Hello friends,

As some of you know, I will be boxing in this year’s Rock ‘N Rumble XI at the House of Blues in Boston on May 19th.  This sanctioned fight is all coordinated through Haymakers for Hope (H4H), which is a 501(c)(3) charity organization that originated in 2010 to literally knock out cancer.  Since then, H4H has raised over 16 million dollars towards cancer research, care, and survivorship to date.  Much of these donations have come in from the 32 events in 4 major cities with over 950 first-time boxers participating. I have committed to raising at least $10,000 for Haymakers for Hope, and with your help, I know we can not only meet, but far exceed this ambitious goal.

I was first introduced to this charity when my brother, Chris, participated in 2012 and raised money towards this charity in the name of our uncle Neal and his fight with Leukemia. I remember it being a very emotional journey for Chris and an emotional fight night for uncle Neal who attended.  That night, and Chris and uncle Neal’s journey, stuck with me through the years, and just last year our close friend, Matt Fogarty, was diagnosed with a form of cancer called Rhabdomyosarcoma. In simple terms, it’s a form of Sarcoma. Sarcoma is cancer of soft tissue (such as muscle), connective tissue (such as tendon or cartilage), or bone. Rhabdomyosarcoma usually begins in muscles that are attached to bones and that help the body move, but it may begin in many places in the body. Rhabdomyosarcoma typically is found in children, which is why it is rare for Matt to have been diagnosed with this in his 40’s (although he still looks like he’s 25!) Matt was getting a haircut one day when the woman cutting his hair (Lexi) noticed a lump on the back of his neck.  She brought it to Matt’s attention and he immediately got it checked out by a doctor, and that is when this tumor was detected.  Since that day of the news on March 4, 2021, Matt and his wife Susan took the bull by the horns, and went through a rigorous and aggressive treatment program over the past 11 months.  It involved 7 rounds of chemotherapy for four months, then six weeks of radiation, then surgery to remove the tumor, and then four more months of chemotherapy. 

As of two weeks ago, Matt received his last treatment and is slowly but surely on the mend!  I will also add that Matt, a Boston Detective, his beautiful wife Susan, and three young boys, Ethan, Matthew, and Colin are an example to us all.  They represent everything that families should be about – unwavering love, support, and respect for one another and the people around them.  So . . . yeah, I will be fighting for Matt and his recovery.  And I hope you will all join me in supporting this cause at whatever $ figure you are comfortable with.  100% of the proceeds will go directly toward the H4H fund to knock out cancer. And beyond the fundraising initiative, I hope to feel just one small, miniscule, fraction of the pain that Matt has endured over the past year. 

As part of this, I will be going on a physical and emotional journey over the next four months competing at a level that I probably haven’t done since my college playing days.  I will be training and boxing out of Undisputed Sports Training in Hanover with my trainer and boxing coach, Steve Murphy, Jr..  Also with me for some of the training will be my brother Chris, and various sparring partners.  Matt will also be coming by from time to time to support and motivate me.  I’m not too savvy with social media, but I, along with the great people at H4H, will be tracking and posting pics and videos of my journey along the way.  They have not informed me of my opponent yet, but as soon as the fight card is set, I will share it with you all.  Individual ticket sales will become available in mid-march, but the group tickets sales available with the various sponsorship opportunities are available immediately.

Thank you in advance for your consideration. I have no doubt that with the support of generous donors like you, we will deliver cancer that knockout punch and end this terrible disease.  Whether the motivation is for Matt, or for those family members or friends that we know who have been impacted by any form of cancer in some way.  LFG!!!!