The NABF and WBC Cares are pleased to announce that they have formed a relationship with the Non-Profit Organization Merging Veterans and Players (MVP), where the WBC Cares will be supporting the MVP Mission.
The WBC Cares MVP initiative will be led by Boyd Melson and Jaime Cantu. Boyd is a retired professional boxer. He is a former WBC Junior Middleweight USNBC Champion as well as the WBC Ambassador of Peace and WBC Ambassador to the Military. Boyd is a Major in the U.S. Army Reserve, an Iraq Combat Veteran, a West Point Graduate, and a former Amateur World Military Boxing Champion. He serves on the Advisory Board for the Non-Profit STOP SOLDIER SUICIDE. Jaime is a retired Sergeant First Class from the United States Army andfather of WBC/NABF Champion Oscar “Lil Oscar” Cantu. Hecurrently works with the Military Veterans Peer Network MVPN which helps link veterans and their family members to services, primarily those who are dealing with Mental Health issues due to experiencing PTSD, TBI and MST (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury and Military Sexual Trauma).
Both Melson and Cantu believe in the MVP mission statement which states “By merging vets and players, we create an environment where these warriors can share each other’s strength and experience and can support each other in building fulfilling lives of service and strength.” Boxers will fit this need based on the lifestyle and commitment that is required to be a professional boxer. Melson and Cantu will assist Current and Former Boxers/Trainers that choose to volunteer their efforts with helping the MVP mission. Any individual wanting additional information on how to volunteer or get involved should contact these two individuals directly.
MVP was founded by Jay Glazer, NFL Insider for FOX Sports, and Nate Boyer, former Army Special Forces and former NFL player. The organization is built on their team’s years of experience coaching, mentoring, and leading men and women to their highest level of performance – in every sphere of life. If you are a combat veteran, including veterans who served in combat zones, or a former player.
Both Jay and Nate shared how positive they feel about this new relationship. “We are so grateful to have our MVP Tribe supported by the WBC. Whether you’re a Combat Vet or a former Pro Athlete we gotta “keep on punching,” and when we do get knocked down, understanding that it’s ok to let the people in my corner help pick me back up. We’re all in this together, and we’ll fight through to see another day” said Nate Boyer.
The organization hosts its members in 12 different work-out facilities throughout America. Their members, military veterans and retired professional athletes work out together in what MVP refers to as “THE HUDDLE.” Their workouts typically involve boxing and mixed martial arts. After they are done working out together, they then share time opening up about their mental health experiences with one another. The WBC Cares is proudto support their mission by helping facilitate their boxing workouts by providing professional boxers to work them out.