Thursday, April 19 2018
During the coming months, we’ll be highlighting our fighters in training for the upcoming Rumble in the Rockies in Denver on June 14th. 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 Brian Shamus, fighting out of the Bodies by Perserverence.
Where are you from?
Albuquerque
Where’d you go to college?
Pitt
Did you play any sports growing up?
Nothing that suggests I would be a boxer - cross country, track, basketball and golf. Rugby became my sport in college and after.
What do you do for work?
Product Manager for a building materials company
Why boxing? Did you ever picture yourself fighting?
I started out as a runner - my boxing coach likes to say to me, "you can fight or you can run, but you can't do both" which I think means I am still more of a runner than a fighter. Boxing is raw competition in the most pure form - I have always been interested to see how I would stand up to the test.
Why on earth did you sign up to fight??
I still ask myself that most early mornings on my way to the gym and it is the first thing my friends ask when I tell them about the bout coming up. Several things happened at the same time that all directed me to H4H. I decided to not believe in coincidences and take this opportunity to do something meaningful.
You’re stepping in the ring to literally fight for a cure - where are you drawing your inspiration from? How has cancer affected you?
A colleague had just started her fight with cancer when I was approached to help network and find potential fighters. I lost a grandmother to cancer and, as I talked with others about this charity, I was reminded that it is rare to come across a person that doesn't have a personal connection and motivation to see cancer gone. I have four boys and want cancer to be far less common when they are adults.
What is going to be the most difficult thing to give up during your training? (beer, cheeseburgers, time spent watching TV?)
I realized the irony of chewing tobacco while fighting for a cure, so I have given that up. Giving up sleeping to train has been harder than giving up the ol chaw, which is surprising.
When you’re not throwing punches and training -- what other hobbies/interests do you have?
I am the proud father of four boys under 7 and a husband to a rockstar wife who has been really encouraging in this process. We decided that there was not enough happening in our lives and got a rescue puppy recently... What is a hobby?
Who do you think is the most excited to watch you get punched in the face come fight night?
I am perfect for this charity because that is a long list...
Be sure to check out his fundraising page here and wish him luck!