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Philippines, 26 Feb 2026 |
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Boxer and Philanthropist Boyd Melson Awarded Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award by President Joe Biden PhilBoxing.com Wed, 20 Aug 2025  Brooklyn, NY (August 19, 2025) – 46th US President Joe Biden has honored Boyd Melson, a former professional boxer, Operation Inherent Resolve Iraq combat veteran, and tireless humanitarian, with the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his unwavering commitment to public service, medical advocacy, and philanthropy. During his 18-fight pro career, Melson donated 100% of his fight purses; he donated 16 of his fight purses to Spinal Cord Research, one to a non-profit helping people live a sober life, and one to a childhood friend whose son was diagnosed with brain cancer. Between his fights and charity galas, Melson helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars. "Our country spends $10 billion annually of taxpayer dollars to care for the 300,000 Americans paralyzed," said Melson. "To repeat, $10 billion for 300,000 Americans. This is nonsensical. I do not think America is aware of this. Spinal Cord Injuries result in the single greatest American tax-dollar expenditure for a medical condition in America annually. Imagine our current administration helped people walk again? Imagine our administration was responsible not only for freeing up $10 billion annually of American taxpayer dollars from here forward, but also restoring paralyzed Americans’ abilities to work and earn money. This would create a future where these formerly paralyzed Americans can also now pay their own tax dollars into the Federal system. This one is not hard to understand. The Federal government has every financial incentive to cure spinal cord injuries, and this is a significant opportunity for our administration to make America stronger while creating human history." Melson, who retired from boxing in 2016, dedicated his entire adult life to helping others. From his military career as a West Point graduate, Army Reserve officer to his advocacy work and community leadership. Melson has also been recognized for volunteering with veterans, mentoring youth at the Steve Harvey Youth Mentorship Camp, assisting the US Army Boxing Team as a coach, and serving as the Ambassador of Peace for the World Boxing Council (WBC) and an Ambassador for the mental health non-profit GIVE AN HOUR. Adding to his long list of accomplishments, after recently earning his Master’s in Psychology from Harvard University, he is now attending the University of Southern California Rossier School, where he is completing his doctoral degree in Organizational Change and Leadership. His academic journey, which includes a certification as an Emotional Intelligence Coach, reflects his deep commitment to healing not only the body but the mind, especially for those affected by trauma and injury. The Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, one of the nation’s highest civilian honors, recognizes individuals who have contributed over 4,000 hours of service throughout their lifetime to benefit others. Melson joins a distinguished list of recipients who have demonstrated extraordinary civic dedication and impact.  |
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