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by Stephen Press
Hometown Weekly Staff
In many ways, Michael Keaveney is a typical Medfield resident. He's a sales manager at EMC Corporation. He has a wife, an 8-year-old daughter and a 6-year-old son. When he's got some rare free time on his hands, he likes to hit the links.
For the last few months, though, he's been hitting the heavy bag.
Michael is participating in Haymakers for Hope, a charity that raises money for cancer research through the sport of boxing.
Haymakers for Hope is a non-profit founded in 2009 by boxers Julie Anne Kelly and Andrew Myerson. The two, both competing for New York City's Golden Gloves at the time, decided to combine their love of boxing with their desire to raise money for cancer research. The foundation has grown steadily since then. It now encompasses events in both Boston and New York, giving amateur boxers a chance to train in leading boxing gyms and eventually step into the ring in front of a cheering crowd - all in the name of cancer research.
It's all in good fun for an even better cause, but it's not easy.
"It is a full body workout that challenges you physically and mentally. The strength training is challenging, but the sparring is like nothing I have ever experienced," says Keaveney. "The anxiety that you face the day that you know it is sparring night is intense. Your opponent pushes you to the max every time. It is tough to explain until you actually get in the ring. Like any sport, you need to be intense, but the mind and body need to be relaxed. It is difficult to get yourself to that zone. You move better, faster and more powerfully once relaxed, but as you tire, you need your mind strong enough to tell your body: 'keep going.' If you don’t, you get hit and there is nowhere to go until the bell rings.
For Keaveney, taking those hits becomes a bit easier when he keeps his eyes on the ultimate prize.
"I lost a grandfather, uncle, and father-in-law to different forms of cancer," Michael reflects. "My cousin, Kelly, is a cancer survivor and will be one of the ring card holders during my fight. I chose to fight for two reasons. One was to jump start me getting back into fantastic shape. Second was to fight to raise funds for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in respect for what all cancer victims go through. I have the opportunity to fight for a cause."
There's another prize, too: one of personal gratitude.
"I am privileged to be a part of this cause and look forward to when the final bell rings. I will celebrate what I have done personally and thank all those that help support raising money to fight cancer. This is a competition that you hope to win against an opponent,” says Keaveney.
“However, this event is bigger than a single punch, combination or round. It is all about the knockout against cancer. I am humbled to be able to participate."
Michael Keaveney will step into the ring at the House of Blues in Boston on Thursday, May 19 at 6:30 p.m. For more information or to donate, visit www.haymakersforhope.org.
