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Thursday Jun 14, 2018
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 17th, 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 Hogan 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? Overall, training is going well. There is still a lot of work to be done and it is constantly a humbling experience. Sometimes, it feels like you take one step back just to take two steps forward. The sport of boxing in general is extremely humbling; when you think you might be hitting all the right buttons, it hits you right back (literally). You really can't get complacent or let your guard down.What is your weekly routine? My weekly routine consists of a good mix of boxing, cross-training, and running. At the same time, it is also consists of being mindful and taking care of my body. It is a tough training regimen and listening to my body has become so important. There just isn't enough time to take a few weeks off to let an injury heal; so you really have to stay on top of injury prevention. Which can be a real struggle. I make sure to schedule a full day off each week to recover, but make sure on that day to still move around a bit and stretch things out. Sleep and diet are also super important for both fueling my workouts and aiding in recovery.How has your diet changed since training began? There haven't been too many significant changes to my diet since training began. I would say my meals are just more well balanced and I have upped my caloric intake due to the intensity of training. I have learned that the timing of when I eat is one of the most important aspects of my diet in order to properly fuel for my workouts and to recover after my workouts. I have also cut out alcohol, which has definitely helped with my sleep and recovery. This was probably the hardest change to my diet. But once you get through those first few weeks, it is fairly easy to maintain when you have a goal in mind. I will be making up for that after May 17th though I am sure!Tell us about your first time sparring, different than expected? My first time sparring was pretty much what I expected. By that I mean, I expected to get hit and expected that it wouldn't feel good. I think the most surprising thing is just how quickly you can run out of gas. I felt like I was in great shape and I learned really fast that that doesn't necessarily translate to being in shape for the ring. You also spend a lot of time wondering why you can't get your body to do what your brain is telling it. It is just an entirely different type of body movement than we are used to outside of the ring. But with the right commitment it starts to slowly make sense and come together.What has been the most challenging part of sticking to the routine and training so far? The most challenging part has just been maintaining that consistency and balance for 4 months. You want to push yourself and train hard, but you also want to take care of your body in the process. Also, its a marathon not a sprint in some regards. You want to make sure that you don't burn yourself out early on and then need even more time to recover. That is where having a great group of trainers really helps. They make sure you stay on task and really understand the steps needed to prepare over these 4 months.What does your family think of your participation? My family is excited that I am participating. At first there were a lot of questions and some uncertainty, but that has changed as the process has gone on. I am sure most people have been in the same boat! My family and friends are definitely excited to attend the event and know just how hard I have been working.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? One of the most amazing things about this experience is that when people find out you are participating they share their own personal stories - which can be so motivating. And in many cases, I had no idea that some people in my life (or their loved ones) had fought or are fighting battles with cancer. The most incredible stories are from the people who received the most dire of diagnoses and given almost no hope they scraped and clawed back. They sought out the right doctors and the right facilities and were determined not to give up hope. Sometimes hope is all we have - I can't imagine a world without that.Has your initial inspiration changed since the start of your training? Going in to this process my initial inspirations were all personal. By that I mean that my inspirations were the people in my life that have been impacted by cancer. And then of course part of my motivation was and still is to push myself both physically and mentally. However, as training as gone on I find myself inspired by all of the other fighters participating in this event. In my case, I have the pleasure of training with several other fighters and seeing the effort they put in, day after day, inspires me to push myself as well. But its also seeing all of the other fighters sharing their stories on social media or through blog posts that I find incredibly inspiring. At the end of the day, no matter what our differences may be, we are all doing this for similar reasons and are united by that.Donate to Ryan or purchase a ticket to Rock 'N Rumble VIII on May 17th here!
Read more ›Thursday Jun 14, 2018
During the coming months, we’ll be highlighting our fighters in training for the upcoming Rumble in the Rockies in Denver on June 14th. 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 Shamus, fighting out of the Bodies by Perserverence.Where are you from? AlbuquerqueWhere’d you go to college? Pitt Did you play any sports growing up? Nothing that suggests I would be a boxer - cross country, track, basketball and golf. Rugby became my sport in college and after.What do you do for work? Product Manager for a building materials company Why boxing? Did you ever picture yourself fighting? I started out as a runner - my boxing coach likes to say to me, "you can fight or you can run, but you can't do both" which I think means I am still more of a runner than a fighter. Boxing is raw competition in the most pure form - I have always been interested to see how I would stand up to the test. Why on earth did you sign up to fight?? I still ask myself that most early mornings on my way to the gym and it is the first thing my friends ask when I tell them about the bout coming up. Several things happened at the same time that all directed me to H4H. I decided to not believe in coincidences and take this opportunity to do something meaningful.You’re stepping in the ring to literally fight for a cure - where are you drawing your inspiration from? How has cancer affected you? A colleague had just started her fight with cancer when I was approached to help network and find potential fighters. I lost a grandmother to cancer and, as I talked with others about this charity, I was reminded that it is rare to come across a person that doesn't have a personal connection and motivation to see cancer gone. I have four boys and want cancer to be far less common when they are adults.What is going to be the most difficult thing to give up during your training? (beer, cheeseburgers, time spent watching TV?) I realized the irony of chewing tobacco while fighting for a cure, so I have given that up. Giving up sleeping to train has been harder than giving up the ol chaw, which is surprising.When you’re not throwing punches and training -- what other hobbies/interests do you have? I am the proud father of four boys under 7 and a husband to a rockstar wife who has been really encouraging in this process. We decided that there was not enough happening in our lives and got a rescue puppy recently... What is a hobby?Who do you think is the most excited to watch you get punched in the face come fight night? I am perfect for this charity because that is a long list...Be sure to check out his fundraising page here and wish him luck!
Read more ›Thursday Jun 14, 2018
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 17th, 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. Erik Johnson has been putting in work at Union Street Boxing 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 going well. I’m down 8 pounds with just 5 more to go to be at fighting weight!What is your weekly routine? Boxing 6 days a week. In addition, I will lift weights at least once a week and go for 2 to 3 runs.How has your diet changed since training began? No more take out! Teamed up with Prepped Gainz out of Everett to make me healthy prepared meals.Tell us about your first time sparring, different than expected? It’s about what I expected but I underestimated the amount of sparring we would be doing. Just like Tyson said “Everyone has a plan before their hit in the face!”What has been the most challenging part of sticking to the routine and training so far? For me it’s been the diet, having the mental strength to get to a weight I haven’t weighed since Freshman year in college is not easy!What does your family think of your participation? My wife and Mom are scared for me but everyone else is excited about it!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? The cashier at 7-11 saw my shirt and took down all of my information because he wanted to donate. His life had been affected by cancer.Donate to Erik or purchase a ticket to Rock 'N Rumble VIII on May 17th here!
Read more ›Thursday Jun 14, 2018
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 17th, 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. Patrick Harney has been putting in work at Crush It 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? Training is coming along though the more you learn, the more you realize there is to learn!What is your weekly routine? I tend to do 3 group classes, 1 sparring session, and a couple 1x1 sessions with my trainer Mauricio. I supplement this with road work and, lately- shoveling!How has your diet changed since training began? My diet has not changed too much as it was already pretty restrictive. The challenge is that when you are working harder and burning more calories the more you want to eat something not on the approved list!Tell us about your first time sparring, different than expected? It was exhilarating. I was pretty stiff and had my guard up that my opponent was walking me into trap with every move he made. Was actually a relief to take the first few shots to the face. I have some footage of it that will hopefully be painful to watch at the conclusion of my Haymaker's experience, after much improvement.What has been the most challenging part of sticking to the routine and training so far? Definitely, life getting in the way. Haymakers is high up the priority list, but kids getting sick, South Shore weather emergencies, work deadlines... all can all throw your training schedule off. You do your best and work around it and make up time when you can.What does your family think of your participation? They are pretty supportive. My kids love the boxing and the training footage. My wife loves my commitment to getting in shape. My mother has had the most interesting reaction in that she is worried that my teeth, after the braces she invested in to make them straight, and my nose that I inherited from her, will get jacked up!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? Humbling how many people mention a personal connection as to why they are supporting my efforts for the fight. My opponent, Matt Malatesta, his father also died of pancreatic cancer so that it is bond we share. I also know how hard he will train and work for the fight to make progress against such a brutal type of cancer.Has your initial inspiration changed since the start of your training? It has certainly grown as you become more aware of efforts going on all around you. I attended a fashion show by Susan G Komen and many of the participants were currently fighting breast cancer- which was so brave and inspiring. I always remind myself how lucky I am to be healthy and training- especially on days when you least want to.Donate to Patrick or purchase a ticket to Rock 'N Rumble VIII on May 17th here!
Read more ›Thursday Jun 14, 2018
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 17th, 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. Kori Brown has been putting in work Nonantum Boxing Club 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? It’s a challenge but so worth it.What is your weekly routine? Training 1-on-1 with my trainer Shane from Nonantum Boxing Club (NBC) 1-2 times per week, taking a heavy bag conditioning class at NBC 2-3 times a week in addition to hitting the gym on my own for some light lifting with some cardio.How has your diet changed since training began? Substantially. Lots of grilled chicken and veggies. Cut out fried foods, ice cream and alcohol. It’s tough but I could immediately see the difference.Tell us about your first time sparring, different than expected? Considering my first time truly sparring was with my trainer, I’m just happy I made it out alive. It’s was eye opening to say the least.What has been the most challenging part of sticking to the routine and training so far? For me it learning to relax and feel comfortable in the ring. It’s hard not to constantly think about all the things you’ve been taught in training and just relax and box.What does your family think of your participation? They are thrilled I’m making a difference and fighting to KO cancer. Not so sure they’re thrilled about me getting punched in the face.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 wouldn’t say I’ve been surprised but it was so cool to meet all the other participants during the media day and just share and support them in this struggle to learn to box. It’s truly inspiring to see so many people dedicated to making a difference.Has your initial inspiration changed since the start of your training? If anything it’s grown. Since I started this journey I uncovered or remembered many friends and family, past and present who have either suffered at the hands of this awful disease or had someone close to them have to battle cancer. God-willing we’ll all continue to fight and make a difference long after our night in the ring has passed. Good luck and God bless everyone.Donate to Kori or purchase a ticket to Rock 'N Rumble VIII on May 17th here!
Read more ›Thursday Jun 14, 2018
Tonight, we went back to Boston Boxing for the second time in two days to see Dan Matuszewski. Dan is fighting his roommate and former BC rugby teammate, Dave Walsh. Although absent this evening, Dave's presence was still felt- mainly because we could literally see Dan visualize Dave's face in the punching bag. Dave may not want to take too many more days off judging by Dan's performance week after week. These two are bound to put on a good show May 17th at House of Blues!
Read more ›Thursday Jun 14, 2018
Julie and Nora doing some ab work together on March 12th, 2012. Check out Haymakers for Hope Co-Founder Julie Anne Kelly modeling our new T-Shirt! Julie Kelly Hitting the BagWatch co-founder Julie Anne Kelly working out with our Striking Beauties Team!
Read more ›Thursday Jun 14, 2018
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 Matt Grendal, fighting out of Elite Boxing & Fitness in North Attleborough, MA.Where are you from? Foxboro, MA Home of the New England Patriots. Ever hear of them?Where’d you go to college? Salve Regina University in Newport, RI. Go Seahawks (CAWWW CAWWW)Did you play any sports growing up? Growing up I was involved in just about every type of sport. Once I got to high school I focused on football (of course, I played), basketball, tennis & track. During college, I pulled a Lebron & took my basketball talents to First Beach.What do you do for work? Technology stuffWhy boxing? Did you ever picture yourself fighting? I think boxing was a natural progression. I’m a washed up D3 basketball star (I’m using star extremely loosely) who needs some sort of motivation to get the summer body ready. Plus, drunken bar fights aren’t really a “cool” thing to be doing on the wrong side of 30.Why on earth did you sign up to fight? Peer pressure. I’ll keep it PG rated but I could only hear “Sissy,” “loser,” “you’re not tough” before I decided enough of was enough. I have a few friends who competed with Haymakers who could not say enough great things about the organization. When they spoke about the cause it was enough to sell me on it but they continued to speak of the experience, the people, and the bond after the fight. Each conversation I had with my friends about Haymakers I wanted to run through a brick wall so I knew I would regret not being a part of a great organization!You’re stepping in the ring to literally fight for a cure – where are you drawing your inspiration from? How has cancer affected you? Growing 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.What is going to be the most difficult thing to give up during your training? (beer, cheeseburgers, time spent watching TV?) I’m not giving up any of my vices. If anything, I am using this as a platform to promote my love for Taco Bell. I want to prove eating countless meals from the tastiest fast food chain ever can help you accomplish your goals.When you’re not throwing punches and training –what other hobbies/interests do you have? Taco Bell aficionado, duh!Who do you think is the most excited to watch you get punched in the face come fight night? The list is too long to name but I know my mother and Taco Bell are not looking forward to it. I am my mother’s golden child & Taco Bell’s sales will plummet if anything happened to my jaw. Be sure to check out his fundraising page here. Best of luck, Matt! (This post was in no way endorsed by Taco Bell - however, Taco Bell if you're reading this we do allow corporate sponsorships and you can contact us at [email protected]!)
Read more ›Thursday Jun 14, 2018
It’s all about moving into the punches.When it’s no longer a choice, moving towards that impending blow. When it’s simply part of your muscle memory. When freeze and flight aren’t on the table anymore, were never really there to begin with. It’s almost the philosophy the fighter lives by. You move towards the punches.For Chris Lewarne, that’s the mark of a real fighter. .....Chris Lewarne is not a real fighter. At least, not according to him. “I do not have a killer instinct,” he says, in spite of an undefeated amateur record. He goes on to describe how, after his own fight for Haymakers in November of 2014, his opponent told him that he was a little freaked out during the fight. He was caught off guard every time that Lewarne would hit him hard, not because of Chris’s newly acquired southpaw approach (he tore his right rotator cuff in training and had to learn to fight left-handed in only 4 months), but because he’d immediately apologize after every hard blow he landed. “I didn’t even realize I was doing it,” Lewarne adds, laughing. While Chris Lewarne would be the first to tell you he’s not among the real fighters that he works with every day in the boxing gyms-- the young hungry guys, eager to cut their teeth on a burgeoning pro career-- he’d much rather tell you about a person that is. It’s the man for whom Lewarne became a boxer, the reason he worked up the nerve to put on the gloves in the first place. A father-figure only a few months his senior. A childhood friend like no other. Adrian Rufo. Adrian was a man who truly moved into the punches of life. Lewarne recalls a motorcycle trip he took with his childhood friend. They stopped on the side of the road and Adrian took off his helmet to run his fingers through his hair, only to find that his fingers took tufts of hair along with them. Being diagnosed with cancer in the summer of 2014 was a hard pill to swallow for Adrian, but he refused to let that hold him back. Throughout his treatment, he continued to play on a soccer team and remained amongst the best out there. His example served as a model to everyone around him. There is no adversity in life too daunting not to face straight on, with all you’ve got. No punch too threatening to shy away from. And so Lewarne signed up for Haymakers for Hope, training under the amazing Danny Manuel at Mendez gym. Adrian couldn’t have been more supportive. In fact, it was Adrian’s faith in Lewarne that got him through the fight. “He was the one that was able to calm me down before the fight. He said that he wasn’t worried about me for a second because he knew I was a survivor and that I’d figure it out. That I had the right tools in my belt. That he knew I’d find a way to success. I realized that if this guy isn’t worried about me getting killed, then why should I worry? He's the most capable man I've ever known.”“He really put things in perspective for me. Without actually saying it, Adrian had a way of looking at you that said:, ‘I’m fighting death. You’re fighting some guy in a ring with rules. You’re gonna be okay’,” Lewarne recalls. “Looking at it that way really put me at ease.”Hearing Lewarne talk about his friend really demonstrates what an influence this man was on all who were lucky enough to call him a friend. He describes how a person defers to different friends for different things. You have the friend you defered to for relationship advice. The friend you defer to to talk about music or sports. The friend you defer to about home improvements. What made Adrian so amazing was that he was the friend people deferred to for all of those things, for everything. “He was naturally good at everything. He was a superman among regular people. You almost felt like it was kind of him just to hang out with you,” Lewarne fondly recalls. “In a lot of ways he taught me how to be a man. He taught me how to use power tools and how to drive stick. He’s the type of guy that would help build furniture for ex-girlfriends.”To have a role model that was such a fully formed example of manliness was certainly influential to Lewarne, but more influential still was his example as a rounded out human being.“Everything he did was a search for meaning and purpose. He was so fiercely who he was. It made me rethink everything. He’d go help people with AIDS in East Africa. He rode his motorcycle from Canada to Panama. He always said that no preset script of rules should hold you back from anything.”While Adrian might not have been particularly religious, he certainly had a spiritual side. Before Adrian’s passing in 2015, he gave himself a tattoo inspired by Zen Buddhist Thich Nhat Hanh’s book “Peace Is Every Step”, a text about methods of meditation, conscious breathing, and enlightenment. The tattoo was simple: NMNL. “No Mud, No Lotus”Without adversity, there is no beauty in the world. A perfect mantra for the adventurer-optimist undergoing chemotherapy. In true Adrian fashion, he gave the tattoo to himself using the stick and poke method. One single needle prick, dipped in ink, at a time. Over and again. After seeing the meaningful and apropos message that Adrian had created on himself, Lewarne decided he wanted one as well. After Adrian attempted to convince Lewarne to give the tattoo to himself, Lewarne underwent the painstaking experience of having the tattoo applied by his friend, one needle poke on his forearm at a time. It would be a tattoo Adrian’s whole family would eventually all wear as well. Chris muses, “To say the guy left his mark is an understatement.”Lewarne spoke at Adrian’s funeral, a difficult and emotional moment for everyone in attendance, and yet the general consensus from all who knew him was clear. This was a man who lived more in thirty years than most do in thirty lifetimes. Adrian never put a lot of stock in the notion of an afterlife, and who could blame him, when you squeezed the very most out of every minute in life like he did. Since Lewarne’s Haymakers For Hope fight, he has reinvented his life in the spirit of Adrian's example. The search for meaning and compassion in his everyday life led him to leave a lucrative position as a corporate lawyer and join the Haymaker’s team as their General Counsel and NYC Fight Manager. He takes great pride in his efforts to work with others in their mission to raise money to beat cancer for good and to provide men and women with the opportunity to honor those they love by fighting for them, one punch at a time. Never giving up.Always moving toward the punches.
Read more ›Thursday Jun 14, 2018
During the coming months, we’re 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 Brian Morrissey, fighting out of Firicano Boxing & Fitness Center in Stoneham, MA. ROUND 1 Where are you from? I was born and raised in Melrose, MA. Still live there today.Where’d you go to college? I went to College at the New England Institute of Art in Brookline, MA.Did you play any sports growing up? As a kid, sports were a big part of my life. It’s where I met most of the friends I still have today (they can’t wait to see me get punched in the face btw.) Growing up it was all about football and baseball. Played throughout high school. The main sport at New England Institute of Art was ultimate freebee, but I am not about that life.What do you do for work? I work for the TD Garden control room, where I am the Director of Game Presentation for the Boston Celtics Jumbotron show.Why boxing? Did you ever picture yourself fighting? To quote Rocky “Cause I can’t sing or dance” well, maybe I can dance a little. I was playing old man slow pitch softball and a couple of guys on the team started taking boxing lessons. I knew I had to try it. So I did, halfway through my intro class I almost blacked out from the workout. It was in that moment that I knew this was the sport for me.Why on earth did you sign up to fight?? About two or three years ago I worked for the camera crew that was hired to shoot the H4H event. I saw what went into that night and I knew at that time that it was time to get that first fight. There is no better stage for an amateur fight. Everything that this night stands for I am behind. Why not get in there and fight back against this terrible disease.You’re stepping in the ring to literally fight for a cure - where are you drawing your inspiration from? How has cancer affected you? This one is easy for me. Over 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.What is going to be the most difficult part of your training? People are going to hate me for this one but the hardest part for me is the eating. I am not a big guy and I can lose weight quickly. So, while training I have to make sure to eat a lot. Trying to keep my weight right around the 150 mark. Other than that the 5am workouts can kick your ass too. Working till 10pm and getting up at 4:30am can take its toll on the body, but we are getting it done.When you’re not throwing punches and training -- what other hobbies/interests do you have? I don’t know if these are things that I should admit to or not but here goes. Growing up I used to work with my grandfather on model trains. As I got older I got really into it, from track layout to the creation of the city and landscapes. Just a few weeks ago thought it would be cool to get a fish tank and boy did I not know what I was getting myself into. Thought you just got some fish and put them in water and that’s that. Boy was I wrong. Am I 31 or 71? Old man hobbies.Who do you think is the most excited to watch you get punched in the face come fight night? This one is easy, has to be my friends. Most of them I talk to say the same thing, “you better not get knocked out, but it sure would be funny if you did” Hate to say it but they might be right on that one. Be sure to check out his fundraising page here or send him some encouragement on Instagram . Best of luck, Brian!
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