Media release: Army Reserve captain fights for boxing title and a cure

Media release: Army Reserve captain fights for boxing title and a cure

FORT BRAGG, N.C. – In two weeks the boxing world will crown a new champion as Army Reserve Capt. Boyd “Rainmaker” Melson battles for the U.S. National Boxing Championship Junior Middleweight title. 

The May 8 showdown at the Westchester Hilton in Rye Brook, N.Y., pits Melson against fellow New York native Mike “El Cangri” Ruiz.

While both men are hoping to become the next champion, Melson is fighting for much more. Melson wants to end chronic spinal cord injuries. As a result Melson, 33, will pledge 100 percent of his purse to go toward funding research in hopes of finding a cure to the injury.

It has long been his mission.

Melson co-founded Team Fight to Walk as a platform to help in the effort. 

"I believe I was put here to help cure spinal cord injuries," Melson has said.

Melson is all in when it comes to the two missions and is hoping to win big on both fronts.

Media interested in interviewing Melson leading up to or the day of the championship match can contact Lt. Col. William Ritter, U.S. Army Reserve Command Media Relations Chief, at 910-570-8346 or william.d.ritter3.mil@mail.mil, or Capt. Eric Connor, Media Relations Deputy Chief, at 910-570-8330 or eric.w.connor.mil@mail.mil.