The latest
Thursday Jun 14, 2018
Rock ‘N Rumble VII: Michael Abbate
During the coming months, we’ll be highlighting our fighters in training for the upcoming Rock ‘N Rumble VII in Boston on May 18th. They’ve committed to four months of fundraising and training in preparation to get in the ring and literally fight for a cure. Whether their mom is battling, their father has passed or their friend has put up a victory against the disease – they’ve all got a story to tell and they’ve all got a reason to fight. Below you’ll hear from Michael Abbate, fighting out of Redline Fight Sports in Cambridge, MA.Where are you from? Westchester, New YorkWhere’d you go to college? Wentworth Institute of TechnologyDid you play any sports growing up? Yeah, I used to race motocross and a little wrestling in high school.What do you do for work? I'm a product designer and strategist at Intrepid.Why boxing? Did you ever picture yourself fighting? I've always appreciated the art. I've had a lot of friends since the start of H4H participate, I've helped some of them train.Why on earth did you sign up to fight?? It's always been a dream of mine to do an actual fight. When I was 21 I was diagnosed with Diabetes. It changed a lot of the direction my like took going forward. Boxing is something I have control over. It doesn't judge. It gives back what you give into it. And I respect that.You’re stepping in the ring to literally fight for a cure - where are you drawing your inspiration from? How has cancer affected you? I've had a few close relatives suffer at the hand of cancer. From grandparents to cousins, to close family friends. I see what people go through. At the same time, it's motivated me and encouraged me to push myself when I feel like I can't tackle my own chronic illness, to recognize there are folks out there hurting much more.What is going to be the most difficult thing to give up during your training? (beer, cheeseburgers, time spent watching TV?) Tacos! O maaaaaan my pork tacos. Oh, and my mezcal old fashioned's.When you’re not throwing punches and training -- what other hobbies/interests do you have? Cafe racer motorcycle fan and rider. Love to paddleboard in the summers. Always finding projects around the condo to do - from a new staircase I just finished to kitchen cabinets and one off furniture pieces.Who do you think is the most excited to watch you get punched in the face come fight night? Has to be my stepdad, John. I feel like he's been itching for my ego to be bruised. Unfortunately for him, I'll just have more bragging rights come Christmas time. :)Be sure to check out his fundraising page here or send him some encouragement on Instagram. Best of luck, Mike!
Read more ›
Thursday Jun 14, 2018
Back at Peter's...
Last night, we also managed to hit up Peter Welch's Gym in South Boston to catch up with Matt Crane. Matt sure has fists of fury! His veteran status also shows, with his quick reflexes, and a good "mean face," Matt can be intimidating-but with big blue eyes and dimples on both sides, we can't help but love one of our favorite firefighters! After doing one of Peter's crazy classes, Matt jumped into the ring to spar three rounds with trainer Brian. Both guys went ferociously and had everyone in the gym cheering! To see more of Matt's training photos, check them out here! With only four weeks until fight night, everyone at Peter's gym is buzzing with excitement! To help support Matt K.O. cancer, click here to buy tickets for Haymakers for Hope Rock n' Rumble at House of Blues on May 17th!
Read more ›
Thursday Jun 14, 2018
Weekly Visit to Fitness Advantage
Last night we went out to Fitness Advantage in Medfield, Ma to catch up with Peter Goodall. We watched as Peter sparred several rounds with a bunch of different opponents. One thing was clear, Peter is going to be a force to be reckon with on May 17th! His improvement from week to week is absolutely remarkable. Peter has cleaned up his footwork, and was putting some nice combinations together. He is definitely one of our most improved fighters throughout the whole process, and his hard work and dedication to his training is evident. We are extremely happy with his progress, and are excited to see him step into the ring for the very first time. Please help Peter as he fights for a cure, and tries to knock out cancer by making a donation or purchasing a ticket to come watch him lace it up at the House of Blues!
Read more ›
Thursday Jun 14, 2018
Back at The Ring Boxing Club
We stopped back at The Ring Boxing Club to check in with our boy Frankie Stavrianopoulos on Monday afternoon. Frankie looked really good hitting the bag! Like most of the participants, Frankie had never put on a pair of boxing gloves before, however the improvement in Frankie's technique is remarkable. Frankie could not put together a combination when he first started, but on Monday Frankie was ripping the bag apart with extreme focus and poise. We are really excited to see Frankie take on his opponent at the House of Blues on May 17th! Click Here to purchase tickets to the event or Here to donate to help Frankie knock out cancer!
Read more ›
Thursday Jun 14, 2018
Crazy Diet by Kazakhstan Boxers
CNN posted a great video highlighting the prowess of the Kazakhstan boxing team at the olympics. They enter these 2012 London games having won 5 boxing gold medals since the Atlanta olympics in 1996, and 13 medals overall. That is an extremely impressive number for what many consider an under the radar boxing program. The Kazakhstan team is very proud of their reputation around the world as a force to be reckon with and they work all year around with a team of dedicated trainers.The most interesting part of the video is, one of their gold medal winning fighters from Beijing in 2008 talks about how the culture and the food help the Kazakhstan athletes. He gives the example of how the team traveled to London with horse meat, and claims that his people have incorporated it into their diets for centuries. That is truly something crazy by our standards here in America, but if it works maybe we should start our fighters on a healthy diet of horse meat...To check out the whole video on CNN: Click Here
Read more ›
Thursday Jun 14, 2018
The Week Before Fight Night
Haymakers for Hope fighters spend an intensive 4 months training for their first boxing match to KO cancer. Here’s a look at the final seven days of training with one of our New York fighters.T-7 Days Until Fight Night “Fear of public boxing.”A week before his first boxing match, Jason Harris is 3,000 miles away from his gym. Most of his fellow Haymakers for Hope fighters are squeezing in extra ring time, but he’s preparing in a different way.As CEO of award-winning marketing agency Mekanism, Jason’s speaking at a conference in Portugal. The trip is no vacation. Jason and his trainer Paul have worked out a strict regimen and diet for him to keep up during the trip. Surprisingly, he’s finding other ways to mentally prepare for Fight Night, too: “I was speaking at this conference in front of roughly the same crowd as the Hammerstein ballroom. I was thinking as I was doing it… this is so much easier. Some people have a fear of public speaking, I have a fear of public boxing.”T-6 Days Until Fight Night “Keeping the weight down.”On his last Portugese day, Jason’s doing much of his regular workout. “Lots of sprints, shadow boxing, keeping the weight down,” are on the agenda. He’s dropped an astounding 15 pounds during the lead up to his fight. Six days before the fight, though, he’s still fighting to shed his last 2 pounds before Thursday’s weigh-in; no easy task when you’re at an industry-wide party in one of the foodie capitals of the world.How does he manage to keep weight off when hanging with clients? “I’m carrying around sparkling water with lime, acting like it’s vodka.”T-5 Days Until Fight Night “Rest and recharge”Five days to go. Jason flies back to New York and takes a day to recover. No running, no shadow boxing, no sweat. The main focus of the day? “Staying relaxed.”T-4 Days Until Fight Night “Comfortable being uncomfortable”Jason’s back at Church Street Gym with his trainer Paul Bamba. They end a 90-minute session with three rounds on the mitts and Paul’s calling for lots of jabs. With four days left, the trainer says they’ll spend the rest of the week focused on fine-tuning the game plane. “Just go in, punch first, punch hard, and have smart aggression,” Paul tells Jason. “And keep your hands up.” There’s some friendly teasing between the fighter and his coach, but the two have a clear respect for one another and the training process. Paul’s quick to praise Jason’s hard work, and notes that tenacity and grit are two of his best attributes.That’s not to say that their friendship has allowed Jason to take it easy in the fight lead up. “Paul’s philosophy is ‘mind-f*ck training’ which means I show up every day not knowing if I’m gonna spar or run with weights or get punched by a boxing glove at the end of a pole. I never know what I’m doing, so I’m comfortable being uncomfortable. Ready for anything.”Paul’s training regiment doesn’t stop at the boxing gym. This evening, Jason’s still working on dropping the final two pounds with a 5-mile run in a trash bag and 20 gruelling minutes in a steam room.T-3 Days Until Fight Night “Mentally in the game”“I read a book called The Art of Mental Training,” Jason says. “It’s a story about how different characters prepare for different aspects of competition.” A former soccer player, Jason’s drawn to the chapters about Pelé and his method of visualizing matches before they took place. The fighter notes that mental prep has been a major tactic in his training, particularly before sparring matches.Today, Paul puts Jason through his last day of sparring before the fight. Both men seem happy with the rounds and finish up the workout throwing non-stop combinations on the mitts. Jason infuses fight prep through the rest of his day, too. Lots of rest, a few final days of clean eating and some acupuncture are all geared at making sure he’s “mentally in the game.”T-2 Days Until Fight Night “3 Green Teas a Day and 90 ounces of water”Jogging. Stretching. Five rounds of shadowboxing. Three rounds of defensive drills. Two rounds on the mitts. Jason’s workouts aren’t getting any easier. He still has two pounds to lose, so Paul has him wear a trash bag to help sweat off the extra weight.Jason walks me through his diet this week, which borders on monk-like. Oatmeal, protein shakes, salmon, and broccoli plus green teas and a ton of water. Every. Single. Day. Two days until he gets in the ring. T-1 Day Until Fight Night “No wraps. No gloves. All trash bag.”Paul’s pre-fight workout has Jason sweating the day before Fight Night. Twelve minutes of straight shadowboxing (no rests!) would get anyone schvitzing, but today’s gym clothes are a little different. “No wraps. No gloves. All trash bag.” Paul instructs Jason through combinations and footwork while he wears extra layers of clothing. The two wind down the last workout with a mile-long walk, some stretching, and a review of tomorrow night’s plan of attack.Jason goes to bed tonight visualizing the fight.Fight Night “I really want to leave it all in the ring.”Fight Night starts early for Jason “The Bear Jew” Harris. “I woke up at 5am and ate half a steak, some black bean salad. That was the last time I ate before weigh-in. All day I chewed gum and sipped water.” The six weeks of clean eating and trash bag outfits paid off; Jason weighs in at a tidy 187 pounds, just under his required 188.After weigh-in, Jason chows down on some Chipotle and gets cleared by the ring doctor to fight. He and Paul camp out in the back of the fighters’ room, setting up a space of their own to review the fight plan and warm up. The mood is relaxed and Jason seems comfortable as he rehashes the strategy he’s been repeating all week: “Keys to victory are volume, throwing lots of punches, snappy punches, being aggressive, trying to pressure him, make him uncomfortable.” Paul agrees, “Game plan is to stick and move. His opponent doesn’t like to get hit.”The bigger mission of the night is top of mind, too. Jason’s fundraising efforts are in the top 10 of the group; he’s raised a whopping $30,000 and climbing at the start of Fight Night. His pride in the program is apparent and he notes “everyone that’s competing tonight is a really good person and they’re doing this for a reason. Win or lose that’s the most important thing, to KO cancer. What we’re going through is like nothing. It’s six minutes of anxiety and hardcore sweat, but why I’m doing this is always in the back of my mind.”Before he leaves to get his hands wrapped, Jason considers the best and worst outcomes for his bout. “I feel like if I leave and I have no more energy I’ll be psyched. If I feel like I could have gone a little harder, I’ll be really pissed at myself. I really want to leave it all in the ring.” The FightThe crowd goes wild as Jason enters the ring. He’s one of the most popular fighters of the night, and the crowd’s full of his family, friends who’ve flown in from across the country, colleagues from his advertising agency. His attention to detail in training -- the strict diet, the mental preparation, the acupuncture therapy -- shows up at fight night, too; he dons a custom blue robe and some slick socks printed with the California flag.Jason fights hard. He lands some explosive jabs and a beautiful combination of three powerful hooks, his legs strong and moving forward the whole time. His heart in the fight until the referee ends it in favor of his opponent in the second the round.Post-fight, Jason and Paul are disappointed in the outcome, but they celebrate the evening with a cheeseburger and vodka soda (“Delicious.”) and hang with Jason’s hoards of fans.Harris is a true fighter and doesn’t leave much time for focusing on the loss. He’s back in the gym the following Monday, training with the same intensity as before. He hopes to fight again soon. “Haymakers for Hope was better than I could have even imagined. Our group raised a staggering $900k-ish and as a bonus I got in sick shape, learned a skill and made a few cool friends in the process. I wish I could go through the whole experience all over again.”
Read more ›
Thursday Jun 14, 2018
Wednesday with Shirtless Ray and Johnny Superstar!
Wednesday night, we caught up with cousins Ray McCarthy and John Sementelli at Nonantum Boxing Club in Newton. Both guys came to fight, and fight they did! Ray went first, sparring a few rounds with a couple of different guys. We know Ray works extremely hard, and his effort shows more and more each time we see him. To see all of Ray's training photos click here! Johnny Superstar had his turn next, and jumped in for a few rounds. John was still feeling the effects of Marathon Monday (and the three pounds he gained!) but it didn't show one bit. He says he's been working on footwork, and we can tell! To check out more of John's training photos, click here! All of a sudden, out of nowhere, Ray comes back, and jumps in the ring with John! Being six inches and fifty pounds smaller, we thought RayRay was just a little nut-so. He proved us both right, and wrong by looking like a pitt bull! Neither guy held back, and by the end, we think we saw blood from three nostrils... To see a clip of their sparring session, click here! With under a month to go, be sure you get your tickets to see Ray and to see John in Haymakers for Hope's Rock 'n Rumble at House of Blues on May 17th!!
Read more ›
Thursday Jun 14, 2018
Catching up with Luke at the Cambridge Boxing Club
The Haymakers team stopped by the Cambridge Boxing Club on Friday night to check in on our boy Luke Owings. Luke was doing a light workout in preparation for his sparring tune up on Saturday night. Luke looked crisp on the bag, putting together nice combinations while looking extremely poised. Catch up on all of Luke's progress by checking out his truing album on Facebook.Luke has been working extremely hard these past few months to help us in our fight against cancer. Please help support his efforts by either making a donation or purchasing a ticket to come watch his fight on May 17th, at the House of Blues in Boston!
Read more ›
Thursday Jun 14, 2018
What It Takes to Fight
Thinking about signing up to fight? Want to get involved but not quite sure what the process entails? Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. Below you’ll find an overview of what it takes to sign up and fight in an upcoming Haymakers for Hope event!Step 1: Sign Up to Fight This is sometimes the hardest part. But it’s less hard when you know what to expect. Follow the steps, below.Know You’re Motivation: Hate Cancer? Want to Learn how to Box? Want to raise money for a great cause while fighting for a loved one? Want to get in the best shape of your life? Whatever it may be, something is motivating you.Submit an Application: Fill out our form online, the more detailed you can be the better.Stand By: Remember, signing up does not guarantee you a fight. Step 2: Selection & OrientationMatches are Selected: Matches are based on USA boxing requirements of age and weight, as well as Haymakers taking the next step in matching, taking into account your height, previous athletic or boxing experience and your commitment to knocking out cancer!Orientation: Often hosted at a world-renowned cancer center or other beneficiary organization, you will go on a tour and hear from a speaker from the org. This is your first chance to meet your fight team, get all the details on your four-month journey, and pick up your boxing gear and swag! Step 3: Start Training Like the ProsGym Selection: While there is no previous boxing experience necessary you will be paired with a local gym, if you do not have one already.What You Put in is What You Get Out: Whatever effort you put into your training is what you will get out of it. If you give 100% you will have an incredibly rewarding experience.You’re Not Alone: The Haymakers team will be in and out of the gym keeping track of your progress and getting to know you and how you’re doing. Therefore, there is no cheating your training, only cheating yourself. Step 4: Safety FirstHaymakers team monitors each fighter’s progress to ensure a fair and balanced bout.Boxers will not be allowed into the ring until they are ready. Coaches will implement necessary training before they are approved to sparHaymakers will not permit athletes to move forward with fight if injured during training.Haymakers employs medical professionals during fights, along with professional officials employed by USA Boxing. Fights will be called and fighters will be inspected at the first sign of injury or inability to proceed Step 5: Fundraise to Knock Out CancerEach Fighter Receives a Customized Fundraising Page: Each fighter is required to meet an event specific fundraising minimum by way of donations, ticket sales, sponsorships, and matching gifts.Choose Your Charity: Fighters are allowed to select a 501c3 of their choice that supports research, care, awareness and/or survivorship.Sell Those Tickets: Family, friends, colleagues, and even enemies can purchase tickets and sponsorships to come and watch you fight! All ticket sales will go towards your fundraising goal.Again, You’re Not Alone: Haymakers provides materials to help you reach and exceed your fundraising journey in an effort to #KOCancer Step 6: Media & Sparring Half-Way PointMedia Day: You become a movie star for a day. No, but really. We have professional videographers and photographers there shooting epic footage for your pre-fight walk out. Get excited.Sparring Your Opponent: For full transparency, we require you to spar your proposed opponent at the midway point of training to ensure it will be a fair match up. Step 7: The Big Night #FightNightExpect a Sold Out Crowd!Put on a Show: There will be many action-packed bouts, sure to get the crowd going wild.No losers! No matter the outcome of the fight, everyone is fighting for one thing. To #KOCancer! Step 8: Welcome to the Alumni FamilyEvery fighter is welcomed as a member of the Haymakers Fight FamilyAlumni are given the opportunity to stay involved in the fight against cancerAttend future events and social gatherings/workoutsMentor new Haymakers fightersContribute to the Alumni Fund and other special initiatives Ready to fight? Sign up now for our next event Rumble in the Rockies in Denver,CO! Still have questions? Feel free to reach out to us via email at [email protected]!
Read more ›
Thursday Jun 14, 2018
Why Colorado?
New year, new city, new you.We are thrilled to be bringing Haymakers for Hope to Denver in 2018 and we think you should be too. Boxing is one of the best ways to get in shape, disconnect and discover a new, improved version of yourself. All while contributing to a great cause. We invite you to sign up for what we promise to be a transformative journey with us and help knockout cancer. Not too sure? Here are 5 reasons why Colorado is the perfect place to join us in the fight! 1.The Active Lifestyle Colorado is one of the fittest places in the country, from skiers and snowboarders to world-class triathletes. For those looking to expand their fitness portfolio, boxing is the ultimate test of athleticism. At Haymakers for Hope, we welcome all fitness levels, as long as you are up for the mental and physical commitment. Transform your life through the sweet science, all while getting in the best shape imaginable.2.The Booming Economy From startups to real estate, Colorado is in an economic boom. We want to leverage the growth of the Centennial State to push fundraising goals, develop meaningful partnerships and turn members of all different industries into first time fighters. Whether you work in tech, for the city or run a private equity firm, there is a place for you at Rumble in the Rockies.3.The Ability to Disconnect No matter what industry you work in, there is still an inability to disconnect from business and technology. Boxing gives you that out. It requires one hundred percent of your focus and concentration. If you are unable to disconnect, you make mistakes. If you make mistakes, you get punched. It is that simple. Through Haymakers for Hope, you will learn to disconnect from your phone and reconnect with your body. Discover yourself through the sweet science.4.The Best Way to Avoid I-70 We all love skiing, but the constant traffic, endless lift lines and jaw-dropping ticket prices take the fun out of the mountains. Avoid I-70 all winter while have more fun and getting in the best shape of your life. We will pair you with a local gym that is convenient to you. See if you can avoid I-70 traffic all winter long.5.The Fight is Strong in Colorado From world-class research facilities to amazing nonprofits making a serious difference, Colorado is playing a significant role in the fight against cancer. As we expand to Colorado, we look forward to developing new partnerships with medical institutions, organizations and nonprofits, all while contributing to the charities that are helping win the fight against cancer. Have we convinced you yet? Sign up here for the inaugural Rumble in the Rockies at the Fillmore Auditorium on June 14th!
Read more ›Showing 231 to 240 of 445 results