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Thursday Jun 14, 2018
Boxer in Training: Matt Grendal
You’ve heard who they are and why they’re fighting. But now that we’re over the halfway mark until the big night on May 18th, things have started to pick up a bit. Training is getting more intense. They’ve been punched in the face. Most have had a bloody nose here or there, their diets have changed, and boxing is becoming an everyday part of their lives. So we figured it was about time to check back in and see how things have been going. Matt Grendal has been putting in work at Elite Boxing & Fitness and below you’ll hear about his first time sparring and more about his experience with Haymakers thus far.We're halfway to fight night, how is your training coming along? I think my training has been going well. Starting brand new on day one to now I have noticed a significant change for the better. I have tried to absorb everything my trainers have told me to do even though my performance doesn't always reflect it.What is your weekly routine? I do not have a set weekly routine because it varies week to week. However, the constants are cardio, lifting, boxing drills, 1 on 1 sessions and sparring. I think the big difference in my routine compared to other fighters is I play 5-6 hours every night of "Mike Tyson's Punchout" on Nintendo. Like Ric Flair always said, "To be the man you gotta beat the man." That starts with beating video game versions of Mike Tyson.How has your diet changed since training began? I was a steady diet of Taco Bell until recently when Julie tried to sabotage my summer bod/abs by telling me to stop cutting weight. After that conversation, I started to mix up by diet by adding Ben and Jerry's ice cream who happened to recently release new flavors/limited batches. Like Bodhi in "Point Break" (the original movie, not that garbage sequel) I'm not missing that "50-Year Storm." Joke's on Julie though! Even with these changes my summer bod/abs are still on point so I really might have to change my diet to stop dropping weight & gain some. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯Tell us about your first time sparring, different than expected? haha just a little bit! I thought I would be sparring against someone around my skill level or a little bit better. Boy, was I wrong! I'm pretty sure this guy was sculpted by the gods. He was a massive human with his speed and strength that you very rarely see unless it's at a professional level. After we sparred, I learned he was studying neurology so he saved me a trip to the hospital by not diagnosing me with a concussion. That was an added bonus to the hard lesson he taught me.What has been the most challenging part of sticking to the routine and training so far? At the orientation, the H4H team & previous fighters kept on stressing the good and bad days which didn't register with me. I played sports my entire life so if I had a bad day I'd be pissed but I would let it go after a few minutes. Boxing is completely different & they were right. One day you had a great 1x1 session or spar session then the next day you get pummelled to an all time low. The wave of emotions in this sport are crazy! Trying to manage all the emotions and mental aspect has been the most challenging without a doubt!What does your family think of your participation? Does verbal abuse from my father & brothers count as supportive? I'm kidding......sort of. It's for a great cause so they are happy I'm doing something positive and making an impact. I've appreciated them throughout this process since they have been helping with the fundraising & one of my brothers even joined the gym, Elite Boxing & Fitness. He's only a few months into it but he's already the greatest boxer in the world, just ask him.It's amazing how many people's lives have been touched by cancer in some way - has there been anyone that has surprised you by their story? Every story about cancer is unique. One day you hear about someone kicking cancer's ass then the following you hear how hard someone fought but couldn't get past it. It's a wave of emotions with this disease & why I'm glad I'm part of this great organization raising money to #KOCANCER.Has your initial inspiration changed since the start of training? No, my loved ones are still my inspiration but knowing everyone else has their own unique inspirations is a pretty amazing feeling. Where else in the world do you have a group of people from all different backgrounds willing to battle each other to beat cancer? Win or lose, we are making an impact!Donate to Matt's page or purchase a ticket to Rock 'N Rumble VII on May 18th here!
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Thursday Jun 14, 2018
Boxer in Training: Nathaniel Short
You’ve heard who they are and why they’re fighting. But now that we’re over the halfway mark until the big night on May 18th, things have started to pick up a bit. Training is getting more intense. They’ve been punched in the face. Most have had a bloody nose here or there, their diets have changed, and boxing is becoming an everyday part of their lives. So we figured it was about time to check back in and see how things have been going. Nathaniel Short has been putting in work at EverybodyFights and below you’ll hear about his first time sparring and more about his experience with Haymakers thus far.We’re halfway to fight night, how is your training coming along? Training is coming along well. The last two months have been full of highs and lows, joys and frustrations but most of all it has been a great challenge for myself. I have learned and improved over the last two months and pushed myself to limits I forgot I was capable of anymore. The next two months will be key and I have to find the next level of intensity to ensure I put on a good show!What is your weekly routine? My weekly routine has been mixed between morning and evening works outs. I spend 2+ hours a day working on technique, conditioning and learning from boxers with experience. I also spend a lot of time watching boxing videos and matches.How has your diet changed since training began? My diet has completely changed over the last two months. I have only been eating vegetables and protein, Gallons of water and no carbohydrates. I used to frequent Chipotle and love chicken wings, this has been completely cut out of my diet. I walk around hungry 100% of the time but this is nothing compared to people fighting cancer!Tell us about your first time sparring, different than expected? Sparring was a very nerve jangling experience, I was told nerves were good for you…. But I am not so sure about it. The most difficult thing about sparring is hitting people in the face you know and like, that is until they hit you. I haven’t done too much sparring of recent due to an injury but looking forward to ramping it up until fight night.What has been the most challenging part of sticking to the routine and training so far? The most challenging thing has been fitting the training in around my work schedule and travel. Since we have been training I have been to Cali twice, Mexico and Carolina. I have managed to continue eating clean and running while I have been traveling but it kind of gets you out of the groove. I also have other obligations like selling my house (which is under agreement now – thankfully) and continuing to assist my wife with our non-profit Pitbull Rescue. The Pittie Stop is a foster based rescue we founded two years to help a breed in need and it is very much a big part of our daily lives. But so far I have managed to keep going despite the hurdles I have faced.What does your family think of your participation? My family think it is awesome and seek weekly updates and videos. My wife was hesitant to start with but has been brilliant keeping me going through the tough days and dealing with my constant HANGRY state. Come fight night I hope they will be proud of the commitment and dedication for such a great cause.It’s amazing how many people’s lives have been touched by cancer in some way - has there been anyone that has surprised you by their story? I would say that everyone’s story has touched me. I think that these things are difficult to articulate and express in such an outwardly way to strangers or in such a public forum. No one likes to talk about cancer and the effects it has on people but this event really starts to bring people together. It helps people feel like they are, in some ways helping their loved ones through their battle. There is a certain helplessness or loss for words in these times, so Haymakers gives you a voice.Has your initial inspiration changed since the start of your training? My initial inspiration has not really changed, although I was told on Monday that my aunt has found another lump and will have to go through further testing. So I will use this as extra motivation to fundraise and train that little bit harder. I do have a friend called Ben who has a pretty tough story, his brother was diagnosed with GIST cancer. We all ran marathons and half marathons two weekends ago to help raise awareness and raise money. His brother Leon will be added inspiration to my quest.Donate to Nano's page or purchase a ticket to Rock 'N Rumble VII on May 18th here!
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Thursday Jun 14, 2018
Boxer in Training: Kim Lipman
You’ve heard who they are and why they’re fighting. But now that we’re over the halfway mark until the big night on May 18th, things have started to pick up a bit. Training is getting more intense. They’ve been punched in the face. Most have had a bloody nose here or there, their diets have changed, and boxing is becoming an everyday part of their lives. So we figured it was about time to check back in and see how things have been going. Kim Lipman has been putting in work at Sorabella Training Center and below you’ll hear about her first time sparring and more about her experience with Haymakers thus far.We're halfway to fight night, how is your training coming along? I've played sports all my life and nothing is as challenging as boxing. Physically it is demanding, it's ridiculously technical, and mentally sometimes it feels impossible. And yet, I'm developing a love for the sport. I understand why it is called the great equalizer. The first month, I was training like crazy... boxing lessons, boxing class, lifting, running, walking for weight loss. Literally, multiple of those in the same day. And then I sparred. And realized I was doing it all wrong. More wasn't better. I had to get smarter and do it fast if I was going to learn how to box. It took a change of perspective, and a weekly rest day, to start getting in the groove. Sparring is still hard, and every day this feels challenging, but I'm loving it. I'm starting to remember what it feels like to be an athlete again and I get to do it with the motivation of all my supporters and the people we are fighting for.What is your weekly routine? I wish I had a routine! My work schedule is such that I travel a lot. Most weeks I have 1-3 nights "on the road." I'm lucky in that when I am home, I have coaching that is flexible to my schedule. I don't know how I could ever do this otherwise. I'm making a point to get a weekly rest day and am mastering traveling with days worth of breakfasts and lunches. I probably look like a hobo.How has your diet changed since training began? I LOVE food. And quite frankly, I LOVE drinking too. I love going to beer and food events so when I say I need to pick my battles, I really mean it. I'm on a good weight loss trajectory, but need to keep on it diligently. The good news is that when I'm home, I love to cook so eating healthy takes some planning, but it's been fun to make a normal dinner into a really good meal. I've also made a habit of posting what I make on Instagram because my not so secret dream is to be on the Food Network. (Bobby Flay is ignoring my requests to be on the Next Food Network Star... but I'm going to keep being persistent)Tell us about your first time sparring, different than expected? I'm going to keep this one simple... what you think your body is doing, and what it is ACTUALLY doing... two different things. Plus, it's pretty much the most exhausting 2 minutes someone can imagine.What has been the most challenging part of sticking to the routine and training so far? When I get frustrated, I basically want to kill an entire box of Cheez-its and then chase it with an old fashioned. I think they call that "eating your feelings." And the frustration can come from training, diet, the other part of your life (work, family, friends), anything! I'm really focusing on staying positive, working hard, and knowing what is within my control and what isn't. The reality is the only thing I can control is my own attitude, so I keep reminding myself of that when I feel like I want to take a break from it all.What does your family think of your participation? My parents went to the Belles event in October, so they really got to see what Haymakers is like and how grandiose it is. While I'm sure the idea of getting punched or injured is not exciting for them, they have really got behind me on this journey. My Mom is totally healthy, but had a pretty good scare about a year ago. And my Dad has an excellent prognosis, but he was diagnosed with cancer at the end of last year. They know I'm working my tail off and I want to make sure that I make them proud.It’s amazing how many people’s lives have been touched by cancer in some way - has there been anyone that has surprised you by their story? This question is hard, because there are so many stories. People have donated, then reached out to send me private messages about what their friends and family are going through, or went through. My uncle has gone into remission because of a new drug. A teenager in my town passed away after a long battle with brain cancer. I didn't get to meet her, but she is someone important to my trainer. The rawness of that one stung even though I never met Zoe. All I can say is this experience and humbling and truly life changing.Has your initial inspiration changed since the start of your training? When I started, I wanted to make a difference. To help. To show support to those that I care about. It almost felt tangible, like the donation money was this thing that we could contribute. As soon as that first donation and message hit, things starting evolving. I don't know how to explain it, but it's taken on a life of its own. I know I feel inspired every day and I know I want to do better. I'm competitive and wanted to win, but now, I'm more aware of the small wins-the kind words of encouragement, the empathy shown after a tough training session, people donating their time to my preparation, and of course the donations.Donate to Kim or purchase a ticket to Rock 'N Rumble VII on May 18th here!
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Thursday Jun 14, 2018
Boxer in Training: Ryan Coffey
You’ve heard who they are and why they’re fighting. But now that we’re over the halfway mark until the big night on May 18th, things have started to pick up a bit. Training is getting more intense. They’ve been punched in the face. Most have had a bloody nose here or there, their diets have changed, and boxing is becoming an everyday part of their lives. So we figured it was about time to check back in and see how things have been going. Ryan Coffey has been putting in work at Nonantum Boxing Club and below you’ll hear about his first time sparring and more about his experience with Haymakers thus far.We’re more than halfway to fight night, how is your training coming along? My training is going well. I feel like I am in great shape and have improved a lot in terms of boxing. But still, have a lot of work to do.What is your weekly routine? Normally it is Monday and Fridays working one on with my trainer Shane, Tuesday / Thursday doing a class with a run in the morning, Wednesday sparring, Saturday class and sparring. But it variesHow has your diet changed since training began? It has changed a lot. I have lost about 18 pounds since December which is crazy. I really just eat as healthy as possible and have made all my snacks healthy or protein heavy. Nuts, beef jerky, hard boiled eggs. Stuff like that. I also started ordering my meals through SoulFu3l, which is a meal prep company out of Southie. One of their founders is a friend of mine, Christina Morris, who actually participated in Belles of the Brawl. Their food has been awesome and helped clean up my diet.Tell us about your first time sparring, different than expected? It was what I thought it would be physically, exhausting. Mentally, I didn’t think it was going to be so hard. I was sparring with Joe O’Brien and Jeff Scola and we all have gotten so close through training that it was weird to have to go in there and punch each other. But like I said, mentally it is very difficult and draining.What has been the most challenging part of sticking to the routine and training so far? The mental aspect of it. Life itself is a grind, with work and what not. Then having to be up and ready to go for training is extremely hard. Often times my day has been long and grueling from work and then having to go fight or run or any type of training, it’s hard to stay energized/What does your family think of your participation? They have been awesome. My brother Sean participated in Haymakers a couple years ago so he knows all about it. I have relied heavily on him for advice and guidance. Can’t thank him enough. My dad has really taken to it as well. He loves boxing and loves that fact I am doing it so he tries to help as much as he can. But most importantly, my mom. I am fighting for her so she is the one that I see and instantly get focused on what I have to do. She is amazing.It’s amazing how many people’s lives have been touched by cancer in some way - has there been anyone that has surprised you by their story? No one story, in particular, has surprised me. What has surprised me is how many people really know about haymakers or have had someone they know participate. It is such a remarkable event and its reach is crazy. So I am just honored to be a part of it.Has your initial inspiration changed since the start of your training? No, my inspiration remains for my mom, my cousin and all who have fought or continue to fight cancer. But I think on top of that I want to perform well for Nonantum Boxing Club, and my trainer Shane. They have been awesome and so helpful. I can’t thank them enough, especially for the times, I get a little heated!Donate to Ryan or purchase a ticket to Rock 'N Rumble VII on May 18th here!
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Thursday Jun 14, 2018
What They're Fighting For
With 32 different men and women stepping into the ring for the first time on May 18th you can imagine there must be a lot of nerves and emotions swirling around. Excitement, fear, anticipation, hope, dread, the list goes on. They all have someone they are fighting for, they all have individual things driving them. Their lives have all been touched by cancer in some way. As fight night is approaching get an inside look as to what motivates these brave men and women who are stepping in the ring to literally knock out cancer.I care about everyone and my heart goes out to every battle, but come fight night I'm gonna have only this amazing woman on my mind. My awesome sister, Jessica Bailey. A kick-butt mom to my nephews. A faithful wife to my brother-in-law. The light in my parents eyes. I fight for THIS family! These kids. This husband. And this woman. – Ben PeaseOver the past ten years, cancer has affected my friends and family. It hit first in high school where one of my friend's mothers lost her battle with cancer. From there it was year after year. So many good people lost their battle too early. So for me, it is easy to get in the ring and work my ass off to honor these great people. So to the Pietrantonios, Hallet's, Milligan's, Glaser's, Marenna's, Turner's, Galotti's and my family, the Morrissey’s… This one is for you. – Brian MorrisseyI decided I would fight for her again on May 18th, just a few days after Mother’s Day, because she didn’t get another chance to fight. – Sam SurfaceIt’s pretty hard to walk through life and not know a friend, co-worker or family member who has been affected by cancer. Medical research has come a long way to defeating cancer and if any of the funds I can raise through Haymakers can move the needle a degree closer to zeroing out the cancer equation – then I am all in. – Dan MacgregorCancer affects so many people. For me, it is easy to put myself in this type of hardship because I know cancer patients and families are going through something exponentially harder. Cancer has touched each one of my grandparents. – Pat RodgersI am not stepping in the ring because I think I am Rocky or some next wanna be light heavyweight champion of the world! I am jumping in the ring for a good cause, I am raising money to help find a cure for cancer. I am fighting for the family members I have lost due to cancer, my friends currently battling it and for anyone else experiencing the struggles of cancer. I am fighting for the lady standing next to me, my Aunt Liz!! My aunt is a real fighter, she doesn't know when to quit, she is as tough as they come and refuses to let life's struggles keep her down. She is currently battling cancer but doing it with a smile on her face, she is still actively working out and still goes to work. I know she worries but she wouldn't let anyone know! She is my inspiration! Now come fight night whether I win, lose or draw. I know that the money I raised will help in some way and that to me is worth more than the win! Liz when I grow up I want to be just like you... but with man bits – Nathaniel ShortAt my aunt’s house, there are pictures of my cousin Jason Garfield playing peewee hockey and I never met him because he lost his battle as a teenager. My cousin Brianna Boston passed away when she was about 6 years old from brain cancer. She spent much of my high school soccer season on the sidelines with my jersey on. My parents have both had scares, but are luckily ok. At the end of the day, I am like everyone else in that I could fill pages of the friends and family that I think about even just in the first few weeks of training. – Kim LipmanLike many cancer has impacted my loved ones, even more so in the past few years. None closer to home than my mother's battle. Throughout her treatments Mom kicked ass! Enduring everything thrown at her with courage, grace, and a fighter's spirit. Taking cancer's best shots, and kept moving forward. It's a helpless feeling wanting to, but not being able to take her place bearing the treatment's effects. For my mother a survivor, and for Papou, Uncle, and Cousin who are no longer with us. In doing that -- I'll endure physically (small in comparison) to finding a cure for those who eventually won't need to suffer. – Matt NolanThis picture is of my Dad and me taken over 40 years ago. He died ~20 years later in August 1996 from stomach cancer. He was a diaspora Christian Armenian who immigrated to the US in the 1950's from Iran to study at Northeastern U. Like me he was a husky kid (think thigh rash/chub rub) In college, he took up boxing and body building - competing in both and transforming his physique. He even won the Mr. Worcester muscle man competition. He met and married my mom who is 2nd generation Irish ☘️and the rest is history...I grew up in a family of four boys...My oldest brother Greg who loved the fighting arts died tragically at age 22. That was very hard for us all but drew us closer together. My Dad was the glue. He was quite proud to see all of his sons play varsity tennis at Harvard. My brother Leon @chicken_baba was even a member of the Harvard Boxing Club. And he was very proud to see my older brother Peter and I Captain the team, compete in the NCAA's, play professionally and become world ranked @atpworldtour . He beamed as each of us went back to Harvard for graduate degrees, worked by his side helping him fight cancer and start our own families. Perhaps his most proud moments and times of utter joy were felt when he interacted with his grandchildren. I am very sad that his time with my children and my nieces and nephew was limited and he did not even meet them all. It was a gruesome end to watch him ravaged by cancer not able to eat and go from 200lbs to 80lbs in the 4 months before his passing. I am fighting in his memory. I am also fighting for some beloved friends who are battling cancer and who I'm am confident will win those battles. I believe that the healing power of love and positive energy and prayer can produce miracles. – Paul PalandjianPediatric cancer is a thief, plain and simple. Children should be given the ability to experience life. To run around with their friends and laugh like lunatics. Break a bone or two. Seeing their child’s first tottering steps. All of these little moments that so many of us take for granted are pipe dreams for some of these kids. The mere thought both saddens and enrages me. I want to do something – anything – that can give these kids a fighting chance to experience a meaningful life. That’s why I’m fighting in Haymakers. – Tim MorinHaymaker's gives me the opportunity to give back to the world in the form of a great charity to help fight cancer. I lost two of my favorite family members...my grandfather and an aunt ....and another family member has been recently diagnosed...so I am happy to try to raise money for this worthy cause. – Michael WoodenThe Haymakers team has asked us to share pictures and stories of the people who have inspired us to fight and even though I know you love my black eye pics, this is what it's all about... My cousin Hannah (24, melanoma) and my grandfather GranDon (80, pancreatic) both tragically lost their cancer battles a year apart in the late 90s just as I was finishing middle school. Both of them were truly extraordinary people, so kind-hearted and brilliant and taken from us way too soon. It was the first time in my life that I had experienced loss like this and it was in many ways even more difficult to watch the way in which cancer took them. This had a dramatic effect on me as an impressionable kid. That following year I entered high school and fell in love with the sciences, especially biology, because I wanted answers and to find some way to be able to prevent this from ever happening to anyone else that I loved. Fast forward to my 30s, I have continued along that path now managing the Human Immunology Center at Brigham & Women's Hospital. While my childhood dream of finding a cure has yet to manifest itself I do feel a sense of accomplishment having devoted my life in many ways beyond just this fight in memory of them. I know that they are smiling down on me and my family and will no doubt be there in my corner on May 18th! – Adam ChicoineNearly 5 years ago, my mom Ann was diagnosed with cancer. This is not a sad story, but a story of courage, combativeness, and fight. Just like her, I am going to fight like hell, keeping her and everyone else who has battled or continues to battle this awful disease. – Ryan Coffey"You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and the manner in which you live," said Scott. "So live. Live. Fight like hell. And when you get too tired to fight, lay down and rest and let somebody else fight for you." I’m fighting for those who are too tired to fight. – Nick ByrneMy family lost my Dad in 1998 at 59 years old, just before my wedding and then we lost my sister four years ago at age 50. My Dad had stage IV non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. He never had a chance but for the sake of those that might fight this disease in the future, he voluntarily subjected himself to what were at the time, state of the art but still experimental treatments at MGH. We lost him on March 16, 1998. He was in the Ellison Building on the 11th floor and we watched him pass while saying my grandmothers favorite prayer, a Hail Mary. My sister's bout with cancer was deceivingly fast. She went to the hospital believing she was suffering from a stroke. Turns out it started as Lung Cancer but it had metastasized to her brain and eventually reached her spinal fluid. We lost her Feb 1, 2014. When you ask someone about cancer, everyone has a loved one that, win or lose, has suffered from this horrible disease. The names are coming at me from everywhere and I'm fighting for them all. – Matt KiltyGrowing up I saw my great grandmother, Anna Capone, my grandmothers, Helen Grendal & Margaret Capone then my good friend, Jeff Parker, all battle then succumb to this horrible disease. My memories of them laughing & smiling will help drive me to my goal. Taking a few punches & raising some money to #KOCancer is the least I could do for people I loved. – Matt GrendalFighting in memory of my Father who passed away at the age of 42 from cancer. Help me make sure no child is every forced to navigate through the fight that is life with one hand tied behind their back!! – Anton MelchiondaMy inspiration has and always will be fighting in honor if my father. – Joe O’BrienI'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. – Michael AbbateEveryone has their stories with how cancer has impacted their lives, and for years I feel like my stories kept growing. From my mother being given a 25% chance of being alive in 5 years (that was 10 years ago and she is now cancer free), to my oldest and best friend passing away a year ago…I just couldn’t sit on the sidelines anymore. Marathons and golf tournaments weren’t enough, I wanted to fight. So I am. – Paul GrossmanI am drawing my inspiration from the memories of my Mother, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at the young age of 40, and passed away March 3, 2006. If getting punched in the face in front of a few people is the only price I have to pay to help raise money to find a cure; how can I walk away from that? – Brian CurranSeveral people in my life have been affected by cancer. My mother has had it twice. She finished treatment about a month ago and everything looks good. I lost my grandmother a little over 10 years ago to lung cancer. Also my coworker and close friend of mine lost his sister last year to cancer. Seeing how strong everyone was and everything they went through motivates me to get in the ring. – Matthew Christensen Every day, millions of men and women throughout the world fight cancer. Haymakers for Hope is allowing us to train harder than the next guy and raise a few bucks to #KOCANCER. Think about the person closest to you that is fighting or has fought cancer with all their might – THAT'S who I'm fighting for. – Kyle GrossLike so many of us I've been personally affected by cancer in several ways, having friends and loved ones diagnosed throughout my life. However the severity and reality of the disease really hit home on Feb. 5th 2016 when my then-girlfriend (now fiance) was diagnosed with breast cancer at 27 years old. I've watched her fight day in and day out for the last year through 2 rounds of chemotherapy, 2 surgeries, radiation, and countless hours spent at MGH to beat this disease. She's finally done with the majority for the majority of treatment and is officially cancer free. She is an inspiration in every sense of the word, even finding time to fund-raise for the Ellie Fund while still undergoing chemo and radiation. I figure it's about time I pull my weight and pick up the fight along with her. – Jeff ScolaMy older sister participated in an earlier Haymakers for Hope bout and it was very impressive. Since then I added it to my bucket list. Being involved with a great organization (like) Haymakers for Hope and raising money for Dana-Farber is a great privilege. – Mike McgonagleMy Girlfriend's grandmother just had a recent battle with cancer. She is 77 years old. Fortunately she was able to overcome it and is now cancer free. Seeing her have to go to radiation therapy Monday through Friday for six weeks. The whole family was chipping in alternating days driving her to therapy. That was motivating for me. What was most inspiring though was seeing her ring the cancer free bell at her last appointment. – Vinnie Murphy
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Thursday Jun 14, 2018
Friends Who Fight
Most of us are taught from a very young age that the best way to make a friend is to seek out someone that you have things in common with. A kindred spirit. Another human being with similar interests, shared passions, and comparable goals to your own.Someone you can talk with for hours.Someone with whom the hours can fly by, as if mere minutes. Someone you can just, you know, punch in the face real hard. .............“Don’t go befriending the enemy.”This is the advice given to most boxers. To empathize and have compassion for your opponent yields little to no competitive advantage. This too was the general counsel given to both Lydia Davis and Tammy Schuetz Cook by their respective trainers, Marc Gargaro and Sione Tu’uKofe Finau, prior to arriving at the Haymakers For Hope’s “Orientation Night”. Here, each fighter would get a look at his or her opponent for the first time. Generally the fighters don’t interact before or after sparring; it’s all quite serious business. However, once Lydia and Tammy found themselves in the same room, they couldn’t overlook their obvious commonality. Of all the fighters, they were the only two women in the room. From this, they were both able to deduce two things. First, each would obviously be fighting the other. Second, in a situation such as this, it would be pretty rude not to at least say hello. “I knew I would like her,” Tammy recalls about seeing Lydia. After a brief conversation, her fears were confirmed. “I was immediately like, crap. I like her.”“It really felt like fate that we came together to fight,” Lydia adds, having felt the same way upon meeting Tammy. Things only got worse when they later found themselves sitting side-by-side for over eight hours at media day. While most of the other fighters didn’t allow for the interactions with their opponents to venture beyond the superficial and polite, Tammy and Lydia dug in. What each of them found in the other was a person so similar to herself that each knew this would be more than just a passing acquaintanceship. Both were fighting for someone who had lost their battle with cancer in the months that had preceded their meeting. Both were writers. They held the same political views. Both were driven by creative endeavors. Both suffered from acute tardiness. Both liked to talk. A lot. They had both managed to marry men that were pretty similar, and they even realized that Tammy’s first day ever visiting London coincided with Lydia’s wedding day there. Everything about their friendship felt serendipitous and predetermined. No, this wouldn’t be one of those commonplace, dime-a-dozen friendships where a person just knocks their friend unconscious and moves on. Fate had brought these two together to meet each other. And then, to beat each other. And beat each other they did. For two people with such affection for each other, both put all they had into destroying the other in the ring. During the match, there was no sign that these two were BFF’s, unless it stood for Bloodied Female Fighter. “I don’t think people expected us to go full tilt, punch for punch,” Tammy remembers. “I think on fight night most fighters perform at a level their trainers had already seen in training, but I think we both took it to a level we hadn’t before.”“That was definitely the hardest I had ever gone,” Lydia confirms. “Afterwards people in the crowd said it was by far one of the most intense fights of the night.”What the crowd didn’t get to witness was just how savagely the two treated each other in the moments before their fight. “I heard that the day that would follow our fight was Lydia’s birthday, so I snuck into her dressing room and left her a little gift,” Tammy says. “My trainer wouldn’t even let me open!” Lydia laughs. “I remember a great moment right before we went on where we caught each other’s eye and smiled at each other even though we knew we shouldn’t!”Savage. So, now that the fight has come and gone, how do Lydia and Tammy feel about their choice to embrace, rather than vilify, their opponent? “I think that being friends made the fight night itself much easier,” Lydia says. “No matter what happened, it was going to be a good experience.”“I have no regrets about how our established friendship affected the experience,” Tammy agrees. “It was a big part of the joy of it all. I had made a really good friend.”More than anything else, the two fighters agree that their friendship allows their Haymakers experience to extend far beyond the fight itself. “It’s difficult for someone to understand the Haymakers’ experience who hasn’t gone through it,” Lydia says. “It was the hardest thing ever, but we did it,” Tammy adds. “It’s wonderful when people come up to you and say after seeing you fight, I want to do this,’” Lydia says. “It feels really good to be an inspiration to someone,” Tammy agrees. “And the fact that we were able to raise so much money to fight cancer as part of it is better than anything.”Recently, the two fighters continued to be role models for others within the context of their friendship, demonstrating together in Boston for the Women’s March on January 21st, 2017. Tammy donned her boxing sweatshirt with the added message “#fightlikeagirl” proudly displayed on her back. Both women are committed to making sure their voices and the voices of other women are heard by those in office and they don’t plan on stopping any time soon. “I just love the symbolism of our friendship,” Tammy says. “We came together to fight against each other. Today, we stand and fight together.”
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Thursday Jun 14, 2018
Belles of the Brawl V: Rebecca Beraldi
During the coming months, we’ll be highlighting our fighters in training for the upcoming Belles of the Brawl V in Boston on October 5th. They’ve committed to four months of fundraising and training in preparation to get in the ring and literally fight for a cure. Whether they've had first hand experience, 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 Rebecca Beraldi, fighting out of Jim McNally Boxing in North Reading, MA.Where are you from? I live in Andover, MA.Where did you go to college? Well, I spent one year at Community College; I was denied financial aid to attend major colleges and my parents couldn’t truly afford to send me to school. So I went to community college and would’ve loved to have finished and follow on at a state school – but I needed to work full time and couldn’t manage both school and work at that time. That’s okay though, higher education just wasn’t in the cards for me. That’s why I work so hard now so that my children won’t have to worry about that. JDid you play any sports growing up? Sadly, no. No team sports. I loved BMX racing and short distance running. Both solitary type of things, similar to boxing in that respect I suppose!What do you do for work? I am an entrepreneur – a small business owner! My husband and I own two adult beverage and gourmet shops. One we bought -- it was already existing; the other we built from the ground up. It was a lot of hard work, but it was exciting to watch something that you imagine in your head -- come to life. It’s a pretty physical job, unloading cases of beer and wine, etc., - those cases of champagne weigh upwards of 50lbs! But there’s also the retail and customer service side of the job that I absolutely love.Why boxing? Did you ever picture yourself fighting? Why not? ;) Actually, yes. My husband is a former boxer and currently a trainer. (He still mixes it up in the ring from time to time!) When I was getting in shape for our wedding, I joined a karate studio; after some time my Sensai started working me towards kickboxing. I loved it! I had expressed to my husband that I would love to try my hand at boxing; but at that point in time, there were very few women at boxing gyms in the Boston area, let alone training to compete. Thankfully that has changed over the last few years! I initially heard about Haymakers about 4 years ago when training at another gym and thought that it would be something I’d be interested in doing. And here I am today…. JWhy on Earth did you sign up to fight?? I’m a fairly competitive person – not so much with other people, but with myself. I’m always pushing myself to accomplish more. To be as good at what I’m doing as I possibly can be. And, I think I’m a fighter by nature. I put in my quote on my donation page what the definition of a fighter is: “fighter: a person with the will, courage, determination or disposition to fight, struggle, resist, etc.” I was fortunate that my parents instilled in me the confidence to feel that there was nothing I couldn’t accomplish if I put my mind to it. And while I’m not obstinate to the point of being impractical – I wouldn’t be where I am in life today if I listened to others who told me that I wasn’t able to do things, or that certain goals weren’t possible. I resisted, I have struggled – and even fought harder than I should’ve had to at times. But it’s all good. It’s made me a better person for it.You’re stepping into the ring to literally fight for a cure. Where are you drawing your inspiration from? How has Cancer affected you? Sadly, my story isn’t very different from many other stories. Who hasn’t Cancer touched?I lost my mother Rita 7 years ago to Lung Cancer. It was horribly quick…. 10 months from diagnosis to her passing. And what made it even worse was that she wasn’t even living in MA when she was diagnosed. She was in Florida at the time, and the day in July of 2009 when she called me and told me her biopsy came back malignant – I made a phone call to Dana Farber and had her scheduled for an appointment within 7 days. They were wonderful! All she needed to do was have her records copied for them. Unfortunately, my parents chose to have treatments where they lived and finally conceded to come back up for treatment at the Farber in December of 2009. At that point, the cancer despite her chemo and radiation prior had metastasized to her bones and her internal organs. She lived with my husband and our kids while she was going back and forth for treatments. After one round of chemo here in Boston that didn’t shrink anything, she opted to choose hospice. That was the last week of March; my mom passed on May 8th, the day before Mother’s Day 2010 in what was truly an emotional blur.This past weekend, a girl I graduated high school with passed away from a squamous cell skin cancer that affected her throat and tongue. Sadly, she lost her battle leaving behind her husband and two children who are far too young to be without their 46-year-old mother. One of my trainers, Jim McNally – his brother Bernie is battling Brain Cancer. And just today, one of my best friends was told that she has Thyroid Cancer. I’m so scared for her. Cancer is no longer a word you whisper in conversations; it’s in our faces, larger than life and we need to do something about it.These are just some of the many stories that I draw my inspiration from. Because in the big picture, my training and 6 minutes in the ring pale in comparison to the literal fight for their lives that far too many people are in.What is going to be the most difficult thing to give up during your training? (Beer, cheeseburgers, time spent watching tv?) The hardest thing for me is that I really enjoy having a glass or two of wine on the weekends. And Doritos. I love love love Doritos. When my husband goes food shopping and he buys them – I literally can’t stop thinking about them being in the cabinet! So I’m always secretly glad when the kids grab them before I notice they’re there…When you’re not throwing punches and training – what other hobbies/interests do you have? Well, I’m a full-time business owner, Mom and Uber Driver for my kids! Seriously, between my daughter’s softball practices and tournaments (she’s on 3 teams) and my son’s social calendar and his boxing training – who has time for a hobby? I enjoy relaxing and catching up on guilty pleasure television, hanging out with my husband and our awesome German Shepherd, Caesar. When the kids are older, I’ll develop new hobbies and interests, like traveling the world with my husband. Maybe we’ll buy a winery in France or something…Who do you think is the most excited to watch you get punched in the face come fight night? Oooh, good question. Not my husband – he’s one of my trainers! I’m not sure, hopefully, no one! I’d like to think that no one wants to see me take a punch to the face. Except, of course, my opponent – whomever she may be. ;) Be sure to check out her fundraising page here and wish her luck! Best of luck, Rebecca!
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Thursday Jun 14, 2018
Belles of the Brawl V: Adrian Wright-Fitzgerald
During the coming months, we’ll be highlighting our fighters in training for the upcoming Belles of the Brawl V in Boston on October 5th. They’ve committed to four months of fundraising and training in preparation to get in the ring and literally fight for a cure. Whether they've had first hand experience, 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 Adrian Wright-Fitzgerald, fighting out of EverybodyFights in South Boston, MA.Where are you from? I am from Benton, PA. Think small, rural farm town deep in the rolling hillsides of northeastern Pennsylvania. It is a close-knit community, and I graduated with less than 50 people in my high school class.Where did you go to college? Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PADid you play any sports growing up? I was always active, running around like a wild child growing up – soccer, ballet, and horseback riding were some of my first sports. Through middle school and high school, I played field hockey and ran track. I switched gears in college and was a member of the Women’s Rowing team at Duquesne. After college (and a few stints with recreational league softball, kickball, and beach volleyball – all of which I discovered I am pretty terrible at) I started to take up distance running– it was the easiest thing to do without a gym, and I love being outside. Since college, I have run 7 half-marathons and 3 full marathons.What do you do for work? I am an Athletic Trainer – a licensed healthcare provider specializing in injury and illness prevention, wellness promotion and education, emergent care, examination and clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention, and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions.I have worked as an athletic trainer in college athletics for years, but currently am a full time faculty member in the Physical Therapy and Athletic Training Department at Boston University. In my free time, I am a consulting specialist for the company O2X, where I teach injury prevention workshops with tactical athlete groups like the Boston Fire Department.Why boxing? Did you ever picture yourself fighting? This sounds sort of silly - an athletic trainer willingly getting punched in the face?A few years ago I never would have pictured myself boxing, or fighting. I originally joined EBF for supplementary cross training while I was in marathon training, however I quickly grew to love boxing. The first time I ever put on gloves, I knew that boxing was going to be for me. I have never tried something new that felt so right, it sparked a fire in me, and I have never looked back since. Fighting terrifies me (if I’m being honest) but it is also a challenge that I genuinely look forward to. I love the mental challenge that it brings with it, the combination of footwork, balance, breathing, reaction, and absolute strength and power.Why on Earth did you sign up to fight?? I signed up because seeing others do it has been so inspiring - it is a journey and challenge that I knew from the first moment I started learning how to box that I wanted to undertake. I signed up because I have the physical ability to train and fight, when so many do not. I am passionate about giving back to others, making a impact, and leading my example, and I hope that my hard work and dedication inspires others to tackle their own fight- whatever that may be.You’re stepping into the ring to literally fight for a cure. Where are you drawing your inspiration from? How has Cancer affected you? I am fighting for every person who is battling or has lost their battle - they are the strongest people I know and the most courageous fighters. I can get in the ring and take hits, for that is no comparison to rounds of chemo, surgery, radiation, or the devastation of losing a loved one.I am also drawing inspiration from a few specific people. I lost my best friend and my grandmother a day apart from each other when I was 15. That was my first real experience with loss - and a double whammy at that. Those losses changed my life, and I fight every day to honor the fight that they showed during their illnesses. I would give anything to tell them I love them one more time - but I draw inspiration from the fact that my work here might give someone else that chance, one more chance to smile, laugh and hug their loved ones.Another person that I draw inspiration from is Sandy Hoffman, a friend and colleague from Bentley University. After a lengthy process of misdiagnosis, Sandy was diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer- adrenal cortical carcinoma - and was given only months to live. Being one of the toughest and most selfless people I have ever met -Sandy coached and worked tirelessly throughout her cancer treatments, giving a new meaning to the term “strong.” She gives me inspiration to this day to “Get Tough” as she liked to tell her volleyball players. During Sandy’s battle, her volleyball players raised money for rare cancer research through a campaign called “Dig Lavendar.” Their funds were subsequently donated to Dana Farber, where Sandy had been treated. It is my honor to continue this fundraising journey with Dana Farber in search of a cure.The following quote was listed in Sandy’s obituary:“It’s impossible”, said pride. “It’s risky” said experience. “Give it a try” whispered the HEART.” This quote sums up both Sandy, and my inspiration to tackle this journey.What is going to be the most difficult thing to give up during your training? (Beer, cheeseburgers, time spent watching tv?) I love food. I don't really crave sweets, which is good - but the salty foods are my downfall. I could eat pizza every day, and I am really going to miss Taco Tuesdays and sitting on the porch with a cold glass of Rosé in the summerWhen you’re not throwing punches and training – what other hobbies/interests do you have? Live music! Traveling, cooking, sitting on the beach with a good book, paddle boarding (ok anything on or around water), spending time with friends, family, my three nephews back in PA and my god-daughter in PittsburghWho do you think is the most excited to watch you get punched in the face come fight night? My best friends from college, and my old co-workers from Bentley University, for sure! They are all in my corner but secretly I know they cant wait to see me take a few hits. I know who ISN’T excited - most of my athletic training colleagues, as we are all well educated on the risks of head injury. I better keep my hands up!Be sure to check out her fundraising page here and wish her luck! Best of luck, Adrian!
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Thursday Jun 14, 2018
Rock ‘N Rumble VII: Pat Rodgers
During the coming months, we’ll be highlighting our fighters in training for the upcoming Rock ‘N Rumble VII in Boston, MA 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 Pat Rodgers, fighting out of Redline Fight Sports in Cambridge, MA.Where are you from? I grew up in Clinton, Mass. I now live in Somerville.Where’d you go to college? The ZOO! – I went to UMass Amherst and graduated from the Isenberg School of Management there. It was a blast.Did you play any sports growing up? In high school, I was captain of our football team as well as the track team. Now I stick to more outdoorsy activities like snowboarding and hiking.What do you do for work? I work at 451 Marketing and work on the new business side of things.Why boxing? Did you ever picture yourself fighting? I’ve always wanted to try boxing. I’m a pretty aggressive guy and definitely an adrenaline junky. I’ve pictured myself boxing before but never officially tried, this was a perfect scenario – help fight cancer and get an amazing opportunity to train and fight.Why on earth did you sign up to fight?? KO Cancer! But mainly because I know a handful of people who’ve participated in the past and they swear it was a life changing experience. I love pushing myself and testing my own limits.You’re stepping in the ring to literally fight for a cure - where are you drawing your inspiration from? How has cancer affected you? Cancer affects so many people. For me, it is easy to put myself in this type of hardship because I know cancer patients and families are going through something exponentially harder. Cancer has touched each one of my grandparents. On a lighter note, I had the amazing opportunity to donate bone marrow and got to meet the courageous man who received it, as well as his family – it was an awesome experience.What is going to be the most difficult thing to give up during your training? (beer, cheeseburgers, time spent watching TV?) Balance is the toughest but casually chugging beer while eating a cheeseburger and watching TV is right up there.When you’re not throwing punches and training -- what other hobbies/interests do you have? I’m big into snowboarding. I went to Lake Tahoe in March to ride a bunch of mountains out there and just finished some avalanche training courses on Mt. Washington.Who do you think is the most excited to watch you get punched in the face come fight night? My fraternity brothers and best friends, for sure! We’re all extremely tough on each other and this is the perfect opportunity for them to watch me get punched in the face. My coworkers are definitely a close 2nd. I know my mom, dad and sister all sub-consciously want to see me get beat up. And finally, my girlfriend, whether she admits it or not, would love to see me get hit!Be sure to check out his fundraising page here and wish him luck on Instagram! Best of luck, Pat!
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Thursday Jun 14, 2018
Rock ‘N Rumble VII: Brian Curran
During the coming months, we’ll be highlighting our fighters in training for the upcoming Rock ‘N Rumble VII in Boston, MA 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 Brian Curran, fighting out of The Way in Woburn, MA.Where are you from? I am from Delco, PA outside Philadelphia, PAWhere’d you go to college? U.S.M.C. Parris IslandDid you play any sports growing up? I played baseball for a number of yearsWhat do you do for work? I am a Boilermaker and hold my 1st Class Fireman license to operate High Pressure BoilersWhy Boxing? Did you ever picture yourself fighting? The boxing aspect is easy. My brother from another mother and fellow USMC veteran, Brandon Montella, is a professional boxer and owns the THE WAY LLC. The discipline required for the training, dieting, and mental preparation is something that has always intrigued me. I would say that I always dabbled in the thoughts of fighting. In the Marine Corps there was plenty of testosterone and altercations, but this type of fighting requires much more thought, discipline, and is a respected martial art in its own right.Why on earth did you sign up to fight? This is a layered question for me. First, to honor my Mother and to prove to myself that no matter what one is dealing with that anything is possible. I attended the Haymakers for Hope last year and was highly impressed at the entire event. I would say the proverbial seed was planted then.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 am drawing my inspiration from the memories of my Mother, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at the young age of 40, and passed away March 3, 2006. The cancer spread throughout her body, ending up in her brain. Cutting edge drugs and eventually brain surgery were not enough. She donated her body to the University of Pennsylvania so the cancer could be researched. She was a faithful Catholic, and when I asked her why she was donating her body instead of the traditional funeral, she told me “It’s the right thing to do if it can help save someone else down the road, then my fight has not been for nothing.” If getting punched in the face in front of a few people is the only price I have to pay to help raise money to find a cure; how can I walk away from that? Cancer crushed my world the time of her passing. The effect of it was felt by my entire family. For years, I battled anger, resentment, depression, etc. My family was equally devastated. Reflecting back, I now see some positives amongst the wretched pain. A family that was strong grew stronger. My sister Meghann does 60 mile” Walk for a Cure” every year and the entire neighborhood comes out and supports the family still. My bother Sean, continues to stay strong and successful, always holding true to the ways of our Mom. I saw my father, Brian Curran Sr., never leave her side, hold down two jobs, and saw (as sad as it was) that true love starts with a smile, grows with a kiss and ends with a tear. I can only hope to love a woman that strongly one day.What is going to be the most difficult thing to give up during your training? I got the call approx. 10 days ago that a spot opened up and I had the chance to fill in so, I would have to say the most difficult thing to give up would be excuses to not train.When not throwing punches and training what other hobbies/interests do you have? I am in a Chess club (love the game), volunteer time at the Veteran Affairs hospital, and do a lot of reading; eastern philosophy, Douglas Dietrich, and anything to expand the knowledge that is limitless in our world.Who do you think is the most excited to watch you get punched in the face come fight night? Hahahaha this list could be a long one! Veterans are a rough crowd, which I wouldn’t have any other way, but truth be told I’d have to say Julie. (That’s another story)Be sure to check out his fundraising page here! Best of luck, Brian!
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