Thursday, March 30 2017
During the coming months, we’ll be highlighting our fighters in training for the upcoming Rock ‘N Rumble VII in Boston, MA on May 18th. They’ve committed to four months of fundraising and training in preparation to get in the ring and literally fight for a cure. Whether their mom is battling, their father has passed or their friend has put up a victory against the disease – they’ve all got a story to tell and they’ve all got a reason to fight. Below you’ll hear from Kim Lipman, fighting out of Elite Boxing & Fitness in North Attleborough, MA.
Where are you from?
I grew up in Augusta, in central Maine. When you tell someone where that is the response is always, “Wow, that’s way up there” and in reality, it’s like calling Worcester, Western Massachusetts (because it’s not…).
Where’d you go to college? Did you play any sports there?
I started college at the University of Colorado in Boulder. I played 2 years of club soccer there before transferring to University of Southern Maine in Portland. My junior year I played softball and missed my senior season due to an ACL injury. Growing up I pretty much played every sport my parents were willing to drive me to including soccer, softball, basketball, skiing, and even a little ice hockey.
What do you do for work?
I am in medical device sales and work for a really cool company that is changing how doctors practice medicine. I know from firsthand experience that the more funding and resources that are out there, the better chance there is to improve patient outcomes. I am grateful to be able to make a contribution to that through Haymakers.
Why boxing? Did you ever picture yourself fighting?
While playing I was always competitive, and never shied away from contact. But boxing was never something that I ever considered, ever. My grandfather was a big boxing fan and ‘worked’ the local fights as the timer and bell guy. He used to joke about hitting the bell early if someone was really getting pummeled (a situation I hope to not find myself in!).
Why on earth did you sign up to fight??
I attended the very first Haymakers event at The Castle and always had an interest, but quite frankly, didn’t have the gumption. As time went on, sadly, more and more people in my life were affected by cancer, and my drive to help, and generally be more giving grew.
You’re stepping in the ring to literally fight for a cure - where are you drawing your inspiration from? How has cancer affected you?
At my aunt’s house, there are pictures of my cousin Jason Garfield playing peewee hockey and I never met him because he lost his battle as a teenager. My cousin Brianna Boston passed away when she was about 6 years old from brain cancer. She spent much of my high school soccer season on the sidelines with my jersey on. My parents have both had scares, but are luckily ok. At the end of the day, I am like everyone else in that I could fill pages of the friends and family that I think about even just in the first few weeks of training. While I miss beer, cocktails, and delicious food, I feel fortunate to be able to make the choice to not eat some things I want or to go to the gym even if it’s really early. I am so lucky to be part of this event and hope to make all those who support me proud. I am in medical device sales, and while I have no problem asking to close a sale, it’s a lot harder to ask people to put up their hard earned money to support me, and Haymakers. I know that I will train like crazy to make those people proud.
Come fight night, I will have friends, family, coworkers, and hockey teammates all out there supporting me. My hockey teammate will even be a ring girl celebrating her winning battle with breast cancer. While I hope to come up on top, I can certainly guarantee that we will all “win” in fundraising.
Who do you think is the most excited to watch you get punched in the face come fight night?
And lastly, after years of slight torture, I know my younger brother won’t mind seeing me take a couple punches.
Be sure to check out her fundraising page here and wish her luck on Instagram! Best of luck, Kim!