Paul Williams Joins Team Fight to Walk!

New York, NY (December 7, 2014) – Three time world champion Paul “The Punisher” Williams is the newest member of Team Fight to Walk.

 

A fixture on the pound for pound lists and a fan favorite, Williams had an outstanding 41-2 record with 27 wins by knockout. Williams, a two-division titlist, became paralyzed from the waist down following a motorcycle accident in May 2012. Even after becoming a paraplegic from the accident, Williams maintained his signature smile and a great attitude.

 

Recently, Williams connected with Team Fight to Walk co-founder Boyd Melson in New York City, where he helped Williams find speaking engagements. During their time together, Melson took Williams to RutgersUniversity to meet Dr. Wise Young. He showed Williams patients treated during clinical trials in China. Williams saw the patients walking following a surgical procedure that enabled their axons to regenerate. Young is planning to conduct the same trials next year in the United States. Amazed by what he saw, Williams immediately joined Team Fight to Walk.

 

“Being a member of Team Fight to Walk is an incredible feeling,” said Williams. “Regardless of how I felt, people were telling me that I was never going to walk again but after meeting Boyd and Dr. Wise Young, you can’t tell me anything! I saw people with Spinal Cord Injuries walking again and their cords regrowing. It’s amazing how God works because he brought all of us together and I’m confident as ever that I’ll walk again.”

 

Melson is also overjoyed about having Williams on board and knew it was only a matter of time until the two connected.

 

“From the day I heard about Paul’s accident, I tried to get in touch and let him know there was hope. Thankfully, we were able to connect and I showed him the incredible results from Dr. Young’s clinical trial inChina. He’s an important member of the boxing world who can help our outreach tremendously. Like (Team Fight to Walk founder) Christan (Zaccagnino), Paul’s life changed in a split second but now he knows that results of trials overseas means there’s plenty of hope for both of them. I believe that Christan and Paul will walk again once the clinical trials take place in the United States.”

 

For more information on Team Fight to Walk or to donate, go to Teamfighttowalk.com. Fans can contact Paul on Twitter @1paulwilliams. All questions about Team Fight to Walk or Spinal Cord Injuries can be emailed to Boydmelson@Teamfighttowalk.com.

Melson to Speak at United States Military Academy!

New York, NY (October 26, 2014) – Junior middleweight boxer, West Point grad and charitable figure Captain Boyd “Rainmaker” Melson has been invited to speak at a leadership development series at the United States Military Academy at West Point Monday, October 27.

 

For the leadership development, Melson will host a one hour interactive discussion with a group of approximately 40 high ranking cadets that excel academically and have peer leadership positions.

 

Melson graduated from the USMA at West Point in 2003 with a degree in psychology and put on a pair of boxing gloves for the first time as a plebe (freshman) for a required course. After joining West Point’s boxing team and excelling in the squared circle on an international level, he was selected as an alternate for the 2008 United States Olympic Boxing Team, but withdrew due to an injury. During his senior year at West Point he met Christan Zaccagnino, who became paralyzed from the waist down after a diving accident when she was 10. The two quickly became close and Melson’s ultimate goal in life is to see her walk again.

 

With Zaccagnino as his inspiration, Melson turned pro in 2010 and has donated 100% of his fight purses to Teamfighttowalk.com and Justadollarplease.org to help find a cure for Chronic Spinal Cord Injuries. To further assist with fundraising efforts, Melson and Zaccagnino hosted the “Fighting for the Cure” gala the last two years, raising a significant amount of money in the process.

 

“This will be one of the greatest and most proud moments of my entire life,” said Melson, who has been featured along with Zaccagnino on HBO Real Sports, ESPN.com, Yahoo and Sports Illustrated. “I’m an extremely proud West Pointer and my boxing trunks have “West Point 03” on them for a reason. It’s an incredible honor that they thought of me for this event because there are so many West Point graduates worthy of the opportunity.”

 

For more information on Team Fight to Walk or to donate, go to Teamfighttowalk.com

MRI confirms Melson’s Tear; Treatment set for tomorrow!

 

 

New York, NY (July 28, 2014) – An MRI confirmed that junior middleweight and West Point graduate Captain Boyd “Rainmaker” Melson suffered a torn supraspinatus. Melson, 14-1-1 (4 KO’s), tore his supraspinatus, which is part of the rotator cuff, preparing for what would’ve been the biggest bout of his professional career against Glen Tapia at Madison Square Garden.

 

This marks Melson’s third tear since he started boxing, one of which forced him to give up his alternate slot in the 2008 Olympics. Thankfully, his injury won’t require surgery, and he’s receiving platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment tomorrow. For the treatment, a small amount of blood is drawn then spun in a centrifuge machine to separate the plasma. The plasma holds the growth factors that the human body uses for healing, and by spinning the blood, the doctor will have a concentrated medium of the body’s growth factor. This is then re-injected into the location of the injury. The PRP treatment followed by therapy should help Melson recover fairly quickly, though the initial post-treatment stage is rough.

 

“The PRP treatment is really going to help but it’s brutal at first,” said Melson. “The first 2-3 days, even the slightest movement causes extreme pain in the shoulder. This will be my third time having Dr. Andrew DeMann working on me. He works miracles and I can only hope for the same result.”

 

An update on Melson will follow.

 

In association with the 501 (C) 3 nonprofit Justadollarplease.org, Melson and his best friend Christan Zaccagnino created Team Fight to Walk, whose mission is to raise awareness within the boxing community as well as the entire nation about the importance of bringing Clinical Trials to the United States to help cure Spinal Cord Injuries. Team Fight to Walk is comprised of Melson, Zaccagnino, former Rutgers football player/ESPY honoree Eric LeGrand, two-time cruiserweight champion Steve “USS” Cunningham, Austin “No Doubt” Trout, title contender DeAndre “The Bull” Latimore, Edgar “El Chamaco” Santana, Sonya Lamonakis, Hector “Machito” Camacho Jr., WBO Junior Middleweight titlist/2008 US Olympian Demetrius “Boo” Andrade and fellow 08’ Olympian Shawn Estrada along with prospects Sid “The Messenger” El Harrak, Jeff “TNT” Spencer, Denis “Da Momma’s Boy” Douglin, Will “Power” Rosinsky, Floriano “Italiano” Pagliara, Danny “Little Mac” McDermott, Vinny “The Lion” O’Brien, Ahmed “Prince of Egypt” Samir and Delen “Sniper” Parsley.

 

For more information or to make a donation, go to teamfighttowalk.com or Justadollarplease.org. All specific questions about the nature of the Clinical Trial to cure Spinal Cord Injury can be sent to boydmelson@yahoo.com. Fans can also interact with Boyd on Twitter @boydmelson.

Melson Injures Rotator Cuff; Tapia Fight Off!

 

New York, NY (July 17, 2014) – Junior Middleweight Captain Boyd “Rainmaker” Melson has been forced to withdraw from his Saturday, July 26 bout against contender Glen Tapia.

 

Melson, who was in the best shape of his professional career and prepared in an extended training camp, believes he tore his left rotator cuff Tuesday during one of his final sparring sessions. A 2008 Olympic Alternate selection, the West Point grad gave up his spot after suffering the same injury. He’d also had his left rotator cuff operated on twice in the past, including in 2008 after tearing it.

 

“I felt it stretch when I was throwing a punch and I immediately knew something wasn’t right,” said the dejected Melson. “I tried to work through it but the pain only got worse. First, my shoulder started to throb then it got cold. Since I hurt my rotator cuff and had surgery twice in the past, I know what a tear feels like.”

 

Even though he had a feeling what just took place the second his shoulder started hurting, he was hoping the pain would go away. Unfortunately, it didn’t.

 

“I didn’t want to believe it because I’ve worked incredibly hard and understand the significance of the Tapia fight. Not only was it a dream of mine to fight at Madison Square Garden, but a victory over Tapia would’ve put me in position to start earning significant money for Team Fight to Walk. This is truly devastating and I am heartbroken, especially after what happened during my last fight. I’m very emotional right now and don’t know what the future holds.”

 

All tickets purchased from Teamfighttowalk.com will be refunded.

 

In association with the 501 (C) 3 nonprofit Justadollarplease.org, Melson and his best friend Christan Zaccagnino created Team Fight to Walk, whose mission is to raise awareness within the boxing community as well as the entire nation about the importance of bringing Clinical Trials to the United States to help cure Spinal Cord Injuries. Team Fight to Walk is comprised of Melson, Zaccagnino, former Rutgers football player/ESPY honoree Eric LeGrand, two-time cruiserweight champion Steve “USS” Cunningham, Austin “No Doubt” Trout, title contender DeAndre “The Bull” Latimore, Edgar “El Chamaco” Santana, Sonya Lamonakis, Hector “Machito” Camacho Jr., WBO Junior Middleweight titlist/2008 US Olympian Demetrius “Boo” Andrade and fellow 08’ Olympian Shawn Estrada along with prospects Sid “The Messenger” El Harrak, Jeff “TNT” Spencer, Denis “Da Momma’s Boy” Douglin, Will “Power” Rosinsky, Floriano “Italiano” Pagliara, Danny “Little Mac” McDermott, Vinny “The Lion” O’Brien, Ahmed “Prince of Egypt” Samir and Delen “Sniper” Parsley.

 

 For more information or to make a donation, go to teamfighttowalk.com or Justadollarplease.org. All specific questions about the nature of the Clinical Trial to cure Spinal Cord Injury can be sent to boydmelson@yahoo.com.

The Next Level: Melson excited to challenge Tapia July 26 at The Garden!

New York, NY (June 20, 2014) – Like every other prizefighter around the globe, junior middleweight Captain Boyd “Rainmaker” Melson’s dreamed of competing in big bouts and making the most money possible; albeit for different reasons.

By now, the cause Melson fights for is well documented. As the co-founder of Team Fight to Walk who was an integral part of a successful May 2013 fundraising dinner amongst other events, he’s helped raise a significant amount of money for Spinal Cord Injury research. Melson’s also been a success inside the squared circle, compiling an impressive 14-1-1 record with 4 wins by knockout. Even with all of his accolades, the 32-year-old’s been looking for the kind of fight that will take him to the next level.

The popular Manhattan based Brooklynite will have the opportunity to show the world that he’s a top 154 pounder when he faces contender Glen “Jersey Boy” Tapia Saturday, July 26 at Madison Square Garden. Tickets for the card featuring Melson-Tapia, which is headlined by a world middleweight title bout between WBA champion Gennady Golovkin and Daniel Geale, are available at teamfighttowalk.com.

Hailing from the tough streets of Passaic, NJ, Tapia’s a blood and guts warrior who gives fans their monies worth every time he fights. Eight years Melson’s junior, he’s 20-1 with 12 wins by knockout, most notably stopping previously unbeaten Abie Han in July 2013. In his premium cable debut last December, Tapia got off to a blazing start and hurt James Kirkland in the opening round before ultimately ending up on the wrong end of a brutal sixth round stoppage. With the same management team that handled the late, great Arturo Gatti backing him, Tapia returned with a vengeance June 14, stopping veteran Keenan Collins in 84 seconds.

“This is going to be the toughest fight of my career but these are the kinds of bouts I have to win if I’m going to make it to the next level,” said Melson. “Glen is a good, strong fighter and I’ve seen him a number of times. I know I’m considered the underdog but I don’t feel like one. In the amateurs, I was defeated a number of guys that are currently top pros. I’ve been working almost four years as a professional for an opportunity like this and put in too much work just to let this massive stage get to me. I’m confident July 26 will be my coming out party to the upper echelon of the 154 pound division.”

In association with the 501 (C) 3 nonprofit Justadollarplease.org, Melson and his best friend Christan Zaccagnino created Team Fight to Walk, whose mission is to raise awareness within the boxing community as well as the entire nation about the importance of bringing Clinical Trials to the United States to help cure Spinal Cord Injuries. 


Team Fight to Walk is comprised of Melson, Zaccagnino, former Rutgers football player/ESPY honoree Eric LeGrand, two-time cruiserweight champion Steve “USS” Cunningham, Austin “No Doubt” Trout, title contender DeAndre “The Bull” Latimore, Edgar “El Chamaco” Santana, Sonya Lamonakis, Hector “Machito” Camacho Jr., WBO Junior Middleweight titlist/2008 US Olympian Demetrius “Boo” Andrade and fellow 08’ Olympian Shawn Estrada along with prospects Sid “The Messenger” El Harrak, Jeff “TNT” Spencer, Denis “Da Momma’s Boy” Douglin, Will “Power” Rosinsky, Floriano “Italiano” Pagliara, Danny “Little Mac” McDermott, Vinny “The Lion” O’Brien, Ahmed “Prince of Egypt” Samir and Delen “Sniper” Parsley.

For more information or to make a donation, go to teamfighttowalk.com  or Justadollarplease.org. All specific questions about the nature of the Clinical Trial to cure Spinal Cord Injury can be sent to boydmelson@yahoo.com.

Melson applauds Governor Andrew Cuomo for reinstating SCI funding

New York, NY (April 7, 2014) – For the last two years, junior middleweight and charity hero Boyd “Rainmaker” Melson, along with the coalition he is a member of known as "New Yorkers To Cure Paralysis," lobbied the State of New York to do the right thing.

 

In 1998, then Governor George Pataki passed a bill adding a 5.4% surcharge to all moving violations for the specific purpose of creating funds for Spinal Cord Injury research in New York. The funds created approximately $8.5 million annually. Sadly, due to our nation's recession at that time, the funds were redirected to other unrelated causes in 2009 by Governor David Patterson. In January of 2013, Melson was asked to join the coalition "New Yorkers To Cure Paralysis." As part of this team, Melson went to Albany and pleaded with state officials to reinstate funding for Spinal Cord Injury research.

 

In 2013, partial funding was returned through amendments, adding $2 million to the state budget for Spinal Cord Injury Research. This was added only weeks after Melson delivered an emotionally driven speech to the Advisor of Assemblyman Richard Gottfried. Since 1987, Gottfried served as New York's Chair of the Healthcare Committee. This year, Melson and his fellow members of New Yorkers New York To Cure Paralysis united again in Albany, and after great lobbying efforts in front of either Congressmen or their Advisors, officials agreed to reinstate a total of $7 million for the Spinal Cord Injury Research Program (SCIRP) in their 2014-2015 budget.

 

“Words can’t express how happy I am,” Melson said ofNew York State’s decision to return $7 million in funding. “We fought hard for the money to be reinstated because there are so many people in need. This bill was created specifically for Spinal Cord Injury research in the state of New York. It was always our money but it was taken from us. We understood why due to the new financial stressors a national recession placed on us, but now we needed to take back what was never truly theirs.  We were forced to beg to get back what was always ours.”

 

Melson was also thrilled that the unified effort helped play a part in the reinstated funding.

 

“We came together, found the correct words to resonate with the lawmakers and touch their hearts, and they finally opened their hearts back up to us. I consider this a major victory for Spinal Cord Injury research and hopefully the additional money will help with finding a cure. The clinical trial that I donate my purses to and Team Fight To Walk has helped raise a quarter million dollars for, has the ability to receive some of this funding to conduct the clinical trial. You have to believe. There is always one more round in life. The bell will always ring signaling the start of it. You have to decide what you are going to do when the bell rings. Are you going to get up or stay on your stool? If you get up, will you fight back? We got up, fought back and scored a major victory!"  

 

Melson, who has a professional record of 14-1-1 but suffered a serious injury in his most recent bout, is targeting a mid-summer return to the ring.

 

Ruiz Injured; Melson to face Ward February 12!

 

New York, NY (February 7, 2014) – Tough Tennessean Donald “Bulldog” Ward will replace the injured Mike Ruiz as the opponent for Captain Boyd “Rainmaker” Melson on Wednesday, February 12 in New York City.

 

The Melson-Ruiz 154 pound showdown was heavily hyped in the Big Apple, with both men known for their warrior mentality and large fan bases, but a hand injury forced Ruiz out of the bout.

 

Eight years Melson’s junior, Ward’s professional record is 6-3 with 3 wins by knockout. He’s faced three highly-regarded unbeaten fighters and on September 7 2013, the Memphis native shocked once-beaten hometown favorite William Jackson over six rounds.

 

“I was really looking forward to facing Ruiz,” said Melson, who is 13-1-1 with 4 knockouts and is one of the most popular fighters in New York. “It’s always tough to switch opponents on short notice, especially when he’s tough as Ward is. His record serves him no justice and he gave Patrick Day a very good fight. I was also amateur teammates with William Jackson, so I know what he’s capable of. Regardless of who I’m fighting, I’ve got a job to do and nothing changes whether it’s Ruiz, Ward or whoever!”

  

Melson-Ward serves as the eight round main event of the final fight card at the famed Roseland Ballroom, which is closing shortly thereafter.

 

A four time US Army Champion, 100% of Melson’s purses, fourteen which went to Justadollarplease.org to help support America’s first trial to cure Chronic Spinal Cord Injuries and the other to help a friend who had a young son with cancer, were donated. In August 2013, the 2003 West Point grad outpointed tougher than advertised Jason Thompson for a unanimous decision.  That night included 8 rounds of exciting boxing for Melson in front of a standing room only crowd, in which Melson knocked Thompson down in the 8th round.  Former NBA power forward/Knicks legend Larry Johnson and Academy Award Winner Cuba Gooding Jr., both fans of Melson, went to the fights that night to support him.

 

A very limited number of tickets are available on Teamfighttowalk.com . Following the bout, Melson will once again donate his entire fight purse to Justadollarplease.org in support of bringing trials to the United States that could help cure chronic Spinal Cord Injuries. It was recently released in the nationwide media that this clinical trial we are raising funds for to bring here to the U.S. has resulted in 15 out of 20 patients walking enrolled in the study in China who were paralyzed an average of 7 years. Unfortunately, there still is not enough money to carry the trial out in the US but it is estimated that it could start sometime in 2014. The hopes are for this trial to begin at the end of the summer of 2014 with Mount Sinai Hospital- Manhattan's very own- being one of the hospitals carrying out the study.

 

In association with the 501 (C) 3 nonprofit Justadollarplease.org, Melson and his best friend Christan Zaccagnino created Team Fight to Walk, whose mission is to raise awareness within the boxing community as well as the entire nation about the importance of bringing Clinical Trials to the United States to help cure Spinal Cord Injuries. Team Fight to Walk is comprised of Melson, Zaccagnino, former Rutgers football player/ESPY honoree Eric LeGrand, two-time cruiserweight champion Steve “USS” Cunningham, Austin “No Doubt” Trout, title contender DeAndre “The Bull” Latimore, Edgar “El Chamaco” Santana, Sonya Lamonakis, Hector “Machito” Camacho Jr., WBO Junior Middleweight titlist/2008 US Olympian Demetrius “Boo” Andrade and fellow 08’ Olympian Shawn Estrada along with prospects Sid “The Messenger” El Harrak, Jeff “TNT” Spencer, Denis “Da Momma’s Boy” Douglin, Will “Power” Rosinsky, Floriano “Italiano” Pagliara, Danny “Little Mac” McDermott, Vinny “The Lion” O’Brien, Ahmed “Prince of Egypt” Samir and Delen “Sniper” Parsley.

 

To help support efforts, Mannatech, a health and nutrition company that will be on hand during the fight selling products, is donating a percentage of all proceeds to Team Fight to Walk. For more information or to purchase products while helping Team Fight to Walk’s cause, visit Teamfighttowalk.weebly.com.

 

For more information or to make a donation, go to teamfighttowalk.com or Justadollarplease.org. All specific questions about the nature of the Clinical Trial to cure Spinal Cord Injury can be sent to boydmelson@yahoo.com.

Broadway Boxing gets ready to explode with Melson vs. Ruiz February 12!

 

New York, NY (January 9, 2014) – On Wednesday, February 12 Army Reserve Captain Boyd “Rainmaker” Melson and Mike “El Cangri” Ruiz will headline the Roseland Ballroom’s final boxing card in a ten round junior middleweight contest. However, both men are fighting for a lot more than the notion of winning the Roseland’s last boxing match.

 

Melson, residing in Manhattan by way of Brooklyn andWhite Plains, and Ruiz, who hails from Puerto Rico and resides in Long Island, are two of New York’s most popular prizefighters. Each fighter has appeared in the Big Apple various times, participating in many local classics and knows that a victory could catapult them onto a bigger stage.

 

With an outstanding 13-1-1 record and four wins by knockout, Melson’s fought thirteen of his bouts in theEmpire State. The West Point graduate and 2008 Olympic Alternate dropped a controversial 2012 decision to Delen Parsley in what is widely considered the best match in Broadway Boxing history. Melson also dominated tough veterans Jason Thompson, Gundrick King and Yolexcy Leiva in front of sold out crowds.

 

A former World Boxing Federation titlist, Ruiz’ record is a deceptive 17-8 with 9 wins by knockout. The charismatic 28-year-old scored a career best victory in July 2012, knocking out world title contender Paul Delgado in his hometown of Atlanta, GA. Like his counterpart, Ruiz took place in memorable bouts in the Big Apple against the likes of Martin Wright (twice), Glen Tapia, Daniel Sostre and Charlie Ota.

 

“This is going to be a very tough fight for many reasons,” Melson said of his upcoming showdown with Ruiz. “He’s got a lot of experience and was in a lot of close fights that went the other way. Two fights ago, he beat a fighter that fought for a legitimate world title and he’s also faced a lot of top opponents. For most of my fights, I’ve been the clear crowd favorite but Ruiz has a large and vocal fan base of this own. I’m ready for the challenge and know a victory will lead me to better opportunities. I am also excited to have progresses up to the ladder where I am competing for the first time in a bout scheduled for 10 rounds. I owe a special thanks to Lou DiBella for sticking with me and giving me this chance."

 

Tickets starting from $45 are available on teamfighttowalk.com.

 

Following the match, Melson’s pledge to help find a cure for chronic Spinal Cord Injuries will continue when he donates 100% of his earnings from his purse to Justadollarplease.org in support of America’s first trial of its kind.

 

It was recently released in the nationwide media that this clinical trial we are raising funds for to bring here to the U.S. has resulted in 15 out of 20 patients walking enrolled in the study in China who were paralyzed an average of 7 years. Unfortunately, there still is not enough money to carry the trial out in the US but it is estimated that it could start sometime in 2014. The hopes are for this trial to begin at the end of the Summer of 2014 with Mount Sinai Hospital- Manhattan's very own- being one of the hospitals carrying out the study.

 

In association with the 501 (C) 3 nonprofit Justadollarplease.org, Melson and his best friend Christan Zaccagnino created Team Fight to Walk, whose mission is to raise awareness within the boxing community as well as the entire nation about the importance of bringing Clinical Trials to the United States to help cure Spinal Cord Injuries. Team Fight to Walk is comprised of Melson, Zaccagnino, former Rutgers football player/ESPY honoree Eric LeGrand, two-time cruiserweight champion Steve “USS” Cunningham, Austin “No Doubt” Trout, title contender DeAndre “The Bull” Latimore, Edgar “El Chamaco” Santana, Sonya Lamonakis, Hector “Machito” Camacho Jr., WBO Junior Middleweight titlist/2008 US Olympian Demetrius “Boo” Andrade and fellow 08’ Olympian Shawn Estrada along with prospects Sid “The Messenger” El Harrak, Jeff “TNT” Spencer, Denis “Da Momma’s Boy” Douglin, Will “Power” Rosinsky, Floriano “Italiano” Pagliara, Danny “Little Mac” McDermott, Vinny “The Lion” O’Brien, Ahmed “Prince of Egypt” Samir and Delen “Sniper” Parsley.

 

 For more information or to make a donation, go to teamfighttowalk.com or Justadollarplease.org. All specific questions about the nature of the Clinical Trial to cure Spinal Cord Injury can be sent to boydmelson@yahoo.com. Fans can also interact with Melson via Twitter @BoydMelson orFacebook.com/Boydmelson

Melson seeks new opponent after Gilbert Snafu

 

New York, NY (October 27, 2013) – For the last two months, Boyd “Rainmaker” Melson was contacted by a representative of Vermont’s Chris Gilbert about a fight in the Big Apple.

 

Melson was aware that Gilbert, an unbeaten power puncher, would be a tough opponent, but had no doubt that he’d emerge victorious. After a number of back and forth conversations with Team Gilbert, both sides agreed to make the match for December 4 in the main event of a DiBella Entertainment card at BB King Blues Club.

 

Unfortunately for Melson, 12-1-1 (4 KO’s), a bout with Gilbert is on hold after a different member of his team revealed the shocking truth.

 

“I reached out to a gentleman named Mel who turns out to be Gilbert's real manager, and he notified me that Chris never agreed to the fight and his team never spoke about it,” stated the frustrated Melson. “I was also made aware that the Bill O’Brien, who contacted me many times and agreed to the bout on behalf of Gilbert, was not authorized to do so. Mel said they’re not interested in facing me and are looking at other options.

 

While the charitable and humble Melson holds absolutely no ills against Gilbert, he’s understandably upset over the situation.

 

“This is extremely frustrating because I was highly anticipating this fight with Gilbert. In fairness, he never agreed to the fight and neither did his actual manager, so I’m not going to accuse them of ducking me. Hopefully we can make this fight in the future. It’s a shame that somebody like O’Brien overstepped his boundaries and caused problems for multiple parties. I do not know why O'Brien would stay on me weekly over Facebook about fighting Chris when he is not affiliated with Gilbert's manager, but initially stated he was Gilbert's manager. As of right now, Gilbert as an opponent is off. I am still hoping his team changes their mind and puts their fighter against me in the near future.”

 

Melson’s opponent for the eight round main event will be announced shortly.

 

Tickets starting at $55 are available on Teamfighttowalk.com, and they are selling extremely fast. Following the bout, Melson will once again donate his entire fight purse to Justadollarplease.org in support of bringing trials to the United States that could help cure chronic Spinal Cord Injuries.  It was recently released in the nation-wide media that this clinical trial we are raising funds for to bring here to the U.S. has resulted in 15 out of 20 patients walking enrolled in the study in China who were paralyzed an average of 7 years. Unfortunately, there still is not enough money to carry the trial out in the US.

 

In association with the 501 (C) 3 nonprofit Justadollarplease.org, Melson and his best friend Christan Zaccagnino created Team Fight to Walk, whose mission is to raise awareness within the boxing community as well as the entire nation about the importance of bringing Clinical Trials to the United States to help cure Spinal Cord Injuries. Team Fight to Walk is comprised of Melson, Zaccagnino, former Rutgers football player/ESPY honoree Eric LeGrand, two-time cruiserweight champion Steve “USS” Cunningham, WBA junior middleweight titlist Austin “No Doubt” Trout, title contender DeAndre “The Bull” Latimore, Edgar “El Chamaco” Santana, Sonya Lamonakis, Hector “Machito” Camacho Jr., 2008 US Olympians Demetrius “Boo” Andrade and Shawn Estrada along with prospects Sid “The Messenger” El Harrak, Jeff “TNT” Spencer, Denis “Da Momma’s Boy” Douglin, Will “Power” Rosinsky, Floriano “Italiano” Pagliara, Danny “Little Mac” McDermott, Vinny “The Lion” O’Brien, Ahmed “Prince of Egypt” Samir and Delen “Sniper” Parsley.

 

For more information or to make a donation, go to teamfighttowalk.com or Justadollarplease.org. All specific questions about the nature of the Clinical Trial to cure Spinal Cord Injury can be sent to boydmelson@yahoo.com.