Army Public Affairs Officer and retired pro boxer Boyd Melson announced his withdrawal from the New York District 11 Congressional election to serve the United States in the fight against ISIS in Operation Inherent Resolve.
Melson is currently serving in the Army Reserve in the rank of Major. Recently, a member of Melson’s Army Reserve unit scheduled for deployment in early 2018 received an opportunity for an assignment in an Active Guard Reserve (AGR) position.
The soldier wanted this assignment for a long period of time and it was an opportunity that would not be offered again if initially turned down. The soldier is married with children and the opportunity would be extremely beneficial to the soldier and her family. Melson, a Brooklyn resident, previously volunteered, without success, to serve abroad on three different deployments. He was adamant that this is his time to fight terrorism at its forefront.
“I am proud of many things that have taken place in my life and lives of those around me,” said Melson, a 2003 West Point graduate. “The most important to me without question is being a great American that stands behind his responsibilities as a member of the Army Reserve.”
Melson, who helped raise more than $400,000 for Spinal Cord Injury research by donating every penny earned in his boxing career and helping host multiple charity galas, has been chronicled by many high profile media outlets for his selflessness. However, the 36-year-old believes this next journey is his responsibility as an American.
“I have never deployed. Wholeheartedly, I believe that it is my ultimate duty to serve this great country in our fight against ISIS in the Middle East. For this reason, I have decided to withdraw from the 2018 District 11 Congressional election. While there’s no doubt in my mind I was the right man to lead Staten Island and South Brooklyn, America needs me overseas. I was doing well in my campaign run. I was singled out by the New York times as one of a handful of up and coming Democratic candidates for United States Congress. I was one of six candidates asked to speak out in front of the White House to address Russia's cyber-interference with our elections. Then I received a phone call. A fellow soldier was scheduled to deploy. She asked me if I would switch with her because of various circumstances that would greatly benefit her family's life to include her. I immediately said yes.”
“I thought to myself, I have never been deployed and I don’t want to look back on my life thinking how I had my chance to do my part fighting ISIS but shied away from it. That would have gone against everything I stand for. I believe in sacrificing myself to help others. This time, the sacrifice is not only to help combat the terror in the Middle East, but to also help out a fellow soldier. If I said no, I would have lied to myself about who I think I am and what I think I am about.”
I have spent a great amount of time over the years traveling to schools and speaking to students from pre-k through college. I always stated that you must make sure that your decisions are in alignment with your heart's values. Me not being there when called upon would have meant I would have lied to these children all of these years. I finally am getting my chance to join my brothers and sisters in arms with this experience. Only my inner-circle knew about the other three deployments I tried to get on. I finally get to join all those throughout our nation's history that have made this choice. I believe in my choice, albeit it will be costing me my chance at being elected into office. Serving my nation, the United States of America, in uniform while in harm's way, to help fight.”
TACOMA, Wash. – Seattle’s Walter “2 Guns” Wright makes his return to professional boxing on Friday, Jan. 12 at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Wash. when he fights at Battle at the Boat 114.
A 2001 U.S. National Amateur Championship finalist, Wright (14-4, 7 KOs) will step inside the ring for the first time in five years. He will face Rafael Valencia in a 6-round bout in the 167-pound division.
“Walter is back in business,” said Wright’s trainer Kenny Ellis. “He’s looking sharp and really excited to get back in there and do what he does best.”
The six-bout card will also feature a 10-round main event between welterweights John Jackson (17-3-2, 13 KOs) and Manuel Perez (28-12-1, 7 KOs).
Tickets are available through the EQC box office and all Ticketmaster Outlets. Preliminary bouts will start at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m.
This will mark Wright’s 12th career fight at the Emerald Queen Casino. He has an all-time record of 10-1-0 with 6 knockouts at the Tacoma venue.
“Sometimes as a professional athlete the mental side of the sport can really weigh on you. Physically, (Walter) was fine, but he just needed some time away from boxing. It ended up being the best thing for him,” said Ellis, a former WBA NABA middleweight champion who used to train with Wright. “He’s in the gym looking better than ever. He’s been putting in the work.”
A product of the Tacoma Boxing Club, Wright was a rare five-time Tacoma Golden Gloves champion – becoming just the seventh fighter at the time to win five or more titles at the long-running amateur tournament.
Wright won his first Tacoma Golden Gloves titles in 1999 in the 147-pound division. He added titles at 156 in 2000 and 2001 and at 165 in 2002 and 2003. Only Mylon Watkins, a former two-time National Golden Gloves champion, has won more local titles, winning six consecutive Tacoma Golden Gloves championships between 1981 and 1986.
Wright notched his first professional victory on Nov. 14, 2003 with a victory over Jose Medina in front of his hometown crowd, winning by unanimous decision at Seahawks Stadium.
Five months later he made his Emerald Queen Casino debut, defeating previously undefeated Mike Hannah by TKO which quickly made him a fan favorite among local fight fans.
Wright would post his 10th straight victory on Oct. 22, 2005 by knocking out Kemal Kolenovic at the Emerald Queen Casino.
His stellar 10-1 record and exciting in-ring style caught the attention of the producers of the ESPN reality show “The Contender” who added Wright to their Season 2 lineup to participate in the show’s welterweight tournament.
Wright became one of the show’s breakthrough stars, winning his 11th consecutive fight by beating Andre Eason in the first round.
Wright would eventually lose on the show in the tournament’s semifinals to future two-time IBF world super welterweight champion Cornelius Bundrage by decision.
Wright would close out “The Contender” by scoring a TKO victory over Vinroy Barrett at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sept. 26, 2006 on a televised national audience on ESPN.
Two more triumphs at the Emerald Queen Casino would follow, including a win by TKO over undefeated Dan Wallace on Jan. 12, 2007 before losing to former IBU world super welterweight champion Peter Manfredo in 2013 in his last bout.
“I’m very excited to see Walt make his long-awaited comeback to boxing,” said promoter, Brian Halquist. “He’s working hard. If anyone can make a comeback work, it’s Walter.”
Highlighting the undercard will be a pair of undefeated fighters in Jorge Linares (2-0-0) and Fatlum Zhuta (4-0-1, 3 KOs).
Linares will face the debuting Journey Newson in a four-round 140-pound bout, while Zhuta squares off against Eddie Hunter (10-13-2, 3 KOs) in a clash of super middleweights.
Battle at the Boat 114 will feature the VIP experience with 3rd Row Seats being discounted to $75 per ticket. All fans seated in in the VIP section (rows 1-3) will have an exclusive access point and a dedicated server to help create a true VIP experience.
In its heyday, Atlantic City was home to some of boxing's most storied fighters, most memorable fights, and an unmatched atmosphere, punctuated by glitz, glamour, sweat and blood. With Rising Star Promotions' launch of its new boxing series, Boardwalk Boxing, the budding promotional outfit hopes to return the city to its former pugilistic glory. On February 24, the series debuts at The Showboat Atlantic City, and features talent from New Jersey, Philadelphia and New York.
Boardwalk Boxing aims to continue the city's legacy of legendary fights and glamorous nights, honoring the rich history of boxing in Atlantic City. Rising Star Promotions plans to bring together local boxing gyms, fans and businesses to provide a platform for local and regional boxers to showcase their talent. "We want to bring the glory days of Atlantic City boxing back to the present," said Rising Star Promotions CEO Thomas "Cornflake" LaManna, who plans to fight in the series' inaugural event. "This city means so much to me personally and professionally, and after doing shows at the Claridge for the past two years and outgrowing that venue, it's an honor to launch Boardwalk Boxing at the Showboat. We are extremely grateful for the opportunity."
The 26 year old fighter drafted some of boxing's top talent to help launch the series, reaffirming his commitment to the city and the boxing community that began with the launch of his promotional company in 2015.
The series marks Hall of Fame Matchmaker Russell Peltz's return to Atlantic City, a locale that helped cement his legacy as one of the best matchmakers in the history of boxing. LaManna counts Peltz's events among the most memorable of his childhood. "You knew that when you went to one of Russell Peltz's events, you were going to get great, memorable fights." LaManna is thrilled to add the hall of famer to his team. "At the end of the day, he's part of the history of Atlantic City. It feels great that he believed in us enough to come on board."
'Raging Babe' Michelle Rosado has also been added to the Rising Star Promotions team ahead of the launch of Boardwalk Boxing. The marketing strategist and boxing enthusiast brings her brand of grassroots, boots on the ground promotional talent to the boardwalk for the launch of the series.
Brandon Dixon, Chief Operating Officer of Showboat Hotel's parent company, Tower Investments, is thrilled about the return of world-class boxing to the property. "Our venue is the most user-friendly destination for event planners on the entire Atlantic City Boardwalk," said Dixon. "We couldn't think of a better way to open our space up to the public than with the launch of the Boardwalk Boxing Series and Rising Star Promotions this February for a night that our guests will not forget."
The city's boxing history is unparalleled. Atlantic City's favorite son, Hall of Fame fighter Arturo "Thunder" Gatti, fought 22 of his 49 fights in the city, including the second and third installments of his legendary trilogy with "Irish" Micky Ward. Some of the sport's biggest names graced the ring in the city along the boardwalk over the years. Heavyweights Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield and Larry Holmes fought a combined 24 times in Atlantic City. Roy Jones, Jr., Bernard Hopkins, Roberto Duran, Miguel Cotto, Kelly Pavlik, Matthew Saad Muhammad, Mike Rossman, Jeff Chandler, and Aaron Pryor have all been part of the city's vast boxing history.