Boyd Melson Beats Hector Rivera In 44 Seconds In NYC

photo by Carlos Suarez
New York, NY (May 23, 2011) – Unbeaten junior middleweight Boyd “Rainmaker” Melson kept his perfect record alive by stopping veteran Hector Rivera in 44 seconds last Thursday evening at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City. After briefly getting a gage for his foe, Melson unloaded a solid straight left hand which dropped Rivera hard to the canvas. Rivera attempted to get up, but was unable to continue.

“This is the first time I’ve knocked somebody out since the amateurs,” said Melson, who spoke to the capacity crowd after his impressive about his fight to help people with severe spinal cord injuries. “The fight ended much quicker than I anticipated.”

For the third time in as many fights, Melson donated his entire purse to Justadollarplease.org in support of a pending stem cell trial for spinal cord injuries. If the trial goes through successfully, the research could potentially change the lives for thousands of disabled Americans currently in wheelchairs.

In association with Justadollarplease.org, Melson recently started 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, and prospects Sid “The Messenger” El Harrak, Denis “Da Momma’s Boy” Douglin, Vinny “The Lion” O’Brien and Delen “Sniper” Parsley.

Tax deductible donations can be made at Justadollarplease.org and information on Team Fight to Walk is available at Teamfighttowalk.com.

Melson’s next bout will be announced shortly.