A supporter's fight to honor his late father with Chris Rohland

Not Every Fight Ends at the Bell

This episode of the Haymakers for Hope podcast features Chris Rohland, a former Haymakers charity boxer. Chris talks about how he first heard about Haymakers through a colleague at the Boston Globe who was preparing to fight. Although skeptical at first, Chris attended the fight and was blown away by the commitment of the fighters and the crowd support. A few years later, Chris decided to sign up to fight after encouragement from Haymakers co-founder Andrew Myerson and an offer to train from George Foreman III.

Chris faced adversity in training due to injuries from a previous serious car accident. But with dedication and his trainer George's belief in him, he was able to get in fighting shape. On fight night, Chris left it all in the ring. He was filled with emotion after completing the demanding training and fighting for his father, who died of cancer at age 58. Chris says the experience taught him you have to fully commit to get results. He remains involved with Haymakers and says it has become an important part of his life.

Timestamped Quotes:

(00:00:44) "I always was looking for ways to honor my father, who died, you know, again from cancer when he was 58. And I'm 58 now, so it's kind of surreal for me to think that that was it for him, you know, 58."

(00:20:53) "I remember Rod saying to me, Man, good thing we didn't have another couple rounds because I was getting gassed and you just kept coming."

(00:21:36) "I sat down in the corner and started on taping myself and just kind of, and I'll admit it, I just kind of cried because you just left everything in that ring and it was, uh, It was amazing."

(00:22:24) "Listen to your trainer and don't go against what he or she tells you what to do. Go all in."

Resource Links:

Donate to Chris Rohland

Donate to Haymakers for Hope

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Haymakers for Hope is an official 501(c)(3) charity organization that gives you the opportunity to fight back against cancer. They also have charity bibs for races all across the country and host charity golf tournaments.

Not Every Fight Ends at the Bell is presented and produced by Haymakers for Hope, in partnership with StudioPod Media. Our producers are former fighters Jordan McMillan and Julian A Lewis II.