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Thursday Jun 14, 2018
Boxer in Training: Adam Hollis
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. Adam Hollis has been putting in work at Manchester Police Athletic League 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 feel really good. Getting more comfortable with the basics of boxing, my fitness, in general, is way up vs where I started.What is your weekly routine? I train 6 days a week, Sunday-Friday. Each workout consists of either a 2k meter row or 1-mile run (both done as fast as possible), a crossfit workout then a full boxing workout; jump rope, shadow boxing, speed bag, heavy bag, mitt work and general technique work.How has your diet changed since training began? I've really tried to focus on eating whole, unprocessed foods for the majority of my diet. I've cut out sweets and beer. I am also using intermittent fasting to help get the pounds off 16:8.Tell us about your first time sparring, different than expected? My first sparring session was an interesting experience. I had the benefit of my sparring partner knowing it was my first time so rather than just throw me a beating he helped me learn. We'd talk between rounds so I could adjust. I'm not saying he didn't make me pay when I dropped my hands but that's part of learning...all in all a great experience.What has been the most challenging part of sticking to the routine and training so far? Running. I love the workouts and the training but I hate running. I'm not sure that's ever going to change.What does your family think of your participation? I'm really fortunate to have a very supportive family. I'm not saying they are all thrilled with my decision but they have been nothing but supportive throughout this process. My wife Courtney in particular has been amazing.Has your initial inspiration changed since the start of your training? My inspiration hasn't changed but it has been added to. My kids are really enthusiastic about my training. I think they get a kick out of seeing dad head off to the gym every day and to hear about sparring and get to meet the guys from the gym. They know that I am fighting to raise money to help other people and I think that's a lesson that will stick with them. I am also grateful for the change that "living the life" has made on me physically and emotionally. It's been a great ride so far. I look forward to continuing the grind for the next couple of months.Donate to Adam or purchase a ticket to Rock 'N Rumble VIII on May 17th here!
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Thursday Jun 14, 2018
Our weekly Nonantum Boxing Club trip
Last night, the Haymakers team went to Newton to see Ray McCarthy and Mike Sambuceti at Nonantum Boxing Club. You've all heard of Shoeless Joe Jackson, well we've got Shirtless Ray McCarthy! It was hot out, and when doesn't Ray want to take his shirt off?! Ray did a few rounds of sparring, and is looking more fierce everyday. Also, we ran into Mike Sambuceti, who got his turn in the ring as well. Mike held his own, and is excited to keep up his training!
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Thursday Jun 14, 2018
Belles of the Brawl V: Alice Liao
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 Alice Liao, fighting out of Back Bay Boxing in Boston, MA.Where are you from? I’m originally from Pleasanton, California but moved to Taipei, Taiwan when I was eight years old for my dad’s job.Where’d you go to college? Simmons College - go sharks!Did you play any sports growing up? Fun fact: my older sister and I fought constantly growing up so we weren’t allowed to play the same sports. She was clearly the more athletic one and since she was older played pretty much every sports I had wanted...but I ended up playing volleyball and fell in love with the sport.What do you do for work? What a loaded question for me right now! I’ve been a high school history teacher in the Wellesley Public Schools for the past several years and fortunately, I’ve had the opportunity to take the past two years off as a leave of absence. During that time, I consulted for a non-profit and helped them develop and lead youth conferences around the world. It has been a whirlwind in the past two years and I am excited and reinvigorated to return to teaching in the fall.Why boxing? Did you ever picture yourself fighting? I started boxing on a whim-John (Back Bay Boxing Coach) and I met at a TRX class and he persuaded me to try his class out. Boxing made me realize how out of shape I was! But it also challenged me mentally and that was something different than other workouts. I fell in love with boxing because it became somewhat of a meditation for me. I had to my find my rhythm, my zone.Why on earth did you sign up to fight? I still ask myself that question every single day! But I signed up because the last two years my life had flipped upside down. Two years ago, my health was at its worst and I had just left my dream job. During that time, I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. I felt fear more times than I can remember and now I’ve learned to conquer that fear with action. Because that is the beauty of life. Life is a lot about perception and timing…things don’t come to those who wait-they come to those who act. Every accomplishment that I’ve had thus far started with the decision to just try. So, I did. I took risks and I did things even before I knew I was ready. I did what I was afraid of, I stepped outside of my comfort zones, I took on all opportunities that came across my path, and I worked really, really hard. So when this opportunity presented itself to me, I thought, why not?! Who’s going to stop me now? So, I fight for myself, my family, my co-workers, and more importantly, for my students.You’re stepping in the ring to literally fight for a cure—where are you drawing your inspiration from? How has cancer affected you? My students are my inspiration. We don’t give our youth enough credit-they are more resilient and capable than we think. We, as a society, do not provide them with enough opportunities to show that they can be change makers in our community. It doesn’t have to be when you’re in college or when you’re an adult. Change happens now. It’s about self-discipline- what you learn in that 1 hr of training is more than you’ll ever know. You’re learning skills, life skills, discipline and above all, you’re learning about you. How you respond and how you can improve. If you apply those same skills that you’ve learned in that practice/training/game—you are learning so much more. You are a lot stronger than you think you are and you can convince yourself of anything with the right mindset. As a teacher, I practice what I preach and I hope to be that example for my students-to show them that we all fight in our own ways and that even when we don’t think we’re ready, we have to just try.What is going to be the most difficult thing to give up during your training? The way to my heart is to show up with a bucket of fried chicken. Hands down! Fried chicken, chicken wings…I mean come on! If they’re grilled, it counts as protein, right??!When you’re not throwing punches and training—what other hobbies/interests do you have? You’ll more than likely find me walking around aimlessly in the city with my dog, Franklin. We walk for treats-ice cream (I mean water) for me and all the dog treats he shamelessly gets down Newbury St.Who do you think is the most excited to watch you get punched in the face come fight night? No brainer-my former students. This may be a dream come true for some of them—to know that their teacher is going to get punched in the face. I think some of them may even place bets on or against me. I’m just glad this is a 21+ event and that most of them aren’t in the Boston area anymore!Be sure to check out her fundraising page here and wish her luck! Best of luck, Alice!
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Thursday Jun 14, 2018
Boston Boxing trip!
Last night, the Haymakers team also made it to Boston Boxing in Allston to see James Blanchard and Steve Bruch. James and Steve are friends from Harvard Business School and are fighting each other on May 17th at House of Blues. Both guys have been very serious about their training and are looking great! I don't know which one wants to win more! This is shaping up to be a very exciting bout!
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Thursday Jun 14, 2018
Haymakers at The Ring
This afternoon the Haymakers team made the trip to The Ring Boxing Club on Comm Ave in Boston, to see our boy Frankie Stavrianopoulos. Frankie was working on his conditioning, which is improving! We saw Frankie take a few good shots to the body, and all of us were definitely feeling for him. The Haymakers team is excited to see Frankie lace it up on May 17th for his big fight at the House of Blues!
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Thursday Jun 14, 2018
Boston Boxing Tuesday Night!
Tuesday evening, the Haymakers team went to Boston Boxing to check in with Dave Walsh, James Blanchard, and Steve Bruch. Dave Walsh, who is also training for the marathon (I know, what a show off...) is fighting his roommate, and fellow Boston Boxing fighter, Dan Matuszewski. Steve Bruch's face was looking better after the nice shiner James Blanchard gave him last week! Being a hockey player, Steve is definitely a force for James to reckon with! James showed us how he gave Steve a black eye... their fight is really getting heated! Don't forget to see all three of these guys May 17th at House of Blues for Haymakers for Hope's Rock n' Rumble!
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Thursday Jun 14, 2018
To The Ring!
Wednesday afternoon, we met up with Frankie Stavrianopoulos at The Ring Boxing Club. Anyone who knows Frankie, knows he is out of his mind (he's gotta be, to fight someone seven inches taller than he is!), but that's why we love him! Check out this fight poster Frankie posted to his twitter page! Frankie looks great, and his training is going well. We're all pumped to see what he's got May 17th at House of Blues for Haymakers for Hope Rock n' Rumble!
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Thursday Jun 14, 2018
Something To Fight For
Haymakers for Hope boxers are all doing their part to KO cancer, and this year’s Boston fighter Chip Rives is no exception. Chip’s a marketing CEO whose Haymakers donations will go to Family Reach, a non-profit that helps families with the financial burden of cancer. Through the organization, he met Grant, a three-year-old in treatment for leukemia. Read on to hear from Chip and Grant’s mom Lori on how they inspire each other to keep fighting.Chip, when did you first cross paths with Family Reach?Chip: The Executive Director at Family Reach has been a friend for a long time. I know a ton about the organization through her. One of the cool things about Haymakers for Hope is that they let you direct the funding. I knew I wanted to support Family Reach because they supply financial and other support for families whose kids are going through cancer treatment. It's horrible for the child but it also really impacts whole families. Family Reach makes sure its not debilitating.Lori, what was your first impression of Chip?Lori: I heard about Chip from Family Reach when they asked us if we would be interested in Grant being an inspiration for an amateur boxer. We set up a time to meet Chip at Mass General Hospital after one of Grant's visits. We were there to take pictures of Chip and Grant together. Chip seemed like a genuine, caring person, who truly cared about Grant from the moment he met him.What does it mean to fight in honor of Grant? How has that showed up in your training?Chip: It's hard to see a three-year-old going through that. I've gotten to know his family a bit... They're actually going to stay with us when he goes through some treatment this summer. It's pretty easy to get up and go to the gym when you know there's a three-year-old who is fighting and and still joyful and still hopeful. What the Haymakers boxers are doing is hard, but not life hard.How has it affected your family to have Chip fighting for Grant?Lori: It’s inspiring to us and to Grant, especially hearing how hard Chip is training. It has helped restore faith in humanity. It shows how many kind people are out there.What do you expect Fight Night to look like?Chip: I'll try to hold my emotions in check and focus on the task at hand. I feel confident that with training I couldn't have done any more than I've done.Will your family be cheering Chip on?Lori: We’re excited! Neither of us have seen a boxing match in person before, so there will be a lot of energy. We hope to be there to represent Grant.What does fighting mean to you now?Chip: I think there is a spiritual piece to this. Grant and his family going through what they are going through have to have a lot of faith and trust in the process and the people around them. It is a long, hard journey and you need support, the kindness of others, shoulders to lean on, and sometimes organizations like Haymakers and Family Reach. I think Haymakers has also been a spiritual journey. From my trainer, to my co-fighters, to my gym team members, family, friends, donors I have not heard from in years... I have made amazing connections to people that I did not know before this started and reconnected with dozens of friends that I have missed. It’s not just my fight – everyone involved in my life has engaged, helped and supported. And I think we have all been moved and touched by the experience.Going through Grant's treatment and being around the Haymakers for Hope program, does fighting mean something different to you and your family these days?Lori: Fighting now means something positive like never giving up and giving all that you have.Do you think Grant will try boxing when he's older?Lori: We are not sure but he is definitely a fighter.
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Thursday Jun 14, 2018
Off to Nonantum!
Wednesday night, we headed over to Nonantum Boxing Club in Newton to see Ray McCarthy. After finishing one of Marc's insane workout classes, Ray sparred a few rounds and looked very comfortable in the ring! Even though he was fully clothed (sorry ladies), "Shirtless" Ray let us know that Friday, shirts are optional! Don't forget to buy your tickets here for Ray's big fight on May 17th at House of Blues for Haymakers for Hope Rock n' Rumble!
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Thursday Jun 14, 2018
Haymakers at Combat
Last night, we headed over to North Station to check in with three of our five fighters at Combat Sports. We got there late, so we missed Doug Clendenin working out, but judging from how sweaty he was, we could tell he got a good workout in. We did, however, get to see Jamie Martz, and Max Lane. Jamie's hard work sure shows. He claims he only comes in four times a week, but our guess is he's a (new) gym rat! Max is one of the largest people we have met in real life. Let's just say we weren't surprised to see how hard he hits that bag! All three of these guys are beyond pumped up for their big fight on May 17th at House of Blues for Haymakers for Hope Rock n' Rumble! Don't forget to help support our fighters, click here to support Doug, here to support Jamie, and here to support Max!
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