the lives of children and help those in need live happier and healthier. The mission of the New York Sportscene Children’s Foundation is to provide much needed support of local charities.
A recognizable figure in and out of the ring, Melson gained notoriety in the boxing world by donating 100% of his fight purses towards helping others. 16 of his purses went to Team Fight to Walk to help find the cure for Chronic Spinal Cord Injuries and the other went to a friend whose son has brain cancer. Between his fights, charity galas and donations, Melson and co-founder Christan Zaccagnino helped raise close to $400,000. He is also a well-known motivational speaker that has inspired the US Army, various athletes, at-risk youths, large corporations and students of all ages.
The NYSCF is specifically recognizing Melson for his dedication and support of Team Fight to Walk, mentoring at risk youths and excellence as an athlete.
The NYSCF’s Golf Classic will raise funds to provide for local children in need. Their 2015 event made it possible to host a poolside party for more than 150 ill, special needs and underprivileged children and their families. These children, many whom never swam in a pool before, will be shuttled in from the NYC boroughs as well as Long Island to enjoy the pool party. The funds raised last year also covered a holiday celebration for close to 1,000 children and their caregivers.
This event also supports the YES WE CARE Veteran Support Program, Family Services of Westchester Jerome Wagner Youth Residence for Boys, Evelyn Sachs Steiner Residence for Girls and a SUNY Farmingdale Alumni Association Scholarship. On top of that, the NYSCF is making a donation to Team Fight to Walk, which literally brought Melson to tears upon hearing the news.
“I’ve had the blessing to be honored many times for things I’ve done in and out of the ring but this is truly unlike anything else,” said Melson. “When I got the call for this and was asked to be the honoree, I thought they were kidding. The original guest was Denzel Washington and the fact that they went from him to me is beyond humbling. I immediately started crying over the phone thanking them profusely. I’m looking forward to this event and owe a special thanks to both Laura Quintoni and Fran Petito, who are both part of the New York Sportscene Children’s Foundation’s leadership. I told them both that the universe keeps reminding me of my path by sending angels into my life to help me along my path. As soon as I heard about the pool party, my first question was “can I get in the pool and play with the kids.” I was met with an encouraging yes and I am looking forward to that part of the day as much as any part. FOX News will be filming and although it will not be aired live, the coverage will air nationwide at some point. I hope to meet many great families and bring smiles to their faces. My wish from this is that this experience increases my opportunities to help positively impact the lives of others.”
For more information on the NYSCF outing, please visithttp://nysportscene.com/childrens-foundation.
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 representing Team Fight to Walk vs Chris Galaeno March 11 at SPiN charity event!

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Special guests include Kenny Anderson, Danny Jacobs, Chris Algieri, Susan Sarandon, Rosie Perez & Kobayashi!

 

For Immediate Release

New York, NY (March 9, 2016) – WBC USNBC 154 pound titlist Boyd “Rainmaker” Melson will take off the gloves and pick up a ping pong paddle when he meets New York State welterweight champion Chris Galaeno at SPiN New YorkFriday, March 11.

 

The SPiN charity event starts at 9 PM and $10 general admission tickets can be purchased at the door. All attendees who donate $50 or more will be invited to go in ring with Melson and throw punches at him for a round. New York basketball great Kenny Anderson will be working Melson’s corner during these rounds while Melson offers himself as a target for those donating at least $50. SPiN is located at 48 E 23rd st in New York City and can hold up to 700 people.

 

All admission fees and proceeds from a special silent auction hosted by Cardboard Memories will be split between Team Fight to Walk and B.O.X.E.R. Inc.

 

Attendees will enjoy a truly one-of-a-kind evening of entertainment emceed by Vice Sports’ Eric Kelly and a silent sports memorabilia auction highlighted by a 30 pound bronze statue that includes engravings of many world champions including Floyd Mayweather. Those on hand are also invited to an exclusive after party hosted by DJ KP.

 

Special guests for the SPiN event include New York City basketball legend and former NBA All-Star Kenny Anderson, actresses Rosie Perez & Susan Sarandon former WBO junior welterweight champion Chris Algieri, NABO and NABF heavyweight champion Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller, WBA world middleweight champion Danny Jacobs, middleweightcontender Willie Monroe and Team Fight to Walk members Frank Galarza and Will Rosinsky amongst others. Legendary competitive eater and six-time Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating champion Kobayashi will also be on hand to enjoy the action. All guests will be available for photo ops and autographs throughout the evening.

 

A competitor at heart, Melson’s posted a series of recent videos training on the ping pong table with 14-Time Swedish National Champion Malin Pettersson accompanied with friendly trash talking towards Galaeno.

 

“Chris may be undefeated in the ring but he’s taking an L on the table,” Melson said with a smile. “On a serious note, I’d like to thank SPiN NYC and all the celebrities that are attending this event in support of Team Fight to Walk and B.O.X.E.R Inc, which is another great organization I recently became a board member of. Events like these can literally help change lives, whether it be to cure Chronic Spinal Cord Injuries or keep at-risk youths off the street. Anybody who donates $50 or more on Friday gets the once in a lifetime opportunity to get in the ring and literally throw punches at me for a round. That is how much I care about raising the additional funds still needed for the clinical trial I’ve been discussing during the last five years.”

 

For more information on Team Fight to Walk or to donate, please visit Teamfighttowalk.com. Donations can also be made by texting Walk to 20222. B.O.X.E.R. Inc information is available by logging onto boxerinc.nyc.

 

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.