How many professional boxers you know, have a successful career outside of the ring, working for a fortune 500 Company? Run a 501 © 3 Non Profit organization and also manages to train people at a health club in New York City, in their spare time? Well there is only one dude that I can think of, and that’s Captain Boyd “Rainmaker” Melson. This young man, fights for much more than himself, every single time he steps into that squared circle. This is most definitely reflected, in his all action fighting style and untamable warrior spirit.
Melson is a graduate of the West PointAcademy, one of the most prestigious military academies in the United States. He has certainly carved out a very respectable professional boxing career for himself, all while juggling all of his other aforementioned responsibilities. He fights at Junior Middleweight and owns a record of eleven wins one hotly contested lost and one draw. A draw with Jason Thompson, the same man that he is scheduled to face this upcoming Wednesday (8/14/2013) night at the world famous BB Kings Club and Grill in Time Square.
I will be in attendance that evening, not as a member of the press but as spectator and supporter of his admirable cause. You see, some boxers fight for themselves or their families, others fight for that check, seeking fame and fortune. Boyd chooses to step into that dangerous place we call the chamber of truth, in an effort to raise awareness, about the importance of bringing Clinical Trials to the United States, to help cure Spinal Cord Injuries. He donates his entire purse to his foundation every single time he fights.
If you want to familiarize your self with his fantastic foundation or want to buy tickets to this great event, simply go to http://teamfighttowalk.com. Some of the other well known boxers that are part of team fight to walk include the always entertaining Steve “USS” Cunningham, Junior Middle weight top rated contender Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade and the son of a legend Hector Camacho Jr., amongst many, many others.
Don’t get it twisted, this boy can fight. He hits hard, can take a good shot and moves his head and upper body, like some of the old 70’s and 80’s and 90’s fighters used to do. This is a lost art in boxing, if you ask me. Guys like Mike Tyson, Roberto Duran, and even the great Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. mastered this tactic and utilized it with great success. Not to say that Boyd is on their level because let’s be frank, although a promising fighter, he remains relatively untested. In addition, he lost to the only fighter with a winning record that he has faced thus far.
Boyd had a very successful amateur career. He won the 48th World Military Boxing Championship gold medal; he was also a four-time United States Army champion and was an alternate US Olympian in the 2008 games. I believe he was bumped in 2008 by former world champion, Austin Trout. No shame in that. We boxing fans all know how good Trout is. After witnessing him compete at the very highest level of the sport, in defeating Miguel Cotto in December of 2012 and coming very close to beating Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in April of 2013, by most accounts.
If you want to see what this guys is made off, and a full display of what he brings to the table as a fighter, look no further that the video of his only loss against Dalen Parsley. A fight where was able to drop his opponent twice. He also had to come back from adversity. Suffering a very hard knock down, in the very last round, demonstrating his guile and level of preparation, in finishing the fight strong. I have watched the bout a number of times and I believe he did enough to win, every single time. He was also deprived of a point, for at least one more knock down in the middle rounds that was not called by the referee.
I can go on to write about this guy all night, it’s kind of easy actually. He is extremely interesting as well as a solid fighter, but more importantly he is a great human being. There is a reason why he has been profiled on the Emmy Award winning HBO series Real Sports, ESPN.com, Sports Illustrated and Yahoo. I am honored to bring you boxing heads, his inspiring story on behalf of ThaBoxingVoice.com. Hope you enjoyed the article and see you at the fights folks
