Like many people, I have lost friends and family members to cancer. It is a disease that strikes at will and often without warning. My grandmother had breast cancer. My father’s sister lost her battle to a rare form of bone marrow cancer that took her life too early. And more recently, I have watched a good friend of mine fight his own battle.

Throughout my journey with Haymakers, I have been constantly reminded in the ring that every punch endured, every bloody nose and even the occasional black eye is nothing compared to what it is to fight for your life.

So win, lose, or draw I am fighting. I am fighting in part, because my friend is fighting and because my loved ones have fought. I am fighting, because unlike me, this isn’t a fight they have chosen.