Captain Boyd Melson Added To Martinez vs. Barker Undercard

ByBoxing Press

Undefeated junior middleweight Captain Boyd “Rainmaker” Melson of New York City will make his Atlantic City debut Saturday, October 1 at Boardwalk Hall.

Melson, a West Point graduate, will face an opponent to be named in a six round special attraction bout prior to an HBO doubleheader headlined by the middleweight title showdown between champion Sergio Martinez and unbeaten challenger Darren Barker.

Sporting a perfect 5-0 record, Melson’s stopped his last three foes, most recently dispatching Zach Schumach in July. Melson, who had a multi-year layoff between his amateur finale and pro debut, is fighting for the fifth time in 2011 and feels that he’s making the strides to one day become a top-notch professional.

“It’s an honor to fight on this card and I’m working hard as I can in the gym in order to shine,” said Melson, who left his home in New York on September 11 to participate in stringent Anti-Terrorism Training as part of his Army Reserve duties. “The more I fight, the more I believe I can compete against the world’s best fighters like I did in the amateurs.”

With America’s first clinical trial for Spinal Cord Injuries tentatively scheduled for 2012, Melson is donating his entire purse for the sixth consecutive time to “Justadollarplease” in effort to ensure that he is doing his part so the necessary resources are available to make the trial successful.

“Approximately, 10,000 Americans are paralyzed annually from Spinal Cord Injuries. With limited government funding for Embryonic Stem Cell research along with the vast polarized views regarding the ethical aspect of conducting this type of research, the trial is looking at using Umbilical Cord (Non-Embryonic) cells to give human beings with Spinal Cord Injuries their God given right to walk again.”

Melson also acknowledged the importance of the trial and the impact it would have on paralyzed Americans.

“A successful trial would mean that a new FDA approved standard of care that treats Spinal Cord Injuries would be legal in the United States.

“More importantly, if everything goes as planned, this would be the first FDA approved treatment for Spinal Cord Injuries that would allow the once paralyzed to live their lives full of independence. Between my involvement in the pending trial and the expectations of those that will come to watch me fight, I have a lot to fight for and must perform better than ever before!”

In association with Justadollarplease, Melson created Team Fight to Walk, whose mission is to raise awareness within the boxing community about the importance of stem cell research for spinal cord injuries.

Team Fight to Walk is comprised of Melson, IBF cruiserweight champion Steve “USS” Cunningham, title contender DeAndre “The Bull” Latimore, Edgar “El Chamaco” Santana and prospects Sid “The Messenger” El Harrak, Denis “Da Momma’s Boy” Douglin, Vinny “The Lion” O’Brien Ahmed “Prince of Egypt” Samir and Delen “Sniper” Parsley.

Tickets prices range from $50 to $300 and can be purchased on teamfighttowalk.com. Boardwalk Hall is located at 2301 Boardwalk in Atlantic City, NJ.

Melson’s opponent will be announced shortly.