Even now while you're on this page, you are probably still wondering, Why Boxing? And to the contrary of what I heard today, it is not to get "oiled up" and dance around a ring in front of 2000 people...

I’ve never been one to pick fights or to mouth off. I’m usually the guy that would get in the middle, the peacemaker. But when it comes to cancer, and the toll it has taken on so many people around me, my patience has run out. I needed to do something - something loud, something that gets the attention of everyone, something that has the potential to convince someone to be proactive in their support of the battle and something that may give someone that extra motivation to volunteer or donate or to just create awareness. If it means my team beating me up for the next 4 months, and then most likely taking a handful of licks on 5/18, that is such a small price to pay for the support it may provide those that are truly in the ring with something much, much stronger.

It has been said that Boxing is the ultimate challenge. Well anyone that has received the news that they have cancer, or have heard the words “aggressive,” or “terminal,” anyone that has been through chemo, radiation, and surgery over and over again literally fighting for their lives, or sat next to someone in support and watched as the drugs temporarily took over their ability to communicate, anyone that has watched a friend go from strength and beauty, to suffering, to loss...anyone that still holds on to painful memories. All of these people know what toughness really means. A boxing match doesn't hold a candle to cancer's struggles and to its merciless impact.

I am choosing to train and to fight on behalf of those true warriors. I am fighting for my Mom and my family. I am fighting for TJ and the Baudanzas. My uncle Bob. Aunt Eileen and the Hickeys. The Strauss’. The Grahams. Kasey Kelly who passed at just 3 years old. I’m fighting for everyone that is fighting with me, and those that can no longer fight for themselves.

Cancer took my best friend, cancer tried to take my Mother, now its time to knock it out.